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JAVED ZAHEER---FOUNDER OF SHIR
INTERNATIONAL NETWORK:A MISSION WITH A VISION TO SERVE HUMANITY IN REALITY
WHO & WHAT ACTUALLY
ALLAH (GOD) IS?
BY JAVED ZAHEER, FREE EXPRESSION
AWARD WINNER
TORONTO:
I was sitting in a waiting room of a hospital. Several people were sitting
there. One of them a Muslim was praying and saying “Allah Hoo”. Another person
there was a Hindu, who was sitting beside the Muslim and staring at him
curiously but being a stranger could not ask him anything.
I
was sitting in front of them. The Hindu suddenly asked me: “What is Allah Hoo?”
He then asked me: “Do you believe in God.” I said: “Yes I believe in in God and
He is Allah”.
He
then said:” I believe in many gods but now fed up with them because I keep
praying and get nothing in return. They don’t even pay any attention or listen
to me and my condition is getting worse. Now I don’t want to waste my time on
them. Despite sickness how come you look and remain so happy, enjoy life,
socialize and in fact do not look sick at all.”
I
could see that his health condition was very bad and he was very much dejected,
depressed and disappointed. He was always seen moaning, groaning and
complaining and cursing.
I
looked at him and said: “My friend I will not say anything good or bad about
your religion, gods and belief because our God Allah has told us the following
in Chapter 109 (Surah Al-Kafiroon: “Say:
O disbelievers! (1) I worship not that which ye worship; (2) Nor worship ye
that which I worship. (3) And I shall not worship that which ye worship. (4)
Nor will ye worship that which I worship. (5) Unto you your religion, and unto
me my religion. (6)”
“I respect all good people of any religions and will confine myself to what you asked me and that is “What is Allah Hoo?” My friend, this is only part of our prayers in praise of God. Instead I will tell you about “Allah who?” or “who is Allah”. This will help you better understand our God Allah.
“I respect all good people of any religions and will confine myself to what you asked me and that is “What is Allah Hoo?” My friend, this is only part of our prayers in praise of God. Instead I will tell you about “Allah who?” or “who is Allah”. This will help you better understand our God Allah.
“My
friend, although I fail to obey God properly and practically but I have full
faith, trust and confidence in God that He is there to always help me in any
situation and condition. This strong belief in my God Allah keeps me strong,
hale, hearty and happy. He keeps showering His blessings on me and what else I
need. It is all a matter of strong faith, trust, confidence and belief. This
keeps me connected to Allah and good people.”
As
regards Allah who or who is Allah, I will take the help of the Holy Book Quran
in a way not to confuse you or anyone else interested in knowing our God Allah.
“Although
our God Allah has ninety nine names and each one reflects His different
qualities but two of the best qualities of Allah are that He is Rahman (Beneficentt)
and Raheem (Merciful). This is why we start anything with the name of Allah and
these two names: “In the name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful.” In Arabic
it is read as “Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Raheem”.
The
holy Quran starts with Surah or Chapter one Al-Fatiha in which these very
important qualities are mentioned: “Praise be to Allah, Lord of the
Worlds, (2) The Beneficent, the Merciful. (3) Owner of the Day of Judgment, (4)
Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help. (5) Show us the straight
path, (6) The path of those whom Thou hast favoured. Not (the path) of those
who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray. (7)”.
“The
importance of this chapter is that it is divided in two parts. First part is
praise of Allah and the rest part is to teach us how to offer prayers. This is
why this chapter is also known as Mother of Quran.
“In
Chapter 112 (Al-Ikhlas), God puts an end to the rumours, controversies and
queries about Him. He says with full command about His Authority and Majesty: “Say:
He is Allah, the One! (1) Allah, the eternally Besought of all! (2) He
begetteth not nor was begotten. (3) And there is none comparable unto Him. (4)”
“This
chapter 112 (Al-Ikhlas) is in support of Chapter 109 (Al-Kafiroon). Muslims and
all believers of God must understand the clear message and instructions and avoid
engaging in discussions, debates and dialogues with all those bent upon
creating confusion and to misguide people. The messages are all not only for
Muslims but for the whole mankind.
“Not
only this, God Allah has told us in Chapter 103 (Al-Asr) about those who are
true believers and about those who are at loss: “By the declining day, (1) Lo! man is a state
of loss, (2) Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another
to truth and exhort one another to endurance. (3)”. In this chapter God has
shown us the right path mentioned in Chapter 0ve (Al-Fatiha).
“God
has assured victory to the believers and removed their fears in these two
chapters:
Chapter
106 (Quraish): “For the taming of Qureysh. (1) For their taming (We cause) the
caravans to set forth in winter and summer. (2) So let them worship the Lord of
this House, (3) Who hath fed them against hunger and hath made them safe from
fear. (4)”.
Chapter
110 (An-Nasr): “When Allah's succour and the triumph cometh (1) And thou seest
mankind entering the religion of Allah in troops, (2) Then hymn the praises of
thy Lord, and seek forgiveness of Him. Lo! He is ever ready to show mercy. (3)”.
