There are many verses in the Quran that tells Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) that his duty was to convey or deliver the message. These verses are often used by the Anti-Hadith or Submitters (more accurate – submersers which means those who sink their heads in water! If they don’t come out of it and submit to the truth, they will surely drown!)
These verses actually mean that the prophet was not responsible if the people do not believe him after he has delivered the message. This is clear. But a begging question arises: To what extent is a message considered delivered?
To answer this queston, we need to gather all the verses in this regard for a complete picture.
These verses can be found with different level of details. Each level of detail has a purpose and is relevant to understand the meaning.
Firstly, the verses which mention the duty as “to deliver” only:
“The Messenger's duty is but to deliver (the Message). And Allâh knows all that you reveal and all that you conceal.” [5:99]
“But if they turn away (O Muhammad SAW). We have not sent you as a Hafîz (protector) over them (i.e. to take care of their deeds and to recompense them). Your duty is to deliver (the Message). And verily, when We cause man to taste of Mercy from Us, he rejoices thereat, but when some ill befalls them because of the deeds which their hands have sent forth, then verily, man (becomes) ingrate!” [42:48]
“Whether We show you (O Muhammad SAW) part of what We have promised them or cause you to die, your duty is only to deliver (the Message) and on Us is the reckoning.” [13:40]
“So if they dispute with you (Muhammad SAW) say: "I have submitted myself to Allâh (in Islâm), and (so have) those who follow me." And say to those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and to those who are illiterates (Arab pagans): "Do you (also) submit yourselves (to Allâh in Islâm)?" If they do, they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, your duty is only to deliver the Message; and Allâh is All-Seer of (His ) slaves.” [3:20]
This can mean:
1. Only transferring the message to the receivers, like the postman transfers or delivers a letter to the address. No explanation! Nothing. He only delivers the message.
2. Transfer the message (Quran) and explain the meaning of the message (Quran), but whether the receivers believe or accept the message (Quran) or not, that’s not his problem. He only delivers the message (Quran).
3. Transfer the message (Quran & Sunnah), explain the meaning of the message (Quran & Sunnah) and make sure the message (Quran & Sunnah) is clearly understood and demonstrated into action (the Quran & Sunnah). Whether the receivers believe or accept the message or not, that is not his problem. He only delivers the message (Quran & Sunnah).
NOTE: Sunnah includes details not found in the Quran.
So which of these meanings were meant by Allah? Bear in mind that rejecting the message will result in punishment!
Secondly, let’s look at the next level of details:
"And if you deny, then nations before you have denied (their Messengers). And the duty of the Messenger is only to delver (the Message) clearly." [29:18]
“Then, if they turn away, your duty (O Muhammad SAW) is only to deliver (the Message) in a clear way.” [16:82]
“And our duty is only to deliver clearly (the Message).” [36:17]
“And those who join others in worship with Allâh say: "If Allâh had so willed, neither we nor our fathers would have worshipped aught but Him, nor would we have forbidden anything without (Command from) Him." So did those before them. Then! Are the Messengers charged with anything but to deliver clearly the Message?” [16:35]
These verses have added a detail which is very relevant and clarifies part of the problem. The message that has been delivered, must be explained clearly!
Hence, the possibilities mentioned above have been reduced to:
1. Transfer the message (Quran) and explain the meaning of the message (Quran), but whether the receivers believe or accept the message (Quran) or not, that’s not his problem. He only delivers the message (Quran).
2. Transfer the message (Quran & Sunnah), explain the meaning of the message (Quran & Sunnah) and make sure the message (Quran & Sunnah) is clearly understood and demonstrated into action (the Quran & Sunnah). Whether the receivers believe or accept the message or not, that is not his problem. He only delivers the message (Quran & Sunnah).
Thirdly, let’s look at the next level of details:
“And obey Allâh and the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), and beware (of even coming near to drinking or gambling or Al-Ansâb, or Al-Azlâm, etc.) and fear Allâh. Then if you turn away, you should know that it is Our Messenger's duty to deliver (the Message) in the clearest way.” [5:92]
This verse starts of with “obey” and mentions Allah and the Messenger. This could mean:
1. Obey Allah (Quran) and the Messenger (who merely obeys the Quran).
2. Obey Allah (Quran) and obey the Messenger (Hadith – including explanation and instructions not covered by the Quran)
So which of these meanings is true?
