Day 31; HQ 3:84-100; pages 61+62

Welcome Friends:  Ahlan wa sahlan!

If you have just joined IQRATHECHALLENGE, you will understand today’s Post better by going back a few Readings to get the correct terminology. 

A good strategy would be to put the search-word you need in ‘SEARCH THIS SITE’ (top right).

Yesterday’s Reading ended with a QUESTION:

أَفَغَيْرَ دِينِ اللَّهِ يَبْغُونَ وَلَهُ أَسْلَمَ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ ﴿٨٣﴾

“Do they then seek a Standard of Accountability other than God’s, even as all who are in heaven and on earth do surrender in pure deference to Him – (whether) in willingness or reluctance- and unto Him shall they be returned? (83)*

Today’s Reading continues along the subject, addressing People of the (previous) Compilation.

COMMENTS:

1.     Prophet Muhammad, peace upon him, is commanded here to state unequivocally the beliefs he and his followers hold, namely Faith in what is being revealed to them, as well as what was revealed previously (to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac and Jacob) and what was delivered to Moses and Jesus and Prophets from their Lord, making no distinction between any of them.  The verse ends with, ‘and unto Him are we pure in our reverence’ (ونحن له مسلمون).

The next verse states:

وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ ﴿٨٥﴾

“For whoever seeks a Standard of Accountability other than Pure Reverence to God, it will never be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the Losers.”

2.     Verses 86-89 ask questions and provide incentives to a self-assessment and a return (to God).  ‘Tawba’ literally means ‘to return,*’ but it is well-translated as ‘repent’ because when we repent, we regret something, turn away from it, and make amends.

3.     Verses 90-91 are self-explanatory, and end on the note that no amount of wealth will do a Denier any good on Judgment Day.

4.     Verse 92 is a directive on how Faithful persons should spend if they wish to attain the degree of ‘Bir,’ or Sincerity.  ‘Bir’ from the root-verb ‘barra’ means being genuine, forthcoming, true to oneself and others (see Posting of Jan. 15^th).  If we wish to attain that degree, we have to give others what we actually cherish for ourselves! (Y. Ali, note 419, calls it the ‘test of charity’.)

5.     Verses 93-95 continue discussing People of (earlier) Compilation, specifically the Children of Israel (Israel=Jacob), regarding the foods Jacob had made unlawful unto himself  (M. Asad’s note 73-74), and encourage them to follow Abraham’s creed, peace upon him.  Verses 98-99 are self-explanatory (see M. Asad’s note 78).

6.     Verse 96 begins by saying: “Indeed, the first House placed (positioned) for Mankind is that which is in Becca …

·        Most commentators say it refers to Mecca (pronounced and written ‘Becca’ here), and that Becca is another name for Mecca.  Yusuf Ali and Muhammad Asad agree, Asad explains in note 75-76 that B &M are phonetically close and have sometimes interchanged as they evolved from older to more recent languages. 

·        Others (such as historian Dr. Ahmad Daoud ) explain that this is related to the First House of Worship which was ‘positioned, or placed’ ( وُضِع means placed from above NOT ‘raised from below’) upon a very important site.  This location or site was where God first united the Spirit and the Human Self, bringing into existence the Cognizant Human who thus united for earthly existence, worshipped The Creator.  He tells us this interpretation goes back to the ancient language from which Arabic evolved, where ‘Ba’ means ‘Spirit,’ and ‘Ka’ means ‘Self!’

·        Others say that each sound in the Qur’an is there for a purpose, and that its purpose is to fulfill its role in the general DIVINELY inspired DESIGN that is the Qur’an.  This Revelation, being the final one, is preserved by its Divine Design, which is a Unit of Precision.  People have approached this Message and studied its numeric design, its scientifically-sound descriptions, its linguistic and phonetic distinction, and have always been awed by its precision.  Where ‘sounds/letters’ are concerned, numerically or phonetically, ‘M’ is not equivalent to ‘B.’ The exchange (Mecca appearing here as Becca) has to do both with preserving Qur’anic precision of Design (as to the exact number of times each appears in it), as well as phonetic distinction.  In this computer age there are many important findings related to this, and we’ll get to them in time.

Numeric and phonetic design is also considered one reason why, for example, we see the Arabic word ‘siraat’ (سراط) pronounced (and indeed written in the Qur’an) with the letter ‘sad’(ص=صراط)  instead of the letter ‘seen .(س)  We will be discussing phonetics, as this subject is VERY interesting and helps us understand why Arabic was chosen as the Qur’anic medium!

Indeed, God’s word is Truth- May He guide us to its correct understanding!

