Deciphering Al-Akhirah:
One of the primary beliefs of Islam is the belief in the Hereafter, resurrection, the Paradise and the Hell. Whatever little we know about it; it’s based on assumptions derived from outside the 114 chapter book called “Quran”, the valid document of all “Muslims”. It is invariably the only valid document for all “Muslims” although unfortunately little effort have been made to check and verify the beliefs by the "believers" within the sphere of this wonderful book. There are so many books written in detail about the subject of Akhirah as it’s a topic of interest among the religious scholars to entrap the gullible followers. Same time it is a hot topic for so called free thinkers to ridicule the religious class for their vulnerability to protect themselves.
The concept of Al-Akhirah has been wrongly portrayed or mishandled by the traditional religious scholars that defies logic to the rational thinker. This in return gives cannon fodder to freethinkers to attack the nincompoop religious people. All theories including scientific or non scientific are initially based on realization supported by strong imagination. Al-Akhirah is one of those subject which requires deep observation and imagination. It is time for the free thinkers or the scientific community to introspect on this subject. Even the cursory study of consciousness and evolution of mankind would reveal that Quranic prescription were not subjected to process of logical study. All interpretation and exegesis where done by ordinary corporeal mind but "Muslims scholars" assume or portray it as if that the interpretation and even the exegesis are divine. Leaving no scope for anyone to meddle in it.
So Al-Akhirah became non scientific or irrational subject that has become the monopoly of religious scholars only, which totally relies upon their whims and fancies and leaves the non thinking class entirely at their mercy. The traditionalists have abused this word in order to scare and blackmail the general masses into total submission. Due to these illogical and irrational explanations given by the religious scholars even the intellectuals among the masses feel embarrassed to scrutinize this important word. So justifying, defending or making sense of this vulnerable subject does not arise, as it is accepted as a comically grisly scene among the intellectuals. The scientific community does not even prepare to think about this term Al-Akhira, so the onus to explain this word falls in the kitty of unscrupulous traditional scholars.
So Al-Akhirah became non scientific or irrational subject that has become the monopoly of religious scholars only, which totally relies upon their whims and fancies and leaves the non thinking class entirely at their mercy. The traditionalists have abused this word in order to scare and blackmail the general masses into total submission. Due to these illogical and irrational explanations given by the religious scholars even the intellectuals among the masses feel embarrassed to scrutinize this important word. So justifying, defending or making sense of this vulnerable subject does not arise, as it is accepted as a comically grisly scene among the intellectuals. The scientific community does not even prepare to think about this term Al-Akhira, so the onus to explain this word falls in the kitty of unscrupulous traditional scholars.
I have briefly tried to explain the word Al-Akhirah and some important terms that are linked with it. I know this article of mine could bring some flak for me from many quarters but my conviction is purely based on my understanding of verses from the book Quran.
The traditionalists Muslim scholars wrongly interpret the word Al-Akhirah as Hereafter. The most spooky word of the “Muslim terminology” is Akhirah,which is generally perceived as a big event that occurs after death and at the time of Al-Qiyamah; another misconstrued word. Originally the so called Hereafter or life after death in Heaven or Hell was a Biblical concept. This word brings to the mind the scenario of a personified God, taking accounts of good and bad deeds in the “Court of Justice.” In fact the “Quranic concept of Akhirah is a continuous uninterrupted process where each moment is an Akhir / Takhir (pending the result) of the awal (first) moment or action.
Akhirah does not mean last or end or after death as generally perceived by the “Muslims”. It is a continuous process of consequences which are attached with our smallest love or temptations of the life that we call it as Duniyain Arabic. Our Akhirah (long term gains)depends upon our deep love towards attaining our short term cravings or urges or lowly desires which is also termed as Duniya in Arabic.
Loving Duniya intensely, is tantamount to neglecting Daarul Akhirahthat is the long term consequences or cycle of consequences. The “Quran” recommends to not follow extreme paths but to adopt a middle path (2:143) (2:238)(2:195) (28:77) (5:77) (6:153).
Al-Akhirah is a feminine noun ending with feminine marker known as Taa marbootah; which indicates that it is some kind of process or mechanism. From the classical lexicons the essence of this word Akhirah can be deduce from the following meanings - to go back, recede, retrograde, retreat, delay, postpone, hold back, stuck-up, kept back, remain behind, late, lastly, latterly, ultimate, at last, end – another thing or person other than the former or the first, those who are late… Please check 75:13 for more clarity on the word Akhir
It is emphasized throughout the “Quran” that we have to trust or have faith in Allah (System), unseen (Al-Gayab) and Akhirah. Only those who are diligent observer (مُتَّقِيْنَ) will trust in unseen and the process of Al-Akhirah. Al-Akhirah is a slow lackadaisical journey towards our Rabb the true Owner. Actually it is the slow and steady journey of patience and wisdom, somewhat similar to the day of Al-Qiyamah, which means a moment of self realization or awakening. The journey or the path is not outside us, everything is inside. Akhirah is a continuous cycle which depends upon our each and every deed. It is not a separate day or a moment but it is closely attached with our journey of life. It is a tedious hold-up mechanism where one is delayed for the moment of mutual meeting (يَوْمَ التَّلَاقِ) (40:1) with Allah our Rabb who is within (50:16).
One who denies or is ignorant with this truth gets stuck up in the life of this world, playing different roles other than his own for which he was evolved. In the process he forgets his own soul and the day of the meeting with the Rabb (6:31). And they will be witness against themselves… "Did not there come to you Messengers from among you, reciting unto you My Verses and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?" They will say: "We bear witness against ourselves." It was the life of this world that deceived them. And they will bear witness against themselves that they were disbelievers (6:130). – One of the purposes of life is to recognize our role and and serve it well for those who hope to meet their invisible Master (10:7).
The job of every messenger is just to convey this important message to find our true self by shunning away all artificiality or vanity and become pure (8:8) (29:52). The “Quran” says: “And none deny it except every sinful transgressor. When Our verses are dawn upon him, he says, compositions of the former peoples. No! Rather, the stain has covered their hearts of that which they were earning. “Nay ! Surely, they (transgressors) will be veiled from seeing their Lord that Day” (83:12-15) – Transgressors will not be able to find their Rabb as their will be a barrier between them because of their transgressive deeds which covered their intellect (قُلُوبِهِم).
For better understanding of the overall concept of the word Akhirah we need to study and understand few more Quranic words which are crucial in the process of understanding the complete concept of Akhirah, those words are Duniya, Awal, Darul, Azaab, Eid, Maut, Nashat, Al-Qiyamah, Al-Talaq and Ajilah…
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One who denies or is ignorant with this truth gets stuck up in the life of this world, playing different roles other than his own for which he was evolved. In the process he forgets his own soul and the day of the meeting with the Rabb (6:31). And they will be witness against themselves… "Did not there come to you Messengers from among you, reciting unto you My Verses and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?" They will say: "We bear witness against ourselves." It was the life of this world that deceived them. And they will bear witness against themselves that they were disbelievers (6:130). – One of the purposes of life is to recognize our role and and serve it well for those who hope to meet their invisible Master (10:7).
The job of every messenger is just to convey this important message to find our true self by shunning away all artificiality or vanity and become pure (8:8) (29:52). The “Quran” says: “And none deny it except every sinful transgressor. When Our verses are dawn upon him, he says, compositions of the former peoples. No! Rather, the stain has covered their hearts of that which they were earning. “Nay ! Surely, they (transgressors) will be veiled from seeing their Lord that Day” (83:12-15) – Transgressors will not be able to find their Rabb as their will be a barrier between them because of their transgressive deeds which covered their intellect (قُلُوبِهِم).
For better understanding of the overall concept of the word Akhirah we need to study and understand few more Quranic words which are crucial in the process of understanding the complete concept of Akhirah, those words are Duniya, Awal, Darul, Azaab, Eid, Maut, Nashat, Al-Qiyamah, Al-Talaq and Ajilah…
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WHAT IS AL-AKHIRAH IS BRIEFLY EXPLAINED IN THE VERSE BELOW:
إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَةً لِّمَنْ خَافَ عَذَابَ الْآخِرَةِ ذَلِكَ يَوْمٌ مَّجْمُوعٌ لَّهُ النَّاسُ وَذَلِكَ يَوْمٌ مَّشْهُودٌ
وَمَا نُؤَخِّرُهُ إِلاَّ لِأَجَلٍ مَّعْدُودٍ
يَوْمَ يَأْتِ لاَ تَكَلَّمُ نَفْسٌ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ فَمِنْهُمْ شَقِيٌّ وَسَعِيدٌ
فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ شَقُواْ فَفِي النَّارِ لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِـيْـرٌ وَشَهِيقٌ
خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا مَا دَامَتِ السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ إِلاَّ مَا شَاءَ رَبُّكَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ فَعَّالٌ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ
إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَةً لِّمَنْ خَافَ عَذَابَ الْآخِرَةِ ذَلِكَ يَوْمٌ مَّجْمُوعٌ لَّهُ النَّاسُ وَذَلِكَ يَوْمٌ مَّشْهُودٌ
وَمَا نُؤَخِّرُهُ إِلاَّ لِأَجَلٍ مَّعْدُودٍ
يَوْمَ يَأْتِ لاَ تَكَلَّمُ نَفْسٌ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ فَمِنْهُمْ شَقِيٌّ وَسَعِيدٌ
فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ شَقُواْ فَفِي النَّارِ لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِـيْـرٌ وَشَهِيقٌ
خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا مَا دَامَتِ السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ إِلاَّ مَا شَاءَ رَبُّكَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ فَعَّالٌ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ
11:103-107 – Indeed in that is a sign for those who fear the punishment of theHereafter. That is a Day for which the people will be collected, and that is a Day [which will be] witnessed. And We do not delay it except for a limited term. The Day it comes no soul will speak except by His permission. And among them will be the wretched and the prosperous. As for those who were [destined to be] wretched, they will be in the Fire. For them therein is [violent] exhaling and inhaling. [They will be] abiding therein as long as the heavensand the earth endure, except what your Lord should will. Indeed, your Lord is a Doer of what He intends. – Traditional translation
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF 11:103-107:
According to the above verse Akhirah is that process of fateful circumstances of life when the person would himself be a witness and experience the consequence of all his actions. Al- Akhirah does not necessarily mean after death. Al Akhirah is also called Yamu Mashuda (moment of witnessing) by the “Quran”; now the question arises how we are going to witness the result of our actions if we are dead after committing all the wrongful actions - This is why the book Quran give more emphasizes on the zikr ( to recollect, introspect, remember, call to mind). So that we can able to witness and remember the cause of our present plight or condition of life and reflect upon it. That's why Quran says ZIKR is more important than Salat, in fact the purpose of salat is zikr and Allah also knows what you fabricate (تَصْنَعُونَ) in the name of Zikr (29:45) (2:238- 239).
