At first, the chapter stuck me out as being interesting: Al-Imran.
Some people say the translation is: Amramites
So a couple of questions rose from me first of being who are the Amramites?
Google results says that they are descendants of the Amram people; who had the charge of the tabernacle, guarding the arc, table, candlesticks i.e. the treasures of the house of Yahweh – see numbers 3:27, Chronicles 26:23,22.
Verse 1
Letters Alif, Lam, Mim – Similar as in Baqrah and other Rum, Luqman etc
Verse 2
Statement of fact – There is no God except He – The Living, the Eternal. Which is for me the creed of our religion- oneness of God.
Verse 3-4
Confirmation that this scripture – Quran – is from God and also says that the scripture confirms all other scriptures – “and He sent down the Torah and Gospel and before that God sent the statute book”. Interesting that the torah and gospel
Question: What is the Statute Book?
Verse 6
God is the one who shapes in the womb as he wills – statement of fact for me.. There is no other God beside Him, The Almighty, Most wise.
All through the scripture is this theme, “La ilaha illa lahu”.. That is all it says, continually and re-affirmingly. Adding the attributes of the Most High to it… never any messenger or prophet.
Verse 7
In this scripture – Quran- there are straightforward verses and also states that they “ constitute the essence of the scripture”. So I guess straightforward verses are clear and concise in terms of intent and meaning.
In this scripture – Quran- There are multiple meaning/allegorical verses which says “those who harbour doubts in their hearts will pursue the multiple meaning verses to create confusion and to extricate a certain meaning” So to me, I guess that there are multiple meaning verses and they can mean more than one thing… “ No one knows the true meaning except God and those well founded in knowledge” God is the foundation of knowledge, which I wholly accept as a fact for me.
They say, “We believe in this, all of it comes from our Lord” So I guess again that this is the best approach to take as quran is a guiding scripture from God. Everything in is if from God, the most High. There is nothing like you accept one part while leaving another part of it… You cannot say that the quran is not complete because it is. I feel you cannot accept part of it and accept the reported hadiths (which in so many ways contradicts the quran severally) as the other part to Gods guidance (this is me digging at the hadithers!!)
“Everything comes from God” whatever meaning you arrive at or whatever meaning makes sense to you, God is the one who will guide you to the true meaning, as long as you seek it in sincerity, I feel you should do what you think is best for you as long as you remember the essence – God is one God – worship God alone. God is the only one that guides to the truth and may He guide us to the correct meaning, by His will.
Verse 14
Materials of this world are women, children, money, home wealth etc.
I remember when I was feeling very low and depressed and when I read this verse I felt a bit better because this for me re-inforces that marriage/children is not paramount to salvation neither is having children. As long as I live righteously and wholly believe in my creator and worship Him alone then all is well, Gw. Besides the best for me is at my Gods side and that is what I am after. “ The far better abode that is reserved at God”
However way I look at it, it is the best thing for me and Adetutu definitely knows that the right way is always the best way for her. No half measures about it.
Now don’t get me wrong here, I am not advocating celibacy and “monkism” or “nunnerism” because I don’t believe in that. I am enjoined to settle down as that is better for me (which I agree), but if perchance I cannot find the right person to settle with, I shall resort to patience and as best as I can as remain righteous Gw, my lord will provide for me as he knows what I am after what is best for me,
Verse 17
Qualities that are good to have being steadfast, humble, submitting, charitable, meditators at dawn
Verse 18
Statement of Fact again – There is only One God, The Almighty, Most Wise. This is the essence and declaration of faith.
Verse 19
Only religion approved by God is submission. Interesting because I guess this is what all messengers of God have been advocating. Submission to God’s will, to His laws.
It also goes to say that the people who received the scriptures (which may be the torah, gospel, statute book, quran) are the very ones who dispute this fact despite the knowledge they have received.
Verse 23
I like this verse: Some who were given the scripture and how they are invited to uphold this scripture and apply it to their lives – but some turn away in aversion.
Is this not what is happening? When we say Quran alone, they say that is nonsense; they say that it is the hadiths that they will follow. Well, go on follow hadiths now and see where that will end you. I don’t understand us, where God alone is not enough for people that they resort to getting guidance from other than God and His scriptures… God direct me to the straight path by his will.
Verse 24 (added 12/05/09)
I am after great lenght remembering what my malims used to tell us when we has quran lessons. in particular when i was re-reading this part it then dawned on me. What i remember was malim saying that for some people, on the DOJ, they will be punished for whatever sins they done bla bla bla i.e be thrown into hell but after a while, the prophet mohammed will then interceed for them and God will take them out of hell and into paradise. Or the other one that said on DOJ all humans will be grouped into lines of people and the rest is hazy but memory brings up 44 lines and like dat only one line of the 44 will go to paradise or only 44 lines will go to paradise or sumthing? go figure..
Verse 28
Believers never ally themselves with disbelievers instead of believers – So I guess it is a case of show me your friends and I will tell you who you are – Support believers over disbelievers.
Verse 30
Statement again – “Reverence God alone” I singled it out again after reading the verse. "God alerts you that you shall reverence Him alone" 12/05/09
Verse 32
Statement – “You shall obey God and the messenger” Whenever I see this I go, ok I understand what God is asking me to do. Obey Him and obey his messenger. I guess this is the part where most of us have tick with. Obey messenger does not mean copy his habits, his mannerisms and his action. We obey instructions, which is invariably the instructions of the Almighty and as such we are obeying the Almighty.
So what are the messengers asking us to do? They are relating Gods scriptures to us asking us to uphold them and to obey the commandments therein. This takes me to another part in the Quran where I think it says something like “ never would a messenger of God ask you to idolize him instead of God” See 3:79.
I feel what the messengers are asking us to do is to worship god and obey His laws. Obeying the messenger is obeying Gods laws, commandments and upholding Gods scriptures.
This also brings to mind the palava of the “hadiths” which people have collated as the sayings of one particular prophet. First why not collate sayings of the other messengers and prophets. At least we al agree that we have more than one messenger? Nest pas?
Then again these sayings are many and numerous each in itself contradicting themselves and also contradicting the Quran. Reported and post-reported speeches purporting to be that of the messengers, his habits and mannerisms…
I am quite sure, if there was one that said the messenger used to spank his wife’s butt after sex, quite a lot of us will do the same as well. In any case what do I know?
I only believe, that I cannot accept anything without verifying it for myself, and for me my Lord is my inspiration so anything anyone brings, if there is good in it, my Lord guide me to it, if not my lord will keep me away from it.
Verse 33
It translates for me that God has chosen Adam, Noah, Abraham and the family of Amram (as the lineage of messengers to the people)
See article “Hebrew manuscript of the Middle Ages” by Collette Sirat.
Verse 34
These above people belong in the same progeny i.e. they all come from the same genetic line
Verse 35-50
Wife of Amram dedicating her baby to god. This I guess starts the story of Mary, mother of Jesus. So Amram was Mary’s father. Also touches in Jesus and how he came to being which is partly Mary’s story
Also story of Zachariah who begat John – what happened and how God answered his prayers.
Verse 43.
This is of particular interest to me because of the part where I read: “submit to God and prostrate and bow down” this confirms that the process of salat/worship through prostration and bowing down is not a new phenomenon that was given to Mohammed. It was already established as I have read in the Quran and was practiced by Abraham, Moses.
Verse 51
Jesus said “Godi s my Lord and your Lord. you shall Worship Him (God) alone, this is the right path” is that not wonderful? So where did our brethrens start claiming that he is their saviour? Man and his account of history has a lot to play in all this misconception and we all have a lot to answer for ourselves. If only we can open our eyes, gw God will enlightenus that He alone is worthy of Praise and worship. It is not worship and praise of God via any Prophet/messenger but rather worship and praise of God via direct contact..
This part is also a good example for my explanations of verse 32. The messenger issued an instruction “ worship God alone” and as such we are to obey.
Verse 52-55
Story of the disciples of Jesus and some more on Jesus.
Verse 60
Statement – “This is the truth from your Lord, do not harbour any doubts”. Self-explanatory
Verse 61 12/05/09
is anyone willing to invoke such a curse on themselves.. lesson here is tolreance.. its is not about argueing that mine is the right way even though it may be, it is about asking God to enlighten us all and to guide us all to his path. for me, all dem hardline fanatics- my way or the highway- it is commendable but what if your way that you are porporting is the wrong way? and the highway is the right way? what then? makes one think. Rather surah 109:6 explains it beautifully when it says " To you is your religion and to to me is my religion" We are all racing to get Gods acceptance and to gain entry to paradise.. God is the only one who knows those who are on right path and those who serve Him.. I guess we all hope that We are included within Gods mercy and attain paradise.. At least i hope that.. what about you?.. remember God knows while we dont know..
Verse 62
Statement of fact – that the narration is one of the truth, also statement that there is no god except God.
Verse 64
This verse for me is about focusing on similarities and engaging in a mutual and logical agreement. We are all the same community and the only way we can get along is by conjoining similarities and sticking to that. Even within our purported sects… it is still the way we can be indivisible.
- Come to a logical agreement that we will worship God alone and never set up idols besides God nor set up any human beings as Lord beside God. - Think about this statement and reflect how it epitomizes what is happening in our world today.
Verse 65-67
We argue about the status of Gods messengers (this is what I feel is one of the driving wedges in our coming together) but interestingly we all share them together. Lets look at Abraham; we all share him in our 3 main religions done we? But can anyone of us say for sure that he is a Jew, Christian or Muslim? Can we? No we can’t!
So I can take it by my understanding that this verse says that we should not argue because the scriptures were revealed after him (though I read somewhere in quran where it mentions that Abraham was given a scripture as well - need to find more info if I can abut this) Why argue and make conjecture about what we don’t know?
All we know was that Abraham was a messenger of God, a prophet. So from this I can gather that being labeled Muslim, Jew/Christian isn’t the important thing. What is important is that like Abraham we all serve and worship one God, the Almighty Most Wise. “Abraham was never an idol worshipper.”
Verse 68
“People most worthy of Abraham are those who followed him” so for me this means the best example has been set by Abraham, who worshipped God alone. “ And this prophet”
This part I feel related to Mohammed himself, as he was a staunch worshipper of One God. All these additions we see today were done after Mohammed, not while he was alive.
Verse 73
Religion is not by compulsion! If they tell you to follow their religion before they believe – best reply is “ true guidance is Gods guidance”, Only God bestows His grace and guidance as He wills. It is not for me to say that I am guided or for you to say you are guided. Only God guides. May he guide us to the right path by His will.
Verse 79
This verse for me sums up all the factions/fractions/divisions/alliances that we have in all the worldly religions of today. “ Never would a prophet/messenger of God say to his people to idolize him instead of God. Instead he would say to devote yourself to God alone according to the scriptures you preach and the teachings you learn”
Let us be clear people, what we see today, is idolizing prophets and messengers and saints and whatever else we have. Because that is what it is. If the messengers themselves have advocated that we “devote ourselves to God alone according to the scriptures we preach and teachings we learn” where on earth did we start devoting ourselves to God according to the hadiths, where did we start letting human beings dictating how we serve god ad how we worship God, where did we start inventing laws and rules which clearly contradicts what is in the quran, where did we start dividing ourselves into sects and factions? Wo jare, this life Na wah!
Verse 80
Also says “ Nor would he command you to idolize the angels and prophets as Lords” So where did we get these habits from?
Verse 81
Messenger to come to confirm all existing scriptures
Verse 84
Belief in God and all His scriptures – mentions Abraham, Ishmael. Isaac, Jacob, the patriarch – what was given to Moses and Jesus: which I guess is the statute book, torah and Gospel – “ We make no distinctions among any of them, to God alone we are submitters” let us start thinking… for those of us who value some of our prophets above the others, for some of us who value some scripture above others?
Verse 92
I guess means you cannot attain righteousness till you sincerely give to charity from the possessions you love – important thing here
Verse 93
All food used to be lawful until Israel imposed certain prohibitions on themselves before the torah revealed.
Verse 95
You shall follow Abraham’s religion- worshipping one God- he was never an idolater. He was a monotheist.
Verse 97
Observe Hajj when you can afford it
Verse 100
Some people who received scripture, if you believe them, they will revert you to disbelief – for me I think that when you rely on people to form your belief, you end up being led astray- besides who is more apt to guide other than our creator?
Verse 101
This is in addition to the above, it goes on to say “ whoever holds onto God will be guided in the right path” – so can’t we all agree to stick by that, hold onto God alone, focus on our similarity – Quran and stick to that alone, let God inspire us and direct us to his path?
Verse 102
Statement – “Observe God as he should be observed” - and “do not die except as submitters” self-explanatory. Brings to mind what someone said Re: DOJ - what we are doing in this life is building up our souls for the DOJ when God and final truth is established. Should you loose your soul on that day then you have nothing and are left with nothing.
Verse 103
Statement - Hold onto God and do not be divided – his verse for me means even if we dispute on thins maybe out of interpretation or understanding, the best resolve is to hold onto God, because he is the only constant thing in our lives and reality. Besides with this as the only similarity amongst our differences we stand to become united.
Verse 108
Revelations in the quran truthful – I guess that is easy to understand and apply. “God does not wish hardship upon people” – I can take this part to mean – following God’s words, observing God as he should be observed, holding onto God is very simple.
