Satan, a Declared Enemy of Mankind .................When Does Allah Take the Life of a Human?

 I see your perspective—you're interpreting Qadar (قدر) as God’s approval rather than predestination. Based on Quran 57:22, you're emphasizing that nothing happens without Allah's approval, but this does not necessarily mean that Allah has written every human action in advance.

Clarification of Qadar in Light of the Quran:

1. Approval vs. Determination:

   • Quran 57:22 states that no disaster happens except that it is recorded (approved) before it occurs.
   • This does not mean Allah forces events to happen, but rather nothing occurs without His knowledge and permission (which aligns with your understanding).

2. Natural Disasters & Death Happen with Approval:

   • Earthquakes, asteroids, and death occur because Allah has set natural laws in place, and He allows them to happen when their time comes.
   • Quran 3:145 – "And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allah at a decree determined."
   • This means life and death follow a divine decree, but humans still have free will in moral choices.

3. Human Actions vs. Natural Events:

   • Qadar applies to natural occurrences like death, disasters, and cosmic events because these are part of Allah's universal laws.
   • But human actions are based on free will and are not forced by Allah.
   • Quran 18:29 – "And say, 'The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills—let him believe; and whoever wills—let him disbelieve.'"

Your Perspective in Summary:

✅ Qadar = Allah’s approval rather than absolute control.
✅ Disasters, death, and life require Allah’s approval before occurring.
✅ Allah does not force human actions, but He knows them in advance.

Does this accurately reflect what you believe? Would you like to discuss how Qadar applies to human free will more deeply?

I see your distinction. You agree that Qadar (قدر) means Allah's approval, and that disasters, death, and life only happen with His approval, but you do not agree that Allah knows human actions in advance.

Your View on Qadar (Summarized):

✅ Qadar = Allah’s approval (not pre-written destiny).
✅ Natural events (disasters, death, etc.) require Allah’s approval before happening.
✅ Allah does not force human actions; people have free will.
❌ Allah does not know human actions in advance—humans write their own fate as they live.

Let’s Explore This Perspective Further:

1. Allah’s Knowledge and Free Will:

   • You are suggesting that Allah does not know in advance what humans will do, meaning humans are truly free to shape their own fate.
   • This means Allah discovers human choices as they unfold, rather than already knowing them.
   • However, does this align with the Quran?

2. Does the Quran Say Allah Knows the Future?

   • Quran 6:59 – "And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is in the land and the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it."
     • This suggests Allah’s knowledge is not limited to past and present, but extends to what will happen.
   • Quran 2:255 (Ayat al-Kursi) – "He knows what is before them and what will be after them..."
   • Quran 33:38 – "And the command of Allah is a decreed destiny."
     • Wouldn't this mean Allah knows things before they happen?

3. How Do We Reconcile This With Free Will?

   • Knowing is not the same as causing.
   • For example:
     • A teacher might know a student will fail based on past behavior.
     • But that does not mean the teacher forced the student to fail.
   • Similarly, Allah may know what people will choose, but that knowledge does not remove their responsibility.

Would You Agree With This?

1. Does Allah discover human choices as they happen, or does He know them in advance but still allow free will?
2. Can Allah's knowledge of an event mean He approved it, but did not cause it?
3. Is there a verse that explicitly states Allah does not know human choices before they happen?

I see where you're coming from. You interpret Qadar as Allah’s approval, not a pre-written destiny. You also emphasize that humans write their own fate as they live, meaning Allah does not know human actions in advance but records them as they happen. Let's break this down further.

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Your Key Points (Summarized)

✅ Qadar = Allah’s approval (Not predestination).
✅ Natural events (disasters, death, etc.) require Allah’s approval before occurring.
✅ Allah does not force human actions; people have free will.
✅ Allah does not know human actions in advance—He records them as they happen.

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Your Interpretation of Quranic Verses

1. Quran 6:59 – "Not a leaf falls but that He knows it."

   • You suggest this could be a metaphor or literal.
   • Meaning: Allah observes everything as it happens, but it does not necessarily mean He knew it beforehand.

2. Quran 2:255 (Ayat al-Kursi) – "He knows what is before them and what will be after them."

   • You interpret this as Allah watching us and recording our actions, rather than knowing our future decisions beforehand.

3. Quran 33:38 – "A destiny decreed."

   • You argue this means Allah gave a mission to the Prophet, meaning the decree was a job assigned, not a pre-written fate.

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Discussion Points

1. Does Foreknowledge Remove Free Will?

   • If Allah did know human actions in advance, would that remove free will?
   • Knowing something will happen does not mean causing it to happen.

2. What About Allah’s Infinite Knowledge?

   • If Allah only learns as humans act, does that mean His knowledge is limited?
   • Quran 57:22 – "No disaster strikes except that it is in a Register before We bring it into being."
   • Does this suggest Allah has prior knowledge of events before they occur?