Fourthly, let’s look at the next level of detail:
“Obey Allâh, and obey the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), but if you turn away, then the duty of Our Messenger is only to deliver (the Message) clearly.” [64:12]
Here, Allah added the word “obey” for Muhammad, showing that prophet Muhammad was given another form of revelation which he must deliver clearly to the people. If they disobey, then his duty is only to deliver the message clearly.
This understanding is further explained with another added detail. See the next verse:
“Say: "Obey Allâh and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away, he (Messenger Muhammad SAW) is only responsible for the duty placed on him (i.e. to deliver Allâh's Message) and you for that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on the right guidance. The Messenger's duty is only to deliver (the message) in a clear way (i.e. to preach in a plain way).” [24:54]
The verse double confirms the understanding by saying “If you obey him (Muhammad) you shall be on the right guidance.” If they reject, his duty is only to deliver the message!
Other verses confirm this interpretation, that the message meant to be delivered is the Quran and Sunnah with the correct understanding.
Allah also says: “Those who follow the Messenger, the illiterate Prophet whom they find written in the Taurat and Injil he commands them to the good and forbids them from the evil, he MAKES LAWFUL the good (food and others) and MAKES UNLAWFUL the evil (food and others), he releases them from their heavy burdens and bindings that were upon them. So those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the light (Quran) which has been sent down with him, it is they who will be successful.” [7:157]
The benefits from this verse of the Quran:
1. Those who follow the Messenger of Allah, he will be successful.
2. The false claim that the word “Messenger” refers to when he is alive, and “prophet” after his death, trying to imply obedience to the prophet is not binding. This verse clearly mentions both terms, and implies obedience for both terms, dead or alive.
3. He commands to the good
4. He forbids the evil
6. He makes lawful the good
7. He makes unlawful the evil
8. He releases their heavy burden and bindings
9. He deserves to be believed in, honoured and helped
All the above were regarding the prophet, the messenger, mentioned in general to mean, primarily, his instructions not in the Quran, and instructions confirming the Quran, since the Quran was mentioned separately as Light at the end of the verse: “and follow the light (Quran) which has been sent down with him”.
The Quran was mentioned only at the end because the context of the verse is regarding the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam). And to claim that nothing of the prophet’s instructions has been preserved, or considering Quran as the only source of Islamic law, is surely an act of dishonor towards the prophet, and results in the nullifying of a huge portion of the religion!
“And We have also sent down unto you (O Muhammad SAW) the reminder (the Qur'ân), that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them, and that they may give thought.” [16:44]
We need the explanation even more compared to the companions since they lived the Quranic Era, and nurtured by the prophet himself. So, how can we access the explanation of the prophet, or learn their experience and understanding? What is the source for these? Don't you thnk the companions of the prophet would love to convey their experience, knowledge and understanding to their students? That is what we call "hadith"! So denying hadith means denying the correct understanding and message of Quran, hence denying Quran itself!
“He it is Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger from among themselves, reciting to them His Verses, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and Al-Hikmah. And verily, they had been before in manifest error” [62:2]
Clearly the verse mentions four duties that he has to fulfill:
1. Recite the Verses – which means deliver the Quran.
2. Purify them – which means educate and nurture them upon guidance from Quran and his Sunnah
3. Teach the Book – which means teach the meaning of the Quran.
4. Teach the Wisdom – which means teach the Sunnah
“And remember (O you the members of the Prophet's family, the Graces of your Lord), that which is recited in your houses of the Verses of Allâh and Al-Hikmah (i.e. Prophet's Sunnah). Verily, Allâh is Ever Most Courteous, Well-Acquainted with all things.” [33:34]
This verse clearly mentions that two different things recited (mentioned) in their homes:
1. Quran
2. Sunnah
So, to say the Quran is our only source of law is basically rejecting the other type of guidance. We have to take all related verses of the Quran and compile them before forming a judgment. And only by affirming Quran and Sunnah will all the verses be fulfilled without any contradictions.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
In defense of Hadith (6) - My people deserted Quran...
