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"Worship no creature!"

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  • Q16: How someone becomes a Muslim ? what do Muslims believes in ? What is the fine line between Muslims and non-Muslims ?
    A: Every Muslim should believe and testify that "لا إله إلا الله" pronounced "la ilah illa Allah" which mean literary "there is no god but Allah" and that "محمد رسول الله" pronounced "Muhammad rasoolu Allah" which means "Muhammad is Allah's messenger" and practice what they mean. By this one becomes a Muslim.
  • Q17: Who is Allah ? Why don't you just say God ?
    A: Allah is the creator. The one and only true god. Allah tells his messenger (Muhammad [PBUH]) to answer questions of disbelievers and Jews who asked about Allah, to what race does he belong and how does he look and ...etc. with this chapter of Quran: { قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ * اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ * لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ * وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُواً أَحَدٌ } meaning { Say: 'He is Allah, the One [and unique and not composite], * Allah is Assamad [self-sufficient, independent, the called upon, none like him, all needs him and He needs none]. * Who has not given birth, and has not been born, * and there is none equal to Him. ' } (V112:1-4)

    Allah is God who sent Abraham, Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them). Allah is the creator, the very creator worshiped by Jews and Christians. But the word "God" is very ambiguous. The Arabic word "Allah" is a name, it's his name, it's unambiguously very clear. (For example, it has no plural) Be informed, that Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians do not hesitate to use that word. Actually, it's written and pronounced exactly the same in Hebrew (with suffix -em which mean the greatest) and in Syriac (a dialect of Aramaic, AFAIK, it's the native language of Jesus [PBUH]) and it could be easily found on bibles.

  • Q18: What does "there is no god but Allah" mean ?
    A: First, it means what it appears to mean. The oneness and uniqueness of god, There is only one creator, which also mean To disclaim the existence of all gods, divine things, idols and supreme beings except Allah. It's the exact mathematical meaning of unique: "there exists a unique (one and only) true god which is called Allah" if one recognize another different god (or different incarnation or representation or manifestation) then he is wrong and he is not a Muslim. Allah is exclusively the creator, the maintainer, the sustainer ..etc. If he wants to annihilate you no one (idols, angels, devils, priests, clergymen nor magicians) could protect you. If he protects you, no one (idols, angels, devils, priests, clergymen nor magicians) could harm you.

    Second, that one should be liberated from any submission to such idols or those who claim to be intermediaries, or to any theological rulers (all are called طاغوت), he should disclaim and reject submission to them. One should believe that nothing worthy worshiping except Allah. Those are main the two aspects of this testimony توحيد الألوهية وتوحيد الربوبية. One of the best interpretation to it "لا معبود بحق إلا الله" "Nothing has the right to be worshiped or obeyed except Allah" and this testimony is the faith article of Islamic, it's the principle of all principles, like the Islamic principle "لا طاعة لمخلوق في معصية الخالق" meaning "there is no obedience for a creature in a thing that lead to disobeying the creator". We (Muslims) worship Allah directly, we supplicate to Allah directly.

  • Q19: What do "worship" means ?
    A: In Islamic terminology it has more general meaning beside the usual meaning, for example if one asks a priest for intercession, blessing or forgiveness, then he is considered worshiping that priest (which is a kind of polytheism). And if someone have beyond reasoning beliefs like to ask his dead grandfather (or his soul or whatever) for help or guidance then this is also a kind of polytheism. A Muslim only supplicate to Allah only. The way Allah wants us to worship him is by practicing all kinds of sincere good deeds (like taking care of your body or even just smiling to people!) and only for the sake of Allah (not for fame, nor worldly rewards).
  • Q20: The only creator! Does Allah create cars ?
    A: Be aware of translation limitation. The Arabic meaning of creator الخالق which means "The ultimate creator, who make things from nothing, the reason behind all reasons", we don't say that a pregnant woman creates her embryo (she caries him/her) we don't say a farmer creates trees, he plants them, we don't say that car factory creates cars, it manufacture them. So the answer is Yes, Allah had created the entire universe and created us and made choices we take (and we take responsibility on such choices). We may say that man creates so and so, but as a figure of speech or a different sense of the same word "create" (not the ultimate supreme creation of course) Man may ask another for help, a help within reasonable things that man trivially is capable to do, as we Muslims consider reasons "نأخذ بالأسباب", reasons that are decreed by the will of Allah. For example, if one man claim having the power to heal people by irrational means (eg. voodoos) and another man ask him then both are not Muslims. While on the other hand, a Muslim could ask a doctor for medicine.
  • Q21: Only one god! I'll believe in two. My two gods are better than your single one god.
    A: If having two is better, then having three is more better and so on, till infinity so one find him self considering everything as a god! which is so silly. but this is not the issue. The issue is whether such things exist on reality and whether they are worthy worshiping (one could have whatever hallucinations what matters is reality). We believe that Allah is my god and is your god, no matter you believe in him or not, no matter you worship him or not, no matter you obey him or disobey. He had created me and you. Allah is the sustainer of both those who obey him and those who disobey. He has the absolute power. It's impossible to have two different absolute powers, as then they both become partial powers.
    {أَمْ مَنْ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَأَنْزَلَ لَكُمْ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَنْبَتْنَا بِهِ حَدَائِقَ ذَاتَ بَهْجَةٍ مَا كَانَ لَكُمْ أَنْ تُنْبِتُوا شَجَرَهَا أإلَهٌ مَعَ اللَّهِ بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ يَعْدِلُونَ} meaning {Is He who created the heavens and the earth, and sent water from the sky for you and caused gardens to grow full of beauty of which its tree you could never grow, is there a god with Allah? No, but they are a nation who set up equals with Him! (but they are aberrant people who know the right thing but insist on the wrong!)" (Quran V27:60)

    The existence of another creator means there are completely different creatures or different universes ..etc. where are they ? we are able to distinguish different oil-paintings and know who is the painter of each, Why can't we classify different creatures in a way that support having different creators ? is there any indicator that lead to the confusion that those separated things are created by that god and those other things are created by the other god ? (science shows that materials on every creature is a composition of different types elements but all elements could be resulted from each other through nuclear reactions and suggest that all of them were resulted from hydrogen, and even subatomic particles could result from each other) { قُلْ مَنْ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ قُلِ اللَّهُ قُلْ أَفَاتَّخَذْتُمْ مِنْ دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ لِأَنْفُسِهِمْ نَفْعاً وَلَا ضَرّاً قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الْأَعْمَى وَالْبَصِيرُ أَمْ هَلْ تَسْتَوِي الظُّلُمَاتُ وَالنُّورُ أَمْ جَعَلُوا لِلَّهِ شُرَكَاءَ خَلَقُوا كَخَلْقِهِ فَتَشَابَهَ الْخَلْقُ عَلَيْهِمْ قُلِ اللَّهُ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ الْوَاحِدُ الْقَهَّارُ } meaning {Say: 'Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth? ' Say: 'Allah. ' Say: 'Why then have you chosen guardians other than Him, even though they have neither the power to benefit nor harm themselves? ' Say: 'Are the blind and the seeing equal? Are darkness and light equal? Or, have they ascribed to Allah associates who create as He creates so that all creation is alike to them?' Say: 'Allah is the Creator of everything. He is the One, the Conqueror. '} (Quran V13:16)

    If there are other gods this would result an interest conflict, they clash and the universe would collapse {أمِ اتَّخَذُوا آَلِهَةً مِنَ الْأَرْضِ هُمْ يُنْشِرُونَ * لَوْ كَانَ فِيهِمَا آَلِهَةٌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا فَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ } meaning { Or, have they taken earthly gods who revive the dead? * Had there been gods in heaven or earth, other than Allah, both would indeed have been ruined. Exalted be Allah, Lord of the Throne, above that they describe. } (V21:21)

    With such assumption (having gods), gods would isolate their creations take them for themselves and they would fight other gods so that the stronger will rise over the weak! and how a weak would be a god! Quran discuss this as in: {مَا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ مِنْ وَلَدٍ وَمَا كَانَ مَعَهُ مِنْ إِلَهٍ إِذاً لَذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَهٍ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلَا بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ } meaning { Allah has not taken to Himself any son, there is no other god with Him. Were this otherwise each god would have taken that which he created, and some of them would have risen above others; Exalted is Allah beyond that they describe! } (V23:91). Want a short convincing answer? take this verse, this challenge, this Aya (verse; proof, evidence, guidance, miracle, ..etc.) { يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ لَنْ يَخْلُقُوا ذُبَاباً وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا لَهُ وَإِنْ يَسْلُبْهُمُ الذُّبَابُ شَيْئاً لَا يَسْتَنْقِذُوهُ مِنْهُ ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَالْمَطْلُوبُ } meaning { People, this is a parable, listen to it. Those whom you call upon, other than Allah, could never create a fly, though they banded together to do this. And if a fly robs them of anything, they could never rescue it from it. The seeker and the sought are alike in their weakness. } (V22:73). O people, You and your claimed gods, are challenged to create a little, wretched, despicable creature, an insect, a fly! Too difficult! cooperate all of you people and your false gods, Too difficult! cooperate all of you people and your false gods to bring back what a fly steals! How weak! what a humble challenge that your gods can't fulfill!!

    Many polytheists (those who believe in more than one god) believe that there is only one creator (sometimes they only admit this after they are squeezed by facts or by verses of their own scriptures), yet they insist on worshiping many things and considering them gods (eg. Hindus consider every thing to be god). We (Muslims) consider human beings to be superior over all other creatures, we (Humans) have the responsibility to take over this worldly universe, it's subjected to us (humans), the responsibility to build the civilization, but some humans have wronged themselves, and worshiped completely useless things (for example, if one worship fire, then fire is not aware of it and it will burn him) and even if one worship an aware-being, a useful creature, then it becomes completely useless beside Allah. For example, worshiping a doctor won't heal you, taking the medicine decreed by Allah will heal you. Refer to related versed in Quran (eg. V10:14, V16:1-40, V17:70 and V35:39) Yet, polytheists claim that they don't literally worship many things, or they don't literally subject themselves to such wretched despicable physical things and then they mention some metaphysical terms and claim that they worship those terms (depending on their religion, "contained spirit", "space", "incarnation of the creator", "a symbol of the creator", "manifestation" ..etc) such argument is only based on assumed terms (no more than names for things that don't exist or won't worth any real value) without being based on any kind knowledge { قَالَ قَدْ وَقَعَ عَلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ رِجْسٌ وَغَضَبٌ أَتُجَادِلُونَنِي فِي أَسْمَاء سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنتُمْ وَآبَآؤكُم مَّا نَزَّلَ اللّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَانٍ فَانتَظِرُواْ إِنِّي مَعَكُم مِّنَ الْمُنتَظِرِينَ } meaning { He answered: 'The punishment and wrath of your Lord has already fallen upon you. Would you dispute with me about names which you and your fathers have invented, and for which no authority has been sent down from Allah? Wait if you will, I am waiting with you. ' } (V7:71) (see also V12:40 and V53:23) { وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللّهِ مَا لاَ يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلاَ يَنفَعُهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ هَؤُلاء شُفَعَاؤُنَا عِندَ اللّهِ قُلْ أَتُنَبِّئُونَ اللّهَ بِمَا لاَ يَعْلَمُ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَلاَ فِي الأَرْضِ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ } meaning { They worship, other than Allah, that which can neither harm nor benefit them, and say: 'These are our intercessors with Allah. ' Say: 'Will you tell Allah of something He does not know about either in the heavens or earth? Exaltations to Him! Exalted be He above what they associate! ' } (V10:18)

    I strongly recommend not to continue reading this before listening to chapter 50; Surat Qaaf. and read its meaning translation.

