Message for Muslims

Sura 19  Maryam (Mary) (Mecca)

As Mary is the title of this chapter it provides for us the opportunity of looking at Islam’s Maryam, daughter of ‘Imran. In this sura the announcement of a holy son is given to Mary; she conceives; gives birth and is vindicated against slanderous reports by the baby which speaks from the cradle. The story of Zakariya and Yahya is narrated and mention is made of Abraham and Idris.

Maryam, daughter of ‘Imran in Islam

1) In the verses relating to Maryam there is no mention of her husband because according to Muslim tradition ‘Isa had no earthly father.

2) Islam considers that only two people were born without sin – Maryam and Jesus. According to Islamic tradition, when a child is born it cries because Satan has touched and infected it with sin, only Jesus and Mary were the two babies who came into the world without crying.

3) The name Maryam is the only female name mentioned in the whole Quran. Other women are called the “wife of Imran” or “the wife of Pharaoh.”

4) Although ‘Isa is clearly more important than Maryam in the Quran her name appears 34 times whereas the name of Isa appears only 25 times.

5) Maryam is mentioned in both the older Meccan suras and the later Medinan suras.

6) In the Quran, Mary’s father is called ‘Imran while in Christian tradition he is called Ioachim. It is generally thought that Muhammad was confused over the two Maryam’s in the Bible. In the Old Testament ‘Amram was the father of Moses, Aaron and Mary am. The fact that the Quran records that Maryam is called the sister of Aaron (Harun) in the Quran seems to confirm this assertion. ”O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a man of evil, nor thy mother a woman unchaste!”(19:28)

7) Maryam according to the hadith is reckoned as one of the four best women who have ever existed. a) Narrated ‘Ali:I heard the Prophet saying, Mary, the daughter of ‘Imran, was the best among the women (of the world of her time) and Khadija is the best amongst the women. (of this nation).(Bukhari Volume 4, Book 55, Number 642). b) Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari: The Prophet said, Many men reached perfection but none among the women reached perfection except Mary, the daughter of ‘ Imran, and Asia, Pharaohs wife. And the superiority of ‘Aisha to other women is like the superiority of Tharid to other kinds of food. (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 65, Number 329).

The birth of Maryam is recorded in Sura Al ‘Imran as follows: ” Then the wife of Imran said, “My Lord truly I have vowed to you in dedication what is within my womb. Receive it from me. You are the all-hearing the all knowing.” When she gave birth to her she said, “My Lord I have given birth to a female!” Allah knew what she had given birth to, (because) the male is not like the female. And I have named her Maryam and commend her to you, with her seed, to protect them from the cursed Satan. Her Lord received the girl with gracious favour and let her grow up like a nice plant. Zechariah was taking the responsibility for her. Whenever Zechariah visited her in the prayer corner (mihrab) of the sanctuary he fou nd her provisioned. “Mary,” he said, “How comes this to you?”This comes from Allah,” she said, “Truly Allah provisions whomever he wants without reckoning” (3:35-37). The story of the birth of Maryam goes back to Christian tradition and corresponds closely to the details contained in Protevangelium Jacobi and De nativitate Mariae.

9) According to the Quran Mary belongs to the Trinity: “And behold! Allah will say: O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah’? He will say: Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, thou wouldst indeed have known it.” (Al-Maidah 5:116). The Muslim commentaries describe the Trinity as consisting of Allah, ‘Isa and Maryam. It is difficult to know exactly as to how Muhammad came to this view perhaps it was the veneration of Mary in Christian sects or even from the Marian Traditions in the Eastern Orthodox Churches. Such veneration was anathema to Muhammad. The following verse apparently is a refutation of those Christians who venerated Maryam to an non-biblical status: “Christ the son of Mary was no more than a messenger; many were the messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food.” (Al-Maidah 5:75)

10) Maryam is portrayed in the Quran as a faithful Muslim believer. She regularly went into the mosque (or temple) to pray. She lived there day and night and did not leave the holy place. She prayed facing in the right direction in the prayer corner (mihrab). Allah sent Mary am provisions because she always prayed facing in the right direction. She received food from divine servants in the sanctuary. She is considered to be the model for all Muslim women.

11) The number of errors found in the account of Mary and the birth of Jesus show that Muhammad was not acquainted with the Bible and was indebted to Jewish or Christian informants of tradition.

The subject matter of  Sura Maryam  is given below with relevant comments.

