Torment and Torture within a Quranist Vision

 

Authored by: Dr. Ahmed Subhy Mansour

Translated by: Ahmed Fathy

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THIS BOOK:

 This book has been in the form of serialized articles published on our website about torment and torture within a Quranist vision; i.e., God's torment inflicted on those who deserve it in this world and in the Hereafter and the crime of torture against which the Quran warns within the contexts of Quranic stories of Moses and Joseph that mention features of the Pharaonic Egypt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

 

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER I: The Meaning of Torment and Torture

CHAPTER II: God's Torment Inflicted in This World

CHAPTER III: Hastening God's Torment by Disbelievers

CHAPTER IV: Between Curse and God's Torment

CHAPTER V: The Location of Torment on the Day of Resurrection

CHAPTER VI: Preaching People to Avoid Torment

CHAPTER VII: Regarding Torment, God Is Never Unjust Towards Human Beings

CHAPTER VIII: Torture in Pharaonic Egypt within a Quranist Vision 

CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

1- Eventually, and all of a sudden, the USA has remembered the crimes of torture committed in Egypt; as if these crimes were something surprisingly new or occurring only recently. So many articles have appeared in the West media about crimes of torture committed in Egypt, as per human-rights organizations reports, and such topic has eclipsed other pieces of news related to Egypt in international media. It is clear that the reason behind this is the mutual defiance and threat between the USA and North Korea; because the current Egyptian pharaoh, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, has strong military relations with North Korea, and this infuriates Donald Trump and the Congressmen, who have made cuts from the annual American military aid granted to Egypt as per the Camp David Accords between Egypt, Israel, and the USA. Within a speech delivered by a female American representative in the Security Council, she talked using an aggressive tone about those who cooperate with North Korea. These countries include China, Russia, and Iran, who are not submissive to the USA. Egypt, ruled by Al-Sisi, is now frowned upon by angry American politicians and congressmen, as per this speech in the Security Council.        

2- Resisting the crime of torture is part and parcel of our Quranist and Islamic peaceful intellectual endeavors; we have written a lot about this topic, because we are against all types of injustices and we support the weak parties on earth in all eras and locations, and because torture is a type of oppression inflicted against weak persons.  

3- Within a Quranist vision, torture is a crime directly linked to political tyranny and religious tyranny, within countries where dictatorship is intertwined with clergymen.

4- This BOOK tackles, within our Quranist vision, the crime of torture committed by some people against other people and God's torment inflicted on those who deserve it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER I: The Meaning of Torment and Torture

 

 

 

 

 

The Environment in which Torture Is Flourishing, When Human Beings Torture Other Human Beings

 

 

 

Firstly: the Quran-based rule within a country that applies real Islam has no room for clergymen of any type:

1- When clergymen dominate any society, religious freedom is never available, whereas religious wars/conflicts, inquisition-like trials, and incarceration/killing of 'heretics' or 'infidels' flourish as per penalties stipulated and exacted by clergy. Islam (i.e., Quranism) is against all types of clergy; dominating clergymen usurp God's authority by establishing a doomsday to judge people before the Day of Judgment takes place; this is utter blasphemy and self-deification, sins often committed by clergymen.

2- Within real Quran-based countries that apply real Islam, the Quranic notion of "There shall be no compulsion in religion..." (2:256) is applied and practiced. Citizenship in these countries is based on Islam in terms of peaceful behavior; each peaceful person who lives there is a citizen in this Islamic country, who enjoys unlimited and unrestricted religious freedom and justice, equality, and other human rights. This was the case of hypocrites who were citizens inside the Quran-based Yathreb-city state led by Muhammad; they had unlimited political freedom and religious freedom to express opposition against the rule of Muhammad and against Islam itself, to the extent that they had harmed Muhammad and ridiculed the Quran itself, and they repelled people away from God's Path (i.e., the Quran) and built harmful mosques where they conspired against early believers. Muhammad and early believers in Yathreb, as citizens, never stopped these activities of these peaceful non-violent hypocrites and merely avoided them, since the hypocrites carried no arms and weapons at all to attack the early believers.      

3- Apart from hypocrites who were citizens in the Yathreb city-state, there were believing companions in terms of adhering to peaceful demeanor, but their religious life included worshipping at deified and sanctified mausoleums/tombs, practicing divination, drinking wine, and gambling, deeds prohibited in the Quran. Yet, Muhammad never stopped them at all; his mission was confined to delivering the Quranic message. The following verses are among the ones revealed shortly before Muhammad's death, and in these verses, we notice that God addresses directly the peaceful believers who committed these sins: "O you who believe! Wine, gambling, mausoleums, and divination are abominations of Satan's doing. Avoid them, so that you may prosper. Satan wants to provoke strife and hatred among you through intoxicants and gambling, and to prevent you from the remembrance of God, and from prayer. Will you not desist? Obey God and obey the Messenger, and be cautious. If you turn away - know that the duty of Our messenger is clear communication." (5:90-92).   

4- The responsibilities of any State do NOT include guiding citizens to Paradise; (mis)guidance is an individual responsibility and a personal choice as we infer from the Quran; see 10:109, 17:15, 27:92, & 39:41. Besides, God is the Eternal Judge Who will judge all human beings and settle their faith disputes and differences; see 39:7 and 39:46.

5- This absolute religious freedom within a Quran-based country negates the existence of any type of clergy; there is no clergy in Islam, and Muhammad was NEVER a clergymen or a priest inside the Yathreb city-state, as he never took wages or fees from people and he was never responsible for guiding others, as his sole mission is to convey God' message. God has told Muhammad the following: "Their guidance is not your responsibility, but God guides whoever is willing to be guided..." (2:272). This verse means that any persons who seek guidance will be granted it by God. In many verses, God has told Muhammad that he is merely a messenger whose mission is to deliver the Quranic message and that he was never to control people nor to guide them, as this was never part of his responsibility; see 88:21-26, 6:66, 6:107, 10:108, 17:54, 25:43, and 42:6. God has commanded Muhammad to say the following to his people: "Say: "O my people, work according to your ability; and so will I. Then you will know. Who will receive a humiliating punishment, and on whom will fall a lasting torment." We sent down upon you the Book for the humankind in truth. He who follows guidance does so for the good of his soul. And he who strays in error does so to its detriment. You are not their overseer." (39:39-41). Hence, Muhammad avoided them and let them worship whatever they did beside God, as he and they wait for God's Judgment of all human beings on the Last Day; see 6:135 and 11:121-122.   

6- Consequently, no torture was ever practiced inside the Yathreb city-state led by Muhammad, as all its citizens enjoyed absolute religious freedom. This was the case as per the Quran, whereas Muhammad and early believers with him in Mecca were severely persecuted. In contrast, tolerance inside the Yathreb city-state was unmatched and the religious freedom there was unparalleled elsewhere. This freedom was the main factor that led Arabs in Arabia to convert to God's religion in multitudes; i.e., this means they entered into peace or adhered to peaceful behavior. This was shortly before Muhammad's death, as they rejected Islam soon enough by committing the heinous crimes of Arab conquests.  

 

Secondly: the Quran-based rule within a country that applies real Islam has no room for tyranny at all:

1- Islamic Shura consultation within Quran-based rule in a given country simply means direct democracy, whose Islamic principles include the following ones.

1/1: All rulers must be held responsible before the citizens/ the nation, because Only God is never to be asked about His decrees and deeds: "He will not be questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned." (21:23); hence, tyrannical rulers who hate to be impeached, held responsible, or questioned by the citizens are deifying themselves, a sin punishable in Hell as per the Quran, for those who die without repentance.    

1/2: Muhammad himself (though a prophet inspired by God) as a leader of the Yathreb city-state has been commanded in the Quran to apply the Islamic Shura consultation; thus, those who hate to apply it are placing themselves above Muhammad and commit the sin of self-deification. Thus, all tyrants commit the sin of self-deification either explicitly or implicitly.  

2- Democratic constitutions make peoples/nations or citizens as the source of all authorities who deputize them to representatives and deputies (e.g., within parliaments), and in contrast, Islamic Shura consultation never use any types of representatives, as it is direct democracy of citizens who apply self-rule and whose views are taken into account within general assemblies as the case with the Yathreb city-state (see 24:62-64), and we have authored a detailed book about this topic, published on our website. 

3- When Muhammad led the Yathreb city-state, he did not derive his authority from God, but rather from citizens of Yathreb. This is why God has commanded him to be gentle with them, to pardon them, and to consult them in the conduct of affairs, as these affairs were theirs as citizens, and if they would have dispersed from around him if he were harsh with them, he would have lost his authority and his city-state; they were the source of all authority as citizens. We infer all this from the following verse: "It is by of grace from God that you were gentle with them. Had you been harsh, hardhearted, they would have dispersed from around you. So pardon them, and ask forgiveness for them, and consult them in the conduct of affairs. And when you make a decision, put your trust in God; God loves the trusting. " (3:159). 

 

Thirdly: tyrants always need to commit the crime of torture:

1- As Muhammad has been commanded as a leader to be gentle with others and never to be harsh or hardhearted as he derived his authority from people, likewise, we find the same in modern democracies, where representatives of authority are servants of the nation and are eager to please citizens so that they retain their posts; they can be impeached, questioned, held accountable and responsible, dismissed and fired from their posts, tried in courts, and penalized when proven guilty who compromised their responsibilities, as this is an accusation of high treason.    

2- In contrast, tyrannical rulers are harsh and hardhearted and use the military armed forces, security forces, and policemen to oppress the citizens. Tyrants need to practice torture as a necessary measure to impose their dominance and control. This crime is committed not only to take revenge from peaceful and non-peaceful opposition figures who oppose tyrants in words and deeds, but also (and this is more important to tyrants) to deter and intimidate beforehand any possible persons who would think to join the opposition movements. Tyrants cling to authority or the throne because this is a matter of life and death; their very existence is directly linked to authority, as they are either to remain alive and enthroned or to lose their lives, thrones, and security. In order to feel ostentatiously and overtly secure, tyrants practice the crime of torture routinely and randomly, making sure news of torture and cries of tortured victims reach the citizens to intimidate them; thus, tyrants assume that when they torture tens of thousands of persons, this will terrorize and intimidate tens of millions. Tyrants assume wrongly that torture might silence citizens.         

3- In order to practice torture while feeling secure and enjoying impunity and to go on with their tyranny and corruption, tyrants require corrupt easily bribed clergymen who support them in media and houses of worship. Thus, clergymen have their share of authority, power, and clout. The masses (who are the gullible and deceived majority of people anywhere on Earth) are easily influenced by the clergymen who enslave them. Thus, when the vast majority of citizens obey clergymen, they are obeying the tyrants as well. This is why tyrants care for clergymen and readily punish those reformers and reformist thinkers who put to question clergymen and religious notions, so that the masses would have their opium and remain in 'blissful' ignorance. When the masses are ignoramuses and knew little about Quranism (i.e., real Islam) and have distorted, twisted religious notions related only to earthly, man-made religions propagated by corrupt clergymen, they are easily controlled and ridden by tyrants in total submission, while bearing patiently with so many injustices.      

4- Hence, Islam (i.e., Quranism) poses a veritable threat to tyrants; the testimony of (There is no God but Allah) entails that no real believers are to deify/sanctify any (dead or living) mortals; Quranic sharia of direct democracy of Shura consultation and verses about how Muhammad led the Yathreb city-state and preached the Quran, within absolute religious freedom for all people, undermine tyranny anywhere. This is why tyrants fear very much this verse about God's addressing people to use iron and power to uphold justice (and remove tyrants from their thrones), as this is the supreme value/principle of all messages of God: "We sent Our messengers with the clear proofs, and We sent down with them the Book and the Balance, that humanity may uphold justice. And We sent down iron, in which is violent force, and benefits for humanity. That God may know who supports Him and His messengers invisibly. God is Strong and Powerful." (57:25). This is why tyrants make sure that awareness of real Islamic/Quranic facts is never to be spread among their nations; this will inevitably lead to tyrants being deposed by force.

5- This is why the very first step of democratic transition in a given country must begin with imposing (by laws and within constitutions) absolute religious freedom, and this will be followed by freedom of speech and expression as well as freedom of thought and creativity, arts, etc. Tyrants ride and control clergymen who in their turn ride and control gullible citizens. These clergymen of the Muhammadans are embodying thick layers of ignorance as their earthly, man-made religions are based on myths and balderdash that are easily criticized, refuted, and undermined when put to question and when discussed freely. This is why clergymen need the arms and power/authority of tyrants to impose their myths on the gullible masses and to protect the religious mythology from being criticized and questioned. Thus, when all freedoms are established within a given society, clergymen will vanish and will no longer protect tyrants who ride/control them with money and a measure of authority/power given to them by tyrants. When clergymen are no longer in control of media and hearts/minds of people, tyrants (after clergymen) will lose ground and awe and will vanish as well.      

6- Within our endeavors to raise awareness of real Islam (i.e., Quranism), our person and the rest of Quranists are being opposed by both Middle-Eastern tyrants and clergymen of the Muhammadans; both Shiites and Sunnites, who hate each other, are united when it comes to oppose Quranism and to impose media blackout on Quranists even inside the USA!

7- The USA is supposed to be the country of freedom; yet, it is also the country of dollars and lobbies, which are centers of political influence where wealthy lobbyists influence political life using as much money as they could to defeat any competitors and foes, within open market for all lobbies of different types. Within such a state of affairs, we, poor Quranists, are like orphans who receive nothing from the sumptuous tables of power that belong to the wicked worshippers of Mammon (i.e., money). Even the KSA, the source of Wahabi religious terrorism worldwide, is presenting itself to the USA as a kingdom that 'fights' terrorism and the Saudi lobby has its influence now inside the USA! It is not important for Saudis that the American citizens might believe them or not; American citizens rarely care to know about the world outside the borders of the USA. What is important to the Saudi lobby inside the USA is to buy and win to its side the influential and powerful people; the KSA has succeeded so far in such endeavors! And among those who pay the heavy price for this ghastly state of affairs is our person, Dr. A. S. Mansour, an American-Egyptian Quranist thinker and writer who suffers media blackout; we are screaming in the wilderness calling for religious reform and for how to peacefully and intellectually (with minimum cost) defeat Wahabi religious terrorism that threaten the USA and the West, and yet, nobody cares about us, except or few appreciative persons who feel sorry for us!     

 

 

 

The Meaning of Torture/Torment

 

 

We trace below the verses containing the notion of torment/torture (as both words have the same word in Arabic and Quranic tongues), within a Quranist vision.

Firstly: torment meaning financial and material loss: 

1- We read in the Quran that God has punished the miserly men who owned a garden but decided not to give the poor ones their due from its fruits, and God burned their garden: "We tested them, as We tested the owners of the garden, when they vowed to harvest it in the morning. Without reserving some to the poor. But a calamity from your Lord went around it while they slept. And in the morning it was destroyed. In the morning, they called to one another. "Go early to your plantation, if you are going to harvest." So off they went, murmuring to one another. "No poor person is to enter it upon you today." And early they went, resolved in intent. But when they saw it, they said, "We were wrong. We are now deprived." The most reasonable of them said, "Did I not say to you, 'if only you would glorify?'" They said, "Glory to our Lord - We were indeed in the wrong." Then they turned to one another, blaming one another. They said, "Woe to us - we were indeed tyrannical. Perhaps our Lord will give us a better substitute for it. We are turning to our Lord."" (68:17-32). God has named this kind of divine punishment (i.e., burning their garden) as "torment", and that the torture/torment in Hell is bigger: "Such is the torment; but the torment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew." (68:33).   

2- This is divine penalty or torment in this this life – a topic that will be tackled in a separate coming article – and those who have suffered this torment in life might repent and be spared the torment of the Hereafter on the Last Day; hence, we conclude from 68:17-33 that the owners of the garden had repented and admitted that they have committed a sin; the verse 68:33 does NOT imply necessarily that they will enter into Hell, but it shows that torment/torture of Hell is bigger than any torment/penalty in this life.   

3- The Quranic story or parable in 68:17-33 is, of course, a divine warning addressed to the stingy people; God warns them against torment in this life and in the next world in case of their never repenting, as we infer from these verses: "Here you are, being called to spend in the cause of God. Among you are those who withhold; but whoever withholds is withholding against his own soul. God is the Rich, while you are the needy. And if you turn away, He will replace you with another people, and they will not be like you." (47:38); "Those who withhold what God has given them of his bounty should not assume that is good for them. In fact, it is bad for them. They will be encircled by their hoardings on the Day of Resurrection. To God belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth, and God is well acquainted with what you do." (3:180).

 

Secondly: torment meaning flogging as penalty for fornication:

1- Flogging – and NEVER  stoning to death – is mentioned in the Quran as the penalty for (married and unmarried, male or female) fornicators (adulterers and adulteresses) whose sin is proven and they insist on never to publicly declare their repentance. If they do repent, they are described as repentant ones, but those who insist on committing this sin of fornication over and over and desire not to repent at all are described as fornicators. These ones deserve to be flogged in public as per this verse: "The adulteress and the adulterer - whip each one of them a hundred lashes, and let no pity towards them overcome you regarding God's Law, if you believe in God and the Last Day. And let a group of believers witness their torment." (24:2).

2- We notice that in 24:2, this penalty of flogging is described as ''torment'' and NEVER as death; and this refutes beforehand the injustice of Sunnite polytheists who are allies of Satan who fabricated hadiths commanding to stone to death married male and female fornicators (i.e., adulterers and adulteresses)

2/1: As for female slaves freed and married to free men, if they commit adultery, they are to be whipped a 50 lashes (half the penalty of free women), and this is because female slaves were used to have many sexual partners before they married: "...When they are married, if they commit adultery, their punishment shall be half that of free women..." (4:25).  

2/2: If any of the wives of Muhammad might have committed the same sin, the torment would have been doubled: "O wives of the prophet! Whoever of you commits a proven immorality, the torment for her will be doubled..." (33:30).

2/3: God says the following about any wife whose husband accuses her (without witnesses) of being unfaithful to him by committing adultery: "But torment shall be averted from her, if she swears four times by God, that he is a liar." (24:8). This means that adulteresses (i.e., married female fornicators) are never to be put to death by stoning.

3- Thus, flogging is a penalty/torment that may be avoided, doubled, or halved, whereas this is stoning to death cannot be halved or doubled at all; there is no stoning in the Quranic sharia legislations  at all.

4- Flogging as the penalty for fornicators includes that sinners are to be publicly shamed as a gathering of people must witness the exacting of this punishment: "...And let a group of believers witness their torment." (24:2). This is to give the sinners the feeling of humiliation and insult, and this is a punishment within the psychological level beside the corporal punishment to their bodies by flogging.

 

Thirdly: torment meaning humiliation and shame to the body and soul of sinners in this transient life:

1- It is a painful torment to feel that one is humiliated, disgraced, and shamed in public, and this is what Lot had felt when some men of his people wanted to rape his guests (who were angels taking a human form), as Lot said to these male sinners: ""And fear God, and do not disgrace me."" (15:69); this is verse containing the same station in more detail: "And his people came rushing towards him - they were in the habit of committing sins. He said, "O my people, these are my daughters; they are purer for you. So fear God, and do not embarrass me before my guests. Is there not one reasonable man among you?"" (11:78).

2- And there is the torment of being publicly disgraced and humiliated that will be exacted on the following types of people.

2/1: All clergymen of any types who control mosques (or all houses of worship) as they are the unjust ones because they spread polytheism and wrong notions; they will be tormented in this world and the next one on the Last Day: "Who is more unjust than him who forbids the remembrance of God's name in places of worship, and contributes to their ruin? These ought not to enter them except in fear. For them is disgrace in this world, and for them is terrible torment in the Hereafter." (2:114).

2/2: This applies also to those who misguide people and repel them away from God's Path (i.e., the Quran) by distorting meanings of Quranic verses and undermining them by arguing against them: "And among the people is he who argues about God without knowledge, or guidance, or an Enlightening Book. Turning aside in contempt, to lead away from the path of God, and he will have humiliation in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection We will make him taste the torment of burning." (22:8-9).

3- Moses' Pharaoh had tormented and humiliated the Israelites too much; he combined humiliating them with massacring them: "And We delivered the Israelites from the humiliating persecution." (44:30). 

4- In the cases when God had smitten and tormented ancient people, their physical annihilation is linked with disgrace and humiliation, as we see in the points below. 

4/1: God has said the following about all such people: "Those before them also denied the Truth, so the torment came upon them from where they did not perceive. God made them taste disgrace in the present life, but the torment of the Hereafter is worse, if they only knew." (39:25-26). Thus, God has called their annihilation or torment as disgrace, but the bigger torment/torture is waiting for them in Hell in the Hereafter. 

4/2: Noah's people used to mock him while he was building the ship before the deluge/flood: "As he was building the ark, whenever some of his people passed by him, they ridiculed him..." (11:38); Noah has told them the following: "...He said, "If you ridicule us, we will ridicule you, just as you ridicule. "You will surely know upon whom will come a torment that will disgrace him, and upon whom will fall a lasting torment."" (11:38-39). This means that the deluge was coming to bring them torment and disgrace as they drown, and they will suffer lasting torment within the Barsakh.

4/3: The people of Aad had rejected the divine message conveyed to them by a prophet named Hood; we read the following verse about how they were smitten, disgraced, and tormented by God in this world, while eternal suffering in Hell is waiting for them in the Hereafter: "So We unleashed upon them a screaming wind, for a few miserable days, to make them taste the torment of shame in this life; but the torment of the Hereafter is more shameful; and they will not be saved." (41:16).

4/4: The people of Thamood had rejected the divine message conveyed to them by a prophet named Saleh; we read the following verse about how they were smitten, disgraced, and tormented by God in this world, while eternal suffering in Hell is waiting for them in the Hereafter: "Then, when Our command came, We saved Saleh and those who believed with him, by a mercy from Us, from the disgrace of that day..." (11:66).

4/5: This is repeated within the story of the prophet named Shueib and his people of Madian, and he had warned them by saying the following: ""O my people, do as you may, and so will I. You will know to whom will come a torment that will shame him, and who is a liar. So look out; I am on the lookout with you."" (11:93).

4/6: Among the peoples who were spared torment and being smitten or annihilated were the people of Jonah who readily believed in the divine message conveyed by him when they saw early signs of torment, removed by God when they believed in Him: "If only there was one town that believed and benefited by its belief. Except for the people of Jonah. When they believed, We removed from them the torment of disgrace in the worldly life, and We gave them comfort for a while." (10:98).

5- Disgrace or humiliation is a punishment to the soul within the psychological level; it is found within penalties exacted on terrorists or highwaymen who massacre the innocent ones to rob them (like the ISIS terrorists recently). God says in the Quran: "The punishment for those who fight God and His messenger, and strive to spread corruption on earth, is that they be killed, or crucified, or have their hands and feet cut off on opposite sides, or be banished from the land. That is to disgrace them in this life; and in the Hereafter they will have a terrible torment." (5:33). We see here the corporeal punishment and putting them to death beside their humiliated, and torment in Hell for eternity is waiting for them in the Hereafter.  

 

Fourthly: disgrace/humiliation beside eternal torment/torture inside Hell:

1- God describes the torment/torture of disbelievers for eternity in Hell on the Day of Resurrection as disgracing to their souls and painful to their bodies: "...And there is a humiliating torment for the disbelievers." (2:90); "...The disbelievers will have a painful torment." (2:104).

2- Hell-dwellers will feel eternal humiliation and disgrace; and real believers implore God to be spared such torment: ""Our Lord, whomever You commit to the Fire, You have disgraced. The wrongdoers will have no helpers."" (3:192); ""Our Lord, and give us what You have promised us through Your messengers, and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Surely You never break a promise."" (3:194). Some people ridicule and mock God's verses and they will be shamed and disgraced on the Last Day in Hell: "Do they not know that whoever opposes God and His messenger, will have the Hell-Fire, abiding in it forever? That is the supreme disgrace." (9:63).

3- God will make the disbelievers feel the biggest disgrace on the Last Day when they will stand before Him: "Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them, and say, "Where are My associates for whose sake you used to dispute?" Those who were given knowledge will say, "Today shame and misery are upon the disbelievers."" (16:27).

4- This is why God has commanded Muhammad to say to the disbelievers to remain as they are and he will remain as he is until they will know the Truth on the Last Day about who will enter into Hell to be tormented and humiliated: "Say: "O my people, work according to your ability; and so will I. Then you will know. Who will receive a humiliating punishment, and on whom will fall a lasting torment."" (39:39-40).

5- Those who will be spared such disgrace and torment on the Last Day are Muhammad and all repentant believers who will be surrounded by the lights of guidance and mercy of God; God says the following to call believers to repent sincerely: "O you who believe! Repent to God with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remit your sins, and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow, on the Day when God will not disappoint the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light streaming before them, and to their right, they will say, "Our Lord, complete our light for us, and forgive us; You are capable of all things."" (66:8).

 

 

 

The Taste of Torture/Torment

 

 

 

Introduction:

1- Human beings consist of souls and bodies; souls belong to the Barsakh realm, and they come from it to settle into fetuses and embryos of human beings. Souls control the human bodies in all stages: babies, children, adults, and old age. Souls control bodies like drivers behind the wheels of cars. Souls are set free temporarily, on a daily basis, from the prison of the human bodies during sleep. When the preordained time comes, one's soul leave one's body forever by death, and the soul returns to the Barsakh realm from which it originally came in the first place.    

2- The senses of the human body are controlled by the brain, which is located in the highest part of the body inside the skull; thus, the human brain is the center of controlling the soul. Thus, it is the soul that feels pleasure/pain, happiness/sorrow, etc.

3- Because souls are deeper and bigger than their physical prisons of the human bodies, they are set free from these bodies within daydreaming, slumber, and deep thinking. The souls' feeling of bliss and torment cannot be expressed in any human tongue or language; there is a huge gap between psychological feelings and the ability to describe them accurately. For instance, human beings can feel sexual pleasures but they cannot describe it scientifically or precisely. There are different types of pain; pains of headaches differ from those of joints, kidney stones, stomach ulcers, etc. Yet, it is very difficult to differentiate among such types of pain accurately and among the degrees of feeling them. Likewise, though we can easily differentiate among different tastes of veggies, fruits, and beans, but within each category of food items, there are nuances of taste among items similar in shape that only souls could recognize and we cannot describe because bodies and languages cannot fully express such subtle differences.        

4- Human bodies are weak and they have limited ability of bearing pains; when pains pass a certain higher level or threshold, souls enter into a coma and cannot feel pain anymore. When diseases and  wounds kill the body, the dead bodies can never feel any pain after entering into the coma of death. The same applies to feelings of pleasure; there is a maximum level or threshold of feeling pleasure that our weak bodies cannot pass, and when reaching such levels, one loses the feeling of pleasure, as it is replaced with void, pain, or self-destruction if one tries to exceed this limit or threshold. The opposite occurs when souls are released from the weak, temporary, earthly bodies on the Last Day; in the Hereafter, souls of sinners will feel unlimited intense torment/torture in Hell for eternity, and souls of good believers will feel unlimited immense pleasure in Paradise for eternity.         

5- Torture/torment is something felt within the senses of the physical body and within the psychological level within disgrace and humiliation. Without feeling with senses, there could never be any experiencing of pleasure or torment.

6- The Quranic term for this is (taste) and its Arabic derivations within the Quranic tongue. Let us provide some details below.

 

Firstly: the Quranic term (taste) is never used in verses about the bliss of Paradise:

  We notice that the verb and noun (taste) is never used in Quranic verses that describe the eternal Paradise in the Hereafter; the term is used only in verses describing the torment/torture inside Hell. This indicates clearly that experiencing the bliss of Paradise cannot be described as it is beyond our imagination; this is asserted in this verse: "No soul knows what eye's delight awaits them - a reward for what they used to do." (32:17). This is why describing the bliss and pleasure of Paradise in the Quran is done using a figurative language (see, for instance, 47:15) to help us understand the idea as much as possible, but the words of any language cannot precisely describe the real experience inside Paradise. In contrast, torment/torture inside Hell for sinners and disbelievers is described in Quranic verses in a way that can be easily understood and imagined, and the word (taste) is used sometimes in the context of these verses.  

 

Secondly: the term (taste) when linked to earthly life refers to pleasure and torment:

 The word (taste) is used in the Quran in relation to experiencing bliss/pleasure and torment/pain in this transient life. Let us provide examples of this below.

1- About tasting the bliss and mercy of God in this world, we read the following verse: "And of His signs is that He sends the winds bearing good news, to give you a taste of His mercy..." (30:46).

2- About tasting the torment and pain in this worldly existence, we read the following verses.

2/1: Within penalties mentioned in the Quranic sharia, we read about those who commit the sin of going hunting while performing pilgrimage, and their punishment is to offer to the poor animals similar in value to the hunted and killed animal, to donate money for charity, or to fast for certain days to expatiate and atone for this sin to taste the penalty: "O you who believe! do not kill game while you are in pilgrim sanctity. Whoever of you kills any intentionally, its penalty shall be a domestic animal comparable to what he killed, as determined by two honest persons among you - an offering delivered to the Kaaba. Or he may atone by feeding the needy, or its equivalent in fasting, so that he may taste the consequences of his conduct..." (5:95).   

2/2: We read about tasting of torment of being smitten and annihilated by God within some Quranic stories of ancient nations; e.g., within the Quranic Chapter 54, we read this verse: "So taste My punishment and My warnings." (54:39). Another example is this verse about the smiting and annihilation of the people of Aad: "So We unleashed upon them a screaming wind, for a few miserable days, to make them taste the punishment of shame in this life; but the punishment of the Hereafter is more shameful; and they will not be saved." (41:16). 

2/3: The eras of total annihilation are gone now; they are followed by eras (until now) of partial torment and smiting. For instance, before the first major Arab civil war (between Ali and his foes), God predicts it in this verse: "Say, "He is Able to send upon you an affliction, from above you, or from under your feet. Or He can divide you into factions, and make you taste the violence of one another..." (6:65). And because the Muhammadans have turned these criminals/caliphs into deities/gods, the Muhammadans are still within the tunnel of civil wars until now, as their factions, sects, and groups fight and kill one another for centuries, tasting the violence of one another!  

2/4: God has warned against painful torment (in this world before the next) tasted by those who intend to commit evil within the Sacred Kaaba Mosque: " As for those who disbelieve and repel from God's path and from the Sacred Mosque-which We have designated for all humankind equally, whether residing therein or passing through - and seek to commit evil deeds therein - We will make him taste of a painful punishment." (22:25). This is about merely intending to commit evil deeds inside the Sacred Kaaba Mosque; what about Arabs who committed military violence and so many acts of aggressions there for centuries?!

2/5: God has warned against tasting those who will taste misery in this life because they manipulate religion in trade (i.e., buying and selling): "And do not use your oaths to deceive one another, so that a foot may not slip after being firm, and you taste misery because you hindered from God's Path, and incur a terrible torment." (16:94). Let alone the sin committed by Muhammadans until now by manipulating religion in political life. We urge readers to peruse our book titled "Warning the Muhammadans against Mixing Religion and Politics".  

2/6: In general, when corruption dominates in a given country, its dwellers pay the heavy price of pollution, persecutions, ordeals, disasters, troubles, and unrest that they taste: "Corruption has appeared on land and sea, because of what people's hands have earned, in order to make them taste some of what they have done, so that they might return." (30:41).

3- More Quranic verses about tasting mercy and torment are provided below.

3/1: Disbelievers feel despaired when ordeals and calamities ordained by God befall them, and they feel proud and arrogant when they taste bliss and bounties granted to them by God, as they never feel thankful to Him and they disbelieve in the hereafter. These stances are described repeatedly in the Quranic text: "The human being never tires of praying for good things; but when adversity afflicts him, he despairs and loses hope. And when We let him taste a mercy from Us, after the adversity that had afflicted him, he will say, "This is mine, and I do not think that the Hour is coming; and even if I am returned to my Lord, I will have the very best with Him." We will inform those who disbelieve of what they did, and We will make them taste an awful punishment. When We provide comfort for the human being, he withdraws and distances himself; but when adversity befalls him, he starts lengthy prayers." (41:49-51); "When We give people a taste of mercy, they rejoice in it. But when adversity befalls them, because of what their hands have perpetrated, they begin to despair." (30:36); "...Whenever We let man taste mercy from Us, he rejoices in it; but when misfortune befalls them, as a consequence of what their hands have perpetrated, man turns to disbelief." (42:48); "When We make the people taste mercy after some adversity has touched them, they begin to scheme against Our revelations. Say, "God is swifter in scheming." Our envoys are writing down what you scheme." (10:21). 

3/2: Real, pious, patient believers have other different stances: "If We give the human being a taste of mercy from Us, and then withdraw it from him, he becomes despairing and ungrateful. And if We give him a taste of prosperity, after some adversity has afflicted him, he will say, "Troubles have gone away from me." He becomes excited and proud. Except those who are patient and do good deeds - these will have forgiveness and a great reward." (11:9-11).

 

Thirdly: the (taste) of death:

1- Our souls were dead in Barsakh realm before we were born, and God makes our souls alive within bodies to live on Earth, and when we die, the bodies return to dust from which they were created, and souls return back to Barsakh from which they originally came. Souls will live eternally after the Day of resurrection, either in Hell or in Paradise. This is why we were dead and became alive on Earth by God's power and death is ordained on all of us within this earthly life, to be resurrected again on the Last Day to live for eternity: "How can you deny God, when you were dead and He gave you life, then He will put you to death, then He will bring you to life, then to Him you will be returned?" (2:28). Our brains and memories cannot remember our souls' time in the Barsakh realm before we were born, because at the time, souls feel/taste nothing at all. In order to taste death, we must be alive first on Earth in order to taste death upon the moment of dying. Thus, the only death we will taste for the first and last time is on this Earth upon the moment of dying, as we infer from this verse about Paradise dwellers: "Therein they will not taste death, beyond the first death..." (44:56).   

2- There is no medial or in-between position regarding this issue: upon the moment of dying, one is told by angel of death that he/she is among the allies of God or a sinner among the allies of Satan. This verdict is irrevocable when announced to the dying person as angels take his/her soul. The pious ones hear glad tidings from angels of death; see 10:62-64, 41:30-32, 16:32, and 46:13. As for the allies of Satan, angels of death make their souls (not their bodies) taste the torment, and souls are Barsakh-realm beings that carry features of the body that they used to occupy: "How about when the angels take them at death, beating their faces and their backs?" (47:27); "If only you could see, as the angels take away those who disbelieve, striking their faces and their backs: "Taste the torment of burning."" (8:50).  

 

Fourthly: the taste of torment in Hell:

1- We read the following verse about the torment of disbelieving Jinn inside Hell in the Hereafter: "...But whoever of them swerved from Our command, We make him taste of the punishment of the Inferno." (34:12).

2- Human disbelievers' torment in Hell, and how they will taste it, is described in various ways in the Quranic text; e.g., it is a tremendous torment that will be tasted by the unjust ones: "...Whoever among you commits injustice, We will make him taste a tremendous torment" (25:19).

3- There will be a tremendous torment tasted by those enemies of the Quran and those who fabricate misguiding hadiths and narratives. "Those who disbelieve say, "Do not listen to this Quran, and talk over it, so that you may prevail." We will make those who disbelieve taste an intense torment, and We will recompense them according to the worst of what they used to do." (41:26-27); "Say, "Those who fabricate lies about God will not succeed." Some enjoyment in this world; then to Us is their return; then We will make them taste the severe torment on account of their disbelief." (10:69-70); "And among the people is he who argues about God without knowledge, or guidance, or an enlightening book. Turning aside in contempt, to lead away from the path of God. He will have humiliation in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection We will make him taste the torment of burning. That is for what your hands have advanced, and because God is not unjust to the servants." (22:8-10)  Clergymen who hoard ill-gotten money will hear this severe rebuke: "This is what you hoarded for yourselves; so taste what you used to hoard" found in these verses: "O you who believe! Many of the rabbis and priests consume people's wealth illicitly, and hinder from God's path. Those who hoard gold and silver, and do not spend them in God's cause, inform them of a painful torment. On the Day when they will be heated in the Fire of Hell, then their foreheads, and their sides, and their backs will be branded with them: "This is what you hoarded for yourselves; so taste what you used to hoard."" (9:34-35). Misguiding clergymen and imams of the earthly, man-made religions of the Muhammadans must ponder deeply on these verses before it is too late for them; if they die before repentance, they will be tormented in Hell for eternity while being rebuked, mocked, and humiliated severely: "The Tree of Bitterness. The food of the sinner. Like molten lead; boiling inside their bellies. Like the boiling of seething water. Seize him and drag him into the midst of Hell! Then pour over his head the suffering of the Inferno! Taste! You who were powerful and noble." (44:43-49).

4- Hell-dwellers will hear those who will rebuke them by telling them to taste the torment, and this is their humiliation and rebuke; we find this repeatedly mentioned in the Quranic text in different contexts: "On the Day when some faces will be whitened, and some faces will be blackened. As for those whose faces are blackened: "Did you disbelieve after your belief?" Then taste the torment for having disbelieved." (3:106); "If only you could see, when they are stationed before their Lord. He will say, "Is this not real?" They will say, "Yes indeed, by our Lord." He will say, "Then taste the torment for having disbelieved."" (6:30); "Their prayer at the House was nothing but distracting and scheming - so taste the torment for your disbelief." (8:35); "...so taste the torment for what you used to earn." (7:39); "...and We will say, "Taste the torment of the burning" (3:181); "Then it will be said to those who did wrong, "Taste the torment of eternity. Will you be rewarded except for what you used to do?"" (10:52); ""Here it is; so taste it." For the disbelievers there is the torment of the Fire." (8:14); "So taste, because you forgot the meeting of this Day of yours; We have forgotten you; so taste the eternal torment for what you used to do." (32:14); "... And We will say to those who did wrong, "Taste the torment of the Fire which you used to deny." (34:42); "...To the unjust ones it will be said, "Taste what you used to earn."" (39:24); "On the Day when those who disbelieved are presented to the Fire: "Is this not real?" They will say, "Yes, indeed, by our Lord." He will say, "Then taste the torment for having disbelieved."" (46:34); "All This. But the transgressors will have a miserable return. Hell; in which they will roast; what a miserable abode! All this. Let them taste it-boiling and bitter cold. And similar torments of diverse kinds." (38:55-58).

5- Hell-dwellers will have their skins renewed for eternity to make them taste the torment of Hell that will never be escaped by them: "Those who reject Our verses - We will scorch them in a Fire. Every time their skins are cooked, We will replace them with other skins, so they will taste the torment..." (4:56); "But as for those who transgressed, their shelter is the Fire. Every time they try to get out of it, they will be brought back into it, and it will be said to them, "Taste the torment of the Fire which you used to deny."" (32:20); "Here are two adversaries feuding regarding their Lord. As for those who disbelieve, garments of fire will be tailored for them, and scalding water will be poured over their heads. Melting their insides and their skins. And they will have maces of iron. Whenever they try to escape the gloom, they will be driven back to it: "Taste the torment of burning."" (22:19-22). Thus, those who die because of fires in this world will die and feel no more pain, and fires of this world can be extinguished, whereas Hell-Fire is eternal and Hell-dwellers will never have respite and will never get out of Hell.  

6- Hell-dwellers will be rebuked in that way: "They urge you to hasten the punishment. But Hell will engulf the disbelievers. On the Day when the punishment will envelop them, from above them, and from beneath their feet, He will say, "Taste what you used to do!"" (29:54-55).

7- The Hell-dwellers will scream in vain and implore to get released or relieved, but also in vain: "As for those who disbelieve, for them is the Fire of Hell, wherein they will never be finished off and die, nor will its punishment be lightened for them. Thus We will repay every disbeliever. And they will scream therein, "Our Lord, let us out, and we will act righteously, differently from the way we used to act." Did We not give you a life long enough, in which anyone who wanted to understand would have understood? And the warner did come to you. So taste. The unjust ones will have no helper." (35:36-37). When asking for respite, they will be told the following: "So taste! We will increase you only in torment." (78:30).

8- The Hell-dwellers will be rebuked this way when they will be dragged upon their faces into the Hell-Fire: "The wicked are in confusion and madness. The Day when they are dragged upon their faces into the Fire: "Taste the touch of Saqar."" (54:47-48). Saqar is one of the Quranic names of Hell.

 

 

The Quranic Description of Torture/Torment

 

 

Introduction:

1- It is known that the souls of human beings, in this transient life, that taste, sense, and feel torment/torture, and when souls no longer feel their bodies in cases of fainting or being anesthetized, the souls will not feel any pain or torment, because the frail bodies are the only  medium that would make souls be in touch with the physical world and its stimuli felt by the senses: hearing, seeing, and touching.    

2- Things are different in the Hereafter; souls will be without the frail bodies made of clay they used to wear on Earth. Souls in the Hereafter will wear eternal bodies made of the deeds performed within their earthly life. Thus, if these deeds were good, the souls will wear a body of light to enter Paradise to enjoy bliss and happiness for eternity. If the deeds were bad and evil, the souls will wear a body of eternal fire in Hell to be tortured and tormented for eternity.   

3- Hence, it is we who choose, on Earth with our deeds, our future in the Hereafter after the Day of Resurrection. Those who desire to enter into Paradise perform good deeds and preserve and maintain their monotheistic faith in God so that they earn the right to enter into Paradise, as God has promised them, and God does NOT break His promises: "...God will never break His promise." (3:9); "...God never breaks His promise, but most people do not know." (30:6). As for those who forget about the Hereafter and desire only to enjoy in this transient life and commit evil deeds, sins, and injustices, the wrong deeds committed by them will be turned into torment/torture in Hell, and the sinners will be turned into fuel and woods to Hell-Fire, on the Day of Judgment.  

4- In both cases, in Hell and in Paradise, souls will be within eternal bodies that acutely feel and sense everything for eternity as per the deeds done within their earthly lives. Dwellers of Paradise will enjoy their good deeds that turn into sheer bliss and pleasure, and they enjoy fruits of their good deeds first in this transient life: "Say, "O My servants who have believed, fear your Lord in piety. For those who do good in this world, is goodness..." (39:10). They will hear the following in Paradise: "...And it will be proclaimed to them, "This is the Paradise you are made to inherit, on account of what you used to do."" (7:43). As for sinners and disobedient ones, they will be tormented in this world and more in the next one in the Hereafter: "There is for them torment in the worldly life, but the torment of the Hereafter is harsher. And they have no defender against God." (13:34); "We will make them taste the lesser torment, prior to the greater torment, so that they may return." (32:21). Paradise dwellers will enjoy the bliss and pleasure because of their good deeds, whereas criminals and sinners will be tormented in Hell forever because of their bad, evil deeds: "But whoever brings evil - their faces will be tumbled into the Fire. Will you be rewarded except for what you used to do?" (27:90). Thus, deeds turn into bliss or torment forever, as our deeds on Earth are recorded by angels: "On that Day, no soul will be wronged in the least, and you will be recompensed only for what you used to do" (36:54); this will be said to everyone: "You will see every nation on its knees; every nation will be called to its Book: "Today you are being repaid for what you used to do. This Book of Ours speaks about you in truth. We have been transcribing what you have been doing."" (45:28-29).

5- God does not deal with anyone unjustly; dwellers of Hell have committed injustices toward their souls and the same applies to unjust ones smitten and destroyed by God's torment among ancient nations: "As for the sinners, they will be in the torment of Hell forever. It will never be eased for them. In it, they will be devastated. We did them no injustice, but it was they who were the unjust." (43:74-76); "These are of the reports of the towns-We relate them to you. Some are still standing, and some have withered away. We did not wrong them, but they wronged themselves. Their gods, whom they invoked besides Allah, availed them nothing when the command of your Lord arrived. In fact, they added only to their ruin." (11:100-101).

6- After this introduction to the Quranic description of torment in this world and the next one, let us provide some examples in the points below.

 

Firstly: repeated description of the torment:

1- The adjective (painful) is used several times in the Quranic text to describe the torment.

1/1: God has warned those believers who were reluctant to engage into self-defense fighting in Yathreb: "Unless you mobilize, He will punish you most with painful torment..." (9:39); this is repeated to those who were reluctant to attend Shura/consultation councils in Yathreb: "Do not address the Messenger in the same manner you address one another. God knows those of you who slip away using flimsy excuses. So let those who oppose his orders beware, lest an ordeal strikes them, or a painful torment befalls them." (24:63)

1/2: The adjective (painful) is used to describe God's torment when He had smitten evil disbelievers in this life; e.g., about the destruction of the people of Aad: "...In fact, it is what you were impatient for: a wind in which is painful torment." (46:24); the prophet Saleh warned his people against killing the she-camel: "...and do her no harm, lest a painful torment seizes you." (7:73).  

1/3: We find the same epithet in describing the torment of hypocrites and disbelievers in the Hereafter: "...The disbelievers will have a painful torment." (2:104); "Inform the hypocrites that they will have a painful torment." (4:138).

1/4: We find that the same epithet is used to describe the torment in this world and in the next; e.g., when God warns those who desire to spread sexual immorality in the communities of believers against painful torment in this world and in the next: "Those who love to see immorality spread among the believers - for them is a painful torment, in this life and in the Hereafter..." (24:19). We read this verse about the hypocrites: "...but if they turn away, God will afflict them with a painful torment - in this life and in the Hereafter..." (9:74). 

2- The same epithet is used to describe the torment in this world afflicted by disbelievers on believers; e.g., the people of one town said the following to their three messengers: "They said, "We see an evil omen in you; if you do not give up, we will stone you, and a painful torment from us will befall you."" (36:18). The Potiphar's wife had said the following to her husband about Joseph: "..."What is the penalty for him who desired to dishonor your wife, except imprisonment or a painful torment?"" (12:25). In some verses within one Quranic Chapter, we see the term (humiliating torment) as a synonym for (painful torment) within the same context; e.g., in the Quranic Chapter Two, we read the following: "...And there is a humiliating torment for the disbelievers." (2:90); "...The disbelievers will have a painful torment." (2:104). This indicates that the physical painful torment in Hell is combined with psychological torment of feeling disgrace, shame, and humiliation.     

