The Book of Life

The Book of Life

The Quran is the last scripture revealed to mankind through Muḥammad, the seal of the Prophets. A comprehensive Book, it covers all aspects of life and explains all things. Its main theme is Monotheism. 

The Quran is a scripture that contains instructions for all people, all times, so that we, people, know our Creator and how to best live our lives. Moreover, it puts great emphasis on moral transformation and ethics development which is part of what is known as ‘the greater struggle’, even greater than defending oneself against an invading army.

The Quran tells us what the real purpose of life is. It regards human beings as carriers of God’s spirit and as such, they are required to be in a continuous state of God consciousness and develop good and godly qualities.The ultimate results that can be obtained from a sincere inner struggle or struggle against one’s own inclinations towards evil would be a happy and healthy lifestyle, the fulfilment of the purpose of life and the attainment of eternal life in Paradise.

The Quran was revealed through the arch-angel Gabriel by Almighty God to Mohammed over a period of 23 years. As well as revealing the Divine will, it was revealed to explain everything and “as a guidance and mercy and good news to those who devote themselves to God” (Qurʾān, 16:89).

The Quran shows us the straight path that leads to eternal bliss. It also legislate laws for practical and ethical duties for ordering and administrating societies.

One may find different translations of the scripture, but there is only one Arabic version of the Quran.

Millions of Muslims around the world learn the Quran in its entirety and recite it in prayers without even referring to the scripture.

Themes and Content of the Quran

·         Spiritual well-being

The most important thing emphasised in the Quran is the pursuance of God’s pleasure desiring the ultimate blissed in Heaven (Quran, 92:19-20).

·         Physical well-being

Muslims are to avoid whatever harms one's sense of spiritual, emotional, and/or physical well-being: “Do not contribute to your destruction with your own hands, but do, for God loves those who do good” (Quran, 2:195).

·         Intellectual well being

In many verses, Mankind is asked to think, reflect, ponder, and meditate about its verses, the creation, the heavens, the earth and all the elements in between (Quran, 35:27-8).

·         Moral well-being

The Quran acknowledges that at the heart of moral societies, are things that transcend rights and legal obligations and ‘dos and don’ts’; hence its frequent appeal to generosity and the voluntary giving of charity to the needy, the poor, the destitute and the orphans.

·         Truthfulness

The Quran commands people to be truthful in thoughts, words and deeds (Quran, 33:70-1).

Concealing the truth and/or mixing it with falsehood is also prohibited (Quran, 2:42).

·         Harmony

The Quran asks the believers to lead lives free of pointless argumentation and quarrelling: “those who restrain their anger and pardon people – God loves those who do good” (Quran, 3:134).

·         Hope

The Quran requires the believers to remain hopeful of God’s grace and never despair. Indeed, the Quran describes hopelessness as indicative of faithlessness (Quran 12:87; 2:195).

It must be noted that the verses 12:87 and 2:195 mentioned above have been adduced by Muslim scholars to denounce suicide as a faithless act.

·         Patience & endurance

The Quran frequently mentions the virtues and rewards of ‘ṣabr’ meaning ‘to preserve, to be patient and to remain firm’. The one who stands patient and remains firm against the adversities and vicissitudes of life is promised an endless reward from God (Quran 3:200; 2:177, 5:54).

·         Sexual fulfilment

The Quran rejects all forms of sexual immodesty outside marriage. Adultery is regarded as a shameful deed (Quran, 17:32).

·         Wealth

Whilst the Quran praises those who help the needy, the poor, the widow and orphan, it despises those attached to wealth beyond that which is required for one's daily subsistence. Such attachment distracts one from following the straight path that leads to God and makes one live with an illusionary sense of eternity in this world (Quran 101:1-2; 4:10; 17:26-7).

·         Social and economic conduct

The Quran advocates a society based on honesty, morality, justice, and equity (Quran, 5:1; 5:8; 83:1-2).

·         The sanctity of human life

The Quran says that “We decreed to the Children of Israel that if anyone kills a person – unless in retribution for murder or spreading corruption in the land – it is as if he kills all mankind, while if any saves any life it is as if he saves the lives of all mankind (Quran, 5:32).

·         Generosity and re-distribution of wealth

The Quran condemns greed, the illegal amassing of wealth and practices such as lending money on interest, practices that do not allow for wealth to circulate in the economy (Quran, 30:39).

• Social equality

Everyone is equal in the eyes of God and the law. No human being has any inherent distinction over another on the basis of lineage or race (Quran, 49:13; 4:1).

·         Justice

The Qurʾān insists that Muslims uphold a justice that transcends all social bonds (Quran, 5:8).

