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Challenge: Obsessions
by M. Hamed: [email protected]
This is an analysis from the Quraan about the verse of 74:31...
More than thirty years ago, a man, who was a sunni, of sufi backgrounds at that time (this speaks about his attitude towards the Quran at that time) when coming across 74:31 stopped and his attention was caught with number 19, the number of the malaika, guardians of the fire (saqar).
Rashad Khalifa, who you are referring to here, did have a sufi background, since his father was a renowned sufi leader in Egypt. He was never sunni, nor did he ever call himself sunni. This is a lie.
He might have thought about the idea that this number might carry a significant secret. He started to look for something to relate it to this 19 malaika of the fire.
Some how he started to count the letters of the well-known “basmalah”. He found that the number of the letters in this form of “basmalah” is 19. He started to feel a kind of trance. He went on counting for the rest of his life and the result of these counts is a sect out of which there are many sub-sects who are going far away everyday from God’s message.
This is not at all an accurate account of how the mathematical system in the Quran was discovered. Rashad Khalifa did not have any idea that what he first discovered, which was published in multiple publications throughout the Muslims world in the late 60's, early 70's, had anything to do with the number 19. The first reports simply showed that he had found that the intials prefixing initialed suras consistently showed a more frequent occurrence, in their respective suras, compared to other letters.
Rashad Khalifa studies was a result of his intention to translate the Quran for the benefit of his children, first and foremost, as he saw that the existing translations did not trutfully convey some of the commandments in the Quran, such as ones forbidding us from mentioning other names besides the name of God in our worship practices. He vowed that he would not move from one verse to the next without understanding it. The first sura took 1 week to translate. The first verse of the second sura, "A.L.M." took 4 years and coincided with the gradual unveiling of God's mathematical stamp on the Quran.
His first publications were met with great joy and enthusiasm all across the Muslim world. Finally they started to see the siginficance of the 'mysterious' initials prefixing 29 of it's chapters. The connection to the number 19 emerged by observing that the only two suras with the initial Q in them, sura 50 and 42 both had the same number of Q's in them, 57. 57 + 57 = 114, and 114 is the number of chapters in the Quran. How he made the connection, 'The letter Q occurs as many times as there are chapters in the Quran...this must mean something' is easy to see. The fact that verse 50:1 reads "Q, and the glorious (majid) Quran" was another hint of a system, as the word 'majid' has a gematrical value of 57. Other relationships he saw between the two suras and the initial Q was:
The word "The Quran" is mention 57 times in the Quran.
Sura 42 has 53 verses, 42 + 53 =95
Sura 50 has 45 verses, 50 + 45 =95
Were these facts worthy serious attention according to you? Well, the 'Muslim' world at the time thought so and published everything he found out, excilirated and proud. After Rashad discovered that the suras with initials prefixing them consistently produced numbers that were mutliple by 19, and quickly discovered other obvious facts about the Quran that had the 19 stamp on it, the excitement in the 'Muslim' world was overwhelming. Rashad Khalifa was invited to meet dignitaries across the 'Muslim' world to share his findings first hand. Books were made, video-tapes produced, articles written. That is until....
Rashad started expressing his developing thoughts about Quranic teachings not being adhered to, mainly due to ignorance of them amongst most traditional Muslims. When these thoughts matured into a solid understanding that the 'Muslim' world had actually abandoned the Quran en masse in favor of Hadith and Sunnah, he started getting into serious trouble with those previously supporting his work. NOTHING HAD CHANGED, EXCEPT Rashad now was sharing Quranic verses proving that Muslims were not favoring the Quran as they should. He vocalised his view that Hadith and Sunna must actually be fabrications, since they opposed the Quran and since God had forbidden prophet Muhammad from producing any other teachings besides the Quran.
From praising the miraculous Quranic FACTS based on the number 19 one day, the traditional Muslim world condemned them, Rashad and his conclusion the next. Books were called back from bookstores, collected and burned. Video-tapes destroyed. Articles to defame him published. Death threats issued. The classical response by ignorant and tyrannical people. What a shame that they call themselves Muslims and supporters of the Quran!
To read Rashad's account in his translation of the Quran of how the miracle was first discovered, click here.
Before going further there is one question regarding these counts of that man supported by his followers: If God boldly says that 19 is the number of the malaika who are the guardians of the fire saqar, then why should anyone count letters of the Quraan based on number 19 to “authenticate” it. What does the fire, saqar and its guardians have to do with the Quraan ? Is the Quran fire-saqar?
I think this simple and straightforward words of God, that 19 is the number of the malaika, the guardians of saqar fire is enough for anyone who believes in God. GW we will see in this analysis how simple and clear is this verse.
Now let us see the transliteration of this verse:
“wa ma ja&alna as haaban naari ila mala’ikatn wa maja&alna &idatahum ilaa fitnatan liil ladheena kafaro liyasteyqinal ladheena utul kitaaba wa yazdadal ladheena aamanoo imaanan wala yartaabal ladheena utul kitaaba wal mu’minoona wal yaqoolal ladheena fi quloobihim maradun wal kafiroona madha arradal lahu bi hadha mathalan, kadhalika yudilul lahumay yashaa wa yahdi may yashaa wa ma ya&lamu junooda rab bika ila huwa, wa ma hiya ila dhikra lil bashar” 74:31.
As mentioned above and as stated in the verse clearly and boldly, 19 is the number of the malai’ka who are the guardians of the fire.
Actually, this verse does not contain the word "19". The verse before it contains this number:
74:30 "Over it is nineteen".
And as we read in all the verses before 74:30, "it" refers to a hidden secret that will come out and warn, expose that which is wrong, expose those who "stubbornly refused to accept these proofs" (74:16) and accounts of what the disbelievers will say when seeing it, i.e. "human made" (74:25), and "clever magic" (74:24).
As with everything from God, it covers all angles. If we accept it, it is good for us. If we reject it, it is bad for us. It is either a blessing or a promise of retribution, good news or warning, joy or misery. It all depends on our decision. We make the decision that determines our destiny. We are each responsible that way, wether we like it or not.
Then why all this about a simple and straight forwards verse? Why to say that the are the guardians of the Quraan if God says there are the guardians of hell-fire, saqar?
You are consistently missing the context in which God mentions the number 19. You should read the rest of the sura, but if you insist on sticking to only reading one verse, let's stick with only that one verse, 74:31, for the moment. In it we read that the number 19 will fill 5 distinct functions IN THIS WORLD! Part of those functions are removing doubt from the hearts of the believers and convince people who follow previous scriptures that the Quran is divine. How do you see your interpretation of the verse creating such an effect? Do you honestly think that going to the Christians and telling them, "Hey, did you know that Hell is guarded by 19 angels!" and expect this to convince them that the Quran is from God!?
But, then again, your view is probably not that they will be convinced that the Quran is from God. You'd rather interpret it negatively and believe that the Christians, after learning about 19 angels guarding Hell, will just be more certain of their Hellish destiny! At least that is what you state in other articles on this site!!
All the while you completely ignore the Quranic PHYSICAL FACTS that speak for themselves in showing you and the rest of the world that YES, there is a pattern of 19 in the Quran. There is no doubt about it. Here are some of the simple facts;
- Quran has 114 chapters, 19x6.
- The Quran has 6346 verses, 19x334.
- Basmalah has 19 letters and occurs 114 times (even though it does not prefix all suras).
- The four words in Basmalah occurs 19, 2698, 57, 114 times respectively, all numbers divisible by 19.
- The four words occur in 1919 verses throughout the Quran.
- The word God occurs 2698 times, 19x142.
- The verse numbers in which the word God occurs adds up to 118123, 19x6217.
- When you say the Al-Fatehah your lips touch 19 times.
- The first revelation (96:1-5) consists of 19 words and 76 letters (19x4).
- The first sura revealed has 19 verses, 304 words, (19x16).
According to you these facts are to be ignored and cannot have anything to do with convincing the hearts of the believers and convincing followers of previous scriptures that the Quran is indeed the word of God. No, according to you, 19 only has to do with the number of angels guarding Hell, even though the verse itself does not even say "19" angels, it only says "and we assigned their number."