There is a verse of the Quran often used as proof to discredit hadith. The verse reads:
“And the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) will say: "O my Lord! Verily, my people (qaumi) deserted this Qur'ân (neither listened to it, nor acted on its laws and orders).” [25:30]
This verse seems to be concrete proof for them because there is no mention of hadith or the prophet himself as guidance!
We say that the use of this verse to prove that there is no hadith but just the Quran is inconclusive. We can refute this claim in several ways:
1. If you read the verse in Arabic, you will notice that the verse mentions: “qaumi” which means “my people”. Is this contradictory to other verses that mention the message of prophet Muhammad was for all mankind, and not just for his people, ie. the tribe of Quraish or the Arab? Other verses say:
"And We have sent you (O Muhammad SAW) not but as a mercy for the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists)." [21:107]
“Say (O Muhammad SAW): "O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allâh - to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. None has the right to be worshipped but He; It is He Who gives life and causes death. So believe in Allâh and His Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write who believes in Allâh and His Words , and follow him so that you may be guided."” [7:158]
No, there is no contradiction.
Actually, the call to Allah spearheaded by prophet Muhammad was initially directed to his people, ie. Quraish. And this was the period where many challenges were made to the Quraish, and arabs, in general, as native Arabic speaking people at the peak of language appreciation. So Allah revealed verses to challenge them to produce anything similar to the Quran:
“Say: "If the mankind and the jinns were together to produce the like of this Qur'ân, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another."” [17:88]
So, the verse about the people rejecting the Quran was regarding the rejection of the Quraish even though they knew the Quran was the truth, since they failed miserably to compete with the Quran. And there are verses of the Quran that shows this stage (Meccan Period) in the call to Islam, example:
“And you (O Muhammad SAW) were not at the side of the Tûr (Mount) when We did call. But (you are sent) as a mercy from your Lord, to give warning to a people (qaum) to whom no warner had come before you, in order that they may remember or receive admonition.” [28:46]
“Or say they: "He (Muhammad SAW) has fabricated it?" Nay, it is the truth from your Lord, that you may warn a people (qaum) to whom no warner has come before you (O Muhammad SAW), in order that they may be guided.” [32:3]
“In order that you may warn a people (qaum) whose forefathers were not warned, so they are heedless.” [36:6]
As for the people of the Book, because they have received revelation before, hence addressed as such:
“O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you Our Messenger (Muhammad SAW) making (things) clear unto you, after a break in (the series of) Messengers, lest you say: "There came unto us no bringer of glad tidings and no warner." But now has come unto you a bringer of glad tidings and a warner. And Allâh is Able to do all things.” [5:19]
So, it is clear that the verse concerned (25:30] was the prophet lamenting to Allah regarding the Quraish who rejected the Quran while they know that the Quran is from Allah.
2. The challenge from Allah to all the worlds of man and jinn, past and present, was to produce something like the Quran, the miraculous words of Allah:
“Or do they say: "He (Muhammad SAW) has forged it (this Qur'ân)?" Nay! They believe not! Let them then produce a recital (hadith) like unto it (the Qur'ân) if they are truthful.” [52:33-34]
Note: The word “hadith” used in this challenge to mean a similar type of speech or recital like the Quran. Hence, all other verses negating believe in “hadith” actually meant similar type of book or words like the Quran, and not meant to negate hadith of the prophet.
“Or they say, "He (Muhammad SAW) forged it (the Qur'an)." Say: "Bring you then ten forged Sûrah like unto it, and call whomsoever you can, other than Allâh (to your help), if you speak the truth!"” [11:13]
“Or do they say: "He (Muhammad SAW) has forged it?" Say: "Bring then a Sûrah like unto it, and call upon whomsoever you can, besides Allâh, if you are truthful!"” [10:38]
Note: Three similar verses but the challenges were different. Could this be a contradiction in the Quran? Definitely not, because these happened in 3 different times, and it shows how incapable are all created beings to match the Quran in anyway, even as little as to produce a chapter like it! First, challenge them to produce like the whole Quran, then only 10 surahs, and finally just one surah, but they are still incapable of such a feat! In this way, their feeling of shame and helplessness gradually built up to its peak!