مَّشْهُودٌ – The word Mashud means something which is experienced or practically seen with and observation of facts or events by the concerned person. The word Mashud is indefinite passive participle, the form I passive participle is of the pattern مَفْعول. Example for كَتَبَ we get مكتوب meaning “written”-
يَوْمٌ مَّشْهُودٌ - Yamu-mashud is an indefinite event, which means it can happen anytime, anywhere it also signifies that it is not a specific event and the time is also not definite. This moment is when all the agitation of the mind (النَّاسُ) will be conciliated or reconciled (يَوْمٌ مَّجْمُوعٌ) – Yamu majmua means when the cluttered mind or scattered thoughts (النَّاسُ) will be brought or reconciled together. It will be the moment or the day of experiencing by the person himself and which is certainly going to come again and again. The moment is called يَوْمَ يَأْتِ = A day or moment which will come again and again.
يَوْمَ يَأْتِ is a 3rd person masculine singular imperfect verb, jussive – this word يَأْتِ is an imperfect verb (الفعل المضارع) and is used with actions that are still in progress or with repeated actions, e.g. Things that you do every day or you usually do. يَوْمَ يَأْتِ is a moment which can come again and again. Literally it means the day which is going to come again and again.
Now some rationale thinking based in accordance with logic and reason. Why the above verse (11:103-107) and verse (7:187) talks about that heaven and earth? Why and what do these celestial bodies have to do with enduring our burden? What Heavens and Earth have to do with Azaabal-Akhirah of a person ? This means we are missing something very important, this traditional meaning of السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ does not fit into the above context.
مَّشْهُودٌ – The word Mashud means something which is experienced or practically seen with and observation of facts or events by the concerned person. The word Mashud is indefinite passive participle, the form I passive participle is of the pattern مَفْعول. Example for كَتَبَ we get مكتوب meaning “written”-
يَوْمٌ مَّشْهُودٌ - Yamu-mashud is an indefinite event, which means it can happen anytime, anywhere it also signifies that it is not a specific event and the time is also not definite. This moment is when all the agitation of the mind (النَّاسُ) will be conciliated or reconciled (يَوْمٌ مَّجْمُوعٌ) – Yamu majmua means when the cluttered mind or scattered thoughts (النَّاسُ) will be brought or reconciled together. It will be the moment or the day of experiencing by the person himself and which is certainly going to come again and again. The moment is called يَوْمَ يَأْتِ = A day or moment which will come again and again.
يَوْمَ يَأْتِ is a 3rd person masculine singular imperfect verb, jussive – this word يَأْتِ is an imperfect verb (الفعل المضارع) and is used with actions that are still in progress or with repeated actions, e.g. Things that you do every day or you usually do. يَوْمَ يَأْتِ is a moment which can come again and again. Literally it means the day which is going to come again and again.
Now some rationale thinking based in accordance with logic and reason. Why the above verse (11:103-107) and verse (7:187) talks about that heaven and earth? Why and what do these celestial bodies have to do with enduring our burden? What Heavens and Earth have to do with Azaabal-Akhirah of a person ? This means we are missing something very important, this traditional meaning of السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ does not fit into the above context.
We also need to understand the evolution of mankind before we indulge in evaluating the concept of Akhirah, commonly perceived as end of the planet earth or human race. Before the evolution of symbolic Adam the “Quran” discusses the subject of Al-Ardh 5 times. Readers should ponder on what is so special about Al-Ardh that it has been mentioned 5 times before the evolution of Adam, that too in the very beginning of the “Quran” – Between the verse 2:11- 30. Al-Ardh is commonly translated as Earthby the interpreters and As-Samawat as Heaven or sky. In total the Al-Ardh, As-Samawat and their derivatives occurred 770 times in the entire “Quran”. Please ‘Think’ what is so important about these physical astronomical bodies? Quran is not concerned about celestial bodies or personal “God” but it talks about the Universality of Consciousness.
Those who have read my other articles very well know the interpretation of Al-Ardh and As-Samawatwhich I have deduced after a long deliberation. In short they mean Lower consciousness and Higher consciousness and this meaning consistently fits into all the context of Quran. When we replace the meaning of Al-Ardh and samavat with lower and higher consciousness, it makes absolute sense and justifies that why they have to bear or endure the burden of our deeds. The planet earth or heaven does not make any sense yet we are forced into believing this. Higher and lower consciousnesses are the part of us and they do not die even if all our physical organs expire. What do earth and heaven have to do with an individual’s deeds or the evolution of Adam?
THE FOLLOWING WORDS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE EQUIVALENT FOR THE WORD AL-AKHIRAH
More than 15 words are used for describing the term Akhirah, If I go on to explain the details of each one of them then it would be too voluminous. For those who are interested in dwelling upon the detailed study of the following terms to know the right concept of Akhirah: Here are a few…
يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ - يَوْمُ الْبَعْثِ - يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ - يَوْمِ الدِّينِ - يَوْمَ الْحِسَابِ - يَوْمَ الْتَقَى - يَوْمَ الْفُرْقَانِ - يَوْمٌ مَّجْمُوعٌ - يَوْمَ الْحَجِّ - يَومِ الْوَقْتِ - يَوْمُ الْفَصْلِ - يَوْمَ الْفَتْحِ - يَوْمَ التَّلَاقِ - يَوْمُ الْخُرُوجِ - يَوْمُ التَّغَابُنِ
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WHAT IS AZAAB عَذَابَ? WHY IT IS ALWAYS LINKED WITH الْآخِرَةِ ?
The Arabic word عَذَابَ – Azaab means something which is willingly accepted or agreed upon by the concerned person – e.g. - A person consuming alcohol willingly agrees or happily accepts the condition of after effects of alcohol, rather he enjoys the after effects and feels comfortable in it. The punishment or chastisement or humiliation that occurs with our consent is called Azaab in Arabic. When we enjoy any circle and feel happy and content in it without realizing that actually we are entrapped in it, such a situation or condition is recognized as Azaab in Arabic. Azaab is always according to taste - zaikah (ذَآئِقَةُ), that’s why Quran often link azaab with zaikah (tasting of punishment) (3:106) (3:181) (4:56) (6:30) (7:39) (8:35) (8:50) and so on …It is only the nafs which has to taste death and the punishment (21:35). And the punishment is based on our Deeds / Amal - (29:55) (32:14). The punishment of Akhirah (long term) will be more severe than the present moment (39:26) (41:16).
We cannot develop or grow in such entrapments unless we leave the circle of attachments which is pulling down our growth. In psychological terminology it is called Stockholm syndrome (loving your prison). It is very important for every one of us to analyze our respective conditions and think that we all are the victims or are suffering unknowingly from this condition called Azaab. Please be strong enough to come out of your respective comfort zones. Actually Azaab is the delusional sweetness of life which we prefer to spend all our life without realizing its hollowness. Something which is sweet or digestible is also called عَذْبٌ please refer 35:12 for knowing the exact essence of the word عَذَابَ – Recognize your Azaab and come out of it, before it is too late (Akhir) - The book Quran is for the living(present) and it does not talk about death. In Quranic sense death is just a taste, an experience or a feeling or realization where only the body dies while the self or nafs taste the demise of the body (3:185) (21:35) (29:57). The senses about which Quran talks never dies, it continuously comes and goes like day and night. The specialty in the event of Azaab is that the person who is going through it does not realize that he is going through the process of Azaab and Akhirah but the one who is knowledgeable will realize it, so Beware!
DIFFERENT TYPES OF AZAAB MENTIONED IN THE “QURAN”:
(1) عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ – 7:179 – People who don’t use their senses, or entrapped in the labyrinth
(2) عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ – 2:7 – Azaab of self glorification, pride…
(3) عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ - 2:10 – Going through grief, sorrow, pain…
(4) عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ (2:90) عَذَابَ الْهُونِ – 6:93 – Going through despicable, humiliating and shameful condition…
(5) عَذَابِ النَّارِ (2:174) 2:257) 3:103 fire of enmity due to lack of enlightenment.
