Koran Curious - A Guide for Infidels and Believers (34 page)
Read Koran Curious - A Guide for Infidels and Believers Online
Authors: C.J. Werleman
[55:57] Which of your Lord’s marvels can you deny?
[55:58] They look like gems and coral.
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Recited by Muhammad in Mecca, ‘The Inevitable’ is an address to the disbelievers who harbor suspicions about the Hereafter, as they didn’t believe in the philosophy that human existence continued beyond the earthly realm. They regarded the idea of heaven or paradise as little more than wishful thinking.
Muhammad forewarns that the Day of Judgment will come.
[56:1] When the inevitable comes to pass.
[56:2] Nothing can stop it from happening.
[56:3] It will lower some, and raise others.
[56:4] The earth will be shaken up.
[56:5] The mountains will be wiped out.
[56:6] As if they never existed.
Muhammad says on that Day of Judgment, people will be divided into three classes: (1) The foremost in rank and position; (2) the common righteous people and (3) those who believe in paganism and polytheism. He then describes how these three classes will be punished or rewarded.
1
st
class:
[56:7] You will be stratified into three kinds.
[56:8] Those who deserved bliss will be in bliss.
[56:9] Those who deserved misery will be in misery.
[56:10] Then there is the elite of the elite.
[56:11] They are those who will be closest (to God).
[56:12] In the gardens of bliss.
[56:13] Many from the first generations.
[56:14] Few from the later generations.
[56:15] On luxurious furnishings.
[56:16] Enjoying everything, they will be neighbors.
[56:17] Serving them will be immortal servants.
[56:18] With cups, pitchers and pure drinks.
[56:19] They never run out, nor do they get bored.
[56:20] Fruits of their choice.
[56:21] Meat of birds that they desire.
[56:22] Beautiful mates.
2
nd
Class:
[56:27] Those of the right side, will be on the right side.
[56:28] In lush orchards.
[56:29] Fragrant fruits.
[56:30] Extended shade.
[56:31] Abundant water.
[56:32] Many fruits.
[56:33] Never ending; never forbidden.
[56:34] Luxurious furnishings.
[56:35] We create for them mates.
[56:36] Never previously touched.
3
rd
Class:
[56:41] Those of the left, will be on the left.
[56:42] In misery and inferno.
[56:43] Even their shade is hot.
[56:44] Never cool, never tolerable.
[56:45] They used to be rich.
[56:46] They insisted on the great blasphemy.
Muhammad states the proofs he has for there being life after death.
[56:57] We have created you, if you could only believe!
[56:58] Have you noted the semen that you produce?
[56:59] Did you create it, or did we?
[56:60] We have predetermined death for you. Nothing can stop us
[56:61] from substituting new generations in your place, and establishing what you do not know.
[56:62] You know about the first creation. Do you not remember?
[56:63] Have you noted the crops you reap?
[56:64] Did you grow them, or did we?
Muhammad addresses the unbeliever’s suspicion that the Koran is not the authentic word of God.
[56:75] I swear by the positions of the stars.
[56:76] This is an oath, if you only knew, that is awesome.
[56:77] This is an honorable Quran.
[56:78] In a protected book.
[56:79] None can grasp it except the sincere.
[56:80] A revelation from the Lord of the universe.
[56:81] Are you disregarding this narration?
[56:82] Do you make it your business that you disbelieve?
[56:83] When the time comes and it (your soul) reaches your throat –
[56:84] you will then look around.
[56:85] We are closer to it than you are, but you do not see.
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
This is a Medinan sura given to the Muslims during a state of war, sometime during the interval between the Siege of Medina and the Truce of Hudaibiyah.
In these twenty-nine verses, Muhammad implores the Muslims to fight against those who threaten to annihilate them. He tells them that devotion to God requires more than just prayer and words, and that if they’re to survive, then they must be willing to sacrifice for their community or die.
Muhammad gives glory to God.
