Other Misunderstandings. Should You Rely on Salat Istikhara… | by David | Uncorrupted Islam | Medium

SHOULD YOU RELY ON SALAT ISTIKHARA PRAYER FOR MAJOR LIFE DECISIONS Many Muslim around the world believe that when faced with making a major life decision, they should pray istikhara which is

2 rakaahs followed by a supplication asking God for guidance or a sign to help them make a decision. Some examples of major decisions are whether to marry someone or to quit a job for

another job. The origin of this practice comes from the hadith. This specific practice is nowhere mentioned in the Quran. However, the Quran does generally recommend people to ask God for

guidance and help. Of course, there is nothing wrong with praying 2 rakaahs followed by asking God for guidance. However, many Muslims believe that that alone is sufficient in making a major

life decision. They tend to forego using logic and hope to either see a clear dream telling them what to do or to follow their feelings as if God is guiding them by having changed their

feelings. The problem with this is no one can know for sure whether any feelings they have or thoughts that come to mind are from God. As mentioned in the Quran, the Devil is all around and

so those thoughts and feelings could just as easily come from him. There are several verses in the Quran where God expects people to use logic and reason when making a decision. Though these

decisions are with regards to matters of religion, it’s logical that using reason would apply to all matters of life. In other words, one should use reason when deciding whether to marry

someone instead of relying on feelings or emotions they may have a day or two after praying istikhara. It is not uncommon for people who act or judge based on feelings or emotions to make

regretful decisions. For example, someone who is angry may follow emotion to kill someone and regret it while sitting in jail rather than use logic to consider the consequences. Someone may

quickly marry due to a hadith or love at first sight or based on parental recommendation only to find out after the wedding that they are completely incompatible with their spouse and regret

a lifetime of misery. To conclude, one should not rely solely on one’s feelings or dreams after asking for guidance from God regarding a certain matter. The Quran expects people to use

their brain when making decisions regarding matters of spirituality and religion. It is therefore only reasonable that one would be expected to use their brain when making decisions

regarding all other matters as well. IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A MUSLIM NAME? Many Muslims choose give their kids what they consider to be “Muslim” names. However, there is no mention in the

Quran of what a Muslim name is or should be. As a matter of fact, the Quran indicates Prophet Abraham, Moses (of the Jews) and Jesus (of the Christians) were Muslim and that some Jews and

Christians were righteous and technically Muslim. A “name” by itself has neither volition nor capacity to submit. What Muslims generally have are “Arabic” names, often associated with

revered people from the past. However, one should note that not all Arabs are Muslims. As a matter of fact, many aren’t. THE NAME “ABBAS” Not all Arabic names have a soft or pleasant

meaning. The popular Arabic name “Abbas”, for example, is usually given to newborns because it refers to the uncle of the prophet Muhammad. Popular understanding refers to it as a “lion” or

“description of a lion”. However, a derivative of the root word Abbas (abasa) is found in the Quran. عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ أَن جَاءَهُ الْأَعْمَىٰHe (the Prophet) frowned (Arabic: abasa) and 

turned away because there came to him the blind man, [interrupting]. (80:1–2)إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوْمًا عَبُوسًا قَمْطَرِيرًاIndeed, We fear from our Lord a Day harsh / stern 

(Arabic: abusan) and distressful.” (76:10)ثُمَّ عَبَسَ وَبَسَرَThen he frowned (Arabic: abasa) and scowled; (74:22) Here, we can see that it is not the courageousness of a lion that

describes the word “Abbas but rather the sternness that a lion presents and the somewhat aggressive expression is usually associated with it. PROPHET NAMES Many Muslims also like to name

their children names of prophets without realizing that the true or original names of the prophets at the time were probably different. The names of prophets in the Quran are the names of

the prophets are the names of the prophets as they were understood at the time of revelation of the Quran to the Arabs in 7th century Arabia. For example, prophet ‘Isa would most likely have

been known as “Yeshua” (Hebrew) or “Jeshua” (Aramaic) to the Jews of the first century Palestine and his mother, Mary (Maryam). The name “Isa” as used in the Quran is an “Arabic” rendering

of the original name. Similarly, prophet Musa (as known in Arabic) would have most likely been known as “Moshe” (Moses) to Pharoah and his family. CONCLUSION There is no such concept of a

“Muslim name” in the Quran. A ‘Muslim’ is a condition pertaining to believer’s soul regardless of what name an individual is known by. IS ZAM ZAM WATER BLESSED WATER? Many Muslims believe

that Zam Zam water is blessed water. However, there is no mention in the Quran of Zam Zam water. The Quran does talk about rain water and honey, however. The story of Zam Zam is linked with

the story of prophet Abraham’s wife, Hagar, his son, prophet Ishmael, Safa and Marwa. However, there is absolutely no mention of Hagar or hte Hagar-Ishmael story in the entire Quran. As a

matter of fact, there is not even a single mention of the word “Zam zam” in the Quran. Safa and Marwa are not even described as “mountains” in the Quran but rather as “symbols”. Pagan Arabs

used to circumambulate (tawaaf) around Safa and Marwa before Islam was revealed to them. The Quran merely allowed this practice of “tawaaf” around Safa and Marwa to continue as optional.

إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَاIndeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of

 Allah . So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs ‘umrah — there is no blame upon him for walking between them. … (2:158) The statement “there is no blame / sin upon him for walking

between them (Safa and Marwa)” clearly indicates that newly converted Muslims (ex Pagans) were allowed to continue the practice of walking between Safa and Marwa like they used to when they

were pagans. The Quran does not required this practice. THE HEALING POWER OF HONEY According to verse 16:68–69, honey has the power to heal. وَأَوْحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى النَّحْلِ أَنِ اتَّخِذِي

 مِنَ الْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا وَمِنَ الشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعْرِشُونَ ثُمَّ كُلِي مِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ فَاسْلُكِي سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًا ۚ يَخْرُجُ مِن بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ

 فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِّلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَAnd your Lord inspired to the bee, “Take for yourself among the mountains, houses, and among the trees and [in] 

that which they construct. Then eat from all the fruits and follow the ways of your Lord laid down [for you].” There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is 

healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought. (16:68–69) THE REVIVING PROPERTIES OF RAIN WATER According to verse 50:9, rain water is referred as “blessed”

water” and has revitalizing properties. وَنَزَّلْنَا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً مُّبَارَكًا فَأَنبَتْنَا بِهِ جَنَّاتٍ وَحَبَّ الْحَصِيدِAnd We have sent down blessed rain from the sky and made 

grow thereby gardens and grain from the harvest. (50:9) ARE ALL NON-MUSLIMS, INCLUDING JEWS AND CHRISTIANS, ARE KAFIR? Many Muslims believe that all non-Muslims, including Jews and

Christians, are disbelievers (kafir). However, the Quran indicates that some Jews and Christians are actually righteous. The Jews and Christians that follow their faith are referred to by

the Quran as ‘Ahl-e-Kitab’ i.e. People of the Book, not ‘Kuffars’ (Disbelievers). From the Quran’s perspective, even the Mushrikeen (idolaters) are not necessarily Kuffar. One is not

responsible for what one does not know. To claim otherwise is neither just nor true. We see in verse 9:6 proof that idolaters (mushrikeen) were not automatically branded as “kuffar”

(disbelievers) as they were simply ignorant (did not know). وَإِنْ أَحَدٌ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ اسْتَجَارَكَ فَأَجِرْهُ حَتَّىٰ يَسْمَعَ كَلَامَ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ أَبْلِغْهُ مَأْمَنَهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ 

بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَعْلَمُونَAnd if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah. Then deliver him to his place of

 safety. That is because they are a people who do not know. (9:6) Therefore, if idolaters (mushrikeen) are not automatically disbelievers (kuffar), then obviously Jews and Christians are not

automatically disbelievers (kuffar). People only become disbelievers (kuffar) if the following conditions are met * The truth has been made clear to them * They have no reason left to deny

it * They still choose to deny the truth In addition, only God has the right to brand someone as a disbeliever (kafir). The message of truth is made clear to different societies by God’s

messengers. That is the one and only job of the messengers, as indicated in 24:54. قُلْ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْهِ مَا حُمِّلَ 

وَعَلَيْكُم مَّا حُمِّلْتُمْ ۖ وَإِن تُطِيعُوهُ تَهْتَدُوا ۚ وَمَا عَلَى الرَّسُولِ إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُSay, “Obey Allah and obey the Messenger; but if you turn away — then upon him 

is only that [duty] with which he has been charged, and upon you is that with which you have been charged. And if you obey him, you will be [rightly] guided. And there is not upon the 

Messenger except the [responsibility for] clear notification.” (24:54) Verse 3:113–114 proves that some Jews and Christians are righteous. لَيْسُوا سَوَاءً ۗ مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ أُمَّةٌ 

قَائِمَةٌ يَتْلُونَ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ وَهُمْ يَسْجُدُونَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُسَارِعُونَ فِي

 الْخَيْرَاتِ وَأُولَٰئِكَ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَThey are not [all] the same; among the People of the Scripture is a community standing [in obedience], reciting the verses of Allah during 

periods of the night and prostrating [in prayer]. They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and hasten to good deeds. And those are among

 the righteous. (3:113–114) Verse 5:82–83 proves that some Christians are righteous. لَتَجِدَنَّ أَشَدَّ النَّاسِ عَدَاوَةً لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا ۖ 

وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقْرَبَهُم مَّوَدَّةً لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّا نَصَارَىٰ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُهْبَانًا وَأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ وَإِذَا 

سَمِعُوا مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ تَرَىٰ أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُوا مِنَ الْحَقِّ ۖ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَYou will surely 

find the most intense of the people in animosity toward the believers [to be] the Jews and those who associate others with Allah ; and you will find the nearest of them in affection to the 

believers those who say, “We are Christians.” That is because among them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant. And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, 

you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they have recognized of the truth. They say, “Our Lord, we have believed, so register us among the witnesses. (5:82–83) Verse 7:159

proves that not all Jews are bad or unjust. وَمِن قَوْمِ مُوسَىٰ أُمَّةٌ يَهْدُونَ بِالْحَقِّ وَبِهِ يَعْدِلُونَAnd among the people of Moses is a community which guides by truth and by it 

establishes justice. (7:159) Verse 5:66 indicates that, at the time of Prophet Muhammad, some Jews and Christians were on the right course but most were not. وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ أَقَامُوا 

التَّوْرَاةَ وَالْإِنجِيلَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِم مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ لَأَكَلُوا مِن فَوْقِهِمْ وَمِن تَحْتِ أَرْجُلِهِم ۚ مِّنْهُمْ أُمَّةٌ مُّقْتَصِدَةٌ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ سَاءَ مَا 

يَعْمَلُونَAnd if only they upheld [the law of] the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to them from their Lord, they would have consumed [provision] from above them and from 

beneath their feet. Among them are a moderate community (on the right course), but many of them — evil is that which they do. (5:66) One must remember that the same religion was inspired in

all of the prophets, including prophets Moses and Jesus. This is proven in 42:13. شَرَعَ لَكُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّىٰ بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ 

إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ ۖ أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ ۚ كَبُرَ عَلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ مَا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيْهِ ۚ اللَّهُ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي

 إِلَيْهِ مَن يُنِيبُHe has ordained for you of religion (Arabic: Deen) what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and

 Moses and Jesus — to establish the religion and not be divided therein. Difficult for those who associate others with Allah is that to which you invite them. Allah chooses for Himself whom 

He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back [to Him]. (42:13) Many Muslims use verse 2:120 to infer that the Jews and Christians follow a different religion. وَلَن تَرْضَىٰ عَنكَ 

الْيَهُودُ وَلَا النَّصَارَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَهُمْ ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى اللَّهِ هُوَ الْهُدَىٰ ۗ وَلَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَاءَهُم بَعْدَ الَّذِي جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ ۙ مَا لَكَ مِنَ

 اللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍAnd never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their form of religion (Arabic: Millatahum). Say, “Indeed, the guidance of Allah 

is the [only] guidance.” If you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allah no protector or helper. (2:120) However, you will see a

difference between verse 42:13 and 2:120 in that 42:13 uses the word “deen” whereas verse 42:13 uses the word “millatahum”. The word “deen” means religion whereas the word “millat”, in the

context of verse 2:120, means “way of belief or form of religion.” According to the Edward Lanes Lexicon, we see this definition as follows: The word “millat” is also in verse 16:123 where

prophet Muhammad was told to follow Abrahams “form of religion” (millat). ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ أَنِ اتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۖ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَThen We 

revealed to you, [O Muhammad], to follow the form of religion (Arabic: millat) of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with Allah. (16:123) In other words,

people can be part of the same “deen” (religion” but their way / form “millat” may be different. The correct way, according to verse 16:123, is the way of Prophet Abraham. This “way”,

according to this verse, is to not join anything with God including partnerships, idols, and intercessors. This “way” applies to Muslims, Christians and Jews. ARE CERTAIN PEOPLE, E.G. THE

PROPHET’S WIVES, AUTOMATICALLY RIGHTEOUS? Many Muslims believe that certain people such as Prophet Muhammad’s wives, by virtue of being married to the prophet, are automatically righteous

and are guaranteed paradise However, the Quran makes it clear that no one is automatically righteous. In verse 2:124, we see proof that not all of Prophet Abraham’s offspring are righteous.

وَإِذِ ابْتَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا ۖ قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَAnd [mention, 

O Muhammad], when Abraham was tried by his Lord with commands and he fulfilled them. [ Allah ] said, “Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people.” [Abraham] said, “And of my 

descendants?” [ Allah ] said, “My covenant does not include the wrongdoers.” (2:124) Similarly, this verse also means that the descendants of Prophet Muhammad can also be wrongdoers.

According to 2:134, the actions of others will have no bearing on us. تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ ۖ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَلَكُم مَّا كَسَبْتُمْ ۖ وَلَا تُسْأَلُونَ عَمَّا كَانُوا 

يَعْمَلُونَThat was a nation which has passed on. It will have [the consequence of] what it earned, and you will have what you have earned. And you will not be asked about what they used to 

do. (2:134) According to 2:281, each soul carries the burden of their own actions on their own soul. وَاتَّقُوا يَوْمًا تُرْجَعُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ ۖ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا 

كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَAnd fear a Day when you will be returned to Allah . Then every soul will be compensated for what it earned, and they will not be treated unjustly. (2:281) Some

points to consider: * Most of prophet Abraham and prophet Noah’s descendants were unrighteous (57:26, 37:113, 2:124) * The wives of prophet Noah and prophet Lot, despite living with then,

remained unrighteous.(66:10) * Prophet Noah’s son was of evil conduct (11:46) * Prophet Jacob’s sons tried to kill their brother, Joseph. (11:1–18) * Pharaoh’s wife was righteous despite

being married to one of the worse (11:46) * Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) wives were threatened with twice the punishment if their conduct was unrighteous. (33:30) CONCLUSION Righteousness is an

individual matter. It cannot be ascribed to one based on lineage, relationship, companionship or indeed proximity. No one can know the true affairs of the heart except God. Each individual

is subjected to their own circumstances, faculties, reason, judgement, resources and clarity of message that has reached them. Each person is unique as is their case with God. ARE MUSLIMS

(SUBMITTERS) AND MU’MINS (BELIEVERS) THE SAME THING? Many Muslims believe that the term “Muslim” and “Mu’min” are interchangeable and have the same meaning. However, according to the Quran,

many people are Muslims (including some Jews and Christians) but not all Muslims are Mu’mins. A “Muslim” (Submitter) by definition is anyone who submits or surrenders their will to the one

true God. This is irrespective of whether or not they believe in the Quran or prophet Muhammad. A “Mu’min” (Believer), in the context of the Quran, is one who believes in * The one true God

* All of God’s angels * All of God’s scriptures including the Torah, Injeel, and Quran * All of God’s messengers including Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad One may be a Muslim (Submitter)

but not yet be a Mu’min (believer) as true faith has not yet entered their hearts. This is proven in verse 49:14. قَالَتِ الْأَعْرَابُ آمَنَّا ۖ قُل لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَلَٰكِن قُولُوا 

أَسْلَمْنَا وَلَمَّا يَدْخُلِ الْإِيمَانُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ ۖ وَإِن تُطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ لَا يَلِتْكُم مِّنْ أَعْمَالِكُمْ شَيْئًا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌThe desert Arabs 

say, “We believe!” Say, “Do not say you believe; but only say, ‘We have submitted our wills to God (as Submitters / Muslims),’ as belief has not yet entered your hearts. But if you obey God 

and His Messenger, He will not deprive you anything of your deeds: for God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (49:14) Therefore, being a Muslim (Submitter) first is a pre-requisite for

acquiring belief to become a Mu’min (believer). Verse 7:143 shows the example of prophet Moses when he became a Mu’min (believer). Verse 2:260 shows the example of prophet Abraham who asked

to have his heart strengthened so that he could become a Mu’min (believer). There are many proofs in the Quran of people who lived before prophet Muhammad and were Muslim. * Prophet Noah

(10:72) * Prophet Solomon (27:31, 27:42) * Prophet Lot (51:36) * Prophet Abraham (3:67) * Disciples of Prophet Jesus (3:52) * Prophet Joseph (12:101) * Prophet Jacob’s children (2:133) *

Pharaoh’s magicians (7:126) None of these people could have known of the Quran or the coming of prophet Muhammad, yet they are described as Muslims (Submitters).Therefore, being a Muslim

(Submitter), according to the Quran, does not require belief in the Quran or prophet Muhammad. It just requires submitting one’s will to the one true God. As a matter of fact, during the

time of prophet Muhammad some people amongst the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) did believe in Muhammad and they therefore were Mu’mins (believers) even though they were still Jews

and Christians. وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ تَرَىٰ أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُوا مِنَ الْحَقِّ ۖ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ 

