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October 6, 2006

RELIGIOUS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (PART 3)

I seek refuge in Allah from satan the rejected.

In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.

This is Part 3 of the sermon on questions asked by a believing person, and their answers.

QUESTION: Verse 8:41 says: “You should know that if you gain any spoils in war, one-fifth shall go to GOD and the messenger, to be given to the relatives, the orphans, the poor, and the traveling alien. You will do this if you believe in GOD and in what we revealed to our servant on the day of decision, the day the two armies clashed. GOD is Omnipotent. The QUESTION is that “one-fifth of the spoils are directed to be given to GOD and the messenger. And right after this it says, “to be given to the relatives, the orphans, the poor, and the traveling alien.” Which part is going to this category? Is it remaining after giving one-fifth?

ANSWER: The control of the spoils of the war is given by GOD to His messenger. The messenger is in charge over all affairs of the congregation. He is the one who leads the war, the Salat-al-Jum’aah (the Friday Prayer), announces the day for the start of the month of fasting, called Ramadan, settles disputes and issues between the believers, explains and interprets the commands of God; in short, he is in charge over all affairs concerning your guidance in your lives, and to make sure you are carrying out God’s commands in a faithful and correct manner.

From the spoils of war, one-fifth is kept by the messenger, as dictated by God. He then distributes these to the categories listed in the verse. The remaining four-fifths can be distributed among the believers, from which they again share with others in need, just like you share your charities, mentioned through the verses. But the decision of the messenger as to the allocation and the distribution is final. No believer can criticize the messenger for his decisions. The reason for God to reserve one-fifth for His messenger is because wars create chaotic situations and undue excitement after victories, whereby the people take it upon themselves out of greed and lust to grab whatever comes along from the enemy or even from each other. Believers cannot act unruly and greedy, and are bound by God’s laws, no matter what the situation. The laws are designed to prevent certain people from monopolizing and controlling the money and the assets, acquired from the spoils of war. They are prohibited from taking over any spoils of war on their own – if they

do, they are supposed to turn it over to the messenger, who will then distribute among them. I recite to you the following verses, to enlighten you:

8:1 They consult you about the spoils of war. Say, “The spoils of war belong to GOD and the messenger.” You shall observe GOD, exhort one another to be righteous, and obey GOD and His messenger, if you are believers.

3:161 Even the prophet cannot take more of the spoils of war than he is entitled to. Anyone who takes more than his rightful share will have to account for it on the Day of Resurrection. That is when each soul is paid for whatever it earned, without the least injustice.

59:7 Whatever GOD restored to His messenger from the (defeated) communities shall go to GOD and His messenger. You (the messenger) shall give it to the relatives, the orphans, the poor, and the traveling alien. Thus, it will not remain monopolized by the strong among you. You (the believers) may keep the spoils given to you by the messenger, but do not take what he enjoins you from taking. You (the believers) shall reverence GOD. GOD is strict in enforcing retribution.

59:8 (You shall give) to the needy who immigrated. They were evicted from their homes and deprived of their properties, because they sought GOD’s grace and pleasure, and because they supported GOD and His messenger. They are the truthful.

8:69 Therefore, eat from the spoils you have earned that which is lawful and good, and observe GOD. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

There are verses governing your dealings with the messenger and your obligations towards other believers, in the cause of God. I recite to you the following:

33:19 Also they are too stingy when dealing with you (the messenger). If anything threatens the community, you see their eyes rolling with fear, as if death had already come to them. Once the crisis is over, they whip you (the messenger) with sharp tongues. They are too stingy with their wealth. These are not believers, and consequently, GOD has nullified their works. This is easy for GOD to do.

9:98 Some Arabs consider their spending (in the cause of God) to be a loss, and even wait in anticipation that a disaster may hit you (the messenger). It is they who will incur the worst disaster. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.

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9:99 Other Arabs do believe in GOD and the Last Day, and consider their spending to be a means towards supporting the messenger. Indeed, it will bring them nearer; GOD will admit them into His mercy. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

9:58 Some of them criticize your (the messenger’s) distribution of the charities; if they are given therefrom, they become satisfied, but if they are not given therefrom, they become objectors.