The story of Zakariya and Yahya

“(This is) a recital of the mercy of thy Lord to His servant Zakariya. Behold! he cried to his Lord in secret, Praying: O my Lord! infirm indeed are my bones, and the hair of my head doth glisten with grey: but never am I un-blest, O my Lord, in my prayer to Thee! Now I fear (what) my relatives (will do) after me: but my wife is barren: so give me an heir as from Thyself, (One that) will represent me, and represent the p osterity of Jacob; and make him, O my Lord! one with whom Thou art well-pleased! (His prayer was answered): O Zakariya! We give thee good news of a son: His name shall be Yahya: on none by that name have We conferred distinction before. He said: O my Lord! How shall I have a son, when my wife is barren and I have grown quite decrepit from old age? He said: So (it will be) thy Lord saith, ‘that is easy for Me: I did indeed create thee before, when thou hadst been nothing!’ (Zakariya) said: O my Lord! give me a sign. Thy sign, was the answer, Shall be that thou shalt speak to no man for three nights, although thou art not dumb. So Zakariya came out to his people from him chamber: He told them by signs to celebrate Allah’s praises in the morning and in the evening. (To his son came the command): O Yahya! take hold of the Book with might: and We gave him wisdom even as a youth, And piety as from Us, and purity: He was devout, And kind to his parents, and he was not overbearing or rebellious. So peace on him the day he was born, the day that he dies, and the day that he will be raised up to life (again)! (v 2-15)

The announcement of a holy son to Maryam

“Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the east. She placed a s creen from them; then We sent her our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects. She said: I seek refuge from thee to (Allah) most gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear Allah. He said: Nay, I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son. She said: How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste? He said: So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, ‘that is easy for Me: and to appoint him as a sign unto men and a mercy from Us’: It is a matter decreed.” (v 16-21)

According to tradition Gabriel appeared to Maryam in the form of a beardless youth with a shining face and curly hair. After he had announced to her the birth of a male child she was amazed but became compliant to the will of Allah.

The birth of Mary’s son

“So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: She cried Ah! would that I had died before this! would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight! But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the (palm-tree): Grieve not! for thy Lord hath provided a rivulet beneath thee; And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee. So eat and drink and cool (thine) eye. And if thou dost see any man, say, ‘I have vowed a fast to (Allah) most gracious, and this day will I enter into not talk with any human being’ (v 22-26)

The tradition continues that the angel blew his breath into the fold of her shirt, which she had taken off. When the angel had gone she put the shirt back on again and became pregnant. The apocryphal book called the History of the Nativity of Mary and the Saviour’s Infancy states ’Mary was wearied in the desert by the heat, and asked Joseph to rest for a little while under the shade of a palm-tree.’ The major divergence between this story and that of the Quran is that the palm-tree assists the holy family after the birth of Christ following their journey into Egypt while the latter occurrence is at the time of Christ’s birth.

Maryam accused of being unchaste: vindicated by her son speaking from the cradle

“At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him. They said: O Mary! truly an amazing thing hast thou brought! Then she brought him to her own folk, carrying him. O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a man of evil, nor thy mother a woman unchaste! But she pointed to the babe. They said: How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle? He said: I am indeed a servant of Allah: He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet; And He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me prayer and charity as long as I live (He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable; So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)! Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute” (v 27-34).

Muhammad claimed that the above was revealed to him by God through the angel Gabriel. Yet, it contains legends which were current among schismatic Christians in the time of Muhammad. In respect to the reproaches given to Mary and of Jesus speaking out from the cradle we find a similar story in the Arabic Gospel of Infancy: ’ Jesus spake when he was in the cradle, and called out to his mother, “Verily I am Jesus, the Son of God, the Word, whom thou hast given birth to according to the good tidings given thee by the Angel Gabriel, and my Father hath sent me for the salvation of the world.” It will become apparent that Muhammad adapted this apocryphal story and worked it into his own system.

Abraham and his father

“Also mention in the Book (the story of) Abraham: He was a man of truth, a prophet. Behold, he said to his father: O my father! why worship that which heareth not and seeth not, and can profit thee nothing? O my father! to me hath come knowledge which hath not reached thee: so follow me: I will guide thee to a way that is even and straight. O my father! serve not Satan: for Satan is a rebel against (Allah) most gracious. O my father! I fear lest a penalty afflict thee from (Allah) most gracious, so that thou become to Satan a friend. (The father) replied: Dost thou hate my gods, O Abraham? If thou forbear not, I will indeed stone thee: Now get away from me for a good long while!  Abraham said: Peace be on thee: I will pray to my Lord for thy forgiveness: for He is to me most gracious” (v  41-47).

The biblical story in Genesis 11:26-31 and 12:1-4 gives no such account of such a conversation. This is legend.

Enoch (Idris) taken to heaven

“Also mention in the Book the case of Idris: He was a man of truth, a prophet: And We raised him to a lofty station” (v 56, 57).

He is only mentioned twice in the Quran, here and in the following verse:

“And (remember) Isma’il, Idris, and Zul-kifl, all of constancy and patience” (Al-Anbiya 21:85)

Idris is generally believed to be Enoch. He is said to be called Idris from dars ‘to instruct’. The Muslim legend is that from his knowledge of divine mysteries thirty portions of divine scriptures were revealed to him. He was the first to write with a pen and also studied astronomy and arithmetic. The Bible makes no such statement. See Genesis 5:21-24.

The monstrous assertion God has begotten a son!