“God
Allah says more about Himself in the following chapter:
Chapter
55 (Ar-Rahman): “The Beneficent (1) Hath made known the Qur'an. (2) He hath
created man. (3) He hath taught him utterance. (4) The sun and the moon are
made punctual. (5) The stars and the trees adore. (6) And the sky He hath
uplifted; and He hath set the measure, (7) That ye exceed not the measure, (8)
But observe the measure strictly, nor fall short thereof. (9) And the earth
hath He appointed for (His) creatures, (10) Wherein are fruit and sheathed
palm-trees, (11) Husked grain and scented herb. (12) Which is it, of the favours
of your Lord, that ye deny? (13) He created man of clay like the potter's, (14)
And the jinn did He create of smokeless fire. (15) Which is it, of the favours
of your Lord, that ye deny? (16) Lord of the two Easts, and Lord of the two
Wests! (17) Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny? (18) He
hath loosed the two seas. They meet. (19) There is a barrier between them. They
encroach not (one upon the other). (20) Which is it, of the favours of your
Lord, that ye deny? (21) There cometh forth from both of them the pearl and
coral-stone. (22) Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny? (23)
His are the ships displayed upon the sea, like banners. (24) Which is it, of
the favours of your Lord, that ye deny? (25) Everyone that is thereon will pass
away; (26) There remaineth but the Countenance of thy Lord of Might and Glory.
(27) Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny? (28) All that are
in the heavens and the earth entreat Him. Every day He exerciseth (universal) power.
(29) Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny? (30) We shall
dispose of you, O ye two dependents (man and jinn). (31) Which is it, of the
favours of your Lord, that ye deny? (32) O company of jinn and men, if ye have
power to penetrate (all) regions of the heavens and the earth, then penetrate
(them)! Ye will never penetrate them save with (Our) sanction. (33) Which is
it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny? (34) There will be sent, against
you both, heat of fire and flash of brass, and ye will not escape. (35) Which
is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny? (36) And when the heaven
splitteth asunder and becometh rosy like red hide - (37) Which is it, of the
favours of your Lord, that ye deny? - (38) On that day neither man nor jinni
will be questioned of his sin. (39) Which is it, of the favours of your Lord,
that ye deny? (40) The guilty will be known by their marks, and will be taken
by the forelocks and the feet. (41) Which is it, of the favours of your Lord,
that ye deny? (42) This is Hell which the guilty deny. (43) They go circling
round between it and fierce, boiling water. (44) Which is it, of the favours of
your Lord, that ye deny? (45) But for him who feareth the standing before his
Lord there are two gardens. (46) Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that
ye deny? (47) Of spreading branches. (48) Which is it, of the favours of your
Lord, that ye deny? (49) Wherein are two fountains flowing. (50) Which is it,
of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny? (51) Wherein is every kind of fruit
in pairs. (52) Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny? (53)
Reclining upon couches lined with silk brocade, the fruit of both the gardens
near to hand. (54) Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny? (55)
Therein are those of modest gaze, whom neither man nor jinni will have touched
before them. (56) Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny? (57)
(In beauty) like the jacynth and the coral-stone. (58) Which is it, of the
favours of your Lord, that ye deny? (59) Is the reward of goodness augh save
goodness? (60) Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny? (61) And
beside them are two other gardens, (62) Which is it, of the favours of your
Lord, that ye deny? (63) Dark green with foliage. (64) Which is it, of the
favours of your Lord, that ye deny? (65) Wherein are two abundant springs. (66)
Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny? (67) Wherein is fruit,
the date-palm and pomegranate. (68) Which is it, of the favours of your Lord,
that ye deny? (69) Wherein (are found) the good and beautiful - (70) Which is
it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny? - (71) Fair ones, close-guarded
in pavilions - (72) Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny? -
(73) Whom neither man nor jinni will have touched before them - (74) Which is
it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny? (75) Reclining on green cushions
and fair carpets. (76) Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?
(77) Blessed be the name of thy Lord, Mighty and glorious! (78).”
PROPHET
ARE NOT GOD: Now what God Allah says about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):
Chapter 47 (Muhammad): “Those who
disbelieve and turn (men) from the way of Allah, He rendereth their actions
vain. (1) And those who believe and do good works and believe in that which is
revealed unto Muhammad - and it is the truth from their Lord - He riddeth them
of their ill-deeds and improveth their state. (2) That is because those who
disbelieve follow falsehood and because those who believe follow the truth from
their Lord. Thus Allah coineth their similitudes for mankind. (3) Now when ye
meet in battle those who disbelieve, then it is smiting of the necks until,
when ye have routed them, then making fast of bonds; and afterward either grace
or ransom till the war lay down its burdens. That (is the ordinance). And if
Allah willed He could have punished them (without you) but (thus it is
ordained) that He may try some of you by means of others. And those who are
slain in the way of Allah, He rendereth not their actions vain. (4) He will
guide them and improve their state, (5) And bring them in unto the Garden which
He hath made known to them. (6) O ye who believe! If ye help Allah, He will
help you and will make your foothold firm. (7) And those who disbelieve,
perdition is for them, and He will make their actions vain. (8) That is because
they are averse to that which Allah hath revealed, therefor maketh He their
actions fruitless. (9) Have they not travelled in the land to see the nature of
the consequence for those who were before them? Allah wiped them out. And for
the disbelievers there will be the like thereof. (10) That is because Allah is
patron of those who believe, and because the disbelievers have no patron. (11)
Lo! Allah will cause those who believe and do good works to enter Gardens
underneath which rivers flow; while those who disbelieve take their comfort in
this life and eat even as the cattle eat, and the Fire is their habitation.