(Simple but complicated for some of us because it is hard to grasp how easy it is to actually worship God because we have been doctrined into believing the most ridiculous complexities about God and about worship that actually grasping the simplicity of what the God asks us to do in Quran is almost a big task were in actual fact it is not.)
We are the ones who complicate the whole worship thing by adding to Gods words, when we should not be doing that… for example look at the ablution thing, in the Quran ablution is all about wash face, arms, wipe head and wash feet. But today its is wash hands three times, wash mouth three times, put water in nose, wash face, wash right arm three times, wash left arm three times, wipe head, wash ears, wash feet. Now tell me who ordered all these additional steps for us?? They will say the prophet? But how can the prophet go against God? Obviously that is impossible, because the prophet was ordered to uphold the same scriptures that were revealed to him as we are asked to do the same??
Na wah O!!
Advocate righteousness, forbid evil and believe in God.
Verse 110
From this verse I find it poignant that it doesn’t specify which community and which group of the followers of the scripture. It just says followers of the scripture – which to me looks at our community as a collective- So we all guilty peeps, no need to point fingers which most Muslims do by pointing at Christians and Jews and others.
Verse 112
Question for me here: Gods covenant, could it be referring to the one in Verse 81
Verse 113
Recite Gods revelations – Quran – through the night and fall prostrate – Good thing to do
Verse 118-120
RULE: don’t befriend those who wish you harm/want to see you suffer. It is plain simple advice, why dance butt naked in front of blazing fire?
Verse 125
Even at war, if your numbers are down, God will support you with His help. In a way this verse strengthens and reaffirms that God will be with those on the right, He will provide them with His support and help.
I remember a programme I watched about someone almost “vetoing” these extremist suicide bombers because according to my memory he says, “ we want to retaliate in kind and because their opponents weaponry is far superior to theirs, suicide seems the way to go” See how the evil are exposing themselves slowly…
BullShit!!! If you believe and you are in the right, you do not have to resort to petty tricks and wrong assumptions. You should resort to patience and trust in God. Even if you were one person fighting Gods support far outweighs your enemy by a million to one.
Verse 130
LAW: Shall not take usury. Observe God that you may succeed.
Let me pause here and talk about something that popped into my head. You know what I find interesting, Jews don’t accept Christianity but you see Christianity builds up on the old testament stuff which is what I think Judaism uphold.
Interesting thing for me is that Christianity doesn’t accept Islam but Islam builds up on Christianity stuff as well as Judaism stuff. It is sort of like with each revelation, the community doesn’t want to let go of what they feel is theirs and what they feel they have had and accept anything new. Interesting concept n’est pas?
Verse 132
Obey God and the messenger that you may attain mercy
Verse 133
Race towards forgiveness from your Lord and towards paradise
Verse 134-136
GOOD TRAITS: Give to charity in good and difficult times, try to suppress anger and pardon people, ask forgiveness for sins and don’t persist in sinning knowingly
Verse 139
You shall not waiver nor grieve. The believers are the ultimate victors. This verse strengthens my heart
Verse 142
Each one will be tested
Verse 145
No one dies except when his time is up. There is nothing like accidental death or mistake death. You go when you are meant to go.
Verse 175
It is the devils system to instill fear into his subject. Don’t fear the devil but fear God instead as He is the CREATOR. The devil has no real power only GOD has power for he is the LORD OF THE UNIVERSE.
I find this verse interesting because when we look at today’s systems, of converting and charming people into any religion, they do it with fear. Hell fire and brimstone fear which chills to the bone. But Gods system is simple, whether you do or you don’t do.
It is not coersion or by force, it is a conscious choice that one has to re-affirm each day and every night.
Verse 186
You will be tested. But perseverance and maintaining righteousness will prove the test of ones faith.
Verse 200
LAW: Shall be steadfast, shall persevere, shall be united and shall observe God
For translations go to http://www.submission.org/quran/webqt.php enter chapter number and compare up to six diff translations
Praise be to the Lord of the Universe.
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Monday, 15 December 2008
chapter 30, my thoughts...
Transltion from http://www.submission.org/quran/webqt.php compare up to six different translations side by side
30:0
In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
30:1
A. L. M.
30:2
Certainly, the Romans will be defeated.
30:3
In the nearest land. After their defeat, they will rise again and win.
30:4
Within several years. Such is God's decision, both in the first prophecy, and the second.
On that day, the believers shall rejoice
30:5
in GOD's victory. He grants victory to whomever He wills. He is the Almighty, Most Merciful.
30:6
Such is GOD's promise - and GOD never breaks His promise - but most people do not know.
30:7
They care only about things of this world that are visible to them, while being totally oblivious to the Hereafter.
30:8
Why do they not reflect on themselves? GOD did not create the heavens and the earth, and everything between them
except for a specific purpose, and for a specific life span. However, most people, with regard to meeting their
Lord, are disbelievers.
30:9
Have they not roamed the earth and noted the consequences for those who preceded them? They used to be more powerful
more prosperous, and more productive on earth. Their messengers went to them with clear signs. Consequently,
GOD was not the One who wronged them, they are the ones who wronged their own souls.
30:10
The consequences for those who committed evil had to be evil. That is because they rejected GOD's revelations,
and ridiculed them.
30:11
GOD is the One who initiates the creation and repeats it. Ultimately, you will be returned to Him.
30:12
On the Day when the Hour comes to pass, the guilty will be shocked.
30:13
Their idols will have no power to intercede on their behalf; on the contrary, they will disown their idols.
30:14
On the day when the Hour comes to pass, they will part company.
30:15
As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, they will be in Paradise, rejoicing.
30:16
As for those who disbelieve, and reject our revelations and the meeting of the Hereafter, they will last in
the retribution forever.
30:17
Therefore, you shall glorify GOD when you retire at night, and when you rise in the morning.
30:18
All praise is due to Him in the heavens and the earth, throughout the evening, as well as in the middle of your day.
30:19
He produces the live from the dead, and produces the dead from the live, and He revives the land after it
had died; you are similarly resurrected.
30:20
Among His proofs is that He created you from dust, then you became reproducing humans.
30:21
Among His proofs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves, in order to have tranquillity
and contentment with each other, and He placed in your hearts love and care towards your spouses. In this,
there are sufficient proofs for people who think.
30:22
Among His proofs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages
and your colors. In these, there are signs for the knowledgeable.
30:23
Among His proofs is your sleeping during the night or the day, and your working in pursuit of His provisions.
In this, there are sufficient proofs for people who can hear.
30:24
Among His proofs is that He shows you the lightning as a source of fear, as well as hope, then He sends down
from the sky water to revive a land that has been dead. In these, there are sufficient proofs for people who
understand.
30:25
Among His proofs is that the heaven and the earth are standing at His disposal. Finally, when He calls you out
of the earth, one call, you will immediately come out.
30:26
To Him belongs everyone in the heavens and the earth; all are subservient to Him.
30:27
And He is the One who initiates the creation, then repeats it; this is even easier for Him. To Him belongs the
most sublime similitude, in the heavens and the earth, and He is the Almighty, Most Wise.
30:28
He cites for you herein an example from among yourselves: Do you ever elevate your servants or subordinates to
the level where they rival you, and to the point that you pay them as much allegiance as is being paid to you?
We thus explain the revelations for people who understand.
30:29
Indeed, the transgressors have followed their own opinions, without knowledge. Who then can guide those who have
been sent astray by GOD? No one can ever help them.
30:30
Therefore, you shall devote yourself to the religion of strict monotheism. Such is the natural instinct placed
into the people by GOD. Such creation of GOD will never change. This is the perfect religion, but most people
do not know.
30:31
You shall submit to Him, reverence Him, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and - whatever you do - do not ever
fall into idol worship.
30:32
(Do not fall in idol worship,) like those who divide their religion into sects; each party rejoicing with what
they have.
30:33
When adversity afflicts the people, they turn to their Lord, totally devoting themselves to Him. But then,
as soon as He showers them with mercy, some of them revert to idol worship.
30:34
Let them be unappreciative of what we have given them. Enjoy temporarily; you will surely find out.
30:35
Have we given them authorization that justifies their idolatry?
30:36
When we bestow mercy upon the people, they rejoice therein. But when adversity befalls them, as a consequence
of their own works, they become despondent.
30:37
Do they not realize that GOD increases the provision for whomever He wills, or reduces it? These should be
lessons for people who believe.
30:38
Therefore, you shall give the relatives their rightful share (of charity), as well as the poor, and the
traveling alien. This is better for those who sincerely seek GOD's pleasure; they are the winners.
30:39
The usury that is practiced to increase some people's wealth, does not gain anything at GOD. But if you
give to charity, seeking GOD's pleasure, these are the ones who receive their reward manifold.
30:40
GOD is the One who created you. He is the One who provides for you. He is the One who puts you to death.
He is the One who resurrects you. Can any of your idols do any of these things? Be He glorified. He is
much too exalted to have any partners.
30:41
Disasters have spread throughout the land and sea, because of what the people have committed. He thus
lets them taste the consequences of some of their works, that they may return (to the right works).
30:42
Say, "Roam the earth and note the consequences for those before you." Most of them were idol worshipers.
30:43
Therefore, you shall devote yourself completely to this perfect religion, before a day comes which is
made inevitable by GOD. On that day, they will be shocked.
30:44
Whoever disbelieves, disbelieves to the detriment of his own soul, while those who lead a righteous life,
do so to strengthen and develop their own souls.
30:45
For He will generously recompense those who believe and lead a righteous life from His bounties. He does
not love the disbelievers.
30:46
Among His proofs is that He sends the winds with good omen, to shower you with His mercy, and to allow
the ships to run in the sea in accordance with His rules, and for you to seek His bounties (through commerce),
that you may be appreciative.
30:47
We have sent messengers before you to their people, with profound signs. Subsequently, we punished those
who transgressed. It is our duty that we grant victory to the believers.
30:48
GOD is the One who sends the winds, to stir up clouds, to be spread throughout the sky in accordance with
His will. He then piles the clouds up, then you see the rain coming down therefrom. When it falls on whomever
He chooses from among His servants, they rejoice.
30:49
Before it fell on them, they had resorted to despair.
30:50
You shall appreciate GOD's continuous mercy, and how He revives the land that has been dead. He will just
as certainly resurrect the dead. He is Omnipotent.
30:51
Had we sent upon them instead a yellow sandstorm, they would have continued to disbelieve.
30:52
You cannot make the dead, nor the deaf, hear the call, once they turn away.
30:53
Nor can you guide the blind out of their straying. You can only be heard by those who believe in our revelations,
and decide to become submitters.
30:54
GOD is the One who created you weak, then granted you after the weakness strength, then substituted after the
strength weakness and gray hair. He creates whatever He wills. He is the Omniscient, the Omnipotent.
30:55
On the day when the Hour comes to pass, the guilty will swear that they lasted (in this world) only one hour.
That is how wrong they were.
30:56
Those who are blessed with knowledge and faith will say, "You have lasted, according to GOD's decree, until
the Day of Resurrection. Now, this is the Day of Resurrection, but you failed to recognize it."
30:57
Therefore, no apology, on that day, will benefit the transgressors, nor will they be excused.
30:58
Thus, we have cited for the people in this Quran all kinds of examples. Yet, no matter what kind of proof
you present to the disbelievers, they say, "You are falsifiers."
30:59
GOD thus seals the hearts of those who do not know.
30:60
Therefore, you shall steadfastly persevere - for GOD's promise is the truth - and do not be intimidated
by those who have not attained certainty.
========================================================================================
This is what I am perchance to be reading this month and some of its verses stopped me dead and made me consider some things
you see, when i read, i like to circle things that outwardly jumps at me for reference sake and also so that i can mull over it,
and in reading this chapter a couple of things that i don't understand....
the first of these is the first 4 verses... the one about Rome.... now there are some times when i consider things to be important and
there are some times when i don't... This verse i don't understand purely because i am not too clear what happened in the "Roman era"
so i am not going to make any conjecture about it...
sometimes i feel , some things concern me and others dont... The ones that do - i will worry about them.. and the ones that don't - " you have guessed my reply"
Verse 5 and 6 are pretty self explanatory for me as God's victory will always be established as it always has been as is Gods' promise, for "His word will always come to pass"
Verse 6-7 got me thinking about myself, and about people... the saying " care only about things of this world that are visible to them, while being totally oblivious to the Hereafter"
is interesting because in reality it is true... We only focus on the things of this life, family, children, money, career, friends while not being concerned of the things of the after life...
these things, money, friends and family etc. have no weight or relevance in the hereafter and as such i wonder why we seek these things...
It is hard, i know and it is only with clear mind and focus that one can seek to live this life as we have it... because the trappings are many and temptous...
but we don't realise that it is as such... The Christians say something like "the poor will inherit the earth" and this statement
is indicative of this need by us to acquire all these trappings which - believe it or not - are the same things that may tempt us from the path of the Most high..
it is all a balance i guess, as long as one is clear that priority lies with God first and foremost and everything comes second...
you have money, you seek money, this involved spending time, calculating time , loads of money can lead to other things, this also tempts you from the path of god, The search of the money also when you haven't got it may make you do things that under normal
circumstances you wont even consider
you have friends, they need your time, need your attention, want you to go out with them, socialise which in itself may lead you off the path of the most high, you are in their company, things are said, tongues are loosened.. beliefs are lost in hope of
preserving friendships... is that being true to the most high???
