ezrider
Member
- Jul 21, 2011
- 5,017
- 871
Because Christians helped create them. The Sins of the Fathers shall be visited upon the sons unto the third and fourth generation.
-
-
-
-
Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
Join Hidden in Him and For His Glory for discussions on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/become-a-vessel-of-honor-part-2.112306/
We are at the end, Iran and Israel war.
- Thread starter reddogs
- Start date
Because Christians helped create them. The Sins of the Fathers shall be visited upon the sons unto the third and fourth generation.
No, that's not what I am saying here. That's what your mind wants you to believe that I am saying. But all I'm saying is that Hamas brought this on by murdering Jews. And no the Jews did not murder Germans in their uprising. And for the record the Jews didn't have any uprising. Quite frankly, I'm at a loss as to what 'uprising' you're referring to. Could you refresh my memory?
No He didn't.
- Apr 2, 2003
- 23,677
- 6,572
How so, exactly?
No He didn't. Can you show that Scripture?
ezrider
Member
- Jul 21, 2011
- 5,017
- 871
No, you have to think upon it for yourself.
- Apr 2, 2003
- 23,677
- 6,572
There is no ethnic cleansing nor genocide. The irony is that it is the other way around. Had Hamas had the means, they would have literally wiped Israel out. Perhaps you missed all the noise on university campuses and elsewhere--"from the river to the sea." That means wiping out Israel and killing all Jews within. Or, perhaps you have ignored Hamas's original charter, which unequivocally called for the eradication of Jews and the utter destruction of Israel.
https://irp.fas.org/world/para/docs/880818a.htm
You can download both the 1988 and 2017 versions on PDF here: https://archive.org/details/2017-charters-of-hamas
While any death is tragic, especially civilians, if Israel wanted to commit genocide against the Palestinians, they could have done so already. Easily. They're trying to avoid casualties (that isn't to say that every individual soldier has followed procedure), but it's rather hard when coward Hamas dresses as civilians, hides behind and under civilians, keeps hostages under civilians, and stores weapons all over the place.
Yet, there is more. This war could have been over with a matter of weeks, had the Palestinian people simply pointed out the Hamas terrorists and where their tunnels and weapons and hostages were. But they didn't. This strongly suggests that it was either because they supported Hamas or they were too afraid to speak out, for good reason, but likely both.
It also begs the question as to why Egypt wouldn't open its borders and let Palestinians through. Why no other Muslim nation? Why wouldn't Muslims let other Muslims in?
Maybe it has something to do with things like Black September: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Black-September-political-organization-Palestine
The Palestinian Muslims are violent or at least seem to have a tendency towards violence. Then there is the fact that Hamas uses aid money and infrastructure, such as pipes, to obtain and build weapons, rather than helping the Palestinian people.
Your very one-sided narrative is seriously lacking in facts. It also ignores that Hamas controls the narrative in Gaza--the number of casualties, what any Westerner allowed in there sees, etc. Hamas controls what Western media puts out. While there is likely no unbiased media anymore, anywhere, about anything, siding with a terrorist organization makes no sense whatsoever.
- Apr 2, 2003
- 23,677
- 6,572
No, that isn't how this works. I asked you a question and so you have to respond.
ezrider
Member
- Jul 21, 2011
- 5,017
- 871
In the Bible I read Ted, the ten tribes comprising the Kingdom of Israel were scatter in Judgement through the Assyrians. Then the Kingdom of Judah was carried off in Judgment through the Babylonians, Then they returned to the land as promised, and in the process fulfilled the 70 weeks of Daniel. Then in 70AD they were scattered to the four corners again in Judgement through the Roman empire.
Now after a couple thousand years, Satan has been released to go and deceive the Nations once again. God said he would send you strong delusion if you choose the believe the lie.
ezrider
Member
- Jul 21, 2011
- 5,017
- 871
And for how many years did they say the same thing of the jews in Europe before WW2?
ezrider
Member
- Jul 21, 2011
- 5,017
- 871
No, that's not how self reflection works. You tell me how its possible that the Christians helped to create the terrorist. Use your imagination.
Yes, the Jews were first sent into Babylon as a consequence of their sin. But that was only one nation. The prophecy spoken of here says that He is going to call them from all nations and the islands of the earth. That can only be the diaspora that occurred after the destruction of Jerusalem. And the Jews have never been sent out of Israel since. So no, God has not dispersed them again since they were called back from all the nations and islands.