  • Q22: By same reasoning, who created God, how God was originated ?
    A: This question is just another "word game". Putting a question mark after a self-contradicting statement won't make a valid question. Such questions assumes that the ultimate creator is a creature which is not the case. We know that organized patterns are not a result of coincidences or chance, the more complicated are the lesser the probability that it's a result of chance, for example a random shaped rock might be shaped by random weathering, but the statue of liberty can't be, for sure it was made by an aware designer. We know that we do exist. We know that there are things in universe that can't be a result of coincidences like your brain which is much more complicated than the most powerful computer. As a result, for sure there is a creator who don't need a creator, an ultimate creator, an absolute power.

    Let me give you an example, let's assume that you need a loan, you went to a friend of you then he asked you to bring a guarantor, you went to another person to be your guarantor, and he asked for a guarantor and so on. If all of them require this condition then you won't get the loan. And if there is a fact that you get that loan, so this mean that there is someone who did not require you to bring a guarantor.

  • Q23: If God can do every thing, can God create another God, can God send me out of his kingdom ?
    A: Those are not real questions, they are just another "word games". Go learn some mathematical reasoning. Asking "can God create another God ?" implies that God is a creature! and in the same time, it also implies that he in not. And before asking "can God send me out of his kingdom ?" You have to prove that such a place exists. It's like when I tell you that the set R contains all the real numbers and you ask me "does it contain the real solution for x+1=x or x2 = -1 ?", to conclude the R does not contain all real numbers. According to Ibn Taimiah things that are self-contradicting or self-nullified are not worthy to be considered as things.
  • Q24: What about the Zero gods case ? I believe in science, I don't believe in any god at all, universe is infinite, primordial, and eternal, nothing have been created at all, it's just an autonomous progress of nature.
    A: As I mentioned before Islam is consistent with science, there is no contradiction between Islam and scientific facts. More over we (Muslims) are responsible to contemplate and dig for knowledge every time (through scientific methods, of course), this is one way of worshiping Allah: { الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَاماً وَقُعُوداً وَعَلَى جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَذَا بَاطِلاً سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ } meaning { Those who remember Allah when standing, sitting, and on their sides, and contemplate upon the creation of the heavens and the earth (saying:) 'Lord, You have not created these in falsehood. Exaltations to You! Guard us against the punishment of the Fire.} (V3:191) Science indicate that the universe (earth and space) is not infinite, scientists even have estimated its size. And it's not primordial they even have estimated its age. And it's not eternal, they even have set so many far endings (like in the 2nd thermodynamic law which expect that in so deep future temperature of everything becomes equal and then no work could happen and this is only one possibility among so many other expected ineluctable deaths of the universe, it's a matter of which comes first).

    A famous story about some major atheists who challenged Muslims, so they called a great Muslim scholar and set a time for argument. The scholar arrived late and they said "what took you so long?", he asked them to listen to his story first, he said that he had to cross a river in order to reach them, and he had no way to do that, so he sat sadly thinking about a solution, and suddenly a tree fell down, then it was cut by itself and nailed and autonomously formed a small boat, and then he said "I used it to cross the river, and here I am." The atheists said "you brought us a liar, what a superstition! how could a boat be made like that by itself!" The Imam replied that "you claim that every thing is so, you claim the the entire universe is made like that by itself".

    Roughly speaking, science (Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy, ...etc). suggests that the universe was a single solid mass called "primordial matter" which had exploded to produce the universe we know (called "Big Bang!") and Quran tells us { أَوَلَمْ يَرَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ كَانَتَا رَتْقاً فَفَتَقْنَاهُمَا وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَاءِ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ حَيٍّ أَفَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ } meaning {Have the unbelievers not seen that the heavens and the earth were one Ratiq [sewn up as one mass], then We unstitched them, and that We made every living thing of water? Will they not believe!} (V21:30) A chapter in Quran entitled Fatir which mean the originator, it starts by introducing an attribute of Allah, which is also mentioned in several other verses in Quran like V6:14 (and related words could be found, like in V6:79), its is "فاطر السماوات والأرض" meaning "the originator of heavens and earth" but it is different than the Arabic word "يبدأ الخلق" which also mean "to originate the creation", but Fatir has aspects not found the word "originator", it comes from root which mean to chop or crack or smash (as indicated by several other verses in Quran, where other words are derived from this root, like in V82:1, V19:90 and V42:5), so this emphasize that the Ratiq (the original joint piece which is called in science "the primordial matter") was smashed mightily into heaven and earth, a third aspect in Fatir not found in "originator" that it mean "not based on any previous template nor model, ie. the creative, the innovative creator". (refer to V6:101) And the universe is still expanding since then (called "cosmic inflation") { وَالسَّمَاءَ بَنَيْنَاهَا بِأَيْدٍ وَإِنَّا لَمُوسِعُونَ } meaning {We built the heaven with might, and We widely extending it.} (V51:47) but in far future it would contract/shrink or indeed folded back and clenched. { يَوْمَ نَطْوِي السَّمَاءَ كَطَيِّ السِّجِلِّ لِلْكُتُبِ كَمَا بَدَأْنَا أَوَّلَ خَلْقٍ نُعِيدُهُ وَعْداً عَلَيْنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا فَاعِلِينَ } meaning { On that Day, We shall roll up the heaven like a written scroll is rolled. As We originated the first creation, so will We bring it back again. This is a binding promise on Us which We shall assuredly fulfill. } (V21:104) After the universe (relatively) had cold down, hydrogen and other some light atoms were formed, later "gas clouds" were formed.. and due to gravity clouds gathered then formed stars { ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَهِيَ دُخَانٌ فَقَالَ لَهَا وَلِلْأَرْضِ اِئْتِيَا طَوْعاً أَوْ كَرْهاً قَالَتَا أَتَيْنَا طَائِعِينَ * فَقَضَاهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَوَاتٍ فِي يَوْمَيْنِ وَأَوْحَى فِي كُلِّ سَمَاءٍ أَمْرَهَا وَزَيَّنَّا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَصَابِيحَ وَحِفْظاً ذَلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ} {Then He willed to the heaven when it was smoke, and to it and the earth He said: 'Come willingly, or unwillingly. ' 'We come willingly, ' they answered. * In two days He determined them seven heavens, and He revealed to each heaven its commands. We decorated the lowest heaven with lamps (stars) and preserve them. Such is the decree of the Almighty, the Knower.} (V41:11-12) please note the word "willingly" which mean that later stages of creation (after unstitching the Ratiq, or the so called "Big bang") was autonomous (by laws of nature which were decreed by Allah before the creation). And please notice the terminology, heaven does not mean space, its lingual meaning is every thing up or outer and away from earth, but the terminological meaning as indicated in Quran, is also the boundary of the universe (the boundary of the worldly space or the universe we could possibly know which is called worldly heaven or lowest heaven). It's like the mathematical difference between "circle" and "disk" (circle is the boundary on the edge of the disk) such boundary is analogous to a barrier or a ceiling (of any shape, according to Ibn Katheer it's a dome-like ceiling), such meanings are indicated in verses like V52:5, V79:28-29, V91:5, V13:2 and V31:10 and deduced from mentioning "all that is between them [heaven(s) and earth]" (which mean the heaven is not the space but the boundary of it) as in 5:17, 5:18, 15:85, 19:65, 20:6, 21:16, 25:59, 26:24, 30:8, 32:4, 37:5, 38:10, 38:27, 38:66, 43:85, 44:7, 44:38, 46:3, 50:38 and 78:37. When heaven is mentioned in singular form, it's either the heavens before being created into 7 heavens (when it was smoke or smoke-like, something like the Nebula) or just the heaven of the worldly universe, ie. the lower/closer heaven السماء الدنيا (in which we have stars). But plural form heavens are the 7 heavens, which are piled one layer above another (refer toV67:3 and V71:15), we are below the 1st lowest heaven (closest one). Then nuclear reactions in stars provided the heavier materials for planets like our Earth, Earth had random uncut surface that later became a smoother surface suitable for living because of erosion, { وَالْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ دَحَاهَا * أَخْرَجَ مِنْهَا مَاءَهَا وَمَرْعَاهَا * وَالْجِبَالَ أَرْسَاهَا } meaning {And the earth He extended (burnished or smoothed) after that; * and then brought from it its water and pastures. * And the mountains He set firm (anchored)} (V79:30-32) while mountain were forming because of "continental drift" as they float over the fluid core ("Plate tectonics theorem") { قُلْ أَئِنَّكُمْ لَتَكْفُرُونَ بِالَّذِي خَلَقَ الْأَرْضَ فِي يَوْمَيْنِ وَتَجْعَلُونَ لَهُ أَنْدَاداً ذَلِكَ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ * وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَاسِيَ مِنْ فَوْقِهَا وَبَارَكَ فِيهَا وَقَدَّرَ فِيهَا أَقْوَاتَهَا فِي أَرْبَعَةِ أَيَّامٍ سَوَاءً لِلسَّائِلِينَ } meaning { Say: 'Do you disbelieve in Him who created the earth in two days? And do you set up equals with Him? He is the Lord of the Worlds.' * He anchored mountains on top (of the earth) and He blessed it. And in four days He ordained in it many provisions, equal to those who ask.} (V41:9-10) in the previous quotes mountains were made analogous to anchored ships, in other verses (like V55:24 and V42:32) ships are mare analogous to mountains which is scientific model about the inner structure of Earth [a hint that the layer below the crustal plates is fluid]. Water were brought out from inside Earth (as in V79:30-32) in the form of vapor, while the mountains were not yet stable, then vapor formed clouds then rain then water surfaces then life became possible. Rain keeps the water cycle going, and thus life { وَاللَّهُ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ الرِّيَاحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَاباً فَسُقْنَاهُ إِلَى بَلَدٍ مَيِّتٍ فَأَحْيَيْنَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا كَذَلِكَ النُّشُورُ } meaning { Allah is He who sends the winds that stir up the clouds. Then, We drive them on to a dead land and revive the earth after it's death. Such is the Raising Up. } (V35:9) see also V24:43. Mountains in the day of Judgment will be made analogous to floating clouds { وَتَرَى الْجِبَالَ تَحْسَبُهَا جَامِدَةً وَهِيَ تَمُرُّ مَرَّ السَّحَابِ صُنْعَ اللَّهِ الَّذِي أَتْقَنَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ إِنَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَفْعَلُونَ } meaning { And you will see the mountains which you think to be firm pass by like clouds. (Such is the) making of Allah, who has created everything well. He is Aware of the things you do. } (V27:88) as they will scattered and blown a way (through wind, impact with parts of other Mountains, erosion, and earthquakes see V27:88, V18:47, V56:5, V77:10 and V20:105 and their classic interpretation like At-Tabari in the 3rd Hijri century about the 8th Gregorian century) in that day (or just before that), Earth then will be completely smooth.

