124. No spreading rumors. 

 Verse (4:83) prohibits unconfirmed messages being spread and should be taken to the attention of those concerned. 

Some follow the practice of spreading fear in the garb of doing good. This is a kind of warning to the Muslim community not to follow the media in spreading sensational information. 

When there is a tense situation in a particular area, it should be brought to the attention of the concerned authorities and not spread among the people.

When rumors like ‘ten people are killed, and 100 houses are burnt’ etc., are spread, riots that could be avoided are bound to happen immediately, and the community remains to be frozen with fear and loses its peace. At the same time, concealing insecurity to the people, and underestimating an impending threat to them is also wrong. Moreover, alerting concerned leaders handling such issues is a prudent step than self-handling them is what is stressed in this verse. 

123. A Quran without contradictions.

 These verses (4:82, 41:42) of the Quran says there are contradictions and errors in the Quran.

Man, however intelligent he may be, is prone to forget things he said or misunderstands something initially and corrects it later. Due to the stress caused by various issues and difficulties faced by him in his everyday life, he tends to forget things he uttered the previous day and contradicts himself the following day.

Since God does it above forgetfulness, ignorance, or stress, there cannot be contradictions in the words of God. 

The Quran was not revealed at a single point of time as a whole book. It was delivered gradually over a period of 23 years.

 If it was the words of Prophet Muhammad, it would have carried many contradictions in it. But there are no contradictions in the Quran. This proves the Quran is the word of God. 

To know more on this please refer to the preface titled ‘This is God’s word’.

122. The fructus of dreams.

These verses of the Quran (8:43, 12:4, 12:5, 12:36, 12:37, 12:43, 12:44, 12:100, 37:102, 37:105, 48:27) speak about different kinds of dreams. Most Muslims generally are unaware of the understanding about dreams, people are misled by stupid explanations given by some in this regard. We need to have a good understanding about what dreams mean to us. Prophet Muhammad has categorized dreams into three kinds, those that are sent by the Almighty as good tidings to humans, those that are created by satanic instincts giving worry and distress to humans, and those that are displayed in the minds of people because of their thinking.

Narrator: Abu Huraira (RA).

Hadith Book: Muslim 4555.

There was anxiety among people when the prophet made an announcement about the end of prophecy, and seal on prophets, but told them good tidings would reach men. The comrades of the prophet questioned him how one gets to know of it, the prophet replied by saying through dreams.

Narrator: Anas bin Malik (RA)

Hadith Book: Ahmed 13 

The ways of worship and various laws in Islam have already been delivered to us completely through Prophet Muhammad, there is no way further instructions on Islam as a religion would come from any source, and there would be no guidance about the religion of Islam in the dreams of people. The Almighty may, in the dreams of people sometimes, give prior announcements about impending monetary, or progeny, or fame and other worldly benefits that may reach them in future.

The second type of dreams are those that create worry and anxiety in men resulting in the decline of their involvement in goodness and religious activities. These types of dreams are from shaitan.

The third type of dreams are those that are displayed from the depth of our minds that do not have any bearing on our emotions like happiness or worries. They are meaningless. For example, if we have dreamt as someone instructing us to worship a certain number of times, it cannot be from the side of God, because the prophet has already instructed us about the various worships to be performed by us.

If it was supposed from the side of God, the same dream would have appeared in the dreams of everyone. Because in the case of following a method and way of worshipping it is the same for all and showing one way to some and denying others of the same is not consistent with justice of the Almighty.

 If a vision was experienced by a person in which he was asked to construct a shrine in the name of a person dead long ago, in a place, it is nothing, but a vision created by shaitan.

 Because raising constructions above graves of dead, building sites of worship at the graves of men, and plastering of graves, were prohibited by the prophet of Islam. And it was commanded by Allah through our prophet to demolish structures already built on graves of the dead.

Hence Allah would never go against his own decree and the dream of asking someone to construct a site over a grave from the shaitan is confirmed here. 

Anyone having a vision of encouraging things that were forbidden by Allah and his messenger, or a vision of someone

Discouraging things prescribed by Allah and his messenger, in a vision where a different type of worship of Almighty is displayed can certainly be concluded from the shaitan.

 There might be a doubt in the minds of some, asking if it is so said the laws from God cannot be revealed in dreams, the commandment to sacrifice his son by prophet Ibrahim was thru a dream, as found in verses (37:102, 37:105) of the Quran. 

