Prima Quran

“So when We said to the angels: Prostrate to Adam they did prostrate, but Iblis (did it not). He refused and he was proud, and he was one of the ungrateful (l-kafirina).” (Qur’an 2:33)

“So when We said to the angels: Prostrate to Adam they did prostrate, but Iblis (did it not). He refused and he was proud, and he was one of the ungrateful (l-kafirina).” (Qur’an 2:33)

Based upon the foundational text, the Qur’an, the above verse mentions Iblis failing to follow the ‘amr, the command of Allah (swt).

So when Iblis failed to follow the command of Allah (swt) was he

A) An Ungrateful Muslim? Kufr ni’amah

B) Guilty of Kufr Shirk?

It is very clear that the Iblis did not commit shirk. His sin is not the sin of worshipping other than Allah (swt).

In fact even after his transgression Iblis makes a du’a to Allah (swt)!

“Satan appealed, “My Lord! Then delay my end until the Day of their resurrection.” (Qur’an 15:36)

It is clear that Allah (swt) said that Iblis is a Kafir for failing to obey his command.

IBLIS DID NOT COMMIT SHIRK AND YET ALLAH (SWT) CALLED HIM A KAFIR!

Kufr-ni’mah, hadith evidence and the Qur’an

Muslims who commit major sins: The Ibadi position.

What about all those hadiths that say if you do this or that you will be GUARANTEED PARADISE?

So for example there are a great many hadith that say that if a person does this act or says this statement they will be guaranteed paradise.

Examples:

It is narrated on the authority of ‘Uthman that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said. He who died knowing (fully well) that there is no god but Allah entered Paradise.

Source: (https://sunnah.com/muslim:26a)

Narrated Mu’adh bin Jabal :

The Messenger of Allah (saw) as saying: If anyone’s last words are “There is no god but Allah” he will enter Paradise.

Source: (https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3116)

Abu Huraira reported:

The Prophet, (saw) said, “Whoever recites ten times, ‘Say: He is Allah, the One,’ a palace will be built for him in Paradise. Whoever recites it twenty times, two palaces will be built for him. Whoever recites it three times, three palaces will be built for him.”

Source: (al-Mu’jam al-Awsaṭ lil-Ṭabarānī 281) (https://www.abuaminaelias.com/dailyhadithonline/2016/02/23/surah-al-ikhlaas-10-jannah/)

Abu Umamah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever recites the ‘verse of the Throne’ after every prescribed prayer, there will be nothing standing between him and entry into Paradise but his death.”

Source: (al-Mu’jam al-Awsaṭ lil-Ṭabarānī 8068)

(https://www.abuaminaelias.com/dailyhadithonline/2012/08/27/ayat-al-kursi-after-salat/)

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (saw) said:

“Indeed, Allah has ninety-nine Names, whoever counts them shall enter Paradise.”

Source: (https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:3508)

The first response to the above hadith is that they have to be all taken into account with many other hadith. Because the singular narrations (ahad) put a few strokes on the canvas they do not paint the whole picture.

Hadith that do not guarantee Muslims paradise.

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Messenger (saw) said, “All my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse.” They said, “O Allah’s Messenger (saw)! Who will refuse?” He said, “Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter it).”

Source: (https://sunnah.com/bukhari:7280)

Hudhaifah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:

“A backbiter will not enter Paradise.” Agreed upon.

Source: (https://sunnah.com/bulugh/16/69)

It was narrated from Abu Darda’ that the Prophet (saw) said:

“No one who is addicted to wine will enter Paradise.”

Source: (https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:3376)

Narrated Jubair bin Mut`im:

That he heard the Prophet (saw) saying, “The person who severs the bond of kinship will not enter Paradise.”

Source: (https://sunnah.com/bukhari:5984)

How to reconcile these contradictory hadith? A simple solution and one that even Sunni schools of theology are forced to acknowledge.

All of those ahadith that guarantee paradise for a Muslim based upon this action or this statement have to be taken into context with all those hadith that says if a Muslim does this or that they will not enter paradise. Those hadith about the guarantee for paradise is for a Muslim who stays the course, who practices their Islam who is diligent in all matters of their faith.

Otherwise we run into the following logical problems. Examples:

Question: What happens if that person was to miss the verse of the throne recitation even after just one prayer? Would they now not be guaranteed paradise?

The Prophet, (saw) said, “Whoever recites ten times, ‘Say: He is Allah, the One,’ a palace will be built for him in Paradise. Whoever recites it twenty times, two palaces will be built for him. Whoever recites it three times, three palaces will be built for him.

Question: What happens if I recite surah ikhlas ten times today 11/5/2023 but decide to stop praying, fasting paying zakat. So I am guaranteed paradise then?

Also what happens if I recite surah ikhlas ten times and then I become a backbiter and I break the ties of kinship?

So it is not logical that one statement or one action is going to get a person into paradise. Especially when all the ahadith are taken as a whole.

There is no verse in the Qur’an that says Kafir will enter paradise! None!

There is no verse in the Qur’an that states you can sin and continue sinning without repentance without restitution and you will enter paradise! None.

“Allah accepts only the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and foolishness and repent SOON afterwards; it is THEY WHOM Allah will forgive and Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise.

And of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil deeds until death faces one of them and he says: ‘Now I repent;’ NOR of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them We have prepared a painful torment” (Qur’an 4:17-18)

Truly, Allah loves THOSE who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves” (Qur’an 2:222)

“But whosoever repents AFTER his crime and does righteous good deeds (by obeying Allah), then verily, Allah will pardon him (accept his repentance). Verily, Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 5:39)

“O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise)” (Qur’an 66:8)

“Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief), their past will be forgiven” (Qur’an 8:38)

“Your Lord has written (prescribed) Mercy for Himself, so that if any of you does evil in ignorance, and thereafter repents and does righteous good deeds (by obeying Allah), then surely, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (Qur’an 6:54)

“Allah wishes to accept your repentance, but those who follow their lusts, wish that you (believers) should deviate tremendously away (from the Right Path).”  (Qur’an 4:27)

“Say: Oh my slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (Qur’an 39:53)

“And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah’s forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful” (Qur’an 4:110)

Islam is salvation through repentance. Islam is NOT salvation simply because I am Muslim.

All of those verses explicitly tell us as Muslims that we have an incredibly Merciful, Compassionate, Loving and Forgiving Creator. The verse even says that Allah wishes to accept your repentance. It doesn’t get more clear than this!

Yet, if we do not care about our own selves, and our own salvation, if we do not even have a modicum of decency and awareness to turn towards Allah (swt) and repent for our sins. Make restitution, reform our conduct, than we have absolutely no one to blame if we end up in hellfire forever.

The point we can make is that even if all such hadith are 100% correct, chains hold up etc. It shows the extent of Allah’s mercy. His readiness to accept us into paradise. 

Yet as mentioned they need to be interpreted in light of all such hadith that say the polar opposite. 

Also, logic as mentioned I say Shahahada with sincerity guarantees me paradise but then I decide not to practice the deen? 

Surely they see it as problematic. 

We can go around raping women in war, blowing up ourselves on buses taking children with us, usurping the rights of orphans and as long as I believe those are all sins I may have a brief sojourn in hell but then I am in paradise? No!

We are to do our level best to control our based desires, restrain our tongues and hands from harm. We are NOT to be the very devils Allah tells us to seek refuge from.

So it is very clear that Sunni Muslims have to agree with us on these points. They are crystal clear. That the kafir does not enter paradise.

We are upon the model of Adam (alayi salam) One who sinned and repented and was forgiven.

To sin and to never seek forgiveness. What is that except the model of Iblis.

Choose wisely dear truth seekers.

The only difference that now remains between us is as follows:

Do some believers go to hell for a while (as Sunni schools claim).

Or.

Do believers all go to paradise without any sojourn in hell (as the Ibadi school claims).

But forget for a moment what the Ibadi’s claim. Or what the Shi’i or the Sunni claims.

What does Allah (swt) say in the Qur’an?

May Allah (swt) guide us to what is beloved to Allah (swt). May Allah (swt) guide us to the truth.

“The Jews will never be pleased with you, nor will the Christians, unless you follow their faith. Say: “Guidance of Allah is, indeed, the guidance.” Were you to follow their desires despite the knowledge that has come to you, there shall be no friend for you against Allah, nor a helper.” (Qur’an 2:120)

Al hamdulillah, for a good brother and friend of mine who is a Turkish brother upon the school of the Muslims, Al Haqq Wal Istiqama.

This brother has real love for the ummah of Muhammed (saw) and for his fellow Muslims. As he told me he doesn’t support Ergodan in everything nor does he support everything that Turkey does.

Yet, the opposition to Ergodan are some ultra-nationalist with a very dark agenda for Muslims and a deep seated hate for Arabs, Syrians in particular, Asians, Africans you name it.

