Category: Quran
Bodypainting
Here are some thoughts about the event that takes place in some mega cities around the world. The event is called Bodypainting and it is considered to be an art. Yes, painting is an art and the one doing the painting is an artist. We admire the talent that an artist has in performing the work of art. So what is the issue with bodypainting? There is no issue with bodypainting in and of itself unless the paint applied to the skin is harmful or contains harmful substances. The issue is going out naked. The bigger issue is spreading indecency in the society. That is to say going out naked is OK & acceptable while being fully covered is not acceptable. What direction is our society moving toward? If we look at how people used to dress two or three generation before us, we would see a big difference. Whose fault is it? Do the media have a role to play in this change? Definitely, yes. How about the porn industry? Definitely, yes. The porn industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry that is destroying individuals’ sense of indecency and corrupting the souls. Hence, what is good is considered evil and unacceptable and what is bad is considered acceptable. What we believe is that this the the devil’s agenda. Namely: to expose what is covered of the private parts. Shaitan’s (devil’s) ultimate agenda was to get clothes removed from Adam & Eve. So what the filth industry is doing now is simply accomplishing Shaitan’s goal. Based on what Allah says in soorah 7 v. 20: humans beings being exposed without clothes in public is something ugly; it is something indecent inherently; it is something evil. In the nature of human beings, it is not tempting to look at nudity. When our nature gets corrupt, we want to look at nudity. Because inherently, nudity is called ugly in the Quran.
May Allah help us to purify our souls and protect us from all sorts of filth and indecency.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMfj0YjNk7E
Quranic Verse: Chp. 3 V. 110
Allah [may He be Glorified] said: “You [true believers in Islâmic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)) and his Sunnah] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma’rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden), and you believe in Allâh. And had the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) believed, it would have been better for them; among them are some who have faith, but most of them are Al-Fâsiqûn (disobedient to Allâh – and rebellious against His Command). ” (3:110)
Commentary:
A. In the first part of this verse Allah praises the Ummah of Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Ummahwhich answered the call of Allah. He describes it as the best Ummah ever raised for mankind. They are beneficial to all people in giving advice, in their sincere love for goodness, in their efforts for calling, teaching, and guiding people, and in enjoining good and forbidding evil.
They deserve this description in return for the good deeds they performed and their holding of the following qualities:
1. The perfection of their faith, which requires the performance of all that which Allah commands.
2. Trying to perfect and complete the faith of others by enjoining them to do good and forbidding them from doing evil. They also invite people to the way of Allah and strive hard to keep them on the proper way and keep them away from deviation.
Second: The last portion of the verse stated that only a few among the People of the Book adopted Islam, while the majority of them were evil persons who disobeyed Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) and fought against the believers. Had they believed, it would have been better for them.
See Tafsir Ibn Sa’di, p. 112 (Al-Luwaihiq Edition).
Source: QuranComplex
Quranic Verse: Chp. 3 V. 104
Allah [may He be Glorified] said: “Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islâm), enjoining Al-Ma’rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful” (3:104).
Commentary:
Allah commands the believers to take the most powerful means with which they can establish their religion on a strong basis. This can be achieved if a group among them assumes the collective obligation of:
– “Inviting to all that is good” i.e., the religion with its principles, branches and legislations.
– “Enjoining Al-Ma’rûf” i.e., all that is known to be good from the point of view of religion and reason.
– “Forbidding Al-Munkar” i.e., all that is known to be bad from the point of view of religion and reason.
– “And it is they who are the successful” i.e., those who are fully aware of their duties and who save themselves from all that causes fear.
This group of people includes scholars, seekers of knowledge, the public and private preachers and theMuhtasibs (public inspectors) who compel people to perform prayer, pay the Zakah, abide by the Religious legislations and forbid them from doing evil. So, anyone who invites people to goodness or gives advice, either in public or in private is included in this verse.
See Tafsir Ibn Sa’di, p. 112 (Al-Luwaihiq Edition)
Source: QuranComplex
Quranic Verse: Chp. 34 V. 28
Allah [may He be Glorified] said: “And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a giver of glad tidings and a Warner to all mankind, but most of men know not” (34:28)
In this verse Allah states that He did not send His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) except for giving the glad tidings of reward for all mankind and to inform them about the acts bringing about such a reward.