“They say: (Allah) most gracious has begotten a son! Indeed ye have put forth a thing most monstrous! At it the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter ruin. That they should invoke a son for (Allah) most gracious. For it is not consonant with the majesty of (Allah) most gracious that He should beget a son.” (v 88-92)

 

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Sura 20  Ta-Ha (Mecca)

A great part of the chapter is taken up with an Islamic account of Moses. The object is to encourage Muhammad as a prophet, in the expectation that he would be assisted like his predecessor. Just as Moses was sent to the stubborn Pharaoh, so Muhammad was sent to the stubborn and unbelieving Qurraish. The title is taken from the two letters which stand at the beginning of the chapter; the meaning of which is uncertain. The sura is said to be one of the earliest in the Quran and was instrumental in the conversion of Umar. The tradition regarding the conversion of Umar ibn Khattab is as follows:

Umar at the age of twenty six years was notorious for his enmity to Islam, and the harshness and violence with which he treated its followers. His sister Fatima and her husband Sai’d were both converts, but secretly, for fear of the Qurraish. While Umar was threatening certain believers, a friend suggested to him that he had better begin at home, and hinted at the conversion of his sister and her husband. His wrath aroused he left immediately to their house.They were listening to the 20th Sura, Ta Ha which the slave Khobab recited to them from a manuscript; Umar overheard the low murmur of the reading. At the noise of his steps, Khobab retired into a closet. What was that sound that I heard just now? exclaimed Umar, entering angrily.’ There was nothing,’ they replied. No! he said, swearing fiercely, I hear that ye are renegades! The altercation resulted in the exasperated Umar kicking out at Sai’d. His sister flew to the rescue. In the struggle her face was wounded and began to bleed. Unable to contain herself she called aloud: ‘Yes, we are converted: we believe in God and in his Prophet; now do thy worst upon us.’

When Umar saw her face covered with blood he was softened; and he asked to see the paper they had been reading. But his sister required that he should first cleanse himself, ‘for none,’ she said, ‘ but the pure may touch it.’ So Umar arose and washed, and took the paper (for he could read), and when he had deciphered a part, he exclaimed: How excellent is this discourse, and gracious! Then Khohab came from his hiding-place, and said: ‘O Umar I trust that the Lord hath verily set thee apart for himself, in answer to his Prophet; it was but yesterday I heard him praying thus: Strengthen Islam, O God, by Abu Jahl or by Umar’. Then said Umar: ‘Lead me unto Muhammad that I may make known unto him my conversion.’ And he was directed to the house of Arkam.  So Umar knocked at the door, and Hamza with others looked through a crevice and started back, exclaiming that it was Umar. But Muhammad had him come in and rising to meet him, seized his skirt and the belt of his sword, saying: ‘How long wilt thou not refrain from persecuting, until the Lord send some calamity upon thee?’ And Umar replied: ‘Verily, I testify that that thou are the Prophet of God!’ And Muhammad was filled with joy, and called aloud, Great is the Lord (‘Allahu, Akbar’).

Moses and the fire

“Has the story of Moses reached thee? Behold, he saw a fire: So he said to his family, Tarry ye; I perceive a fire; perhaps I can bring you some burning brand there from, or find some guidance at the fire. But when he came to the fire, a voice was heard: O Moses! Verily I am thy Lord! therefore put off thy shoes: thou art in the sacred valley Tuwa. I have chosen thee: listen, then, to the inspiration” (v 9-13).

Muslims commentators believe that Moses having left his father-in-law journeyed from Midian towards Egypt to visit his mother. On a dark night in the valley of Tuwa, the wife of Moses fell into labour and delivered him a son. Moses had lost his way but suddenly saw a fire by the side of a mountain.

There are three biblical incidents in the life of Moses where Islam gives a different slant, they are discussed briefly below.

1) The burning bush (verses 9-13): the incident is said to take place in the valley of Tuwa when Moses was lost. He went to the fire to get guidance and retrieve a firebrand to warm himself (Al-Qasas 28:29).

2) Pharaoh’s magicians (verses 70-72): Pharaoh assembles his magicians but their rods are devoured by Moses’ they therefore believe but are mutilated as a punishment.

3) The golden calf ( verses 86-97): While Moses was on the mount receiving the tablets Sameri makes the lowing golden calf.

The magicians converted

“So the magicians were thrown down to prostration: they said, We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses.(Pharaoh) said: Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? Surely this must be your leader, who has taught you magic! be sure I will cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will have you crucified on trunks of palm-trees: so shall ye know for certain, which of us can give the more severe and the more lasting punishment! They said: Never shall we regard thee as more than the clear signs that have come to us, or than Him who created us! so decree whatever thou desirest to decree: for thou canst only decree the life of this world” (v 70-72).

When the magicians saw the miracle of Moses they are said to convert. This and the punishment threatened by Pharaoh is mere legend, please read Exodus 8:19. Crucifixion was not used in the time of the Pharaohs.

