Salatil Fajri and Salatil Ishaa are not names of obligatory salat in the Quran

 

Obligatory prayers is commanded at specific times

 

In the Quran it is stated that the command to establish obligatory prayers or “As Salat” Is based on the timing and the timing is be done at specific  and not a span of time as most scholar claimed as seen by this verse will verify as stated:----- “but when you are free from danger set up regular prayers: For such prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times.(Surah 4:103).

 

The following verses are the specific times being mentioned in the Quran:-

And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night: For those things, that are good remove those that are evil: Be that the word of remembrance to those who remember (their Lord): (Surah 11:114).

 

In the above verse since it is mentioned the day at its two ends will give the meaning that it qualifies the time at sunrise and the time of sunset as both timings are in the daytime with sunrise being just turning bright at the early morning part of the day while the other end at sunset still has its brightness but moving towards darkness during the late part of the day. The time of early night has no problem to be defined it is the situation when there is no sun can be seen and total darkness had prevailed. Thus from Surah 11:114 alone the prayers that is to be established are at sunrise, sunset and at early night.

 

The next clear verse mentioning a specific time is as follows:-

Establish regular prayers at the sun's decline towards (ila) the darkness of the night (Surah 17:78) this is the time of the sun’s decline at noon from its zenith. Although some translators uses the Arabic “ila” to mean “until the darkness of the night” it is inaccurate as no one can establish the prayer continuously until night time so it is more prudent to describe it is the sun which is turning towards the darkness of the night to indicate a specific time to establish the prayer. And there are others who claimed that this time “dulukish shamsi” at Surah 17:78 is not noon but sun set then again the argument can be dispelled as there is the Arabic “maghribas shamsi” at Surah 18:86 to mean sunset. The Surah 17:78 cannot be other than a specific time at noon.

 

Thus so far the specific times extracted are sunrise (11:114), noon (17:78), sunset (11:114) and early night (11:114) and the next specific time can be deduced from the verse mentioning a specific time to be in the middle of the above four timings in the following verse of the Quran as stated:-

 

O ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly), hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business (and traffic): That is best for you if ye but knew! (Surah 62:9)

 

The above prayer is also to be done at a specific time which is clearly defined in the Quran as the time when the sun settled at the middle point between the time of the sun’s decline at noon and sunset. This specific time in the Quran is known as “business or trading time” and this specific timing is at late noon but before sunset and is also known as the Middle Prayer. This time is the only specific time that can be done in congregation prayer as the other four times are not suitable as it fall under the category of privacy time as stated:-

 

O ye who believe! let those whom your right hands possess, and the (children) among you who have not come of age ask your permission (before they come to your presence), on three occasions: before morning prayer; the while ye doff your clothes for the noonday heat; and after the late-night prayer: these are your three times of privacy: outside those times it is not wrong for you or for them to move about attending to each other: Thus does Allah make clear the Signs to you: for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom. (Surah 24:58)

 

It can be seen that morning, noon, and early night are privacy times and that of sunset is also near to privacy time at night or Ishaa as the Surah 62:10 mentioned after prayer there is command to seek bounty but it can only be done during late noon but not after sunset when everybody will be at home with the family.

 

Although this prayer is mentioned to be establish on a weekly basis at Surah 62:9 but in another verse Allah commanded this specific time to be observed as a daily prayer will all the other four prayers as obligatory as the following verse indicated:-

 

Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers, and the Middle Prayer; and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind). (Surah 2:238).

 

From the above verses it is clearly defined in the Quran that Allah ordained five times of salat prayers daily for Muslims to obey as follows:----------

 

Sunrise (11:114), noon (17:78), Middle Salat (2:238 and 62:9), sunset (11:114) and early night (11:114) are the timings for the obligatory prayer.

 

 

 

The names of prayers mentioned in the Quran

There is only one prayer name being mentioned in the Quran not three names as many now claimed. Although there are those who establish three times of prayer because they claimed there are three names mentioned in the Quran this is however a false belief as there is only one salat or prayer name being mentioned in the Quran which is “The Middle Prayer” stated in the Surah 2:238.

 

The claimed that the Surah 24:58 mentioned the other two specific names of daily obligatory salat is misinterpreted:-

 

O ye who believe! let those whom your right hands possess, and the (children) among you who have not come of age ask your permission (before they come to your presence), on three occasions: before morning prayer (salaawatil Fajri); the while ye doff your clothes for the noonday heat; and after the late-night prayer (salaawatil Ishaa): these are your three times of undress: outside those times it is not wrong for you or for them to move about attending to each other: Thus does Allah make clear the Signs to you: for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom. (Surah 24:58).

