A Closer Look at the Oaths in Surat Al-Tīn 95

Surat At-tīn is analyzed here on this blog, where I discussed how “all four oaths are possibly places where significant messages were sent to their respective messengers.” Here I want to examine the oaths a bit further to reveal an even bigger picture. 

These oaths are the first three ayat/verses of this sura which has a total of eight (8) ayat. Notice the first aya contains two different oaths, both of which are fruits, the fig with many seeds and noted for its sweet flesh, and the olive with one seed/ pit, not sweet but known for its oil. In the 3rd and 4th oaths located in the 2nd and 3rd ayat (a {2,3,4} set) Allah swears by two places: Mt. Sinai, a “wild/natural” place away from people, and Makkah, a city, which is in essence a civilized place, a human construct. It’s not referring to the Kaaba but rather to the city itself as a secure place. Of course all 3 ayat containing 4 oaths (a {3,4} set) relate to the sending of Divine revelations through prophets; all these meanings tie together. 

Islam and What’s Happening in the Middle East: Sami Hamdi

This video goes beyond its title to bring us a comprehensive view of how Muslims should view the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza in particular and all of the occupied territories in general, and all that results as a consequence of this. The Houthis have emerged as the heroes and most nominally Muslim countries have emerged as having been hijacked by West-promoted corrupt leaders to the point of being OK with genocide. As always with YouTube, you can adjust its speed and skip around the banter to focus on what matters. This video raised Sami Hamdi’s stature in my eyes to a whole new level. The very emotion that became visible, for which one tends to apologize, is the very thing that let me know he is truly a trustworthy witness to what we are seeing. The word mu’min at its heart means trustworthy in the most thorough sense of the word.

How to Deal with the Genocide in Palestine

The horrors of Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and also wherever Palestinians live are unimaginably traumatic. My heart is really there daily, and it can be difficult because we are limited in what we can do, but we can and should do something. First, we can make du’as for the Palestinians who are suffering, and some suggested du’as are here. If there’s any problem accessing it, try this link, from which you should be able to download.

Second, we may need to understand how to handle the aggressive Israeli Propaganda Machine, where lobbyists and pro-genocide activists may threaten and try to either divert attention or even resort to character assassination or threats. We can go on social media to express our views, call and write to our congressmen or representatives wherever we live, as well as participate in protests. But we should be aware of how active the Israeli lobby is in the US and UK, as well as elsewhere, yet be brave enough to speak out. It helps to know how to handle arguments one may face in this situation. Professor Hatem Bazian, who has faced this propaganda head-on successfully, helps us prepare ourselves.

Inspired by Palestinians, Many Now Read the Quran, Turn to Islam

This is such a big thing, especially on TikTok, that Zionists are trying to ban the social media site used by millions, a large number of whom are young people. Meanwhile, Israelis have humiliated themselves on TikTok with videos displaying the utmost arrogance and lack of humanity, so out of touch are they with moral values or actual compassion for people. Their dances are often explicitly sexual, showing the depraved nature of this genocide. On the other hand, the faith and resilience of Palestinians under the most dire of circumstances has inspired untold numbers of people around the world to read the Quran and find out more about Islam, often reverting/converting. But they, and all people of conscience, face an international movement to ban free speech, targeting anyone who opposes the ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. This is in opposition to democratic principles to circumvent those very principles for the despicable and greedy goals of destroying Palestinians entirely in a total genocide and usurping the oil off their coast.

“Invest your energy in one thing; Erasing Gaza from the face of the earth,” the Likud MK and former public diplomacy minister Galit Distel Atbaryan said. (The Times of Israel)

The Meaningful Universe, Part 2 – Thinking from the Heart

To think is given great emphasis and importance in the Quran; of course, in a meaningful universe, this is how we can understand both the fact that it is full of meaning, and what it means for us. In fact, in a meaningful universe, it’s impossible for us to access that meaning without using our minds. The nautilus as a symbol for humans uses the metaphor of cephalopod or “head-foot.” We truly are guided on our path through life in pursuit of its meaning for us by our minds/“heads.” In the Quran, the “heart,” which is described by several terms (a really excellent presentation of the words for heart/mind in the Quran), as the locus of our souls/selves, is where various thought processes take place, whereas what we think of as the “brain” is not what does the thinking, rather we do as conscious selves/souls using the heart/brain. One could say we are the nautilus but our “feet” – that which truly moves us forward – are our ways of thinking/intellect, refined and actively used in the heart. First we need to distinguish between presumption and reason; between being guided by whatever we assume to be true without thinking, and being guided by what actually makes sense when we think about it, by logic and “common sense,” and of course, conscience. Which, again, is associated in the Quran with the heart, in a more profound and comprehensive way. 