The story of the golden calf

“So Moses returned to his people in a state of indignation and sorrow. He said: O my people! did not your Lord make a handsome promise to you? Did then the promise seem to you long (in coming)? Or did ye desire that wrath should descend from your Lord on you, and so ye broke your promise to me? They said: We broke not the promise to thee, as far as lay in our power: but we were made to carry the weight of the ornaments of the people, and we threw them (into the fire), and that was what the Samiri suggested. Then he brought out (of the fire) before the (people) the image of a calf: It seemed to low: so they said: This is your god, and the god of Moses, but (Moses) has forgotten! Could they not see that it could not return them a word (for answer), and that it had no power either to harm them or to do them good? Aaron had already, before this said to them: O my people! ye are being tested in this: for verily your Lord is (Allah) most gracious; so follow me and obey my command. They had said: We will not abandon this cult, but we will devote ourselves to it until Moses returns to us.(Moses) said: O Aaron! what kept thee back, when thou sawest them going wrong, From following me? Didst thou then disobey my order? (Aaron) replied: O son of my mother! Seize (me) not by my beard nor by (the hair of) my head! Truly I feared lest thou shouldst say, ‘Thou has caused a division among the children of Israel, and thou didst not respect my word!’

“(Moses) said: What then is thy case, O Samiri? He replied: I saw what they saw not: so I took a handful (of dust) fro m the footprint of the Messenger, and threw it (into the calf): thus did my soul suggest to me. (Moses) said: Get thee gone! but thy (punishment) in this life will be that thou wilt say, ‘touch me not’; and moreover (for a future penalty) thou hast a promise that will not fail: Now look at thy god, of whom thou hast become a devoted worshipper: We will certainly (melt) it in a blazing fire and scatter it broadcast in the sea!” (v 86-97),

The identity of as-Samiri is uncertain. However, the likely origin of this fiction can be found from a Jewish writer Pirke Rabbi Eleazer.The writer says that Sammael made a noise from inside the calf in order to lead the people ast ray. Muhammad must have thought they said Sameri, connecting it with the enemy of the Jews the Samaritans, however, the city of Samaria did not come into existence until 400 years after Moses. According to these verses as-Samiri is said to have taken a handful of dust from the footstep of the Messenger of God (Gabriel) which was then cast into the shape of a calf which became animated and lowed. The true account can be read in Exodus 32.

The story of Adam

“We had already, beforehand, taken the covenant of Adam, but he forgot: and We found on his part no firm resolve. When We said to the angels, Prostrate yourselves to Adam, they prostrated themselves, but not Iblis: he refused. Then We said: O Adam! verily, this is an ene my to thee and thy wife: so let him not get you both out of the garden, so that thou art landed in misery. There is therein (enough provision) for thee not to go hungry nor to go naked, Nor to suffer from thirst, nor from the sun’s heat. But Satan whispered evil to him: he said, O Adam! shall I lead thee to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that never decays? In the result, they both ate of the tree, and so their nakedness appeared to them: they began to sew together, for their covering, leaves from the garden: thus did Adam disobey his Lord, and allow himself to be seduced. But his Lord chose him: He turned to him, and gave him guidance” (v 115-122).

Here and in Al-Araf 7:19 Muhammad seems unaware of the distinction between the tree of knowledge and the tree of life as given in Genesis 2:9 and 3:5.

Unbelievers blind at the day of judgement

“But whosoever turns away from My message, verily for him is a life narrowed down, and We shall raise him up blind on the day of judgement. He will say: O my Lord! why hast Thou raised me up blind, while I had sight (before)? (Allah) will say: Thus didst thou, when Our signs came unto thee, disregard them: so wilt thou, this day, be disregarded.” (v 124-126).

 

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Sura 21  Al-Anbiya (The Prophets) (Mecca)

In his defence at a time when the Qurraish were scoffing at Muhammad he produces a string of revelations showing that former prophets had been treated just as himself and this was therefore a clear proof of his divine mission. All those who scoff now at his warnings should heed the dreadful destiny of the opponents of the righteous, just and wise prophets in former ages. We  therefore major on the prophets in Islam. The verses 49-71 refer to the prophet Abraham, this is followed (72-91) by a general review of many other prophets.. This sura ends with the only quotation from the Old Testament found in the whole of the Quran.

The Prophets in Islam

The Quranic idea about the prophets is that there were two categories rasul and nabi. The distinction between rasul and nabi (anbiya) is not always as clear as at first appears however, as a general principle ‘A nabi is one who has received direct inspiration (wahy) by means of an angel, or by the inspiration of the heart (ilham); or has seen the things of God in a dream. A”rasul,” or “messenger” is one who has received a book through the angel Gabriel.’ or has been entrusted to a special mission (Dictionary of Islam by Hughes).

a) Rasul – The Messengers; The rasul were messengers of God who had been sent to peoples of the past. Muhammad is sent to a people to whom Allah has not sent an apostle (Yunus 10:47) other individuals who were given the distinguishing title of rasul in the Quran were Noah, Lot, Ishmael, Moses, Shu’aib, Hud, Salih and Jesus (“Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah “(An-Nisa 4:171).