My personal understanding says that it is the ego and our desire to be what God does not intent us to be. Out of this simple verse a man by the name Rashad Khalifa created a sect out of which many sub-sects are created with a lot of distortions of God’s simple message addressed to mankind.
As you have now been informed of above, 19 was not even part of the picture when Rashad first discovered the first signs of a system connected to the previously known 'mysterious initials'.
Rashad Khalifa was never ever about creating a sect. He was very much against all kinds of sects. The Quran very clearly condemns it. Sects are created when people start following people instead of God. Rashad himself always said that whatever he said was only as good as it's basis in the Quran. He encouraged people around him to remind him if they felt he said or did anything that was not supported by the Quran. That was his only interest, to please God according to God's decrees in His final testament to the world.
For the benefit of the reader, the entire Sura 74, "The Hidden Secret" is reproduced here by 4 different translators. We would also like to direct the readers attention to the fact that the code of 19 in the Quran, was discovered in January 1974, exactly 19x74 years after the revelation of the Quran. As you also now know, the number 19 is mentioned in Sura 74.
Verse No Khalifa Pickthall Shakir Yusuf Ali 74:1 O you hidden secret.* O thou enveloped in thy cloak, O you who are clothed! O thou wrapped up (in the mantle)! 74:2 Come out and warn. Arise and warn! Arise and warn, Arise and deliver thy warning! 74:3 Extol your Lord. Thy Lord magnify, And your Lord do magnify, And thy Lord do thou magnify! 74:4 Purify your garment.* Thy raiment purify, And your garments do purify, And thy garments keep free from stain! 74:5 Forsake what is wrong. Pollution shun! And uncleanness do shun, And all abomination shun! 74:6 Be content with your lot. And show not favour, seeking wordly gain! And bestow not favors that you may receive again with increase, Nor expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)! 74:7 Steadfastly commemorate your Lord. For the sake of thy Lord, be patient! And for the sake of your Lord, be patient. But, for thy Lord's (Cause), be patient and constant! 74:8 Then, when the horn is blown. For when the trumpet shall sound, For when the trumpet is sounded, Finally, when the Trumpet is sounded, 74:9 That will be a difficult day. Surely that day will be a day of anguish, That, at that time, shall be a difficult day, That will be- that Day - a Day of Distress,- 74:10 For the disbelievers, not easy. Not of ease, for disbelievers. For the unbelievers, anything but easy. Far from easy for those without Faith.
74:11 Let Me deal with one I created as an individual. Leave Me (to deal) with him whom I created lonely, Leave Me and him whom I created alone, Leave Me alone, (to deal) with the (creature) whom I created (bare and) alone!- 74:12 I provided him with lots of money. And then bestowed upon him ample means, And give him vast riches, To whom I granted resources in abundance, 74:13 And children to behold. And sons abiding in his presence And sons dwelling in his presence, And sons to be by his side!- 74:14 I made everything easy for him. And made (life) smooth for him. And I adjusted affairs for him adjustably; To whom I made (life) smooth and comfortable! 74:15 Yet, he is greedy for more. Yet he desireth that I should give more. And yet he desires that I should add more! Yet is he greedy-that I should add (yet more);- 74:16 He stubbornly refused to accept these proofs. Nay! For lo! he hath been stubborn to Our revelations. By no means! surely he offers opposition to Our communications. By no means! For to Our Signs he has been refractory! 74:17 I will increasingly punish him. On him I shall impose a fearful doom. I will make a distressing punishment overtake him. Soon will I visit him with a mount of calamities! 74:18 For he reflected, then decided. For lo! he did consider; then he planned - Surely he reflected and guessed, For he thought and he plotted;- 74:19 Miserable is what he decided. (Self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! But may he be cursed how he plotted; And woe to him! How he plotted!- 74:20 Miserable indeed is what he decided. Again (self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! - Again, may he be cursed how he plotted; Yea, Woe to him; How he plotted!-
74:21 He looked. Then looked he, Then he looked, Then he looked round; 74:22 He frowned and whined. Then frowned he and showed displeasure. Then he frowned and scowled, Then he frowned and he scowled; 74:23 Then he turned away arrogantly. Then turned he away in pride Then he turned back and was big with pride, Then he turned back and was haughty; 74:24 He said, "This is but clever magic! And said: This is naught else than magic from of old; ~Then he said: This is naught but enchantment, narrated (from others); Then said he: "This is nothing but magic, derived from of old; 74:25 "This is human made." This is naught else than speech of mortal man. This is naught but the word of a mortal. "This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 74:26 I will commit him to retribution. Him shall I fling unto the burning. I will cast him into hell. Soon will I cast him into Hell-Fire! 74:27 What retribution! - Ah, what will convey unto thee what that burning is! - And what will make you realize what hell is? And what will explain to thee what Hell-Fire is? 74:28 Thorough and comprehensive. It leaveth naught; it spareth naught It leaves naught nor does it spare aught. Naught doth it permit to endure, and naught doth it leave alone!- 74:29 Obvious to all the people. It shrivelleth the man. It scorches the mortal. Darkening and changing the colour of man! 74:30 Over it is nineteen.* Above it are nineteen. Over it are nineteen. Over it are Nineteen.
74:31 We appointed angels to be guardians of Hell, and we assigned their number (19) (1) to disturb the disbelievers, (2) to convince the Christians and Jews (that this is a divine scripture), (3) to strengthen the faith of the faithful, (4) to remove all traces of doubt from the hearts of Christians, Jews, as well as the believers, and (5) to expose those who harbor doubt in their hearts, and the disbelievers; they will say, "What did GOD mean by this allegory?" GOD thus sends astray whomever He wills, and guides whomever He wills. None knows the soldiers of your Lord except He. This is a reminder for the people. We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire, and their number have We made to be a stumbling-block for those who disbelieve; that those to whom the Scripture hath been given may have certainty, and that believers may increase in faith; and that those to whom the Scripture hath been given and believers may not doubt; and that those in whose hearts there is disease, and disbelievers, may say: What meaneth Allah by this similitude ? Thus Allah sendeth astray whom He will, and whom He will He guideth. None knoweth the hosts of thy Lord save Him. This is naught else than a Reminder unto mortals. And We have not made the wardens of the fire others than angels, and We have not made their number but as a trial for those who disbelieve, that those who have been given the book may be certain and those who believe may increase in faith, and those who have been given the book and the believers may not doubt, and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the unbelievers may say: What does Allah mean by this parable? Thus does Allah make err whom He pleases, and He guides whom He pleases, and none knows the hosts of your Lord but He Himself; and this is naught but a reminder to the mortals. And We have set none but angels as Guardians of the Fire; and We have fixed their number only as a trial for Unbelievers,- in order that the People of the Book may arrive at certainty, and the Believers may increase in Faith,- and that no doubts may be left for the People of the Book and the Believers, and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the Unbelievers may say, "What symbol doth God intend by this ?" Thus doth God leave to stray whom He pleaseth, and guide whom He pleaseth: and none can know the forces of thy Lord, except He and this is no other than a warning to mankind. 74:32 Absolutely, (I swear) by the moon. Nay, by the Moon Nay; I swear by the moon, Nay, verily: By the Moon, 74:33 And the night as it passes. And the night when it withdraweth And the night when it departs, And by the Night as it retreateth, 74:34 And the morning as it shines. And the dawn when it shineth forth, And the daybreak when it shines; And by the Dawn as it shineth forth,- 74:35 This is one of the great miracles.* Lo! this is one of the greatest (portents) Surely it (hell) is one of the gravest (misfortunes), This is but one of the mighty (portents), 74:36 A warning to the human race. As a warning unto men, A warning to mortals, A warning to mankind,- 74:37 For those among you who wish to advance, or regress. Unto him of you who will advance or hang back. To him among you who wishes to go forward or remain behind. To any of you that chooses to press forward, or to follow behind;- 74:38 Every soul is trapped by its sins. Every soul is a pledge for its own deeds; Every soul is held in pledge for what it earns, Every soul will be (held) in pledge for its deeds. 74:39 Except for those on the right. Save those who will stand on the right hand. Except the people of the right hand, Except the Companions of the Right Hand. 74:40 While in Paradise, they will ask. In gardens they will ask one another In gardens, they shall ask each other (They will be) in Gardens (of Delight): they will question each other,
