Author: Harris Abdullah
During this time of pandemic caused by Covid-19 coronavirus made the whole world stand still and many had suffered and died because of it. It is understandable that there would be many cries to Allah SWT but were your prayers being heard by Allah SWT? In some region, Muslims began to pray using the words of Dua e-Qunoot:
اَللَّهُمَّ إنا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنُؤْمِنُ بِكَ وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ وَنُثْنِئْ عَلَيْكَ الخَيْرَ وَنَشْكُرُكَ وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ ئَّفْجُرُكَ اَللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَلَكَ نُصَلِّئ وَنَسْجُدُ وَإِلَيْكَ نَسْعأئ وَنَحْفِدُ وَنَرْجُو رَحْمَتَكَ وَنَخْشآئ عَذَابَكَ إِنَّ عَذَابَكَ بِالكُفَّارِ مُلْحَقٌ
“O Allah! We beg help from You alone; ask forgiveness from You alone, and turn towards You and praise You for all the good things and are grateful to You and are not ungrateful to You and we part and break off with all those who are disobedient to you. O Allah! You alone do we worship and pray exclusively to You and bow before You alone and we hasten eagerly towards You and we fear Your severe punishment and hope for Your Mercy as your severe punishment is surely to be meted out to the unbelievers.”
But have you ever asked the questions such as:
- Who are the disobedient?
- Who are the unbelievers?
- What had the unbelievers/disobedient committed that Allah SWT meted out such severe punishment?
- Does Allah SWT delight in the death of the wicked/unbelievers/disobedient?
- Would you able to receive mercy from Allah SWT even when you pray this prayer?
I will add this from the previous message (Mat 5: 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy) here so you could see the link to Matthew 5:8 later. The first 2 questions would be quite easy to see the parallel that the unbelievers are also the disobedient. But what did these people commit to receive such severe punishment?
Now, you may be comforting yourself by saying , “I am not the disobedient one because I have religiously fulfilled the 5 pillars of Islam, namely declaration of faith, salah, zakat, fasting and hajj and I have also fulfilled the 5 doctrines of Islamic faith, namely belief in the absolute unity of God, belief in angels, belief in prophets, belief in scriptures, and belief in the Final Judgment. So, I am very sure that Allah will listen to my Dua e-Qunoot and grant me His mercy/forgiveness.” Wait, do not be so quick! Let’s have a spiritual X-ray, as it were, to ascertain that we are actually blameless even according to the law. We do not have to look at every aspect of the abovementioned because even by looking at a few aspects, soon we can see that many professed pious Muslims will discover they are the disobedient ones.
Firstly, why do Muslims fast? When they fast, how do they look? Muslims countries fought against each other and agreed to cease fire during the month of Ramadan but what happened after Ramadan? They continued to fight. Ramadan is to help Muslims remember how they are united as brothers and sisters to other Muslims around the world. However, many Muslims don a cloak of piousness during the fasting month but after that, many just abandon this cloak and go back to what was before Ramadan. Is Ramadan only the holy month? Everything created by Allah was good in the beginning until mankind defiled it. I once saw a Muslim behaving aggressively against his boss and in the month of Ramadan, he behaved relatively well, exercising self-restraint but after Ramadan, he went back to his state of aggression. Do you have an answer for this weird, pretentious behaviour? It is like telling people that Allah S.W.T only watches Muslims’ behaviour during Ramadan but after that He allows them to act whichever way they like. It is like the consciousness of the Creator, the ability to remain in a state of taqwa (piety/awareness of Allah), if there is at all, only lasted and meant for the month of fasting. People who are taking bribes stop doing so in the month of Ramadan (or do they?) but after that they continue taking bribes. Isn’t this way of behaving tantamount to hypocrisy? What is the price of hypocrisy?
Surah 9: 67 The hypocrite men and hypocrite women are of one another. They enjoin what is wrong and forbid what is right and close their hands. They have forgotten Allah, so He has forgotten them [accordingly]. Indeed, the hypocrites – it is they who are the defiantly disobedient.
Surah 9: 68 Allah has promised the hypocrite men and hypocrite women and the disbelievers the fire of Hell, wherein they will abide eternally. It is sufficient for them. And Allah has cursed them, and for them is an enduring punishment.
What about belief in the absolute unity of God? Do you as Muslims really believe in the One True God? Or you have committed ‘Shirk’ without knowing? Of course, as a Muslim, one will not deliberately practise idolatry by worshipping other forms of gods. However, many Muslims are worshipping Mammon. For example, just ask the many Muslim politicians, if only they are willing to answer honestly, who/what they love more. Making Mammon ie. money and wealth as important as Allah SWT, is it not ‘shirk’? Just as the Lord says in the Hebrew bible (Isaiah 29: 13) about the Jews “The Lord said: Since this people draws near with words only and honors me with their lips alone, though their hearts are far from me, And fear of me has become mere precept of human teaching.” This is a terrible charge against the Jews by Allah Himself. However, is this not true for many Muslims (and Christians) too? Honouring Allah with their lips but their hearts are simply filled with desires of the world.