الشَّاهِدِينَAnd when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they have recognized of the truth. They say, “Our Lord, we 

have believed, so register us among the witnesses. (5:83)وَإِنَّ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لَمَن يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِمْ خَاشِعِينَ …And there are, 

certainly, among the People of the Book, those who believe in God, in the revelation to you (Muhammad), and in the revelation to them (Torah, Injil), bowing in humility to God …. (3:199)

People who believed in the previous scriptures, including Jews and Christians, were already Muslims. الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِهِ هُم بِهِ يُؤْمِنُونَ وَإِذَا يُتْلَىٰ 

عَلَيْهِمْ قَالُوا آمَنَّا بِهِ إِنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا مِن قَبْلِهِ مُسْلِمِينَThose to whom We gave the Scripture before it — they are believers in it. And when it is 

recited to them, they say, “We have believed in it; indeed, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed we were, [even] before it, Submitters (Muslims).” (28:52–53) IS ISLAM THE RELIGION OF

MUHAMMAD OR ALSO OF ABRAHAM, MOSES, JESUS, ETC? Many Muslims believe that Islam is the religion of prophet Muhammad and that Islam did not exist before Muhammad. However, according to the

Quran, Islam existed before Muhammad and Abraham was considered the father of Islam. Muslims often cite verse 5:3 to support their argument that Islam began with Muhammad. … الْيَوْمَ 

أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا ……. This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and 

have approved for you Islam as religion. …. (5:3 part) However, this favor is not exclusive to Muhammad. The same favor was completed for prophet Joseph, the family of prophets Jacob, Isaac,

and Abraham. وَكَذَٰلِكَ يَجْتَبِيكَ رَبُّكَ وَيُعَلِّمُكَ مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ وَيُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ كَمَا أَتَمَّهَا عَلَىٰ أَبَوَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ 

إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْحَاقَ …And thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of narratives / dreams and complete His favor upon you and upon the family of Jacob, as He 

completed it upon your fathers before, Abraham and Isaac. …. (12:6 part) The favor for prophet Joseph wasn’t the interpretation of narratives / dreams since the same favor was also given to

the family of Jacob and to Isaac and Abraham. Therefore, this “favor” must mean something else. In verse 42:13, we see proof that the same religion was given to all prophets. شَرَعَ لَكُم 

مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّىٰ بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ …He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah 

and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus … (42:13) The Arabs during Muhammad’s time also had a religion that they

practiced. Since many religions have some things in common, it is likely that some aspects of the religion of people during Muhammad’s time also had overlaps with Islam. As such, the meaning

of “perfected for you your religion” in verse 5:3 is the removing of incorrect beliefs and practices that were un-Islamic. Since Islam existed before Muhammad’s time, this perfecting of

religion which targeted the people of Muhammad brought their religion back in line with the correct way of Islam that was enjoined on all believers before them. ABRAHAM WAS THE FOUNDING

FATHER OF SUBMISSION (ISLAM) مِّلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۚ هُوَ سَمَّاكُمُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِن قَبْلُ وَفِي هَٰذَا لِيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى 

النَّاسِ ۚ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِاللَّهِ هُوَ مَوْلَاكُمْ ۖ فَنِعْمَ الْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ النَّصِيرُ… [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. God 

named you “Submitters” (“Muslims”) before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation (the Quran)] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. 

So establish prayer and give zakah and hold fast to God. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper. (22:78) MUHAMMAD WAS SPECIFICALLY TOLD TO FOLLOW

THE RELIGION OF ABRAHAM ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ أَنِ اتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۖ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ“Then we inspired you (O Muhammad) to follow the religion of 

Abraham, monotheism; never was he an idol-worshiper.” (16:123) EVEN FOLLOWERS OF THE QURAN ARE TOLD TO FOLLOW THE RELIGION OF ABRAHAM وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ دِينًا مِّمَّنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ 

لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ وَاتَّبَعَ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۗ وَاتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ خَلِيلًاAnd who is better in religion than one who submits himself to God while being a 

doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth? And God took Abraham as an intimate friend. (4:125) IS PROPHET MUHAMMAD EXCLUSIVE AND SUPERIOR TO THE OTHER

PROPHETS? Many Muslims believe that prophet Muhammad is more special than the other prophets However, the Quran makes it clear that all prophets are equal and that Muhammad is no more

special than the other prophets. This is proven in verse 2:285. آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۚ كُلٌّ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ 

وَرُسُلِهِ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِ ۚ وَقَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا …“The messenger believes in that which has been revealed to him from his Lord and (so do) believers. 

Each one believes in God and His angels and His scriptures and His messengers — We make no distinction between any of His messengers — and they say: We hear, and we obey. …. “ (2:285) Some

Muslims assume that because the Quran was revealed to prophet Muhammad that he must be superior to other prophets and messengers. However, other prophets also have exclusive characteristics

that, in some cases, may make them seem superior. PROPHET MOSES’ EXCLUSIVITY * Only once has God used the Arabic term ‘mahabbata(n)-minni’ (love from me) with respect to a child and this is

with regards Prophet Moses (pbuh) (20:39) * Prophet Moses (pbuh) is the only Messenger of God mentioned by name that was spoken to directly by God. Others, including Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

only received inspiration (4:163–164) * Prophet Moses (pbuh) was chosen over ‘mankind’ (Arabic: is’tafaytuka ala l-nasi) by virtue of his mission and because God spoke to him directly

(7:144) * Prophet Moses (pbuh) is the most mentioned Messenger of God in the Quran whilst Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is only mentioned four times directly by name (3:144, 33:40, 47:2, 48:29).

