Posts Tagged ‘islam’

Lost Prophets of India
 
Khurshid Imam
 
 
Index
 
A.    Introduction
B.     Hindus / India without Prophet?
C.     Prophet Noah community does not recognize its prophet
D.    Quran, Prophet Noah and Vedas
E.     Prophet Noah, Hindu Scriptures and India
F.     Prophet Adam, Hindu scriptures and India
G.    Prophet Adam was sent to the holy land of India
H.    Hindus and Muslims are lost brothers
I.     Conclusion
 
 
A. Introduction
 
Quran proclaims that messenger or prophet was sent to every nation/ every community. Quran mentions 25 prophets by name. Our Hindu brethren – in India – always come up with this question:
·         Which prophet was sent to India?
·         Is God of Islam discriminatory that he sent all messengers in and around Arab?
·         Today India forms 17% of world population; Hindu community is one of the largest communities of the world – how come Quran is completely absent from mentioning the name of prophet who was sent here?
·         Is Quran only for Arabs so that it mentions about prophets sent to that area but not for Indian peninsula?
 
A knowledgeable Muslim will rightly say – “It is not possible that Quran will mention name and details of each of hundreds of thousands of prophets, else it will become the bulkiest book of the world. Who will read the book whose pages will run into millions? Quran is mainly book of guidance and by mentioning 25 prophets Quran guides us for this world. Surely every community and nation was bestowed with prophet. We don’t know which prophet was sent to India”.
 
This last statement is made depending upon the knowledge and research. Most of Muslim will make this statement. However a deeper study of Quran, hadees (books containing words of Prophet Muhammad), history and other sources will surprise all of us.
 
Please note my beloved Hindu brethren: Most of you have the notion that Islam is a religion “founded” by Prophet Muhammad 1400 years back. Kindly clear this misconception. Nowhere Quran claims that Prophet Muhammad was the founder of any religion NOR God says that through Quran any NEW religion came into existence. God clears that Prophet Muhammad was the seal of prophet (Last prophet) (Refer to Surah Ahzab 33:40) and that Prophet Muhammad was not given any new religion rather the same old age religion of God that was previously given to all prophets.
 
The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah–the which We have sent by inspiration to you–and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses and Jesus: Namely that you should remain steadfast in Religion and make no divisions therein:……….. [Quran, Surah Shura 42:13]
 
So as per Islamic belief there has been Prophet / messenger of God in various places in different era and all of them taught and propagated the same religion of God. This religion is called “Islam” in Arabic language.
Terminologies that will be used in this article: Hadees=Words of Prophet Muhammad compiled in book; Ved= God’s word as per Hinduism; Puran, bhagwad Geeta, Ramcharitmanas= Sacred and revered scripture of Hinduism.
 
 
B. Hindus / India without Prophet?
 
All theist communities – those who believe in religion and existence of God – associate themselves with their Prophet. Even though the belief regarding their prophet is distorted, yet they know him-at least.
 
Community                Book that is considered divine           Prophet
 
Muslims           –          Quran                                             Prophet Muhammad
Christians        –           Bible                                                Prophet Jesus
Jews                –          Old Testament                                 Prophet Moses
Hindus            –           Vedas                                                     ??
 
If you ask a common Hindu; what is the God’s word in Hinduism? Most of them will say Bhagwad Geeta or Ramayana or Mahabharata. But you have to remind them that these all are human written books; only Vedas are claimed to be God’s word in Hinduism. Vedas are considered ishwani (God’s word) or aupaurishya i.e. divine. Though every Hindu loves Ram, Krishna most but he does not attribute Vedas being revealed to any of them. If Vedas are God’s word then there must be someone on whom it was revealed. Our country has lost its prophet in mythological stories. The first recipient of Vedas was the messenger on whom the book was revealed.
 
Allah has mentioned that for every community a prophet was sent.
a. “..For every Qaum (nation or community) there has been a warner [Quran, Surah Ra’d 13:7]
وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ
 
b. “And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community) a Messenger...” [Quran, Surah Namal 16:36]
وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولًا
 
It will be highly surprising that no prophet was sent to India which happens to be one of the important cradles of human civilization. Definitely some Prophet would have come to this country India among Hindu masses. May be that Prophet is lost into mythological stories.
“Does Quran gives any indication of Hindi community”- is beyond the scope of this article.
 
 
C. Prophet Noah community does not recognize its prophet.
 
Out of all major communities only Hindus have a book (claimed to be God’s word) but not a person who can be associated with it. The Prophet of Hindus is Lost. Hindu community – as a whole does not recognize its prophet.
 
The shock is that – Community of Prophet Noah(Peace be upon him) also does not recognize him as a whole !!!. Look at this very interesting Hadees:
 
 “Allah’s messenger said, “Noah and his nation will come (on the Day of Resurrection) and Allah will ask (Noah), “Did you convey (the Message of God)?’
He will reply, ‘Yes, O my Lord!’
Then Allah will ask Noah’s nation, ‘Did Noah convey My Message to you?’
They will reply, ‘No; no prophet came to us.’
Then Allah will ask Noah, ‘Who will stand a witness for you?’
He will reply, ‘Muhammad and his followers (will stand witness for me).’ So, I and my followers will stand as Witnesses for him (that he conveyed Allah’s Message)………….”
[Sahih Bukhari Volume 60 (Prophetic Commentary on the Quran), Hadees 14;
Sahih Bukhari Book 96 (Holding Fast to the Quran and Sunnah) Hadees 77]
 
Please note down some important points from the above Hadees:
1.      When Allah will ask Prophet Noah whether he conveyed the message of Islam to his people then he will reply YES.
 
2.      When People of Prophet Noah will be asked whether Prophet Noah conveyed them message then what will be the reply of his community? His community will clearly REFUSE to acknowledge any Prophet coming among them. They will; in fact; say that no prophet came among them.
 
3.      So it means people of Noah – as a whole – don’t recognize him as a Prophet.
 
4.      Now who will be witness regarding prophet Noah claim that he came and delivered his message? Ummat (People) of Prophet Muhammad i.e. I and you will be witness. We will bear witness that Prophet Noah did come to his people, delivered his message but his people-as a whole-will not recognize him.
 
5.      Today Hindus are the only theist community who claim to have God’s word but fail to recognize their prophet. Does not this Hadees provide a very strong link between Prophet Noah and Hindus?
 
Hindu brethren do not know their Prophet. They say prophet hood is not part of their faith / culture.
Prophet Noah’s people will refuse to recognize / acknowledge any Prophet coming among them.
 
 
D. Quran, Prophet Noah and Vedas
 
Some very important observations from the Quran:
1. Prophet Noah was the first Prophet with laws.
 
He was first ba-shariat nabi i.e. Prophet who was given complete revelation; laws regarding religion.
Look at the chronological “order” of prophets when Allah speaks about Prophets – especially in context with religion / revelation – then it will always start with Prophet Noah and end with Prophet Muhammad.
 
We have sent you inspiration as we sent it to Noah and the Messengers after him; we sent inspiration to Abraham,  Ismail, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron and Solomon and to David We gave the Psalms. [Quran, Surah Nisa 4:163]
 
The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah–the which We have sent by inspiration to you–and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses and Jesus: Namely that you should remain steadfast in Religion and make no divisions therein……[Quran, Surah Shura 42:13]
 
And (remember) when We took from the Prophets their covenant, and from you and from Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), and ‘Îsa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary). We took from them a strong covenant. [Quran, Surah Ahzaab 33:7]
 
Let’s take; for example 42:13 of Quran. The Prophets mentioned in chronicle order are:
 
Prophet                                    Revelation                               Today’s community
 
Prophet Muhammad                Quran                                      Muslims
Prophet Jesus                          Injeel                                       Christians
Prophet Moses                        Torah                                       Jews
Prophet Abraham                    Sohfa-e-Ibraheem                   Arabs/Jews
Prophet Noah                              ?                                              ?
 
We see that Prophet Noah is indicated as the first Messenger in these places of Quran. Also from hadees [Sahi Bukhari Volume 4, Book 55, hadith 556; Sahi Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, hadith 236] we know that Prophet Noah was the first ba-shariat nabi i.e. Prophet who was given complete Shariat i.e. laws. This was given in the form of revelation.
 
Also it’s interesting to see that all theist community of people who had God’s word are covered using above equation. Till now we had Hindu community but no prophet. Can Prophet Noah be prophet of Hindus? Prophet Noah has to be prophet of the oldest community or one of the oldest communities.
 
2. Hindu / Indian civilization – oldest civilization
 
Hindus have been claiming for years that they are the oldest religious community. Vedic religion is accepted as oldest religion by historians. No other community in the world claims that its religion is oldest – except Hindus. No wonder Vedas – claimed to be God’s word by Hindus – are said to be Aadi granth which means earliest revelation.
 
Now can you match the dots .. Prophet Noah.. Vedas ..Hindus?
Re-writing Quran, 42:13 in tabular form:
 
Prophet                                    Revelation                               Today’s community
 
Prophet Muhammad                    Quran                                       Muslims
Prophet Jesus                              Injeel                                        Christians
Prophet Moses                            Torah                                       Jews
Prophet Abraham                        Sohfa-e-Ibraheem                     Arabs
Prophet Noah                              Vedas?                                     Hindus?
 
 
3. Does Quran give any indication towards Vedas?
 
Look at this ayah of the Quran:
وَإِنَّهُ لَفِي زُبُرِ الْأَوَّلِينَ
“…wa innahu lafi zuburil awwaleen”- And verily it (Quran) is in earliest revelations.[Quran, Surah Shura 26:196]
 
Translating word Zuburil awwaleen into English; it means: earliest revelations.
Translating word Zuburil awwaleen into Sanskrit; it means Aadi Granth or: earliest revelations.
 
Please keep in mind ONLY holy Vedas are proclaimed as earliest revelations or aadi granth. So this ayah indicates that teachings of the Quran are into aadi granth. Is it possible that Quran is referring to Vedas in this ayah which is claimed as aadi granth  by Hindus?
When we actually look into Vedas then we DO find about tauheed (oneness of God), risalat (Prophet hood), akhrat (Life hereafter) and other aspects of Islam; though shirk is also mentioned (subject to interpretation). There are tons of other similarities between Quran and Vedas – description of which is beyond the scope of this article.
 
So Quran is referring to earliest scriptures of Allah and saying that teachings of Quran are present in that. When we look into Vedas then we do find lot of similarities and fundamentals of Quran present in Vedas.
Here one thing I would like to make clear. Some people may argue that word Zubril awaaleen was not taken as in the sense of Vedas by Sahaba (Companions of Prophet) or others. What we need to understand is that Quran is meant till qiyamah and it’s very eloquent. Every word of Quran is perfect, well balanced, conveying lot of meanings; we understand better and better with the passage of time. This is a big topic. Word Zubril awwaleen meant as “earliest revelations” for earlier Muslims referring to those scriptures of Allah that were sent earlier. That was also correct. Now today – after intellectual evolution we know that a community says that they have earliest revelations; then there is a strong possibility that Quran is referring to this particular book which was revealed earliest.
 
Hindus are claiming that they possess earliest revelations.
Prophet Noah is the prophet of earliest human civilization.
People of Prophet Noah will fail to recognize him – as a whole.
Today Hindus don’t recognize their Prophet.
Can you see the pattern?
 
Now there is one community who claims that it has earliest revelation; historians believe that Vedic religion happen to be earliest religion. Hindus are the only community that claims that it has earliest revelation. So can there be correlation between first Prophet-with-Shariat i.e. Prophet Noah — earliest civilization i.e. People of India — earliest scripture i.e. Vedas?
Are number of dots between Prophet Noah.. Vedas ..Hindus  increasing?
 
4. Idol worship, caste system, Quran and Hindus
 
a. Quran mentions about prophets, their call to people. Also God tells about the crime of those people; what major sins they indulged in. So a prophet’s community is characterized by some of crimes committed by its people. For example people of Prophet Lot are characterized with indulging in homosexuality.
Noah community was the one who was too much engrossed in shirk and idol worship.
Quran mentions about shirk of other community also but Noah people were so much engrossed in shirk and idol worship that Allah has mentioned about their 5 idols.
 
Nuh said: “My Lord! Surely they have disobeyed me and followed him whose wealth and children have added to him nothing but loss. And they have planned a very great plan. And they say: ‘By no means leave your gods, nor leave [the gods] Wadd, nor Suwa; nor Yaghus, and Yauq and Nasr.’ And indeed they have led astray many, and do not increase the unjust in aught but error.” [Quran, Surah Nuh 71:21-23]
 
b. There is an indication of another prevalent sin of Noah’s people. Look these two ayah of Quran:
 
But the chiefs of the Unbelievers among his people (Noah’s people) said: “We see (in) you nothing but a man like ourselves: Nor do we see that any follow you but the meanest among us, in judgment immature: Nor do we see in you (all) any merit above us: in fact we think ye are liars!” [Quran, Surah Hud 11:27]
 
قَالُوا أَنُؤْمِنُ لَكَ وَاتَّبَعَكَ الْأَرْذَلُونَ
 
They (People of Noah who rejected his teachings) said: “Shall we believe in you when it is the meanest that follow you?” [Quran, Surah Shura 26:111]
 
فَقَالَ الْمَلَأُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن قَوْمِهِ مَا نَرَاكَ إِلَّا بَشَرًا مِّثْلَنَا وَمَا نَرَاكَ اتَّبَعَكَ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ هُمْ أَرَاذِلُنَا بَادِيَ الرَّأْيِ
 
The Arabic words “ardhalūna and arādhilunāare used in above two ayah respectively which has been derived from the root word rā dhāl lām (ر ذ ل). Both words convey the meaning – “mean /vile/ lowest in status”. Arabic-English Lexicon by Edward William Lane gives the meaning of Arabic word rā dhāl lām (ر ذ ل) as “low, base, vile, or contemptible, in his aspect and states or circumstances ..”. This word is not used for any other people of any prophet. Above two ayah give the idea that some people were considered meanest or lowest among the people of Prophet Noah.
Does this refer to prevalent untouchability or “caste system”? We know that caste system is an important character of Hinduism since centuries. Even today caste-system or untouchability is very unique feature of India.
 
