This is a question many ask, somehow puzzled as to why the Quran is not in chronological order. I have an answer for this on this blog: because the Quran is for all time, and it’s not about the history of Islam or the Quraish in the usual “just the facts” way (dates and genealogies as per the “many human hands wrote it” Bible). It conveys the Truth, and truth is immortal, timeless. Something out of vogue these days. Allah Himself is eternal, and sent us an eternal message in time. So of course the message will be eternal, timeless. Hence it’s not about chronologies and lineages – it’s about righteousness and piety in an age where money is god and banks are temples, quiet and well-funded, like places of worship. Nouman Ali Khan summarizes here why the order of the Quran now is Divinely intended, without a shadow of doubt. (You can also check out his course on the subject.)
Video
The Difference that Waw Makes – 2 Views of Surat Al-Kawthar 108
A few years ago I published this analysis of Surat Al-Kawthar 108. Surprisingly, I just ran into the same sura analyzed on YouTube in an entirely different way with amazing results!
This video is by Binimad Al-‘Ateeki, who’s done some pretty impressive numerical miracle videos on the Quran, among other things. What’s interesting here is that his video shows us the same sura with some amazing results involving the number ten. Whereas I got what I thought were pretty fascinating results involving the number nine! So how did this happen?
Continue readingVideo Explains Israeli Cruelty, Similar to How the Quran Describes Satan
In this video, an Israeli who is against the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the siege of Gaza tells us “How Israelis Live so Easily with Occupation.” He explains why they commit atrocities and are comfortable with the occupation, as well as the current war crimes in Gaza and now Rafah, where they can hear children’s screams of agony from starvation and fear. His answers show us a mindset like Satan’s as described in the Quran, although that was not his observation. How can people commit these evil, unconscionable atrocities against mothers and children and celebrate them? Why do they dehumanize Palestinians, who welcomed the first refugees in the aftermath of WWII, and in return were massacred?
Satan’s “original” sin which condemned him to hell was arrogance. We may have wondered if that’s enough to warrant hell. But this arrogance is the root cause of all evil.
Continue readingIslam and What’s Happening in the Middle East: Sami Hamdi
StandardThis 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.
Gold Discovered in Gaza!
And it’s something the Israelis will never be able to find.
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.
The Almighty Will Help the Palestinians to “A Manifest Victory”
This wonderful video by CJ Werleman gives an invigorating synopsis of how the world is responding to the Palestinian situation in a powerful way. And Muslims understand Allah alone brings about nasr-ullah wa-lfat’h, “Allah’s intervention and a manifest victory.” (48:1) All our fervent prayers and those of all people of conscience will insha’Allah be answered, the du’a and efforts of Jews, Christians, Muslims, and all others who stand for justice and want peace and an end to the occupation and oppression of Palestinians, who in reality represent all human beings, all of us. So in reality this is victory for humanity itself. Let us all continue our efforts in support of Palestine, it’s not over yet, the Genocide continues. Because the purveyors of oppression and war are still out there fighting against the will of the people, dead-set on power and greedy for more wealth and worldly entitlement. Because what happens to Palestinians can happen to all of us unless we continue to resist. God help us all.
And they routed them, by God’s leave, and David slew Goliath, and God gave him sovereignty and wisdom, and taught him of what He wills. And were it not for God’s repelling people, some by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted. But God is Possessed of Bounty for the worlds. (Al-Baqarah 2:251)
When People Worship Their Feelings
This Nouman Ali Khan video shows us the difference between Quranic guidance and pop psychology, where people use terms like “toxic” and “narcissist” and “gaslighting” to pass judgment on others without knowledge of psychology, morality, or even common sense. The idea of “boundaries” we need to set for ourselves can become in itself a refusal to treat another person with dignity or compassion, and the idea of passing judgment on, say, “toxic parents” or “narcissistic” siblings, or label any of one’s family members or others with the popular labels is itself the opposite of what Allah the Exalted asks of us in the Quran.
Continue readingWorship God alone; do not attribute divinity to others. Be good to your parents, close relatives, orphans, the needy, to close and far neighbors, close friends, stranded travelers and those whom your right hands held in trust. God does not love those who are conceited and full of pride; (4:36)
‘Abad Al-Rahman: Who Are Special to the Almighty?
This is the question answered in the ayat 25:63-77, the very end of Surat Al-Furqan, the Criterion. And here is Allah’s Book, the Quran, also referred to as Al-Furqan, the Criterion, giving us in these ayat/verses the detailed criteria required to be Al-Rahman’s chosen servants/worshipers. And the plural ‘abad is for “worshipers” in particular, people whose service is in their devotion to Him. And the name Al-Rahman focuses on His Authority, the Authority to punish or be merciful, for it is His unfathomable almighty power that empowers His mercy and love. In the videos below, Nouman Ali Khan presents a discussion of the meaning of these ayat and importantly, how to apply them to our lives. Below that I’ve listed the relevant ayat from the Quran and a brief explanation of the conclusion.
Reciting Quran in Sign Language
StandardThis is an entirely different way to think of translation of the Quran: to express its meaning in sign language. This video is a beautiful example just that, with one of the most beautiful suras in the Quran, Surat Al-Rahman 55.