For example the main opposition CHP Chairman has promised to send 2 million Syrian refugees back to Syria!

https://mosaicinitiative.org.uk/main-opposition-chp-chairman-k-l-cdaroglu-promised-to-send-nearly-2-million-syrian-refugees-back-to-their-hometowns-if-chp-wins-elections/

May Allah (swt) give victory to Ergodan. The opposition wanting to send 2 million people to Idlib and to the “mercy” of Assad is not good.

By the way Ergodan did much good to advance the issues surrounding the Kurdish people. The head of the Turkey’s intelligence agency, Hakan Fidan is Kurdish. Turkey is close to the Kurdish autonomous region in Iraq. Even those Iraqi Kurds are not hot on the PKK.

Deporting 2 million Syrian refugees would be a wake up call for leftist and liberals in the West.

Because if Alevis, leftist and liberals and others are supportive of this, than on what ground do they have to be against any nationalist party’s attempt to curb immigration any where else? For example they wouldn’t have much of a leg to stand on against someone like a Trump or DeSantis.

If communist support Erdogan’s rival’s that should tell you they have some over lapping interesting!

Kılıçdaroğlu distances himself from PKK’s statements of support for Turkey’s opposition

An Al Jazeera reporter was accosted simply for speaking Arabic!

An AJ reporter has faced an aggressive behaviour by a local member of Turkish nationalist opposition party in Istanbul just because she speaks Arabic. pic.twitter.com/uyNg0kYZSY

— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) May 8, 2023

Look at what Turkey has had to deal with in the last 10 years or so?

The conflict with Syria and the refugee challenge. Keeping ISIS from spreading to Turkey.

Turkey doing their level best to tolerate the U.S arming the Kurds while navigating the situation.

They recently had some of the most horrific earthquakes in recent history. May Allah (swt) help them. Also, think of of the flood of donations and the outpouring of love from all over the Muslim world for our brothers and sisters there!

Turkey is impacted by the Ukraine-Russia conflict and it is doing it’s best to navigate that tumultuous situation.

Turkey under Ergodan is doing it’s level best to navigate the situation between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Turkey under Ergodan has been showing unwavering support for Palestinians and the Palestinian people.

Turkey under Ergodan sent troops to Qatar to help with security during the world cup

https://apnews.com/article/sports-middle-east-qatar-recep-tayyip-erdogan-ad3fd4e9bd7087f2df8a976c5ca6e41e

Also, Turkey deployed soldiers to Qatar, when Saudi Arabia and U.A.E was leading a boycott of the country. Just in case Saudi Arabia had any venturous ideas for that oil rich nation. Turkey under Ergodan deployed troops to protect the sovereignty and national interest of Qatar and the people of Qatar.

Turkey under Ergodan denounced the burning of the Qur’an in Sweden and put tremendous pressure upon Sweden to look into the matter.

Turkey under the leadership of Ergodan had apologized for the Dersim massacres. However, as he correctly pointed out that massacre happened under the watch and administration of the secular and Kemalist CHP.

This does not mean everything Ergodan does is correct. It also does not mean that Turkey is is correct in all of it’s policy decisions.

Yet think about this. Any Muslim majority country which has a leader that had to deal with coup on 15 July 2016 should tell you all you need to know as a Muslim what the West thinks about that person.

Ergodan has also done his level best to address challenges that the Alevi-Bektashi culture
and Alevi citizens face in Turkey.

https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/legislation/turkiye-establishes-cemevi-presidency-to-address-alevi-citizens-problems

Kilicdaroglu is an Alevi, and his CHP (Republican People’s Party) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu
is known for supporting the Syrian government, and Bashar al-Asad. The sectarian ties between the two
are apparent for those with eyes to see. This is important as it is possible that an estimated percent of around 20% of the population in Turkey identify themselves as Alevi.

Alevism would be seen as by the scholars of the Ibadi school as another religion than Islam. They do not pray in Mosque as Ali was killed in a Mosque. The woman do not cover their hair, and they are known to drink alcohol and do not fast in Ramadan.

In fact now that I think about it when I often hear from Muslims who travel to Turkey, Istanbul in particular and come back to inform me about how shocked they are by the lack of religious observance they are most likely describing these Alevis -without realizing that though, many Sunni Muslims likely indulge in the same, it is less characteristic of their community. Their communities are highly secular and very supportive of the Jewish Donmeh orchestrated Young Turk movement; which eventually led to the abolishment of the Ottoman Caliphate.

So if you see Shi’i who are not keen on the success of Ergodan there should be no surprises there.

There are Shi’i with incredibly darkened hearts that want to see the failure of any form of Sunni led government. Just as there are Sunni with incredibly dark hearts that want to see the failure of any form of Shi’a led governments. May Allah (swt) place great distance between myself and such individuals.

There are allegations that if Kemal Kilicdaroglu were to come to power they would restrict the Diyanet (Directorate of Religious Affairs) In Turkey.

May Allah (swt) protect the people of Turkey, and if Ergodan and his party wins may Allah (swt) continue to give them good stewardship over the nation and people.

If they do not win perhaps it would be time for some soul searching among the great people of Turkey and time for them to decide if the tenuous marriage of Alevis and Sunni’s is good for their future.

Allah (swt) knows best.

“Among the believers, those who stay at home without a good reason are not equal to those who strive for the cause of Allah in person or with their property. To those who strive for His cause in person or with their property, Allah has granted a higher rank than to those who stay at home. Allah has promised that everyone will receive his proper share of the reward but He will grant a much greater reward to those striving for His cause than to those who stay home (for no reason).” (Qur’an 4:95)

If someone were to ask me a good YouTube channel in which one has an array of different speakers on various subjects I would say look no further than ‘Blogging Theology’.

If one is trying to avoid the refutation culture and really find a video on a topic in relation to Islam and theology brother Paul Williams delivers.

The great thing about having different guest is that not everyone is the same nor does everyone have the same interest. There maybe very brilliant guest but they are not great speakers or orators. Thus, a person can visit their respective websites or read any publications the respected guest has.

Some Muslims maybe upset that Paul has on this or that individual. Yet, like sitting at a bus stop waiting for the bus that has your number on it you can ignore the many other buses that do not take you to your destination. Likewise one does not have to watch the speakers or the topics that do not interest them.

He has had speakers on his channel that I would rather not wish he had on but that is exactly the point. Those speakers are beloved and watched by countless others.

Brother Paul Williams is a gift to the English speaking Muslim community because he is a convert, he understands the challenges of the converts and he himself even as a Muslim has gone through periods of disillusionment with the Muslim community.

The other point about brother Paul is that he is rather forthright. He has admitted to struggling with the flesh and having certain inclinations. Yet, may Allah (swt) bless him he has turned his time, energy and passion into creating what I feel is the most relevant English speaking channel on YouTube.

This is a link to his website: https://bloggingtheology.com/author/2mzyguw56y/

This is a link to his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_SLXSHcCwK2RSZTXVL26SA

There are a number of speakers that I wish would appear as a guest on his program.

I would love to see him (if his health permits) Imam Sirwaj Wahaj.

I would love to see him have on Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick (a real gem in the Muslim ummah).

I would love to see him have Dr. Sherman Jackson on his program.

I would love to see him have on Dr. Fadel Soliman from the Bridges Foundation.

I would love to see him have Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Hanson from Zaytuna on his program.

It would be great to see him have Rabbi Tovia Singer on his program.

It would be great to see him have Pastor Rick Warren from Saddle Back Church on his program.

I would love to see him have Imam Khalid Yasin on his program.

I would love to see him have Etsko Schuitema on his program.

I would love to see him have Abdassam Clarke on his program.

I would love to see him have Aisha Abdurrahman Bewley on his program.

I would love to see him have Professor Ed Moad on his program.

I would love to see him have Shaykh Hasan Ali from Safar academy on his program.

I would love to see him to have Shaykh Asrar Rashid on his program.

I would love to see him have Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas on his program.

I would love to see him have Shaykh Jumaa Al Mazruii or Shaykh Hilal Al Wardi on his program. This way the English speaking world may have a an introduction to the Ibadi school similarities and key distinctions.

I would love to see Dr. Shabir Ally from ‘Let the Qur’an Speaks’ on his program.

Lastly, I would love for brother Paul Williams to just feature himself his continued journey to Islam. Maybe if he feels moved by Allah (swt) and it would be deeply personal but his own admission to having same sex attraction -this would be helpful to those Muslims struggling with the same, and/or people with the same struggles seriously considering Islam.

It would be great if he did a feature on himself on how he deals with some of the more difficult members of the Muslim community and advise he may give to new converts in trying to navigate difficult people and/or how they find their own voice their own place with in the community-Insh’Allah.

Brother Paul Williams is not one of those people who want to tell you what to think but how to think. He presents counter perspectives to many of the liberal world views/paradigms from an Islamic perspective.

