Proof.. chapter 98

• Those who disbelieved among the people of the scripture, as well as the idol worshipers, insist on their ways, despite the proof given to them
  
• A messenger from GOD is reciting to them sacred instructions
  
• In them there are valuable teachings
  
• In fact, those who received the scripture did not dispute until the proof was given to them.
  All that was asked of them was to worship GOD, devoting the religion absolutely to Him alone, observe the contact prayers (Salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat). Such is the perfect religion.
  
• Those who disbelieved among the people of the scripture, and the idol worshipers, have incurred the fire of Gehenna forever. They are the worst creatures.
  
• Those who believed and led a righteous life are the best creatures
  
• Their reward at their Lord is the gardens of Eden with flowing streams, wherein they abide forever. GOD is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him.
  
• Such is the reward for those who reverence their Lord.
  

Translation from http://www.submission.org/.

Today is Jumah(congregational prayer day)
I get excited on jumah days…. I was listening to this verse today and it struck me by its message.
So a couple of things that I have for questions

Proof: Which proof….
For me proof could be a couple of things….
1. Proof of one God worthy to be worshiped
2. Proof that the person bringing the message was true
3. Proof that the religions were all the sameProof of 19 miracle maybe…( if applied to this time)

Secondly I am asking what are the sacred instructions…
Could it be the teachings in the Quran, or maybe other verbal teachings?
These are the two things that jump at me initially…
Then when I look at the surah as a whole..
Then for me I get that :Somebody has brought proof to people, but some people did not accept it.


The iconic part of this surah for me is verse 5..This for me I can safely say is the principles of islam..

Worshiping God- devoting the religion to God alone - This here is crucial since i guess it means God alone... not God and prophet.. not God and messenger but God alone

Salat/mandatory Prayer which is the action of bowing and prostration to God - specified as certain times each day and
Zakat/mandatory Charity which is the charity given on the day of harvest, given to parents, orphans, poor and traveling alien as described in the Quran teachings

In fact I can safely assume (assuming is not good though) that through out the verses in the quran… this is what is asked of us all…

When I look at as a means of joining people/religions together… it is a wonderful thing -God, Prayer and Charity… as simple as that…

On another note...

I always seem to wonder about the scriptures and what to do when reading them…
Generally I tend not to take single verses in isolation but rather read the whole chapter and then try to get an understanding of the whole thing as it relates to me and my experiences.. (Suffice to add here that may God guide be to the best understanding).
From my own logic, I look at it that a whole chapter/surah is giving us a message and the theme of such chapter is in the verses ....I guess.
In isolation, a verse may be ammunition or defense for a variety of acts, it may serve as justification for culpability and action… but when taken as a part of something whole, the verse can be understood in terms of intent and awareness…

Something to think about for later i guess...

fats