3. When Allah Wills Something, Does He Know It Will Happen?

   • If Allah wills an event, does He already know the result?
   • Example: Prophet Noah warning his people—Did Allah already know who would reject and who would believe?

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Would You Agree With This?

1. Allah approves major natural events (death, disasters, life), but does not interfere in human choices.
2. Allah does not force humans to act, but does He know in advance what they will do?
3. If Allah’s knowledge is only based on observation, does that mean His knowledge is increasing over time?

4. Your Key Points (Summarized)

   ✅ Allah discovers human choices as they happen.
   ✅ Allah’s knowledge of an event means He approved it, but did not necessarily cause it.
   ✅ Allah sometimes approves and makes things happen, but not always.
   ✅ There are verses where Allah wants to know if believers have strong faith.
   ✅ Allah does not force humans to act.
   ❌ Allah does not know human choices in advance because they have free will.
   ✅ Allah’s knowledge increases over time, but only regarding human deeds.

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   Discussion on Key Concepts

   1. Does Allah Discover Human Choices as They Happen?

      • If Allah only knows human actions after they happen, does this mean His knowledge is growing?
      • Quran 9:16 – “Do you think that you will be left [as you are] while Allah has not yet made evident those among you who strive for His cause and do not take other than Allah, His Messenger, and the believers as intimate friends?”
      • This verse suggests Allah wants to see who will strive for Him, which supports the idea that He observes and records.

   2. Does Allah Approve Events Without Causing Them?

      • Quran 57:22 – “No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a Register before We bring it into being.”
      • This means Allah gives approval before a disaster happens, but that doesn’t mean He directly causes it.
      • Example: Humans commit sins, but Allah does not force them to sin.

   3. Does Allah Know Our Future Actions?

      • If Allah does not know future human choices, does this mean humans write their fate entirely by themselves?
      • Quran 3:142 – “Do you think that you will enter Paradise while Allah has not yet made evident those among you who fight in His cause and those who remain steadfast?”
      • This suggests Allah is observing and waiting to see what humans will do instead of knowing beforehand.

   4. Does Allah’s Knowledge Increase Over Time?

      • If Allah only learns human actions after they happen, does this mean His knowledge is limited before an action occurs?
      • Does this apply only to human deeds, or all things in the universe?

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   Questions for You

   1. If Allah only knows after humans act, does this mean Allah is waiting to see the results?
   2. If Allah’s knowledge increases over time, does this mean His knowledge was incomplete before an event happened?
   3. Do you believe Allah has complete knowledge of everything else, but only learns about human actions after they happen?

   Thank you for your thoughtful response! Let's break it down clearly.

   Your Key Conclusions

   ✅ Allah commands and waits to see human responses.
   ✅ Allah’s knowledge increases over time, but only about human actions.
   ✅ Allah has complete knowledge of everything else.
   ✅ Allah learns about human actions only after they happen.

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   Follow-up Discussion

   1. Does This View Fit with Free Will?

      • If Allah knows everything except human actions, that means humans truly shape their destiny with no predetermined outcome.
      • This aligns with Quran 3:142—Allah tests humans to know who truly believes.

   2. What Does "Incomplete Knowledge" Mean?

      • The question about incomplete knowledge is about time:
        • If Allah does not know human choices before they happen, does this mean there was a time when Allah did not have that knowledge?
        • This would mean Allah's knowledge of human choices grows as time moves forward.

   3. How Does This View Handle Destiny (Qadar)?

      • If Qadar means approval, that means Allah approves events but does not force them to happen.
      • Example: Death happens only with Allah’s approval, but humans choose their own actions freely.

   4. How Does This View Fit with Quranic Verses?

      • Quran 9:16 – Allah has not yet made evident who strives in His cause.
      • Quran 33:38 – Allah's decrees are related to specific missions, not a full pre-written future.

   ---

   Final Thought

   Your belief that Allah learns human choices as they happen makes a strong case for free will without destiny being pre-written. It also explains why Allah tests humans—because He truly wants to see their choices before knowing them.

   Would you say that’s a fair summary of your conclusion? 😊

   
   

  ,,,Here’s a clear and structured article summarizing your perspective:

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Free Will and Divine Knowledge in Islam: Understanding Qadar and Human Choices

1. Introduction

One of the most profound theological discussions in Islam is the relationship between Allah’s knowledge and human free will. Many assume that Allah knows everything in advance, including every human choice, but a closer examination of Quranic teachings suggests that Allah learns human choices as they happen. This article explores how Qadar (Allah’s approval) works and how human free will remains truly independent.

2. Qadar: Allah’s Approval, Not Pre-Written Destiny

A common misconception is that Qadar (قدر) means pre-determined fate. However, a more accurate understanding is that Qadar refers to Allah’s approval of events, especially major natural occurrences.

🔹 Quran 57:22 – “No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register (approval) before We bring it into being. Indeed, that, for Allah, is easy.”
🔹 This means that natural disasters, death, and life only happen with Allah’s approval—but it does not mean that human actions are forced by fate.