- Apr 2, 2003
- 23,677
- 6,572
This has nothing to do with self-reflection. This is a debate forum. You made a truth claim--"Because Christians helped create them. The Sins of the Fathers shall be visited upon the sons unto the third and fourth generation."--and the onus is on you to provide clarity and evidence when asked.
And, yet, here we are. Israel isn't committing genocide. Stop ignoring the facts of how Hamas operates, how it treats its own people, and what one of their main purposes is. Israel is after Hamas, as they should be, not Palestinians.
Niblo
2024 Supporter
- Aug 16, 2019
- 507
- 389
The following comments arise from allegations made by Free:
Concerning the allegation that Muslims worship a different God from Christians:
However jarring it may be to those who claim that ‘Allāh’ is the name of the ‘god of Islam’, it is well to remember that Arabic speaking Christians (and Jews) have used this name since pre-Islamic times. Indeed, they have no other word for ‘God’ than this.
Arabic speaking Christians, for example, say: Allāh al-ab (الله الآب), meaning God the Father; Allāh al-ibn (الله الابن), meaning God the Son; and Allāh al-rūḥ al qudus (الله الروح القدس), meaning God the Holy Spirit.
In a famous ‘proof’ for the existence of God, the Dominican theologian (St) Thomas Aquinas argues that the universe is composed of contingent beings; by which he means beings that cannot bring themselves – or anything else – into existence; and that cannot guarantee their continued existence. Aquinas argues that if contingent beings are the only beings that exist, then nothing could have come into existence at all. There must be a 'Necessary Being'; one that does not depend on any other for its existence, and which is the ‘First Cause' of all other beings. This 'Necessary Being' – this ‘First Cause' – we call God. (cf. Summa Theologica: Part 1; Question 2; Article 3).
Muslims and Christians are agreed that there can be only one ‘First Cause’; that there can be only one Creator.
As a Muslim, I accept – without reservation – that Allāh (subḥānahu ūta'āla)) is our Creator and Lord; who can be known with certainty, by the natural light of reason from created things; who is absolutely perfect; who is actually infinite in every perfection; who is absolutely simple; who is the One True God, possessing an infinite power of cognition; who is absolute Veracity; who is absolutely faithful; who is absolute ontological Goodness in Himself and in relation to others; who is absolute Moral Goodness or Holiness; who is absolute Benignity; who is absolutely immutable; who is eternal and everywhere present in created space; whose knowledge is infinite; whose Attributes really are identical among themselves and with His Essence; who is omnipotent; who is Lord of the heavens and of the earth; who is infinitely just and infinitely merciful. He is the One who revealed Himself to Abraham; and who gave Moses the Law at Sinai.
I know of no Christian who would disagree with any of this. On what grounds, therefore, can one claim that Muslims worship a different God from Christians?
Consider the Ishihara colour blindness testing system: On one of the test plates the number ‘74’ will be clearly visible to viewers with normal colour vision. Viewers with red-green colour blindness will read it as ‘21’; while viewers with monochromacy will see no number at all.
Are there three testing plates; or just the one – perceived in three different ways?
Just the one.
Is there more than one God; or just the One – perceived in different ways?
Just the One.
Concerning the allegation that Allāh (subḥānahu ūta'āla) supports lying and deception:
Here is the relevant ʾāyah:
‘With the exception of those who are forced to say they do not believe, although their hearts remain firm in faith, those who reject God after believing in Him and open their hearts to disbelief will have the wrath of God upon them and a grievous punishment awaiting them.’ (Sūrah ‘Al-Nahl:106’).
This ʾāyah gives permission to outwardly deny one’s faith – provided that one’s heart remains firm in that faith, and that one is acting under coercion. This is the concession known as ‘taqiyyah’.
Shaykh Seyyed Hossein Nasr – Professor of Islamic Studies at George Washington University – reminds us that ‘taqiyyah’:
‘Is etymologically related to “taking care” and “being wary” and is lexically related to taqwā, or reverence.
‘Those who fear death or great harm through persecution at the hands of the community in which they live can hide their faith through words but not through actions, which is to say they can deny to others that they are Muslim, but they cannot then violate the major rules of Islam by, for example, murdering, stealing, or committing adultery under the cover of this denial.’ ’ (‘The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary’; my emphasis).