(6) عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ (3:4 those who reject signs, for them is severest punishment
(7) عَذَابَ الْحَرِيقِ (3:181) – Hareeq means anger, rage, evil and burning painful nature
(8) عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ (5:37) punishment of endurance
(9) عَذَابَ الْخُلْدِ – 10:52)– Permanent in Azaab
(10) عَذَابَ الْخِزْيِ (10:98) عَذَابٌ يُخْزِيهِ – 11:93) penalty of ignominy
(11) عَذَابٍ غَلِيظٍ – (11:58 – punishment of hard and an uncivilized life
(12) عَذَابٌ قَرِيبٌ – 11:64) – Punishment for attachments and closeness
(13) عَذَابٌ غَيْرُ مَرْدُودٍ (11:76) (9:101) - Fear of rejection
(14) عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ مُّحِيطٍ (11:84) - Those who continuously take care of their image
(15) عَذَابَ الْآخِرَةِ 11:103) – Punishment of laziness or stuck up in one place
(16) عَذَابَ رَبِّكَ كَانَ مَحْذُورًا 17:57) – Punishment of fear and apprehensions
(17) عَذَابٌ مِّنَ الرَّحْمَن 19:45) – Dependable on others is a punishment from Rehman
(18) عَذَابِ السَّعِيرِ 22:4) – Punishment of passion, excitement
(19) عَذَابُ يَوْمٍ عَقِيمٍ 22:55 – Barrenness in relations, no humbleness
(20) عَذَابٌ مِّن رِّجْزٍ 34:5 – Continuous talking without making much sense, agitation, commotion in mind
(21) عَذَابٌ وَاصِبٌ – 37:9 – Perpetual or continual, constant without change
(22) عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ 40:7 – Fire of desire, passion which burns vehemently
(23) عَذَابَ رَبِّكَ لَوَاقِعٌ 52:7 – Going through expectations
(24) عَذَابٌ مُّسْتَقِرٌّ 54:38 – Those who remain fixed, settled, content
(25) عَذَابِ يَوْمِئِذٍ بِبَنِيهِ 70:11 – Punishment through children, possessions…
(26) الْعَذَابِ الْأَدْنَى – 32:21 – Smaller or nearer punishment
(27) الْعَذَابِ الْأَكْبَرِ – 32:21 – Greater punishment
SOME EXAMPLES OF AZAAB IN OUR DAILY LIVES:
· Happily borrowing loans from the bank and repaying it all your life becomes an azaab
· Sometimes attachments with things or persons becomes an Azaab or punishment
· Sometimes our beliefs of do’s and don’ts becomes an Azaab
· Our addictions becomes an Azaab
· Our life style becomes an Azaab…
In short according to “Quran” anything which pulls you down from meeting your Rabb is an Azaab on your nafs…. Rabb does not like any hindrances or distractions in the way towards His Meeting. Quran is all about the journey of self towards the Meeting with our Consciousness.
TYPES OF CIRCLES (الدَّارِ) OR ZONES MENTIONED IN THE “QURAN” :
وَقَدْ مَكَرَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَلِلّهِ الْمَكْرُ جَمِيعًا يَعْلَمُ مَا تَكْسِبُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ وَسَيَعْلَمُ الْكُفَّارُ لِمَنْ عُقْبَى الدَّارِ
Those before them did (also) devise plots; but in all things the master-planning is Allah's He knoweth the doings of every soul: and soon will the Unbelievers know for whom is the cycle of consequences (13:42)
الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ – It is very important to know the essence of DAR دار, for that we should study the etymology of the word. The root word of دار is دور - The basic meaning of which is to move in circle, return to the place from where he or it began or move, he went round in circle, within the circuit, encircled, surrounded or encompass, circulation, revolve, Daura, daayra, idara are some of its derivatives. الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ is to remain or stuck up in the circuit or cycle long enough or make it a permanent home. It’s a process of slow evolution or not evolving at all. When one level, zone, or circle is completed the person moves to another level, zone, or circle of consciousness or in simple terms a new level of awareness. The process of evolution can be in both directions, either it stimulates towards promotion or could be towards demotion.
(1) الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ – One who is not in hurry to meet his Rabb and thinks that present condition is his permanent home
(2) دَارِ السَّلاَمِ – Those who evolve around in Circle of peace and safety
(3) دَارُ الْمُتَّقِينَ – Circle of righteousness, diligence
(4) دَارَ الْفَاسِقِينَ – Circle of lawlessness or without a system
(5) دَارُ الْقَرَارِ – Circle of contentment, cool attitude
(6) دَائِرَةُ السَّوْءِ - سُوءُ الدَّارِ – Abominable circle, that is of disgust and evil
(7) دَارَ الْبَوَارِ – Association which leads to destruction or extinction
(8) عُقْبَى الدَّارِ – عَاقِبَةُ الدَّارِ - Facing of consequences one after other
(9) دَارَ الْمُقَامَةِ – Circle of stillness, homeliness, comfort
(10) ذِكْرَى الدَّارِ – Always absorbed in thoughts about self
The “Quran” describe these phenomena as everything swims or floats along the orbit or what goes round comes around. That means the consequences of one's actions will have to be dealt with eventually and gradually. The final destination is that we have to return from where we started from.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRUST IN ALLAH AND AKHIRAH?
الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِوَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّـلَاةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ وَبِالآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ
أُوْلَـئِكَ عَلَى هُدًى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in Salat, and spend out of what We have provided for them; And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter They are on (true) guidance, from their Rabb, and it is these who will prosper. (2:3-5) – Traditional translation
لَيْسُواْ سَوَاءً مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ أُمَّةٌ قَآئِمَةٌ يَتْلُونَ آيَاتِ اللّهِ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ وَهُمْ يَسْجُدُونَ
يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَأُوْلَـئِكَ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
They are not [all] the same; among the People of the Scripture is a community standing, reciting the verses of Allah during periods of the night and prostrating. They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and hasten to good deeds. And those are among the righteous - (3:113-114) - Traditional translation
لَّـكِنِ الرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ مِنْهُمْ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ وَالْمُقِيمِينَ الصَّلاَةَ وَالْمُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ أُوْلَـئِكَ سَنُؤْتِيهِمْ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
But those among them who are well-grounded in knowledge, and the believers, believe in what hath been revealed to thee and what was revealed before thee: And (especially) those who establish regular Salat and practice regular Zakah and believe in Allah and in the Last Day: To them shall We soon give a great reward (4:162) - Traditional translation
قُل لِّمَن مَّا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ قُل لِّلّهِ كَتَبَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ الرَّحْمَةَ لَيَجْمَعَنَّكُمْ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ لاَ رَيْبَ فِيهِ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُواْ أَنفُسَهُمْ فَهُمْ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Say: "To whom belonged all that is in the heavens and on earth?" Say: "To Allah. He hath inscribed for Himself (the rule of) Mercy. That He will gather you together for the Day of Judgment, there is no doubt whatever. It is they who have lost their own souls that will not believe (6:12) - Traditional translation
Ultimately every one of us has to pass through the process of Al-Akhirah and most of the time it happens unknowingly. There is no big announcement about the period of Aakhirah, it is just a realization of our state. The quicker we realize it is better for us. Before taking any journey we should know the exact destination and purpose of our expedition otherwise it would be a superficial wandering without any aim and result. A farmer has to trust the system of Nature before the fruits are yielded. He has to plough the field before sowing the seeds and nurturing them. He is not aware about the ultimate result; he has no option but to keep faith in the system (Allah). He cannot make haste to extract goods and obtain quick results; he has to exercise patience and be focused on his job. This is what trusting in Allah and Akhirah means.
Now why should we keep trust in Aakhirah ? In the “Quranic” context the Akhirah is a slow lingering process of evolution. It is a very long term cycle which very few realize. So it is advised by the “Quran” to keep trust in righteous deeds and be patient by defeating all the negative forces as this is the struggle which everyone has to face in order to reach the ultimate goal of aligning with their own consciousness (5:48). Aligning oneself with the consciousness is a process which needs patience and cannot be attained in haste (2:45, 153) (3:200). Haste(Ajilah) being the opposite of Akhirah (delay) (17:11). It needs complete faith or trust in the principle of Akhirah. We should understand that keeping faith in the circle of Akhirah is for our own good. Assuming that we can get out of the present circle quickly or in haste and move to the next circle or level, is not the way in which the system works. Unless we recognize our role and seriously heed the signs of inherent messengers we won’t be able to rise to the next level.