Tradition relates that there were 315 messengers or apostles (rasul) – (Mishkat book 24, chapter 1 part 3). Nine of these are special messengers: they are Noah, Abraham, David, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad. Six have special titles: Adam – Safiyu’llah – The chosen of God; Noah – Nabiyu’llah – The preacher of God; Abraham – Khililu’llah – The friend of God; Moses – Kalimu’llah – The converser with God; Jesus – Ruhuu’llah – The spirit of God; Muhammad – Rususlu’llah – The messenger of God.

There are said to be 104 sacred books delivered to man. 10 were given to Adam; 50 to Seth (his name not mentioned in the Quran); 30 to Enoch; 10 to Abraham; This total of 100 was called sahifah – ‘a small book or pamphlet’. Four additional books were given – the Taurat to Moses; the Zabur to David; the Injil to Jesus; the Quran to Muhammad. These four are known as Kitab’s. All these inspired writings are supposed to be retained in the Quran.

The Quran states that to each people (ummah) God sends an apostle:

“To every people (was sent) a messenger” (Yunus 10:47).

“For We assuredly sent amongst every people a messenger, (with the command), Serve Allah, and eschew evil”: (An-Nahl 16:36).

These messengers will be a witness against their people on the Judgement Day.

“How then if We brought from each people a witness, and We brought thee as a witness against these people!” (An-Nisa 4:41)

“And from each people shall We draw a witness, and We shall say: Produce your proof: then shall they know that the truth is in Allah (alone), and the (lies) which they invented will leave them in lurch” (Al-Qasas 28:75).

b) Nabi – one who receives direct inspiration

The second category are the Prophets (anbiya) who went only to the ’People of the Book.’ Only a minority of individuals called prophets in the Quran are described as prophets in the Bible. Here are two examples of lists of prophets as given in the Quran.

“We gave to Abraham (to use) against his people: We raise whom We will, degree after degree: for thy Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge. We gave him Isaac and Jacob: all (three) guided: and before him, We guided Noah, and among his progeny, David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron: thus do We reward those who do good: And Zakariya and John, and Jesus and Elias: all in the ranks of the righteous: And Isma’il and Elisha, and Jonas, and Lot: and to all We gave favour above the nations” (Al-An’am 6:83-87).

“We have sent thee inspiration, as We sent it to Noah and the messengers after him: we sent inspiration to Abraham, Isma’il, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David to whom We gave the Psalms “(An-Nisa 4:163).

M uhammad is said to have mentioned that there were 124,000 prophets (anbiya) but only the following twenty three are designated as such in the Quran namely. Adam; Idris (Enoch); Noah; Methusaleh; Abraham; Ishmael; Isaac; Jacob; Joseph; Lot; Moses Aaron; Shuaib (Jethro?); Zacharias; John the Baptist; Jesus; David; Solomon; Elias; Elisha; Job; Ezra and Jonah (the only literary prophet mentioned in the Quran). Three women are said to be prophetesses: Sarah because she was inspired to receive revelation of the news of Isaac’s birth; the mother of Moses who received by revelation the news of the birth of Moses; and Mary who received the news of Christ’s birth from an angel. Muhammad is called sometimes a rasul and sometimes a nabi. He did not claim the title nabi until he was in Medina and then later went on to say that he was the ‘seal of the prophets.’

Ungodly cities destroyed

“How many were the populations We utterly destroyed because of their iniquities, setting up in their places other peoples?  Yet, when they felt Our punishment, behold, they (tried to) flee from it. Flee not, but return to the good things of this life which were given you, and to your homes in order that ye may be called to account. They said: Ah! woe to us! We were indeed wrong-doers! And that cry of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field that is mown, as ashes silent and quenched.” (v 11-15).

It has been suggested that a messenger was sent to the inhabitants of certain towns in Yemen. His message was rejected and he was killed.

The signs of creation

“Do not the unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together, before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe? And We have set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with them, and We have made therein broad hi ghways (between mountains) for them to pass through: that they may receive guidance. And We have made the heavens as a canopy well guarded: yet do they turn away from the signs which these things (point to)! It is He Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon: all (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its rounded course” (v 30-33).

Muslims believe that God divided the heaven into seven heavens, and the earth into as many storeys.

Punishment of those who reject the prophets

“If only the unbelievers knew (the time) when they will not be able to ward off the fire from their faces, nor yet from their backs, and (when) no help can reach them! Nay, it may come to them all of a sudden and confound them: no power will they have then to avert it, nor will they (then) get respite. Mocked were (many) messenger before thee; But their scoffers were hemmed in by the thing that they mocked.” (v 39-41)

The story of Abraham and the idols

“We bestowed aforetime on Abraham his rectitude of conduct, and well were We acquainted with him. Behold! he said to his father and his people, What are these images, to which ye are devoted? They said, We found our fathers worshipping them. He said, Indeed ye have been in manifest error ye and your fathers. They said, Have you brought us the truth, or are you one of those who jest? He said, Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, He who created them and I am a witness to this. And by Allah, I have a plan for your idols after ye go away and turn your backs. So he broke them to pieces, but the biggest of them, that they might turn to it. They said, Who has done this to our gods? He must indeed be some man of impiety! They said, We heard a youth talk of them: He is called Abraham. They said, Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may bear witness. They said, Art thou the one that did this with our gods, O Abraham? He said: Nay, this was done by this is their biggest one! ask them, if they can speak intelligently! So they turned to themselves and said, Surely ye are the ones in the wrong! Then were they confounded with shame: Thou knowest full well that these do not speak! (Abraham) said, Do ye then worship, besides Allah, things that can neither be of any good to you nor do you harm? Fie upon you, and upon the things that ye worship besides Allah! Have ye no sense?…. They said, Burn him and protect your gods, If ye do (anything at all)! We said, O Fire! be thou cool, and (a means of) safety for Abraham!  Then they sought a stratagem against him: but We made them the ones that lost most!” (v 49-70).

