| Pain, Pleasure and Prejudice The Complete Layman’s Guide to the Koran Potpourri Part III contains an assortment of standalone revelations or collection of verses that in themselves, or together, may give you that last bit of insight into the mindset of Allah and His Messenger, and their collaboration which resulted in the Koran. Chapters of the Koran can be grouped into two distinct periods in the Prophet’s life: his time in Mecca and later in Medina. And this is what I have done in Part III of Pain, Pleasure and Prejudice. Each revelation or cluster of revelations is identified by a short phrase, many of which are tongue-in-cheek. Don’t be offended. Medinan Period Allah’s Quid Pro Quo 2:152 Remember Me (by glorifying Me) then I will remember you (by rewarding you). Give thanks to Me (by obeying Me) and do not be ungrateful (by disobeying Me). Adversity is just a test 2:155 We will certainly test you with some fear and hunger and with some loss of property, lives and crops. Announce the good news to those who endure patiently. 2:156 Those who upon being visited by adversity say: “We are Allah’s [servants] and to Him we shall return.” 2:157 Upon such people are blessings and mercy from their Lord; and those are the well-guided. As is "mixed sperm": 76:2 We have indeed created man from a mixed sperm to test him; and so We made him capable of hearing and sight. The only mention of the angel Michael, verse [2:98]: 2:97 Say: “Whoever is an enemy of Gabriel – it is he who has instilled it (the revelation) in your heart by Allah’s Permission confirming what preceded it (what had already been revealed), and as guidance and good tidings to the believers. 2:98 Whoever is an enemy of Allah, His angels, His Messengers, Gabriel and Michael, surely Allah is the enemy of the unbelievers. 2:99 Indeed, we have revealed to you (Muhammad) clear signs (the revelations in the Koran) in which only the wicket will disbelieve. This solitary reference has not stop scholars from speculating, based on something the Prophet said, that it was Michael who led a detachment of Allah’s angels at the Battle of Badr; that he was one of the angels who visited Abraham, and later Lot, etc. Idol adverse Safa and Marwa are the names of the two mountains near Mecca between which Hagar frantically ran looking for water after being abandoned there by Abraham with their son Ishmael. Today they are part of the Hajj ritual with pilgrims re-creating Hagar’s frantic search for water by running seven times between the two mountains (hills really). The Prophet had ordered the destruction of idols, including one on each of Safa and Marwa. The believers feared being near the tainted mountains because of the previous presence of the idols. Not to worry said Allah; believers commit no sin if they go around them. 2:158 Surely Safa and Marwa are beacons of Allah (His Religion). He who performs the proper or the lesser pilgrimage commits no sin if he goes around them. And those who volunteer to do a good deed will find Allah Rewarding, All-Knowing. Your fathers and forefathers were ignoramuses 2:170 When it is said to them: “Follow what Allah has revealed”, they say: “We would rather follow that which we found our fathers doing.” What, even though their fathers understood nothing and were not rightly guided! 5:104 And if they are told: “Come now to what Allah has revealed and to the Messenger”, they reply: “Sufficient unto us what we found our forefathers doing”, even if their forefathers knew nothing and were not rightly guided! Is it any wonder that the Arabs of Mecca, when they heard the Prophet slander their ancestors, plotted to kill him? I listen to you, so you listen to Me 2:186 And when my servants ask you about Me, say: I am near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls; so they should answer My Call (by obeying me) and believe in Me, that they might be rightly guided. Don’t bribe the judge 2:188 Do not devour each other’s money unjustly or offer it to the judges in order to devour a part of other people’s money sinfully and knowingly. The world before and after the Messengers 2:213 Mankind was one nation. Then Allah sent forth the Prophets as bearers of good news and warners. He sent with them the Book (the Scriptures) in truth, to judge between people regarding what they differed on. And none differed on it (religion) except those to whom it (the Koran) was given after clear proofs had reached them, out of envy for one another. Allah, by His Will, guided those who believe to the truth on which they had differed. Allah guides whom He wills to the Right path. 2:214 Or do you suppose that you will enter Paradise before the example of those who came before you had reached you? They were stricken by privation and affliction and were so shaken that the Messenger and those who believe along with him said: “When is Allah’s support coming?” Surely Allah’s Support is close at hand. If an oath prevents you from doing good, break it! 2:224 Do not make Allah in your oats (when you swear by Allah) a hindrance to doing good, to fearing Allah and to making peace between people. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. ---------------------- “Authentic Traditions indicate that if a person takes a vow and discovers later that righteousness and common good are best served by breaking that vow then he should do so.” Abul A’la Moududi ---------------------- Thoughtless oats are forgiven 2:225 Allah will not take you to task for what is not meant [to be said] in your oats; but He will take you to task for what you mean in your hearts. Allah is Forgiving, Clement. ---------------------- 2:225 Allah will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts; and He is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing. Yusuf Ali ---------------------- Gardening with fire Are the gardens of Paradise periodically burnt to the ground? 2:266 Does any one of you wish to have a garden of palms and vines, under which rivers flow and from which he gets all kinds of fruit; and when he gets old and has weak offspring a whirlwind with fire hits the garden and burns it down? Thus Allah makes clear to you His Revelations so that you may reflect. Satan = Poverty, Allah = Bounty 2:268 Satan induces you to expect poverty and orders you to be niggardly, and Allah promises you His Forgiveness and His Bounty. Allah is Munificent, All-Knowing. Allah the Wisdom Giver 2:269 He gives wisdom to whom He wills. And he who receives has received an abundant good. But none take heed except people of understanding. On the road and no bookkeeper can be found 2:282 O believers, when you contract a debt for a fixed period, write it down. Let a scribe write it for you with fairness. No scribe should decline to write as Allah has taught him … 2:283 If you are travelling and cannot find a scribe, a security should be taken. But if you trust one another, then let him who is entrusted deliver the security and fear Allah his Lord. Do not withhold the testimony. He who withholds it has a sinful heart. Allah has knowledge of what you do. 2:284 To Allah belongs whatever in the heavens and on earth. And whether you reveal or conceal what is in your hearts, Allah will call you to account for it. He will then forgive whom he wills, and punish whom He wills. He is Able to do everything. Ambiguity upon ambiguity 3:7 It is He Who has revealed to you the Book, with verses which are precise in meaning and which are the Mother of the Book, and others which are ambiguous. As to those in whose hearts there is a vacillation, they follow what is ambiguous in it, seeking sedition and intending to interpret it. However, no one except Allah knows its interpretation. Those well-grounded in knowledge say: “We believe in it; all is from our Lord”; yet none remembers save those possessed of understanding! Tongue Twisters 3:78 And there is a group of them who twist their tongues while reading the Book, so that you may suppose it is part of the Book; whereas it is not part of the Book. They also say: “It is from Allah”, whereas it is not from Allah; they only speak falsehoods against Allah knowingly. What these tongue twisters must have been telling the people. “Be servants to me” in 3:79 may be a reference to Jesus. 3:79 It is not given to any mortal that Allah should give him the Book, the judgement and the Prophethood and then he should say to the people: “Be servants to me, rather than to Allah”; but rather: “Be learned men, by virtue of what you used to teach of the Book and what you used to study.” Lords in the following verse may refer to Saints of which there are none per se in Islam. 3:80 Nor would he enjoin you to take angels and the Prophets as lords. Would he enjoin you to be unbelievers after you have become Muslims? Allah’s Covenant with His Prophets 3:81 And when Allah made His Covenant with the Prophets (of the Bible), [He said]: “I gave you the Book and the Wisdom. Then a Messenger (Muhammad) came to you confirming what you already possessed (the Torah, the Gospel); so you must believe in him and give him support.” He said: “Do you affirm this and accept my covenant on this matter?” They said: “We do affirm it.” He said: “Bear witness and I will be with you one of the witnesses.” ---- 33:7 And [remember] when We took from the Prophets their covenant and from you (Muhammad) and from Noah, Abraham and Jesus, son of Mary, too; and We took from them a solemn covenant; 33:8 So as to question the truthful about their truthfulness, and He has prepared for the unbelievers a very painful punishment. Spending on piety 3:92 You will not achieve piety until you spend part of what you cherish; and whatever you spend, Allah knows it very well. The unknown believers 3:113 They are not all alike. For of the People of the Book, there is an upright nation who recite Allah’s Revelations, throughout the night, while prostrating themselves. 3:114 They believe in Allah and the Last Day, bid the right and forbid the wrong and hasten to do the good deeds. Those are among the righteous people! 