The visions experienced by messengers of God are divine revelations and shaitan cannot intervene in these kinds of revelations, and if we happen to have visions that foretell good tidings, they need to be taken as from God Almighty. Good dreams are from the side of God, and hence whoever has a vision of good things he likes the most, need not disclose it anyone other than to people he likes the most, was said by Prophet Muhammad. Narrator: Abu Katada (RA)

Hadith Book: Bukhari 7044 

There are people who worry about experiencing a bad dream and losing their sleep finding remedies for it.

The prophet of Islam said good dreams are from Allah and are to be disclosed to only to persons whom the viewer has close relationship. While bad dreams are from the side of Shaitan, and the person who has experienced such a dream should not disclose it to anyone and seek protection from Allah from the ill effects of the dream, and symbolically spit on to his left side. This would ensure no harm reaches the person, said the prophet Islam. 

Narrator: Abu Katada

Hadith Book: Bukhari 7044 

The dreams we experience giving us anxiety and worries are to be deemed as from the Shaitan.

Other than these we sometimes experience meaningless dreams, which the prophet of Isam has explained as follows;

A villager once came to Prophet Muhammad and told him that he dreamt he was beheaded, and he was chasing the head. On hearing this the prophet told him not to disclose to anyone about the Shaitan playing in his dreams.

Narrator: Jabir (RA)

Hadith Book: Muslim 4563, 4565 

Prophet Muhammad once, while addressing a sermon said not to disclose to any one if one has a vision of the Shaitan playing in one’s dreams.

Narrator: Jabir (RA) 

Hadith Book: Muslim 4564 

When we talk of various matters people demand proof, but when it comes to dreams no one dares to ask for one. 

Taking advantage of such a situation men tend to lie about things they haven’t experienced. Prophet Muhammad has strongly condemned such tendencies. 

 The greatest lies are those calling a person one’s father, while he is not, and lying about a dream that was not witnessed, and saying something as I have uttered while I did not.

Narrator: Wasila (RA) 

Hadith Book: Bukhari 3509 

We need to educate ourselves about whether we can witness Prophet Muhammad in our dreams.

Prophet Muhammad has said, ‘whoever witnesses me in his dreams, has indeed seen me because the shaitan cannot take my form’.

Narrator: Abu Huraira (RA)

Hadith Book: Bukhari 110, 6197 

Citing this hadith some argue that witnessing of Prophet Muhammad in people’s dream is a reality. 

These people have misunderstood this hadith, and there is another hadith that serves as a guide to understand this one.

The substantiating hadith is, the prophet of Islam has said ‘anyone witnessing me in his dreams will see me in person on his awakening’ from his sleep, because the Shaitan cannot take my form. 

Narrator: Abu Huraira (RA)

Hadith Book: Bukhari 6993 

This hadith explains about people, who can witness the prophet of Islam in their dreams. 

Prophet Muhammad has said, those who witnessed him in their dreams would see him immediately in person on awakening. This is possible only during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad. 

This hadith talks about the person who would get to see the prophet of Isam in person, if he witnesses him in his dreams.

When a person declares that he had witnessed Prophet Muhammad in his dreams, he should have seen him personally on awakening from his sleep. In case he has not seen the prophet flesh and bone on awakening it is confirmed that he did not witness the prophet in his dream either. This hadith confirms without second thought, after the demise of Prophet Muhammad, nobody could ever witness him in their dreams.

These two hadiths confirm the fact that only those who have personally seen Prophet Muhammad could witness him in their dreams, and those who have seen the prophet in their dreams have the chance to see him in person.

If anyone declares a certain person, however great he may be, has witnessed a prophet in his dreams it’s a hoax.

Citing the hadith where in Prophet Muhammad says Shaitan cannot take his form, some claim they witnessed the one who called himself as the prophet of Islam in their dreams.

Only if Prophet Muhammad has said that no one can appear in the dreams of people calling themselves the prophet, could the claim by this people be entertained, whereas the prophet had said, the shaitan cannot appear in the form of prophet, in people’s dream. Hence the claim of some people that the prophet appeared in their dreams calling himself one cannot be considered. This needs to be understood as the shaitan had taken a suitable form to convince the people to make them believe by saying he is the prophet.

When a person appears in our dreams it should not be understood as he himself was practically there, and if he had spoken to us in the dream cannot be construed as he spoke to us literally. These visions are to be taken as portrayed by the creator. For example, if we have a vision of a person in our dreams, and happen to meet him the next day, would he be expected to ask us ‘I was there in your dream last night’. Not at all. 

Only when we disclose that we had a vision of him the previous night would he come to know of it. 

We would have had numerous visions of talking to somebody while we were asleep, and the next day when we happen to meet the person we ask him to repeat what he spoke in the dream the previous night, he would reply “how do I know what I uttered in the dream”. 