Another synonym for (painful torment) is (severe torment):

1- We read this verse about the torment of disbelievers in the Hereafter: "God has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and over their vision is a veil. They will have a severe torment." (2:7); "And do not be like those who separated and disputed after the clear proofs came to them; for them is a severe torment." (3:105); "And do not be saddened by those who rush into disbelief. They will not harm God in the least. God desires to give them no share in the Hereafter. A severe torment awaits them." (3:176).

2- We read this divine warning addressed to contemporaries of Muhammad after the battle of Badr: "Were it not for a predetermined decree from God, a severe torment would have afflicted you for what you have taken." (8:68).

3- We read these verses about how God destroyed ancient nations of sinners and disbelievers: "And do not touch her with harm, lest the torment of a severe day seizes you." (26:156); "But they denied him. So the torment of the day of gloom gripped them. It was the torment of a severe day." (26:189).

 The same synonymy is repeated with the adjective (harsh) in the phrase (harsh torment):

1- This epithet is used to describe torment inflicted in this world by God on those affluent disobedient sinners who control and rule any given society: "There is no city but We will destroy before the Day of Resurrection, or punish it with a harsh torment..." (17:58). 

2- We find the same expression (harsh torment) is used in this verse about the last human generation that will witness the Hour and the destruction of the universe: "On the Day when you will see it: every nursing mother will discard her infant, and every pregnant woman will abort her load, and you will see the people drunk, even though they are not drunk - but the torment of God is harsh." (22:2).

3- Disbelievers are tormented first in this life; e.g., Qorayish tribesmen were tormented twice, and one time was harsher than the first one, as we infer from this verse: "We have already gripped them with torment, but they did not surrender to their Lord, nor did they humble themselves. Until, when We have opened before them a gate of harsh torment, at once they will despair." (23:76-77).

4- The same epithet is used to describe the torment of disbelievers in Hell in the Hereafter: "...Those who have rejected God's verses will have a harsh torment. God is Mighty, Able to take revenge." (3:4).

5- And the same epithet is used to describe the torment of disbelievers in this world and the next one: "As for those who disbelieve, I will punish them with a harsh torment, in this world and the next, and they will have no supporters." (3:56).

 

Secondly: differences in descriptions of torment:

 Within our earthly existence, there is a limit/threshold to the feeling of pain by souls within our earthly bodies, if this threshold is passed, senselessness is reached as people faint (e.g., in a coma) and their souls enter into Barsakh and feel nothing; thus, torment in this life is momentary and temporary. This is why torment in this world and the next is described as severe, harsh, and painful. Yet, the different aspect in torment in Hell for eternity is that no coma/sleep or any sort of relief will occur to souls of the sinners as their torment will be relentless and reach unimagined degrees, severer and harsher than torment in this life. "There is for them torment in the worldly life, but the torment of the Hereafter is harsher. And they have no defender against God." (13:34); "We will make them taste the lesser torment, prior to the greater torment, so that they may return." (32:21). Let us provide more examples in the points below.

1- We quote the following verse about the corrupt clergy that stop believers from entering houses of worship, as their torment in the Hereafter is severer than their torment/humiliation in this worldly life: "Who is more unjust than him who forbids the remembrance of God's name in places of worship, and contributes to their ruin? These ought not to enter them except in fear. For them is disgrace in this world, and for them is a severe torment in the Hereafter." (2:114).

2- There is no penalty exacted by human beings on others in Islam for rejecting faith/belief, as this is a fabrication invented by imams of the Muhammadans; those who reject faith/belief and resort to disbelief are punished only by God, Who has told Muhammad the following: " O messenger! Do not let those who are quick to disbelief grieve you-from among those who say with their mouths, "We believe," but their hearts do not believe; and from among the Jews-listeners to lies, listeners to other people who did not come to you. They distort words from their places, and they say, "If you are given this, accept it; but if you are not given it, beware." Whomever God has willed to divert, you have nothing for him from God. Those are they whose hearts God does not intend to purify. For them is disgrace in this world, and for them is a severe torment in the Hereafter." (5:41).   

3- We read here about the penalty of terrorists (e.g., murderers and highwaymen) who attack the innocent, peaceful people, as God will inflict disgrace on them in this world and a severer torment in Hell awaits them in the Hereafter: "The punishment for those who fight God and His Messenger, and strive to spread corruption on earth, is that they be killed, or crucified, or have their hands and feet cut off on opposite sides, or be banished from the land. That is to disgrace them in this life; and in the Hereafter they will have a harsh torment." (5:33). 

4- The aggressive polytheistic ones among the People of the Book are warned by God against disgrace in this world and the torment of Hell in the Hereafter: "...What is the reward for those among you who do that but humiliation in this life? And on the Day of Resurrection, they will be assigned to the most severe torment..." (2:85).

5- The same applies to those who reject God's Book, the Quran, to follow and adhere to misguiding hadiths/narratives, as their painful torment in Hell will be harsher and severer than we can imagine in comparison to their torment in this life: "Thus We recompense him who transgresses and does not believe in the verses of his Lord. The punishment of the Hereafter is more severe, and more lasting." (20:127).

6- Those who will suffer the worst type of torment in Hell are those so-called companions who were hypocrites among the Yathreb dwellers who lived near Muhammad and concealed their hypocrisy so as not to be exposed by the Quran; they feigned to be obedient and loyal and Muhammad never knew their real nature. Once Muhammad died, they became the caliphs who committed the two major, grave sins of Arab conquests and Arab civil war. God has warned those criminals with two types of worldly torment and then a severer torment in Hell in the Hereafter. This means they did not repent before their death; rather, they lived in corruption and disobedience after Muhammad's death and they deserve to enter into Hell for eternity: "Among the Desert-Arabs around you there are some hypocrites, and among the inhabitants of the city too. They have become adamant in hypocrisy. You do not know them, but We know them. We will torment them twice; then they will be returned to a severe torment." (9:101). 

 

Lastly:

 Anyway, God says in the Quran that He does not need to torment people if they believe in Him and be thankful to Him: "What would God accomplish by your torment, if you have given thanks, and have believed? God is Appreciative and Cognizant." (4:147). As always, God says nothing but the Absolute Truth.

 

 

 

 

The Differences between Life-Tests and the Infliction of Torment

 

 

We briefly mention these differences in the following points.

Firstly: infliction of torment by God is retribution in this world and the next imposed only on the disbelievers, as we infer from these examples:

1- Smiting and annihilating ancient nations: "Before you, We sent messengers to their people. They came to them with clear proofs. Then We took revenge on those criminals who sinned. It is incumbent on Us to help the believers." (30:47). Thus, those sinning criminals deserved God's smiting of them because of their sins and crimes, while believers were spared. The same applies to the affluent ones among the sinners of the ancient nations: "So We wreaked vengeance upon them. Behold, then, what was the fate of those who deny." (43:25); "The people of the Woods were also unjust ones. So We took revenge upon them..." (15:78-79). This applies to Moses' Pharaoh and his people as well: "So We took vengeance on them, and drowned them in the sea-because they rejected Our signs, and paid no heed to them." (7:136); "And when they provoked Our wrath, We took retribution from them, and We drowned them all." (43:55).

2- The partial torment inflicted upon the Qorayish tribe: they were twice punished and tormented by God: firstly, during Muhammad's lifetime, when they drove Muhammad out of Mecca, and God has said the following to Muhammad: "Even if We take you away, We will wreak vengeance upon them. Or show you what We have promised them; for We have absolute power over them. So adhere to what is revealed to you. You are upon a Straight Path. It is a message for you, and for your people; and you will be questioned." (43:41-44); "Yet they play around in doubt. So watch out for the Day when the sky produces a visible smoke. Enveloping the people; this is a painful torment. "Our Lord, lift the torment from us, we are believers." But how can they be reminded? An enlightening messenger has already come to them. But they turned away from him, and said, "A crazy teacher!"" (44:9-14). Secondly, the torment inflicted on the Qorayish tribe (and all disbelieving Arabs) after the death of Muhammad was the Arab civil war, because they had returned to disbelief and aggression; this has been the Great Assault mentioned in the verse 44:16 within this Quranic context: "We will ease the torment a little, but you will revert. The Day when We launch the Great Assault-We will avenge." (44:15-16). 

3- This divine retribution of inflicting torment by God befalls these categories of people we mention in the points below.

3/1: Those who deny and reject the Quran: "Who is more wrong than he, who, when reminded of his Lord's verses, turns away from them? We will certainly wreak vengeance upon the criminals." (32:22).

3/2: Those who violate the sanctuary of the Sacred Kaaba Mosque by hunting or by having the desire or willingness to commit injustices and sacrileges there: "O you who believe! do not kill game while you are in pilgrim sanctity. Whoever of you kills any intentionally, its penalty shall be a domestic animal comparable to what he killed, as determined by two honest persons among you - an offering delivered to the Kaaba. Or he may atone by feeding the needy, or its equivalent in fasting, so that he may taste the consequences of his conduct. God forgives what is past. But whoever repeats, God will take revenge on him. God is Almighty, Avenger." (5:95); "As for those who disbelieve and repel from God's path and from the Sacred Mosque-which We have designated for all mankind equally, whether residing therein or passing through-and seek to commit sacrilege therein-We will make him taste of a painful torment." (22:25).

4- This is in addition to the divine retribution in the Last Day: "...Those who have rejected God's verses will have a severe torment. God is Mighty, Able to take revenge." (3:4); "Do not ever think that God will break His promise to His messengers. God is Strong, Able to Avenge. On the Day when the earth is changed into another earth, and the heavens, and they will emerge before God, the One, Dominant Lord." (14:47-48).

 

Secondly: life-tests of ordeals/calamities bounties/blessings are for all people during their lifetimes on Earth:

1- God's torment is confine to disbelievers and sinners; in contrast, the test of life (calamities + bounties) are for each individual among the human beings, in order to sift them to see the good ones and the bad ones: "We made what is upon the earth an ornament for it, to test them as to which of them is best in conduct." (18:7).

2- The Quranic term "man" refers only to disbelievers who fail the test of life: "As for man, whenever his Lord tests him, and honors him, and prospers him, he says, "My Lord has honored me." But whenever He tests him, and restricts his livelihood for him, he says, "My Lord has insulted me."" (89:15-16).

3- Ordeals and calamities as part of Fate and tests of life befall sinners; e.g., the Israelite men who violated the Sabbath: "Ask them about the town by the sea, when they violated the Sabbath. When they observed the Sabbath, their fish would come to them abundantly. But when they violated the Sabbath, their fish would not come to them. Thus We tried them because they disobeyed." (7:163).

4- Ordeals and calamities as part of Fate and tests of life befall believers as well to test their faith to see if it is a true or a false one: "Have the people supposed that they will be left alone to say, "We believe," without being put to the test? We have tested those before them. God will surely know the truthful, and He will surely know the liars." (29:2-3). Some tests show weak or fake faith in some people: "And among the people is he who worships God on edge. When something good comes his way, he is content with it. But when an ordeal strikes him, he makes a turnaround. He loses this world and the next. That is the obvious loss." (22:11).

5- Striving for God's sake (or jihad) with money and soul is the biggest test of true believers: "We will certainly test you, until We know those among you who strive, and those who are steadfast, and We will test your reactions." (47:31).

 

Thirdly: the infliction of torment by God is extreme pain for sinners, whereas life-tests of ordeals/calamities and bounties/bliss occur to all people (good or bad, (non)believers, etc.) as ordained also by God; God says in the Quran: "...We burden you with adversity and prosperity-a test. And to Us you will be returned." (21:35).

 

Fourthly: the torment inflicted by God in this world is severe pain, while ordeals/calamities as part of fate comes to all people during their lifetimes:

 These ordeals might be loss in money/assets or people, and the patient, steadfast ones will be rewarded. Those who got killed while striving for God's sake will be richly and greatly rewarded as per these verses: "And do not say of those who are killed in the cause of God, "Dead." Rather, they are alive, but you do not perceive. We will certainly test you with some fear and hunger, and some loss of possessions and lives and crops. But give good news to the steadfast. Those who, when a calamity afflicts them, say, "To God we belong, and to Him we will return." Upon these are blessings and mercy from their Lord. These are the guided ones." (2:154-157). Other ordeals include anxiety/fear, hunger, loss of money and possessions, and loss of dear ones by death, and the winners within such tests are those patient, steadfast believers and God will grant them His mercy.   

 

Fifthly: tests of life also include harm/persecution inflicted by disbelievers on believers:

  God tells us in the Quran that all prophets/messengers said the following to their peoples/nations: "...We will persevere in the face of your persecution/harm. And upon God the reliant should rely."" (14:12); this indicates that they withstood harm done to them within patience. The harm of the Meccan disbelievers done to Muhammad was verbal abuse and slander, and he was hurt and sad because of it; God has told him the following: "We are aware that your heart is strained by what they say." (15:97); "We know that what they say grieves you. It is not you they reject, but it is God's verses that the unjust ones deny. Other messengers before you were rejected, but they endured rejection and persecution until Our help came to them. There can be no change to God's words. News of the messengers has already reached you." (6:33-34). 

 

Sixthly: tests of life and harm caused by others are sometimes combined together:

1-  The harm (inflicted on Muhammad and early believers) of verbal abuse and slander by Arab disbelievers and disbelieving ones among the People of the Book in Arabia was combined with life tests ordained by God to all human beings: "You will be tested through your possessions and your persons; and you will hear from those who received the Scripture before you, and from the idol worshipers, much abuse. But if you persevere and lead a righteous life-that indeed is a mark of great determination." (3:186).

2- Real believers will be granted victory from God when they engage into self-defense fighting if their faith is true, and they will only be harmed (by verbal insults and slanders) by the disbelieving aggressors: "They will do you no harm, beyond insulting you. And if they fight you, they will turn around and flee, then they will not be helped." (3:111).

3- Those who pass the tests of life successfully (ordeals, jihad, immigration, bearing patiently with verbal abuse, pains, losses, and persecution, etc.) will be richly rewarded by God: "...For those who emigrated, and were expelled from their homes, and were persecuted because of Me, and fought and were killed-I will remit for them their sins, and will admit them into gardens beneath which rivers flow-a reward from God. With God is the ultimate reward."" (3:195).

 

Seventhly: the definition of (harm) in the Quran in contrast to that of (torment):

1- The word (harm) is mentioned to denote slight pain because of skin ailment or insects in the head/hair, within pilgrimage rituals of shaving one's hair and being exempted from having to shave: "...Whoever of you is sick, or has any harm within the head, then redemption of fasting, or charity, or worship..." (2:196).

2- Menstruation of women is described as harm: "And they ask you about menstruation: say, "It is harm..." (2:222).

3- Insulting others after giving them charity money is described as harm: "Those who spend their wealth in the way of God, and then do not follow up what they spent with reminders of their generosity or harming with insults, will have their reward with their Lord-they have nothing to fear, nor shall they grieve. Kind words and forgiveness are better than charity followed by insults. God is Rich and Clement. O you who believe! Do not nullify your charitable deeds with reminders and harmful words..." (2:262-264).

4- Heavy rain is described as harm: "...You commit no error, if you are harmed by rain or are sick, by putting down your weapons; but take precautions..." (4:102).

5- The penalty for fornicators is described as torment: "The adulteress and the adulterer-whip each one of them a hundred lashes, and let no pity towards them overcome you regarding God's Law, if you believe in God and the Last Day. And let a group of believers witness their torment." (24:2). In contrast, the penalty for homosexuals is merely harming hem by public insults and severe rebuke: "If two men among you commit it, harm them both verbally. But if they repent and reform, leave them alone. God is Redeemer, Full of Mercy." (4:16). 

 

Lastly:

1- Torment inflicted by God as divine retribution is severe pain and death ordained in this world only for aggressive, tyrannical disbelievers because of their sins, crimes of aggression, and bad deeds. This is apart from their being tormented in Hell forever in the Hereafter after the Day of Judgment. This torment in this life may be total and whole (smiting, uprooting, and annihilating the ancient nations) or partial after the era of the revelation of the Quran (as suffered by the Qorayish tribe). Some types of partial torment do not result in death; they were warnings so that people may repent and be spared Hell in the Hereafter: "We will make them taste the lesser torment, prior to the greater torment, so that they may return." (32:21). 

2- Tests of life (calamities or bounties) are ordained for all people in all eras and locations, and calamities/ordeals of it are less painful and less severe in comparison to torment inflicted by God to sinners, and they include harm of verbal abuse and persecution inflicted by disbelievers on believers. Such tests sift through people to differentiate between true believers and those who have little or fake faith. 

3- Both tests of life and torments have one source: God. This is a fact, of course, even if they both occur via human intervention.

 

 

CHAPTER II: God's Torment Inflicted in This World

 

 

 

 

Reasons for the Infliction of Torment in This World

 

 

 

Introduction:

1- Torment comes suddenly while people are unaware, whether it is inflicted in this world, or upon dying, and eventually in Hell or eternity for sinners and disbelievers. Between the moment of one's death and the moment of one's resurrection, one will feel a state of timelessness as if one has slept for a while and then wake up, just as has been the case within the daily life on Earth. Those who focus only on this fleeting, transient life by hoarding possessions and amassing wealth, while engaging into conflicts and struggles with others, committing sins, and disobeying the Lord God, tend to forget the fact that they are mortals who will die eventually and inevitably. Those persons suffer losses in money, health, or family members, and they feel immensely surprised by such losses, and yet, they never lose their focus on life while forgetting the Hereafter as if they were immortal beings. This is why death comes to them suddenly as a saddening, frightening surprise, as angels of them rebuke and torment them: "If only you could see, as the angels take away those who disbelieve, striking their faces and their backs: "Taste the torment of the Burning."" (8:50); "How about when the angels take them at death, beating their faces and their backs?" (47:27). This type of torment will occur to them suddenly upon dying while they never expect it, and after the events of the Last Day of Judgment, they will be tormented in Hell for eternity.  

2- To be spared torment in this world and in the Hereafter, we should know the overlapping reasons for infliction of the torment in this world; they are (1) disbelief (to disbelieve in God and His Message and to never feel grateful/thankful for His bestowed bounties) and (2) committing injustices (against God by disbelief/polytheism and against people by wronging and harming them). Let us tackle some points below in detail.

 

Firstly: to disbelieve in God and to repel people away from His Path:

1- There are peaceful disbelievers who never harm or persecute people based on their religion, etc. and they never repel others away from God's Path. Those are Muslims in terms of peaceful behavior and their non-violence. We are not going to talk about this type of people here, as their judgment rests with God only on the Last Day. We focus in this article only on aggressive polytheists/disbelievers who repel people against the Path of God (i.e., the Quran) and this verse applies to them: "Those who disbelieve spend their wealth to repel from God's Path. They will spend it, then it will become a source of sorrow for them, and then they will be defeated. Those who disbelieve will be herded into Hell." (8:36). Thus, those sinners will be tormented in Hell in the Hereafter in case they die without repentance and atonement, and in this world, their torment will be their sorrow of defeat as their evil schemes will not succeed  

2- To repel people away from God's Path is to make oneself an enemy/foe of God who opposes Allah and His Word; this major crime/sin was perpetrated by Qorayish and they were tormented at first in this world when they were defeated during the Battle of Badr: "That is because they opposed God and His messenger. Whoever opposes God and His messenger - God is severe in punishment. "Here it is; so taste it." For the disbelievers there is the suffering of the Fire." (8:13-14); "Those who disbelieve, and hinder from the Path of God, and oppose the messenger after guidance has become clear to them - they will not hurt God in the least, but He will nullify their deeds." (47:32). The term "messenger" in these verses refers only to the Quran.

3- When some of the People of the Book repelled people from God's Path by committing military aggressions against early peaceful believers in Yathreb, God has tormented and punished them by seizing them with deep fright so that they ran away from their homes in Arabia; this was instead of an inflicted torment that would have occurred to them in this world (before the next world), as we infer from this verse: "Had God not decreed exile for them, He would have tormented them in this life. But in the Hereafter they will have the torment of the Fire. That is because they opposed God and His messenger. Whoever opposes God - God is stern in punishment." (59:3-4). Again, the term "messenger" here refers only to the Quran.

4- In addition, the feeling of disgrace and shame is a type of torment inflicted in this world upon those who misguide people and hinder them from God's Path and they will be tormented in Hell in the Hereafter and they will never be guided since they specialize in misguiding others; this applies to sheikhs/clergymen of the Muhammadans who appear on TV channels: "And among the people is he who argues about God without knowledge, or guidance, or an enlightening scripture. Turning aside in contempt, to lead away from the Path of God. He will have shame in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection We will make him taste the torment of burning." (22:8-9); "Even though you may be concerned about their guidance, God does not guide those who misguide. And they will have no supporters." (16:37). 

5- The torment of disgrace and shame will befall those who control mosques and ascribe them to deified/sanctified mortals (i.e., dedicating mosques to 'saints'/imams like Hussein, Ali, Zeinab, Abou Hanifa, Al-Shafei, and to prophets like Muhammad) whose names are glorified and worshipped in such mosques beside the name of God. This violates this verse: "The places of worship are for God. So do not call, besides God, upon anyone else." (72:18). Thus, the Muhammadans are polytheists who destroy and ruin mosques as they prevent monotheism and worshipping of God only in these mosques; they impose on people to worship and glorify deified mortals beside Allah. This is sheer and utter polytheism. God says the following about such unjust sinners who will be tormented in this world (by disgrace and shame) and the next world as well: "Who is more unjust than him who forbids the remembrance of God's name in places of worship, and contributes to their ruin? These ought not to enter them except in fear. For them is disgrace in this world, and for them is a terrible torment in the Hereafter." (2:114). Let us tackle injustices as one of the reasons behind the infliction of torment in this world.

 

Secondly: injustices:

1- There are peaceful disbelievers who never harm or persecute people based on their religion, etc. and they never repel others away from God's Path. Those are Muslims in terms of peaceful behavior and their non-violence. We are not going to talk about this type of people here, as their judgment rests with God only on the Last Day. Those peaceful disbelievers commit injustice against God and not against people, as they worship male and female saints/gods/deities beside Allah or ascribe sons/daughters to Him, but they never harm, persecute, or wrong other persons. The other type of disbelievers are those aggressive, violent ones who commit injustices against both God and human beings. This type will be tormented in this world and in the next. 

2- This applies to tyrants; the Quran calls them as the affluent ones who are criminals and corrupt ones. The ordinary criminals might rob or kill someone, but tyrants oppress nations and murder thousands of people, because tyrants scheme, plot, and set plans/intrigues all the time to maintain their thrones, till these tyrants fall into the trap of their own schemes, and this is their torment in this world. To keep their thrones as well as their power and authority, they reject the Truth and persecute, kill, exile, incarcerate, or gag preachers of reform and those reformists who call for the application of justice. This is a general rule mentioned in the Quran; we must bear in mind that Moses' Pharaoh was not the first or the last tyrant of that type; the Muhammadans were ruled by hundreds of the likes of Moses' Pharaoh for hundreds of years. "And thus We set up in every city its leading wicked sinners, to conspire in it, but they conspire only against themselves, and they do not realize it.  When a sign comes to them, they say, "We will not believe unless we are given the like of what was given to God's messengers." God knows best where to place His message. Disgrace and shame from God and severe torment will afflict the criminals for their scheming." (6:123-124).   

3- Such tyrants have their affluent followers, attendants, ministers, henchmen, retinue members, clergymen, soldiers, troops, businesspersons, high-rank employees, etc. who form (the deep state) of injustice and oppression, as they confiscate power, authority, and wealth within a given country, while leaving the vast majority of citizens as impecunious and hungry. The affluent class adamantly refuse all calls for reform or change to the better and oppose the application of justice as they reject the Quranic Truth. The presence of such affluent class of unjust people indicates that this country will be destroyed sooner or later, internally or by external forces. This is a general Quranic rule about tormenting the affluent, unjust, corrupt ones in the past, present, and future: "When We decide to destroy a town, We command its affluent ones, they transgress in it, so the word becomes justified against it, and We destroy it completely. How many generations have We destroyed after Noah? Your Lord is sufficient as Knower and Beholder of the sins of his servants." (17:16-17); "There is no city but We will destroy before the Day of Resurrection, or punish it with a severe torment. This is inscribed in the Book." (17:58); "Until, when We seize the affluent among them with torment, they begin to scream." (23:64). Those affluent, corrupt, unjust ones live luxuriously within decadence and pomp, and they cannot bear pains suffered by the patient poor ones in this world, and when they are tormented by God, they will scream within higher, unimagined levels, as we infer from 23:64.      

 

Thirdly: being unthankful/ungrateful regarding bounties bestowed by God:

1- To preach the Quranic Truth (i.e., to proselytize Islam), this entails spending money for God's sake by those true believers: "Believe in God and His messenger, and spend from what He made you inherit. Those among you who believe and give will have a great reward." (57:7). Thus, God grants us money as a test and promises rewards for those who spend it for God's cause; see 57:8-10. God asserts further the idea of rewarding those who spend money for His sake: "Who is he who will lend God a loan of goodness, that He may double it for him, and will have a generous reward?" (57:11). We desire that readers would contemplate on this great verse 57:11 and these verses as well: 2:245, 5:12, 57:18, 64:17, and 73:20. These verses assert the great rewards granted by God in this world and the next to those who spend money for His sake. "Say, "My Lord extends the provision to whomever He wills of His servants, or withholds it. Anything you spend, He will replace it. He is the Best of providers."" (34:39).

2- In contrast, the stingy ones never like to spend from money bestowed on them by God, and this way, they never feel thankful or grateful for the bounties granted to them by God, and the money they have amassed will be the source of their torment in the Hereafter: "Those who withhold what God has given them of his bounty should not assume that is good for them. In fact, it is bad for them. They will be encircled by their hoardings on the Day of Resurrection. To God belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth, and God is well acquainted with what you do." (3:180).

3- As for the torment of the stingy ones in this world, they will feel the sense of loss and sorrow, like those men mentioned in the parable of the owners of the orchard who decided not to give fruits to the poor, and God punished them by destroying their orchard, and this was their torment: "Such is the torment; but the torment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew." (68:33). 

4- Within the Yathreb city-state of Muhammad, spending money for God's sake was voluntary without forcing anyone, unlike the case with many (democratic) countries of today. Some of the so-called 'companions' of Muhammad used to be stingy and never spend money for God's sake despite their being very rich; God has warned them in this verse: "Here you are, being called to spend in the cause of God. Among you are those who withhold; but whoever withholds is withholding against his own soul. God is the Rich, while you are the needy. And if you turn away, He will replace you with another people, and they will not be like you." (47:38). This replacing them means to be tormented and smitten/destroyed here in this world first. 

5- Muhammad and some of his believing companions strove for God's sake with their souls and money, and they will be among the winners in the Hereafter: "But the messenger and those who believe with him struggle with their possessions and their lives. These have deserved the good things. These are the successful. God has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great victory." (9:88-89).

6- The verses 9:88-89 come in the context of talking about hypocrites who refused to donate money for God's sake and to engage into self-defense fighting in Yathreb to stop the religious persecution of Qorayish tribesmen who launched military attacks against Yathreb. "The hypocrite men and hypocrite women are of one another. They advocate evil, and prohibit righteousness, and withhold their hands. They forgot God, so He forgot them. The hypocrites are the sinners." (9:67). God has tormented them in this world by their children and money: "Let neither their possessions nor their children impress you. God intends to torment them through them in this worldly life, and that their souls depart while they are disbelievers." (9:55); "Do not let their possessions and their children impress you. God desires to torment them through them in this world, and their souls expire while they are disbelievers." (9:85).

7- Thus, to never spend money for God's sake is to feel ungrateful/unthankful for the bounties bestowed by God. this grave sin was committed by Moses' Pharaoh who bragged about ''owning'' Egypt: "Pharaoh proclaimed among his people, saying, "O my people, do I not own the Kingdom of Egypt, and these rivers flow beneath me? Do you not see?" (43:51), and he was tormented by seeing these bounties turn into a source of torment to him and his people when the plagues struck them; see 7:133-137.

8- It is noteworthy that some of these companions of Muhammad confessed their sins and atonement included to donate money for the poor (i.e., charity/alms) for the sake of God: "Others have confessed their sins, having mixed good deeds with bad deeds. Perhaps God will redeem them. God is Forgiving and Merciful. Receive contributions from their wealth, to purify them and sanctify them with it; and pray for them. Your prayer is comfort for them. God is Hearing and Knowing. Do they not know that God accepts the repentance of His servants, and that He receives the contributions, and that God is the Acceptor of Repentance, the Merciful?" (9:102-104). God rebukes stingy hypocrites who hated to donate for charity: "It is they who say: "Do not spend anything on those who side with God's Messenger, unless they have dispersed." To God belong the treasures of the heavens and the Earth, but the hypocrites do not understand." (63:7). God has urged them to spend for His sake before they feel the deepest sorrow and regret (upon dying) after it is too late for them: "O you who believe! Let neither your possessions nor your children distract you from the remembrance of God. Whoever does that-these are the losers. And give from what We have provided for you, before death approaches one of you, and he says, "My Lord, if only You would delay me for a short while, so that I may be charitable, and be one of the righteous." But God will not delay a soul when its time has come. God is Informed of what you do." (63:9-11). 

 

Lastly:

 The Muhammadans never spend from their money for the sake of the Lord God; rather, they spend it to repel people away from His Path (i.e., the Quran), and they reject the Blessing of God (i.e., the Quran) as they replace it with devilish hadiths/narratives, declared by them as far more important than the Quran itself! They have made the blessing/bounty of oil revenues lead them to adhere to disbelief/polytheism instead of being thankful to God, as they buy arms/weapons to destroy one another and themselves (watch news of the Levant, Iraq, and Arabia now!). This torment of them in this world is being watched on TV worldwide. These verses apply to them: "Have you not seen those who exchanged the blessing of God with disbelief, and landed their people into the house of perdition? Hell - they will roast in it. What a miserable settlement. And they set up associates to God, in order to lead away from His Path. Say, "Enjoy yourselves; your destination is the Fire."" (14:28-30).  

 

 

 

 

The Infliction of Torment in This World by Almighty God

 

Firstly: direct infliction of torment by Almighty God upon the unjust ones among the ancient nations:

1- Within the ancient nations smitten and destroyed by God by severe torments, power and authority were confiscated by a retinue or group of affluent, tyrannical, unjust ones, in contrast to poor, weak believers with a prophet/messenger whom they follow. The direct divine intervention of God was to send a torment to annihilate those arrogant, haughty tyrants while never harming the weak believers and their prophets, who could not possibly engage into self-defense against the disbelieving tyrants. Thus, the torment inflicted by God was the end of such tyrannical affluent unjust ones, without any human intervention at all.

2- As far as we know from the Quran, the people of Moses' Pharaoh were the last ones to be smitten and destroyed by God; this Pharaoh and his affluent retinue members confiscated power, authority, and wealth. This Pharaoh assumed he could oppress the Israelites as he said the following to his people: "..."We will kill their sons, and spare their women. We have absolute power over them."" (7:127). Moses' Pharaoh bragged that he owned Egypt and the River Nile: "Pharaoh proclaimed among his people, saying, "O my people, do I not own the Kingdom of Egypt, and these rivers flow beneath me? Do you not see?" (43:51). God has sent plagues to him through the river: " So We let loose upon them the flood, and the locusts, and the lice, and the frogs, and blood-all explicit signs-but they were too arrogant. They were a criminal people." (7:133). Such plagues tormented Pharaoh and his people and never harmed the Israelites, and as he never relented nor repented, another torment befell him as he drowned along with his deep-state members: soldiers, governmental officers, retinue members, courtiers, viziers, etc. as per these verses: "And We inspired Moses: "Travel by night with My servants, and strike for them a dry path across the sea, not fearing being overtaken, nor worrying." Pharaoh pursued them with his troops, but the sea overwhelmed them, and completely engulfed them." (20:77-78); "So We seized him and his troops, and threw them into the sea, and He was to blame." (51:40). The Israelites were spared such torment, of course.     

3- In contrast to soldiers/troops of Moses' Pharaoh, we know from the Quran that God, the Lord of hosts, has his own soldiers/troops in heavens and earth, known only to Him: "...To God belong the forces of the heavens and the earth. God is Knowing and Wise." (48:4); "To God belong the troops of the heavens and the earth. God is Mighty and Wise." (48:7); "...None knows the soldiers of your Lord except He..." (74:31).

4- These troops/soldiers were the means by which God has inflicted and smitten the ancient nations of sinful, unjust criminals, by different ways, of course: "Each We seized by their sin. Against some We sent a sandstorm. Some were struck by the Blast. Some We caused the ground to cave in beneath them. And some We drowned. It was not God who wronged them, but it was they who wronged their own selves." (29:40). These soldiers/hosts/troops in 29:40 are made known to us through the Quran; we do not know the rest of these troops of the Lord God in heavens and the earth; some of them we cannot see while we are alive, such as angels.  

 

Secondly: the type of torment inflicted directly by God on the unjust ones in nations after Moses' Pharaoh:

1- The phase of general destruction of nations tormented/smitten by God has ended; the last ones to be smitten entirely were Moses' Pharaoh and his people. The other phase is partial destruction by tormenting the unjust people in case they commit aggression against peaceful believers. This is the case when wronged peaceful believers face arrogant, mighty, aggressive foes and seek victory from God, and He lends them victory through His angels that we cannot see. The divine intervention here is a type of aid to the human element of peaceful believers who mobilize in self-defense fighting, of course, and God grants them victory and torments the aggressors.   

2- This begins with Muhammad when the Meccan aggressive polytheists drove him out of Mecca and desired to assassinate him, and he hid in a cave. Thus, Muhammad first planned his own escape and immigration, and consequently, the divine intervention was there with God's angels to save him and to prevent murderers from seeing him: "If you do not help him, God has already helped him, when those who disbelieved expelled him, and he was the second of two in the cave. He said to his friend, "Do not worry, God is with us." And God made His tranquility descend upon him, and supported him with soldiers you did not see, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the Word of God is the Highest. God is Mighty and Wise." (9:40). These unseen troops/soldiers/hosts of the Lord helped to save Muhammad; we, Quranists, NEVER believe in silly Sunnite myths of the so-called 'biography' of Muhammad (written during the Abbasid Era) that mentions that a pigeon with its eggs and a spider with its cobweb helped to hide Muhammad inside the cave.       

3- The Qorayish tribesmen at the time confiscated assets/money of immigrants and used it in winter and summer trade caravans and militarily attacked Yathreb, and early believers there were commanded not to resist till they were given permission to engage into self-defense fighting when they are ready and strong enough. When God gave them this permission in the Quran, those early believers were weaker than the might Qorayish that had full power and authority. The early believers were commanded at the time to attack the Qorayish caravan containing their money, and God promised them such goods and victory if fighting took place. Many of the early believers feared fighting Qorayish and wished they confiscate goods/money of the caravan without fighting; some of them when they saw the inevitability of fighting argued with Muhammad against the idea because the mighty Qorayish had more arms/weapons and men, though the divine command has been issued: "Even as your Lord brought you out of your home with the Truth, some believers were reluctant. Arguing with you about the truth after it was made clear, as if they were being driven to death as they looked on. God has promised you one of the two groups-that it would be yours-but you wanted the unarmed group to be yours. God intends to prove the truth with His words, and to uproot the disbelievers." (8:5-7). When war could not be evaded, the believers sought the aid of the Lord God and He sent hosts of angels to them, NOT in order to fight on their behalf, but to give sureness to their hearts: "When you appealed to your Lord for help, He answered you, "I am reinforcing you with one thousand angels in succession." God only made it a message of hope, and to set your hearts at rest. Victory comes only from God. God is Mighty and Wise. He made drowsiness overcome you, as a security from Him. And He sent down upon you water from the sky, to cleanse you with it, and to rid you of Satan's pollution, and to fortify your hearts, and to strengthen your foothold. Your Lord inspired the angels: "I am with you, so support those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve..." (8:9-12). These angels, hosts/troops of the Lord, helped in the miracle of making believers see the soldiers of Qorayish as smaller in number so as to dispel fear from their hearts, and these angels made the aggressive Qorayish soldiers see the soldiers of Yathreb as smaller in number so as to blindly engage into the battle to be tormented and defeated as determined by God: "God made them appear in your dream as few. Had He made them appear as many, you would have lost heart, and disputed in the matter. But God saved the situation. He knows what the hearts contain. When you met, He made them appear as few in your eyes, and made you appear fewer in their eyes, so that God may conclude a predetermined matter. To God all matters revert." (8:43-44). Hence, this divine intervention made the weak believers' troops achieve victory over the Qorayish troops that outnumbered them; this is real psychological warfare in this Battle of Badr: "It was not you who killed them, but it was God who killed them. And it was not you who launched when you launched, but it was God who launched. That He may bestow upon the believers an excellent reward. God is Hearing and Knowing. Such is the case. God will undermine the strategy of the disbelievers." (8:17-18). Thus, such a defeat was a torment for the Mecca disbelievers at the time linked to their driving Muhammad and early believers out of Mecca. When Muhammad was in Mecca, God has said to him the following: "But God would not torment them while you are amongst them. And God would not torment them as long as they seek forgiveness." (8:33). The torment inflicted on the aggressive polytheists during the Battle of Badr was part of the divine intervention to help the troop led by Muhammad; this is unlike ancient nations smitten and annihilated by God and never resisted or fought by believers and their prophets. In the case of the Yathreb city-state, early peaceful believers had to engage into self-defense fighting against aggressive enemies that aimed to annihilate and uproot them. The divine intervention came to the aid of those believers.           

4- The divine intervention occurred many times to support and aid Muhammad and early believers with him and the aggressors among the People of the Book were tormented; they were at first arrogant and bragged of their fortifications in defiance of God, and when they committed aggressions against the Yathreb city-state of Muhammad and the early believers, they were ready to engage into self-defense fighting, but God struck these aggressors with fright so that they destroyed their own houses and assets and fled Arabia; this evacuation was instead of their being tormented in this world by God because of their aggression: "It is He who evicted those who disbelieved among the People of the Book from their homes at the first mobilization. You did not think they would leave, and they thought their fortresses would protect them from God. But God came at them from where they never expected, and threw terror into their hearts. They wrecked their homes with their own hands, and by the hands of the believers. Therefore, take a lesson, O you who have insight. Had God not decreed exile for them, He would have tormented them in this life. But in the Hereafter they will have the torment of the Fire. That is because they opposed God and His messenger. Whoever opposes God-God is severe in retribution." (59:2-4). The divine intervention here was psychological as well; those aggressive people among the People of the Book felt so frightened within an unnatural degree before early Muslims would even fight them, and no fighting occurred as the aggressors exiled themselves and left Arabia for good.      

5- When the early believers in Yathreb were sieged by troops of Qorayish and other tribes that allied themselves to Qorayish, seeking to uproot and eradicate the early believers once and for all, the situation was very critical, but God has promised victory the Yathreb dwellers, and believers were sure that God has said the Truth, while hypocrites mocked this promise: "O you who believe! Remember God's blessings upon you, when forces came against you, and We sent against them a wind, and forces you did not see. God is Observant of what you do. When they came upon you, from above you, and from beneath you; and the eyes became dazed, and the hearts reached the throats, and you harbored doubts about God. There and then the believers were tested, and were shaken most severely. When the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is sickness said, "God and His Messenger promised us nothing but illusion."" (33:9-12). Victory of God came without fighting this time again; troops/hosts/soldiers of the Lord unseen by human beings sent strong winds that defeated the confederates of aggressors who sieged Yathreb, and this has been a torment and a disgrace for them: "And when the believers saw the confederates, they said, "This is what God and His messenger have promised us; and God and His messenger have told the truth." And it only increased them in faith and submission." (33:22).   

6- Within another battle, called the Battle of Hunayn, so many people of little faith joined the military troops led by Muhammad and the army outnumbered that of the enemies' troops. When both sides met in the battlefield, many people of little faith fled the scene whereas Muhammad and those true believers with him were steadfast, and angels were sent sown to put their hearts at rest, while the aggressors were tormented at the same time: "God has given you victory in numerous regions; but on the day of Hunayn, your great number impressed you, but it availed you nothing; and the land, as spacious as it was, narrowed for you; and you turned your backs in retreat. Then God sent down His serenity upon His Messenger, and upon the believers; and He sent down troops you did not see; and He tormented those who disbelieved. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers." (9:25-26); "It is He who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers, to add faith to their faith. To God belong the forces of the heavens and the earth. God is Knowing and Wise." (48:4).

7- When extremists among the disbelievers inside Mecca violated the peace treaty and attacked and committed aggressions against early believers who returned to Mecca (from Yathreb) shortly before Muhammad's death, God gave them the duration of the four sacred months of pilgrimage as a chance to repent and adhere to peace, and believers were permitted to fight back if the aggression did not stop after these months. This self-defense fighting is deemed by God as a type of torment to those aggressive polytheists who breached the agreement/treaty: "Fight them. God will torment them by your hands, and humiliate them, and help you against them, and heal the hearts of a believing people." (9:14).    

8- In any case, divine intervention in this phase of partially tormenting aggressive disbelievers is a means to aid troops of believers who engage into self-defense fighting. If believers are reluctant and desired not to engage into self-defense fighting while having the power/ability to do it, no aid or divine intervention would come and they will be tormented by God for not striving for His sake. 

9- This is mentioned in the Quran as God has addressed here the 'companions' of Muhammad who were reluctant to engage into self-defense fighting: "Unless you mobilize, He will torment you most painfully, and will replace you with another people, and you will not harm Him at all. God has power over all things." (9:49).

 

Lastly:

1- Mortals cannot know all troops/hosts/soldiers of the Lord God. we know only some of them; e.g., STDs are torment sent by God to those who lead a promiscuous life because they commit the sin of fornication. Other types of torment is bacteria, germs, and viruses we cannot see or control and might lead to the death of people; another type of torment is cancerous cells that appear suddenly within the divine command to torture/torment sinners, criminals, and unjust ones.

2- Some superficial people are impressed by the pomp and splendor of the unjust , tyrannical ones, and God has commanded Muhammad (and also the real believers of all eras) not to be impressed by such things: "Do not be impressed by the disbelievers' movements in the land. A brief enjoyment, then their abode is Hell. What a miserable resort." (3:196-197). This brief enjoyment within transient life makes the unjust ones live in extreme anxiety and fear, doubting all those around them, and eventually, they are tormented by ailments of the soul and the physical body until the inevitable death comes to them: "Wherever you may be, death will catch up with you, even if you were in fortified towers..." (4:78).

3- The above point applies to clergymen of the Muhammadans who appear on TV channels and travel through the land (within conferences, etc.) to argue against the Quranic verses to repel people away from Go's Path: "None argues against God's verses except those who disbelieve. So do not be impressed by their movements in the land." (40:4). Those sinners will be tormented by the unseen troops/soldiers/hosts of our Lord God. For instance, we have seen how the clergymen of the Muhammadans who have incited bloodshed and violence against peaceful people of the West (esp. Christians and Jews) are taken ill and treated in hospitals abroad in the West (though they deem doctors there as infidels and atheists!) while those clergy are in a state of disgrace and shame, which is a state of psychological torment beside the physical one.  

 

  The Best Discourse: God says in the Quran: "Do those who scheme evils feel secure that God will not cause the earth to cave in with them, or that the punishment will not come upon them from where they do not perceive? Or that He will not seize them during their activities? And they will not be able to prevent it. Or that He will not seize them while in dread? Your Lord is Gentle and Merciful." (16:45-47). As always, God says nothing but the Absolute Truth.

 

Torture/Torment of Ancient Nations in This World

 

 

 

Introduction:

1- God's narration of smiting and destroying ancient nations is often linked to their tasting types of torment (in ways known only to God the Omniscient) before they faced their death

2- There are general rules for the torment inflicted on ancient nations smitten and destroyed by God. we give some details in the points below.

 

Firstly: a general description:

Steps of the test/ordeal:

  The test begins with their tasting fearful ordeal(s) so that they implore God for mercy and forgiveness, and then the test of bounties, and if they are not thankful and grateful to God and if they refuse to worship Him without associating other deities along with Him, they deserve to be smitten and destroyed: "We did not send any prophet to any town but We afflicted its people with misery and adversity, so that they may humble themselves. Then We substituted prosperity in place of hardship. Until they increased in number, and said, "Adversity and prosperity has touched our ancestors." Then We seized them suddenly, while they were unaware." (7:94-95); "We sent messengers to communities before you, and We afflicted them with suffering and hardship, that they may humble themselves. If only, when Our calamity came upon them, they humbled themselves. But their hearts hardened, and Satan made their deeds appear good to them. Then, when they disregarded what they were reminded of, We opened for them the gates of all things. Until, when they delighted in what they were given, We seized them suddenly; and at once, they were in despair.  Thus the last remnant of the people who committed injustices was cut off..." (6:42-45).

 

Secondly: reasons: disbelief, injustice, and tyranny:

1- Tyrants and unjust ones smitten and destroyed by torment inflicted by God refused arrogantly to implore Him for mercy and were ungrateful to Him for His bounties; e.g., God says the following about the people of Aad, the people of Thamood, and Moses' Pharaoh's people: "Those who committed tyrannical actions on Earth. And spread much corruption therein. So your Lord poured down upon them a scourge of torment. Your Lord is on the lookout." (89:11-14); they were ridiculing and mocking the messengers of God: "How many a prophet did We send to the ancients? No messenger came to them, but they ridiculed him. We destroyed people more powerful than they, and so the example of the ancients has passed away." (43:6-8).