You have family, this very family will test you, they want your attention, you need to look after them, these things which will take time and energy, time that can be devoted to God...
You have family, children, husband/wife that wants your time, house needs grooming, food needs organising, children needs tending to... all these takes time and may lead you off the path of the most high... husband/wife needs tlc, needs cuddling, needs love making
needs us time... time that can be better spent in the cause of the most high... you know one should be careful of what they wish for because the everything that you seek may be the very thing that costs you your soul... and as such, I in myself ask the most
High to provide for me that which is good for me from Him, in the time that befits me... as only He will know that
Verse 8-16
these verses are clear as well in itself. God asks us to believe and lead righteous lives... its not about what religion that you belong to, because I am getting here that it dont matter... believe and lead a righteous life!!
The consequences of not doing that is loosing your soul in the hereafter, which some people call "eternal damnation"
Verse 17-18
this verse jumped out at me because it relates to praising and glorifying God..
the first part starts glorify God when you retire at night and when you rise in the morning and the second part goes praise God throughout the evening as well as in the middle of your day.
Glory be to God!! why so i smirk... well its because of this prayer thing... what i have found as per my own reading is the 3 prayers as i have already mentioned... and for me prayer is before sunrise, from the sun's decline at highest point as it approaches
sunset and just after sunset... At night what we are asked to do is to meditate on god...
this is what i feel it has mentioned here... glorify God when you retire at night - meditate on god, read Quran and generally praise God... remember the verse where it says at night we should be saying " My Lord admit me a honourable admittance and let me
depart a honourable departure and grant me from thee a powerful support"
" During the night, you shall meditate for extra credit, that your lord may raise you to a honourable rank
And say, "My lord admit me an honourable admittance and let me depart an honourable departure and grant me from you a powerful support"
Proclaim - Truth has prevailed and falsehood has vanished; falsehood will inevitably vanish. (17:80-81)
Glorifying God when you rise: this is the morning prayer/fajr prayer
Praising God in evening: this is the after sunset before the advent of darkness
Both earlier statements are linked via surah 11:14 ""You shall observe the contact prayers at both ends of the daylight, that is, during the adjacent hours of the night. . . " ( bearing in mind that this surah is a bone of contention amongst us all in terms of
interpreting... but for me this here one logifies it for me..)
Praising God in middle of day is linked via surah 2:238 "You shall consistently observe the contact prayers, especially the MIDDLE PRAYER, and devote yourselves totally to God." .
as is all linked by 20:130 "Therefore, be patient in the face of their utterances, and praise and glorify your Lord before sunrise and before sunset. And during the night glorify Him, as well as at both ends of the day, that you may be happy". I have a different thought to this whole thing
This life, fraught with everything... I find it interesting and perplexing... God guide us to the straight path
Verse 18-20
Self explanatory..
Verse21
i find this verse poignant.... probably because i have just seen a bollywood movie "rab ne bana di Jodi" which delved into intricacies on "own choice marriage" and "arranged marriage"
"Among His proofs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves, in order to have tranquillity and contentment with each other, and He placed in your hearts love and care towards your spouses. In this, there are sufficient proofs for people who think"
interesting choice....in the film it was an arranged marriage however from that it blossomed or turned into a love marriage... God in His wonders eh!!!.
Verse 22-27
Self explanatory for me
Verse 28
"He cites for you herein an example from among yourselves: Do you ever elevate your servants or subordinates to the level where they rival you, and to the point that you pay them as much allegiance as is being paid to you?
We thus explain the revelations for people who understand"
This here verse stopped me in my tracks.... I went click!! click!! click!!!. lets look at it in the light of "God plus mohammed" and "God plus Jesus" debacle. From my earlier notes, I have stood that it is God alone, and not God plus anybody... (
" God be Glorified far above having any partners or allies" )
Mohammed and Jesus and anyone else for that matter are Gods servants, messengers, whatever term you want to look at it...
Now first apply the statement on the verse you yourself... and then look at it in the lines of the "God alone" and "God plus" palaver??
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
this one made me laugh... here we are trying to tell people about God alone, where the Quran specifically states God alone, Where i feel it is clear God alone, and here it in black and white in "allegory terms" for us to ponder.
because Yes, what is our community doing .... we are upholding these messengers, these servants to the level of our creator... and it should not be... should it... whereby that we cannot say a prayer to our creator without
"paying allegiance to a prophet/saint/whatever" in hope that our prayers may be answered... which should not be should it...
Does the Quran not state that there is no intercession unless it coincides with the will of the Almighty... how can there be anyways... logic here please. these people that we want to intercede for us don't even know us, haven't smelt us, haven't dealt with us... so how can
they know if our heart is pure or not... I state again God holds all authority in this life and here after Forever, let us be clear it is all about God alone...
You have God and you have servant... but we praise servant and love servant much more than we love God... and i defy anyone who realises within himself to tell me that what i am saying is wrong!!! because that is what we are doing both Christians who feel
Jesus is their saviour and light and the Muslims who feel Mohammed will save them and intercede for them...
Verse 29-32
Self explanatory and is indicative of what is happening in our community today...
"Devote yourself to strict monotheism" - God alone??? has it sunk in yet...
"Do not ever fall into idol worship" - Anything beside God is idol worship... is it still sinking in...
"like those who divide religion into sects, each party rejoicing in what they had" - is that not what we have now... Christian _ Anglican,. Baptist Pentecostal, Jews, orthodox, unorthodox, Muslims shia, Sunni, Zoroastrians etc... laughing my head out loud..
Verse 33-37
thought provoking stuff here... but self explanatory
Verse 38
talks about charity and giving, relatives, poor and the travelling alien.... for me this makes me think... how do i give relatives share of charity... except those that probably ask for it... ( which is a hard fete because i purposely run away from family members and
their wahala you know... will have to stop doing that...) how easy is it to just go up there and say here take this money... wouldn't they be offended? probably easier for the children because as is with our culture, you generally give young children stuff... hmmm i have
to ponder this one still.. God help me... also same applied to where i live in terms of poor... other than those visible people looking for alms, its is not as prevalent as in for instance Nigeria.... other than maybe the charity organisations that collect for
poor like Oxfam or something like that....
and where does one find a travelling alien/wayfarer: expect for by the grace of God obviously... hmmm. travelling alien.... hmmm ponder for thought
Verse 39-51
Self explanatory
Verse 52-57
interesting aint it....
Verse 58
All proof that worship is about God is in the Quran, yet people don't want to accept... when even in the quran itself there is no phenomenon like "God plus" but they still will not accept it..
they choose to look outside the word of God to find their additions, which takes us from the path of God... hmmm. in itself this is a big pondering...
When God alone is not enuff that you seek to take guidance from man... when Gods scripture is not enough that we seek to take guidance from people,
When we don't trust that God can inspire you to the meaning of His words that you seek inspiration from people and when we don't trust that God can guide us to his path that we seek guidance from our fellow man, when we don't believe that to God belongs all
control that we fear our other man, that we deify man as saviour as guardian...
Verse 59-60
for me a perfect ending will be, My Lord, allow me to be appreciative of the blessing that you have bestowed upon me., inspire me by thy will to remember thee always, to praise thee and glorify thee.
Grant me from thee your support and help, that evermore i be tied to thee with bonds so strong, that wherever whatever, regardless of the situation the only thing from my lips be " Praise be to the lord of the universe"
30:0
In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
30:1
A. L. M.
30:2
Certainly, the Romans will be defeated.
30:3
In the nearest land. After their defeat, they will rise again and win.
30:4
Within several years. Such is God's decision, both in the first prophecy, and the second.
On that day, the believers shall rejoice
30:5
in GOD's victory. He grants victory to whomever He wills. He is the Almighty, Most Merciful.
30:6
Such is GOD's promise - and GOD never breaks His promise - but most people do not know.
30:7
They care only about things of this world that are visible to them, while being totally oblivious to the Hereafter.
30:8
Why do they not reflect on themselves? GOD did not create the heavens and the earth, and everything between them
except for a specific purpose, and for a specific life span. However, most people, with regard to meeting their
Lord, are disbelievers.
30:9
Have they not roamed the earth and noted the consequences for those who preceded them? They used to be more powerful
more prosperous, and more productive on earth. Their messengers went to them with clear signs. Consequently,
GOD was not the One who wronged them, they are the ones who wronged their own souls.
30:10
The consequences for those who committed evil had to be evil. That is because they rejected GOD's revelations,
and ridiculed them.
30:11
GOD is the One who initiates the creation and repeats it. Ultimately, you will be returned to Him.
30:12
On the Day when the Hour comes to pass, the guilty will be shocked.
30:13
Their idols will have no power to intercede on their behalf; on the contrary, they will disown their idols.
30:14
On the day when the Hour comes to pass, they will part company.
30:15
As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, they will be in Paradise, rejoicing.
30:16
As for those who disbelieve, and reject our revelations and the meeting of the Hereafter, they will last in
the retribution forever.
30:17
Therefore, you shall glorify GOD when you retire at night, and when you rise in the morning.
30:18
All praise is due to Him in the heavens and the earth, throughout the evening, as well as in the middle of your day.
30:19
He produces the live from the dead, and produces the dead from the live, and He revives the land after it
had died; you are similarly resurrected.
30:20
Among His proofs is that He created you from dust, then you became reproducing humans.
30:21
Among His proofs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves, in order to have tranquillity
and contentment with each other, and He placed in your hearts love and care towards your spouses. In this,
there are sufficient proofs for people who think.
30:22
Among His proofs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages
and your colors. In these, there are signs for the knowledgeable.
30:23
Among His proofs is your sleeping during the night or the day, and your working in pursuit of His provisions.
In this, there are sufficient proofs for people who can hear.
30:24
Among His proofs is that He shows you the lightning as a source of fear, as well as hope, then He sends down
from the sky water to revive a land that has been dead. In these, there are sufficient proofs for people who
understand.
30:25
Among His proofs is that the heaven and the earth are standing at His disposal. Finally, when He calls you out
of the earth, one call, you will immediately come out.
30:26
To Him belongs everyone in the heavens and the earth; all are subservient to Him.
30:27
And He is the One who initiates the creation, then repeats it; this is even easier for Him. To Him belongs the
most sublime similitude, in the heavens and the earth, and He is the Almighty, Most Wise.
30:28
He cites for you herein an example from among yourselves: Do you ever elevate your servants or subordinates to
the level where they rival you, and to the point that you pay them as much allegiance as is being paid to you?
We thus explain the revelations for people who understand.
30:29
Indeed, the transgressors have followed their own opinions, without knowledge. Who then can guide those who have
been sent astray by GOD? No one can ever help them.
30:30
Therefore, you shall devote yourself to the religion of strict monotheism. Such is the natural instinct placed
into the people by GOD. Such creation of GOD will never change. This is the perfect religion, but most people
do not know.
30:31
You shall submit to Him, reverence Him, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and - whatever you do - do not ever
fall into idol worship.
30:32
(Do not fall in idol worship,) like those who divide their religion into sects; each party rejoicing with what
they have.
30:33
When adversity afflicts the people, they turn to their Lord, totally devoting themselves to Him. But then,
as soon as He showers them with mercy, some of them revert to idol worship.
30:34
Let them be unappreciative of what we have given them. Enjoy temporarily; you will surely find out.
30:35
Have we given them authorization that justifies their idolatry?
30:36
When we bestow mercy upon the people, they rejoice therein. But when adversity befalls them, as a consequence
of their own works, they become despondent.
30:37
Do they not realize that GOD increases the provision for whomever He wills, or reduces it? These should be
lessons for people who believe.
30:38
Therefore, you shall give the relatives their rightful share (of charity), as well as the poor, and the
traveling alien. This is better for those who sincerely seek GOD's pleasure; they are the winners.
30:39
The usury that is practiced to increase some people's wealth, does not gain anything at GOD. But if you
give to charity, seeking GOD's pleasure, these are the ones who receive their reward manifold.
30:40
GOD is the One who created you. He is the One who provides for you. He is the One who puts you to death.
He is the One who resurrects you. Can any of your idols do any of these things? Be He glorified. He is
much too exalted to have any partners.
30:41
Disasters have spread throughout the land and sea, because of what the people have committed. He thus
lets them taste the consequences of some of their works, that they may return (to the right works).
30:42
Say, "Roam the earth and note the consequences for those before you." Most of them were idol worshipers.
30:43
Therefore, you shall devote yourself completely to this perfect religion, before a day comes which is
made inevitable by GOD. On that day, they will be shocked.
30:44
Whoever disbelieves, disbelieves to the detriment of his own soul, while those who lead a righteous life,
do so to strengthen and develop their own souls.
30:45
For He will generously recompense those who believe and lead a righteous life from His bounties. He does
not love the disbelievers.
30:46
Among His proofs is that He sends the winds with good omen, to shower you with His mercy, and to allow
the ships to run in the sea in accordance with His rules, and for you to seek His bounties (through commerce),
that you may be appreciative.
30:47
We have sent messengers before you to their people, with profound signs. Subsequently, we punished those
who transgressed. It is our duty that we grant victory to the believers.