AL-AJILAH (الْعَاجِلَةَ) ISTHE OPPOSITE OF AL-AKHIRAH (الْآخِرَةَ):
Whoever desires the quick-passing / الْعَاجِلَةَ (transitory enjoyment of this world), We readily grant him what We will for whom We like. Then, afterwards, We have appointed for him Hell; he will burn therein disgraced and rejected (17:18)
"And thus We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an and have diversified therein the warnings that perhaps they will avoid [sin] or it would cause them remembrance. So high [above all] is Allah, the Sovereign, the Truth. And, do not hasten with [recitation of] the Qur'an before its revelation is completed to you, and say, "My Lord, increase me in knowledge (20: 113-114) - Traditional translation
وَيَدْعُ الْإِنسَانُ بِالشَّرِّ دُعَاءَهُ بِالْخَيْرِ وَكَانَ الْإِنسَانُ عَجُولاً
And man supplicates for evil as he supplicates for good, and man is ever hasty – (17:11)
خُلِقَ الْإِنسَانُ مِنْ عَجَلٍسَأُوْرِيكُمْ آيَاتِي فَلَاتَسْتَعْجِلُونِ
Man was created of haste. I will show you My signs, so do not impatiently urge Me (21:37)
Move not your tongue with it to HASTEN(ajal) it,
Then again, surely upon Us is to explain it,
Nay, but you love the IMMEDIATE (Al-ajilah),
And you leave the HEREAFTER (Al-akhirah) - (75:16-21) - Traditional translation
وَلَوْ يُعَجِّلُ اللّهُ لِلنَّاسِ الشَّرَّ اسْتِعْجَالَهُم بِالْخَيْرِ لَقُضِيَ إِلَيْهِمْ أَجَلُهُمْ فَنَذَرُ الَّذِينَ لاَ يَرْجُونَ لِقَاءَنَا فِي طُغْيَانِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ
If Allah were to hasten for men the ill (they have earned) as they would fain hasten on the good,- then would their respite be settled at once. But We leave those who rest not their hope on their meeting with Us, in their trespasses, wandering in distraction to and fro (10:11)
So finally the verse 75:16-21 confirms that Al-Ajilahis the opposite of Al-Akhirah a long term process. Hastiness is not good for the process of Akhirah.
DUNIYA IS JUST A BRIEF ENJOYMENT AND DELUSION:
وَمَا هَذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَاإِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ وَإِنَّ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَلَهِيَ الْحَيَوَانُ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ (29:64)
What is the life of this world but amusement and play? But verily the Home in the Hereafter, - that is life indeed, if they but knew (29:64) – Traditional translation
يَا قَوْمِ إِنَّمَا هَذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَامَتَاعٌ وَإِنَّ الْآخِرَةَ هِيَ دَارُ الْقَرَارِ
"O my people! The life of the this world is nothing but (temporary) convenience: It is the Hereafter that is the Home that will last (40:39) – Traditional translation
وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ وَبِالآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ
And who believe in what has been revealed to you, and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain (2:4) – Traditional translation
الَّذِينَ يَسْتَحِبُّونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى الْآخِرَةِوَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللّهِ وَيَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا أُوْلَـئِكَ فِي ضَلاَلٍ بَعِيدٍ
Those who love the life of this world more than the Hereafter, who hinders (men), from the Path of Allah and seek therein something crooked: they are astray by a long distance (14:3) - Traditional translation
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ وَما الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلاَّ مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ
Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion – (3:185)
“…Short is the enjoyment of this world.The Hereafter is (far) better for him who fears Allah…” (4:77)
“…But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world as compared to the Hereafter” (9:38) - Traditional translation
“…the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter is but a brief passing enjoyment” (13:26)
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ زَيَّنَّا لَهُمْ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَهُمْ يَعْمَهُونَ
As to those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their deeds pleasing in their eyes; and so they wander about in distraction (27:4)
Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. (It is) as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment (for the disbelievers - evil-doers), and (there is) Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the believers - good-doers). And the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment - (57:20) - Traditional translation
وَمَا هَذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ وَإِنَّ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ لَهِيَ الْحَيَوَانُ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ
And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew (29:64)
Many of us seem to spend an incredible amount of time and energy in fulfilling our dreams without paying attention to the ethical principles of work and life. For fulfilling the dreams or acquiring quick and short cuts in worldly comforts, very often the person stoops down too low. This low tempting thoughts for acquiring name, fame, wealth and power is termed as Duniya in Arabic. Such types of thoughts are not strong enough for steady gain according to “Quran” but an irresistible illusion. Focus should be on eternal or actual cycle of life but very few trust this as they are unaware. People assume Duniya to be real and ultimate but according to the Arabic lexicon and Quran too, it’s a virtual world. According to the Arabic Lexicon it is desirable and that is why people are tempted towards it and crazily fall for it. In this fast paced life every one aspires for quick results which according to Quran are not the way in which life moves. If we observe the movement of life, everything has stages which one has to cross. We cannot evade or skip these stages and jump to the next stage. Every one of us has to keep faith in the working of the system and follow its rule in order to be in the state of circle of peace and safety.
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MEETING WITH THE RABB:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ لاَ يَرْجُونَ لِقَاءَنَا وَرَضُواْ بِالْحَياةِ الدُّنْيَا وَاطْمَأَنُّواْ بِهَا وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ آيَاتِنَا غَافِلُونَ
“Those who rest not their hope on their meeting with Us, but are pleased and satisfied with the life of the present world, and those who heed not Our Signs” (10:7) - Traditional translation
وَلَوْ يُعَجِّلُ اللّهُ لِلنَّاسِ الشَّرَّ اسْتِعْجَالَهُم بِالْخَيْرِ لَقُضِيَ إِلَيْهِمْ أَجَلُهُمْ فَنَذَرُ الَّذِينَ لاَ يَرْجُونَ لِقَاءَنَا فِي طُغْيَانِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ
“If Allah were to hasten for men the ill (they have earned) as they would eagerly hasten on the good,- then would their respite be settled at once. But We leave those who rest not their hope on their meeting with Us, in their trespasses, wandering in distraction to and fro” – (10:11) - Traditional translation
ثُمَّ سَوَّاهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِهِ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَالْأَفْئِدَةَ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ
وَقَالُوا أَئِذَا ضَلَلْنَا فِي الْأَرْضِ أَئِنَّا لَفِي خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ بَلْ هُم بِلِقَاءِ رَبِّهِمْ كَافِرُونَ
Then He proportioned him and breathed into him from His Spirit and made for you hearing and vision and hearts; little are you grateful. And they say: "What! when we lie, hidden and lost, in the lower consciousness, shall we indeed be in a Creation renewed? Nay, they deny the Meeting with their Rabb - 32:9-10
الَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلاَقُوا رَبِّهِمْ وَأَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
This is easy for those who bear in mind with certainty that they are to meet their Rabb, and that they are to return to Him (2:46) - Traditional translation
One of the purposes of creation is that we have to keep in mind that finally we have to meet our Rabb. Those who have forgotten this purpose will be permanently stuck up in the enchantment of this world. For them the ultimate moment of meeting with their Rabb is delayed. Only those who are conscious of meeting their Rabb and trust in the unseen, they are the ones who connect with their Rabb through salat (29:45), for them is supreme success- (2:1-5) - “Rivalry in (worldly activities) increase distracts you (from the remembrance of the meeting with Rabb), till you come to the graves”(102:1-2).
TO US IS THE RETURN OR FINAL GOAL AND DESTINATION:
فَلَمَّا أَنجَاهُمْ إِذَا هُمْ يَبْغُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّمَا بَغْيُكُمْ عَلَى أَنفُسِكُم مَّتَاعَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ إِلَينَا مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَنُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
“…O mankind ! Your rebellion is only against your own selves, - a brief enjoyment of this worldly life, then (in the end) unto Us is your final return, and We shall inform you of that which you used to do” (10:23)
مَتَاعٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُهُمْ ثُمَّ نُذِيقُهُمُ الْعَذَابَ الشَّدِيدَ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكْفُرُونَ
“(A brief) enjoyment in this world ! - and then unto Us will be their final return…” – (10:70)
الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُواْ إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
“...We all belong to Him and to Him we shall final return.” (2:156) - Traditional translation
لاَّ يَتَّخِذِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الْكَافِرِينَ أَوْلِيَاءَ مِن دُوْنِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فَلَيْسَ مِنَ اللّهِ فِي شَيْءٍ إِلاَّ أَن تَتَّقُواْ مِنْهُمْ تُقَاةً وَيُحَذِّرُكُمُ اللّهُ نَفْسَهُ وَإِلَى اللّهِ الْمَصِيرُ
Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah: except by way of precaution, that ye may Guard yourselves from them. But Allah cautions you (To remember) Himself; for the final goal is to Allah (3:28) - Traditional translation
وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَى نَحْنُ أَبْنَاءُ اللّهِ وَأَحِبَّاؤُهُ قُلْ فَلِمَ يُعَذِّبُكُم بِذُنُوبِكُم بَلْ أَنتُم بَشَرٌ مِّمَّنْ خَلَقَ يَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَاءُ وَلِلّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَإِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ
The Jews and the Christians say: "We are sons of Allah, and his beloved." Say: "Why then doth He punish you for your sins? Nay, ye are but men,- of the men he hath created: He forgives whom He pleases, and He punishes whom He pleases: and to Allah belonged the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between: and unto Him is the final goal (of all)"- (5:18)
وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ الْمَصِيرُ
Yea, to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; and to Allah is the final goal (of all) – (24:42)
وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَى وَإِن تَدْعُ مُثْقَلَةٌ إِلَى حِمْلِهَا لَا يُحْمَلْ مِنْهُ شَيْءٌ وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَى إِنَّمَا تُنذِرُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُم بِالغَيْبِ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَمَن تَزَكَّى فَإِنَّمَا يَتَزَكَّى لِنَفْسِهِ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ الْمَصِيرُ
Nor can a bearer of burdens bear another's burdens if one heavily laden should call another to (bear) his load. Not the least portion of it can be carried (by the other). Even though he be nearly related. Thou canst but admonish such as fear their Lord unseen and establish regular Prayer. And whoever purifies himself does so for the benefit of his own soul; and the final goal (of all) is to Allah (35:18)
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WORLD’S ENJOYMENT IS A TEST AND TRAIL:
And strain not your eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to various groups of them, the splendor of the life of this world, that We may test them thereby. But the provision (good reward in the Hereafter) of your Lord is better and more lasting (20:131)
And I know not, perhaps it may be a trial for you, and an enjoyment for a while – (21:111)
“Do the people think that they will be left alone on saying “we believe,” and they will not be tested? We did test those who have gone before them. Allah has to see who are the truthful and who are the liars “ (29:2-3) - Traditional translation
LAWFUL ENJOYMENT IN THIS WORLD:
"But seek, with that (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of lawful enjoyment in this world; and do good as Allah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah likes not the Mufsidun (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupters)." (28:77) - Traditional translation
"And ordain for us that which is good, in this World and in the Hereafter: for we have turned unto Thee." He said: "With My punishment I visit whom I will; but My mercy extended to all things. That (mercy) I shall ordain for those who do right, and practice regular charity, and those who believe in Our signs;- (7:156)
AKHIRAH IS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS:
And thus do We requite him who transgresses beyond bounds, and believes not in the Ayat of his Lord; and the torment of the Hereafter is far more severe and more lasting. 20:127
"O my people! Truly, this life of the world is nothing but a (quick passing) enjoyment, and verily, the Hereafter that is the home that will remain forever." (40:39) - Traditional translation
So whatever you have been given is but (a passing) enjoyment for this worldly life, but that which is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord (concerning all of their affairs). (42:36)
Neither dying therein nor living, (87:13)
He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself – (87:14)
And he recollects, identify, then follow his mind – (87:15)
But you prefer the lowly worldly life, (87:16)
While the Hereafter is better and more enduring (87:17)
Indeed, this is in the foremost scriptures, (87:18) - Traditional translation
Akhirah is a slow steady process against the fast life of the world and keeping the trust in that process is what is recommended by the Quran.