This story is designed to identify Muhammad’s persecution with the famous prophet Abraham. It is a fable with the original story coming from Jewish sources. The story relates that Abraham’s father was outraged at the behaviour of his son in destroying the family idols. He took him, for the purposes of punishment, to Nimrod who was made out to be a persecutor of Abraham. Muslim commentators however, relate that Abraham was bound and thrown into the midst of a fire but he was delivered by the angel Gabriel.  Some time after this incident Abraham’s enemy Nimrod was completely defeated and Abraham along with his followers set off for Palestine, being now called Khalil Allah, ’the friend of God.’ The name Nimrod does not occur in the Quran but his name is mentioned frequently in the Muslim traditions. Genesis 10:9 show that Nimrod was a prominent person in Babel but he lived one or two centuries before Abraham. It is said that ten books of divine revelation were given to Abraham.

Remembering the former prophets

Lot

“But We delivered him and Lut (and directed them) to the land which We have blessed for the nations” (v 71)

“And to Lut, too, We gave judgement and knowledge, and We saved him from the town which practised abominations: truly they were a people given to evil, a rebellious people” (v 74).

Isaac and Jacob

“And We bestowed on him Isaac and, as an additional gift, (a grandson), Jacob,

and We made righteous men of every one” (v 72).

Noah

“(Remember) Noah, when he cried (to Us) aforetime:

We listened to his (prayer) and delivered him and his family from great distress” (v 76).

David and Solomon

“And remember David and Solomon “(v 78ff),

Job

“And (remember) Job, when He cried to his Lord, Truly distress has seized me, but Thou art the most merciful of those that are merciful.” (v 83).

Ishmael and Enoch (Idris)

“And (remember) Isma’il, Idris, and Zul-kifl, all (men) of constancy and patience” (v 85).

Jonah (Zun-nun)

“And remember Zun-nun, when he departed in wrath: He imagined that We had no power over him! But he cried through the depths of darkness, There is no god but thou: glory to thee: I was indeed wrong! ” (v 87)

Zachariah

“And (remember) Zakariya, when he cried to his Lord: O my Lord! leave me not without offspring, though thou art the best of inheritors.” (v 89)

Mary

“And (remember) her who guarded her chastity: We breathed into her of Our spirit, and We made her and her son a sign for all peoples” (v 91).

Muhammad believed that the birth of Jesus was miraculously conceived of through God’s spirit.

Quotation from the Old Testament

“Before this We wrote in the Psalms, after the message (given to Moses): My servants the righteous, shall inherit the earth.” (v 105)

The Quran repeatedly attests to that the scriptures are the word of God

 

* * * * * * * * * *

Sura 22  Al-Hajj  (The Pilgrimage)  Mecca/Medina

This is a composite sura with many of it’s verses relating to the late Meccan period.  At this stage the Meccans are still in possession of the Ka’aba in Medina. Each day the Muslims had turned towards it as an act of divine worship, yet for six long years they had not seen it. Although it is not mentioned in this sura we should point out that Muhammad incorporated into the Islamic Hajj old pagan customs and superstitions. He may have thought that these practices were introduced by Abraham but such customs are far more at home in a pagan society rather than fitting comfortably alongside the spiritual faith of Abraham. There again, he might have known that the background to these customs were pagan but he chose to retain them in order to appeal to Arab patriotism. In his desire to unite the Arab tribes into one strong nation which was able to resist their surrounding enemies, he could not afford to do away with such customs so deeply rooted amongst the pagan peoples of Arabia.The ceremonies of the old pagan system were declared rites of God and those who perf ormed them were acting in piety of heart. This sura also mentions the instability of ‘the hypocrites and the use of force for defensive purposes but because the title of this chapter refers to the Hajj we take the opportunity of giving priority to this subject.  The importance of the Hajj is seen in the following hadith: Allah’s Apostle said, ‘Umra is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except paradise.” (Bukhari Volume 3, Book 27, Number 1)

The Hajj Pilgrimage

Although it is not mentioned in this sura, we should point out that Muhammad incorporated into the Islamic Hajj old pagan customs and superstitions. He may have thought that these practices were introduced by Abraham but such customs are far more at home in a pagan society rather than fitting comfortably alongside the spiritual faith of Abraham. There again, he might have known that the background to these customs were pagan, but he chose to retain them in order to appeal to Arab patriotism. In his desire to unite the Arab tribes into one strong nation which was able to resist their surrounding enemies, he could not afford to do away with such customs so deeply rooted amongst the pagan peoples of Arabia.