So can we increase number of dots between Prophet Noah – Ved – Hindus / India?
 
Important: Today dalits brethren (People in Hinduism who are considered untouchable or lowest in status) hate “Manu” for the reason that they think that Manu started and propagated caste system. It is fact that the Hindu religious book ManuSmriti does speak volume in favor of caste system yet we don’t know for sure who authored this book. What is 101% guaranteed is that none of prophets can propagate or teach such inhumane teachings. This book is attributed to Manu but for sure; neither Jal-plavan-Manu i.e. Prophet Noah (Peace be upon him) nor swaymBhuva Manu i.e. Prophet Adam (Peace be upon him) taught this. In fact from above two Quranic ayah it’s clear that Prophet Noah acted against the caste system and among his followers were those who were considered meanest and lowest.  
 
 
E. Prophet Noah, Hindu Scriptures and India
 
If a muslim is asked about Prophet Noah  (Peace be upon him)  and the great flood then he / she will immediately tell that during the era of Prophet Noah there was a great flood and this destroyed wrong doers and world life except selected few; and this event is described in Quran, Surah Hud 11:36-44
 
Similarly if a Christian is asked about this incidence he too will tell that Bible speaks about Noah and the great flood in great detail in Bible – Book of Genesis 6:9-22; Genesis Complete 7th chapter.

However the surprising point is that if a learned Hindu is asked about the great flood and Jal-Plavan-Manu i.e. Manu of the great flood then he too can quote Matsya Puran Chapter 1 & 2 and Bhawishya Puaran, Pratisarga Parva, Chapters 4-7 – and tell How God ordered Noah (mentioned as NYUH or MANU) to build a boat and put creatures into the boat and how great flood destroyed the life on land.

1- Vishnu (GOD) had got a boat built by the devtas. (In other accounts, Manu was himself asked to construct the boat). When the earth was flooded, Manu (Prophet Noah) was to place all living beings in the boat and thus save them. ….. And when the waters of the flood receded, Manu (Prophet Noah) could populate the world afresh and rule over it. [Mat’sya Purana 1:29-35]
Source:    http://www.astrojyoti.com/matsyapurana.htm

2- “Then the seven destructive clouds would spring up from vapors… and would rain in torrents till all the seas become united into one great mass. In fact, the whole earth would be covered with one vast expanse of water, then get hold of that yonder boat and put the seed of creation and the sacred Vedasin it.” [Mat’sya Purana 2:10-11]

3- “At the beginning of the re-creation of the universe which would follow the period of destruction (Caused by the Deluge / flood), I shall propagate the Vedicknowledge”. [Mat’sya Purana 2:14-16]

Please note-Vedas and Prophet Noah are referred together in above two references.
Quran speaks about (Nooh used in Quran) Prophet Noah and the great flood event.
Bible tells about (Noah used in bible) Prophet Noah and the great flood event.
Hindu scriptures describe (Nyuh and Manu) Prophet Noah and the great flood event.

Are these mere co-incidences?

Are we telling the same – one event in different scriptures?

DO we have common root; the same event reached different people through different prophets?

The ONE and the same GOD told about this important event to different people in different era through divine revelation / through prophets?

Are we witnessing real incidence of Prophet Noah soaked in mythological stories in puranas?

5. Besides these references about Noah, Let us see some Shlokas (ayah) from the Bhavishya
Purana given by Pandit Ved Prakashs’ book – Vedon aur Puranon Ke Adhar Par Dharmik Ekta Ki Jyoti –  in which there are clear references of other prophets with their original names

“…From them was born a child named Noah. He ruled for 500years. He had three sons: Sim, Sham,Bhav. Noah, the true devotee of Vishnu was engrossed in the Pantheistic meditations. One day Vishnu told him in dream: ‘O dear Noah, listen! on the seventh day there will be a disaster in the form of a Deluge / flood. You immediately embark the Ark along with the People. O’ the devotee of Indra, save your life, you are elevated’. Acting upon this advice this great personage (Noah) constructed an Ark, 300 hath (an arm’s length) long, 50 hath wide and 3000 hath deep. With his family and the couples (male+female) of each creation, he embarked the Ark and started praising Vishnu…. For forty days there were torrential rains as a result of which all the land was flooded and all the four seas united into a great mass… After the Deluge / flood the great mystic Noah resumed life along with the members of his family. Noah’s sons became popularly known as Sam, Ham, Yaqut….”.

In these Shlokas the word “Niyuh” has been used for Noah, whereas Ham and Yaqut are same.

Let’s read this same event from other source; which presents same picture.
“..His son Nyuha (Noah) ruled for 500 years. He had three sons named Sima, Sama and Bhava. Nyuha (Noah) was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Once the Lord appeared in his dream and said: “My dear Nyuha (Noah), please listen, there will be devastation on the seventh day. Therefore, you have to be very quick that you make a big boat and ride in it. O chief of the devotees, you will be celebrated as a great king”. Then he made a strong boat which was 300 hath (an arm’s length) long, 50 hath (an arm’s length) wide and 30 hath (an arm’s length) high. It was beautiful and all the living entities could take shelter in it. He then himself rode in it, engaged in meditating on Lord Vishnu. Lord Indra called the devastating cloud named Sambartaka and poured heavy rain continuously for 40 days. The whole earth, Bharat-varsa, had merged in the water and four oceans came up together. Only Visala or Badarikasrama was not submerged. There were 80,000 great transcendentalists in Visala who joined with king Nyuha and his family. All of them were saved and everything else was destroyed. [Bhawishya Puran, the Pratisarga Parva, Chapters 4 to 7]
Source: http://www.astrojyoti.com/bhavishyapurana-2.htm
 
Can Hindus, Christians and Muslims feel stronger common bonding?
 
Historical facts and observations attest very close relation between India and Prophet Noah:  
 
“{…….. A French writer, A.J.A. Dubois, who studied the Hindu religion and Indian civilization for forty years subsequently, wrote a voluminous and most authentic book – Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies – of its kind on Hindu rituals, customs, manners and traditions.
Book can be downloaded from http://www.scribd.com/doc/57522848/Hindu-Manners-Customs-and-Ceremonies
Some of the facts, he related in this book will certainly be of vital interest to our readers.
 
a.“…Suffice it to remark that a Celebrated Personage, reverenced by the Hindus, and known to them as MAHANUVU, escaped the calamity in an ark, in which were also the Seven Penitents. The appellation MAHANUVU is worthy of remark. It is a compound of two words-MAHA – great, and NUVU, which is undoubtedly the same as Noah”. [Page 48]
 
b.“It is practically admitted that India was inhabited very soon after the Deluge / flood, which made a desert of the whole world. [Page 100]
 
c.“It is definitely stated in the Markandeya Purana and the Bhagavata  that this event caused the destruction of all mankind, with the exception of the seven famous Rishis or Penitents whom I have often had occasion to mention, and who were saved from the universal destruction by means of an ark, of which Vishnu himself was the pilot. Another great personage, called Manu, who, as I have tried elsewhere to show, was no other than the great Noah himself. [Page 416-417]
 
d. The details about the event of Noah and the Deluge / flood have also been given in the Bhavishya Purana and the Matsya Purana. The word Manu has been used for a number of Hindu religious personages (It is said about Adam that from Manu’s left side shatrupa (i.e. Eve) was created. See Hanuman Prasad Potdar, Ram Charit Manas. (Gita press Gorakhpur, Ed. 15,) P. 154 and Kh. Hassan Nizami Dehlwi, Hindu Mazhab Ki Ma’lumat (Halqa Mashaikh, Delhi edition, 20 December, 1927) P. 6 ) but Manu who figures most in the puranas, the Vedas and other Hindu scriptures is Noah; un-doubted. Even in the Vedas the mention of Noah by the name Manu is at 75 places.
 
e. The English translator-commentator of the Vedas, Griffith writes in explaining the word Manu, in one of the mantras: “Manu is the man par excellence, or the representative man and father of the human race, regarded as the first institutor of sacrifices and religious ceremonies.” This explanatory note is in Griffith’s translation of The Rigveda in Mandal 1:sukt 13: Mantr 4
 
e. Besides these references of Noah in the Vedas and the purans, I am presenting here yet another authentic proof of the affiliation of Hindu race with Noah. Generally speaking, the relation between a race and its prophet can be established by the calendar which, in one way or the other, starts with the prophet himself. For example, Muslims count their calendar from Prophet Muhammad’s Hijrah
(Migration from Mecca to Madina), and the Christians theirs, from the departure of Jesus. Like-wise the Hindu people count the time of their main events from Noah’s times, and, thereby, count the period that elapsed since the Deluge / flood in terms of sixty years as one year.
 
Dubois writes “……the commencement of the true era of the Hindus, that is to say, of their Kali-yuga, dates from about the same time as the epoch of the Deluge / flood-an event clearly recognized by them and very distinctly mentioned by their authors, who give it the name of Jala-pralayam, or the Flood of waters……And curiously enough, in all their ordinary transactions of life, in the promulgation of all their acts, in the their monuments, the Hindus date everything from the subsidence of the flood…… Their public and private events are always reckoned by the year of the various cycles of sixty years which have elapsed since the Deluge / flood.” [Page 416-417]…….}”
 
[“Now or never”-English translation of “Agar Ab bhi Na Jaage To”; Page 14-15]
 
There are several other detailed proofs from Quran and other sources that prove beyond doubt about the event of Noah and great flood in India. For details kindly refer to the above book.
 
An interesting fact- One of my relative – from my wife’s side – hails from bottom most part of India; i.e. in Tamilnadu; his & his family last name is “Noohu”.Any association between Noah and that region? 🙂
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Starting point of Noah flood:
 
{.. We know from the Qur’an that after Noah’s Deluge the Ark of Noah came to rest upon (Mountain) Al-Judi which is located at Kurdistan in Iraq. From the Bible we know that his boat came to rest upon Ararat (Mountain) range. (Judi is a mount of the Ararat range). But commentators have still not been able to say, in which part of the world Noah preached after the Ark came to rest. It has also not been found where Noah was for 600 years prior to Deluge. The Torah merely states that after the Deluge, Noah and his companions assembled together in Babel.
The Qur’an says that water started gushing forth from the Tanur and it was the beginning of the deluge: “(Thus it was) till, when our commandment came to pass and the Al-Tanurgushed forth water. We said: ‘Load there-in two of every kind, a pair (the male and the female)..…” [Quran, Surah Hud 11:40]

‘Tanur’ is not an Arabic but a Persian word used in the sense of an ‘Oven’ in which bread are baked. Most of the commentators have used it in the same sense and only few have taken it to mean the surface of the earth: which means that water gushing forth from the surface of the earth. But in the Qur’an ‘Al’ is used before the word ‘Tanur’ which implies ‘a particular Tanur’. Let us see explanations of the scholars in this regard. 
 
 “If it is said that the word Tanur has a prefix ‘Al’ (used for the definite article in Arabic) then it is most probable that Noah already knew it. Hasan Basri reports that the Tanur was made of stone and Eve used to bake bread in it. Then this Tanur was possessed by Noah and he had been told: ‘Once you see water gushing forth from the Tanur, embark along with your companions in the Ark.”
 
“That this Tanur was of Adam has also been stated by Muhammad Naim Moradabadi in his commentary of the Qur’an. Earlier we have quoted the statement of Ibne Abbas from Tafsire Fath’ul Qadir that the Tanur of Adam was in India. Let us look at it from a different perspective. While collecting together various facts about the word ‘Tanur’, Showkani has written “…..the eighth saying is that it is a place that exists in India.” [Tafsir Fat’hul Qadir, Vol II, P. 474.]
 