74:41 About the guilty. Concerning the guilty: About the guilty: And (ask) of the Sinners: 74:42 "What brought you to this retribution?" What hath brought you to this burning ? What has brought you into hell? "What led you into Hell Fire?" 74:43 They will say, "We did not observe the contact prayers (Salat). They will answer: We were not of those who prayed They shall say: We were not of those who prayed; They will say: "We were not of those who prayed; 74:44 "We did not feed the poor. Nor did we feed the wretched. And we used not to feed the poor; "Nor were we of those who fed the indigent; 74:45 "We blundered with the blunderers. We used to wade (in vain dispute) with (all) waders, And we used to enter into vain discourse with those who entered into vain discourses. "But we used to talk vanities with vain talkers; 74:46 "We disbelieved in the Day of Judgment. And we used to deny the Day of Judgment, And we used to call the day of judgment a lie; "And we used to deny the Day of Judgment, 74:47 "Until certainty came to us now." Till the Inevitable came unto us. Till death overtook us. "Until there came to us (the Hour) that is certain." 74:48 The intercession of the intercessors will never help them. The mediation of no mediators will avail them then. So the intercession of intercessors shall not avail them. Then will no intercession of (any) intercessors profit them. 74:49 Why are they so averse to this reminder? Why now turn they away from the Admonishment, What is then the matter with them, that they turn away from the admonition Then what is the matter with them that they turn away from admonition?- 74:50 Running like zebras. As they were frightened asses As if they were asses taking fright As if they were affrighted asses,
74:51 Who are fleeing from the lion! Fleeing from a lion ? That had fled from a lion? Fleeing from a lion! 74:52 Does each one of them want to receive the scripture personally? Nay, but everyone of them desireth that he should be given open pages (from Allah). Nay; every one of them desires that he may be given pages spread out; Forsooth, each one of them wants to be given scrolls (of revelation) spread out! 74:53 Indeed, they do not fear the Hereafter. Nay, verily. They fear not the Hereafter. Nay! but they do not fear the hereafter. By no means! But they fear not the Hereafter, 74:54 Indeed, this is a reminder. Nay, verily. Lo! this is an Admonishment. Nay! it is surely an admonition. Nay, this surely is an admonition: 74:55 For those who wish to take heed. So whosoever will may heed. So whoever pleases may mind it. Let any who will, keep it in remembrance! 74:56 They cannot take heed against GOD's will. He is the source of righteousness; He is the source of forgiveness. And they will not heed unless Allah willeth (it). He is the fount of fear. He is the fount of Mercy. And they will not mind unless Allah please. He is worthy to be feared and worthy to forgive. But none will keep it in remembrance except as God wills: He is the Lord of Righteousness, and the Lord of Forgiveness. Let us return to the verse under discussion. The topic of this verse is about those who do not accept the QURAAN as God’s message; 74:11 “dharni waman khalaqtu wa heedan” Leave me alone (to deal) with he who I create as single. 74:12 “wa ja&altu lahu malam mamdooda” and to him I granted property extending. 74:13 “wa baneena shuhooda” and sons present 74:14 “ wa mah hadtu lahu tamheeda” and to him I made (life) smooth and comfortable. 74:15 “ thuma yatma&u an azeeda” yet is he greedy that I should add more. 74:16 “kalla inahu kana li ayatina &aneeda” By no means! For our AYAATS he has been refractory. 74:17 “sa urhiquhu sa&ooda” I will make it hard for him like when climbing. 74:18 “ in nahu fakaara wa qadar” he thought and determined 74:19 “faqutila kayfa qad dar” and woe to him how he determined 74:20 “thuma qutila kayfa qad dar” yea woe to him how he determined!- 74:21 “thuma nazhara” then he reflected. 74:22 “thuma &abasa wa basara” then he frowned and he scowled 74:23 “thuma adbara was takbara” then he returned back and was haughty 74:24 “faqal in hadha ila sihruy yu’thar” then said he: “THIS IS but magic derived from of old 74:25 “ ina hadha ila qawlul bashar” THIS IS BUT UTTERANCE OF A MORTAL. 74:26 “sa uslihi saqar” I will cast him in hell-fire (saqar) 74:27 “wa ma adraaka ma saqar” and do you know what hell-fire is (saqar)? 74:28 “la tubqi wa la tadhar” it leaves nothing it spares no one 74:29 “law wahatun lil bashar” waving to mortals (warning) 74:30 “&aleyha tis&at &ashar” over it are 19.
We can clearly see from the above that God speaks about those who reject His revelations (74:16) as from God and after thinking and re-thinking and evaluating say that there are only a magic derived from old (74:24) and utterance a mortal (74:25).
Yes, that is right. What these verses talk about are people who reject God's proofs and reminders. They refuse to accept the purification of the religion. The entire sura, which is called "The Hidden Secret" is about this secret that will come out and warn, to forsake what is wrong, purify the religion and extol God Almighty. The mathematical miracle was discovered 1974. Don't you find it significant that the number 19 is mentioned in Sura 74. Another astonishing fact about the timing is the lenght of time between revelation of the Quran and revelation of it's miracle, 1406 years, or 19x74 years. Glory be to God!
As we have seen examples of ever since the revelation of the mathematical miracle most of those who called themselves Muslims who did not follow the Quran before the revelation of the code, continued to defy the Quran even more so after the revelation of the code. Many have used the exact terms stated in these verses, "Clever magic".
However, what is your point with bringing these verses up? What do you feel that they show in relation to your challenge of the mathematical miracle?
The information about number 19 in the Quran is sent by God. As with all good news from God, they are always coupled with warnings to those who reject them. It all depends on how you handle the information. When God sends messengers, He sends them as deliverers of good news AND warners, at the same time.
God promises such with straight forward chastisement in hell fire (74:26) and then goes on describing hell fire (saqar) that it leaves nothing and spares no-one and that it waves to mortals as warning and that over it are 19. What or who are these 19 and what is their function is described in the very next verse.
The quran is FULL with similar warnings and descriptions of the punishment prepared for disbelievers.
The Quran contains an equal amount of promises of rewards for the righteous in this life and in the Hereafter. This is a phenomnena with the Quran, when people who do not believe read it, all they seem to see is promise about fire and brimstone, and when believers read it they see good news.
Every single time God renews His message to mankind, He gives a clear, straightforward message inviting us to salvation, telling us where we have gone wrong, how to do better, coupled with a serious warning if we don't.
What is your point in relation to the discussion at hand?
Let us first go part by part of this verse and see what is it about. “wa ma ja&alnaa ashaaban naari ILA MALAI’KATAN, wa ma ja&alna &id datahum ila FITNATAN lil ladheena kafaru.” I think that the key word in this verse is FITNA. The word FITNA with its derivatives has more than one meaning in the Quraan. Here are some examples for some of these uses.
It can mean “to mislead/misleading ” as in 7:27. And “discord” as in 3:7. It can mean “test” as in 8:28. It can mean lesson as in 26:67, 121, 139 and …etc. And can mean “chastisement or punishment” as in 2:191 and 10:83. I think that the right meaning of FITNA in this verse is CHASTISMENT/TORMENT. God says that He ordained the number of the malaika for nothing but as chastisement/torment (punishment) for unbelievers.
Yes, that is right. As we clearly see in the verse, the number 19 will disturb, be a stumbling block or a trial for the disbelievers.