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DEFINING AWAL WITH REFERENCE TO AKHIRAH:
وَهُوَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ فِي الْأُولَى وَالْآخِرَةِ وَلَهُ الْحُكْمُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
And He is Allah: There is no god but He. To Him be praise, at the first and at the last: for Him is the Command, and to Him shall ye (all) be brought back - (28:70) - Traditional translation
أَفَعَيِينَا بِالْخَلْقِ الْأَوَّلِ بَلْ هُمْ فِي لَبْسٍ مِّنْ خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ
Were We then weary with the first Creation, that they should be in confused doubt about a new Creation? (50:15) - Traditional translation
فَلِلَّهِ الْآخِرَةُ وَالْأُولَى
But it is to Him belong the End and the Beginning – (53:25) - Traditional translation
فَأَخَذَهُ اللَّهُ نَكَالَ الْآخِرَةِ وَالْأُولَى
So Allah seized him in exemplary punishment for the last and the first – (79:25) Traditional translation
وَلَلْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ مِنَ الْأُولَى
And verily the Hereafter will be better for thee than the present (93:4) - Traditional translation
UNDERSTANDING THE ESSENCE OF NASHAT النَّشْأَةَ WITH REFERENCE TO THE WORD AKHIR:
The exact essence of word Nashat (النَّشْأَة) means process of upbringing, raising, growing up, to live…
وَأَنَّ عَلَيْهِ النَّشْأَةَ الْأُخْرَى
That He had promised another Upbringing (53:47) - Think
وَرَبُّكَ الْغَنِيُّ ذُو الرَّحْمَةِ إِن يَشَأْ يُذْهِبْكُمْوَيَسْتَخْلِفْ مِن بَعْدِكُم مَّا يَشَاءُ كَمَآ أَنشَأَكُم مِّن ذُرِّيَّةِ قَوْمٍ آخَرِينَ
Thy Rabb is self-sufficient, possessor of Mercy: if it were His desire, He could discipline you, and make you continuously a contestant from whomever after you He desires, just like as He raised you up from the seed of other community – 6:133 – Try to understand the essence of this important verse…
يَسْتَخْلِفْ - Repeatedly or continuously an adversary or contestant - 3rd person masculine singular (form X) imperfect verb, jussive
قُلْ سِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانظُرُوا كَيْفَ بَدَأَ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ اللَّهُ يُنشِئُ النَّشْأَةَ الْآخِرَةَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Say: "Travel through the earth and see how Allah did originate evolution; so will Allah can delay the upbringing process; for Allah has power over all things (29:20) – Think & Ponder
قُلْ هُوَ الَّذِي أَنشَأَكُمْ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَالْأَفْئِدَةَ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ
Say: "It is He Who has made you grow, and placed for you the faculties of hearing, seeing, feeling and understanding: little thanks it is ye give (67:23) (23:78)
ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا آخَرِينَ
Then We made them grow from, after associating them with others (23:31) (23:42). – Think, think please think.
UNDERSTANDING THE ESSENCE OF WORD QARN:
The word قَرْنًا Qarn is an indefinite noun which does not mean generation. Its actual meaning is connection, association, companion, comrade, coupled or conjoined with a thing, competitor, opponent…
وَلَكِنَّا أَنشَأْنَا قُرُونًا فَتَطَاوَلَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْعُمُرُ وَمَا كُنتَ ثَاوِيًا فِي أَهْلِ مَدْيَنَ تَتْلُواْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِنَا وَلَكِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ – (28:45) also refer (6:6) and (21:11) for understand the essence of word قَرْنًا Qarn..
BEWARE YOUR PRESENT SETUP WILL BE CHANGED:
أَأَنتُمْ تَخْلُقُونَهُ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْخَالِقُونَ
نَحْنُ قَدَّرْنَا بَيْنَكُمُ الْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ
عَلَى أَن نُّبَدِّلَ أَمْثَالَكُمْ وَنُنشِئَكُمْ فِي مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ النَّشْأَةَ الْأُولَى فَلَوْلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ
Is it ye who create it, or are We the Creators? We have decreed Death to be your common lot, and We are not to be frustrated. On that We will change your setups and raise you (again) in (forms) that you know not. And you certainly know already the first form of upbringing: why then do you not contemplate? (56:59-62) – Please think deeply, leaving your beliefs aside.
Thy Rabb is self-sufficient, possessor of Mercy: if it were His desire, He could discipline you, and make you continuously a contestant from whomever after you He desires, just like as He raised you up from the seed of other community – 6:133 – Please try to understand the essence of this important verse…
يَسْتَخْلِفْ - Repeatedly or continuously an adversary or contestant - 3rd person masculine singular (form X) imperfect verb, jussive
أَفَعَيِينَا بِالْخَلْقِ الْأَوَّلِ بَلْ هُمْ فِي لَبْسٍ مِّنْ خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ
Were We then tired with the first Creation, that they should be in confused doubt about a new Creation? (50:15)
It is important to define life and death. The origin of man is consciousness of thoughts through which words (Kalimat) were created. Words are energies and energy cannot be destroyed, it can only be transformed from one form to another form. To me death is actually the birth of the next stage of evolution. Sperm dies and a fetus is born, fetus dies and a baby is born, a human being dies and then what, who are born? Is it the end of the road? We cannot term transformation as death - Think
If water can change the forms (gas, liquid and solid) so why not humans? – In Arabic Maut (dying) does not mean end of the process but it means to return back after tasting. The root word of Maut is م و ت – one of the meanings of which is deprived of sensation, vegetable life, barren land, became deprived of the intellectual faculty or intellectually dead. According to “Quran Maut is just a taste (zaikah) which every nafs has to experience; it is just like sleep, temporary deprived of senses. Maut does not mean permanent end of life but a temporary pause. A Caterpillar becoming a butterfly is the best example of transformation of one life form into another one, but remember not all caterpillar become butterfly. In Quran it is mentioned that everybody has to taste death. When we taste or eat any food the fact is that the food dies or transforms, similarly when we will taste death the death will die or transform not the one who has tasted or consumed it – THINK
AKHIRAH IS WITH THE RABB IS BETTER:
And whatever you have been given is an enjoyment of the life of (this) world and its adornment, and that (Hereafter) which is with Allah is better and will remain forever. Have you then no sense? (28:60) - Traditional translation
And adornments of gold - Yet all this would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world. And the Hereafter with your Rabb is (only) for the Muttaqun (43:35) - Traditional translation
Akhirah a long term policy based on our present action. Any action done with the eye on the long term consequences is wise decision and is good for our consciousness. Keeping trust in the process of Akhirah means having trust in patience and delayed results. Anything in haste or expecting any easy earning like gambling is not good and it is a handiwork of Satan (5:90).
THE JOURNEY OF NAFS IS OF TRAIL AND TESTING :
This earthly world is a place of test and trail for the soul and this development is the purpose and meaning of human life. The system of consciousness created the Great Cosmos with the objectives of “progress” and “harmony,” and these are the guidelines for the evolution of the human soul. Consciousness has created the system between the Real world and the Reel World, so that we can cultivate infinite experiences and walk closer to the realm of both the worlds - وِمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ – 2:201
According to the “Quran” we all are passing through a test, each with a different set of paper. All this comfort, reward, ease, difficulty, hardships are but tests and trails. The system is with those who exercise patience, refrain from temptations. The idea of testing is Zikr (reflection / recollecting / remembering) to be self conscious of ourselves.
وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَمُهَيْمِنًا عَلَيْهِ فَاحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ عَمَّا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًا وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَـكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَآ آتَاكُم فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ إِلَى اللهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ – (5:48)
And We have revealed towards you, the recorded facts, which speaks the truth that which differentiate its power from the record and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you from the facts. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one Ummat, but [He intended] to TEST YOU in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ? – (5:48)
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَنَبْلُوكُم بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ
Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be repeatedly return - (21:35)
And We will surely test you until We make evident those who strive among you [for the cause of Allah] and the patient, and We will test your affairs (47:31) - Traditional translations
[He] who evolved death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving – (67:2)
And when adversity touches man, he calls upon Us; then when We bestow on him a favor from Us, he says, "I have only been given it because of [my] knowledge." Rather, it is a trial, but most of them do not know – (39:49) - Traditional translations
And We did not send before you, [O Muhammad], any of the messengers except that they ate food and walked in the markets. And We have made some of you [people] as trial for others - will you have patience? And ever is your Lord, Seeing – (25:20) - Traditional translations
And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring (20:131) - Traditional translations
And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward – (8:28) (64:15)
And of the people is he who worships Allah on an edge. If he is touched by good, he is reassured by it; but if he is struck by trial, he turns on his face [to the other direction]. He has lost [this] world and the Hereafter. That is what is the manifest loss – (22:11)
ذُوقُوا فِتْنَتَكُمْ هَذَا الَّذِي كُنتُم بِهِ تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ
"Taste your trial. This is that for which you were impatient." (51:14)
Our Lord, make us not objects of trial for the disbelievers and forgive us, our Lord. Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise." (60:5)
WHAT IS THE CORRECT ESSENCE OF عيد ?
إِلَيْهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا وَعْدَ اللّهِ حَقًّا إِنَّهُ يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ لِيَجْزِيَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّالِحَاتِ بِالْقِسْطِ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَهُمْ شَرَابٌ مِّنْ حَمِيمٍ وَعَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكْفُرُونَ
To Him will be your return- of all of you. The promise of Allah is true and sure. It is He Who begins the process of creation, and continuously repeats it, that He may reward with justice those who believe and work righteousness; but those who reject Him will have a saturation from heat, and a penalty grievous, because they did reject Him (10:4) –
قُلْ هَلْ مِن شُرَكَآئِكُم مَّن يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ قُلِ اللّهُ يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ فَأَنَّى تُؤْفَكُونَ
Say: "Of your 'partners', can any originate creation and continuously repeat it?" Say: "It is Allah Who originates creation and continuously repeats it: then how are ye deluded away (from the truth)?" – (10:34)
أَمَّن يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ وَمَن يَرْزُقُكُم مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَإِلَهٌ مَّعَ اللَّهِ قُلْ هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
Or, Who originates creation, then continuously repeats it, and who gives you sustenance from higher and lower consciousness? (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Say, "Bring forth your evidence, if ye are telling the truth!" (27:64)
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا كَيْفَ يُبْدِئُ اللَّهُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ إِنَّ ذَلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ
See they not how Allah originates creation, continuously repeats it again: truly that is easy for Allah (29:19)
اللَّهُ يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
It is Allah Who begins (the process of) creation; continuously repeats it again; then shall ye be brought back to Him (30:11)
وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ وَهُوَ أَهْوَنُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَهُ الْمَثَلُ الْأَعْلَى فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
It is He Who begins (the process of) creation; then again continuously repeats it; and for Him it is most easy. To Him belongs the loftiest setup in the higher and the lower consciousness: for He is Exalted in Might, full of wisdom (30:27)
يَوْمَ نَطْوِي السَّمَاءَ كَطَيِّ السِّجِلِّ لِلْكُتُبِ كَمَا بَدَأْنَا أَوَّلَ خَلْقٍ نُّعِيدُهُ وَعْدًا عَلَيْنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا فَاعِلِينَ
The Day when We will fold the higher consciousness like the folding of a written sheet for the records. As We began the first creation, We will continuously repeat it. [That is] a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it (21:104)
مِنْهَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ وَفِيهَا نُعِيدُكُمْ وَمِنْهَا نُخْرِجُكُمْ تَارَةً أُخْرَى
From the (lower consciousness) did We create you, and into it shall We shall continuously repeat you, and from it shall We bring you out once again (20:55) – Think & Ponder…
ثُمَّ يُعِيدُكُمْ فِيهَا وَيُخْرِجُكُمْ إِخْرَاجًا
Then He will repeatedly return you into it and extract you [another] extraction (71:18) – Think & Ponder…
UNDERSTANDING THE WORD – EID AND ITS DERIVATIVES - يُعِيدُهُ , نُّعِيدُهُ , نُعِيدُكُمْ
Please note that the terms يُعِيدُهُ , نُّعِيدُهُ , نُعِيدُكُمْ are imperfect verb form IV. Imperfect verb (الفعل المضارع) is used with actions that are still in progress or with repeated actions, e.g. Things that you do every day or you repeatedly do. Eid عيدis the root word of يُعِيدُهُ , نُّعِيدُهُ , نُعِيدُكُمْ which means to return again and again continuously. Literally it means the continuous repetition which is going to happen again and again or signifies an action which is incomplete or in progress.
COMPARISON OF DEATH (الْمَوْتِ) WITH SLEEP (النَّوْمَ) IN QURANIC SENSE?
كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَاتاً فَأَحْيَاكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
How can ye reject the faith in Allah?- seeing that ye were without life, and He gave you life; then will He cause you to die, and will again bring you to life; and again to Him you would continuously return (2:28). Please think….
تُرْجَعُونَ is a 2nd person masculine plural passive imperfect verb - The imperfect verb (الفعل المضارع) is a form, found in various languages, which combines past tense (reference to a past time) and imperfective aspect. It refers to a continuing or repeated event or state. It means an event or a state which is continuous in process which combines past, present and future aspects – This means تُرْجَعُونَ is a continuous action of returning as it is imperfect verb -فعل مضارع مبني للمجهول والواو ضمير متصل في محل رفع نائب فاعل
يُمِيتُكُمْ - 3rd person masculine singular (form IV) imperfect verb - 2nd person masculine plural object pronoun – يُمِيتُكُمْ – is not a single death but a continuous process - فعل مضارع والكاف ضمير متصل في محل نصب مفعول به
وَاتَّقُواْ يَوْمًا تُرْجَعُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى اللّهِ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لاَ يُظْلَمُونَ
And be diligent of that moment when you would be repeatedly returning in it towards Allah. Then every soul will be compensated for what it earned, and they will not be repeatedly treated unjustly (2:281) (3:25)
تُولِجُ اللَّيْلَ فِي النَّهَارِ وَتُولِجُ النَّهَارَ فِي اللَّيْلِ وَتُخْرِجُ الْحَيَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَتُخْرِجُ الْمَيِّتَ مِنَ الْحَيِّ وَتَرْزُقُ مَن تَشَاءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
"You causes the anxiety to enter in the enlightenment, and You causes the enlightenment to enter in the anxiety; You emerges the Living from the dead, and You emerges the dead from the Living; and Thou gives sustenance to whom Thou pleases, without measure."- (3:27) – This verse talks about senses which brings anxiety as well as enlightenment, and that same sense causes death and revival of senses as well.
وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّن نَّزَّلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَحْيَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ مِن بَعْدِ مَوْتِهَا لَيَقُولُنَّ اللَّهُ قُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ
And if you asked them, "Who sends down thoughts from the higher consciousness and gives life with it to the lower consciousness after its senseless?" they would surely say " Allah." Say, "All approvals to Allah "; but most of them do not reason (29:63) – This verse talks about life and death of senses
وَهُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقالسَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ وَكَانَ عَرْشُهُ عَلَى الْمَاءِ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلاً وَلَئِن قُلْتَ إِنَّكُم مَّبْعُوثُونَ مِن بَعْدِ الْمَوْتِلَيَقُولَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ إِنْ هَـذَا إِلاَّ سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ
He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days - and His Throne was over the waters - that He might try you, which of you is best in conduct. But if thou wert to say to them, "Ye shall indeed be raised up after death", the Unbelievers would be sure to say, "This is nothing but obvious sorcery! (11:7) - Traditional translation – Why would unbelievers say it is sorcery? Actually سِحْرٌ means art of talking and not sorcery –And الْمَاءِ means specific thoughts which revives the death of senses - Think
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ وَما الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلاَّ مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ
Every soul shall have a taste of death: And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of Life): For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception - 3:185 ……Traditional translation
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَنَبْلُوكُم بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ
Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you continuously by evil and by good by way of trial. to Us you must continuous return. (21:35)
قُلْيَتَوَفَّاكُم مَّلَكُ الْمَوْتِ الَّذِي وُكِّلَ بِكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَى رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ
Say, "The angel of death will take charge of you repeatedly, who has been entrusted with you. Again to your Rabb you will be returning continuously." (32:11)
It is Allah that takes the souls at death; and those that die not (He takes) during their sleep: those on whom He has passed the decree of death, He keeps back (from returning to life), but the rest He sends (to their bodies) for a term appointed verily in this are Signs for those who reflect. (39:42) – comparing death with sleep
And among His Signs is the sleep that ye take by night and by day, and the quest that ye (make for livelihood) out of His Bounty: verily in that are signs for those who hearken – Sleep is an Ayaat for those who understand - (30:23)
وَهُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ لِبَاسًا وَالنَّوْمَ سُبَاتًا وَجَعَلَ النَّهَارَ نُشُورًا
And He it is Who makes the Night as a Robe for you, and Sleep as Repose, and makes the Day (as it were) a Resurrection. (25:47) - Traditional translations
And the stupor of death will bring Truth (before his eyes): "This was the thing which thou was trying to escape!" (50:19)
He Who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving - (67:2)
Truly thou canst not cause the dead to listen, nor canst thou cause the deaf to hear the call, (especially) when they turn back in retreat. (27:80) death of sense
Then contemplate (O man!) the memorials of Allah's Mercy!- how He gives life to the lower consciousness after its death: verily the same will give life to who are dead: for He has power over all things. (30:50)
So verily thou canst not make the dead to hear, nor canst thou make the deaf to hear the call, when they show their backs and turn away. (30:52) death of sense – How the dead man can show their backs and turn away??