With regard to the matter of belief, whether believe in the only God, angels, prophets or holy scriptures, the exegetical meaning of ‘to believe’ in the Torah and Injil is nothing less than ‘to obey’. How do we believe in Allah SWT? It is to obey Him, to carry out His commandments and instructions. We can see this in the following verses:
John 3: 36 Whoever believes in the Son (Isa Al Masih) has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.
Joshua 1: 1 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying,
Joshua 1: 7,8 7 “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.
8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
Leviticus 22: 31 “So you shall keep My commandments, and do them; I am the LORD.
Exodus 23: 20 – 22 20 “Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.
21 “Be on your guard before him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him, for he will not pardon your transgression, since My name is in him.
22 “But if you truly obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.
However, when we come to the Al-Quran, somehow the understanding of ‘believe’ has been broken down to 3 parts ie. believe, receive and obey. This beg the question, “Who decides which/who/what to believe, receive and obey”? Does anywhere in the holy book, Al-Quran, mention that Muslims only need to believe that the previous holy Scriptures (Torah, Injil) are holy and not required to receive and obey them. Sadly, this is the kind of answer that Muslims give even though nowhere in the Al-Quran is mentioned that Muslims have been commanded to do so. The normal answers that any Muslim could give are what had been taught them by their religious teachers and any question ask would be deemed as a challenge to the Islamic faith.
Surah 3: 84 puts in a nutshell what a true Muslim is:
Say, “We have believed in Allah and in what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendants, and in what was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [submitting] to Him.”
Can any Muslims prove that the word ‘believe’ in the above verse means differently for different nabi? I am talking about the instruction by the Al Quran and not by Muslim religious leaders. Look at the above verse again if one professed as a true Muslim. One must make no distinction between any of the prophets, that means if you obey Nabi Muhammad s.a.w, you must also obey Isa Al-Masih, Moses and the rest of the prophets. Otherwise how do Muslims show that they make no distinction between any of the prophets? This means Muslims must obey the words of the Torah, Zabur and Injil to show one’s obedience to the prophets and hence proving themselves as people who truly surrendered to Allah SWT.
Muslim religious leaders have done a lot of damage to the faith of Muslims like what the scribes and Pharisees, the experts in the law did to the Jewish believers. In Matthew 23 : 13 as I had quoted in my previous writings and it is no trouble for me to repeat this: “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. The teachers of the law did not want to enter the kingdom of heaven themselves and stopped the Jews from entering. It is quite apparent that this grave mistake is also committed by Muslims religious teachers. How did the experts in the law shut off the kingdom of heaven? They have done this by teaching the traditions of men.
Mark 7:7,8 ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’ 8 “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”
The precepts of men are basically the traditions of men. The traditions of the elders/men had taken precedence over the commandments of Allah SWT. Is this also not happening to the Muslims now? Allah in Him wisdom already foresaw, at the time of giving the revelation of the Al Quran, that some men will give an interpretation of the holy scripture themselves
Surah 3: 7 It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muhammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise – they are the foundation of the Book – and others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allah. But those firm in knowledge say, “We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord.” And no one will be reminded except those of understanding.
One of the major deviations from the truth is in the matter of ‘believe’ as I have mentioned above. The departure from the truth causes Muslims not bother to read the previous holy scriptures let alone obey them. Another serious deviation is in connection with Isa Al Masih, Surah 4: 171 being the Kalimat Allah and Roh from Allah. Even though Muslims are so proud of the Arabic texts of the holy scriptures, but when they translate the text of Surah 4: 171 to other languages known to people they are speaking to, they have no qualm of deviating from the truth. The portion of the original text of this verse and its word by word translation are as follows:
إِنَّمَا الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّـهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَاهَا إِلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِّنْهُۖ
ONLY the Messiah Isa son of Maryam a Messenger of Allah and His word which he conveyed to Maryam and a spirit from Him.
In simple explanation, there is no one except Isa Al Masih, the only Messenger of Allah who is Allah’s word and a spirit from Him. There were more than 20 messengers in the past but ONLY Isa Al Masih is Allah’s word and a spirit from Him.
However, Muslims scholars, as seen in translations of the holy Quran, had translated the above as follows:
Yusuf Ali:
Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him:
Pickthall:
The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him.
Shakir:
The Messiah, Isa son of Marium is only a messenger of Allah and His Word which He communicated to Marium and a spirit from Him;
In other words, these Muslims scholars are saying that Isa Al-Masih is no more than/only a messenger of Allah, no more than/only His word and no more than/only a spirit from Him. Is it a small matter to be a messenger of Allah, Kalimat Allah and a Ruh from Allah? Does this not tantamount to saying that Allah SWT means so little to you!