·         The Quran and science

The Quran contains numerous verses that are in perfect harmony with modern scientific discoveries. The fact that the scripture was revealed 1400 year ago and contains verses stating scientific facts that were discovered in modern times proves its divine origins. The Quran states: “We shall show them Our signs on the far horizons and in themselves, until it becomes clear to that that this [Quran] is the Truth. Is it not enough that your Lord witnesses everything?” (Quran, 41:53).

French Translation

German Translation

 

Muḥammed: A Mercy to Mankind

                                    

Muhammed: A Mercy to Mankind

A prophet is not like any other person. He is a human being, yet represents God and speaks on his behalf. History has shown that there is a fine line between being divinely chosen, and being divine; many have confused the one to mean the other. It is easy for some to go to extremes and either under or overestimate the true nature of a prophet and see him as either divine (e.g. Jesus considered by many to be God incarnate), or an ordinary person with great insight. The Quran describes the Prophets as being nearest to God i.e. high in status, but yet emphasises their human nature: they are human beings chosen by God to deliver His message. Certainly, they are God’s creation and do not share divinity with the Creator (Quran, 3:59; 4:171; 5:75).

Muḥammed (Peace be upon him) is the last Prophet and closed a long line of Messengers that included Prophets such as Adam, Noah, Moses, and Jesus among many others. Muḥammed never claimed divinity. He was instructed to say that “I am only a human being, like you, to whom it has been revealed that your God is One. Anyone who fears to meet his Lord should do good deed and give no one a share in the worship due to his Lord” (Quran, 18:110). Muḥammed was an orphan, father, husband, a widower, trader, shepherd, a commander, spiritualist, ruler, grandfather, and amassed no wealth. He indeed exemplified truthfulness, justice, forgiveness, compassion, tolerance, cleanliness, modesty and the many etiquettes of beauty.

The Prophet changed the course of history and still continues to inspire over a billion lives across the globe. Not only did he call for belief in the One God, the God of Abraham, Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them all, but he also brought a message so that every individual adds value to her/his life, every family be happy, every society be just, brotherhood be reinforced, nations emphasise solidarity and development, and lastly, humanity strengthens knowledge, Love and cooperation.

In the current political climate, many negative portrayals of Muḥammad have been depicted, oftentimes without full appreciation of the reality of things. Answering such claims, the British author Karen Armstrong argues that:

If we are to avoid catastrophe, the Muslim and Western worlds must learn not merely to tolerate but to appreciate one another. A good place to start is with the figure of Muhammad: a complex man, who resists facile, ideologically-driven categorization, who sometimes did things that were difficult or impossible for us to accept, but who had profound genius and founded a religion and cultural tradition that was not based on the sword but whose name – “Islam” – signified peace and reconciliation.  (Karen Armstrong, from Muhammad: A Prophet for our Time, pg. 214)

Muḥammad lived in the seventh century CE in Makkah, a town known as a hub for trade and pilgrimage. Although the Makkans at that time were known for having some good qualities, they were also characterized by some extremely unpleasant morals and values that had become norms within their society – in particular with regards to woman, orphans, slaves, the poor and vulnerable, and in relation to their beliefs. That period of immorality is known as the ‘Jāhiliyya’ or the ‘time of ignorance’. Coincidently, events that took place in seventh century Arabia have much to teach us about the events of our time wherein injustice, corruption, violence and terror prevail.

Muḥammed lived an ordinary life. He was widely admired for his integrity, honesty, manners and wisdom. His characteristics earned him the title of ‘al-amīn’, the ‘Truthful’ and the ‘Trustworthy’. At the age of forty, Muḥammed started receiving divine revelation and began his prophetic mission, a mission that aimed at bettering the condition of his own society.

Mohammed’s prophetic mission:

Muhammed challenged three core matters that upset the status quo in Makkah:

·        The irrational idea that material and man-made things such as idols were worthy of being worshipped

·        The social hierarchy that maintained the superiority of certain tribes and families at the expense of others

·        The injustice, corruption and harmful practices of the Makkan society

He called for better alternatives:

·        He invited people to worship the one and only God, the Creator of all things

·        He promoted the idea that no human being is superior to another because of race, gender or any physical quality. He argued that the only superiority between people is that of moral excellence

·        He called for a society built around ideals of justice and respect for others, with a strong spiritual and moral foundation

Many were convinced by his teachings, be it from amongst the elite of Makkan society, or from amongst its poor. Conversely, those in positions of power responded with anger, intense hatred and slander.