It won’t be out of place to mention here that when I searched the word in Indian Railway timetable, I found that a place called Tanur is in Kerala and when I attempted to locate it in the map I found the place Tanur located at the sea shore in the district Malappuram of Kerala. It is on the western shore of India, separated from Arabia by the Arabian ocean. In the light of the above discussed legends can it be supposed that it is the same place wherefrom Noah’s Deluge started, as has been illustrated in the Quran? It correlates all other sayings about Tanur, concluding that the water had started gushing forth from the Tanur situated at the sea shore and the same is called ‘The Tanur of Adam’.…}
[“Now or never”-English translation of “Agar Ab bhi Na Jaage To”; Page 21-22]   

          

 
F. Prophet Adam, Hindu scriptures and India
 
1. Adam – The first human being – the first Prophet – the first Man  “..All are progeny (children) of Manu (Adam)…” [Rigveda 1:45:1]
 
O children of Adam.. ”[Quran Surah Araf 7:26-27,31,35,172; Surah isra 17:70; Surah yasin 36:60]
 
Let me remind you that in Hindu tradition MANU is a title given to 14 great personalities. Two prominent of them are:
Svayambhuva Manu  = Manu who was created without parents=Prophet Adam(Peace be upon him)
Jal-Plavan-Manu = Manu of the great flood = Prophet Noah (Peace be upon him)
 
It has been the consistent belief of Muslims and Christians that God created Adam as the first person. And thereafter Eve (or Hawwa) was created as his spouse and from them human beings originated.
 
O Mankind! We have created you from single pair of male and female…” [Quran Surah Hujrat 49:13]
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ
 
This same event is described in Hindu scripture.
“Brahma accordingly created two beings from his body, one was male and the other was female. The male half was named Svayambhuva Manu and the female half was named Shatarupa.”
 
Matasya Puran describes in allegorical term that Brahma made two parts of his body and formed two person – one part formed was male known as Svayambhuva Manuand other part formed was female by name Shatarupa. [See Hanuman Prasad Potdar, Ram Charit Manas.(Gita press Gorakhpur, Ed. 15,) P. 154 and Kh. Hassan Nizami Dehlwi, Hindu MazhabKi Ma’lumat (Halqa Mashaikh, Delhi edition, 20 December, 1927) P. 6.]
 
Please note – The word Brahma has been used for Adam in Hari Vansh Puran.
When a Muslim reads the above statement he immediately realizes that this incidence is about creation of Prophet Adam and Hazrat Hawwa (Spouse of Adam). They both were created in the beginning and Puran / Hindu scripture is referring to their creation.
Similarly when a Christian reads the above passage he can understand that this even is about the creation of Adam and Eve which is also mentioned in bible. Refer to Bible, Book of Genesis 2:7-22
Is this just co-incidence?
 
2. Is this also co-incidence?
 
Hazrat Adam was first person who was created without any parents and Matasya puran refers him as Svayambhuva (swaym+bhoo) Manu which in Sanskrit means the Manu who came into existence / was created himself (without any parent)?
Svayambhuva manu and Prophet Adam is the one and the same person by name and by event.
 
Also there has been debate on the meaning and origin of word ADAM. Scholars and researches have tried vaguely to prove Adam being Arabic word or Hebrew word. Probably their attention was not drawn towards the Sanskrit language. According to the Monier-Williams Sanskrit Dictionary, adi means “beginning” or “first”. Similarly sanskrit word Aadim means “The first or most ancient man”. Can it be said that Word Adam refers to the first man?
 
Is it difficult to understand why people in Indian peninsula refer to human being as AADMI?
Also see the name “Nyuh” or “Nooh” and Sanskrit word for boat – “Naav”. Prophet Noah is strongly correlated with the great flood and ark / boat. Noah is Prophet of Ark/boat.
 
3. Hindu Scriptures and Prophet Adam  
 
Also see some Shlokas (ayah) from the BhavishyaPurana given by Pandit Ved Prakashs’ book- Vedon aur Puranon Ke Adhar Par Dharmik Ekta Ki Jyoti
 
Adam and Eve took birth from Vishnu’s (God’s) mud. In the Eastern part of the Paradise, Parmeshwar (God) had constructed a big and beautiful forest spreading over an expanse of 4 Kos (eight miles). Adam’s impatience to see his wife led him to see Eve under the forbidden tree. At once Satan appeared there in the guise of a snake. This cunning enemy cheated Adam and Eve, made them violates the commandment of Vishnu (One of attribute of God), and the husband took the forbidden fruit that led both of them to this terrestrial universe. Both of them sustained by means of the leaves of the wild fig. Subsequently a number of children were born to them, and all of them were called Malechh. Adam lived for 930 years”. 
 
In these Shlokas the word Adam figures as Adam, Eve as Haw’yawati, Paradise as Pradan Nagar (inhabitation of Rewards) and for Satan Kali. Please note – word for Eve here is Hawyawati which is similar to word Hawwa that muslims use for spouse of Prophet Adam. Is this co-incidence?   
 
Let us read this event from another source – which also presents same picture:
“In the eastern side of Pradan city (city of reward i.e. paradise) where there is a big God-given forest, which is 16 square yojanas in size. The man named Adama was staying there under a Papa-Vriksha or a sinful tree and was eager to see his wife Havyavati (Eve or hawwa). The Kali purusha (The Satan) quickly came there assuming the form of a serpent. He cheated them and they disobeyed Lord Vishnu. The husband ate the forbidden fruit of the sinful tree.”
 
स्वर्गलोक से समस्त मानवजाति के पिता का आगमन धरती पर हुआ।उनका नाम आदम था और उनकी पत्नी का नाम हव्वा।
‘‘आदमोनामपुरूषःपत्नीहव्यवतीतथा‘‘                     (भविष्यपुराणप्रतिसर्गपर्व 4, 18)
अनुवाद—   आदम नाम का पुरूष तथा पत्नी का नाम हव्यवती था।
 
Again – both Christians and Muslims can correlate themselves with the above mentioned event of Adam. Quran mentions about this event — Adam-Eve living in paradise, asked not to approach a particular act, then Satan mislead them – in Quran, Surah Baqrah 2:35-36.
Similarly Bible describes this event in Bible, Book of Genesis, Chapter 2: 15 Chapter 3: 1-7.
Again same event – almost same description in three different scriptures. Can there be a common connection for these three?
 
Was there some divine source in India – in the form of messenger and revelation – the traces of which can be found in above described stories?
 
Vedas mention about Prophet Adam, Prophet Noah and Prophet Muhammad.
Prophet Adam was the first person, first prophet, came before Prophet Noah so it’s not surprising that he was mentioned in Vedas.
Prophet Muhammad was the last prophet and he has been prophesized in previous scriptures of God so it’s also not surprising that he is mentioned in Vedas. What is surprising is that no prophet after Prophet Noah is mentioned in Vedas. What does it indicate? Does it indicate that Vedas were contemporary to Prophet Noah? In other words – Vedas were given to Prophet Noah?
 
 
G. Prophet Adam was sent to the holy land of India?
 
1. Muhammad ibn Sa’d ibn Mani’ al-Baghdadi or Ibn Sa’d (Arabic: ابن سعد‎), born in the year 168AH/784CE) and died in 230AH/845CE wrote Kitab Tabaqat Al-Kubra which was a compendium of biographical information about famous Islamic personalities in 8 volumes.
 
He (lbn Sa`d) said: Hishám Ibn Muhammad Ibn al-Sa’ib al-Kalbi informed us on the authority of his father, he on the authority of Abu Salih, he on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas; he said: Adam was cast down in India and Eve at Juddah. Then he came in her search and reached Jam’a; then Eve joined him, and so the place was known as al-Muzdalifah, and they had come together at Jam’a so it was known as Jam’a. [Ibn Sa’d, AL-TABAQAT AL-KABIR, Volume 1, Parts 1.4.3]
 
2. Adam was sent from the Paradise…. He was cast down on a mountain in India known as Nawdh and Eve cast at Juddah. …, then he built an oven which was inherited by Nuh, and from this oven gushed out boiling water bringing torment in India.
..After that he returned to India.. [Ibn Sa’d, AL-TABAQAT AL-KABIR, Volume 1, Part 1.3.42]
 
3. “Al-Hassan said that Adam descended in India…. Ass’ady related that Adam descended.. in India..”
 
4. At-Tabarani, Abu Nu’aim and Ibn Asakir all related from Abu Hurairah (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said “Adam (as) descended in India.” And At-Tabarani related the following narration from Abdullah ibn Umar (ra): When Allah made Adam (as) descend, He made him descend in the land of India. He then went to Makkah and afterwards went to Ash-Shams, which is where he died.
 
5. कुरआन के प्रसिद्ध भाष्यकार इब्ने कसीर ने मुस्नदअब्दुर्रज़्ज़ाक़ को उद्धृत करते हुए अपने भाष्य में लिखा है कि
‘‘. आदम . भारत की भूमि पर उतरे थे।उनका क़द बहुत लम्बा था।‘‘
 
     ईशदूत. मुहम्मद . सत्संगिंयों तथा अन्य मुस्लिम संतों और इतिहासकारों की एक बड़ी संख्या से यही उल्लिखित है कि पृथ्वी के पहले मानव ने, जो ईश्वर के पहले दूत भी थे, अपना पहला क़दम भारत में रखा।उन्होंने अपनी संतान में ईशप्रदत्त सनातनधर्म (अरबी भाषा में दीनक़य्यिम) का प्रचार प्रसार किया और बाद में समय समय पर संसार के विभिन्न भागों में ईशदूतों ने उसी एक ईश्वरीय धर्म को पुनर्जीवित किया।
 
आदम या आदिम शब्द, जिसका अर्थ है ‘‘सबसे पहला‘‘, भारतीय मूल का होना भी यही सिद्ध करता है कि आदिमानव भारत में उतरा।उसी को बाद में भारतीय साहित्य में आदिमनु या स्वयंभूमनु कहा गया।
 
स्वायंभू मनु अरू सतरूपा।जिन्हतेंभैनरसृष्टिअनूपा।।
दंपत्ति धरम आचरण नीका। अजहुँ गाव श्रुति जिन्हकैलीका।।
(रामचरितमानस, दो. 141, चौ. 1)
 
अर्थात स्वायम्भूवमनु और उसकी पत्नी शत्रूपा जिनसे मनुष्यों की यह अनुपम सृष्टि हुई, इन दोनों पति पत्नी के धर्म और आचरण बहुत अच्छे थे आज भी वेद जिनकी मर्यादा का गान करते हैं।अरफ़ात, पति पत्नी के मिलने का स्थान    इस्लामी परंपरा के अनुसार आदम की पत्नी हव्वा को स्वर्ग लोक से जिद्दा (सऊदीअरब) में उतारा गया।दोनों एक दूसरे को तलाशते रहे, यहां तक कि दोनों की मुलाक़ात अरफ़ात में हुई जो मक्का से 12 किमी. दूर एक निर्जन खुले क्षेत्र का नाम है।हज के महीने की  9वीं तारीख़ को सुबह चलकर अरफ़ात पहुंचना और सूर्य अस्त से पहले तक समय वहां ईश्वर से प्रार्थना आदि में बिताना हज का सबसे प्रमुख अंग है।
 
In the above Hindi Quotation – Ramcharitmanas – revered book of Hinduism speaks about Adam, and his wife Hawwa.
 
Here it is important to mention that ahadees speaking about Prophet Adam’s descent in India has been declared weak by Muhaddesseen (those who collect Hadees); but few points that are important are:
a)      We don’t find any Sahi Hadees contradicting this.
b)      We don’t find other ahadees referring to other places apart from India.
c)      Weak / dhayeef Hadees does not mean unauthentic but absence of other chain of narrations; lesser number of people narrating Hadees etc.
d)     Moreover we have seen lot of other proofs and will see further that gives strong indication towards Prophet Adam being in India.
 
 
6. Adam’s peak
 
There is a big foot-print in Sri-Lanka (See the below picture) which is revered by people from different faith. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhist – all have great respect and honor for this foot print as they correlate it with their religion. It is a 1.8 meters (5 ft 11 in) rock formation near the summit, which in Buddhist tradition is held to be the footprint of the Buddha, in Hindu tradition that of Shiva and in Muslim and Christian tradition that of Adam, or that of St. Thomas.
 
 
 
Muslim researchers and Scholars have time and again attested to the belief that prophet Adam descended to India and lived here. India was the blessed land where human civilization started.
 
a. Prophet Hazrat Syedina Azam Alaihis salatus salaam’s Peak (Famous as Adam’s Peak) – The First Foot Mark on Earth by Hazrat Adam (Alaihis Salaam)
 
 
 
Jutting sharply skyward from the lush jungles of southwestern Sri Lanka is the 7362 foot (2243 meter) peak of Sri Pada, the ‘Holy Footprint’. Also called Adam’s Peak, the mountain has the unique distinction of being sacred to the followers of four of the world’s major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. Long before the development of these religions, however, the mountain was worshipped by the aboriginal inhabitants of Sri Lanka, the Veddas. Their name for the peak was Samanala Kanda; Saman being one of the four guardian deities of the island. For Hindus, the name of the mountain is Sivan Adi Padham, because it was the world-creative dance of the god Shiva that left the giant footprint (5 feet 7 inches by 2 feet 6 inches). According to Buddhist traditions from as early as 300 BC, the real print is actually beneath this larger marking. Imprinted on a huge sapphire, it was left by the Buddha during the third and final of his legendary visits to Sri Lanka. When Portuguese Christians came to the island in the 16th century they claimed the impression to be the footprint of St. Thomas who, according to legend, first brought Christianity to Sri Lanka.
 