2- The unjust, disbelieving, tyrannical ones disobeyed and denied the messengers in arrogance and stubbornness, because they thought of themselves as too powerful and rich; e.g. Saleh was a prophet who warned his people of Thamood against slaughtering the she-camel sent to them as a miracle by God: "And do not touch her with harm, lest the torment of a severe day seizes you."" (26:156), but they slaughtered it in defiance, and God has smitten them: "So the torment overtook them..." (26:158), and this was the result of their evil deeds: "And as for Thamood, We guided them, but they preferred blindness over guidance. So the thunderbolt of the humiliating torment seized them, because of what they used to earn." (41:17).

3- This is the rule made and applied by God in smiting and destroying the unjust ones: "Priding themselves on Earth, and scheming evil. But evil scheming overwhelms none but its authors. Do they expect anything but the precedent of the ancients? You will not find any change in God's practice, and you will not find any substitute to God's practice." (35:43).

4- God tells us in the Quran about the town that received three messengers of God successively, but its people accused the messengers of being liars, and they threatened to torture or stone the messengers to death! "They said, "We see an evil omen in you; if you do not give up, we will stone you, and a painful torment from us will befall you!"" (36:18). When a believing man gave them a piece of advice, they murdered him, and they were punished by being tormented and smitten by the Lord God: "It was just one Cry, and they were stilled." (36:29).

5- The people of Madian desired very much to stone their prophet, Shuaib, if it had not been for his tribe the protected him: "They said, "O Shuaib, we do not understand much of what you say, and we see that you are weak among us. Were it not for your tribe, we would have stoned you. You are of no value to us."" (11:91). The people of the cave fled the religious persecution inflicted on them by their tribe, and when they woke up after 309 years of deep slumber, their fear of persecution was still alive in their hearts, and they said the following about their tribe: ""If they discover you, they will stone you, or force you back into their religion; then you will never succeed."" (18:20). Even the father of Abraham threatened stone his son, Abraham, to death or to drive him out of the tribe: "He said, "Are you renouncing my gods, O Abraham? If you do not desist, I will stone you. So leave me alone for a while."" (19:46).

6- The stories of prophets in the Quran can be summarized in one dialogue repeated in most cases between prophets/messengers and their disbelieving people; in this verse, we see how disbelievers reacted and how God responded: "Those who disbelieved said to their messengers, "We will expel you from our land, unless you return to our religion." And their Lord inspired them: "We will destroy the unjust ones."" (14:13).

7- Committing injustices is the common reason for tormenting and smiting ancient nations: "How many a town have I reprieved, although it was unjust? Then I seized it. To Me is the destination." (22:48). The tyrants and unjust ones are the cause for incurring such torment: "Have you not seen those who exchanged the blessing of God with disbelief, and landed their people into the house of perdition?" (14:28); they rejected and denied warners seeking reform, and they deserved to be smitten: "Never did We destroy a town, but it had warners. As a reminder - We are never unjust." (26:208-209). This is a general rule that is applied more often than not: "When We decide to destroy a town, We command its affluent ones, but they transgress in it, so the word becomes justified against it, and We destroy it completely. How many generations have We destroyed after Noah? Your Lord is sufficient as Knower and Beholder of the sins of his servants." (17:16-17); Moses' Pharaoh and his people and those before them serve as examples of this rule: "That is because God would never change a blessing He has bestowed on a people unless they change what is within themselves, and because God is Hearing and Knowing. Such was the case with the people of Pharaoh, and those before them. They denied the signs of their Lord, so We annihilated them for their wrongs, and We drowned the people of Pharaoh-they were all unjust ones." (8:53-54).

 

Thirdly: warning, drawing moral lessons, and taking heed:

1- God in the Quran has narrated to believers the stories of ancient nations as a form of warning, so that believers would draw moral lessons and take heed: "Everything We narrate to you of the history of the messengers is to strengthen your heart therewith. The truth has come to you in this, and a lesson, and a reminder for the believers." (11:120); "In their stories is a lesson for those who possess intelligence. This is not a fabricated tale, but a confirmation of what came before it, and a detailed explanation of all things, and guidance, and mercy for people who believe." (12:111). 

2- After the Quranic narration of the stories of ancient nations who were destroyed and smitten by God, we read this divine warning in the Quran addressed to all people: "Had the people of the towns believed and turned righteous, We would have opened for them the blessings of the heaven and the Earth; but they rejected the Truth, so We seized them by what they were doing. Do the people of the towns feel secure that Our might will not come upon them by night, while they sleep? Do the people of the towns feel secure that Our might will not come upon them by day, while they play? Do they feel safe from God's plan? None feel safe from God's plan except the losing people. Is it not guidance for those who inherit the land after its inhabitants, that if We willed, We could strike them for their sins? And seal up their hearts, so that they would not hear? These towns - We narrate to you some of their tales. Their messengers came to them with the clear signs, but they would not believe in what they had rejected previously. Thus God seals the hearts of the disbelievers." (7:96-101).

3- This warning is repeated in these verses as well: "Do those who scheme evils feel secure that God will not cause the Earth to cave in with them, or that the torment will not come upon them from where they do not perceive? Or that He will not seize them during their activities? And they will not be able to prevent it. Or that He will not seize them while in dread?..." (16:45-47).

4- God says about all human beings that most of them do not believe in Him unless within polytheism: "And most of them do not believe in God unless they associate others. Do they feel secure that a covering of God's torment will not come upon them, or that the Hour will not come upon them suddenly, while they are unaware?" (12:106-107). The very next verse is the call of true monotheistic Quranists who preach and warn others using only the Quran and thus follow the footsteps of Muhammad: "Say, "This is my way; I invite to God, based on clear knowledge - I and whoever follows me. Glory be to God; and I am not of the polytheists."" (12:108). 

5- God says the following about the destruction of the people of Thamood: "They planned a plan, and We planned a plan, but they did not notice. So note the outcome of their planning; We destroyed them and their people, altogether. Here are their homes, in ruins, on account of their iniquities. Surely in this is a sign for people who know." (27:50-52). The homes of Thamood carved in mountains remain until now as evidence and proof, as per 27:52, of this event of smiting the unjust ones by God.

6- God says the following about the Arabs in Arabia who rejected and denied the Quranic message conveyed by Muhammad: "If they deny you - before them the people of Noah, and Aad, and Thamood also denied. And the people of Abraham, and the people of Lot. And the inhabitants of Median. And Moses was denied. Then I reprieved those who disbelieved, but then I seized them. So how was My rejection?" (22:42-44); this means the Arabs denied God's message and rejected the messenger, as done by ancient nations before them. The result was that the ancient nations were smitten and destroyed by God, and some features and remnants remain as proof of their grave injustices, for people to take heed: palaces inhabited by the unjust affluent tyrants and stilled wells that should have provided water for the poor ones, but the affluent ones of the palaces never cared about needs of the poor: "How many a town have We destroyed while it was committing injustices? They lie in ruins; with stilled wells, and lofty mansions." (22:45). This is why we find the Quranic command to roam the Earth to seek to learn moral lessons to take heed to be wise: "Have they not journeyed on Earth, and had minds to reason with, or ears to listen with? It is not the eyes that go blind, but it is the hearts, within the chests, that go blind." (22:46).

7- Within the verse 22:45, we find that this parable expresses the despicable conditions within the countries of the Muhammadans today; tyrannical, affluent rulers and their retinue members and cronies reside in luxurious palaces, whereas the poor ones live within overcrowded slum areas with hardly any services and facilities; this is exactly the image in the parable of 22:45 about the stilled wells and lofty mansions.

8- This is why bloodshed occurs more often than not within the countries of the Muhammadans, and the terrible fate for tyrants is still fresh within memories of everyone; yet, no one is drawing the moral lesson or taking heed until now!

9- Why do not they take heed?! The answer is in the following verse: "...It is not the eyes that go blind, but it is the hearts, within the chests, that go blind." (22:46). As always, God says nothing but the Absolute Truth.  

 

 

"What Would God Accomplish by your Torment, if You Have Given Thanks, and Have Believed?" (Quran 4:147)

 

 

Introduction:

1- The Holy Epithets of the Lord God in the Quran are summarized and combined in the two words: the Dominant and the Compassionate, found in the phrase: (In the Name of Allah, the Dominant and the Compassionate). The epithet (the Compassionate) includes other epithets like the Pardoner, the Gentle, the Merciful, and the Clement, and the epithet (the Dominant) includes other epithets like the Overseer, the Almighty, the Omnipotent, the Powerful, the Omniscient, and the Omnipresent. We refer readers to our article on the epithet (the Dominant).    

2- The vast majority of people focus on God the Merciful and the Compassionate and commit sins/crimes/injustices and disobey Him in arrogance, while assuming to have His mercy anyway! How utterly wrong they are! They forget the other Holy Epithets of the Dominant Lord God. In contrast, the pious ones fear the Dominant Lord Allah and perform good deeds to save themselves the torment in this world and in the Hereafter.  

 

Firstly: God does not need to torment people in this world if they are thankful believers:

1- God says in the Quran: "What would God accomplish by your punishment, if you have given thanks, and have believed? God is Appreciative and Cognizant." (4:147). Sadly, few people are thankful to their Lord within sincere gratitude: "...but a few of My servants are appreciative." (34:13).

2- God does NOT accept disbelief/polytheism for human beings and He appreciates our being thankful for His bounties bestowed on us. God has given all human beings the freedom to choose guidance or misguidance, within bearing responsibility of one's choice, as no one carries the burdens of another person, and God the Omnificent knows all our deeds: "If you disbelieve, God is Independent of you, yet He does not approve ingratitude on the part of His servants. And if you are thankful, He will approve that in you. No bearer of burden can bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return; and He will inform you of what you used to do. He is aware of what the hearts contain." (39:7). 

3- It is NOT fair or just to take other deities/gods beside our Lord Allah, as He does not like polytheism/disbelief among human beings. It is the fair/just law of the Lord to punish the criminals, disbelievers, and the unjust ones as per their evil deeds, and they are never excused; even in man-made legislations, there are penalties for criminals. The sharia legislations of the Lord God contain more mercy than man-made laws and legislations, as they stem from His Mercy which is above His Justice: "If God were to punish the people for what they have earned, He would not leave a single living creature on its surface. But He defers them until a stated time. Then, when their time has arrived-God is Observant of His creatures." (35:45); "If God were to hold mankind for their injustices, He would not leave upon it a single creature, but He postpones them until an appointed time. Then, when their time arrives, they will not delay it by one hour, nor will they advance it." (16:61). Thus, God with His Mercy gives human beings the chance to repent during the whole of their lifetimes in order to save themselves from the eternity of torment inside Hell. 

 

Secondly: proofs in the Quranic story of Jonah and his people:

1- God sent His prophet/messenger Jonah to his people who disbelieved in the celestial message at first, as typically expected; yet, Jonah felt furious and was not patient enough with them, and he left his people in anger. When his people felt afraid lest a torment would be inflicted upon them as done to ancient nations before them, they believed and they were spared the torment, and God granted them bounties during their lifetime instead of the torment: "If only there was one town that believed and benefited by its belief. Except for the people of Jonah. When they believed, We removed from them the torment of disgrace in the worldly life, and We gave them comfort for a while. " (10:98). 

2- Jonah made a mistake as he left his people who rejected him at first and he was not patient enough with them; God punished him as people of the imperiled ship he embarked threw him into the sea, and a whale gulped him down. Jonah was surrounded by the darkness of the sea and the inside of the whale in a fearful ordeal. Jonah sought refuge in the Lord God as he kept glorifying Him while confessing his sin, until he was saved by the Mercy of God and was healed/cured and sent back to his people who believed and enjoyed the bounties of the Lord God during their lifetimes: "And Jonah was one of the messengers.  When he fled to the laden boat. He gambled and lost. Then the whale swallowed him, and he was to blame. Had he not been one of those who praised. He would have stayed in its belly until the Day they are raised. Then We threw him into the wilderness, and he was sick. And We made a gourd tree grow over him. Then We sent him to a hundred thousand, or more. And they believed, so We gave them enjoyment for a while." (37:139-148).   

3- God has commanded Muhammad and early believers with him to imitate and follow the footsteps of Abraham and those believers who were with him: "You have had an excellent example in Abraham and those with him; when they said to their people, "We are quit of you, and what you worship apart from God. We denounce you. Enmity and hatred has surfaced between us and you, forever, until you believe in God alone." Except for the words of Abraham to his father, "I will ask forgiveness for you, though I have no power from God to do anything for you." "Our Lord, in You we trust, and to You we repent, and to You is the ultimate resort." (60:4). God has commanded Muhammad to be patient with his people and with commands of his Lord so as not to imitate Jonah in his mistake: "So be patient, as the messengers with resolve were patient, and do not be hasty regarding them..." (46:35); "So wait patiently for the Decision of your Lord, and do not be like the Fellow of the Fish who cried out in despair. Were it not for his Lord's favor that reached him, he would have been thrown into the wilderness, fully despised." (68:48-50). 

4- We should learn the useful, invaluable lesson from the story of Jonah and his people, as his people were spared torment by their belief and Jonah was saved from the torment of slow death inside a whale when he repented, and God made him a good, repentant man and gave him and his people bounties during their lifetimes. 

5- In order for all of us to learn this lesson, we are to remember the words of Jonah during his torment/ordeal inside the whale: "And Jonah, when he stormed out in fury, thinking We had no power over him. But then He cried out in the darkness, "There is no God but You! Glory to You! I was one of the unjust ones!" So We answered him, and saved him from the affliction. Thus We save the faithful." (21:87-88). In that fearful ordeal that could never be imagined by any of us to occur to our persons, Jonah did not invoke the Lord God within a long supplication; he only used a short phrase with deep meanings: "..."There is no God but You! Glory to You! I was one of the unjust ones!"..." (21:87). God has saved him from such affliction as his short supplication/prayer was sincere and true from a believer's heart. This is a great and invaluable lesson that God wants us to learn: "...Thus We save the faithful." (21:88). All of us sans exceptions undergo ordeals/calamities and hardships as part of tests of life and some of such afflicted pains are torment in this world for some of those criminals who committed grave sins and injustices, as a kind of retribution and a reminder for them to repent before it is too late. If those criminals repent, atoned for their crimes/sins, made amends, and ask God humbly and piously for pardon, God will remove the torment/ordeal inflicted upon them in this world: "...And whoever fears God in piety - He will make a way out for him. And will provide for him from where he never expected. Whoever relies on God - He will suffice him..." (65:2-3).    

 

Thirdly: God does not need to torment people in the Hereafter if they are thankful believers:

 The proofs for this is ease and facilitation mentioned in the Quran. the following points are some of them.

1- It is OK for those suffering extreme hunger and might die to eat prohibited food items; only those who transgress and eat then in defiance and make them allowed/permissible items will be punished by God as they violate His Quranic sharia legislations: "And why should you not eat of that over which the Name of God is pronounced, when He has detailed for you what is prohibited for you, unless you are compelled by necessity? Many lead astray with their opinions, through lack of knowledge. Your Lord knows best the transgressors." (6:119); "Say, "In what was revealed to me, I find nothing forbidden to a consumer who eats it, except.....But if someone is compelled by necessity, without being deliberate or malicious-your Lord is Forgiving and Merciful." (6:145).

2- Those women forced by evil persons to commit adultery are NOT punished by God; in our era, this applies to the white-slave trade as women are kidnapped and/or deceived by traveling to work to find out eventually that they are raped and forced to be sex workers. God says in the Quran: "...And do not compel your girls to prostitution, seeking the materials of this life, if they desire to remain chaste. Should anyone compel them-after their compulsion, God is Forgiving and Merciful." (24:33).

3- God punishes those who intentionally violates His sharia laws and legislations; He does NOT punish those who unintentionally commit sins/mistakes or errors as they forget: "...There is no blame on you if you err therein, barring what your hearts premeditates. God is Forgiving and Merciful." (33:5); "God does not burden any soul beyond its capacity. To its credit is what it earns, and against it is what it commits. "Our Lord, do not condemn us if we forget or make a mistake. Our Lord, do not burden us as You have burdened those before us. Our Lord, do not burden us with more than we have strength to bear; and pardon us, and forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are our Lord and Master, so help us against the disbelieving people."" (2:286).   

4- God repeats in the Quranic text the legislative rule that no soul is burdened beyond its capacity, : "...No soul shall be burdened beyond its capacity..." (2:233); "...We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity..." (6:152); "...We never burden any soul beyond its capacity..." (7:42); "We never burden any soul beyond its capacity. And with Us is a record that tells the truth, and they will not be wronged." (23:62); "...God never burdens a soul beyond what He has given it. God will bring ease after hardship." (65:7). This is in addition to the Quranic legislations for atonement and making amends and to alleviate some acts of worship (prayers and fasting) and to pardon past sins.

5- God never punished persecuted weak believers if they feign (with their tongues) being disbelievers to save themselves being tortured or put to death by the polytheistic aggressors: "Whoever renounces faith in God after having believed-except for someone who is compelled, while his heart rests securely in faith-but whoever willingly opens up his heart to disbelief-upon them falls wrath from God, and for them is a tremendous torment." (16:106). 

6- God will torment those who are persecuted because of their religion and refuse to immigrate though the can afford it; the ones who will NOT tormented are those persecuted ones who are too weak and too poor to immigrate and settle elsewhere: "While the angels are removing the souls of those who have wronged themselves, they will say, "What was the matter with you?" They will say, "We were oppressed in the land." They will say, "Was God's earth not vast enough for you to emigrate in it?" These-their refuge is Hell. What a wretched retreat! Except for the weak among men, and women, and children who have no means to act, and no means to find a way out. These-God may well pardon them. God is Pardoning and Forgiving." (4:97-99).

7- If one lives within an aggressive country that has waged war on a peaceful country, and one is forced to show overt alliance to the aggressive country to avoid being persecuted or killed, while concealing real faith and peace inside one's heart (known only to the Omniscient Lord), God will forgive this person. By the way, hiding one's true beliefs is for self-protection against tyrants who may torture or kill peaceful people, and NOT as means to conspire and commit aggression or spy on peaceful people. God says in the Quran: "Believers are not to take disbelievers for friends instead of believers. Whoever does that has nothing to do with God, unless it is to protect your own selves against them. God warns you to beware of Him. To God is the destiny. Say, "Whether you conceal what is in your hearts, or disclose it, God knows it." He knows everything in the heavens and the earth. God is Powerful over everything." (3:28-29).   

8- God says in the Quran: "For every person We have attached his fate to his neck. And on the Day of Resurrection, We will bring out for him a book which he will find spread open. "Read your book; today there will be none but yourself to call you to account." Whoever is guided-is guided for his own good. And whoever goes astray-goes astray to his detriment. No burdened soul carries the burdens of another, nor do We ever punish until We have sent a messenger." (17:13-15). This means that we see the result and outcome of our deeds on the Last Day, as we are to choose freely either misguidance or guidance, to our detriment or to our salvation, as no one carries the burdens of another person(s), and the main rule here is as follows: "...nor do We ever punish until We have sent a messenger." (17:15). There is no greater narrative than the Quran: the Word of God. May our Lord Allah be Glorified and Exalted!

 

Lastly:

1- What will one lose by avoiding worshipping and sanctifying mortals, mausoleums, sites, and relics/items/things? What will people lose if they are NOT stingy as they spend money for God's sake? God says in the Quran: "What would they have lost, had they believed in God and the Last Day, and gave out of what God has provided for them? God knows them very well." (4:39).

2- Winners in the Hereafter are those who believe in God only without other partners/deities and perform good deeds for His sake to please and gratify Him: "Say, "I am only a human being like you, being inspired that your Lord is One God. Whoever hopes to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and never associate anyone within the worship of his Lord."" (18:110). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER III: Hastening God's Torment by Disbelievers

 

 

 

The Disbelievers and Their Asking for the Infliction of Torture/Torment in This World

 

Firstly: as per the Quranic stories, most ancient nations who rejected the messengers asked to be tormented as "proof" of the Truth:

1- The people of Noah said to him the following: "They said, "O Noah, you have argued with us, and argued a great deal. Now bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you are truthful."" (11:32).

2- The Aad tribe said the following to Hood, their messenger: "They said, "Did you come to us to make us worship God alone, and abandon what our ancestors used to worship? Then bring us what you threaten us with, if you are truthful."" (7:70). The winds typically brought to the Aad tribe rain and prosperity, and when they saw the clouds, they thought of prosperity and bounties coming; they did not know that the clouds contained destructive winds to smite them. At first, the Aad tribe and Hood engaged into a dialogue: "They said, "Did you come to us to divert us from our gods? Then bring us what you threaten us with, if you are being truthful." He said, "The knowledge is only with God, and I inform you of what I was sent with; but I see you are an ignorant people."" (46:22-23), then they were smitten by this torment: "Then, when they saw a cloud approaching their valley, they said, "This is a cloud that will bring us rain." "In fact, it is what you were impatient for: a wind in which is severe torment." It destroys everything by the command of its Lord. And when the morning came upon them, there was nothing to be seen except their dwellings. Thus We requite the criminals." (46:24-25).

3- The Thamood tribe said the following to their messenger Saleh: "..."O Saleh, bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you are one of the messengers." Whereupon the quake overtook them, and they became lifeless bodies in their homes." (7:77-78).

4- The Madian people said the following to their messenger Shuaib: "So bring down on us pieces from the sky, if you are truthful."" (26:187).

5- The people of Lot said the same thing: "..."Bring upon us God's torment, if you are truthful."" (29:29).

6- These nations and tribes were polytheists believed in God along with other deities/gods and saints, and they were so corrupt to the extent that they were so arrogant and haughty; they asked (in mockery and ridicule) their messengers for bringing torment inflicted upon them, in defiance of the Lord God. This incurred upon them the just and fair divine retribution as they wished for it.    

 

Secondly: Qorayish and their asking for torment/destruction:

  God has said the following to Muhammad in the Quran: "Nothing is said to you but was said to the messengers before you..." (41:43); this means that the divine message inspired to Muhammad contain what has been inspired to the previous messengers/prophets. This also means that the people of Muhammad, the Qorayish tribe, denied and rejected the divine message and asked for torment as proof of the Truth, just like other peoples/tribes have done with their messengers/prophets. Within the topic of Qorayish asking for torment/destruction, we assert the following points below.

 

The Qorayish tribesmen's rejection and denial of the Quran is the cause of their asking for torment to be inflicted upon them:

1- God says the following about the Quran itself: "It is a revelation from the Lord of the Worlds. The Honest Spirit came down with it. Upon your heart, that you may be one of the warners. In a clear Arabic tongue." (26:192-195). God asserts that what is mentioned in the Quran is also written in previous celestial messages/scriptures: "And it is in the scriptures of the ancients." (26:196). This is why the Israelite scholars recognized the Quran and knew about it, and this should have been enough proof for the gentiles among Arabs and Qorayish that the Quran is God's Word: "Is it not a sign for them that the scholars of the Israelites recognized it?" (26:197). Yet, the Qorayish tribesmen denied the Quran and will never believe in it as the Truth until they are tormented in Hell: "Had We revealed it to one of the foreigners. And he had recited it to them, they still would not have believed in it. Thus We make it pass through the hearts of the criminals. They will not believe in it until they witness the painful torment. It will come to them suddenly, while they are unaware. Then they will say, "Are we given any respite?"" (26:198-203). Yet, the Qorayish tribesmen sought to hasten torment of the Lord God during their lifetimes on Earth: "Do they seek to hasten Our torment?" (26:204).  

2- God mentions in the Quran how the Qorayish tribesmen insisted on rejecting and denying the Quran to the extent that they invoked God to inflict torment upon them if the Quran is truly His Word revealed from Him: "And they said, "Our God, if this is the Truth from You, then rain down on us stones from the sky, or visit us with a painful torment."" (8:32).

 

When did Qorayish suffer torment in this world?:

1- There are conditions that if fulfilled, Qorayish will suffer torment as per divine warning in the Quran: "But God would not torment them while you are amongst them. And God would not torment them as long as they seek forgiveness. Yet why should God not torment them, when they are turning others away from the Sacred Mosque, although they are not its allies? Its rightful allies are the pious; but most of them do not know." (8:33-34). Thus, Qorayish were warned that they will not be tormented in this world as long as they seek God's forgiveness and never to drive Muhammad from Mecca, and they will be tormented if they drive Muhammad out and prevented believers from entering into the Sacred Kaaba Mosque. These verses were revealed in Yathreb, after immigration to it, and Qorayish stopped early believers from entering into Mecca for pilgrimage. This means that unlike history written by men about Mecca, the Qorayish tribe had torment inflicted upon them by God after believers immigrated to Yathreb. 

2- The Quran indicates in the following verse this torment inflicted upon the Qorayish tribesmen in Mecca: "Even if We had mercy on them, and relieved their harm, they would still blindly persist in their defiance." (23:75). We infer that this ''harm'' was most probably economic troubles; other Arabian tribes dared to attack and threaten the trade caravans of Qorayish after the tribe lost its awe and respect because of its failed attempts to crush Muhammad and the early believers within the military struggle against the Yathreb city-state. These verses show that the Meccans of Qorayish were tormented severely, even if history books do not mention this Quranic fact: "We have already gripped them with torment, but they did not surrender to their Lord, nor did they humble themselves.  Until, when We have opened before them a gate of severe torment, at once they despaired." (23:76-77).   

3- Moreover, their torment in the future (i.e., after Muhammad's death) is also predicted in the Quran in verses within the Chapter 6 revealed in Mecca. This prediction was fulfilled in the Arab civil war when men of Qorayish fought against one another (Ali vs. Mu'aweiya) and with other desert-Arabs or Bedouins during the caliphate of Ali. This prediction is found in the following verse: "Say, "He is Able to send upon you a torment, from above you, or from under your feet. Or He can divide you into factions, and make you taste the violence of one another. Note how We explain the verses, so that they may understand."" (6:65). This is done in the civil wars that followed only few decades after the death of Muhammad, and until now as the Muhammadan Shiites and the Muhammadan Wahabi Sunnites fight against each other until the present moment. The reason for this perdition is the fact that Qorayish denied and rejected the Quran: "But your people rejected it, though it is the truth. Say, "I am not responsible for you."" (6:66). God says the following about this prediction: "For every happening is a finality, and you will surely know." (6:67). There other verses that indicate this predicted torment inflicted upon Qorayish in this world as they hasten it mockingly: "And they say, "When is this promise, if you are Truthful?" Say, "Perhaps some of what you are impatient for has drawn near."" (27:71-72).         

 

The stance of Prophet Muhammad regarding their hastening the torment:

1- Muhammad was growing impatient with their mockery by invoking God's torment to be inflicted upon them, and God has told him the following: "So be patient, as the messengers with resolve were patient, and do not be hasty regarding them..." (46:35). This shows that the timing of their torment in this world has been preordained; God has said further to Muhammad: "So do not hurry against them. We are counting for them a countdown." (19:84).

2- God has commanded Muhammad to tell the Qorayish tribesmen that the torment they hasten (in mockery) is as per the commands of the Dominant Lord, not according to his own wishes; otherwise, it would have occurred during his lifetime: "Say, "I stand on clear evidence from my Lord, and you have rejected Him. I do not possess what you seek me to hasten; the decision belongs solely to God. He states the Truth, and He is the Best of Judges." Say, "If I possessed what you seek me to hasten, the matter between you and me would have been settled. God is well aware of the unjust ones."" (6:57-58).

3- God is the Sole Owner of the commands related to torment in this world and in the Hereafter, and He has commanded Muhammad to announce this fact as God destroys the unjust ones: "Say, "Have you considered? If God took away your hearing and your sight, and set a seal on your hearts, what deity other than Allah would restore them to you?" Note how We explain the verses in various ways, yet they still turn away. Say, "Have you considered? if God's torment descended on you suddenly or gradually, would any be destroyed except the unjust people?"" (6:46-47).

4- Yet, God saves the pious ones and spares them any torment: "And God will save those who maintained righteousness to their place of salvation. No harm will touch them, nor will they grieve." (39:61).

5- Torment inflicted in this world has a preordained timing which is inevitable, but God's mercy postpones it to give a chance for those seeking repentance: "Your Lord is the Forgiver, Possessor of Mercy. Were He to call them to account for what they have earned, He would have hastened the torment for them. But they have an appointment from which they will find no escape." (18:58).

6- Thus, we infer that the threat of torment inflicted in this world is a chance to those who seek to repent sincerely and be accepted by God: "We will make them taste the lesser torment, prior to the greater torment, so that they may return." (32:21). There are those most unjust ones who adamantly reject the Quranic Truth and believe in false  and devilish narratives: "Who is more unjust than he, who, when reminded of his Lord's verses, turns away from them? We will certainly wreak vengeance upon the criminals." (32:22)

7- Typically, the unjust disbelievers admit to their being among the unjust ones once the torment is inflicted upon them; God says the following in the Quran about Qorayish: "And when a breath of your Lord's torment touches them, they say, "Woe to us, we were truly unjust!"" (21:46). Their confession here is in vain, after it is too late for them, and the same applies to ancient nations smitten by God and declared their monotheistic faith and belief in God and their rejection of other deities when they were dying within torment: "Then, when they witnessed Our torment, they said, "We believe in God alone, and we reject what we used to associate with Him." But their faith could not help them once they witnessed Our torment. This has been God's way of dealing with His servants. And there and then the disbelievers lost." (40:84-85).

 

Lastly: the torment inflicted upon the Muhammadans in this world because of their disbelief, as they have abandoned the Quran:

1- This is the main issue as always in all eras: would one believes only in God without saints/deities/allies associated with Him? Or would one believes in God alongside with saints/deities/allies associated with Him?

2- It will be too late for the losers when they say (in vain): "... We believe in God alone, and we reject what we used to associate with Him..." (40:84), when they feel the torment, and when they enter Hell, this will be said to them: "That is because when God alone was called upon, you disbelieved; but when others were associated with Him, you believed..." (40:12).

3- The vast majority of human beings never believe only in Allah as God! Most of those who call themselves as ''believers'' associate other names of saints/deities/allies alongside with God, by deifying mortals: "And most of them do not believe in God unless they associate others." (12:106).

4- This applies to Muhammadans in particular; this is why torment in this world is inflicted upon them in every era, even today. In the following verse, God warns polytheists against torment in this world and torment in the Hereafter that comes suddenly: "Do they feel secure that a covering of God's torment will not come upon them, or that the Hour will not come upon them suddenly, while they are unaware?" (12:107). The next verse is about the Quranic Message of God conveyed and preached by Muhammad, as the Quran is the Path/Way and its verses are insights to believers, and those who follow the Quran are following the footsteps of Muhammad by preaching only the Quran and nothing else (e.g., Quranists): "Say, "This is my way; I invite to God, based on clear knowledge - I and whoever follows me. Glory be to God; and I am not of the polytheists."" (12:108).  

5- God preserves the Quranic text till the end of days; yet, the Muhammadans have discarded and rejected monotheism as they deify and sanctify (alongside with God) other mortal deities: Muhammad, Ali, Abou Bakr, Othman, Omar, Hussein, Aisha, Al-Bokhary, Mehdi, etc. and the list is too long. The Muhammadans hate to consider Allah as the Only God and the Only Saint, Ally, and Supporter; this is because more than 99% of deification and sanctification in their beliefs is dedicated to names of the dead persons, whereas less than 1% is dedicated to Allah! This is why their being tormented in this world is something recurrent, exposing them in worldwide media today. This is because they have abandoned and disregarded that Quran preserved by God and followed 'holy' books authored by mortals.    

6- When Quranists preach peaceful religious reform based on the Quran as the only criterion, Muhammadans hate Quranists and Quranism the more and their disbelief, tyranny, and injustices increase, just as the stance of their forefathers and ancestors was, who hated the Quran very much. God has told Muhammad the following about such Quran-hating polytheists: "...Certainly, what was revealed to your from your Lord will increase many of them in defiance and disbelief..." (5:64); "...Certainly, what was revealed to your from your Lord will increase many of them in defiance and disbelief, so do not be sorry for the disbelieving people." (5:68).  

7- This applies to all Muhammadans. Is not that true?!

 

 

 

The Disbelievers and Their Asking for the Infliction of Torture/Torment of the Hereafter

 

 

Firstly: disbelief in the Hour (i.e., the Last Day) is of various types:

1- Disbelievers who are outspokenly declaring their denial of the Last Day: This is shown in their words (unsurprising repeated by extremist secular persons of today who deny the metaphysical realm) which are refuted in the Quran: "And they say, "There is nothing but this our present life; we die and we live, and nothing destroys us except time." But they have no knowledge of that; they are only guessing." (45:24). God describes such people as ignorant and as lacking knowledge, and He said the following about them and their punishment in the Hereafter: "In fact, they have denied the Hour, and We have prepared for those who deny the Hour Hell-Fire." (25:11). God has commanded Muhammad to respond that way to those who deny the Hour: "Those who disbelieve say, "The Hour will not come upon us." Say, "Yes indeed, by my Lord, it will come upon you..." (34:3).    

2- Disbelievers who fashion and formulate the Last Day as per their whims: The Egyptian common proverbs include one which indicates utter disbelief: (those who are happy and wealthy in this life are like this in the Hereafter). This proverb is refuted by the Quran; some disbelieving wealthy people, in all era as their hearts are the same, reflect this dominant culture of being resurrected as a wealthy person with many children. The Quran refutes such a notion of disbelief that reflects how criminals fashion the Last Day as per their whims to feign they would be among the winners in Paradise. God says in the Quran: "Have you seen him who denied Our revelations, and said, "I will be given wealth and children"? Did he look into the future, or did he receive a promise from the Dominant Lord? No indeed! We will write what he says, and will keep extending the torment for him." (19:77-79). We notice here that 19:78 refutes in advance corrupt notions of the Muhammadan clergymen and imams who fabricated hadiths of the so-called intercession to create a Last Day tailored to their tastes as per their whims! Thus, they ascribe lies and falsehood to God's religion and to the metaphysical realm that pertains to Him only, as if they were making a covenant with God or making Him give them a certain promise! Shame on them!          

3- Disbelievers who deny the Last Day while assuming that if it ever occurs, they would be among the winners: This type of deniers combine between denying the real Last Day (i.e., the one described in the Quran) and fashioning a one as per their whims as if they were bound to enter into Paradise however enormous their crimes and injustices are. Within such corrupt notions, clergymen thrive as they sell indulgences; i.e., they take money of the gullible ones and promise to get them tickets to enter into Paradise, but this is a vain promise, because they are NOT the owners of the Last Day beside, or instead of, Almighty God. The fancy words and mythical tales of clergymen about their fabricated Last Day are maintained by most people who keep injustices in life; thus, the wishes of Satan are fulfilled, because Satan and devils combine misguiding people with making them wish in vain: "And I will mislead them, and I will entice them with false wishes..." (4:119). God says the following about Satan and his followers: "He promises them, and he raises their expectations, but Satan promises them nothing but delusions. These-their place is Hell, and they will find no escape from it." (4:120-121). God warns all people against delusions and false promises of the arrogant Satan: "O people! Be conscious of your Lord, and dread a Day when no parent can avail his child, nor can a child avail his parent, in anything. The promise of God is true. Therefore, do not let this life deceive you, nor let illusions deceive you regarding God." (31:33). On the Last Day, Satan will disown his followers while he is inside Hell with them, as he forced no one to obey and worship him or to reject God's true promises: "And Satan will say, when the issue is settled, "God has promised you the promise of truth, and I promised you, but I failed you. I had no authority over you, except that I called you, and you answered me. So do not blame me, but blame yourselves. I cannot come to your aid, nor can you come to my aid. I reject your polytheism caused by me in the past. The unjust ones will have a most painful torment."" (14:22). There are tens of Quranic verses that refute the notion that any mortals would interceded on behalf of human beings on the Last Day; yet, the Muhammadans disbelieve in all these verses as they choose to believe devilish discourses/narratives of hadiths authored by Al-Bokhary and his likes. This makes them deserve the torment of the Dominant Lord in this world and the next. The victims of illusions and delusions of Satan combine between denying the Last Day and imagining one as per their desires and whims; their stance is described precisely in this verse: "...and I do not think that the Hour is coming; and even if I am returned to my Lord, I will have the very best with Him." We will inform those who disbelieve of what they did, and We will make them taste a harsh torment." (41:50).         

4- Arguing in vain: Some disbelievers deny the Last Day and argue heatedly to refute it at any cost; the example of this is the ignorant man who asked, in mockery, about how decayed bones of the dead would be resurrected and the Quran responded to this stance: "And he produces arguments against Us, and he forgets his own creation. He says, "Who will revive the bones when they have decayed?" Say, "He who initiated them in the first instance will revive them. He has knowledge of every creation."" (36:78-79). Their argument of these arrogant, disbelieving mortals includes challenging believers and prophets to revive or resurrect their forefathers: "These people say: "There is nothing but our first death, and we will not be resurrected. Bring back our ancestors, if you are truthful."" (44:34-36).  

5- Thus, the extreme disbelief of those who deny the Last Day makes them (in mockery) to hasten the coming of the Hour and its torment against which they are warned.

 

Secondly: the response to their hastening of the torment of the Hereafter:

1- Disbelievers combine their hastening the infliction of torment upon them in this world with hastening the torment of the Hereafter as well; this is shown in the Quran within the repeated queries posed to Muhammad about the timing of the Hour (and the torment of the Hereafter in Hell) and how many times he told them that he did not know the answer as he did not know the future; he could not bring harm or benefit to himself or to others. "And they say, "When will this promise be fulfilled, if you are truthful? "Say, "I have no power to harm or benefit myself, except as God wills. To every nation is an appointed time. Then, when their time arrives, they can neither postpone it by one hour, nor advance it. Say, "Have you considered? If His torment overtakes you by night or by day, what part of it will the criminals seek to hasten?" "Then, when it falls, will you believe in it? Now? When before you tried to hasten it?"" (10:48-51). This is about their hastening the torment in this world, and the very next verse is about their torment in the Hereafter: "Then it will be said to those unjust ones, "Taste the torment of eternity. Will you be rewarded except for what you used to do?"" (10:52).

2- The Quranic responses to their hastening the torment of the Last Day vary, as explained in the points below.

2/1: God commands them not to demand to hasten the Hour, as the divine decree of it has been issued already from God, but it will take time within the Barsakh-realm time to occur actually within the earthly time: "The command of God has come, so do not rush it. Glory be to Him; exalted above what they associate." (16:1).

2/2: We read this verse about the difference between the Barsakh-realm time and the earthly time, within the context of talking about hastening the torment of the Hereafter by disbelieving mocking ones: "And they ask you to hasten the torment. But God never breaks His promise. A day with your Lord is like a thousand years of your count. " (22:47).  

2/3: Our lifetime on Earth is but a transient, fleeting day, and after resurrection comes the Last Day of Judgment and the Eternal Day of the Eternal Life. We read about this in the Quran within the context of talking about hastening the torment of the Hereafter by mocking disbelievers who ridicule God's message: "A questioner questioned the imminent torment. For the disbelievers; none can avoid it. From God, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. Unto Him the angels and the Spirit ascend on a Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. So be patient, with sweet patience. They see it distant. But We see it near. On the Day when the sky will be like molten brass. And the mountains will be like tufted wool. No friend will care about his friend." (70:1-10). This duration of this transient world is merely a day within God's time (and NOT the Barsakh-realm time), and this day is 50 thousand years, and within this duration, Gabriel; i.e., the Holy Spirit, and other angels responsible for fates decreed on people by God ascend and descend with such decrees of the Lord until the Hour comes, and the universe is destroyed, and on the Last Day, an Eternal Realm is created, as God comes and all humanity stands before Him: "On the Day when the earth is changed into another earth, and the heavens, and they will emerge before God, the One, Dominant Lord." (14:48). And then, we read in the next verses about the torment of sinners and disbelievers in Hell and how God warns them beforehand in the Quran: "On that Day, you will see the sinners bound together in chains. Their garments made of tar, and the Fire covering their faces. That God may repay each soul according to what it has earned. God is Quick in reckoning. This is a proclamation for the humankind, that they may be warned thereby, and know that He is One God, and that people of understanding may remember." (14:49-52)    

 

Lastly: preaching and warning the disbelievers:

1- This preaching and warning comes within the context of talking about disbelievers who (in mockery) hasten the torment of Hell: "The human being was created of haste. I will show you My signs, so do not seek to rush Me. And they say, "When will this promise come true, if you are truthful?"" (21:37-38). Preaching focuses here in the next two verses on showing an image of Hell torment/torture: "If those who disbelieve only knew, when they cannot keep the fire off their faces and off their backs, and they will not be helped. In fact, it will come upon them suddenly, and bewilder them. They will not be able to repel it, and they will not be reprieved." (21:39-40). When they are tormented/tortured in Hell, they will scream and they will be rebuked by reminding them of their hastening (in mockery) of the infliction of this torment on them: "Until, when We seize the affluent among them with torment, they begin to scream." (23:64); "The Day they are presented to the Fire. "Taste your ordeal. This is what you used to hasten its occurrence."" (51:13-14).

2- The Quranic preaching addresses sinners and disobedient ones so that they repent: "Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves: do not despair of God's mercy, for God forgives all sins. He is indeed the Forgiver, the Clement." And turn to your Lord, and submit to Him, before the torment comes upon you. Then you will not be helped." (39:53-54). God shows to sinners the path of sincere repentance that will make them be spared from the torment of Hell in the Hereafter: "And follow the best of what was revealed to you from your Lord, before the torment comes upon you suddenly, while you are unaware. So that a soul may not say, "How sorry I am, for having neglected my duty to God, and for having been of the mocking ones." Or say, "Had God guided me; I would have been of the pious." Or say, when it sees the torment, "If only I had another chance, I would be of the virtuous." Yes indeed! My Verses did come to you, but you called them lies, turned arrogant, and were of the disbelievers." (39:55-59). As always, God says nothing but the Absolute Truth. 

 

 

 

Torment Comes Suddenly While People Are Unaware

 

 

Firstly: torment inflicted by God in this world comes suddenly:

1- God warns Arabs (and others) in the Quran by narrating to them the stories of ancient nations smitten by Him: "Those before them also denied the Truth, so the torment came upon them from where they did not perceive. God made them taste shame and disgrace in the present life, but the torment of the Hereafter is worse, if they only knew." (39:25-26). And we read these verses about the steps of tormenting nations until the total destruction befell them finally as the biggest penalty in this world that took place suddenly: "We did not send any prophet to any town but We afflicted its people with misery and adversity, so that they may humble themselves. Then We substituted prosperity in place of hardship. Until they increased in number, and said, "Adversity and prosperity has touched our ancestors." Then We seized them suddenly, while they were unaware." (7:94-95). This sudden infliction of torment by God is described further in this verse: "Those before them also schemed, but God took their structures from the foundations, and the roof caved in on them. The torment came at them from where they did not perceive." (16:26).

2- The same warning (in the same Quranic Chapter 16) addresses to other nations of today and of all eras after the Quran has been revealed: "Do those who scheme evils feel secure that God will not cause the earth to cave in with them, or that the torment will not come upon them from where they do not perceive?" (16:45).

 

Secondly: the torment of the Hereafter comes suddenly to the disbelievers/polytheists:

1- The torment of the Day of resurrection will take place when the Last Day comes in a certain time pre-determined only by God; no mortals know this timing at all. When Arab polytheists/disbelievers hastened this torment in mockery, this Quranic response has come to them, while referring to the fact that disbelief in occurrence of the Last Day goes on in all eras and the Hour will occur suddenly: "And they urge you to hasten the torment. Were it not for a specified time, the torment would have come to them. But it will come upon them suddenly, while they are unaware." (29:53).  

2- They hastened the torment in ridicule because they disbelieved in the Quran and asked for tangible signs or miracles to be seen with their eyes and they asked, in mockery, for being tormented in this world as proof that the Quran is really the Truth from God Himself: "And when Our verses are recited to them, they say, "We have heard. Had we wanted, we could have said the like of this; these are nothing but myths of the ancients." And they said, "Our God, if this is the Truth from You, then rain down on us stones from the sky, or visit us with a painful torment."" (8:31-32).

3- Until now, and within the coming eras till the end of days, the disbelief in God, in the Last Day, and in the Quran will go on existing; for instance, the Muhammadans claim overtly that they believe in the Quran; nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the Muhammadans are the most disbelieving people who reject the Quran and deny God, and consequently disbelieve in the Last Day described in the Quran as they fashion a 'last day' as per their whims and imagination. Indeed, the deeds of the Muhammadans worldwide indicate this, as we watch in the news.  

4- The Quranic phrase (there is no doubt) is used repeatedly to describe the Quran itself and the Last Day: "This is the Book in which there is no doubt, a guide for the pious ones." (2:2); "How about when We gather them for a Day in which there is no doubt..." (3:25). Those real believers in God, the Quran, and the Last Day fear very much to witness the taking place of the Hour: "Those who fear their Lord in private, and are apprehensive of the Hour." (21:49); the very next verse is about the Quran itself: "This too is a blessed message that We revealed. Are you going to deny it?" (21:50). God says the following about the Quran that shows the Truth and informs people about the fact that the Hour is drawing near: "It is God who revealed the Book with the Truth and the Balance. And what will make you realize that perhaps the Hour is near?" (42:17). The very next verse compare between the two different stances regarding the Hour: "Those who do not believe in it seek to hasten it; but those who believe are apprehensive of it, and they know it to be the Truth. Absolutely, those who question the Hour are in distant error." (42:18).