Referring to ‘Al-Nahl:106’, he writes:
‘The Quran excuses the one who is coerced, while his heart is at peace in faith.’ (‘Ibid’; my emphasis).
He explains that this ʾāyah was: ‘Revealed in connection with the earliest martyrs in Makkah, whose identity as Muslims put them in mortal danger.’ (‘Ibid’).
Allāh (subḥānahu ūta'āla) tells us that He does not love those who habitually deceive: (Sūrah ‘Al-Nisa:107’); that those who habitually lie have diseased hearts: (Sūrah ‘Al-Baqara:10’); that such folk are not guided: (Sūrah ‘Ghafir:28’); and that He will mark out those for reward those who are truthful; and for punishment, those who are liars: (Sūrah ‘Al-‘Ankabut: 2-4’).
Concerning the allegation that Muslims worship a different God from Christians:
However jarring it may be to those who claim that ‘Allāh’ is the name of the ‘god of Islam’, it is well to remember that Arabic speaking Christians (and Jews) have used this name since pre-Islamic times. Indeed, they have no other word for ‘God’ than this.
Arabic speaking Christians, for example, say: Allāh al-ab (الله الآب), meaning God the Father; Allāh al-ibn (الله الابن), meaning God the Son; and Allāh al-rūḥ al qudus (الله الروح القدس), meaning God the Holy Spirit.
In a famous ‘proof’ for the existence of God, the Dominican theologian (St) Thomas Aquinas argues that the universe is composed of contingent beings; by which he means beings that cannot bring themselves – or anything else – into existence; and that cannot guarantee their continued existence. Aquinas argues that if contingent beings are the only beings that exist, then nothing could have come into existence at all. There must be a 'Necessary Being'; one that does not depend on any other for its existence, and which is the ‘First Cause' of all other beings. This 'Necessary Being' – this ‘First Cause' – we call God. (cf. Summa Theologica: Part 1; Question 2; Article 3).
Muslims and Christians are agreed that there can be only one ‘First Cause’; that there can be only one Creator.
As a Muslim, I accept – without reservation – that Allāh (subḥānahu ūta'āla)) is our Creator and Lord; who can be known with certainty, by the natural light of reason from created things; who is absolutely perfect; who is actually infinite in every perfection; who is absolutely simple; who is the One True God, possessing an infinite power of cognition; who is absolute Veracity; who is absolutely faithful; who is absolute ontological Goodness in Himself and in relation to others; who is absolute Moral Goodness or Holiness; who is absolute Benignity; who is absolutely immutable; who is eternal and everywhere present in created space; whose knowledge is infinite; whose Attributes really are identical among themselves and with His Essence; who is omnipotent; who is Lord of the heavens and of the earth; who is infinitely just and infinitely merciful. He is the One who revealed Himself to Abraham; and who gave Moses the Law at Sinai.
I know of no Christian who would disagree with any of this. On what grounds, therefore, can one claim that Muslims worship a different God from Christians?
Consider the Ishihara colour blindness testing system: On one of the test plates the number ‘74’ will be clearly visible to viewers with normal colour vision. Viewers with red-green colour blindness will read it as ‘21’; while viewers with monochromacy will see no number at all.
Are there three testing plates; or just the one – perceived in three different ways?
Just the one.
Is there more than one God; or just the One – perceived in different ways?
Just the One.
Concerning the allegation that Allāh (subḥānahu ūta'āla) supports lying and deception:
Here is the relevant ʾāyah:
‘With the exception of those who are forced to say they do not believe, although their hearts remain firm in faith, those who reject God after believing in Him and open their hearts to disbelief will have the wrath of God upon them and a grievous punishment awaiting them.’ (Sūrah ‘Al-Nahl:106’).
This ʾāyah gives permission to outwardly deny one’s faith – provided that one’s heart remains firm in that faith, and that one is acting under coercion. This is the concession known as ‘taqiyyah’.
Shaykh Seyyed Hossein Nasr – Professor of Islamic Studies at George Washington University – reminds us that ‘taqiyyah’:
‘Is etymologically related to “taking care” and “being wary” and is lexically related to taqwā, or reverence.