The mountain is more easily seen from the sea than from land, and also more impressive. Early Arab seafarers fascinated with the pyramidal peak wrote of it as “the highest mountain in the world” (it is not even the highest in Sri Lanka), and “visible from three days sail”. The ancient Sinhalese also believed it to be of great height and a native legend tells “from Seyllan to Paradise is forty miles, and the sound of the fountains of Paradise is heard here”. Visited by many early world travelers, among them the Arab Ibn Batuta (1304-1368) and the Venetian Marco Polo (1254-1324), Adam’s Peak attained a legendary status as a mystic pilgrimage destination. Today the pilgrimage season commences in December and continues until the beginning of the monsoon rains in April (from May to October the mountain is obscured by clouds). Certain parts of the path leading up the mountain are extremely steep and the climbing chains secured in these sections are said to have been placed by Alexander the Great (365-323 BC), though there is no evidence that he made it this far south on his Asia travels. Atop the peak is an oblong platform (74 x 24 feet) where stands a small Buddhist temple and the shrine of Saman with the strange footprint. Votive offerings are made here, especially of a coil of silver as long as the donor is tall, for recovery from sickness; and rain-water taken from the footprint is known to have a wonderful healing power. Adam’s Peak is also called Samanalakande or the ‘butterfly mountain’ because of the myriads of small butterflies that fly from all over the island to die upon the sacred mountain.
 
b. Islamic literature tells us that Prophet Adam descended directly from the heaven on Indian soil. India was his first domicile and the entire human race has spread from here. For this very reason the nomenclature A’dmi is used to denote human being. We find numerous references to this effect in Muslim magnum opus i.e. Subhatul Marjan Fi Tarikhe Hindustan, written by the celebrated Islamic scholar Allama Ghulam Ali Azad Bilgrami.
The above is an edited version of a long article by the late Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madani, translated from Urdu by Mohammad Anwer Hussain.
 
7. Adam bridge
 
Last but not least is the bridge connecting India and Sri-Lanka. It is popularly known as Adam’s bridge. Some of our Hindu brethren have started making claim that this bridge was built by Shri Ram and his Vaanar-Sena.
 
Wikipedia says – “Adam’s Bridge also known as Rama’s Bridge or Rama Setu is a chain of limestone shoals, between Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island, off the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar Island, off the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka.
Geological evidence suggests that this bridge is a former land connection between India and Sri Lanka” Geologists have strong view that this path – Adam’s bridge – was formed naturally without any human intervention.
Also please note that it’s very difficult – as of today – to estimate the date of existence of Prophet Adam. Whatever it may be it certainly belongs to pre-historic era. May be 10,000 year+; may be 50,000 year +; may be 1,00,000+ – we don’t know for sure. But one thing that we know from geography is that map of the world has not been same throughout history. It changes over long period of history.
Map of India and Sri-Lanka was not exactly same thousands and millions of years back – as it is today. Most probably – India and Sri-lanka was one part that time. Geologists suggest that initially whole land was joined together and was one single land – known as supercontinent and gradually formation of continents took place and continents started drifting away from each other.
What was map of India and Saudi Arab during early period of human habitation? This is an interesting topic which is beyond the scope of the article.
But at least – we have strong indication that when Adam descended on earth then India and Sri-Lanka was one single entity. This region was the blessed land where first human being came.
 
 
H. Hindus and Muslims are lost brothers
 
It is possible that you would not be satisfied with one or some proofs presented in the article citing it not to be – very authentic; however one cannot ignore large numbers of proofs presented from various sources (Quran, Hadees, Ved, Puran, History, Tradition and culture) all indicating that Prophet Noah and Prophet Adam were sent to India. Moreover we don’t find the contrary; i.e. we don’t have proofs regarding these Prophets coming to some other part of world.
 
The vague picture behind the dirt of history is the picture of a great nation, a great civilization, the cradle of human civilization, the blessed land of India – loosing pure religion into mythological stories; forgetting its blessed past; making hundreds of gods; forgetting its Prophets….. traces of which can be found even today in various ways.
Hindus and Muslims are lost brothers.
 
{ .. “A. The Hindus are the earliest race with Shari’at (the Revealed Law) and the Muslims the last and God’s wisdom has assembled them together in one country, India.
 
B. All the ancient temples and mosques in india have been consutructed facing Kaaba. Dubois writes in his book: “The structure of the large temples, both ancient and modern, is everywhere the same….. Their architectural monuments, such as they exist today……. the entrance of the great pagodas….. Faces the east, a position which is observed in all their temples, great and small.” [Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies. Page 579.] The Muslims know the reason of their mosques being in this direction, towards Ka’aba, but the Hindus do not. Different people give different explanations but no one has got the factual knowledge. May it be due to their old association with Ka’aba a fact which they have absolutely forgotten now? The customs have still remained where as the reality is lost. Even the pyre of the Hindus, like the graves of the muslims, is always in the North-South direction. C. The Muslims circumbulate Ka’aba seven times during Haj and Umrah 3 and the Hindus, at the time of marriage, take pledge after making seven rounds around fire.
 
D. The attire the Muslims use at the time of Haj, consists of the two pieces of unstitched cloth, one fastened round the waist and another to cover the upper body. Since thousands of years the Hindus too have been wearing the similar kind of dress at the time of visiting the places of pilgrimage. This dress is considered so sacred by them that in its changed version their men have been using it in the form of ‘Dhoti’ and women in the form of ‘Sari’ even in their diurnal life.
 
E.  At the time of Haj and Umrah it is compulsory for the Muslims to cut hair and better still to shave it. The Hindus too have been shaving off their hair at the time of pilgrimage for thousands of years.
 
F. While performing Haj or Umrah when the Muslims are in Ahram (the holy dress) their men are not allowed to wear such shoes as would cover their insteps. During these days Hawai Chappals are used so that only two fillets remain on the insteps and no difficulty is caused while walking also. While on pilgrimage the Hindus have always been using filletless wooden sandals having only a peg like thumb on them.
 
G. The Muslims name the child on A’qiqah(The Muslim ceremony of shaving the head of a newly born child on the seventh day after birth and a sacrifice made on that day) and shave his head. The Hindus from the early beginning shave the head of the baby at a similar occasion, called by them Namkaran Sanskar.
 
H. Can you  even imagine that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had borrowed (God forbid) these manners and customs from Hinduism 1400 years ago? The fact is that this race has an old affiliation with ka’aba and they are the only religious community in the world that has still retained its traditions even in the form of meaningless rituals. If Noah had given these customs connected with Ka’aba to his people, then Moses and Jesus too would have given to theirs. With the passage of time, the truth about Ka’aba has been lost. While the various other races have lost these related customs too, it (Hindu race) is the only race that has still retained them in one or the other form. There are hundreds of identical examples which I am not quoting here for fear of prolonging this discussion, but it must be clearly understood that the unique and precious quality of this race is that if their lost truths are revived back for them, then their understanding of Islam will be easier as compared to other races. The defect of ignoring the reality at the cost of rites has already crept in even amongst the Muslims.
 
It has been realized by the famous Urdu poet Iqbal when he said:
The reality is lost in the stories- this community is lost in absurdities.
 
1. But the book given to the Muslims and the Prophet sent unto them are preserved and protected till the Last Day. The Muslims will find their lost realities and essentials once they refer to the Qur’an and the Holy prophet. If the Vedas, as the Hindu scholars assert, is the name of the divine knowledge and not of any particular book, then it is to be concluded that the Book as well as prophet of the Hindu race are lost. We can return their essentials to them once we search their prophet and the Scripture for them.” }
 
[“Now or never”-English translation of “Agar Ab bhi Na Jaage To”; Page 19-20]
 
Regarding Prophet Muhammad, Prophet Jesus, Prophet Adam, Prophet Noah and details of the great flood etc and Hindu Scriptures / India; Kaaba in Hinduism; association of India with Kaaba; Ved and its exact status; Are Hindus referred in Quran; tons of other similarities between Islam and Hindu scriptures – kindly refer to the book “Agar ab bhi na jaage to” / “Now or Never” mentioned in the last part of article. It is available in English, hindi and urdu.
 
 
I. Conclusion
 
1. The general belief is that Quran / Islam is silent about any prophet in Indian Peninsula. Hindu brethren argue why Allah did not send any Prophet/messenger to India?
2. Among theist communities only Hindus are completely dissociated with the concept of Prophet hood and they don’t associate themselves with any Prophet.
3. Word of Prophet Muhammad tells us that people of Prophet Noah will not recognize him on the day of judgment; they will not acknowledge that any Prophet came among them.
4. Hindu brethren claim that they are the oldest civilization. They possess the oldest revealed book Vedas. Historian has no objection against it. Quran gives several clues regarding Prophet Noah being the prophet of first human civilization who was given complete shariat or laws.
5. Quran, hadees, Hindu scriptures, history, observations make sure that Prophet Noah was sent as messenger in India, the great flood started here, wrong-doers got destroyed. Even after the flood Prophet Noah came to India.
6. Prophet Adam was also sent to India, India is the blessed land from where Prophet hood started.
7. India and Hindus still maintain several tradition and practices that tells us that the pure & original Sanatan Dharam i.e. Islam started from this pavitr (sacred) land.
 
 
Important Note: This article is primarily and heavily based on the revolutionary work of Acharya Maulana Shams Naved usmani (May God bless him) – authored by Allama Syed Abdullah tariq Sahb (May God bless him;give good health) in – the book “Agar Ab Bhi Na Jaage to”. 
 
“The book which created a sensation in Urdu circles and transformed the outlook of more than a million Muslims vis-a-vis their Hindu brethern and Sanatan Dharma. Based on a part of comparative religious work of the great Saint and Scholar Maulana Acharya Shams Naved Usmani, ‘Agar ab bhi na jaage to’— written by his favorite disciple S. Abdullah Tariq, has now been translated by Dr. A. H. Tak, reader dept. of English, Srinagar University..”
 –opening page of the book “Now or Never” (English translation of “Agar Ab Bhi Na Jaage to”)
 
1. Download the original book – in Urdu – “Agar Ab Bhi Na Jaage to” from here:
 
2. Download the English Translation – “Now or Never” from here:
 
3. Download the Hindi Translation – “Agar Ab Bhi Na Jaage to” from here:
 
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Author Khurshid Imam is software engg at Bangalore, India. For any criticism / feedback kindly mail to serviceforhumanity@gmail.com
 
 
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An introduction to Hindu Scriptures

Introduction

Hinduism is the misnomer of Sanatan dharma that is professed by more than 80 million people in India. It actually refers to set of belief and customs. In this article we will throw light over sacred scriptures of Hinduism. When it is asked to a Muslim about their holy book then answer is – Quran; similarly our Christian brethren answer – Bible. But when same question is asked to hindus then there is different answers; some may say – bhagwad geeta, some will say ramayan and a very few Vedas. Let’s have brief idea about the scriptures of Hinduism in order to understand each other better.

Scriptures of Hinduism

Vedas
Upnishad
Darshan
Puranas
Itihaas
Smriti

The precise time of origin of each of these is not known. What people say about time is nothing but speculation. In fact – in terms of remembering the time of origin of any of hindu scriptures we have no information at all. No proof for whatever people say about the time of origin of any books. However the only thing guaranteed is the order in which they came into existence. For example – there is no difference of opinion that Vedas are the earliest, then upnishad were authored, then puranas came.

A. VEDAS

Vedas are the earliest scripture of Hinduism. They are held most scared by knowledgeable people of Hinduism. Vedas are considered ISH-WANI or God’s word. Vedas are said to be APAURISHAY meaning “Not from human being” or “divine”. There is no precise information available about the time of origin of Vedas. Regarding Vedas being God’s word or Not from Islamic perspective – is beyond the scope of the article. However I will only mention that though majority of Muslims are silent or negate Vedas being God’s word – we have several proofs based on which we say that Vedas too were word of God like torah,zabur,injeel . This discussion can be taken separately in other article.

Vedas are divided into 4 books. These 4 books are further divided with various terminologies. I will mention the latest rule of division for each ved.

1.Rigved: It is considered to be most scared and oldest Vedas. Rigved is divided into 10 mandal. Each mandal is divided into sukt and each sukt is divided into mantr. It is similar to the division of Quran: 30 para, each para has several ruku and each ruku has several ayah.

For example: “The Only Lord of all created beings. He fixed and holdeth up this earth and heavens. What gods besides Him shall we adore with our oblation?” – Rigved 10:121:1 means this statement is given in rigved 10th mandal, 121st suk and 1st mantr.
Remember there is no shlokas in Vedas. Vedas contain only mantr.

2.Samved: As per the latest division samved is divided into 1875 mantr.

3.Yajurved: It is divided into 40 adhyay and each adhyay is divided into mantr.

For example: “Those who worship natural things enter into darkness of hell, those who worship man made things enter more into darkness of hell” – Yajurved 40:9 – means 40th adhyay and 9th mantr.

4.Atharvaved: It is divided into 20 kand, and each kand is divided into sukt and each sukt into mantr.
For example: “He (God) does not die, nor grows old” – atharvaved 10:8:32 – means Atharvaved 10th kand, 8th sukt and 32nd mantr.

Vedas are full of monotheism. It is absent from idol worship. If someone does not misinterpret then it is free from multiple god concept. It will require a separate book to elaborate these points.