Excellent Video Explains “the Uphill Climb” – to be Truly a Good Person
StandardToday is (for me, it may be different for WordPress lol) the 2nd of Thul-Hijja and I was just sent the above video basically discussing the very same ayat I mentioned in yesterday’s post about Juneteenth and freeing slaves. But he takes the topic in more depth, explaining the meaning of the words in ways I had not been aware of, despite studying it. But I recognized the similarity of the “uphill climb” with the “steep climb” (I had changed the static “path” to the more expressive “climb”), and was even more impressed with his explanation of the ayat that follow, explaining 90:11-20 to describe the entire message of developing mercy and concern for others. It’s well-worth listening to! If a person developed this depth of concern, then advised others to be patient (sab’r, a word he uses but didn’t translate, although the talk is in English) and compassionate toward others. Highly recommended especially at this time.
Great Video: The Existential Threats of the Modern Banking System, etc, and Islam – Sh Abdal Hakim Murad
With another US Bank, First Republic, about to be nationalized by the US government in an effort to prevent the entire U.S. banking system from collapse —!!!!!— and no guarantees this will do the job — now is a good time to discuss how Islam approaches wealth and finance, as well as what makes us fulfilled and happy and what does not. He cites several studies showing an inverse relationship between wealth and satisfaction/happiness, and a heightened incidence of depression among those with greater wealth. And a very reasonable Islamic approach to the current crisis.
Well worth your time. The interviewee is the dean of the Cambridge Muslim College in the UK.
How to Contemplate the Quran
StandardThis is so important, and nobody says it like Nouman Ali Khan. We need to all engage in deeper thinking about the Quran, to truly discover its power and message. This is just a “starter,” but look for more on the “Deeper Look” section of Bayyinah Institute on YouTube.
And another video in the “Deeper Look” series relevant to the Du’a series: “where do our du’as go?”
Why Does the Adhan Bring Non-Muslims to Tears?
StandardThe video above showcases an amazing adhan given in the X-Factor competition. It’s not the only one either; another is from Britain’s Got Talent, and others can be found on YouTube from other international versions of major talent shows. What is remarkable is the awed silence you can sense during the adhan, and the emotional reaction. Of course, other singers and performers have also inspired emotional responses, but there’s a feeling about these that is particular to them: the sense of something greater than the competition itself, greater than the talent, the show, the money and advertisers, greater than the celebrities.
Continue readingThe Power of Prostration by a Convert/Revert to Islam
This short video is a powerful portrayal of how Islam both confirms “what is in the previous scriptures” and the importance and meaning of prostration. What is especially wonderful is how no one actually told him about Islam except his preacher, who spoke of it in a derogatory way, and this alone raised questions in the man’s mind. Which led him to the Quran and Islam. (Side note: Basically I dislike the word “revert” referring to converts to Islam – in English it has a definite negative connotation like “going backwards to something inferior”, and the logic of its use, that children are born Muslim, skirts the issue of how one doesn’t really “own” this or any religion until maturity, in which case one wasn’t “Muslim” except in innocence whereas Islam is a choice. The good side of its use is it expresses there is no original sin and that Islam is not an invented dogma, but simply the truth.)
Video: Islam Wins at World Cup
StandardThe World Cup brings thousands of people to watch the soccer competition between teams from around the world, usually dominated by European teams and the two famous South American teams. But this year, for the first time ever, the World Cup is being hosted in Qatar, the first Muslim nation to host the games. The soccer games had many surprises, such as the first African team, Morocco, to ever reach the semifinals in a World Cup. But although it has to do with soccer, not religion or culture, outside the stadiums there is much more to the story, as CJ Werleman explains.
Video: Were Native Americans Muslim?
StandardThis eye-opening video gives us another look at the history of exploration in the Americas, focusing on Muslim influence in history that has been largely ignored. It’s well-worth the time to learn about this. The massacres inflicted by Spanish conquistadors as well as during the Spanish Inquisition in Andalus also tell us who the truly violent ones were. This video is well-researched and presented.
Another video mentioned very briefly the existence of Amazonian tribes adopting Islam and even building mosques in the jungle region. But there were few details, so I would need to research the matter. After watching the video above, however, it does seem possible.
Video: How Islam Saved Western Civilization
StandardThis is certainly an interesting and true perspective, inspired as he says from a much longer lecture, the inspiration for this video. And informative for those who are not aware of this. What is left to say is that Islam may need to save civilization itself again, because the world, especially the wealthy and powerful fraction of a percent of it, is on a downward spiral. But this time it is not science and technology that we are losing, rather it is everything else of value.
The Profound Meaning of Light in the Quran
StandardDo not miss this beautiful video which explains insightfully what the parables and ayat of light in the Quran mean in very applicable and clear terms. Not just Surat Al-Nur (the sura named “Light”) and its famous “verse of Light” but other examples in the Quran and in our lives. Especially regarding light in our hearts vs external light. Very illuminating.
Video: Ramadan as Hope, the Quran as Allah’s ”Rope”
StandardThis video gives a unique and meaningful perspective about Ramadan, starting with Adam in an exalted state so close to Allah that Allah the Exalted spoke to him, then Adam’s mistake and descent to earth, not as a punishment (that’s a Christian idea not in Islam), but to work and suffer, becoming stronger in faith and determination, to return insha’Allah (God willing) to Allah’s Presence in the promised Garden, an inheritance from Adam and a reward for patience and struggle in His path. An eloquent and beautifully-presented message from Nouman Ali Khan. He explains the name ”Iblees” (another name for Satan) as derived from the meaning “hopeless,” from which we understand that the idea that we are a ”hopeless case” to be from satanic influence, and that to think we are beyond redemption or cannot be forgiven is a trademark satanic concept. Satan’s case is indeed hopeless, and he wants us to feel we are also hopeless, whereas with Allah there is always hope. The Quran is literally the way Allah speaks to us, opening up a two-way “conversation” if we join it and speak in return: the Quran gives us words, if we are at a loss for words, but any language will do.
114 Chambers 