52.Superstitous beliefs held by Arabs.

The Arabs during the earlier times when starting from their homes for the holy pilgrimage of Haj and Umra followed the habit of exiting through their backyards.

While holding tightly on to such stupid superstitions, they will spend their time in Kabah frolicking, whistling, and uncontrolled merrymaking without any fear of God in their hearts. These kinds of superstitious beliefs are rebuked in this verse (2:189). And in the hadith Book Bukhari:1803, 4512.

51.Why is the plural word crescents used?

In this verse we find the word crescents. Some may find it odd in the use of this word, because there is only a single moon.

The word ‘Ahilla’ in Arabic is the plural of the word ‘Hilal’ meaning ‘Moon’, this word does not refer to the satellite planet of the earth as such. It refers to the different stages of the moon visible and is called waxing and waning phases. Since phases of the moon are visible to us in different stages but shapes varying in sizes indicating the age of the crescent in days the plural form of the word crescent is used. 

50. Laws on fasting, that necessitates following Prophet Muhammad’s guidance.

We already know those fasting is forbidden from indulging in sexual activities during daytime and there is no bar in them doing the same during night. 

 In the initial stages of Islam indulging in sexual activities was forbidden while fasting, even during night. There was a change in this restriction with the revelation of verse (2:187) of the Quran, granting permission during night. 

 We find this verse directly conveying the message of the law being changed. Here the message also conveys, the Quran and the explanations of Prophet Muhammad are to be viewed in the same plane, and that both form the fundamentals of Islamic ideology. Let’s look into this aspect in detail. 

 In the initial stages of Islam, indulging in sexual activities during nighttime while fasting was forbidden by Allah. The companions of Prophet Muhammad could not hold on to such restrictions. They often violated the restriction. Taking into consideration the weakness in men Allah permitted the men to indulge in family way of life during night as is evident from this verse.

 But a verse conveying ban on indulging in sexual activities during night could not be found in the Quran. 

The restriction of sex during night could be comprehended through the phrases ‘You have committed treason against yourself’ of this verse. Only when an act is perpetrated against law could the word treason be used. 

This could also be understood from the phrases, ‘hence He accepted your prayer for forgiveness’ in this verse. Only when violation takes place does a requirement for forgiveness arise. The question of forgiveness does not arise when something allowed is carried out. We can find from these phrases, about a ban on sexual activities while fasting during the earlier days. 

Since there was a ban on sexual activities during night while fasting in the earlier period, we find the phrase, ‘from now on wards you can involve in family way of life’ during night and removes the restriction. 

Allah uses these three phrases in the verse to convey the message, there was a restriction on sex during night while fasting, and the restriction is being lifted forthwith. 

Had the belief that Quran is the only source of authenticity in Islam, the message regarding ban on sex during fasting should have found a place in it (Quran). But we find only the message, that sex during night for those fasting was forbidden in the earlier period. And there is no message in Quran that says sex is forbidden for those fasting during night.

And if there was a possibility that Prophet Muhammad could have banned it, he could not have done it on his own. In case if he had done it on his own, we would find the same in the Quran, with Allah reprimanding the prophet, but we do not find anything of that sort in the Quran, that says “The way you conducted yourself during night (keeping away from sex) is not your fault, Prophet Muhammad has wrongly guided you”.

But Allah did not convey any message regarding this, and hence it can be taken as the ban proposed by Prophet Muhammad to be that of Allah. 

 The messages sent by Allah through Jibreel alone cannot be considered as the only ‘wahee’ or the divine message, even the messages that are put in the heart of Prophet Muhammad constitute one. This verse stands as evidence to drive home the fact, the orders from Prophet Muhammad need to be heeded to.

 To know more about following the Quran and the guidance of Prophet Muhammad please refer the explanation points, 36, 39, 55, 56, 57, 60, 67, 72, 105, 125, 127, 128, 132, 154, 164, 184, 244, 255, 256, 258, 286, 318, 350, 352, 358, 430.

49. There is no intermediary (middlemen) for God.

 These verses of the Quran (2:186, 4:108, 7:56, 11:61, 20:46, 34:50, 40:60, 50:16, 56:85, 57:4, 58:7) deny very clearly the existence of an intermediary between God and man. Such a concept is alien to Islamic ideology. People in general, nurture a belief that it is not easy to approach God. Except Islam all other religions propagate this concept. 

 It is at this juncture of the concept, that God cannot be approached easily, the intermediary steps in, and swindle people in the name of God. 

 The foremost reason, for all fraudulent activities taking place in the name of spiritualism, and women losing their honor is this wrong concept of believing in the existence of an intermediary for God.

But Islam demolishes this belief and declares that God is very close to men and can be approached very easily. All swindling done in the name of spiritualism can be eradicated by this concept. 