B. UPNISHAD

Primarily 108 upnishad are accepted. They were authored by scholars. They are not claimed to be God’s word. Upnishad contain word of wisdom, about monotheism about social life etc. They too are free from any concept of idol worship.

Probably chandogya upnishad was the starting point of the concept of birth-re birth cycle. Also through upnishad caste system got force. The status of Brahmin was raised.
“A man who steals the gold of a brahmin, he (i.e. a brahmin) who drinks liquor, he who dishonours his teacher’s bed and he who kills a brahmin—these four fall, as also a fifth who associates with them”- Chandogya Upnishad: Part 5, chapter 10, verse 9

However with the upnishad playing with the God’s word (Vedas) has started. Before upnishad only Ved was there – which was considered God’s word. But human interference in God’s word started with the writing of Illopnishad. All hindu scholars agree that illopnishad was the first upnishad – and to your surprise it contains word by word last chapter of Yajurved i.e. 40th Chapter of yajurved was written separately as a book in the form of illopnishad.

C. DARSHAN

Darshan means philosophy. There are 6 books of darshan. They contain philosophy, word of wisdom and monotheistic talk. Again they too free from idol worship concept. Out of these 6 darshan the most famous and popular is uttar-mimansa-darshan which is also called Vedant. It was written by badrayan.

D. PURANAS

Primarily 18 puranas are accepted. Puarans are the work of much later time than Vedas or upnishad. Some of the famous puranas are: shrimad bhagwad puran, shiv puran, Vishnu puran, kalki puran, bhawishy puran, matasya puran, garud puran etc. Puarans does contain the concept of idol worship, the concept of multiple gods, gods like human beings, marriage of gods, fights of gods etc. In fact what is practiced today in Hinduism is not vedic religion rather puranic religion. In shrimadbhagwad puran Krishan is projected as superior god, in Vishnu puran Vishnu is projected as superior, in shiv puran shiva is projected as superior.
The story of Prophet Adam, eve, Prophet Noah and the great flood is mentioned in detailed in puranas. Also puranas contain detailed description of paradise and hell as described in Islam.

E. ITIHAAS

Itihas means history. Two most famous books of itihas are : Ramayan and Mahabharat

1. RAMAYAN

Ramayan is the great epic written by valmiki ji. However the ramayan that we know today and that is read in temples is NOT the valmiki ramayan but tulsidas written ramcharitmanas. Ramcharitmanas was written during the time of Akbar and its mostly read, preached and telecasted through TV Serial. While valmiki ramayan projected ram only as a human being or an obedient son – ramcharitmanas projects ram as God. Valmiki ramayan speaks about king dashrath having more than 360 wives – ramcharitmanas speaks about he having only 3 wives. Similarly as per valmiki ramayan Ram had several wives. (For more information: click here – )

2. MAHABHARAT

This is also one of the greatest literary works in Sanskrit. This epic was written originally by Ved vyas. However what ved vyas wrote was a book called jay. It contained 8000 shlokas. After him Vaishampayan and other added shlokas in the book and named it bharat. Number of shlokas was increased from 8000 to 24,000. And today mahabharat contains more than 1,00,000 or 1 lakh shlokas and it is now called mahabhrata. So the book that was originally written with 8000 shlokas – today contain more than 1 lakh shlokas. So on an average out of every 13 shlokas in mahabharat 12 are adulteration and only 1 is as per original book.

BHAGWAD GEETA

Practically it is considered most sacred by hindus. Bhagwad Geeta is nothing but a small part of Mahabharat. It is from the bhism parv of mahabharat. Geeta contains conversation between arjuna and Krishna. In the battlefield when arjuna refused to take arms against his relatives then Krishna encouraged him to fight for truth and justice. Now as I already mentioned that today’s mahabharat contains every 12 shlokas out of 13 as adulteration or interpolation. So whatever krihna / arjuna say in geeta there is only 1/13 chance (on an average) that they have said as per original mahabharat.

F. SMRITI

Most popular book under this category is manusmriti. This is the book of Hindu law. Hindu laws are derived from this book. It emphasizes lot on caste system. However I would like to add that one should not get confused by the name that MANU was the author of this book. . It is of very later origin. Manu was not the author rather it was in his remembrance that book was written and attributed to him.

These are very brief information about Hindu scriptures. One should know it in order to have better understanding of Hinduism.

If you don’t agree with the mail then instead of giving fatwa of deviation /kufr /shirk/biddat – have faith
in Allah and leave it to him to judge

Author: Khurshid Imam is software engineer at Bangalore. For any criticism / feedback / suggestion
feel free to mail – serviceforhumanity@gmail.com

Khurshid Imam
 
 
A. Introduction
 
Muslim: “You know Quran is word by word God’s word. Quran provides way of life.  Its language is so eloquent, its word so perfect that it does not resemble human work. Each word, each ayah is beautiful, choice of word is so perfect that …….”
Not yet Muslim: “Oh! Is it? I would love to read this book and understand it. Please give me Quran”
 
Muslim: “Sure brother! Take it. But… you know there are many Ayah in Quran that are not relevant now. Their orders / commandments are cancelled. You can read those ayah but can not practice it. I don’t identify those ayah. Some scholars told hundreds of such ayah exists in Quran while some have pointed out only 5. So I can’t point out who is correct.”
Not yet Muslim: “I am confused. You told Quran is God’s word, it should be free from any weakness or defect. Is not God most-wise?”
 
Muslim: “Also there were some ayah in Quran EARLIER but they are lost now. They are not to be found in Quran any more. But we need to practice those lost ayah. Lost ayah will be practiced even by going against some Quranic ayah”
Not yet Muslim: “I am ultra confused!!!!”
 
Muslim: “Wait!! I have to tell some more aspects of Quran also ….”
Not yet Muslim: “God’s word is not source of confusion and imperfection. Bye bye, I m going.”
 
B. The myth of abrogation in Quran
 
If you ask about the concept of abrogation in Quran, then most probably you will get answer that:
1. Sometimes Allah enforces a legal edict that is relevant only to a particular situation.
2. Later, in His infinite wisdom, He cancels the order and enforces a new one in its place.
3. This action is known as “abrogation” (naskh), and the replaced order is then termed “abrogated”  (mansukh) while the new replacing order is called “abrogator” (nasikh).
4. It means the abrogated ayah of the quran was meant only till the abrogator ayah was revealed. Abrogated ayah can never ever be practiced.
Abrogation concept says – “Allah gave a ruling for a particular issue. But later on Allah changed the ruling through another Ayah. Hence the previous ruling is cancelled and irrelevant now.” Abrogation is translated from the Arabic word naskh which literally means “to erase; to compensate.” Its technical definition is “to repeal a legal order through legal argument”.
The concept of abrogation opens door for some serious questions as it is full of flaws. It goes against Quran and common sense. All arguments given in favor of abrogation are extremely bogus-can not go down well to any honest and logical person. In order to justify abrogation people come up with weak arguments which puts islam into dock and make us laughing stock. Anti-islamic writers exploit it to defame Quran and islam.
 
Why abrogation came into existence?
 
1. The root reason for the evolution of the concept of abrogation was inability to explain the “seemingly-contradiction” in the Quran. When we felt that a particular ayah of the Quran contradicts with other ayah of Quran and both can not be practiced then we declared one of the ayah to be abrogated. It means this ayah is not relevant today; its ruling / command / order was cancelled by Allah by another ayah.
 
2. This concept was accepted by the general body of scholars as a fundamental aspect of Islamic legislation, and there is therefore not a single book on Usul al-Fiqh (The basic legal theories of source methodology in Islam) which does not have a section on the issue. 
 
3. Let me give you one horrible example of abrogation concept:
While explaining the ayah – “There is no compulsion in religion…” (Quran, Surah Baqrah 2:256) – a famous salafi website says that this ayah is abrogated and hence invalid now.
Please read carefully what is told on this site about ayah 2:256
Other scholars said that this applied in the beginning, but was subsequently abrogated by Allaah’s command to fight and wage jihad. So whoever refuses to enter Islam should be fought when the Muslims are able to fight, until they either enter Islam or pay the jizyah if they are among the people who may pay jizyah. The kuffaar should be compelled to enter Islam if they are not people from whom the jizyah may be taken, because that will lead to their happiness and salvation in this world and in the Hereafter.
 
[I am very sorry to say that above quoted statements from the site is completely alien to islam; contradicting to the very basic of islam; it projects islam as a violent, illogical and inhumane religion. Tell me why non muslims
will not hate islam if one teaches such things? 
No wonder the general perception created by us is that all ayah revealed in mecca which speaks about peace, love and harmony were abrogated by ayah speaking about fighting with non-muslims revealed during medina life!!!!!
 
Oh Allah! Have mercy on the ummah and its learned people.]
 
A contemporary Scholar, Muhammad Al-Ghazali’s (Born 1917) says:
The allegation that 120 verses on the invitation to Islam were abrogated by the verse of the sword [Surah tauba 9:5], is in fact one of crassest stupidity and only serves to show that the great number of Muslims are in a stage of regression of either knowledge or intelligence in our time, and have become ignorant of the Qur’an. As a result of this ignorance therefore, they have forgotten how to call to the way of God, how to facilitate the call to Islam, and how to be proper examples, and how to present a good perspective. Perhaps this is the reason for the failure in the propagation of Islam, and the prolonged stagnation of the Islamic message being affected—for it has been assumed that the sword is that which fulfills the obligation of delivering the message. Such a concept is, by the agreement of all those who are rational and discerning, totally absurd.

Family members of abrogation

As if this shock is not enough we have some more from the “misunderstanding of Quran” list. Abrogation concept has its whole family ruling over minds of muslims for centuries.
Once the concept of abrogation was given sanction from the Qur’an and hadith, the jurists started categorizing the different types of abrogation. Three types of abrogation in Quran are explained as:

(1) Abrogation of the text and its ruling: It is said that there were some Ayah in the Quran earlier; they no more exists in Quran now; so their recitation and command – both are cancelled and abrogated. For example: We are told that earlier there were some ayah in Surah ahzab (Surah number 33) that were as long as Surah Baqrah (Surah number 2). But these ayah are not part of Quran now. (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 21245)

(2) Abrogation of the text, but not its ruling: We are told that there were some ayah in Quran that no more exists in Quran now but they should be followed today. According to this story, the ‘stoning verse’ was recorded in Quran during the time of Prophet Muhammad; but after his death, a goat ate the page on which that verse was inscribed. Thus, the stoning verse has been abrogated physically. Ibn Maja, Nikah, 36/1944 and Musnad Imam Ibn Hanbal, 5/131,132,183; 6/269.

(3) Abrogation of the ruling, but not the text: It means there are ayah in Quran that will be recited but will not be practiced. For example: Ayah dealing with prohibition of alcohol; Ayah quoted above from the website about 2:256; Ayah dealing with kalala; Ayah dealing with fidya in context with fasting; Ayah dealing with marriage with ahle-kitab women etc. This is the type of abrogation which we are dealing in this article.

One important observation

Quran is a book that constantly urges its reader to ponder over it, understand its meaning and not be blind minded. The more one ponder over Quran better will be understanding. Scholars who declare abrogation in Quran have good intention. But piety does not always refer to intelligence level of a person. The passing of time has seen a tremendous fluctuation in the number of ayah alleged to have been abrogated.
 
Al-Zuhri (8th century AD), one of the first to write on the subject, mentioned 42 abrogated ayah in Quran,
Al-Nahhas (10th century AD), mentioned 138 abrogated ayah in Quran,
Ibn Salama (11th century AD), mentioned 238 abrogated ayah in Quran,
Ibn al-Ata’iqi (14th century AD), mentioned 231 abrogated ayah in Quran,
al-Suyutti (16th century AD),  declared 20 ayah of quran to be abrogated!
Shah Wali Allah (18th century AD), mentioned only 5 instances of abrogation in Quran!!
 
Will not Quran become a laughing stock where; as per some scholars there are 500 ayah in Quran which will be recited but not practiced; while some scholars say that 200 such ayah exists; and on the other extreme some scholars will tell that only 5 such ayah exists in Quran. The whole Quran will loose its beauty, its divinity. Why were they given to us in our constitution and guidance if we are not to obey them? Tell me-how come then Quran is divine? How come Quran is so wonderful book?
 
Attention: All so-called-examples of abrogation in Quran can be very well explained by pondering over the Quran. I am not going into detail for those. Each so-called-examples of abrogation require separate article.
 
Visit http://khurshidimam.blogspot.in/2011/12/marriage-with-ahle-kitab-women.html  for explanation regarding so called abrogation for “marriage with mushrik women” ayah.
If any human being had the right to declare some ayah of Quran to be abrogated then this right was for the one on whom Quran was revealed i.e. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). But he never declared any such thing.

.

C. Concept of abrogation clearly contradicts with Quran
 
An anti-islamic writer writes – “Muslim authorities try to explain the internal apparent contradictions in the Qur’an by stating that certain passages of the Qur’an are annulled (Mansukh) by verses revealed chronologically later, known as Nasikh verses. Yet, there is by no means any certainty as to which disagreeing verses are mansukh and which are nasikh, since the order in which the Qur’an was compiled was not done chronologically“.
 