Brother Paul Williams may Allah (swt) continue to use you to build bridges of understanding and communication. May Allah (swt) continue to bless you with sustenance and good health.

“And what is the reward of goodness, but goodness.” (Quran 55:60)

“So eat of the lawful and good food which Allah has provided for you, and be grateful for the favour of Allah.” (Quran 16:114)

This entry is to take a look at different types of eating as well as ethical issues brought forward by other world views that seek to challenge Muslims on what we eat and what is permissible in our faith.

“Allah it is Who has made cattle for you so that you ride some of them and from some of them you derive food.” (Qur’an 40:79)

“And recall when Musa said to his people: “Verily, Allah commands you to slaughter a cow,”  (Qur’an 2:67)

“And there is certainly a lesson for you in cattle: We give you to drink of what is in their bellies, from between digested food and blood: pure milk, pleasant to drink.” (Qur’an 16:66)

Some of the world’s strongest animals are (for the most part) vegetarian. Horses, Gorillas, Rhinos, Elephants and the Hippopotamus. It is funny that in Western culture the Lion is often considered “The King of the Jungle” where in the reality is that they inhabit grasslands and savannahs. In those places they inhabit it can hardly be said they rule the roost. Lions will very often avoid encounters with Rhinos, and especially Hippopotamus around rivers and lakes.

All those heroic images of the Lion quickly fade when there are documented accounts of them getting gored and crushed by the likes of Rhino’s and Elephants.

However, are Gorillas, Rhinos, Horses, Elephants and Hippos truly herbivores and vegetarians?

Strictly speaking absolutely not. As the grazing animals, feed on the grass they do not have the habit of systematically taking insects, or rotten flesh off the grass. This is how they get their vitamin B12.

Remember the horse that ate the chick? The whole internet was a buzz with it.

WARNING GRAPHIC FOOTAGE.

Although, not needed Horses can have canine teeth. They can have up to four canine teeth!

Gorillas have been known to eat termites, and again all that foraging and eating fruits and vegetables it is just not efficient for them to pick off every single ant, caterpillar, or termite crawling on their fruits/vegetables. In fact lowland Gorillas are said to larvae from termite colonies. Perhaps they acquired a taste for them.

Anyone who has grown their own vegetables (as I have) knows that you eat fresh from the garden but often leafy greens, strawberries and others need to be washed off before consumption.

The point that the Vegans and Vegetarians can make is that for the most part these animals do not eat meat. However, the point we can make is that unlike Vegans and Vegetarians who very often have to take supplements for vitamin B12 those animals get their vitamin B12 from the consumption of insects, animal matter etc.

What about those Cannibalistic Chimpanzees?

WARNING GRAPHIC FOOTAGE

These chimpanzees are extremely brutal. They will corner other fleeing chimps and quite literally snap the bones of their arms or legs, and once dead, they begin to feast on their prey.

So shocking is this type of behavior you may find your vegan, vegetarian friends whom believe in Evolution to prefer to relate humans more to Bonobos than Chimpanzees.

EATING ANIMALS IS CRUEL BUT EATING PLANTS AND FRUITS IS JUST FINE?

What you will find is that most vegans and vegetarians have a very human centric view towards fruits and vegetables. They kill plants without remorse. All because, “They do not contain a nervous system!”

“They cannot feel pain!” “They cannot scream!”

People who make such claims are actually Speciesist and are spreading Speciesism.

Who or what is to say that human beings are superior to other species? In fact the animal rights group PETA themselves spread Speciesism. Because they do absolutely nothing to protect the flora, fauna, fungi, and algae that are harvested and consumed by human beings.

We can also take groups like PETA a bit more seriously when they advocate for the end of abortions.

Likewise probe your friends. It doesn’t hurt. Ask your vegan, vegetarian friend their views on abortion.

So the next time you meet a PETA (speciesist) whom use language couched in speciesism to defend the eating of vegetables, flora, fauna, fungi, etc. ask them three questions.

Do plants defend themselves?

What do plants defend themselves from?

Why do plants defend themselves?

Well, if plants are defending themselves than they do not want to be uprooted. They do not want to be eaten. They have thorns and thistles and things that can cause physical pain to those who touch them. I grew up fishing along rivers and there were plants that when my exposed arms or legs would touch them it would cause an intense burning or itching sensation.

In fact one of the arguments used by people who take on the primal diet is that plants are prepared to unleash chemical warfare upon their attackers with deadly consequences.

This is a link to a deeply insightful article that argues against eating vegetables:

The SETH SPEAKS SERIES.

Just as my article here speaks about scientist who want to challenge the idea that life has to be carbon based: https://primaquran.com/2023/03/20/aliens-ufos-the-jinn-islam/

There are many out there wanting to challenge the assumption that plants are not sentient.

In fact many people who are vegan or vegetarian are also involved in the New Age Movement.

One of the cornerstones of the New Age Movement has to be the Seth Material. This is a collection of writings from Jane Roberts who channeled an entity known as ‘Seth’. The entity ‘Seth’ was first among New Age entities to suggest that plants have sentience.

There are now people who believe that plants themselves have sentience and cognition. Two of the more popular books on the subject are as follows:

Now we all have to die but some of us if given a choice we would most likely choose a quick or painless death. In fact that is why some people argue for euthanasia. Yet, imagine if a cow would prefer a quick blow to the wind pipe or convulsion and shaking from cyanide poisonings.

In fact some plants are involved in cyanide poisonings of cattle.

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gallery/plants-causing-cyanide-poisoning-pastures

The sci-fi writer M. Night Shyamalan had a book turned movie “The Happening” in which plants triggered a collective chemical release which caused mass suicide of human populations across the globe.

A film about plants taking their revenge upon humanity.

So what happens if (when) science does indeed prove that plant life is sentient. Where as some believe that is a forgone conclusion? Do we stop eating plants altogether? Do we solicit permission from tubers, fungi, fruit trees, vegetables before we eat them or eat from them?

Even the Jain Religion had to make concessions.

I would encourage those who want to go deeper into this subject to look at the Jain religion. Even with all the extra steps and precautions this religious tradition takes in safe guarding and showing reverence for life and not doing violence they themselves had to make exceptions in the end.

You are looking at not killing headlice as it would do harm to insect. Some Jain Monks and Nuns wear a face mask so as not to accidently breath in insects. You would not yoghurt or anything that has to be stored overnight as it needs to be eaten the day it is made. This is to prevent the eating of micro-organism such as bacteria. Some do not take anti-biotics (anti-life) do destroy microbes living in the gut. However, there have been dispensations.

Jains do not eat root vegetables such as potatoes, onions, beet roots. Jains only accept violence that is indispensable for human survival and there are instructions in place not to intentionally harm plants.

Jains would make PETA look like belligerent heartless Nazi’s In the Jain tradition killing an insect with intent is a big sin. Killing 18 million people in the cause of justice is acceptable. You can read for example about King Chetaka, a devoted follower of Mahavira and some of the conflicts that happened between Buddhism and Jainism.

Eating right for your blood type?

Maybe one type of eating is not suitable for all people? Maybe some people can handle carbs better than others? Maybe some people need more iron in their bodies? Maybe some people are anemic and others are not?

Rather you are A, B, 0 or AB there maybe a diet particularly suited just for you!

To that end came a popular best selling book: Eat Right for Your Type by Book by Peter J. D’Adamo

This is definitely a book you may wish to look into.

I would also recommend for those looking into Keto, Paleo diet to look into Dr. Berg on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@DrEricBergDC/videos

He does not control the comment section in what you see is hundreds of comments from people who were dealing with hypertension, diabetes, high blood pressure, able to turn their condition around by taking the advise of Dr. Berg. May Allah (swt) open his heart to Islam.

He as a great video on fasting in Ramadan.

He also has an interesting video on why the Middle East has the lowest cancer rates in the world!

Another diet or approach you may want to look into is Fruitarians.

If we look at all the different types of foods, meat in it’s uncooked form looks rather disgusting and unappetizing (from my point of view) at least. Vegetables very often need to be cooked or boiled to be tasty. Same can be said for Fungi. Yet, fruit has to be the most unprocessed, food that does not need to go through chemical changes: heated, fried, boiled, etc.

Also, when you think of fruit you think of bright vibrant colours. As if mother nature was waving a huge sign saying, “Come over here and eat this.” It very often gives off very pleasant smells and the vibrant colours of bright orange, yellow, green. blue and red is very appealing to the eyes.

I do not have a chosen book or YouTube link for a Fruitarian guide but it is something you can look into. Especially if we are taking the “Eat Right for Your Type” approach.

Be careful when dealing with doctors! Doctors have historically received almost no nutritional training!

You can go and see doctors and they will most likely prescribe you medicine (pills). Some times this is necessary and other times this is business $$$.

You can take all the pills in the world but unless YOU, proactively change your diet, your sleep patterns, distance yourself from toxic people and toxic interactions it will have little effect on you.