5- As disbelievers reject the Hour and hasten its occurrence in mockery, when it will take place, this will be a sudden, very frightening event as they will be caught unawares; we urge readers to  ponder deeply on this verse about the stance of those who disbelieve in the Quran as they cast doubts on it: "Those who disbelieve will continue to be hesitant about it, until the Hour comes upon them suddenly, or there comes to them the torment of a desolate Day." (22:55). This means that they will go one doubting the Quran till the Hour takes place suddenly while they are unaware, and they will be tormented when the Hour occurs to destroy the Earth and the whole universe. God says the following about those who disbelieve in the Last Day: "Losers are those who deny the encounter with God. Then, when the Hour comes upon them suddenly, they will say, "Alas for us, how we have neglected it." And they will carry their burdens on their backs - evil is what they carry." (6:31). This means they will be surprised as the Hour occurs suddenly since they disbelieved in it and they will feel sorry after it is too late, when the sins they carry are waiting for them to be turned into their means of being tormented in Hell for eternity.

6- This is why the Quran repeats the fact that the Hour comes suddenly while people are unaware: "Are they only waiting for the Hour to come upon them suddenly, while they are unaware?" (43:66).

 

Thirdly: the meaning of the term Quranic (suddenly) in terms of time:

1- Arabs asked Muhammad repeatedly about the timing of the Hour; i.e., about when it will take place, and he told them many times that he did not know; some Quranic answers to their question contain the fact that it comes suddenly: "They ask you about the Hour, "When will it come?" Say, "Knowledge of it rests with my Lord. None can reveal its coming except He. It weighs heavily on the heavens and the Earth. It will not come upon you except suddenly." They ask you as if you are responsible for it. Say, "Knowledge of it rests with God," but most people do not know." (7:187).

2- We tend to think that the word (suddenly) here in 7:187 and within other verses about the Hour refers to a speed that exceeds the speed of light, and this speed quicker than anyone known to human beings cannot be imagined by the limited human mind. The Quranic figurative language is used to make us grasp Quranic facts in a way suitable for our brains; by the way, we infer this meaning of (suddenly) in terms of time from these two verses: "...The coming of the Hour is only as the twinkling of the eye, or even nearer. God has power over everything." (16:77); "And Our command is but once, like the twinkling of an eye." (54:50). 

 

Fourthly: the meaning of (suddenly) as a frightening surprise:

1- The Quranic term (suddenly) that refers to the Hour indicates the fact that the Hour will occur as a most rightful surprise when people are unaware of it. The following verse applies perfectly to the Muhammadans in particular: "Do they feel secure that a covering of God's torment will not come upon them, or that the Hour will not come upon them suddenly, while they are unaware?" (12:107). Moreover, God says the following about the Quran in which the Muhammadans disbelieve: "Thus We make it pass through the hearts of the criminals. They will not believe in it until they witness the painful torment. It will come to them suddenly, while they are unaware. Then they will say, "Are we given any respite?" Do they seek to hasten Our torment?" (26:200-204). We notice here that torment of the occurrence of the Hour will come suddenly while people are unaware.

2- To disbelieve in both the Quran and the Last Day has but one reason: people focus too much on the transient world and dedicate their lifetimes to its vanity, competitions, hoarding of possessions, money, material gains, having more progeny, struggling against others for having more riches and assets, etc. while they disregard the fact that the Hour is drawing near, as God has told us 14 centuries ago: " The humankind's reckoning has drawn near, but they turn away heedlessly. No fresh reminder comes to them from their Lord, but they listen to it playfully. " (21:1-2). These two verses apply 100% to the Muhammadans of today, of course; we hope readers will reflect upon this fact for a longer while.  

3- God tells us in the Quran that the Hour draws nearer and yet it will occur suddenly as a frightening surprise to those who were engrossed too much in the material possessions and wealth of the transient world. Again this applies perfectly to the Muhammadans of today who focus on the fleeting earthly existence and never think of the Hereafter: "Are they just waiting until the Hour comes to them suddenly? Its tokens have already come. But how will they be reminded when it has come to them?" (47:18). The graves, most major sin of the polytheistic Muhammadans is that they are divided into sects, factions, denominations, and doctrines, each of them is feeling happy with their falsehoods and books as well as wealth and affluence (i.e., bounties like oil revenues and other riches), and they will remain distracted by all such things till the Hour takes place suddenly while they are unaware.  

4- God asserts that His nation/people are those who follow the messages sent via prophets/messengers within all eras and locations; it is a universal nation that pertains to God and are never divided or separated by different eras and locations. Divisions and separations have occurred when people deify and sanctify mortals and ascribe nations/people to them; e.g., the nation/Umma of Jesus Christ, the nation/Umma of Muhammad, and the nation/Umma of Buddha. God says the following in the Quran: "This nation/Umma of yours is one nation, and I am your Lord, so fear Me. But they tore themselves into sects; each party happy with what they have. So leave them in their bewilderment until a time. Do they assume that, in furnishing them with wealth and children, We race to give them the good things? In fact, they have no idea." (23:52-56).

5- One of the tokens or signs of the Hour drawing near is the fact that the Last Message of God to humanity (i.e., the Quran) has been revealed/descended and the fact that human beings have made great scientific advances around the globe, feeling as if they control the Earth: "The likeness of the present life is this: water that We send down from the sky is absorbed by the plants of the Earth, from which the people and the animals eat. Until, when the Earth puts on its fine appearance, and is beautified, and its inhabitants think that they have mastered it, Our command descends upon it by night or by day, and We turn it into stubble, as if it had not flourished the day before. We thus clarify the verses for people who reflect." (10:24). The Hour will occur suddenly and this will be sheer torment for those who witness this terrible moment of unimagined fright; God warns all people against this as He addresses them directly in these two verses: "O people, be conscious of your Lord. The quaking of the Hour is a tremendous thing. On the Day when you will see it: every nursing mother will discard her infant, and every pregnant woman will abort her load, and you will see the people drunk, even though they are not drunk - but the torment of God is severe." (22:1-2).

6- When the Hour takes place, the whole universe, as well as the heavens and the Earth, will be destroyed, and new, eternal Earth and heavens will be created. When they are resurrected on the Last Day, the sinners and criminals will feel they have lived for a very brief space of time on Earth: "On the Day when the Hour takes place, the sinners will swear they had stayed but an hour. Thus they were deluded. But those endowed with knowledge and faith will say, "You remained in God's Book until the Day of Resurrection. This is the Day of Resurrection, but you did not know."" (30:55-56); "They ask you about the Hour, "When will it take place?" You have no knowledge of it. To your Lord is its finality. You are just a warner for whoever dreads it. On the Day when they witness it - as though they only stayed an evening, or its morning." (79:42-46). This feeling of transience and fleeting time will continue on the Day of judgment, before they enter into Hell for eternity: "On the Day when He rounds them up-as if they had tarried only one hour of a day - they will recognize one another. Those who denied the meeting with God will be the losers. They were not guided. Whether We show you some of what We promise them, or take you, to Us is their return. God is witness to everything they do." (10:45-46). This is why God has commanded to Muhammad to be patient and not to hasten the torment for the disbelievers, as they feel the deep sorrow of how transient and fleeting their earthly life has been: "So be patient, as the messengers with resolve were patient, and do not be hasty regarding them. On the Day when they witness what they are promised, it will seem as if they had lasted only for an hour of a day. A proclamation: Will any be destroyed except the sinful people?" (46:35).   

7- This is why we infer from the Quran that after one's death, one's soul enters into a deep slumber and a state of timelessness as they will not feeling anything, especially the passage of time, till the Day of Resurrection. This is why upon being resurrected, they will feel that their life and slumber/death as a brief space of time; hence, God has warned them against a near torment: "Say, "I offer you a single advice: devote yourselves to God, in pairs, or individually; and reflect. There is no madness in your friend. He is just a warner to you, before the advent of a severe torment."" (34:46); "We have warned you of a near torment - the Day when a person will observe what his hands have produced, and the faithless will say, "O, I wish I were dust."" (78:40). This means that the disbelievers of Qorayish (and among Arabs of Arabia) heard these verses and rejected the Quranic faith, and their torment is describe in the Quran as (near) because they lived the years preordained for them and they felt timelessness and nothingness after they died, and upon resurrection, they will feel they have lived for a very space of time, as they realize that they will dwell in Hell for eternity. This is the meaning of the near torment (in the Hereafter) that will come to them suddenly while they are unaware. 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER IV: Between Curse and God's Torment

 

 

 

The Mechanism of Torment/Torture in the Hereafter and the Meaning of Being Cursed

 

Firstly: Being cursed in Arabic literally means to be very remote or far away: like the Tree of Extremity seen by Muhammad's soul within a Barsakh level:

1- Of course, we have discussed the topic of Muhammad's encounter with Gabriel in detail in our book, in English, titled "The Night-Journey Is The Night of Decree" (found on this link: http://www.ahl-alquran.com/arabic/book_main.php?main_id=112). These Quranic verses are about Muhammad's seeing the arch-angel Gabriel for the second time: "He saw him on another descent. At the Tree of the Extremity. Near which is the Garden of Repose. As there covered the Tree what covered it. The sight did not waver, nor did it exceed. He saw some of the Great Signs of his Lord." (53:13-18). This means that Muhammad's soul saw Gabriel at the Tree of the Extremity; this Tree is very remote or far away within one of the Barsakh-realm levels. The Garden of Repose mentioned in this context might be the Barsakh Paradise where the souls of those killed for God's sake dwell until the Last Day; it might also be the Barsakh Paradise where Adam and his wife used to dwell before being deceived by Satan to make them descend unto earth, within its physical level which overlaps with the Barsakh levels. 

2- Because this was a very special vision and a great miracle/sign granted to Muhammad and never to any prophets/messengers before him, we infer the following points.

2/1: Muhammad did not see this Barsakh level with his physical eyes; rather, he saw this vision with his soul, since the soul is a being which originally came from the Barsakh realm; hence, this is why physical vision with his eyes did not work at all during this vision, as we infer from this verse: "The sight did not waver, nor did it exceed." (53:17). By the way, normally, the human eye typically waver and quiver when it sees something new/strange. This not the case when Muhammad saw Gabriel and the Tree of Extremity within this Barsakh level; this means that Muhammad's eyesight stopped working while seeing this Barsakh-realm level vision, which is a great sign, only with his soul.

2/2: Hence, it was very difficult for Muhammad to describe this Barsakh-realm level vision; no human tongue/language can describe it; the limited human perceptions cannot fully express this Barsakh-realm level vision which was a miracle granted by God to Muhammad. This means that the Sunnite mythology about the topic of the Night-Journey cannot be accepted by Quran-believing monotheists. This also means that the Sunnite myth of the so-called ascent of Muhammad into heaven cannot be accepted by Quran-believing monotheists. The Quran never mentions that Muhammad, or any other messenger/prophet, has ever ascended into heaven. 

2/3: Hence, the Quranic description of this Tree of Extremity is relative and figurative and it leaves room for the imagination, though the limited human imagination cannot describe the real sight of the Tree of Extremity: "As there covered the Tree what covered it." (53:16).

2/4: The Night-Journey is a very special sign/miracle granted by God to Muhammad; this is a very special vision: "Glory to Him who journeyed His servant by night, from the Sacred Mosque, to the Farthest Mosque, whose precincts We have blessed, in order to show him of Our Signs..." (17:1). Accordingly, any details authored, surmised, and invented by any people regarding this vision that occurred to Muhammad during the Night-Journey are mere nonsense that aim to misguide and mislead believers, since they have not seen anything related to Barsakh: "...We did not make the vision We showed you, except as a test for the people, and the tree cursed in the Quran..." (17:60). Since the verse 17:60 talks about the Barsakh-realm level vision that occurred to Muhammad as he saw the Tree of Extremity and Gabriel, the term "cursed" in 17:60 simply means (far away) or (very remote); the "cursed tree" intended in 17:60 is the Tree of Extremity, of course.

 

Secondly: to be cursed by God means to be excluded, expelled, and moved away:

 That Satan/Iblis is cursed means that he was excluded, expelled, and moved away from the higher Barsakh-realm level of the angels in the heavens and was forced to descend into a lower, terrestrial Barsakh-realm level.

1- Iblis was an angel who belonged to the Upper Realm of angels within a very high Barsakh-realm level in the heavens; when he was cursed/expelled, he became Satan the devil. God has specified the mission of Muhammad here: "Say, "I am only a warner, and there is no God except Allah - the Dominant One. The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them; the Mighty, the Forgiver."" (38:65-66). God has commanded him to announce this message of great importance: the story of how Iblis, one of the nearer angels in the Upper Realm, proudly refused to bow down to Adam as per the command of the Lord God; consequently, God has cursed him; i.e., He expelled him into the remotest location, which is within the lower Barsakh levels of earth. God has commanded Muhammad to say the following: "Say, "It is a message of great importance. From which you are turning away." (38:67-68). Because most people do not pay attention to, or take heed of, this lesson, the story of the expulsion of Iblis the angel, who has been turned into Satan the devil, is repeated many times in the Quranic text as a reminder for the sake of preaching and warning; all human beings must remember and ponder upon the story of Adam: the father of all humanity. When Iblis, who belonged to the nearer angels of the Upper Realm, refused to obey God's command and argued against this divine command, he became among the disbelievers and was expelled/cursed by God and turned into a Jinn/devil. God says in the Quran: "I have no knowledge of the Upper Realm as they dispute. It is only revealed to me that I am a clear warner." Your Lord said to the angels, "I am creating a human being from clay. When I have formed him, and breathed into him of My spirit, fall prostrate before him. So the angels fell prostrate, all of them. Except for Iblis. He was too proud, and one of the disbelievers. He said, "O Iblis, what prevented you from prostrating before what I created with My Own hands? Are you too proud, or were you one of the exalted?" He said, "I am better than he; You created me from fire, and You created him from clay." He said, "Then get out of here! You are an outcast! And My curse will be upon you until the Day of Judgment."" (38:69-78).  

2- Of course, the story of Iblis who refused to obey God's command of prostrating to Adam and his expulsion (i.e., being cursed) is repeated in the Quran. Being cursed here is to be expelled and forced to move away: "He said, "Then get out of here, for you are an outcast". "And the curse will be upon you until the Day of Judgment."" (15:34-35); "God has cursed him..." (4:118).

3- When God cursed/expelled Iblis the rebellious proud angel from the Upper Realm, he is no longer an angel; he has been turned into Satan the devil/jinn: "We said to the angels, "Bow down to Adam." So they bowed down, except for Iblis. He was of the jinn, and he defied the command of his Lord..." (18:50). The verb (was) here means (became) or (transformed); this sense is expressed within the same Quranic story elsewhere: "And We said to the angels, "Bow down to Adam." They bowed down, except for Iblis; he refused, was arrogant, and was one of the disbelievers." (2:34). This means that when he proudly refused to obey the divine command, he became among the disbelievers.

4- This Quranic sense of the verb (was) [i.e., to mean: "became"] has nothing to do with Arabic grammatical rules formulated during the Abbasid Era. This Quranic sense of the verb (was) is inferred from these two verses about the fasting of Ramadan and about pilgrimage: "...Whoever of you witnesses the month, shall fast it. But whoever was sick, or on a journey, then a number of other days..." (2:185); the verb (was) here refers to those who became sick; the same sense is inferred from this verse about pilgrimage: "...Whoever of you was sick, or has an injury of the head, then redemption of fasting, or charity, or worship..." (2:196). Hence, in the verse 18:50, Iblis was of the jinn; this means that he became among the jinn; he was changed from being an angel into a jinn/devil; i.e., he was transformed and became a jinn/devil. This is why his name, Iblis, has changed to become Satan. Satan the devil is the one who tempted Adam and his wife. When Iblis was cursed by God, this means he became an outcast; i.e., he was expelled and forced to move away in a remote place. Thus, to be cursed is to be expelled and distanced by force.

 

Thirdly: being cursed/expelled from the higher Barsakh level in the heavens into a lower, terrestrial Barsakh level:

1- To explain this topic further, we have to bear in mind that God has created seven Barsakh levels of heavens and other seven levels within the earth; such levels overlap; i.e., the higher level overlaps with the level lower than it is; God's commands/decrees move through such levels to reach the physical realm of the universe and of the earth: "God is He Who created seven heavens, and their like of earth. The command descends through them, so that you may know that God is Capable of everything, and that God Encompasses everything in knowledge." (65:12). 

2- The lowest, weakest level is the physical realm of earth and the whole universe (with its galaxies and stars). This lowest level is overlapping with higher Barsakh-realm levels; hence, the physical realm of the earth is overlapping with the first terrestrial Barsakh level, and this level is overlapping with the second terrestrial Barsakh level, which is in its turn is overlapping with the third terrestrial Barsakh level, and so on. The same overlapping levels exist in the same arrangement within the Barsakh levels of heavens and the lowest, weakest level which is the physical heaven/sky above the planet Earth.  

3- All of the seven Barsakh-realm levels of the earth and the seven ones of heavens overlap with our physical realm on earth. The terrestrial Barsakh-realm levels are where devils and jinn dwell and so are the souls of human beings who are yet to be born (e.g., the souls of one's grandchildren) and the souls of the dead people who fulfilled the test of life (e.g., the souls of our ancestors). Of course, souls originally belong to Barsakh; they are Barsakh ethereal beings; this is why souls get some rest from the confines of the physical bodies by leaving them during human beings' deep slumber. Of course, within one of the Barsakh levels of earth, the Barsakh Paradise of those killed for God's sake is located, where they enjoy the pleasures and provisions created by their Lord God for them until the Hour comes. Within one of the Barsakh levels of earth, the drowned disbelieving people of Noah and the drowned Moses' Pharaoh's people are being tormented (in ways that we cannot imagine) until the Last Day. Adam and his wife used to dwell inside this Barsakh Paradise, and their physical bodies were covered with Barsakh lights (which we cannot imagine), but once they ate from the forbidden tree, such lights were removed and they saw their naked physical bodies for the first time; this ushered their descent unto the physical realm of the earth. Within the terrestrial Barsakh-realm levels, devils and Jinn exist and so is Iblis/Satan after his being expelled from the Upper Realm of the angels of heavens; this is why he entered into the Barsakh Paradise to tempt and deceive Adam and his wife by making them disobey the command of the Lord God.          

4- The great miracle/sign of the Lord granted to Muhammad was that he saw, with this soul, Gabriel in one location within a Barsakh-realm level of heavens; the human eye cannot perceive this, of course. Muhammad never saw Gabriel and the Tree of Extremity with his physical eyes but with his soul. By the way, no living human beings can see the angels; the angels are ethereal beings of Barsakh and are seen only by souls when the angels of death take the souls of the dying people. Gabriel took a human form when he appeared to Mary, the mother of Jesus. The angels which met Abraham and Lot took a human form. Thus, living human beings within the physical, terrestrial existence cannot see the Barsakh-realm levels within the earth and the heavens and their Barsakh, ethereal creatures/beings such as angels, Jinn, and devils. This is why God has warned humanity about Satan and devils as they can see human beings but human beings cannot see them: "...He sees you, him and his clan, from where you cannot see them..." (7:27). Adam and his wife used to see Satan and angels, and all Barsakh beings, when they dwelled within the Barsakh Paradise. Once they descended on earth within the physical world and their physical bodies are no longer enveloped or covered with Barsakh lights, they could no longer see anything related to Barsakh; hence, human beings on earth cannot see any Barsakh, ethereal creatures/beings.   

5- The angels exist in the seven Barsakh levels of heaven; each rank of angels has its location as per the missions given to these angels: "There is not one of us but has an assigned position." (37:164). There are angels of the Upper Realm of heavens and there are ranks of angels that exist within other celestial and terrestrial Barsakh levels that overlap; i.e., the higher level would overlap with the lower one.   

6- Therefore, the celestial and terrestrial Barsakh levels overlap with the physical realm of earth; angels, Jinn, and devils can see the human beings, while human beings cannot see them. Within such Barsakh levels, there are angels who record deeds and words of human beings and there are devils assigned to human souls of disbelievers to tempt and misguide/mislead them further. Dying human beings who are sinners see (with their souls) the angels of death that come to take their souls: "Until, when death comes to one of them, he says, "My Lord, send me back. That I may do right in what I have neglected." By no means! It is just a word that he utters. And behind them is a barrier/Barsakh, until the Day they are resurrected." (23:99-100). Devilish whispers address the souls, as both souls and devils are Barsakh creatures/beings. Souls return to Barsakh temporarily during sleep and forever in death; dying good monotheists receive glad tidings of Paradise by the angels of death; for more details about death and Barsakh, we refer readers to our book (in English) titled "The Book of Death" (found on this link: http://www.ahl-alquran.com/arabic/book_main.php?main_id=120).

7- We have mentioned the above points to explain the fact that when Iblis the angel was cursed/expelled from the Upper Realm of the Barsakh levels of the heavens, he was transformed into a Jinn/devil, known as Satan, and he is not allowed to ascend into the celestial Barsakh realms. Satan, and his progeny: the devils, can exist and enter only into the terrestrial Barsakh levels. If Jinn and devils attempt to ascend into the celestial Barsakh levels to hear the angels of the Upper Realm, they are prevented by comets/missiles that hinder them from ascending into the first celestial Barsakh level. God says in the Quran: "We have adorned the lower heaven with the beauty of the planets. And guarded it against every defiant devil. They cannot eavesdrop on the Upper Realm, for they get bombarded from every side. Repelled - they will have a lingering torment. Except for him who snatches a fragment - he gets pursued by a piercing projectile." (37:6-10); "We have adorned the lower heaven with lanterns, and made them missiles against the devils..." (67:5); "We placed constellations in the sky, and made them beautiful to the beholders. And We guarded them from every outcast devil. Except one who steals a hearing, and is followed by a visible projectile." (15:16-18). The revelation/descent of the Quran caused waves and shakes within the Barsakh levels, and the Jinn felt this: "We probed the heaven, and found it filled with stern guards and projectiles. We used to take up positions to listen in; but whoever listens now finds a projectile in wait for him." (72:8-9).

8- The above points are about cursing/expulsion of Iblis/Satan; yet, what about the cursing/expulsion of Satan's followers in this world and in the next one? How is this linked to the mechanism of enjoying pleasures of Paradise and the mechanism of torment/torture inside Hell in the Hereafter? We continue in the next article.   

 

 

 

 

 

The Cursed, Outcast Satan and Entrapping Human Beings into the Hell-Torment

 

Firstly: Iblis/Satan the outcast:

1- The Quranic story of Satan's being cursed and expelled from the Upper Realm is linked to Satan's being described as the outcast: "He said, "Then get out of here, for you are an outcast". "And the curse will be upon you until the Day of Judgment."" (15:34-35); "He said, "I am better than he; You created me from fire, and You created him from clay." He said, "Then get out of here! You are an outcast! And My curse will be upon you until the Day of Judgment."" (38:76-78).

2- Iblis, or Satan now, exists in the terrestrial Barsakh-realm levels after his being cursed/expelled; he was transformed into a devil/Jinn; he and his progeny of devils do not cease to attempt to eavesdrop on the angels within the borders of the physical sky/heaven of this universe, but piercing missiles, projectiles, and comets are thrown at them to deter them and keep them away. This is why the devils are outcasts; i.e., they are expelled and moved away by such missiles thrown at them: "We placed constellations in the sky, and made them beautiful to the beholders. And We guarded them from every outcast devil." (15:16-18); "We have adorned the lower heaven with lanterns, and made them missiles against the devils..." (67:5).  

 

Secondly: Satan the outcast and devils' ceaseless attempts to tempt and to lead human beings astray:

1- Satan has declared his being bent on tempting, misguiding, and misleading most of the progeny of Adam to make them enter into Hell to suffer its torment for eternity with him: "He said, "Then get out of here! You are an outcast! And My curse will be upon you until the Day of Judgment." He said, "Lord, defer me until the Day they are resurrected." He said, "You are one of those deferred. Until the Day of the Time Appointed." He said, "By Your majesty, I will seduce them all. Except for your loyal servants among them."  He said, "The Truth is, and I say the Truth. I will fill Hell with you, and with every one of them who follows you."" (38:77-85).

2- In order to save human beings from the evil machinations of Satan, God has sent messengers/prophets with Divine Scripture/Books. Satan destroys the wish of every man among God's messengers/prophets who wish that all his people would believe and become monotheists: "We never sent a messenger before you, or a prophet, but when he had a desire Satan interfered in his wishes. But God copies what Satan interjects, and God affirms His Verses. God is Omniscient and Wise. In order to make Satan's revelations a test for those whose hearts are diseased, and those whose hearts are hardened. The unjust ones are in profound discord. And so that those endowed with knowledge may know that it is the Truth from your Lord, and so believe in it, and their hearts soften to it. God guides those who believe to a Straight Path." (22:52-54). God has given Satan the freedom to tempt and seduce human beings; He has also given human beings the freedom to choose to (dis)believe and to (dis)believe as a test of them during their lifetimes on earth.  

3- The main evil ways of Satan and devil include to inspire into their human allies false revelations ascribed falsely to God and to His Religion; such falsehoods and lies are spread by the enemies of God's messengers/prophets. Thus, each man among God's messengers/prophets has his foes/enemies; on the Day of Resurrection, Muhammad will disown those followers of Satan who have abandoned the Quran: "And the Messenger will say, "My Lord, my people have abandoned this Quran." Likewise, to every prophet We assign enemies from among the criminals. But your Lord suffices as a Guide and Savior." (25:30-31). 

4- Those enemies of God's messengers/prophets spread the Satanist/devilish revelations of falsehoods and lies. God's Divine Will includes allowing such Satanist revelations/narratives/hadiths to spread in millions of copies of books revered and sanctified by polytheists: Sunnites, Shiites, Sufis, Christians, Jews, Baha'is, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. In contrast, God has preserved the Quranic text and this will go on until the end of days, so that no one (one the Last Day) would have any excuse for disbelief by saying that there was no source of guidance from the Lord God. 

5- God has revealed this Quran as a warning to all humanity: "Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion upon His servant, to be a warning to humanity." (25:1); this means we are warned against the torment/torture of Hell. The Quran is a mercy to the humankind sent by God via Muhammad: "We did not send you except as mercy to the humankind." (21:107). Hence, those who believe in the Quran and apply it will be saved by God's mercy from the Hell-torment. God says the following about those living people who take heed of the Quran (the Divine Message conveyed by Muhammad) and are warned by it before they die: "We did not teach him poetry, nor is it proper for him. It is only a Remembrance, and a Clear Quran. That he may warn whoever is alive, and prove the Word against the disbelievers." (36:69-70).

6- Muhammad warned living human beings, among his contemporaries, using only the Quran: "...So remind by the Quran whoever fears My warning." (50:45); "And warn with it those who fear to be gathered before their Lord - they have no protector or intercessor apart from Him - perhaps they will grow in piety." (6:51); "So leave alone those who take their religion for play and pastime, and whom the worldly life has deceived. But remind with it, lest a soul becomes damned on account of what it has earned. It has no helper or intercessor besides God. Even if it offers every equivalent, none will be accepted from it. These are the ones who are delivered to perdition by their actions. They will have a drink of scalding water, and a painful torment, because they used to disbelieve." (6:70).

7- In this book about torture and torment within a Quranist vision, we remind readers, using the Quran, about the topic of torment so as to warn readers against Satan the outcast.

 

Thirdly: God protects the Quranic revelation, when given to Muhammad, from the eavesdropping of Satan, devils, and Jinn:

1- God is preserving the Quranic text; it cannot be distorted or changed: "Surely We revealed the Remembrance, and We will surely preserve it." (15:9). God has preserved the Quran within three stages: (A) preserving it when it descended into the soul/heart of Muhammad, (B) preserving it when it settled into the soul/heart of Muhammad and within his tongue to utter it and preach his contemporaries with it, and (C) preserving its written unique text until the end of days. We focus here on preserving it when it descended into the soul/heart of Muhammad and as he uttered and preached it to convey it to all people.

2- The first stage is preserving it when it descended into the soul/heart of Muhammad: "We have adorned the lower heaven with the beauty of the planets. And guarded it against every defiant devil. They cannot eavesdrop on the Upper Realm, for they get bombarded from every side. Repelled - they will have a lingering torment. Except for him who snatches a fragment - he gets pursued by a piercing projectile." (37:6-10); the Jinn said the following about the time when the Quran descended unto the earth: "We probed the heaven, and found it filled with stern guards and projectiles. We used to take up positions to listen in; but whoever listens now finds a projectile in wait for him. We do not know whether ill is intended for those on earth, or if their Lord intends guidance for them." (72:8-10).

3- This is about preserving the Quranic Revelation by God during its descent from the Upper Realm into the physical realm of earth unto the heart/soul of Muhammad. This Barsakh ethereal realm is unknown to human beings, though it overlaps within the physical universe. Within the levels of the Barsakh realm, there are a sense of timelessness; i.e., there is no time in the sense known to us on earth, and there are speeds of movement never imagined by mortals; we have concluded these facts (within our previous writings) from the Quranic indications of them. This is why God has preserved the Quranic Revelation when its waves were transmitted through the Barsakh levels into the earth by never allowing any interference from the ethereal creatures/beings of Barsakh: Jinn and devils. God controls the celestial and terrestrial Barsakh levels and He challenges  Jinn and human beings if they could enter into them without God's authorization or permission: "O society of Jinn and humans! If you can pass through the bounds of the heavens and the earth, go ahead and pass. But you will not pass except with authorization." (55:33); "You will be bombarded with flares of fire and brass, and you will not succeed." (55:35).

 

Fourthly: Muhammad never committed any errors regarding delivering and conveying the entire Quranic message:

  The second stage is preserving the Quranic Revelation after Gabriel has inscribed it inside the heart/soul of Muhammad; Muhammad was a weak mortal human being with whims (i.e., like the rest of humanity), and yet, he could not have negatively influenced the conveying and preserving of the Quranic Revelation; God addresses him directly here: "O messenger, convey what was revealed to you from your Lord. But if you do not, then you would not have delivered His Message. And God protects you from the people. God does not guide the disbelieving people." (5:67). We trace the means of preserving the Quranic Revelation in the following points.

1- The Almighty Lord God has commanded Muhammad to seek refuge in Him against Satan the outcast.

1/1: God has commanded Muhammad to seek refuge in Him against Satan the outcast in all cases during his lifetime in Arabia; this is repeated because Muhammad had to be protect himself from the devilish whispers and Satanist inspirations while he was conveying the Quran to his contemporaries: "When a temptation from the Devil provokes you, seek refuge in God; He is the Hearer, the Knower." (41:36); "And when a suggestion from Satan assails you, take refuge in God. He is Hearing and Knowing." (7:200); "And say, "My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the urgings of the devils. And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they become present."" (23:97-98); "Say, "I take refuge in the Lord of Daybreak. From the evil of what He created. And from the evil of the darkness as it gathers. And from the evil of those who practice sorcery. And from the evil of an envious when he envies."" (113:1-5); "Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of the humankind. The King of the humankind. The God of the humankind. From the evil of the sneaky whisperer. Who whispers into the hearts of the humankind. From among Jinn and among the humankind."" (114:1-6).

1/2: Especially before reading the Quran, Muhammad has been commanded by God to seek refuge in Him against Satan the outcast; as we know from the following verse: "When you read the Quran, seek refuge in God from Satan the outcast." (16:98).

1/3: Again, Muhammad has been commanded by God to seek refuge in Him against Satan's followers who argue against Quranic Verses, seeking to undermine and ridicule them: "Those who dispute regarding God's Verses without any authority having come to them - there is nothing in their hearts but the feeling of greatness, which they will never attain. So seek refuge in God; for He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing." (40:56).

1/4: These commands addressing Muhammad mentioned in the above points are also addressed to all Quran-believing monotheists, of course. 

2- The Almighty Lord God in the Quran has threatened Muhammad with punishment if he would not perform his mission of conveying the Quranic Message.

2/1: God has commanded Muhammad to announce to his contemporaries that no one would protect/save him from God; nothing will protect/save him except conveying the Quranic verses: "Say, "No one can protect me from God, and I will not find any refuge except in Him. Except for a proclamation from God and His messages..." (72:22-23).

2/2: The followers and allies of Satan and devils among the contemporaries of Muhammad tried to negatively influence Muhammad so that he would invent/fabricate devilish revelations and would ascribe them to God's Religion; they were about to succeed in this scheme, within their evil plans that could eliminate mountains. God has threatened Muhammad by being punished if he inclined towards committing such a grave sin: "They almost lured you away from what We have revealed to you, so that you would invent something else in Our Name. In that case, they would have taken you for a friend. Had We not given you stability, you might have inclined towards them a little. Then We would have made you taste double in life, and double at death; then you would have found for yourself no helper against Us." (17:73-75).

2/3: God has asserted to Muhammad that if he would ascribe lies to God and to His Religion, He will inflict torment on him seen by others around him and they will not be able to help him or to keep the torment away from him: "It is the Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds. Had he falsely attributed some statements to Us. We would have seized him by the right arm. Then slashed his lifeline. And none of you could have restrained Us from him." (69:43-47).

3- Despite the above, God asserts His full control over the Quranic Revelation after it was inscribed into the soul/heart of Muhammad.

3/1: The angels supervised the process of conveying the Quranic Message by Muhammad: "The Knower of the Invisible Realm; He does not disclose His Invisible to anyone. Except to a messenger of His choosing. He then dispatches guards before him and behind him." (72:26-28).

3/2: God refutes here the false claims of the followers of Satan the outcast that Muhammad has invented and fabricated the Quranic verses: "Or do they say, "He forged a lie about God." If God so willed, He could have sealed your heart. But God obliterates the falsehoods, and confirm the Truth by His Words. He knows what is in the hearts." (42:24). This means that if Satan and devils have tried to whisper into the hart/soul of Muhammad to negatively influence the Quranic Revelation he uttered and to insert any falsehoods or lies, God foils such evil attempts by preserving Muhammad's heart/soul and the Quranic text. The Quranic verses contain no falsehoods or devilish revelations at all.

3/3: God would have removed the entirety of the Quran from Muhammad's heart/soul if He has willed this to occur, if it had not been for His mercy: "If We willed, We could take away what We revealed to you. Then you will find for yourself no protecting guardian against Us. Except through a mercy from your Lord. His favors upon you have been great." (17:86-87).

4- God has commanded Muhammad several times so as he would not follow or obey the followers/allies of Satan the outcast.

4/1: Within the verses revealed inside Mecca, God has warned Muhammad against obeying and flattering the disbelievers: "So do not obey the deniers. They would like you to compromise, so they would compromise. And do not obey any vile swearer. Backbiter, spreader of slander. Preventer of good, transgressor, sinner. Rude and fake besides. Just because he has money and children. When Our Verses are recited to him, he says, "Myths of the ancients!" We will brand him on the muzzle." (68:8-16).

4/2: Within the verses revealed inside Yathreb, God has commanded Muhammad to adhere to piety and to follow only the Quran while relying on the Lord God; in fact, within these verses directly addressing Muhammad, God has prohibited him from obeying the disbelievers and the hypocrites: "O prophet! Fear God, and do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites. God is Knowledgeable and Wise. And follow what is revealed to you from your Lord. God is fully Aware of what you do. And put your trust in God. God is enough as a Guardian." (33:1-3); "And do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and ignore their insults, and rely on God. God is a Sufficient Protector." (33:48).

 

Lastly: this is about real monotheists:

1- Real monotheistic believers must seek refuge in the Great Lord God against Satan the outcast when they feel they are about to commit a sin and disobey God and when they are about to read the Quran.

2- God asserts that only purified hearts of monotheists can be in touch with the Quranic Message, because they never believe in Satanist/devilish revelations/discourses as they believe only in the Quran as the Only Discourse in Islam and the only source of guidance within God's Religion. God says in the Quran: "I swear by the locations of the stars. It is an oath, if you only knew, that is tremendous. It is a Noble Quran. In a well-protected Book. None can grasp it except the purified ones. The Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds." (56:75-80).

 

 

 

 

More Details about Being Cursed

 

Firstly: being cursed is linked to being expelled and moved away from the Lord God:

1- Being cursed is synonymous of being expelled and moved away from the mercy of the Lord God; e.g., the people of Aad are cursed and destroyed by God: "That was Aad; they denied the Verses of their Lord, and disobeyed His messengers, and followed the lead of every stubborn tyrant. And they were pursued by a curse in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, Aad disbelieved in their Lord - so away with Aad, the people of Hud." (11:59-60).

2- This is why being moved away means to be cursed, as we infer again from this verse about the people of Aad: "Then the Blast struck them, justifiably, and We turned them into scum. So away with the unjust people." (23:41).

3- Being cursed is synonymous of being moved away in these verses: (A) about the destruction of the people of Noah: "And it was said, "O earth, swallow your waters," and "O heaven, clear up."...and it was proclaimed: "Away with the unjust people."" (11:44), (B) about the destruction of the people of Thamood: "As if they had never prospered therein. Indeed, Thamood disbelieved in their Lord, so away with Thamood." (11:68), (C) about the destruction of the people of Madian: "As though they never flourished therein. Away with Madian, as was done away with Thamood." (11:95), and (D) about the destruction of other nations/peoples: "Then We sent Our messengers in succession. Every time a messenger came to his community, they called him a liar. So We made them follow one another, and made them history. So away with a people who do not believe." (23:44).

 

Secondly: Being cursed is linked to the wrath of the Dominant Lord God (i.e., God's curse means His wrath):

1- This is inferred implicitly within the following Quranic contexts.

1/1: Within these verses about the disbelievers among the Israelites, we see that being cursed in 5:78 is linked to God's wrath in 5:80: "Cursed were those who disbelieved from among the Israelites by the tongue of David and Jesus son of Mary. That is because they rebelled and used to transgress. They used not to prevent one another from the wrongs they used to commit. Evil is what they used to do. You will see many of them allying themselves to those who disbelieve. Terrible is what their souls prompts them to do. The wrath of God fell upon them, and in the torment they will remain for eternity." (5:78-80).

1/2: Being cursed means to deserve the wrath of the Lord God: "As for those who accuse their own spouses, but have no witnesses except themselves, the testimony of one of them is equivalent to four testimonies, if he swears by God that he is truthful. And the fifth time, that God's curse be upon him, if he is a liar. But punishment shall be averted from her, if she swears four times by God, that he is a liar. And the fifth time, that God's wrath be upon her, if he is truthful." (24:6-9).

2- This is mentioned explicitly within the following Quranic contexts.

2/1: Within the torment of those who kill innocent, peaceful persons: "Whoever kills a believer deliberately, the penalty for him is Hell, where he will remain forever. And God will be angry with him, and will curse him, and will prepare for him a terrible torment." (4:93).

2/2: Within the torment of hypocrites and polytheists: "And He will punish the hypocrites, male and female, and the idolaters, male and female, those who harbor evil thoughts about God. They are surrounded by evil; and God is angry with them, and has cursed them, and has prepared for them Hell - a miserable destination." (48:6).

 

Thirdly: being cursed is linked to the misguided ones:

 This is understood from these verses about cursing the misguided ones, especially the clergymen, who conceal the Truth or God's Verses: "Those who suppress the proofs and the guidance We have revealed, after We have clarified them to humanity in the Book - those - God curses them, and the cursers curse them. Except those who repent, and reform, and proclaim. Those - I will accept their repentance. I am the Acceptor of Repentance, the Merciful." (2:159-160); "Those who conceal what God revealed in the Book, and exchange it for a small price-those swallow nothing but fire into their bellies. And God will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, and they will have a painful torment. It is they who exchange guidance for misguidance, and forgiveness for torment. But why do they insist on the Fire?" (2:174-175).

 

Fourthly: being cursed is linked to God's wrath and the misguided ones:

1- This is mentioned explicitly in this verse: "Say, "Shall I inform you of worse than that for retribution from God? He whom God has cursed, and with whom He became angry; and He turned some of them into apes, and swine, and Taghut worshipers. These are in a worse position, and further away from the Right Path."" (5:60).

2- This is why when all of us pray, we implore the Almighty Lord God to guide us to the Straight Path away from the misguided ones who deserve God's wrath: "Guide us to the Straight Path. The Path of those You have blessed, not of those against whom there is anger, nor of those who are misguided." (1:6-7). Hence, the misguided ones are those who deserve God's wrath; e.g., the Muhammadans, the Christians, and the Buddhists.

 

Fifthly: being cursed is linked to Hell-torment:

1- The verses we have quoted above make it clear that being cursed by God is directly linked to Hell-torment on the Day of Resurrection, as we assert further in the points below.

1/1: Being cursed is related to Hell-torment of those who conceal the Quranic Truth: "Those who conceal what God revealed in the Book, and exchange it for a small price-those swallow nothing but fire into their bellies. And God will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, and they will have a painful torment. It is they who exchange guidance for misguidance, and forgiveness for torment. But why do they insist on the Fire?" (2:174-175).

1/2: Being cursed is related to Hell-torment of those who murder innocent, peaceful people: "Whoever kills a believer deliberately, the penalty for him is Hell, where he will remain forever. And God will be angry with him, and will curse him, and will prepare for him a terrible torment." (4:93). What about those corrupt, sinful caliphs (from Abou Bakr to the last Ottoman caliph) who murdered millions of people? what about tyrants of this world in the West and in the East, in the North and in the South, who murdered many people in our modern era and in the past? What about tyrants of the future who will follow the footsteps of murderous tyrants of the past? God says the following in the Quran: "Do not ever think that God is unaware of what the unjust ones do. He only defers them until a Day when the sights stare. Their necks outstretched, their heads upraised, their gaze unblinking, their hearts void." (14:42-43).

1/3: The cursed Moses' Pharaoh is the imam/leader of all tyrants who have emerged after him; God says the following about his torment along with his people: "He will precede his people on the Day of Resurrection, and will lead them into the Fire. Miserable is the place he placed them in. They were followed by a curse in this, and on the Day of Resurrection. Miserable is the path they followed." (11:98-99); "And We made them leaders calling to the Fire. And on Resurrection Day, they will not be saved. And We pursued them in this world with a curse. And on Resurrection Day, they will be among the despised." (28:41-42).

1/4: We quote the following about the torment and curse which will be inflicted on the disbelievers among the Israelites on the Last Day: "Cursed were those who disbelieved from among the Israelites by the tongue of David and Jesus son of Mary. That is because they rebelled and used to transgress. They used not to prevent one another from the wrongs they used to commit. Evil is what they used to do. You will see many of them allying themselves to those who disbelieve. Terrible is what their souls prompts them to do. The wrath of God fell upon them, and in the torment they will remain for eternity." (5:78-80).

1/5: We quote the following about the torment and curse which will be inflicted on the polytheists and hypocrites on the Last Day: "And He will punish the hypocrites, male and female, and the idolaters, male and female, those who harbor evil thoughts about God. They are surrounded by evil; and God is angry with them, and has cursed them, and has prepared for them Hell - a miserable destination." (48:6).

2- We add the following points to the above-mentioned ones.

2/1: All those who die as disbelievers are cursed and will be tormented in Hell forever relentlessly: " But as for those who disbelieve, and die as disbelievers - those - upon them is the curse of God, and of the angels, and of all humanity. They will remain under it forever, and the torment will not be lightened for them, and they will not be reprieved." (2:161-162); "God has cursed the disbelievers, and has prepared for them a Blaze. Dwelling therein forever, not finding an ally or a savior." (33:64-65).

2/2: We quote the following about those who die as hypocrites who pretended to be believers while they were disbelievers: "God has promised the hypocrite men and hypocrite women, and the disbelievers, the Fire of Hell, abiding therein forever. It is their due. And God has cursed them. They will have a lasting torment." (9:68). Those who repent from their hypocrisy will be saved from Hell: "The hypocrites will be in the lowest level of the Fire, and you will find no helper for them. Except those who repent, and reform, and hold fast to God, and dedicate their religion to God alone. These are with the believers; and God will give the believers a great reward." (4:145-147). We find here warning/preaching addressed to the Muhammadans who falsely claim that they believe in the Quran while they insist on believing in other discourses/narratives/hadiths alongside with it. 

2/3: Those who disbelieve in the Quran will be cursed and tormented: "How will God guide a people who disbelieved after having believed, and had witnessed that the Messenger is true, and the clear proofs had come to them? God does not guide the unjust people. Those - their penalty is that upon them falls the curse of God, and of the angels, and of all humankind. Remaining in it eternally, without their torment being eased from them, and without being reprieved. Except those who repent afterwards, and reform; for God is Forgiving and Merciful." (3:86-89). We find here warning/preaching addressed to the Muhammadans so that they might repent, reform, and make amends before their death.

2/4: The clergymen who conceal the Truth will be cursed and the witnesses will bear testimony against them on the Last Day: "Most surely We will support Our messengers and those who believe, in this life, and on the Day the witnesses arise. The Day when their excuses will not profit the unjust ones, and the curse will be upon them, and they will have the Home of Misery." (40:51-52); "Who does greater wrong than he who fabricates lies about God? These will be presented before their Lord, and the witnesses will say, "These are they who lied about their Lord." Indeed, the curse of God is upon the unjust ones. Those who hinder others from the Path of God, and seek to make it crooked; and regarding the Hereafter, they are in denial." (11:18-19).

2/5: Those who have insulted/harmed God and His messenger in all eras (i.e., those who fabricate and spread lies/hadiths and ascribe them to God's Religion and Celestial Revelation) will be cursed and tormented: "Those who insult God and His Messenger, God has cursed them in this life and in the Hereafter, and has prepared for them a demeaning torment." (33:57).

3- These sinners will be cursed inside Hell as well.

3/1: They are cursed by angels of the Lord when they are inside Hell: "And the inhabitants of the Garden will call out to the inmates of the Fire, "We found what our Lord promised us to be true; did you find what your Lord promised you to be true?" They will say, "Yes." Thereupon a caller will announce in their midst, "The curse of God is upon the unjust ones."" (7:44)

3/2: The dwellers of Hell will curse one another while being tormented for eternity.

3/2/1: Abraham said the following to his people: "And he said, "You have chosen idols instead of God, out of affection for one another in the worldly life. But then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will disown one another, and curse one another. Your destiny is Hell, and you will have no saviors."" (29:25).