1. As it is crystal clear that the reason for evolution of abrogation concept is to solve the problem of seemingly-contradictory ayah in Quran. For example: Ayah dealing with prohibition of alcohol (2:219; 4:43; 5:90) perplexed scholars as they found it impossible to practice all three ayah. They misunderstood that there is contradiction in commandment of these 3 ayah; hence they declared first two ayah to be abrogated.
Actually no way there is any contradiction in these 3 ayah.
But, but, but… those people who feel that any two ayah of Quran is contradicting then they are agreeing that Quran is NOT AT ALL from GOD!!! Wait- don’t get angry. Look what Allah has to say:

.
“Do they not consider the Qur’an with care? Had it been from other Than Allah, they would surely have found therein many contradictions“. Quran-Surah Nisa 4:82

Quran tells that if Quran contains contradiction then Quran is not from God. So those people who believe in abrogation – which is because of assuming Quran contains contradictory ayah – are proving that Quran is not from God. The miracle of Quran is that it distinguishes right from wrong. Abrogation is clearly in contradiction to Quran.
 
2. How can Quran be a unique masterpiece, divine message if it cancels its own ruling?
What was the need then in the first place to reveal such ayah if Allah already knew that he is going to cancel his words? Its human words that contradict – word of Allah can never contradict, God can not go against his own words.
 
“No change can there be in the Words of Allah (Quran, Surah yunus 10:64)
“There is none that can alter the Words of Allah (Quran, Sura Anam 6:34)
 
If the Qur’an is indeed of divine authorship, and is perfect in its construction and style, no Ayah can be better than another; how then could one Ayah abrogate another? Is God not Wise and Far-Seeing enough to give rulings that are permanent? Abrogation of a law meant that it became illegal in the face of the one replacing it, and that this latter one was illegal while the former was in place. This would be to declare good as evil and evil as good, clearly not a divine activity
Almighty God mentions clearly that Allah can not change his words. It means if he has given a ruling for a particular issue-in a particular context and situation-then this can not change.
 
D. Does Quran support abrogation?
 
Supporter of abrogation quote one particular ayah in their support.
 
1. مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ آيَةٍ أَوْ نُنسِهَا نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِّنْهَا أَوْ مِثْلِهَا
None of Our Ayah (sign) do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar: Knowest thou not that Allah Hath power over all things?” Quran-Surah Baqrah 2:106
 
a. People think that in this ayah Allah is talking about abrogation of Quranic ayah. They fail to realize that this ayah is also speaking about “forgetting of ayah”. So if you mean that Allah abrogates ayah in Quran then you have to agree that Allah makes you forget some of ayah of the Quran!!! This is ridiculous. 
The words “cause to be forgotten” could not be applicable if the word ‘Ayah’ in this ayah meant a verse in the Quran. How can a ayah in the Quran become forgotten? For even if the ayah was invalidated by another (as supporters of abrogation falsely claim) it will still be part of the Quran and thus could never be forgotten.
 
b. In this ayah-in fact-Allah is speaking about previous revelations. Previous revelations were forgotten with the passage of time and its some portion were abrogated by ayah of Quran. Abrogation  and  forgetting of ayah (With the passage of time previous revelation could not be preserved, hence gradually lost and forgotten)- both can be applied for previous revelation and NOT for Quran. This is simple and logical understanding.
 
c. The words “ We substitute something better or similar ” would be meaningless if the word ‘Ayah’ in this verse meant a Quranic verse, simply because it would make no sense for God to invalidate one verse then replace it with one that is identical to it! So actually this ayah is talking about abrogation of ayah (some ayah, not all ayah) of previous revelations. It is not talking about abrogation of quranic ayah.
 
E. Where we went wrong
 
With due respect to our pious scholars – the concept of abrogation propounded is not in sync with Quran. Quran is a miraculous book whose miracles would be revealing from time to time. If we don’t understand clearly what an ayah mean then we should say we don’t understand its meaning. Instead of this if we declare that this ayah is abrogated by some other ayah then we are moving in wrong direction. If we don’t understand something then lets leave it for future generations. May be – with more and more knowledge with time they will be able to comprehend it better.
 
For example – think about how number of abrogated ayah decreased from 500 to 20 and then 5. Piety is not necessarily an index of intelligence level of a person. When people pondered more and more over the Quran then they rejected 500 instances of abrogation and Imam syuti concluded that only 20 ayah of Quran are abrogated. Imam syuti did not make any mistake by disagreeing with early scholars in the number of instances of abrogation in Quran. He had full right to ponder over Quran and understand it. Similarly when Shah waliullah dehlavi disagreed with Imam syuti and solved the invalidated abrogation of 15 such ayah then he too did not do any wrong. He concluded that not 20 but actually only 5 ayah of Quran are abrogated.
So with the passage of time, with more wisdom, intellectual level and knowledge; muslim world made abrogation instances to be 5. So now if people ponder more over Quran and then they reduce instances of abrogation in Quran to be zero then they are not mistaken as they are trying honestly to do more pondering over Quran. Remember: time and again Quran asks its readers to ponder more and more over Quran.
 
E. Prohibition of Alcohol – An example of abrogation?

.

The best example given in support of abrogation is prohibition of alcohol. People say that Alcohol was prohibited in 3 stages. People misunderstand that initially Quran permitted alcohol consumptionthen it asked people not to consume alcohol for some time and then finally Allah prohibited it completely. So – they say – first two ayah of this series are abrogated by the third ayah. Lets analyze it using simple translation and common sense.a. They ask you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) concerning alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: “In them is a great sin, and (some) benefit for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit.”…. (Quran, Surah baqrah 2:219)

b. O you who believe! Approach not As-Salat (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state until you know (the meaning) of what you utter……. (Quran, Surah Nisa 4:43)

c. O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, and Al-Ansab , and Al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. So avoid that, in order that you may be successful. (Quran, Surah Maidah 5:90)

Traditional understanding is:
1. Quran initially permitted Alcohol. They cite 2:219 and 4:43 for their support.
2. Later these two ayah were abrogated by 5:90 in which Allah prohibited alcohol.
This example is the best example of abrogation as per the supporters pf abrogation.

However, a serious and careful understanding of these ayah make clear that none of the ayah is abrogated, none of the ayah contradict with any other one, all 3 ayah can be practised even today. This is the miracle of Quran that its each letter, each word and each sentence is divine.

1. 2:219 says that in alcohol there is some benefit for men, but harm is far more than benefit. That is true. Human being DO use it in chemical industry, in medicine. In cold countries people drink it to get warmth. It is also used in thermometers, as a solvent, and as a fuel.

Important point to note is that Quran is not saying that Alcohol is permitted for consumption. Had Quran mentioned here that “you can have alcohol” then it would have directly contradicted with 5:90 and then as per 4:82 we could say that Quran is not God’s word. But, alhamdulillah, God’s word is superior to human misunderstanding.

2. 4:43 says that do not approach for salah when you are in drunken state. Here many people get confused and assume that this ayah means that one can have alcohol when not going for salah. [If A is father of B then that does not always mean B is son of A. B can be daughter of A 🙂 ] They are mistaken. The word of Quran is very balanced. It conveys the meaning, give command and maintain the principle that Quranic ayah can NOT contradict. This ayah is not abrogated and it can be practised even today. Alcohol is prohibited (As per 5:90), yet there would be some bad muslims who would consume alcohol. Just like; zina (illegal physical relation) is prohibited but some people may do zina – that is why we have punishment for those who commit zina. Similarly for people who have consumed alcohol – for them instruction is that if they want to repent through salah or they want to offer salah then they should not go for salah till they are in sound mind, till the intoxicating effect of alcohol has gone. Please note-even in this ayah Allah is not saying at all that alcohol is permitted. This ayah does not contradict with 2:219 and 5:90

3. Finally 5:90 said that Alcohol is prohibited. It does not contradict any ayah; viz 2:219 and 4:43

Appreciate the beauty of Quran

This is the beauty of quran. Quranic ayah have multiple aspects. On the one hand these 3 ayah were prohibiting the custom of alcohol among arabs. The ayah revealed were perfectly in sync with human psychology. Its difficult for human beings to shun alcohol in one go. In gradual manner it is easier to stop drinking habit.
See how it was relevant that time when it was revelaed:
a. 2:219 gave indication to arabs that alcohol has bad effects. Quran told them that even though it has some good yet overall it is bad for human being.

b. Next ayah 4:43 made these arabs to stop alcohol for at least some hours a day. As per this ayah they should not approach salah when in drunken state. So for them that time they were supposed to avoid alcohol for 3-4 hours a day at least. Lets assume that 30 – 45 minutes before salah they should not consume it in order to be in sound state at the time of salah.

c. So with the passage of time people that time had decreased their drinking habit. Many had already shunned. As a last nail in the coffin – 5:90 made clear that it is prohibited. So keeping in the mind the psychological condition of human being these 3 ayah eradicated the evil of alcohol from the society.

These 3 ayah were practised that time by arabs. Even today these 3 ayah are relevant as explained earlier. Hence there is no contradiction in these 3 ayah, there is NO abrogation at all. Nothing is abrogated from Quran, not even a letter, not a word, not a sentence.

F. Conclusion

1. Majority of muslim scholars believe in the concept of abrogation in Quran. It means there are some ayah in the quran which does not hold good today. Its ruling has been cancelled by other particular ayah of the Quran.
 
2. This concept of abrogation makes Quran a laughing stock in the eyes of non-muslims. How a book that is divine and from Almighty God – can cancel and repeal its command? Is not God Most wise and far sighting?
 
3. There is difference of opinion among scholars how many and which all ayah of Quran are abrogated. While early scholars pointed out 500 such ayah, Imam suyuti narrowed down to 20 and as per Shah Waliulalh dehlavi Quran has 5 such ayah that are abrogated. Muslim world is NOT at all unanimous on what all ayah of Quran do not hold good today.
4. With the passage of time-as scholars pondered more and more over the Quran the number of abrogated ayah decreased from 500 to 5. Does not it mean that if we ponder more then this 5 can come down to zero?
 
5. The concept of abrogation of ayah came into existence because of seemingly contradictory meaning of two ayah. When it is found that two ayah of Quran can not hold true simultaneously then scholars declare one of of ayah to be abrogated. In simple words in order to get rid-off contradictory ayah in quran concept of abrogation was given. I am sorry to say-this understanding / concept is horribly wrong and against Quran, logic and common sense.
 
6. Quran makes clear that you will not find any two ayah of Quran contradicting. If you believe that Quran contains contradictory ayah then you have to agree that Quran is not from Allah (Surah Nisa 4:82). If there is abrogation in Quran then Quran is not God’s word.
 
7. If someone is unable to decipher the apparent contradiction in Quran then its better to keep silent on the issue rather declaring it abrogated. May be with the passage of time and with more and more pondering over Quran we will understand its clear meaning. In no case Quran can contain contradictory Ayah.
 
8. A general understanding among muslims is that prohibition of Alcohol, kalala, pace making wit non Muslims, inheritance etc – are examples of abrogation. All these ayah can be understood clearly without un-Quranic concept of abrogation.
 
9. Not a single letter, word or ayah of Quran is abrogated.
 
 
 
Note: * If you don’t agree with the mail then instead of giving fatwa of deviation / kufr / shirk / biddat – have faith in Allah and leave it to him to judge.
 
* Author: Khurshid Imam is software engineer at Bangalore, India. For any criticism / feedback / suggestion feel free to mail – serviceforhumanity@gmail.com
 
The article can be found at: http://khurshidimam.blogspot.in/
The article can be downloaded as pdf from: http://www.scribd.com/KHURSHIDIMAM
By Khurshid Imam
 

 A. Introduction

Almighty God reveals his words to Prophet for the guidance of mankind. This revelation in the form of book is called holy book. There have been several revelations from Almighty God. Quran is the last in the series. Pre Quranic revelations are not in their 100% pure form today because they could not be preserved with the passage of time. Holy Vedas, Holy bible etc come into this category.

Now what should be approach of Muslims towards Vedas or bible? Since Hindus and Christians refer to their books Vedas and Bible respectively – what should be attitude of Muslims while dealing with them? Lets ponder over these points with UNBIASED and NEUTRAL mind.

* Dawah: Inviting people to God/Islam.

* Hadees: Words/events/actions attributed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

* Some people may object why i m referring vedas along with bible. Most of the muslims are of idea that bible was originally from God but not vedas. Since i m of the understanding that vedas were originally from God hence i m using it along with bible.Lets leave this topic as of now. Will discuss in future inshallah.

 

B. Some Muslims have objection against using previous scriptures (bible, Vedas etc) for dawah.

Some Muslims say that one should not use Bible, Vedas etc for dawah purpose. Their argument is:

1. Since Quran is the only uncorrupted book of Almighty God today so we should give dawah using Quran only. We can not refer a book that is not 100% pure.

2. Also people quote a hadees to support their view. This is explained later in the article.

3. A few ignorant even go to the extent to say that one should not even possess bible etc.

 

C. Revisiting basics

Again: the most commonly repeated mistake by majority of Muslim. Not understanding an issue UNDER THE PRINCIPLE OF QURAN. When people don’t look at Quran, don’t analyze what Allah has revealed, don’t ponder over how Quran has guided and directly try to reach at conclusion just by looking at hadees in isolation then they are bound to make mistake.                         