    After verse V21:30 (about the one solid mass which was unstitched to form the universe) we have this verse { وَجَعَلْنَا فِي الْأَرْضِ رَوَاسِيَ أَنْ تَمِيدَ بِهِمْ وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا فِجَاجاً سُبُلاً لَعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ } meaning { We set anchors (anchored mountains) upon the earth lest it should shake with them, and We placed therein ravines to be paths so that they might be guided. } (V21:31) Let's back to the formation of Earth, when we said it had random uncut surface, it was unstable, unsuitable for life or even holding things or catching things, because it had been Tameed (meaning translated as "shake") too fast later it was slowed enough for us and made able to hold things by gravity. The closes English meaning of Tameed is "the precession of the equinoxes" ترنح and "nutation (periodic variation in the inclination of the earth’s axis caused by the gravitational pulls of the sun and moon)" تكفؤ. Another meaning (usually meant by classical interpretations) that its crustal plates were so thin and lake stability (due to having small inertial mass), later mountains formed and anchored the plates (not completely firm but just firmly enough for us), confirming this fact is simple, just look at the monstrous folds in deeper ancient layers or the great ancient cracks, some cracks are big enough that older layers became above layers of more recent eras (refer V86.12 and V80.26). I think both meanings are possible (taking earth to mean land or to mean plant earth because Tameed have contexts that suggests both V16:15 and V31:10). Tameed literary means (according to "لسان العرب Arabic tongue" a classical Arabic-Arabic dictionary): wobble and wiggle very fast, spinning randomly like a ship in a storm or like a man in ataxia or seasickness, or like a tall palm tree when being released after being pulled, to throw things away, or to be inclined or folded. Let's go in classic interpretations (for V16:15, V21:31 and V31:10), According to Tafaseer Al-Tabari it mean Earth was anchored in way that it won't throw the creatures above it away, while it had been wobble and wiggle before (it used to be disturbed and shacking تتكفأ like a ship in a storm or like a man having seasickness), and focus on being able to hold and catch people (Tameed is about earth and anchoring is about creatures on earth rather than earth), and mention without this people will be thrown away from earth! According to Tafseer Al-Qurtubi that Tameed mean to Swung like a Wicker or like a drunk man, and mention that despite anchoring , it still shake a little bit, and later mention that this is meant to keep people on it. According to Ibn Katheer it's meant to keep people and animals on it so that they live happily (in V16:15). Then mention this is done by making it heavier, massive, solidified, ...etc (because of inertial mass according to classic interpretation) (in V31:10 and V21:31).

    One might think that this verse (if taken Earth to mean planet Earth and taking the literal meaning of Tameed to be spinning) is inconsistent with astronomy as it deny rapid spinning of earth while in astronomy earth revolves around itself and around the sun (and the sun revolves around itself and around the center of the the galaxy, so do the galaxy ..etc), this is not an issue as in V13:2 "... all are pursuing an appointed course ..." (the plural 3 or more "all" is used although the context of this verse only mentions two, sun and moon, and At-Tabari mention that it means every worldly thing in space الدنيا) and that course is attributed to be orbital (they float in their orbits as if they were summing around, or move like an animal in a mill) as mentioned in V21:33 (and many other verses like V31:29), three orbits are mentioned (day/night orbit, moon orbit and sun orbit). Yet, this does not answer the spinning issue of "Tameed". Well, it's a different spinning which is called in astronomy Precession ترنح الأرض, and nutation تكفؤ الأرض, according to Word-Net English dictionary "precession" means "the motion of a spinning body (as a top) in which it wobbles" which is the exact meaning of Tameed in classic Arabic dictionaries. Precession of the Earth's axis; Earth Axis now (almost) points to the North Star, the precession which is now stabilized is so slow that it needs so many years to point to star Vega (in the constellation Lyra) a few angles near by and it needs 26,000 years to complete a single round, how slow!. There are so many alike quotes from Quran, the more you dig for the literal meaning, you discover what you used to consider just a figure of speech to be the exact literal truth.

  • Q25: Are you trying to say that scientific theorems (like the "Big Bang!") proof Islamic beliefs
    A: No, Saying so is like saying that Physics suggests that "I eat apples" is grammatically correct. Science do not address whether God exists or not What I am saying is that science rejects all other possibilities while yet all scientific facts are consistent with our beliefs. When I say science I mean Physics (and Chemistry, Astronomy, ...etc). One should know that metaphysics has nothing to do with science, it's philosophy. Science is all about the so called scientific method which could be found on the beginning of any general Scientific textbook (General Physics, General Chemistry,..etc).

    Scientific method is all about observing facts and making hypotheses that explain facts and provide useful expectations such hypotheses are not accepted before they are examined with reproducible scientific experiments, if a hypothesis is consistent with experiments then it becomes a theorem. A theorem is not a fact, it's scientific explanation to facts, it could be reject later when it fail to explain a new experiment, then more facts are observed and new hypotheses are made again to be examined, and so on. One can NOT bring some gods to laboratory and examine them!

  • Q26: Before "cosmic inflation" and "Big bang!" were discovered, Islam were inconsistent with science as science suggests that the universe is a sphere having fixed size.
    A: rephrasing that "I don't accept Islam because it conflict with what we used to assume, despite that we discover that our assumption is wrong."

    Apparently, you did not get the difference between theorems and scientific observations and facts. Actually the two most important theorems in modern science are not consistent with each other, as Quantum Theorem and General Theory of Relativity contradicts each other, each suggest that the other theorem is wrong. But they address different things, Quantum Theorem is a working solution for the problems it's supposed to address and so do the other theorem. Before "cosmic inflation" there were no single observation that indicate that the universe is not expanding, Newton just assumed that the universe is not expanding, later a scientific fact came up that it's really expanding, and new theorems were reconstructed, and old theorems were rejected. At any time, theorems (like "Big Bang!") could be discovered to be wrong, while scientific facts are always correct.

    { وَالسَّمَاءِ ذَاتِ الْحُبُكِ * إِنَّكُمْ لَفِي قَوْلٍ مُخْتَلِفٍ } meaning {By the heaven with its (well tensed string-like) passages, * surely, you are in different sayings,} (V51:7-8) { وَمَا لَهُمْ بِهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِنْ يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا الظَّنَّ وَإِنَّ الظَّنَّ لَا يُغْنِي مِنَ الْحَقِّ شَيْئاً } meaning { Yet of this they have no knowledge, they follow mere conjecture, and conjecture does not help against truth.} (V53:28)

  • Q27: You are tweaking words, this is not the way those verses were understood by Muslims, and there are many contradictions, for example, Universe was not created in 6 days, it's much older, it took millions of years. Isn't this true! and V41:10-12 mention that it was earth first then heaven while V79:30 mention the opposite! how could this be consistent ?
    A: Get us a single contradiction, this is a challenge. All claimed contradictions are proved to be wrong. In this document I refer to classic interpretations and dictionaries only, that reported opinions of the companions of prophet Muhammad [PBUH], yet this is not obligatory to us because the words of Allah has priority over the words of people! And prophet Muhammad told us that "لا تنقضي عجائبه" meaning "miracles of Quran will never end [and will keep showing]" when new things that are discovered we will notice how amazing quite correct literal meanings that we used to consider them a figure of speech! And prophet Muhammad said (as reported in Saheh Muslim) "قال أنتم أعلم بأمر دنياكم" meaning "you [people] know better than me about your worldly affairs"

    Be aware, the language of Quran is the standard classical Arabic language. To tell the meaning you refer to the language of Arabs even before Islam. So by referring to classical Arabic dictionaries (like Arabic Tongue لسان العرب) we'll find that the word "days" means "دهور" or "eras" (long long periods), such meaning is not just assumed to covert it up (as we don't hesitate to say that this or that scientific theorem is wrong, we did it before, and we'll keep doing it. We Sunni take the exact literal meaning to the farthest possible extent, unless it's proved through a citation from context or other verse or a piece of Sunnah that this very word in this very verse have the other meaning of the word) so the meaning of "days" in verses like V57:4 is "eras" because other verses having similar context (universal facts or creation,...etc.) unambiguously indicate such meaning, for example, some verses (like V32:5 and V70:4) state that "a day, the measure of which is so and so thousand years" and each define different so long duration, so the word "day" in such context means "era" (long period). One might ask but this or that interpretation says that it's 24-hours' days as in "Sunday, Monday, ..etc." or as mentioned in some Hadith in Sunnah. The answer is quite simple, those interpretations provide citations from Jewish beliefs (for the sake of knowledge not for supporting this of that interpretation). The Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (164-241 AH, one of the 4 major Sunnah scholars) and many others before him (like Mujahid, a major scholar in Quran related science) recognize this Hadith (that name days "Sunday...") to be authentic, but they have considered "days" to stand for "eras" ("so long period of times, or thousands of years") based on narrations about Ibn Abbas opinion (the best companion of prophet Muhammad to interpret Quran meanings) refer to Tafseer Ibn Katheer for complete listing. This is very simple as the Arabic word "Sunday" literary means "the first day/era",..etc. Some scholars (like Bukhari the best one to collect Sunnah Hadiths) rejects this Hadith, because it contradict Quran (if taken as usual days) and because there is a high probability that it's not Marfo' (ليس مرفوعا not a direct saying of prophet Muhammad [PBUH], rather than a rephrasing of the narrator, because one of the narrators was reliable but used to rephrase ثقة يهم) Al-albani (a modern fundamentalist scholar) consider this Hadith to be a sound Hadith but it address a different issue he said: "the details in this Hadith are different than those in Quran, so those days [eras] are different days". IMHO, the Hadith is authentic (as Ahmad and other scholars said, yet it's not qualified enough to be in Bukhari, which only contains higher level of certainty). This very Hadith is another scientific miracle indeed! This Hadith address geological eras that had happened on Earth (not The Universe creation eras listed on the Quran) so there is no contradiction. Judge yourself, here are the 7 eras as listed by that very Hadith "soil, mountains, plants, the catastrophe [المكروه], the light [maybe end of the catastrophe], animals [الدواب Dawab usually means mammals as opposed to crawlers] and then in the last hour of the last day/era human is created". Clearly it has nothing to do with the creation of universe rather than the geology eras of Earth. (the topic is too advanced to be listed in more details here). If one says that even if eras are taken to be so and so thousand years then this is still not true ? The answer is quite simple, those very verses did not specify the duration of those very eras (but other verses about other events in a related context specify a duration, so if you assume something it's your problem then). And if one asks why the duration of each era is not specified ? This is much more simple, because duration is either not important or not equal in those eras.