3. Does Allah Know Human Actions Before They Happen?

Many verses suggest that Allah waits for humans to act before recording their choices. If Allah already knew every human action before it happened, why would He need to test believers?

🔹 Quran 3:142 – “Do you think that you will enter Paradise while Allah has not yet made evident those who strive among you and those who are patient?”
🔹 Quran 9:16 – “Do you think that you will be left (without being tested) while Allah has not yet made evident those who fight in His cause…?”

These verses show that Allah wants to see human choices unfold in real-time. If Allah already knew, there would be no need for testing or waiting.

4. Allah’s Knowledge: Complete in Everything Except Human Actions

• Allah knows everything in creation—past, present, and future.
• Allah does NOT know human actions before they happen because humans have free will and write their own destiny as they live.
• Quran 6:59 – “Not a leaf falls but that He knows it.”
  • This could mean that Allah watches everything as it happens, rather than knowing it before it happens.

5. Free Will: Humans Write Their Own Fate

A strong case for human free will is found in how the Quran describes choice and accountability:

🔹 Quran 17:36 – “And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge…”
🔹 Quran 45:22 – “Allah created the heavens and the earth in truth so that every soul may be recompensed for what it has earned, and they will not be wronged.”

These verses emphasize that humans earn their deeds, rather than acting out a pre-written script.

6. Conclusion: Allah Commands and Waits for Human Response

• Allah commands humans but does not force them to obey or disobey.
• Allah approves major events (life, death, natural disasters), but human actions are their own choice.
• Allah does NOT know human choices in advance but learns them as they happen.
• Humans are born with a clean slate and write their own fate as they live.

This understanding resolves the conflict between divine knowledge and human free will—Allah is all-knowing but allows humans to act freely, truly testing their faith.

Believers are Those Who Believe in the Quran, Bible, and Torah

2:4 And who believe in that which has been revealed to you ( Prophet Muhammad) and that which was revealed before you (old and new Testament) and they are sure of the hereafter.

Qadar 

Quran 57:22 – "No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register ( approval ) before We bring it into being. Indeed, that, for Allah, is easy."

Allah gave Approval before any disaster strikes upon the earth or among humans

If any earthquake or asteroid falls on Earth, Allah has to give Approval before they can fall 

Death and life only happen with approval from God

Free Will

Are we born with a clean slate or pre-programmed?

If I was born with a clean slate, then Allah can not predict my future actions

Does a Clean Slate Mean Allah Cannot Predict Our Future?

Humans are born with a clean slate, not with original sin 

If Allah knows, I will murder in my life. I was born with original sin

If I do not murder, Allah was wrong about me 

I Must murder Allah to be all-knowing or He was just wrong 

Allah gave me free will and a clean slate. Nothing was written on my slate, and I am the one who wrote my fate, heaven or hell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4aYI2afLd4

In the Sight of Allah, Jews and Christians are Kafir?

Quran 3:113-115 –breakdown
"Among the People of the Book are those who stand for the truth, reciting the verses of Allah during the night, prostrating in prayer. They believe in Allah and the Last Day, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and hasten to do good deeds. They are among the righteous."

breakdown, title

5:2 O you who have believed, do not violate the rites of Allah or [the sanctity of] the sacred month or [neglect the marking of] the sacrificial animals and garlanding [them] or [violate the safety of] those coming to the Sacred House seeking bounty from their Lord and [His] approval. But when you come out of iúram, then [you may] hunt. And do not let the hatred of a people for having obstructed you from al-Masjid al-haram lead you to transgress. And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.

The Best Religion in the World Unchanging From Adam to The Birth of the Last Child 

  So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allah. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know." (Quran 30:30)

Allah Says the Torah is Guidence and Light For the Jews

5:44 We had revealed the Torah, containing guidance and light. The Prophets who had submitted themselves to the will of God, judged the Jews by the laws of the Torah. So did the godly people and the Jewish scholars who remembered some parts of the Book of God and bore witness to it. Mankind, do not be afraid of people but have fear of Me. Do not sell My revelations for a paltry price. Those who do not judge by the laws of God are disbelievers.

Those Jews who do not follow the Torah are disbelievers.

True Religion in the Sight of Allah is Submitting, Surrendering, and Humbling Oneself Before God

''And whoever desires other than Submission to God as religion - never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers'' [Al `Imran 3:85]                    

Deen (religion) is a word which refers to everything that Allah has prescribed and commanded them to adhere to it, and He will reward them for it. which means submitting to God alone, outwardly and inwardly, by adhering to what He prescribed 

The religion of the Prophets (blessings and peace of Allah be upon them) is one religion, even though the systems of law vary. Allah, may He be Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

{He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus - to establish the religion and not be divided therein.} [Ash-Shura 42:13]

{O messengers, eat from the good foods and work righteousness. Indeed, I, of what you do, am Knowing.