Here is a list of some foods mentioned in the Qur’an.

“With it, we produce for you gardens of palm trees and grapevines, in which there are abundant fruits, and from which you may eat” (Qur’an 23:19)

“As well as ˹olive˺ trees which grow at Mount Sinai, providing oil and a condiment to eat.” (Qur’an 23:20)

“And there is certainly a lesson for you in cattle, from whose bellies We give you ˹milk˺ to drink, and in them are many other benefits for you, and from them you may eat.” (Qur’an 23:21)

“And there is certainly a lesson for you in cattle: We give you to drink of what is in their bellies, from between digested food and blood: pure (khāliṣan) milk, pleasant to drink.” (Qur’an 16:66)

Important information about the Milk you drink!

Pasteurized milk is bad for you. Pasteurization Destroys Beneficial Bacteria and Enzymes. All the living food in raw milk such as the delicate enzymes and probiotic bacteria are destroyed! Homogenized milk has been linked to cancer and heart disease.

Pasteurization is a process in which the sacredness and bonds to an animal is taken out and it is mass produced. We are not talking about delicate hands working the teats of a cow. We are talking about machines milking cows and some times there is blood and puss that enters into the milk. Certain amounts are acceptable by the FDA (in the United States).

My grandmother used to tell me. “It is called 2% milk because the rest of it is 98% something else.”

She is not far from the truth. I have also been around farms and farm life and I can testify that drinking fresh milk is best, most healthy and perfectly fine.

Allah (swt) said it is khalisan pure. That is same derivate in the Arabic for sincerity and the 112 chapter of the Qur’an. So to drink altered so called milk in my estimation is to question the judgement of Allah (swt).

When you drank milk from your mother was it pasteurized and homogenized?

If I was a faqih I would issue a fatwa making it haram to drink this processed garbage. If you are lactose intolerant don’t drink milk. However, if you drink it, support your local people who get milk directly from cows, goats, camels etc.

“And thy Lord has inspired the bee, saying, ‘Make thou houses in the hills and in the trees and in the trellises which they build. Then eat of every kind of fruit, and follow the ways of thy Lord that have been made easy for thee.’ There comes forth from their bellies a drink of varying hues. Therein is cure for men. Surely, in that is a Sign for a people who reflect.” (Qur’an 16:69-70)

Again, the same with milk above. Allah (swt) says the honey from bees is a cure for human beings.

We know that bees have a major role in the pollination of plants.

“To hunt and to eat the fish of the sea is made lawful for you, a provision made for you and for seafarers.” (Qur’an 5:96)

“And the people of the right-how blessed will they be! They will be amid thorn-less lote trees, clusters of bananas, extended shade, flowing water, abundant fruit never out of season nor forbidden” (Qur’an 56:27-33)

“With it He causes to grow for you the crops, the olives, the date-palms, the grapes, and every kind of fruit…”  (Qur’an 16:11)

“And from the fruits of date palms and grapes, you obtain (date and grape juice) and a goodly provision…”  (Qur’an 16:67)  

“By the fig and the olive” (Qur’an 95:1)

“And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you; it will drop on you fresh ripe-dates.” (Qur’an 19:25)

“In both will be fruit, palm trees and pomegranates” (Qur’an 55:68)

“That We may bring forth thereby grain and vegetation.” (Qur’an 78:15)

“We sent down to you Al-Manna and quails,”  (Qur’an 20:80)

“And the flesh of fowls that they desire.” (Qur’an 56:21)  

Gluttony is a curse from Allah (swt) and not a blessing.

Al-Hasan reported: Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, saw a man with a large belly and he said, “What is this?” The man said, “It is a blessing from Allah.” Umar said, “No, rather it is a punishment.”

Source: (Ḥadīth Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd Allāh al-Ansari 42)

At the end dear brothers and sisters there maybe a wide range of factors that determine what particular food intake or diet is right for you. Often what is available and what is in season dictated to people what sources of nutrients would be available for them. Which is the key point. Most of what we eat today is not really food. It is something we put in the mouth and break down with our teeth and saliva and put into our stomach. Our body craves nutrients.

We must also consider that eating three meals a day maybe a new innovation in society that is not optimal for us nor healthy. We need to eat high nutrient rich foods. We ask Allah (swt) to give us food that is not only halal (permissible) but tayyib (good).

Let people then consider their food. How We pour down rain in abundance and meticulously split the earth open ˹for sprouts˺, causing grain to grow in it, as well as grapes and greens, and olives and palm trees, and dense orchards, and fruits and grass.” (Qur’an 80:24-31)

“Oh you who believe!  if a deviator brings you a report, scrutinize it carefully in case you attack people in ignorance and so come to greatly regret what you have done.” (Quran 49:6).

This is an examination of the hadith that Shi’a love to use in their arguments. Namely that Ali is with the truth and the truth is with Ali. There is another to the effect that Ali is with the Qur’an and the Qur’an is with Ali.

The idea that the Shi’i have in quoting this is that Ali could possibly never err. For them the Imami (12er or Ismaili) it is a proof that Ali is infallible in his ijtihad.

It can also be used in a polemical sense. Whoever opposed Ali on any matter was simply on the wrong side of history. Not only did they oppose Ali but in they opposed the haqq, the truth. So this would include, but not limited to: Muaviyah and the companions (muhakima) who broke camp with Ali at the battle of Siffin.

Al Hakim and al Tabarani narrate — from ‘Ali ibn Hashim ibn al Barid — from his father who said — Abu Sa’id al Taymi narrated to me — from Abu Thabit, the mawla (client) of Abu Dharr

“I was with Ali on the Day of the Battle of the Camel. When I saw ‘Aʾishah standing. Some of that (doubt) which entered other people (also) entered me. Allah disclosed that for me (i.e. removed from me the reservations I had to fight) at the time of Salat al Zuhr and so I fought alongside Amir al Muʾminin. When he finished, I proceeded to Madinah. I came to Umm Salamah and said, ‘I have come, by Allah, not asking for food or drink; rather, I am the mawla (client) of Abu Dharr.’ She said, ‘Welcome.’ I told her my story and so she said, ‘Where were you when the hearts flew their course (i.e. when the fighting broke out)?’ I said, ‘I was such that Allah disclosed it for me (i.e. removed the reservations I had) at noon (and then I went to fight alongside Amir al Muʾminin).’ She said, ‘Excellent! I heard the Messenger of Allah(saw) say: ‘‘Ali is with the Quran and the Quran is with Ali. They will never separate UNTIL they meet me at the Hawd (Cistern).’”

Sources: (Mustadrak al Hakim 4628 / al Tabarani: al Mujam al Awsat, Volume 5/4880 / & al Mujam al Saghir, volume 2 /720.)

A LOOK AT THE SANAD (CHAIN OF NARRATORS)

Al Hakim says, “This hadith has a sahih (authentic) chain of transmission. Abu Sa’id al Taymi is (Abu Sa’id al Taymi) al ‘Aqisaʾ. He is a thiqah (reliable) and maʾmun (trustworthy). Imam al Bukhari and Imam Muslim did not include it in their respective collections.”

Dinar Abu Sa’id ‘Aqisa al Tamimi (or al Taymi) is not as al Hakim supposed.

Imam al Nasaʾi says he is not a thiqah (reliable).

Al Daraqutni says he is matruk al hadith (suspected of forgery).

Al Sa’di says he is not a thiqah (reliable).

Additionally, Abu Thabit could not be traced. The identity of  Abu Thabit is a bit of a mystery, he is not mentioned in the books of Hadith narrators. So, Thabit is Majhul (unknown)

Therefore, this hadith is etiolated, totally weak.

Some time on Al Hakim Al Naysaburi

Al-Hakim, Muhammad ibn Abd Allah ibn Muhammed ibn Hamduyah, Abu Abd Allah al-Dabbi al-Tamhani al-Naysaburi al-Shafi’i, also known as Ibn al-Bayyi.

Al-Hakim is known among the people of hadith to be mutasahil (lenient hadith critic)

Al-Hakim’s Mustadrak was criticized by the hadith scholars due to the number of mistakes and inaccuracies found in it. Al-Sakhawiin alilan wal-Tawbikh and others mention that he declares many forged reports to be rigorously authentic up to 100 according to some authorities-not to mention extremely weak ones, instead of clinging to his own expressed precondition that only reports with the chains of the rank of Al Bukhari’ and Muslim’s status would be retained, For example, he narrates in the Musadrak from Ibn Abbas that Allah revealed to the Blessed Messenger (saw) the following:

“I have killed seventy thousand [in punishment] for [the murder of] Yahya ibn Zakariyya and I will kill seventy thousand times seventy thousand [in punishment] for [the murder of] your daughter’s son al-Husayn.”