9:59 They should be satisfied with what GOD and His messenger have given them. They should have said, “GOD suffices us. GOD will provide us from His bounties, and so will His messenger. We are seeking only GOD.”

9:103 (Addressed to the messenger) Take from their money a charity to purify them and sanctify them. And encourage them, for your encouragement reassures them. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.

9:104 Do they not realize that GOD accepts the repentance of His worshipers, and takes the charities, and that GOD is the Redeemer, Most Merciful?

59:9 Obligation towards other Believers: As for those who provide them with a home and a refuge, and were believers before them, they love those who immigrated to them, and find no hesitation in their hearts in helping them. In fact, they readily give them priority over themselves, even when they themselves need what they give away. Indeed, those who overcome their natural stinginess are the successful ones.

59:10 Those who became believers after them say, “Our Lord, forgive us and our brethren who preceded us to the faith, and keep our hearts from harboring any hatred towards those who believed. Our Lord, You are Compassionate, Most Merciful.”

QUESTION: Verse 9:43 says: “GOD has pardoned you; why did you give them permission, before you could distinguish those who are truthful from the liars? Is the question in this verse being addressed to Prophet Muhammad?

ANSWER: The verse after 9:43 answers your question. The messenger has the right to ask for your participation in the affairs of the congregation or when he needs help for any matter, in the cause of GOD. Those who volunteer gladly demonstrate the righteousness of their hearts, while those who make up flimsy excuses to avoid participation and contribution of their time and money are called hypocrites. Such people suffer the fate as GOD has stated for the hypocrites. This verse was not only applicable to prophet Muhammad, but to all subsequent messengers. Your test of Submission is conducted through the messenger. The law to “obey GOD and the messenger” is also carried out through the messenger. Your response to the

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requests of the messenger, determine whether you are a believer or not. It is all a matter of obedience to GOD’s Absolute Authority, whereby He places the messenger in charge over you, and everyone is supposed to cooperate and support the messenger in order to strive in the cause of GOD. The proofs enshrined within the verses under messenger's letters offer the explanation and guidance.

9:43 GOD has pardoned you (the messenger): “Why did you give them permission, before you could distinguish those who are truthful from the liars?

9:44 Those who truly believe in GOD and the Last Day do not ask your permission to evade the opportunity to strive with their money and their lives. GOD is fully aware of the righteous.

Revealed: The messenger letters are 27 and 46, revealing the diff. of 19 – Glory be to my Lord.

9:44 Those who truly believe in GOD and the Last Day do not ask your permission to evade the opportunity to strive with their money and their lives. GOD is fully aware of the righteous.

9:45 The only people who wish to be excused are those who do not really believe in GOD and the Last Day. Their hearts are full of doubt, and their doubts cause them to waver.

Revealed: The Allah letters are 28 and 21, revealing the diff. of 7. Revealed: The messenger letters are 46 and 39, revealing the diff. of 7 – a revelation of the Seven Pairs.

Before any of you have been “tested”, GOD provides the proofs to remove your doubts, and to make you aware of His Absolute Authority. He will thus put you to the Test through the messenger, as He has done in the past, to check out your belief. The reward of Paradise can only be achieved by going through certain tests that God will put you through, so be prepared for them.

2:214 Part 1: Do you expect to enter Paradise without being tested like those before you?

Believers Alerted: The GV of Allah letters is 223 – representing “the Believers”.

2:214 Part 2: They were tested with hardship and adversity, and were shaken up, until the messenger and those with believed with him said, “Where is GOD’s victory?” GOD’s victory is near.

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Test of Patience, Faith & Trust: Part 1 has GV of Allah letters as 223 and

Part 2 has GV of Allah letters as 425, revealing the diff. of 202 – LORD.

The above verse makes it abundantly clear through the mathematical coding that all believers (223) have to be tested, like those before them. The test could be light or severe, and your belief, trust and patience come under close scrutiny by the LORD (202), to confirm whether you are a believer, or a hypocrite.

According to these verses, those who make up flimsy excuses, do not really believe in GOD and the Last Day. Your utterances and deeds are all linked to God and the Last Day. To respond to GOD through all of His revelations, is the only way to prepare for the Day of Judgment. Making an excuse to GOD is entirely contrary to your submission. I am going to recite additional verses on the same subject to enlighten you.