The proclamation of the Hajj

“And proclaim the pilgrimage among men:

they will come to thee on foot and on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways” (22:27)

The time of the Hajj

The appropriate mo nths for performing the Hajj are Sawwal, Zu’l-Qa’da and the first nine days of Zu’l Hijja. If attending at any other time it is classified as the minor pilgrimage, the ‘Umra.

The three obligatoryduties (fardh) of the pilgrim

1) To wear no other garment but the ‘ihram,’ which consists of two seamless cloths each six feet long by three and a half feet wide. One is thrown over the back exposing the right arm and shoulder and knotted on the right side. The other is wrapped around the loins from the waist to the knees and knotted in the middle. Muhammad himself performed the Hajj wearing this clothing: “I heard that Allah’s Apostle assumed Ihram with his hair matted together.” (Bukhari Volume 2, Book 26, Number 613)

2) To stand on the mountain of Arafat

3) To perform the ‘tawaf’, -  this is the ritual of making a circuit around the Ka’aba seven times.

 

The five obligatory duties (wajib) of the pilgrim: the omission of these does not constitute an unpardonable sin.

1) To spend the night between the 9th and 10th Dhu al Hijja at Al Mudzdalifa, a place halfway between Mina and Arafat.

2) To run the distance between the mountains of As Safa and Al Marwa.

3) To perform the ’Rama ar-Rujam’ or the throwing of stones at the pillar representing Satan.

4) To make an extra circuit (‘tawaf’) around the Ka’aba if the pilgrim is a non-Meccan.

5) To shave the head after the pilgrimage is over.

The Orthodox ritual of the Pilgrimage:

a) In the vicinity of Mecca the pilgrim bathes himself, performs two rak’ah prayers and exchanges his clothes for the ’ ihram’. He must keep his head uncovered, is not to shave, pare his nails, nor wear any other garment apart from ihram. Sandals are permitted but not shoes.

b) At Mecca before entering the city the pilgrim bathes nine times.

c) The pilgrim approaches the Black Stone, touches it with his right hand and kisses it saying, “My pledge I have delivered, my vow have I fulfilled, bear thou witness that I have done it.” He then circumambulates the Ka’aba seven times. The pilgrim then proceeds to the place of Abraham (‘maqamu Ibrahim’) where he recites: “And take ye the station of Abraham as a place of prayer; and We covenanted with Abraham and Isma’il, that they should sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or use it as a retreat, or bow, or prostrate themselves” (Al-Baqarrah 2:125). The pilgrim also performs two rak’ah prayers.

d) The pilgrim then goes up the hill to Mount As-Safa reciting:”O ye who believe! seek help with patient perseverance and prayer; for Allah is with those who patiently persevere” (Al-Baqarrah 2:153).

e) At the top of Mount As-Safa the pilgrim faces the Ka’aba and recites: “There is no god but God. God is the greatest. There is no god but God,” and other quotations.

f) He then runs between Mt. As-Safa and Mt. Al-Marwa seven times repeating the above prayers on top of each hill.

g) On the seventh day he listens to a sermon in the mosque which exhorts him to prepare for the sacrifice on the tenth day Al-Adha.

h) The eighth day is the Day of Watering. The pilgrim goes to Mina and spends the night there.

i) On the ninth day after hearing a sermon he goes to Mt. Arafat and must not leave it until after sunset. He proceeds to Al Muzdalifa where he spends the night.

j) The tenth day is the ‘Id al-Adha (The Feast of Sacrifice). After gathering stones from Al Muzdalifah the pilgrim returns to Mina and casts seven stones at each of the three pillars, the largest of which is called the ’Great Devil.’ They then go to the other end of the Valley of Mina and slay the sacrifices of sheep, goats, cows or camels.

k) Conclusion of the pilgrimage: The pilgrim can now shave, pare his nails and resume normal clothing. He now bears the honoured title ’Al Hajj’ or ’Al Hajji. The dyeing of the hair, beard or both with the reddish brown dye, henna, is a sign that a person has been on the Hajj.

The permanence of the Hajj

” Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: The Prophet said The people will continue performing the Hajj and ‘Umra to the Ka’aba even after the appearance of Gog and Magog.(Bukhari Volume 2, Book 26, Number 663)

The subject matter of  sura Al-Hajj is given below with relevant comments.

The Hypocrites

“There are among men some who serve Allah, as it were, on the verge: if good befalls them, they are, therewith, well content; but if a trial comes to them, they turn on their faces: they lose both this world and the hereafter: that is loss for all to see!” (v 11)

The Munafiqin, or Hypocrites. These were a group of influential residents of Medina who had ostensibly embraced Islam, but had no intention of surrendering their position to the intruders from Mecca. For this reason Muhammad called them “hypocrites.”

