RAMADAN 2005 The 29th Day
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RAMADAN 2005 The 29th Day

2444

 

 

Ayat of the Day

 
 
 

who brought clear signs and revealed books. And We have sent down the reminder to you so that you can make clear to humanity what has been sent down to them so that hopefully they will reflect. (Surat an-Nahl: 44)

 


 
  Hadith of the Day:  
 

 

 

"If you put your faith completely in Allah, He will arrange for your sustenance in the same way as He provides for the birds. They go out in the morning with their stomachs empty and return filled in the evening." (At-Tirmidhi)

 

 

 
  Miracles of the Qur’an:  
 


THE PERFECTION OF THE QUR’AN FROM THE LITERARY ASPECT THE INIMITABILITY OF THE QUR’AN

We have so far considered the miraculous characteristics of the Qur'an from the scientific and historical points of view. In addition to these, the Qur'an also possesses an astounding, inimitable style from the literary perspective.

It first needs to be stated that the exposition in the Qur'an addresses all human groupings from all ages. No matter what the reader's education and cultural level, the Qur'an is written in a clear, comprehensible language which can be understood by everyone. In one verse, Allah reveals the following about the Qur'an:

We have made the Qur'an easy to remember… (Surat al-Qamar: 22)

Despite having such an easily comprehensible style, it has never been possible to imitate the Qur'an from any point of view. Some of the verses in which Allah draws attention to the inimitable nature of the Qur'an are:

If you have doubts about what We have sent down to Our servant, produce another sura equal to it, and call your witnesses, besides Allah, if you are telling the truth. (Surat al-Baqara: 23)

Do they say, "He has invented it"? Say: "Then produce a sura like it and call on anyone you can besides Allah if you are telling the truth." (Surah Yunus: 38)

One of the reasons that the Qur'an is described as miraculous stems from the fact that, as emphasized in the verses above, nothing like it can ever be written by human endeavour: The greater the scale of that impossibility, the greater the size of the miracle which we see before our very eyes. Therefore, the fact that the style of the Qur'an has been incapable of imitation by even one out of the billions of people down the centuries is one of the proofs of its miraculous nature. In his book, The Construction of the Bible and the Qur'an, F. F. Arbuthnot makes the following comment about the Qur'an:

From the literary point of view, the Koran is regarded as a specimen of the purest Arabic, written on half poetry and half prose. It has been said that in some cases grammarians have adopted their rules to agree with certain phrases and expressions used in it, and that though several attempts have been made to produce a work equal to it as far elegant writing is concerned, none has as yet succeeded. (F. F. Arbuthnot, The Construction of the Bible and the Koran [London: 1985], 5.)

The words employed in the Qur'an are exceedingly special, both in terms of meaning and also of fluency and effect of style. However, those who are unwilling to believe that the Qur'an is a holy book in which Allah has revealed His commandments and prohibitions, have come up with a variety of excuses as to why they should not follow it. They have attempted to take refuge from its beauty by turning to denial. Allah reveals the following about the unbelievers' descriptions of the Qur'an:

We did not teach him poetry nor would it be right for him. It is simply a reminder and a clear Qur'an so that you may warn those who are truly alive and so that the word may be carried out against the unbelievers. (Surah Ya Sin: 69-70)


 
  Wonders of Creation:  
 


The Way Ahead for Technology: Imitating Nature

Each passing day, man makes new progress in technology, produces wonders in design and production. Human beings can design and produce new products with the skills Allah grants them. This point deserves particular attention, because Allah gives them this skill, so people have no right to be puffed up with pride or arrogant.

Nature is one of the pieces of evidence for this. Anyone, who looks around carefully, can see that Allah has gifted nature with countless wonders. Everywhere, every living being, from plants to animals, on land and in sea, is equipped with amazing features.

Some designs produced by man after years of research, effort and technological development have existed in nature for millions of years. Scientists, who realize this, have been observing nature for a very long time and they make use of it in their inventions. They have started to develop new models by referring to the examples in nature. They have realized with some astonishment that there is a great difference between the techniques they use and the perfect techniques used in nature. This has led them to accept the existence of a superior Owner of wisdom Who rules over nature. They understand that all these subtleties could not have been formed by coincidence. The owner of this superior wisdom whose existence they have grasped through science is unquestionably Allah, the Sustainer of the heavens and the Earth.