Note that verse 9:43 reads: GOD has pardoned you: “Why did you give them permission, before you could distinguish those who are truthful from the liars?” Now reflect, that verse 3:179 Part reads: “GOD is not to leave the believers as you are (addressing the messenger), without distinguishing the bad from the good.”

Revealed: The GV of Allah letters are 256 and 258, revealing the diff. of 2 (idolatry) – note, verse 3:179 speaks about GOD putting the believers to the test, and the GV of His letters is 258, which represents the value of “Abraham – the monotheist believer, and messenger of GOD”. Your submission is measured against the yardstick of “Abraham’s exemplary submission to GOD”. Through this test from God carried out by His messenger, your submission will either be rejected constituting worship of 2 gods – idolatry, or it will be accepted by GOD, when you comply with all the commands, constituting worship of 1 GOD.

This means that it is really GOD who puts the believers to the Test through His messenger, who may not fully realize and comprehend as he is only a human like you, and may let you off the hook, but GOD will not. GOD is in control of all matters, and is the only ONE who can forgive you or punish you. When you follow the messenger’s command, you should do it out of reverence for GOD, and realize the command as coming straight from GOD to you. In verse 3:179, it mentions the believers being tested and sorted out by GOD, and in verse 9:43, it addresses the messenger and admonishes him for giving the believers permission to leave or stay behind, without subjecting them to the test of distinguishing the truthful from the liars.

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24:62 The true believers are those who believe in GOD and His messenger, and when they are with him in a community meeting, they do not leave him without permission. Those who ask permission are the ones who do believe in GOD and His messenger. If they ask your permission, in order to tend to some of their affairs, you may grant permission to whomever you wish, and ask GOD to forgive them. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

24:63 Do not treat the messenger’s requests as you treat each other’ requests. GOD is fully aware of those among you who sneak away using flimsy excuses. Let them beware – those who disobey his orders – for a disaster may strike them, or a severe retribution.

Distinguishing the Believers and Hypocrites – The Test

3:166 What afflicted you the day the two armies clashed was in accordance with

GOD’s will, and to distinguish the believers.

3:167 And to expose the hypocrites who were told, “Come fight in the cause of GOD, or contribute.” They said, “If we knew how to fight, we would have joined you.” They were closer to disbelief then, than they were to belief. They uttered with their mouths what was not in their hearts. GOD knows what they conceal.

3:168 They said of their kinsmen, as they stayed behind, “Had they obeyed us, they would not have been killed.” Say, “Then prevent your own death, if you are truthful.”

33:36 No believing man or believing woman, if GOD and His messenger issue any command, has any choice regarding that command. Anyone who disobeys GOD and His messenger, has strayed far astray.

QUESTION: I was going through Chapter 11. What is the connection between Abraham and Lot as described in 11:74 that Abraham proceeded to argue on behalf of Lot?

ANSWER: The connection of Lot to Abraham was that Lot believed in God through Abraham and was a follower of Abraham. As Lot was a believer, naturally Abraham was concerned for him, just like believers would be.

29:26 Lot believed with him (Abraham) and said, “I am emigrating to my Lord. He is the Almighty, Most Wise.”

Abraham’s argument on behalf of Lot’s people: 11:74 When Abraham’s fear subsided, and the good news was delivered to him, he proceeded to argue with us on behalf of Lot’s people.

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The reason that Abraham argued on behalf of Lot was that the angels had informed him they were going to annihilate the people of Lot’s town. Abraham knew that Lot also lived there, and was concerned for his life and safety. The angels were aware that Lot lived there and had been instructed by God as to the fate of those to be annihilated and those to be saved. Also, Lot lived in another town away from Abraham.

29:31 When our messengers went to Abraham with good news (about Isaac’s birth), they also said, “We are on our way to annihilate the people of that town (Sodom). For its people have been wicked.”

29:32 He (Abraham) said, “But Lot is living there.” They said, “We are fully aware of everyone who lives in it. We will of course save him and his family, except his wife; she is doomed.”

QUESTION: Please refer to 13:4. In this verse there are words ‘dioecious’ and ‘non- dioecious. What do they mean? I tried to find them in the dictionary but no match.