    Some people might find it's strange that the creation of heavens is mentioned after the creation of earth in V41:10-12, while the creation of earth is mentioned after the creation of heaven in V79:30. After knowing the terminology of Quran (we have discussed the meaning of heaven and that it does not just mean space), it's very clear that there is no contradiction, because V41:12 discuss bringing things out from both heavens and earth not creating them, this is trivial, for example making already created heaven into 7 heavens and bringing stars (more stars are still being created till today) and bringing things (rivers, plants, creatures, ..etc) out from earth (Al-Qurtubi interpretation mention that if heaven and earth are meant by "We come willingly" then it would be "طائتعين" [in dual form suitable for heaven and earth] or "طائعات" [plural form suitable for heavens and earth], but it's "طائعين" [plural and suitable for aware beings] which refer to what was brought out from them), and notice that decorating heaven with stars was prefixed with Waw letter "و" which need not indicate order (but in some cases it indicate importance) compared to "then After that" mentioned in V79:30.

    Please note that we are not obliged with this or that interpretation, what matter is the text body. The classic interpretations cite all proofs that support their opinion and that support the other opinion. For example, in the "Arab tongue" dictionary by ibn Manzour and in classic interpretation that رتقاً "the unstitched Ratiq" (the joint mass in V21:30) means (according to some opinions) that earth was one mass then splitted by rivers and plants and sky was one piece then splitted by rain and heaven by stars ..etc. (based on a narration about an opinion of ibn Abbas the companion, which is also a correct scientific fact as all continents were one piece called Pangaea ..etc.) but they said if this is the meaning it would be "Two Ratiqs" رتقين (in dual form or plural form according to Arabic Grammar), so we know that this is not the real meaning of the verse, (as we Sunni prefer literal meaning over figurative meaning) it's just an opinion among other opinions, and all interpretation that cite such opinion also cite this limitation of this opinion. On the other hand, Ibn Abbas (the companion of the prophet Muhammad[PBUH]) told us another opinion about Ratiq mentioned in the same very classic interpretations, that all heavens and earth were glued together as one thing then they were separated away (by the will of Allah) with wind or vacuum. As a summary all what I have mentioned were taken from classic interpretations as understood by the companions of the prophet [PBUH]

  • Q28: Yea, so what is the standard [Sunni] procedural method to interpret Quran ?
    A: Well, we say that an interpretation of Quran meanings is not Quran, it's just a commentary, a human effort to bring the meaning. Ahlu Ara'i (أهل الرأي أو أهل التأويل people of opinions) try to give meaning interpretation and comments based on their knowledge, based on what others before had said (even from non-Islamic resources, eg. Jews resources, yes, we don't hesitate to seek knowledge in all resources) but there conclusions are not obligatory. We (Sunni Muslims) follow Quran and Sunnah, not conjectures. We interpret Quran by Quran and by Hadiths of prophet Muhammad, by consensus of the nation (companions in this context), we take the standard Arabic lingual meaning to the farthest possible limit (clear apparent meaning of course), unless the context or other verses or Hadiths suggest the other meaning. The meaning of Arabic words is maintained (in classic Arabic dictionaries) based on Arabic poetry before Islam. Recent terminology and Conventions used in Arabic media nowadays should NOT be projected to Quran, the reference is classical dictionaries (based on Quran, Sunnah, pre-Islam poetry, ..etc.). Abu Bakir (the best companion ever) did not gave a single opinion about the meaning of any verse, he was just teaching what he knew "as is", Abu Bakir said "What land would hold me, and below What heaven I would be [meaning I can't even imagine myself doing so and so] if I said about Quran what I don't know". And prophet Muhammad said "Who gives his opinion [not based on profound knowledge] in Quran and it happened that he was correct, let him take his place in hellfire." (meaning guessing is not permissible when interpreting Quran) Yet, Islam is permissive, Ibn Abbas (a companion of the prophet, the best interpreter of Quran meanings as the prophet call him) said "I am well grounded in knowledge, and I can interpret them" (that's why he is considered of Ahlu Ara'i, ie. those who gave opinions but based on knowledge). More over, Prophet Muhammad told us that it's allowed to narrate even what Jews (native opponents of Islam) had said, but of course, for citations not as proofs not even supporting our proof (according to Ibn Katheer "ولكن هذه الأحاديث الإسرائيلية تذكر للإستشهاد لا للإعتضاد") and we only recognize them (knowledge narrated by Jews) only if they are rational and consistent.
  • Q29: How you interpret Quran and Sunnah resources about imperceptive metaphysical matters ?
    A: Quran and Sunnah provide guidance for us, then and now, their and here, it address real physical cases and provide real answers. But because of limited knowledge we humans have some meanings may appear strange, here what we do and how we interpret them. Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (one of the four scholars) said "والتصديق بالأحاديث فيه والإيمان بها لا يقال لم ولا كيف إنما هو التصديق والإيمان بها ومن لم يعرف تفسير الحديث ويبلغه عقله فقد كفي ذلك وأحكم له فعليه الإيمان به والتسليم ... وأن لا يخاصم أحدا ولا يناظره ولا يتعلم الجدال ... لا يكون صاحبه وإن أصاب بكلامه السنة من أهل السنة حتى يدع الجدال ويؤمن بالآثار" meaning "It's to believe the Hadiths [teachings of prophet Muhammad] without saying why nor how, it's about believing. Who don't know the interpretation and if it was beyond his mind, then that [text body] is enough for him, he should just believe in it as is [he is not required to force himself in guessing the answer] ... one should not dispute and combat others, he should not argue [through metaphysics or philosophy or shallow common sense conclusions], nor learning how to argue [in metaphysical philosophy, just to win an argue while he himself don't know] ... in such case even if his opinion is the exact Sunnah he is not a Sunni till he stop arguing [what he don't know] and believe the narrated resources [as is]." (in the foundations of Sunnah "أصول السنة" about a related topic of the interpretation of imperceptive Hadiths الغيبيات). Mathematics is considered a recommended certain science, not a kind of metaphysics, refer to the book "الرد على المنطقيين" by ibn Taimiah.
  • Q30: About the disclaimer of submission, does that mean that you break non-Islamic laws ?
    A: well, although Islam do not recognize the right of legitimation except to Allah, this does NOT mean that we are outlaws. Legitimization process by humans is always biased on behalf of those who make it or those who control them. Human-made laws does not decide what is right and what is wrong, it decide what you are allowed or forced to do or not to do. In 1950s, there were many apartheid laws against black people in USA, such laws are not right, they are completely wrong. And today there are many trivially wrong laws, like those that legitimate drug and intoxicants dealing.
  • Q31: How a Muslim act when non-Islamic laws and Islamic laws conflict?
    A: First, he should announce his disclaimer to them "This is not the right thing" (if he is able to do that). as responsibility in Islam is proportional to freedom, if one is forced to do something then he don't take responsibility "I'm doing this because I'm forced to do it, not because it is the right thing."

    Second, we always have choices, if there is a will, there is a way. For example, if intoxicants dealing or humiliating women or black people is legal this does not mean that you are obliged to do that, you still have the choice not to do that, a Muslim should not take part in that. If a man-made law oblige people to do things that are illegal in Islam, in this case, a Muslim still have the choice not to be in a situation or place where this law is enforceable (migrate in worst cases).

    For example, French right-wing extremists managed to make a law that makes wearing Hijab/veil (head covering) illegal in French governmental schools or universities (they claim that it's a religious symbol for Islam, though it's not, as there are women in so many religions wear it, for example the Virgin Mary, "Mother" Teresa, and even Russian villagers do so). In such case a Muslim women could for example study in private sector schools or migrate to a country where she is free to wear decent clothes (BTW, in Tafseer at-Tabari; one of the most respectable classic Quran interpretation; he mention that Hijab is as a sign for free women, free as in freedom, refer to V33:59, so if it's to be considered a symbol, then it's a symbol of freedom) if she can't afford such solutions, she could wear the most decent clothes available.

    If a Muslim have no action choices and he is not allowed to speak then he could do the least level of disclaimer, which is by heart.

  • Q32: What does "Muhammad is Allah's messenger" mean ? Who are prophets/messengers ?
    A: Allah sent down many messengers to teach us, to deliver a knowledge we have no other way to know. Messengers are regular humans who carry the message they receive through the angel Gabriel to their specific nation. There are so many messengers in history, at least one for every nation, only 23 are named in Quran, like Jesus (aka Isaa), Moses (aka Musa), Abraham (aka Ibraheem) may peace be upon them all.

    Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the last one, there will be no prophet/messenger after him, he is sent with the last perfect universal message not targeting any specific nation. We believe them all, { قُولُوا آَمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَى وَعِيسَى وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ } meaning { Say: 'We believe in Allah and that which is sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the tribes; to Moses and Jesus and the Prophets from their Lord. We do not differentiate between any of them, and to Him we are submissive (Muslims).'} (V2:136) and { آَمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ كُلٌّ آَمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِنْ رُسُلِهِ وَقَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ } meaning { The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from His Lord, and so do the believers. Each believes in Allah and His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers, we do not differentiate between any one of His Messengers. They say: 'We hear and obey. (We ask) Your forgiveness Lord, and to You is the arrival.} (V2:285). We do not differentiate between messengers in belief nor love, but messengers are not equal in their importance in history, some messengers have no followers, while some of them changed the face of the entire history to the better, like the 5 might and patient messengers أولو العزم من الرسل (Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad) { تِلْكَ الرُّسُلُ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ كَلَّمَ اللَّهُ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَهُمْ دَرَجَاتٍ وَآَتَيْنَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَيَّدْنَاهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مَا اقْتَتَلَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ وَلَكِنِ اخْتَلَفُوا فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ آَمَنَ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ كَفَرَ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مَا اقْتَتَلُوا وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ } meaning { Of these Messengers, We have preferred some above others. To some Allah spoke; and some He raised in rank. We gave (Prophet) Jesus, the son of Mary, clear signs and strengthened him with the Spirit of Purity (Gabriel). Had Allah willed, those who succeeded them would not have fought against one another after the clear verses came to them. But they differed among themselves; some believed, and others disbelieved. Yet had Allah willed, they would not have fought against one another. Allah does whatever He will. } (V2:253)

  • Q33: Who do you love more Moses, Jesus or Muhammad ?
    A: This is a childish question like "who do you love more you mother or your father ?". We believe that they are all on the same side. Prophet Muhammad censured a Muslim because he argued a Jew about this. Yes, we do love Muhammad more, but we also love Jesus and Moses much more than all Jews and Christians do. We consider ourselves their true followers.
  • Q34: Who is Muhammad ?
    A: Muhammad (may peace be upon him) was the son of the most noble Arab family, he was the grandson of a key Mecca leader (but not ruler nor governor), yet he was a poor orphan (his father died just before he was born, and his mother died just later) raised by his grandfather then his tenderhearted uncle. Muhammad used to depend on himself as when he was a kid he had worked as a sheep keeper for living instead of depending on his uncle, then he moved to trading.