These verses were revealed in Mecca and Allah reiterated the challenge in the Madinan period, as in this Madinan Surah:
“And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur'ân) to Our slave (Muhammad SAW), then produce a Sûrah (chapter) of the like thereof and call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides Allâh, if you are truthful.” [2:23]
So, the verse concerned [25:30] referred only to the miracle, the Quran, in relation to the challenge and their rejection. The hadith was not part of any challenge since it is the words of man, nevertheless it contains the inspired message of Islam. So it makes no sense to say that the verse negates hadith as a source of law in Islam.
3. The call to Islam towards non-muslims will always start with the combat kit, the tool of da’wah (call to Islam) ie. the Quran.
“So obey not the disbelievers, but strive (jihad) against them (by preaching) with the utmost endeavour, with it (the Qur'ân).” [25:52]
Once they are convinced about the Quran as the words of Allah, as proof that Islam is the truth and, they entered into Islam, then they will be taught the details of Islam which are derived from Quran, Sunnah, Ijma’ (concensus) and Qiyas.
But, if they reject the Quran, hence there is no meaning to convince them about the Sunnah and the rest of it. Hence, the verse concerned cannot be taken to mean that the Sunnah or hadith is not a source of guidance, inspired by revelation.
Just like when you try to convince a friend to join you at a restaurant to dine. You will speak about its wonderful food, in general, and certain foods, in particular, that you are able to relate and hopefully convince your friend to dine with you. Usually, restaurants have their promotional materials or brochures that you can handover to your friend to convince him. Once he is convinced and has agreed to join you, then all the other details can be seen when he enters the restaurant.
4. The word “Quran” in the verse was used in place of Islam. In other words, we can say the meaning of the verse is that the Messenger lamented to Allah regarding his people who have deserted Islam, ie. turned away from it. This is one of the ways or methods that are used in the Quran by Allah, to mean a whole of a thing by mentioning part of it. Example:
“Perform Salat from mid-day till the darkness of the night, and Quran al-Fajr. Verily, the recitation of the Qur'ân in the early dawn is ever witnessed (by the angels).” [17:78]
This verse started with an order to establish the prayers (four prayers) during the times between mid-day to the darkness of the night, and another prayer in the morning called the Fajr prayer. So the word “Quran al-Fajr” literally means recitation of the Quran in the early dawn, but the intended meaning in the context of the full verse is the salat al-Fajr. So, Allah used the word “recitation at al-Fajr” which is part of the salat al-Fajr to mean Salat al-Fajr itself! There are many examples of this in the Quran.
An added benefit by using this way or method is to mention a thing and to mean two things at one time. The word actually means salat al-Fajr but it alludes to the importance of recitation of Quran in Fajr salat, specifically, and in Fajr time, generally.
Note: The Dajjal, Richard (AKA Rashad) Khalifa totally misled his followers in his translation. He translated this verse as follows:
“You shall observe the Contact Prayer (Salat) when the sun declines from its highest point at noon, as it moves towards sunset. You shall also observe (the recitation of) the Quran at dawn. (Reciting) the Quran at dawn is witnessed.”
He totally mistranslated the words “to the darkness of the night” (in Arabic: ila ghasaq al-Lail) to mean “as it moves towards sunset” (in Arabic: jihhat ghurub ash-shams)! Hence, his followers cannot see the five prescribed salat signalled in the Quran! Not to mention his ignorance of the principles of tafsir because he maintained the words “Quran al-Fajr” to mean “(reciting) the Quran at dawn”. May Allah punish him with the worst of chastisement!