And among His Signs in this: you see the earth barren and desolate; but when We send down rain to it, it is stirred to life and yields increase. Truly, He Who gives life to the (dead) earth can surely give life to (men) who are dead. For He has power over all things. (41:39)
See they not that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and never wearied with their creation, is able to give life to the dead? Yea, verily He has power over all things. (46:33)
He brings the living out of the dead and brings the dead out of the living and brings to life the lower consciousness after its lifelessness. And thus will you be brought out repeatedly (30:19)
If we study carefully we can make out that “Quran” emphasizes on death of senses. When I say death of senses I mean temporary loss of sense (like in sleep). The Quran even compares death with sleep where senses ceased to exist temporarily and further goes on to say that it (sleep) has signs for those who think. In Arabic one of the meanings of sleep is that when a person is unable to listen. Again I am emphasizing, there is nothing physical in the entire Quran. The teaching of “Quran” is entirely based on bil-gayab a (abstract) thing, that’s why it is clearly mentioned in the beginning of the Quran (2:1-3). This shows its importance of bil-gayab but we ignore this crucial aspect of the “Quran”. To understand the book “Quran” one needs feelings, imagination, and intelligence more than the expertise in language. That’s why emphasize is given on a diligent observant (Mutaqi) who can study Al-Kitab rather than a scholar of the “Arabic” language. Self study (Rehman) is the teacher of the “Quran” no institution or teacher can teach the Quran except self study (55:1-4).ONLY FIRST DEATH FOR THOSE WHO ARE RIGHTEOUS:
لَا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا الْمَوْتَ إِلَّا الْمَوْتَةَ الْأُولَى وَوَقَاهُمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ
Nor will they there taste Death in it, except the first death; and He will saved them from the Penalty of the Blazing Fire (44:56)
"Such as took their deen to be mere amusement and play, and were deceived by the life of the world." That day shall We forget them as they forgot the meeting of this day of theirs, and as they were wont to reject Our signs (7:51)
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN الْعَاقِبَةُ AND الْآخِرَةِ :
Generally people think that the word الْعَاقِبَةُand the word الْآخِرَةِ have same meaning and are interchangeable. Actually Al-Aqibahis a process which follows each and every deed of ours; it can be classified as consequences because the consequences always follow our actions or deeds.
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلاَّ رِجَالاً نُّوحِي إِلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْقُرَى أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُواْ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَدَارُ الْآخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ اتَّقَواْ أَفَلاَ تَعْقِلُونَ
Nor did We send before thee (as messengers) any but men, whom we did inspire,- (men) living in human habitations. Do they not travel through the earth, and see what the end of those before them was? But the home of the hereafter is best, for those who do right. Will ye not then understand? (12:109)
تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فَسَادًا وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
That Home of the Hereafter We shall give to those who intend not high-handedness or mischief on earth: and the end is (best) for the righteous (28:83)
وَلَا يَخَافُ عُقْبَاهَا
And for Him is no fear of its consequences (91:15)
UNDERSTANDING NAFS / SELF:
وَهُوَ الَّذِيَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍفَمُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمُسْتَوْدَعٌ قَدْ فَصَّلْنَا الْآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَفْقَهُونَ
It is He Who has nurtured you from a single soul: here is a place of sojourn and a place of departure: We detail Our signs for people who attempts to understand continuously (6:98)
يَوْمَ يَأْتِ لاَ تَكَلَّمُ نَفْسٌ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ فَمِنْهُمْ شَقِيٌّ وَسَعِيدٌ
The day it arrives, no soul shall speak except by His leave: of those (gathered) some will be wretched and some will be blessed (11:105) – Traditional translations
يَوْمَ تَجِدُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ مُّحْضَرًا وَمَا عَمِلَتْ مِن سُوءٍ تَوَدُّ لَوْ أَنَّ بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَهُ أَمَدًا بَعِيدًا وَيُحَذِّرُكُمُ اللّهُ نَفْسَهُ وَاللّهُ رَؤُوفٌ بِالْعِبَادِ
"On the Day when every soul will be confronted with all the good it has done, and all the evil it has done, it will wish there were a great distance between it and its evil. But Allah cautions you (To remember) Himself. And Allah is full of kindness to those that serve Him."(3:30) - Traditional translations
مَثَلُ مَا يُنفِقُونَ فِي هَذِهِ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا كَمَثَلِ رِيحٍ فِيهَا صِرٌّ أَصَابَتْ حَرْثَ قَوْمٍ ظَلَمُواْ أَنفُسَهُمْ فَأَهْلَكَتْهُ وَمَا ظَلَمَهُمُ اللّهُ وَلَـكِنْ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ
What they spend in the life of this (material) world May be likened to a wind which brings a nipping frost: It strikes and destroys the harvest of men who have wronged their own souls: it is not Allah that hath wronged them, but they wrong themselves (3:117) Traditional translations
O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst you Traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily Allah hath been to you Most Merciful! (4:29)
Every soul shall have a taste of death in the end to Us shall ye be brought back.
(29:57) Traditional translations
So that Allah will recompense every soul for what it earned. Indeed, Allah is swift in account. (14:51) (40:17) - Traditional translations
One Day every soul will come up struggling for itself, and every soul will be recompensed (fully) for all its actions, and none will be unjustly dealt with (16:111)
"Verily the Hour is coming - My design is to keep it hidden - for every soul to receive its reward by the measure of its Endeavour (20:15) - Traditional translations
Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial. To Us must ye return (21:35) - Traditional translations
Every soul shall have a taste of death in the end to Us shall ye be brought back.
Allah created the heavens and the earth for just ends, and in order that each soul may find the recompense of what it has earned, and none of them be wronged (45:22) - Traditional translations
To Allah belongeth all that is in the heavens and on earth. Whether ye show what is in your minds or conceal it, Allah Calls you to account for it. He forgives whom He pleases, and punishes whom He pleases, for Allah hath power over all things (2:284) - Traditional translations
But those who believe and work righteousness,- no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear,- they will be Companions of the Garden, therein to dwell (for ever) (7:42) - Traditional translations
The entire Quran talks about نَفْسٍ Nafs (self / soul) and not about الْجِسْمِ Jism (The body) of human so it is obvious that the body and self are different entities and the Quran only concentrates on the abstract self / soul and not on the physical body.
ALLAH IS SWIFT IN TAKING ACCOUNTS – WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
The traditionalists assume that Akhirah and Qayimah are future events which will take thousands of years to happen. Their concept of Akhirah and Qayimah does not match the teachings of the Quran. The book Quran says Allah is swift in taking accounts. If this event happens 1000 of years of our demise then the traditionalists concepts contradict the verses of the Quran, where it clearly says that Allah is swift In taking accounts (2:202, 3:19, 3:199, 5:44, 13:41, 14:51, 24:39, 40:17).
This means our accounts starts the moment we indulge in committing mistakes and sins. Allah does not wait for the “Day of Judgment” to judge us and take accounts accordingly. Our concept of Akhirah in the traditional sense is wrong that’s why we are so relaxed and cool. Please come out of illusions and wrong concept if you really want to succeed.
WHY ALLAH HAS CREATED “SEVEN HEAVEN, SEVEN EARTH” & MAN?
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
"And I have not evolved AL-Jinn and AL-Ins except for continuous service" – (51:56)
اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ وَمِنَ الْأَرْضِ مِثْلَهُنَّ يَتَنَزَّلُ الْأَمْرُ بَيْنَهُنَّ لِتَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عِلْمًا
It is Allah who has evolved several higher (heaven) and from the lower consciousness (earth), the like of them. [His] command continuously descends between them so YOU MAY KNOW THAT ALLAH IS ALL POWERFUL over all desires and that Allah certainly is attentive with all desires of knowledge (65:12)
The purpose of creation is clearly mentioned in verse 51:56 & 65:12. Through the evolution process consisting of several levels of Higher and Lower consciousness, ALLAH or the SYSTEM OF CONSCIOUSNESS (RABB) WANTS TO MANIFEST ITS OWN POWER AND COMMAND over all desires and intentions of knowledge. Nevertheless Rabb is the part of our evolutionary process and encompasses everything.
MY ANALYSIS:
According to the thesis presented by the Quran, the desire of the Consciousness (Rabb) to manifest its own Qadeer (Value / Power) and Fitrat (Character), is one of the main subject matter. According to thesis of the Quran the Consciousness has chosen man to be the instrument of His desire to fulfill His plan to manifest, He created Man in His own nature (30:30). The creation of man is for the upright submission and continuous service to the Rabb.