30:48
GOD is the One who sends the winds, to stir up clouds, to be spread throughout the sky in accordance with
His will. He then piles the clouds up, then you see the rain coming down therefrom. When it falls on whomever
He chooses from among His servants, they rejoice.
30:49
Before it fell on them, they had resorted to despair.
30:50
You shall appreciate GOD's continuous mercy, and how He revives the land that has been dead. He will just
as certainly resurrect the dead. He is Omnipotent.
30:51
Had we sent upon them instead a yellow sandstorm, they would have continued to disbelieve.
30:52
You cannot make the dead, nor the deaf, hear the call, once they turn away.
30:53
Nor can you guide the blind out of their straying. You can only be heard by those who believe in our revelations,
and decide to become submitters.
30:54
GOD is the One who created you weak, then granted you after the weakness strength, then substituted after the
strength weakness and gray hair. He creates whatever He wills. He is the Omniscient, the Omnipotent.
30:55
On the day when the Hour comes to pass, the guilty will swear that they lasted (in this world) only one hour.
That is how wrong they were.
30:56
Those who are blessed with knowledge and faith will say, "You have lasted, according to GOD's decree, until
the Day of Resurrection. Now, this is the Day of Resurrection, but you failed to recognize it."
30:57
Therefore, no apology, on that day, will benefit the transgressors, nor will they be excused.
30:58
Thus, we have cited for the people in this Quran all kinds of examples. Yet, no matter what kind of proof
you present to the disbelievers, they say, "You are falsifiers."
30:59
GOD thus seals the hearts of those who do not know.
30:60
Therefore, you shall steadfastly persevere - for GOD's promise is the truth - and do not be intimidated
by those who have not attained certainty.
========================================================================================
This is what I am perchance to be reading this month and some of its verses stopped me dead and made me consider some things
you see, when i read, i like to circle things that outwardly jumps at me for reference sake and also so that i can mull over it,
and in reading this chapter a couple of things that i don't understand....
the first of these is the first 4 verses... the one about Rome.... now there are some times when i consider things to be important and
there are some times when i don't... This verse i don't understand purely because i am not too clear what happened in the "Roman era"
so i am not going to make any conjecture about it...
sometimes i feel , some things concern me and others dont... The ones that do - i will worry about them.. and the ones that don't - " you have guessed my reply"
Verse 5 and 6 are pretty self explanatory for me as God's victory will always be established as it always has been as is Gods' promise, for "His word will always come to pass"
Verse 6-7 got me thinking about myself, and about people... the saying " care only about things of this world that are visible to them, while being totally oblivious to the Hereafter"
is interesting because in reality it is true... We only focus on the things of this life, family, children, money, career, friends while not being concerned of the things of the after life...
these things, money, friends and family etc. have no weight or relevance in the hereafter and as such i wonder why we seek these things...
It is hard, i know and it is only with clear mind and focus that one can seek to live this life as we have it... because the trappings are many and temptous...
but we don't realise that it is as such... The Christians say something like "the poor will inherit the earth" and this statement
is indicative of this need by us to acquire all these trappings which - believe it or not - are the same things that may tempt us from the path of the Most high..
it is all a balance i guess, as long as one is clear that priority lies with God first and foremost and everything comes second...
you have money, you seek money, this involved spending time, calculating time , loads of money can lead to other things, this also tempts you from the path of god, The search of the money also when you haven't got it may make you do things that under normal
circumstances you wont even consider
you have friends, they need your time, need your attention, want you to go out with them, socialise which in itself may lead you off the path of the most high, you are in their company, things are said, tongues are loosened.. beliefs are lost in hope of
preserving friendships... is that being true to the most high???
You have family, this very family will test you, they want your attention, you need to look after them, these things which will take time and energy, time that can be devoted to God...
You have family, children, husband/wife that wants your time, house needs grooming, food needs organising, children needs tending to... all these takes time and may lead you off the path of the most high... husband/wife needs tlc, needs cuddling, needs love making
needs us time... time that can be better spent in the cause of the most high... you know one should be careful of what they wish for because the everything that you seek may be the very thing that costs you your soul... and as such, I in myself ask the most
High to provide for me that which is good for me from Him, in the time that befits me... as only He will know that
Verse 8-16
these verses are clear as well in itself. God asks us to believe and lead righteous lives... its not about what religion that you belong to, because I am getting here that it dont matter... believe and lead a righteous life!!
The consequences of not doing that is loosing your soul in the hereafter, which some people call "eternal damnation"
Verse 17-18
this verse jumped out at me because it relates to praising and glorifying God..
the first part starts glorify God when you retire at night and when you rise in the morning and the second part goes praise God throughout the evening as well as in the middle of your day.
Glory be to God!! why so i smirk... well its because of this prayer thing... what i have found as per my own reading is the 3 prayers as i have already mentioned... and for me prayer is before sunrise, from the sun's decline at highest point as it approaches
sunset and just after sunset... At night what we are asked to do is to meditate on god...
this is what i feel it has mentioned here... glorify God when you retire at night - meditate on god, read Quran and generally praise God... remember the verse where it says at night we should be saying " My Lord admit me a honourable admittance and let me
depart a honourable departure and grant me from thee a powerful support"
" During the night, you shall meditate for extra credit, that your lord may raise you to a honourable rank
And say, "My lord admit me an honourable admittance and let me depart an honourable departure and grant me from you a powerful support"
Proclaim - Truth has prevailed and falsehood has vanished; falsehood will inevitably vanish. (17:80-81)
Glorifying God when you rise: this is the morning prayer/fajr prayer
Praising God in evening: this is the after sunset before the advent of darkness
Both earlier statements are linked via surah 11:14 ""You shall observe the contact prayers at both ends of the daylight, that is, during the adjacent hours of the night. . . " ( bearing in mind that this surah is a bone of contention amongst us all in terms of
interpreting... but for me this here one logifies it for me..)
Praising God in middle of day is linked via surah 2:238 "You shall consistently observe the contact prayers, especially the MIDDLE PRAYER, and devote yourselves totally to God." .
as is all linked by 20:130 "Therefore, be patient in the face of their utterances, and praise and glorify your Lord before sunrise and before sunset. And during the night glorify Him, as well as at both ends of the day, that you may be happy". I have a different thought to this whole thing
This life, fraught with everything... I find it interesting and perplexing... God guide us to the straight path
Verse 18-20
Self explanatory..
Verse21
i find this verse poignant.... probably because i have just seen a bollywood movie "rab ne bana di Jodi" which delved into intricacies on "own choice marriage" and "arranged marriage"
"Among His proofs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves, in order to have tranquillity and contentment with each other, and He placed in your hearts love and care towards your spouses. In this, there are sufficient proofs for people who think"
interesting choice....in the film it was an arranged marriage however from that it blossomed or turned into a love marriage... God in His wonders eh!!!.
Verse 22-27
Self explanatory for me
Verse 28
"He cites for you herein an example from among yourselves: Do you ever elevate your servants or subordinates to the level where they rival you, and to the point that you pay them as much allegiance as is being paid to you?
We thus explain the revelations for people who understand"
This here verse stopped me in my tracks.... I went click!! click!! click!!!. lets look at it in the light of "God plus mohammed" and "God plus Jesus" debacle. From my earlier notes, I have stood that it is God alone, and not God plus anybody... (
" God be Glorified far above having any partners or allies" )
Mohammed and Jesus and anyone else for that matter are Gods servants, messengers, whatever term you want to look at it...
Now first apply the statement on the verse you yourself... and then look at it in the lines of the "God alone" and "God plus" palaver??
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
this one made me laugh... here we are trying to tell people about God alone, where the Quran specifically states God alone, Where i feel it is clear God alone, and here it in black and white in "allegory terms" for us to ponder.
because Yes, what is our community doing .... we are upholding these messengers, these servants to the level of our creator... and it should not be... should it... whereby that we cannot say a prayer to our creator without
"paying allegiance to a prophet/saint/whatever" in hope that our prayers may be answered... which should not be should it...
Does the Quran not state that there is no intercession unless it coincides with the will of the Almighty... how can there be anyways... logic here please. these people that we want to intercede for us don't even know us, haven't smelt us, haven't dealt with us... so how can
they know if our heart is pure or not... I state again God holds all authority in this life and here after Forever, let us be clear it is all about God alone...
You have God and you have servant... but we praise servant and love servant much more than we love God... and i defy anyone who realises within himself to tell me that what i am saying is wrong!!! because that is what we are doing both Christians who feel
Jesus is their saviour and light and the Muslims who feel Mohammed will save them and intercede for them...
Verse 29-32
Self explanatory and is indicative of what is happening in our community today...
"Devote yourself to strict monotheism" - God alone??? has it sunk in yet...
"Do not ever fall into idol worship" - Anything beside God is idol worship... is it still sinking in...
"like those who divide religion into sects, each party rejoicing in what they had" - is that not what we have now... Christian _ Anglican,. Baptist Pentecostal, Jews, orthodox, unorthodox, Muslims shia, Sunni, Zoroastrians etc... laughing my head out loud..
Verse 33-37
thought provoking stuff here... but self explanatory
Verse 38
talks about charity and giving, relatives, poor and the travelling alien.... for me this makes me think... how do i give relatives share of charity... except those that probably ask for it... ( which is a hard fete because i purposely run away from family members and
their wahala you know... will have to stop doing that...) how easy is it to just go up there and say here take this money... wouldn't they be offended? probably easier for the children because as is with our culture, you generally give young children stuff... hmmm i have
to ponder this one still.. God help me... also same applied to where i live in terms of poor... other than those visible people looking for alms, its is not as prevalent as in for instance Nigeria.... other than maybe the charity organisations that collect for
poor like Oxfam or something like that....
and where does one find a travelling alien/wayfarer: expect for by the grace of God obviously... hmmm. travelling alien.... hmmm ponder for thought
Verse 39-51
Self explanatory
Verse 52-57
interesting aint it....
Verse 58
All proof that worship is about God is in the Quran, yet people don't want to accept... when even in the quran itself there is no phenomenon like "God plus" but they still will not accept it..
they choose to look outside the word of God to find their additions, which takes us from the path of God... hmmm. in itself this is a big pondering...
When God alone is not enuff that you seek to take guidance from man... when Gods scripture is not enough that we seek to take guidance from people,
When we don't trust that God can inspire you to the meaning of His words that you seek inspiration from people and when we don't trust that God can guide us to his path that we seek guidance from our fellow man, when we don't believe that to God belongs all
control that we fear our other man, that we deify man as saviour as guardian...
Verse 59-60
for me a perfect ending will be, My Lord, allow me to be appreciative of the blessing that you have bestowed upon me., inspire me by thy will to remember thee always, to praise thee and glorify thee.
Grant me from thee your support and help, that evermore i be tied to thee with bonds so strong, that wherever whatever, regardless of the situation the only thing from my lips be " Praise be to the lord of the universe"
Thursday, 11 December 2008
someone posted this in 2007.... i came across ti today and yes it makes sense... future through unity,,, future through holding to God only....