 

Absolutely Beautiful Story of a Jew’s Acceptance of Islam, his life curated by Al-Aziz Al-Hakeem

www.islamland.com/uploads/books/en-Dr. Moustafa Mould, Ex-Jew, USA.docx

In a search for something else, I ran across this amazing story about a man’s journey through life as a Jew, then atheist, scholar, professor, worker at “survival” jobs, linguist, scholar of African languages and cultures, and finally Muslim. What’s especially worthy in this narrative, along with its compelling honesty, is how it offers a more organic conversion story, even pretending to have a belief one doesn’t actually exactly have, which in turn shows us this doesn’t have to be a WOW! moment but rather a gradual process. This is what I call Allah’s “curation” of our lives, should we in some way open ourselves to something good, in his case justice and learning empathy from a world where xenophobia both victimizes and unites Jewish culture/society in particular. He also brings unique details through the history of an era I know well in America, and describes eloquently how clear of US prejudices and shortcomings African and other cultures are, how the liberal and leftish Jewish culture was both pro-Zionist and anti-right wing extremism (which to leftist Jews then included Menachem Begin). Well-worth reading, this highly insightful article I found both inspiring and informative, helping me understand certain cultural issues more deeply.

Fantastic and Meaningful Video Series for Ramadan

The Yaqeen Institute has produced a truly inspiring series of videos discussing the Quran Al-Kareem, called Quran 30, studying each day a different juz’ from the Quran via zoom. No better way to spend Ramadan, especially for English-speakers who want to understand the Arabic Quran but only know a few words in Arabic.

Ramadan Mubarak – and under Siege

Ramadan, the focal point or heart of the year for Muslims around the world —— for although the Hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah is the high point of the year, the heart of the Islamic year is Ramadan —— is a month of sacrifice, atonement, restraint, forgiveness and asking for mercy, of compassion and consideration for others, of spending more time in worship and prayer, of fasting of course, of thinking about eternity, the Hereafter, and taking time away from this world and its demands. At the same time, Muslims must work to survive, live in societies that may not be Muslim or even friendly or accepting of Muslims. They must make accommodations for unfriendly or even hostile societies.

The Quran is Clear and Unambiguous

It should make sense that the Quran, as a divine message, is mubeen or clear and unambiguous.

طس ۚ تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْقُرْآنِ وَكِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ

Ta, Seen. These are the verses (ayat) of the Qur’an and a clear Book. (Quran 27:1)

The word “mubeen” here is translated “clear” for readability but the exact meaning has stronger implications than merely “clear.” It is unambiguous and the opposite of occult. That in turn is important because the Quran is a book sent for people to understand, not to create mysteries that require a special clergy or priest-like caste of scholars to interpret.

Ramadan: Purification and Emptying Out

As this most sacred of months, Ramadan, continues, we think about what its true meaning is. It’s about more than fasting from food and drink, because one must also abstain from bad behaviors, such as lying, slander or profanity, and obviously from committing any crimes, or from acting with cruelty to others such as bullying or mocking others, in person or online, openly or in secret. Not only must one abstain from sexual activity of any kind (and one considers that for Muslims this will be marital, lawful), but refrain oneself from any sexual thoughts or innuendos or behaviors that approach this area, including viewing sexually explicit materials online or elsewhere. Even excess anger is prohibited. One strives, in other words, to be a truly good person, thinking about it, being aware of Allah. So it is a kind of emptying out of those things of this world that lead us away from thikr Allah, actively remembering Allah and calling upon Him and invoking His name while alert. It is a kind of purification of the heart. We also strive to be compassionate and kind and thoughtful to others. So it is an emptying out of the selfish part, our tendency to be driven and moved by our selfish desires.

The Quran’s Guidance on Truth, Lies, and Faith

The Quran frequently refers to issues relating to Truth and lies; distinguishing between them is critical, in many ways the defining point of guidance. In fact, faith itself is predicated on that distinction, the purpose of the Quran and other divine revelations being to guide us to the truth and, as a part of that guidance, to help us recognize and avoid falsehood.

From Al-Nisa’ 4:105:

إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِتَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِمَآ أَرَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَلَا تَكُن لِّلْخَآئِنِينَ خَصِيمًا

We have sent down to you the Book with the Truth that you may judge between the people by that which Allah has shown you, and do not be an advocate for the treacherous.