PROPHET JESUS’ EXCLUSIVITY * He was the only Prophet strengthened with the Holy Spirit since birth (5:110) * He was born with wisdom and spoke with wisdom as a young child (19:29; 3:46,

5:110) unlike other Prophets who did not receive Divine guidance until later in life (e.g. Prophets Abraham, Moses and Muhammad (pbut)) * He was conceived from an immaculate conception

(3:47; 19:20) * He was granted the power to heal the sick, the blind and to bring the dead to life (5:110). PROPHET SOLOMON’S EXCLUSIVITY * No messenger of God was given a kingdom such as

that of Prophet Solomon (pbuh) after him (38:35) * He understood the speech of birds (along with Prophet David) (pbuh) (27:16) and the ants (27:19) * He had control over the winds (38:36;

21:81) * He had control over the Jinn that worked for him (38:37) PROPHET ABRAHAM’S EXCLUSIVITY * Prophet Abraham (pbuh) is referred to as the father of faith (22:78) * Prophet Abraham

(pbuh) is referred to as a ‘khalil’ (friend) of God (4:125) * Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and all believers are asked to follow the footsteps / religious ways of Prophet Abraham (pbuh) (16:123)

PROPHET NOAH’S EXCLUSIVITY * He was the only prophet or messenger of God mentioned as being granted such an extended life span of 950 years (29:14) PROPHET JONAH’S EXCLUSIVITY * Prophet

Jonah (pbuh) is the only messenger of God whose subsequent Prophetic ministerial success is expressed in numbers of over 100,000 believers (37:147–148). PROPHET JOSEPH’S EXCLUSIVITY * His

charm / beauty was greatly admired (akbara), awed at (hasha-lillah — God save us) and even likened to that of a noble angel (malakun karim) (12:31) * He has been mentioned as being granted

the wisdom to interpret dreams / events (12:6; 21; 36; 46; 100–101) Though God as preferred and ranked some messengers over others, believers are not allowed to rank or differentiate between

the messengers. تِلْكَ الرُّسُلُ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۘ مِّنْهُم مَّن كَلَّمَ اللَّهُ ۖ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَهُمْ دَرَجَاتٍ ۚ وَآتَيْنَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ 

وَأَيَّدْنَاهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ …We have made some of these messengers to excel the others among them are they to whom God spoke, and some of them He exalted by rank / degrees; and We gave 

clear miracles to Jesus son of Mary, and strengthened him with the Holy spirit. … (2:253)وَرَبُّكَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۗ وَلَقَدْ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَ النَّبِيِّينَ 

عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۖ وَآتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ زَبُورًاAnd We have made some of the prophets exceed others [in various ways], and to David We gave the book [of Psalms]. (17:55) IS ARABIC A HOLY OR

SUPERIOR LANGUAGE? Many Muslims believe that because the Quran is in Arabic, then Arabic must be a holy or superior language. However, the Quran makes it clear that this is not the case. NO

DISTINCTION BETWEEN LANGUAGES In verse 30:22, we see that God makes no distinction between any language. وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ 

وَأَلْوَانِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّلْعَالِمِينَAnd of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed in that 

are signs for those of knowledge. (30:22) Obviously, Arabic is important if you want to study the Quran since it’s in Arabic but that doesn’t mean that Arabic is better than any other

language. Similarly, if one wanted to study the Torah or Injil, then other languages such as Hebrew or Latin would be important for understanding those scriptures. DIFFERENT MESSENGERS,

DIFFERENT LANGUAGES, BUT SAME MESSAGE The Quran was revealed in Arabic for no reason other than so that the designated primary audience at the time (Arabs) could understand it. The same

reason applied to all previous messengers. Previous messengers were Muslim yet they did not speak nor pray in Arabic. They were sent with the language of their people so they could

communicate clearly to their people. This is proven in verse 14:4. وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا بِلِسَانِ قَوْمِهِ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ ۖ فَيُضِلُّ اللَّهُ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَن 

يَشَاءُ ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُAnd We did not send any messenger except [speaking] in the language of his people to state clearly for them, and Allah sends astray [thereby] whom He 

wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (14:4) ARABIC FOR AN ARABIC-SPEAKING COMMUNITY Even though the Quran is meant for all of mankind, verse 42:7 proves

that the Quran was sent down in Arabic so that the prophet could warn his own mother town and the immediate towns around him. وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّتُنذِرَ 

أُمَّ الْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا وَتُنذِرَ يَوْمَ الْجَمْعِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ فَرِيقٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَفَرِيقٌ فِي السَّعِيرِAnd thus We have revealed to you an Arabic Qur’an that you may 

warn the Mother of Cities [Makkah] and those around it and warn of the Day of Assembly, about which there is no doubt. A party will be in Paradise and a party in the Blaze. (42:7) The term

“hawlaha” means “around it” and refers to towns immediately around the mother city. It does not mean all towns all around the world. Thus definition can be verified by seeing other uses the

term “hawlaha” in the Quran. Therefore, if the Quran needed to be explained to someone in China, it would need to be translated into Chinese. GOD TRANSLATED HISTORICAL STORIES INTO ARABIC

Note verses 26:162–163 as follows: إِنِّي لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِIndeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger. So fear Allah and obey me. (26:162–163) The same

Arabic sentence has been used for Prophets Noah (26:106–107), Hud (26:125–126); Saleh (26:143–144); Lut (26:162–163) and Shuaib (pbut) (26:178–179) one after the other. Not one of these

messengers ever delivered this sentence in Arabic but rather in their own languages to their own people. Therefore, it is the MESSAGE which is important, not the language it is delivered in.

THE QURAN ITSELF IS A TRANSLATION FROM OTHER LANGUAGES INTO ARABIC. There are many historical dialogues and stories mentioned in the Quran of Prophets Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus (pbut),

different messengers, angels, Iblis (Satan), Pharaoh, and even of an ant (27:18) and a Hoopoe bird (27:22). All this speech has been captured and translated by God Himself for an Arabic

audience to grasp the message and its wisdom. If God can translate the speech of others throughout history to make the message clear to an Arab audience, then why can’t non-Arabic speakers

focus their endeavors to understand the message in their own languages? This explanation is proven a few verses later in 26:195–196. بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِيٍّ مُّبِينٍ وَإِنَّهُ لَفِي زُبُرِ 

الْأَوَّلِينَIn a clear Arabic language. And indeed, it is [mentioned] in the scriptures of former peoples. (26:162–163) SAME MESSAGE, DIFFERENT LANGUAGE The message that was revealed before

the Quran is the same as what was revealed in the Quran. This is proven in verse 41:43. مَّا يُقَالُ لَكَ إِلَّا مَا قَدْ قِيلَ لِلرُّسُلِ مِن قَبْلِكَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ 