3/2/2: The unjust ones will curse one another while being thrown into Hell: "He will say, "Join the crowds of jinn and humans who have gone into the Fire before you." Every time a crowd enters, it will curse its sister-crowd. Until, when they are all in it, the last of them will say to the first of them, "Our Lord, these are the ones who misled us, so inflict on them a double punishment in the Fire." He will say, "Each will have a double, but you do not know."" (7:38).

3/2/3: The weak disbelievers will curse their maters/clergymen while both are tormented inside Hell: "The Day when their faces are flipped into the Fire, they will say, "If only we had obeyed God and obeyed the Messenger." And they will say, "Lord, we have obeyed our superiors and our dignitaries, but they led us away from the way. Lord, give them double the torment, and curse them with a great curse."" (33:66-68).

 

Sixthly: types of cursed people:

Cursing disbelievers among the People of the Book:

1- God has told the People of the Book to believe in the Quran which endorsed their Scriptures, but they disbelieved in it and they are thus cursed by God: "And they said, "Our hearts are sealed." Rather, God has cursed them for their disbelief. They have little faith. And when a Book came to them from God, confirming what they have - although previously they were seeking victory against those who disbelieved - but when there came to them what they recognized, they disbelieved in it. So God's curse is upon the disbelievers." (2:88-89); "O you who were given the Book! Believe in what We sent down, confirming what you have, before We obliterate faces and turn them inside out, or curse them as We cursed the Sabbath-breakers. The command of God is always done." (4:47).

2- Some of the People of the Book distorted God's words/commands and this incurred upon them God's curse: "Among the Jews are some who take words out of context, and say, "We hear and we disobey", and "Hear without listening", and "Observe us," twisting with their tongues and slandering the religion. Had they said, "We hear and we obey", and "Listen", and "Give us your attention," it would have been better for them, and more upright. But God has cursed them for their disbelief; they do not believe except a little." (4:46).

3- Some of the People of the Book falsely claimed that the Qorayish disbelievers are more 'guided' than the early believers: "Have you not considered those who were given a share of the Book? They believe in Gypt and Taghut, and say of those who disbelieve, "These are better guided on the way than the believers." Those are they whom God has cursed. Whomever God curses, you will find no savior for him." (4:51-52).

4- Some of the People of the Book insulted God within uttering blasphemous words: "The Jews say, "God's hand is tied." It is their hands that are tied, and they are cursed for what they say..." (5:64).

5- Some of the People of the Book broke the covenant made with the Lord God: "Because of their breaking their covenant, We cursed them, and made their hearts hard..." (5:13)

Cursing the disobedient ones among the so-called companions:

1- Some of the so-called companions slandered chaste women in Yathreb and accused them of committing fornication; God curses such slanderers in all eras as a general rule: "Those who slander honorable, innocent, believing women are cursed in this life and in the Hereafter. They will have a terrible torment." (24:23).

2- God has predicted that the so-called companions will be cursed as they rejected the Quran and will commit the crime known as the Arab civil war; this applies in particular to the leaders of such civil war: Ali, Mu'aweiya, and Al-Zubayr who never cared about their familial ties and relations and they spread corruption and fighting everyone: "If you turn away, you are likely to spread corruption on earth, and sever your family ties. Those are they whom God has cursed. He made them deaf, and blinded their sight." (47:22-23).

 

 

Being Cursed within the Mechanism of Torment: Those who Are Near and Those who Are Cursed and Distanced

 

Introduction:

1- All of us should remember that within our daily prayers, we implore and supplicate to the Lord God, when we recite the Quranic Chapter One, to guide us to the Straight Path away from those cursed misguided ones who incurred God's wrath who are excluded and expelled away from the Lord God's mercy on the Last Day, as He is the Sole Owner and Controller of the Day of Judgment. This is why we utter these two verses in each of the five daily prayers: "Guide us to the Straight Path. The Path of those You have blessed, not of those against whom there is anger, nor of those who are misguided." (1:6-7).

2- Being cursed on the Day of Resurrections means to be excluded from God's mercy; i.e., to be expelled and removed far away from it. Hence, we tend to think that the nearer resurrected souls to God on the Last Day are the ones who will enter into His mercy as they deserve to obtain it (by their deeds and faith) and the souls which are removed far away from Him are the ones who will enter into Hell-torment. So as to get nearer to God on the Last Day, one must get nearer to Him by good deeds within piety and faith/belief within monotheism during one's lifetimes. Thus, one must readily obey God and be among the Forerunners within this obedience within deep faith; otherwise, one will incur upon oneself the Hell-torment and one will be removed away from God and His mercy, and one is expelled/cursed inside Hell. We provide some details in the points below. 

 

Firstly: dwellers of Paradise and dwellers of Hell:

1- We know from the Quranic Chapter 56 that the human beings are divided into three categories: the Forerunners and those on the Right in Paradise and those on the Left who are the dwellers of Hell: "And you become three classes. Those on the Right - what of those on the Right? And those on the Left - what of those on the Left? And the Forerunners, the Forerunners." (56:7-10).  

2- Those on the Left are the cursed ones who are removed far away and excluded from the Dominant Lord's mercy; a fence will be erected between those dwellers of Hell and the dwellers of Paradise: "...A wall will be raised between them, in which is a door; within it is mercy, and outside it is torment." (57:13). Thus, the Hell-dwellers will be screened from the Dominant Lord's mercy on the Last Day. God says the following in the Quran about their state in Hell: "Not at all. On that Day, they will be screened from their Lord. Then they will roast in Hell." (83:15-16). 

 

Secondly: the cursed ones in Hell are below and far away, and the dwellers of Paradise are near and high:

1- We see in the Quran that God describes the dwellers of Paradise as residing in a high place and their book of deeds are located in a high position: "So he will be in pleasant living. In the Lofty Garden of Paradise." (69:21-22); "Faces on that Day will be joyful. Satisfied with their endeavor. In the Lofty Garden of Paradise." (88:8-10); "No indeed; the record of the righteous ones is in a High Position." (83:18).

2- Their high position in Paradise contains several degrees as per God's knowledge of their deeds in terms of quantity and quality: "...God elevates those among you who believe, and those given knowledge, many degrees. God is Aware of what you do." (58:11); "But whoever comes to Him a believer, having worked righteousness - these will have the highest ranks." (20:75).

3- The dwellers of Paradise will be divided within certain degrees (Forerunners and those on the Right) as per their deeds; the Forerunners are nearer to the Dominant Lord God in comparison to those on the Right. Those cursed ones are removed far away from God's mercy, and a fence will be erected between them and the good souls in Paradise, because of the disbelief, disobedience, and their bad, evil deeds accumulated inside their rusty, eroded hearts/souls: "Not at all. Their hearts have become corroded by what they used to earn. Not at all. On that Day, they will be screened from their Lord." (83:14-15). Thus, their hearts are laden with sins, disbelief, and disobedience, and they will be screened from the Dominant Lord God's mercy; this what they have incurred upon their souls; God is never unjust to anyone; they have been unjust towards themselves. 

 

Lastly: we are to heed the warning and preaching expressed here:

1- One can freely choose to be among those nearer to God in this world and in the Hereafter, among the Forerunners, if one adheres to the monotheism of (There is no God but Allah) and performs as many good deeds as possible within piety and within obeying the Lord God: "And race towards forgiveness from your Lord, and a Garden as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous." (3:133). Paradise is reserved only for the pious ones among the believers; one must readily perform many good deeds and acts of worship regularly during one's lifetime before one's death takes place so as to attain God's mercy, forgiveness, and pardon; the passage of time is unstoppable and one cannot freeze the time or regain/re-live a lost moment. We are to vie for performing many good deeds and NOT for idle playfulness and disobedience: "Race towards forgiveness from your Lord; and a Garden as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who believe in God and His messengers. That is the grace of God; He bestows it on whomever He wills. God is the Possessor of Immense Grace." (57:21).   

2- Hence, to be among the near ones on the Day of Resurrection, one must get nearer to God during one's lifetime within adherence to piety: "It is neither your wealth nor your children that bring you closer to Us, but it is he who believes and does good deeds. These will have a double reward for what they did; and they will reside in the Chambers, in peace and security." (34:37). The same piety within faith/belief and good deeds applies to offering sacrificial animals during pilgrimage: "Neither their flesh, nor their blood, ever reaches God. What reaches Him is the righteousness from you. Thus He subdued them to you, that you may glorify God for guiding you. And give good news to the charitable ones." (22:37). Thus, piety is the path towards Paradise as God accepts good deeds performed within piety and the fear of Him. The pious believers get nearer to God by obeying His commands and performing the best possible good deeds in terms of quality and quantity during their lifetimes to enter into the mercy of the Lord God on the Last Day: "Yet among the Desert-Arabs are those who believe in God and the Last Day, and consider their contribution to be a means to get nearer towards God, and the prayers of the Messenger. Surely it will draw them closer, and God will admit them into His mercy. God is Forgiving and Compassionate." (9:99). When one prostrates during the daily prayers, one is nearer to God (only if one is prostrating within the concentration by all one's senses and within  piety and the fear of the Lord God, of course). God has said the following to Muhammad: "No, do not obey him; but kneel down, and come near." (96:19). This means that one must never obey Satan; one is to distance oneself from the devils and get nearer to God within piety by performing prayers and prostrations.

3- The vast majority of the Muhammadans worship their fashioned mediators such as 'holy' mausoleums and deified 'saints'; such polytheistic faith tenets make the Muhammadans distance themselves away from the Lord God as cursed/excluded ones, despite the fact that God is Near to us and we never need clergymen or mediators between us and Him: "And when My servants ask you about Me, I Am near; I answer the call of the caller when he calls on Me. So let them answer Me, and have faith in Me, that they may be rightly guided." (2:186). In this verse, God has NOT told Muhammad to (say) something to his contemporaries; He provides the answer directly Himself; this means there are no mediators between people and God. God is Near to people even during the moment of dying: "...We are nearer to him than his jugular vein." (50:16); "So when it has reached the throat. As you are looking on. We are nearer to it than you are, but you do not see." (56:83-85). This is why the "Near" is one of the Holy Names/Epithets of the Lord God: "...My Lord is Near and Responsive." (11:61); "...He is Hearing and Near." (34:50).     

4- Therefore, one decides to disobey, disbelieve, commit sins, and to misguide oneself, and this means one chooses implicitly or explicitly, or (in)directly, to be among the dwellers of Hell; this is the choice of the vast majority of human beings by their deeds and beliefs; they justify their sins and disobedience during their lifetimes, and in some cases, they make their sins as parts of acts of worship in their polytheistic religions, while assuming they are 'guided' who perform 'good' deeds: "And when they commit an indecency, they say, "We found our parents doing this, and God has commanded us to do it." Say, "God does not command indecencies. Are you attributing to God what you do not know?" Say, "My Lord commands justice, and to stand devoted at every place of worship. So call upon Him, and dedicate your faith to Him alone. Just as He originated you, so you will return." Some He has guided, and some have deserved misguidance. They have adopted the devils for patrons rather than God, and they assume that they are guided." (7:28-30); "Do those who disbelieve think that they can take My servants for masters instead of Me? We have prepared Hell for the hospitality of the faithless. Say, "Shall We inform you of the greatest losers in their works?" "Those whose efforts in this world are misguided, while they assume that they are doing well." It is they who rejected the communications of their Lord, and the encounter with Him. So their works are in vain. And on the Day of Resurrection, We will consider them of no weight. That is their requital - Hell - on account of their disbelief, and their taking My revelations and My messengers in mockery." (18:102-106). They will be resurrected on the Last Day while their hearts/souls are laden with sins and evil deeds and they will find no room for themselves within the Lord God's mercy.   

5- God never breaks His Promise; God is never biased for or against anyone; He has promised those believers who are doers of goodness that they will enter into Paradise;  He has promised those disbelievers who are sinners and evildoers that they will enter into Hell: "God has promised those who believe and work righteousness: they will have forgiveness and a great reward. As for those who disbelieve and reject Our Verses - these are the inmates of Hell." (5:9-10).

6- Most of the Muhammadans memorize the Quranic Chapter One by heart and many of them read it within the daily prayers; yet, they mostly utter these two verses absentmindedly: "Guide us to the Straight Path. The Path of those You have blessed, not of those against whom there is anger, nor of those who are misguided." (1:6-7). They utter both verses while their mind are busy thinking about committing more sins after they perform prayers! Many of the Muhammadans are thus among the misguided ones who incur the wrath of God on themselves. Some of them make performing prayers (i.e., mere movements without piety or concentration within the fear of the Lord God) as the means to commit more sins and disobedience while assuming that prayers will make God remove such sins from their Books of Deeds! This erroneous view is among the main notions/tenets of the earthly, man-made, fabricated religions. This is why hypocrites among the Muhammadans allow people to see them pray to get a measure of fame and be esteemed and praised by the duped/deceived naïve masses, and this would allow them to dominate over the others or to commit acts of swindling to get their money! If such Muhammadans die as hypocrites without sincere repentance and correction of faith, they will be cursed/ distanced on the Day of Resurrection and will be excluded/screened from God's mercy.

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER V: The Location of Torment on the Day of Resurrection

 

 

 

The Dimensions of Time, Space, Speed, and Elevation in This Physical Realm

 

 

Introduction:

 Within our attempt to imagine the locality of Paradise bliss and Hell torment on the Last Day, we provide here an overview of the dimensions of time, space, speed, and elevation in the physical realm of the known universe; as per the Quran, this transient world is the First Day, which will end in destruction when the Hour takes place; after this total destruction, the Last Day will begin and it will be endless as human beings will be living for eternity; some in Hell and some in Paradise. We have written a series of articles before about scientific and cosmic indications inside the Quran, especially regarding the earth and the heavens, as the Quran contains indications which have not been tackled yet by the scientists of the West; we sincerely hope that such indications would be tackled by specialized scientists who can infer more scientific facts from these Quranic indications. We provide some details about this topic in the points below.

 

Firstly: seven levels of heavens overlapping seven levels of earth:

 God says in the Quran: "God is He Who created seven heavens, and their like of earth. The command descends through them..." (65:12). These seven levels of heavens are overlapping each one overlaps with the next one beneath it, and this applies to the seven levels of the earth. The lowest heaven is the one we see above us and the lowest level of earth is the physical one we see under our feet; the physical universe contains atoms whose vibrations are heavy and have the lowest speeds in comparison to the other Barsakh, metaphysical levels, in which jinn, devils, and angels exist. Of course, the jinn and devils exist in the lowest Barsakh level overlapping with earth; they are prevented from reaching higher levels into which they are never permitted; the high-rank angels exist in the Upper Realm in the seventh heaven. 

 

Secondly: the dimension of time enveloping everything in this physical realm:

1- Of course, the physical universe of the heaven and earth is enveloped by the dimension of time; we cannot see or know anything about the baresark levels of heavens and the earth which overlap the physical realm; we know only some pieces of information about the matter from which the universe (with its stars, galaxies, planets, etc.) is created. The three dimensions of the universe are enveloped by the element of time. We know from the Quran that time moves forward and never stops or turns back at all and that there are various speeds in each of the Barsakh levels; we also know from the Quran that the universe is heading unstoppably towards its inevitable end: total destruction.   

2- We notice that the Lord God in the Quran expresses the material or building blocks of the universe (i.e., the heavens and the earth) by using time-related terms: "day", "hour", ''year'', and "predetermine time". God shows in the Quran that the Hour (i.e., the total destruction of the physical realm) will take place within a speed faster than the speed of light: "And Our command is but once, like the twinkling of an eye." (54:50); "To God belongs the unseen of the heavens and the earth. The coming of the Hour is only as the twinkling of the eye, or even nearer..." (16:77).

 

Thirdly: speeds within vibrations:

1-Within our physical realm, solid atoms (from solid masses to planets and galaxies) rotate and vibrate within the speed of 400 billion cycles per second, and this speed increases up to 750 billion cycles per second when solid matter turns into gas and we can barely see gases, and it is impossible for the human naked eye to see energy. Higher vibrational levels and rotations exist in the Barsakh levels and this is why we cannot see creatures of these levels: jinn, devils, and angels. Of course, souls of the dead exist in this Barsakh; souls of sleepers go there temporarily and return to their bodies once they wake up. The scientific field called quantum mechanics, which is related to waves, indicates that overlapping or lack of overlapping between bodies is directly linked to the similarity or difference of the vibrational levels. Thus, if both bodies belong to the same realm, it is impossible that they overlap or merge; e.g., a man cannot move with his body through a wall as both the man and the wall have the same vibrational levels. The beings that have higher vibrational levels can overlap with or move through beings that have lower vibrational levels. Thus, angels, jinn, and devils as ethereal beings can exist on earth as the overlapping between them and the physical world is possible and natural. Thus, the souls inside the human bodies are deemed as another example of this overlapping and merging possible as per this scientific field called quantum mechanics.

2- The slowest speeds exist in the lowest level: i.e., the physical realm of the earth; the higher speeds for creatures exist within the Barsakh levels; the higher the Barsakh level, the higher the speed; this cannot be imagined by our limited mind; this applies to the varying speeds of the angels in their flying/moving expressed by the idea of (wings): "Praise be to God, Originator of the heavens and the earth, Maker of the angels messengers with wings-double, triple, and quadruple. He adds to creation as He wills. God is Able to do all things." (35:1). This means that the most powerful angels of the highest speeds are those who live in the Upper Realm in the seventh heaven. 

3- The arch-angel Gabriel, the Holy Spirit, and some angels with him descend with the fates decreed by God to all humanity (adversity/prosperity, births, deaths, and provisions) once a year within the Night of Decree every Ramadan; for further details, see our book in English titled "The Night-Journey Is The Night of Decree", found on this link: (http://www.ahl-alquran.com/arabic/book_main.php?main_id=112).

4- Each type of the creatures living within its given dimension or level has its type of speed available within this dimension or level. The movements of human beings and earthly creatures have the speeds which are less than the speed of light; the ethereal beings in the Barsakh levels have speeds faster than the speed of light; the higher the Barsakh level, the higher the speeds are.

 

Fourthly: elevation means the various speeds of vibrations of atoms:   

  We do not mean lower/higher levels of elevations within this earth or its creatures; rather, we mean that the speeds of the Barsakh- levels ethereal creatures vary despite the overlapping of these levels; Superstring theory can make us understand this notion; the ethereal creatures (i.e., angels) of a higher Barsakh-level can descend  and overlap with the lower Barsakh level; the opposite is not true for angels of a lower level; they cannot be elevated to reach or enter into a higher level; they are not permitted to do so. This means that the most powerful angels of the highest speeds are those who live in the Upper Realm in the seventh heaven; they include Gabriel; he and other angels descend on the physical earth annually (i.e., within the lower Barsakh level overlapping with earth) on the Night of Decree while carrying fates ordained by the Lord God on all human beings.

 

Fifthly: the universe is speeding towards its end; i.e., total destruction when the Hour takes place:

  This universe (with its stars, galaxies, planets, etc.) is moving relentlessly towards its end ordained by God within a predetermined time when the Hour will take place and the universe will be destroyed. God says in the Quran: "Say, "Have you considered those you worship instead of God? Show me which portion of the earth they have created. Or do they own a share of the heavens? Bring me a scripture prior to this one, or some trace of knowledge, if you are truthful."" (46:3). The disbeliever never contemplate on the universe and its creation; they never ponder that it has a beginning and it will have an end; the Hour will usher the end of the transient day of this world and the beginning of Last Day of Eternity; God says in the Quran: "Do they not reflect within themselves? God did not create the heavens and the earth, and what is between them, except with reason, and for a specific duration. But most people, regarding meeting their Lord, are disbelievers." (30:8).

 

Sixthly: one's dimension of space changes since the physical realm is moving towards its inevitable end:

1- Since the universe is in constant state of movement towards its inevitable end, this means that a person's location/space in the universe changes every second (or femtosecond) within the Milky Way galaxy which moves and revolves around its axis and this change of space/location is also indicated by the fact that the earth revolves around the sun and the sun revolves around the axis of the galaxy; this means that the Barsakh levels of the earth and the heavens move and change their locations in space all the time unstoppably until the utter destruction when the Hour takes place; the universe will end in vacuum or nothingness/chaos from which it has been originally created and begun.

2- This movement of time and space can never be stopped; one cannot move back in time; time is the dimension enveloping everything (visible or invisible to us) in the universe; the destruction/death of the universe is unavoidable.

 

Seventhly: "Indeed, I swear by what you see. And by what you do not see." (69:38-39):

1- We cannot see the Barsakh-levels realm and its ethereal creatures; this is because of the speeds there which are higher than the speed of light and which cannot be imagined by the human limited mind; the human eye cannot perceive this; this example of the physical realm of the earth will illustrate this fact further: Science tell us that atoms rotate within speeds between 400 billion to 750 billion cycles per second, and when they rotate faster, we can no longer see them. This is why we cannot see fan blades if they rotate at fast speeds. Let alone seeing angels moving in speeds faster than the speed of light?

2- God says in the Quran: "Indeed, I swear by what you see. And by what you do not see." (69:38-39). This means that within the vision-field of the human eye, there are ethereal creatures (i.e., angels, jinn, and devils) which we cannot see and they exist in the Barsakh level overlapping with earth; for instance, the angels which record our deeds and the devils which whisper evil deeds and thoughts to human souls; tempting devils will be seen by the misguided losers/sinners only on the Last Day.

3- Science tells us about the unseen (dark matter) in the universe; the ozone layer which protects the atmosphere is unseen by the human naked eye; this form of protection is alluded to, we think, in this verse: "And We made the sky a protected ceiling; yet they turn away from its wonders." (21:32).

 

Eighthly: we cannot see the firmament and how it was built/created:

 The Lord God describes the sky/firmament in the Quran as a built entity/structure situated high above us. 

1- God says in the Quran: "He who made the earth a habitat for you, and the sky a structure..." (2:22); "It is God who made the earth a habitat for you, and the sky a structure..." (40:64); "And the sky and He who built it." (91:5).

2- More details about the firmament or heaven are found in these verse.

2/1: It is a well-built, ornamented structure and it is never pierced with holes/fissures/cracks: "Have they not observed the sky above them, how We constructed it, and decorated it, and it has no cracks?" (50:6).

2/2: The firmament is built with the divine might and it contains seven strong levels/heavens: "And built above you seven strong ones?" (78:12).

2/3: The firmament of the universe is expanding: this applies to the heavens and to the galaxies as well: "We constructed the universe with power, and We are expanding it." (51:47).

2/4: The heavens contain minute balance; e.g., the laws of gravity which we can detect but we cannot see with the naked eyes: "And the sky, He raised; and He set up the balance." (55:7); "God is He who raised the heavens without pillars that you can see..." (13:2).

 

Lastly: what is the duration of the existence of the physical realm of the universe? When will the Hour take place?:

  To rephrase this question, we say here: what is the duration of this first day we call the universe? We know for sure it is heading with a certain speed to its end: total destruction. When this will occur? When will the end of days come?

1- Disbelievers and deniers used to ask God mockingly to hasten the torment for them; it is postponed till the Day of Judgment. We know from the Quran that the Divine Command or Decree for the Hour to take place has been issued; yet, its execution will occur within a pre-determined earthly time known only to God; it is never known to any of His creatures; the earthly time differs from the Divine Time in the Upper realm; 1000 years on earth is one day within the Divine Time: "The command of God has come, so do not rush it. Glory be to Him; exalted above what they associate." (16:1); "And they ask you to hasten the punishment. But God never breaks His promise. A day with your Lord is like a thousand years of your count." (22:47).   

2- The same estimation of time is linked to the divine commands/decrees descending to earth with the movements of angels up and down the universe between the earth and the heavens: "He regulates all affairs, from the heavens, to the earth. Then it ascends to Him on a Day the length of which is a thousand years by your count." (32:5). 

3- God says that the transient world will exist only for 50 thousand years as per the Divine Time in the Upper Realm and NOT as per earthly, terrestrial time: "A questioner questioned the imminent torment. For the disbelievers; none can repel it. From God, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. Unto Him the angels and the Spirit ascend on a Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years." (70:1-4). Of course, we never know when the universe has been created; we never know when the universe is destroyed when the Hour comes; we only know that the biggest sign of the nearness of the coming of the Hour is the revelation/descent of the Quran as the Last Divine Message from God to human beings; the Quran will last until the end of days or the end of Time.    

 

 

"On The Day When the Earth Is Changed into Another Earth, and the Heavens, and They Will Emerge before God, the One, Dominant Lord." (Quran 14:48)

 

 

 

Firstly: "On the Day when the earth is changed into another earth..." (14:48):

1- Physical/natural laws known to human beings and the ones which have not been known yet within this physical realm (the universe: earth, heavens, stars, galaxies, etc.) are certainly and totally different from the physical/natural laws (unknown to humanity) of the Barsakh levels of the earth and heavens. Both types of laws will change 100% when the universe is destroyed with its physical and metaphysical realms; this is inferred from this verse: "On the Day when the earth is changed into another earth, and the heavens..." (14:48). This means that this change, when the Hour comes, will include the exact opposite of physical/natural laws of our physical realm; since we know very little about the physical realm around us, we are very ignorant about the description of the Eternal Realm: "...but most people do not know. They know an outer aspect of the worldly life, but they are heedless of the Hereafter." (30:6-7). We know only about the Eternal Realm as per our limited understanding and pondering on the Quranic verses that tackle the Last Day and the Hereafter.   

2- Our limited human minds cannot understand the nature of the Eternal Realm where there is no past nor future. It is impossible to fully imagine this as our perceptions are based on the physical realm around us. The dimension of time is enveloping our existence and it moves forward and it never turns back or stops, until the Hour takes place and the universe will be totally destroyed and return to its zero point.  

3- We notice that the Quranic verses about the Last Day employ the past tense in Arabic – despite the fact that the Last Day has not taken place yet. This usage of past tense (and the passive voice) indicates the fact that these events are bound to occur inevitably as per God's Will and Decree. God says in the Quran: "And the Trumpet was sounded, whereupon everyone in the heavens and the earth were stunned, except whomever God wills. Then it was sounded another time, whereupon they were risen up, looking on. And the earth shone with the Light of its Lord; and the Book was put in place; and the prophets and the witnesses were brought in; and Judgment was passed among them equitably, and they were not wronged." (39:68-69). The succession of the Last-Day events before people enter into either Hell or Paradise will take place in this Eternal Realm, where there is no past or future, as there is only the present eternity and time will seem to be 'frozen'. This is very hard to fathom or to imagine by our limited human minds; we understand only what is physical and perceived by the senses; we cannot until now understand the nature of metaphysical, Barsakh levels that overlap with the physical universe; let alone an Eternal Realm which is yet to come; we will fully grasp it only when it is realized and we live and witness it after our souls are resurrected. God the Omniscient Lord knows the visible and the invisible as well as the future in this world and the next one. The only information we know about the Hereafter is found in the Quran. The past tense is used to indicate the inevitable fate/decree by the Lord God that such events will take place; the Divine Decrees are issued and they are yet to be fulfilled/realized in its predetermined time: "The command of God has come, so do not rush it. Glory be to Him; exalted above what they associate." (16:1).     

4- The Big Bang that has been the commencement of the creation of the heavens and the earth is referred to in the following verse: "Do the disbelievers not see that the heavens and the earth were one mass, and We tore them apart? And We made from water every living thing. Will they not believe?" (21:30). This resulted into two realms/universes which are opposite to each other; i.e., a universe and its counter-universe (like positive and negative or [+/-]), and we infer this from these verses: "We created all things in pairs, so that you may reflect and ponder." (51:49); "Glory be to Him who created all the pairs; of what the earth produces, and of their own selves, and of what they do not know." (36:36). This universe and its counter-universe move into two opposite direction within an oval or elliptic orbit; the universe is expanding all the time: "We constructed the universe with power, and We are expanding it." (51:47). The Hour will take place and the universe is destroyed totally when the universe and the counter-universe will converge and collide with one another; this fact is inferred from this verse: "On the Day when We fold the heaven, like the folding of a book. Just as We began the first creation, We will repeat it - a promise binding on Us. We will act." (21:104). This collusion will bring the end of the universe and it will return to its zero point. This is the meaning of the Hour when it occurs.

5- God's calculations include that 50 thousand years will be the duration between the creation of the universe and the Hour. These 50 thousand years are NOT as per the human calculations of years. We never know how much this duration is as per the human perception of time on earth; we never know when the universe has been created and what is left from the 50 thousand years mentioned in the Quran as per God's calculations; we know only that the Hour is very near; God has said the following 14 centuries ago: "The Humankind's judgment has drawn near, but they turn away heedlessly." (21:1); "A questioner questioned the imminent torment. For the disbelievers; none can repel it. From God, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. Unto Him the angels and the Spirit ascend on a Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. So be patient, with sweet patience. They see it distant. But We see it near." (70:1-7).    

6- Human beings now use the unit of (light years); the speed of light is 300 thousand km/s and this means that light moves 18 million km per minute; this is known as (the light minute); the distance covered by light within one light year is 9,460,730,472,580,800 meters; i.e., 9,461 trillion km. The distances in the outer space in the universe are so vast and they are measured in billions of light years. Let alone speeds and distances within the Barsakh levels known only to God and never known to humanity? God says in the Quran: "Certainly the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of humanity, but most people do not know." (40:57).

 

Secondly:"...and they will emerge before God, the One, Dominant Lord." (14:48):

1- God manages the universe using His angels; this fact is expressed in the Quran using the earthly time: "He regulates all affairs, from the heavens, to the earth. Then it ascends to Him on a Day the length of which is a thousand years by your count. That is the Knower of the Invisible and the Visible, the Powerful, the Merciful." (32:5-6). We notice the usage of the present tense here; God is, of course, High above time and space/locality. Human beings cannot know the future; God is the Only Omniscient Lord: "He knows what penetrates into the earth, and what comes out of it, and what descends from the sky, and what ascends to it. He is the Merciful, the Forgiving." (34:2); "With Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except He. And He knows everything on land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but He knows it; and there is not a single grain in the darkness of earth, nor is there anything wet or dry, but is in a clear record." (6:59).

2- Angels who manage the universe include Gabriel and angels with him who descend upon the earth with fates annually during the Night of Decree each Ramadan; Gabriel contacted prophets/messengers with God's Revelation; this stage/era ended when the Quran was revealed and Muhammad, the seal of all prophets, died. Of course, there are angels that record deeds/words of human beings and there are the angels of death. On the Last Day, both human beings and angels will be judged; these verses are about the judgment of the angels: "And you will see the angels hovering around the Throne, glorifying their Lord with praise. And it will be judged between them equitably, and it will be said, "Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds."" (39:75); "On the Day when the Spirit and the angels stand in row. They will not speak, unless it be one permitted by the Most Merciful, and he will say what is right. " (78:38). This means that the angels enjoy freedom of actions, words, and choice; we are to remember that Iblis was an angel in the Upper Realm who refused to obey the command of the Lord God to kneel before Adam and he was cursed and distanced into the lowest Barsakh of earth with the jinn and devils; he became Satan.   

3- The Day of Judgment is when human beings meet with their Lord God; real, pious believers long for this meeting; the heedless disbelievers never think of this meeting as they disbelieve in it and deny it, because they deny the Last Day.

4- God uses human-related words here in the contexts of the Last-Day events (and about Himself) to make us grasp and understand what will occur. Let us exemplify this.

4/1: "No - when the earth is leveled, pounded, and crushed. And your Lord comes, with the angels, row after row." (89:21-22).

4/2: "To your Lord on that Day is the settlement." (75:12); "To your Lord on that Day is the drive." (75:30).

4/3: "They will emerge before God, altogether..." (14:21); "... and they will emerge before God, the One, Dominant Lord." (14:48).

4/4: "They will be presented before your Lord in a row..." (18:48).

  Within all of the above points, we cannot imagine the time and place within the Eternal Realm.

5- God will create new angels on the Last Day that will accompany His Presence/Manifestation; these angels will not be judged and will be absolutely obedient to Him: "And your Lord comes, with the angels, row after row." (89:22). There will be various types of angels as per the points below. 

5/1: The ones standing on their legs in the elevated location between Hell and Paradise: "And between them is a partition, and on the Elevations are men who recognize everyone by their features. They will call to the inhabitants of the Garden, "Peace be upon you." They have not entered it, but they are hoping. And when their eyes are directed towards the inmates of the Fire, they will say, "Our Lord, do not place us among the unjust people." And those of the Elevations will call to men they recognize by their features, saying, "Your hoardings did not avail you, nor did your arrogance." "Are these the ones you swore God will not touch with mercy?" "Enter into Paradise; you have nothing to fear, and you will not grieve."" (7:46-49). More about these angels are found in our book titled "Will the Sinning Muslims Get out of Hell to Enter into Paradise?".

5/2: The ones who arrange/align the human beings into rows and scold those who get out of the rows; they are mentioned by God here: "By the aligners aligning. And the scolders scolding." (37:1-2).

5/2/1: Those aligning angels include those who force sinners/disbelievers into Hell while rebuking them severely for their rejecting the Book of God: "On the Day when We gather from every community a group of those who rejected Our Verses; and they will be restrained. Until, when they arrive, He will say, "Did you reject My revelations without comprehending them? Or what is it you were doing?" The Word will come down upon them for their wrongdoing, and they will not speak." (27:83-85); "The Day when God's enemies are herded into the Fire, forcibly." (41:19).

5/2/2: Those angels will rebuke severely those sinners/disbelievers while they are thrown into Hell through its gates like rubbish bags: " Those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in throngs. Until, when they have reached it, and its gates are opened, its keepers will say to them, "Did not messengers from among you come to you, reciting to you the Verses of your Lord, and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?" They will say, "Yes, but the verdict of torment is justified against the disbelievers." It will be said, "Enter the gates of Hell, to abide therein eternally." How wretched is the destination of the arrogant ones." (39:71-72); "That God may distinguish the bad from the good, and heap the bad on top of one another, and pile them together, and throw them in Hell. These are the losers." (8:37); "Then they will be toppled into it, together with the seducers. And the soldiers of Satan, all of them." (26:94-95).

5/3: There are angels who will drive good souls into Paradise through its gates: "And those who feared their Lord will be led to Paradise in throngs. Until, when they have reached it, and its gates are opened, its keepers will say to them, "Peace be upon you, you have been good, so enter it, to abide therein eternally."" (39:73).

5/4: There are angels inside Hell who oversee Hell-dwellers and their torment: "O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire, whose fuel is people and stones. Over it are angels, fierce and powerful. They never disobey God in anything He commands them, and they carry out whatever they are commanded." (66:6).

5/4/1: These angels are guardians of Hell who rebuke its dwellers: "When they are thrown into it, they will hear it roaring, as it seethes. It almost bursts with fury. Every time a batch is thrown into it, its keepers will ask them, "Has no warner come to you?" They will say, "Yes, a warner did come to us, but we disbelieved, and said, 'God did not send down anything; you are very much mistaken.'"" (67:7-9).

5/4/2: This rebuke will be uttered by them when the dwellers of Hell demand a respite or a temporary relief: "And those in the Fire will say to the keepers of Hell, "Call to your Lord to lessen our suffering for one day." They will say, "Did not your messengers come to you with clear signs?" They will say, "Yes." They will say, "Then pray, but the prayers of the disbelievers will always be in vain."" (40:49-50).

5/4/3: Those angels include Malik, the main keeper of Hell: "And they will cry, "O Malik, let your Lord finish us off." He will say, "You are staying." We have given you the Truth, but most of you hate the Truth." (43:77-78). Would disbelievers/polytheists among the Muhammadans be warned by all this? Would they stop believing in devilish hadiths and stop rejecting the Quran?

5/4/4: Some of the angels in Hell take part in tormenting some of the Hell-dwellers and prevent their escaping this torment: "...As for those who disbelieve, garments of fire will be tailored for them, and scalding water will be poured over their heads. Melting their insides and their skins. And they will have maces of iron." (22:19-22); "But as for those who transgressed, their shelter is the Fire. Every time they try to get out of it, they will be brought back into it, and it will be said to them, "Taste the suffering of the Fire which you used to deny."" (32:20).

5/5: There are angels who greet Paradise-dwellers inside Paradise: "Everlasting Gardens, which they will enter, along with the righteous among their parents, and their spouses, and their descendants. And the angels will enter upon them from every gate. "Peace be upon you, because you endured patiently. How excellent is the Final Home."" (13:23-24).

6- Hell and Paradise have NOT been created yet; God will manifest Himself on the Last Day and all human beings will be made to stand before Him; He will create and bring forth Hell and Paradise on the Day of Judgment: "And Paradise will be brought near for the pious ones. And Hell will be displayed to the deviators." (26:90-91); "And Hell will be displayed to whoever sees." (79:36); "And on that Day, Hell is brought forward. On that Day, man will remember, but how will remembrance avail him?" (89:23).

 

Lastly:

1- God says the following about His Dominance and Control on the Day of Resurrection: "They have not esteemed God as He ought to be esteemed. The entire earth is in His grip on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens are folded in His right. High above is He and Transcendent beyond the associations they make. And the Trumpet was sounded, whereupon everyone in the heavens and the earth were stunned, except whomever God wills. Then it was sounded another time, whereupon they were risen up, looking on. And the earth shone with the Light of its Lord; and the Book was put in place; and the prophets and the witnesses were brought in; and Judgment was passed among them equitably, and they were not wronged." (39:67-69). The use of the passive voice here indicates that human beings lose their freedom of action on the Last Day during Resurrection, Gathering, Judgment, etc. They lose their freedom once the moment of their dying comes. The winners who are Paradise-dwellers retrieve their freedom for eternity; losers/sinners who are Hell-dwellers will continue losing their freedom for eternity inside Hell. Hence, those who misuse their freedom in this transient world and lead a life of sinning, disbelief, aggression, transgression, and committing injustices as long as they are alive and awake will lose their freedom while dying, and while being resurrected and judged, and while being tormented inside Hell forever as the fate they deserve.   

2- Would disbelievers be warned by all this?

 

 

 

The Problematic Issue of (Place) in the Hereafter

 

 

Introduction: 

 This is our Quranist ponderings regarding the problematic issue of (place) in the Hereafter; i.e., where Hell and Paradise will be situated in the future; this is part of the metaphysical realm which is yet to be created; we ponder some Quranic indications about it; our reflections and inferences might be right or wrong, but eventually, we know quite well that the Quranic verses about the Hereafter will be interpreted/realized/fulfilled only on the Day of Resurrection.   

 

Firstly: human knowledge is always limited and so is our vision within this transient, physical realm:

1- We never see rays and energy and yet we benefit from them within our physical world; we never see with the naked eye living creatures which are the denizens of the deep oceans; we never see with the naked eye harmful and useful microorganisms inside our bodies and on our skin; God says all living creatures are communities like the human community: "There is no animal on land, nor a bird flying with its wings, but are communities like you..." (6:38). Human beings use the intricate, complex microscopes and telescopes to be able to see atoms and galaxies which we cannot see with the naked eye; the more human beings discover, the more they know the fact that they know very little of the creation of the Omnipotent Dominant Lord God. 

2- Science now is knowing at the doors or thresholds of the Barsakh levels; i.e., we mean the Superstring theory; many controversial details surround this theory, as is the case of any new theory that aims to discover and study the unknown elements of the physical universe. The three main dimensions in the universe is length, width, and height, and the fourth dimension enveloping all the others is Time. The Superstring theory assumes that there are 11 dimensions in this universe: the four ones we have mentioned plus 7 others. The Superstring theory assumes that before the Big Bang that caused the creation of the universe, the entire existence was one mass or point which has exploded; this is alluded to in this Quranic verse: "Do the disbelievers not see that the heavens and the earth were one mass, and We tore them apart?..." (21:30). Scientists assume that the dimensions of the universe move/vibrate as per new laws; these strings seem to be the basic building block of the universe; they consist of minute strings of energy which are vibrating all the time within wavelengths or frequencies that differ; gravitation (among other powers) is the result of such vibration of certain strings. Everything in the universe; e.g., fermions, quarks, leptons, hadrons, bosons, and carriers of power/energy like photons, are known by the pattern of how its strings vibrate and move. These vibrating strings form the basic units of matter, not just the particles and atoms. If the theory of the 11 dimensions is true, this means that the known universe overlaps with other universes unknown yet to humanity; each one of these universes has its own laws which is yet to be discovered.     

3- The Quran has preceded science in asserting the fact that there are seven Barsakh levels in the heavens and seven others within the earth and that they overlap with one another; these might be the dimensions; they are 13 and not 11 or 14; as the physical level of the earth is one of these levels or dimensions, of course.

4- The Quran has preceded science in asserting the fact that there are living creatures in the heavens and the earth: "And of His signs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the creatures He has spread throughout them; and He is Able to gather them at will." (42:29); "To God bows down everything in the heavens and everything on earth - every living creature, and the angels, and without being proud." (16:49). We understand that these creatures are human beings, jinn, devils, and angels.

5- Human beings know very little about the physical realm (i.e., the earth, the stars, the galaxies, etc.) and the only pieces of information know about the Barsakh levels are found in the Quran exclusively; the Quran is the exclusive source of the future events which will occur in the Hereafter, when the physical universe is destroyed and a New, Eternal Realm of earth and heavens will exist and the Dominant Lord will judge human beings, jinn, angels, and devils, and the sinners will be forced to enter into Hell for eternity and the good ones will be made to enter into Paradise for eternity.  

6- The Quranic verses employ metaphorical, figurative style to help our limited human minds understand things about the Hereafter; this is the Divine Knowledge bestowed to us in the Quran to be able to ponder on this New, Eternal Realm which will be created in the Hereafter after the Hour takes place and the physical universe is destroyed, and hence the difficulty of the problematic issue of (place) and (eternal time) in the Hereafter.   

7- Those who support the Superstring theory assume that there are other universes overlapping with the physical one we live in, and each universe of those has other dimensions, laws, etc. which has of course, other sense of time and place. Since it is hard to imagine this since no photos are taken of such universes, it is harder to imagine the sense of timelessness and the sense of place in the Hereafter and on the Last Day.   

 

Secondly: the earth and the heavens on the Last Day:

1- The Quranic term (earth) has different meanings; they include the land/earth of the Paradise of the Hereafter, as we infer from these verses: "We have written...that the earth will be inherited by My righteous servants." (21:105); "And they will say, "Praise be to God, who has fulfilled His promise to us, and made us inherit the land, enjoying Paradise as we please." How excellent is the reward of the workers." (39:74).

2- God says in the Quran: "And the Trumpet was sounded, whereupon everyone in the heavens and the earth were stunned, except whomever God wills. Then it was sounded another time, whereupon they were risen up, looking on." And the earth shone with the Light of its Lord; and the Book was put in place; and the prophets and the witnesses were brought in; and Judgment was passed among them equitably, and they were not wronged." (39:68-69). This Quranic context asserts that the Last-Day events and the meeting with the Dominant Lord God will be on the earth of the Hereafter; thus, we conclude that the earth and the heavens are overlapping within the Hereafter within this Eternal Realm.  

3- God says the following about the vastness of Paradise: "And race towards forgiveness from your Lord, and a Garden as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the pious ones." (3:133); "Race towards forgiveness from your Lord; and a Garden as vast as the heavens and the earth..." (57:21). The gates of Paradise will be opened for its dwellers: "The Gardens of Eden, with their doors wide-open for them." (38:50), and this allow Paradise-dwellers to go everywhere; they will even be able to see Hell and its dwellers; God narrates this scene as a flash-forward about a Paradise-dweller rebuking one of the Hell-dwellers who tried to misguide him within the temporary life on earth: "Then they will approach one another, questioning. One of them will say, "I used to have a friend. Who used to say, "Are you of those who believe? That after we die and become dust and bones, we will be called to account?" He will say, "Will you have a look?" He will look, and will see him in the pit of Hell. He will say, "By God, you almost ruined me. Were it not for the grace of my Lord, I would have been among the arraigned." "We will not die. Except for our first death, and we will not be tormented."" (37:50-59). Paradise-dwellers will never be harmed by Hell or hear its frightening voices; we infer this from this context about Hell-dwellers and Paradise-dwellers: "In it they will wail. In it they will not hear. As for those who deserved goodness from Us - these will be kept away from it. They will not hear its hissing, and they will forever abide in what their hearts desire." (21:100-102). 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER VI: Preaching People to Avoid Torment

 

On the Quranic Warning and Preaching to Avoid Torment

 

Introduction:

1- The Quran is the Divine, Celestial Book of guidance to make people move out of darkness of falsehoods and injustices to the Light of the Truth and justice/charity, so that their fate will be Paradise for eternity instead of Hell forever. God created human beings as free agents who choose either guidance, knowledge, and piety or misguidance, ignorance, or sins. This is the test of life, based on free choice.

2- Human beings see the reward/result of their deeds in this world before the next; the pious ones see the goodness in this life and in the Hereafter: "And it will be said to those who maintained piety, "What has your Lord revealed?" They will say, "Goodness." To those who do good in this world is goodness, and the Home of the Hereafter is even better. How wonderful is the residence of the pious ones." (16:30); "Those who emigrate for God's sake after being persecuted, We will settle them in a good place in this world; but the reward of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew. Those who endure patiently, and in their Lord they put their trust." (16:41-42); " Say, "O My servants who have believed, keep your duty to your Lord. For those who do good in this world, is goodness. And God's earth is vast. The steadfast will be paid their wages in full, without limits."" (39:10). In contrast, the criminals/sinners will be tormented temporarily in this world and in the next (in Hell for eternity) in case they do not repent and atone for their bad deeds, injustices, and sins before they die.