    Muhammad wasn't really poor, but he was so generous, he gave and gave without keeping a lot for himself. He also was known as the trustworthy truth-teller, even before the message. And even after that, for example, an impostor called Musailama claimed to be a messenger, one of the disbelievers was asked "don't you know that he [Musailama the impostor] is lying" so he replied "you know, to me, the liar of my tripe is better than the truth-teller of Mecca [Muhammad]". People kept their money with him (there were no banks, and when people travel for trading, they won't take all their money with them, so they trust Muhammad more than their wives and sons) And after Islam, disbelievers still trust him to hold their money, even when they conspired to kill him by collecting a young man from every Arab tripe, surrounding his house, he was inside preparing his migration to establish the Islamic state in Medina, he was commanding his cousin Ali to return that money after he left.

    Muhammad was illiterate person, surrounded by illiterate community. Jews and Christians were very rare, and they used to live in isolated closed communities, they speak different language, and most of their knowledge were passed through reading and writing unlike illiterate Arabs were they pass knowledge through poetry. More over Muhammad was not a poet and he was not known to have any knowledge in poetry! Most Jews were living in a different city near by called Medina waiting for a prophet to come among them, and they were preparing forts for that, and they used to threaten Arabs "You pagan idolaters, our messenger will come soon to annihilate you. You'll see." Residents of Medina of that time confirms this story. (V2:89)

    Even when Muhammad established the strong state of Islam, He was so gentle, he used to sit on a so rough and cheap matting (something like a carpet) that left marks on his skin. He did aid in house keeping, he used to mended his own shoe personally. He used to eat with his servants from the same dish, he was so, well I can't find the words! His servant; Anas ibn Malik said "I have served him for ten years, he had never asked me why you did that for a thing that I did, nor he asked me why you did not do that for a thing I did not do." He was so gentle even with those who personally tried to kill him. I found the word, he was "Muhammad" (which mean "the well praised one, well-known of having good attributes").

    Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] have other names like "Mahmoud" (which mean "the admirable"), "Ahmad" ("the best one to praise Allah, the pleased one no matter what happened to him"), "العاقب" ("the last prophet"), "الخاتم" ("the seal"), "الماحي" ("The eraser of disbelief"). Prophet Muhammad taught us not to praise him ("لا تطروني") and taught us to keep calling him as "Muhammad the worshiper of Allah and his messenger". It's narrated that prophet Muhammad used to stand praying so long optional prayers, one asked him "why you do that while you are already forgiven ?" prophet Muhammad said "should'nt I be a thankful worshiper [for such gift]".

  • Q35: How can we know that someone is a prophet or not ?
    A: There are no more prophets nor messengers, so if you see a man flying without any robes or any devices or a man entering fire without being hurt this means nothing. Now there are only scholars and books. The question is How did they in the past knew that someone is a prophet or not. When Allah sent down a messenger, he gave him supernatural miracles, more over, in the very field that specific nation is best at. Those who see the miracle know that no human can do that, so they should believe him, for example when magicians challenged Moses, and he showed them his miracles (eg. his wooden stick became a real giant serpent) they directly know that this is real, it's not magic, and they believed. Such miracles are called temporary miracles, as they only give signs for those who see them directly, by time, people will deny such miracles and consider them ancient fictitious tales or mythologies, then new prophets were sent again to continue the message. We (Muslim) do believe prophets, their miracles were real, they were NOT mythologies.
  • Q36: I'm scientist, do you expect me to believe such superstitions ?
    A: Prophets were regular humans, they did not did those miracles, Allah showed miracles on their hands. Allah, the almighty creator, who created the universe from nothing, of course he is capable to create a single serpent! If they were usual then they won't be miracles!

    One may think that science is about true or false, right or wrong. But this is not true. Only mathematics is about true or false, but mathematics only applies to non-existing spaces, yet it's very useful. On the other hand, Physics is about guessing a pattern that maps reality to some mathematical model. If you had been to any University and took an applied course in physics, for sure you had noticed how the mathematical model (usually a simple linear function) does not match all the observations, there are out layers.

    Be aware, I'm not saying that miracles are out layers, what I'm saying is that science is something like habits, for example if you expose bacteria dish to a fixed dosage of ultraviolet rays or antibacterial, the result will be that 90% of bacteria will be killed, despite that both the surviving 10% and died 90% were exposed to the same dosage.

  • Q37: What are the miracles of Prophet Muhammad ?
    A: There are so many temporary miracles, that exceed any other prophets' miracles. I will not address them here as you did not see them, you won't believe them, as if they were believable they are not miracles! but they really happened. If you know the miracles of other prophets, be informed that Muhammad did that and more, more over they were recorded, narrated by reliable people in a very systematic way. Beside all that Muhammad have been given the lasting miracle.
  • Q38: What is the lasting miracle ?
    A: The ever lasting miracle is Quran; the words of Allah sent down through the angel Gabriel. Quran has so many clear supernatural aspects. Disbelievers will claim one of two things; That Muhammad was an impostor who faked the whole thing by himself. Or that he learned those things from some Christians or Jews, as they claim that there is nothing new in Quran, it's just taken from the Old Testament and the rabbinical.

    Answering first claims is quite simple, Muhammad lived 40 years before the message (before he became a prophet). I'm not going to tell you to believe him just because he had established a trust in those years, so even if you assumed that he was pretending to be so reliable, kind, tender,.. for all those years. Muhammad's style is well known through Sunnah which records every thing in his life (not just his words but even his silence), any one could compare Sunnah and Quran and certainly he would concluded that it's not Muhammad's style. A person's style reflects his experience in life, his environment, but Quranic style has nothing to do with desert of Arabia, many verses make analogies about seas and ships, others were about volcanoes under the sea, others were about outer space!

    Notice verse V39:30 in 4 words, Allah calls people to remember resurrection day by telling Muhammad (and Muslims in general) that Muhammad[PBUH] is going to die! then also mentioned that they (others, Disbelievers) are also going to die! in a four-word verse! study chapter 80, in which Allah admonished his messenger; Muhammad[PBUH] for frowning before a blind man to give his attention to the VIPs of Mecca, frowning is not a sin, there is nothing wrong with frowning, more over the blind man did not see the face of prophet Muhammad, and the leaders of Mecca didn't care about that man, so why would Muhammad taught us such thing! It's because it's not from Muhammad. It's Allah setting his messenger to the highest level of ethics and moralities (refer to V68:4). In several verses in Quran, Allah tells Muhammad[PBUH] that he is merely a messenger as many messengers before him, he is not charged to control people nor guide them and not to promise them any thing and he should not claim any knowledge about what is going to him nor them except what is sent down to him { فَذَكِّرْ إِنَّمَا أَنْتَ مُذَكِّرٌ * لَسْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِمُسَيْطِرٍ } meaning { Therefore remind, you are only a Reminder. * You are not charged to oversee them. } (V88:21-22) Allah commands Muhammad to { قُلْ مَا كُنْتُ بِدْعاً مِنَ الرُّسُلِ وَمَا أَدْرِي مَا يُفْعَلُ بِي وَلَا بِكُمْ إِنْ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَى إِلَيَّ وَمَا أَنَا إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ مُبِينٌ } meaning { Say: 'I am not an innovation among the Messengers; nor know what will be done with me or you. I follow only what is revealed to me; I am only a clear warner. ' } (V46:9) { قُلْ إِنِّي لَا أَمْلِكُ لَكُمْ ضَرّاً وَلَا رَشَداً } meaning { Say: 'Indeed, I possess no power over you, either for harm or for guidance. ' } (V72:21) { قُلْ لَا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ عِنْدِي خَزَائِنُ اللَّهِ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ وَلَا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي مَلَكٌ إِنْ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَى إِلَيَّ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الْأَعْمَى وَالْبَصِيرُ أَفَلَا تَتَفَكَّرُونَ } meaning { Say: 'I do not tell you that I have the treasuries of Allah or know the unseen, nor do I claim to be an angel. I follow only that which is revealed to me. ' Say: 'Are the blind and the seeing alike? Will you not think? ' } (V6:50) { قُلْ إِنِّي عَلَى بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّي وَكَذَّبْتُمْ بِهِ مَا عِنْدِي مَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِهِ إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ يَقُصُّ الْحَقَّ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْفَاصِلِينَ } meaning { Say: 'I am upon a clear proof from my Lord, yet you belie Him. I do not have that which you seek to hasten; judgment is for Allah alone. He narrates the truth and He is the Best of deciders. ' } (V6:57) so what impostor in history tells people, that he is not in charge, and he don't know except so and so, and he is not going to give them any thing, and his job is to warn them from things that they don't believe! Not convinced yet, well, take this verse for example, V28:56, it is about Abu Talib; the tenderhearted uncle of prophet Muhammad [PBUH] (the one who raised him), when he was dying, prophet Muhammad told him to testify the word of monotheism that "لا إله إلا الله" (meaning "no true god but Allah") but he said "the creed of the ancestors [I follow]" (meaning he is an idolater), prophet Muhammad was very sad, he willed to ask for forgiveness for his uncle unless he is not allowed to, then verses like V9:113 and V28:56 were sent down, in which Allah tells Muhammad [PBUH] that he is not allowed to do so, he don't have that right. If it's from Muhammad he could just claim that he have the right to grant forgiveness, or at least ask for it to his tenderhearted uncle, or not mentioning it at all (claiming that his uncle had testified the word of monotheism, and even disbelievers would buy it because he was protecting Muhammad[PBUH] from them). BUT NO, it's not Muhammad[PBUH], as he is merely a trustworthy messenger. There are several examples from Quran, that any one can be certain that it is not from Muhammad.