For instance, after dolphins were studied, a projection called the "dolphin snout" was added to ships' bows, which were initially produced in a "V" shape. Designers understood that the structure of the dolphin's snout is ideal for the best hydrodynamic cutting through water. No doubt, not only the structure of the snout, but all the features of the dolphin are ideal, because each one of them is the work of Allah Who is the "Maker."(Surat al-Hashr: 24)

The features of living beings have existed for millions of years, that is, since they were created. Man, however, has only been able to imitate some of their features in the last couple of centuries. For those who can see the evidence of the might of Allah, everything in nature is endowed with such features. This is stated in a verse:

[These are] an instruction and a reminder for every penitent human being. (Surah Qaf: 8)


 
  Lives of the Prophets:  
 


EXODUS FROM EGYPT AND THE DROWNING OF PHARAOH IN THE SEA

There is a limit to the revelations a nation is to receive. Allah warns people through His books, His messengers or His faithful servants. All humans are invited to believe in the existence and oneness of their Lord, and to obey their True Protector and Creator. This communication may last for many years. However, in the sight of Allah, there is always a predetermined limit to this process. To those who persist in denial, there will be a torment while here in this world, and which extends into eternity in the Hereafter.

Pharaoh and his inner circle, a perversely self-interested troupe, who resisted the message for years, deserved punishment. They rebelled against Allah, accusing the messenger of insanity as well as of being a liar. Because of their denial, Allah prepared for them a humiliating end.

Before this affliction began, Allah commanded Musa (as) to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt:

We revealed to Musa: "Travel with Our servants by night. You will certainly be pursued." (Surat ash-Shu‘ara’: 52)

In compliance with the command of Allah, Musa (as) and his people secretly left Egypt.

The flight of the children of Israel was entirely unacceptable to Pharaoh, who considered himself to be their Lord. He saw himself as the sole master of all the children of Israel. In addition, it would mean a loss of manpower, that would ultimately contribute to the diminishment of his authority. Therefore, he mobilized his soldiers and set out after the children of Israel:

Pharaoh sent marshals into the cities: "These people are a small group and they are agitating against us and we constitute a vigilant majority."

We expelled them [Pharaoh and his people] from gardens and springs, from treasures and a splendid situation. So it was! And We bequeathed them to the tribe of Israel. So they [Pharaoh and his troops] pursued them towards the east. (Surat ash-Shu‘ara’: 53-60)

By the time the children of Israel had reached a shore, Pharaoh and his soldiers had caught up with them. Panic and despair engulfed the people of Musa (as) when they saw Pharaoh and his soldiers approaching. Pharaoh and his soldiers were within just a short distance. There was no room to escape. They thought they were trapped:

And when the two hosts came into sight of one another Musa's companions said, "We will surely be overtaken!" (Surat ash-Shu‘ara’: 61)

At that very moment, the way Musa (as) conducted himself is an example for all believers. He remembered that he need never lose faith in the help of Allah:

He said, "Never! My Lord is with me and He will guide me." (Surat ash-Shu‘ara’: 62)

Then, he followed the revelation he received from Allah, "Strike the sea with your staff" (Surat ash-Shu‘ara’: 63). Miraculously, Allah divided the waters of the sea leaving a dry path in the middle, which the children of Israel immediately followed. Pharaoh and his soldiers went so audacious as to chase the children of Israel into the sea. Here was an apparent miracle; without question, Allah's help and support was with Musa (as) and his followers. Nevertheless, this miracle did not suffice to convince Pharaoh. Together with his soldiers, he blindly entered the path that divided the sea. However, after the children of Israel had safely crossed to the other side, the waters suddenly began to close in on Pharaoh and his soldiers and they all drowned. Though, at the last moment, Pharaoh tried to repent, his repentance was not accepted:

We brought the tribe of Israel across the sea and Pharaoh and his troops pursued them out of tyranny and enmity. Then, when he was on the point of drowning, he [Pharaoh] said, "I believe that there is no deity but Him in whom the tribe of Israel believe. I am one of the Muslims." What, now! When previously you rebelled and were one of the corrupters? Today we will preserve your body so you can be a sign for people who come after you. Surely many people are heedless of Our signs. (Surah Yunus: 90-92)