‘Those who fear death or great harm through persecution at the hands of the community in which they live can hide their faith through words but not through actions, which is to say they can deny to others that they are Muslim, but they cannot then violate the major rules of Islam by, for example, murdering, stealing, or committing adultery under the cover of this denial.’ ’ (‘The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary’; my emphasis).
Referring to ‘Al-Nahl:106’, he writes:
‘The Quran excuses the one who is coerced, while his heart is at peace in faith.’ (‘Ibid’; my emphasis).
He explains that this ʾāyah was: ‘Revealed in connection with the earliest martyrs in Makkah, whose identity as Muslims put them in mortal danger.’ (‘Ibid’).
Allāh (subḥānahu ūta'āla) tells us that He does not love those who habitually deceive: (Sūrah ‘Al-Nisa:107’); that those who habitually lie have diseased hearts: (Sūrah ‘Al-Baqara:10’); that such folk are not guided: (Sūrah ‘Ghafir:28’); and that He will mark out those for reward those who are truthful; and for punishment, those who are liars: (Sūrah ‘Al-‘Ankabut: 2-4’).
Last edited:
Niblo
2024 Supporter
- Aug 16, 2019
- 507
- 389
Concerning the allegation that Allāh (subḥānahu ūta'āla): ‘Gives virgins to those who die as martyrs, even by blowing themselves up to kill infidels.’:
I refer you to the book: ‘Fatwa on Terrorism and Suicide Bombings’ by Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri.
In his introduction to this book, Dr Joel S. Hayward – Dean of the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, and Head of Air Power Studies, King’s College London – writes (my emphases):
‘In March 2010 I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I read that an internationally renowned Islamic scholar, recognised throughout the world as an authority on the Qur’an and the Sunna, had issued a prodigiously researched fatwa which demonstrated from scrupulously reliable sources that terrorism and suicide bombings are so wickedly unjust and un-Islamic that their evil cannot be justified by recourse to discussions of intention.
‘Indeed, the Shaykh demonstrates that suicide bombings and other forms of terrorism are so unjust and wicked that they place the perpetrators outside of Islam. That is, these acts are the acts of unbelievers, not martyrs, and they will expose those who do them to the gravest likelihood of eternal punishment after death.’
Suicide is a sin in Islam. Allāh (subḥānahu ūta'āla) does not reward sin.
The notion that those who die as martyrs are gifted (72) virgins is a fanciful misguidance, intended to appeal to impressionable young men, who are high in testosterone, but extremely low in Islamic knowledge.
The notion is not found in the Qur’an; rather, it arises from a single ḥādīth in the collection of Jami' at-Tirmidhi; categorised by ʼaḥādīth scholars as ‘Ḍaʻīf’ (weak), due to its poor chain of narrators. In short, the ḥādīth is untrustworthy.
Allāh (subḥānahu ūta'āla) says:
‘But those mindful of Allāh will be in a safe place amid Gardens and springs, clothed in silk and fine brocade, facing one another: and we shall marry them to fair ones having beautiful eyes.’ (Sūrah ‘Al-Dukhan: 52-54’; my emphasis).
The text ‘and we shall marry them to fair ones having beautiful eyes’ translates the Arabic: ‘wazawwajnāhum biḥūrin ʿīnin.’
Surah Al-Tur: 20 says likewise: ‘And we shall marry them to fair ones having beautiful eyes’ (‘wazawwajnāhum biḥūrin ʿīnin.’
The Arabic for a virgin (or maiden) is ‘al-adra’.
In these sūrahs, the word ‘biḥūrin’ stems from the Arabic ‘ḥūri’; a word that applies to both sexes; (being the plural of ‘awhar’ (masculine) and ‘hawra’ (feminine).
The Qur’an refers to Heaven as ‘al-janna’, meaning ‘the garden’. It is the home of the righteous, the home of Peace.
In ‘al-janna’, men shall be wed to fair companions who are female; and women to fair companions who are male.
Professor Abdel Haleem – King Fahd Professor of Islamic Studies at the SOAS University of London – writes:
‘There is no overt mention in the Qur’an of sex taking place between spouses in janna, although the relationship is lawful between spouses and the Qur’an does not shy away from mentioning it in the context of this world. The mutual love (‘uruban) between spouses in the garden (56:37–8) epitomises the most fulfilling aspect of the relationship between spouses as expressed in the Qur’an: Another of His signs is that He created spouses from among yourselves for you to live with in tranquillity: He ordained love and kindness between you (30:21).’