 Every person should ask God directly their needs and not through an intermediary. It should be remembered even the intermediary is a slave of God.

Every human is equal by birth, and only by acts and deeds can one be higher than another. Please refer explanation points11, 32, 59, 141, 168, 182, 227, 290, 368, 508, to know more about equality and brotherhood in Islam.

 Also refer points 17, 41, 79, 83, 100, 104, 121, 122, 140, 141, 193, 213, 215, 245, 269, 298, 327, 397, 427, 471.to prove wrong the justifications of people who frequent shrines for requests to God.

48. Things to avoid during menstrual period.

Verse (2:222) of the Quran says, husbands should remain away from their wives during menstrual period. Citing this verse some argue, there is not any wrongdoing in these women taking part in all kinds of spiritual activities like worship, fasting etc. This is a wrong perception, let’s see clearly how?

This verse was revealed in response to the questions raised by people regarding menstrual period. If a question was raised whether acts of worship could be performed during that period, the response would have been on those lines. But a question regarding indulgence in a family way of life during the menstrual period was raised and the response to the same given in this verse. 

 Anas (R.A) said: Jews would not sit together with women in the menstrual period while dining. At home they will keep away from these women, hence the companions of Prophet Muhammad queried him about this. Forthwith, this verse (2:222) of the Quran starting as “Oh Prophet they are querying you about menstruation. Say it is a natural indisposition and men should keep away from such woman undergoing this and refrain from having sexual intercourse with them. On revelation of this verse Prophet Muhammad told men to keep away from indulging in sex with their wives during menstrual period and be normal with them in all other activities. 

Hadith Book: Muslim 507. 

 Women undergoing menstrual period were scorned at and ill-treated in Jewish communities. They were not permitted inside the house and were ordered to be aloof. During that time women became untouchables to them, and men refrained from touching things handled by these women. Islam shunned all these kinds of superstitious beliefs. 

This verse was revealed to rebut such beliefs. 

When there are no restrictions on activities other than indulging in sex during menstrual period, there is no bar on things, the Jews laid restricted on their own. It does not mean that there are no restrictions on offering worship etc. 

 In verse 5:6 of the Quran the Al-Mighty while speaking about performance of ‘Salah’ says those who are required to have a bath as a condition to perform worship is imperative, they cleanse themselves before starting worship of the Al-mighty. From this verse we understand that cleanliness is a must for performing ‘Salah’ 

In verse 4:43 of the Quran whilst talking about ‘Salah’ the Al-Mighty says, those required to clean themselves before ‘salah’ should do so. Here bathing is referred to as cleansing oneself. 

 While referring to menstruation Allah says in verse (4:43) of the Quran, not to approach women, till they have cleansed themselves. 

 Since these verses (4:43, 5:6,) of the Quran say women during menstrual period are unclean and are not required perform salah, it could be understood that salah is not mandatory upon women during menstrual periods. 

Prophet Muhammad has made it clear that performing salah, fasting, and circumambulating the Kaba are forbidden for women while menstrual periods. 

 The message that women are forbidden from salah can be seen in these hadiths of the Book Bukhari: 228, 304, 306, 320, 325, 331. 

 Fasting during menstrual period being forbidden, can be found in the Book Bukhari:1951. 

Circumambulation of the Kaba being forbidden is found in hadith Book Bukhari: 294, 305, 1650, 5548, 5559. 

 In all other matters they can involve themselves and act normally as other women.

47. Remedy for giving up fasting.

This verse says, those capable of fasting (but have given it up) should feed the poor as a remedy. Most of the translators of this verse mention the word ‘capable’ as incapable. But the word in the original Arabic version that is used is an agreement verb ‘Yutheequna,’ and the negative verb ‘La’yutheequna’ is not used here. Hence the translation of the word ‘Yutheequna’ as incapable is wrong.

 For the capable it is mandatory to fast, how can they lookout for a remedy? Pondering over these lines of the Quran reveals these people have interpreted the Quran as per their thinking.

 In the initial stages when fasting was made mandatory, a concession was offered saying ‘those who are capable should observe fasting, or as an alternative feed the poor’. This is what is said in this verse (2:184) of the Quran. This law was later changed.

A reference regarding this can be found in the Hadith Book Bukhari. 

Salama bin Akwa (R.A) said: 

 At the time of revelation of this verse, many opted for the remedy instead of fasting. Later the law was modified in verse (2:185) as ‘Among you, those who have attained the month of Ramadan fast’. 

 Hadith book Bukhari:4507 

 From this we come to understand verse 2:184 was revealed to convey, those with the capability to fast should do so, at the same time can opt to feed the poor on giving up the same.

 And conveys an inset message that those who are incapable need not fast nor seek remedy.