As a Muslim, I bear nothing but utter disrespect for these scholars because in an attempt to denigrate Isa Al Masih, they have actually denigrated nabi Muhammad s.a.w himself because he is but a messenger of Allah (Surah 3: 144, 33: 40, 48: 29). In the Quran, Allah SWT charged the Jews for distorting the words from their places (Surahs 4:46, 5:13, 5:41), sadly for many centuries after the passing of nabi Muhammad s.a.w, many Muslims are following the path of the Jews – distorting the words from their places without even the need to physically change the words. Are not Muslims who did this equally disobedient as the Jews? Allah cursed the Jews and made their hearts hard because of their unbelief. What do you think will happen to Muslims who did exactly what the Jews had done?
Muslims religious leaders also have no qualms about stopping Muslims from reading the previous Holy Scriptures by saying they have been corrupted after the time of nabi Muhammad s.a.w and Allah has cancelled the previous scriptures. The Jews and Christians had plenty of time to change the words of the Torah and Injil before the last revelation to nabi Muhammad s.a.w. Why would they want to do it after the giving of the Al Quran? To date, no Muslims can say when and what had been cancelled and who did it. It is important to heed that throughout the holy scripture, Allah SWT mentioned that the Al Quran confirmed the previous scriptures, namely the Torah and Injil as can be observed in Surahs 2: 41, 2: 97, 3: 3. 4:47, 5: 48, 6: 92, 35: 31 etc. Why would Allah SWT want to cancel His previous holy books when He repeatedly mentioned that the Al-Quran confirmed the previous scriptures? Can Muslims not tell the difference between ‘confirm’ and ‘cancel’? What is obvious is that Muslims deliberately set aside the Torah and Injil and Muslims were even taught that they will be considered as sinful just by touching these two scriptures because they are corrupted. May Allah have mercy on these pitiful souls whose minds have been brainwashed by their religious leaders! Indeed, they do not want to enter the kingdom of heaven and stop others from entering. Do you not have faith in Allah SWT? Do you think He has no ability to guard His own Word?
Surah 5: 48 And We have revealed to you, [O Muúammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.
The word criterion here has the meaning of ‘guardian’. Allah SWT has made Al Quran a guardian مُهَيْمِنًاof the previous Holy Scriptures. According to Tafsir al-Baydawi :
The Corân, besides attesting the Jewish and Christian Scriptures, is here further declared to be itself their custodian or witness. “A custodian over it, that is, a keeper over the whole of the (sacred) books, such as shall preserve them from change, and witness to their truth and authority“, ومهيمنا عليه ورقيباً على سائر الكتب يحفظه عن التغير ويشهد لها بالصحة والثبات Baidhâwi.
Now those who are so eager to say that the Torah and Injil have suffered corruption after the time of nabi Muhammad s.a.w. are advised to look at this verse and meditate on it. If those brilliant Muslims say the Torah and Injil have been corrupted after the giving of the Al Quran, it is tantamount to saying that the Al Quran has failed to be guardian of the Holy Scriptures. This means, the same Muslims are implying that the Holy God is lying because guardianship of the previous scriptures by the Al-Quran is a failure because the scriptures are alleged to have been corrupted. If Allah SWT does not even have the power to preserve His words, why do Muslims entrust their lives, their salvation to Him? Hence, do Muslims understand the far-reaching repercussions if they say the previous Holy Scriptures have been corrupted?
This begs the question, “Why would Allah want to cancel His own holy scriptures?” In fact, there are no good and valid reasons for Allah to do so because the Torah serves as guidance and light (Surah 5: 44), guidance and instruction (Surah 5: 46) and guidance and mercy (Surah 6: 154, 7: 154) for the righteous. Likewise, the Injeel is guidance and light and confirming the Torah (Surah 5: 46).
It is time for Muslims to come back to the heart of taqwa. The holy scripture, Al Quran is guidance and mercy for the believers/Muslims and this is mentioned six times in the Al Quran (Surahs 7: 52, 7:203, 10: 57, 12:111, 16: 64, 16: 89). Isa is a sign to the people and a mercy of Allah and it is decreed to be so. If it is a decree by Allah, no one can change it except Allah Himself.
Surah 19: 21 He said, “Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter decreed.’
Muslims yearn for Allah SWT’s mercy and Allah has already shown His mercy through Isa Al Masih. Is it so difficult to see and understand? However, Muslims choose to just believe him in their own ways but not obedient to his words in the Injeel. They do not even want to touch the Injeel thinking that they may even be corrupted by it. How then do Muslims receive the mercy of Allah if they do not receive and obey Isa Al Masih’s teachings? Perhaps they are like what the Al Quran says:
Surah 18: 57 And who is more unjust than one who is reminded of the verses of his Lord but turns away from them and forgets what his hands have put forth? Indeed, We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And if you invite them to guidance – they will never be guided, then – ever.
May Allah SWT have mercy that we do not fall into the group of defiantly disobedient who will never receive the forgiveness of Allah SWT.
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Note:
- All Al-Quran verses are sourced from English Translation of Al-Quran by Sahih International, with thanks.
- All Torah and Injil verses are sourced from New American Standard Bible with Codes (1995), with thanks.