وَذُو عِقَابٍ أَلِيمٍNothing is said to you, [O Muhammad], except what was already said to the messengers before you. Indeed, your Lord is a possessor of forgiveness and a possessor of 

painful penalty. (41:43) According to verse 41:44, God chose Arabic for the Quran because no one would have believed Muhammad if the Quran was in a foreign language to the Arabs. … وَلَوْ 

جَعَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا أَعْجَمِيًّا لَّقَالُوا لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ ۖ أَأَعْجَمِيٌّ وَعَرَبِيٌّ ۗ قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌAnd if We had made it a non-Arabic Qur’an, 

they would have said, “Why are its verses not explained in detail [in our language]? Is it a foreign [recitation] and an Arab [messenger]?” … (41:44) Therefore, to conclude, Arabic is not a

special and holy language. WHAT DOES THE QURAN MEAN BY “ASK THOSE THAT HAVE KNOWLEDGE”? Many Muslims believe that the Quran is too difficult to understand and therefore they should rely on

the opinion of Islamic scholars to explain it. However, the Quran makes it very clear that blindly following Islamic leaders will lead you astray and that everyone must study the Quran and

only follow what they understand. There are two verses which are often cited as justification that one should ask for guidance from Islamic leaders as if only Islamic leaders have the

ability to understand the meaning of the Quran. These two verses are 16:43 and 21:7–8 as follows: وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِي إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ 

الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَAnd We sent not before you except men to whom We revealed [Our message]. So ask the people of the message if you do not know. (16:43)وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا 

قَبْلَكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِي إِلَيْهِمْ ۖ فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ وَمَا جَعَلْنَاهُمْ جَسَدًا لَّا يَأْكُلُونَ الطَّعَامَ وَمَا كَانُوا خَالِدِينَAnd We 

sent not before you, [O Muhammad], except men to whom We revealed [the message], so ask the people of the message if you do not know. And We did not make (for) the prophets bodies (that are)

 not eating food, nor were they immortal [on earth]. (21:7–8) INCORRECT TRANSLATIONS Sadly, the verses above are often mistranslated as “ask those that have knowledge if you do not know”

instead of the correct translation which is “ask the people of the message if you do not know.” IGNORING CONTEXT Furthermore, many people cite only a part of these verses completely leaving

out the important context which explains the actual meaning of the verses. When you read the these verses, it’s clear that God is telling Muhammad that He also sent prophets before him who

were just mortal men who received revelations just like Muhammad. These prophets consumed food and would die just like everyone else. God told Muhammad this to remove any doubt from his mind

that he was chosen as a prophet. God even told Muhammad to ask people who knew about the existence of previous prophets if he wasn’t sure. TARGET AUDIENCE Furthermore, it should be noted

that the verses above are clearly directed towards Muhammad and not everyone else. What sense would there be to tell the “believers” to ask or consult “people of knowledge” if Muhammad was

alive amongst them and could be asked directly? If people were to consult “people of knowledge” instead of Muhammad, then that would contradict many other verses such as 4:59 where God tells

believers to refer their matters to the prophet, especially in disputes. VERIFICATION These verses also provide strong support for the need to verify something instead of just blindly

believing in something. In these verses, even though God is revealing the message to the Muhammad, Muhammad is still be asked to verify the message for himself. If Muhammad himself is being

asked to verify a direct revelation from God, then logically everyone else should also verify claims and not just believe whatever is told to them. SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH In agreement with the

verses above, the Quran actually expects people to search for the truth using their own faculties (brain, vision, hearing, etc) and not to just blindly follow others. This is proven in

verse 17:36. وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۚ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَٰئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولًاAnd do not pursue that of which you have no 

knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart — about all those [one] will be questioned. (17:36) As proven in the verse above, if we choose to blindly follow the masses or Islamic

leaders without first verifying any claims we are told, then we will be questioned as to why we did this. The story of prophet Abraham in the Quran is one example of self verification.

Abraham questioned his inherited beliefs and used his own faculties (brain, vision, etc) to search for the truth which resulted in him worshiping the one true God and leaving the ways of the

idol worshipers around him. BLINDLY FOLLOWING LEADERS Blindly following leaders can lead you astray. This is evidenced in verse 33:67. وَقَالُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّا أَطَعْنَا سَادَتَنَا 

وَكُبَرَاءَنَا فَأَضَلُّونَا السَّبِيلَاAnd they will say, “Our Lord, indeed we obeyed our masters and our dignitaries, and they led us astray from the [right] way. (33:67) IF MOST ISLAMIC

SCHOLARS AGREE ON SOMETHING, THEN AREN’T THEY ALL CORRECT? Many Muslims will argue that if the majority of Islamic scholars agree on something, then they must be correct and there is no

reason for individuals to question their opinions and decisions. The problem with this argument is that anyone can be wrong and when we think about the majority of Islamic scholars, we can

get a better understanding as to why they mostly agree on the same things, e.g. the requirement to wear the hijab, the time to break fast as being maghrib instead of night, the requirement

to only perform hajj during 5 days of the year, and so on. Most, if not all, of the proofs in this book are easily and clearly proven in the Quran without having to resort to stretching the

meaning of words. As an individual who has lived and studied in different Islamic countries both in secular and Islamic schools, including a strict Islamic boarding school, I can see why

most Islamic scholars end up just believing in the same Islamic laws. Following are my observation and/or opinions: ROTE MEMORIZATION VS CRITICAL THINKING Most Muslim scholars study Islam in

an Islamic country. Unfortunately, most Islamic countries tend to emphasis rote memorization over critical thinking. This educational culture clearly would limit the ability of aspiring

students of Islam to discover the correct meaning of verses of the Quran which could have a profound effect on everyone’s daily practices and overall understanding of the religion.

