Summary of The Law

1. Praise [8], Repent[2,8], Ask of [7,8] and Talk to [4] The One [1 ] as much as possible like you were the last person alive [5], and as though you see Him [6], even though you cannot [1,8], surely He sees you [3, 9]

2. Strive to bring benefit to others and yourself as much as possible [9,11,12] without bringing harm to yourself or others [13, 14, 15] (and any harm you feel wipes away your sins if you are patient [10]), with the intention of earning Hia pleasure [1] (for the rewards and punishments of deeds are weighted by their intentions)


Notes:
In shaa' Allah it instills in you the following qualities:
[1] TawHeed/Monotheism,
[2] Taubah/Repentence,
[3] Taqwa/Cautiousness,
[4] Imaan/Belief
[5]Ikhlas/Sincerity,
[6] iHsan/Excellence,
[7] tewekkel/Trust or Faith,
[8] Khushou3 or hanan/humility,
[9] adab/manners,
[10] Sabr/ Patience,
[11] Halal/Lawful
[12] Toyibah/Good,
and prevent
[13] Haram/Forbidden,
[14] Munkar/Bad
[15] faHshah/Big Evils,
etc

Sunday, 24 January 2016

[2:6-7] The Rejecters

[2:6] Indeed those who reject [it is] the same upon them if you warned them or didn't warn them. They don't believe.
[2:7] God's seal is upon their hearts and upon their hearing and upon their sights is a cover and for them is a tremendous punishment.

In contrast with the verses about "the cautious" who are "successful", the above verses describe another group; the "rejecters" [of the truth, God, His message, etc] who face "a tremendous punishment".  

(kefar - root: K-F-R)
The word literally translates to "Cover".  The same word is used for the Jewish holiday the Day of Covering / Atonement "Yowm Kippor" (identical root:  K-P-R).  (Arabic F = Hebrew P)

The word is commonly understood as "reject" / "deny" or "disbelieve" / "infidelity" because the person makes a decision to reject / deny / refuse to accept, submit to, or believe [the truth] and instead they cover up [the proof] with excuses, lies, falsehood (to make themselves feel better).

I have chosen the more specific term "rejecter" (or "denier") as it is closer to the intended meaning of the Arabic word.  A "rejecter" implies that the person has made a decision (to reject / deny).  However, the term "disbeliever" is more broad and can WRONGLY include someone who has never thought about God or who is undecided about what is true BUT has an open mind (he neither accepts nor rejects and seeks proof) - such a person does not believe and does not reject.  Although this person is not a "believer", they would not be classified as a "rejecter".  

Furthermore, a believer can be classified as a rejecter if they disobey God out of pride (e.g. like the devil did. He is a rejecter despite believing in God and knowing He is the truth).  Belief without action is fruitless.  Some believe with their lips yet disobey and reject with their actions.


God tells us about the "rejecters":
  • For them there is a tremendous punishment [2:7]
  • They do not believe [2:6] (All rejecters are disbelievers.  Not all disbelievers are rejecters).
God tells us that they cannot be warned and even if we tried it would not change anything [2:6].  This is because humans cannot guide (or "convert") others or even ourselves.  God is The Controller of the Hearts and Only He can guide (or misguide) someone.  (He may misguide someone as a punishment for the act of rejection or turning away from Him?). 
One day I was behind the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) [riding on the same mount] and he said, “O young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice]: Be mindful of God and God will protect you. Be mindful of God and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, then ask God; and if you seek help, then seek help from God [alone]. And know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what God had already prescribed for you. And if they were to gather together to harm you with anything, they would not harm you except with what God had already prescribed against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.”


God explains in the verse how he stops the "rejecters" from accepting the truth even if the best proof and reason is presented to them:
  • God's seal is upon their 'hearts' [2:7] ("emotions")
  • God's seal is upon their hearing [2:7]
  • A cover is upon their 'sights' [2:7] ("clouded thought / judgement")

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