For thirteen years, Muḥammed and the early Muslim community endured violence and torture from the Makkan, their own tribe. Later on, with the formation of the Islamic state in Medina, he demonstrated his incredibly magnanimous nature, and forgave most of his former enemies, some of whom had killed members of his own family. He then carried his message to the neighbouring regions. Implementing the ruling of the Qurʾān, he forbade anyone from being forced to convert to Islam: “There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] religion” (Qurʾān 2:256). The existence of the nascent Muslim community was threatened by many powerful tribes, including the Makkan. The Prophet made use of his army to end oppression, establish justice and freedom of religion.

The Prophet never engaged in a battle before exhausting all available diplomatic and peaceful means. Long before the Geneva Conventions, Muḥammed instructed and commanded his armies to respect certain rules of engagement among which are the following:

·        Be kind to your prisoners of wars

·        Do not betray

·        Do not defraud (by stealing the spoils of war)

·        Do not break treaties

·        Do not mutilate

·        Do not kill women, children, and the elderly

·        Do not uproot or burn trees

·         Do not cut down trees that bear fruits

·        Do not slaughter sheeps, cows, and camels except for eating

The Prophet prohibited punitive taxes such as income taxes, sales taxes, as well as interest bearing loans like those that have today crippled individuals, families and nations. He did not prohibit the acquisition of personal wealth, but discouraged people from pursuing it excessively. He insisted that vital commodities, water, sources of fuel, mineral wealth and so forth be shared among citizens, rather than be monopolized by a selected few.

He succeeded in building an identity that transcends race, class, tribe and skin colour. Every Muslim had to identify as part of one brotherhood and a single united nation (‘Ummah’) wherein the rights and honour of all its citizens, including Muslims and non-Muslims, are defended and respected.

Muḥammad established the Quranic ideal that Man is a deputy on earth, a vicegerent entrusted with a mighty responsibility and who is accountable for his actions on Earth. He preached that the central part of his message was not new, rather, it was the same message that had been proclaimed before by previous Prophets including Jesus, Moses, Abraham, and others. He prevented any kind of priesthood or clerical hierarchy. He instructed that after his demise, Muslims should choose their leader and remain united behind him, as long as the latter fulfilled his obligations and duties towards them.

The Prophet did not forbid his followers from asking him questions. Nor did he suppress debate or scientific inquiry. Moreover, Muḥammad enjoined leadership accountability, warning of dire consequence if leaders were not brought to account. He taught his followers to debate ideas and other religions, and not debase them.

The Islamic world that was built upon the foundation of Muḥammad’s example entered a Golden age of intellectual and scientific inquiry amidst unparalleled justice and harmony between people of different backgrounds.

 

Written By:

Nasser Said Al-Falahi
Muscat , 2016

 

 German translation please click here
 French Translation please click here
 Philipens Translation please click here
 Russina Translation Please clic Here
  


Professor Brown gives an interview on his new book "Misquoting Muhammad: The Challenge and Choices of Interpreting the Prophet’s Legacy"

Please watch this site click this Link

Title is "Misquoting Mohammed
By Dr. Jonathan AC Brown.


You may also watch Misquoting Jesus click here  by Professor Bart D. Ehrman

ANG MGA KARAPATANG KABABAIHAN SA ISLAM.

ANG MGA KARAPATANG KABABAIHAN SA ISLAM

ako si analie m sabino ang nag sulat nito

itinatangi
iginagalang
pinagparangalan

PAMBUNGAD

Ang pag-aakala ng ibang tao na ang babae sa Islam ay inaalipin,inaalispusta at inaapi.Ang mga Muslim ba ay sadyang mapang-api,o ito ay Mga maling haka-haka lamang na bunga ng hindi patay na pagbabalita?
         Humigit sa (1400)taon na ang nakalipas ay binigay ng Islam para sa kababaihan ang kanilang mga karapatan.noong 1930,si Annie Besant ay nagwika,"Nitong nakaraang dalawampung taon lamang nang kilalanin ng kristiyanong Englatera ang karapatan ng babae na magmay-ari,samantalang matagal na itong pinahintulutan ng Islam.Malaki kalapastangan ang sabihin n ang Islam ay nagtuturo na ang babae ay walang kaluluwa."(The life and Teachings of Mohammed,1932)

Ang mga kalalakihan at kababaihan ay nagmula sa iisang tao-si Propeta Adan (sumakanya nawa ang

 kapayapaan).Itinuro ng Islam na sila ay pakitunguhan ng makatarungan at may kabutihan.