3- In order to urge people to avoid torment in this world and the next, there are many various types of warning and preaching in the Quran. In fact, most people are heedless and never care for this Quranic warning. For instance, the Muhammadans are being tormented in this world now, as we see in today's media about the news of their being destroyed in wars and as we read about the man-inflicted calamities of them in books of the Middle-Ages history and modern history. The Muhammadans are polytheists who will enter into Hell for eternity in case of non-repentance and never becoming monotheists. It is stranger still that the Muhammadans claim falsely that they believe in the Quran, as they are the worst type of misguided people; in fact, they are both criminals and victims at the same time.    

4- We demonstrate below the Quranic ways of preaching and warning to make people avoid torment.

 

Firstly: warning and preaching by the end of Quranic stories about the ancient nations:

1- Most Quranic stories about the previous prophets and their peoples/tribes come in verses revealed in Mecca. Within the earliest verses revealed in Yathreb, God says in the Quran: "We have sent down to you clarifying verses, and examples of those who passed on before you, and advice for the pious ones." (24:34). This is a reminder of the fact that Quranic stories are lessons to be drawn and learned only by the pious, God-fearing ones.

2- Many Quranic chapters that were revealed in Mecca mention stories of other prophets and their peoples/tribes; among them is the Quranic Chapter 11, and after mentioning these stories God provides this comment: "These are of the reports of the towns-We relate them to you. Some are still standing, and some have withered away. We did not wrong them, but they wronged themselves. Their gods, whom they invoked besides God, availed them nothing when the command of your Lord arrived. In fact, they added only to their ruin. Such is the grip of your Lord when He seizes the towns in the midst of their sins. His grip is most painful, most severe. In that is a sign for whoever fears the punishment of the Hereafter. That is a Day for which humanity will be gathered together-that is a Day to be witnessed." (11:100-103). The term (sign) here is used to stand for warning and preaching for people to take heed and draw useful lessons. By the end of the Quranic Chapter 11, God reminds people that Quranic stories are a warning for them and a reminder: "Everything We narrate to you of the history of the messengers is to strengthen your heart therewith. The Truth has come to you in this, and a lesson, and a reminder for the believers." (11:120). The Quranic Chapter 26 mentions some Quranic stories about prophets and their peoples/tribes, and each story ends in the repeated phrase: (Surely in this is a sign...). The location of the ruins of the people of the prophet Saleh is made a sign for others to heed and draw useful lessons: "So note the outcome of their planning; We destroyed them and their people, altogether. Here are their homes, in ruins, on account of their iniquities. Surely in this is a sign for people who know." (27:51-52). Moses' Pharaoh is the master/leader for all tyrants coming after him in all eras whose tyranny led them to the sin of self-deification. God says in the Quran about Pharaoh: "So God seized him with an exemplary punishment, in the last and in the first. In this is a lesson for whoever fears." (79:25-26). Yet, no one among the tyrants in the Middle East take heed and fear the Lord God!

3- Since the Abbasid Era onwards, homosexuality has spread among the Muhammadans and it has become a religious ritual for Sufis in the Mameluke Era, as per the detail in our book titled "The Influence of Sufism on Immorality and Decadence of the Mameluke Era in Egypt". Homosexuality is still practiced in secret by many Wahabis in particular in our modern era; they are addicted to homosexual debaucheries and yet they pretend to be pious and good! The homosexual debaucheries spread later on among the Turks and the Mongols from the Arabs/Muhammadans and then from them to the West since at least the 19^th century. The West now discuss homosexuality openly; in contrast, the Muhammadans deny the existence of homosexuals among their societies inside their countries despite the spread of homosexual debaucheries secretly everywhere. This is why God repeats the story of Lot and his homosexual people many times in the Quran: to warn many times against this sin that will spread in eras after the Quran was revealed. This is a miraculous prediction that such a sin will spread the more among the polytheistic Muhammadans. The Quranic story of Lot and his people focus more on the sin of homosexuality more than their taking other deities/gods beside Allah. The Quranic narrative of the smiting and destruction of the people of Lot involves a warning (and a threat) addressed to Muhammadans who read the Quran and never take heed: "And when Our command came about, We turned it upside down, and We rained down on it stones of baked clay. Marked from your Lord, and never far from the unjust ones." (11:82-83). This warning is addressing the Muhammadans now; it has been fulfilled now as many Arab cities are destroyed! God says the following about the ruins of Sodom and Gomorrah: "And We left behind a clear sign of it, for people who understand." (29:35); "And We left in it a sign for those who fear the painful torment." (51:37). Yet, the Muhammadans never take heed and never fear the Lord God!       

4- Warning and preaching in the Quran are directly linked to each other; e.g., in this direct address to all human beings after the narration of some Quranic stories of the ancient nations: "Do the people of the towns feel secure that Our might will not come upon them by night, while they sleep? Do the people of the towns feel secure that Our might will not come upon them by day, while they play? Do they feel safe from God's plan? None feel safe from God's plan except the losing people. Is it not guidance for those who inherit the land after its inhabitants, that if We willed, We could strike them for their sins? And seal up their hearts, so that they would not hear?" (7:97-100). Indeed, each verse in 7:97-100 entails a separate article to ponder it deeply, but we briefly assert here that disbelievers/polytheists are tormented in this world by ongoing wars against one another with most advanced tools and weapons of every era (or rather every decade), as the Muhammadans never pay heed to the Quran at all; they never ponder the following warning: "Do those who scheme evils feel secure that God will not cause the earth to cave in with them, or that the torment will not come upon them from where they do not perceive? Or that He will not seize them during their activities? And they will not be able to prevent it. Or that He will not seize them while in dread?..." (16:45-47); "We destroyed generations before you when they did wrong. Their messengers came to them with clear signs, but they would not believe. Thus We requite the sinful people. Then We made you successors on earth after them, to see how you would behave." (10:13-14).

5- The bad typical habit of most human beings is that they repent when they face fearful ordeals/calamities and life-threatening situations, but once they survive, they return to disobedience, as if they were spared God's torment or can escape or run away from the Dominant Lord. God warns them in the Quran as follows: "When harm afflicts you at sea, those you pray to vanish, except for Him. But when He saves you to land, you turn away. The human being is ever disbelieving. Are you confident that He will not cause a track of land to cave in beneath you, or unleash a tornado against you, and then you find no protector? Or are you confident that He will not return you to it once again, and unleash a hurricane against you, and drown you for your disbelief? Then you will find no helper against Us." (17:67-69).

6- Warning and preaching in the Quran are also linked to the vital importance of the presence of preachers and callers for reform; they are like safety valves indeed. Were the ancient people obedient to the reformers/prophets, they would not have been destroyed by God: "If only there were, among the generations before you, people with wisdom, who spoke against corruption on earth-except for the few whom We saved. But the wrongdoers pursued the luxuries they were indulged in, and thus became guilty. Your Lord would never destroy the towns wrongfully, while their inhabitants are reformers." (11:116-117).

7- Thus, reform has been the mission of all God's prophets/messengers; e.g., (1) Shueib: "...I desire nothing but reform, as far as I can..." (11:88); (2) Hood: "I convey to you the messages of my Lord, and I am a trustworthy adviser to you." (7:68), and (3) Saleh: "...I have delivered to you the message of my Lord, and I have advised you, but you do not like those who give advice." (7:79). Hence, preachers of reform in all eras follow the footsteps of prophets/messengers. Towns/villages (i.e., countries/states) are destroyed as per the Quranic rule when the reformers and callers for justice are rejected, incarcerated, persecuted, and/or murdered by the affluent, unjust ones. Muhammadans have committed these crimes against preachers of justice, reform, and Truth. God says in the Quran: "When We decide to destroy a town, We command its affluent ones, they transgress in it, so the word becomes justified against it, and We destroy it completely." (17:16). 

 

Secondly: the Quranic command to roam the Earth to take heed of what had occurred to ancient nations:

1- In contrast to the man-made, fabricated, earthly Sunnite religion, God commands people in the Quran to roam the earth to apply empiricism and scientific research to get to know God's creation and to take heed of the ruins of ancient people to avoid being smitten and tormented like them: "Have they not seen how God originates the creation, and then reproduces it? This is easy for God. Say, "Roam the earth, and observe how He originated the creation." Then God will bring about the next existence. God has power over all things."" (29:19-20). The West people have done greatest discoveries within the continents, oceans, and outer space as well as inside cells and nucleuses. In contrast, the Muhammadans who discarded the Quran still worship, sanctify, and deify myths of their ancestors.

2- The Quran repeats in different ways the command to roam the earth, as we explain within the two points below.

2/1: Within the direct command or directive: "Many societies have passed away before you. So travel through the earth and note the fate of the deniers." (3:137); "Say, "Roam the earth, and observe the fate of those who came before. Most of them were polytheists."" (30:42).

2/2: Within using the present tense in a question that invokes condemnation of those who do not obey this command: "Have they not travelled through the earth, and seen the consequences for those before them? They were stronger than them, and they left more impact on earth. But God seized them for their sins, and they had no defender against God. That is because their messengers used to come to them with clear proofs, but they disbelieved, so God seized them. He is Strong, Severe in retribution." (40:21-22); "Have they not journeyed through the land, and seen the outcome for those before them? They were more numerous than they, and had greater power and influence in the land. But what they had achieved availed them nothing." (40:82); "Have they not travelled the earth and seen how those before them ended up? They were more powerful than them, and they cultivated the land and developed it more than they developed it, and their messengers came to them with clear signs. God would never wrong them, but they used to wrong themselves." (30:9).

3- God narrates in the Quran stories about the ancient nations that existed before Arabs and how these ancient ones had great civilizations and advancement, but they were smitten and annihilated by go because of grave injustices by the affluent classes that controlled everything: "Have they not journeyed through the earth, and had minds to reason with, or ears to listen with? It is not the eyes that go blind, but it is the hearts, within the chests, that go blind." (22:46). This applies now to the countries of the Muhammadans.  

4- The West people excel in excavations, explorations, and discoveries of ruins and monuments, while the Muhammadans who were commanded to do so never paid attention nor took heed: "How many generations before them, who were more powerful than they, did We destroy? They explored the lands-was there any escape?" (50:36).

5- Sodom and Gomorrah are located in the middle of the region called now the Middle-East, and Qorayish caravans of trade in the Levant passed by the ruins of Sodom and Gomorrah, as we know from the Quran: "You pass by them in the morning. And at night. Do you not understand? " (37:137-138). God wants people to take heed by such ruins of Sodom and Gomorrah: "Surely in that are lessons for those who read signs. And it is on an existing road. Surely in that is a sign for the believers." (15:75-77). Yet. no Muhammadans make journeys there to take heed and draw useful lessons; in fact, Sunnite hadiths prevent them from ever going there! In fact, the affluent ones among the Muhammadans prefer to visit Thailand instead! They roam the earth in search for illicit carnal pleasures in brothels and night spots to practice all sorts of debaucheries within a promiscuous lifestyle. It is strange that many practicing homosexuals among the Muhammadans read the Quranic verses about the torment inflicted by God on the people f Lot and they never take heed or warned at all! We bring them 'glad' tidings of Hell wherein they will dwell for eternity if they never repent before they die.    

 

Lastly:

1- These are signs by God for all the pious believers; God's Quranic verses increase the guidance of the guided ones who are convinced with Quranic warning and preaching and therefore live in piety and in the fear of the Lord God. As for the ones who have chosen misguidance, they will mock and ridicule the ideas in this article and its author. But eventually, this ridicule will backfire on them on the Last Day: "So the evils of their deeds assailed them, and what they used to ridicule engulfed them." (16:34); "There will appear to them the evils of their deeds, and they will be surrounded by what they used to ridicule." (39:48); "The evils of what they did will become evident to them, and the very thing they ridiculed will haunt them." (45:33).

2- The Muhammadans never heed these Quranic verses; they are liars as they claim ostentatiously to believe in the Quran, but in fact, there is a thick veil/barrier between their hearts and the Quran because they have abandoned it. prophet Muhammad will say on the Last Day these words: "..."My Lord, my people have abandoned this Quran."" (25:30). 

3- The proof of all of the above points is that they are combined by the end of the Quranic Chapter 12, within a discourse that applies to the Muhammadans in particular. We urge readers to ponder deeply on the following verses: "How many a sign in the heavens and the earth do they pass by, paying no attention to them? And most of them do not believe in God unless they associate others with Him. Do they feel secure that a covering of God's torment will not come upon them, or that the Hour will not come upon them suddenly, while they are unaware? Say, "This is my way; I invite to God, based on clear knowledge-I and whoever follows me. Glory be to God; and I am not of the polytheists." We did not send before you except men, whom We inspired, from the people of the towns. Have they not roamed the earth and seen the consequences for those before them? The Home of the Hereafter is better for those who are righteous. Do you not understand? Until, when the messengers have despaired, and thought that they were rejected, Our help came to them. We save whomever We will, and Our severity is not averted from the criminals. In their stories is a lesson for those who possess intelligence. This is not a fabricated tale, but a confirmation of what came before it, and a detailed explanation of all things, and guidance, and mercy for people who believe." (12:105-111). As always, God says nothing but the Absolute Truth.  

 

On Avoiding Torment by Repentance

 

 

Introduction:

1- This transient, temporary life, with its glittering items and assets to own and amass, dominates the hearts of the vast majority of people (and this is reflected in their man-made legislations and quasi-religious ones issued by men) who rarely, if ever, think about the Hereafter; i.e., the Last Day that will end in either the real, eternal life in Paradise for the pious ones, or the torment of Hell for eternity for sinners. Most people, in fact, forget that all moments of torment/torture of all human beings from Adam till the end of days are less in magnitude than a moment inside Hell. Any torment in this worldly existence is temporary and will come to an end eventually either in death or life that will continue after it. This is in contrast to the relentless torment in Hell that never ends or lessens.   

2- Infliction of torment in this world sometimes is a means to make people remember God and return to Him by repentance in order to avoid the torment of Hell in the Hereafter; this fact is asserted and emphasized by God in the Quran: "We will make them taste the lesser torment, prior to the greater torment, so that they may return." (32:21). Smitten ancient nations and tribes tormented and annihilated by God are mentioned in the Quranic stories for us to draw the useful moral lessons; God commands us to roam the earth to take heed of the fate of these ancient nations that no longer exist so that we are warned and repent in order to avoid the infliction of worldly torment. When repentance is sincere, it is accepted by God and thus, one is spared the torment of Hell in the Hereafter. This means that repentance is the means to avoid both Hell torment and worldly torment.   

3- This transient, temporary life dominated the hearts of the clergymen and scholars of the Muhammadans in the Middle-Ages; they imagined falsely that penalties mentioned in the Quran aim at exacting retribution, and they never understood that the real aim is to achieve repentance, reform, and self-correction. We focus now on avoiding the worldly torment; penalties mentioned in the Quran are a type of worldly torment that can be avoided via repentance.   

 

Firstly: piety:

1- Piety is the greatest purpose of all acts of worship in Islam (see  2:21, 2:183, 2:189, 2:196-97, and 29:45) and the greatest aim of all Quranic legislations of Islam. On the Last Day, no one will enter into Paradise except the pious ones (see 19:63 and 39:73). Thus, penalties mentioned in the Quranic legislations have but one aim: to reform people through piety and not to exact corporeal punishments on them. The very first stage of piety is to repent and atone for one's sin(s) and to renew/correct one's faith/belief as well as to change one's deeds into good ones to make amends. 

2- God says the following to real believers: "And guard yourselves against the Fire that is prepared for the disbelievers. And obey God and the messenger, that you may obtain mercy. And race towards forgiveness from your Lord, and a Garden as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous. Those who give in prosperity and adversity, and those who restrain anger, and those who forgive people. God loves the doers of good. And those who, when they commit an indecency or wrong themselves, remember God and ask forgiveness for their sins-and who forgives sins except God? And they do not persist in their wrongdoing while they know. Those-their reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. How excellent is the reward of the workers." (3:131-136). Thus, really pious believers who fear the Hereafter torment (of Hell-Fire) are the ones who obey God and race to perform as many good deeds as possible to attain forgiveness and pardon from God on the Last Day to deserve to enter into God's Paradise, as those who attained piety during their lifetimes are the only ones who will enter it. These verses 3:131-136 contain the description of the pious ones' stances and deeds; we infer that they repent and atone for their sins and insist on not to commit sins again, and hence, they turn over a new page in their life by reforming their souls, driven by their own free will as they check themselves all the time. If they die after this sincere repentance, they will deserve pardon and Paradise in the Hereafter after the Day of Judgment.  

 

Secondly: from repentance to piety:

1- Repentance makes sinners/criminals reprieved; i.e., they are not to be punished at all in this world and no one would apply the penalties mentioned in the Quran to them. When this repentance is sincere and lasts for the rest of one's lifetime, one is pardoned on the Last Day and will enter into Paradise. Thus, penalties of the Quranic sharia do NOT aim at retribution; rather, they aim at self-reform and repentance. As per the Quran, as long as one is alive, God calls everyone to repent however enormous and numerous their sins are: "Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves: do not despair of God's mercy, for God forgives all sins. He is indeed the Forgiver, the Clement." And turn to your Lord, and submit to Him, before the retribution comes upon you. Then you will not be helped." (39:53-54). Thus, God opens the door for repentance as long as a person is alive and free to (dis)obey, but upon dying, it is too late to repent and the chance for repentance is lost; see 4:17-18.  

2- Let us remember that God offered the disbelieving, polytheistic aggressors the chance to repent by stopping violence, in return for earning God's pardon (see 8:38-39, 2:192-193, 9:5, and 9:10-11). Hence, adherence to peace, non-violence, and non-aggression is the criterion for judging overt Islam (the religion of peace); no one is to judge the beliefs inside hearts of others.  

3- If repentance stops exacting penalties on aggressive polytheists, this chance applies to Muslims or peaceful ones as well. The fact that repentance suspends the penalties is NOT a mere view of ours; rather, this is based on our reading of the verses related to Quranic sharia penalties. Let us exemplify this below.  

4- After the Quranic verses that mention the penalty of flogging for adulterers and adulteresses as well as slandering virtuous women by accusing them of fornication without proof, we read how the penalties are NOT to be exacted in case of repentance: "Except for those who repent afterwards, and reform; for God is Forgiving and Merciful." (24:5). After mentioning the penalty for highwaymen, God mentions the following in the Quran: "Except for those who repent before you apprehend them. So know that God is Forgiving and Merciful." (5:34). The same applies to the penalty of theft: "But whoever repents after his crime, and reforms, God will accept his repentance. God is Forgiving and Merciful." (5:39). When it is proven (by bringing four eye-witnesses to assert the ill-reputation) that a woman is a sex worker or having many lovers, this woman is not to be flogged; rather, her passive penalty is to confine her at home so that no men enter into her house; thus, she will repent and try to get married; see 4:15. The Quranic penalty for homosexual men is less than worldly torment (i.e., merely severe rebuke and we are to move away from them when they repent, as per 4:16), as the Quranic term "torment" refers to corporeal punishments like flogging.      

5- As per the above point, repentance stops exacting penalties in many cases. In addition, within the penalty for murder, a repentant murderer is spared the capital punishment as per 2:178 when the folks of the victim accept the Diyya money (i.e., a sum paid in compensation to make amends).    

 

Thirdly: what if repentance is not sincere? What if it is only a means to deceive others so as to avoid being penalized and one is bent on committing the same sin again and disobey God?:

1- Real, sincere repentance entails correcting and reforming one's faith/belief when dealing with God and performing good deeds in piety and in the fear of God within devoutness and devotion, while imploring God for forgiveness and pardon because of the committed sins, injustices, and disobedience; see 25:71. Part of repentance, of course, is to make amends to those wronged persons by compensating them financially and otherwise.   

2- This overt acts of repentance (i.e., making amends) are the required ones to annul exaction of Quranic penalties; as for real, sincere repentance inside one's heart, it is known only to God the Omniscient Who will reward the repentant ones on the Last Day with pardon and Paradise.

3- Those who engage into fake repentance ostentatiously to deceive people and to avoid being punished by them via feigning to repent while going on with their sins/crimes without being caught red-handed will be severely tormented/punished by God in Hell as the worst fate imaginable. If one can deceive people, one can NEVER deceive God. "...Whoever works evil will pay for it..." (4:123). 

4- As per 9:55 and 9:85, those with fake repentance will be tormented/punished in this world first as per their type of disobedience; i.e., if they sinned by following sexual/carnal lusts and appetites, they will have STDs and pains in their genitalia or their bodies in general and they may lose their ability to have sex. If the sinners hoarded ill-gotten money, such wealth will be the source of their deep sorrow, torment, and demise. Sinners who brag and take pride in their children will see how these children will be the source of their torment and sorrow in this life. Those sinners who committed injustices against many people while enjoying impunity because of their authority, connections, and wealth will live in constant anxiety, depression, and fright, as they will be haunted by phantoms of their victims. This will make them lose the taste of luxurious life of comfort earned by ill-gotten money and injustices. This will be followed by physical ailment as well, and soon enough, those sinners lose their might and power when they die or when they are rendered bankrupt. On the Last Day, they will carry the burdens of their sins that will turn into endless, relentless torment in Hell.      

5- God's punishment for sinners in the torment of Hell in the Hereafter will be far worse than any penalties mentioned in the Quranic sharia legislations when applied by a Quran-based country of Islam that follow the steps of direct democracy of the Yathreb city-state of Muhammad.

 

Lastly:

  Penalties of the Quranic sharia legislations applied by a Quran-based country and torment inflicted by God on sinners within this worldly life do NOT aim at exacting retribution; rather, they aim at giving sinners/criminals who have disobeyed Almighty God the chance to repent and atone for their sin(s) so that they turn a new leaf. Thus, they can save themselves from entering into Hell for eternity in the Hereafter if they die without accepted, sincere repentance. The belief in the Last Day is the basis of applying Quranic sharia legislations; real believers who believe in the Last Day know quite well that all moments of worldly torment/torture are less in magnitude than one moment inside Hell, let alone dwelling therein for eternity. They also know quite well that all bliss and pleasures of this transient world are nothing in comparison to one moment of bliss inside Paradise, let alone dwelling therein for eternity. They also know that their lifetimes on Earth are limited and their duration are set beforehand, as they will surely die sooner or later. Thus, those real, pious believers know for sure that their ability to taste pleasure and pain is limited to a certain limit and that during their lifetime, they will inevitably experience moments of bliss/pleasure/felicity as well as moments of torment/calamities/sorrow/pain. Hence, the real future for them is in the Eternal Life in the Hereafter. They try hard to earn the Eternal Life in Paradise and to avoid eternal perdition in Hell. Bliss and pleasure in Paradise are limitless and without and end; likewise, torment in Hell never abates and never ends. No one is going to exit Hell or to get out of Paradise in the Hereafter. Thus, this is the real future we must care about and work hard to earn Paradise by real, sincere repentance within piety. This is why piety is the greatest aim within the Islamic/Quranic sharia legislations. Thus, repentance is the supreme objective of applying penalties in Islam; when a sinners/criminals repent, the penalty is NOT to be exacted. Yet, if these sinners/criminals return to the same crime/sin after being pardoned as they think they have deceived people by feigning repentance, God's torment will be inflicted on them in this world inevitably and they will dwell in Hell for eternity if they die as disobedient ones without sincere repentance.     

 

 

 

 

Preaching by Bringing News of Bliss or Torment

 

 

 

Introduction:

 God has sent messengers/prophets with Scriptures to guide people to save themselves from entering into the torment of Hell and to urge them to strive to earn the bliss of Paradise. This is why the Quran contains preaching through warning against Hell and bringing glad tidings of Paradise. This means to preach/warn someone against Hell as his/her deserve because of certain deeds. Such preaching to living persons aims to urge them to repent. This warning against Hell means also that when one repents, one is given hope to enter into the bliss of Paradise. This is asserted in the Quran; God addresses the living people and NOT the dead ones. Thus, preaching by warning against Hell and bringing good news of Paradise is a mercy from God to all humanity. Let us provide more details in the points below.   

 

Firstly: bringing glad tidings and warning as the mission of all messengers/prophets:

1- The mission of all messengers/prophets is mentioned in this verse: "We sent the messengers only as bearers of good news and as warners. Those who believe and reform have nothing to fear, nor shall they grieve." (6:48). Thus, those who repent and reform within the monotheistic belief will never feel afraid or grieved on the Last Day. God says in the Quran: "We send the messengers only as deliverers of good news and warners. Those who disbelieve argue with false argument, in order to defeat the truth thereby. They take My Verses, and the warnings, for a joke." (18:56); the second part of this verse describes the stance of all disbelievers in all eras as they ridicule the Books/Scriptures of the Lord God.

2- Prophet Muhammad was no exception to this rule about the same mission of all prophets/messengers: "We sent you only as a herald of good news and a warner." (25:56); "We sent you as a witness, and a bearer of good news, and a warner." (48:8); "O prophet! We have sent you as a witness, and a bearer of good news, and a warner. And a caller towards God by His leave, and an illuminating beacon." (33:45-46).

 

Secondly: good news and warning within the Quran:

1- The Quran, God's Word, is a Clear Book of warning and good news, within Clear Verses; i.e., within only quoting/reciting these Quranic verses to others, they are understood by people who seek guidance. God has said the following directly to Muhammad about the usage of the Quran: "We made it easy in your tongue, in order to deliver good news to the righteous, and to warn with it a hostile people." (19:97). Muhammad's mission is to warn and bring good news within the Quranic Truth: "With the truth We sent it down, and with the truth it descended. We sent you only as a bearer of good news and a warner." (17:105).

2- Muhammad was a mortal who died after fulfilling a certain lifetime in the 7^thcentury A.D., and after his death, the Quran remains intact and preserved till the end of days by the Power of the Omnipotent Lord. Thus, the Quran continues to be the source of mercy to the humankind, as this mercy is the reason behind sending Muhammad as a prophet of God to deliver the Quranic message: "We did not send you except as mercy to the humankind." (21:107). In addition, this Quran is the Criterion to warn the humankind as well till the end of days: "Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion upon His servant, to be a warning to humanity." (25:1). Thus, the Quran was used by Muhammad to warn and to bring glad tidings, and the Quran goes on after his death, and real monotheistic preachers follow the footsteps of Muhammad in preaching the Quranic Truth to warn people and bring good news as well.  

3- The Quran describes itself as the source of glad tidings: "On the Day when We raise in every community a witness against them, from among them, and bring you as a witness against these. We have revealed to you the Book, as an explanation of all things, and guidance, and mercy and good news for those who submit." (16:89). We read here in 16:89 descriptions of the Quranic message, and in these verses, we know that the Quran is also a warning for those who do not believe in the Last Day and bringer of good news for monotheists, within detailed verses of God: "This Quran guides to what is most upright; and it gives good news to the believers who do good deeds, that they will have a great reward. And those who do not believe in the Hereafter-We have prepared for them a painful torment." (17:9-10); "Praise be to God, who revealed the Book to His servant, and allowed in it no distortion. Valuable-to warn of severe punishment from Himself; and to deliver good news to the believers who do righteous deeds, that they will have an excellent reward. In which they will abide forever. And to warn those who say, "God has begotten a son."" (18:1-4); "...And this is a confirming Book, in the Arabic tongue, to warn those who do wrong-and good news for the doers of good." (46:12); "A revelation from the Dominant Lord, the Most Merciful. A Book whose Verses are detailed, a Quran in Arabic for people who know. Bringing good news, and giving warnings. But most of them turn away, so they do not listen." (41:2-4).

4- Thus, the Quran is the message that must be preached by monotheistic, devout preachers, who follow the steps of Muhammad, in all eras till the end of days.

 

Thirdly: the Quranic command for preachers to warn and bring glad tidings:

1- Since Almighty God preserves the Quranic text intact, it is the responsibility of Quran-believing monotheistic preachers to preach the Quran to warn and bring good news to people. By the way, God never addresses 'groups' of preachers; there is no clergymen in Islam. God addresses the individual believer to make him/her preach, like the command addressing Muhammad as person. Thus, Quranist preachers who warn and bring good news only through the Quran follow the footsteps of Muhammad in calling for the belief in the Quran only; this goes on in all eras by those few who follow the Quranic insights truly, as Quranic verses are the ONLY things preached by Muhammad during his ministry: "Say, "This is my way; I invite to God, based on clear knowledge-I and whoever follows me. Glory be to God; and I am not of the polytheists."" (12:108).   

2- The verses we have quoted in the above points are NOT confined to Muhammad and his era: "What is the matter with them that they do not believe? And when the Quran is read to them, they do not bow down? In fact, those who disbelieve are in denial. But God knows what they hide inside. So inform them of a painful torment. Except those who believe and do good deeds; they will have an undiminished reward." (84:20-25). The Quranic verses address all people in all eras, especially the Muhammadans in our modern era now. In fact, the Muhammadans who deify/sanctify the printed copies of the Quran never believe in the content of the Quranic text. The proof: the suffering and persecution inflicted by the Muhammadans on Quranists. In fact, there is no personal quarrel or trouble between the Quranists and the Muhammadans; they will leave Quranists be and never hate them if Quranists stop preaching the Quran only as the Sole Criterion to judge notions, deeds, 'holy' items, gods/deities, and mausoleums of the polytheistic Muhammadans. Indeed, the Muhammadans hate the Quranic message in which they claim to believe; they never bow down in belief/obedience when they read/hear the Quran, rather, they argue against the Clear Quranic verses and debate to refute them as they deny and disbelieve in them. This is why the Muhammadans must be warned by the Quran against torment of Hell so that they may repent. Thus, Quranists declare that the notions and deeds of the Muhammadans as ones of polytheism and against Islam, as Quranists desire that they may repent. The Quranist call is to show how wrong the Muhammadans are and to urge them to correct and reform themselves to avoid torment of Hell that will be inevitably inflicted on them by God if they die without repentance and without return to real monotheism. "So devote yourself to the upright religion, before there comes from God a Day that cannot be averted. On that Day, they will be shocked." (30:43); "Respond to your Lord before there comes from God a Day that cannot be turned back. You will have no refuge on that Day, and no possibility of denial." (42:47).          

3- There are warners, outside the circle of prophets, who voluntarily warn others and preach to them while seeking only to gratify our Lord God. Quranists seek to be among these warners who will also be witnesses against their era and people on the Last Day. This is done when these warners have in their record of deeds that they have preached, warned, and brought good news in hope to remind people so that they may be saved from the torment of Hell. When the people are stubborn and reject the Quranic verses, and die as such, they get what they deserve in the Hereafter. On the Last Day, the collective record of the deeds of a given nation/society will be shown, and records of deeds of individuals will stem from it. The record of deeds of preachers of the (Quranic) Truth should contain their suffering and persecution inflicted on them, while misguided ones will have their rejection of the Truth and their preaching against it in their records of deeds. "You will see every community on its knees; every community will be called to its Book: "Today you are being repaid for what you used to do. This Book of Ours speaks about you in truth. We have been transcribing what you have been doing."" (45:28-29); "And the earth will shine with the Light of its Lord; and the Book will be put in place; and the prophets and the witnesses will be brought in; and Judgment will be passed among them equitably, and they will not be wronged. And every soul will be fully compensated for what it had done. He is well aware of what they do." (39:69-70).   

 

Fourthly: the Quranic command to preachers of the Truth during their lifetimes to face and refute clergymen in their era:

1- On the Last Day, preachers of the Truth will bear witness against clergymen who ascribed lies and falsehoods (i.e., the narratives called hadiths) to God and His messengers, who earned ill-gotten money through their earthly, man-made, fabricated religions and had full power and authority on earth to repel people away from God's Path (i.e., the Quran), as if they were immortal or invincible: "Who does greater wrong than he who fabricates lies about God? These will be presented before their Lord, and the witnesses will say, "These are they who lied about their Lord." Indeed, the curse of God is upon the unjust ones. Those who hinder others from the path of God, and seek to make it crooked; and regarding the Hereafter, they are in denial. These will not escape on earth, and they have no protectors besides God. The punishment will be doubled for them. They have failed to hear, and they have failed to see. Those are the ones who lost their souls, and what they had invented has strayed away from them. Without a doubt, in the Hereafter, they will be the biggest losers." (11:18-22). 

2- If readers of this article desire to be among those witnesses on the Last Day, their records of deeds must be filled with deeds that qualify them to be elevated to this status. This is available for everyone who seek to follow the Path leading to God. After all, God has predetermined a certain duration for one's lifetime and the timing/location of one's death; no one can end one's life before this timing; if the life of preachers of the Truth ended in being murdered, this is the greatest victory, as their souls will enter into the bliss of the Barsakh to enjoy the bounties of God until the Day of Resurrection. When preachers of the Quranic Truth face tyrants and clergymen, their good reputation as callers for reform and higher values will live on within the next generations who will remember them, whereas the tyrants and clergymen will be thrown into the dustbin of history. The Word of Truth will remain alive after the death of Quranist preachers and their endeavors will never be in vain; the candles they illuminate will dispel some darkness and enlightened the minds of some people who seek to save themselves on the Last Day. The Good Word will remain and words of falsehoods that glitter shall vanish: "Do you not see how God presents a parable? A good word is like a good tree-its root is firm, and its branches are in the sky." (14:24); "And the parable of a bad word is that of a bad tree-it is uprooted from the ground; it has no stability." (14:26). "...Thus God exemplifies truth and falsehood. As for the froth, it is swept away, but what benefits the people remains in the ground..." (13:17).       

3- All tyrants must be told about their fate in Hell in case of non-repentance. Tyrants who are stubborn and maintain tyranny, injustices, and corruption confiscate freedom of expression and chase away preacher of reform, who are silences by character assassination (through slanders, rumors, and false accusations) or by being murdered or forced to exile. Those tyrants follow the footsteps of the disobedient ones among the Israelites mentioned in this verse: "As for those who disbelieve in God's verses, and kill the prophets unjustly, and kill those who advocate justice among the people-bring them news of a painful torment." (3:21). The divine command here is to declare in public their fate in Hell if they never repent before they die.   

4- Likewise, hypocrites must be warned and reminded of their  torment in Hell if they die without proper repentance. In fact, hypocrites are media stars of every era and they surround the tyrannical rulers. In fact, hypocrites control media, culture, and the religious and political life within the countries ruled by tyrants and they sing praises of tyrannical rulers and dance in processions of tyrants and do the same for the successors of dead tyrants! God says in the Quran: "Inform the hypocrites that they will have a painful torment." (4:138).    

5- The worst type of hypocrites are clergymen of all types; God commands Quran-believing people to inform these hypocrites about their torment in Hell in case they do not repent and reform before they die. The Quran tackles the features of those hypocritical clergymen, as we show in the points below. 

5/1: Those hypocrites spread falsehoods and lies in the form of hadiths/narratives that distract people away from the Quran and repel people away from God's Path, and when these clergymen are reminded with the Quranic verses by others, they arrogantly move away as if they never heard anything, though they know about God's Quranic verses: "Among the people is he who trades in distracting tales; intending, without proper knowledge, to lead away from God's Way, and to make a mockery of it. These will have a humiliating torment. And when Our Verses are recited to him, he turns away in pride, as though he did not hear them, as though there is deafness in his ears. So inform him of a painful torment." (31:6-7). God commands us here to inform the hypocrites and inveterate liars about their torment in Hell, as they mislead people (like Moses' Pharaoh who assumed he guided people) while claiming they provide guidance for them. When such hypocrites are faced with such preaching and informed about their painful torment in Hell, their sorcery and charlatanism will vanish.

5/2: In our era, those hypocritical clergymen of the Muhammadans hate the Quran and disbelieve in it; they do their best to argue against the fact that the Quran is the Only Discourse in which Muslims must believe. "These are God's Verses which We recite to you in Truth. In which discourse, after God and His verses, will they believe? Woe to every sinful liar. Who hears God's verses being recited to him, yet he persists arrogantly, as though he did not hear them. Announce to him a painful torment." (45:6-8). Again, this is a divine command to us to bring them news of their painful torment in Hell. 

5/3: When a courageous Quranist preacher would face anyone of the clergymen of the Muhammadans (e.g., Al-Tayyib the head of Al-Azhar, Al-Qaradawy of the terrorist MB, grand mufti of the KSA, Al-Houthi, Khomeini, Moqtada Al-Sadr, Al-Sistani, and Shiite Ayatollahs) to tell outspokenly him to fear God in piety or else face the torment of Hell for eternity, this or that clergyman will move away in arrogance: "Among the people is he whose speech about the worldly life impresses you, and he calls God to witness what is in his heart, while he is the most hostile of adversaries. When he gains power, he strives to spread corruption on earth, destroying properties and lives. God does not like corruption. And when he is told, "Beware of God," his pride leads him to more sin. Hell is enough for him-a dreadful abode." (2:204-206). This bold Quranist preacher give up their souls for God's sake when they vociferously utter the Word of Truth while facing the religious Taghut/tyranny and inveterate liars: "And among the people is he who sells their souls seeking God's approval. God is kind towards the servants. " (2:207).   

5/4: Nations have the legitimate right to know the source of wealth of famous clergymen of the Muhammadans in Egypt, the KSA, the UAE, Qatar, Iraq, and Iran, among other countries, such as the wealth of the Egyptian Christian Orthodox Coptic pope, of the Catholic pope, of head of Al-Azhar, of Al-Qaradawy, of the Saudi grand mufti, of Shiite high-rank sheikhs, of Khomeini, and of Al-Houthi. All clergymen eat and earn ill-gotten money by deceiving people with falsehoods and repelling them away from monotheism and God's Way: "O you who believe! Many of the rabbis and priests consume people's wealth illicitly, and hinder from God's path. Those who hoard gold and silver, and do not spend them in God's cause, inform them of a painful torment." (9:34). We are commanded here directly to inform clergymen (in public) of their fate in Hell where they will be tormented forever. When Quranists warn these hypocrites/ignoramuses in public, the fake holiness of these clergymen will vanish and so will their misleading and deceiving others by falsehoods and lies. Surely, many people will get to know the Quranic Truth this way, as the falsehoods are thus refuted and exposed.    

 

 

 

CHAPTER VII: Regarding Torment, God Is Never Unjust Towards Human Beings

 

 

 

 

 

God Is Never Unjust towards Human Beings

 

 

Introduction:

 The disobedient ones commit many sins easily without qualms; this will certainly increase their torture/torment which will befall them in Hell after the Day of Resurrection if they die without proper, acceptable repentance. Those disobedient sinners forget that God is never unjust; He will never wrong any human beings in this world and in the Hereafter. Within laws issued by people in modern democracies, people seek to achieve and uphold justice as much as possible within the human capacity, and many laws contain penalties for criminals; in contrast, atheists feel they should refuse and reject the fact that God will torment disobedient ones in Hell because of their sins. In the tests within good educational systems, no one accepts mediators or intercessors to make students pass any tests while they do not deserve it; yet, the imams/clergymen of earthly, man-made religions insist on fabricating last-day events tailored as per their whims and desires and filled to the brim with intercessors and mediators (of prophets and the so-called 'saints'). Thus, what is refused in tests of university education or high-school education seems acceptable for clergymen and fabricators like them regarding God's Religion to which they attribute many lies and falsehoods, especially concerning the Last Day. We continue talking about torture/torment imposed/inflicted by God in this world and in the Hereafter on those who deserves it; God is never unjust towards any human beings       

 

Firstly: the Almighty Lord God is never unjust towards human beings in this world:

1- In general, God says the following: "...God desires no injustice for the humankind." (3:108).

2- This applies to torture/torment inflicted by God in this world on the disobedient sinners, for their crimes and their disbelief, within the nations destroyed by God, as per Quranic stories of them.

2/1: God is never unjust towards such nations destroyed/tormented by Him in this world: "Like the fate of the people of Noah, and Aad, and Thamood, and those after them. God wants no injustice for the servants." (40:31).

2/2: God tells us in the Quran that the unjust nations destroyed by God's inflicted torment were punished for their sins; God never wrongs any human beings in this world: "Each We seized by his sin. Against some We sent a sandstorm. Some were struck by the Blast. Some We caused the ground to cave in beneath them. And some We drowned. It was not God who wronged them, but it was they who wronged their own selves." (29:40).

2/3: Of course, as per the above points, God repeats warning and preaching, in the Quran, to the living ones to remind them of the fate of the ancient nations.

2/3/1: God has said the following to disbelievers of Arabia: "Have they not considered how many generations We destroyed before them? We had established them on earth more firmly than We established you, and We sent the clouds pouring down abundant rain on them, and We made rivers flow beneath them. But We destroyed them for their sins, and established other civilizations after them." (6:6). This means that the nations destroyed by God were punished for their grave sins and injustices, which included their disbelief in the Divine Message conveyed by God's messengers: "We destroyed generations before you when they did wrong. Their messengers came to them with clear signs, but they would not believe. Thus We requite the sinful people." (10:13). Hence, their sins and crimes, and their disbelief, brought about their destruction and ruin: "So the evils of their deeds assailed them, and what they used to ridicule engulfed them." (16:34). Hence, these verses of preaching, threatening, and warning are addressed to the contemporaries of Muhammad (especially the hypocrites among them): "The evils of their deeds caught up with them. And the unjust ones among these will also be afflicted by the evils of what they earned, and they cannot prevent it." (39:51); "Have they not heard the stories of those before them? The people of Noah, and Aad, and Thamood; and the people of Abraham, and the inhabitants of Madian, and the Overturned Cities? Their messengers came to them with the clear proofs. God never wronged them, but they used to wrong their own selves." (9:70).

2/3/2: God has urged Muhammad's contemporaries (and all believers) to travel through the earth to take heed of the fate of the ancient nations and civilizations destroyed by God's torment inflicted on them: "Have they not travelled the earth and seen how those before them ended up? They were more powerful than them, and they cultivated the land and developed it more than they developed it, and their messengers came to them with clear signs. God would never wrong them, but they used to wrong themselves." (30:9).

3- This repeated warning and preaching is addressed to those who desire to avoid being tortured and tormented by the Lord God in this world; this asserts the fact that God is never unjust towards any human beings at all.

 

Secondly: the Almighty Lord God is never unjust towards human beings on the Last Day:

1- Within Quranic verses about the Day of Resurrection, the fact that God is never unjust towards any human beings at all is repeated.

1/1: This general rule about the Last Day is expressed briefly here: "Whoever acts righteously does so for himself; and whoever works evil does so against himself. Your Lord is not unjust towards the servants." (41:46). God never change His decrees and decisions: "The decree from Me will not be changed, and I am not unjust towards the servants."" (50:29).

1/2: Any individual can enter into Paradise if he/she takes the decision to work hard for archiving this aim (by performing many good deeds, the best in terms of quantity and quality, within monotheism); those sinful polytheists will enter into Hell because of their evil, bad deeds and their lack of true, monotheistic faith; those who have (mis)guided themselves will see the outcome of it on the Last Day; God will never punish someone because of sins of someone else; God will not torture/torment in Hell those who never received any of God's messengers/prophets: "Whoever is guided - is guided for his own good. And whoever goes astray - goes astray to his detriment. No burdened soul carries the burdens of another, nor do We ever torment until We have sent a messenger." (17:15).

1/3: Those who freely choose disbelief and die as disbelievers will face torment/torture on their moment of death; the angels of death will slap and kick their souls while informing them of their fate inside Hell after the Day of Judgment, as this is the result of their bad deeds because God is never unjust towards any human beings; God warns the living ones here: "If only you could see, as the angels take away those who disbelieve, striking their faces and their backs: "Taste the torment of the Burning." "That is because of what your hands have committed, and because God is not unjust towards the servants."" (8:50-51).

1/4: When sinners and disobedient disbelievers enter into Hell, they will be told that their fate is as per their own choices and deeds, because God is never unjust towards any human beings; this applies to the following two categories of people.

1/4/1: Clergymen and imams of misguidance in all eras; God says the following about them: "Turning aside in contempt, to lead away from the Path of God. He will have humiliation in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection We will make him taste the torment of burning. That is for what your hands have advanced, and because God is not unjust towards the servants." (22:9-10).

1/4/2: Those sinners/criminals who ascribe lies and falsehoods to God, His Religions, and His messengers/prophets; God says the following in the Quran: "God has heard the statement of those who said, "God is poor, and we are rich." We will write down what they said, and their wrongful killing of the prophets; and We will say, "Taste the torment of the burning." "This is on account of what your hands have forwarded, and because God is not unjust towards the servants."" (3:181-182).

 

Thirdly: there is no injustice on the Last Day:

1- The motto raised and applied on the Day of Resurrection is as follows: (There will be no injustice). God says in the Quran: "On that Day, every soul will be recompensed for what it had earned. There will be no injustice on that Day..." (40:17).

2- This will apply to all humanity gathered on the Day of Resurrection to be judged within Absolute Justice of the Lord God; there will be no room of any injustice at all: "The Day when He gathers you for the Day of Gathering - that is the Day of removing injustices..." (64:9). The vast majority of human beings in all eras suffers injustices of the minority of unjust human beings; e.g., tyrants and their followers control and wrong many nations, as the innocent ones are imprisoned and the Law turns a blind eye to the real culprits and criminals. These are the unjust ways of this transient world; in contrast, there will never be any room for injustice on the Day of Judgment; each one of the human beings will be judged fairly and justly as per the deeds done and choices made. God says in the Quran: "How about when We gather them for a Day in which there is no doubt, and each soul will be paid in full for what it has earned, and they will not be wronged?" (3:25). 

3- There will be no difference or distinction on the Last Day between prophets and non-prophets; if any of the prophets had committed injustices, they will be punished like any unjust ones among the non-prophets: "It is not for a prophet to act dishonestly. Whoever acts dishonestly will bring his dishonesty on the Day of Resurrection. Then every soul will be paid in full for what it has earned, and they will not be wronged." (3:161).