http://my.opera.com/Quran/blog/2007/10/11/quran-muslim-community
Quran - Muslim Community
Thursday, 11. October 2007, 07:58:39
Muslim Community
Many individuals come together to make a community. An Islamic life is to live as a community. To stay dispersed and to pursue ones own advantages and self interest is not the life of the Muslim, who has submitted to God. The question now arises that how can different individuals become one single community? How can separate Muslims be woven into the single fabric of an Islamic community? We may look at the pivotal point and make clear the direction towards it. Have you ever seen a football match? Of course you have. On each side there are 11 players positioned around one half of the pitch. Some are at the back, some at the front and others in the center. Others are at the left and right and one can be seen standing alone behind them all. They are all spread out as if they have no connection with one another. The ball is placed in the center and a whistle is blown. The previously dispersed players start running very fast. A strange commotion takes place. Now we can see a game taking shape and in this bustle we observe a unique phenomenon. The player who is nearest to the ball makes every effort to direct it towards on specific target. It never happens that a player from one team kicks the ball in one direction and another player from the same team tries to kick it to the opposite direction. The point to which all players of the same side aim the ball is known as their Goal. And goal means aspiration, ambition, intent or purpose. The goal is a point, which is in sight of them all, something that they collectively cherish and wish to achieve. The players are eleven but their aim is one. All the individual players who have one goal are known as a team. Likewise if all the individuals of a society who have one purpose and a common aspiration, then they can be known as a Community. But individuals can only become a community if they all have One goal and One ambition. If members of any society which do not have one goal they cannot be a community; similarly, if different individuals have different goals they cannot be a community either. People of a nation of even different countries may have things in common but unless they share the same values, they cannot truly be a united community either. However, for Muslims, God has defined their goal. He has said in Al Imran verse 3:103 “Hold fast to the rope of God, and do not be divided.” This is the goal for all Muslims which will unite everyone and bring all individuals together to become one community. Of some individuals lose their grasp and clutch at straws their goals become distinctly separate; divisions will arise and sects will be created. This rope of God, holding onto which Muslims become one community, is none other than the Holy Quran – Gods criterion for mankind. This is the goal which every Muslim should be looking at. This is the pinnacle which every Muslim should aim for. This is the goal which will give Muslims the unity they need. Eleven players in the soccer field have one goal and theses players are called a team. The opposing players have a separate goal and belong to a different team. Have you noted how all the players in one field have become two distinct factions? This is due to having different Goals. In these times a community’s goal is called ideology. This means that Muslims become a community on the basis of an ideology. They all have the same ideology. As I have said before, this is what I called unity. If their ideology is different from each other’s then it is (Shirk) or division. That is why God said that, “Muslims take care! Do not become disbelievers after having believed. Do now be of those people who created sects within their social system and themselves became a sect and every sect became satisfied that only they had the truth.” (chapter 30 verse 32)Have you noted how the Quran has pointed out a single goal and any aim other than a single community is condemned as shirk or an unacceptable division in unity? This is because only on forming a united community cans Muslims prosper. When different sects have different goals, they will not be able to come together. They are not the community of the Ummah (Muslim nation). Their unity is broken and in place of unity there is division. The goal for Muslims is the Quran. It is a book in which there are no discrepancies. Only by following the Quran alone can the Muslims become one, undivided community. This is our ideology and it is for this purpose that Pakistan was created. Muslim means Believer and Kafir means Disbeliever or one who rejects. Those who believe that the Quran is a goal or ideology and establish a government according to it are Muslims. And those who do not believe that the Quran is a goal or an ideology and do not establish a government according to it are not Muslims and thus recognize as Kaafireen or disbelievers. From this it is clear that individuals do not become a community until they have ONE goal or ONE ideology as their aim. Those who believe in the Quranic ideology are Muslims and with this common aim become a united community. What it means to keep the Quran as your goal is that a government should be established to it. It is obvious that when people forget their aims, they can only live as individuals but never as a community. The Quran says to the Believers; “Remain steadfast and advocate steadfastness to others and join together to implement the laws of God; fear Him that you may prosper.” (3:200)By - Parvez Video
Quran - Muslim Community
Thursday, 11. October 2007, 07:58:39
Muslim Community
Many individuals come together to make a community. An Islamic life is to live as a community. To stay dispersed and to pursue ones own advantages and self interest is not the life of the Muslim, who has submitted to God. The question now arises that how can different individuals become one single community? How can separate Muslims be woven into the single fabric of an Islamic community? We may look at the pivotal point and make clear the direction towards it. Have you ever seen a football match? Of course you have. On each side there are 11 players positioned around one half of the pitch. Some are at the back, some at the front and others in the center. Others are at the left and right and one can be seen standing alone behind them all. They are all spread out as if they have no connection with one another. The ball is placed in the center and a whistle is blown. The previously dispersed players start running very fast. A strange commotion takes place. Now we can see a game taking shape and in this bustle we observe a unique phenomenon. The player who is nearest to the ball makes every effort to direct it towards on specific target. It never happens that a player from one team kicks the ball in one direction and another player from the same team tries to kick it to the opposite direction. The point to which all players of the same side aim the ball is known as their Goal. And goal means aspiration, ambition, intent or purpose. The goal is a point, which is in sight of them all, something that they collectively cherish and wish to achieve. The players are eleven but their aim is one. All the individual players who have one goal are known as a team. Likewise if all the individuals of a society who have one purpose and a common aspiration, then they can be known as a Community. But individuals can only become a community if they all have One goal and One ambition. If members of any society which do not have one goal they cannot be a community; similarly, if different individuals have different goals they cannot be a community either. People of a nation of even different countries may have things in common but unless they share the same values, they cannot truly be a united community either. However, for Muslims, God has defined their goal. He has said in Al Imran verse 3:103 “Hold fast to the rope of God, and do not be divided.” This is the goal for all Muslims which will unite everyone and bring all individuals together to become one community. Of some individuals lose their grasp and clutch at straws their goals become distinctly separate; divisions will arise and sects will be created. This rope of God, holding onto which Muslims become one community, is none other than the Holy Quran – Gods criterion for mankind. This is the goal which every Muslim should be looking at. This is the pinnacle which every Muslim should aim for. This is the goal which will give Muslims the unity they need. Eleven players in the soccer field have one goal and theses players are called a team. The opposing players have a separate goal and belong to a different team. Have you noted how all the players in one field have become two distinct factions? This is due to having different Goals. In these times a community’s goal is called ideology. This means that Muslims become a community on the basis of an ideology. They all have the same ideology. As I have said before, this is what I called unity. If their ideology is different from each other’s then it is (Shirk) or division. That is why God said that, “Muslims take care! Do not become disbelievers after having believed. Do now be of those people who created sects within their social system and themselves became a sect and every sect became satisfied that only they had the truth.” (chapter 30 verse 32)Have you noted how the Quran has pointed out a single goal and any aim other than a single community is condemned as shirk or an unacceptable division in unity? This is because only on forming a united community cans Muslims prosper. When different sects have different goals, they will not be able to come together. They are not the community of the Ummah (Muslim nation). Their unity is broken and in place of unity there is division. The goal for Muslims is the Quran. It is a book in which there are no discrepancies. Only by following the Quran alone can the Muslims become one, undivided community. This is our ideology and it is for this purpose that Pakistan was created. Muslim means Believer and Kafir means Disbeliever or one who rejects. Those who believe that the Quran is a goal or ideology and establish a government according to it are Muslims. And those who do not believe that the Quran is a goal or an ideology and do not establish a government according to it are not Muslims and thus recognize as Kaafireen or disbelievers. From this it is clear that individuals do not become a community until they have ONE goal or ONE ideology as their aim. Those who believe in the Quranic ideology are Muslims and with this common aim become a united community. What it means to keep the Quran as your goal is that a government should be established to it. It is obvious that when people forget their aims, they can only live as individuals but never as a community. The Quran says to the Believers; “Remain steadfast and advocate steadfastness to others and join together to implement the laws of God; fear Him that you may prosper.” (3:200)By - Parvez Video
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
XXXXXXX
yes peeps, that is how i am feeling at the moment... oh! and by the way so are women
I am sitting here, cannae sleep: women pains and all that!!
you know it never ceases to amaze me how my body changes every month owing to periods and everything that comes with it....
PEriods: i cannae do without them, i wanna do without some of the things it comes with....
This morning out of the bloom!!! (lol: private joke) i was perchanced to notice a subtle change in my physique... wow! that blew me off slightly cos normally i do notice these things and take account of them, but this month i guess i have not really been myself ( alien abduction) that i have lost touch with my body.
it is weird you know, for as long as i can remember it is always been a struggle... PAIN, mood swings, cramps, headaches, food cravings and hyperactivity... actually looking at it now, not all of it has been a struggle... but even in its worst state, i am still thankful for it,, because in some way it establishes normality for me and makes me feel whole.
and by gosh, this thing has a system of its own with its own set of rule books and occassionally it changes them... just when i think i have mastered it... then it throws me a curve ball....
it used to be.. eat loads of sugar before then you get less pain and cramp,, then that changed to eat no sugar then u get no pain.. then it was eat chocolates at a particular stage then it was eat no chocolate... it is like the thing gets used to the external soother and becomes immune to it... if there is such a word...
right now i need to go to the toilet but i am sooooo afraid because i know what i will have to deal with...
at least i know not to do a number 2 within the first 3 days because lord help me if i do.... however much my crazy body wants to lul me into a sense of insecurity by telling me that i need to go to the toilet.. i know for sure that it aint true!!! even if i believe it and go.... i guarantee you i will be sitting there with a sixpence worth of shit in the bowl... nothing to account for the feeling of elephant load of shit in my bowels...
i remember when would rub my belly, and hold me tight while the cramp heaves and lightens...
fuck that... i still cannae sleep... i am in pain and i need to sleep...
I am sitting here, cannae sleep: women pains and all that!!
you know it never ceases to amaze me how my body changes every month owing to periods and everything that comes with it....
PEriods: i cannae do without them, i wanna do without some of the things it comes with....
This morning out of the bloom!!! (lol: private joke) i was perchanced to notice a subtle change in my physique... wow! that blew me off slightly cos normally i do notice these things and take account of them, but this month i guess i have not really been myself ( alien abduction) that i have lost touch with my body.
it is weird you know, for as long as i can remember it is always been a struggle... PAIN, mood swings, cramps, headaches, food cravings and hyperactivity... actually looking at it now, not all of it has been a struggle... but even in its worst state, i am still thankful for it,, because in some way it establishes normality for me and makes me feel whole.
and by gosh, this thing has a system of its own with its own set of rule books and occassionally it changes them... just when i think i have mastered it... then it throws me a curve ball....
it used to be.. eat loads of sugar before then you get less pain and cramp,, then that changed to eat no sugar then u get no pain.. then it was eat chocolates at a particular stage then it was eat no chocolate... it is like the thing gets used to the external soother and becomes immune to it... if there is such a word...
right now i need to go to the toilet but i am sooooo afraid because i know what i will have to deal with...
at least i know not to do a number 2 within the first 3 days because lord help me if i do.... however much my crazy body wants to lul me into a sense of insecurity by telling me that i need to go to the toilet.. i know for sure that it aint true!!! even if i believe it and go.... i guarantee you i will be sitting there with a sixpence worth of shit in the bowl... nothing to account for the feeling of elephant load of shit in my bowels...
i remember when would rub my belly, and hold me tight while the cramp heaves and lightens...
fuck that... i still cannae sleep... i am in pain and i need to sleep...
Friday, 5 December 2008
DECEMBER 05 2008
This month is an interesting month for me... I am afraid folks, that my spirit is not as strong as it usually is during the month of my birth.
For the first time, I am seeking not to celebrate my birthday with any "pomp and pagentry" or any "exhuberance of spirit and joy" but to let the day pass as any other normal day.
Circumstances beyond my control ( and some that i could have controlled better) have left me with no choice but to do down this path.
I am reminded again of events that have conspired some years ago and it has left me sad, I am unduly filled with rage, which is unbecoming of me during this month that i am seeking My God to be near me evermore and not to let me descend into the hate-fuelled rage because my patience is wearing thin this month...
All these feelings i need to control and i am trying to figure out wht i am having this anyways.
I am filled with a desire to rant and rave and shout and destroy but i am trying to hold on and seeking God's protection against these feelings.
hmmmm
at the same time I am filled with sorrow and sadness, I am filled with longings and promises of " yet to come true but will it materialise"
I am weighed down by the yearly afflictions that gets me every december and I am trying for it not to get to me now cos i need to work as i cannot afford to be off work, so i am trying to task my body into delaying the inevitable... I know that i have to break down, the weather has already got to me, the moment i let up it will take hold of me and then start its course...
I am also looking to be alone in the house as my mum is yet to travel and i guess the lonliness feels me with some sense of comfort and routine because then i have no choice but to be focused and rigid with myself... I am looking to express myself as my self in the house, rearrange things the way i want them to be ( which i always do whenever she goes) I am looking for my routine back again, I am looking for no hassle stuff, no reminders of burning candles to effigies, i am just looking for "straightfowardness" of thought and direction
Really what i want to do on my birthday is to stay awake the night before praying to my God thanking him for what i will call a productive year, then on the morning i want to play my music out loud and sing and shout at the top of my voice,.. let myself go uncontrollable and shout... Praise be to the lord of the universe, thank you God for a productive year, count my blessings and praise God even more, cry, laugh, dance around wiggling my jubbly backside, roll on the ground and generally go mad for a day... also i would like to do the same thing up in the campsie mountains where i can feel close to nature and look back at my life and thank God for how far i have come...
but these things are not possible at home you see, cos my mum is still there, if i did do this... that will confirm even more that i am mad, ( i dont want her to worry) and my bro will think me weird.... it would have been better if i was alone, so i guess this kind of unsettles me as i now have to look for another routine... the only option is the campsie mountains...
then again due to credit crunch and "every penny counts" i may have to work on my birthday --- which will be a first for me... but i guess i have to break the cycle and work it the opportunity presents itself... it means this this years birthday celebrations will be delayed till next year God-willing when i reach a certain age... Yikes!! but i plan for Dubai or China then anyways...
anyways, God willing the best will always happen as i put my trust in God always and brace myself for another interesting year and foward progressing year...
For the first time, I am seeking not to celebrate my birthday with any "pomp and pagentry" or any "exhuberance of spirit and joy" but to let the day pass as any other normal day.
Circumstances beyond my control ( and some that i could have controlled better) have left me with no choice but to do down this path.
I am reminded again of events that have conspired some years ago and it has left me sad, I am unduly filled with rage, which is unbecoming of me during this month that i am seeking My God to be near me evermore and not to let me descend into the hate-fuelled rage because my patience is wearing thin this month...
All these feelings i need to control and i am trying to figure out wht i am having this anyways.
I am filled with a desire to rant and rave and shout and destroy but i am trying to hold on and seeking God's protection against these feelings.
hmmmm
at the same time I am filled with sorrow and sadness, I am filled with longings and promises of " yet to come true but will it materialise"
I am weighed down by the yearly afflictions that gets me every december and I am trying for it not to get to me now cos i need to work as i cannot afford to be off work, so i am trying to task my body into delaying the inevitable... I know that i have to break down, the weather has already got to me, the moment i let up it will take hold of me and then start its course...
