TODAY, THE MUSLIM IDENTITY IS LINKED MORE SO WITH THE IMAGES OF MUSLIM COUNTRIES INSTEAD OF INDIVIDUAL MUSLIM(S) PERSONALITIES...UNFORTUNATELY WHEN IT COMES TO OUR COUNTRIES AND ALL THE DISORDER PROJECTED THROUGH THE MEDIA ALONG WITH THE ARTICLES OF POVERTY AND FILTH OF NEIGHBORHOODS; THAT IS A PERSONAL BLEMISH TOWARDS OUR OWN DISUNITY & POOR ATTITUDES TOWARDS ORDER... RACISM & NATIONALISM HAS DRAWN LINES OF DIVISION THAT CAUSE MUSLIMS ALL THE PAIN AND HARDSHIP WE SUFFER TODAY...IN ADDITION TO THOSE LINES ARE THE LINES OF SECTS DUE TO LACK OF KNOWLEDGE, WHY? BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN CONDITIONED TOWARDS DISOBEDIENCE OF THE QUR'AN AND SUNNAH. OPINIONS, PERSONAL PHILOSOPHIES & INFLUENCES OF MATERIALISTIC SOCIETIES ARE ALSO LENDING A HAND IN THE BREACH OF CULTURE... PERSONAL INTERPRETATIONS ABANDONING THE SUNNAH; IMPLEMENTING HUMAN DESIRE...AND FORMATION OF GROUPS ALIGNED TO STRENGTHEN PARTICULAR VIEWS...IT'S ALL POLITICS INSIDE AND OUT. And mankind was not but one community [united in religion], but [then] they differed. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord, it would have been judged between them [immediately] concerning that over which they differ. 10:19
Unfortunately, many Muslims have lost the knowledge of this blessed deen completed upon the Nation of Muhammad s.a.w. with his prophet-hood and revelation. Taken only as a direction of prayer they don't understand the establishment of Mecca as capital, & a direction of which will eliminate argument and force consensus if followed. The Jews with Jerusalem the Christian with Rome; these serve as not only a direction for lets says the Jews in facing the West Wall in prayer, but a direction of instruction & leadership like the pope with Rome.... More backwards today from corruption and divided sects that have infiltrated the purity & truth of a perfected religion well preserved and documented; we find so called "Muslim countries" leading and or forcing the citizens into practices that are clearly un-Islamic. The association of partnership to the creator is an unforgivable sin for those who commit it and die without repentance. They have placed themselves in partnership with Allah swt in changing his religion, mandates & tenants of the faith...Salaatul-Jumu"ah (the friday prayer) is met with all sorts of changes...Another is Changing the time in the beginning of Ramadan to aide people in increasing the hour making the fajr prayer earlier after remaining awake after tarahwee and eating...then increasing the hour towards the end of Ramadan...We also witness the changing of the day of Eid even when those who seek Lail-tul-Qadr of the 27th...with the correct date, but later push the day of Eid back for whatever reason. If Eid-ul-Fitr or Adha happen to fall on Friday [(I In saying this, the scholars cite as evidence the narration of Abu Dawud in his Sunan, on the authority of Iyyas bin Abi Ramlah Ash-Shami, who said : I witnessed Mu'awiyyah bin Abi Sufyan, may Allah be pleased with him , asking Zaid bin Arqam: Did you witness two Eids falling on the same day with the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhe was salaam ? He said : Yes . He asked : " And what did he do ? He replied : " He offered the Eid prayer , then he gave permission for those who wished, to perform the Friday prayer , saying : Whoever wants to pray, then let him pray . (Abu Dawud no . 1070) Also cited as evidence is the narration of Abu Dawud in his Sunan, on the authority of Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, from the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhe was salaam , which states that he said : Two Eids have fallen on this day, so whoever wished, it will siffice him instead of the Friday prayer; and we are offering the Friday prayer.( Abu Dawud no 1074).)] Allah made Eid and he made time...so how is that man choose to change these things to accomodate himself? Furthermore, why don't Muslims see this Shirk and do anything in preventing it...??? In Addition, we witness in other matters some of which take Muslims outside the fold of Al-Islam;
وَالَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مَسْجِدًا ضِرَارًا وَكُفْرًا وَتَفْرِيقًا بَيْنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَإِرْصَادًا لِّمَنْ حَارَبَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَيَحْلِفُنَّ إِنْ أَرَدْنَا إِلَّا الْحُسْنَىٰ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُو "And as for those who chose a place of worship out of opposition and disbelief, and in order to cause dissent among the believers, and as an outpost for those who warred against Allah and His messenger aforetime, they will surely swear: We purposed naught save good. Allah beareth witness that they verily are liars. 9:107 لَا تَقُمْ فِيهِ أَبَدًا لَّمَسْجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوَىٰ مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِ فِيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُوا وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِّرِي "Never set foot in such a place! Only a house of worship founded, from the very first day, upon God-consciousness is worthy of thy setting foot therein -[a house of worship] wherein there are men desirous of growing in purity: for God loves all who purify themselves. 9:108 أَفَمَنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَانَهُ عَلَىٰ تَقْوَىٰ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانٍ خَيْرٌ أَم مَّنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَانَهُ عَلَىٰ شَفَا جُرُفٍ هَارٍ فَانْهَارَ بِهِ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِي "Which. then, is the better: he who has founded his building on God-consciousness and [a desire for] His goodly acceptance-or he who has founded his building on the edge of a water-worn, crumbling river-bank, so that it [is bound to] tumble down with him into the fire of hell? For, God does not grace with His guidance people who [deliberately] do wrong" 9:109 لَا يَزَالُ بُنْيَانُهُمُ الَّذِي بَنَوْا رِيبَةً فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ إِلَّا أَن تَقَطَّعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِي " the building which they have built will never cease to be a source of deep disquiet in their hearts until their hearts crumble to pieces. And God is all-knowing, wise. 9:110 THE REASON FOR THESE VERSES BEING REVEALED TO THE PROPHET s.a.w. IS NARRATED HERE...BUT ITS MENTION IN THE QURAN WE KNOW HAS BENEFIT IN WARNING US TODAY. I PERSONALLY FIND IT STRIKING AND APPLICABLE WHERE I LIVE...THE PEOPLE HAVE ALSO ADOPTED HALLOWEEN, XMAS, NEW YEARS EVE, VALENTINES DAY, WORSHIP AT THE GRAVEYARD ON FRIDAY (which i witnessed with the death of my daughter) AND ALL SORTS OF OTHER KUFAR PRACTICES SUBHANNAH ALLAH Ta'Ala... 9:107-110 The commentators of the Qur'an said: “The Banu 'Amr ibn 'Awf built a mosque at Quba' and sent for the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, to come to them. He went there and prayed in that mosque. Their brothers from the Banu Ghunm ibn 'Awf envied them resentfully and said: 'Let us built a mosque and send for the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, to pray in it as he prayed in the mosque of our brothers, and let Abu 'Amir al-Rahib (the monk) also pray in it when he comes back from Syria'. This Abu 'Amir had embraced Christianity and became a monk in the pre-Islamic period. But when the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, moved to Medina, Abu 'Amir rejected the religion of Islam and showed enmity toward it. The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, called him then Abu 'Amir al-Fasiq (the corrupt) [instead of Abu 'Amir alRahib (the monk)]. Abu 'Amir left to Syria and then sent a letter to the hypocrites in which he wrote: 'Prepare yourselves and make ready whatever you can of force and weapons. Built a mosque for me, for I am going to the Caesar to request him to send with me Byzantine soldiers so that I drive out Muhammad and his Companions'. And so, they built for him a mosque by the Quba' mosque. Those who built this mosque were 12 men: Khidham ibn Khalid (this mosque of opposition was an extension of his house), Tha'labah ibn Hatib, Mu'attib ibn Qushayr, Abu Habibah ibn al-Az'ar, 'Abbad ibn Hunayf, Jariyah ibn 'Amir, his two sons Majma' and Zayd, Nabtal ibn Harith, Bahzaj ibn 'Uthman, Bijad ibn 'Uthman and Wadi'ah ibn Thabit. When they finished building this mosque, they went to the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, and said: 'We have built a mosque for the sick and the needy and also for use in rainy and wintry nights, and we would like you to come and pray in it'. He called for his gown, intending to wear it and go with them when the Qur'an was revealed to him and Allah, glorious and majestic is He, informed him about the mosque of opposition and what they were about to do. The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, called Malik ibn al-Dukhshum, Ma'n ibn 'Adiyy, 'Amir ibn al-Sakan and Wahshiyy, the killer of Hamzah and said to them: 'Go to this mosque whose builders have transgressed, destroy it and burn it down'. Malik proceeded with enflamed palm leaves, entered the mosque while its people were inside it, burnt it down and destroyed it. Its people dispersed [to avoid being burnt]. Then the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, commanded that that place be used as a garbage spot where carrion, dirt and refuse are thrown”. Abu 'Amir died in Syria alone, a stranger. Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn 94 Muhammad ibn Yahya informed us> Abu'l-'Abbas ibn Isma'il ibn 'Abd Allah ibn Mikal> 'Abd Allah ibn Ahmad ibn Musa al-Ahwazi> Isma'il ibn Zakariyya> Dawud ibn al-Zibriqan> Sakhr ibn Juwayriyah> 'A'ishah bint Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas> Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas who said: “The hypocrites built a mosque so that it stands comparable to the mosque of Quba' which was close to it and wanted Abu 'Amir al-Rahib to be their Imam once he came back [from Syria]. When they finished building it, they went to the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, we have built a mosque, so come and pray in it so that we take it as a place of prayer'. He grabbed his gown, intending to leave with them, when this verse (Never stand (to pray) there…) was revealed”. The Muslims have no need to imitate any of the other nations in matters of religious rituals and acts of worship, for Allaah has perfected His religion and completed His Favour, and chosen for us Islam as our religion, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion” [al-Maa'idah 5:3] Islam forbids the Muslims to imitate the kuffaar, especially the Jews and Christians, but this prohibition does not apply to all their affairs, rather it applies to matters of their religion and things that are unique to them, by which they are known. It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “You will certainly follow the ways of those who came before you hand span by hand span, cubit by cubit, to the extent that if they entered the hole of a lizard, you will enter it too.” We said: “O Messenger of Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and the Christians?” He said: “Who else?” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1397; Muslim, 4822. This hadeeth indicates that it is haraam to imitate the Jews and the Christians, and that those who follow them and tread the same path as them are criticized. Islam has reinforced this prohibition, by describing those who imitate the kuffaar as being of them. It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 3512; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 2691. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: This at the very least indicates that it is haraam to imitate them, although the apparent meaning is that the one who imitates them is a kaafir. Iqtida’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem, 237. The one who imitates the kuffaar feels that inferior and defeated, so he hastens to make up for his feelings of inadequacy by imitating those whom he admires. If these people were to ponder the greatness of Islamic sharee’ah and understand how corrupt is that civilization they are running after, they would realize that they are doing wrong and that they have forsaken something that is perfect and true for something that is imperfect and corrupt. Secondly: The types of imitation which are forbidden to us are many. Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan said: The things in which the kuffaar are imitated include acts of worship, such as imitating them in matters of shirk, such as building (structures) over graves, building shrines and exaggerating about them. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “May the curse of Allaah be upon the Jews and the Christians, for they took the graves of their Prophets as places of worship.” Al-Bukhaari, 425; Muslim, 531. And he told us that when a righteous man among them died, they would build a place of worship over his grave, and install images therein, and that they were the most evil of mankind. Al-Bukhaari, 417; Muslim, 528. Nowadays there are instances of major shirk because of exaggeration concerning graves, as is well known to scholars and ordinary folk alike. The cause of that is imitation of the Jews and Christians. Another example is their imitation of the festivals of shirk and bid’ah, such as birthday celebrations, whether it is the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or the birthdays of presidents and kings. Or these festivals of bid’ah and shirk may be named after days or weeks, such as a country’s national day or independence day, or Mother’s Day, or hygiene week, and other days or weeks that are celebrated. All of these have come to the Muslims from the kuffaar, for Islam has only two festivals: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Anything else is bid’ah and an imitation of the kuffaar. From a khutbah entitled al-Hathth ‘ala Mukhaalafat al-Kuffaar (Exhortation to be distinct from the kuffaar) In the answer to question no. 47060 we have stated that it is forbidden to imitate the kuffaar in the clothing that is unique to them and in the customs that are unique to them, such as imitating them by shaving the beard. Thirdly: The prohibition on imitating the kuffaar applies to their acts of worship and the customs that are unique to them and by which they are distinguished, not the things that they do and invent from which we may benefit. There is no sin on the Muslims if they share in that, rather the Muslims should be in the forefront of such things. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: With regard to the phrase “imitation of the kuffaar”, that does not mean that we should not use anything that they have manufactured. No one says such a thing. At the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and afterwards the people used to wear clothes made by the kuffaar and use vessels made by them. Imitation of the kuffaar means imitating their clothing and appearance, and the customs that are unique to them. It does not mean that we should not ride what they ride or wear what they wear. But if they ride in a specific way that is unique to them, then we should not ride in that way. If they tailor their clothes in a certain fashion that is unique to them, we should not do likewise. But if we have cars that are similar to theirs and fabric that is similar to theirs, there is nothing wrong with that. Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 12, question 177. And he said: The definition of imitating is when the imitator does something that is unique to those whom he is imitating. Imitation of the kuffaar refers to when a Muslim does something that is one of their unique characteristics. With regard to that which has become widespread among the Muslims and is no longer something by which the kuffaar are distinguished, then this is not imitation of the kuffaar, and it is not haraam because it is an imitation, unless it is haraam for some other reason. What we have said is what is indicated by the meaning of the word tashabbuh (imitation). Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 12, question 198. In the answer to question no. 21694 you will find a detailed discussion of the ruling on imitating the kuffaar. See question no. 43160 for further details. Fourthly: There are both beneficial things and harmful things in non-Muslim civilization. We should not ignore the good things and take the harmful things. This attitude was summed up by Shaykh al-Shanqeeti (may Allaah have mercy on him) who said: Our attitude towards western civilization may be one of four things, and there is no fifth: 1- Ignoring this civilization, good points and bad alike. 2- Adopting it in whole, good points and bad. 3- Adopting the bad things and not the good. 4- Adopting the good things and not the bad. The first three are undoubtedly wrong and only one of them is undoubtedly good, which is the last one. Adwa’ al-Bayaan, 4/382. Fifthly: With regard to the words of ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him), “What the Muslims think is good is good before Allaah”, this does not refer to things that go against sharee’ah but which may be deemed good on the basis of rational thinking. Imam al-Shaafa’i (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Whoever thinks something is good issuing a ruling.” It does not refer to when one person thinks a thing is good but the majority of people do not. Rather this phrase may be interpreted in one of two ways, both of which are sound: 1 – That what is meant is traditions and customs that do not go against sharee’ah 2 – That what is meant is the proof of scholarly consensus, for the Muslims are unanimously agreed that thinking a thing is good is consensus which counts as evidence. So this thing must be good before Allaah as well. This is what is indicated by the words, “What the Muslims think is good.” See al-Mabsoot by al-Sarkhasi, 12/138’ al-Faroosiyyah by Ibn al-Qayyim, p. 298. These interpretations mentioned above are applicable if we take the words of Ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) as applying to all the Muslims in general. But from the context it seems that he is referring to the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) only, and not others. What Ibn Mas’ood said was: “Allaah looked into the hearts of His slaves and found that the heart of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was the best of all His slaves’ hearts. So He chose him for Himself and sent him with His Message. Then He looked into the hearts of all His slaves after the heart of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and He found that the hearts of his companions were the best of all His slaves’ hearts, so He made them the helpers of His Prophet, fighting for the sake of his religion. So what the Muslims think is good is good before Allaah and whatever the Muslims think is bad is bad before Allaah.” Narrated by Ahmad, 3418; classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Takhreej al-Tahhaawiyyah, 530. Whatever the case, it is not correct to quote the words of Ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) as