The opposite way is also used by Allah. Example the verse:
“Or like a rainstorm from the sky, wherein is darkness, thunder, and lightning. They thrust their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunderclap for fear of death. But Allâh ever encompasses the disbelievers .” [2:19]
The word “fingers” in Arabic actually mean the whole finger, whereas “tips of the fingers” is a different word, which is used in this verse:
“Yes, We are Able to put together in perfect order the tips of his fingers.” [75:4]
However, Allah used the word “fingers” in the verse above to mean “tips of the fingers”. The added benefit of using the word “fingers” rather than “tips of the fingers” is to paint the picture of someone who is so scared of the deafening sounds of thunder that he thrusts his fingers into his ears, pressing as hard as he can, trying to block it out.
This is the beauty of the words of Allah, al-Latif (All-Subtle), al-Khabir (All-Aware).
But those who believer part of the Book and reject the other part will not be able to grasp this.
Hence, the word "Quran" in this verse [25:30] is part of Islam, which is complemented by Sunnah.
“And the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) will say: "O my Lord! Verily, my people (qaumi) deserted this Qur'ân (neither listened to it, nor acted on its laws and orders).” [25:30]
This verse seems to be concrete proof for them because there is no mention of hadith or the prophet himself as guidance!
We say that the use of this verse to prove that there is no hadith but just the Quran is inconclusive. We can refute this claim in several ways:
1. If you read the verse in Arabic, you will notice that the verse mentions: “qaumi” which means “my people”. Is this contradictory to other verses that mention the message of prophet Muhammad was for all mankind, and not just for his people, ie. the tribe of Quraish or the Arab? Other verses say:
"And We have sent you (O Muhammad SAW) not but as a mercy for the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists)." [21:107]
“Say (O Muhammad SAW): "O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allâh - to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. None has the right to be worshipped but He; It is He Who gives life and causes death. So believe in Allâh and His Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write who believes in Allâh and His Words , and follow him so that you may be guided."” [7:158]
No, there is no contradiction.
Actually, the call to Allah spearheaded by prophet Muhammad was initially directed to his people, ie. Quraish. And this was the period where many challenges were made to the Quraish, and arabs, in general, as native Arabic speaking people at the peak of language appreciation. So Allah revealed verses to challenge them to produce anything similar to the Quran:
“Say: "If the mankind and the jinns were together to produce the like of this Qur'ân, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another."” [17:88]
So, the verse about the people rejecting the Quran was regarding the rejection of the Quraish even though they knew the Quran was the truth, since they failed miserably to compete with the Quran. And there are verses of the Quran that shows this stage (Meccan Period) in the call to Islam, example:
“And you (O Muhammad SAW) were not at the side of the Tûr (Mount) when We did call. But (you are sent) as a mercy from your Lord, to give warning to a people (qaum) to whom no warner had come before you, in order that they may remember or receive admonition.” [28:46]
“Or say they: "He (Muhammad SAW) has fabricated it?" Nay, it is the truth from your Lord, that you may warn a people (qaum) to whom no warner has come before you (O Muhammad SAW), in order that they may be guided.” [32:3]
“In order that you may warn a people (qaum) whose forefathers were not warned, so they are heedless.” [36:6]
As for the people of the Book, because they have received revelation before, hence addressed as such:
“O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you Our Messenger (Muhammad SAW) making (things) clear unto you, after a break in (the series of) Messengers, lest you say: "There came unto us no bringer of glad tidings and no warner." But now has come unto you a bringer of glad tidings and a warner. And Allâh is Able to do all things.” [5:19]
So, it is clear that the verse concerned (25:30] was the prophet lamenting to Allah regarding the Quraish who rejected the Quran while they know that the Quran is from Allah.
2. The challenge from Allah to all the worlds of man and jinn, past and present, was to produce something like the Quran, the miraculous words of Allah:
“Or do they say: "He (Muhammad SAW) has forged it (this Qur'ân)?" Nay! They believe not! Let them then produce a recital (hadith) like unto it (the Qur'ân) if they are truthful.” [52:33-34]
Note: The word “hadith” used in this challenge to mean a similar type of speech or recital like the Quran. Hence, all other verses negating believe in “hadith” actually meant similar type of book or words like the Quran, and not meant to negate hadith of the prophet.
