Archive for Qur'an
Disagreements: Keeping a Sense of Proportion
The following is an anecdote I wish to share particularly with my Muslim readers, as it pertains to the etiquettes of disagreement in matters of understanding the religion. Other readers may benefit more from the early part as well as the general principles in the conclusion.
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A common theme expressed by Muslim speakers when addressing audiences with varied backgrounds is the common origin of all humanity from a single mother and father. As the Qur’an says:
[O mankind, indeed We created you from a (single) male and female, and made you into nations and tribes so you may know one another. Truly, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the most righteous of you. Indeed, God is Knowing and Acquainted.] (Al-Hujurat 49:13)
In other words, people all over the world form a single human family comprised of different languages and colours, and also different creeds.
This point is so obvious as not to require further evidence from scripture, but indeed there are other verses of relevance. In particular, various prophets are described as the “brother” of their people, including Prophet Lut (Lot, peace be upon him) who was not even a blood relation (in the immediate sense) of the people of Sodom to whom he was sent:
[The people of Lut denied the messengers, when their brother Lut said to them: “Will you not fear (God)? Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger.”] (Ash-Shu`araa’ 26:160-162)
Admittedly, there is a verse that seems to contradict the notion of a universal human brotherhood, and it appears in the same chapter as the first verse quoted above:
[The believers are but brothers...] (Al-Hujurat 49:10)
However, we should note that technically, what the verse denies is that the believers are anything to one another except a brotherhood. It does not preclude describing the broader human race as a brotherhood. It should also be noted that the Arabic term “ukhuwwah” is not as male-specific as the English translation implies.
In short, there is a brotherhood – and sisterhood – based on faith, and that is what the Muslims share with one another and nobody else. It is the concept of “Ummah”, or a single diverse nation. At the same time, Muslims share with all other children of Adam and Eve a family bond: brotherhood in humanity.
And among His signs…
The following video is from the 2008 launch of the Scottish-Islamic Foundation, of which I was a director at the time. After the introduction by the chair is a recitation from the Qur’an delivered by yours truly, of a passage I selected due to the universal significance of its meanings.
Here is the A. Yusuf Ali translation of the verses recited:
{ So (give) glory to God, when ye reach eventide and when ye rise in the morning;
Yea, to Him be praise, in the heavens and on earth; and in the late afternoon and when the day begins to decline.
It is He Who brings out the living from the dead, and brings out the dead from the living, and Who gives life to the earth after it is dead: and thus shall ye be brought out (from the dead).
Among His Signs in this, that He created you from dust; and then,- behold, ye are men scattered (far and wide)!
And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.
And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colours: verily in that are Signs for those who know.
And among His Signs is the sleep that ye take by night and by day, and the quest that ye (make for livelihood) out of His Bounty: verily in that are signs for those who hearken. }
[Ar-Rum 30:17-23]
The Original Sin: Racism
Today I had the pleasure of joining a large gathering in Edinburgh to mark the official opening of this year’s Festival of Spirituality and Peace. There were speeches by Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill MSP and organisers of the festival, as well as a wide variety of performances and offerings for reflection.
My contribution was to recite a passage from the Qur’an, which I chose to do in a new way, alternating between each Arabic verse and its translation in English. Qur’anic recitation is a unique art form which I promote through an organisation I founded called Quranica, and which I practise as best I can. In terms of the science of accurate recitation, I am blessed to have learned from leading experts – mainly in Egypt – and received traditional ‘ijazah’ certification by reciting to them.
Since the theme of the 2009 Festival is “The Call of Home”, I explained before commencing that I chose these particular verses for three main reasons:
- They remind us that all humans beings share a common mother and father.
- They reveal that the true Original Sin – literally the very first sin to occur in the universe – was the arrogance of Satan in supposedly being made of a nobler substance: in other words, racism. It should be noted that Satan, also known as Iblis, was never an angel but was at one time in their company, hence his inclusion in the command directed to the angels.
- They remind us of our origin, and the home we must strive to return to by worshipping Almighty God and serving Him in these earthly lives of ours.
Born believers – new study
Children are born believers in God, academic claims
Dr Justin Barrett, a senior researcher at the University of Oxford’s Centre for Anthropology and Mind, claims that young people have a predisposition to believe in a supreme being because they assume that everything in the world was created with a purpose.
He says that young children have faith even when they have not been taught about it by family or at school, and argues that even those raised alone on a desert island would come to believe in God.