evidence for thinking as good that which is forbidden in Islam, such as imitating the mushrikeen. And Allaah knows best. Now, since the decline in knowledge among Muslims especially in "so-called Muslim countries" we find that certain mathaabs have come about and excercise their views through govenment backing and sheer numbers...the ignorance continues on through successive generations with worsening effects. Mixed up with the pop-culture desires of the youth towards American-ized persuasions the Muslims countries who have in particular opened their doors in partnership with America have all been provoked through policy or cohersion of some sort in closing Islamic schools and calling their governments to demonize certain aspects of Islam. We are now witnessing the same phobias of America through media imagery in Muslim lands...This of course is ridiculous behavior and often characterized as a modernity assault. This particular battles of the hearts & minds has already destroyed generations from knowledge, and so they are left only with rituals. The Quran can't be fully understood without the Sunnah of the Prophet s.a.w. who is our teacher of the revelation...but not present in ANY ONE MASAJID DO WE SEE ANY BOOKS OF SUNNAH...Morocco, my own country is one such country in which all of these conditions exist...Over-whelming Sufia and ignorant towards the sunnah; the society is corrupt and very, very far from the straight path... Many see advice towards correction with aggression, and because of ignorance they follow blindly. Illiteracy is another condition that has struck the people and forced them into blind following. It is not my intention to air out all the dirty secrets of a people and a country...but instead it is my attention to fight peacefully with truth (quran & sunnah) the corrupt was and innovations that are adapted everyday and followed. The only way to combat ignorance is by making the TRUTH overwhelming CLEAR...
If the mosques that are there belong to followers of innovation and whims and desires whose innovation has reached such level of disbelief that they have gone beyond the bounds of Islam, then undoubtedly it is not permissible to pray behind them, as has been explained in fatwa no. 20885. In that case the Muslims should pray in their houses and the like. But if their innovation has not put them beyond the pale of Islam, then it is permissible to pray behind them if there are no mosques of Ahl as-Sunnah, who follow the true path. This has been explained in detail in fatwa no. 72441 Based on the above: If the followers of innovation who are in charge of the mosques have not reached the level of disbelief and going beyond the bounds of Islam because of their innovation, then it is permissible for you to pray behind them, especially in Jumu‘ah and prayers in congregation. But if their innovation has taken them to the level of disbelief, then it is not permissible for you to pray with them. In that case it is prescribed for you to pray Jumu‘ah in your houses. We put this question to our shaykh, ‘Abd ar-Rahmaan al-Barraak (may Allah preserve him) and he said: They should pray Jumu‘ah in their houses. End quote. Based on that, if you are able to pray it openly, that is what should be done in principle. In fact some of the scholars make that a condition of Jumu‘ah prayer being valid, as it says in al-Bahr ar-Raa’iq (2/162): A condition of it being valid is that it should be done openly, to the extent that if a governor were to close the doors of the fortress and lead his people and troops in Jumu‘ah prayer inside it, that would not be acceptable… But if he opens the doors of his palace and gives permission to the people to enter, it is permissible although it is makrooh, because he did not fulfil the rights of the Jaami‘ mosque. They gave as the reason for the former the fact that it is one of the symbols of Islam and one of the unique characteristics of the religion, so it should be established openly. End quote. If you cannot do it openly for a legitimate shar‘i reason such as fear or persecution and the like, then it is permissible for you in that case to do it secretly, for Allah does not burden any soul with more than it can bear. However it should be noted that Jumu‘ah prayer is waived in the event of fear for one’s life or property. And Allah knows best. IN CLOSING; OUR QIBLAH ESTABLISHED AFTER THE HIJRAH TO MEDINA...ESTABLISHED NOT ONLY THE DIRECTION IN WHICH WE PRAY, BUT ESTABLISHED THE CAPITOL OF THE NATION OF MUHAMMAD s.a.w POLITICALLY...FROM THIS CAPITAL MUSLIMS SHOULD NOT JUST FACE IN PRAYER, BUT IF WE ALL COLLECTIVELY TOOK OUR DIRECTION IN INSTRUCTION WE WOULD AGAIN HAVE UNITY IN THE UMMAH. FASTING WOULD BEGIN ONLY IN DIFFERENCES IN TIME ZONES, AS WELL AS EID... SECONDLY, THE STRENGTH OF THE MUSLIMS