“Or they say, "He (Muhammad SAW) forged it (the Qur'an)." Say: "Bring you then ten forged Sûrah like unto it, and call whomsoever you can, other than Allâh (to your help), if you speak the truth!"” [11:13]
“Or do they say: "He (Muhammad SAW) has forged it?" Say: "Bring then a Sûrah like unto it, and call upon whomsoever you can, besides Allâh, if you are truthful!"” [10:38]
Note: Three similar verses but the challenges were different. Could this be a contradiction in the Quran? Definitely not, because these happened in 3 different times, and it shows how incapable are all created beings to match the Quran in anyway, even as little as to produce a chapter like it! First, challenge them to produce like the whole Quran, then only 10 surahs, and finally just one surah, but they are still incapable of such a feat! In this way, their feeling of shame and helplessness gradually built up to its peak!
These verses were revealed in Mecca and Allah reiterated the challenge in the Madinan period, as in this Madinan Surah:
“And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur'ân) to Our slave (Muhammad SAW), then produce a Sûrah (chapter) of the like thereof and call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides Allâh, if you are truthful.” [2:23]
So, the verse concerned [25:30] referred only to the miracle, the Quran, in relation to the challenge and their rejection. The hadith was not part of any challenge since it is the words of man, nevertheless it contains the inspired message of Islam. So it makes no sense to say that the verse negates hadith as a source of law in Islam.
3. The call to Islam towards non-muslims will always start with the combat kit, the tool of da’wah (call to Islam) ie. the Quran.
“So obey not the disbelievers, but strive (jihad) against them (by preaching) with the utmost endeavour, with it (the Qur'ân).” [25:52]
Once they are convinced about the Quran as the words of Allah, as proof that Islam is the truth and, they entered into Islam, then they will be taught the details of Islam which are derived from Quran, Sunnah, Ijma’ (concensus) and Qiyas.
But, if they reject the Quran, hence there is no meaning to convince them about the Sunnah and the rest of it. Hence, the verse concerned cannot be taken to mean that the Sunnah or hadith is not a source of guidance, inspired by revelation.
Just like when you try to convince a friend to join you at a restaurant to dine. You will speak about its wonderful food, in general, and certain foods, in particular, that you are able to relate and hopefully convince your friend to dine with you. Usually, restaurants have their promotional materials or brochures that you can handover to your friend to convince him. Once he is convinced and has agreed to join you, then all the other details can be seen when he enters the restaurant.
4. The word “Quran” in the verse was used in place of Islam. In other words, we can say the meaning of the verse is that the Messenger lamented to Allah regarding his people who have deserted Islam, ie. turned away from it. This is one of the ways or methods that are used in the Quran by Allah, to mean a whole of a thing by mentioning part of it. Example:
“Perform Salat from mid-day till the darkness of the night, and Quran al-Fajr. Verily, the recitation of the Qur'ân in the early dawn is ever witnessed (by the angels).” [17:78]
This verse started with an order to establish the prayers (four prayers) during the times between mid-day to the darkness of the night, and another prayer in the morning called the Fajr prayer. So the word “Quran al-Fajr” literally means recitation of the Quran in the early dawn, but the intended meaning in the context of the full verse is the salat al-Fajr. So, Allah used the word “recitation at al-Fajr” which is part of the salat al-Fajr to mean Salat al-Fajr itself! There are many examples of this in the Quran.
An added benefit by using this way or method is to mention a thing and to mean two things at one time. The word actually means salat al-Fajr but it alludes to the importance of recitation of Quran in Fajr salat, specifically, and in Fajr time, generally.
Note: The Dajjal, Richard (AKA Rashad) Khalifa totally misled his followers in his translation. He translated this verse as follows:
“You shall observe the Contact Prayer (Salat) when the sun declines from its highest point at noon, as it moves towards sunset. You shall also observe (the recitation of) the Quran at dawn. (Reciting) the Quran at dawn is witnessed.”