Al-Hakim said this report has a sound chain while Al-Dhahabi added: “By the criterion of Muslim” but Ibn Hibban said this hadith is untraceable (la asla lahu), Al-Dhahabi himself rejected its matn as munkar in the Siyar while Ibn Kathir similarly declared it “highly anomalous” (gharib jiddan) in al-Bidaya. [1]

Sources: (Ibn Hibban, al-Majruhin (2:215), al-Khatib, Tarikh Baghdad (1:142), al-Hakim(1990 ed 2:319, 2:648, and 3:195), Fayd al-Qaiîr (1:205), Tadhkirat al-Huffaz (1:77 gharib), Mizan (sv. Qâsim ibn Ibrahim al-Hashimi), and Siyar (Risala ed 4:342-343).

Some say Al-Dhahabi went to excess in regretting that al-Hakim had compiled the Mustadrak in the first place.

“It would have been better if al-Hakim had never compiled it”! As mentioned by Dr. Bashshar Awward Maruf in his doctoral thesis.”

Source: (al-Dhahabi wa Manhajuhu fi Kitabihi Tarikh al-Islam.)

His classing al-Hakim “among those who are lenient, like al-Tirmidhi” does not apply to al-Hakim in absolute terms but only to his grading of narrations in the Mustadrak, which the Scholars pointed out he compiled in his old age, intending to revise it, a task left unfinished beyond the first volume.

Sources: (Dhikr Man Yutamadu Qawluhu fil-Jarh wal-Tadil (p.172) & (Cf. al-Sakhawi, Fath al-Mughith (1:36) and Mamduh, Raf` al-Minara (p. 153 n. 1).

This is proven by the fact that al-Hâkim’s mistakes are fewer in the first volume of the Mustadrak, as shown by al-Dhahab’s own minimal corrections there. “Outside of the Mustadrak,” Shaykh Mahmud Mamduh said, “his positions are as strict as those of any of the meticulous Imams of hadith”

Source: (al-Sakhawi, Fath al-Mughith (1:36) and Mamduh, Raf` al-Minara p. 153 n.)

A LOOK AT THE MATN

Abu Thabit had to identify himself to Umm Salamah.

He twice claims that Allah (swt) had removed his reservations to fight along side Ali. He actually says this twice. It was at the time of the afternoon prayer. He doesn’t disclose how.

The hadith contradicts another hadith where he is also the transmitter in which the text (matn) is changed.

Ali is with the QURAN and the QURAN is with Ali. They will never separate UNTIL they meet me at the Hawd (Cistern)

Ali is with the TRUTH and the TRUTH is with ‘Ali. They will never separate UNTIL they both arrive at the Hawd (Cistern) on the Day of Judgment

This stand out line would not be difficult for someone to recall. The fact that the narrator redacts words in the mouth of Umm Salamah and cannot get the facts straight show that it is confused.

The Qur’an is truth but not all truth is the Qur’an.

In the second version of the hadith Abu Thabit there is no mention of his own doubts in regards to standing with Ali or his change of heart at the afternoon prayer. It is simply that he came upon Umm Salamah. In the second version he does not need to identify himself to her.

Lastly, we will also show how these hadith go against what is known about Ali, that he did go against the Qur’an. That the Qur’an itself does not support the idea of infallible imams. So even if the chain was impeccable it goes against stronger proofs and evidences.

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The Hadith of Umm Salamah

This hadith comes to us via two ways:

The first is as follows:

Al Khatib narrates from ‘Abdul Salam ibn Salih — ‘Ali ibn Hashim ibn al Barid — narrated to us — from his father — from Abu Sa’id al Tamimi — from Abu Thabit, the mawla (freed slave) of Abu Dharr who said, “I entered the presence of Umm Salamah and saw her crying. She was mentioning the name of ‘Ali and said, ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw),’” saying Ali is with the truth and the truth is with ‘Ali. They will never separate UNTIL they both arrive at the Hawd (Cistern) on the Day of Judgment.

Source: (Al Khatib: Tarikh Baghdad, 14/321.)

‘Abdul Salam Ibn Salih is al Harawi. It has been mentioned previously that he is suspected of lying.

Al Haythimi said he is weak Source: (Majma’ al Zawa’id vol. 9 pg. 114)

Dhahabi said he is censured: Source: (Siyar vol. 11 pg. 447)

He is accused of being a forger of hadith and one who steals chains to invent things.

Sources: (Al Kamil fi al Du’afa’ vol. 5 pg. 177) & (Lisan al Mizan vol. 4 pg. 144)

He is accused of lying and hadith forgery Source: Mizan al I’tidal vol. 5 pg. 220.

Abu Sa’id Dinar is not a thiqah (reliable). He is matruk al hadith (suspected of forgery).

Abu Thabit could not be traced. He is mahjul (unknown)

Ibn Taymiyyah did not find a chain of transmission for this hadith; consequently, he denied it.

Source: (Ibn Taymiyyah: Minhaj al Sunnah al Nabawiyyah, 4/238)

 However, there is a chain via Abu Ya’la here:

The Hadith of Abu Sa’id

Abu Ya’la narrates — Muhammad ibn ‘Abbad al Makki narrated to us — Abu Sa’id narrated to us — from Sadaqah ibn al Rabi’ — from ‘Umarah ibn Ghaziyyah — from ‘Abdul Rahman ibn Abi Sa’id — from his father that ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) ,’” saying Ali is with the truth and the truth is with ‘Ali. They will never separate UNTIL they both arrive at the Hawd (Cistern) on the Day of Judgment.

Source: ( Abu Ya’la: Musnad Abi Ya’la, hadith no. 1052.)

Sadaqah ibn al Rabi’ is regarded as a thiqah (reliable) by Ibn Hibban.

Source: (Ibn Hibban: Kitab al Thiqat, 8/319)

Ibn Hibban is known for deeming majhul (unknown) narrators as reliable.

Ibn Abi Hatim mentions a biography about Sadaqah ibn al Rabi’  however, he did not make mention of any jarh (impugning statement) or ta’dil (statement of approval). Thus his status is unknown. Neither favourable nor unfavourable.

Source: (Ibn Abi Hatim: Kitab al Jarh wa al Ta’dil, 4/433.)

Abu Sa’id is the mawla (freed slave) of Banu Hashim. There is a difference of opinion regarding his status. The better opinion is that he is Hassan al hadith (fair in hadith). However, this type of hadith from him is unacceptable.

In short, the hadith is da’if (weak); the first chain of transmission is saqit (wholly unreliable) and the second chain of transmission is da’if (weak).

WHAT IF THE HADITHS HAD AN IMPECCIBLE CHAIN OF NARRATION?

THE MATN (TEXT) OF THE HADITH CANNOT CONTRAVENE KNOWN FACTS OF SCIENCE, HISTORY OR OTHER MORE RELIABLE INFORMATION FOR EXAMPLE: THE QUR’AN.

Case in point: The hadith of the fly.

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said, “If a house fly falls in the drink of anyone of you, he should    dip it (in the drink), for one of its wings has a disease and the other has the cure for the disease.”  Source: (Al-Bukhari: Volume 4, Book 54, Number 537)

No one has ever attacked the chain of narrators of this hadith. Yet, it is an excellent way for malaria to spread.

The chain is impeccable but the matn(the text) is false. The interesting thing about this hadith is that it could have actually been an attempt by the Blessed Messenger (saw) to give an insightful truthful statement. In other words, the two wings can be symbolism for the idea of a fly carrying diseases and also carrying bacteriophage. Yet, when the text is conveyed that you dip the fly in the drink and one wing releases and antidote for the cure this is not factual.

Another example:

Narrated Sad:

The Prophet said, “He who eats seven ‘Ajwa dates every morning, will not be affected by poison or magic on the day he eats them.”

Source: (Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 65 Hadith 356)

No one has ever attacked the chain of narrators of this hadith. Yet, it is an excellent way to get people killed. If you eat seven ajwa dates and you are bitten by the Blue Ring Octopus you will die, end of story.

The hadith contradict the Qur’an.

If the idea is that these hadith prove that Ali is infallible and beyond reproach that itself is contradicted by Allah (swt) in the Qur’an.

The following article turns to ash any argument from Imami Shi’i be they 12er or Ismaili that even remotely suggest that Ali would be beyond reproach. Including what is suggested in the above ahadith

Are we to follow Infallible Imams according to the Qur’an?

It would also mean that Ali or anyone who is guaranteed to be infallible or beyond reproach, it would mean that he is secure from the Plan of Allah (swt) and that he would be under the power of the following verse:

“Were they secure from the Plan of Allah? None deems himself secure from the Plan of Allah except a people that are doomed to perish.” (Qur’an 7:99)

Lastly, Allah (swt) has made it clear that we are a broken humanity. Yet, he showers abundant grace and mercy upon us all.

“If Allah were to punish people ˹immediately˺ for their wrongdoing, He would not have left a single living being on earth. But He delays them for an appointed term. And when their time arrives, they cannot delay it for a moment, nor could they advance it.” (Qur’an 16:61)

In other words if Allah (swt) wanted to exact due measure and justice for the failings of humanity this whole planet would be turned to ash. Everyone. No one is exempted.