WOULD BE RESTORED. TODAY, DRAWN BORDERS, AND MONARCHIES ALL ESTABLISHED BY ENEMIES TO ISLAM GOVERN THE AFFAIRS AND WELL BEINGS OF MUSLIMS WHO ARE BEING SLAUGHTERED. ALLIANCES OF ARAB GOVERNMENTS CAN UNIFY TO BOMB OTHER MUSLIMS IN CAMPAIGNS OVER-SEEN BY ENEMIES BUT NO ALLIANCES CAN COME ABOUT IN ORDER TO PROTECT MUSLIM LIVES...WHY? ITS TIME TO HOLD THESE PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE...POLITICS IS OFTEN SOMETHING AVERAGE MUSLIMS DON''T LIKE TO PARTAKE IN, BUT I ARGUE THE POINT OF IT BEING NECESSARY JUST AS THE LOCAL POLITICS OF MUSLIM COMMUNITIES AND OR THAT OF THE MASJID... THESE DIVISIONS IN DEEN ONLY HELP TO STRENGTHEN THE BORDERS OF NATIONALISM ETC. RIGHT KNOWLEDGE HOLDS THE KEY TO BRINGING DOWN THOSE DIVISIONS... 142. The fools (pagans, hypocrites, and Jews) among the people will say, "What has turned them (Muslims) from their Qiblah [prayer direction (towards Jerusalem)] to which they were used to face in prayer." Say, (O Muhammad ) "To Allah belong both, east and the west. He guides whom He wills to a Straight Way."
143. Thus We have made you [true Muslims - real believers of Islamic Monotheism, true followers of Prophet Muhammad and his Sunnah (legal ways)], a Wasat (just) (and the best) nation, that you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger (Muhammad ) be a witness over you. And We made the Qiblah (prayer direction towards Jerusalem) which you used to face, only to test those who followed the Messenger (Muhammad ) from those who would turn on their heels (i.e. disobey the Messenger). Indeed it was great (heavy) except for those whom Allah guided. And Allah would never make your faith (prayers) to be lost (i.e. your prayers offered towards Jerusalem). Truly, Allah is full of kindness, the Most Merciful towards mankind. 144. Verily! We have seen the turning of your (Muhammad's ) face towards the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you to a Qiblah (prayer direction) that shall please you, so turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid- al-Haram (at Makkah). And wheresoever you people are, turn your faces (in prayer) in that direction. Certainly, the people who were given the Scriptures (i.e. Jews and the Christians) know well that, that (your turning towards the direction of the Ka'bah at Makkah in prayers) is the truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do. 145. And even if you were to bring to the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) all the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they would not follow your Qiblah (prayer direction), nor are you going to follow their Qiblah (prayer direction). And they will not follow each other'sQiblah (prayer direction). Verily, if you follow their desires after that which you have received of knowledge (from Allah), then indeed you will be one of theZalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, etc.). 146. Those to whom We gave the Scripture (Jews and Christians) recognise him (Muhammad or the Ka'bah at Makkah) as they recongise their sons. But verily, a party of them conceal the truth while they know it - [i.e. the qualities of Muhammad which are written in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)]. 147. (This is) the truth from your Lord. So be you not one of those who doubt. 148. For every nation there is a direction to which they face (in their prayers). So hasten towards all that is good. Wheresoever you may be, Allah will bring you together (on the Day of Resurrection). Truly, Allah is Able to do all things. 149. And from wheresoever you start forth (for prayers), turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah), that is indeed the truth from your Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what you do. 150. And from wheresoever you start forth (for prayers), turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah), and wheresoever you are, turn your faces towards, it (when you pray) so that men may have no argument against you except those of them that are wrong-doers, so fear them not, but fear Me! - And so that I may complete My Blessings on you and that you may be guided. 151. Similarly (to complete My Blessings on you) We have sent among you a Messenger (Muhammad ) of your own, reciting to you Our Verses (the Qur'an) and sanctifying you, and teaching you the Book (the Qur'an) and the Hikmah (i.e. Sunnah, Islamic laws and Fiqh - jurisprudence), and teaching you that which you used not to know. 152. Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying, etc.). I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless Favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me. 153. O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer). Truly! Allah is with As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.). CHAPTER 2: 142-153 |