‘Part of God’s blessing on the righteous is that they will be joined in paradise with the righteous of their parents, spouses (azwāj) and offspring (13:23)…… Al-Janna is not the home of ‘believing men’ only but also of ‘believing women.’ (‘Understanding the Qur’an – Themes and Style’; my emphases).
Consider these ʾāyāt:
‘(Prophet), do not think of those who have been killed in God’s way as dead. They are alive with their Lord, well provided for, happy with what God has given them of His favour; rejoicing that for those they have left behind who have yet to join them there is no fear, nor will they grieve; (rejoicing) in God’s blessing and favour, and that God will not let the reward of the believers be lost.’ (Sūrah ‘Al‘Imran: 167-171’).
I was a Christian for over sixty years, and well educated in the Faith. I have never met – nor read the works of – any priest; scholar; or Christian layperson who believes that the Qur’an was revealed by Allāh (subḥānahu ūta'āla).
Without exception, these folk believe that the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) was both a fraud and a liar; a man who authored the Qur’an from heretical sources, or from the Bible itself.
These folk have a question to answer:
If the Prophet truly believed – and taught – that martyrs (violent or otherwise) are rewarded with virgins, then why is this not mentioned in the Qur’an?
The Al‘Imran:167-171 would be the perfect location for such a declaration.
I refer you to the book: ‘Fatwa on Terrorism and Suicide Bombings’ by Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri.
In his introduction to this book, Dr Joel S. Hayward – Dean of the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, and Head of Air Power Studies, King’s College London – writes (my emphases):
‘In March 2010 I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I read that an internationally renowned Islamic scholar, recognised throughout the world as an authority on the Qur’an and the Sunna, had issued a prodigiously researched fatwa which demonstrated from scrupulously reliable sources that terrorism and suicide bombings are so wickedly unjust and un-Islamic that their evil cannot be justified by recourse to discussions of intention.
‘Indeed, the Shaykh demonstrates that suicide bombings and other forms of terrorism are so unjust and wicked that they place the perpetrators outside of Islam. That is, these acts are the acts of unbelievers, not martyrs, and they will expose those who do them to the gravest likelihood of eternal punishment after death.’
Suicide is a sin in Islam. Allāh (subḥānahu ūta'āla) does not reward sin.
The notion that those who die as martyrs are gifted (72) virgins is a fanciful misguidance, intended to appeal to impressionable young men, who are high in testosterone, but extremely low in Islamic knowledge.
The notion is not found in the Qur’an; rather, it arises from a single ḥādīth in the collection of Jami' at-Tirmidhi; categorised by ʼaḥādīth scholars as ‘Ḍaʻīf’ (weak), due to its poor chain of narrators. In short, the ḥādīth is untrustworthy.
Allāh (subḥānahu ūta'āla) says:
‘But those mindful of Allāh will be in a safe place amid Gardens and springs, clothed in silk and fine brocade, facing one another: and we shall marry them to fair ones having beautiful eyes.’ (Sūrah ‘Al-Dukhan: 52-54’; my emphasis).
The text ‘and we shall marry them to fair ones having beautiful eyes’ translates the Arabic: ‘wazawwajnāhum biḥūrin ʿīnin.’
Surah Al-Tur: 20 says likewise: ‘And we shall marry them to fair ones having beautiful eyes’ (‘wazawwajnāhum biḥūrin ʿīnin.’
The Arabic for a virgin (or maiden) is ‘al-adra’.
In these sūrahs, the word ‘biḥūrin’ stems from the Arabic ‘ḥūri’; a word that applies to both sexes; (being the plural of ‘awhar’ (masculine) and ‘hawra’ (feminine).
The Qur’an refers to Heaven as ‘al-janna’, meaning ‘the garden’. It is the home of the righteous, the home of Peace.
In ‘al-janna’, men shall be wed to fair companions who are female; and women to fair companions who are male.
Professor Abdel Haleem – King Fahd Professor of Islamic Studies at the SOAS University of London – writes:
‘There is no overt mention in the Qur’an of sex taking place between spouses in janna, although the relationship is lawful between spouses and the Qur’an does not shy away from mentioning it in the context of this world. The mutual love (‘uruban) between spouses in the garden (56:37–8) epitomises the most fulfilling aspect of the relationship between spouses as expressed in the Qur’an: Another of His signs is that He created spouses from among yourselves for you to live with in tranquillity: He ordained love and kindness between you (30:21).’