I am also looking to be alone in the house as my mum is yet to travel and i guess the lonliness feels me with some sense of comfort and routine because then i have no choice but to be focused and rigid with myself... I am looking to express myself as my self in the house, rearrange things the way i want them to be ( which i always do whenever she goes) I am looking for my routine back again, I am looking for no hassle stuff, no reminders of burning candles to effigies, i am just looking for "straightfowardness" of thought and direction
Really what i want to do on my birthday is to stay awake the night before praying to my God thanking him for what i will call a productive year, then on the morning i want to play my music out loud and sing and shout at the top of my voice,.. let myself go uncontrollable and shout... Praise be to the lord of the universe, thank you God for a productive year, count my blessings and praise God even more, cry, laugh, dance around wiggling my jubbly backside, roll on the ground and generally go mad for a day... also i would like to do the same thing up in the campsie mountains where i can feel close to nature and look back at my life and thank God for how far i have come...
but these things are not possible at home you see, cos my mum is still there, if i did do this... that will confirm even more that i am mad, ( i dont want her to worry) and my bro will think me weird.... it would have been better if i was alone, so i guess this kind of unsettles me as i now have to look for another routine... the only option is the campsie mountains...
then again due to credit crunch and "every penny counts" i may have to work on my birthday --- which will be a first for me... but i guess i have to break the cycle and work it the opportunity presents itself... it means this this years birthday celebrations will be delayed till next year God-willing when i reach a certain age... Yikes!! but i plan for Dubai or China then anyways...
anyways, God willing the best will always happen as i put my trust in God always and brace myself for another interesting year and foward progressing year...
Friday, 28 November 2008
Too good to be True
Sometimes I fear it is too good to be true...
It is too good to be true that I can meet you and have a platonic relationship with you
It seems too good to be true that you appear so simple that I think maybe this is it
It is too good to be true that I can be with you without any sexual context
IT IS definately too good to be true that i have found you....
It is true that I can chill with you
It is true that I feel my guards down around you
It is true that I feel we share a connection
It is true that I was almost falling for you....
It is not true that I cant do without you
It is not true that my life revolves around you
It is not true that I feel a need to please you
It IS true though.... that I am sad maybe over loosing you.....
It is too good to be true that I can meet you and have a platonic relationship with you
It seems too good to be true that you appear so simple that I think maybe this is it
It is too good to be true that I can be with you without any sexual context
IT IS definately too good to be true that i have found you....
It is true that I can chill with you
It is true that I feel my guards down around you
It is true that I feel we share a connection
It is true that I was almost falling for you....
It is not true that I cant do without you
It is not true that my life revolves around you
It is not true that I feel a need to please you
It IS true though.... that I am sad maybe over loosing you.....
Friday, 21 November 2008
chapter 23, my thoughts
on 14/11/08 i had written a couple of thoughts re: the state of division within our faiths.
What i had been singing along was for us all to sit and start to reason, start to question how one large community can suddenly be split into different factions, with each side not willing to try to reconcile or try to learn from each other.
In all accounts by and large, i personally feel that there is soooooooo much to learn from all religions and i adopt this convinction based on my reading of the Quran: where it conforms to saying regularly that the scriptures given to Abraham,Moses, Jesus and also to David contained guidance and light from God.....
These scriptures I believe to be Old testament- Moses, Gospel - Jesus, Psalm - David. I am still trying to find (if i can) info RE: scripture for Abraham... but even if i do not..it doesn't matter because everything is from God and God will guide me to His words...
However much of the scripture- probably due to translation issues- may have been omitted or added to, I strongly identify with all scriptures because they are from my God.
The theme for me, leafing through these scriptures is how our congregation related with God then trying to see how our congregation relates to God now.
You can notice how I use the word congregation, because in all reality we ARE one congregation... we have all come from one source.... ultimately that source is God.
This month i am per chanced to be reading Surah Al-Mumimun chapter 23, and in this surah me eyes were yet again opened to the state of our congregation and what we have become....
Really i should not be bothering about it, but for the person I am which is - one with strong ties to family and strong belief in togetherness of kin and public alike - I like to ponder such things and maybe in my delusion of - trying to heal our congregation - I feel a spark can be started GW that starts us all thinking for OURSELVES and then letting us look all these organised religions and organised worship and start to question why and how we have deviated soooooooooooooooooo much from the word of God.
Ultimately it is each individual for themselves in the sight of God, as we all have to account for our actions in this life. God guide us to the straight path and the right path....and grant us a good position at His side.
Though the theme in this Surah is also echoed throughout the Quran, in that I feel it gives us a glimpse into the history of messengers of afore time.... ( this is where i feel i can make a distinction in the scriptures that we have now which were given to Moses/David/Jesus, in that for me, i feel the Quran seeks to confirm and to correct whatever mis-construsions/additions we may have got due to human interference)
It also talks to us, i feel as individuals, as worshippers seeking to be believers.... in any case i always feel whenever i read the Quran that it talks to me as an individual. I always relate it to my life and my circumstances and my sins and seek for God to always enlighten and inspire me to the right meaning and application.
Anyhooooo,
The surah begins with traits of believers.... while reading this, I am intrigued when it mentions believers... it makes no mention of whether believers are Muslim/christian/Jews or whatever... which i can link to another part of the scripture Surah Al-Baqrah 2:62 which reads
I seek refuge with God, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful
"Surely those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts: anyone who believes in God and believes in the last day and leads a righteous life will receive their recompense from their Lord.. They will have nothing to fear nor will they grieve..."
The same verse can also be seen in Surah Al-Maedah 5:69, however slightly organised differently...
anyhow this is just a slight observation... but if i may dwell on it a wee bit longer... it is very easy that we are all saying only Muslims will get to paradise or only Christians will get to paradise or only Jews will get to paradise... the above verse squashes it for you...
my understanding of a believer according to the scripture is one who believes in God.. first status, then they are people who also believe in the last Day and also lead a righteous life... so unfortunately peeps, for some of us that think in order to get to heaven we have to die as muslims/christians/jews.. sorry nothing for you!!! ( well.... i don't really know that) being muslim/christians/jews is just lip service... we are still joined to lead righteous life and may God almghty help us with this fete.
The surah gives some traits of believers, Verse 1-11.
Believers are reverent during prayer and observe payers regularly.. ( on this note, i must add that prayer or Salat which ever you want to call it, was given to all messengers... we are all joined to observe prayer to God and during prayer bowing and prostrating is one of the actions of prayer... so whether you is jewish/christian or muslim or whatever, prayer to God involves actions of bowing and prostrating)
Believers avoid vain talk, they maintain their chastity, they are trustworthy.. these are some of the traits of believers who will inherit Paradise.
Verse 12-22 the goes on to talk of the human being and our creation, it makes us realise how fortunate we are to be in receipt of Gods blessings... Water, Food.. Transport. God is indeed most kind to the people
Verse 23-30 mentions Noah and his situation asking people to believe in God but some people dis not listen to him so God visited on them retribution for their disbelief... Noah was sent to his people asking them to worship God because we have no other god beside Him... This message when reading the quran is echoed by other messengers and found in other chapters.. so first question that pops out at me is,, if we 3 main faiths all share Noah in our history where did the deviation come from???
Verse 31-42.. God established another generation after he wiped out Noah's disbelieving people and another messenger went to them with the message " you shall worship God as You have no other god beside Him... but just like the previous generation, they too disbelieved in the messenger... God then visited on them retribution for their disbelief.... God again substituted another generation after them....
Verse 43-44.. lets us examine Gods system.... Annihilation after disbelieving in God when the messenger was sent to remind you to worship God...indeed for our generation, we should be thanking God he has not annihilated us yet....
Verse 45-50 briefly mentions Moses and Aaron.. some of their peoples disbelief also earned them annihilation... likewise it mentions Jesus, son of Mary....
verse 52 onwards is the one which peaked my interest....
23:52
Such is your congregation - one congregation - and I am your Lord; you shall reverence Me.
23:53
But they tore themselves into disputing factions; each party happy with what they have.
23:54
Therefore, just leave them in their confusion, for awhile.
23:55
Do they think that, since we provided them with money and children,
23:56
we must be showering them with blessings? Indeed, they have no idea.
23:57
Surely, those who are reverently conscious of their Lord,
23:58
And who believe in the revelations of their Lord,
23:59
And who never set up any idols beside their Lord,
23:60
As they give their charities, their hearts are fully reverent. For they recognize that they will be summoned before their Lord,
23:61
They are eager to do righteous works; they compete in doing them.
23:62
We never burden any soul beyond its means, and we keep a record that utters the truth. No one will suffer injustice.
23:63
Because their minds are oblivious to this, they commit works that do not conform with this; their works are evil.
23:64
Then, when we requite their leaders with retribution, they complain.
23:65
Do not complain now; you have given up all help from us.
23:66
My proofs have been presented to you, but you turned back on your heels.
23:67
You were too arrogant to accept them, and you defiantly disregarded them.
23:68
Why do they not reflect upon this scripture? Do they not realize that they have received something never attained by their ancestors?
23:69
Have they failed to recognize their messenger? Is this why they are disregarding him?
23:70
Have they decided that he is crazy? Indeed, he has brought the truth to them, but most of them hate the truth.
23:71
Indeed, if the truth conformed to their wishes, there would be chaos in the heavens and the earth; everything in them would be corrupted. We have given them their proof, but they are disregarding their proof.
23:72
Are you asking them for a wage? Your Lord's wage is far better. He is the best Provider.
23:73
Most assuredly, you are inviting them to a straight path.
23:74
Those who disbelieve in the Hereafter will surely deviate from the right path.
23:75
Even when we showered them with mercy, and relieved their problems, they plunged deeper into transgression, and continued to blunder.
23:76
Even when we afflicted them with retribution, they never turned to their Lord imploring.
23:77
Subsequently, when we requited them with the severe retribution they had incurred, they were shocked.
23:78
He is the One who granted you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brains. Rarely are you appreciative.
23:79
He is the One who established you on earth, and before Him you will be summoned.
23:80
He is the One who controls life and death, and He is the One who alternates the night and day. Do you not understand?
23:81
They said what their ancestors said.
23:82
They said, "After we die and become dust and bones, we get resurrected?
23:83
"Such promises were given to us and to our parents in the past. These are no more than tales from the past."
This lead me to start thinking.. we ARE one congregation...and yes, we HAVE tore ourselves into different opposing disputing factions...and yes Some people think that when God gifts us with money and children that He is blessing us with them...
Isn't it ironic....................
You know, the worst punishment for me is thinking that you are guided that you are doing the right thing but only to find out that what you have is nothing but JACK..... hmmm. God please do not visit such a fate on me....
God HAS given us the hearing... to listen to His words when they are recited... God HAS given us the eyesight... to see for ourselves those who walk in Gods ways and not.... God HAS given us the brain ... with which to do some thinking and reasoning..... God guide us to His path by His will....
For me i feel it is not enough just doing what your parents told you to do... it is the human non-chalant attitude that makes us this way... we all need to start to think for ourselves... decide for ourselves......my parents have nowt to do with my salvation, neither do they have nowt to do with my guidance or direction... God is the source of my salvation and guidance.....
Verse
23:84
Say, "To whom belongs the earth and everyone on it, if you know?"
23:85
They will say, "To GOD." Say, "Why then do you not take heed?"
23:86
Say, "Who is the Lord of the seven universes; the Lord of the great dominion?"
23:87
They will say, "GOD." Say, "Why then do you not turn righteous?"
23:88
Say, "In whose hand is all sovereignty over all things, and He is the only one who can provide help, but needs no help, if you know?"
23:89
They will say, "GOD." Say, "Where did you go wrong?"
23:90
We have given them the truth, while they are liars.
23:91
GOD has never begotten a son. Nor was there ever any other god besides Him. Otherwise, each god would have declared independence with his creations, and they would have competed with each other for dominance. GOD be glorified; far above their claims.
23:92
The Knower of all secrets and declarations; be He exalted, far above having a partner.
Translations from http://www.submission.org/quran/webqt.php enter the chapter number and compare different translations
Interesting... when we are asked who is our Master, we do say God... who is our creator... we say God.... but do we all work righteous?? nah we don't... but listen up guys we all need to.... God help us along....
and yes! peeps, God is only one God, the absolute God. neither did He begget nor was He beggotten.. and no one equals Him...
God is the One Lord of the heaven and earth.. He is too High, too Superior to be associated with anything or anyone.. he does not need allies not does he need partners....
this includes those who insist upon associating God with certain prophets/messengers/leaders.... let us realise that this practice has to stop...
I am quite sure that even in the time of the prophet himself, would anyone have the effrontery of saying God plus messenger.... because even logic defies it itself.... so why are we saying it now......... what has happened to us and our congregation us Jews / Christians / Muslims who have all descended from the same progeny but here we all are attacking and killing EACH OTHER
We don't have a second chance... this is our on last stop....
Worshiping God is not about being Christian / Muslim / Jewish... because honestly that is taking us nowhere... it is BELIEVING IN ONE GOD... which for me means... ONE God.... no son, no trinity, no special messenger divinity.. no prophet intercession..... it means direct relationship with God only.... We all came from this ONE God so don't it make sense to worship that same One God.
As usual may God guide us to His path.. the right path and may He forgive us, redeem us, direct us to and keep us in righteousness.....
What i had been singing along was for us all to sit and start to reason, start to question how one large community can suddenly be split into different factions, with each side not willing to try to reconcile or try to learn from each other.