    More over, it's not anybody's style. unmatched style, like the native use of past tense to refer to future events! Unmatched change in pronoun usage, native use of singular/dual/plural pronouns to refer to nouns of different forms, to emphasis on some piece of wisdom, for example in V49:9 which discuss a conflict between two parties of believers, believers is in plural form, but have been referred to using singular form [inequitable one ie. inequitable one party], then dual-form pronoun, then plural-form pronoun, each for a great reason and wisdom as showed in many interpretations, even more clearly, the next verse refer to believers using plural (3 or more) pronoun to declare them brothers in Islam then dual-form pronoun [which is used to refer to two objects] is used to refer to two of them [the two brothers] asking the rest brothers to make them go on with each other when something is wrong, { إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ } meaning { Believers are indeed brothers, therefore make things right among your two brothers and fear Allah, so that you will be subject to mercy. } (V49:10) The believers as a group [plural] is made analogous to a family and if something is wrong (conflict or war that is discussed in the previous verse) between two groups among the believers, which is made analogous to two brothers, by using the dual-form pronoun which is not visible in English meaning translation, verbatim complete statements needed to draw the closest meaning. This verse show a great level analogy, a figures of speech constructed by using few pronoun manipulations, a single letter replacement, that made it so short, no statements nor words are used to draw this figure, just manipulations of pronouns, as dual-from indicator which is a single Yaa letter suffixed to the noun "أخوة brothers" that replaces the single-form indicator which is Taa letter then suffixed with the two letters كم which mean "of yours" construct the analogy! More over these two verses tell us that there will be a great conflict between two major groups, both of them are great real believers! which actually happened after the Murder of Othman [the third Calif] in year 32 After Hijra [21 years after the death of Muhammad PBUH].

    In Arabic language, analogy has four components (similarity subject, similarity object, similarity article, similarity reason), omitting one or more component (while keeping some hints) forms a higher level of analogy called Kinayah كناية, take for example the English famous sentence "she broke my heart" here his heart is made analogous to some sort of hard material (let's say wooden board) and by dumping him, she broke that board and the similarity is the pain and that it can't be fixed, notice how analogy components in this sentence are omitted, while saying the same sentence with all analogy components "she dumped me and caused pain in my heart as if she is breaking a wooden board, which can't be fixed" will be so boring and not eloquent. People usually reuse already known such sentences, because creating new one require higher eloquence and a way to remove ambiguity. We have seen how analogy in Quran are so eloquent, constructed with smallest number of words, sometimes through tense manipulations or pronoun manipulations. Let's take an example of verbatim analogy, notice this verse which describe a supplication of Zachariah before he was given John (aka. Yahya) in chapter 19 (Mary) { قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَهَنَ الْعَظْمُ مِنِّي وَاشْتَعَلَ الرَّأْسُ شَيْباً وَلَمْ أَكُنْ بِدُعَائِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيّاً } meaning { saying: 'O my Lord, my bones are enfeebled, and my head glows silver with age. Yet, never Lord, have I been unblessed in prayer to You. } (V19:4) take this 3 word portion "واشتعل الرأس شيبا" which literary means "my head flames with gray hair" the sentence with full components of this analogy would be "I have more and more gray hair because I'm too old and they are glowing on my head as great fire spreading on woods" notice the high level of analogy! And notice the morality behind all this, he is too old, his wife is barren, yet he trust Allah and won't give up. And the same way Mary was given fruits out of their seasons, he was given John (peace be upon them all). If you are interested in literature please see how the story of Crucifixion was disproved and discussed in details in two words!! see below [Q141]

    The following cross languages example (I took it from a show on Huda TV), that Priests and Churches keep saying that "God loves sinners" which is a stupid statement (as "Why then does He punish you for your sins?" see V5:18) to indicate that "Allah is Forgiving and the Most Merciful" (as mentioned in so many verses in Quran) Quran teaches us that "Allah does not love the harm-doers" and "Allah does not love those who corrupt",...etc. What their sentence really mean that "if you want Allah to love you just go and sin!" but this is not what those Priests and Churches meant to say, to take it good, what they meant to say is found on Quran as "Allah loves Repentants" (just compare this sentence to the sentence "God loves sinners" and compare the consequences of each).

    It's supernatural. One would say "says who ?", even disbeliever pagans admit that!. Disbeliever pagans had gathered to choose an expert in poetry, magic, priesthood, ..etc. they had chosen Uttbah ibn Rabehah عتبة بن ربيعة (a major Islam enemy, he was a pagan, a disbeliever and he died so) to stand before Muhammad, among many arguments, Uttbah ibn Rabehah offered many worldly things like "If you want to be a king we made you a king and if you want money we'll collect money to make you the richest...etc" all that to make him stop abasing their idols, he kept offering things and Muhammad [PBUH] was so gentle and listening carefully, to the level that Uttbah get angry and said "and if it's hallucinations in your mind we'll call the best doctor for you!" prophet Muhammad [PBUH] replied gently (as he always does when it's about him) "Finished ? so listen" then he recited Surat Fussilat (chapter 41), Uttbah ibn Rabehah returned shocked Abu Jahil (Father of Ignorace, one of the greatest Islam enemies, he was a pagan, a disbeliever and he died so) said "This is not the face he went with!" then he asked "what was his reply ?" Uttbah said "It's not a thing I ever know, I swear, it's not Magic, it's not poetry, it's not priesthood, ... It's not a human production. Leave this man a lone, ..." Abu Jahil replied "He speaks to you in clear Arabic and you just don't know, I see that Muhammad had turned you with his magic.", Uttbah said "Muhammad warned you, and you all know that If Muhammad said something then he do not lie. I was frightened on you people." When prophet Muhammad offered Islam on Abu Jahil, he replied "..., you want us to witness that you delivered the message, Okay, I witness that you delivered the message, but it's not right, I'm not following it." after Muhammad had went out, he continued "I know he is right, he don't lie, but ... (he mentioned many good things that Muhammad and his family did that he is trying to compete with him), they feed the poor, we could do that, having a prophet, we can't do that". I think you could tell why sons of many pagans had accepted Islam. (I have chosen those two stories from "Saheh Es-Serah" by The Albanian الألباني, this book contains only certainly valid resources, they are also could be found in Serah by Ibn Hisham)

    The second claim is also so fragile, for many reasons. Although Quran has some stories known by Jews and Christians, and call people to believe in Allah and disbelieve in statues and idols, so what? all physics textbook have same facts in common! Quran is much more than that, Quran challenges the entire world (including Jews or Christians) to cooperate bringing a similar Surah (chapter) { أَمْ يَقُولُونَ افْتَرَاهُ قُلْ فَأْتُوا بِسُورَةٍ مِثْلِهِ وَادْعُوا مَنِ اسْتَطَعْتُمْ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ } meaning { Do they say: 'He has forged it'. Say: 'Compose one chapter like it, and call upon whom you will, other than Allah (to help you), if what you say is true! '} (V10:38) any chapter in deed, even a short chapter like chapter 112, a 4-verses chapter!.

    Let me first address the possibility that Muhammad had learned something from Jews or Christians. Muhammad contacts with them were merely twice and for short moments; A priest called بحيرى الراهب, who set himself a place in the road that Arab trading travels pass through, when Muhammad (peace be upon him) was about 12 years old going with his uncle and other pagans on the annual trading season, the priest went out to them despite that he never did that before, he pointed to Muhammad and said "this is the two worlds master!" pagans replied "how can you tell ?" he told them the signs he had seen around him, at that moment Muhammad was away looking after camels, the priest said call him, they did, and he came, the priest said "look at that awning cloud following him", ...etc, he was telling the pagans not to take him to the Romans as they will kill him, Muhammad was sent back to Mecca with some company. And after that no body ever heard any thing about that priest. The point is that Muhammad was so young and it was a short rest in a long journey which is not sufficient to learn any thing, more over pagans were there all the time. Anyway Holy Christian places (like Jordan), ex-Roman Colonies and Egypt where predominantly Christians, and almost the entire population accepted Islam (willingly of course) and till today there are several villages called "the Monastery of so and so village" having whole Islamic population. and there are several missionary priests are accepting Islam till today.

    The other one was Waraqa ورقة بن نوفل, the cousin of Muhammad's wife, who was converted to Christianity and isolated himself in a sort of hermitage, one should expect how a pagan community treated him as a renegade. Waraqa had learned Hebrew, and have had Hebrew written Bibles. Muhammad met him only once. Just after first verses of Quran was send down. When the angel Gabriel told Muhammad when he was alone on Hira'a "Read", prophet Muhammad [PBUH] said "I'm not a reader" ["I'm illiterate" so to speak] then he repeated it again and the prophet replied the same and again, then The angel Gabriel continued the following verses { اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ * خَلَقَ الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ * اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ * الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ * عَلَّمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ } meaning { Read (Prophet Muhammad) in the Name of your Lord who created, * created the human from a [leech-like] clot [of blood]. * Read! Your Lord is the Most Generous, * who taught by the pen, * taught the human what he did not know. } (V96:1-5) (BTW: read here means recite) Muhammad was required to Recite in the Name of the Lord! Muhammad [PBUH] returned home shocked, (... skipping off topic details...) so his wife took him to a trusted scholar, a relative of her, Waraqa. Waraqa told Muhammad "this is the Archangel, that used to be sent to Moses. I wish I would be alive, or even as a [humble] palm stem to support you when your people/tripe fight you ..." Muhammad was 40 years old and Waraqa was so old and blind, Waraqa died few days after meeting.

    Jews, on the other hand, were living in closed communities, and they stand closer to pagans, as they used to think that the prophet will be one of them, as a result pagans used them to challenge prophet Muhammad, and of course they both failed. There are a few Jews who have accepted Islam, yet they where key Jewish scholars like Abdullah ibn Salam (their greatest Rabbi and son of the greatest Rabbi in Medina), Safiah the daughter of a key Jewish leader (who was killed in a battle with Muslims after Jews had help the pagans army and broken their agreement with Muslims) she said that she had heard her father asking Jewish Rabbi "Is it him? is he the one ?" the other one replied "unfortunately, yes". and Al-Samawal (Samuel/Shmuel son of Judas/Yahuda), the greatest Rabbi in Morocco in 12th AD century (and son of the greatest Rabbi), his poems are still read by Eastern Jews every Hebrew newyear till today!

    Muhammad was an illiterate Arab living in an illiterate community, and even in the literature of illiterate Arabs (ie. Poetry) he had no knowledge, no one ever heard him saying a single poem. And all the literature of Jews and Christians not only written but also in non-Arabic languages. There were no Arabic translation of the Bibles till the last few centuries (17th AD century If i'm not mistaken) : { ولقد نعلم أنهم يقولون إنما يعلمه بشر لسان الذي يلحدون إليه أعجمي وهذا لسان عربي مبين } meaning { We know very well that they say: 'A mortal teaches him. ' The tongue of him at whom they hint is a non-Arab; and this is a clear Arabic tongue} (V16:103). Quran is clearly native Arabic text, it's not translated, any one could tell that, even Mecca pagans admit that.