Quran is the final criteria in judging:

The month of Ramadhan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion …….” [Quran, Surah Baqrah 2: 185]


Please mark the purpose of Quran.

1.It is for whole mankind. Quran is not exclusive property of any particular sect, religion, group of race.

2.Quran contains clear proofs. The proofs given by Quran are self explanatory.

3.Quran is for guidance purpose. We MUST seek guidance from Quran.

4.Quran is the criterion – it means in any matter Quran will have the last say; what is right and what is wrong – what Quran decides will be final.


Quran is word of Almighty God.

Quran is word of Almighty God.

Quran is word of Almighty God.

No wonder Muslims claim Quran to be word of God loudly but when it comes to ACTUALLY believing and practicing; many fail miserably. Quran says that one MUST judge as per the revelation of Almighty God.

“…..If any do fail to judge by what Allah hath revealed, they are Unbelievers (kaferoon)”. [Quran, Surah Maida 5:44]

“….And if any fail to judge by what Allah hath revealed, they are wrong-doers (Zalemoon)”. [Quran, Surah Maida 5:45]

Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by what Allah hath revealed, they are those who rebel (Faseqoon). [Quran, Surah Maida 5:47]                                                                                           

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

And this (He commands): you judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they beguile thee from any of that (teaching) which Allah hath sent down to you….. [Quran, Surah Maida 5:49]

Above ayah of Quran make very clear that if we judge against the guidance of Quran then it is kufr / zulm / fisq / absolutely wrong. See how much emphasis Allah has given on judging from what he has revealed.

 

D. One CAN definitely use previous scripture for Dawah

1. The misunderstanding

The Hadees which is used by people for prohibiting use of bible etc for dawah is as follows:

“Narrated Jabir Ibn Abdullah : Umar ibn al-Khattab brought to Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) a copy of the Torah and said: ‘Allah’s Messenger, this is a copy of the Torah’. He (Allah’s Messenger) kept quiet and he (Umar) began to read it. The color of the face of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) underwent a change, whereupon Abu Bakr said: “Would that your mother mourn you, don’t you see the face of Allah’s Messenger?’ Umar saw the face of Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) and said: ‘I seek refuge with Allah from the wrath of Allah and the wrath of His Messenger. We are well pleased with Allah as Lord, with Islam as religion, and with Muhammad as Prophet’. Whereupon Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said : ‘By Him in Whose hand is the life of Muhammad, even if Moses were to appear before you and you were to follow him, leaving me aside, you would certainly stray into error; for if (Moses) were alive (now), and he found my prophetical ministry, he would have definitely followed me’. (Sunan Ad-Darimi, Vol. 1, Hadith No. 435)


Looking at this in isolation and without context people conclude that it’s prohibited or haraam to read bible forever. Please note following important points:

  1. This event happened in the early stage of medina life. At this time various Islamic laws were being implemented and were supposed to be followed by all.
  2. During a time when Quranic eco-socio-politico system was being implemented it was not only undesirable but also dangerous to get immersed into laws of previous revelations. This was to make sure that people understand and adhere to the Quranic laws and there should not be any kind of fitnah.
  3. Now Prophet Muhammad and laws given by him should be understood and clear into the minds of ummah that’s why prophet referred – “for if (Moses) were alive (now), and he found my prophetical ministry, he would have definitely followed me’
  4. Not only hazrat umar was reading the part of torah but also he used to go to jewish school baitul-midras for reading torah.
  5. This apparent prohibition of reading torah was just a temporary one as Prophet later permitted to quote from the scriptures of people of the book as it is evident from the following hadees:

The Prophet said, “Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single sentence, and tell others the stories of Bani Israel, for it is not sinful to do so. And whoever tells a lie on me intentionally, will surely take his place in the (Hell) Fire.”(Sahih Al Bukhari, Vol. 4, Hadith no. 3461)

2. Quran associates Muslims with previous scriptures

After freeing mind from the misunderstanding of hadees lets ponder seriously over below points.

Contrary to the popular belief; Quran associates believers to previous scriptures rather dissociating. It’s surprising but true. Those who ponder over Quran will have better idea of it. Quran confirms about the previous revelations sent by Allah time and again (even though they got changed with the time).


Quran NOT only mentions about previous scriptures, but also confirm that they were from Allah. Quran is full of references where Allah speaks about Quran confirming previous revelations. Go through these ayah and see how universal message of Quran is. Quran relates a believer to previous scriptures. For example:

  1. Quran, Surah Baqrah 2:40-41
  2. Quran, Surah Baqrah 2:89
  3. Quran, Surah Baqrah 2:97
  4. Quran, Surah Baqrah 2:101
  5. Quran, Surah Al Imran  3:3
  6. Quran, Surah Nisa 4:47
  7. Quran, Surah Maida 5:46
  8. Quran, Surah Maida 5:48
  9. Quran, Surah Ana’m 6:92
  10. Quran, Surah Yunus 10:37
  11. Quran, Surah Yusuf 12:111
  12. Quran, Surah fatir 35:31
  13. Quran, Surah Zumur 39:33
  14. Quran, Surah Ahqaf 46:11-12
  15. Quran, Surah Ahqaf 46:30
  16. Quran Surah Juma 61:6


Not only this: Quran also tells believers to believe in previous revelations and not distinguish between them. Look at :

  1. Quran, Surah Baqrah 2:136, 285
  2. Quran, Surah al imran 3:84
  3. Quran, Surah Nisa 4:152

What does it mean today to believe in previous revelations when they are corrupted? It means:

  • There were several revelations from God; though except Quran all are changed, interpolated and concocted.
  • We should not completely cut off from previous scripture; rather we can use those for dawah purpose i.e. while inviting people to God or islam.
  • Quran remains the only uncorrupted and pure revelation from God today.
  • Those portions of previous books that matches with Quran – we can say – if not in exact letter; the jist of this part was from God.

3. Quran admits that previous revelation have been changed, yet……

Please keep in mind that Quran admits that previous scriptures have been changed. Quran condemns adulteration in previous revelations.

Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands, and then say: “This is from Allah,” to traffic with it for miserable price!- Woe to them for what their hands do write, and for the gain they make thereby”. Quran, Surah Baqrah 2:79

Even at the time of Prophet Muhammad, bible was very much distorted. Even that time Christians used to believe in trinity, Jesus as son of God etc.

“O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) an apostle of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His apostles. Say not “Trinity” : desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah. Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs”. Quran, Surah Nisa 4:171

They do blaspheme who say: “(Allah) is Christ the son of Mary.” But said Christ: “O Children of Israel! worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Whoever joins other gods with Allah,- Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help.” Quran, Surah Maida 5:72

They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them”. Quran, Surah Maida 5:73

4. Quran permits Muslims to Quote Bible, Vedas etc

“Say: “O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah. that we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah.” If then they turn back, say ye: “Bear witness that we are Muslims (we surrender our will to God).” Quran, Surah Al-Imran 3:64

·   Important point is: At one place Quran admits that belief of Christianity with regard to monotheism and status of Jesus was distorted (4:171, 5:72-73) and on the other hand here (3:64) God is asking Muslims to come to common terms with people with previous scriptures? And that also regarding worshipping of One God? How it is possible? The answer is : This common terms is  achieved by looking at respective scriptures. When we look at Quran, bible and Vedas then we have to look at the common teachings.

·   It means that even though previous scriptures are changed believers are recommended to talk to non muslims by talking about common terms that is mentioned in their scripture and Quran. This is amazing hikmah (wisdom) of Quran. This is all-inclusive approach of Quran. You believe in Bible to be God’s word? Ok, then lets come and agree to the scriptural quotations that describes God as ONE and ONLY.

·   Not only this but 3:64 also guarantees that oneness of God is still preserved in their scriptures (even though tauheed is mixed up with shirk, yet Quran asks us to talk about similarities). When we actually look into Bible, Vedas then we DO find that oneness of God is mentioned their (even though shirk is also mentioned). This is again a great miracle of almighty God that he will preserve tauheed (oneness of God) even if previous scripture is distorted.

·   Wisdom of Quran continues and it asks people of the book to at least ESTABLISH what was revealed  to them. This is very important.

   Say  “O people of the Scripture! You have nothing till you act according to the Taurat (Torah), the  Injeel (Gospel), and what has been sent down to you from your Lord …”. Quran, Surah Maida 5:68

   Usually Muslims scholars ignore this kind of ayah. If non Muslims are not ready to follow and implement Quran then at least let them establish what was revealed to them from Allah.

   We know the famous incidence wherein Prophet judged among jews with torah (Again keep  in mind: that torah was not 100% pure even that time. It had interpolations).  

A Jew and a Jewess were brought to Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) on a charge of committing an illegal sexual intercourse. The Prophet (pbuh) asked them. “What is the legal punishment (for this sin) in your book (Torah)?” They replied, “Our priests have innovated the punishment of blackening the faces with charcoal and Tajbiya.” Abdullah bin Salam said, “O Allah’s Messenger, tell them to bring the Torah.” The Torah was brought, and then one of the jews put his hand over the Divine Verse of the Rajam (stoning to death) and started reading what preceded and what followed it. On that, Ibn Salam said to the jew, “Lift your hand.” Behold ! The Divine Verse of the Rajam was under his hand. So Allah’s Messenger ordered that the two (sinners) be stoned to death, and they were stoned. Ibn ‘Umar added: so both of them were stoned at the Balat and I saw the jew sheltering the Jewess.

(Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 8, Hadith No. 6819)


So prophet judged between Jews with their scripture. But wait! Look at the Quranic ayah that describes this event. See the word of Almighty God. Allah is saying why these jews came to you for judgement when judgement of Allah was therein torah?


But why do they come to you for decision, when they have law before them?- therein is the (plain) command of Allah. yet even after that, they would turn away. For they are not (really) People of Faith. Quran, Surah maida 5:43

Allah makes clear that when these people were having WORD of ALLAH (at least that portion that is under discussion) then how come they were not implementing it?

Immediately a question comes to mind – “today: how we will come to know what was revealed by Allah?”. Obviously Quran and truth will be the criteria to judge this. Portion matching with Quran can be called from God.

E. Conclusion

  1. Some Muslims think that its prohibited to use previous scriptures like Bible, Vedas etc for dawah purpose. Some ignorant go to the extreme and say that a Muslim is not permitted to possess these books.
  2. Quran has time and again confirmed about previous revelations being from Allah even though they were changed by people.
  3. Even at the time of Prophet Muhammad bible was changed. “Jesus as son of God”, “trinity” etc has crept into Christians that time. Yet God tells in Quran to speak about similarities between these scriptures.
  4. In fact Quran give the magical formula that in dawah talk about common terms. These common terms can be determined ONLY through their scriptures.
  5. The extreme wisdom of quran is that even if people of book don’t come to Quran; minimum requirement from them is to establish what was revealed to them from Allah.
  6. It’s completely permitted to use previous scriptures for dawah or related purpose.
 

* If you don’t agree with the mail then instead of giving fatwa of deviation / kufr / shirk / biddat – have faith in Allah and leave it to him to judge.

 

* Author: Khurshid Imam is software engineer at Bangalore, India. For any criticism / feedback / suggestion feel free to mail – serviceforhumanity@gmail.com

 

The article can be found at: http://khurshidimam.blogspot.in/2012/03/using-bible-vedas-etc-for-dawah.html and same has been attached in the mail.

 
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER DEATH? Death-Life-Death-Life… cycle?
 
By Khurshid Imam
 
A. Introduction
Dear friends.
This is the question we hardly ponder over. We are so much busy in our personal life that rarely we realize that we have come to this world for very short period – may be 10 years, 40 years or say 90 years. After that??? We don’t have any idea. But do we want to get idea???? Answer is NO – in general.
Everyday in newspaper we read people dying, leaving this world – but it is not enough to make us ponder over our purpose of creation. Our body, wealth, family, house, and business – nothing will go with us when we die. Though we read about others dying yet we don’t want to realize that even i can die any day any time.
 
In India, generally there are two categories of belief regarding what will happen after death.
1> Some people say that after our death, we will take some other form – depending upon our deeds – and come to this world again. If a person has done more good things then he/she will take birth in the form of human beings again into this world. If someone’s bad deeds are more then he will take the form of animals and plants and may be as poor, handicapped, or born with deformities, or suffering from hunger etc and take birth into this world. This concept is called Transmigration of soul or awagaman.
2> Other group of people say that actually there is ONLY one worldly life. After our death we will not take birth in any form. But rather on Day of Judgment all human beings will be raised again. All will be held accountable for their each and every deed. And depending upon the deeds people will be rewarded paradise and hell. This life will not be like our worldly life. And this life hereafter will be eternal life.
 
Let us think and believe
Now let us analyze logically, scientifically and from Scripture point of view that which of the belief is correct. Obviously both can not be true at the same time.
According to the concept of awagaman – people who have done good deeds will take birth as human being while people who have sinned more will take birth in the form of animals and plants or will be born into lower caste or will be borne with disabilities.
 