7.     We finally get to the topic of Messenger of God versus Prophet, which we’ve been hoping to discuss for the past few days: 

In our Reading of February 2^nd (in verse 68) we read:

“Closest to Abraham are those who follow him, as well as this Prophet ….”  

We noticed then, that the Qur'an did not say “…as well as this ‘Messenger.” We began to discuss the significance of using one title over the other.  We said that these two words should not be interchangeable, as is common amongst us. 

His title ‘Prophet’ is general, and relates to his role amongst people, while his title ‘Messenger’ is specific, and ALWAYS relates purely to the Message, the Qur’an.  That is why the Qur'an would not refer to him as Messenger in the verse mentioned above, for it is in his capacity as Prophet that he is discussed.  In his capacity as Messenger -bearing God’s Final Message- Muhammad is distinctive, peace upon him.

We shall continue this discussion, showing the distinction between the two words ‘Prophet’ and ‘Messenger’ of (from) God’ الله/ رسول من الله)  .*(نبي؛ رسول 

Scholars of various disciplines have already written in length on the subject, so it might be a good idea to look at these two titles from a new angle:

·        We find the title(رسول الله)  ‘Messenger of God or God’s Messenger’ mentioned in the Qur'an 17 times, referring to Moses, Jesus, Muhammad and others, peace upon them all, while the Qur'an does NOT ONCE mention the title Prophet of God ‘نبي الله.’ Why?  Because the title of each Messenger is relative to the Message FROM God, so he is God’s Messenger.  As for the title of Prophet, it is his status among his people; it is relative to them. 
    
    And the Qur'an NEVER tells us to believe in God+Prophet/s, but OFTEN tells us to believe in God+Messenger/s*.
     Why is that significant?

It is very significant for, when we search the Qur’an, we find that, we are told to obey Muhammad, peace upon him, (رسول الله) Rasoolul-Lah; to obey him in his capacity as Messenger.  Not once are we told to obey (النبي) al-Nabi, the Prophet.

On the other hand, when God reproaches him for something he did that he could have done differently, or says he forgives him, and speaks to him of his marriage or divorce, He always addresses him as ‘O Prophet!’ (يا أيها النبي)  or of his family, it is (يا نساء النبي)…O women of the Prophet, or when his companions are given the etiquettes of entering his home, or how should speak to him...it is all about the 'Nabi'- Prophet.  In other words, every-day happenings NEVER relate in any way to the ‘Messenger.’

Indeed, everything in daily life, and in what goes around him, is relevant to a Prophet, but what is relevant to a Messenger of God has to be related to the Message itself and its Source.

In his existence there is an awareness that is achieved in his capacity as Messenger.  It is that awareness which receives Divine Revelation.  In that capacity he is God’s, he will not make mistakes, he need never be reproached, he can bear no blame.

 

God will correct what that chosen person might say or do in his capacity as a Prophet, but what he delivers from God in his capacity as Messenger is by definition flawless, because the Message is God’s and He delivers it, safeguarded throughout.

Therefore, the main difference between the two terms is that ‘Prophet’ describes the relationship of a chosen person to other people from amongst whom he was chosen, while ‘Messenger of God’ describes the relationship of this chosen person to God.

As for the (human) Messenger of God himself, well, he IS ALSO a Prophet, as is very clear in HQ4:69 (and there are many other verses to prove that), for without that understanding, we'd find the heavenly company of the Hereafter, listed below, excluding Messengers!

"And whoever obeys God and the Messenger, such people shall be with those upon whom God has bestowed His Blessings: of the Prophets, the Truthful, the Witnesses, and the Righteous, and how goodly are such for company!"

 

Where are the 'Messengers' in this Blessed company?  They are either missing completely, or are among the 'Prophets.'  Of course the latter is more likely, which proves that Messengers of God indeed, ARE Prophets to their people.
Therefore, let us at least arrive together at the following conclusion:
In verse (HQ33:40), when God said that Muhammad His Messenger was the Seal, the Conclusion, the Final of Prophets, He was speaking to humanity so, as is indeed relative to us, there will NOT be any other person bearing Divine inspiration.

And if this verse does not say, in so many words, that he is the final 'messenger,' isn't that possibly due to the Qur'an's precision, seeing that Angels ARE indeed 'messengers' too? (HQ22:75; 35:1)

                                                    

Enough said!

Tomorrow’s reading is from HQ 3:101-115.

Peace unto all!

*This translation is tweaked slightly from yesterday’s; a more accurate rendering.