He is also sent to forewarn them of God’s punishment, and make known to them acts that may warrant such reprisal.
On the Authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) who reported that the holy Prophet said: “By Allah in whose hands my soul is, if anyone of this Ummah (nation) hears about me whether he is a Jew or a Christian and dies without believing in my Message, will be among the dwellers of the Hell-fire.” [Sahih Muslim, the Book of Faith, Hadith no.153]
The word “Ummah” in this Hadith means those whom the call to Islam has reached.
The phrase “If anyone of this Ummah hears about me” means those who lived at the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), as well as those who will come after him till the Day of Judgement. In fact, all of them should follow his way. Mentioning just the Jews and the Christians in this context however serves as an alarming note for the followers of other faiths; since the Jews and the Christians have Divine Books while others do not. As the people of the Book are mentioned in this respect, though they are endowed with books of guidance, it thus follows that others, who have not any divine books, are also involved with greater reason. Allah knows best. [An-Nawawi’s Commentary on Sahih Muslim, Vol. II, Hadith p. 188]
Source: QuranComplex
Quranic Verse: Chp. 3 V. 19
Allah [may He be Glorified] said: “Truly, the religion in the sight of Allâh is Islâm. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, then surely, Allâh is Swift in calling to account.” (3:19)
Allah tells us in this verse that:
– Islam is the only religion acceptable to Allah to the exclusion of any other religion.
Islam denotes the inward and the outward submission to Allah in all that He has legislated and ordained either in His glorious Book or through the sayings of His prophet: Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Allah [may He be Glorified] said: “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islâm, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers).” (3:85)
– So, whosoever adopts a religion other than Islam is not on the right path, because he does not follow the way ordained by Allah through His Messenger (peace be upon him).
– Allah [may He be Glorified] tells us in this verse that the People of the Book knew very well that this was the truth but they deviated from it out of oppression and stubbornness.
– And when Muhammad (peace be upon him) came to them, they knew for certain that he was the Messenger of Allah – exactly as they recognized their own children – but envy, oppression and the denial of the signs of Allah kept them away from the right path.
The phrase “And whoever disbelieves in the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, then surely, Allâh is Swift in calling to account” means: let those who disbelieve in the verses and the signs of Allah wait; the promise of Allah is already coming and they will be recompensed according to their deeds.
Source: QuranComplex
Quranic Verse: Chp. 7 V. 1-3
Following a certain course is sometimes recommended in the Glorious Qur’an and sometimes it is prohibited.
Among the places where following a certain course is recommended is the following:
1. Following the course of revelation i.e. the Glorious Qur’an. Allah [may He be Glorified] said: “Alif-Lâm-Mîm-Sâd. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’ân and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings]. (This is the) Book (the Qur’ân) sent down unto you (O Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)), so let not your breast be narrow therefrom, that you warn thereby; and a reminder unto the believers. [Say (O Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)) to these idolaters (pagan Arabs) of your folk:] Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord (the Qur’ân and Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah), and follow not any Auliyâ’ (protectors and helpers who order you to associate partners in worship with Allâh), besides Him (Allâh). Little do you remember!” (7:1-3)
These verses illustrate the following points:
- The greatness of the Glorious Qur’an, which is sent down by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise.
- The Glorious Qur’an includes all that mankind need for their spiritual and material life. Allah [may He be Glorified] said: “And We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur’ân) as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves (to Allâh as Muslims).” (16:89)
- It was revealed to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to warn mankind as a whole. Allah [may He be Glorified] said: “And We have not sent you (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind.” (34:28)
- The commandment to follow what Allah has revealed to His Messenger (peace be upon him).
- The prohibition of following other than what was revealed to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) such as the saints whom people invoked either besides Allah or in His stead. Allah [may He be Glorified] said: “Surely the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allâh only.” (39:3) He also said: “And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him.” (98:5)
Source: Qurancomplex