Here is the actual verse again:
74:31 We appointed angels to be guardians of Hell, and we assigned their number (19) (1) to disturb the disbelievers, (2) to convince the Christians and Jews (that this is a divine scripture), (3) to strengthen the faith of the faithful, (4) to remove all traces of doubt from the hearts of Christians, Jews, as well as the believers, and (5) to expose those who harbor doubt in their hearts, and the disbelievers; they will say, "What did GOD mean by this allegory?" GOD thus sends astray whomever He wills, and guides whomever He wills. None knows the soldiers of your Lord except He. This is a reminder for the people. We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire, and their number have We made to be a stumbling-block for those who disbelieve; that those to whom the Scripture hath been given may have certainty, and that believers may increase in faith; and that those to whom the Scripture hath been given and believers may not doubt; and that those in whose hearts there is disease, and disbelievers, may say: What meaneth Allah by this similitude ? Thus Allah sendeth astray whom He will, and whom He will He guideth. None knoweth the hosts of thy Lord save Him. This is naught else than a Reminder unto mortals. And We have not made the wardens of the fire others than angels, and We have not made their number but as a trial for those who disbelieve, that those who have been given the book may be certain and those who believe may increase in faith, and those who have been given the book and the believers may not doubt, and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the unbelievers may say: What does Allah mean by this parable? Thus does Allah make err whom He pleases, and He guides whom He pleases, and none knows the hosts of your Lord but He Himself; and this is naught but a reminder to the mortals. And We have set none but angels as Guardians of the Fire; and We have fixed their number only as a trial for Unbelievers,- in order that the People of the Book may arrive at certainty, and the Believers may increase in Faith,- and that no doubts may be left for the People of the Book and the Believers, and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the Unbelievers may say, "What symbol doth God intend by this ?" Thus doth God leave to stray whom He pleaseth, and guide whom He pleaseth: and none can know the forces of thy Lord, except He and this is no other than a warning to mankind. Through out all the Quraan God promises the unbelievers the hell fire and endless torment and grieve chastisement for their rejections of His clear revelations/ayaats. Punishment is one of the fundamental quranic teachings.
Yes. And again, what is your point in relation to the discussion at hand?
Now, have a look at these verses in the light of this meaning: “yawma hum &lan naari YUFTANOON, dhuqu FITNATAKUM hadhal ladhi kuntum bihi tukadhiboon” 51:13, 14. “When they will be on the fire (being) tormented. Taste your torment this is what you asked to be hastened”. Please notice that the word used here is the same as in 74:31, that is FITNA. It is used here as a verb (YUFTANOON) and a noun (FITNAtakum) your FITNA, taste your FITNA or torment. Let us have a look at another quranic description of the fire. “ya ay yuhal ladheena aamanoo, qu anfusakum wa ahleekum naaran waqooduhan nasu wal hijaratu &ALEYHA MALAI’KATAN ghilazhun shidadun la ya&soonal laha ma amarahum wa yaf&aloona ma yu’maroon.” 66:6.
“O you who believe save yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones OVER IT ARE MALAIKA stern and severe who flinch not (from executing) the commands they receive from God but do (precisely) what they are commanded.” 66:6.
Does this remind you of something? Is not this the book whose verses have been fully detailed, oft-repeated and self-explanatory? More of these verses will come later.
Yes, the number 19 will be a trial and a stumbling block. That is clear aready in verse 74:31. Those who reject it will fall, those who accept it will advance. Never did God reveal a sign as a test to see who would reject it. God does not advocate vice (. Nor does His system change. That is what He tells us in the Quran.
As you see clearly from the verse following 74:31, God describes the number 19 as one of the great signs or miracles.
Verse No Khalifa Pickthall Shakir Yusuf Ali 74:32 Absolutely, (I swear) by the moon. Nay, by the Moon Nay; I swear by the moon, Nay, verily: By the Moon, 74:33 And the night as it passes. And the night when it withdraweth And the night when it departs, And by the Night as it retreateth, 74:34 And the morning as it shines. And the dawn when it shineth forth, And the daybreak when it shines; And by the Dawn as it shineth forth,- 74:35 This is one of the great miracles.* Lo! this is one of the greatest (portents) Surely it (hell) is one of the gravest (misfortunes), This is but one of the mighty (portents), 74:36 A warning to the human race. As a warning unto men, A warning to mortals, A warning to mankind,- Now back to 74:31. We have seen in the first part that God says that the number of the malaika is for the punishment of unbelievers, that is, 19 malaika are the guardians of the fire where unbelievers will be punished with grieve torment. They could have been any number that the Mighty wishes to be but there will always be those who would ask why 19 and not 25 and so on. I will leave it for those who read this analysis to discuss about the kind of people who put such questions but I think that there is a reference to them in the same verse. Let us go on.
Again, the verse containing the reference to the angels does not contain the word "19". You choose to interpret it that way, despite the clear preceeding verses speaking about people who reject "these proofs", who claim that it will be "man made" and "clever magic." You also conveniently ignore the functions of 19 God is listing in verse 74:31 and how it will help increase the faith of the faithful.
Rashad Khalifa never asked "Why 19?", he was simply given the facts around it. Neither did those who followed his call ever ask "why 19?" There is a big difference in being given the WHAT and asking WHY. People who understand anything about God's power and system know that asking "why" God did this and that is not a criteria for increased knowledge, but rather a critiera indicating questioning.
The number 19 should strengthens the faith in what 'Muslims' around the world already claim to believe in. It confirms the belief in one God, in the scriptures and in the religion of Abraham. Yet, Muslims are the most ardent opposers to this amazing proof. Why? Because it challenges their traditional, inhereted ways of practicing their version of Islam, which have nothing to do with the Quran. It exposes their wrong-doings and promotes change. People don't like change. People don't like hearing that they've been doing something wrong. People especially don't like hearing that their parents and grand-parents were misguided.
Those who believe in the so-called code ask; “How can this increase the faith of the believers” and God inform us of a group of people who asked similar question:
The only ones who ask this question are those who do not understand it! What is consistent about those who have accepted the code, is that it is not about the mathematical code for them. It is about confirmation of God's words in the Quran and about confirmation of our religious practices that were delivered to us through prophet Abraham, the one who called us Muslims first, the religion of father Abraham (22:78).
“ wa idha ma unzilat suratun fa minhum may yaqool ayukum dhathu hadhiha imaanan, fa amal ladheena aamanoo fa dhathum imaana wa hum yas tabshiroon” 9:124 Whenever a Sura is sent down some of them ask: “Whose Imaan has this increased?” For those who believe it has surely increased their Imaan and has given them joy”
And what about those whose heart is sick: “wa amal ladheena fi qulubihim maradun fa zadathum rijsan ila rijsihim wa mato wa hum kafiroon” 9:125. “And for those whose heart is sick it increases their sickness and they die as rejecters.” You see, again it is about Quran and those who reject it as such and who mock the message of God asking; “whose Imaan has increased by this”
People who believe in the code has never asked, 'whose faith will this increase' (mockingly) as unjustly suggested by the author of this challenge. People who have witnessed the code have experienced their faith increasing dramatically because of it, and have seen others from all walks of life and different religious backgrounds experiencing the same thing.
In 74:31 GOD States that the number 19 increases the faith of the faithful and convinces followers of the previous scripture that the Quran is indeed from God. At the same time, as you have correctly and repeatedly mentioned in this article, it disturbs the disbelievers and the hypocrites. They will not understand it and thus ask "why 19", or; as four different translators have conveyed the question of hypcrites and disbelievers;
- What did GOD mean by this allegory?
- What meaneth Allah by this similitude ?
- What does Allah mean by this parable?
- What symbol doth God intend by this ?
God says in simple language: “inamal muminoonal ladheena idha dhukral lahu wajilat qulubuhum wa idha tuliyat &aleyhim ayatihi dhatahum imaanan wa &ala rabihim yatawakaloona” 8:2. “ For believers are those who, when God is mentioned fell a tremor in their hearts and when his revelations are recited to them find their Imaan strengthened and put all their trust in their Lord” So, how to understand these people’s question about “how can a quranic verse full of admonition and describing the fate of the rejecters of the truth from God increase the Imaan of the believers?”
As explained above, this line of question is created by you, not anyone else . You are the one asking yourself this question and you are using us as an excuse to do so. The believers in the completness of perfect preservation of the Quran through the miracle of 19 have never asked themselves this question. The experienced it.
Look at these verses: “ta ha, ma anzalna &aleykal quraana litashqa, ila TADHKIRATAN limay yakhsha tanzeelan mim man khalaqal arda was samawatil &ula” 20:1-4.
“Ta ha, We have not send down the Quraan to thee to be (an occasion) for thy distress. But only as an ADMONITION to those Who fear (God). A sending down (revelation) from Him who created the earth and the heavens on high”
So, generally said admonition is the main reason behind sending down a message. This admonition contains various teachings among which the punishment for those who conceal and reject is one of the fundamental teachings as we have already mentioned.
“wa kadhalika anzlnahu quraanan &arabiyan wa sar rafnaa fihi minal wa&eedi la&alahum yat taqoona aw yuhdithu lahum dhikraa.” 20:113.