Qurraish obstruct the way to Islam and the Ka’aba

As to those who have rejected (Allah), and would keep back (men) from the way of Allah, and from the Sacred Mosque, which We have made (open) to (all) men equal is the dweller there and the visitor from the country and any whose purpose therein is profanity or wrong-doing them will We cause to taste of a most grievous penalty (v 25).

Abraham commanded to cleanse the Ka’aba

“Behold! We gave the site, to Abraham, of the House, (saying): Associate not anything with Me; and sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or stand up, or bow, or prostrate themselves” (v 26).

The legend is that Adam built the first Ka’aba. Some say this was taken up to heaven at the flood, and rebuilt by Abraham and Ishmael. In truth, it was an idolatrous temple of the Arabs, which Muhammad continued and developed for his own system.

The Pilgrimage to Mecca instituted

“And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men: they will come to thee on foot and on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways;  That they may witness the benefits (provided) for them, and celebrate the name of Allah, through the days appointed, over the cattle which He has provided for them (for sacrifice): then eat ye thereof and feed the distressed ones in want. Then let them complete the rites prescribed for them, perform their vows, and (again) circumambulate the Ancient House. Such (is the Pilgrimage): whoever honours the sacred rites of Allah, for him it is good in the sight of his Lord. Lawful to you (for food in Pilgrimage) are cattle, except those mentioned to you (as exception): but shun the abomination of idols, and shun the word that is false” (v 27-30).

It is alleged that Abraham was told to proclaim this pilgrimage and that before the time of Muhammad, the Arabs went on pilgrimage to celebrate the memory of Abraham and Ishmael. Muhammad made it one of the five principal duties of his religion and he wished Mecca to become a point of union for all Muslims. Pilgrims were forbidden to shave their heads, to cut their beards or nails during the pilgrimage. They must not even scratch themselves, lest they should kill an insect; but they could rub the body with the palm of the hand. Its merits are so great, that sins are forgiven and one who dies on his way to Mecca is enrolled in the list of martyrs. Here is a relevant hadith: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, Whoever performs Hajj to this House (Ka’aba) and does not approach his wife for sexual relations nor commits sins (while performing Hajj), he will come out as sinless as a newly-born child. (just delivered by his mother) Bukhari Volume 3, Book 28, Number 45.

Sacrifices appointed for every religion

To every people did We appoint rites (of sacrifice), that they might celebrate the name of Allah over the sustenance He gave them from animals (fit for food). But your god is One God: submit then your wills to Him: and give thou the good news to those who humble themselves (v 34).

The sacrificial camels we have made for you as among the symbols from Allah: in them is good for you: then pronounce the name of Allah over them as they line up (for sacrifice): when they are down on their sides (after slaughter), eat ye thereof, and feed such as live in contentment, and such as beg with due humility: thus have We made animals subject to you, that ye may be grateful (v 36).

Eid-ul-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, is the most important feast during the Muslim year. On the 10th Dhu’l-Hajja, and the three following days, pilgrims make their sacrifices in the valley of Mina. The old Arab custom of sacrificing on this day in Mina was adopted by Islam. Muhammad had first intend it to represent the great day of atonement of the Jews but he failed to gain them over so he adopted it to this Arab sacrifice. In Islam blood sacrifice does not touch God, only piety. Again we provide a relevant hadith: “Narrated Al-Bara’: I heard the Prophet delivering a Khutba saying, The first thing to be done on this day (first day of ‘Id ul Adha) is to pray; and after returning from the prayer we slaughter our sacrifices (in the name of Allah) and whoever does so, he acted according to our Sunna (traditions) Bukhari Volume 2, Book 15, Number 71.

War against infidels is permitted in self defence

To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged; and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid (v 39).

This was the first passage, said to be just before the flight to Medina, where Muhammad was given permission to defend themselves by using force. At first Muhammad exhorted his followers to bear injuries patiently, there are about seventy such injunctions in the Quran. Then, as here, after 13 years of facing verbal persecution and being turned out of their homes he claimed that God allowed them to use force to defend themselves. Later, as his power and influence increased, he professed to have divine permission to destroy idolatry by force.

Allah defends Christian, Jewish and Muslim places of worship

(They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right, (for no cause) except that they say, “our Lord is Allah”. Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid his (cause) (v 40)

The object of Muhammad here was to justify his resistance against the Quarraish. When men have followed other religious creeds they have always defended their places of worship and Muslims should do the same. This passage is sometimes used to justify jihad, religious war, for it is said the Jews protected their synagogues in their era, the Christians the churches in their time, and now in the present and all future days the protection of mosques is called upon. The initial impression of this verse is now changed into the abrogation of the former religions and the call to jihad.

All prophets tempted by Satan

Never did We send a messenger or a prophet before thee, but, when he framed a desire, Satan threw some (vanity) into his desire:

but Allah will cancel anything that Satan throws in, and Allah will confirm His signs. (v 52).

This verse refers to what is known as the Satanic verses. Muhammad, one day was reciting the Quran and spoke of some idols as ‘most high and beauteous damsels, whose intercession is to be hoped for.’ When Gabriel told him of what he had said, he was deeply grieved until this verse was revealed to him.

 

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