I leave you with this final verse to reflect upon.

“These are the verses of Allah which We recite to you in truth. Then in what statement after Allah and His verses will they believe?” (Qur’an 45:6)

LASTLY WHY NOT BRING UP ALL THESE HADITH DURING THE CONFLICT AMONG MUSLIMS?

For example the hadith of the 10 promised paradise, or hadiths about Hussein (ra) being killed, or Ali is the one upon which there is no doubt and so forth.

What we need to understand is we have virtually no surviving extant manuscripts of the early Muslim histories. The seerah literature and literature regarding what happened among the companions comes much latter after said events. What happens is latter redactors, (Shi’a, Sunni) will insert such hadith in historical context to make it look like people said things they did not.

Why? Because people are not born yesterday. Al hamduillah we have people in the ummah who have an I.Q beyond a turnip.

Obviously, there are thinking Muslims who will ask these very questions. Why not quote the hadith about the 10 promised paradise, why not quote the hadith about Hussein (ra) being killed, in fact why not just outright name the killers of Uthman?

May Allah (swt) guide the ummah and open our eyes!

“Believe, then, in Allah and His apostles, and do not say, “Three” Desist from this assertion for your own good. Allah is but One God; utterly remote is He, in His glory, from having a son: unto Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth, and none is as worthy of trust as Allah.’ (Qur’an 4:171)

“Indeed, they are ungrateful deniers of the truth Who say, “Behold, Allah is a third of three” – seeing that there is no deity whatever save the One God. And unless they desist from this their assertion, grievous suffering is bound to befall such of them as are bent on denying the truth.” (Qur’an 5:73)

“And Lo! Allah said: O Jesus, son of Mary! Did you say unto men, `Worship me and my mother as deities besides Allah’?” Jesus answered: “Limitless are You in Your glory! It would not have been possible for me to say what I had no right to! Had I said this, You would indeed have known it! You know all that is within me, whereas I know not what is in Thy Self. Verily, it is You alone who fully know all the things.” (Qur’an 5:116)

These are the three texts that is used by Christian and Orientalist polemicists to assert that the Qur’an inaccurately describes ‘The Trinity‘.

First point.

Why would the Qur’an describe ‘The Trinity’ when the Bible does not even describe ‘The Trinity‘?

Trinity [N]

a word not found in Scripture, but used to express the doctrine of the unity of God as subsisting in three distinct Persons. This word is derived from the Gr. trias, first used by Theophilus (A.D. 168-183), or from the Lat. trinitas, first used by Tertullian (A.D. 220), to express this doctrine. The propositions involved in the doctrine are these:That God is one, and that there is but one God ( Deueronomy 6:4; 1 Kings 8:60; Isaiah 44:6; Mark 12:39; Mark 12:32; John 10:30) That the Father is a distinct divine Person (hypostasis, subsistentia, persona, suppositum intellectuale), distinct from the Son and the Holy Spirit. That Jesus Christ was truly God, and yet was a Person distinct from the Father and the Holy Spirit. That the Holy Spirit is also a distinct divine Person. 

Source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/eastons-bible-dictionary/trinity.html

“The New Testament contains no explicit trinitarian doctrine. However, many Christian theologians, apologists, and philosophers hold that the doctrine can be inferred from what the New Testament does teach about God. But how may it be inferred? Is the inference deductive, or is it an inference to the best explanation? And is it based on what is implicitly taught there, or on what is merely assumed there? Many Christian theologians and apologists seem to hold it is a deductive inference.”

Source: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/trinity/trinity-history.html

Comments: No reasonable or learned Christian will dispute these points. The word ‘Trinity‘ or the doctrine of ‘The Trinity’ is not explicitly stated in the Bible. This being the case why would we expect that the Qur’an would define it?

Second Point.

Why would Allah (swt) expand upon something that is simply not true, to begin with?

It would be akin to expecting the Qur’an to expand upon or explain the idea that a circle has three corners. A person can assert that a circle has three corners but it does not make the claim true.

 And say, “Truth has come, and falsehood has departed. Indeed is falsehood, [by nature], ever bound to depart.” (Qur’an 17:81)

Third Point.

Look at the Latin word ‘trinitas‘ and the Greek word ‘trias‘. Trinitas means triad and not tri-unity! Trias means triad. Triad means a group of three.

Note that Allah (swt) instructs us as Muslims in the following verse:

“And they say, “None will enter Paradise except one who is a Jew or a Christian.” That is [merely] their wishful thinking, Say, “Produce your proof, if you should be truthful.” (Qur’an 2:111)

Imagine Allah (swt) has told us to ask Christians to produce their proofs. What do you think they will produce? They will give us their theological arguments. Which means further investigation on our behalf as regards the Christian claims.

We also note that Allah (swt) says, ‘Christians‘ without defining a particular group of Christians. Allah (swt) doesn’t single them out.

Allah (swt) is of course cognizant of this fact. The following verse is in recognition that Christians themselves have split into various theological camps.

“Indeed, those who have divided their religion and become sects – you, are not associated with them in anything. Their affair is only left to Allah; then He will inform them about what they used to do.” (Qur’an 6:159)

Thus; in one’s research what will we fine?

We will find that those Christians who believe in the Athanasian Creed which states:

 That we worship one God in trinity (triad) and the trinity (triad) in unity,
    neither blending their persons nor dividing their essence.

The Father was neither made nor created nor begotten from anyone.
    The Son was neither made nor created; he was begotten from the Father alone. The Holy Spirit was neither made nor created nor begotten;
    he proceeds from the Father and the Son.

    nothing is greater or smaller; in their entirety, the three persons are coeternal and coequal with each other.

Fourth Point. Which Trinity?

There is no such thing as ‘The Trinity’. That is just like saying there is only one understanding of Christianity or one understanding of Islam. It is simply fallacious.

We will also research and find out about Sabellianism. Which is the belief that ‘The Father’, ‘The Son’, and ‘Holy Spirit‘ are three different modes or aspects of God, as opposed to the Athanasian view of three distinct persons within the ‘Godhead‘.

So on the third point, Allah (swt) doesn’t choose sides with the Christians and their contrived machinations about the divine nature.

Allah (swt) simply says,

“And do not say, “Three” Desist from this assertion for your own good.” (Qur’an 4:171).

What we find is that Athanasian Christians and Sabellian Christians both need to define God with ‘Three‘ when speaking about Allah.

You will see that in the creeds of the Christians there are many differences.

A major difference between Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox is the following:

“The Holy Spirit was neither made nor created nor begotten; he proceeds from the Father and the Son.”

 This is the statement of Protestants and Catholics whereas the Orthodox Christians say the following:

“At this point also it is necessary to note that the Roman and Protestant churches differ in their credal statement about God by adding that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father “and the Son” (filioque)—a doctrinal addition unacceptable to Orthodoxy since it is both unscriptural and inconsistent with the Orthodox vision of God.”

Source: https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/doctrine-scripture/the-symbol-of-faith/holy-spirit

Imagine if Allah (swt) stated that the Holy Spirit proceeded from Jesus. The Orthodox Christians would claim it is a misrepresentation of their beliefs.

Now let us go back to the idea of a triad. Triad meaning a group of three.

“Indeed, they are ungrateful deniers of the truth Who say, “Behold, Allah is a third of three” – seeing that there is no deity whatever save the One God. And unless they desist from this their assertion, grievous suffering is bound to befall such of them as are bent on denying the truth.” (Qur’an 5:73)

I found this to be quite a remarkable statement. If as the Athanasian creed states that God is a triad he has always existed as a group.

In fact the following is telling.

“The unity of God is not something we can grasp completely, yet it is woven into the fabric of the gospel. In order to understand, discuss, and preach the gospel, we need to have an understanding of the Trinity. The simplest way to explain it is to say that God is a Divine Team—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They work together in all of God’s works, but now particularly through the gospel for the salvation and sanctification of us needy sinners.”

Source: https://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/bible-answers/theology/what-does-it-mean-that-god-is-three-in-one.html

So what I find interesting about ‘a third of three‘ is that it certainly is true that Christians believe that about God. They may not claim that with their mouths, however, Allah (swt) Is asserting the reality of their belief system.

They have yet to refute the fact that if Jesus is God in essence, and The Father is God in essence, and the Holy Spirit is God in essence, anyone ‘person‘ of this Godhead would be a third of three at any given time.

It would be incorrect if the claim was that God was the first of three or that God was the second of three. God has always been in community, according to this particular theological persuasion. This is because Trinitarians reject Modalism.

Trinitarians cannot define the nature of God without asserting that God is one being who is three persons. The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit. Because these three persons are not identical to one another, than God has always been the third of three.