Although the verses above are not leading to a conclusion nor a question we should delete them to spare the reader. But we'll keep them here just to illustrate how you list Quranic facts, which no one is disputing, to prove your point...only, you forget to mention what the point is...
“Thus We sent it down, an Arabic Quraan and explained in detail some of the warnings in order that it they may be cautious/fear/be aware or it may cause them to take admonition” See also this verse:
“nahnu a&lamu bi ma yaqoloona wa maanta &aleyhim bi jab bar fa dhak kir bil quraani may yyakhafa wa&eed” 50:45
Yes....and the point in relation to the discussion here is....?
“We know best what they say; and you are not to compel them by force, so admonish with the Quraan those who fear my warning”
That is right, with THIS Quran. Anything in it should be worth your attention. The fact that you are ignoring several hundreds of straightfoward miraculous facts connected to the number 19 in the Quran shows that you are offering mere lip-service so far. By the way, how many steps of Wudu do you make? 4 as the Quran decrees or more? And while we are at it, when you bear witness (state your Shahaadah), do you mention Muhammad's name next to God's name, even though the Quran forbids it?
As we have seen in 20:113 that wa&eed or warning is fully detailed in simple language through out the Quraan itself. There are no secrets nor hidden warnings.
That is your words. God says something else. Of course, warning are not hidden, because they serve no function while hidden. When hidden, they are simply information not yet unveiled. When unveiled, it can become a warning.
Verse No Khalifa Pickthall Shakir Yusuf Ali 74:1 O you hidden secret.* O thou enveloped in thy cloak, O you who are clothed! O thou wrapped up (in the mantle)! 74:2 Come out and warn. Arise and warn! Arise and warn, Arise and deliver thy warning! 74:3 Extol your Lord. Thy Lord magnify, And your Lord do magnify, And thy Lord do thou magnify! 74:4 Purify your garment.* Thy raiment purify, And your garments do purify, And thy garments keep free from stain! 74:5 Forsake what is wrong. Pollution shun! And uncleanness do shun, And all abomination shun! Only simple and straightforward warnings such as; “fire whose fuel is men and stone” and “ if they implore relief they will be granted water like melted brass that will scald their faces” (18:29) and “as often as their skins are roasted through We shall change them for fresh skins” 4:56 and many many other warnings and admonitions with fire.
It is almost impossible to go through 5 or 6 verses without coming across a warning about the fire and torment in the hereafter.
Some people will feel like that....
So, indeed reading the Quraan and seeing all these warnings, among other things, increases the Imaan of those who believe in the Quraan as from God, who believe in the hereafter.
God says:
“ wa nunazilu minal quraani mafihi shifaun wa rahmatun lil muminoona wa yazeedu zhalieena ila khasaraa. 17:82
“ And We send down of the Quraan that which is a healing and a mercy for the believers: To unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss”
So, believers increase in Imaan whenever they read the Quraan and whenever they read about the punishment of their Lord. They fear the fire as they deeply believe that it is true. It is a result of their pondering upon God’s ayaats all around them and in the glorious Quraan. They just compare the teaching of this book and the reality around them and conclude what is going on.
“ina fi khhalqis samawati wal ardi wakh tilafil leyli wan nahari la ayaatil li ulil albaab. Alladheena yadhkuroonal laha qiyamaw waqu&oodaw wa ya tafak karoona fi khalqis samawati wal ardi. Rab bana ma khalaqta hadha batilan subhanaka fa qina &ABANA NARI. Rab bana inak man tudkhilin nara faqad akhzeytah wamali zhalimeena min ansaar. 3:190-192.
The are familiar with the NAAR in their daily life.
“Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day there are indeed signs for men of understanding. Those who remember God standing and sitting and lying down on their sides and contemplate the creation in the heavens and earth “Our Lord You have not created this in vain Glory be to You. SAVE US FROM THE TORMENT OF THE FIRE. Our Lord, those whom You cast into You will put to eternal shame none will help the transgressors”
So, once they have contemplated over the creation of the heavens and the earth they got the message that this can not be in vain. This life speaks about the hereafter and the deep feel of justice which is within ourselves makes it clear for those who believe that deeds are of a great importance otherwise all this is in vain. They wisely conclude that the creation is not in vain. This is actually what the unbelievers say about it:
“wa ma khalaqna as sama’ wal arda wa ma beynahuma batila, dhalika zhanul ladheena khafaro faweylul liladheena khafaroo minan naar” 38:27.
“We have not created the heavens and the earth in vain, this is the conjecture of the unbelievers so, woe to the unbelievers because of the fire”
So, to return back to our subject although I think that all this is very linked it for it is one of the basic teachings of the Quran as mentioned already.
Ok.....let's hear it...
So, it is clear to any believer and from the Quraan that reading the Quraan indeed increases the Imaan. Reading all this promised torment indeed increases the Imaan of a believer. The same indeed makes the unbelievers and whose heart is sick more arrogant and proud about their arrogance. This can only increase their KUFR and make them ask “what does God intent by this example/symbol”.
Reading the Quran and witnessing God's creation inreases the faith of the faithful. Yes. Are you suggesting that this is enough, that God will not send another sign. Is this where your 'argument' is heading?
[2:106] When we abrogate any miracle, or cause it to be forgotten, we produce a better miracle, or at least an equal one. Do you not recognize the fact that GOD is Omnipotent?
As we see in verse 54:1-2, God will send a miracle after man has set foot on the moon, which he did in 1969. The miracle was revealed 7 years later.
[54:1] The Hour has come closer, and the moon has split.
[54:2] Then they saw a miracle; but they turned away and said, "Old magic."
It is not only in this case. God informs us that it is typical to them to ask such questions:
“inal laha la yastahi ay yadriba mathalam ma ba&udatan fama fawqaha fa amal ladheena kafaroo faya&lamoona anahul haqu min rab bihim wa amal ladheena kafaroo fa yaquloona madhha aradal lahu bi hadha mathalan. Yudilu bihi kathiran wa yahdi bihi kathiran wa ma yudilu bihi ilal fasiqeena” 2:26.
“God does not disdain from to make a comparison/symbol with a gnat or with a larger (creature). Those who believe know that it is the truth from their Lord and but the unbelievers ask: “what could God mean by this comparison/symbol? By it He confounds many and guides many. But He confounds none except the evil doers”
So, whatever God gives as a symbol or any kind of comparison the reaction of the unbelievers would be “what does God mean by this”. It is a ridiculing attitude towards the message in general. See this verse too:
“wa idh qaloo al lahuma in kana hadha huwal haq qa min &indika fa amtir &aleyna hijaratan minas samaai aw i’itina bi &adhabin aleem” 8:32.
“And when they said “ O God if this is the truth from you then rain down upon us stones from heaven or send some dreadful scourge to punish us”
So, this is the attitude of the unbelievers.
You are arguing against clear Quranic facts. The number 19 is all over the Quran, confirming it's suras, verses, words, letters and even numbers. Rashad Khalifa unveiled the meaning of the previously known 'mysterious initials.' These initials were a mystery, a secret for 1400 years in the Quran. God says that "these letters are proofs of this scripture".
If you feel confident enough to stick by the idea that 19 is just an 'allegory', then that is your god given choice. We know better thank God.
So, believers’ Imaan increase and they do arrive at certainty while reading the ayaats of the Quraan full of truth and admonition. Unbelievers and those whose heart is sick and who generally stand opposite to believers, which is only confirmed in this verse, take the opposite side and do not understand how can this increase an Imaan of a believer. The answer is very simple; For believers the Quraan is “hudan wa shifaa”/ a gudance and a HEALING thing (41:44) and for unbelievers there is a deafness in their ears and “wahwa &aleyhim &aman”/ it (the Quraan) is blindness in their (eyes) (41:44).
What is interesting about this true blindness, which is not of the eyes, but of the heart and soul, is that those who fight the miracle of the Quran fail to understand that what they are really fighting the message in the Quran. The reason we say this is because time and time again as we discuss these matters with traditionalists or simply rejectors of the code, they will practice a version of Islam which is not authorized by the Quran, which has no support in the Quran. Inevitably parts of the worship practices will involve other entities, such as Muhammad, Ali, or the saints. They will perform religious 'duties' which they claim are righteous, which has no basis whatsoever in the Quran. They will not have a solid understanding of idol worship, failing to understand the depth of it, that it is really anything we do or think which relfects a belief that something besides God has any power to help or harm us.