 

The “Salaawatil Fajri” and the “Salaawatil Ishaa” are not specific names of the daily obligatory prayers as the Arabic word “Salaawatun” in the above verse indicate that the word is not singular in meaning but to be plural in activities. There are other verses in the Quran showing similar words with the same spelling and it does not mean the obligatory daily prayer or salat as stated:-

 

They are those on whom descend blessings (salaawatun) from Allah, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance. (Surah 2:157).

 

But some of the desert Arabs believe in Allah and the Last Day, and look on their payments as pious gifts bringing them nearer to Allah and obtaining the prayers (salaawati) of the Messenger. Aye, indeed they bring them nearer (to Him): soon will Allah admit them to His Mercy: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surah 9:99).

 

(They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except that they say, "our Lord is Allah". Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues (salaawatun), and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. (Surah 22:40)

 

So the word “salaawatun” do not take the meaning of daily obligatory prayer but of other meanings and it is therefore wrong to base on the argument on names of salat mentioned in the Quran. Also to be noted in the Quran all the words indicating to mean the daily obligatory prayer, the Arabic word “salat” must carry the prefix definite article “Al” or “The” in English to denote it is referring to that specific word. This can be shown by several examples in the Quran as follows:-

 

And be steadfast in prayer (Assalat); practice regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship). (Surah 2:43)

 

O ye who believe! When ye prepare for prayer (Assalat), wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; Rub your heads (with water); and (wash) your feet to the ankles. (Surah 5:6)

 

And establish regular prayers (Assalat) at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night: (Surah 11:114)

 

Thus the word “salat or prayer” without the definite article “Al” or “The” before the word does not carry the meaning of the daily obligatory salat or prayer it means something else as the various verses above indicated. So the only word salat or prayer to indicate by name is the “AssalatulWusta” or “The Middle Prayer” but the name carry the definite article “Al” or “The” before the word “Salat” to indicate that it refers to the obligatory prayer and it also indicate the specific timing linked to its name “middle”.

 

Asar

 

 



Is chopping or amputating the hands a true punishment for the thieves in the Quran?

 

Salam,

 

In the Quran it can be found two examples of punishment for the thieves in that it says the cutting of the hands and imprisonment as stated:----------

 

As to the thief, male or female cut off his or her hands: a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in power. (Surah 5:38)……….

 

(The brothers) said: "By Allah! Well ye know that we came not to make mischief in the land, and we are no thieves!" They said: "What then shall be the penalty of this, if ye are (proved) to have lied?" They said: "The penalty should be that he in whose saddle-bag it is found should be held (as bondman) to atone for the (crime). Thus it is we punish the wrong-doers!" (Surah 12:73-75)

 

The Quran is self-explanatory which means the verses in the Quran will interpret the meaning as in the example of the cutting of the hands and the imprisonment of the thieves.

 

However since many deny the truth of the Quran how the punishment for the thieves is to be carried out It then reveals and interprets Muhammad’s policy outside of the Quran. The following passages indicate that the penalty cannot be explained away as anything but literal and physical. This is a quick compilation taken from the two most reliable collectors and compilers of the Hadith, Bukhari (AD 810-870) and Muslim (c. AD 817-875):

 

Aisha [favorite wife of Muhammad] reported Allah’s Messenger as saying, "The hand of a thief should be cut off but for a quarter of a dinar and what is above that." (Bukhari 8:6789; Muslim 3:4175-79). A dinar, a word taken from the Roman denarius, was not a small sum, but not exorbitant, either. It could buy a shield, and many of the very poor in Muhammad’s army could not afford one.

 

Abu Huraira reported the Prophet as saying, "God curses the thief who steals an egg, for which his hand is to be cut off, or steals a rope for which he has his hand cut off!" (Bukhari 8:6799; Muslim 3:4185)

 

Some commentators say that an "egg" was really a helmet, and the rope was a ship’s rope, which was sizable and costly. However, the translation above is usually accepted, and this means that the penalty could be imposed for trivial thefts. But even if the more expensive items are in view here, are they still worth a human hand?

 

Next, it should be recalled that 5:39 says that Allah accepts the repentance of a thief, and it seems to imply that the repentance before the penalty blocks the mutilation that a court imposes. However, the earliest Muslim sources interpret the verse more differently.

 

Ibn Kathir, referencing two hadiths from Bukhari and Muslim, summarizes an application of the punishment in early Islam (vol. 3, pp.175-76). A woman committed theft during Muhammad’s conquest of Mecca, and she was brought to him. A devout Muslim interceded for her, wanting her repentance to be accepted before the penalty. But Muhammad’s face turned red with anger and he rebuked the intercessor, saying that even if his own daughter were to steal, he would have her hand cut off. Allah’s command must be carried out no matter what. So Muhammad had the woman’s hand cut off, and Aisha reported that her repentance afterwards was sincere. Narrated Aisha: The prophet cut off the hand of a lady ... and she repented, and her repentance was sincere. (Bukhari 8:6800; Muslim 3:4187 and 4188).