TEACHER-ALWAYS-RIGHT MENTALITY From my experience, it appears that many schools in Islamic countries, especially Islamic schools, have this culture whereby the teacher (guru) is always

right. It’s as if one should not question the teacher or a teacher’s belief. If one were to question a teacher’s belief in, say, a particular Islamic law, instead of praising the student for

asking a thoughtful question, the teacher may * scold the student for challenging the teacher * give the student some vague response and then change the subject * give the student some

irrelevant response such as, “Everyone has believed in this for the last 1400 years. Do you think everyone is wrong but you?” FEAR OF BEING AN OUTCAST Most people, including students of

religion, prefer to blend in and be part of their immediate community. If a student were to have different opinion about a particular Islamic law, they may feel afraid to voice their opinion

or to follow it if the majority disagrees with them. They may even fear being bullied or ostracized. If they are already a religious leader, whether as an imam at a mosque or a famous

lecturer, believing in a practice that isn’t common among the majority could result in a job loss. I believe that the factors above are just some likely reasons for why the majority of

Islamic scholars end up, for the most part, just agreeing on the same things that their teachers and society believe. WHAT’S THE QURANIC LAW REGARDING BLASPHEMY (RIDICULING ISLAM)? Many

Muslims believe that blasphemy (ridiculing) Islam or Prophet Muhammad demands a penalty. Some Muslims even take matters into their own hands and kill people who ridicule the prophet.

However, the Quran does not prescribe any penalty for blasphemy. As a matter of fact, the Quran indicates that the prophet himself was often ridiculed in person and the prophet was told to

simply ignore them as if to let God deal with them. THE RIGHT TO KILL From a Quran’s perspective, the right to kill is only allowable in two circumstances. * As a retribution for murder

(punishable by the state). (5:32) * As a retribution for causing ‘fasaad’ (gross mischief, spreading corruption, evil, beyond all bounds) in the land (punishable by the state). (5:33–34)

MURDER (5:32) مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبْنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنَّهُ مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا …Because of 

that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land — it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. … (5:32) “FASAAD”

(GROSS EVIL BEYOND BOUNDS) (5:33–34) إِنَّمَا جَزَاءُ الَّذِينَ يُحَارِبُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَسْعَوْنَ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَسَادًا أَن يُقَتَّلُوا أَوْ يُصَلَّبُوا أَوْ تُقَطَّعَ 

أَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَرْجُلُهُم مِّنْ خِلَافٍ أَوْ يُنفَوْا مِنَ الْأَرْضِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لَهُمْ خِزْيٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ تَابُوا مِن قَبْلِ أَن 

تَقْدِرُوا عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ فَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌIndeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is 

none but that they be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land. That is for them a disgrace in this world; and for

 them in the Hereafter is a great punishment. Except for those who return [repenting] before you apprehend them. And know that Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (5:33–34) Note that 5:33 uses

the word “strive” (Arabic: ya-ouna) which indicates that the corruption and evil done is one that is repeated with serious efforts. What’s also interesting to note about verses 5:33–34 are

the punishment options: * Execution * Crucifixion * Exile What is also significant is verse 5:34 which states that if evildoers repent before they are captured, then they should not be

punished according to 5:33. BLASPHEMY TOWARDS PROPHET MUHAMMAD, THE QURAN AND GOD HIMSELF We see in the Quran that prophet Muhammad * was mocked and ridiculed (37:12) like the messengers

before him (13:32; 15:11; 21:41) * was called an inventor, forger, liar (16:101; 25:4) * was called a man who was bewitched (17:47; 25:8) * was called a possessed poet (37:36) We also see in

the Quran that it was called * “Muddled dreams” (21:5) * “Foreign, outlandish” (16:103 * an invention, a forgery (38:7) * Tales of the men of the past (25:5) Of course, the most grave

blasphemy was that done against God Himself (7:180) وَلِلَّهِ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا ۖ وَذَرُوا الَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِي أَسْمَائِهِ ۚ سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُوا 

يَعْمَلُونَAnd to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them. but shun such men as use profanity (Arabic: Yul’hiduna) in His names. They will be recompensed for what they have been 

doing. (7:180) The Arabic word “yul-hiduna” means to blaspheme, deviate, violate, distort, pervert. No where in the Quran did any of these insults attract the death penalty. Rather, the

advice given was to BE PATIENT as indicated in 38:17 and 20:130. اصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا دَاوُودَ ذَا الْأَيْدِ ۖ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌBe patient over what they say and 

remember Our servant, David, the possessor of strength; indeed, he was one who repeatedly turned back [to Allah ]. (38:17)فَاصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ 

طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ غُرُوبِهَا ۖ وَمِنْ آنَاءِ اللَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْ وَأَطْرَافَ النَّهَارِ لَعَلَّكَ تَرْضَىٰSo be patient over what they say and exalt [ Allah ] with praise of your 

Lord before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and during periods of the night [exalt Him] and at the ends of the day, that you may be satisfied. (38:17) DOES VERSE 4:34 ALLOW

HUSBANDS TO BEAT THEIR DISOBEDIENT WIVES? Some Muslims and anti-Muslims such as Ayaan Hirshi Ali believe that God allows husbands to literally beat their wives if they disobey them. However,

a deeper analysis of the word often mistranslated as “to beat” reveals that the correct translation is actually “to stay away from”. VERSE 4:34 Unfortunately, verse 4:34 is often

mistranslated as follows: الرِّجَالُ قَوَّامُونَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ وَبِمَا أَنفَقُوا مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ ۚ فَالصَّالِحَاتُ قَانِتَاتٌ حَافِظَاتٌ 

لِّلْغَيْبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ اللَّهُ ۚ وَاللَّاتِي تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَاهْجُرُوهُنَّ فِي الْمَضَاجِعِ وَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ ۖ فَإِنْ أَطَعْنَكُمْ فَلَا تَبْغُوا عَلَيْهِنَّ سَبِيلًا

 ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيًّا كَبِيرًاMen are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous

 women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband’s] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance — [first] advise them; [then if they 

persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand. (4:34) IDRIBUHUUNA In verse

4:34, we see the word “idribuhuuna” often translated as “and beat / strike them (wives)”. There are 2 main parts to this: * ‘Idrib’ (1) being an imperative verb * ‘Hunna’ (2) a feminine

plural pronoun (referring to the wives). A common understanding of Arabic is that [IDRIB] + NOUN/PRONOUN means to beat someone/something. This form, ‘idribohunna’, is what’s used in verse

4:34. WITH THE PREPOSITION “AN”, IDRIB CAN MEAN “TO SEPARATE” Another common understanding of Arabic is that [IDHRIB] + AN + NOUN / PRONOUN means ‘to turn away, shun, separate and avoid’

someone. For example, we see this definition in KASSIS. H E, A Concordance of the Qur’an, University of California Press: Berkeley-Los Angeles-London, Page 410 > DARABA vb. (I) ~ to 

strike, smite, stamp, beat; to liken or strike > (a parable or similitude), to cite (an example or a dispute); > (daraba fi al-ard) to journey; to draw or cast (a veil); (with prep.