[57:1] Glorifying GOD is everything in the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, Most Wise.
[57:2] To Him belongs the kingship of the heavens and the earth. He controls life and death. He is Omnipotent.
[57:3] He is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the Outermost and the Innermost. He is fully aware of all things.
Muslims must make sacrifices and do everything to strive for the survival of their community and religion.
[57:11] Distinguished from the rest are those among you who spend before the victory and strive. They attain a greater rank than those who spend after the victory and strive. For each, GOD promises salvation. GOD is Cognizant of everything you do.
[57:12] The day will come when you see the believing men and women with their lights radiating ahead of them and to their right. Good news is yours that, on that day, you will have gardens with flowing streams. You will abide therein forever. This is the great triumph.
[57:13] On that day, the hypocrite men and women will say to those who believed, “Please allow us to absorb some of your light.” It will be said, “Go back behind you, and seek light.” A barrier will be set up between them, whose gate separates mercy on the inner side, from retribution on the outer side.
[57:20] Know that this worldly life is no more than play and games, and boasting among you, and hoarding of money and children. It is like abundant rain that produces plants and pleases the disbelievers. But then the plants turn into useless hay, and are blown away by the wind. In the Hereafter there is either severe retribution, or forgiveness from GOD and approval. This worldly life is no more than a temporary illusion.
[57:28] O you who believe, you shall reverence GOD and believe in His messenger. He will then grant you double the reward from His mercy, endow you with light to guide you, and forgive you. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Comprising of twenty-two verses, ‘The Debate’ is a Medinan sura that deals with the social issues faced by Muhammad and the Muslims in the first years after the migration there.
Muhammad warns against Muslims creating their own rules and regulations that go against the laws of Islam.
[58:1] GOD has heard the woman who debated with you about her husband, and complained to GOD. GOD heard everything the two of you discussed. GOD is Hearer, Seer.
[58:2] Those among you who estrange their wives (by declaring them as forbidden in sex) as their mothers know full well that they are not their mothers. Their mothers are the women who gave birth to them. Indeed, they are committing a blasphemy and a falsehood. GOD is Pardoner, Forgiver.
[58:3] Those who estrange their wives in this manner, then reconcile thereafter, shall atone by freeing a slave before resuming their sexual relations. This is to enlighten you. GOD is Cognizant of everything you do.
[58:4] If you cannot find a slave to free, you shall fast two consecutive months before resuming sexual relations. If you cannot fast, then you shall feed sixty poor people. You shall believe in GOD and His messenger. These are GOD’s laws. The disbelievers have incurred a painful retribution.
Muhammad lambasts the hypocrites who spread false rumors about him.
[58:8] Have you noted those who were enjoined from conspiring secretly, then insist on conspiring? They conspire to commit sin, transgression, and disobedience of the messenger. When they come to you, they greet you with a greeting other than that decreed by GOD. They say inside themselves, “GOD will not punish us for our utterances.” Their only requital is Gehenna, wherein they burn; what a miserable destiny.
[58:9] O you who believe, if you have to confer secretly, you shall not confer to commit sin, transgression, and to disobey the messenger. You shall confer to work righteousness and piety. You shall reverence GOD, before whom you will be summoned.
[58:10] Secret conspiracy is the devil’s idea, through which he seeks to hurt those who believed. However, he cannot hurt them against GOD’s will. In GOD the believers shall trust.
Muhammad urges Muslims to stay righteous; to observe prayer; pay their charity tax; and to disown non-Muslim friends.
[58:12] O you who believe, when you wish to confer with the messenger, you shall offer a charity (to the poor) before you do so. This is better for you, and purer. If you cannot afford it, then GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[58:13] If you failed to give to charity before conferring, then repented thereafter, GOD accepts your repentance. You shall observe the contact prayers (Salat), give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and obey GOD and His messenger. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
[58:14] Have you noted those who befriended people with whom GOD is angry? They neither belong with you, nor with them. They deliberately swear lies!