Identification and recognition of HIMSELF through various roles or categories of Human being is the purpose of His Agenda. To fulfill that agenda He has instilled man with guidances by installing various inherent messengers to guide them through His Agenda or His will. The duty of man is to recognize his own role for which he has been bestowed with the status of supreme creation. If the man does not understand his role and distracts himself with other appealing tasks by copying others, then he is serving his own self (nafs) or his own agenda. When man fails to recognize his own role in the embedded script, he fails in his duty towards the design of the master plan, and due to that he faces various troubles, difficulties, distress, anxiety, worry, agitation, harassment, stress, annoyance, irritations. This happens because man drifts away from the main agenda of his own Consciousness or being and lives in an illusion of Duniya. He does not want to return back to his Rabb and assumes the present world as his permanent or final abode. But the Quran says that the best abode is with Him (25:24) (25:75-76) (79:40-41)…
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Consciousness is the state or quality of awareness, or, of being aware of an external object or something within oneself. It has been defined as: sentience, awareness, subjectivity, the ability to experience or to feel, wakefulness, having a sense of selfhood, and the executive control system of the mind – Wikipedia
“Consciousness refers to your individual awareness of your unique thoughts, memories, feelings, sensations, and environment.
Your conscious experiences are constantly shifting and changing. For example, in one moment you may be focused on reading this article. Your consciousness may then shift to the memory of a conversation you had earlier with a co-worker. Next, you might notice how uncomfortable your chair is, or maybe you are mentally planning dinner.
This ever-shifting stream of thoughts can change dramatically from one moment to the next, but your experience of it seems smooth and effortless.
In psychology, consciousness is occasionally confused with the conscience. It is important to note that while consciousness involves awareness of yourself and the world, your conscience is related to your morality and sense of right or wrong.
The global work space theory suggests that we have a memory bank from which the brain draws information to form the experience of conscious awareness. While integrated information theory focuses more on identifying whether an organism is conscious, the global work space theory offers a much broader approach to understanding how consciousness works.
While consciousness has intrigued philosophers and scientists for thousands of years, we clearly have a long way to go in our understanding the concept. Researchers continue to explore the different bases of consciousness including the physical, social, cultural and psychological influences that contribute to our conscious awareness”. Extracted from the Consciousness: The psychology of awareness by Kendra Cherry (Psychologist and author of Everything Psychology Book)
The problem with many philosophies of the old scriptures like Quran is that they are treated by its followers as heavenly and which are believed to be for only a particular class of people. But the truth is the ancient scriptures have an immense wealth of knowledge but only for all those who are interested to study it. Although the original language in which those scriptures have been written are no more in colloquial usage. Sadly it has become a liturgical language which is only used in religious rituals or ceremonies. The general masses too are not interested to know the actual truth of their respective holy books. They are content with whatever has been dictated to them by their respective religious heads.
Maximum references are given by quoting traditional translations, as my main purpose is to convey the essence of an important subject rather than confusing the readers with my unconventional translations. Readers are requested to read carefully. I have tried to simply provide a rough idea about what the Al-Akhirah is with the help of some verses from the Quran.
The purpose of this article is to just scatter the seeds of thoughts in the air so that it may get planted in some fertile land and whoever nurtures it properly may find some fruits in it.
WHAT IS YAUMUL-QIYAMAH?
To be continued….
Identification and recognition of HIMSELF through various roles or categories of Human being is the purpose of His Agenda. To fulfill that agenda He has instilled man with guidances by installing various inherent messengers to guide them through His Agenda or His will. The duty of man is to recognize his own role for which he has been bestowed with the status of supreme creation. If the man does not understand his role and distracts himself with other appealing tasks by copying others, then he is serving his own self (nafs) or his own agenda. When man fails to recognize his own role in the embedded script, he fails in his duty towards the design of the master plan, and due to that he faces various troubles, difficulties, distress, anxiety, worry, agitation, harassment, stress, annoyance, irritations. This happens because man drifts away from the main agenda of his own Consciousness or being and lives in an illusion of Duniya. He does not want to return back to his Rabb and assumes the present world as his permanent or final abode. But the Quran says that the best abode is with Him (25:24) (25:75-76) (79:40-41)…
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The noble Quran is not the book of science whose information or knowledge is based on some theories and discoveries. Science mainly deals in physical or material things, whereas Quran deals in abstract things like emotions or feelings and their consequences if not controlled or timely checked. To compare both the subjects is injustice to the noble Quran as well as the science. Although the basic source of knowledge of both, the Quran and science is the same that is the power of imagination or inspiration (Wahi) from the Knowledgeable Consciousness (رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ). Scientific discoveries are backed by lengthy arguments by eminent scientists which can be amended or rejected whenever new findings are discovered. But until then the old findings remain as if it is the word of God for the general masses unless proven wrong by the new discoveries. This is the major difference between scientific and religious temperaments. But apparently Quran is neither a religious book nor a scientific book; in fact it’s a book of consciousness a subject of psychology.
Consciousness is the state or quality of awareness, or, of being aware of an external object or something within oneself. It has been defined as: sentience, awareness, subjectivity, the ability to experience or to feel, wakefulness, having a sense of selfhood, and the executive control system of the mind – Wikipedia
“Consciousness refers to your individual awareness of your unique thoughts, memories, feelings, sensations, and environment.
Your conscious experiences are constantly shifting and changing. For example, in one moment you may be focused on reading this article. Your consciousness may then shift to the memory of a conversation you had earlier with a co-worker. Next, you might notice how uncomfortable your chair is, or maybe you are mentally planning dinner.
This ever-shifting stream of thoughts can change dramatically from one moment to the next, but your experience of it seems smooth and effortless.
In psychology, consciousness is occasionally confused with the conscience. It is important to note that while consciousness involves awareness of yourself and the world, your conscience is related to your morality and sense of right or wrong.
The global work space theory suggests that we have a memory bank from which the brain draws information to form the experience of conscious awareness. While integrated information theory focuses more on identifying whether an organism is conscious, the global work space theory offers a much broader approach to understanding how consciousness works.
While consciousness has intrigued philosophers and scientists for thousands of years, we clearly have a long way to go in our understanding the concept. Researchers continue to explore the different bases of consciousness including the physical, social, cultural and psychological influences that contribute to our conscious awareness”. Extracted from the Consciousness: The psychology of awareness by Kendra Cherry (Psychologist and author of Everything Psychology Book)
The problem with many philosophies of the old scriptures like Quran is that they are treated by its followers as heavenly and which are believed to be for only a particular class of people. But the truth is the ancient scriptures have an immense wealth of knowledge but only for all those who are interested to study it. Although the original language in which those scriptures have been written are no more in colloquial usage. Sadly it has become a liturgical language which is only used in religious rituals or ceremonies. The general masses too are not interested to know the actual truth of their respective holy books. They are content with whatever has been dictated to them by their respective religious heads.
Some who think outside the beliefs of their respective religions are labeled as Atheists as they reject all the super natural dogmas. Just like the religious, these people too are rigid in their way of thinking and they won’t accept anything which is even slightly against their way of thinking. Peaceful existence, tolerance and secularism are the main subjects of the Quran but these two groups (Atheist and religious) leave no opportunity to attack each other’s philosophies.
I would like to make my stance clear, I do not believe in supernatural personal God, whose decisions are based on the whims and fancies of mindless rituals performed by individuals. But I am a firm believer in the cause and effect rule or the system of what you sow so shall you reap. There is no one sitting up there that takes our accounts or controls us. We are accountable and liable for what we do. I am a firm believer in the System of Personal Consciousness’s connection with the Cosmic Consciousness which I termed as RABB. And all our actions are recorded by this system of consciousness and according to that our life’s cycle will revolve and gradually evolve. Computers become old and die but their data is saved in the record of nature, we may recognize it as internet, similarly a person will die but his accounts will remain in the record of its consciousness which never dies or is eternal.
Coming back to Quran the book of 114 chapters that mainly discusses cosmic psychology in which humans are the main character. Psychology is a study of the human mind, its functions and applications, especially those affecting human behavior in a given context. The book Quran discusses about this aspect of human behavior and its consequences on self and individuals.NOBLE QURAN CHAPTER 45 JATHIYA 3-11:
3 Verily in the heavens and the earth are Signs for those who believe.
4 And in the creation of yourselves and the fact that animals are scattered (through the earth) are Signs for those of assured faith.
5 And in the alternation of night and day, and the fact that Allah sends down sustenance from the sky, and revives therewith the earth after its death, and the change of the winds are Signs for those that are wise.
6 Such are the Signs of Allah which We rehearse to thee in Truth: then in what exposition will they believe after (rejecting) Allah and His Signs?
7 Woe to each sinful dealer in falsehoods:
8 He hears the Signs of Allah rehearsed to him yet is obstinate and lofty as if he had not heard them: then announce to him a Penalty Most Grievous!
9 And when he learns something of Our Signs he takes them in jest: for such there will be a Humiliating Penalty.
10 In front of them is Hell: and of no profit to them is anything they may have earned, nor any protectors they may have taken to themselves besides Allah: for them is a Tremendous Penalty.
11 This is (True) Guidance: and for those who reject the Signs of their Lord is a Grievous Penalty of abomination - Traditional translations
Maximum references are given by quoting traditional translations, as my main purpose is to convey the essence of an important subject rather than confusing the readers with my unconventional translations. Readers are requested to read carefully. I have tried to simply provide a rough idea about what the Al-Akhirah is with the help of some verses from the Quran.
The purpose of this article is to just scatter the seeds of thoughts in the air so that it may get planted in some fertile land and whoever nurtures it properly may find some fruits in it.
WHAT IS YAUMUL-QIYAMAH?
To be continued….
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