Let us now go further GW and see the confirmation of the above in the following verses.
Look at these verses and see how they are manipulated by those who are obsessed by what they call “code 19”.
74:32 “kala wal qamar” No, by the moon. 74:33 “wal leyli idha adbara” and by the night when it retreats 74:34 “was subhi idha asfaar” and by the down when it comes. 74:35 “in naha laihdal kubar” it is one of the greatest. 74:36 “nadheeran lil bashar” a warning to mankind 74:37 “liman sha’ minkam ay yataqadam aw yata’khaar” for those of you who wish to press forward or to remain behind.
Does the above speak about something “hidden”? Is not it clear what all these verses are about? The obsessed coders say it refers to their code. Something that God does not mention at all.
If it is not clear to you, how come you are so sure what it does NOT refer to? Why not take a humble, more intelligent approach considering your (self-proclaimed) limited understanding and simply say, 'I don't understand this! Help!!"
They just look for “INAHu and INAHA”, Arabic pronouns that means IT IS (for male gender neutral and female gender neutral both third person) and say; “inaha refers to the code!!!
Have you ever heard of a pronoun that refers to something that is not mentioned previously at all???
We'll, that is in fact what you are saying then. When God says "Over it is nineteen" He mentions this before he talks about the guardians of Hell, in the next verse. Right? So, according to your own theory here, "it" must refer to something already mention in the sura. Right? Could it be;
74:16 He stubbornly refused to accept these proofs. Nay! For lo! he hath been stubborn to Our revelations. By no means! surely he offers opposition to Our communications. By no means! For to Our Signs he has been refractory! 74:17 I will increasingly punish him. On him I shall impose a fearful doom. I will make a distressing punishment overtake him. Soon will I visit him with a mount of calamities! 74:18 For he reflected, then decided. For lo! he did consider; then he planned - Surely he reflected and guessed, For he thought and he plotted;- 74:19 Miserable is what he decided. (Self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! But may he be cursed how he plotted; And woe to him! How he plotted!- 74:20 Miserable indeed is what he decided. Again (self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! - Again, may he be cursed how he plotted; Yea, Woe to him; How he plotted!-
74:21 He looked. Then looked he, Then he looked, Then he looked round; 74:22 He frowned and whined. Then frowned he and showed displeasure. Then he frowned and scowled, Then he frowned and he scowled; 74:23 Then he turned away arrogantly. Then turned he away in pride Then he turned back and was big with pride, Then he turned back and was haughty; 74:24 He said, "This is but clever magic! And said: This is naught else than magic from of old; ~Then he said: This is naught but enchantment, narrated (from others); Then said he: "This is nothing but magic, derived from of old; 74:25 "This is human made." This is naught else than speech of mortal man. This is naught but the word of a mortal. "This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 74:26 I will commit him to retribution. Him shall I fling unto the burning. I will cast him into hell. Soon will I cast him into Hell-Fire! 74:27 What retribution! - Ah, what will convey unto thee what that burning is! - And what will make you realize what hell is? And what will explain to thee what Hell-Fire is? 74:28 Thorough and comprehensive. It leaveth naught; it spareth naught It leaves naught nor does it spare aught. Naught doth it permit to endure, and naught doth it leave alone!- 74:29 Obvious to all the people. It shrivelleth the man. It scorches the mortal. Darkening and changing the colour of man! 74:30 Over it is nineteen.* Above it are nineteen. Over it are nineteen. Over it are Nineteen. But to avoid this they make a good trick. It goes like this; “It refers to saqar, but God explains further what is saqar!! He says : “It is exact and precise” and that it is “a screen abvious and clear to mortals”. “law wahatun lil bashar” is “a computer’s screen abvious and clear”!!!
Oh my godness...you really cannot get past the idea of the Hellfire.... The preceeding verses speak of what behaviour and attitude will lead to the Hellfire, i.e. rejection of God's proofs. Can you not for one second entertain the idea that the number 19 is in fact connected to the proofs? Are all this God' talks about mans rejection of the fact that Hell will have 19 angels guarding it??! Is that what you sincerely believe?
Let us accept this distortion caused by obsession for a while and go further to see the absurd of those who distort God’s simple message. In 74:26 God says : “sa uslihi saqar” that is I will burn him in hell fire. If we accept his weird understanding then this mean “ I will burn him in the precise and exact, in the computer’s screen obvious and clear to mortals!!!
You speak of an obsession, wanting the reader to think in negative terms about the one who was blessed with finding this hidden secret in the Quran. Yet you speak not about what in his message you dislike. That is significant.
The absurdity does not stop here.
Look at these verses. Sinners will be asked: “ma salakakum fi saqar” (74:42) which means “what brought/led you to saqar. If we accept their obsessed understanding then the question is: “ What brought/led you to “the precise and exact”, “a computer’s screen obvious and clear to mortals”!!!
Now see the answer of the sinners:
74:43 “qaloo lam naku minal musaleen’ they said “we were not of those who prayed 74:44 “wa lam naku nut&imul miskeen” and we did not feed the indigent 74:45 “wa kuna nakhudu ma&al kha ideen” and we used to talk vanities with vain talkers. 74:46 “wa kuna nukadhibu biyawmid deen” and we used to deny the Day of judgement.
This a sick logic of an obsessed and sick heart. Interestingly these verses are few verses from their “main quranic verse”. Does not this show how obsessed these people are? Does not show that imaginative observations have nothing to do with reality?
Imaginative observations.... God's immense mercy in sending us a perpetual, physical and verifiable proof becomes so obvious when seeing the hatred for this reminder that you express. People of all times have expressed their hatred through those who have delivered the reminder to worship God alone through voilence, deliberate distortions, etc. This time God, the Most Merciful, the Most Gracious, embedded the proof in the scripture you claim to follow. To distort it you will have to distort the Quran itself, and THAT is not possible. God made sure of it. All praise be to God.
The verses from 74:32-36 speak generally about the same issue this Sura mainly deals with, that is, the Quran, the message of God. This is confirmed with the previous and following context (74:11-25 and 74:37-48) Here are some similar verses from the Quran with similar oaths:
81:15 “fala uqsimu bil Khun nas” No, by the plantes/stars that recede 81:16 “al jawaril kun nas” that run away and hide 81:17 “wal leyli idha &as&as” by the night when drives off 81:18 “was subhi idha tanaf fas” By the dawn when it breathes. 81:19 “in nahu laqawlu rasoolin kareem” it is indeed an utterance of an honorable messenger. 81:20 “dhi quwatin &inda dhil &arshi makeen” endued with power held in honor by the Lord of the Throne. 81:21 “muta&in thama ameen” with authority and faithful to his trust 81:22 “wa ma sahibukum bi maj noon” and your companion is not one possessed 81:23 “wa laqad ra ahu bil ufuqil mubeen” and he so him in the clear horizon 81:24 “wa mahuwa &alal gheybi bi daneen” and he does not grudge the secrets of the unseen 81:25 “wa mahuwa bi qawli sheytanin rajeem” and it is not the utterance of a sheytan accursed. 81:26 “fa ayna tadh haboon” whither then are you going? 81:27 “in huwa ila dhikrun lil &alemeen” it is but an admonition to all men. 81:28 “liman shaa minkum ay yastaqeem” those of you who wish to go straight.
Can you see the similarity?
Pay attention to the last two verses (81:27, 28). Admonition to those who wish to go straight! That admonition is explained in many verses in the Quran as the general message of the Quraan. We have quoted some of them already and others will GW come very soon.
Now compare these two verses with 74:36, 37. Can not you see the same essence?
Throughout the entire Quran God speaks of His revelations and how we must follow them. There is however a connection between these two suras beyond what you just mentioned. The messenger destined to unveil the mathematical miracle of the Quran is mentioned in this particular sura.