 Now, because this law has been changed, it is imperative one fasts during the month of Ramadan and not seek remedy in offering food to the poor. 

But the incapable who could not fast need not seek a remedy is the message conveyed here to be precise.

 Because the above verse of the Qur’an talks of a remedy only by those who are capable of fasting. 

Fasting is not mandatary upon those incapables. So, when a duty is not mandatory upon some, non-execution does not amount to a sin, and hence the question of a remedy does not arise. What is the necessity for a remedy when no crime / sin is committed. 

We need not take into consideration the contrary sayings of Ibn Abbas (R.A) regarding this. 

 Adha bin Abee Rabah (R.A) said after reciting verse 2:184 of the Qur’an, ‘this is a verse containing a law that was changed with reference to the senile’. They should feed the poor in lieu of every fast not observed and referred to by Ibn Abbas in this context. 

Hadith Book: Bukhari 4505.

This verse does not set the way as quoted by Ibn Abbas (R.A) making it mandatory upon aged people to fast, neither does it talk of ways to seek remedy. Hence this message quoting Ibn Abbas conveying something contradictory to the Quran cannot be accepted.

 Allah will not find fault with a person in the hereafter, who has not performed Haj, when he did not have the financial means to perform it, because it is not mandatory upon persons who could not afford to do it. Similarly, people who have the capacity to fast must observe it. Those incapables of fasting need not observe it. Since fasting is not mandatory for such people, automatically it turns out there is no need to seek remedy. 

46. Can man be called Kalifa of Allah?

In these verses of the Quran (2:30, 6:133, 6:165, 7:69, 7:74, 7:129, 7:142, 7:150, 7:169, 10:14, 10:73, 11:57, 19:59, 24:55, 27:62, 35:39, 38:26, 43:60, 57:7) the word Kalifa is mentioned.

A person who takes the place of the deceased or an incapacitated one by replacing him is known as Kalifa. In certain verses of the Quran this word is used in the said context.

The same word is also used in the Quran to mean someone representing an entire generation. 

When a woman marries another man on her husband’s death the second husband can be named as the Kalifa of her first husband. Since he is replacing the first husband he is termed so. There is evidence for this in the Hadith. 

(Hadith Book Muslim:1674, 1675, 1676) 

Allah has mentioned the first human Adam (A.S) as a Kalifa (an entire generation) in this context. When He declared ‘I am going to create a Kalifa’ the angels said ‘they will shed blood’

By this word the angels could be believed to have understood that from Adam (A.S) a female partner would be created where from generations will be raised, fighting each other resulting in bloodshed.

Hence it should be understood that the word Kalifa used in the Quran while referring to Adam (A.S) to be taken as representing generations of humankind.

But in some translations, we find mention of Adam (A.S) as Kalifa of Allah. Allah is immortal and would never encounter incapability and no one can replace Him, hence it is erroneous to say that man is Kalifa of Allah.

From verse 7:142 of the Quran a man can be a Kalifa of another. 

After the demise of Prophet Muhammad, Abubacker (R.A) represented him to carry out his work. In this context he was called Kalifa.

There can never be a replacement for Allah, because He can never be incapacitated, nor does He encounter death. 

Allah can be a representative of man, and a vice versa is never possible. 

Hence the translation mentioning man as a representative of Allah is a grave mistake. 

45. The law for legal heirs that replaced dying declaration.

These verses of the Quran (2:180; 2:240; 4:11- 12; 5:106) talk about dying declarations and legal heirs.

Before laws on legal heir could be revealed, a declaration of dying was mandatory. (Al-Quran 2:180, 2:240)

The declaration in the holy Quran (4:11-12, 4:176) specifying the quantum of the share of the deceased belongings ended the mandate for dying declaration.

Even though the requirement to make a dying declaration was abolished, there still exists a condition where one can express his last wishes at the time of his death.

We can understand this from the verses 4:11- 12 of the Quran that says ‘’Before proceeding to share the property (of the deceased) the death wishes (of the deceased) need to be executed. 

Nevertheless, the quantum of properties executed on death wish should not be in excess of 1/3rd of the total worth. A person worth 3 lakhs is entitled to make a death wish totaling 1 lakh alone. 

Even otherwise a death wish made by one for the entire belongings, only 1/3rd can be allotted for the purpose and all the rest needs to be shared as per Islamic laws.

When Sa’ad asked Prophet Muhammad whether he could bequeath his entire property for philanthropy the messenger of Allah replied in the negative and said, ‘only 1/3rd can be done, which in itself is more than enough.’

Hadith Bukhari: 3936, 4409, 5668, 6373

Hence one can bequeath not more than 33% of his total property to his relatives, friends, or the public in the form of dying declaration.