  • Q39: How Quran is different than Gospel and Torah ?
    A: Gospel and Torah that are available nowadays are not direct words of Allah, nor what Jesus and Moses had directly taught, they simply can't be, as there are many versions of each, there are so many contradictions among them. We do believe that Allah revealed knowledge to prophets, prophets phrased them and taught them to their students (to this level they are recognized as valid books), later prophets teachings, sayings and deeds were rephrased and intermixed with stories and written by some writers (not even the direct students), and they are still re-re-rephrasing them till to day. (average Christians may find this offensive, please don't feel offended, as major Christian Churches had admitted this in a way or another, as they call it mistakes, see below [Q134])

    In Islam even a translation of Quran is not Quran! An elongation of a single vowel could render it invalid. It's kept as is. Quran is not created, it's Allah's words.

  • Q40: Why Quran is a miracle ? What are the supernatural aspects of it ?
    A: First, let's mention the aspects mentioned in classic interpretations (like Tafseer al-Qurubi):
    • Extraordinary lingual structure, extraordinary unambiguity, admitted by major disbelievers poets.
    • Extraordinary distinguished style, unmatched by any known human literature field, it can be distinguished even by non-Arabs or non-Muslim. One feels that his skin trembles and his heart soften and feels a notable tranquility and happiness (for example, just listen to ِChapters 50, 55 or 59, or verses 39:67-, 40:16- and 13:13-)
    • No one could claim that by it would better changing a word or even an attribute for a single letter.
    • Consistent, there is no single contradiction. We challenge anyone to show us a single contradiction, in any field, historical, scientific, ...etc. Quran is so rich of so many facts in all fields, just bring one contradiction.
    • Perfect Wisdom, unique scientific methodology.
    • It tells the stories about nations and prophets long before it was sent down, (and Muhammad was a literate surrounded by literate community).
    • All future events that are mentioned, really took place the time and the way exactly as it was told for example: { غُلِبَتِ الرُّومُ، فِي أَدْنَى الْأَرْضِ وَهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَ، فِي بِضْعِ سِنِينَ لِلَّهِ الْأَمْرُ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَمِنْ بَعْدُ وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ } meaning { The Romans have been defeated (by the Persians), in a land close by [or in the lowest land on Earth]. But, in a few [from 3-9] years after their defeat they shall become the victors. To Allah belongs the Command before and after, and on that Day the believers will rejoice} (V30:2-4) The low land here is أذرح in Jordan (nearby the dead sea; the lowest point on Earth) And after 7 years from the revelation of that Verse, Romans did defeat the Persians, more over, in the same day the greatest Islamic liberation, the liberation of Mecca happened. Let's give a modern historical example, the establishment of Israel in 1948, where Jews from all over the world gathered in Palestine, which is mentioned in details in Surat Al-Israa (chapter 17), no one 1400 ago could imagine that the scattered Jews would be able to do that, and why in Palestine, not Egypt (where the story of Moses and Pharaoh took place) or Iraq (home land of Abraham), actually, Britain have offered Uganda to them, and Palestine was suggested for the first time in 1890s.

    There are much more aspects, prophet Muhammad said "لا تنقضي عجائبه" which mean "Quran's miracles never ends", the more recent aspects are received by Muslims with a great criticisms, as we do not accept any thing just to support our point of view (only odd sects do that). I'll mentioned some recently appeared aspects. Quran has clear meaning that every one could understand but also it's deeper than any one could dig as there are more; { وَلَوْ أَنَّمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ أَقْلَامٌ وَالْبَحْرُ يَمُدُّهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ سَبْعَةُ أَبْحُرٍ مَا نَفِدَتْ كَلِمَاتُ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ } meaning { If all the trees in the earth were pens, and the sea, with seven more seas to replenish it (with ink), the Words of Allah would never end. Allah is the Almighty, the Wise.} (V31:27) for example see this Verse: { قُلْ تَعَالَوْا أَتْلُ مَا حَرَّمَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ أَلَّا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئاً وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَاناً وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ مِنْ إِمْلَاقٍ نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُكُمْ وَإِيَّاهُمْ ... } meaning { Say: 'Come, I will recite to you what your Lord forbids you; that you shall associate anything with Him; that you shall be good to your parents, that you shall not kill your children because of poverty, We provide for you and for them, ... } (V6:151) and compare it with this similar verse in another context in another chapter: { وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلَاقٍ نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ إِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْئاً كَبِيراً } meaning { Do not kill your children because you fear poverty. We will provide for them and for you. Killing them is a great sin. } (V17:31) There is a big difference here, did you notice that the former reason was "because of poverty" and its corresponding sentence "We provide for you and for them" while the later reason was "fear (of poverty)" and so its corresponding order were swapped "provide for them and for you" ? the first case was about an already poor person so he need to be given before his children, while the later case was about some who fears to be poor after having children, so the priority is changed "them and you". This meaning was so deep that the two grand translators had overread, and translate it "for you and for them"!! But of course the trivial meaning is clear in both cases, that is poverty or the fear of poverty is not an excuse for killing children. There are so many books in so many volumes that address such aspects, there is a reason for using any specific word, in that specific order.

    I mentioned before some facts about the universe creation, and how Quran description matches the most recent scientific facts. There are so many such verses, so many that neglect being a coincidence claims. Be sure that such descriptions were unknown before the last two centuries, some description were considered so strange that the chapter At-Tariq (which start by introducing a star or a kind of stars that is piercing/drilling in the darkness) ended with { إنه لقول فصل وما هو بالهزل } meaning { this is indeed a Decisive Word, it is not a jest. } (V86:13-14). For example, the following verse show a strange analogy, which compares feelings of people who were guided (by Allah) to Islam as opposed to astray disbelievers, chests of disbelievers were made analogous to that of an astronaut in the launch up, accelerating up into the outer space { فَمَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَهدِيَهُ يَشْرَحْ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ وَمَنْ يُرِدْ أَنْ يُضِلَّهُ يَجْعَلْ صَدْرَهُ ضَيِّقاً حَرَجاً كَأَنَّمَا يَصَّعَّدُ فِي السَّمَاءِ كَذَلِكَ يَجْعَلُ اللَّهُ الرِّجْسَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ } meaning { Whomsoever Allah desires to guide, He expands his chest to Islam. Whomsoever He desires to lead astray, He makes his chest narrow, tight, as though he were climbing to heaven. As such Allah lays the scourge on the unbelievers.} (V6:125) the only way the two grand interpreters could find to translate accelerating up into heaven is as if they were tiered of climbing (later understood to be due to lake of oxygen), but the word "يصّعّد" has nothing to do with climbing, it means "going up", and using the يتفعل syntax, which adds "in disordered manner" to the meaning, but not just that, the word is made shorter by deleting the Taa letter, the word is stressed, twice, to mean too fast, actually accelerating, to emphasize "accelerating up", even the grand two translators overread it again! (translators translate their own interpretation to Quran meanings, it's not Quran), Muhammad had told people that disbelievers chest is like who "his chest narrow, tight, as though he were accelerating up to heaven", disbelievers of that time could not understand how someone who is accelerating up into the sky feels pressure and tight, maybe some wishful thinkers nowadays still imagine that someone who is accelerating up would feel some sort of joy, not a narrow tight chest. No way that such analogy came from an illiterate Arab, 1400 years ago! It's from Allah to us to let us know how bad is that pain, it's as to be disbeliever. One can't claim that this is an isolated in coincidence as there are so many more citations, look at the following two verses { وَلَوْ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ بَاباً مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَظَلُّوا فِيهِ يَعْرُجُونَ * لَقَالُوا إِنَّمَا سُكِّرَتْ أَبْصَارُنَا بَلْ نَحْنُ قَوْمٌ مَسْحُورُونَ } meaning { If We opened a gate in the heaven and they kept ascending through it, still they would say: 'Our eyes were dazzled; truly, we must have been a bewitched people. '} (V15:14-15) according to Tafseer at-Tabari (the most respectable and acceptable classic interpretation) this verses has two possible meanings: First, it answers those disbelievers who ask to see the angles, so this verse mean that even if we opened a gate that let them see the angles ascending to heavens they would say "you are lying, this is not true, it's your magic" as mentioned in the next verse. Second possibility (mentioned by at-Tabari in the 3rd Hijri century about the 8th Gregorian century), that this verse is talking about humans ascending to heaven (singular heaven usually means the first worldly heaven, that bounds the space), when this (hypothetically) happens they will say that "I don't believe my eyes, it's like magic". More over the word يعرجون means go up, but it also mean in "a curved (not straight) line" which is also true! (as spacecrafts do not just go up in straight path as people used to dream, but they go in a curved spiral path) Not convinced yet, need more ? notice the following Ayat: { فَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِالشَّفَقِ * وَاللَّيْلِ وَمَا وَسَقَ * وَالْقَمَرِ إِذَا اتَّسَقَ * لَتَرْكَبُنَّ طَبَقاً عَنْ طَبَقٍ * فَمَا لَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ } meaning { I swear by the twilight; * by the night and all that it envelops; * by the moon, in its fullness * that you shall surely ride from stage [or layer of heaven] to stage [or layer]. What is the matter with them, that they do not believe } (V84:16-20) Maybe it's not clear in the English meaning translation, returning to Tafseer at-Tabari interpretation, we know that Allah swear by chaos, night, and moon ..etc that two great things will happen, the first one is so clear which is an indication to a miracle that will happen to prophet Muhammad, "You [singular you, ie. prophet Muhammad] will ride heavens one after another" (which really happened later in الإسراء والمعراج miracle) but this is not our subject for now. The second thing that will happen, is that "you [humans], will ride heaven layers one after another." (The most common reciting style حفص عن عاصم, reads Baa letter in the word "Latarkabunna لتركبن" with Damma attribute, pronounced [Bu], indicating that the verb is attached to plural pronoun [you], emphasizes the second meaning, ie. humans will ride layers of heaven (not just hypothetically, the n letter is stressed which emphasize that "will" means "must"), but both are valid, non-contradicting meanings). Notice the last verse of them. There other verses that hint to such meaning less directly for example, { يَا مَعْشَرَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنْسِ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتُمْ أَنْ تَنْفُذُوا مِنْ أَقْطَارِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ فَانْفُذُوا لَا تَنْفُذُونَ إِلَّا بِسُلْطَانٍ } meaning { Tribe of jinn and of human, if you are able to penetrate the provinces of heaven and earth, pass through them! But you shall not pass through except with a power! } (V55:33) the word Sultan translated as power could also mean (according to At-Tabari) evidence, proof, authentication, permission. The over all meaning is that people and Jinn are unable to penetrate escaping from punishment in the day of Resurrection nor even escape death before that, despite that some could be allowed before that (ie. before death or Judgment day) to go through the provinces of earth and heaven. We could conclude that because some people could go through provinces of earth then some people will be able to go to some provinces of heaven (thus the power or proof here maybe science), yet this is not a penetration it's done with Allah's permission. It's a challenge to those who think that they were able to penetrate the provinces of earth and heavens without permission from Allah, they are challenged to Escape from the place of their death or their punishment.