Hence it needs to be understood that when we have a vision of someone, it need not necessarily be taken as the person himself was present there. There is absolutely no connection between the dream and the person dreamt about.

Maybe the Almighty symbolically sent some messages thru the dream to us or it could be the shaitan in the form of the person, sending a message to create anxiety and distress in us. Moreover, a person alive can appear in the dream of a thousand people need not be construed as he visited the thousand persons. 

It needs to be understood similar to the representation in a video. 

There are many books released supposed to explain the fructus of dreams, and there is belief that one Ibn Sirin could explain dreams. This is a myth.

 There are not any outcomes declared either in the Quran or in the sayings of the prophet about a person’s visions in his sleep.

Hence, we need not lose our sleep over declarations by some about the effects of dreams in our life.

When it is declared God will guide us with good dreams, He will definitely do it in a way we understand them. 

Verse 35:14 of the Quran says ‘nobody can explain like the (One Who) All-Knower

Hence if the Almighty wishes to give us glad tidings, he would not let us at the mercy of blabberers explain it to us. We need not approach anyone for an explanation about dreams and take it as a glad tiding in the way best known to us. In the 12^th chapter of the Quran, we find the dream of Prophet Yousuf, the dreams of the two prisoners and the dream of the king being mentioned^. Based on the outcome of these dreams we should not set out to offer explanations on dreams. 

Because, in verse 12:37 of the Quran, Prophet Yousuf declares he was taught by the Almighty about the outcome of dreams. Hence, we need to understand this special qualification as granted by God to him.

People who worship shrines have their dreams as the primary source of inspiration for worship. If they could understand the basis of dreams properly, they would do better. 

 To know more about how the arguments of shrine worshippers are wrong please refer explanation points 17, 41, 49, 79, 83, 100, 104, 121, 140, 141, 193, 213, 215, 245, 269, 298, 327, 397, 427, 471. 

121. Can we seek forgiveness from Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

Verse (4:64) of the Quran says, during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad, people who have committed sins in their life, on realization sought forgiveness from Allah, they came to the prophet, requested him to plead for their forgiveness, and when he does so, Allah forgave them.

 Citing this verse some argue and mislead people that forgiveness can be sought from Prophet Muhammad at his grave.

This verse says during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad, when people who have committed sins visited him, sought forgiveness from Allah, and with a plea to him (Prophet Muhammad) to seek forgiveness for them, will be forgiven by Allah. The verse does not say to seek forgiveness from the prophet at his grave after his demise. 

As per these people's argument every time a sin is committed the person needs to visit Madina to be forgiven, resulting in only the affluent and wealthy being forgiven, with the downtrodden and poor not getting the chance to be forgiven because of their unaffordability.

There is not any other meaning to this than, when during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad, the chances of being forgiven was more when he asks God to forgive the sins of people who visited him ad requested him to plead for them.

The comrades of Prophet Muhammad did not pay a visit every time they committed a sin to his grave after his demise seeking forgiveness. 

 Please refer to explanation points 17, 41, 49, 79, 83, 100, 104, 122, 140, 141, 193, 213, 215, 245, 269, 298, 327, 397, 427, 471 to know more about the how the arguments justifying shrine worship are wrong.

120. On obeying commandments of leaders. 

Verse 4:59 of the Quran conveys a message asking men to obey the commandments of Allah, and be guided by Prophet Muhmmad, and to obey the diktats of leaders whom they are under.

There are numerous evidence to prove Quran, and the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad are to be referred as the only basis of Islam.

Citing this verse some argue, the personal claims of scholars (People of authority) may also be considered as basis of Islam.

This verse says, to obey Allah, His prophet, and Ulul Amr. These people argue the word ‘Ulul Amr’ refers to religious scholars.

This is entirely wrong, ‘Ulul’ means the one who possesses, and ‘Amr’ refers to power of leadership. ‘Ulul Amr’ means ‘the one who has power’ and does not ever mean a ‘religious scholar’. 

Though in religious matters Muslims are required to be bound by laws set by the Almighty and His messenger, they are required at times to be bound by the administrators of worldly affairs.

A doubt may arise in situations when Muslims are required to obey the commands of the head of a country, a judge, or govt; officials, against the tenets of Islam. To dismiss such doubts the phrase ‘obey those who possess power’ is used in this verse. When the need to obey the commandments of Allah and his messenger arises there are no two ways about it, things to obey and others not to be obeyed. We need to obey the entire commandments by Him and His messenger, but while doing the same in the case of those with power in worldly affairs, there may be a situation where the commandments by them not necessarily be in tune with those of the Almighty. We find at the end of this verse saying ‘any dispute in a matter may be referred to Allah and His messenger’ directing people to be bound by the commandments of those who possess power only in matters that are not against Islam. 