Verse No Khalifa Pickthall Shakir Yusuf Ali
81:15 I solemnly swear by the galaxies. Oh, but I call to witness the planets, But nay! I swear by the stars, So verily I call to witness the planets - that recede, 81:16 Precisely running in their orbits. The stars which rise and set, That run their course (and) hide themselves, Go straight, or hide; 81:17 By the night as it falls. And the close of night, And the night when it departs, And the Night as it dissipates; 81:18 And the morn as it breathes. And the breath of morning And the morning when it brightens, And the Dawn as it breathes away the darkness;- 81:19 This is the utterance of an honorable messenger.* That this is in truth the word of an honoured messenger, Most surely it is the Word of an honored messenger, Verily this is the word of a most honourable Messenger, 81:20 Authorized by the Possessor of the Throne, fully supported. Mighty, established in the presence of the Lord of the Throne, The processor of strength, having an honorable place with the Lord of the Dominion, Endued with Power, with rank before the Lord of the Throne,
81:21 He shall be obeyed and trusted. (One) to be obeyed, and trustworthy; One (to be) obeyed, and faithful in trust. With authority there, (and) faithful to his trust. 81:22 Your friend (Rashad) is not crazy. And your comrade is not mad. And your companion is not gone mad. And (O people!) your companion is not one possessed; 81:23 He saw him at the high horizon.* Surely he beheld Him on the clear horizon. And of a truth he saw himself on the clear horizon. And without doubt he saw him in the clear horizon. 81:24 He is not holding back any news. And he is not avid of the Unseen. Nor of the unseen is he a tenacious concealer. Neither doth he withhold grudgingly a knowledge of the Unseen. 81:25 It is not the talk of a rejected devil. Nor is this the utterance of a devil worthy to be stoned. Nor is it the word of the cursed Shaitan, Nor is it the word of an evil spirit accursed. 81:26 Now then, where will you go? Whither then go ye ? Whither then will you go? When whither go ye? 81:27 This is a message for all the people. This is naught else than a reminder unto creation, It is naught but a reminder for the nations, Verily this is no less than a Message to (all) the Worlds: 81:28 For those who wish to go straight. Unto whomsoever of you willeth to walk straight. For him among you who pleases to go straight. (With profit) to whoever among you wills to go straight: 81:29 Whatever you will is in accordance with the will of GOD, Lord of the universe. And ye will not, unless (it be) that Allah willeth, the Lord of Creation. And you do not please except that Allah please, the Lord of the worlds. But ye shall not will except as God wills,- the Cherisher of the Worlds. Another similar comparison;
56:75 “fala uqsimu bi mawaqi&n nujoom” No, by the setting of the stars. 56:76 “wa in nahu laqasamun law ta&lamoona &azheem” and it is indeed a mighty oath if you but knew it. 56:76 “in nahu la quraan kareem” it is an honorable Quran. 56:77 “fi kitabim maknoon” in a safeguarded book. 56:78 “tanzeelum min rabil &alameen” a sent down form the Lord of the worlds.
Yes. By God's grace the Quran is a protected book, unlike the previous scriptures.
Whenever you discuss this issue with the coders they shoot you with 74:49, 50. To frighten those who do not accept the made up of their messenger of covenant (only few of them have checked it and have found many errors but promise to solve them in future studies).
One of the beautiful things with the Quran is that it is available to all people, regardless of location and language. This means anyone, anywhere can pick up a Quran, read it from cover to cover, check the facts for him or herself, and make a decision without having to rely on something else for the information.
All we can really do for each other is pass on whatever information we feel we have from the Quran and then it is up to others to look at it and accept or reject it.
One of the essences of God's message is definately that Quran should be our ultimate source for religious guidance. It means that if you cannot verify it there, it does not belong in Islam.
Another essence is that all worship should be dedicated to God alone. This is the reason we were created.
[51:56] I did not create the jinns and the humans except to worship Me alone.
Any way people come to these conclusions are good ways, and we should rejoice in seeing others being guided this way. So why is it that people who call themselves Muslim are not happy about seeing others following the Quran? The answer is; They themselves are not following the Quran and they are uncomfortable with being exposed as such.
The verses say:
74:49 “famalahum &anit tadhhkirati mu&ridoon” then what is the matter with them that they turn away from admonition? 74:50 “ka anahum humurun mustanfira” as if they were a affrighted asses.
God says: “Why do they reject the admonition/reminder?” What is admonition/reminder?
As we see in 20:113 that in general term Quran is sent down to mankind as an admonition. The clear message it carries and the clear detailed warnings are enough admonition from God. But some people are not satisfied and want to be given scrolls spread out (74:52)
You are still pursuing the line of thinking that God will not send any new miracle to us.....? As you saw in the verses above, that is not what God says in the Quran. That should be enough for you to at least drop that argument.
After seeing 20:113 let us have a look at these verses that mention the admonition; 76:29 “in na hadhihi tadhkiratan fam shaa itakhada ila rabihi sabeela” this is verily an admonition whoever will let him take a straight path to his Lord. What is this admonition here? Does it refer to a code? It simply refers to the context and the principles mentioned in the sura itself and repeated all over the Quraan. ee the previous verses before 74:49.
74:38 “kulu nafsin bu ma kasabat raheena” each soul is the hostage of its own deeds. 74:39 “except those on the right hands” 74:40 “fi jan natiy yatasa aloon” in gardens ask 74:41 “ &anil mujrimeen” about the sinners. 74:42 “ma salakum fi saqar” what led you into hell fire. 74:43 “qaloo lam naku minal musaleen’ they said “we were not of those who prayed 74:44 “wa lam naku nut&imul miskeen” and we did not feed the indigent 74:45 “wa kuna nakhudu ma&al kha ideen” and we used to talk vanities with vain talkers. 74:46 “wa kuna nukadhibu biyawmid deen” and we used to deny the Day of judgement. 74:47 “hata atanal yaqeen” till the inevitable end overtook us. 74:48 “fa ma tanfa&uhum shafa&atu shafi&een” no intercessor’s plea shal save them
And then goes:
74:49 “famalahum &anit tadhhkirati mu&ridoon” then what is the matter with them that they turn away from admonition? 74:50 “ka anahum humurun mustanfira” as if they were a affrighted asses.
Do you see in the above reasons mentioned in 74:43-45. Any codes? Is not clear that admonition in 74:49 again simply refers to the general principles mentioned in the previous verses?
God mentions the word proof and sign throughout the Quran. Each time He does not refer to the same one. It is not a singular occurrence. Are you saying that each time God mentions the word admonition (caution, warning, reprimand, rebuke, reproach, scolding) it refers to one singular occurence or event?
In 73:19 few verses from their main verse, God uses the same word: 73:19 “ in na hadhihi tadhkiratun faman shaa it takhdha ila rab bihhi sabeela” This is an admonnition, therefore whoso will, let him take a (straight) path to his Lord. Are there any codes here or again the admonition is set clearly in the verses before and after and all over the Quran. See again 20:113. Another verses from the Glorious Quran, a book that detailed everything.
80:11 “kal la in naha tadhhkira” No, it is indeed an admonition. 80:12 “faman shaa dhakarah” let him who will bear it in mind. 80:13 “fi suhufim mukarama” set down on honored pages
The same issue as in all previous verses. It is clearly seen that all this verses speak about the same essence.
Please look at this simple plain talk:
87:9 “fa dhak kir in nafa&idh dhikraa” therefore admonish in case the admonition profits (the heaer) 87:10 “sa yadh dhakkaru may yakhsha” he will heed who fears. 87:11 “wayatajan nabuhal ashqaa” the most unfortunate will avoid it (the admonition) 87:12 “al ladhi yaslan naaral kubraa” who will enter the great fire. 87:13 “thuma layamootu fiha wala yahya” in which he will neither die nor live 87:14 “but he will prosper who purifies himself. 87:15 “wadhakras am rabibihi fasala” and remembers the name of His Lord and prays.
So, to summarize the above. The Quran is sent as admonition in general (20:113). What does this mean?
Well, that which constitutes the Quraan is its contests, the message that is inside of it. The compact teaching that it carries. Warnings are one of the basic pillars of its teaching. It is full of admonitions (38:1). These admonitions are detailed as we have seen and as we can see in the Quran.
You are preaching an idea that God will not send anyone to deliver a warning after Muhammad. As several verses in the Quran proves, this is not the case. Please read 3:81, 33:7, 54:2, 44: 14, 81:19, to mention a few.