He totally mistranslated the words “to the darkness of the night” (in Arabic: ila ghasaq al-Lail) to mean “as it moves towards sunset” (in Arabic: jihhat ghurub ash-shams)! Hence, his followers cannot see the five prescribed salat signalled in the Quran! Not to mention his ignorance of the principles of tafsir because he maintained the words “Quran al-Fajr” to mean “(reciting) the Quran at dawn”. May Allah punish him with the worst of chastisement!
The opposite way is also used by Allah. Example the verse:
“Or like a rainstorm from the sky, wherein is darkness, thunder, and lightning. They thrust their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunderclap for fear of death. But Allâh ever encompasses the disbelievers .” [2:19]
The word “fingers” in Arabic actually mean the whole finger, whereas “tips of the fingers” is a different word, which is used in this verse:
“Yes, We are Able to put together in perfect order the tips of his fingers.” [75:4]
However, Allah used the word “fingers” in the verse above to mean “tips of the fingers”. The added benefit of using the word “fingers” rather than “tips of the fingers” is to paint the picture of someone who is so scared of the deafening sounds of thunder that he thrusts his fingers into his ears, pressing as hard as he can, trying to block it out.
This is the beauty of the words of Allah, al-Latif (All-Subtle), al-Khabir (All-Aware).
But those who believer part of the Book and reject the other part will not be able to grasp this.
Hence, the word "Quran" in this verse [25:30] is part of Islam, which is complemented by Sunnah.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
In defence of Hadith (5)
The following is my comments on the comments by “anonymous” to “In Defence of Hadith (4)”:
Anonymous said: “I hope that this will be my last comments regarding the hadiths or rather the understandings of the so-called sayings of our beloved Prophet.”
Good that this is your last comment, because you are not really reading my explanations.
The proof is your comments below.
And you are also contradicting yourself. You reject hadith as fabrications then you contradict yourself by saying “I have no problem with the hadiths which do not contradict the Kor'an.” And you even quote hadiths when they seem to proof your point. Religion of truth must be consistent, whereas your “religion” is “believe in part of the book and disbelieve in the other part.”
Anonymous said: “You mentioned that Muhammad also guides according to Kor'an 42:52. You must try to cheat by taking only half the ayat and thus mislead the people. The full ayat of 42:52 is like this: Thus we inspired to you (Muhammad) a revelation (Kor'an) proclaiming our commandments. You had no idea about the scripture or faith. Yet we make this (Kor'an) a beacon to guide whomever we choose from our servants. Surely you guide in a straight path. As you can see clearly that Allah is talking about the Kor'an and nothing else!! As for ayat 2:45 'You shall seek help through patient and salat'. There is nothing contradictory with that!! As for ayat 107:4 ' woe to those who perform salat'. You must read the continuing ayat 'who are totally heedless of their salat'. You must not take the Words of God out of contact!! This is the work of a kufur!! Be real careful. You should read the whole ayat and not try to change the meaning to your own 'iman'. You should take your iman to God and His Messenger instead of taking the Kor'an to your understanding!!”
If you read my article properly, you would have noticed I mentioned: "Contradiction? No, but many hadith you “claim” to be blatantly contradictory are similar to this situation"
And I also said:
“Of course, we can explain this because the 2nd verse is referring to those who are not sincere.”
I knew there is no contradiction!
I only wish to point out, I repeat what I said: “But why don’t you apply the same attitude with hadiths? After all, the authentic hadiths have been meticulously checked for faults in CHAIN OF NARRATION and TEXT!”
Meaning, read the hadiths with correct attitude and you will find therein many wisdoms and no contradictions, just like in the Quran!
Anonymous said: “You also mentioned that our Prophet did not speak out of his own desire (Kor'an). This is quite true according to the Kor'an. But please be informed that this ayat from surah 53:1-18 speaks about our Prophet when he went to heaven to receive the Kor'an and this verses tell us about the Kor'an. Our Prophet was not speaking out of his own desire but from Allah!! This is to tell the people that the Kor'an is from Allah through His Messenger.”
You say that because the Quran translation that you refer to says so, but in the Arabic, there is no mention of the Quran. Rather the verses speak in general. How can you restrict the meaning to only Quran, whereas it is general for anything the prophet said??