(12) And how many a township stronger than thy township (O Muhammad) which hath
cast thee out, have We destroyed, and they had no helper! (13) Is he who
relieth on a clear proof from his Lord like those for whom the evil that they
do is beautified while they follow their own lusts? (14) A similitude of the
Garden which those who keep their duty (to Allah) are promised: Therein are
rivers of water unpolluted, and rivers of milk whereof the flavour changeth
not, and rivers of wine delicious to the drinkers, and rivers of clear-run
honey; therein for them is every kind of fruit, with pardon from their Lord.
(Are those who enjoy all this) like those who are immortal in the Fire and are
given boiling water to drink so that it teareth their bowels? (15) Among them
are some who give ear unto thee (Muhammad) till, when they go forth from thy
presence they say unto those who have been given knowledge: What was that he
said just now? Those are they whose hearts Allah hath sealed, and they follow
their own lusts. (16) While as for those who walk aright, He addeth to their
guidance, and giveth them their protection (against evil). (17) Await they
aught save the Hour, that it should come upon them unawares? And the beginnings
thereof have already come. But how, when it hath come upon them, can they take
their warning? (18) So know (O Muhammad) that there is no God save Allah, and
ask forgiveness for thy sin and for believing men and believing women. Allah
knoweth (both) your place of turmoil and your place of rest. (19) And those who
believe say: If only a surah were revealed! But when a decisive surah is
revealed and war is mentioned therein, thou seest those in whose hearts is a
disease looking at thee with the look of men fainting unto death. Therefor woe
unto them! (20) Obedience and a civil word. Then, when the matter is
determined, if they are loyal to Allah it will be well for them. (21) Would ye
then, if ye were given the command, work corruption in the land and sever your
ties of kinship? (22) Such are they whom Allah curseth so that He deafeneth
them and maketh blind their eyes. (23) Will they then not meditate on the
Qur'an, or are there locks on the hearts? (24) Lo! those who turn back after
the guidance hath been manifested unto them, Satan hath seduced them, and He
giveth them the rein. (25) That is because they say unto those who hate what
Allah hath revealed: We will obey you in some matters; and Allah knoweth their
secret talk. (26) Then how (will it be with them) when the angels gather them,
smiting their faces and their backs! (27) That will be because they followed
that which angereth Allah, and hated that which pleaseth Him. Therefor He hath
made their actions vain. (28) Or do those in whose hearts is a disease deem
that Allah will not bring to light their (secret) hates? (29) And if We would,
We could show them unto thee (Muhammad) so that thou shouldst know them surely
by their marks. And thou shalt know them by the burden of their talk. And Allah
knoweth your deeds. (30) And verily We shall try you till We know those of you
who strive hard (for the cause of Allah) and the steadfast, and till We test
your record. (31) Lo! those who disbelieve and turn from the way of Allah and
oppose the messenger after the guidance hath been manifested unto them, they
hurt Allah not a jot, and He will make their actions fruitless. (32) O ye who
believe! Obey Allah and obey the messenger, and render not your actions vain.
(33) Lo! those who disbelieve and turn from the way of Allah and then die
disbelievers, Allah surely will not pardon them. (34) So do not falter and cry
out for peace when ye (will be) the uppermost, and Allah is with you, and He
will not grudge (the reward of) your actions. (35) The life of the world is but
a sport and a pastime. And if ye believe and ward off (evil). He will give you
your wages, and will not ask of you your wordly wealth. (36) If He should ask
it of you and importune you, ye would hoard it, and He would bring to light
your (secret) hates. (37) Lo! ye are those who are called to spend in the way
of Allah, yet among you there are some who hoard. And as for him who hoardeth,
he hoardeth only from his soul. And Allah is the Rich, and ye are the poor. And
if ye turn away He will exchange you for some other folk, and they will not be
the likes of you. (38).”
` SEEKING FORGIVENESS: Chapter 9
(Al-Tawba): “Freedom from obligation (is proclaimed) from Allah and His
messenger toward those of the idolaters with whom ye made a treaty. (1) Travel
freely in the land four months, and know that ye cannot escape Allah and that
Allah will confound the disbelievers (in His guidance). (2) And a proclamation
from Allah and His messenger to all men on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage
that Allah is free from obligation to the idolaters, and (so is) His messenger.
So, if ye repent, it will be better for you; but if ye are averse, then know
that ye cannot escape Allah. Give tidings (O Muhammad) of a painful doom to
those who disbelieve, (3) Excepting those of the idolaters with whom ye
(Muslims) have a treaty, and who have since abated nothing of your right nor
have supported anyone against you. (As for these), fulfil their treaty to them
till their term. Lo! Allah loveth those who keep their duty (unto Him). (4)
Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find
them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each
ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then
leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (5) And if anyone of
the idolaters seeketh thy protection (O Muhammad), then protect him so that he
may hear the Word of Allah, and afterward convey him to his place of safety.
That is because they are a folk who know not. (6) How can there be a treaty
with Allah and with His messenger for the idolaters save those with whom ye
made a treaty at the Inviolable Place of Worship? So long as they are true to
you, be true to them. Lo! Allah loveth those who keep their duty. (7) How (can
there be any treaty for the others) when, if they have the upper hand of you,
they regard not pact nor honour in respect of you? They satisfy you with their
mouths the while their hearts refuse. And most of them are wrongdoers. (8) They
have purchased with the revelations of Allah a little gain, so they debar (men)
from His way. Lo! evil is that which they are wont to do. (9) And they observe
toward a believer neither pact nor honour. These are they who are transgressors.