In all accounts by and large, i personally feel that there is soooooooo much to learn from all religions and i adopt this convinction based on my reading of the Quran: where it conforms to saying regularly that the scriptures given to Abraham,Moses, Jesus and also to David contained guidance and light from God.....
These scriptures I believe to be Old testament- Moses, Gospel - Jesus, Psalm - David. I am still trying to find (if i can) info RE: scripture for Abraham... but even if i do not..it doesn't matter because everything is from God and God will guide me to His words...
However much of the scripture- probably due to translation issues- may have been omitted or added to, I strongly identify with all scriptures because they are from my God.
The theme for me, leafing through these scriptures is how our congregation related with God then trying to see how our congregation relates to God now.
You can notice how I use the word congregation, because in all reality we ARE one congregation... we have all come from one source.... ultimately that source is God.
This month i am per chanced to be reading Surah Al-Mumimun chapter 23, and in this surah me eyes were yet again opened to the state of our congregation and what we have become....
Really i should not be bothering about it, but for the person I am which is - one with strong ties to family and strong belief in togetherness of kin and public alike - I like to ponder such things and maybe in my delusion of - trying to heal our congregation - I feel a spark can be started GW that starts us all thinking for OURSELVES and then letting us look all these organised religions and organised worship and start to question why and how we have deviated soooooooooooooooooo much from the word of God.
Ultimately it is each individual for themselves in the sight of God, as we all have to account for our actions in this life. God guide us to the straight path and the right path....and grant us a good position at His side.
Though the theme in this Surah is also echoed throughout the Quran, in that I feel it gives us a glimpse into the history of messengers of afore time.... ( this is where i feel i can make a distinction in the scriptures that we have now which were given to Moses/David/Jesus, in that for me, i feel the Quran seeks to confirm and to correct whatever mis-construsions/additions we may have got due to human interference)
It also talks to us, i feel as individuals, as worshippers seeking to be believers.... in any case i always feel whenever i read the Quran that it talks to me as an individual. I always relate it to my life and my circumstances and my sins and seek for God to always enlighten and inspire me to the right meaning and application.
Anyhooooo,
The surah begins with traits of believers.... while reading this, I am intrigued when it mentions believers... it makes no mention of whether believers are Muslim/christian/Jews or whatever... which i can link to another part of the scripture Surah Al-Baqrah 2:62 which reads
I seek refuge with God, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful
"Surely those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts: anyone who believes in God and believes in the last day and leads a righteous life will receive their recompense from their Lord.. They will have nothing to fear nor will they grieve..."
The same verse can also be seen in Surah Al-Maedah 5:69, however slightly organised differently...
anyhow this is just a slight observation... but if i may dwell on it a wee bit longer... it is very easy that we are all saying only Muslims will get to paradise or only Christians will get to paradise or only Jews will get to paradise... the above verse squashes it for you...
my understanding of a believer according to the scripture is one who believes in God.. first status, then they are people who also believe in the last Day and also lead a righteous life... so unfortunately peeps, for some of us that think in order to get to heaven we have to die as muslims/christians/jews.. sorry nothing for you!!! ( well.... i don't really know that) being muslim/christians/jews is just lip service... we are still joined to lead righteous life and may God almghty help us with this fete.
The surah gives some traits of believers, Verse 1-11.
Believers are reverent during prayer and observe payers regularly.. ( on this note, i must add that prayer or Salat which ever you want to call it, was given to all messengers... we are all joined to observe prayer to God and during prayer bowing and prostrating is one of the actions of prayer... so whether you is jewish/christian or muslim or whatever, prayer to God involves actions of bowing and prostrating)
Believers avoid vain talk, they maintain their chastity, they are trustworthy.. these are some of the traits of believers who will inherit Paradise.
Verse 12-22 the goes on to talk of the human being and our creation, it makes us realise how fortunate we are to be in receipt of Gods blessings... Water, Food.. Transport. God is indeed most kind to the people
Verse 23-30 mentions Noah and his situation asking people to believe in God but some people dis not listen to him so God visited on them retribution for their disbelief... Noah was sent to his people asking them to worship God because we have no other god beside Him... This message when reading the quran is echoed by other messengers and found in other chapters.. so first question that pops out at me is,, if we 3 main faiths all share Noah in our history where did the deviation come from???
Verse 31-42.. God established another generation after he wiped out Noah's disbelieving people and another messenger went to them with the message " you shall worship God as You have no other god beside Him... but just like the previous generation, they too disbelieved in the messenger... God then visited on them retribution for their disbelief.... God again substituted another generation after them....
Verse 43-44.. lets us examine Gods system.... Annihilation after disbelieving in God when the messenger was sent to remind you to worship God...indeed for our generation, we should be thanking God he has not annihilated us yet....
Verse 45-50 briefly mentions Moses and Aaron.. some of their peoples disbelief also earned them annihilation... likewise it mentions Jesus, son of Mary....
verse 52 onwards is the one which peaked my interest....
23:52
Such is your congregation - one congregation - and I am your Lord; you shall reverence Me.
23:53
But they tore themselves into disputing factions; each party happy with what they have.
23:54
Therefore, just leave them in their confusion, for awhile.
23:55
Do they think that, since we provided them with money and children,
23:56
we must be showering them with blessings? Indeed, they have no idea.
23:57
Surely, those who are reverently conscious of their Lord,
23:58
And who believe in the revelations of their Lord,
23:59
And who never set up any idols beside their Lord,
23:60
As they give their charities, their hearts are fully reverent. For they recognize that they will be summoned before their Lord,
23:61
They are eager to do righteous works; they compete in doing them.
23:62
We never burden any soul beyond its means, and we keep a record that utters the truth. No one will suffer injustice.
23:63
Because their minds are oblivious to this, they commit works that do not conform with this; their works are evil.
23:64
Then, when we requite their leaders with retribution, they complain.
23:65
Do not complain now; you have given up all help from us.
23:66
My proofs have been presented to you, but you turned back on your heels.
23:67
You were too arrogant to accept them, and you defiantly disregarded them.
23:68
Why do they not reflect upon this scripture? Do they not realize that they have received something never attained by their ancestors?
23:69
Have they failed to recognize their messenger? Is this why they are disregarding him?
23:70
Have they decided that he is crazy? Indeed, he has brought the truth to them, but most of them hate the truth.
23:71
Indeed, if the truth conformed to their wishes, there would be chaos in the heavens and the earth; everything in them would be corrupted. We have given them their proof, but they are disregarding their proof.
23:72
Are you asking them for a wage? Your Lord's wage is far better. He is the best Provider.
23:73
Most assuredly, you are inviting them to a straight path.
23:74
Those who disbelieve in the Hereafter will surely deviate from the right path.
23:75
Even when we showered them with mercy, and relieved their problems, they plunged deeper into transgression, and continued to blunder.
23:76
Even when we afflicted them with retribution, they never turned to their Lord imploring.
23:77
Subsequently, when we requited them with the severe retribution they had incurred, they were shocked.
23:78
He is the One who granted you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brains. Rarely are you appreciative.
23:79
He is the One who established you on earth, and before Him you will be summoned.
23:80
He is the One who controls life and death, and He is the One who alternates the night and day. Do you not understand?
23:81
They said what their ancestors said.
23:82
They said, "After we die and become dust and bones, we get resurrected?
23:83
"Such promises were given to us and to our parents in the past. These are no more than tales from the past."
This lead me to start thinking.. we ARE one congregation...and yes, we HAVE tore ourselves into different opposing disputing factions...and yes Some people think that when God gifts us with money and children that He is blessing us with them...
Isn't it ironic....................
You know, the worst punishment for me is thinking that you are guided that you are doing the right thing but only to find out that what you have is nothing but JACK..... hmmm. God please do not visit such a fate on me....
God HAS given us the hearing... to listen to His words when they are recited... God HAS given us the eyesight... to see for ourselves those who walk in Gods ways and not.... God HAS given us the brain ... with which to do some thinking and reasoning..... God guide us to His path by His will....
For me i feel it is not enough just doing what your parents told you to do... it is the human non-chalant attitude that makes us this way... we all need to start to think for ourselves... decide for ourselves......my parents have nowt to do with my salvation, neither do they have nowt to do with my guidance or direction... God is the source of my salvation and guidance.....
Verse
23:84
Say, "To whom belongs the earth and everyone on it, if you know?"
23:85
They will say, "To GOD." Say, "Why then do you not take heed?"
23:86
Say, "Who is the Lord of the seven universes; the Lord of the great dominion?"
23:87
They will say, "GOD." Say, "Why then do you not turn righteous?"
23:88
Say, "In whose hand is all sovereignty over all things, and He is the only one who can provide help, but needs no help, if you know?"
23:89
They will say, "GOD." Say, "Where did you go wrong?"
23:90
We have given them the truth, while they are liars.
23:91
GOD has never begotten a son. Nor was there ever any other god besides Him. Otherwise, each god would have declared independence with his creations, and they would have competed with each other for dominance. GOD be glorified; far above their claims.
23:92
The Knower of all secrets and declarations; be He exalted, far above having a partner.
Translations from http://www.submission.org/quran/webqt.php enter the chapter number and compare different translations
Interesting... when we are asked who is our Master, we do say God... who is our creator... we say God.... but do we all work righteous?? nah we don't... but listen up guys we all need to.... God help us along....
and yes! peeps, God is only one God, the absolute God. neither did He begget nor was He beggotten.. and no one equals Him...
God is the One Lord of the heaven and earth.. He is too High, too Superior to be associated with anything or anyone.. he does not need allies not does he need partners....
this includes those who insist upon associating God with certain prophets/messengers/leaders.... let us realise that this practice has to stop...
I am quite sure that even in the time of the prophet himself, would anyone have the effrontery of saying God plus messenger.... because even logic defies it itself.... so why are we saying it now......... what has happened to us and our congregation us Jews / Christians / Muslims who have all descended from the same progeny but here we all are attacking and killing EACH OTHER
We don't have a second chance... this is our on last stop....
Worshiping God is not about being Christian / Muslim / Jewish... because honestly that is taking us nowhere... it is BELIEVING IN ONE GOD... which for me means... ONE God.... no son, no trinity, no special messenger divinity.. no prophet intercession..... it means direct relationship with God only.... We all came from this ONE God so don't it make sense to worship that same One God.
As usual may God guide us to His path.. the right path and may He forgive us, redeem us, direct us to and keep us in righteousness.....
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Ages ago , I was inspred by these words
All Dignity belongs to God. Most Exalted is God, the One who controls all things in the heaven and on earth. Possessor of all Authourity, The Most Homourable Lord
All Power belongs to God. The Great One. With Him is control over all things. He is the Ultimate Rules. Does of whatever He wills.
All Power belongs to God. The Great One. With Him is control over all things. He is the Ultimate Rules. Does of whatever He wills.
Friday, 14 November 2008
14/11/08
today while searching for somewhere called Bacca/Baca or however way it is spelt,
i came accross a site with these words
"Every human being experiences suffering at one time of life or another. Even though Christians know that God cares about our suffering, many wonder why God allows it. The Bible speaks of this is many places. It also provides the answers to our questions. Of course He knows. Of course He cares. He is omnipotent, and sovereign; He has a plan for everything He allows under Heaven. It is when we put our trust in Him, and stop asking questions, that God gives us the spirit of peace.
* Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are! And thou sayest, "How doth God know?" Job 22:12,13a
* Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:5
* Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Job 22:21
* Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee ... who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of them. Psa 84:5a,6,7a
This is what i am always saying...
we are so similar...
look at the old testament. is all bout God, God, God, this same old testment that jews, chrstians and muslims hold to.
its all about God! God!.
This same old testament where we find stories about our prophet that we all have in common - Abraham, Moses,David, Solomon...
and now somewhere along the line we have all turned apart from the word of God by holding onto each of our prophets...
The jews hold onto Moses, the Christians.... Jesus and the Muslims... Mohammed....
Why oh Why...
I still maintain, worshiping God is about God alone as is evidenced in the scripture, the old testment and the Quran... its all about God.
Worship God alone, Focus on God alone and leave these prophets to be.. they have been and they have gone,, God our creator is the only one still here...
It should not be said " in the name of " anyotherperson" unless its is in the name of the Most Gracious- "the name of God our creator".. neither should it be said... "There is only one God and "one prophet is his messenger" because God is only one God. Any other statement other than one to affirm this is for me blasphemy... because to the dis-inclusion of other prophets of God who have been before who God according to the Quram were given scripture, format for prayer and duties for charity giving.
With God I find strenght, With God i know i will not fail...
May God guide me to his path..
i came accross a site with these words
"Every human being experiences suffering at one time of life or another. Even though Christians know that God cares about our suffering, many wonder why God allows it. The Bible speaks of this is many places. It also provides the answers to our questions. Of course He knows. Of course He cares. He is omnipotent, and sovereign; He has a plan for everything He allows under Heaven. It is when we put our trust in Him, and stop asking questions, that God gives us the spirit of peace.
* Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are! And thou sayest, "How doth God know?" Job 22:12,13a
* Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:5
* Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Job 22:21
* Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee ... who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of them. Psa 84:5a,6,7a
This is what i am always saying...
we are so similar...
look at the old testament. is all bout God, God, God, this same old testment that jews, chrstians and muslims hold to.
its all about God! God!.