3:115 And whatever good they do, they will not be denied. Allah knows well the God-fearing! Niggardly Spenders on Judgement Day 3:180 And let not those who are niggardly in spending what God has given them of His Bounty suppose that it is good for them. No, it is evil; they shall carry what they stinted around their necks on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth. Allah is Aware of what you do! ---- 4:36 … Allah does not love the arrogant and boastful, 4:37 Those who are niggardly, and order other people to be niggardly, and conceal what Allah has given them of His Bounty, We have prepared for the unbelievers a demeaning punishment. … 4:39 And what would it cost them were they to believe in Allah and the Last Day and spend part of what Allah has provided for them? Allah knows them very well! Do not covet 4:32 Do not covet that with which Allah has favoured some of you over others. Men have a share of what they earned, and women a share of what they earned. And ask Allah to give you of His Bounty. Allah indeed has knowledge of everything. Don’t be a show-off and chose your friends well 4:38 And for those who spent their wealth in order to show off and do not believe in Allah and the Last Day. He who has the Devil as a companion, an evil companion has he! Allah multiplies good deeds 4:40 Surely Allah will not wrong anyone an atom’s weight; and if it is a good deed, He will multiply it and give from Himself in addition a great reward. Judge between people, but judge justly 4:58 God commands you to deliver trusts to their owners and, if you judge between people, to judge justly. Splendid is Allah’s exhortation to you. Allah is indeed All-Hearing, All-Seeing. Contingency fees 4:85 He who offers a good intercession (he who intercedes for people in accordance with Muslim law) shall have a share of it; and he offers a bad intercession shall suffer from its consequences. Allah has power over everything. When foul language is permitted 4:148 Allah does not like the public uttering of foul words, except by one who has been wronged. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. 4:149 Whether you do good openly, or secretly, or pardon an evil deed, Allah is indeed All Pardoning, All-Powerful. Revelation 4:149 is a continuation of 148 only if you buy into Abul A’la Moududi’s explanation: The hypocrites, the Jews and the polytheists were all bent on placing all kinds of obstacles in the way of the spread of Islam: They eagerly persecuted the Muslims and used all possible means, however malicious, against them. Such an attitude inevitably created anger and resentment. It was in the context of this storm of bitter feelings that God told the Muslims that He did not consider speaking ill of people as praiseworthy. No doubt the Muslims had been wronged, and if a wronged person speaks out against a wrong-doer, he is quite justified in doing so. Even though this is a person's right, it is more meritorious to continue to do good both in public and in private, and to ignore the misdeeds of others. Is Allah the flip side of God? 5:98 Know that God is Severe in punishment and that Allah is All-Forgiving, Merciful. More evil than good in the world 5:99 The duty of the Messenger is only to deliver the Message, and Allah knows what you reveal and you conceal. 5:100 Say: “The evil and the good are not equal, even if the abundance of evil should appeal to you.” Fear then Allah, O people of understanding, that perchance you may prosper. Wait for it and why! I may not have an answer now, but one may be forthcoming in a future revelation, and you are forgiven for asking the question. 5:101 O believers, do not ask about things which, were they disclosed to you, would displease you; and which, should you ask about while the Qur’an is being revealed, will be disclosed to you. Allah has forgiven you for it; and Allah is All-Forgiving, Clement. 5:102 A people preceding you asked about them, then disbelieved in them. Allah does not give names to cattle 5:103 Allah has not prescribed the designation of Bahirah, Sa’ibah, Wasilah or Hami (cattle sacrificed to idols at the Ka’ba); but the unbelievers impute falsehood to Allah, and most of them do not understand. Allah will tell you what you were doing 5:105 O believers, take care of yourselves; you will not be harmed by him who has gone astray, if you are well-guided. To Allah you will all return; then He will tell you what your were doing. If it’s a choice between Allah and your children... 8:27 And know that your wealth and your children are a temptation, and with Allah is a great reward. Allah does not believe in re-incarnation. Enough said! 13:5 Should you (Muhammad) wonder, the wonder is their saying: “What, if we turn to dust, will we be created anew?” Those are the ones who disbelieve in their Lord, and those are the ones around whose necks are chains, and those are the people of the Fire, abiding therein forever. Allah imitating Jupiter 13:13 And the thunder sounds His praise and the angels, too, in awe of Him. And He sends forth the thunderbolts smiting with them whomever he pleases. Nevertheless, they dispute with Allah, but he is Mighty in prowess. Allah can’t be bribed and don’t even try. 13:18 To those who obey their Lord belongs the best [reward (Paradise)], but those