> ‘ala’) to pitch on, to stamp; (with prep. ‘an) to turn > something away; (with prep. bayn) to set up between, to separate, > (n.vb) striking, smiting, etc.; (with prep. fi) 

journeying. We also see this definition in WEHR. H, A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic, Edited by J.Milton Cowan, 3rd Edition, Spoken Languages Services Inc. 1976, Page 538 However, since

the preposition ‘an’ doesn’t exist in the particular text in verse 4:34, then most people would argue that the term ‘idribohunna’ cannot mean “shun / turn away from them” and therefore must

mean “to beat them”.There is no similar comparison of the Quranic term ‘idribohunna’ in the form: idrib + Noun / Pronoun (as in verse 4:34) in other parts of the Quran. ‘IDRIBOHUNNA’ MEANS

‘SHUN / TURN AWAY FROM THEM’ If we look at older classical Arabic lexicons, we find that the preposition ‘an’ IS NOT NECESSARILY REQUIRED to render the term ‘Idribohunna’ to mean ‘shun /

turn away from them’. This is proven in the Edward Lanes Lexicon, which quotes TA (Taj-ul Urus), S (The Sihah), Msb (The misbah of El Feiyumi) and the K (The Kamoos). ANOMALY Another

interesting thing to note is how the term “idrib” is used elsewhere in the Quran. Apparently, whenever the imperative verb ‘idrib’ is used to mean “strike”, the Quran always makes it clear

by specifying one or both of the following: * What object to use to strike with * What part of the body or ‘object’ to strike. 002:060 — Strike the rock (2) with your staff (1) 002:073 —

Strike him (2) with a part of it (heifer) (1) 007:160 — Strike the rock (2) with your staff (1) 008:012 — Strike off their heads (2) and strike off every fingertip (2) of them 008:012 —

Strike off every fingertip (2) of them. 020:077 — Strike for them a dry path in the sea (See 26:63 — elaborated — Strike the sea (2) with your staff (1)) 038:044 — Take in your hand a bundle

of rushes (1), and strike with it However, verse 4:34 is the ONLY verse where the imperative verb ‘idrib’ neither tells us * what object to use to strike with nor * what part of the body to

strike Without qualifying the verb by specifying the two items above, it would be difficult to conclude that the intention of it was “to strike”. If ‘idribohunna’ was simply translated as

‘strike / beat them’, then such an isolated, unqualified rendition would leave it wide open for any aggressive husband to beat / strike his wife in any manner, wherever he wanted, with any

amount of given force. Therefore, verse 4:34 does not fit the Quran’s usual qualification of ‘idrib’ when translated as ‘strike/beat’. CONCLUSION According to earlier classical Arabic

lexicons and the anomalous and unqualified usage of the word “idrib” in 4:34, the meaning of “idribohuuna” does not mean “beat them (wives)” but rather “STAY AWAY FROM THEM”. One should also

keep in mind the following verses when seeking guidance from and trying to understand the Quran. الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَدَاهُمُ

 اللَّهُ ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمْ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِWho listen to speech (the Word / Quran) and follow the best of it. Those are the ones Allah has guided, and those are people of understanding.

 (39:18)وَاتَّبِعُوا أَحْسَنَ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَAnd follow the best of what was revealed to you 

from your Lord before the punishment comes upon you suddenly while you do not perceive, (39:55)هُوَ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ آيَاتٌ مُّحْكَمَاتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ 

وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَاتٌ ۖ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ ابْتِغَاءَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَابْتِغَاءَ تَأْوِيلِهِ ۗ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلَّا 

اللَّهُ ۗ وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّا أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِIt 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. (3:7) ARE MUSLIMS MOSTLY ARAB? Many people associate Muslims with Arabs — possibly because

the Quran is in Arabic and Prophet Muhammad was an Arab. However, as proven elsewhere in this book, Islam as we know it today did not originate with Muhammad but with Abraham and the

majority of Muslims as of 2019 are from South Asia. According to Wikipedia, as of 2011, here are the top 8 most populous Muslim countries, order by Muslim population. [1] MOST MUSLIMS DON’T

SPEAK ARABIC All but one country, Egypt, in the list above are non-Arabic speaking countries and they make up more than half (58.7%) of the world Muslim population. MOST MUSLIMS ARE FROM

SOUTH / SOUTHEAST ASIA Furthermore, the first four countries in the list above are all in South/Southeast Asia and make up almost half (43.9%) of the world Muslim population. As of 2017,

there were 986,420,000 Muslims in Asia and only 370,070,000 Muslims in the Middle East and North Africa (Arabic-speaking countries), i.e. there were 2.6 times as many Muslims in Asia as

there were in the Middle East and North Africa. [2] MOST POPULOUS MUSLIM COUNTRY Though Indonesia currently has the largest population of Muslims, it likely only became so as of 1947 when

the British divided India into India and Pakistan. And in 1971, India was further divided into India and Bangladesh. Had either of these partitions not happened, India would by far have the

largest percentage of Muslims worldwide. Furthermore, according to projections suggest that by 2050 India will have the world’s largest population of Muslims, with estimates expected to

reach at least 300 million. [2] ISLAM TO BE LARGEST RELIGION BY 2070 The Pew Research Center estimates that by 2070, Islam will overtake Christianity, due to faster birth rate (2.7 children

per family vs. 2.2 for Christian families). As of 2017, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. * [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_by_country * [2]

https://www.thoughtco.com/worlds-muslim-population-2004480