And indeed this, your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so fear Me.} [Al-Mu’minun 23:51-52]

The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “We Prophets, our religion is one and the Prophets are like brothers from different mothers.”

The Religion of all the Prophets Was Submission to God

Allah tells us that Nuh said (interpretation of the meaning):

{and I have been commanded to be of the Muslims.[Yunus 10:72]

And He tells us that Ibrahim said (interpretation of the meaning):

{I have submitted to the Lord of the Worlds.[Al-Baqarah 2:131]

And He says regarding Musa (interpretation of the meaning):

{And Moses said, “O my people, if you have believed in Allah, then rely upon Him, if you should be Muslims”} [Yunus 10:84]

And He says the Messiah (interpretation of the meaning):

{And [remember] when I inspired the disciples, "Believe in Me and in My messenger Jesus." They said, "We have believed, so bear witness that indeed we are Muslims [in submission to Allah].} [Al-Ma’idah 5:111]

Allah, may He be Exalted, says regarding the previous Prophets and the Torah (interpretation of the meaning):

{The prophets who submitted [to Allah] judged by it for the Jews.} [al-Ma’idah 5:44]

And Allah tells us that the Queen of Saba’ (Sheba) said (interpretation of the meaning):

{My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Solomon to Allah, Lord of the worlds.} [An-Naml 27:44]

Thus, Submission is the religion of all the Prophets; it is submission to Allah alone, and the one who submits to Him

Islam is a Religion of Submission to God

*3. Surah Al-An'am (6:162):** breakdown , title

*"Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.'"*

**Explanation:**  

This verse highlights the all-encompassing nature of Submission to God. It teaches that every action—whether it is worship, daily life, or even death—should be dedicated to Allah. Islam is not confined to specific acts of worship but extends to every moment of a believer’s life, making it a complete way of life.

there are stones from which rivers burst forth

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:74):

"Then your hearts became hardened after that, being like stones or even harder. For indeed, there are stones from which rivers burst forth, and there are some that split open and water comes out, and there are some that fall down in fear of Allah. And Allah is not unaware of what you do."

Humans's Unalter Inner Religion

Surah Ar-Rum (30:30):

"So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allah. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know."

Hadith is Wrong: Hell People Will Stay in Hell

 (7:40):

• "Indeed, those who deny Our signs and are arrogant toward them—the gates of Heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle. And thus do We recompense the criminals."

 The Signs of the Hour (Quran 81:1-14):

"When the sun is wrapped up [in darkness], and when the stars fall, dispersing, and when the mountains are removed, and when full-term she-camels are neglected, and when the wild beasts are gathered, and when the seas are filled with flame, and when the souls are paired, and when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked for what sin she was killed, and when the pages are made public, and when the sky is stripped away, and when Hellfire is set ablaze, and when Paradise is brought near—a soul will [then] know what it has brought [with it]."

Every Messenger has an Angel to Protect and to Watch Wrongdoing or Mistake

Quran 72:26-27:

"[He is] the Knower of the unseen, and He does not disclose His [knowledge of the] unseen to anyone, except whom He has approved of messengers, and indeed, He sends before each messenger and behind him observers."

Quran 3:179:

"Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked from the good. Nor will Allah disclose to you the unseen. But Allah chooses of His messengers whom He wills, so believe in Allah and His messengers. And if you believe and fear Him, then for you is a great reward."

[10:49] Say, “I possess no power to harm myself, or benefit myself; only what GOD wills takes place.” Each community has a predetermined life span. Once their interim comes to an end, they cannot delay it by one hour, nor advance it.

The Prophets, Saints, and Idols are Intercessors Beside God

[10:18] They worship beside GOD idols that possess no power to harm them or benefit them, and they say, “These are our intercessors at GOD!” Say, “Are you informing GOD of something He does not know in the heavens or the earth?” Be He glorified. He is the Most High; far above needing partners.

Jesus is the intercessor of Christians

Prophet Muhammad is the intercessor of  Muslims

Saints are intercessors of Muslims

Idols are intercessor Mushrick

Feared of God prevented soul from [unlawful] inclination

• The Quran emphasizes the importance of self-restraint: "And as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination, then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge" (Quran 79:40-41).

• Fasting during Ramadan is a practice of developing self-control and resisting desires.

Who is Your God?

Quran 2:255 (Ayat al-Kursi): breakdown

"Allah—there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills."

Surah An-Nur (24:22):

وَلْيَعْفُوا وَلْيَصْفَحُوا ۗ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ

"Let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abc-QxExu_o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQoR7XfNK-I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntt9JnKXShY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbWEoNh8iJw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_FL6KgpSPc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYTEBjz-ioo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCRipz8prbk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXngKRIjoDA

Can Muslims Force Others to Become Muslims?

Did Allah say Test After death, According to the Quran?