There is a very important lesson to draw from Pharaoh's repentance at the very last moment of his life and its rejection by Allah. Allah grants sufficient time and opportunity to everybody to ponder over the reason for their existence on Earth, to understand that they are here to be servants to Allah and the way they are to serve Him. Allah's messengers, divine revelations, and believers, convey the commandments of Allah to mankind. There is enough time to consider these messages and reminders, and finally, to seek refuge in Allah's mercy. If, however, a man wastes the time he has been allotted and attempts to repent only at the moment he meets his death—unless otherwise willed by Allah—his repentance is worthless. Because, at the moment of death, a person can clearly sense the reality and proximity of the Hereafter, and bears witness to this truth when he confronts the angels of death. At that point, a person can no longer reject the truth. What is important, however, is to exercise one's conscience and be sincere while one is still living in this world, that is, while he is being tested. Throughout his trial period, Pharaoh conducted himself disrespectfully and insolently towards Allah. Therefore, his repentance, which was founded on fear, did not bring him salvation.

This should act as an especially important warning to all those who believed in "living it up," and postponed their performance of religious responsibilities to their later years in life. The fulfillment of religious obligations, however, should in no way be postponed. Except for those for whom Allah wills otherwise, people who postpone forming a religious consciousness when they are young, will ultimately reach the last stages of their lives when faith and repentance no longer have the same value. Allah informs us about this fact as follows:

Allah only accepts the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and then quickly repent after doing it. Allah will pardon them. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. There is no repentance for people who persist in doing evil until death comes to them and who then say, "Now I repent," nor for people who die unbeliever. We have prepared for them a painful punishment. (Surat an-Nisa’: 17-18)

Certainly, Pharaoh's embracing faith at the very last moment, and his asking for forgiveness, were not accepted by Allah. Allah conveys to us the condition of Pharaoh and his companions in hell as follows:

The Fire, morning and night, to which they are exposed; and on the Day the Hour takes place: "Admit Pharaoh's people to the harshest punishment!" When they are squabbling with one another in the Fire, the weak will say to those deemed great, "We were your followers, so why do you not relieve us of a portion of the Fire?" Those deemed great will say, "All of us are in it. Allah has clearly judged between His servants." (Surah Ghafir: 46-48)

In the Hereafter, by the will of Allah, we will all see the torment that will be inflicted on Pharaoh and his inner circle who had sought to torment Musa (as) and the believers who followed him. In the mean time, we should pray to Allah to make us of those who will see Pharaoh's grievous punishment not as those with him in Hell, but as among the righteous servants of Allah in Paradise.



 
  Evolution Deceit:  
 


Darwinist Misrepresentations -
I
THE APE-MAN SIMILARITY IS A TALE!

The completion of human's gene map today does not yield the result that man and ape are relatives. One need not be deceived by evolutionists' attempts to exploit this new scientific development just as they do with all others.

As known, the recent completion of the human gene map within the scope of the Human Genome Project has been a very important scientific improvement. However, some results of this project are being distorted in some evolutionist publications. It is claimed that the genes of chimpanzees have a similarity to human genes by 98 % and this is promoted as an evidence to the claim that apes are close to humans, and therefore, to the theory of evolution. In truth, this is a "fake" evidence put forward by evolutionists who benefit from the lack of knowledge of society about this subject.

98 % Similarity Claim is a Misleading Propaganda

First, it should be stated that the 98% similarity concept, frequently advanced by evolutionists about the DNAs of man and chimpanzee, is deceptive.

In order to claim that the genetic make-ups of man and chimpanzee bear 98 % similarity, the genome of the chimpanzee also has to be mapped just as that of man's, the two has to be compared, and the result of this comparison has to be obtained. However no such result is available, because so far, only the gene of mankind has been mapped. No such research is yet done for the chimpanzee.

In reality, the 98 % similarity between the genes of man and ape, which now and then becomes an agenda item, is a propaganda oriented slogan deliberately invented years ago. This similarity is an extraordinarily exaggerated generalization grounded on the similarity in the amino acid sequences of some 30-40 basic proteins present in man and chimpanzee. A sequence analysis has been made with a method named "DNA hybridization" on the DNA sequences that are correlated with these proteins and only those limited number of proteins have been compared.

