Atheists in Quran (17) their power = naught

Muslims were scared of the might of the unbelievers; they flee from fear to more fear. Allah’s Law is “Do not fear the might of the Atheists if you believe in Allah, the Almighty”. Adopting this law, Muslims won and the unbelievers defeated

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The background of the verse 24:57

Muslims flee from fear to more fear

At the beginning of Islam, Muslims were scared of the might of the unbelievers.

The unbelievers were very violent striking the Muslims with all kinds oftorment

Then, the Muslims left their houses, possessions, money etc. and migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah in an attempt to flee from the mighty unbelievers.

I will let Abu al-Aliyah (one of Muhammad’s fellows) to describe the Muslims’ situation, he said:

“The Prophet Muhammad and his Companions remained in Makkah for around ten years calling on people to believe in Allah and to worship Him alone, associating no partners with Him.

However, they did so in secret, as they were in a state of fear of the unbelievers who were very violent with the little Muslims community. Moreover, the Prophet Muhammad has prevented us from fighting. When the Muslims later migrated to Al- Madinah, Allah bid them to fight back for their cause. This meant that they were again in a state of more fear, wearing their body armor day and night. They persevered for as long as Allah willed.

One of his Companions asked the Prophet: Are we to remain in such fear for the rest of time? Will there comes a time when we can put our armaments aside?’

The Prophet said: ‘It will not be long before any one of you can sit among a huge crowd without anyone carrying arms.’

Soon afterwards, Allah revealed this verse. The Prophet was able to establish his authority over the whole of Arabia and his followers were in a state of security. They put down their arms”.

The verse 24:57 says:

Do not Think O Muhammad that the unbelievers can escape from Allah’s punishment both in the life of this world and in the Hereafter

For their abode will be the Eternal Fire; it is surely an evil destination, the worst abode for anyone. A hapless journey’s end

The verse confirms that the unbelievers cannot defy Allah. They will receive their fair punishment in this life and in the Afterlife.

Allah says to the believers: if you remain steadfast, following My path, then you need not worry about the might of the unbelievers. The power they apparently wield will not stand in your way. You are far stronger when equipped with your faith.

In material power, you may not be a match for them, but believers who strive for the truth can work miracles.

Back to 1400 years ago,

The unbelievers were more than 30 times the believers in respect to their:

• Populations
• Equipment
• Army force
• Wealth
• Etc.

However, Allah as He promised defeated them in this life and you will see the fulfilment of his promise in the Afterlife.

Allah’s Law is:

Do not fear the might of the Atheists if you believe that the Almighty exists.

No wonder then that “the Prophet Muhammad was able to establish his authority over the whole of Arabia”

(Quoted from Abu al-Aliyah)

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The verse 24:57 in different translations:

QARIB:

Never think that the unbelievers will be able to frustrate (us) in the earth. their refuge is the fire, an evil arrival.

SHAKIR:

Think not that those who disbelieve shall escape in the earth, and their abode is the fire; and certainly evil is the resort!

PICKTHAL:

Think not that the disbelievers can escape in the land. fire will be their home – a hapless journey’s end!

YUSUFALI:

Never think thou that the unbelievers are going to frustrate (Allah’s plan) on earth: their abode is the fire,- and it is indeed an evil refuge!

Angels in Islam (8) why Abraham was scared of the Angels?

The Angels are created from light.

Does the light eat? 

Does the light drink?

In the previous article, we have seen that both the Bible and the Quran describe the interesting story of Abraham and his Guests, the Angels,.

The Bible says that Abraham offered the Angels food and they ate (Genesis 18:7-8)

In addition, Psalm 78:25 mentions the Angels’ food (See the appendix).

 

Abraham and his Guests, the Angels in the Quran

The verses 51:24-28 describe what happened between Abraham and the Angels

The meaning of verses in short:

“Then Abraham turned quickly to his household, brought out a calf, and placed it before them; but they did not eat. He said, ‘Will you not eat?’ And he was scared of them.

The Angels said: ‘Fear not,’ and they gave him glad tidings of a son (Isaac) endowed with knowledge.”
In addition, the verse 11:70 says:
“But when Abraham saw their hands went not towards the food, he felt some mistrust of them, and conceived a fear of them. They said: ‘Fear not: we have been sent against the people of Lot.’