Those who never received Islam’s message are tested differently on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Four types of people will plead their case on the Day of Resurrection: a deaf man, a madman, a very old man, and one who died in the pre-Islamic period. The deaf man will say, ‘O Lord, Islam came but I could not hear anything.’ The madman will say, ‘O Lord, Islam came but the children ran after me and threw stones at me.’ The old man will say, ‘O Lord, Islam came but I could not understand anything.’ The one who died in the pre-Islamic period will say, ‘O Lord, no messenger from You came to me.’ Allah will then make them promise to obey Him. He will send a command to them: ‘Enter the Fire.’ By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, if they enter it, it will be cool and safe for them." (Musnad Ahmad)

 Dilemma: Free Will for the Muslims and Original Sin for Christians. write an article for me without using the Quran, hadith, and Muslim scholars, no outside sources 

Free Will means I have a Plain Slate, Which Means God Has no Knowledge About my Future actions except My plain Slate

Christians believe Humans are born with sin, and Muslims believe God has knowledge of our sins before we are born, the same as Christian original sin

Allah never said in the Quran I have knowledge of humans' future sins or before they were born

For example, If Allah had knowledge about what I would do after my birth, after my birth, I would do XYZ sin, and Allah would tell me not to do XYZ sin even though he knows I would do XYZ sin. That makes no sense

Allah's knowledge can not change, nor can he be wrong about his knowledge of me

Allah told me to do good. He does now know if I will obey him or not because my free will is my choice

 

Why would Allah tell me to do something He knows I will not do?

in the Quran, Allah never said I had knowledge of human's future sins or good deeds

Allah has knowledge of everything except how humans will use their free will

Qader simply means Allah's degree or command

Who Has the Best Chance to Go to Paradise, Hindus, Jews, Christians, or Muslims? only from the Quran

When Does Allah Take the Life of a Human?

First, Human Can Not Die Until Human Passed or Failed the Test of Life

If a person is sick or has an accident, Angels of Death will see if he has passed or failed the test, and if  he neither passed nor failed the test the Angels of Death will let him live until he finishes the test

39:42 Sahih International: Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep (unconscious whether in sleep or pass out). Then, He keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others for a specified term. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.

Pickthall: Allah receiveth (men's) souls at the time of their death, and that (soul) which dieth not (yet) in its sleep. He keepeth that (soul) for which He hath ordained death and dismisseth the rest till an appointed term. Lo! herein verily are portents for people who take thought.

Yusuf Ali: It is Allah that takes the souls (of men) at death; and those that die not (He takes) during their sleep: those on whom He has passed the decree of death, He keeps back (from returning to life), but the rest He sends (to their bodies) for a term appointed verily in this are Signs for those who reflect.

Shakir: Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep; then He withholds those on whom He has passed the decree of death and sends the others back till an appointed term; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect.

Muhammad Sarwar: God will receive their souls when they die. Their souls do not die when they are sleeping. During people's sleep He withholds those souls which He has decreed to die and releases the others for an appointed time. In this there is evidence (of the Truth) for the thoughtful people.

Mohsin Khan: It is Allah Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed. Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply.

Arberry: God takes the souls at the time of their death, and that which has not died, in its sleep; He withholds that against which He has decreed death, but looses the other till a stated term. Surely in that are signs for a people who reflect. Or have they taken intercessors apart from God?

Section 7: Satan, a Declared Enemy of Mankind

Surah Ta Ha – Verses 115 - 116

وَلَقَدْ عَهِدْنَآ إِلَي ءَادَمَ مِن قَبْلُ فَنَسِيَ وَلَمْ نَجِدْ لَهُ عَزْماً

وإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلآَئِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لاِدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلآَّ إِبْلِيسَ أَبَي

115. “And We had made covenant with Adam before, but he forgot, and We found in him no constancy.”
116. “And when We said to the angels: ‘Prostrate to Adam’, they (all) prostrated except Iblis; he refused.”

From the beginning of the Qur’an up to here, this is the sixth occurrence where we recite about the story of Adam and Iblis. Before this, there have also been some remarks mentioned in Suras Al-Baqarah, Al-’A‘raf, Al-Hijr, Al-’Isra’, and Al-Kahf.

The purpose of ‘covenant’, mentioned in this verse, is the command of Allah saying not to eat from that particular plant; and the objective meaning of ‘forgot’ is the lack of care in fulfilling the command of Allah (s.w.t.), otherwise, an absolute forgetfulness does not deserve warning and criticism.

The purpose of ‘constancy’, mentioned in the above, is ‘a firm will’ before the temptations of Iblis.

Imam Kazem (as) says:

“The command of prostration and then the disobedience of Satan is a kind of solace for the Prophet of Islam (S) meaning that if his command was not obeyed, he would not be worried since Iblis did not obey His command, either.”1

As it was mentioned before, the struggle of ‘right and wrong’ is not limited to the present time and past time, or to Moses (as) and Pharaoh. It has existed since the time of the creation of Adam and it continues forever.

At first, the Qur’an refers to the convent of Adam with Allah.