“Indeed, they are ungrateful deniers of the truth Who say, “Behold, Allah is a third of three” – seeing that there is no deity whatever save the One God. And unless they desist from this their assertion, grievous suffering is bound to befall such of them as are bent on denying the truth.” (Qur’an 5:73)

Also note that Allah (swt) says of those who claim that Allah is the third of three will go to hell.

No perennialism. No let’s hug and be friends. Absolutely uncompromising.

What I find interesting is the phrase ‘a third of three‘ rather than ‘a second of three’ or a ‘first of three’, because if God is a triad he would never be a first of three or a second of three ever.

I also believe upon further reflection of this text that it draws subtle attention and a very clever critique of the devastating schisms in Christian theology.

Namely, issues regarding the ‘economic trinity’.

The controversy of the procession of the Holy Spirit.

The idea of Jesus being born in time to which Christians can only reply by a saying ‘with their mouths‘, oxymorons such as, eternally begotten‘.

Issues relating to subordination and heirachy in the Trinity.

I once asked a Christian pastor if I could be baptized in the name of the ‘Holy Spirit‘ and ‘Father‘ and the ‘Son‘.

If I bought a piece of candy and it cost sixteen cents as long as I have a penny, a nickel and a dime, it shouldn’t matter the order I hand the currency to the cashier.

Remember the Athanasian creed states:

“Nothing is greater or smaller; in their entirety the three persons     are coeternal and coequal with each other .”

The ‘ontological trinity‘ and the ‘economic trinity‘ are very much in conflict.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

Is the will of the Son the same in essence as the will of the Father? If the answer is yes they are not distinct persons.

If the will of the Son is distinct or different in essence from the will of the Father than the are not the same being.

Remember the Athanasian creed states:

 That we worship one God in trinity (triad) and the trinity (triad) in unity, neither blending their persons nor dividing their essence.

Saying that this isn’t Tri-theism doesn’t make it not Tri-theism.

Just as Allah (swt) tells us:

“That is their saying with their mouths.” – (Qur’an 9:30)

Simply making an assertion and repeating an assertion doesn’t make the assertion true.

Only a person who would ask a Christian for their evidence as per (Qur’an 2:111) would pick up on these things.

A perennialist like Frijoth Schuon, for example wouldn’t approach the Qur’an in that way.

MARY AS A PART OF THE TRINITY IN THE QUR’AN?

Now let us come to this powerful verse.

“And Lo! Allah said: O Jesus, son of Mary! Did you say unto men, `Worship me and my mother as deities besides Allah’?” Jesus answered: “Limitless are You in Your glory! It would not have been possible for me to say what I had no right to! Had I said this, You would indeed have known it! You know all that is within me, whereas I know not what is in Thy Self. Verily, it is You alone who fully know all the things.” (Qur’an 5:116)

The word ‘Trinity’ or ‘Triad‘ rather being transliterated from Arabic as: thalathatun and thalathatin, is mentioned twice in the Qur’an.

In both verses where it is said, Mary is not mentioned at all!

Likewise, in the verse above neither do we find the terms ‘thalathatun‘ or ‘thalathatin‘ in the Arabic text.

It is beyond incredulous to even think there is any attempt to interact with the so-called ‘Trinity‘ at all in this text.

There is not even a modicum of truth to this.

“Worship me and my mother as deities (ilahayni) besides God (Allah).”

Ilahayni is the double plural form of the root ilah which means a deity, a source of reverent worship to or other than Allah (swt).

From the sense of the Semitic root, ELH means something with power (i.e. a potential to control affairs, something to seek the help of).

Two examples from the Qur’an below:

“Have you seen he who has taken as his god (ilahahu) his own desire, and Allah has sent him astray due to knowledge and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allah? Then will you not be reminded?” (Qur’an 45:23)

“Have you seen the one who takes as his god (ilahahu) his own desire? Then would you be responsible for him?” (Qur’an 25:43)

In fact, let us assume that in some bizarre universe that the Qur’an was attempting to identify members of the Athanasian triad.

Let us say that instead of Mary it said, ‘The Holy Spirit’. Would this be satisfactory? No, it wouldn’t. It wouldn’t be satisfactory because the Christians influenced by the Athanasian triad would say, “We don’t worship the Holy Spirit, and Jesus as deities besides, Allah. That is because they are all Allah.”

Not only this but the Christians-in general will never accept this verse as truthful because of the claim that Jesus is rejecting worship. Christians -in general, believe that Jesus is to be worshiped.

No Muslim, academic, pereniallist or otherwise that is to be taken seriously is going to try to isolate this verse from the response of Jesus:

He will answer, “Glory be to You! How could I ever say what I had no right to say? If I had said such a thing, you would have certainly known it. You know what is ˹hidden˺ within me, but I do not know what is within You. Indeed, You ˹alone˺ are the Knower of all unseen.

Allah (swt) is proving a powerful point that Jesus and Mary are not to be worshiped. That worship is directed only to Allah (swt) and to Allah (swt) alone!

In that sense, this verse is arguing with the belief of somewhere in the order of about 1.5 billion of the world’s 2 billion Christians.

“Oh!”, but they say, “Catholics didn’t worship Mary until recent history!“.’

Is that true?

Let us consider the Sub Tuum Praesidium (Beneath Your Compassion), a prayer still used in Catholic and Orthodox liturgy that has existed since 250CE, at least.

“Beneath your compassion, We take refuge, O Mother of God: do not despise our petitions in time of trouble: but rescue us from dangers, only pure, only blessed one.”

Source: https://aleteia.org/2016/07/08/let-us-pray-the-earliest-known-marian-prayer/

The famous Perennialist author Frijoth Schuan made this huge blunder when he had the following to say:

“A consideration which calls for mention here, since we are speaking of parallels and of opposition, is the following: the Koran has been reproached for bringing the Virgin Mary into the Christian Trinity; we will answer this objection here, not only to explain the intention of the Koran, but also, at the same time, to clarify the problem of the Trinity by means of a particular metaphysical accentuation. According to the interpretation which is not theological in fact, but is so by right and finds support in the Scrptures, the “Father” is God in Himself, that is, as Metacosm; the “Son” is God insofar as He is manifested in the world, that is, in the Macrocosm; and the “Holy Ghost” is God insofar as He is manifested in the soul, that is, in the Microcosm. From another point of view, the Macrocosm itself is the “Son”, and the Microcosm itself in its primordial perfection is identified with the “Holy Ghost”; Jesus is equal to the Macrocosm, to the entire Creation as divine manifestation, and Mary is equal to the “pneumatic” Microcosm; and let us note in this connection the equation that has sometimes been made between the Holy Ghost and the divine Virgin, an equation which is linked to the feminizaton, in certain ancient texts, of the divine Pneuma.”

Source: (Page 95 Christianity/Islam Essays on Esoteric Ecumenicism)

He then quotes:

“The Hebrew word Ruah,”Spirit is feminine Let us like-wise note that one finds in the Epistle to the Hebrews the expression “My Mother the Holy Ghost” (Mater mou to hagion pneuma)”

Source: (Page 95 Christianity/Islam Essays on Esoteric Ecumenicism)

As we have already proven, these statements by Frijoth Schuon or anyone else are statements given by people who show such monstrous negligence of the Arabic text.

Not only that but there is not a single statement attributed to the Blessed Messenger (saw) where he equated Mary with being a part of any Trinitarian formulation.

Conclusion:

The Qur’an does not attempt to expand upon the idea that a circle has three corners because such a concept is false, to begin with.

The Qur’an advises us not to say ‘three’ when talking about the divine nature.

Instead, the Qur’an uses the one word that is common to the Torah of the Jews, the New Testament of the Christians and the Qur’an, that word being ‘one’.

Allah (swt) negates the idea of his essence or nature being a triad by negating that he is ‘a third of three’.

Allah (swt) negates the idea that Jesus asked anyone to worship him or his mother.

The Qur’an nowhere identifies Mary with the Athanasian Trinity, Sabellianism, or any creedal formula of the Christians.

Those who make such statements either seem to have an agenda to misrepresent or malign Islam, have completely neglected the text; or are have run out of arguments against Islam so they have to pull some of the most desperate and far fetched arguments in their arsenal.

 “And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they have recognized of the truth. They say, “Our Lord, we have believed, so register us among the witnesses.”(Qur’an 5:83)

“Said Jesus, the son of Mary, “O Allah ,our Lord! Send us from heaven a table spread, that there may be for us a festival(Eidan) for the first and the last of us and a sign from You; and provide for our sustenance, for You are the best Sustainer.” (Qur’an 5:114)

“And obey Allah and the Messenger that you may obtain mercy.” (Qur’an 3:132)

Allah’s Messenger (saw) used to offer the prayer of `Id-ul-Adha and `Id-ul-Fitr and then deliver the Khutba after the prayer.