(10) But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then are
they your brethren in religion. We detail Our revelations for a people who have
knowledge. (11) And if they break their pledges after
their treaty (hath been made with you) and assail your religion, then fight the
heads of disbelief - Lo! they have no binding oaths - in order that they may
desist. (12) Will ye not fight a folk who broke their solemn pledges, and
purposed to drive out the messenger and did attack you first? What! Fear ye
them? Now Allah hath more right that ye should fear Him, if ye are believers
(13) Fight them! Allah will chastise them at your hands, and He will lay them
low and give you victory over them, and He will heal the breasts of folk who
are believers. (14) And He will remove the anger of their hearts. Allah
relenteth toward whom He will. Allah is Knower, Wise. (15) Or deemed ye that ye
would be left (in peace) when Allah yet knoweth not those of you who strive,
choosing for familiar none save Allah and His messenger and the believers?
Allah is Informed of what ye do. (16) It is not for the idolaters to tend
Allah's sanctuaries, bearing witness against themselves of disbelief. As for
such, their works are vain and in the Fire they will abide. (17) He only shall
tend Allah's sanctuaries who believeth in Allah and the Last Day and observeth
proper worship and payeth the poor-due and feareth none save Allah. For such
(only) is it possible that they can be of the rightly guided. (18) Count ye the
slaking of a pilgrim's thirst and tendance of the Inviolable Place of Worship
as (equal to the worth of) him who believeth in Allah and the Last Day, and
striveth in the way of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allah. Allah
guideth not wrongdoing folk. (19) Those who believe, and have left their homes
and striven with their wealth and their lives in Allah's way are of much
greater worth in Allah's sight. These are they who are triumphant. (20) Their
Lord giveth them good tidings of mercy from Him, and acceptance, and Gardens
where enduring pleasure will be theirs; (21) There they will abide for ever.
Lo! with Allah there is immense reward. (22) O ye who believe! Choose not your
fathers nor your brethren for friends if they take pleasure in disbelief rather
than faith. Whoso of you taketh them for friends, such are wrong-doers. (23)
Say: If your fathers, and your sons, and your brethren, and your wives, and
your tribe, and the wealth ye have acquired, and merchandise for which ye fear
that there will be no sale, and dwellings ye desire are dearer to you than
Allah and His messenger and striving in His way: then wait till Allah bringeth
His command to pass. Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk. (24) Allah hath given
you victory on many fields and on the day of Huneyn, when ye exulted in your
multitude but it availed you naught, and the earth, vast as it is, was
straitened for you; then ye turned back in flight; (25) Then Allah sent His
peace of reassurance down upon His messenger and upon the believers, and sent
down hosts ye could not see, and punished those who disbelieved. Such is the
reward of disbelievers. (26) Then afterward Allah will relent toward whom He
will; for Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (27) O ye who believe! The idolaters
only are unclean. So let them not come near the Inviolable Place of Worship
after this their year. If ye fear poverty (from the loss of their merchandise)
Allah shall preserve you of His bounty if He will. Lo! Allah is Knower, Wise.
(28) Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as believe
not in Allah nor the Last Day, and forbid not that which Allah hath forbidden
by His messenger, and follow not the Religion of Truth, until they pay the
tribute readily, being brought low. (29) And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of
Allah, and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah. That is their
saying with their mouths. They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved of
old. Allah (Himself) fighteth against them. How perverse are they! (30) They
have taken as lords beside Allah their rabbis and their monks and the Messiah
son of Mary, when they were bidden to worship only One God. There is no
god save Him. Be He glorified from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)!
(31) Fain would they put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah
disdaineth (aught) save that He shall perfect His light, however much the
disbelievers are averse. (32) He it is Who hath sent His messenger with the
guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all
religion, however much the idolaters may be averse. (33) O ye who believe! Lo!
many of the (Jewish) rabbis and the (Christian) monks devour the wealth of
mankind wantonly and debar (men) from the way of Allah. They who hoard up gold
and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah, unto them give tidings (O
Muhammad) of a painful doom, (34) On the day when it will (all) be heated in
the fire of hell, and their foreheads and their flanks and their backs will be
branded therewith (and it will be said unto them): Here is that which ye
hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what ye used to hoard. (35) Lo! the number
of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah's ordinance in the day that
He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the
right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them. And wage war on all of the
idolaters as they are waging war on all of you. And know that Allah is with
those who keep their duty (unto Him). (36) Postponement (of a sacred month) is
only an excess of disbelief whereby those who disbelieve are misled; they allow
it one year and forbid it (another) year, that they may make up the number of
the months which Allah hath hallowed, so that they allow that which Allah hath
forbidden. The evil of their deeds is made fair-seeming unto them. Allah
guideth not the disbelieving folk. (37) O ye who believe! What aileth you that
when it is said unto you: Go forth in the way of Allah, ye are bowed down to
the ground with heaviness. Take ye pleasure in the life of the world rather
than in the Hereafter? The comfort of the life of the world is but little in
the Hereafter. (38) If ye go not forth He will afflict you with a painful doom,
and will choose instead of you a folk other than you. Ye cannot harm Him at
all. Allah is Able to do all things. (39) If ye help him not, still Allah
helped him when those who disbelieve drove him forth, the second of two; when
they two were in the cave, when he said unto his comrade: Grieve not. Lo! Allah
is with us. Then Allah caused His peace of reassurance to descend upon him and
supported him with hosts ye cannot see, and made the word of those who
disbelieved the nethermost, while Allah's Word it was that became the
uppermost. Allah is Mighty, Wise. (40) Go forth, light-armed and heavy-armed,
and strive with your wealth and your lives in the way of Allah! That is best
for you if ye but knew. (41) Had it been a near adventure and an easy journey
they had followed thee, but the distance seemed too far for them. Yet will they
swear by Allah (saying): If we had been able we would surely have set out with
you. They destroy their souls, and Allah knoweth that they verily are liars.