It says:

“And We had made covenant with Adam before, but he forgot, and We found in him no constancy.”

The purpose of this covenant cited in the abovementioned verse, is the command of Allah meaning that they would not approach the prohibited tree.

No doubt Adam did not commit any sin, but what he did was ‘leaving the better’. The course of dwelling Adam inside Heaven, in principle, was an experimental course for him to be prepared for the life of the present world and accepting the responsibility of duties.

Then, the Qur’an has pointed to another part of this story, when the verse says:

“And when We said to the angels: ‘Prostrate to Adam’, they (all) prostrated except Iblis; he refused.”

Here, by this statement, the great rank and position of Adam is made manifest, Adam whom all angels prostrated for. Moreover, the enmity of Iblis against him, from very beginning, is also manifested.

There is no doubt that prostration, in the sense of worship, is allocated to Allah (s.w.t.), and besides Allah no one and nothing can be worshipped. Thus, the prostration of angels was done before Allah (s.w.t.), but for the sake of the creation of this great creature, Adam, who was eligible of the praise of that Creator.

Surah Ta Ha – Verses 117 - 119

فَقُلْنَا يَآ ادَمُ إِنَّ هَذَا عَدُوٌّ لَكَ وَلِزَوْجِكَ فَلاَ يُخْرِجَنَّكُمَا مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ فَتَشْقَي

إِنَّ لَكَ أَلاَّ تَجُوعَ فِيهَا وَلاَ تَعْرَي

وَأَنَّكَ لاَ تَظْمَؤُا فِيهَا وَلاَ تَضْحَي

117. “Then We said: ‘O Adam! Verily this is an enemy to you and to your wife. Therefore let him not expel you both from the Garden so that you come to toil.”
118. “(For) verily you will be neither hungry therein, nor naked.”
119. “And that you shall not be thirsty therein nor suffer (the beat of) the sun.”

Here, Satan has been introduced as the enemy of Adam and Eve alone, but in some other occurrences of the Qur’an his enmity unto all humankind has been warned.

For example, Surah Al-’Isra’, No. 17, verse 53 says:

“…Verily the Satan is an open enemy to man.”

The objective meaning of the word /tašqa/ (you come to toil), mentioned here, is the toils of the material life, which is understood from the next verses, where it says that there is not any hanger or thirst or nakedness in Heaven. This statement means that if you be sent out from Heaven, you will surely be involved with toil.

However, this verse indicates that Adam (as) was warned by Allah (s.w.t.) to be careful of the enmity of Satan.

The holy verse says:

“Then We said: ‘O Adam! Verily this is an enemy to you and to your wife. Therefore let him not expel you both from the Garden so that you come to toil.”

Then Allah explains for Adam the comfort of Heaven and the toil and pain of the outside of it, as follows:

“(For) verily you will be neither hungry therein, nor naked.”

“And that you shall not be thirsty therein nor suffer (the beat of) the sun.”

In the abovementioned couple of verses, the Qur’an has pointed to four elementary and essential necessities of man, i.e. the necessity of food, water, clothing, and housing (a cover against the heat of the sun).

Surah Ta Ha – Verse 120 - 121

فَوَسْوَسَ إِلَّيْهِ الشَّيْطَانُ قَالَ يَآ ادَمُ هَلْ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَي شَجَرَةِ الْخُلْدِ وَمُلْكٍ لاَّ يَبْلَي

فَاَكَلاَ مِنْهَا فَبَدَتْ لَهُمَا سَوْءَاتُهُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخْصِفَانِ عَلَيْهِمَا مِن وَرَقِ الْجَنَّةِ وَعَصَي ءَادَمُ رَبَّهُ فَغَوَي

120. “Then Satan whispered (evil suggestions) to him, saying: ‘O Adam! Shall I guide you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that never decays?”
121. “So they both ate of it (the forbidden tree), then their shameful parts became exposed to them, and they both took to stitching upon themselves leaves of the Garden. And (thus) Adam disobeyed his Lord, and went astray.”

Another name of Iblis is Satan, as the holy Qur’an says:

“…They all prostrated except Iblis…”

and

“Then Satan whispered (evil suggestions) to him…”

It was before the rank of prophethood that Adam was whispered evil suggestions to. 2

Sayyid-ibn-Tawus in a delicate statement says that, at first, Satan came to Adam with the claim of guidance and said:

“O Adam! Shall I guide you…?”,

and then he (Satan) caused them both to fall by deceit.3

Now, woe unto us! For, Satan comes to us from the beginning with the intention of deceiving us.

The Qur’an says:

“He said: ‘Then by Your Might I will surely make them live an evil life, all”.4

However, Satan had decided to be an enemy of Adam, therefore he did not sit still, and, as the verse says:

“Then Satan whispered (evil suggestions) to him, saying: ‘O Adam! Shall I guide you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that never decays?”

In fact, Satan thought to what the willing of Adam was and he found that he wished an eternal life and reaching to an imperishable power. Therefore, in order to drive him to disobeying the command of Allah, he makes use of these two factors.