 (يُرْجَعُونَ) is in a grammatical form called ‘mabni lil Majhoool,’ where diacritical marks indicate a verb’s subject.  In this case, the subject is ‘unknown’ (majhool) so they are NOT returning themselves, but indeed shall be ‘returned!’

توب: كلمةٌ تدلُّ على الرُّجوع. يقال تابَ مِنْ ذنبه، أي رَجَعَ عنه يتوب إلى الله تَوبةً ومَتَاباً، فهو تائب. والتَّوْبُ التَّوبة. قال الله تعالى: (وَقَابِلِ التَّوْبِ( [غافر 3].

‏

*People have been grappling to define these terms for quite a while, often in argument and controversy.  Their argument became even more heated after it was posited that, although the Qur’an indicated clearly (HQ33:40) that Muhammad, peace upon him, was the final Prophet, it did not indicate that he was indeed the final Messenger of God!  Some people believe that this leaves that title open for others whom God might choose after him which, according to their argument, allows for present-day messengers of God.   

We do not aim to, nor indeed can we, settle any controversy here.  We can only research the definitions of these terms and try to minimize the problems which have stemmed from our lack of precision after centuries of interchanging Qur’anic terms. 

*(أنبياء) Mentioned here 'Anbiyaa', and NOT (نبيين) 'Nabiyeen' (as in HQ33:40 'Khaatam il Nabiyeen), which -being a Researcher- makes me realize that there is still more to uncover linguistically.  I'll get back to THIS specific distinction when I get an answer to it, God-willing.

* In plural, it is also about God’s Messengers. (رسول من الله- من عند الله) … Once however, when it blames people for killing their Prophets the Qur’an say ‘Anbiyaa'ul-Lah'

*Copy paste and research on Tanzil: آمنوا بالله + رسول+ رسل+ نبي
See for yourself the difference between the two, how the title Messenger is related to the Source of the Message- God- while and the title 'Prophet' is related to the people. You will find many verses which ask us to believe in God AND the Messenger/s, while only two which ask us to believe in God, and then list EIGHT other nouns BEFORE mentioning the Prophets INDIRECTLY, saying that we should believe in 'what was given unto the Nabiyoon-Prophets..' 

Day 30; HQ 3:71-83; pages 59+60

Welcome Friends:  Ahlan wa sahlan!

COMMENTS:

1.     “O People of the Compilation!” (Verse 3:71) ‘Ya ahlal-Kitaab!’ although this title is given to both Jews and Christians, many of these verses seem to be addressed to the former, as we shall see. 

Here, this is the third time (3:65; 3:70) that God calls upon them directly; He asks them why they ‘are cloaking truth with falsehood..’ 

According to most commentators, Verses 72 reveals the ‘plot’ of certain Jews who lived in Medina at the time, which was to pretend belief in the Message for a while, and then announce denial/rejection/disbelief.  This would create doubt and move others to do the same (we have to remember that all Prophet Muhammad’s companions were only recent Believers).  Muhammad Asad (see his note 54) reads this differently, not as a plot, but as noting their reluctant acceptance of some parts and the rejection of others, even as they rejected what was in their own books. 

At any rate, Qur’anic lessons are for all time.

2.     In Verse 73 some amongst people of the Compilation announce that they would only believe in those following their Faith, but God responds (73-74) that He sends His Bounty to whomever He wills (see explanatory notes of Muhammad Asad -note 55- and Yusuf Ali-note 408).

3.     Verse 75 shows us two kinds of people who treat their Trusts differently; one upholds it and the other doesn’t.  Yusuf Ali’s note 411 is worth reading, in that ‘every race imbued with race-arrogance resorts to this kind of moral or religious subterfuge..”

4.     This brings to mind one question we should always ask ourselves: 

What is the reason for such verses taking up so much of the Qur’an?

Some say that it is to tell us of what happened earlier.  Others say it is to warn Believers at any point in history of such kinds of people.  Yet others propose that it is because we often ARE such kinds of people ourselves, even those amongst us who call themselves ‘Believers.’

I think that it is all three combined.  And we must admit: many of us often ARE guilty of race-arrogance, self-arrogance, and faith-arrogance.  Don’t many of us believe that God’s Grace shines on our group alone, and that our ‘brand’ of Faith is true while all else is false?  What’s the difference between that and those who call themselves ‘God’s chosen people’?

Judgment Day will hold many surprises, especially for the Arrogant.  Arrogance is a Fatal Flaw indeed (see Posting Jan 8^th).

On the other hand, it would be in our best interest, whenever we find the Qur’an faulting anyone, to apply it to ourselves and see if we might not be doing the very thing at fault.  Only in maintaining that Awareness, while self-correcting our direction at every turn… would we be ‘hunafaa’ (plural of ‘haneef’; see Posting Jan. 12^th).