Source: (al-Bukhari 957 Book 13, Hadith 9)

Dear brothers and sisters in Islam. Dear respected readers. I want to wish all of you a congratulations on fasting in the month of Ramadan. May Allah (swt) accept all from you.

None of us know how much time any of us have on this earth. I do not know how much longer I will continue to blog and write. While I am here I will assist with what I can, how I can, when I can, with what I have.

May Allah (swt) forgive me for any wrong doings or bad mannerisms or interaction with any of the Creation of Allah (swt).

I pray that his is a most joyous and beautiful occasion filled with barakah, love, laughter, forgiveness and light for you, and your families.

May what I have written about and blogged about be a testimony for me. May it be a means of guidance and by it may the people be brought closer to Allah (swt) and be among those who love to follow the Sunnah of the Blessed Messenger (saw).

Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammadin, Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalayhi wa ṣallam. 

O Allah send blessings upon Muhammed.

Astaghfiru Llāh.

I seek Allah’s forgiveness.

Tā’ibūna ila Llāh. 

We repent to Allah.

Yā Allāhu bihā, Yā Allāhu bihā, Yā Allāhu bi ḥusni l-khātima.

By it O Allah, by it O Allah, O Allah grant us a good end to life.

“Allah guides those who seek His pleasure to the ways of peace, brings them out of darkness and into light by His Will, and guides them to the Straight Path.” (Qur’an 5:16)

Ahmed Al Kitab:

Short Biography:

Full name: ‘Abd al-Rasool ‘Abd al-Zahraa ‘Abd al-Ameer Hajj Habeeb.

Ahmed Al-Kitab is his pseudonym, although it is not clear if he has changed his names. Though, Ahmed Al-Kitab is the name he publishes and writes under.

He was born in Karbala, Iraq in 1953. He was brought up in a devout 12er Shi’a home. His father, Abdul-Zahra ibn Abdul-Amir al-Hajj Habib al-Asadi belonged to the Shiraziya. The Shiraziyya were a Shi’a movement associated with the Karbala based Ayatollah, “Sayyid Muhammaed Shirazi”

He received a traditional 12er Shi’a Islamic education at the Hawza in Najaf. He also lived with Sayed Hadi Al-Modarresi 

In the 1980s, he live din Iran. He had a founded and directed an Arabic language radio station that challenged the rule fo Saddam Hussen. He continued his studies and research at the Hawza’s in Qom and Mashhad.

His doubts first surfaced regarding Muhammed ibn al-Hasan whom is alleged to be the so called “Hidden Imam”. Being convinced that there was no hard evidence this individual was even born. His conclusion was that followers of the 11^th Imam invented the 12^th Imam because the 11^th Imam died without a heir. Thus, leaving them in a conundrum.

This further led him to look into the doctrine of (wilayat al-faqih) the rule of the jurisprudent. He began to question the concept of imama altogether, and the supra natural qualities that surrounded such individuals. He believed that in order for Muslim unity to be achieved that Muslims needed to return to the concept of shura.

The research laid out in his book: “The Development of Shi’a Political Thought: from shura to wilayat al faiqh” was said to have created quite a stir in Shi’a circles. His position became precarious in Iran so in 1990 he moved to London, England.

Many of his publications are available for the truth seekers in Arabic and Farsi (Persian).

It is said that he has sent his published works (articles and books) to Al Sistani, Kamal Al Haidari, Shaykh Baqur Al Irawani, Tijani Al Samawai, Murtada Al Askari, Alim Sebayt Al Nali. It is also said that no one from Qum or Najaf or any where else has given sound refutations of his claims. Allahu Alim.

He know doubt has influenced or has played a role (either actively or behind the scenes) in many 12er Shi’a reformist circles. Some 12er Shi’a see him as a convert to Zaydi Shi’a and others have rebuked this claim, as Ahmed Al-Kitab simply likes to be known as a “Muslim”. Al hamdulillah.

The following are links to his social media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN3ZIe3dqn0RN7lW2ud9FWg

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ahmadalkatib1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahmadalkatib4/

Telegram: https://t.me/ahmadalkateb

I will enclose a brief PDF file that discusses his

“The New Shi’a”? A Study of the Writings of Ahmad al-Katib by Elad Giladi

Prima Qur’an thoughts on the above article:

This has presented a real conundrum for 12er Shi’i. In fact Khomeini’s prescription is logical
and in step with the 12er worldview. Essentially turning any government into a totalitarian dictatorship (even if it is a benevolent one).

Any attempt to elect the leaders by the masses undermines the 12er worldview. Essentially because it concedes too much to the Ibadi world view and to a lesser degree to the Sunni one. The idea that the leaders are elected by shura.

Lastly the most consistent position for 12er Shi’ism would be to be apolitical. To not be involved in politics because that would be the purview of the expectant Mahdi. This castrates 12er Shi’ism regulating it to a passive voice. In much the same way that Messianic Judaism claims (on the surface) not to be political.

It is possible that groups like jama’at al-taqrib also influenced modern Ibadism.

Thus we see the process of the Sunnification of the Ibadi school or, the madhabization, marginalization of the events of Narhawan and the rehabilitation of Ali in the eyes of the common people. One cannot have strong ties with Shi’a Iran and be overly critical of Ali. It also helps to take the heat off from overly critical Salafi critique of the Ibadi school, in regards to the companions.

“This avoidance of controversies and of historical issues meant that it could do no more than achieve
a superficial rapprochement”

This is agreeable to me. As well intentioned as it is I think a superficial reproach does not benefit the Ibadi school. In many ways it only bolsters and emboldens the world view of other schools.

“He argues that it is time to question all the hadiths that proclaim that the love of ahl al-bayt is among the tenets of the faith and a yardstick for distinguishing believers from unbelievers. These hadiths, he says, contradict the Qurʾan, which provides clear conditions for belief.”

Source: Al-Katib, Tashayyuʿ, pp. 427–428.

“Next, al-Katib addresses one of the commonest and most damning accusations made against the Shiʿa, namely that Shiʿis claim that the Qurʾan was falsified in order to blur the evidence that ʿAli was the rightful successor of Muhammad. In Article 5, al-Katib stresses that “the Qurʾan is free of any distortion, falsification, addition or omission”. Unsurprisingly, he states that the claim regarding its falsification originated in traditions spread by extremists and that these claims were never accepted by all Shiʿis and that many ʿulamaʾ also rejected them. The position he takes implies that today’s Shiʿa no longer claims that the Qurʾan was falsified, and that those who allege that it does claim this are accusing it falsely
because of their own agenda.”

This is also important because if what these extremist Shi’i claim is true than you cannot trust any of the reports concerning anything. Especially in regards to alleged views that they uphold for their claims in regards to the Imams or anything at all really.

I do want to push back against Giladi’s critique of Ahmed Al Kitab simply because he goes against ‘Western scholarship’.

Western scholarship is not the axis upon which the basis of truth is weighed. Truth is the basis for which truth is weighed. That is done through proofs and evidences. Not simply because a Western academic has said this or that.

Over all we need more Ahmed Al Kitab’s in this world. May Allah (swt) bless him. This is a real Jihad. It is not easy for one to break with their family, friends, associates, and their upbringing and to realize that which was told to us simply is not true.

“And when it is said to them, “Follow what Allah has revealed,” they say, “Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing.” Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided?” (Qur’an 2:17)

“We have sent down to thee the Book explaining all things, a Guide, a Mercy, and Glad Tidings to Muslims.” (Qur’an 16:89)

“And We send down of the Qur’an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.” (Qur’an 17:82)

” O mankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light.” (Qur’an 4: 174)

May this bring benefit to you.

May Allah guide the ummah!

May Allah bless the ummah!

May Allah forgive the ummah!

Ramadan Mubarak! Ramadan Kareem!

“Indeed, We have made it an Arabic Qur’an that you might understand.” (Qur’an 43:3)

“And thus We have revealed to you an inspiration of Our command. You did not know what is the Book or, what is faith, but We have made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed you are guiding to a straight path.” (Qur’an 42:52)

The Qur’an is created. Says who?

Narrated:

‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud: Allah has not created in the heavens nor in the earth what is more magnificent than Ayat Al-Kursi.

Notice that Abdullah bin Mas’ud (r.a) is using the word khalaq for the Qur’an just as he did for the heavens and the earth.

Sufyan said: Because Ayat Al-Kursi is the Speech of Allah, and Allah’s Speech is greater than Allah’s creation of the heavens and the earth.

Notice that Sufyan Al Thawri (r.a) who is saying that the creation of the speech of Allah (swt) is greater than the creation of the heavens and the earth.

For us in the Ibadi school, we differ with those who say that any of the attributes of Allah (swt) is created. For us this is kufr.

So what we understand from Sufyan Al Thawri (r.a) is produced speech on the occasion of it. Also, that speech is not from the essential attributes.

To read more please see:

Quran: Created or Uncreated: The Proof Text

May Allah (swt) guide us to what is beloved to Allah (swt).