 

Thirdly: the mechanism of justice on the Last Day:

 

The Book of Deeds:

1- There are Books of Deeds for each generation, community, and Umma, as per how individuals have interacted with one another; the sinners/criminals will see that all their deeds, without exceptions, are recorded within this Book of Deeds; they will know that God will never wrong anyone and He is never unjust towards anyone: "And the book will be placed, and you will see the sinners fearful of its contents. And they will say, "Woe to us! What is with this book that leaves nothing, small or big, but it has enumerated it?" They will find everything they had done present. Your Lord does not wrong anyone." (18:49).

2- Every persons within any given generation, community, or Umma will be on their knees, as each one of the communities, in its turn, will read this collective Book of Deeds: "You will see every community on its knees; every community will be called to its Book: "Today you are being repaid for what you used to do. This Book of Ours speaks about you in truth. We have been transcribing what you have been doing."" (45:28-29).

3- The collective Book of Deeds will be the imam/leader of each Umma; it will speak the Truth and no one will suffer any injustice: "On the Day when We call every people with their leader. Whoever is given his record in his right hand - these will read their record, and they will not be wronged one bit." (17:71).

4- Each soul of each Umma, generation, or community will receive its individual Book of Deeds to judge themselves as per their deeds recorded in these Books of Deeds: "For every person We have attached his fate to his neck. And on the Day of Resurrection, We will bring out for him a book which he will find spread open. "Read your book; today there will be none but yourself to judge yourself."" (17:13-14).

5- Of course, we are reminded that the Almighty Lord God, within His sharia legislations, has never burdened any soul beyond its capacity; each soul has been free on earth to (dis)obey and to (dis)believe and its deeds are recorded within an audiovisual Book of Truth: "We never burden any soul beyond its capacity. And with Us is a Record that tells the Truth, and they will not be wronged." (23:62). 

 

The Scales:

1- The Scales will use atoms as unit for measurement: "God does not commit an atom's weight of injustice..." (4:40); "We will set up the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so that no soul will suffer the least injustice. And even if it be the weight of a mustard-seed, We will bring it up. Sufficient are We as Judge." (21:47).

2- The unjust ones, whose good deeds are very little and the never repented, will be among the losers on the Day of Judgment, as per the just Scales: "The Scales on that Day will be just. Those whose weights are heavy - it is they who are the successful. But as for those whose weights are light - it is they who have lost their souls, because they used to commit injustices and disregarded Our Verses." (7:8-9).

3- Yet, each soul will have the right to defend itself; the souls of all human beings will never be wronged as they will see the outcome of their own deeds: "On the Day when every soul will come pleading for itself, and every soul will be paid in full for what it has done, and they will not be wronged." (16:111).

4- The Judgment will begin by (1) God's prophets, (2) witnesses who will testify against their contemporaries, and (3) the rest of human beings; no one will be wronged and no one will suffer any degree of injustice. God says in the Quran: "And the earth will shine with the Light of its Lord; and the Book will be put in place; and the prophets and the witnesses will be brought in; and Judgment will be passed among them equitably, and they will not be wronged. And every soul will be fully compensated for what it had done. He is well aware of what they do." (39:69-70).

5- We cannot imagine the speed within which Judgment will be done; the time of the Last Day will certainly differ from the time on earth. The Quran repeatedly describes God as (Quick in judging); for instance, see 2:202, 3:19, 14:51, and 24:39.

 

Because the Almighty Lord God is never unjust towards any human beings, we underline the following Quranic facts.

 

Firstly: God's mercy is above His justice; His mercy is only for those who deserve it:

 God says in the Quran: "...My torment - I inflict it upon whomever I will, but My mercy encompasses all things. I will specify it for those who act righteously and practice regular charity, and those who believe in Our Verses." (7:156); hence, God's mercy is for the pious monotheistic believers, whereas His torment is for those who deserve it because they have chosen disbelief, sinning, and disobeying God's Word.

God's mercy is manifested in the Quranic sharia legislations:

1- God never burdens any soul beyond its capacity; He commands ease and facilitation within all acts of worship and sharia laws and commands; see 2:233, 2:286, 6:152, 7:42, 23:62, 65:7, 5:6, 22:78, 24:61, 48:17, 4:28, & 2:178.

2- God never holds people responsible for unintentional deeds/errors or oaths or forgetfulness but for their intentions and deliberate deeds; see 2:225, 5:89, 33:5, and 2:286.

God's mercy is manifested in the torment inflicted in this transient world:

1- God does not hasten torment for those who deserve it; He gives them a chance to repent: "Your Lord is the Forgiver, Possessor of Mercy. Were He to call them to account for what they have earned, He would have hastened the torment for them. But they have an appointment from which they will find no escape." (18:58).

2- Thus, if God would torment sinners on earth, He would have destroyed all of them, but instead, their being judged is postponed until it will take place on the Last Day: "If God were to punish the people for what they have earned, He would not leave a single living creature on its surface. But He defers them until a stated time. Then, when their time has arrived - God is Observant of His creatures." (35:45); "If God were to hold the humankind for their injustices, He would not leave upon it a single creature, but He postpones them until an appointed time. Then, when their time arrives, they will not delay it by one hour, nor will they advance it." (16:61).

God's mercy is manifested in the Hereafter:

1- God does not wrong anyone a bit and He multiplies the rewards of good deeds: "God does not commit an atom's weight of injustice; and if there is a good deed, He doubles it, and gives from His Presence a sublime compensation." (4:40).

2- Hence, it is part of divine justice to punish sinners by their being tormented for their sins (since they died without repentance and making amends), as for good deeds of pious monotheists, the rewards for them are increased by God's mercy and bounty: "Whoever brings a good deed will receive better than it. But whoever brings an evil deed -the evildoers will be rewarded only according to what they used to do." (28:84); "Whoever brings a good deed will receive better than it - and they will be safe from the horrors of that Day. But whoever brings an evil deed - their faces will be tumbled into the Fire. Will you be rewarded except for what you used to do?" (27:89-90).

3- God increases the rewards for good deeds of pious monotheists tenfold and sometimes more: "Whoever comes up with a good deed will have ten times its like; and whoever comes up with an evil deed will be repaid only with its equivalent-they will not be wronged." (6:160); "The parable of those who spend their wealth in God's way is that of a grain that produces seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. God multiplies for whom He wills. God is Bounteous and Knowing." (2:261).

 

Secondly: levels in Hell for sinners/disbelievers and degrees in Paradise for the pious believers:

1- The Quranic Chapter 56 is among the greatest Quranic Chapters in terms of warning and preaching; it is thematically divided into three parts: [1] the verses 56:1-56 are about the Day of Resurrection and the division of human beings into Hell-dwellers (those on the Left) and two degrees/types of Paradise-dwellers (the Forerunners and those on the Right), [2] the verses 56:57-82 are about preaching and warning human beings so that they avoid Hell, and [3] the verses 56:83-96 are about the division of human beings into two categories regarding the moment of dying when the angels of death take their souls. 

2- Of course, dividing human beings within these degrees/levels/ranks and categories is based on their deeds, because the Omniscient Lord God's justice entails that the outcome of people's varying quantity and quality of (good and bad) deeds cannot be the same: "There are degrees for everyone, according to what they have done, and He will repay them for their works in full, and they will not be wronged." (46:19); "Is someone who pursues God's approval the same as someone who incurs God's wrath and his refuge is Hell - the miserable destination? They have different degrees with God, and God is Seeing of what they do." (3:162-163).

3- The degrees of Paradise dwellers are mentioned here as per the quality and quantity of good deeds: "Not equal are the inactive among the believers - except the disabled - and the strivers in the cause of God with their possessions and their persons. God prefers the strivers with their possessions and their persons above the inactive, by a degree. But God has promised goodness to both. Yet God favors the strivers, over the inactive, with a great reward. Degrees from Him, and forgiveness, and mercy. God is Forgiving and Merciful." (4:95-96).

4- There also levels inside Hell for its wretched dwellers.

4/1: Hypocrites will be inside the lowest layers and worst levels of Hell: "The hypocrites will be in the lowest level of the Fire, and you will find no helper for them." (4:145).

4/2: The misguiding clergymen will suffer the most painful, severest torment inside Hell: "So let them carry their loads complete on the Day of Resurrection, and some of the loads of those they misguided without knowledge. Evil is what they carry." (16:25).

4/3: This verse applies to all clergymen in all eras as they will enter into Hell (in case of non-repentance before their death): "Those who disbelieve and repel others from God's Path - We will add torment to their torment, on account of the corruption they used to make." (16:88).

4/4: The haters and foes of Quranism blame, criticize, and fight our person because we preach and warn only using the Quran, which is God's Straight Path, and because we call and urge people to reject any other 'holy' narratives/discourses. We implore and supplicate to God to make our person among the witnesses who will testify against their contemporaries (esp. foes among clergymen who ascribe falsehoods to God and to His Religion) on the Last Day. God says the following in the Quran about the Hell-torment of such unjust losers after the monotheistic, pious witnesses will testify against them on the Day of Judgment: "Who does greater injustice than he who fabricates lies about God? These will be presented before their Lord, and the witnesses will say, "These are they who lied about their Lord." Indeed, the curse of God is upon the unjust ones. Those who hinder others from the Path of God, and seek to make it crooked; and regarding the Hereafter, they are in denial. These will not escape on earth, and they have no protectors besides God. The torment will be doubled for them. They have failed to hear, and they have failed to see. Those are the ones who lost their souls, and what they had invented has strayed away from them. Without a doubt, in the Hereafter, they will be the biggest losers." (11:18-22).

4/5: Within another context, God says the following about their torment in Hell: "...But why do they insist on the Fire?" (2:175).

 

Thirdly: the quarrels of Hell-dwellers inside Hell:

 The disbelieving followers inside Hell will quarrel with their masters among the political and religious retinue members of the deep-state because they had misguided them; this is a confession that God is never unjust towards them; they have wronged themselves as per their choices made and stances taken. We explain this point further within Quranic proofs in the points below.

1- Within the transient world, polytheists loved one another because of the false religion and false deities that united them; yet, this love will turn into enmity and curses when they enter into Hell; we warn the polytheistic Wahabi/Sunnite, Shiite, and Sufi Muhammadans and their imams/clergymen of this fate (if they die without repentance) mentioned by Abraham when he warned and preached his people: "..."You have chosen idols instead of God, out of affection for one another in the worldly life. But then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will disown one another, and curse one another. Your destiny is Hell, and you will have no saviors."" (29:25). 

2- Instead of loving and sanctifying the Lord God, the polytheists love, deify, and sanctify their saints/allies/gods; they will know inside Hell (after it is too late for them) that God is the Only Dominant Lord; hence, the followers will be disowned by their polytheistic  masters; the followers will regret in vain: "Yet among the people are those who take other than God as equals to Him. They love them as the love of God. But those who believe have greater love for God. If only the unjust ones would realize, when they see the torment; that all power is God's, and that God is severe in torment. Those who were followed will then disown those who followed them, and they will see the retribution, and ties between them will be severed. Those who followed will say, "If only we can have another chance, we will disown them, as they disowned us." Thus God will show them their deeds, as regrets to them, and they will not come out of the Fire." (2:165-167). We warn the polytheistic Wahabi/Sunnite, Shiite, and Sufi Muhammadans and their imams/clergymen of a similar fate if they die without repentance.

3- The followers and masters of polytheism will blame one another for misguidance; the masters used all propaganda and media to brainwash and deceive the masses: "...If you could only see the unjust ones, captive before their Lord, throwing back allegations at one another. Those who were oppressed will say to those who were arrogant, "Were it not for you, we would have been believers." Those who were arrogant will say to those who were oppressed, "Was it us who turned you away from guidance when it came to you? No indeed, you yourselves were sinful." And those who were oppressed will say to those who were arrogant, "It was your scheming by night and day; as you instructed us to reject God, and to set up rivals to Him." They will hide their remorse when they see the torment. We will put yokes around the necks of those who disbelieved. Will they be repaid for anything other than what they used to do?" (34:31-33).

4- Inside Hell, the followers will ask the masters to bear some measure of torment instead of them, and the arrogant masters will refuse: "As they quarrel in the Fire, the weak will say to those who were arrogant, "We were followers of yours; will you then spare us a portion of the Fire?" Those who were arrogant will say, "We are all in it; God has judged between the servants."" (40:47-48).

5- Eventually, while they are being tormented forever inside Hell, the followers will invoke God to increase the torment of the cursed masters of polytheism: "The Day when their faces are flipped into the Fire, they will say, "If only we had obeyed God and obeyed the Messenger." And they will say, "Lord, we have obeyed our superiors and our dignitaries, but they led us away from the way. Lord, give them double the torment, and curse them with a great curse."" (33:66-68).

 

Lastly:

1- The Almighty Lord God in the above quoted verses has warned the living people so that they may save themselves from the Hell-torment in the Hereafter; this is a type of the manifestation of God's mercy, because he sent His messenger with the Quranic message as a mercy to the humankind: "We did not send you except as mercy to the humankind." (21:107). God has granted human beings the freedom to (dis)obey and to (dis)believe; thus, they choose, as per their deeds, to enjoy God's mercy on the Last Day and to be removed away from Hell, or to suffer Hell-torment relentlessly and for eternity; the Hell-dwellers will never get out of it and its torment will never be lessened. Thus, the Quran warns and preaches the living people beforehand; this means that God never wrongs anyone and He is never unjust towards human beings. In fact, human beings are the ones who wrong themselves and commit injustices against themselves.  

2- To be oblivious and heedless of the Quranic Truth is never an acceptable excuse when offered by sinners and disobedient disbelievers among the Muhammadans on the Last Day.

3- When will the clergymen of the Muhammadans of our era realize this?!

 

 

 

Torment, Mercy, and the Divine Justice of the Almighty Lord God

 

 

 

Introduction:

1- When we were a student at the Azharite preparatory stage, at one time, we studied our lessons accompanied by our paternal uncle's son who was older than we are, he suddenly stopped talking about the book we were studying and told me while laughing moderately: "You know, if God might allow all human beings to enter into Paradise, those who were good, pious believers during their lifetimes on Earth will feel they've been tricked and deceived!", and he burst out laughing more and more. We did not laugh at the time because we felt that he might be ridiculing God and/or the Last Day. Later on, we have reflected deeply on his words; we told ourselves that Almighty God is never unjust and His Absolute Justice entails that the criminals/sinners will never be made equals to the pious, good monotheists.

2- Within our miserable childhood as an orphan, we suffered many injustices and we grew up while hating injustice very much and loving justice while sympathizing with the wronged people. Within our innate instinct, we have rejected the myths that make the Last Day appear as if a day of injustices as mediators/saints would intercede on behalf of sinners/criminals to make them enter Paradise along with the pious ones and to be spared the torment of Hell. How come then that Hell will be created on the Last Day? What would be its use, then?!  

3- Within the History Department, at Al-Azhar University, we used to excel in the English language which was difficult to most of our colleagues at the time, and we got the grade (Excellent) in this subject for three consecutive years, but not in the fourth/last year; all students including ourselves got the grade (Pass) and this injustice infuriated us; the cause of this injustice is the complicity of some men there who forced us to deliver our exam paper earlier after we finished answering all questions to allow other students to cheat and copy our answers! This scandal caused the fact that the results in that subject were the grade (Pass) for all students of the fourth/last year (class of 1973)! This injustice made our blood curdle at the time; we were thus made equal with those who never knew anything about the English language curricula! Similarly in 1973, we expected to get the grade (Excellent) we rightly deserved in the subject (Geography), but we received only the grade (Good). This professor who made this injustice against us became later our friend when we were a professor at Al-Azhar University, and he became one of the Quranists who followed us from mosque to mosque in Cairo to hear our sermons after we tendered our resignation at Al-Azhar University in 1987. Yet, we shall never forget the pain of his injustice done to us: we still think we deserved to get the degree (Excellent). We never talked to this friend about this topic; we have noticed that most professors never actually read the thousands of students' answers sheets! Most professors gave the same grade (i.e., Pass) to most students! We ourselves used to read carefully the students' answers sheets to give each of them the grade he deserved. Other professors who had no conscience while wearing the Azharite garb did not read students' answers sheets and never stopped chattering and blabbering, joking and eating, while haphazardly giving most students the grade (Pass)! We detest and feel disgusted at such professors and this made us never forget the injustices done to us; we did our best to deserve the grade (Excellent) in all subjects, and we got this grade in most subjects and the grade (Very Good) in others, for the four years at the History Department (1970-1973), till we graduated having the general grade (Very Good with Highest Honors).    

4- The year of graduation, 1973, was the year that the Egyptian army recruited many graduates to engage into the war (that actually took place in Oct. 1973) that restored Sinai to the Egyptians who defeated the Israelis. Those recruited at the time rarely left the army; within our class, a student whose performance was very poor but his father was a professor at the History Department was allowed to cheat and he got the grade of (Very Good), but his final score was less than ours. This student's corrupt father decided to appoint his son in the History Department instead of us to prevent his son's recruitment in the army! It was only we who deserved this post because of our general grade (Very Good with Highest Honors). News of this attempt to replace us within injustice and corruption reached us when we were at our village, as we never attended the lectures for four years and professors did not know us; this corrupt professor thought we would remain silent as he was about to wrong and harm us. We have been informed by this corruption that was about to happen by a letter sent to us from a man named Fouda, the cashier at Al-Azhar University, who knew us because every semester/term, we met with him to get the sum of money granted to us as a prize for being an excellent student who gets the highest degrees and scores. Fouda told them, from our own letter to him, that if this scandal occurred, we would inform the press and expose this corruption. We traveled to Cairo immediately to meet the dean of the faculty, while feeling furious and ready to fight to the last breath for our right, but eventually, this dean told us that we have been appointed as a professor at the History Department.        

5- Injustice is a crime hated by most people in this transient life; man-made laws are against injustices and punish their perpetrators. It is unjust to make the sinners/criminals as equal to the good ones on the Last Day, and this Quranic fact is denied all the time by the Muhammadans who believe in the myth of intercession. We provide more details in the points below.

 

Firstly: the Quranic call for racing to perform good deeds:

1- God's commands and prohibitions are the same in all divine scriptures: "...Whoever hopes to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and never associate anyone with the service of his Lord." (18:110).

2- Within the command to adhere to piety and righteousness, we read this Quranic direct address toward people about competing and vying for performing as many good deeds as possible to earn God's pardon and to enter Paradise on the Last Day: "Race towards forgiveness from your Lord; and a Garden as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who believe in God and His messengers. That is the grace of God; He bestows it on whomever He wills. God is the Possessor of Immense Grace." (57:21); "And race towards forgiveness from your Lord, and a Garden as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous." (3:133). This means that one is to repent soon enough, as early as possible, and to perform many good deeds to earn God's forgiveness. Real, pious believers will get the highest degrees/levels of Paradise, as God addresses all humanity directly in the following verses: "Those who, from awe of their Lord, are fearful. And those who believe in their Lord's Verses. And those who associate no partners with their Lord. And those who give what they give, while their hearts quake, knowing that to their Lord they will return. It is they who race towards goodness. It is they who will reach it first. We never burden any soul beyond its capacity. And with Us is a record that tells the truth, and they will not be wronged." (23:57-62); "Who is he who will lend God a loan of goodness, that He may double it for him, and will have a generous reward?" (57:11); "Who is he who will offer God a generous loan, so He will multiply it for him manifold? God receives and amplifies, and to Him you will be returned." (2:245). 

3- God calls both the People of the Book and Quran-believing people to compete in performing good deeds: "And We revealed to you the Book, with Truth, confirming the Scripture that preceded it, and superseding it. So judge between them according to what God revealed, and do not follow their desires if they differ from the Truth that has come to you. For each of you We have assigned a law and a method. Had God willed, He could have made you a single nation, but He tests you through what He has given you. So compete in righteousness. To God is your return, all of you; then He will inform you of what you had disputed." (5:48).

 

Secondly: response to this call for racing to perform good deeds:

1- God describes the previous prophets as such: "...They used to vie in doing righteous deeds, and used to call on Us in love and awe, and they used to humble themselves to Us." (21:90).

2- The dead people of all previous eras had their chance within the test of life during their lifetimes; some of them are among the winners and some are among the losers. God addresses the living people who still live through the test of life: "Or do you think that you will be left alone, without God identifying which of you will strive, and take no supporters apart from God, His Messenger, and the believers? God is well Aware of what you do." (9:16); "Or do you expect to enter Paradise before the example of those who came before you had reached you? Adversity and hardship had afflicted them, and they were so shaken up, that the Messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is God's victory?" Indeed, God's victory is near." (2:214).

3- Eventually, God is NEVER biased for any human groups in particular: all human beings are tested and judged within equality and justice, regardless of labels or banners: Sabians, the People of the Book (i.e., Jews/Israelites and Christians), Quranists, etc. Thus, any human beings who believe in God within monotheism and perform good deeds will be among the allies of God in the Hereafter who never fear grieved or afraid on the Last Day and will attain God' mercy; this fact is asserted in the Quran many times: "Those who believe, and those who are Jewish, and the Christians, and the Sabians - any who believe in God and the Last Day, and act righteously - will have their reward with their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve." (2:62); "Those who believe, and the Jews, and the Sabians, and the Christians-whoever believes in God and the Last Day, and does what is right-they have nothing to fear, nor shall they grieve." (5:69).

4- Of course, all human beings in all eras vary in their reactions to God's call to repent and to compete in good deeds and monotheistic faith; there are (1) those sinners and disobedient ones, (2) those who repent and reform their faith and perform good deeds, and (3) those Forerunners who are nearer to Almighty God than anyone else as they performed so many good deeds within monotheism for most of their lives.

5- This division into three groups applies to the People of the Book, as they are not the same in terms of faith and deeds: "...Had the People of the Book believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are the believers, but most of them are sinners." (3:110); "...Among them is a moderate community, but evil is what many of them are doing." (5:66); "They are not alike. Among the People of the Book is a community that is upright; they recite God's revelations throughout the night, and they prostrate themselves. They believe in God and the Last Day, and advocate righteousness and forbid evil, and are quick to do good deeds. These are among the righteous. Whatever good they do, they will not be denied it. God knows the righteous." (3:113-115).

6- This division into three groups applies to the Quran-believing people, as they are not the same in terms of faith and deeds: "Then We passed the Book to those of Our servants whom We chose. Some of them wrong their souls, and some follow a middle course, and some are in the foremost in good deeds by God's leave; that is the greatest blessing." (35:32).

7- This division into three groups applies to all dying persons in all eras and locations: good people who are allies of God (who are of two types: those on the Right and the Forerunners who excelled more than those on the Right) and the losers who are allies of Satan. God says in the Quran: "So when it has reached the throat. As you are looking on. We are nearer to it than you are, but you do not see. If you are not held to account. Then bring it back, if you are truthful. But if he is one of those brought near. Then happiness, and flowers, and Garden of Delights. And if he is one of those on the Right. Then, "Peace upon you," from those on the Right. But if he is one of the deniers, the mistaken. Then a welcome of Inferno. And burning in Hell. This is the certain Truth. So glorify the Name of your Lord the Great." (56:83-94).

8- This division into three groups applies to all human beings on the Day of Resurrection: "Those on the Right-what of those on the Right? And those on the Left-what of those on the Left? And the Forerunners, the Forerunners. Those are the nearest." (56:8-11).

 

Thirdly: it is justice that sinners/criminals are not made equals to good, pious people in the Hereafter:

1- Within the obscurantist countries of Muhammadans who are ignoramuses, injustices prevail and dominate their lives, and tyrannical rulers are on top of the list of the unjust ones, followed by the deep-state affluent-class persons: clergymen, media figures, etc. who deify and sanctify tyrants, while victims who are weak on Earth suffer torment and humiliation inflicted on them by the unjust, corrupt ones. Goodness and justice win and prevail only in movies; in the countries of the Muhammadans, the tyrants and criminals win momentarily, as they lose upon dying as they know at that moment about torment of Hell waiting for them. This is unlike the nations of the West, where justice, human rights, freedom, and democracy prevail. Of course, justice is the supreme value and aim of all celestial messages of God via His prophets/messengers: "We sent Our messengers with the clear proofs, and We sent down with them the Book and the Balance, that humanity may uphold justice. And We sent down iron, in which is violent force, and benefits for humanity. That God may know who supports Him and His messengers invisibly. God is Strong and Powerful." (57:25). In the Hereafter, the divine justice is absolute: "We will set up the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so that no soul will suffer the least injustice. And even if it be the weight of a mustard-seed, We will bring it up. Sufficient are We as Judge." (21:47).  

2- It is justice that sinners/criminals are not made equals to good, pious people in the Hereafter and in the transient world: "Shall We treat the Muslims like the criminals? What is the matter with you? How do you judge?" (68:35-36); "Or are We to treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like those who commit corruption on Earth? Or are We to treat the pious ones like the sinners?" (38:28); "Do those who perpetrate the evil deeds assume that We will regard them as equal to those who believe and do righteous deeds, whether in their life or their death? Evil is their judgment!" (45:21); "Is he who worships devoutly during the watches of the night, prostrating himself and standing up, mindful of the Hereafter, and placing his hope in the mercy of his Lord? Say, "Are those who know and those who do not know equal?" Only those possessed of reason will remember." (39:9); "Is someone who pursues God's approval the same as someone who incurs God's wrath and his refuge is Hell-the miserable destination? They have different ranks with God, and God is Seeing of what they do." (3:162-163).

3- The disbelievers among the Qorayish tribesmen assumed wrongly that they have religious authority by serving the Kaaba and pilgrim; the same wrong assumption pertains now to the Saudi kind and the royal family members, and God refutes such a myth here: "It is not for the polytheists to attend God's places of worship while professing their disbelief. These-their works are in vain, and in the Fire they will abide forever. The only people to attend God's places of worship are those who believe in God and the Last Day, and pray regularly, and practice regular charity, and fear none but God. These are most likely to be guided. Do you consider giving water to pilgrims and maintaining the Sacred Mosque the same as believing in God and the Last Day and striving in God's path? They are not equal in God's sight. God does not guide the unjust people." (9:17-19).

4- Subsequently, the final destinations (either in Hell or Paradise) of all human beings differ as per deeds and faith; those who died as sinners, criminals, and evil/disobedient ones must enter into Hell and have not mercy at all, and real, pious believers who performed good deeds must enter into Paradise by His mercy: "Is someone who is faithful like someone who is a sinner? They are not equal. As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for them are the Gardens of Shelter-hospitality for what they used to do. But as for those who transgressed, their shelter is the Fire. Every time they try to get out of it, they will be brought back into it, and it will be said to them, "Taste the suffering of the Fire which you used to deny."" (32:18-20).

 

Fourthly: it is justice that believers are divided into two categories as per the amount of good deeds:

1- Not all winners have the same grade or degree/level within Paradise, as the quality and quantity of their good deeds differ: "They all have ranks according to what they did; and your Lord is not unaware of what they do." (6:132); "There are degrees for everyone, according to what they have done, and He will repay them for their works in full, and they will not be wronged." (46:19). This is why Paradise dwellers are divided into two groups: those Forerunners and those on the Right.

2- This difference in good deeds in terms of quality and quantity is exemplified further in these verses: "Not equal are the inactive among the believers-except the disabled-and the strivers in the cause of God with their possessions and their persons. God prefers the strivers with their possessions and their persons above the inactive, by a degree. But God has promised goodness to both. Yet God favors the strivers, over the inactive, with a great reward. Degrees from Him, and forgiveness, and mercy. God is Forgiving and Merciful." (4:95-96); "And why is it that you do not spend in the cause of God, when to God belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth? Not equal among you are those who contributed before the conquest, and fought. Those are higher in rank than those who contributed afterwards, and fought. But God promises both a good reward. God is Well Experienced in what you do." (57:10).

3- Torment inflicted on criminals/sinners is justice, and without this punishment (in this world and the next), the criminals/sinners would be made equal to the good persons, and this equality is utter injustice. "...God desires no injustice for the humankind." (3:108). As always, God says nothing but the Absolute Truth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cursing in the Mechanism of Torment In Hell with Neither Mercy nor Light

 

 

Introduction:

1- We have mentioned that being cursed on the Last Day means to be removed/distanced from God's mercy and therefore Hell is the fate for the cursed ones. We have mentioned also that those nearer to God on the Day of Judgment means that they will enter into God's mercy and therefore Paradise is their fate. Hence, all humanity will be divided in the Hereafter into three categories: the Forerunners and those on the Right in Paradise and those on the Left who are cursed/distanced in Hell as they will never attain the mercy of the Lord God. A fence/wall will be created between Hell-dwellers and Paradise-dwellers; the latters in mercy will be placed higher above everyone else, and the formers will be located deep down and distanced in torment: "...A wall will be raised between them, in which is a door; within it is mercy, and outside it is torment." (57:13).    

2- We tackle another feature in the points below; Paradise dwellers will enjoy mercy and Light; in contrast, the Hell-dwellers will be in sheer torment and blackness/darkness.

 

Firstly: mercy between this world and the Hereafter:

 God's Scriptures revealed in this world form the basis of mercy in the Hereafter

1- To believe in the Book revealed by the Lord God and to apply it bears the fruit of mercy in the Hereafter.

2- God says the following in the Quran about the Book revealed to Moses.

2/1: "We gave Moses the Book after We had annihilated the previous generations; as Light for the humankind, and guidance, and mercy, so that they may remember." (28:43); we see here that the Book revealed to Moses by God is described as the source of guidance and mercy to those who remember and fear the Lord God within piety.

2/2: This is also about the Book revealed to Moses: "And before it was the Book of Moses, a guidance and a mercy...." (46:12).

3- The Quran was revealed as a mercy as well.

3/1: God sent Muhammad with the Quranic message as a mercy to all humankind: "We did not send you except as mercy to the humankind." (21:107).

3/2: This mercy will be attained only by monotheistic believers who have guided themselves using the Quran and performed many good deeds: "And it is guidance and mercy for the believers." (27:77); "A guide and a mercy for the charitable ones." (31:3); "This is Light for the humankind, and guidance, and mercy for people who believe with certainty." (45:20); "O people! There has come to you advice from your Lord, and healing for what is in the hearts, and guidance and mercy for the believers. Say, "In God's grace and mercy let them rejoice. That is better than what they hoard."" (10:57-58).

3/3: To believe in the Quran means to believe in it as the Only Discourse in Islam; this means that one has to reject and disbelieve in all devilish/Satanist narratives/discourses/hadiths which fill sanctified books/tomes of earthly, man-made religions of the Muhammadans, such as hadiths of Al-Bokhary book revered by Sunnites, hadiths of "Al-Kafi" by Al-Kulayni revered by Shiites, and hadiths of "Ehiaa Olom Eddine" by Al-Ghazaly revered by Sufis. This monotheistic belief in the Quran as the Only Source of Islam will make believers attain guidance and mercy. More examples to explain this are found in the points below.     

3/3/1: The Quran is the Only Source and Sole Discourse in Islam as it explains everything we need to know about religion; we are to submit to it and never to man-made, devilish discourses; Go says the following in the Quran about the Quran itself: "...We have revealed to you the Book, as an explanation of all things, and guidance, and mercy and good news for those who submit." (16:89).

3/3/2: Real monotheists know that the Quran is Enough for them as the Sufficient source of religion revealed by God: "Does it not suffice them that We revealed to you the Book, which is recited to them? In that is mercy and a reminder for people who believe." (29:51).

3/3/3: This entails that a monotheistic person's belief must include the fact that the Quran contains all details we need which explain religion in order to attain mercy and guidance: "We have given them a Book, which We detailed with knowledge - guidance and mercy for people who believe." (7:52).  

4- Therefore, the Quran increasing the loss of those who follow and believe in other 'holy' books besides the Quran while assuming that the Quran is not enough for them as they need such books to 'understand' and 'interpret' it; such Satanist hadiths insult the Quran and distort, twist, and warp the meanings of its verses. The Quran is a source of healing and mercy only to those monotheists who believe in it as the Only Source and Sole Discourse in Islam: "We send down in the Quran healing and mercy for the believers, but it increases the unjust ones only in loss." (17:82).

 

Mercy on the Day of Judgment:

 Mercy attained by Quran-believing monotheists will be interpreted, embodied, fulfilled, or realized on the Day of Judgment when they will be made to enter into Paradise and be spared from entering into Hell. We provide more details in the points below.

1-The meaning of mercy is to be spared from the Hell-torment:

1/1: God says the following about the Hell-torment: "Whoever is spared on that Day - He had mercy on him. That is the clear victory." (6:16).

1/2: Sinners in Hell will be tormented by their sins and evil deeds; the angels will say the following to God on the Last Day about the believers: "And shield them from the evil deeds. Whomever You shield from the evil deeds, on that Day, You have had mercy on him. That is the supreme achievement."" (40:9).

2- Entering into the mercy of the Lord God means to enter into Paradise; we infer this from the following verses.

2/1: "As for those who believe in God, and hold fast to Him, He will admit them into mercy and grace from Him, and will guide them to Himself in a Straight Path." (4:175).

2/2: "As for those who believed and did righteous deeds, their Lord will admit them into His mercy. That is the clear triumph." (45:30).

2/3: "He admits into His mercy whomever He wills. But as for the unjust ones, He has prepared for them a painful torment." (76:31).

2/4: Moses supplicated to the Lord God this way: "He said, "My Lord, forgive me and my brother, and admit us into Your mercy; for you are the Most Merciful of the merciful."" (7:151).

3- Because the Paradise-dwellers are of two categories, God's mercy has degrees in Paradise: "Degrees from Him, and forgiveness, and mercy. God is Forgiving and Merciful." (4:96).

4- Paradise-dwellers are nearer to the Dominant Lord God; in contrast, the Hell-dwellers are distanced/removed/cursed away from God's mercy and will never enter into Paradise.

4/1: Charitable persons in this world will be nearer to God's mercy on the Day of Judgment and will enter into Paradise: "...and pray to Him with fear and hope. God's mercy is near to the doers of good." (7:56).

4/2: God will reward in Paradise within His mercy the charitable doers of good within belief; this is exemplified within some believing desert-Arabs who drew nearer to their Lord by good deeds and spending money to serve God's cause: "Yet among the Desert-Arabs are those who believe in God and the Last Day, and consider their contribution to be a means towards God, and the prayers of the Messenger. Surely it will draw them closer, and God will admit them into His mercy. God is Forgiving and Compassionate." (9:99).

4/3: This term (Near) is among the Holy Names/Epithets of the Lord God. We refer readers to our article, in English, titled "Quranic Terminology: Near", found on this link: (http://www.ahl-alquran.com/English/show_article.php?main_id=17840).

4/3/1: Saleh said the following to his people: "..."O my people, worship God, you have no god other than Him. He initiated you from the earth, and settled you in it. So seek His forgiveness, and repent to Him. My Lord is Near and Responsive."" (11:61).

4/3/2: Muhammad was commanded by the Lord God to say the following: "Say, "If I err, I err only to my own loss; but if I am guided, it is by what my Lord inspires me. He is Hearing and Near."" (34:50).

4/3/3: God is Near His faithful servants.

4/3/3/1: This occurs when they implore Him and supplicate to Him: "And when My servants ask you about Me, I am Near; I answer the call of the caller when he calls on Me. So let them answer Me, and have faith in Me, that they may be rightly guided." (2:186); "...and pray to Him with fear and hope. God's mercy is near to the doers of good." (7:56).

4/3/3/2: This occurs when they prostrate to God; He has said this to Muhammad: "...but kneel down, and become near." (96:19).

4/3/3/3: God is Nearer to us in these cases: more than the jugular vein: "We created the human being, and We know what his soul whispers to him. We are nearer to him than his jugular vein." (50:16) and in the moment of one's death: "So when it has reached the throat. As you are looking on. We are nearer to it than you are, but you do not see." (56:83-85).

5- Hence, those who get nearer to their Lord God with many good deeds done within piety in this world will be also nearer to God on the Day of Judgment, within His mercy leading to Paradise and they will be spared from Hell. God says the following about the Paradise-dwellers and how Hell will be away from them: "As for those who deserved goodness from Us-these will be kept away from it. They will not hear its hissing, and they will forever abide in what their hearts desire. The Supreme Fear will not worry them, and the angels will receive them: "This is your Day which you were promised."" (21:101-103).

 

Secondly: Light between this world and in the Hereafter:

 Being guided with the Quranic Light in this world will make one attain God's mercy in the Hereafter and be made to enter into Paradise.

1- God addresses all human beings directly here: "O people! A proof has come to you from your Lord, and We sent down to you a Clear Light. As for those who believe in God, and hold fast to Him, He will admit them into mercy and grace from Him, and will guide them to Himself in a Straight Path." (4:174-175). The Quran is described as Light; those who adhere to it and never believe in discourses/hadiths besides it will enter into God's mercy and Paradise.

2- God says the following to the People of the Book about the Quran itself: "O People of the Book! Our Messenger has come to you, clarifying for you much of what you kept hidden of the Book, and overlooking much. A light from God has come to you, and a clear Book. God guides with it whoever follows His approval to the ways of peace, and He brings them out of darkness into Light, by His permission, and He guides them in a Straight Path." (5:15-16). Only those who follow the Quranic Light of guidance will enter into the Dwelling of Peace of Paradise; the Light of the Quran will turn into the Paradise Light for them in the Hereafter. 

 

 A comparison between the Light of the Quran (and the belief in it) and the blackness/darkness of disbelief:

1- Those who have blinded their hearts/minds/souls and decided to ignore the Quranic Light are controlled by devils who make the Truth appear to term as falsehoods and falsehoods appear to them as truths; such devils distract/repel them away from the Quranic Truth while making them assume as if they were guided. Of course, misguided human beings never see such devils in this temporary world; they will see them in the Hereafter on the Last Day and they will feel regrets in vain after it is too late for them: "Whoever shuns the Remembrance of the Dominant Lord, We assign for him a devil, to be his companion. They hinder them from the Path, though they think they are guided. Until, when He comes to Us, he will say, "If only there were between me and you the distance of the two Easts." What an evil companion! It will not benefit you on that Day, since you committed injustices. You are partners in the torment." (43:36-39).

2- The comparison between those who are guided by the Quranic Light in this world and those who wander within devilish blackness/darkness of Satan is stressed here in these verses.

2/1: "Is he who was dead, then We gave him life, and made for him a Light by which he walks among the people, like he who is in total darkness, and cannot get out of it? Thus the doings of disbelievers are made to appear good to them." (6:122).

2/2: "What about someone whose heart God has opened to Islam, so that he follows a light from His Lord? Woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the mention of God. Those are in manifest error. God has sent down the Best Discourse: a Book consistent and paired. The skins of those who reverence their Lord shiver from it, then their skins and their hearts soften up to the remembrance of God. Such is God's guidance; He guides with it whomever He wills. But whomever God leaves astray, for him there is no guide." (39:22-23).

3- The Quranic Light will turn into Light in the Hereafter to being glad tidings to good souls that they will enter into Paradise.

3/1: "On the Day when you see the believing men and believing women - their Light radiating ahead of them, and to their right: "Good news for you today: gardens beneath which rivers flow, dwelling therein forever. That is the great triumph."" (57:12).

3/2: "O you who believe! Fear God, and believe in His Messenger: He will give you a double portion of His mercy, and will give you a Light by which you walk, and will forgive you. God is Forgiving and Merciful." (57:28).

3/3: "O you who believe! Repent to God with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remit your sins, and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow, on the Day when God will not disappoint the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their Light streaming before them, and to their right, they will say, "Our Lord, complete our light for us, and forgive us; You are capable of all things."" (66:8).

4- The comparison between the Light in the Hereafter to the pious ones and the blackness/darkness of sinners/disbelievers is stressed here in these verses.

4/1: "Faces on that Day will be radiant. Laughing and rejoicing. And Faces on that Day will be covered with misery. Overwhelmed by remorse. These are the disbelieving sinners." (80:38-42).

4/2: "For those who have done good is goodness, and more. Neither gloom nor shame will come over their faces. These are the inhabitants of Paradise, abiding therein forever. As for those who have earned evil deeds: a reward of similar evil, and shame will cover them. They will have no defense against God - as if their faces are covered with dark patches of night. These are the inmates of the Fire, abiding therein forever." (10:26-27).

4/3: "On the Day when some faces will be whitened, and some faces will be blackened. As for those whose faces are blackened: "Did you disbelieve after your belief?" Then taste the torment for having disbelieved. But as for those whose faces are whitened: they are in God's mercy, remaining in it forever." (3:106-107).

5- Those who ascribed  lies and falsehoods to God and to His Religion, such as Al-Bokhary, Al-Shafei, Al-Kulayni, Al-Ghazaly, Ibn Taymiyya, Ibn Al-Qayyim, Ibn Katheer, and Ibn Abdul-Wahab, will be within the lower depth of Hell: "On the Day of Resurrection, you will see those who told lies about God with their faces blackened. Is there not a place in Hell for the arrogant ones?" (39:60).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Between Curse and Heedlessness

 

 

Introduction:

1- We are still tackling and asserting the Quranic fact that God desires no injustice for the humankind and that He is never unjust towards the humankind; the human beings are the one who commit injustices against their souls or themselves. Hence, the Quranic verses that mention Hell-torment serve to preach and warn the living human beings so that they avoid being deceived by Satan the outcast and the expelled (and his progeny of devils) who is bent on taking with him as many human beings as possible into the Hell-torment on the Last Day.

2- The vast majority of people tend to be oblivious, heedless, and unaware of the Truth and the Last Day; they focus on the transient life within this temporary world and this makes them forget God and the Last Day. Hence, this results in the fact that God will exclude them from His mercy; they will be outcast, cursed, expelled and banished from His mercy; this means that they will enter into Hell for eternity after the Day of Judgment.

3- We focus now on the topic of being heedless and unaware as this is the direct cause of being cursed/expelled and removed from the mercy of the Dominant, Compassionate Lord God. We tackle this topic further in the points below.

 

Firstly: God never forgets and He is never unaware or heedless:

1- This fact is repeated several times in the Quranic text: "...and God is not unaware of what you do." (2:74, 2:85, 2:140, 2:149, and 3:99); "...and God is not heedless of what they do." (2:144 and 27:93); "...Your Lord is not heedless of what you do." (6:132).

2- God is never heedless or unaware of all things that occur in the heavens and the earth or of the evil deeds of the unjust ones: "We created above you seven pathways, and We are never heedless of the creation." (23:17); "To God belongs the future of the heavens and the earth, and to Him all authority goes back. So worship Him, and rely on Him. Your Lord is never unaware of what you do." (11:123); "Do not ever think that God is unaware of what the unjust ones do. He only defers them until a Day when the sights stare." (14:42).

3- Accordingly, God never forgets: "...Your Lord is never forgetful."" (19:64).

 

Secondly: the vast majority of people tend to forget and are unaware, because they are heedless of the Hereafter:

1- The vast majority of people tend to forget their deeds and God will remind them of all their deeds on the Last Day: "On the Day when God resurrects them all, and informs them of what they did. God has kept count of it, but they have forgotten it. God is Witness over everything." (58:6).

2- The vast majority of people tend to forget and disregard preaching and warning found in the Quranic verses; they are heedless of God's Word: "...But most people are heedless of Our Verses." (10:92).

3- Most people focus on the transient world on earth and rarely focus their attention on their real future and Eternal Life in the Hereafter; they rarely ask why they are created by God and why He created the heavens and the earth, or the universe with its stars and galaxies; they rarely ponder on the Hour and the Last Day and meeting with their Lord God: "...but most people do not know. They know an outer aspect of the worldly life, but they are heedless of the Hereafter. Do they not reflect within themselves? God did not create the heavens and the earth, and what is between them, except with reason, and for a specific duration. But most people, regarding meeting their Lord, are disbelievers." (30:6-8).

4- The Arab contemporaries of Muhammad were also heedless and unaware in the same manner: "To warn a people whose ancestors were not warned, and so they are unaware." (36:6).

 

Thirdly: before his ministry as a prophet, Muhammad was among the heedless:

1- Muhammad was a man among men in his society in Arabia: "Is it a wonder to the people that We inspired a man from among them..." (10:2); he was heedless and unaware like the rest of men in this Arabian society before he received the Quranic Revelation from God; once his ministry as a prophet began, he became a learned, knowledgeable, pious messenger of God: "We narrate to you the most accurate history, by revealing to you this Quran. Although, prior to it, you were of the unaware." (12:3).

2- The pious ones always seek refuge in their Lord God against the cursed, outcast Satan so as not to be controlled be heedlessness and unawareness; i.e., being oblivious regarding God and the Hereafter. The Lord God has commanded Muhammad to remember Him all the time so as not to be among the heedless: "And remember your Lord within yourself, humbly and fearfully, and quietly, in the morning and the evening, and do not be of the heedless." (7:205). If Muhammad would forget this command at some times, he should apply it by remembering His Lord more often: "...And remember your Lord if you forget..." (18:24).

 

Fourthly: the testimony of (There is no God but Allah) is the remedy against being unaware and heedless of the Hereafter:

1- God has inscribed into all human souls in Barsakh, before they are born on earth, the monotheism of (There is no God but Allah) and the human souls bear witness to this so as not to find any excuses on the Last Day by saying they were heedless of this: "And when Your Lord summoned the descendants of Adam, and made them testify about themselves. "Am I not your Lord?" They said, "Yes, we testify." Thus you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection, "We were unaware of this."" (7:172).

2- Thus, monotheism is the innate instinct inscribed into our souls; children are born with it; yet, as they grow up, they might learn from their surrounding environment the polytheism of worshiping things/items and mortals. The inner instinct of monotheism rise to the fore inside polytheists when they suffer an ordeal or undergo a fearful situation; they would remember God and scream for Him to grant them His aid. God sometimes inflict torment on some sinners within this transient world because of their sins; this test of ordeals/torment aims at reminding them of monotheism so that they may remember and repent and stop being oblivious/heedless; this is to alert them so that they would wake up and return to God: "We will make them taste the lesser torment, prior to the greater torment, so that they may return." (32:21).