Why Abraham was scared of the Angels?

Traditionally, Hospitality was the custom of the ancient noble people.

The host has to offer the best food for his guests/

Abraham was the top of noble and generous people.

The guest(s) must eat the food presented to them

But what if the guest(s) did not eat the food?

According to the custom of the ancient people, the guest(s) does not eat the food of the host if he going to hurt his host e.g. if he wants to kill him.

When Abraham saw three men at his door, he thought that they were men not Angels and he ran to his household to present them the best of food. And when they did not eat, he thought they wanted to hurt him and his family that is why he was scared of them.

If Abraham knew from the beginning that they were Angels, he would not offered then any food because he knows very well that the Angels do not eat!

 

The verses 51:24-28 in four different translations

QARIB:

24) Have you heard the story of Abraham’s honored guests?

25) They entered to him and said: ‘peace. ‘And he replied: ‘peace, you are people unknown to me. ‘

26) So he turned to his household and brought a fattened calf.

27) He set it before them, saying: ‘will you not eat? ‘

28) Then he conceived a fear about them, and they said: ‘have no fear’, and gave him the glad tidings that he was to have a knowledgeable son.

 

SHAKIR:

24) Has there come to you information about the honored guests of Ibrahim?

25) When they entered upon him, they said: peace. Peace, said he, a strange people

26) Then he turned aside to his family secretly and brought a fat (roasted) calf,

27) So he brought it near them. He said: what! Will you not eat?

28) So he conceived in his mind a fear on account of them. They said: fear not. And they gave him the good news of a boy possessing knowledge

 

PICKTHAL:

24) Hath the story of Abraham’s honoured guests reached thee (o Muhammad)?

25) When they came in unto him and said: peace! He answered, peace! (And thought): folk unknown (to me).

26) Then he went apart unto his housefolk so that they brought a fatted calf;

27) And he set it before them, saying: will ye not eat?

28) Then he conceived a fear of them. They said: fear not! And gave him tidings of (the birth of) a wise son.

 

YUSUFALI:

24) Has the story reached thee, of the honoured guests of Abraham?

25) Behold, they entered his presence, and said: “peace!” he said, “peace!” (and thought, “These seem) unusual people.”

26) Then he turned quickly to his household, brought out a fatted calf,

27) And placed it before them.. He said, “Will ye not eat?”

28) (When they did not eat), he conceived a fear of them. They said, “Fear not,” and they gave him glad tidings of a son endowed with knowledge.

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Appendix:

Psalm 78:25

21st Century King James Version: Man ate angels’ food

Complete Jewish Bible: mortals ate the bread of angels;

Amplified Bible: Everyone ate the bread of the mighty [man ate angels’ food]

Angels in Islam (7) they do not eat or drink

The Angels are created from light.

Does the light eat?  

Does the light drink?

Remarkably, both the Bible and the Quran describe the interesting story of Abraham and his Guests.

 

Who were Abraham guests?

In the Bible. Abraham guests were Jehovah, the Lord God and two accompanying Angels (Genesis 18: 1-2 and 7-8)

In the Quran: Abraham guests were Angels (Chapter 51:24-28)

 

What has Abraham offered them as food?

In the Bible: Abraham offered them butter and milk and the calf which he had dressed,

In the Quran: Abraham offered them roasted calf

 

Did Abraham guests eat?

In the Bible: Yes, they ate.

In the Quran: No, they did not eat; that is why Abraham was very scared of them! Why? See the next article

It should be emphasized that, according to the Quran and Islamic teaching, anyone who believes that the Almighty Creator and/or the Angels eat or drink is considered as unbeliever and he will dwell in the Eternal Hell in the Afterlife.

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The Bible: Jehovah, the Lord God and his Angels EAT

Genesis 18: 1-2 and 7-8

21st Century King James Version

1And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day.

² And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and lo, three men stood by him. And when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground

⁷ And Abraham ran unto the herd and fetched a calf, tender and good, and gave it unto a young man, and he hastened to dress it.

⁸ And he took butter and milk and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they ate.

 

American Standard Version

1 And Jehovah appeared unto him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

² and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood over against him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth,

⁷ And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto the servant; and he hasted to dress it.

⁸ And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.