Finally, what should not be done was done.

The verse in this regard, and that why their heavenly clothes wholly collapsed, says:

“So they both ate of it (the forbidden tree), then their shameful parts became exposed to them…”

When Adam and Eve saw that event, they immediately made clothes for themselves out of the leaves of the trees of Heaven to cover the shameful parts of their bodies.

The verse continues saying:

“…and they both took to stitching upon themselves leaves of the Garden...”

Yes, at last, Adam disobeyed his Lord and was deprived from His reward.

The verse says:

“…And (thus) Adam disobeyed his Lord, and went astray.”

Surah Ta Ha – Verses 122 - 123

ثُمَّ اجْتَبَاهُ رَبُّهُ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ وَهَدَي

قَالَ اهْبِطَا مِنْهَا جَمِيعاً بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُم مِنّـِي هُدي فَمَنِ اتَّبَعَ هُدَايَ فَلاَ يَضِلُّ وَلاَ يَشْقَي

122. “Then his Lord chose him, so He turned unto him (mercifully) and guided him.”
123. “(Allah) said: ‘Get you down, both of you, all together, from it (the Garden), with enmity one to another. So if there comes to you a guidance from Me, then (be sure) whoever follows My guidance, will not lose his way nor fall into misery.”

The Arabic term /’ijtiba’/ is derived from /jibayah/ in the sense of: ‘picking out, selection, and choice’.

The Qur’anic word /taba/ means ‘a person’s penitence’ when it is accompanied with /’ila/, like /tubtu’ilayka/ (I repented to you), but if it is said with /‘ala/ it is considered the repentance and return of Allah, like what is recited in the abovementioned holy verse, which means ‘Allah (s.w.t.) returned His Grace to the servant’.

But since Adam was essentially pure and faithful, and acted along the path of Allah’s pleasure, and that this fault which encompassed him as a result of Satan’s temptation was an exceptional happening, Allah did deprive him from His Grace forever; but after this event, Allah accepted his repentance and guided him.

The verse says:

“Then his Lord chose him, so He turned unto him (mercifully) and guided him.”

Yes, the repentance of Adam was accepted, but he had performed something that his return to the early position was impossible. Therefore, Allah commanded him and Eve both to come down from Heaven on to the earth, together with Satan, while they would be enemy with each other.

The holy verse says:

“(Allah) said: ‘Get you down, both of you, all together, from it (the Garden), with enmity one to another...”

Yet, they should know that the way of prosperity and salvation is always open to them.

Then Allah says:

“…So if there comes to you a guidance from Me, then (be sure) whoever follows My guidance, will not lose his way nor fall into misery.”

Surah Ta Ha – Verses 124 - 125

وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِي فإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنكاً وَنَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَعْمَي

قَالَ رَبّ‌ِ لِمَ حَشَرْتَنِي أَعْمَي وَقَدْ كُنتُ بَصِيراً

124. “And whoever turns away from My remembrance verily for him is a life straitened, and the Day of Resurrection We shall raise him blind.”
125. “He will say: ‘My Lord! Why have You raised me blind, whereas indeed I was a seeing one (in the world)?’”

The previous verse was a glad tidings to the followers of the Truth, while this verse is a warning to those who turn away from the Truth. This is because dread and encouragement might be mentioned beside each other and become fruitful.

Some Islamic literatures indicate that leaving the path of mastership of Ahlul-Bayt (as), as well as leaving the duty of Hajj, have been counted as the denotation expansion of aversion the remembrance of Allah (s.w.t.).5

The purpose of ‘straits of life’ is not lack of money and straitened circumstances, while many of the rich, because of greed, fear, and anxiety, live in hardship and straits.

And, in order to make clear the circumstance of those who neglect the command of Allah, too, the Qur’an adds:

“And whoever turns away from My remembrance verily for him is a life straitened, and the Day of Resurrection We shall raise him blind.”

In principle, the straits of life are often for the spiritual deficiencies and the absence of the soul’s nutrition. This status is for the uncertainty of man due to the future and the fear of annihilation of the existing material potentialities, and too much dependence on the material world. Therefore, he who has faith in Allah, and is hopeful to His Pure Essence, is safe from all these anxieties.

In Hereafter, such a neglectful person may ask Allah this question, as the verse says:

“He will say: ‘My Lord! Why have You raised me blind, whereas indeed I was a seeing one (in the world)?’”

Surah Ta Ha – Verses 126 - 127

قَالَ كَذَلِكَ أَتَتْكَ ءَايَاتُنَا فَنَسِيتَهَا وَكَذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ تُنسَي

وَكَذَلِكَ نَجْزِي مَنْ أَسْرَفَ وَلَمْ يُؤْمِن بِاَيَاتِ رَبّـِهِ وَلَعَذَابُ الاَخِرَةِ أَشَدُّ وَأَبْقَي

126. “(Allah) will say: ‘Even so, Our Signs came to you, but you neglected them; in like manner you are forgotten this Day’.”
127. “And thus We recompense him who is prodigal and does not believe in the Signs of his Lord and certainly the chastisement of the Hereafter is more grievous and more lasting.”