(42) Allah forgive thee (O Muhammad)! Wherefor didst thou grant them leave ere
those who told the truth were manifest to thee and thou didst know the liars?
(43) Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day ask no leave of thee lest they
should strive with their wealth and their lives. Allah is Aware of those who
keep their duty (unto Him). (44) They alone ask leave of thee who believe not
in Allah and the Last Day, and whose hearts feel doubt, so in their doubt they
waver. (45) And if they had wished to go forth they would assuredly have made
ready some equipment, but Allah was averse to their being sent forth and held
them back and it was said (unto them): Sit ye with the sedentary! (46) Had they
gone forth among you they had added to you naught save trouble and had hurried
to and fro among you, seeking to cause sedition among you; and among you there
are some who would have listened to them. Allah is Aware of evil-doers. (47)
Aforetime they sought to cause sedition and raised difficulties for thee till
the Truth came and the decree of Allah was made manifest, though they were
loth. (48) Of them is he who saith: Grant me leave (to stay at home) and tempt
me not. Surely it is into temptation that they (thus) have fallen. Lo! hell
verily is all around the disbelievers. (49) If good befalleth thee (O Muhammad)
it afflicteth them, and if calamity befalleth thee, they say: We took
precaution, and they turn away well pleased. (50) Say: Naught befalleth us save
that which Allah hath decreed for us. He is our Protecting Friend. In Allah let
believers put their trust! (51) Say: Can ye await for us aught save one of two
good things (death or victory in Allah's way)? while we await for you that
Allah will afflict you with a doom from Him or at our hands. Await then! Lo! We
are awaiting with you. (52) Say: Pay (your contribution), willingly or
unwillingly, it will not be accepted from you. Lo! ye were ever froward folk.
(53) And naught preventeth that their contributions should be accepted from
them save that they have disbelieved in Allah and in His messenger, and they
come not to worship save as idlers, and pay not (their contribution) save
reluctantly. (54) So let not their riches nor their children astonish thee (O
Muhammad). Allah thereby intendeth but to punish them in the life of the world
and that their souls shall pass away while they are disbelievers. (55) And they
swear by Allah that they are in truth of you, when they are not of you, but
they are folk who are afraid. (56) Had they but found a refuge, or caverns, or
a place to enter, they surely had resorted thither swift as runaways. (57) And
of them is he who defameth thee in the matter of the alms. If they are given
thereof they are content, and if they are not given thereof, behold! they are
enraged. (58) (How much more seemly) had they been content with that which
Allah and His messenger had given them and had said: Allah sufficeth us. Allah
will give us of His bounty, and (also) His messenger. Unto Allah we are
suppliants. (59) The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who
collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the
captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarer; a
duty imposed by Allah. Allah is Knower, Wise. (60) And of them are those who
vex the Prophet and say: He is only a hearer. Say: A hearer of good for you,
who believeth in Allah and is true to the believers, and a mercy for such of
you as believe. Those who vex the messenger of Allah, for them there is a
painful doom. (61) They swear by Allah to you (Muslims) to please you, but
Allah, with His messenger, hath more right that they should please Him if they
are believers. (62) Know they not that whoso opposeth Allah and His messenger,
his portion verily is hell, to abide therein? That is the extreme abasement.
(63) The hypocrites fear lest a surah should be revealed concerning them,
proclaiming what is in their hearts. Say: Scoff (your fill)! Lo! Allah is
disclosing what ye fear. (64) And if thou ask them (O Muhammad) they will say:
We did but talk and jest. Say: Was it at Allah and His revelations and His
messenger that ye did scoff? (65) Make no excuse. Ye have disbelieved after
your (confession of) belief. If We forgive a party of you, a party of you We
shall punish because they have been guilty. (66) The hypocrites, both men and
women, proceed one from another. They enjoin the wrong, and they forbid the
right, and they withhold their hands (from spending for the cause of Allah).
They forget Allah, so He hath forgotten them. Lo! the hypocrites, they are the
transgressors. (67) Allah promiseth the hypocrites, both men and women, and the
disbelievers fire of hell for their abode. It will suffice them. Allah curseth
them, and theirs is lasting torment. (68) Even as those before you who were
mightier than you in strength, and more affluent than you in wealth and
children. They enjoyed their lot awhile, so ye enjoy your lot awhile even as
those before you did enjoy their lot awhile. And ye prate even as they prated.
Such are they whose works have perished in the world and the Hereafter. Such
are they who are the losers. (69) Hath not the fame of those before them
reached them - the folk of Noah, 'Aad, Thamud, the folk of Abraham, the
dwellers of Midian and the disasters (which befell them)? Their messengers
(from Allah) came unto them with proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty). So Allah
surely wronged them not, but they did wrong themselves. (70) And the believers,
men and women, are protecting friends one of another; they enjoin the right and
forbid the wrong, and they establish worship and they pay the poor-due, and
they obey Allah and His messenger. As for these, Allah will have mercy on them.
Lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise. (71) Allah promiseth to the believers, men and
women, Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide - blessed
dwellings in Gardens of Eden. And - greater (far)! - acceptance from Allah.
That is the supreme triumph. (72) O Prophet! Strive against the disbelievers
and the hypocrites! Be harsh with them. Their ultimate abode is hell, a hapless
journey's end. (73) They swear by Allah that they said nothing (wrong), yet
they did say the word of disbelief, and did disbelieve after their Surrender
(to Allah). And they purposed that which they could not attain, and they sought
revenge only that Allah by His messenger should enrich them of His bounty. If
they repent it will be better for them; and if they turn away, Allah will
afflict them with a painful doom in the world and the Hereafter, and they have
no protecting friend nor helper in the earth. (74) And of them is he who made a
covenant with Allah (saying): If He give us of His bounty we will give alms and
become of the righteous. (75) Yet when He gave them of His bounty, they hoarded
it and turned away, averse; (76) So He hath made the consequence (to be)
hypocrisy in their hearts until the day when they shall meet Him, because they
broke their word to Allah that they promised Him, and because they lied. (77)
Know they not that Allah knoweth both their secret and the thought that they
confide, and that Allah is the Knower of Things Hidden? (78) Those who point at
such of the believers as give the alms willingly and such as can find naught to
give but their endeavours, and deride them - Allah (Himself) derideth them.
Theirs will be a painful doom. (79) Ask forgiveness for them (O Muhammad), or
ask not forgiveness for them; though thou ask forgiveness for them seventy
times Allah will not forgive them. That is because they disbelieved in Allah
and His messenger, and Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk. (80) Those who were
left behind rejoiced at sitting still behind the messenger of Allah, and were
averse to striving with their wealth and their lives in Allah's way. And they
said: Go not forth in the heat! Say: The fire of hell is more intense of heat,
if they but understood. (81) Then let them laugh a little: they will weep much,
as the reward of what they used to earn. (82) If Allah bring thee back (from
the campaign) unto a party of them and they ask of thee leave to go out (to
fight), then say unto them: Ye shall never more go out with me nor fight with
me against a foe. Ye were content with sitting still the first time. So sit
still, with the useless. (83) And never (O Muhammad) pray for one of them who
dieth, nor stand by his grave. Lo! they disbelieved in Allah and His messenger,
and they died while they were evil-doers. (84) Let not their wealth nor their
children astonish thee! Allah purposeth only to punish them thereby in the
world, and that their souls shall pass away while they are disbelievers. (85)
And when a surah is revealed (which saith): Believe in Allah and strive along
with His messenger, the men of wealth among them still ask leave of thee and say:
Suffer us to be with those who sit (at home). (86) They are content that they
should be with those who remain behind and their hearts are sealed, so that
they apprehend not. (87) But the messenger and those who believe with him
strive with their wealth and their lives. Such are they for whom are the good
things. Such are they who are the successful. (88) Allah hath made ready for
them Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide. That is the
supreme triumph. (89) And those among the wandering Arabs who had an excuse
came in order that permission might be granted them. And those who lied to
Allah and His messenger sat at home. A painful doom will fall on those of them
who disbelieve. (90) Not unto the weak nor unto the sick nor unto those who can
find naught to spend is any fault (to be imputed though they stay at home) if
they are true to Allah and His messenger. Not unto the good is there any road
(of blame). Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (91) Nor unto those whom, when they
came to thee (asking) that thou shouldst mount them, thou didst tell: I cannot
find whereon to mount you. They turned back with eyes flowing with tears, for
sorrow that they could not find the means to spend. (92) The road (of blame) is
only against those who ask for leave of thee (to stay at home) when they are
rich. They are content to be with the those who remind behind. Allah hath
sealed their hearts so that they know not. (93) They will make excuse to you
(Muslims) when ye return unto them. Say: Make no excuse, for we shall not
believe you. Allah hath told us tidings of you. Allah and His messenger will
see your conduct, and then ye will be brought back unto Him Who knoweth the
Invisible as well as the Visible, and He will tell you what ye used to do. (94)
They will swear by Allah unto you, when ye return unto them, that ye may let
them be. Let them be, for lo! they are unclean, and their abode is hell as the
reward for what they used to earn. (95) They swear unto you, that ye may accept
them. Though ye accept them. Allah verily accepteth not wrongdoing folk. (96)
The wandering Arabs are more hard in disbelief and hypocrisy, and more likely
to be ignorant of the limits which Allah hath revealed unto His messenger. And
Allah is Knower, Wise. (97) And of the wandering Arabs there is he who taketh
that which he expendeth (for the cause of Allah) as a loss, and awaiteth (evil)
turns of fortune for you (that he may be rid of it). The evil turn of fortune
will be theirs. Allah is Hearer, Knower. (98) And of the wandering Arabs there
is he who believeth in Allah and the Last Day, and taketh that which he
expendeth and also the prayers of the messenger as acceptable offerings in the
sight of Allah. Lo! verily it is an acceptable offering for them. Allah will
bring them into His mercy. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (99) And the first
to lead the way, of the Muhajirin and the Ansar, and those who followed them in
goodness - Allah is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with Him,
and He hath made ready for them Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein
they will abide for ever. That is the supreme triumph. (100) And among those
around you of the wandering Arabs there are hypocrites, and among the
townspeople of Al-Madinah (there are some who) persist in hypocrisy whom thou
(O Muhammad) knowest not. We, We know them, and We shall chastise them twice;
then they will be relegated to a painful doom. (101) And (there are) others who
have acknowledged their faults. They mixed a righteous action with another that
was bad. It may be that Allah will relent toward them. Lo! Allah is Forgiving,
Merciful. (102) Take alms of their wealth, wherewith thou mayst purify them and
mayst make them grow, and pray for them. Lo! thy prayer is an assuagement for
them. Allah is Hearer, Knower. (103) Know they not that Allah is He Who
accepteth repentance from His bondmen and taketh the alms, and that Allah is He
Who is the Relenting, the Merciful. (104) And say (unto them): Act! Allah will
behold your actions, and (so will) His messenger and the believers, and ye will
be brought back to the Knower of the Invisible and the Visible, and He will
tell you what ye used to do. (105) And (there are) others who await Allah's
decree, whether He will punish them or will forgive them. Allah is Knower, Wise.