    Here is another aspect; numbers. Which is a problematic aspect that we (Sunni) do not accept easily, unless passed through deep conservative systematical study. Recent studies through computers showed an amazing aspects. The words are so balanced; the frequency of each two opposed words and their synonyms are balanced (equal in many cases except where it's meant not to be equal, like Mercy and Punishment). An award-winning Muslim researcher made what he call the perfect diet for every nation, he define it to be, healthy and satisfying daily human needs and also affordable (as some times what is affordable in one country could be rare in another) his methodology was trivial, taking the unit to be one bite or morsel (Approximately, small tea spoon for children, 15ml spoon for adults ..etc) then multiply that number by frequency count of that specific food mentioned in Quran, interpreting the food to match the most suitable meaning in that specific country (Palm trees could be date palm, pineapple palm, coconut palm ..etc) and it works, this diet satisfies human needs as defined by WHO. There are so many number related aspects (for example, Dr. Muhammad Dodah claimed that he was able to calculate the speed of light to several digits from V32:5, others claimed that they were able to estimate the age of universe from V50:38 and V41:9 and the figure they got, matches that estimated by NASA in February 2003, while on other hand the age of universe in the so called old testimony is as small as 5761 years! as Jews consider 3761 BC to be the year universe was created!). Although those studies match the results of the most respectable scientific entities, Be aware, we (Sunni) do not rely on such studies (even if conduced by Sunni researchers) and we have a lot of reservations on such studies. Scientific facts in Quran are mentioned so clearly that any neutral disbeliever scientist admit it, no need for calculations based on some assumptions made by some researcher.

  • Q41: About literature superiority of Quran, Arabic was remodeled after Quran.
    A: Even if we (arguably) assume that this is true, this does not change that fact that the disbelievers 1400 years ago, who were the masters of Arabic language literature failed to meet the challenge of Quran. This claim is not true, as respectable Universities teach Arabic literature through ancient Arab poetry master peaces that we call ignorance literature (Arab literature before Islam). Despite the name, this literature is still considered very important, and it defines the modular Arabic.

    I'll give you another example from Quran, let's take two short verses like { وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَعْمَالُهُمْ كَسَرَابٍ بِقِيعَةٍ يَحْسَبُهُ الظَّمْآَنُ مَاءً حَتَّى إِذَا جَاءَهُ لَمْ يَجِدْهُ شَيْئاً وَوَجَدَ اللَّهَ عِنْدَهُ فَوَفَّاهُ حِسَابَهُ وَاللَّهُ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ * أَوْ كَظُلُمَاتٍ فِي بَحْرٍ لُجِّيٍّ يَغْشَاهُ مَوْجٌ مِنْ فَوْقِهِ مَوْجٌ مِنْ فَوْقِهِ سَحَابٌ ظُلُمَاتٌ بَعْضُهَا فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ إِذَا أَخْرَجَ يَدَهُ لَمْ يَكَدْ يَرَاهَا وَمَنْ لَمْ يَجْعَلِ اللَّهُ لَهُ نُوراً فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ نُورٍ } meaning { As for the unbelievers, their works are like a mirage in the wilderness. The thirsty person thinks it is water, but when he comes near he finds that it is nothing. He finds Allah there, who pays him his account in full. Allah is Swift in reckoning * Or, they are like darkness upon a deep sea covered with a wave above which is another wave, above which are clouds, darkness piled one upon the other; when he stretches out his hand he can scarcely see it. Indeed, to whomsoever Allah assigns no light, he shall have no light. } (V24:39-40) Those are two analogies, two figures about disbelievers achievements. The first one, made them like an illusion, a mirage in a desert, which is usual for Arabs. The second analogy is a recursive analogy, about piled darkness one above the other, a storm in a deep ocean. (which is not known by most Arabs) A Canadian missionary priest called Gary Miller came to Arabia as a Mathematics professor in King Fahd University, who discovered several flaws in bibles and worked to find similar contradictions in Quran, he was shocked when Muslims welcomed his efforts and challenged him to do his best in that! { أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآَنَ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِنْدِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافاً كَثِيراً } meaning { Will they not contemplate upon the Quran? If it had been from other than Allah, they would surely have found in it many contradictions } (V4:82) of course he failed in his mission and he accepted Islam and wrote several books and articles about his researches in Quran like "The Great Quran" in which he say: "Even those who hate Islam consider Quran to be a great book. Among many things that shock non-Muslims who give it a close look, that it's not what they used to assume, that being an ancient book from Arabian deserts 1400 years ago, which necessarily is supposed to reflect that impression, but it absolutely not" [translated by me from the Arabic version of his book] then he mention a story about a sailor in Toronto who met a Muslim who give him Quran meaning translation, and after reading the storm description in V24:40 (we have just mentioned above, please go and read it again, notice the figure when a wave above another hits a boat the sailor can't even see his hand!) he said "Surely Muhammad was a Sailor! Wasn't he ?" the socking answer that Muhammad lived in the heart of Arabian desert was sufficient for that sailor to accept Islam. Let's go back to the two verses V24:39-40, it was about disbelievers achievements, which appear to be like water to a thirsty man, but in deed just an illusion or like a big pile of nothing but darkness, that makes man almost blind, almost unable to see his own hand, due to the lake of light ie. guidance such achievements would be used in aggression or destruction, they would be used to make nuclear weapons, bomb cities, kill people, and Indeed, to whomsoever Allah assigns no light, he shall have no light. Yet those two verses are not just great piece of literature, there are also provide some scientific knowledge behind those figures, that were not known at that time, for example that light cause seeing (at that time people think that sight source is the eye not light reflected from the environment), another is the darkness inside deep sees as people used to consider the density of water to be constant, but when considering deep sees the variance of water density forms several continuous layers having different refraction factors if water is deep enough (more than 200M, if I'm not mistaken) many consecutive refractions cause the the refraction angle to be so big that cause the light to be reflected back leaving depths in complete darkness, if I am about to construct a scientific model to describe this fact I find no better model than a pile of wave layers (actually this is the model used in many textbooks). So in case of a storm, waves above each other, above which there are thick clouds, each is sufficient to cause darkness but in this cause we have darkness above darkness! this what disbelief really is!

  • Q42: About the historical claims, who support your claims ? how can you proof that stories happened just as mentioned in Quran ?
    A: Several non-Muslim scientists already did proof that, taking the story of Moses, Pharaoh ..etc (ancient Egyptian history) as an example, the list of scientists is long and includes, Dr. Maurice Bucaille (former chief of the Surgical Clinic, University of Paris, winner of History Prize from the Académie Française and another prize from the French National Academy of Medicine) who studied Hebrew Language and Arabic language, then he compared this story as mentioned in The Bible, The Qur'ân and examine them with Science, after decades he converted to Islam.
  • Q43: About the scientific claims, who support your claims ? how can you proof that ?
    A: Arabic language is clear, Science is also clear, learn both and do it your self. Anyway, one need not to reinvent the wheel, there were so many seminars and conferences (like those in King Fahd University, and Saudi Medical Conference in 1980s, specially those gathered by Prof. Abdul-Elmajeed az-Zindani) where world's most respectable award-winning non-Muslim scientists (or at least they were non-Muslims at they time they came) from all over the world (USA, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Thailand, ...) in so many different fields (including Anatomy, Medical Embryology, Geo-sciences, Astronomy,..etc) they were showed some Quran verses to study them and comment, "You have seen some recently discovered facts, were mentioned by the Quran fourteen centuries ago. So what is your opinion?" the names list is too long and includes Prof. Neil Armstrong (NASA), Prof. Alfred Kroner (University of Mainz, Germany), E. Marshall Johnson (Author of over 200 publications. Professor and Chairman of the Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology,Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.), Prof. Gerald C. Goeringer (Professor and Co-ordinator of Medical Embryology in the Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA.), T.V.N. Persaud (author of 20 books, 181 scientific papers, Professor of Anatomy, University of Manitoba, Canada), Prof. Yushidi Kusan (Director of the Tokyo Observatory),...etc

    Such facts were so clear, so direct, that some of them refused to believe that such verses could even exist in Quran! (they were convinced later that they do exist, there are only one Quran, which is available every were, many old hand-written scripts exists even in non-Islamic Museums) They were totally impressed, E. Marshall Johnson (in the 7th Saudi Medical Conference 1982) commented: "As a scientist, I can only deal with things which I can specifically see. I can understand embryology and developmental biology. I can understand the words that are translated to me from the Qur'ân. As I gave the example before, if I were to transpose myself into that era, knowing what I do today and describing things, I could not describe the things that were described." Gerald C. Goeringer (in the 8th Saudi Medical Conference) commented "...In a relatively few Ayahs (Qur'ânic verses) is contained a rather comprehensive description of human development from the time of commingling of the gametes through organogenesis. No such distinct and complete record of human development such as classification, terminology, and description existed previously. In most, if not all instances, this description antedates by many centuries the recording of the various stages of human embryonic and fetal development recorded in the traditional scientific literature." T.V.N. Persaud commented "We're talking about 1400 years ago, you have some illiterate person making profound statements that are amazingly accurate, of a scientific nature... I personally can't see how this could be mere chance, there are too many accuracies and like Dr. Moore, I have no difficulty in my mind reconciling that this is a divine inspiration or revelation which lead him to these statements." others like Tejatat Tejasen (8th conference) simply just said this statement "La Ilah Illa Allah, Muhammad Rassolu Allah" (announce his Islam). Others took some years of deep studying before they accepted to Islam, like Prof. Keith L. Moore.

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Entire Chapters:
Chapter 125.3MB (recited by Al-Ghamedi)3.5MB (recited by Al-Ghamedi)
Chapter 194.3MB (recited by Mushari Alafasi)
3.7MB (recited by Al-shateri)
Chapter 364.0MB (recited by Yahiya Hawa)3.2MB (recited by Yahiya Hawa)
Chapter 502.8MB (recited by Mushari Alafasi) 2.0MB
Chapter 552.0MB (recited by Al-shateri) 708KB
Chapter 551.2MB (recited by Ghamedi)
Chapter 681.4MB (recited by Al-shateri)
Chapter 761.3MB (recited by Al-shateri)
Last Part (Chapters 78-114)14.0MB (recited by Agami)
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V20:124-12792KB (recited by Ghamedi)
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