Anonymous said: “Another thing that you keep denying is that when the Kor'an says that Muhammad had no other duty but to deliver the Kor'an you said no, not true, he has other mission besides delivering the KOr'an and that is delivering the hadiths. But you find many ayats in the Kor'an when Allah Says that Muhammad's job is only to deliver the 'clear Message'--Illal bala ghul mubin.(Kor'an). Also in the Kor'an Allah Says ' do you have another book to uphold?'. There are many, many examples but you just do not want to believe!!”
I’ll devote another article for this. I’ll show you what I mean when I say you “believe in part of the book and disbelieve in the other part.” You take that verse about “only to deliver” and you disbelieve tthe likes of this verse:
“He it is Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger from among themselves, reciting to them His Verses, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and Al-Hikmah. And verily, they had been before in manifest error” [62:2]
Reciting is basically delivering the mesage. If you reject that the Messenger also taught them the Book AND al-Hikmah (Wisdom) and all in the form of hadith, then you are still in manifest error.
Anonymous said: “Another point I want to bring here is that you like to refer our great religion of Islam to 'sahabat' or companions of the Prophet. Please take note that not even a single name of the friends of the Prophet is mentioned in the Kor'an except the names of Abu Lahab and Zaid. The reasons that they are mentioned are that Allah want to tell something and need to mention their names according the events. There are not names like Omar, Abu Bakar, Ali etc. And for your knowledge there is only one name of a woman mentioned in the Kor'an and that is of Mariam, the mother of Isa.”
Is Quran the book of guidance or a record book that should list every name of the companions? This is the problem when you don’t refer to hadith, because you will not know the reasons or events behind certain verses! This is also proof that there is another source of knowledge and guidance, ie. hadith.
“If you help him (Muhammad SAW) not (it does not matter), for Allâh did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of two, when they (Muhammad SAW and Abu Bakr) were in the cave, and he (SAW) said to his companion (Abu Bakr): "Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allâh is with us." Then Allâh sent down His Sakînah (calmness, tranquillity, peace, etc.) upon him, and strengthened him with forces (angels) which you saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while it was the Word of Allâh that became the uppermost, and Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” [62:2]
We only know that the other person with the prophet was Abu Bakr from the hadith. If you say that’s in the history books, then you can read for yourself that history books also take from hadith!
That’s just one example.
Anonymous said: “Why are their names not mentioned by God?? This is simply because they are not relevant to the religion of Islam (Iman and Amal). There are events mentioned in the Kor'an regarding the contemporaries of the Prophet and they are in general. Also Allah condemns many people who stayed around the Messenger during his days in the Kor'an. Does this means that Allah hate the friends of the Prophet?”
Do you mean these verses in general are irrelevant? If Allah were to list them all down, don’t you think the Quran will lose its purpose as guidance? No doubt there are verses that rebuked some companions. But they repented thereafter, and Allah accepted their repentance. That is why Allah praised them and is pleased with them in general verses to include all companions excluding the hypocrites.
If you say the companions are no good, or even some of them are bad, then this is saying Allah and His Messenger failed, because that was the generation educated and supervised by revelation, through the Quran and al-Hikmah which has arrived to us in the form of narrations or hadith.
Anonymous said: “The reason why we Muslims today like to revere the friends of the Prophet is because human are by nature like to exalt humans into 'superman'. There were 'good' and 'bad' friends of the Prophet and this is clearly mentioned in the Kor'an.”
Bad friends??? Subhanallah… Just refer to my above comment.
The real problem is that some “people” like you think you are “superman”, better than the best of generation, those who were educated by Allah and His Messenger. So, all muslims from past to present were wrong, except you people who “discovered” later about Quran and reject hadith??? Where are your brains….??!!
Anonymous said: “The trouble with you is that you just fail to understand the Word of Allah in the Kor'an. I would like to know how many times you read the Kor'an (with understanding) in your life? and how many times you read the hadiths in your life?”
The trouble with you is you only take the verses that suit you and forget the rest. And for your info, I recite and understand (the Arabic Quran, not just translation!) everyday and I read the hadiths everyday, unless I’m really busy.
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