As we have seen, the Islamic world has agreed on the interpretation of Surah Nuh verse 14, that it refers to the process involved in a sperm’s becoming a human being. That the verse needs to be interpreted in this way is clear from the principle of ‘interpreting Qur’anic verses in the light of other Qur’anic verses.’ Because in other verses Allah explains the stages of creation as being those inside the mother’s womb. That is why the word ‘atwaran’ needs to be translated in this way. It is not justified to use the word as support for the theory of evolution, which tries to tie the origins of man to another living species.
The above is another verse used by those same circles as evidence for evolution. In one translation based on personal interpretations, the expression “when he was a thing not worth mentioning” is expressed as ‘a statement of previous states before man became man.’ Whereas this claim is just as far from the truth as the first one.
Trying to use this expression as evidence for evolution is really forcing the words. In fact, this verse is not interpreted as an evolutionary process by the Islamic world. For example Hamdi Yazir of Elmali comments on the statement of time in the verse as follows:
‘In the beginning were elements and minerals, then vegetable and animal nutrients, kind of clay (Surat al-Muminun: 12) were created out of them by stages, then something emerged very slowly and by stages from the sperm that was filtered from them. But that was not something called a human being. Just as mankind is not eternal, nor his substance is; it has emerged later. Man came into being long after the beginning of time and the creation of the universe.’
Omar Nasuhi Bilmen explains the verse in this way:
‘These verses announce that Allah created man to see and hear out of a drop of water when he was not, and that He has set a test for him… Mankind did not exist in the beginning, he was created later as a figured body out of a drop of water, soil and mud. That person was not known at that time, his name and why he had been created were a mystery to the inhabitants of the earth and sky. He then began to be reminded that he has a soul. (Omer Nasuhi Bilmen, Turkish Edition of and Commentary on the Qur’an, volume eight, page 3851)
Imam at-Tabari explains the verse as meaning ‘Such a long period of time passed since the time of Adam that at that time he was not even a thing that had any worth and superiority. He was nothing but sticky and modified mud.’ (Tabari Commentary, Imam at-Tabari, volume six, page 2684)
For this reason, to see the expression of time in this verse as an ‘evolutionary period’ is a purely subjective interpretation of the Qur’an.
| THE MUSLIM WAY OF SPEAKING |
SPEAKING SO AS TO PRAISE AND EXALT ALLAH
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In the verse, "If you ask them, 'Who created the heavens and the earth and made the sun and moon subservient?' they will say, 'Allah.' So how have they been perverted?" (Surat al-Anqabut: 61), Allah points here to that type of people who are far removed from the truth, despite their being aware that it is Allah Who created them, and that it is only He Who can provide for them. One of the foremost traits of believers, who are blessed with true faith, is that they demonstrate their sincere faith in Allah and their devotion to Him in every aspect of their lives, at all times and instances, and in every word and deed. They love Allah far more than anyone or any other thing in this world. They are in awe of Allah's power, knowledge, artistry and wisdom. They want to be His friend, while they are in this world, and earn His approval. They try to attain the greatest nearness to Allah, and become the best loved of His servants beyond any others in history.
Such deep love is reflected in their speech. They employ every word for the purpose of remembering and exalting Allah, and towards earning His approval. The love they feel for Allah is far greater than their love of people, and it is easily discernable from their speech that when they love others it is merely for the sake of Allah. They know that it is Allah Who created all mankind, and that it is He Who proffers them all blessings of this world. Therefore, every thing of beauty which they see, every favor done for them, and every experience of affection towards them is a blessing which comes from Allah. All are manifestations of Allah's love, mercy and compassion for His servants. As such, we ought to be thankful only to Allah and show all gratitude to Him. Recognizing this truth, believers speak in such a way as to make evident their knowledge that Allah is exalted far above everything and everyone. In the Qur'an, the believers' love of Allah and their devotion to Him are expressed in the following manner:
Some people set up equals to Allah, loving them as they should love Allah. But those who have faith have greater love for Allah. (Surat al-Baqara: 165)
As is pointed out in this verse, those who fail to understand this truth love creatures they idolize beside Allah as they ought to love Allah Himself. In the speech of these people, will often be found a use of words that reveals their failure to appreciate Allah with the appreciation due Him, as well as their false esteem for other beings. Some speak of money, property, reputation or of people they admire in a way which presents them as equal to Allah. Some say that they believe in Allah, but employ language which instead shows they place their friends above Allah. When they meet a person who speaks inappropriately about Allah, it does not bother them, nor do they warn the one guilty. Though, when a single word is spoken against those they love, they oppose it immediately. They will not allow a word to be said against their loved-ones or any injustice to be done to them.