This same old testament where we find stories about our prophet that we all have in common - Abraham, Moses,David, Solomon...
and now somewhere along the line we have all turned apart from the word of God by holding onto each of our prophets...
The jews hold onto Moses, the Christians.... Jesus and the Muslims... Mohammed....
Why oh Why...
I still maintain, worshiping God is about God alone as is evidenced in the scripture, the old testment and the Quran... its all about God.
Worship God alone, Focus on God alone and leave these prophets to be.. they have been and they have gone,, God our creator is the only one still here...
It should not be said " in the name of " anyotherperson" unless its is in the name of the Most Gracious- "the name of God our creator".. neither should it be said... "There is only one God and "one prophet is his messenger" because God is only one God. Any other statement other than one to affirm this is for me blasphemy... because to the dis-inclusion of other prophets of God who have been before who God according to the Quram were given scripture, format for prayer and duties for charity giving.
With God I find strenght, With God i know i will not fail...
May God guide me to his path..
Thursday, 13 November 2008
BIG issues
yes! yes! yes!!!
Today I have a big rant and moan!!
I have just admitted to myself that I have BIG ISSUES!!
Issues relating with other members of the public.
Especially females in the toilet?
One thing that seems to evade my faculties is why women like to talk to each other when they go into the rest rooms?
why! why!! why!!
I find this weird....
for me, rest rooms are place where u go in, do the business and leave...
what's is with all this chitty chatty gossip talk?
its bad enough that I have to enter a cubicle knowing that there is someone else in another cubicle close by...
its bad enough that I may have to occupy the only cubicle available
its even worse when I go in alone and then someone then enters the rest room at the same time that I am there... ARRRGHHHHH!!!
Not fair....
Its then even worse that I still haven't mastered the art of silent pee, so when I pee its like a waterfall crescendo... while everyone else, you wont even hear the slightest noise except for the loo roll when they go to take a swig..
Today I was in a cubicle, me myself and I alone in the rest room, dutifully minding my own business, then another person walked in....Now what got me was that of all the 8 cubicles that were there and with me occupying the last one, she had to take the one next to me... Crime NO 1
Then again, she went about doing her business and there was no noise from her end.. Crime NO 2
and here was poor old me,, swishing about for the whole of Glasgow Crime NO 3
Its not fair I say...
Then again, why is it that when I want to use the rest room, lo! and behold there you find is a group of cackling women, chit chatting away... fixing bra's and make-ups... someone tell me why...
what is wrong with going into rest room, doing your biz and leaving the rest room, when u get out of it, you can then chit chat. as long as you like eh tell me what is wrong with that?
All this preening and pruning, in front if a glass mirror, as if people don't have glass mirrors in their own homes to prune before coming out???
honestly I have big Issues
Today I have a big rant and moan!!
I have just admitted to myself that I have BIG ISSUES!!
Issues relating with other members of the public.
Especially females in the toilet?
One thing that seems to evade my faculties is why women like to talk to each other when they go into the rest rooms?
why! why!! why!!
I find this weird....
for me, rest rooms are place where u go in, do the business and leave...
what's is with all this chitty chatty gossip talk?
its bad enough that I have to enter a cubicle knowing that there is someone else in another cubicle close by...
its bad enough that I may have to occupy the only cubicle available
its even worse when I go in alone and then someone then enters the rest room at the same time that I am there... ARRRGHHHHH!!!
Not fair....
Its then even worse that I still haven't mastered the art of silent pee, so when I pee its like a waterfall crescendo... while everyone else, you wont even hear the slightest noise except for the loo roll when they go to take a swig..
Today I was in a cubicle, me myself and I alone in the rest room, dutifully minding my own business, then another person walked in....Now what got me was that of all the 8 cubicles that were there and with me occupying the last one, she had to take the one next to me... Crime NO 1
Then again, she went about doing her business and there was no noise from her end.. Crime NO 2
and here was poor old me,, swishing about for the whole of Glasgow Crime NO 3
Its not fair I say...
Then again, why is it that when I want to use the rest room, lo! and behold there you find is a group of cackling women, chit chatting away... fixing bra's and make-ups... someone tell me why...
what is wrong with going into rest room, doing your biz and leaving the rest room, when u get out of it, you can then chit chat. as long as you like eh tell me what is wrong with that?
All this preening and pruning, in front if a glass mirror, as if people don't have glass mirrors in their own homes to prune before coming out???
honestly I have big Issues
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
free as a bird.....
i want to be free. i feel i am free... i want to live free....
free to sing........ free to run...... free to dance.... free to laugh..... free to be me
i went running today and i felt the moves, i felt the grooves and i could nto control myself...
so i started to move.. little by little by body started to groove...
it felt so liberating, it felt so exhilerating...
it has been a long time... long long time coming...
Thank you God, Most gracious.
on to another matter, is there any correlation between your toes and prayer?
why does it seem during prayer that my toes keep getting longer and longer extending outwards?
it is either a figment of my imagination or i am running mad ( that has already been confirmed anyways) but i have been mulling it over aand i think there is correlation? he he he he he
i am full of life this evening...
free to sing........ free to run...... free to dance.... free to laugh..... free to be me
i went running today and i felt the moves, i felt the grooves and i could nto control myself...
so i started to move.. little by little by body started to groove...
it felt so liberating, it felt so exhilerating...
it has been a long time... long long time coming...
Thank you God, Most gracious.
on to another matter, is there any correlation between your toes and prayer?
why does it seem during prayer that my toes keep getting longer and longer extending outwards?
it is either a figment of my imagination or i am running mad ( that has already been confirmed anyways) but i have been mulling it over aand i think there is correlation? he he he he he
i am full of life this evening...
Sunday, 9 November 2008
Thank you God, the Most Gracious
i had a dream.. the other time.....
this dream brought tears to my eyes.. this dream brought a smile to my heart, it culminated in the words Thank you Lord, The Most Gracious..
i dont understand this dream....
the other time i had a call from someone i know... the call shook me a bit....... the call stood me still .......
the other time i met my friend... our conversation made me think... our conversation pondered in my head....
i am not a supersticious nor am i 'deja vu' inclined... but these co-incidences... make me worry and make me think... these things make me wonder and make me dream...
the question on my lips is .........Is it the same?...... Is it linked?
nevertheless, the words still remain....... Thank you God, The Most Gracious....
this dream brought tears to my eyes.. this dream brought a smile to my heart, it culminated in the words Thank you Lord, The Most Gracious..
i dont understand this dream....
the other time i had a call from someone i know... the call shook me a bit....... the call stood me still .......
the other time i met my friend... our conversation made me think... our conversation pondered in my head....
i am not a supersticious nor am i 'deja vu' inclined... but these co-incidences... make me worry and make me think... these things make me wonder and make me dream...
the question on my lips is .........Is it the same?...... Is it linked?
nevertheless, the words still remain....... Thank you God, The Most Gracious....
the world is not is not do disimilar you know....
this evening, i was faced with a situation that seemed like a de ja vu but knowing fully well that it was not. it is what i like to call a lesson in humanism, a lesson in human thought and direction...
as usual i was surfing the web for some stuff.. and i saw a post regarding the origin of the religious place Bakkah, Baca, Bekkah etc ( different spellings) when i saw a post by someone else and the guy asked the same questions that i was thinking. nothing funny there, ..only that he asked it in the way i would have asked it...
that shook me slightly and it brought to mind the part in the scripture where i read something akin to " being careful about seeking information about things not in the scripture and asking about them...otherpeople have asked about them before.. i am not the first neither will i be the last... but with the asking one has to be careful lest seeking something that will turn their mind away from the path of God..." something like that... when i remember tha part of the scripture i will add the verse... gw
anyway i felt like i am not the only one in the world that thinks like me, and that was spooky... that i punched at the screen and laughed out loud...
it made me human again... brought me back to reality and to life and in a way made me appreciate all the faculties that i have...
like i am saying now...it is gradual process, towards my Lord... crawling, then
baby steps, then walking tall then full blown 100meters race... gw
as usual i was surfing the web for some stuff.. and i saw a post regarding the origin of the religious place Bakkah, Baca, Bekkah etc ( different spellings) when i saw a post by someone else and the guy asked the same questions that i was thinking. nothing funny there, ..only that he asked it in the way i would have asked it...
that shook me slightly and it brought to mind the part in the scripture where i read something akin to " being careful about seeking information about things not in the scripture and asking about them...otherpeople have asked about them before.. i am not the first neither will i be the last... but with the asking one has to be careful lest seeking something that will turn their mind away from the path of God..." something like that... when i remember tha part of the scripture i will add the verse... gw
anyway i felt like i am not the only one in the world that thinks like me, and that was spooky... that i punched at the screen and laughed out loud...
it made me human again... brought me back to reality and to life and in a way made me appreciate all the faculties that i have...
like i am saying now...it is gradual process, towards my Lord... crawling, then
baby steps, then walking tall then full blown 100meters race... gw
Thursday, 6 November 2008
songs brewing up inside of me....
on the 31st of October my heart went up to my Lord.
I was at work and i was feeling particularly frail and grateful,
a song rose from my soul to my lips...
I will call to thee O Lord
For you are my only Lord
Unto thee I set my soul
Unto thee my praise shall go
I will call to thee O Lord
Lord accept my humble plea
Lord accept this wandering heart
Guide it straight onto thy path
Lord accept this soul who sings
Searching for thy ways my Lord
Please accept this single heart
Guide it straight Lord in thy path
Morning noon and every night
Lord be near, remember me
Let my heart not wander free
Except to praise thee everly...
Then what i decided to do was to record the tune of my glass shattering/croaky voice on my phone... it brought tears to my eyes...
maybe its the winter time that makes me more emotional more heartfelt and bla bla... but its a part of me that i feel time after time...but anyways I am thankful to God that i can feel like this...
I was at work and i was feeling particularly frail and grateful,
a song rose from my soul to my lips...
I will call to thee O Lord
For you are my only Lord
Unto thee I set my soul
Unto thee my praise shall go
I will call to thee O Lord
Lord accept my humble plea
Lord accept this wandering heart
Guide it straight onto thy path
Lord accept this soul who sings
Searching for thy ways my Lord
Please accept this single heart
Guide it straight Lord in thy path
Morning noon and every night
Lord be near, remember me
Let my heart not wander free
Except to praise thee everly...
Then what i decided to do was to record the tune of my glass shattering/croaky voice on my phone... it brought tears to my eyes...
maybe its the winter time that makes me more emotional more heartfelt and bla bla... but its a part of me that i feel time after time...but anyways I am thankful to God that i can feel like this...
Friday, 24 October 2008
this life and people terrifies me....
ALLAHUMMA SALLI WASALLIM WABARIK ALA SAYYIDINA MUHAMMADINIL FAATIHI LIMA UGHLIQA WAL KHAATIMI LIMA SABAKA WAN NAASIRIL HAQQA BIL HAQQI WAL HAADI ILA SIRAATIKAL MUSTAQEEMI SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WA ALA AALI WA ASHABIHI HAQQA QADRIHI MIQDAARIHIL AZEEM.
"O Allah! May Thy grace, peace and blessings rest on Muhammad, our Master, who opens that which is closed, and closes that which is preceded, who helps truth with truth, and who guided mankind to Thy straight path. May blessings of Allah be on him and his Family and Companions as according to his exalted position befitting his merit and his high rank".
This is what we were taught to recite by my parents.
I invite anyone to go through it and also read the Quran and explain to me how they can justify this statement.
Couple of points:
God is our only Lord and Master
Muhammed has no authority over anything, He can neither "open that which is closed or close that which is preceded" God is the only one who has authority over all things, for anything to be, all he has to say is "Be" and "it is". God is the one who initiates and repeats.. God is the one that can "open that which is closed or close that which is open""
This life na wah o...
i pulled this translation from a site online...http://sunniyat.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html
while leafing throuh its numerous hadiths and what i will call misinformation..
I am insipred to ask my God to guide me to the straight path, by His will, to keep me in the path of righteousness and not to let me die except as a submitter to Him.
woo jare
May my God our God the Most Gracious be glorified, for He alone is the one who guides to the straight path.
"O Allah! May Thy grace, peace and blessings rest on Muhammad, our Master, who opens that which is closed, and closes that which is preceded, who helps truth with truth, and who guided mankind to Thy straight path. May blessings of Allah be on him and his Family and Companions as according to his exalted position befitting his merit and his high rank".
This is what we were taught to recite by my parents.
I invite anyone to go through it and also read the Quran and explain to me how they can justify this statement.
Couple of points:
God is our only Lord and Master
Muhammed has no authority over anything, He can neither "open that which is closed or close that which is preceded" God is the only one who has authority over all things, for anything to be, all he has to say is "Be" and "it is". God is the one who initiates and repeats.. God is the one that can "open that which is closed or close that which is open""
This life na wah o...
i pulled this translation from a site online...http://sunniyat.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html
while leafing throuh its numerous hadiths and what i will call misinformation..
I am insipred to ask my God to guide me to the straight path, by His will, to keep me in the path of righteousness and not to let me die except as a submitter to Him.
woo jare
May my God our God the Most Gracious be glorified, for He alone is the one who guides to the straight path.
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