PANTAY NA GANTIMPALA AT PANTAY NA PANANA GUTAN

Ang lalaki at babaing muslim ay parehas na sumasamba ky Allah,nagsasagawa ng parehas na gawaing pagsamba,sumusunod sa iisang kasulatan,at humahawak sa iisang paniniwala.Si Allah ay hahatol sa lahat ng tao ng pantay-pantay.Binigyang-diin ni Allah ang tungkol sa tamang pakikitongo at gantimpala para sa mga kalalakihan at kababaihan sa maraming talata ng Qur'an:

"Ipinangako ni Allah sa mga mananampalatayang lalaki at babae ang Hardin,na sila ay mananatiling doon,"
                Quran 9:72
Hindi no hahayaan na masala ang say say ang gawain ng sinuman sa inyo,lalaki man o babae.kayo at kanilang sa isa't-isa,"
               Quran 3:195
Ang talatang nabanggit ay nag papakita na ang gantimpala ay naaayon sa gawain at Hindi yaon sa kasarian.Ang kasarian at walang kinalaman kung papaano gagantimpalaan at huhukuman ang tao.kung ihahambing ang Islam sa ibang relihiyon, ay makikita natin na ang Islam ang katarungan sa dalawang kasarian.Itinatakwil ng Islam ang katuruan na si Eva lamang ang dapat sisihin higit kay Adan tungkol sa pagkain mula sa ipinagbabawal na puno.Pareho silang nagkasala,humingi ng kapatawaran at sila ay pinatawad.


PANTAY NA KARAPATAN SA KAALAMAN

Ang Propeta (sumakanya nawa ang kapayapaan),ay nagwika,"Ang paghahanap ng kaalaman ay tungkulin ng bawat Muslim (lalaki man o babae),"
 
Noong panahon ng Propeta (sumakanya nawa ang kapayapaan),ay mayroong mga tanyag na kababaihan na naging Pantas ng Islam.Ang pinakatanyag sa kanila ay Aisha,ang asawa ni Propeta Muhammad, (sumakanya nawa ang kapayapaan ),na kung saan halos sangkapat (quarter)na batas ng Islam ay iniulat niya.

May mga kababaihang naging bihasa sa batas ng Islam,sila ay nagkaroon ng mga mag-aaral na kalalakihan na naging pantas na rin ng Islam.

PANTAY NA KARAPATAN N PUMILI NG ASAWA

Ang Islam ay nagbibigay sa babae ng karapatan na pumili ng magiging asawa at panatilihin ang kaniyang apelyido (famili name )pagkatapos ng kasal.marami ang naniniwala na pililit ng magulang ang kanilang mga anak sa pag-aasawa.Ito ay ayon sa kultura ng ibang Muslim,at walang katibayan sa islam.Sa halip,ito ay ipinagbabawal.

May isang babae ang nagsumbong sa Propeta (sumakanya nawa ang kapayapaan)na siya ay pinilit ng kanyang ama na ipakasal sa kanyang pinsan.Pinatawag ng Propeta (sumakanya nawa ang kapayapaan),ang ama ng babae at binigyan niya (sumakanya nawa ang kapayapaan),ang babae ng kalayaan manatili o ipawalangbisa ang kasal.Ang babae ay sumagot,"O Sugo ni Allah,tinatanggap ko ang ginagaw by aking Ana,ngunit nais ko lamang ipakita sa ibang kababaihan (na hindi sila maaring pilitin sa pag-aasawa),"

MAGKAPANTAY NGUNIT MAGKAIBA

Sa kabuuan,ang kalalakihan at kababaihan ay mayroong pantay na karapatan,ngunit ang likas na karapatan at tungkulin na ibinigay sa kanila ay magkaiba.Ang kalalakihan at kababaihan ay mayroong magkaibang           at tungkulin.Magkaiba sila ng pangangatawan,panlabas man o panloob,ang mga siyentipiko ay nakakaalam na mayroong pang ibang pagkakaiba sa kanilang dayawa,kagaya ng pang-uunawa ng utak sa mga salita impormasyon,damdamin,at bis pa.    

Ayon sa pag-aaral ang babae ay mas mataas ang kakayahan sa pananalita,pakikiramay at pakikisalamuha, a GBP,kaysa mga lalaki.Ang mga lalaki ay mas mataas ang tiwala sa kanilang kakayahan, pangingibabaw,mas Malawak ang pang mga katangian.