Sura 74 is no exception. We read the same story about a one who does not accept he Quran as the message from God and calls it magic of old and utterance of a mortal and or shaytan’s revelations and so on and how God promises them fire (torment) for their rejection. This idea, as mentioned, is all over the Quran. See for instance, (23:93-118, and 69:25-52)
The "clever magic" comment is obviously not in reference to the Quranic text. Throughout the Quran, when God cites the example of disbelievers using this description, it always refers to God's proofs. 5:110, 7:109, 10:2, 21:3.
[37:13-15] When reminded, they take no heed. When they see proof, they ridicule it. They say, "This is obviously magic!
Verse No Khalifa Pickthall Shakir Yusuf Ali 21:3 Their minds are heedless. And the transgressors confer secretly: "Is he not just a human being like you? Would you accept the magic that is presented to you?"* With hearts preoccupied. And they confer in secret. The wrong-doers say: Is this other than a mortal like you ? Will ye then succumb to magic when ye see (it) ? Their hearts trifling; and those who are unjust counsel together in secret: He is nothing but a mortal like yourselves; what! will you then yield to enchantment while you see? Their hearts toying as with trifles. The wrong-doers conceal their private counsels, (saying), "Is this (one) more than a man like yourselves? Will ye go to witchcraft with your eyes open?" 21:4 He said, "My Lord knows every thought in the heaven and the earth. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient." He saith: My Lord knoweth what is spoken in the heaven and the earth. He is the Hearer, the Knower. He said: My Lord knows what is spoken in the heaven and the earth, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing. Say: "My Lord knoweth (every) word (spoken) in the heavens and on earth: He is the One that heareth and knoweth (all things)." 21:5 They even said, "Hallucinations," "He made it up," and, "He is a poet. Let him show us a miracle like those of the previous messengers." Nay, say they, (these are but) muddled dreams; nay, he hath but invented it; nay, he is but a poet. Let him bring us a portent even as those of old (who were God's messengers) were sent (with portents). Nay! say they: Medleys of dreams; nay! he has forged it; nay! he is a poet; so let him bring to us a sign as the former (prophets) were sent (with). "Nay," they say, "(these are) medleys of dream! - Nay, He forged it! - Nay, He is (but) a poet! Let him then bring us a Sign like the ones that were sent to (Prophets) of old!" It is simple and general admonition for all times. Those who read it in the past got it very simply ‘’fire for the unbelievers and rejecters”. In all times those who believe will benefit from this simple admonition without having to calculate more than 40 000 letters and their Imaan will increase if they get the admonition.
If that is all you see when you ared sura 74, "fire for the unbelievers and rejectors", that explains a great deal.
Unbelievers, who will never accept the Quran (the compact teaching not the papers and the letters) and those whose heart is sick will ask “What God wants with this symbol/comparison” as they always react to God’s plain words.
The absurd thing in this who argument is that those who have accepted the code, have in fact wholeheartedly accepted the completeness and perfect preservation of the Quran, from cover to cover. The only function of the code is to direct people to the text of the Quran. Once that is accomplished, then the text of the Quran is and should be the focus of our attention. Which it is.
Another really absurd thing is that this challenger want you to believe that those who accept the mathematical code do not accept the Quran, when it is in fact the other way around. Note how he tries to woe you to a negative attitude towards the mathematical miracle and towards Rashad Khalifa without really mentioning ANY principal belief that he disagrees with and why. Don't you find that strange?
It would be more honest if he would say straight out that he dislikes the fact that Rashad Khalifa claimed that it is idol worship to follow Hadith and Sunna, that it is idol worship to mention Muhammad's name in our Shahaadah and Salat. That would be more honest. But instead he keeps repeating verses speaking of hellfire and punishment, while accusing Rashad and people who follow him of trying to firghten you.
Then he speaks of THE QURAN being the reminder, the warner (which is correct by the way), all with the intention to make you reject God sending another warner after Muhammad. If you are reading this and wondering what all this is about, then ask people who challenge the miracle point blank what in Rashad Khalifa's message they disagree with when it comes to our religious beliefs and practices. That they don't want to accept the fact that he was a messenger, that is a given, but what specifically in his MESSAGE do they disagree with? And on what basis? What is their source of reference to draw those conclusions?
At that time a sunni of a sufi background (sufi = hunters of secrets in the Quran) concluded that there was a secret behind this verse. God says “guardians of hell-fire” he said “guardians of the Quraan”. He had “increased” his Imaan and the Imaan of many followers by his own calculations presented as Divine.
He had done a lot of distortion to the simple message of God. The message that has been leading to the right path since God willed to be revealed, by God’s grace and mercy because of its simplicity and its illustrating of the whole reality.
I have heard of people who count and try to discover how many sheytans can stand on the top of a needle and that is all right if this can satisfy their “spirituality’. But when they want to represent this as a “divine fact from God” then there is a problem with their ego. They just do not want their “discovery” to pass away as subjective and human.
I know about people who have been increasing the Imaan of others by some writings and formulas made of some quranic verses and given to those who need it. These healers say that God says in the Quran that the Quran contains a healing for what is in the chests (10:57, 17:82) and that once God says “minal quraan” which means “of the Quran” then this means that NOT EVRYONE is capable to know which verses of it are to heal those who need to be healed. Those people who go and ask to be healed “believe” in the Quran once they ask to be healed with it. The most “amazing” thing is that "it works!"? And "it increases" their Imaan!! If you check this new dogma and teaching in the Quran itself we see that it is but a sum of “implies”.
Remember that there is no mention of the word “aya” in this verse at all. No mention of MIRACLE at all, and indeed no mention of any codes or calculations that authenticate anything.
All these are “implies” and nothing more. Remember that “implies” can not constitute any teaching but sects (3:7). Only decisive verses can be the basis of the book and not the mutashabihat which stand as opposite to muhkamat in this verse (3:7).
It is good to read as much as possible from the Quran and to be close to its simple teaching ‘One God, dedicated life for Him, by doing this we go up and purify our souls, a lot of good deeds with the deep knowledge that all belongs to God. Thinking about the fire and its torment. Waw, endless fire??? And again a lot of good deeds and lot of remembrance of God in all our relations.
That is it simple and logic message to “ulul albaab” who know that all that which is around them and their being here is not in vain.
“ wa qulil haqu min rab bikum fa man shaa fal yuimin wa man shaa fal yakfur. Ina a&tadna lizhalimeena naran ahata bihim suradiquha wa in yathta ghisoo yughasoo bi main kal muhl yashwil wujooh. Bi’sa shraabu wa saat murtafaqa” 18:29.
“ Say; “This is the truth from your Lord. Let him who will, believe in it and him who will deny it. For the wrongdoers We have prepared a fire which will encompass them like the walls of a pavilion. When they cry out for help they shall be showered with water as hot as molten brass, which will scald their faces. Evil shall be their drink, dismal their resting-place.”
As simple as this. No codes no calculations.
Peace Mirghani Hamed.
The purpose of the code is to increase the faith IN the Quran, which is exactly what has been accomplished by those who accept the code. At the same time it has completely exposed those who claim to believe in the Quran with their words, while their actions states something entirely different.
The Quran in itself will increase the faith of the faithful, all parts of it, all facts about it. New facts will bring new relief, soothing and joy in the hearts of the believers, while it will do the opposite for those with disease in their hearts.
Those who object to the code of the Quran like to make others think that the Quran's authenticating miracle is all about numbers. That is not the case. Even simple facts of the Quranic composition has pointing people's attention back to the place where it should be in the first place, i.e. on the Quranic pages, reading, studying, learning the words, the essence of God's message for us, the parameters of the religion He has decreed upon us. And that was and is the purpose of the mathematical miracle - to re-establish the importance of following God's words, and nothing else. The attention the Quran has been getting since the revelation of the mathematical miracle is unprecedented in human history. Not even in the time of it's revelation did so many people, from so many different cultures and parts of the world show interest in the Quran as now.
For the benefit of the reader however, here are the verses you are citing:
[9:124-125] When a sura was revealed, some of them would say, "Did this sura strengthen the faith of anyone among you?" Indeed, it did strengthen the faith of those who believed, and they rejoice in any revelation. As for those who harbored doubts in their hearts, it actually added unholiness to their unholiness, and they died as disbelievers.