‘Part of God’s blessing on the righteous is that they will be joined in paradise with the righteous of their parents, spouses (azwāj) and offspring (13:23)…… Al-Janna is not the home of ‘believing men’ only but also of ‘believing women.’ (‘Understanding the Qur’an – Themes and Style’; my emphases).
Consider these ʾāyāt:
‘(Prophet), do not think of those who have been killed in God’s way as dead. They are alive with their Lord, well provided for, happy with what God has given them of His favour; rejoicing that for those they have left behind who have yet to join them there is no fear, nor will they grieve; (rejoicing) in God’s blessing and favour, and that God will not let the reward of the believers be lost.’ (Sūrah ‘Al‘Imran: 167-171’).
I was a Christian for over sixty years, and well educated in the Faith. I have never met – nor read the works of – any priest; scholar; or Christian layperson who believes that the Qur’an was revealed by Allāh (subḥānahu ūta'āla).
Without exception, these folk believe that the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) was both a fraud and a liar; a man who authored the Qur’an from heretical sources, or from the Bible itself.
These folk have a question to answer:
If the Prophet truly believed – and taught – that martyrs (violent or otherwise) are rewarded with virgins, then why is this not mentioned in the Qur’an?
The Al‘Imran:167-171 would be the perfect location for such a declaration.
Niblo
2024 Supporter
- Aug 16, 2019
- 507
- 389
Concerning the allegation that Allāh (subḥānahu ūta'āla) does not portray Himself as either loving or relational toward mankind:
Every day of their lives – many times a day – Muslims recite the following sūrah:
‘In the name of Allāh, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy! Praise belongs to Allāh, Lord of the Worlds, the Compassionate, the Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgement. It is You we worship; it is You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path: the path of those You have blessed, those who incur no anger and who have not gone astray.' (Al-Fātiḥa).
Allāh (subḥānahu ūta'āla) is Lord (‘Rabb’). He is the ‘Compassionate’ (‘al-Raḥmān’). He is the ‘Merciful’ (‘al-Raḥīm’).
These are some of the Beloved’s Names. We did not give them to Him; He chose them for Himself. Of all His Names, these are His favourite. That is why we are asked to recite them so often – so that we do not forget Who it is that loves us; Who it is that binds us to Himself to us with ties of tenderness, mercy and forgiveness. Islam places great emphasis on the nature of this forgiveness.
These sacred names are derived from the same root as the Arabic for ‘womb’ (‘raḥim’). They confirm the Beloved’s nourishing and sustaining nature; akin to the nurturing and tender loving care of a mother for her child.
When we love someone – and are loved in return – we long to be remembered by them. A simple card; a letter; a greeting; a phone call to say, ‘I love you’.
It is a source of immeasurable wonder that the Beloved – the Lord of all that exists – should say to one such as I:
‘Remember Me; I will remember you.’ (Sūrah ‘Al-Baqara: 152’).
One of the Beloved’s ‘Beautiful Names’ is ‘Al-Wali’; meaning the ‘Protecting Friend’; and our relationship with Him is one of intimacy; of love; of trust; and of dependence.
He says:
‘We created man – We know what his soul whispers to him: We are closer to him than his jugular vein.’ (Sūrah ‘Qaf:16).
Ms. A. Helwa is a Master of Divinity, with over fifteen years writing and speaking on Islam and spiritual development. She writes:
‘Whether you are in a plane in the sky, in the heart of a desert, or in the depths of a sea where no light can reach, God is with you. Everyone else may leave, everything else may break, but Allah will forever be your most faithful and intimate friend.’ (‘Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam’)
The Beloved says:
‘But for those who the friends of God there is no fear, nor shall they grieve. For those who believe and are conscious of God, for them there is good news in this life and in the Hereafter – there is no changing the promises of God – that is truly the supreme triumph.’ (Sūrah ‘Yunus: 62-65’; my emphases).
He says:
‘God does not love those who ignore His commands.’ (Sūrah ‘Al‘Imran: 31-32’).
The words ‘does not love’ translate the Arabic ‘lā yuḥibbu’. This expression is sometimes translated as ‘hate’; but this is a misleading translation.