Ang  Islam ay nagtuturo na ang mga kalalakihan at kababaihan ay may pagkakapantay ngunit magkakaiba ng papel na ginagampanan,na naaayon sa kani-kalikasan,Sinabi ni Allah:

 ANG PAMILYA

Nilikha no Allah ang lalaki at babae na magkaiba ng atangian,   kakayahan at tungkulin.Ang mga pagkakaibang ito ay hindi basehan ng pagiging mataas o mababang uri,kundi bilang pagkakailanlan lamang.pinapahalagahan ng Islam ang pamilya.Tungkulin ng lalaki na tustusan ang kanyang pamilya,samantala ang babae ay may tungkulin na tumulong para sa pisikal,kaalaman at emosyonal na pangangailangan ng pamilya.kapag tinupad ng pamilya,pati na rin ang matatag na lipunan.
Sa aspeto ng damdamin o emosyon,ang lalaki o babae ay hindi maaaring mamuhay na mag-isa, kailangan nila ang isa't-isa.

Sinabi no Allah:
 
Ang damit ay nagbibigay ng ginhawa,init at proteksiyon,at ganun din para maging maganda tingnan ang tao-sa ganitong paraan binibigyan ng kahulugan ang ugnayang mag-asawa sa Islam.kung ihahambing ang Islam sa ibang rehiyon,ay makikita natin na ang Islam ay nagbibigay ng katarungan sa dalawang kasarian.Itinatakwil ng Islam ang katuruan na si Eva lamang ang dapat sisihin higit kay Adan tungkol sa pagkain mula sa ipinagbabawal na puno.Pareho silang nagkasala,humingi ng kapatawaran at sila ay pinatawad.

ANG PAGMAMAHAL AT HABAG SA MAG-ASAWA

Sinabi ng Propeta (sumakanya nawa ang kapayapaan),"ang pinakamainam sa inyo ay siyang mainam makatungo sa kanyang mga asawa."

Si Aisha (ang asawa ng Propeta),ay tinanong tungkol sa pag-uugali ng Propeta sa loob by kanyang pamamahay."Siya ay kagaya din ninyo sa loob ng bahay, subalit siya ay mahinahon at mapagbigay...tinatahi
niya ang kanyang sariling damit at kinukumpuni niya ang kanyang sariling damit at kinukumpuni niya ang kanyang sirang tsinelad."Sa kabuuan,ay tinurulungan niya ang kanyang mga asawa sa kanilang mga gawain.

MATAAS NA KATAYUAN NG INA AT ANAK NA BABAE

Malaki ang impluwensiya ng ina sa bata lalo na sa murang edad sa pamamagitan ng kanyang pagsuyo,pag-alaga at pagmamahal. Walang pag-aalinlangan na ang tagumpay ng isang pamayanan at dahil sa mga ina.Kayla,nararapat lamang sa Islam na itaas ang kanilang katayuan.

Sinabi ni Allah:

Ang Propeta (sumakanya nawa ang kapayapaan),"O Sugo ni Allah, malaking karapatan ng aking mabuting pakikitungo?"Siya (ang Propeta)ay nagwika,"ang iyong ina," "ang iyong ama".

ang gantimpala ay hindi lamang sa pagiging mabuti sa ina.May gantimpala din para sa pagpapalaki ng mga anak na lalaki.

Ang Propeta (sumakanya nawa ang kapayapaan),ay nagwika,"Sino man may dalawang anak na babae,pinalaki niya nang mabuti,sila ay magiging dahilan ng kanyang pagpasok sa Paraiso."

PANGWAKAS
Bago dumating ang Islam,ang babae at kahiya-hiya,ang mga batang babae ay inililibing ng buhay,laganap ang pag bibinta ng panandaliang-alia,ang pakikipaghiwalay at nasa kamay lamang ng lalaki,ang mana ay para lamang sa mga malalakas,laganap ang pag-aapi.Hanggang sa ngayn,sa"mga mauunlad na bansa",ang babae ay hindi binibigyan ng sapat na paggalang,at hindi rin binibigyan ng pantay na sahod.Sa Islam ay itinuring ang babae na mahalaga,hindi alipin.Ang mga pang-aapi nangyayari sa mga babae sa Gitnang Silangan o sa kamay ng ibang Muslim ay dahil ito sa mga maling kultura,at hindi dahil sa Islam.kung ang Islam ay mapang-api rehiyon,bakit maraming kababaihan sa buong mundo ang kusang pumasok sa Islam?Tatapusin natin ang paksang ito sa pamamagitan ng mga Salita ng aming Panginoon at inyong Panginoon:

"Katiyakan,ang mga Muslim na lalaki at mga Muslim na babae;ang mga sumasam-palatayang lalaki at mga sumasampalatayang babae;ang mga measuring lalaki at mga madunuring babae (Kay Allah),ang mga matatapat na lalaki at mga matatapat na babae,sa kanila ay inihanda ni Allah ang pagpapatawad at malaming gantimpala."
            Quran 33:35