 

It can be seen from the hadith above the Prophet (Pbuh) is being portrayed as cruel and unjust that whatever amount being stolen the hands is to be chopped off. On the contrary the verses that were inspired by the Prophet (Pbuh) in the Quran portrayed another example the cutting of the hand with the same Arabic word incurred by the ladies in the story of Joseph as follows:---------

 

“She gave each of them a knife: and she said (to Joseph), "Come out before them." When they saw him, they did extol him, and (in their amazement) cut their hand”: (Surah 12:31)

 

From the above example if cutting the hands (Arabic qatha’uu) is defined as above then the same action can be imposed on the thieves whereby he is given a knife and it is for him to cut his own hand for his atonement of the crime he did. He must cut his hands but whether the feeling of guilt make him chopped of his hands entirely, or his finger or sliced part of his hands it is for his own atonement as the ladies did in Surah 12:31 and none should have any interference whatsoever. This self-inflicted atonement for his crime comes in conjunction with the relevancy to the successive verse after Surah 5:38 which says:---------

 

But if the thief repents after his crime, and amends his conduct, Allah turneth to him in forgiveness; for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surah 5:39).

 

It can be concluded that if the thief repent after cutting his own hand and make amend by returning all that is being stolen then Allah is to him forgiven and merciful. However even after cutting his own hands to atone his sin, the thieves did not repent then it is only fair that he should be sentenced to imprisonment depending on the seriousness of his crime. The higher the value he stole the longer he has to stay in prison. The imprisonment of the thieves is referred in the Quran as at Surah 12:73-75.

 

Without doubt It is proven the verses of the Quran refuted the stories of the hadith written by 9^th century Persian morons that it is glaring their message is to smeared the good name of the Prophet (Pbuh) as a cruel and unjust man whereas by taking the examples of the verses of the Quran inspired through him justice prevails as the punishment of the thieves can be achieved through compassion and consideration upon the thieves themselves.

 

Allah doth command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due; And when ye judge between man and man, that ye judge with justice: Verily how excellent is the teaching which He giveth you! For Allah is He Who heareth and seeth all things. (Surah 4:58)

 

Say: "I believe in the Book which Allah has sent down; and I am commanded to judge justly between you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord: for us (is the responsibility for) our deeds, and for you for your deeds. There is no contention between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to Him is (our) Final Goal. (Surah 42:15)

 

Asar



Most misunderstood verse by Christians and Jews of the Quran at Q10:94

 

Salam,

 

According to the Christians and the Jews they see Muslims are ignorant of their own scripture as they claimed that the Quran itself testified that the Bible is inspired, preserved and authoritative Word of God. It is proven according to them that in many ways the verses of the Quran itself says so. What does the Quran says about the Bible? Did the Quran say that the Bible is corrupted?

 

The following are 10 reasons claimed by Christians why the Bible should be acknowledged as the true Word of God based on direct quotations from the Quran:

 

1. The Quran gives the Bible many noble titles and honorable characteristics.

A guidance and light (Surah 5:44); A guidance and mercy (Surah 28:43); The book of enlightenment (Surah 3:184); Insight to men (Surah 28:43); The book (Surah 45:16); Allah’s book (Surah 5:44); The word of Allah (Surah 2:75);  A Guide to mankind (Surah 3:3).

 

2. The Quran states that all parts of the Bible were given by God.

And He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the criterion (of judgment between right and wrong). (Surah 3:3); and to David we gave the Psalms (Surah 4:163).

 

3. The Qur'an teaches that all scripture should be respected in the same way, and that no distinction is to be made between any of the holy books.

We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them,... (Surah 3:84).

 

4. The Qur'an demands that people regard the Bible as the revelation of the Lord which must be obeyed.

O, People of the Book! Ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord.' It is the revelation that cometh to thee from thy Lord (Surah 5:68).

 

5. The Quran declares that the Scriptures of the Jews and Christians are for all mankind and not to be made obscure.

And remember Allah took a covenant from the People of the Book, to make it known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it; but they threw it away behind their backs... (Surah 3:187).

 

6. The Quran encourages those who follow the revelation of the Bible and declares that they will have a reward.

Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Surah 2:62).

 

7. The Qur'an encourages Christians to judge any revelation by the truth of their Scriptures.

Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel (Surah 5:47).

