If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate!
Allah is the Helper and Protector of those who believe in Him;
He brings them out of the depths of darkness*1 into the light.
As for the disbelievers, they have taghut*2 as their patron,
who drives them out of light into the depths of darkness.
These are the people who are doomed to the Fire,
wherein they shall live for ever.
(Surah-2 Al-Baqarah ~ Ayah-257)
Explanation:
*1- The 'darkness' mentioned here means the darkness of Ignorance, which throws
man off the path of salvation and well-being and directs his energies and efforts to
wrong directions in defiance of reality. 'Light' here means the knowledge of Truth
with the help of which man comes to know his own reality and that of the universe;
this knowledge also shows him the purpose of his life,
and thus leads him consciously, to adopt the Right Way..
*2- Here taghut has a plural connotation. It implies that by turning away from Allah a
man is subjected not to the tyranny of one, but to the tyranny of many tawaghit (evil
one). One of these is Satan, who throws up new temptations and allurements. Another
potential taghut (transgressor) is man's own animal self, which seeks to subjugate him
to his appetites and desires. There are many more taghut in the world outside oneself ;
one's wife and children, one's relatives, one's family and one's community, one's
friends and acquaintances, one's social environment and one's people, one's leaders
and guides, one's government and rulers are all potential taghut, each one of whom
seeks to have his purposes served. Man remains subjected to these innumerable
masters throughout his life, not knowing precisely whom he should please and whose
displeasure he should avoid.
Allah: the Everlasting, the Sustainer of the whole Universe;
there is no god but He. He does neither slumber nor sleep.
Whatsoever is in the heavens and in the earth is His.
Who is there that can intercede with Him
except by His own permission?
He knows what is before the people
and also what is hidden from them.
And they cannot comprehend anything of His knowledge
save whatever He Himself pleases to reveal.
His Kingdom spreads over the heavens and the earth
and the guarding of these does not weary Him.
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate!
The charity of those who expend their wealth in the way of Allah*1 may be likened to a grain of corn, which produces seven ears and each ear yields a hundred grains. Likewise Allah develops manifold the charity of anyone He pleases, for He is All-Embracing, All-Wise.*2
(Surah-2 Al-Baqarah ~ Ayah-261)
Explanation:
*1-A great many expenditures fall under the category of
spending 'in the way of Allah',
as long as this is done according to the laws of Allah
and with the intention of seeking His good pleasure.
This includes spending one's wealth to fulfil one's legitimate needs,
to provide for one's family, to look after the needs of relatives, to help the needy
and to contribute to the general welfare and to spread the true religion and so on.
*2- The greater the sincerity and the more intense the feeling with which
one spends for the sake of Allah, the greater will be Allah's reward.
It is not difficult at all for Allah,
Who blesses a grain so that out of it seven hundred grains grow,
to allow one's charity to grow in like manner
so that the unit of money one spends will return seven hundred fold.
This statement is followed by a mention of two of Allah's attributes.
First is His munificence. His Hand is not clenched so as to restrain Him
from recompensing man for his deeds to the fullest extent that he deserves.
Second, Allah is All-Knowing.
He is not unaware of what one spends and the spirit in which one spends.
So there is no reason to fear that one will not receive one's due reward.
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate!
Call to mind the other event also,
when Abraham said,
"My Lord, show me how Thou bringest the dead back to life?"
He said
"Have you no faith in this?"
Abraham humbly replied,
"I do believe but I ask this to reassure my heart."*1
Allah said,
"Well, take four birds and tame them with yourself
and then (cut them into pieces and)
place a piece of each of them on each hill.
Then call them and they will come running to you;
know this for certain that
Allah is All-Powerful, All-Wise."*2
(Surah-2 Al-Baqarah ~ Ayah-260)
Explanation:
*1- That is, the rest and inner peace that one attains as a result of direct personal observation.
*2- People have subjected this incident and the one above to very strange interpretations. If one bears in mind, however, Allah's dealings with the Prophets, one will not feel any need to strain one's energies in hammering out such artificially-contrived interpretations. The truth of the matter is that the kind of function that ordinary believers are required to perform requires of them no more than believing in certain truths without perceiving them through their senses. The function entrusted by Allah to the Prophets is such that they ought to have direct knowledge of the truths, the acceptance of which they are required to invite others to.
Comment