Very interesting, though rather a familiar idea to a Muslim! The Prophet Muhammad (on whom be peace) taught: “Every newborn is born upon the Natural Way (fitrah) and it is his parents who make him Jewish, Christian or Magian.” And we might add: or atheist.
While the term ‘fitrah’ is understood to mean Islam, the wording is important because it indicates that what we mean by children being “born Muslims” is the most essential meaning, namely the natural inclination of the soul to recognise its Creator and worship Him. That, after all, is the meaning of Islam: wilful submission to God’s will, so we can see clearly why the “natural way” is considered synonymous with Islam.
Because of this concept, many people who accept Islam later in life prefer the term “revert” over “convert”, to reflect the idea that they are coming back to something they always recognised in their heart of hearts. As the Qur’an says:
{ And [mention] when your Lord took from the children of Adam – from their loins – their descendants and made them testify of themselves, [saying to them], “Am I not your Lord?” They said, “Yes, we have testified.” [This] – lest you should say on the day of Resurrection, “Indeed, we were of this unaware.” } [Al-A'raf 7:172]
Divine Intervention for a Jew
I recently read a book by the Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi, on Islamic Ethics in which he narrated the following story from the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), in the chapter discussing the virtue of justice. I felt it worthy of mention because I first heard this story from a Muslim speaker in the UK whom some people are now trying to portray as an “anti-Semitic bigot” – indeed, I have heard him speak numerous times and it seems that in every speech, he takes the opportunity to draw his listeners’ attention to this story…
It happened in the Prophetic Era that a man named Ta’mah ibn Abreeq stole a shield from one of his neighbours called Qatadah ibn Nu’man, then stashed it at the home of a Jewish man called Zayd ibn as-Sameen.
Qatadah asked Ta’mah about the shield, and he denied any knowledge of it; so Qatadah started to search for it until he found it with the aforementioned Jew. When asked about it, he blamed Ta’mah.
Hence the case was taken before the Prophet (peace be upon him), who summoned Ta’mah and asked him, “Did you steal this shield and place it with Zayd ibn as-Sameen?” He denied it, so the Prophet asked Zayd: “Do you have any witnesses to support your claim that Ta’mah planted it on you?” He said that he did not. Meanwhile, the relatives of Ta’mah came and argued on his behalf.
In the midst of this confusion, the Qur’anic revelation came to clarify the truth from falsehood, and to establish justice in the face of impending injustice.
{ Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth so you may judge between the people by that which Allah has shown you. And do not be for the deceitful an advocate.
And seek forgiveness of Allah . Indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.
And do not argue on behalf of those who deceive themselves. Indeed, Allah loves not one who is a habitually sinful deceiver. } [An-Nisa 4:105-7]Then the Qur’an turns to rebuke those who are ashamed before people but not ashamed before God:
{ They conceal [their evil intentions and deeds] from the people, but they cannot conceal [them] from Allah , and He is with them [in His knowledge] when they spend the night in such as He does not accept of speech. And ever is Allah , of what they do, encompassing. } [4:108]
Then it further rebuked those who advocate on behalf of others using falsehood and deception:
{ Here you are – those who argue on their behalf in [this] worldly life – but who will argue with Allah for them on the Day of Resurrection, or who will [then] be their representative? } [4:109]
Then Almighty God opened the door of repentance for these treacherous folk, made clear that the harmful effects of their actions would only come back to their perpetrators, and issued a warning of a terrible ending to whoever commits what God has prohibited and attempts to blame others:
{ And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful.
And whoever commits a sin only earns it against himself. And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.
But whoever earns an offence or a sin and then blames it on an innocent [person] has taken upon himself a slander and manifest sin. } [4:110-12]Then these verses are sealed with mention of the great favour of God upon his Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
{ And if it was not for the favour of Allah upon you, [O Muhammad], and His mercy, a group of them would have determined to mislead you. But they do not mislead except themselves, and they will not harm you at all. And Allah has revealed to you the Book and wisdom and has taught you that which you did not know. And ever has the favour of Allah upon you been great. } [4:113]
Certainly whoever ponders deeply on these noble verses will see that they guide mankind to justice which is swayed neither by desires, nor by tribal loyalty. It does not depend on love or hate, and is applied even if the person in the wrong is among those professing Islam, and the party in the right is non-Muslim.
Do you see a form of justice coming close to this in its nobility, purity and upright methodology?
