Notes from the Koran

Say it, fear none, if you are right, even if you are weaker:

2007-09-02T04:01:00.000-07:00

About Prophet King Solomon:
027:020 "And he took a muster of the Birds; and he said: "Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees? "
027:021 "I will certainly punish him with a severe penalty, or execute him, unless he bring me a clear reason (for absence)"
027:022 "And he tarried not long, then said: I comprehend that which you do not comprehend and I have brought to you a sure information from Sheba."

Clearly the Hoopoe is in no position to stand against Solomon who was clearly enraged. But because he had a reason to stand, he did. He did not choose the easy way out, saying for example: "In your kingdom, your majesty, we are believers, thanks to God and to you of course. But I saw there, so and so..". He just said it... straight.

Learn to have a strong character, even from a weak bird.

No one is above the law !!!

2007-09-02T03:52:00.000-07:00

Read these, and notice the pattern.

2.61: And (remember) when you (sons of Israel) said, "O Mûsa (Moses)! We cannot endure one kind of food. So invoke your Lord for us to bring forth for us of what the earth grows, its herbs, its cucumbers, its Fûm (wheat or garlic), its lentils and its onions." He said, "Would you exchange that which is better for that which is lower? Go you down to any town and you shall find what you want!" And they were covered with humiliation and misery, and they drew on themselves the Wrath of Allâh. That was because they used to disbelieve the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh and killed the Prophets wrongfully. That was because they disobeyed and used to
transgress the bounds (in their disobedience to Allâh, i.e. commit crimes and sins).

Also in:
3.21: Verily! Those who disbelieve in the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh and kill the Prophets without right, and kill those men who order just dealings, … announce to them a painful torment.

and again:
3.112: Indignity is put over them wherever they may be, except when under a covenant (of protection) from Allâh, and from men; they have drawn on themselves the Wrath of Allâh, and destruction is put over them. This is because they disbelieved in the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh and killed the Prophets without right. This is because they disobeyed (Allâh) and used to transgress beyond bounds (in Allâh's disobedience, crimes and sins).

3.181: Indeed, Allâh has heard the statement of those (Jews) who say: "Truly, Allâh is poor and we are rich!" We shall record what they have said and their killing of the Prophets unjustly, and We shall say: "Taste you the torment of the burning (Fire)."

4.155: Because of their breaking the covenant, and of their rejecting the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, and of their killing the Prophets unjustly, and of their saying: "Our hearts are wrapped (with coverings, i.e. we do not understand what the Messengers say)" - nay, Allâh has set a seal upon their hearts because of their disbelief, so they believe not but a little.

No one is above the law. A strange lesson to learn from these verses. However, wasn't it enough to say killing prophets? Was it necessary to say with no right? Yes, it was necessary, because no one is above the law. So, if killing prophets needs an addition of "no reason" to increase the gravity of the sin, this, in a way, shows that it might be acceptable, if they were rightfully accused.

The only time in the Quran where killing/murdering prophets was not associated with "wrongfully" or "unjustly" was:
2.91: And when it is said to them (the Jews), "Believe in what Allâh has sent down," they say, "We believe in what was sent down to us." And they disbelieve in that which came after it, while it is the truth confirming what is with them. Say (O Muhammad Peace be upon him to them): "Why then have you killed the Prophets of Allâh aforetime, if you indeed have been believers?"

This was in the form of a question. Surely, to be fair, let them say it themselves: "there was no righteous reason, we killed them for our mere anger, jealousy, ego, ..."

The sin was: "killing with no reason". In a rightful, just court, everyone should be put to trial regardless of rank, class, wealth, social position, etc. The perfect example was given.

That's Islam... justice. Pure, simple, and strong justice.

You are not the center of everything, even if you were Ibrahim (Abraham)

2007-09-02T03:47:00.000-07:00

You are not the center of everything going around you. Even if you were Abraham!!!

Read the following (in 3 different interpretations, quite close. The 3rd one is easier to read)

051.024
YUSUFALI: Has the story reached thee, of the honoured guests of Abraham?
PICKTHAL: Hath the story of Abraham's honoured guests reached thee (O Muhammad)?
SHAKIR: Has there come to you information about the honored guests of Ibrahim?

051.025
YUSUFALI: Behold, they entered his presence, and said: "Peace!" He said, "Peace!" (and thought, "These seem) unusual people."
PICKTHAL: When they came in unto him and said: Peace! he answered, Peace! (and thought): Folk unknown (to me).
SHAKIR: When they entered upon him, they said: Peace. Peace, said he, a strange people.