ANSWER: Here is the meaning and the definition, according to the encyclopedia: Except for this, I cannot enlighten you anymore. I hope you get some idea and sense about the sexuality created by God in plants and trees also, and can grasp some of the terminology used in plant science. It should give you some idea about the words. Praise be to God for telling us ahead of time about the in-depth botanical science involved in His creations of plants.

Monoecious – having unisexual reproductive units of both sexes appearing on the same plant (flowers, conifer cones, or functionally equivalent structures), derived from the Greek word, for “one household”.

Monoecious (Webster’s Dictionary) Having stamens and pistils on the same plant but on different flowers.

Dioecious – having unisexual reproductive units occurring on different individuals; from Greek for “two households” (flowers, conifer cones, or functionally equivalent structures). Individual plants are not dioecious, they are either gynoecious or androecious. Because many dioecious conifers show a tendency towards monoecy (that is, a female plant may sometimes produce small numbers of male cones or vice versa), these species are termed subdioecious (McCormick & Andresen, 1963).

Dioecious (Webster’s Dictionary) Having male and female organs respectively in separate individuals. In angiosperm terminology, diclinous (“two beds”) includes

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all species with unisexual flowers, although particularly those with only unisexual flowers, i.e., the monoecious and dioecious species.

Gynoecious – has only female reproductive structures; the “female” plant.

Androecious – has only male reproductive structures; the “male” plant.

Gynomonoecious – has both hermaphrodite and female structures.

Andromonoecious – has both hermaphrodite and male structures.

Trimonoecious (polygamous) – male, female, and hermaphrodite structures all appear on the same plant.

QUESTION: What does Sabbath mean in 16:124?

ANSWER: As stated and recited from the Quran in last week’s sermon, each congregation is a given a set of rites by God to uphold. This is done to test your submission and to identify the congregation. The followers of the Quran have been commanded to observe the “Salat-al-Jum’aah”. Similarly, the Children of Israel were commanded to observe the Sabbath. For all I see, the Jews of today start their Sabbath on sundown Friday and lasts until sundown on Saturday. The Christians of today attend the church on Sundays. Since God has not provided any details, I cannot tell you either. If I utter any more, it would be a sin, as I would be quoting you from the current human books, which may not reflect the truth as commanded and given by God to the earlier communities of the Children of Israel. The observance of God’s command of Sabbath may have changed over time with human distortions, as have so many other verses and commands in their scriptures. I will, however, recite a couple of verses on the Sabbath from the Quran.

16:124 The Sabbath was decreed only for those who ended up disputing it. Your Lord is the One who will judge them on the Day of Resurrection regarding their disputes.

Comment: When the people who received this command already ended up disputing it, it is easy to see and realize that the distorters would have changed it, which the present-day communities follow without realizing it.

2:65 You have known about those among you who desecrated the Sabbath. We said to them, “Be you despicable as apes.”

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7:166 When they continued to defy the commandments, we said to them, “Be you despicable apes.”

The strongest language is used by God in these verses to shame the disbelieving followers of the scriptures, who deliberately violate His commands, or distort them. The Proof is equally solid and strong to back up these verses:

Revealed: The Allah letters are 14 and 13, revealing the diff. of 1 – God be Glorified.

4:47 O you who received the scripture, you shall believe in what we reveal herein, confirming what you have, before we banish certain faces to exile, or condemn them as we condemned those who desecrated the Sabbath. GOD’s command is done.

4:154 And we raised Mount Sinai above them, as we took their covenant. And we said to them, “Enter the gate humbly.” And we said to them, “Do not desecrate the Sabbath.” Indeed, we took from them a solemn covenant.

4:155 (They incurred condemnation) for violating their covenant, rejecting GOD’s revelations, killing the prophets unjustly, and for saying, “Our minds are made up!” In fact, GOD is the One who sealed their minds, due to their disbelief, and that is why they fail to believe, except rarely.

4:156 (They are condemned) for disbelieving and uttering about Mary a gross lie.

7:163 Remind them of the community by the sea, who desecrated the Sabbath. When they observed the Sabbath, the fish came to them abundantly. And when they violated the Sabbath, the fish did not come. We thus afflicted them, as a consequence of their transgression.

(To be continued next week, Insha Allah)

Peace be upon the messengers.

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Universe.