The word ‘yuḥibbu’ comes from the trilateral root ‘ḥā bā bā’. It occurs ninety-five times in the Quran; in nine derived forms; none of which speak of hatred. Indeed, the word ‘hate’ does not exist in the Qur’an in relation to the Beloved.
He loves…. or He does not love.
Ms. A. Helwa reminds us that this truth:
‘Implies that our experience of Allah is always on the spectrum of love. The variation in this spectrum occurs not because Allah is withholding from us, but because of our forgetfulness and the veils that result from our misperceptions, false identities, and sins. Just as the sun doesn’t stop shining if we close our eyes, when we sin it is not that God hates us, but rather we who are closed off from experiencing His love.’ (‘Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam’).
Blessings.
Every day of their lives – many times a day – Muslims recite the following sūrah:
‘In the name of Allāh, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy! Praise belongs to Allāh, Lord of the Worlds, the Compassionate, the Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgement. It is You we worship; it is You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path: the path of those You have blessed, those who incur no anger and who have not gone astray.' (Al-Fātiḥa).
Allāh (subḥānahu ūta'āla) is Lord (‘Rabb’). He is the ‘Compassionate’ (‘al-Raḥmān’). He is the ‘Merciful’ (‘al-Raḥīm’).
These are some of the Beloved’s Names. We did not give them to Him; He chose them for Himself. Of all His Names, these are His favourite. That is why we are asked to recite them so often – so that we do not forget Who it is that loves us; Who it is that binds us to Himself to us with ties of tenderness, mercy and forgiveness. Islam places great emphasis on the nature of this forgiveness.
These sacred names are derived from the same root as the Arabic for ‘womb’ (‘raḥim’). They confirm the Beloved’s nourishing and sustaining nature; akin to the nurturing and tender loving care of a mother for her child.
When we love someone – and are loved in return – we long to be remembered by them. A simple card; a letter; a greeting; a phone call to say, ‘I love you’.
It is a source of immeasurable wonder that the Beloved – the Lord of all that exists – should say to one such as I:
‘Remember Me; I will remember you.’ (Sūrah ‘Al-Baqara: 152’).
One of the Beloved’s ‘Beautiful Names’ is ‘Al-Wali’; meaning the ‘Protecting Friend’; and our relationship with Him is one of intimacy; of love; of trust; and of dependence.
He says:
‘We created man – We know what his soul whispers to him: We are closer to him than his jugular vein.’ (Sūrah ‘Qaf:16).
Ms. A. Helwa is a Master of Divinity, with over fifteen years writing and speaking on Islam and spiritual development. She writes:
‘Whether you are in a plane in the sky, in the heart of a desert, or in the depths of a sea where no light can reach, God is with you. Everyone else may leave, everything else may break, but Allah will forever be your most faithful and intimate friend.’ (‘Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam’)
The Beloved says:
‘But for those who the friends of God there is no fear, nor shall they grieve. For those who believe and are conscious of God, for them there is good news in this life and in the Hereafter – there is no changing the promises of God – that is truly the supreme triumph.’ (Sūrah ‘Yunus: 62-65’; my emphases).
He says:
‘God does not love those who ignore His commands.’ (Sūrah ‘Al‘Imran: 31-32’).
The words ‘does not love’ translate the Arabic ‘lā yuḥibbu’. This expression is sometimes translated as ‘hate’; but this is a misleading translation.
The word ‘yuḥibbu’ comes from the trilateral root ‘ḥā bā bā’. It occurs ninety-five times in the Quran; in nine derived forms; none of which speak of hatred. Indeed, the word ‘hate’ does not exist in the Qur’an in relation to the Beloved.
He loves…. or He does not love.
Ms. A. Helwa reminds us that this truth:
‘Implies that our experience of Allah is always on the spectrum of love. The variation in this spectrum occurs not because Allah is withholding from us, but because of our forgetfulness and the veils that result from our misperceptions, false identities, and sins. Just as the sun doesn’t stop shining if we close our eyes, when we sin it is not that God hates us, but rather we who are closed off from experiencing His love.’ (‘Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam’).
Blessings.
- Jan 26, 2012
- 916
- 302
- Thread starter
- #120
Well, if they had not been getting around that agreement and dishonest in gaining the nuclear means, then that 'covenant' would have been useful. But they have been cheating since the very beginning, and even know they will go right back to it.
Similar threads