who disobey Him, were they to have all that is on earth plus its equal, would offer it as ransom. To those a bad reckoning is reserved, and their abode will be Hell, and what a miserable resting-place! What a tepid believer risks losing 22:11 And of the people, there are some who worship Allah tepidly. When good fortune comes his way, he is pleased with it, but if an ordeal befalls him, he turns around (goes back to disbelief) losing both this world and the world to come. That is the manifest lost. Allah’s light may be like a star with olive oil for fuel 24:35 Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. His light is like a niche in which there is a lamp, the lamp is in a glass, the glass is like a glittering star. It is kindled from a blessed olive tree, neither of the East nor the West. Its oil will almost shine, even if no fire has touched it. Light upon light, Allah guides to His Light whomever He pleases and gives the examples to mankind. Allah has knowledge of everything. The Prophet's wives as mothers of the believers 33:6 The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves and his wives are like their mothers. The kinsmen are closer to each other, in Allah’s Book, than the believers or the Emigrants; unless you are doing your friends an honourable deed, that has already been inscribed in the Book. The power of iron and why it was sent down 57:25 We have sent forth our Messengers with clear proofs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance, so that people might act equitably. We have also sent down iron, which has mighty power and benefit for mankind, and that Allah might know Him and His Messengers invisibly. Allah is indeed Strong and Mighty. People of the Book are powerless 57:28 O believers, fear Allah and believe in His Messenger, so that he might show you His Mercy twofold, give you a light by which you might walk about and forgive you. Allah is All-Forgiving, Merciful; 57:29 That the People of the Book may know that they have no power over anything of Allah’s Bounty, and that Bounty is in Allah’s Power; He gives it to whoever He pleases. Allah is the Great Bounty. The light in revelation 57:28 may be the same light which the believers will be given to find their way to Paradise in the darkness of Judgement Day. 57:12 On the Day that you will see the believers, men and women, with their light beaming in front of them and in their right hands [the sign]: “Your good news today is Gardens beneath which rivers flow; dwelling therein forever. That indeed is the great triumph.” Right is good, left is bad 57:90 But if he is one of the Companions of the Right; 57:91 Then “Peace upon you”, from the Companions of the Right. 57:92 However, if he is one of those who denounce and err (a Companion of the Left); 57:93 Then he will be served boiling water, 57:94 And will be scorched by the Fire. 57:95 That is indeed the certain Truth. 57:96 So, glorify the Name of Your Lord, the Great One. What would have happened if Allah had sent the Koran like he did the Torah. 59:21 Had We sent down this Qur’an upon a mountain, you would have seen it bowing down and rent asunder out of the fear of Allah. Those are the parables which We Recite to mankind, that perchance they might reflect. The only person in the Koran, to my knowledge, on whose behalf the Prophet can ask forgiveness from Allah. 60:12 O Prophet, if believing women come to you to pay you homage, pledging not to associate anything with Allah, steal, commit adultery, kill their children, come up with a lie they invent between their hands and feet (allege that an illegitimate child is their husband’s) or disobey you in any honourable matter, then accept their homage and ask Allah’s Forgiveness for them. Allah indeed is All-Forgiving, All-Merciful. Allah before children 63:9 O believers, let not your possessions or your children distract you from the remembrance of Allah. Whoever does that – those are the real losers. Allah Indulgences 64:17 If you lend Allah a fair loan, He will multiply it for you and forgive you. Allah is All-Grateful, All-Clement; 64:18 Knower of the Unseen and the Seen, the All-Mighty, the Wise. More urban destruction 65:8 How many a city transgressed arrogantly the Command of its Lord and His Messengers; and so We brought it to account severely and punished it with an abominable punishment. 65:9 And so it tasted the bane of its deed and the outcome of its deed was perdition. 65:10 Allah has prepared for them a terrible punishment. So fear Allah, O people of understanding who have believed. Allah has sent down to you a reminder. The worst of creatures 98:6 The unbelievers, among the People of the Book and the idolaters, shall be in the fire of Hell, dwelling therein forever. Those are the worst of creatures. What Allah expect you to do when His Victory is complete and how will you know. 110:1 When Allah’s Support and victory come, 110:2 And you see people entering Allah’s religion in throngs; 110:3 Then, magnify the Praise of your Lord and seek His Forgiveness. He is indeed All-Forgiving.
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