However there are about hundred thousand genes, and therefore 100 thousand proteins coded by these genes in humans. For that reason, there is no scientific basis for claiming that all the genes of man and ape are 98 % similar only because of the similarity in 40 out of 100.000 proteins.

On the other hand, the DNA comparison carried out on those 40 proteins is also controversial. This comparison was made in 1987 by two biologists named Sibley and Ahlquist and published in the periodical named Journal of Molecular Evolution. (v.26 pp. 99-1212) However another scientist named Sarich who examined the data obtained by these two scientists concluded that the reliability of the method they used is controversial and that the data has been exaggeratedly interpreted. (Sarich et al, 1989, Cladisticts 5:3-32) Dr. Don Batten, another biologist, also analyzed the issue in 1996 and concluded that the real similarity rate is 96.2%, not 98 %. (CEN, 19(1); 21-22 December 1996-February 1997)

Human DNA is also similar to that of the worm, mosquito and chicken!

Moreover, the above mentioned basic proteins are common vital molecules present in various other living beings. The structure of the same kinds of proteins present not only in chimpanzee, but also in completely different living beings, is very similar to that in the humans.

For example, the genetic analyses published in New Scientist have revealed a 75 % similarity between the DNAs of nematode worms and man. (New Scientist, 15 May 1999, p.27) This definitely does not mean that there is only a 25% difference between man and these worms! According to the family tree made by evolutionists, the Chordata phylum, in which man is included, and Nematoda phylum were different from each other even 530 million years ago.

On the other hand, in another finding, it was stated that the comparisons carried out between the genes of fruit fly belonging to the Drosophila species and human genes yielded a similarity of 60%. (Daily Hürriyet, 24 February 2000)


 
  Quick Grasp of Faith:  
 


Is it acceptable to grieve when someone dies?

Allah has predetermined a certain lifetime for each person, and nobody can alter it. Thus, the believers should be pleased with the destiny that Allah has created, submit to this event, and trust Allah. Not doing so implies rebelling against the destiny that Allah has created, something that sincere believers would never do. Furthermore, deceased believers will meet with Allah’s good pleasure and Paradise, and so will live a good life in great blessings that cannot possibly be compared with their lives in this world. Thus, there is no need to be sorry for the deceased believers; rather, we should be happy that they met such an honorable outcome. If the deceased did not use their lives to seek Allah’s good pleasure, they will meet Hell in the Hereafter. Yet since this is also due to His will and justice, there is again nothing to be sorry about, for the deceased had knowingly chosen the path of unbelief despite being warned of the consequences of doing so.

In addition, it makes no sense to feel sorrow at one’s separation from a loved one, for those who are still alive can strive sincerely for Allah’s good pleasure and, as a result, can attain the eternal companionship of their loved ones in the eternal life of Paradise.

Therefore, since the believers hope that their deceased fellow believers will enter Paradise, they are not sorry when their companions die. In fact, the Qur’an advises the believers to be happy and to give one another the glad tidings of entering Paradise after death:

Allah has bought from the believers their selves and their wealth in return for the Garden. They fight in the way of Allah, and they kill and are killed. It is a promise binding on Him in the Torah, the Gospel, and the Qur’an. And who is truer to his contract than Allah? Rejoice then in the bargain you have made. That is the great victory. (Surat at-Tawba: 111)

 

 
  Book Review:  
 


THE ALLIANCE OF THE GOOD

While watching television or reading the paper, you see many items which you do would not like to see or hear: destitute people, murders, quarrels, ill-treatment, and much more... Certainly, you, too, would like to live in a peaceful and secure society where no one causes anyone else harm or distress; where people live in harmony and friendship; where they hear kind, praising, loving, and caring words from each other. However just waiting for such a world to come about by itself one day is of no use. This book is a summons to those who want goodness to prevail: it calls on them to do goodness and to form an alliance with other good people like themselves...>>


 
  Site of the Day:  
 


www.endoftimes.net

The End Times refer to a period very close to the Day of Judgment, when the morality of the Qur'an will come to prevail and people all over the world will come to live by it. The immorality, oppression, cruelty, injustice and degeneration of previous ages will disappear in that holy time to be replaced by abundance, wealth, beauty, peace and stability. There will be tremendous technological advances, which all people will use for good purposes and well-being.

The aim of this site is to encourage people to think about this aspect of the End Times, and to share that joy and excitement with one another.

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