All such incorrect behavior exposes the insincerity of those who claim faith in Allah, but who do not have such faith fixed in their hearts. True believers love Allah more than anything else, exalt Him with words and hold Him high above everything. They never participate in the banter of those who speak in opposition to Allah or to His religion. If they have an opportunity to explain the truth to these people, they do so, but if the others are determined not to heed their warnings, then, in that case, they absolve themselves of their hostile and blasphemous language.
Such believers will not even allow themselves to watch a film or listen to a song whose content is in open opposition to Allah's judgments. No matter what the situation, they do not permit a word to be spoken which will not be approved by Allah. They do not take part in any such discussions because in the Qur'an Allah gives the following warning:
It has been sent down to you in the Book that when you hear Allah's Signs being rejected and mocked at by people, you must not sit with them till they start talking of other things. If you do you are just the same as them. Allah will gather all the hypocrites and the unbelievers into Hell. (Surat an-Nisa': 140)
Muslims acting with this knowledge in mind adopt, defend and support the morality of Islam in all instances and times, and through to the end of their lives. They show forth their faith in Allah, and their regard for Him, above all else, in their every word and deed.
AL-‘ALEE
The Most High
It does not befit Allah to address any human being except by inspiration or from behind a veil, or He sends a messenger who then reveals by His permission whatever He wills. He is indeed Most High, All-Wise. (Surat ash-Shura, 42:51)
Allah introduces Himself to us: Allah, the Creator of all the worlds and the sole Sovereign of the universe, is the Most High and the Possessor of the heavens, Earth, and everything in between. There is no deity but Him. High is He, Exalted above all that they associate (with Him). He is the Sovereign, the All-Powerful, and the Lord of the Ways of Ascent. Allah is Self-Sufficient, above all need.
All of the beautiful names belong to Allah, for He is the Owner of infinite beauty and infinite sublimity. A person can know Him only to the extent that He introduces Himself, and can appreciate Him through the verses of the Qur’an. In one verse, Allah describes this name in the following terms:
Allah, there is no deity but Him, the Living, the Self-Sustaining. He is not subject to drowsiness or sleep. Everything in the heavens and Earth belongs to Him. Who can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, but they cannot grasp any of His knowledge, except for what He wills. His Footstool encompasses the heavens and Earth, and their preservation does not tire Him. He is the Most High, the Magnificent. (Surat al-Baqara, 2:255)
FOR WHAT DID THE PROPHETS AND BELIEVERS PRAY?
Allah sets no limits on prayer, invites believers to take refuge in Him, and tells them to ask for help in anything: "Call on Me and I will answer you" (Surah Ghafir, 60). The Qur’an gives some examples of these prayers, as follows:
- To guide them on the Straight Path, the Path of those whom Allah has blessed, and to separate them from the path of those with anger on them, and of the misguided. (Surat al-Fatiha, 5-7)
- To make the place they live a place of safety and to provide the inhabitants of their city, who have faith in Allah and the Last Day, with crops. (Surat al-Baqara, 126)
- To make them Muslims submitted to Allah, and their descendants a Muslim community submitted to Allah. (Surat al-Baqara, 128)
- To show them their rituals of worship. (Surat al-Baqara, 128)
- To turn toward them. (Surat al-Baqara, 128)
- To raise up among them a Messenger to recite His Signs to them, teach them the Book and Wisdom, and purify them. (Surat al-Baqara, 129)
- To give them good both in the world and in the Hereafter. (Surat al-Baqara, 201)
- To safeguard them from the punishment of the Fire. (Surat al-Baqara, 201)
- To pour down steadfastness upon them, make their feet firm, and help them against the unbelievers. (Surat al-Baqara, 250)
- Not to take them to task if they forget or make a mistake. (Surat al-Baqara, 286)
- Not to place on them a load like the one He placed on those before them, and not to place on them a load they do not have the strength to bear. (Surat al-Baqara, 286)
- To pardon them, to forgive them, and to have mercy on them. (Surat al-Baqara, 286)
- Not to make their hearts swerve after He has guided them, and to give them mercy. (Surah Al `Imran, 8)
- To forgive their wrong actions, to erase their bad actions. (Surah Al `Imran, 193)
- To give them what He promised them through His Messengers. (Surah Al `Imran, 194)
- Not to disgrace them on the Day of Resurrection. (Surat Al `Imran, 194)
- To judge between them and their people with truth. (Surat al-A`raf, 89)
- To take them back to Him as Muslims. (Surat al-A`raf, 126)
- To rescue them, by His mercy, from the unbelievers. (Surah Yunus, 86)
- To grant them supporting authority direct from His presence. (Surat al-Isra’, 80)
- To make them people who keep up prayer and to accept their prayers. (Surah Ibrahim, 40)
- To forgive them and their parents on the Day of Judgment. (Surah Ibrahim, 41)
- To expand their breasts and to make their task easy for them. (Surat Ta Ha, 25-26)
- To safeguard them from the goadings of the devils. (Surat al-Mu’minun, 97-98)
- To make them a good example for those who do their duty. (Surat al-Furqan, 74)
- To give them right judgment. (Surat ash-Shu`ara’, 83)