(106) And as for those who chose a place of worship out of opposition and
disbelief, and in order to cause dissent among the believers, and as an outpost
for those who warred against Allah and His messenger aforetime, they will
surely swear: We purposed naught save good. Allah beareth witness that they
verily are liars. (107) Never stand (to pray) there. A place of worship which
was founded on piety from the first day is more worthy that thou shouldst stand
(to pray) therein, wherein are men who love to purify themselves. Allah loveth
the purifiers. (108) Is he who founded his building upon duty to Allah and His
good pleasure better; or he who founded his building on the brink of a
crumbling, overhanging precipice so that it toppled with him into the fire of
hell? Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk. (109) The building which they built
will never cease to be a misgiving in their hearts unless their hearts be torn
to pieces. Allah is Knower, Wise. (110) Lo! Allah hath bought from the
believers their lives and their wealth because the Garden will be theirs: they
shall fight in the way of Allah and shall slay and be slain. It is a promise
which is binding on Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. Who
fulfilleth His covenant better than Allah? Rejoice then in your bargain that ye
have made, for that is the supreme triumph. (111) (Triumphant) are those who
turn repentant (to Allah), those who serve (Him), those who praise (Him), those
who fast, those who bow down, those who fall prostrate (in worship), those who
enjoin the right and who forbid the wrong and those who keep the limits
(ordained) of Allah - And give glad tidings to believers! (112) It is not for
the Prophet, and those who believe, to pray for the forgiveness of idolaters
even though they may be near of kin (to them) after it hath become clear that
they are people of hell-fire. (113) The prayer of Abraham for the forgiveness
of his father was only because of a promise he had promised him, but when it
had become clear unto him that he (his father) was an enemy to Allah he
(Abraham) disowned him. Lo! Abraham was soft of heart, long-suffering. (114) It
was never Allah's (part) that He should send a folk astray after He had guided
them until He had made clear unto them what they should avoid. Lo! Allah is
Aware of all things. (115) Lo! Allah! Unto Him belongeth the Sovereignty of the
heavens and the earth. He quickeneth and He giveth death. And ye have, instead
of Allah, no protecting friend nor helper. (116) Allah hath turned in mercy to
the Prophet, and to the Muhajirin and the Ansar who followed him in the hour of
hardship. After the hearts of a party of them had almost swerved aside, then
turned He unto them in mercy. Lo! He is Full of Pity, Merciful for them. (117)
And to the three also (did He turn in mercy) who were left behind, when the
earth, vast as it is, become straitened for them, and their own souls were
straitened for them till they bethought them that there is no refuge from Allah
save toward Him. Then turned He unto them in mercy that they (too) might turn
(repentant unto Him). Lo! Allah! He is the Relenting, the Merciful. (118) O ye
who believe! Be careful of your duty to Allah, and be with the truthful. (119)
It is not for the townsfolk of Al-Madinah and for those around them of the wandering
Arabs to stay behind the messenger of Allah and prefer their lives to his life.
That is because neither thirst nor toil nor hunger afflicteth them in the way
of Allah, nor step they any step that angereth the disbelievers, nor gain they
from the enemy a gain, but a good deed is recorded for them therefor. Lo! Allah
loseth not the wages of the good. (120) Nor spend they any spending, small or
great, nor do they cross a valley, but it is recorded for them, that Allah may
repay them the best of what they used to do. (121) And the believers should not
all go out to fight. Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that
they (who are left behind) may gain sound knowledge in religion, and that they
may warn their folk when they return to them, so that they may beware. (122) O
ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let
them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their
duty (unto Him). (123) And whenever a surah is revealed there are some of them
who say: The faith ofwhich one of you hath this increased in faith? As for
those who believe, it hath increased them in faith and they rejoice (therefor).