Hence this verse does not speak of being bound by diktats of Islamic scholars, nor does it permit people to be bound by matters that are against Islam. 

Generally, leaders mislead and misguide people based on unquestionable belief and faith the people have in them. This verse helps people to be aware of such fraudulent and misleading leaders. However great a scholar, a saint, or a person with huge powers be, we are to take his words as long as they do not contradict the Quran and the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. People with such conviction cannot be misled by anyone in the name of Islam. 

119. The nerves that sense pain are embedded in the skins of humans.

Verse 4:56 talks about replacement of the skin every time it is burnt out in the case of hell dwellers.

It has been discovered by scientists now, the nerves that sense the pain of a person are embedded in his skin, and when the skin is burnt out as in the case of fire accident victims the brain does not get the message of pain undergone by that part of the body.

We find a person writhing in pain while suffering an ordinary fire accident, at the same time he lies standstill after suffering burns in a major fire incident, when he should have been writhing with much pain, but we find him lying standstill, like he has not been affected by the fire. 

Scientists have discovered that due to the burnt-out skin along with the nerves that transmit the pain, the brain does not get the message of the pain suffered by that part of the body.

 How did Prophet Muhammad who lived 1443 years ago come to know of this fact. The Quran instead of merely saying ‘we will replace their skin’ says ‘we will replace their skins so that they sense the pain’ proves these are the words of God Almighty. 

118. The prophecy of Muslims being victorious. 

This verse (73:20) was revealed at a time when Prophet Muhammad was facing a very difficult and weak situation. 

In this verse Allah says worshipping half or 1/3 of the night is good enough.

While saying this He also mentions “Allah is aware of the rise of the sick and those who will fight in the way of God amongst you. 

 This verse talks about people arising out of the Muslim community to fight in the way of God at a time when their living itself was a big question mark.

 While fighting for survival, spending less time in worship is a matter of no concern is the message here.

 Fighting in the way of God refers to formation of a government and creating a force to wage war.

One can never imagine people would arise to fight in the way of God in that kind of situation then. But as declared by the Almighty a military force did appear to fight wars in the way of God. 

This is yet another evidence the Quran is the word of God. 

117. The act of resorting to ‘Tayyammum’ when there is no availability of water for ablution (Wudu). 

Verse 5:6 of the Quran insists upon washing the hands, legs and the face before worship.

And the verse also says a person needs to take a full body wash in case of a sexual intercourse having taken place

When water is not available at times to fulfill such obligations, this verse (5:6) spells out a remedy to dab the face and arms with sand from a clean source. Some are skeptical about this remedy and question, when it is established water cleanses things, sand makes things dirty, the remedy should have been either to worship without using sand or to avoid worship altogether.

 Since the remedy is by Allah the creator, it is bound to carry a philosophy yet to be comprehended and maybe in the years to come be discovered. 

But we can arrive at a conclusion regarding the benefits of such an act

Hence if a declaration is made that worship is not necessary with non-availability of water, it would prompt man to totally ignore worship.

If an announcement is made that worship can be done without cleansing oneself, it would lead to a blunting of the sense to clean oneself before worship.

The Creator of man has a better knowledge of him, and has a better understanding of human psychology, and the Almighty is the One who had designed this remedy.

Whether sand purifies a person or not, the thought to be clean before worship always remains etched in the minds of men, prompting them to look for water to clean themselves, and find the remedy in case water is not available. Hence, we find Muslims naturally readying themselves to be clean before worship. 

When it is said ‘Do this, if you cannot perform that’ the available alternative is presented, and it remains to be there. Because without an alternative there is no remedy.

Non availability of sand is a rare occurrence.

There may be better reasons for the remedy of using sand as an alternative to water.

And when asked to use the sand as an alternative to water does not mean throwing sand all over the body, it is act performed by dabbing the sand on the surface where it is present with the palm, blow it over by mouth, and run the empty palm over the face and up one’s wrists, and not up to the forearm. Moreover, there is no need to dab the palm twice on the sand, once to run over the face and again to run over the wrists. 

And when having a full water wash becomes mandatory in such a situation, there is no need to apply sand all over the body, but the above cited act is more than sufficient.

Hadith Book Bukhari: 326, 327, 329, 330, 335). 

 Hence, it is confirmed here that the dabbing of sand is just symbolic.