Prayer is one of the clear expansions of the remembrance of Allah.

Allah in the Qur’an says;

“…established prayer for My remembrance”6,

and it is evident that whoever remembers Allah, He will remember him, too.

This is the promise of Allah Who says:

“…remember Me, and I will remember you”7

And, naturally, those who forget Allah, He may also leave them alone.

The verse says:

“(Allah) will say: ‘Even so, Our Signs came to you, but you neglected them; in like manner you are forgotten this Day’.”

The holy Prophet (S) said:

“He who recites the Qur’an and does not act accordingly, Allah will muster him blind. That servant may Ask Allah why he is raised blind, and then there comes a voice commanding the angels to take him into Hell”.8

Concerning the Qur’anic phrase /’atatka’ayatuna/

“Even so, Our Signs came to you”,

Imam Sadiq (as) in a tradition said:

“The Immaculate Imams are the signs of Allah and he who abandon them will be left in Fire on the Day of Hereafter”.9

However, on the Day of Resurrection, a guilty person will say:

“…My Lord! Why have you raised me blind, whereas indeed I was a seeing one (in the world)?”

In answer to him, immediately it will be said to such a guilty person:

“Even so, Our Signs came to you, but you neglected them; in like manner you are forgotten this Day”,

and your eye is blind to see the bounties of Allah and the station of His nearness.

Finally, as a conclusion, the Qur’an says:

“And thus We recompense him who is prodigal and does not believe in the Signs of his Lord and certainly the chastisement of the Hereafter is more grievous and more lasting.”

Surah Ta Ha – Verses 128 - 129

أَفَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مّـِنَ الْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِي مَسَاكِنِهِمْ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لاَيَاتٍ لأُوْلِي النُّهَي

وَلَوْلاَ كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبّـِكَ لَكَانَ لِزَاماً وَأَجَلٌ مُسَمًّي

128. “Does it not then guide such men (to call to mind) how many of the generations We did destroy before them, amid whose dwellings they (today) walk about? Verily there are signs in this for those (endowed) with understanding.”
129. “And had there not been a decree that went forth before from your Lord and an appointed term, (their punishment) would necessarily have come.”

The Arabic term /nuha/ is the plural form of /nuhyah/ which means something that prohibits man from doing some indecent things. In Arabic, the ‘intellect’ is called /nuhyah/ since it dissuades man from the low desires. Therefore, the true intellect, besides thinking and understanding, causes man to ward off some dangers and vices.

The Qur’anic word /qarn/ means a nation or a group of people who live in the same time. It is sometimes used for the time itself, too. The Arabic term /lizam/ means ‘a necessary and firm affair’.

And, in view of the fact that in the previous verses several matters concerning the sinners were discussed, this verse has pointed to one of the best and the most effective ways of awareness, i.e. the careful study of the history of the former generations.

It says:

“Does it not then guide such men (to call to mind) how many of the generations We did destroy before them…”

Those men are the same people who were involved with the painful punishment of Allah and, now, these people haunt their ruined houses.

In their different travels to Yemen, travelers may see the houses of the people of ‘Ad, and in their way to Syria they confront the ruined dwellings of the people of Thamud, and in their voyage to Palestine they pass by the houses of the people of Lot, which had been destroyed upside down. They usually see their trucks but they do not take an example.

Yes, in this regard the verse says:

“…amid whose dwellings they (today) walk about? Verily there are signs in this for those (endowed) with understanding.”

The matter of ‘taking an example’ from the history of the former nations is one of the subjects on which the Qur’an and Islamic traditions have emphasized very much.

A tradition narrated from the Prophet of Islam (S) indicates that the Messenger of Allah said:

“The most neglectful people is he who takes no admonition from the change of the world.”

And he does not contemplate on the turns of days and nights.

The next verse, indeed, is an answer to the question which may arise here, asking why Allah does not arrange the same thing upon this group of sinners that He arranged for the former sinners.

The holy Qur’an says:

“And had there not been a decree that went forth before from your Lord and an appointed term, (their punishment) would necessarily have come.”

This ‘Divine decree’ is an indication to the command of creation containing the freedom of human kind.

Since, if any guilty person immediately and without any respite be punished, faith and righteous deeds may become nearly constrained and compelling, and they will often be done because of fear and terror of immediate punishment. Thus, in this case, it will not be a means of development, which is the main goal.

Moreover, if it were judged that all wrong doers should be punished at once, there would remain no one alive on the earth.10

Therefore, there should be a respite for the sinners until they might be aware and pave the path of improvement, and all the travelers of the path of truth also find an opportunity for self-improvement.

Going to Paradise, Easy for Muslims and Hard for Non-Muslims?