(124) But as for those in whose hearts is disease, it only addeth wickedness to
their wickedness, and they die while they are disbelievers. (125) See they not
that they are tested once or twice in every year? Still they turn not in
repentance, neither pay they heed. (126) And whenever a surah is revealed, they
look one at another (as who should say): Doth anybody see you? Then they turn
away. Allah turneth away their hearts because they are a folk who understand
not. (127) There hath come unto you a messenger, (one) of yourselves, unto whom
aught that ye are overburdened is grievous, full of concern for you, for the
believers full of pity, merciful. (128) Now, if they turn away (O Muhammad)
say: Allah sufficeth me. There is no God save Him. In Him have I put my trust,
and He is Lord of the Tremendous Throne. (129)/”
SIKH COMMUNITY: When I meet people of the
Sikh community, I find them very friendly. They acknowledge the fact that Guru
Arjan had specially invited Muslim Sufi saint Hazrat Mian Mir, whose tomb is in
Lahore, Pakistan, to lay the foundation stone of the Harmandir Sahib in Goldem
Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, India. Such close they were and understood and
respected each other.
Keeping
in view this fact, both the Muslim and Sikh
CONCLUSION: Although
the whole Quran is full of wisdom and guidance, the above chapters tell:
1) About who is God Allah.
2) About our duties and responsibilities i.e.
to remain on
the right path and show
patience and tolerance to deserve blessings of God Allah. Their assignment is
to worship only God and serve humanity in reality. This is the job of all human
beings. Only this will show that they are good human beings.
3) A complete chapter on Muhammad (PBUH) is
solely
meant to tell the
mankind that Muhammad (PBUH) was a prophet and human being and not God. That
all prophets
are just human beings
and not God and can never be.
They were all just
messengers of God Allah.
KINDS OF PEOPLE: Human beings have been
divided into four categories: 1) Believers 2). Non-believers 3) Helpless people
and 4)Innocent people. The duty of the believers is to serve and protect all
people, particularly the helpless and innocent ones and to never, except the
committed enemies of the mankind, hurt and harm anyone. The hypocrites,
criminals and terrorists too are the worst enemies of mankind. This we need to
and must understand.
CONCLUSION:
Although
the whole Quran is full of wisdom and guidance, the above chapters tell:
1) About who is God Allah.
2) About our duties and responsibilities i.e.
to remain on
the right path and show
patience and tolerance to deserve blessings of God Allah. Their assignment is
to worship only God and serve humanity in reality. This is the job of all human
beings. Only this will show that they are good human beings.
3) A complete chapter on Muhammad (PBUH) is
solely
meant to tell the
mankind that Muhammad (PBUH) was a prophet and human being and not God. That
all prophets
are just human beings
and not God and can never be.
They were all just
messengers of God Allah.
SHIR NETWORK: Despite tough challenges, I keep trying to serve
humanity through my founded think tank SHIR International Network. The mission
and vision is to Serve Humanity In Reality (SHIR).
As
regards success of my mission and vision, again I have full faith in Allah. He
will send good people of all communities as angels for my help and support. My
job is to keep doing what I am doing. My canvass is broad and the focus is on
humanity.
JZ’S PROFILE: Founder of SHIR International Network (Serve
Humanity In Reality---SHIR), declared by Judges as one of 75 Finalist Best
Canadian Immigrants, an Honour for the Pakistani Community. Joined Journalism
Profession in 1974 (Daily `SUN’, Karachi) and still serving as a professional
journalist (2014). Javed Zaheer, Free Expression Award Winner (Awarded by National
Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada—NEPMCC. Award presented by
Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, Canada), Desi Idol Recognition Award Winner
(Presented by North American Desi Idol), Member/Honorary Director of NEPMCC,
Veteran Active Member (VAM) of Toronto Press Club, Ex-Member of The National
Club and The Ontario Club, Honorary Editor of English Weekly `Pakistan Abroad’,
Canada, ex-Chief Editor (Honorary) of English Weekly `The Ambassador’, Canada,
ex-Chief Editor (Honorary) of English Weekly `DAWN', Canada, ex-Senior
Sub-Editor of English Daily DAWN, Pakistan (From 1986-1999), Chairman, CANOPI,
Director of Children Dignity Foundation (CDF---Canada & Pakistan) and
Honorary Director, Canpak, Chamber of Commerce, and Honorary Director
Information, Pak Seniors Forum (PSF), is contributing purely on Voluntary and
Honorary Basis in order to serve all people and communities. Contact:
(416)696-0981/jazamedia@hotmail.com To read more JZ’s exclusive articles,
please visit: nepmcc website (Editorial Sections. Scan years from 2004). Visit
www.javedzaheernews.blogspot.com for latest exclusive articles.
JAVED ZAHEER’S MISSION & VISION
“SHIR INTERNATIONAL
NETWORK’S AIMS, ONJECTIVES, MISSION AND VISION:
1. SERVE HUMANITY IN REALITY (SHIR).
2. AFTER WORSHIP OF GOD, CONSIDER SHIR
MISSION & VISION AS OUR MOST IMPORTANT DUTY & RESPONSIBILITY. BOTH ARE
EQUALLY IMPORTANT SINCE WORSHIP WITHOUT SHIR VISION IS MEANINGLESS, IF
UNDERSTOOD IN REALITY.
3. BECOME & REMAIN VOICE & STRENGTH
OF HUMANITY IN REALITY.
4. UNITE HUMANITY IN REALITY.
5. LIKE, LOVE, RESPECT & LIVE & WORK
TOGETHER IN REALITY.
6. JOIN, HELP, SUPPORT, PROMOTE & PROTECT
HUMANITY IN REALITY IN ORDER TO PLEASE GOD AND MAKE THE WORLD SAFER &
BETTER.