5.     Verses 76-77 are self-explanatory.  Verse 78 is very important (I disagree with Asad’s translation here of ‘kitaab’ into ‘Bible.’  It should be ‘Compilation.’)

Some of us today are doing –to a certain degree- with our ‘kitaab’ Compilation what was reported here with regard to the earlier revealed Compilation. 

How is that?

First of all, mostly in communities that do not speak Arabic, translations take the place of the actual Qur’an, and various authorities speak ‘in the name of God’ or in the name of His Messenger.  Even in Arabic-speaking communities,  we often hear the Qur’an being misquoted or partially quoted to give an intended meaning, even as the rest of that same Qur’anic verse… is silenced!*

Thankfully however, there is one crucial difference between us and followers of earlier Compilation:  our Compilation, the Qur’an, is intact. 

We shall be discussing that important issue later when we discuss the Qur’an and the Arabic Language:  How each preserved the other.

6.     Verses 79-80 discuss our worship of The Divine.  No human is Divine. Angels and prophets would never ask people to worship them instead of God, or to be taken as Lord. 

It is not at all possible that someone who has received the Compilation, Wisdom and Prophethood, would command you to Deny (God), after you already are Pure in your Reverence (to Him)بعد إذ أنتم مسلمون   (for definition of ‘Muslim,’ see Posting Jan.29^th).*

7.     Verses 81-83 continue the theme:

HQ3:81:

And God took the Prophets’ Pledge/Covenant (ميثاق النبيين): “By reason of what I have delivered unto you of Compilation and Wisdom, and thereafter, there came TO YOU a Messenger corroborating what is with you, you shall indeed believe in him and support him.”  He said, “Do you concede and take upon that My Bond(إصري) ?" They said: "We concede." He said: "Then bear witness [thereto], and I am, with you, of the witnesses. (81) Whereas any who turn away after that shall indeed be ‘the iniquitous/the transgressors’ هم الفاسقون (M. Asad, Y. Ali). (82) Do they then seek a faith/a standard of accountability other than God’s, while unto Him purely surrender all who are in heaven and on earth- willingly and unwillingly- and unto Him shall they return? (83)

These verses indicate that there was an agreement, a covenant, called here ميثاق النبيين ‘the Prophets’ Pledge,’ to which God obtained acceptance from every Prophet/all the Prophets: that each should support any Messenger who appears during his life-time (‘..there came to you a Messenger..’).  This support is an obligation upon each of them to undertake AFTER making sure that the Message itself is indeed an extension of his own Compilation and Wisdom.  Any Prophet who does NOT support such a Messenger is a Pledge-Breaker, an apostate/a betrayer/فاسق.  What this shows is that theirs is indeed ONE mission:  One God, one Standard of Accountability, one Compilation, one Mission for all Prophets and Messengers*.

As for the distinction between a Prophet and a Messenger…  we’ll try to do that next time, God-willing.

        

Enough said!

Tomorrow’s reading is from HQ 3:84-100.

Peace unto all!

*As in the partial quotes, made out to be full quotes thus: “And slay them wherever you may come upon them!” HQ2:190-194. See Posting Jan. 17^th. “Marry any women you please, two or three or four!” HQ4:3.  Perfect examples of what we are discussing: True Meaning lost- thanks to mistranslation and partial quoting!  Readers will note that, in order to avoid deception, we should always quote in full.  In writing, it is also best to quote in full however, we may leave dots (…) where appropriate, keep the meaning in context, and make sure we add the verse number.  It should be very clear that this is only a partial quote.  

* Muslimoon:

Yusuf Ali: …after you have bowed your will (to God in Islam).

Muhammad Asad: .. after you have surrendered yourselves unto God.

* I realize that there are other translations of this verse.  Mine might be more accurate, as per the original.  To make sure we understand Qur’an correctly we should never add or detract, and we must always try to stick to the correct verb tenses.

In this verse, for example:

·       God says that he has given them (in the past tense), not that He will give them. 

·       And then, he says very clearly that the Messenger will come TO YOU (plural), which can only be during each of their lifetimes. Omitting the words ‘to you’ will change the meaning altogether. 

·      Also, when God says ( (مصدق لما معكمthis means ‘confirming what YOU have’ and does not mean ‘to confirm ‘all existing scripture.’          

We all make mistakes, and Readers must judge for themselves.  I sincerely appreciate corrections and will modify accordingly.  Nothing should stand in the way of understanding God’s words according to HIS intent!