051.026
YUSUFALI: Then he turned quickly to his household, brought out a fatted calf,
PICKTHAL: Then he went apart unto his housefolk so that they brought a fatted calf;
SHAKIR: Then he turned aside to his family secretly and brought a fat (roasted) calf,

051.027
YUSUFALI: And placed it before them.. he said, "Will ye not eat?"
PICKTHAL: And he set it before them, saying: Will ye not eat?
SHAKIR: So he brought it near them. He said: What! will you not eat?

051.028
YUSUFALI: (When they did not eat), He conceived a fear of them. They said, "Fear not," and they gave him glad tidings of a son endowed with knowledge.
PICKTHAL: Then he conceived a fear of them. They said: Fear not! and gave him tidings of (the birth of) a wise son.
SHAKIR: So he conceived in his mind a fear on account of them. They said: Fear not. And they gave him the good news of a boy possessing knowledge.

051.029
YUSUFALI: But his wife came forward (laughing) aloud: she smote her forehead and said: "A barren old woman!"
PICKTHAL: Then his wife came forward, making moan, and smote her face, and cried: A barren old woman!
SHAKIR: Then his wife came up in great grief, and she struck her face and said: An old barren woman!

051.030
YUSUFALI: They said, "Even so has thy Lord spoken: and He is full of Wisdom and Knowledge."
PICKTHAL: They said: Even so saith thy Lord. Lo! He is the Wise, the Knower.
SHAKIR: They said: Thus says your Lord: Surely He is the Wise, the Knowing.

051.031
YUSUFALI: (Abraham) said: "And what, O ye Messengers, is your errand (now)?"
PICKTHAL: (Abraham) said: And (afterward) what is your errand, O ye sent (from Allah)?
SHAKIR: He said: What is your affair then, O messengers!

051.032
YUSUFALI: They said, "We have been sent to a people (deep) in sin;-
PICKTHAL: They said: Lo! we are sent unto a guilty folk,
SHAKIR: They said: Surely we are sent to a guilty people,

051.033
YUSUFALI: "To bring on, on them, (a shower of) stones of clay (brimstone),
PICKTHAL: That we may send upon them stones of clay,
SHAKIR: That we may send down upon them stone of clay,

051.034
YUSUFALI: "Marked as from thy Lord for those who trespass beyond bounds."
PICKTHAL: Marked by thy Lord for (the destruction of) the wanton.
SHAKIR: Sent forth from your Lord for the extravagant.

051.035
YUSUFALI: Then We evacuated those of the Believers who were there,
PICKTHAL: Then we brought forth such believers as were there.
SHAKIR: Then We brought forth such as were therein of the believers.

051.036
YUSUFALI: But We found not there any just (Muslim) persons except in one house:
PICKTHAL: But We found there but one house of those surrendered (to Allah).
SHAKIR: But We did not find therein save a (single) house of those who submitted (the Muslims).

051.037
YUSUFALI: And We left there a Sign for such as fear the Grievous Penalty.
PICKTHAL: And We left behind therein a portent for those who fear a painful doom.
SHAKIR: And We left therein a sign for those who fear the painful punishment.

When the messengers came to Ibrahim, they told him a piece of news he was longing for, you are going to have a child. Although this was immensely important news (to him), he followed receiving this announcement with a question: So, what is behind the visit? (51:31) He didn't assume they come just for him. So should not you. Keep looking at the bigger picture... Life is never about a single person.

Welcome All

2007-08-31T02:42:00.000-07:00

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
AlSalaam Alaikom We ra7mat allah we barakatoh,

This may be the only statement I will write in Arabic, it is very hard to try remember locations on an English only keyboard :)

This blog is dedicated for simple short notes from the Koran.

How many times did you read a verse and say: "WOW, I think I should understand this from this verse". Or "I think this applies to this other thing as well."
Or even a stronger comment: "I think non-Muslims should read this and feel it, this will surely make someone feels different"

Please, post the English interpretation of a verse from a trusted source. Then write your comments in the post. Readers, hopefully, will not be all Muslims.

The following website contains searchable English interpretations, for every verse. Three are listed for each verse, in hope to come slightly closer to the Holly original form.
MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts at University of Southern California
The three interpretations are: Yusuf Ali, Pickthal, and Shakir.

For example, a post might look like:

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002.002 (chapter:verse)
The arabic version if you can write it, or copy/paste it goes here.

YUSUFALI: This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah;
PICKTHAL: This is the Scripture whereof there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off (evil).
SHAKIR: This Book, there is no doubt in it, is a guide to those who guard (against evil).

Your comment goes here...
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