B. Awagaman is against logic and common sense, science and Hindu scriptures
 
1. Evil increasing so population should decrease!!!
Today we know that evil is increasing day by day. All kind of crimes are increasing in numbers and nature. Also, as per the popular belief of YUG – Time is divided into 4 yug viz; kalyug, satyug, dwapar yug and treta yug – present time is kalyug. It means in present time evil is far more than good deeds.
So it means most of the people are dying by earning more sins – hence all these people who die should take birth as animal or plants – and thus eventually population of the world should????? DECREASE!!!!!
But we all know that population of the world is increasing!!!! Hence clear cut contradiction between awagaman and FACT.
 
2. Do we EAT our forefathers????
Awagaman concept says that all plants and animals are existing because of sins committed by them in previous life. When we eat plants or animals then does it mean that we are eating our forefathers or relatives or other people who did sin in previous life????
 
3. Obeying God can lead to destruction of human beings????
All will agree that a person should love God, he/she should follow commandments of God, not indulge in sins, don’t do bad deeds. All will agree for this. But what will happen ultimately? As more and more people will be obeying God, after their death they will NOT take birth in the form of plants and animals but they will be borne as human beings. Result? Agriculture, plants, trees, fruits, animals, milk, curd etc will disappear in due time and there will be drought and hunger. People will not have vegetables, fruits to eat, milk to drink – agriculture will vanish and people will die of hunger. By obeying God people will be heading towards their self-extinction?? It does not go to common sense.
 
4. Disobeying God can lead to prosperity of human beings????
Going vice versa – if people become disobedient to God, they sin lot, do lot of crime, indulge in criminal and unethical activity – after their death they will take birth as animals and plants. Result?? There will be lot of trees, plants, fruits, animals, milk etc. Problem of pollution, environmental concerns will be solved. Hence by disobeying god people will prosper. is this logical????
 
5. Safe side theory
Talking in terms of very simple words; lets us assume that there is 50-50 chance of awagaman and life hereafter concept being true.
      Suppose a person A believes that after death we will take birth here in this world in a form that depends on our deeds.
                    Another person B believes that if we have gone against God’s commandments then we will be punished in hell and if we have followed God then we will be rewarded in paradise. We will NOT take birth in the form animals or plants or human beings again in this world.
Suppose after death it was found that Awagaman was correct, hence belief of Mr. A was right and that of Mr. B was wrong. Then no loss for both of them. Both will take birth in a form depending on their deeds.
But…. But… but Suppose after death it was found that Life hereafter is correct and awagaman is wrong then No harm for Mr B. He will be rewarded paradise as he obeyed God. But if mr. B has not lead life as per GOD then Mr. B will be punished in hell.
Taking both scenarios into account – which is more logical and safer side belief?
6.Principal of Natural justice
A natural principle is that if someone is accused of some crime then he/she should know that so and so is his/her crime. You can’t put someone behind bar without explaining his/her crime.
As per awagaman – all animals and plants exists because they have done some crime in their previous life. Is not this against principle of natural justice??? They should at least know what crime they did? Until and unless they will know of their crime how they will abstain from it??
If a robber is put behind bar then he must be explained his crime so that he does not repeat it. By this simple logic concept of awagaman goes against principle of natural justice.
7. Principle of natural justice continues…
Not only a criminal should know of his/her crimes, but also it should be proved to him. Just by saying that since you are accused of theft – a thief can not be put behind bar. In a court of law his/her crime must be proved, otherwise it will be injustice. In the case of awagaman, neither plants, nor animals nor poor people know their crimes in previous life nor was it proved to them.
 
8. Helping needy/poor is against humanity????
It is a common sense and teachings of all faith that – one should help poor, help needy people, feed hungry people, give charity to poor, help blind and handicapped people – everyone agrees that these are good deeds.
Suppose police catches a thief, prove in court of law that this man has stolen and eventually court puts him behind the bar for a certain period. Now if a person thinks that he should help this criminal or thief by helping him escape the prison or help in some other way then this will be considered illegal in the eyes of laws. And any person who helps in freeing criminal or providing him anything of comfort will be wrong as per law.
Now as per awagaman – poor people, handicapped people, people born with deformities, people suffering from hunger – they are undergoing sins committed by them in previous life. Since they are criminal undergoing punishment then it means one should not help them, one should feed them, and one should not give them charity????????????? Is not this against humanity in any faith???? hence awagaman concept does not hold good.
9. Simple Scientific facts refute awagaman (transmigartion of soul concept)
Science has given many theories regarding the formation of universe. None have established as of now. But no one has doubt regarding the fact that – Initially this earth was hot mass, gradually with passage of time it cooled down. Then after many years plant kingdom existed. After thousands and lakh of years, animal kingdom came into existence. Then again after thousands and lakh years, human beings came into existence. So in short – first there were only plants for lakhs of years, then animals came into existence, and after thousands and lakh of years human beings came into existense.
Now according to popular indian belief – Animals+plants are collectively called BHOG YONI i.e. birth as a result of punishment/reward and Humanbeings are called KARM YONI i.e birth in which Karam or deeds can be done. Now 100$ questions is – how there was bhog yoni (plants) before karm yoni(human beings)??? Because as per awagaman if a man does bad deeds then he tale birth as plants. So how come firstly there was result (plants) and after that there was cause (humans)??? This goes against logic.
 
10. When was human population 100000billion????
Just have a look at any lawn. Look at grasses. Can you count them? May be extremely difficult, but yet possible. How many grasses would be there in a small lawn? May be lakh may be millions. So in a small lawn there would be millions of plants having life. What about in a city? In a country? In whole world????? Infiniteeee. May be billions of billions of billions. Now as per awagaman these plants are due to their sins in their past life. So it means that there should have been billions of billions of billions of human beings who have done sins???? And these numbers of plants are there since plant kingdom came into existence millions of years back. So was there ever in human history population of human beings this much???? NOOO. Even today there are only 6 billions people in the whole world. So this simple analysis goes against concept of awagaman.
But now – 1 question arises naturally – if concept of awagaman is wrong then how it became popular? How people started believing in that???
Please read response below which will make all things clear.
 
11. Sanatandharmi Scholars against awagaman theory
Vedas are considered to be God’s words. They were revealed thousands and lakhs of years back. In the form of shruti they were passed on. After vedas several books were written by people and scholars. But Vedas are considered to be God’s words, rest of books are human authored.
As per one of the greatest Scholar of modern era – Dr. Rahul Sankrityayan; he writes in his famous book of philosophy – Darshan Dig Darshan under the topic of Punarjanam that the concept of awagaman was not their in vedic period. Vedic Scholars were completely unknown from this concept. This concept was given first by Chandogya Rishi in his book Chandogya upnishad.
When people went away from word of God and gave their own concpet contradicting God’s words then they are bound to illogical concept. In order to explain why some people are born with disabilities, why some people are poor, why some people suffer from disease – scholars gave the argument that there was a previous life in which they have committed sins and hence undergoing punishment.
 
12. Another Scholar testifies
Similarly another Scholar Dr. S. Radhakrishnan – who has translated vedas into english – he writes in his book – Upnishadon ki bhumika – that this concept of awagaman is not in vedas and it was given by scholars afterwards.
 
13. Vedas are STRICTLY against awagaman or transmigration of soul concept
Vedas are completely absent from this concept of awagaman or life death life death cycle. Not only that concept of awagaman is NOT at all present in vedas – but also – opposite of awagaman i.e Concept of life hereafter is there in vedas. It is so unfortunate that as people went away from God’s word they started believing something which is against God’s teachings. Vedas give lot of details about Life hereafter. for example – in Atharv Ved 4:34:2-7 Vedas speak about life of paradise. Similalrly at so many other places vedas speak about paradise, hell.
 
14. A community being misled for thousands of years
Waitttttt. All is not over. Something extremely important:
When a person dies then scholars are asked to recite for the peace of dead soul.Through this it is assumed that dead person will get peace. I bet – most of us don’t know what is read by pujari ji. What he recites is a part of Garud Puran called Pret kalp. You know what it says?? Since it is recited in sanskrit so people dont understand. It speaks regarding what will happen to the dead person after death. it says that if the dead person has done good deeds then he will be taken by yamdut to paradise where he will have joyfull life, he will get different types of pleasure, milk, curd, honey etc. So dead person will enjoy in paradise if he has done good deeds.
              Similarly it says that if dead person has done bad deeds then he will be punished in so many ways, dogs will bite him, he will be put into hell fire, his meat will be eaten, he will be made to fall from high places and in so many ways he will be punished.
Amazing!!!!! is not it??? When a person is alive then it is told to him that he will NOT go to paradise or hell rather he will take birth in this world only, but when he dies then it si told to him that he will be punished in hell if he had sinned…. Is not this a big fraud against the whole community???
Think…………….
My dear brothers and sisters
Just think over above points – don’t you think that concept of awagaman is against logic, against science and against God’s teachings???
The Correct concept is the concept of life hereafter i.e paradise and hell. Every human being, on the day of judgment will be raised again (this is punrajanam) and will be rewarded paradise if he has lead life as per teachings of God and will be punished in hell if he has disobeyed GOD.
 
C. Conclusion
 
1. The popular hindu belief is that after death human beings take the birth in the form of human being, plant, animal, lower caste person, person with disabilities or desease.
2. This concept is against logic, against common sense, against science and against Vedas.
3. After death there will be no birth in this world – rather there will be rebirth on the Day of Judgment where people will be held accountable for their deeds and will be rewarded or punished depending upon their deeds.
 
* If you don’t agree with the mail then instead of giving fatwa of deviation / kufr / shirk / biddat – have faith in Allah and leave it to him to judge.
 
* Author: Khurshid Imam is software engineer at Bangalore. For any criticism / feedback / suggestion feel free to mail – serviceforhumanity@gmail.com
 
The article can be found at  http://khurshidimam.blogspot.com/2010/06/what-will-happen-after-death-awagaman.html  and same has been attached in the mail.
Allah knows what is in mother’s womb


One of the prevelant misconceptions about Quran is that – Quran says that “no one except Allah knows what is in the mother’s womb” or “only Allah knows what is in mother’s womb”.
The Ayah quoted for reference is from Surah Luqman, Surah No 31, Ayah No 34Now, any educated person knows that with the medical technique of ultrasound it is possible to determine the sex of unborn child. So does this mean Quran is wrong?
When asked this questions- Usually a knowledgeable person will answer – “See, this ayah is not talking about sex of child, rather it is talking about qualities of child, like will this child become boon for the society or bane for the society, will this child become Doctor or engineer, will this child be among hell dwellers or paradise dwellers etc ?
But unfortunately this typical answer is just a good way to avoid the question by giving false answer. Moreover Medical science has advanced to a stage that it is possible today to impart and predetermine qualities to an unborn child. So this answer does not hold good at all.
So, what do you mean? Does it mean Quran is wrong, it is contradicting to the established science?
Of course NOT, Quran is infallible. Quran can never ever contradict a fact. Islam is Deenul fitr (Deen of nature).It can never ever contradict a FACT or nature.. Allah says in Quran, Surah Nisa, Surah No 4 ,Ayah No 82 –“Do not they ponder over Quran with care, if it would have been from anyone besides Allah then there would have been many contradictions”
So where we are going wrong as far as the subject is concerned.

Or wait…….. is it because of lack of Arabic knowledge that we have understood that Quran is going wrong. Yes, yes, this is the reason.
Also the hundred billion dollar question is – Does Allah says that ONLY Allah knows what is in the mother’s womb?

Just check up Exact Arabic to English translation of this Ayah
“Innallaha (Verily Allah) Indahu (he possess) ilm-u-ssa’ate (Knowledge of Qiyamah) way o nazzelo (And he reveals) Al ghaisa (Rain) Wa yalamu (And he knows) ma (what) fi-l-arham (inside womb) wama (and No) tadri (knows) nafsun (any nafs) ma za (What) taksebo (he will do) ghadan (tomorrow) wama tadri (and does not know) nafsun (any nafs) be aye (which) ar dhin (earth or land) tamuto (he will die) innallaha (verily Allah) aleemun (knowledgeable) khabeer (well aware)

There is no arabic word for ONLY. What Quran tells here is VERILY. And of course verily does not mean ONLY.

So the interpretation of the above Ayah will be – “Verily Allah possess the knowledge of Qiyamah and he reveals the rain and he knows what is in mother’s womb and No nafs knows what he will do tomorrow and no any nafs know which place he will die. Verily Allah is knowledgeable and well aware”.

Note: Intentionally I have not translated nafs as person or human being or man or soul because actually nafs and person or soul are two different term.


Following things can be concluded from the Ayah:
1. Allah Knows about Qiyamah
2. Allah reveals the rain
3. Allah knows what is in mother’s womb
4. No nafs knows what he/she will do tomorrow
5. No nafs knows where he/she will die
6. Allah is full of knowledge and well aware of all things.
So it is possible for entities other than Allah to know what is in the mother’s womb. So when science today tells about the qualities of embryo or the not-yet-delivered child then it is NOT contradicting Quran.
So it is misconception that Quran says that Only Allah knows what is in the mother’s womb. Actually Quran says that verily Allah knows what is in the mother’s womb.

 
Note: Author Khurshid Imam is a software engineer, bangalore. For any feedback mail to serviceforhumanity@gmail.com
If you don’t agree with the mail then instead of giving fatwa of kufr/shirk/deviation have faith in Allah and leave him to judge.