 
“The Book” here is the Quran, and the “you” is Prophet Mohammad. This aya clearly states that the Quran was sent down (the literal meaning of the word tanzeel which is often translated as “revealed”) with Truth, which is to be the criterion by which judgment, distinguishing right from wrong, is made. The “treacherous” are those who betray trust; they are in essence liars, betrayers (the literal meaning here) of the Truth, purveyors of falsehood. This is especially critical because the danger of being fooled by lies is always present. The Quran then “grounds” or provides a foundation for the faithful in Truth, from which they can be empowered by that knowledge to make good choices. 

Ramadan and Taqwa: The Purpose Of Fasting

We all know Ramadan as a sacred month of fasting and worship, of purification, of compassion and contrition. Looking at the meaning of the word “sacred” in English, it is not an exact translation of the Arabic word haram, which means “prohibited” or “protected by prohibitions” in a sense, but also it means “sacred” in the sense of being reverenced, which brings us to another word, taqwa. This word is mentioned frequently in varying grammatical forms, sometimes translated as “fear of God,” or “reverence.” I like the word “reverence,” because although there’s an element of fear and respect in reverence, it is of a particular kind, a willing attitude of one who appreciates the value and power and importance of that which is revered. It acts as fear of God in causing one to avoid doing anything that would incur God’s wrath, so it is a directed fear, and that involves the mind. The Quran also uses the word taqwa in the sense of “beware” or “be aware,” invoking mindfulness, whereas fear itself, expressed in a very different Arabic word khauf, is an emotional reaction that does not involve thinking or the mind.

The “Holy War” Lie

Syria’s Tragedy Exposes Dark Side of War

The Quran is unequivocal and mubeen (perfectly clear) on the subject of war: it is prohibited to be fought as a means of converting people to Islam——

لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

(Surat Albaqara 2:256)

There is no compulsion in religion; the proper way has been clearly distinguished from the wrong way. Whoever rejects evil, and believes in Allah, indeed he has taken grasp of the strongest hold that will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower.

Islam, according to the Quran, does not permit the acceptance and adoption of a belief system to be by force. All true belief must be freely chosen from the heart. Free will is an essential component of faith. Allah prohibits forcing people to convert to a particular religion or to adopt a belief system. To force others to convert to Islam (or any belief, for that matter) is oppression, and hence incurs Allah’s wrath. Contrary to what is being promulgated by some, the above aya unequivocally states that such use of force is both “wrong” and “evil”.

Ramadan 1: The Meaning of Ramadan

One could say Ramadan commemorates the tanzeel or sending down of the Qur’an, which occurred on the “Night of Power” or Laylat-ul-Qadr, a night the Quran describes as “better than a thousand months.” One fasts from the first thread of light of dawn until what the Qur’an mentions as “layl” or night, but which is usually interpreted as the first darkness, or sunset, although some wait longer to be sure it is really night. The fast includes not only food and drink (including water), but also abstention from profanity, smoking, sexual relations, and any other “impiety” such as lying, stealing, or fighting. War is prohibited except in actual self-defense. It is a sacred month, one of four, and the most sacred of all.

The Difference between Salat and Du’a: What is Prayer?

When most people think of “Islamic prayer,” they picture rows of worshippers bowing and prostrating in unison, usually inside a mosque, facing Mecca (Makkah). But the act of worship pictured is salat, a specific act of worship with geophysical as well as body-language physical protocols, requiring a ritual ablution, preferably in water, prior to its performance. The word du’a, on the other hand, is equivalent in meaning to the English word “prayer,” which is simply “supplication.” To refer to salat as “prayer” is convenient, because there is no English equivalent, but inaccurate.

Ramadan: Time, Physical Worship and Limits

The days of Ramadan are flying by with so much to do, so little energy, and no time to write about it. Time and its fleeting nature is a topic the Quran discusses with some frequency, most often in reference to spending some of that time with thikr Allah, thinking about Allah, how we will meet Him in the Hereafter, and what we are doing to be better people, more compassionate and responsible. The difference between faith and denial is enormous——yet manifested in small ways, perhaps the change from one to the other could move a mountain, a change of mindset that may take a matter of seconds…

Does the Qur’an have an Overriding Principle?

After hearing so much horrific news about happenings in the Muslim world, particularly the oppressive actions of dictators who torture Innocent citizens— men, women, and children — and prevent Muslims from worshipping in mosques, as well as the slaughter of innocent civilians and destruction of their homes and lives by armies, police, and whole governments, I paced for hours in a state of unbearable rage, until the time came for salat al-asr (afternoon worship).