Note: Allah did not refer to the People of the Abrogated Scriptures" or "the People of the Corrupted Scriptures" or "the People of the Ascended Scriptures" as the Christian Scriptures were considered true and divine during the prophets time.

 

8. The Quran exhorted the prophet of Islam to test the truthfulness of his message against previous divine revelation.

If thou wert in doubt as to what We have revealed unto thee, then ask those who have been reading the Book from before thee: the Truth hath indeed come to thee from thy Lord: so be in no wise of those in doubt. (Surah 10:94)

Note: The Quran demands that Mohammed take the writings of the Jews and Christians as a model, and when he is in doubt to seek guidance in them. Surely Allah would not advise his messenger to seek understanding from the People of the Book if their Scripture was corrupted. Thus this earlier Scripture must have been preserved to make such a request.

 

9. The Qur'an insists that Gods revelation and words will never change.

There is none that can alter the words (and decrees) of Allah (Surah 6:34).  No change can there be in the words of Allah this is indeed the supreme felicity (Surah 10:64).

Note: Claiming that Gods Word is corrupted is a severe insult to God, implying He could not keep His Word from forgery.

 

10. The Qur'an declares that the Bible contains commands from God which are the foundation of sound decision; whoever disbelieves the Bible has lost his way.

But why do they come to thee for decision, when they have (their own) law before them?- therein is the (plain) command of Allah; yet even after that, they would turn away (Surah 5:43). O ye who believe! Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and the scripture which He hath sent to His Messenger and the scripture which He sent to those before (him) (Surah 4:136).

Based on what were proved, the Quran does not teach that the Bible is corrupted. Historically, the complete Scriptures (that was already in the Bible) were used since the end of the first century. The Old Testament Scriptures were compiled, also. Therefore, the Bible was already there. Now, we need to think of it. Did Muhammad confirm his message through the corrupted book? Therefore, Muslims must have to admit that they don’t know what they are saying.

 

It is true the Quran acknowledged the former scriptures were from Allah but it confirmed not without reservation. Most Christians and the Jews missed the point that the Quran is “Mohaiminan” or “Quality Control” over previous scriptures meaning one of the functions of the Quran is to expose the falsehood inserted into those scriptures. The following verse of the Quran played the role of “guardian” over previous scripture is to check the truth by the Quran and not the other way round as stated:--------------

 

To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. (5:48).

 

And this is the verse of the Quran where Allah exposed the Christians and the Jews for their role to invent falsehood and hide the truth from their scriptures as stated:-------------

 

O people of the Book! There hath come to you our Messenger, revealing to you much that ye used to hide in the Book, and passing over much (that is now unnecessary): There hath come to you from Allah a (new) light and a perspicuous Book, Wherewith Allah guideth all who seek His good pleasure to ways of peace and safety, and leadeth them out of darkness, by His will, unto the light, guideth them to a path that is straight.  (5:15-16)

 

For those People of the Book salvation is theirs if they also believe in the Quran and the apostle who brings it as the Quran clearly says believing in either one they will never achieve salvation as stated:---------

 

Those who follow the messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures), in the law and the Gospel; for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him,- it is they who will prosper." (7:157).

 

If there is no record of this in their scriptures then know that the truth has been erased from their books to support their evil agenda. The Quran had confirmed this and the truth is only from Allah in the Quran and we are being commanded not to be of those who doubt as stated:-  The Truth (comes) from Allah alone; so be not of those who doubt. (3:60).

 

Similarly one can check the validity of the verse Surah 10:94 intelligently whether the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) was of those who doubt the truth from Allah as claimed by the Christians and the Jews that he went and ask those who have knowledge of previous scriptures as this verse indicated:-

 

If thou wert in doubt as to what We have revealed unto thee, then ask those who have been reading the Book from before thee: the Truth hath indeed come to thee from thy Lord: so be in no wise of those in doubt. (10:94)

 

The Christians and the Jews failed to see that there are two parts of the above verse the first part imply only those Muslims who are in doubt of the revelation from Allah of the Quran will make reference to those who have been reading previous scriptures but for sure the Prophet (Pbuh) will not be among those who ask those who have been reading the books before him as he was never of those who doubt as he said:-------------

 

Say: "O my Lord! Let my entry be by the Gate of Truth and Honor, and likewise my exit by the Gate of Truth and Honor; and grant me from Thy Presence an authority to aid (me)." And say: "Truth has (now) arrived, and Falsehood perished: for Falsehood is (by its nature) bound to perish." (17:80-81)

 

Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou follow their form of religion. Say: "The Guidance of Allah,that is the (only) Guidance." Wert thou to follow their desires after the knowledge which hath reached thee, then wouldst thou find neither Protector nor helper against Allah. (2:120)

 

Asar