- To make them among the inheritors of the garden of delight, and not to disgrace them on the Day of Resurrection. (Surat ash-Shu`ara’, 85, 87)
- To keep them thankful for the blessing He has bestowed on them and on their parents, and to keep them acting rightly and to admit them, by His mercy, among His righteous servants. (Surat an-Naml, 19)
- To bestow good on them. (Surat al-Qasas, 24)
- To forgive them and their brothers (and sisters) who preceded them in faith and not to put any rancor in their hearts toward believers. (Surat al-Hashr, 10)
- To give them a kingdom from His presence. (Surah Sad, 35)
- To give them decisive speech. (Surah Ta Ha, 27-28) (For further reference, please see, Quick Grasp of Faith
1,
2,
3 by Harun Yahya)
DARK CLAN
By Harun Yahya
In the world we live in a problem exists that is threatening social peace and harmony in every nation big or small: moral degeneration. In other words, people have forsaken moral qualities like being good, righteous, honest, forgiving, just, compassionate and honourable, in exchange for immorality and have chosen amorality as a life philosophy. How this problem (at the bottom of which lies egotism, greed, ruthlessness and carelessness) will be solved represents one of the biggest issues of the twenty-first century.
The common view, which is true to some extent, that moral degeneration is an inevitable occurrence caused by the bad living conditions prevailing in society, does not provide a clear picture in relation to the causes and solutions to the problem because it fails to take into account a fundamental reality. It views social collapse as an independent phenomenon governed by its own internal processes, whereas the moral degeneration experienced in many countries of the world is deliberately directed and supported by a powerful body of people held together by a complex network of intricate relations and nefarious connections. These people use every means of propaganda, which is particularly effective in societies where spiritual values are weak and where lifestyles are not underpinned by religious morality.
This powerful network consists of hundreds even thousands of people of all nations, languages and professions connected to one another by greed. Apart from relationships based on illegal or immoral gains, the common characteristics of the members of this group are their animosity towards religious values, their perverse philosophy and their corrupt way of life. It is possible to liken this large community to a clan which has been dispersed to the four corners of the earth. The dictionary definition of the word clan is either a group of people of common ancestry or, without having necessarily biological bonds, a group of people adhering to one totem accepted as the symbol of the group.
The purpose behind choosing the term "dark clan" is to convey the sense of a web-like structure with offshoots in every country, orchestrating the moral degeneration of today's world. Even though it presents itself as highly modern, its structural design is reminiscent of the historical totemic clans. This dark clan is to be found behind all kinds of despicable deeds, corruption and perversion. It controls drug-trafficking operations, prostitution rings and promotes immorality. The members of this clan manage to portray themselves in a positive light through their collaborators in the media. They enjoy the de facto protection of their collaborators in the security forces and succeed in using the law to their own advantage through their collaborators in departments of justice. They also display a powerful unity against those perceived as enemies. Their greatest enemies are the believers who want to destroy their corrupt business networks, who struggle to make morality, harmony and justice dominant in the world and who strive tirelessly on the ideological battlefield to bring seriousness of the situation to people's attention.
Another important fact to bear in mind when reading this book is that the dark clan is not a structure emerging from recent history. There always were and always will be, until the Day of Judgment, clan-like organizations and units orchestrating evil, diverting people to denial and degeneration, creating chaos and anarchy and destroying harmony and security. The battle between good and evil has been fought throughout history. Opposite every believer communicating God's religion and virtue, there always stood a similar group, labouring to undermine the believers and to prevent the spread of morality. This is a reality God revealed to us in the Qur'an. It is possible that the Qur'anic expression, "ruling elite of society" (7:88) indicates the people who are the brains behind these clans (God knows best). In the chapter of the Qur'an entitled Al-An'am, God says:
And likewise in every city We set up its greatest wrongdoers to plot in it. They plot against themselves alone, but they are not aware of it. (Qur'an, 6: 123)
God reveals the unifying force bringing them together:
… The satans inspire their friends to dispute with you… (Qur'an, 6: 121)
It is Satan who brings the dark clan together, organises them against the believers and determines their strategy. However, Satan and his adherents are definitely doomed in the end. God says in the Qur'an:
Say to those who disbelieve: 'You will be overwhelmed and crowded into Hell. What an evil resting-place!' (Qur'an, 3: 12)
| PERISHED NATIONS In this site, we will review some past societies that have been destroyed because of their rebellion against Allah. Our purpose is to highlight all these incidents, each of which is an “example to their own time”, so that they can set a “warning”. |