3- To remember and to glorify God's Name is the most important means to attain piety and to get rid of the state of heedlessness and unawareness. One is also to remember God by performing accts of worship such as prayers, reading the Quran, and praising/glorifying God's Name in different times of the day; the pious ones remember God all the time when devilish whispers assail their souls: "...By the Quran of Remembrance." (38:1); "...and perform the prayer for My remembrance." (20:14); "And mention the Name of your Lord, morning and evening. And for part of the night, prostrate yourself to Him, and glorify Him long into the night." (76:25-26); "Those who are pious - when an impulse from Satan strikes them, they remind themselves, and immediately see clearly." (7:201).

4- This way, the pious believers will be among the winners who will prosper on the Last Day: "...And remember God much, so that you may prosper." (62:10).

 

Fifthly: Hell-torment is the fate of those unaware, heedless ones:

1- Without remembering God, the heedless human beings are among the unaware ones who will feel remorse on the Last Day, after it is too late for them since their fate is Hell-torment because they have been among the unjust ones who wronged their own souls: "And on that Day, Hell is brought forward. On that Day, man will remember, but how will remembrance avail him? He will say, "If only I had forwarded for my life." On that Day, none will be tormented as he is. And none will be shackled as he is." (89:23-26); "On that Day, the unjust ones will bite his hands, and say, "If only I had followed the way with the Messenger. Oh, woe to me; I wish I never took so-and-so for a friend. He led me away from the Message after it had come to me; for Satan has always been a betrayer of man."" (25:27-29).

2- On the Last Day, God will rebuke those who have been forgetful and heedless of His Verses; He will exclude them from His mercy and they will suffer Hell-torment forever.

2/1: There are those heedless ones who will be resurrected as blind before they will be made to enter into the Hell-torment forever: "He will say, "My Lord, why did You raise me blind, though I was seeing?" He will say, "Just as Our Verses came to you, and you forgot them, today you will be forgotten."" (20:125-126).

2/2: The angels of death will bring news of Hell and rebuke the heedless ones who have forgotten all about the Last Day, as God will exclude them from His mercy; this is the meaning of God's forgetting them: "And it will be said, "Today We forget you, as you forgot the encounter of this Day of yours. Your abode is the Fire, and there are no saviors for you." (45:34).

2/3: When the heedless, unaware ones enter into Hell, they will be reproached by being told that they have forgotten about this when they were alive on earth; they never heeded the warning and they deserve being forgotten by God; i.e., to be excluded/removed/expelled from His mercy: "So taste, because you forgot the meeting of this Day of yours; We have forgotten you; so taste the eternal torment for what you used to do." (32:14).

2/4: God says the following about the heedlessness and unawareness of the hypocrites who will be cursed and tormented in Hell: "The hypocrite men and hypocrite women are of one another. They advocate evil, and prohibit righteousness, and withhold their hands. They forgot God, so He forgot them. The hypocrites are the sinners. God has promised the hypocrite men and hypocrite women, and the disbelievers, the Fire of Hell, abiding therein forever. It is their due. And God has cursed them. They will have a lasting torment." (9:67-68).

2/5: God says the following about those who disbelieve in His Verses: "Those who took their religion lightly, and in jest, and whom the worldly life deceived. Today We will forget them, as they have forgotten the meeting on this Day of theirs, and they used to deny Our Verses." (7:51).

3- When you remember God within piety and fear, He will remember you and this means you will be among the prosperous winners on the Last Day: "So remember Me, and I will remember you..." (2:152); "...And remember God's bounties so that you may prosper."" (7:69).

4- God is Gentle, Kind, Clement, and Merciful towards human beings and this fact is repeated in the Quranic text; He has caused the Quran to descend to guide humanity: "It is He who sends down upon His servant clear revelations, to bring you out of darkness into the light. God is Gentle towards you, Most Compassionate." (57:9); "...God is Kind towards the people, Merciful." (2:143); "...God is Kind towards the servants." (2:207 + 3:30); "...our Lord is Clement and Merciful." (16:7); "...Your Lord is Gentle and Merciful." (16:47); "...God is Gentle towards the people, Merciful." (22:65); "...God is Clement and Merciful." (24:20).

5- God's mercy incudes the fact that the Quran repeatedly reminds, warns, and preach human beings to wake them up from their heedlessness and unawareness so that they are saved from the Hell-torment.

5/1: God reminds people of the fact that the Last Day draws near, but sadly, most people are heedless and unaware: "The Judgment of the humankind has drawn near, but they turn away heedlessly. No fresh reminder comes to them from their Lord, but they listen to it playfully. Their hearts are distracted..." (21:1-3).

5/2: God reminds people of the fact that most of them are disbelievers who will feel remorse, after it is too late, because of their being oblivious to the Hour: "The Promise of Truth has drawn near. The eyes of those who disbelieved will stare in horror: "Woe to us. We were oblivious to this. In fact, we were unjust ones."" (21:97).

5/3: The meaning of the above point is repeated here: "And warn them of the Day of Regret, when the matter will be concluded. Yet they are heedless, and they do not believe." (19:39).

5/4: The sinners and disobedient ones will be rebuked severely for their heedlessness: "The daze of death has come in truth: "This is what you tried to evade." And the Trumpet is blown: "This is the Promised Day." And every soul will come forward, accompanied by a driver and a witness. "You were in neglect of this, so We lifted your screen from you, and your vision today is keen."" (50:19-22). This means that they were busy with their carnal lusts and appetites until they died; upon Resurrection, their souls will carry their sins/burdens and they perceive face-to-face the Truth of which they have been heedless during their lifetimes on earth.

5/5: God reminds people of the fact that Satan and his devils distract the souls by making them heedless and unaware; thus, human beings in that case are like animals or cattle who are preoccupied with their present moment and never think of the real future or their Eternal Life in the Hereafter; they will experience Hell-torment for eternity because of this heedlessness and unawareness: "We have destined for Hell multitudes of jinn and humans. They have hearts with which they do not understand. They have eyes with which they do not see. They have ears with which they do not hear. These are like cattle. In fact, they are further astray. These are the heedless." (7:179). 

5/6: God reminds people of the fact that those people whose hearts are filled with disbelief deserve God's wrath and that His torment will be inflicted on them if they died without repentance; their hearts are filled with the love/passion only for this transient world and they have been heedless of the Hereafter: "Whoever renounces faith in God after having believed - except for someone who is compelled, while his heart rests securely in faith - but whoever willingly opens up his heart to disbelief - upon them falls wrath from God, and for them is a tremendous torment. That is because they have preferred the worldly life to the Hereafter, and because God does not guide the people who disbelieve. It is they whom God has sealed their hearts, and their hearing, and their sight. It is they who are the heedless. There is no doubt that in the Hereafter they will be the losers." (16:106-109). 

5/7: God reminds people of the fact that those who forget about meeting with God, or hate this meeting with Him on the Last Day, disbelieve in the Last Day and the Hereafter and this makes them oblivious to God's Verses and they will enter into Hell: "Those who do not hope to meet Us, and are content with the worldly life, and are at ease in it, and those who pay no heed to Our Verses. These - their dwelling is the Fire-on account of what they used to do." (10:7-8).

5/8: Those who prefer this transient world to the Eternal Life might perform good deeds and acts of charity as they spend/donate while seeking fame and stature and never seek to please their Lord God, because they never believe in the Hereafter; they are heedless of Paradise. Those people will be repaid for their good deeds in this world only, as their fate is Hell-torment: "Whoever desires the worldly life and its glitter-We will fully recompense them for their deeds therein, and therein they will not be defrauded. These - they will have nothing but the Fire in the Hereafter. Their deeds are in vain therein, and their works are null." (11:15-16).

 

Lastly:

1- One's monotheistic belief is never enough in itself; it has to be coupled with piety resulting in the performance good deeds and checking oneself before the Day of Judgment; this is the demeanor and stance of real monotheistic believers. If believers would not do that, they will be among those who forgot their souls and God has made them remain in this state of heedlessness and unawareness until they will regret it on the Last Day, after it will be too late for them: "O you who believe! Fear God, and let every soul consider what it has forwarded for tomorrow, and fear God. God is Aware of what you do. And do not be like those who forgot God, so He made them forget themselves. These are the sinners. Not equal are the inhabitants of the Fire and the inhabitants of Paradise. It is the inhabitants of Paradise who are the winners." (59:18-20). The aware, pious, monotheistic believers who perform good deeds are the allies/partisans God on the Last Day who will be made to enter into Paradise.    

2- The allies/partisans of the outcast, expelled cursed Satan are fully controlled by Satan and devils and they forget about the Remembrance of the Lord God: "Satan has taken hold of them, and so has caused them to forget the Remembrance of God. These are the partisans of Satan. Indeed, it is Satan's partisans who are the losers." (58:19).

 

 

 

The Mechanism of Torment Includes That Disbelievers Will Be Tormented inside Hell by their Sins 

  

 

 

Introduction: 

1- Disobedient ones or sinners comprise the following categories. 

1/1: Disobedient ones who know they are sinful and that they disobey Quranic commands of the Lord God; they may repent because they know they are wronging themselves by committing sins. 

1/2: Disobedient ones who justify their sins and bad deeds and deem them as 'good' and 'necessary'; such misguided, disobedient ones will not repent as they are too arrogant and proud to deem themselves in the wrong. 

1/3: Disobedient ones who regard their sins and evil deeds as part of religion and acts of worship; such misguided, disobedient ones will not repent; they are human devils; they include Wahabi terrorists who massacre the innocent ones while assuming they are pleasing God with their 'jihad'. They include those who worship dead persons and mausoleums while assuming that their polytheism is part of the Islamic faith; they will not repent because they assume themselves to be among guided ones who apply religion!    

2- The second and the third categories of disobedient ones will go on sinning until their hearts/souls are blackened or get corroded or rusty with sins: "...Their hearts have become corroded by what they used to earn." (83:14); of course, this rustiness or blackness will appear on their faces on the Last Day and their sins will turn into Hell-fire tormenting them forever. 

 

Firstly: being tormented by their sins and evil/bad deeds:

1- Sins and evil/bad deeds will turn into fire inside Hell to torment the unrepentant disobedient ones forever; they will never die and will never get out of it or be relieved even temporarily. The angels supplicate to God to bestow His mercy on the monotheists and to shield them from the outcome of sins: "And shield them from the evil deeds. Whomever You shield from the evil deeds, on that Day, You have had mercy on him. That is the supreme achievement."" (40:9). 

2- Sins and evil/bad deeds will turn into fire inside Hell to torment the unrepentant disobedient ones; this is about sinners who died without repentance: "Indeed, whoever commits sins, and becomes besieged by his injustices - these are the inmates of the Fire, wherein they will dwell forever." (2:81).

3- Their sins will turn into fire tormenting and haunting them forever in Hell as they will be surrounded by it from all directions: "The evils of what they perpetrated will become evident to them, and the very thing they ridiculed will haunt them." (45:33).

4- These verses are about them shortly before entering into Hell on the Day of Resurrection: "If those who did wrong owned everything on earth, and the like of it with it, they would redeem themselves with it from the terrible suffering on the Day of Resurrection. But there will appear to them from God what they never anticipated. There will appear to them the evils of their deeds, and they will be surrounded by what they used to ridicule." (39:47-48).

 

Secondly: examples of types of sins and evil deeds that will turn into Hell-fire in the Hereafter:

1- Those clergymen who consume ill-gotten money by spreading lies regarding God's Religion and make people buy into myths and lies will enter into Hell if they died without repentance; they are, in fact, consuming fire.  

1/1: God says the following in general: "Those who conceal what God revealed in the Book, and exchange it for a small price - those swallow nothing but fire into their bellies. And God will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, and they will have a painful torment. It is they who exchange guidance for error, and forgiveness for torment. But why do they insist on the Fire?" (2:174-175)

1/2: These verses are about the fate inside Hell in store for clergymen of the People of the Book; these verses apply also to the clergymen of Sunnites, Sufis, and Shiites, past and present: "O you who believe! Many of the rabbis and priests consume people's wealth illicitly, and hinder from God's Path. Those who hoard gold and silver, and do not spend them in God's cause, inform them of a painful torment. On the Day when they will be heated in the Fire of Hell, then their foreheads, and their sides, and their backs will be branded with them: "This is what you hoarded for yourselves; so taste what you used to hoard."" (9:34-35). 

2- Those who steal inheritance money of orphans and violate God's inheritance laws in the Quran will enter into Hell however many might be their good deeds and acts of charity they performed during their lifetimes: "Those who consume the wealth of orphans illicitly consume only fire into their bellies; and they will burn in Hell." (4:10). These verses come directly after inheritance laws inside the Quran: "These are the bounds set by God. Whoever obeys God and His Messenger, He will admit him into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide therein forever. That is the great attainment. But whoever disobeys God and His Messenger, and oversteps His bounds, He will admit him into a Fire, wherein he abides forever, and he will have a shameful torment." (4:13-14)

3- Among Hell-dwellers are stingy persons whose hoarded wealth will turn into torment tools to torture them inside Hell; God warns them here to repent before it is too late for them: "Those who withhold what God has given them of his bounty should not assume that is good for them. In fact, it is bad for them. They will be encircled by their hoardings on the Day of Resurrection. To God belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth, and God is well acquainted with what you do." (3:180).

 

Thirdly: to atone for sins and bad deeds means to cover them to be shielded from their outcome in the Hereafter:

 God's mercy entailed that He has showed to living people how to save themselves from their sins and evil/bad deeds by atoning for them. In the Arabic/Quranic tongue, to atone literally means (to cover); sinners have covered their instinct monotheism of (There is no God but Allah) when they worship things/persons alongside with God; this is sheer polytheism. Atonement means to make amends and repent so that sins and evil/bad deeds are covered and neutralized by good deeds within piety and monotheism so that sins would not be turned into Hell-fire as God will overlook such sins on the Last Day and accept sincere repentance and atonement of those who returned to monotheism and guidance before their death. Within the call to atone for one's sins, we have these means/tools to attain forgiveness from the Lord God by repentance and atonement.

1- By giving charity donation in secret and in public: "If you give charity openly, that is good. But if you keep it secret, and give it to the needy in private, that is better for you. It will atone for your sins. God is cognizant of what you do." (2:271).

2- By avoiding grave sins: "If you avoid the worst of what you are forbidden, We will remit your sins, and admit you by a Gate of Honor." (4:31).

3- By real, sincere repentance that manifests itself by performing many good deed within piety and monotheism. 

3/1: God says the following about sincere repentance: "As for those who commit sins, and then repent afterwards and believe - your Lord, thereafter, is Forgiving and Merciful." (7:153).

3/2: Sincere repentance leads to Paradise: "O you who believe! Repent to God with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remit your sins, and admit you into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, on the Day when God will not disappoint the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their Light streaming before them, and to their right, they will say, "Our Lord, complete our Light for us, and forgive us; You are Capable of all things."" (66:8). 

3/3: Sincere repentance makes good deeds cover and atone for bad/evil deeds and grave sins (e.g., killing, fornication, and disbelief/polytheism). God says in the Quran: "Except for those who repent, and believe, and do good deeds. These - God will replace their bad deeds with good deeds. God is ever Forgiving and Merciful. Whoever repents and acts righteously has inclined towards God with repentance." (25:70-71). 

4- Sincere repentance makes one attain and realize piety. 

4/1: God says the following about the People of the Book: "Had the People of the Scripture believed and been righteous, We would have remitted their sins, and admitted them into the Gardens of Bliss." (5:65).

4/2: God says the following about the Quran-believing people: "O you who believe! If you remain conscious of God within piety, He will give you a criterion, and will remit your sins, and will forgive you. God is the Possessor of infinite grace." (8:29).

4/3: The pious ones include prophets/messengers and those who believed within piety and monotheism in the Divine Book/Scripture: "But he who promotes the Truth, and testifies to it - these are the righteous ones. They will have whatever they please with their Lord. Such is the reward for the charitable ones. God will acquit them of the worst of their deeds, and will reward them according to the best of what they used to do." (39:33-35).

4/4: God says the following to all human beings: "...Whoever fears God within piety - He will remit his sins, and will amplify his reward." (65:5)

4/5: Only the pious ones will enter into Paradise: "Such is Paradise which We will give as inheritance to those of Our servants who are pious." (19:63).

5- To observe prayers and other acts of worship means to attain piety; prayers are not meaningless movements and empty words, except for hypocrites and sinful ones. All acts of worship aim at achieving piety in all our deeds during our lifetime; piety is the fruit of prayers, Zakat, pilgrimage, fasting, charity donations, etc.: "O people! Worship your Lord who created you and those before you, that you may attain piety." (2:21).  

5/1: This abovementioned facts are also found in the covenant made between God and the Israelites: " God received a pledge from the Israelites, and We raised among them twelve chiefs. God said, "I am with you; if you perform the prayer, and pay the alms, and believe in My messengers and support them, and lend God a loan of righteousness; I will remit your sins, and admit you into Gardens beneath which rivers flow. But whoever among you disbelieves afterwards has strayed from the right way."" (5:12).

5/2: Some of the Israelites honored the covenant and will be rewarded by God as their sins will be remitted: "Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it believe in it. When it is recited to them, they say, "We have believed in it; it is the truth from our Lord; we were submitters prior to it." These will be given their reward twice, because they persevered; and they counter evil with good; and from Our provisions to them, they give." (28:52-54).

5/3: Those who have performed many good deeds (in terms of quantity and quality) within piety and monotheism and sincere repentance will avoid the bad outcome of sins and evil deeds since they will be pardoned by God. 

5/3/1: Hence, performing many good deeds and acts of worship within piety will make God remit one's sins: "Perform the prayer at the borders of the day, and during the approaches of the night. The good deeds take away the bad deeds. This is a reminder for those who remember.  (11:114).

5/3/2: God says in the Quran: "And those who patiently seek the presence of their Lord, and pray regularly, and spend from Our provisions to them, secretly and openly, and repel evil with good. These will have the Ultimate Home. Everlasting Gardens, which they will enter, along with the righteous ones among their parents, and their spouses, and their descendants. And the angels will enter upon them from every gate." (13:22-23).

5/4: Piety leads to performing many good deeds (in terms of quantity and quality) and acts of worship within monotheism, devoutness, and devotion to the Dominant Lord God; this results in atonement for sins and being pardoned; this is real faith bearing its fruit in Paradise; this is why the Quranic text repeats the phrase (those who believed and performed good deeds) about Paradise-dwellers whose sins are remitted/forgiven; faithless good deeds and faith without good deeds lead only to Hell.  

5/4/1: God says in the Quran: "While those who believe, and work righteousness, and believe in what was sent down to Muhammad-and it is the truth from their Lord-He remits their sins, and relieves their concerns" (47:2); here, God does NOT say to believe in Muhammad; otherwise, this would be a call to deify Muhammad; the only belief is to believe in the Quran given to Muhammad.

5/4/2: God says in the Quran: "He will admit the believers, male and female, into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide therein forever, and He will remit their sins. That, with God, is a great triumph." (48:5); this is about all good, pious believers in all eras in general.

5/4/3: God says in the Quran: "The Day when He gathers you for the Day of Gathering...Whoever believes in God and acts with integrity, He will remit his misdeeds, and will admit him into gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme achievement." (64:9); this verse explains the ones before and after it.

5/4/4: God says in the Quran: "Those who believe and do righteous deeds-We will remit their sins, and We will reward them according to the best of what they used to do." (29:7); this verse explains the ones before and after it.

5/4/5: God says in the Quran: "Those who believe and do good works - We will admit them into the company of the righteous ones." (29:9); thus, those who died as pious, good believers will be good and fit to be made to enter into Paradise. 

6- All the above verses preach and warn the living persons so that they save themselves and be spared from the torment which will last forever inside Hell for unrepentant sinners. 

 

 

 

"God Does Not Wrong the People in the Least, but the People Wrong Their Own Souls." (Quran 10:44)

 

 

Introduction:

1- Those who deserve the torment of Hell-fire will carry their sins which will turn into torment tools for them forever: "Losers are those who deny the encounter with God. Then, when the Hour comes upon them suddenly, they will say, "Alas for us, how we have neglected it." And they will carry their burdens on their backs - evil is what they carry." (6:31). This include the misguiding misguided clergymen/sheikhs/imams who mislead the masses and the followers; both those followers who obey those terrorist, polytheistic clergymen and those evil clergymen share the sins when the masses commit massacres and violence; e.g., the Wahabi Sunnite assassins of the Egyptian secular thinker and reformist Dr. Farag Fouda [who was murdered in June 1992 in Cairo, Egypt] have committed their heinous crime based on corrupt fatwas of Azharite clergymen who belong to the terrorist MB organization. The killers and those clergymen who encouraged and incited them carry the sin of this assassination inside Hell: "So let them carry their loads complete on the Day of Resurrection, and some of the loads of those they misguided without knowledge. Evil is what they carry." (16:25). 

2- The Hell-dwellers are those have wronged their souls and have been unjust towards themselves and died without repentance. God has given human beings a Book; i.e., the Quran, to warn those who are alive so that they repent, before it is too late, when they read about types of torment inside Hell in store for sinners if they never repented.  

2/1: The Almighty Dominant Lord God has delivered the Quranic warning never heeded by the Muhammadans who assume they believe in the Quran but they are heedless of it as they have rejected it: "On that Day, you will see the sinners bound together in chains. Their garments made of tar, and the Fire covering their faces. That God may repay each soul according to what it has earned. God is Quick in judgment. This is a warning for the humankind, that they may be warned thereby, and know that He is One God, and that people of understanding may remember." (14:49-52).

2/2: People heed and fear warnings by governments, policemen, and powerful men; in contrast, they never heed the Quranic warning of the Lord God, and they ridicule and mock its verses in the manner of the Qorayish disbelievers who used to commit the same sin: "My Verses were recited to you, but you turned back on your heels. Arrogant towards it - talked nonsense about it - disregarded it. Have they not pondered the Word? Or has there come to them what came not to their forefathers of old?" (23:66-68). Within employing the present tense to indicate that polytheists exist in all eras, we read these verses about polytheists in general: "We send the messengers only as deliverers of good news and warners. Those who disbelieve argue with false argument, in order to defeat the Truth thereby. They take My Verses, and the warnings, for a joke. Who commits graver injustice than he, who, when reminded of his Lord's Verses, turns away from them, and forgets what his hands have put forward? We have placed coverings over their hearts, lest they understand it, and heaviness in their ears. And if you call them to guidance, they will not be guided, ever." (18:56-57). 

2/3: The Quran remains the warning for all living people, NOT the dead ones: "We did not teach him poetry, nor is it proper for him. It is only a Reminder and a Clear Quran. That he may warn whoever is alive, and prove the Word against the disbelievers." (36:69-70).

2/4: At the same time, the Quran brings mercy and glad tidings for the pious, charitable monotheists, and it is a warning to preach those who seek repentance: "Praise be to God, who revealed the Book to His servant, and allowed in it no distortion. Valuable - to warn of severe punishment from Himself; and to deliver good news to the believers who do righteous deeds, that they will have an excellent reward. In which they will abide forever." (18:1-3);"...And this is a confirming Book...to warn those who perpetrate injustices – and to bring good news for the doers of good." (46:12);"We did not send you except as mercy to the humankind." (21:107); "Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion upon His servant, to be a warning to humanity." (25:1).

3- Eventually, God does not desire injustice to the human beings: "...God desires no injustice for the humankind." (3:108). Hence, those who will be forced to enter into Hell are those who wronged themselves by sinning and disobedience; God is never unjust to them; this is asserted here: "God does not wrong the people in the least, but the people wrong their own souls" (10:44) And we provide some details in the points below.

 

Firstly: denying God's Verses and hindering people from God's Religion:

1- God says the following about the torment which is in store for those who reject and disbelieve in His Verses: "Those who exchange disbelief for faith will not harm God in the least. A painful torment awaits them." (3:177).

2- They deny and reject the Quran by believing in hadiths/narratives/lies ascribed falsely to Muhammad and to God; such myths include the intercession of mortals on the Last Day for the sake of sinners; this intercession myth contradicts God's justice; those who commit sins and die without repentance will enter into Hell: "It is not in accordance with your wishes, nor in accordance with the wishes of the People of the Scripture. Whoever works evil will pay for it, and will not find for himself, besides God, any ally or savior." (4:123).

3- Their intercession myths and ill-gotten wealth will never be of any use to them; they will avail them nothing; they have been unjust towards their own souls; God is never unjust towards them: "As for those who disbelieve, neither their possessions nor their children will avail them anything against God. These are the inhabitants of the Fire, abiding therein forever. The parable of what they spend in this worldly life is that of a frosty wind that strikes the harvest of a people who have wronged their souls, and destroys it. God did not wrong them, but they wronged their own souls" (3:116-117).

 

Secondly: the stages of informing the disbelievers, within the Quranic text, that God is not unjust towards them; rather, they have wronged themselves and were unjust towards their own souls:

1- Before their being brought before Hell, the faces of disobedient sinners will be blackened/darkened and they will be told the following rebuke about the fact that the torment is the direct result of their disbelief: "On the Day when some faces will be whitened, and some faces will be blackened. As for those whose faces are blackened: "Did you disbelieve after your belief?" Then taste the torment for having disbelieved." (3:106).

2- Upon being brought before the Hell-fire, before entering into it, the following reproach will be said to them.

2/1: They will taste the torment because of their disbelief: "On the Day when those who disbelieved are presented to the Fire: "Is this not real?" They will say, "Yes, indeed, by our Lord." He will say, "Then taste the torment for having disbelieved."" (46:34).

2/2: This torment will be the outcome of their bad deeds and sins: "Most assuredly, you will taste the painful torment. And you will be repaid only for what you used to do." (37:38-39).

3- While the sinners are being tormented in Hell for eternity; they will be rebuked severely and they will be reminded that their torment is the result of their bad/evil deeds and sins.

3/1: When they will be thrown into Hell, this will be told to them: "But whoever brings evil-their faces will be tumbled into the Fire. Will you be rewarded except for what you used to do?" (27:90).

3/2: When they are being tormented inside Hell-fire, they will be told that this is the outcome of what they used to do: "On the Day when the torment will envelop them, from above them, and from beneath their feet, He will say, "Taste what you used to do!"" (29:55).

3/3: Because of the fact that the disobedient sinners have been heedless and forgot about meeting their Lord God on the Last Day, they will be reminded of their sins and heedlessness when they enter into Hell; their bad deeds will turn into fire and torment that will last forever: "So taste, because you forgot the meeting of this Day of yours; We have forgotten you; so taste the eternal torment for what you used to do." (32:14); "Burn in it. Whether you are patient, or impatient, it is the same for you. You are only being repaid for what you used to do."" (52:16).

3/4: The Hell-torment is the result of the injustices committed by  sinners: "On that Day, no soul will be wronged in the least, and you will be recompensed only for what you used to do." (36:54); "What about someone who covers his face against the terrible misery of the Day of Resurrection? To the unjust ones it will be said, "Taste what you used to earn."" (39:24).

3/5: The Hell-torment is the result of the disbelief of sinners: "...so taste the torment for your disbelief." (8:35); "This is Hell-fire, which you were promised. Burn in it today, because you persistently disbelieved." (36:63-64).

3/6: The Hell-torment is the recompense for their evildoing which includes fabricating hadiths/narratives and ascribing them to God and to His Religion as if such lies were part of the Divine Revelation; those polytheists have been too arrogant to accept the Quran: "Who perpetrates graver injustice than someone who invents falsehoods against God, or says, "It was revealed to me," when nothing was revealed to him, or says, "I will reveal the like of what God revealed"? If only you could see the unjust ones in the floods of death, as the angels with arms outstretched: "Give up your souls. Today you are being repaid with the torment of shame for having said about God other than the Truth, and for being too proud to accept His Verses."" (6:93).

3/7: The Hell-dwellers will be reminded that their torment has no end and they will never get out of Hell; this is the outcome which they have earned because of their sins and evil/bad deeds: "Then it will be said to those who did wrong, "Taste the torment of eternity. Will you be rewarded except for what you used to do?"" (10:52).

3/8: The Hell-torment is relentless and ceaseless, and it will never lessen in intensity or be alleviated, as it is formed by the sins of the disbelieving sinners: "As for the sinners, they will be in the torment of Hell forever. It will never be eased for them. In it, they will be engulfed." (43:74-75).

3/9: It is no use and it is too late for them to apologize or offer excuses: "O you who disbelieved! Make no excuses today. You are being repaid for what you used to do." (66:7).

 

Lastly:

1- Any torment in this transient, temporary world can be withstood by mortals; i.e., no mortals can torment/torture the souls; they can do this only to the bodies; feelings of intense pain reaches the brain (which controls the body), and when the pain reaches certain degree/threshold, one faints and loses consciousness and never feels any pains at all.

2- The opposite is true in the Hereafter; the earthly, physical body is no longer there; those Hell-dwellers are souls which carry bodies composed/woven of their sins and evil/bad deeds that will experience intense pains forever without sleep, death, or ease of the degree of pain. The souls of the Paradise-dwellers will carry bodies composed/woven of their good deeds which will enjoy pleasures forever without limits. In this transient world, people may escape pain by anesthetics and sleep; inside Hell, no sleep will be allowed to its dwellers who will be tormented endlessly: "But it will be only a single nudge. And they will be awake forever." (79:13-14). To be deprived of sleep is pure torture in this world, let alone the lack of sleep for eternity inside Hell-fire to taste the torment ceaselessly. 

3- This is the pivotal question now; God mentions it in the Quranic text: "Is it not time for those who believe to surrender their hearts to the Remembrance of God, and to the Truth that has come down..." (57:16). The terms (Remembrance) and (Truth) refer only to the Quran itself, of course.

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER VIII: Torture in Pharaonic Egypt within a Quranist Vision

 

 

As per the Quran, Egypt Is The Pioneer and Mother of Civilization of the Whole World, Even in Introducing Torture in Prisons!

 

 

Firstly: Egypt is the leader and mother of world civilization even in matters of tyranny and torture:

1- Egypt has been the most ancient central State in human history; in fact, the existence of Egypt predates the written history of all other civilizations. It is the first State to be conquered and ruled by foreigners; i.e., the Hyksos. Egypt is also the pioneer in forming vast empires, i.e., in the era of Thutmose III, the first conqueror in world history. Historians give Egypt the title (the Mother of world civilization) because it has given the world many things and it has been the pioneer State in almost everything – sadly, this includes tyranny and torture in which the seven-millennia-old Egyptian State specialize and it has taught it to others. Hence, Egypt is the most ancient tyrannical State on the globe and it is considered as a leader in torture, as we infer from the Quran itself, and its culture of tyranny has been there until now; i.e., from the pharaoh named Narmer (or Menes), who unified Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt into one central State more than two millennia B.C., to the current pharaoh; i.e., we mean to refer here to the current President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi. Hence, for many centuries, the Egyptian deep-state is based on tyranny, and typically, tyranny has been maintained by means of torture. Egypt is the only State mentioned in the Quran and it still exists while retaining the same features of tyranny and centralism referred to in the Quran verses about Egypt. The Lord God has made Moses' Pharaoh in the Quran an example/leader and warning to all tyrants in all eras anywhere on earth. Middle-Eastern tyrants follow the footsteps of Moses' Pharaoh now, despite the overt claim of their being believers in the Quranic message. In some cases within Egyptian history, enthroned tyrants had a weak character or personality and their affluent retinue members controlled them; yet the deep-state in Egypt controls the Egyptians within oppression, torture, and fear, regardless of the fact that enthroned tyrants were weak or powerful; this applies to all eras in Egypt since the dawn of civilization until now.          

2- Tyranny is reinforced by the existence of the River Nile, the backbone of life inside Egypt; it is wrong on the part of some historians to say that Egypt is the gift of the Nile; the Nile passes through other African countries who had no civilizations of any type at all through the previous 7000 years. Egypt is the gift of Egyptians who oppressed others and created a great civilization (whose remains, monuments, artifacts, and ruins astonish tourists, archeologists, historians, and scientists until now) that has given to the whole world the meanings and definitions of religion, conscience, wisdom, morals, etc., that passed to Europe and also elsewhere later on, and this is why Egypt is regarded as the true mother of all world civilization. Egypt is a desert whose River Nile in the its midst makes citizens live on both banks and within its delta, the largest and most fertile delta on planet earth. In order to control such agricultural and irrigational schemes within a feudal system, the pharaohs had to enslave peasants and employ torture and oppression to make people submit to the tyrannical enthroned pharaohs in all eras, as agriculture is the basis of civilization and stability and other activities pertaining to culture.

3- Egypt, with its patient-for-too-long citizens who adhere to peace, and with its civilization, geographical location, wealth, and treasures, has allowed rulers to be tyrannical when they controlled military forces. When such tyrants were weak, tyrants of foreign powers who coveted Egypt had invaded it. Hence, for 7000 years until now, the Egyptians suffered from different types of Egyptian and non-Egyptian tyrannical rulers. In some instances, non-Egyptian tyrannical rulers of Egypt were much better for the Egyptians and for the fame, stature, and authority of Egypt in the region. For instance, the Mameluke sultans in Egypt during the Mameluke Era (1250 – 1517 A.D.), who were originally military slaves, made Egypt reach the summit of wealth and authority as they invaded Sudan, Iraq, and the south of turkey, the Levant, Libya, Hejaz, among other regions. They were more lenient with the Egyptians in comparison to tyrants of the 20^thcentury A.D., though the Mamelukes never knew the culture of human rights known worldwide now – but not applied in Egypt until now. The Egyptian pharaohs of the 20^th and the 21^st centuries A.D. consider that the Egyptian citizens do not deserve the culture of human rights. The Egyptian tyranny since the 1952 military coup that turned Egypt from a monarchy into a republic made the military leaders who confiscate and monopolize arms/weapons and troops oppress and torture the unarmed Egyptian population; many previous presidents (who came from the military armed forces) smuggled immense wealth abroad and they routinely tortured opposition figures in prison. These Egyptian presidents lost many battles (e.g., Sinai was occupied by Israel from 1967 to 1973) and lost many islands in the Red Sea; these presidents prostrated to the Gulf monarchies, especially the cursed KSA, and this has made Egypt lose its leadership, stature, and authority in the Arab region; people in Egypt now fear that the River Nile would dry up one day because of the Ethiopian dam; the military rule established since 1952 has led Egypt to descend into lower layers of failure, tyranny, and shame on all levels.               

 

Secondly: the Egyptian prison is the symbol of Egyptian oppression within the Pharaonic Era until now:  

1- All countries worldwide has prisons; yet, in The Netherland, prisons closed down as there are no longer crimes and criminals. Other West countries have many prisons which imprison criminals whose crimes are proven as per laws issued by parliaments whose members are elected fairly, and laws there apply on everyone equally; no one is above the law; this is the case in Israel; even the wife of Netanyahu has been questioned within investigations related to a corruption case. Those imprisoned ones who are found guilty in courts are not incarcerated as a type of retribution or revenge but to have their behavior reformed/rectified so they may return to the condition of being good, law-abiding citizens when they are released.  

2- In contrast, in Egypt and in the other countries of the Muhammadans, tyrannical rulers and their obsequious clergymen assume as if they own stretches of land (and as if they own people living on them!) inside a given country; i.e., they follow the footsteps of Moses' Pharaoh who proclaimed he owned Egypt and its rivers: "Pharaoh proclaimed among his people, saying, "O my people, do I not own the Kingdom of Egypt, and these rivers flow beneath me? Do you not see?" (43:51). tyrannical rulers monopolize power, authority, wealth and arms/weapons; their deep-state included the judiciary system and the police or security men who arrest and incarcerate anyone; prisoners were tortured and killed, and they are buried in secret mass graves. Thousands of innocent people/suspects are incarcerated and detained for years without fair trials and without accusations and without proven guilty; this occurs in Egypt and this makes the Egyptian prison (esp. because it is mentioned in the Quran several times) a symbol standing for oppression – until now.    

3- It is no longer surprising that the Quran mentions prisons ONLY linked to Egypt in the Quranic stories; prisons in Egypt are linked to torture in the stories of Joseph and Moses, with no difference between (1) the Hyksos king who was not very much respected by his courtiers and retinue members (as shown by their response to his dreams/visions) and (2) Moses' Pharaoh whose courtiers and retinue members totally submitted to him.

4- Within the Quranic story of Joseph, the Potiphar's wife failed to seduce him and she accused him of trying to seduce her and advise her husband to imprison or to torture Joseph: "As they raced towards the door, she tore his shirt from behind. At the door, they ran into her husband. She said, "What is the penalty for him who desired to dishonor your wife, except imprisonment or a painful torment?"" (12:25); prison at the time included humiliation as per words of the threat of the Potiphar's wife to him made before the affluent-class women: "She said, "Here he is, the one you blamed me for. I did try to seduce him, but he resisted. But if he does not do what I tell him to do, he will be imprisoned and will be one of the humiliated."" (12:32). Joseph refused the seduction and sought refuge in the Lord God: "He said, "My Lord, prison is more desirable to me than what they call me to. Unless You turn their scheming away from me, I may yield to them, and become one of the ignorant ones." Thereupon his Lord answered him, and diverted their scheming away from him. He is the Hearer, the Knower." (12:33-34); he was punished for his piety and chastity by being imprisoned: "Then it occurred to them, after they had seen the Signs, to imprison him for a while." (12:35); this took place despite the fact that Joseph's innocence was proven; he was imprisoned as per whims of a high-class woman whose husband had power and authority; this type of injustice occurs in Egypt until now – many innocent ones have been imprisoned because of the unjust ones or even because of belly-dancers.     

5- Framing innocent ones was known in prisons during the lifetime of Joseph in Egypt s we infer from the story of two prison-cell inmates; see 12:36-42. We remind readers that Egypt during the lifetime of Joseph was a Hyksos kingdom and not ruled by the pharaohs. The king of the Hyksos was not very much respected and feared by his retinue members and courtiers, as per their response to him showing lack of interest: "The king said, "I see seven fat cows being eaten by seven lean ones, and seven green spikes, and others dried up. O courtiers, explain to me my vision, if you are able to interpret visions." They said, "Jumbles of dreams, and we know nothing of the interpretation of dreams."" (12:43-44).   

6- In contrast to the era of the Hyksos, the Ramses dynasty pharaohs in their central military State were more powerful and tyrannical; prisons of Egypt became more frightening and oppressive; God has promised Moses and Aaron protection as both feared the injustice and oppression of Pharaoh who torture and imprison those whom he disliked: "Go to Pharaoh. He has tyrannized. But speak to him nicely. Perhaps he will remember, or have some fear." They said, "Lord, we fear he may persecute us, or become violent." He said, "Do not fear, I am with you, I hear and I see." (20:43-46); "..."We will strengthen your arm with your brother, and We will give you authority, so they will not touch you. By virtue of Our Signs, you and those who follow you will be the triumphant."" (28:35). In fact, Moses' Pharaoh threatened Moses, in the first encounter between both of them, by mentioning the fact that he can imprison him: "He said, "If you accept any god other than me, I will make you a prisoner."" (26:29). This is why we understand Moses' fear of being tortured by being stoned; this means that Egyptians prisons employed torture during the era of Moses' Pharaoh: "I have taken refuge in my Lord and your Lord, lest you stone me. But if you do not believe in me, keep away from me."" (44:20-21).  

 

Lastly: we copy below our article titled "A Guide for Those Interested in The Types of Prisons", published previously in Arabic on the 11^th of June, 2012.

   (Title: "A Guide for Those Interested in The Types of Prisons", Published on our website in June 11, 2012.

Firstly:

1- In 1988, when we were inside a mosque in Arizona, the USA, the feast known as the Lesser Bairam, which follows Ramadan, drew nearer and a formal invitation was received by us to spend the last night of Ramadan and the three days of the feast as a Muslim preacher in the midst of Muslim prisoners in a prison situated in a city near the American-Mexican borders; we have accepted the invitation wholeheartedly; it was a chance for us to study the other side of American life.   

2- We and other American friends reached the gate of the prison and our entry was very easy; it is impossible for prisoners to escape such electronic gates and pass through such guards. The official (Christian) preacher of the prison came to receive us; American democracy entailed that he would serve Muslim prisoners during the Lesser Bairam and to bring them a Muslim preacher (i.e., our person); there were only 15 Muslim prisoners: 3 from Iran, one white American, and the rest are African-Americans. 

3- What we have witnessed in such an encounter made us lament the miserable state and despicable conditions of Muslims in their homelands in the Arab world; months ago, we were released from Torah Prison in Cairo, Egypt, as we have been imprisoned because of our books and views; memories of our incarceration haunted us all the time as we felt surprised by the luxurious American prison here and those inmates in it who are OK and enjoying their imprisonment terms. 

4- The first thing that surprised us was that all prisoners were treated politely and kindly by wardens; there seemed no difference between officers and inmates; everyone wore whatever clothes they liked and their manners of speaking did not show high or low ranks; luckily, a man whose cultural level astonished us and promised to send us a book to teach us the American accent turned out to be a prisoner; we knew this only by the end of this encounter in this prison; he actually sent this book to us later on as per his promise. At first, we thought this prison was mixed; women were there among the men in this encounter; to our great surprise, these women were among the wardens of the prison; we asked ourselves if this is indeed a prison or a madhouse!   

5- We were again haunted by bad memories of our own imprisoned in Egypt; prisoners' souls and bodies were humiliated as if they Egyptian prisoners were sub-humans! If the Egyptian leader Mustapha Kamel had seen such a luxurious five-star American prison and any Egyptian prison, he'd have thought twice before writing his famous, oft-quoted phrase: (If I were not an Egyptian man, I would wish ardently to become one).   

6- When the sunset of the last day of Ramadan ushered the time for the banquet of breaking the fast, the Christian preachers and other wardens served Muslim prisoners the food themselves; the food was very clean, tasty, and served in huge amounts and portions; it is as if we were being served in a five-star hotel! There were faucets to offer milk and soft drinks as per one's desire; we thought at first that we are being shown all this as part of an imperial scheme to brainwash our person to get convinced that the USA is a paradise on earth; we laughed at this thought and brushed it off from our mind as we talked to an Iranian prisoner (who was a high-rank officer in Iran) who was imprisoned for being a spy. This Iranian man told us about the difference between the luxurious American prisons and the terrible Iranian ones of ayatollahs. We remembered how we spend the first two days in the Egyptian prison without drinking water and eating until our lips were dry so as not to be forced to use the stinky, dirty, and unhygienic prison bathroom and to avoid eating beans mixed with worms! By the way, Muslims are divided everywhere even in American prisons; hatred and mistrust were there among the 15 Muslim prisoners: the African-American ones hated the white man and the Iranians hated the African-American ones. This summarizes the cases of  division of Muslim when they are grouped elsewhere worldwide.        

7- Discussions between ourselves and some wardens made them feel appalled when they knew we have been imprisoned for months in 1987 in Egypt because of our views. They sought to employ us as a Muslim preacher in American prisons; we felt overjoyed by this chance; this did not take place because we were not an American citizen. The American Christian preachers by the end of this encounter asked us about our view of the conditions of Muslim prisoners; we told him in Arabic spontaneously that those who claim that this five-star hotel is a prison deserve severe beating! We translated to him what we said, of course, and he laughed.     

8- Before the job offer was withdrawn, we studied the official documents about the mission of preachers in prisons: the main mission is to be keen on maintaining the religious freedom of all prisoners and to respect their holy things and notions (books, icons, prayer rugs, talisman, or even Satanic worship items) and to help them perform any rituals they like and celebrate all religious feasts. We thanked the official who gave us such documents, and the offer did not suit us because it entailed our being an American citizen first, and we expressed to him our admiration for religious freedom in American prisons.   

9- Nightmares haunted our mind all the time: what has occurred to Muslims now?! The Quran 1400 years ago precedes everyone and all laws in endorsing religious freedom and in warning against the crime/sin of compulsion in religion and religious persecution; this tolerance drove some nations in the South-Eastern Asian region to embrace Islam willingly without being invaded by Arab troops. Muslims of today are sinking into hellish levels of extremism, fanaticism, bigotry, backwardness, obscurantism, strife, and division. In contrast, the nations of the West have realized the  fact that progress is directly linked to religious freedom and freedom of thought. Religion pertains only to God as the Judge of all humanity; homeland is for all citizens equally regardless of their faiths or lack of any faith; all citizens in the West enjoy freedom, equality, equal opportunities, etc., and this is why the West has achieved progress while Arabs remain lagging behind in the darkness of the Middle-Ages until now.       

10- The memory of an innocent prisoner with us in Torah Prison in Cairo, Egypt, popped into our mind; he was accused of showing contempt towards Islam and rejecting it because he converted to Christianity; this young man was very much afraid of the extremist Sunnite cell inmates more than the wardens of the prison, as they might have been desirous to kill him based on the Sunnite penalty for apostasy (i.e., to but apostates to death!); we defended this young many before those who hated his guts inside the prison cell and told them to let him be and to leave him alone; we reminded them of the principle of freedom of religion in the Quran: "There shall be no compulsion in religion; the right way has become distinct from the wrong way..." (2:256); "And say, "The Truth is from your Lord. Whoever wills - let him believe. And whoever wills - let him disbelieve"..." (18:29); "Say, "Believe in it, or do not believe."..." (17:107). We reminded them that God is the One to Judge human beings on the Last Day based on this freedom; no one is to persecute this young man; otherwise, these persecutors will commit the sin of self-deification; even Muhammad himself was told the following by God: "Had your Lord willed, everyone on earth would have believed. Will you compel people to become believers?" (10:99); God told Muhammad to announce the following: "Say, "O people, the truth has come to you from your Lord. Whoever accepts guidance is guided for his own soul; and whoever strays only strays to its detriment. I am not a guardian over you."" (10:108). As always, God says nothing but the Absolute Truth.

 

Lastly:

  This article was originally published, in print, on 21^st of Oct., 1991, in the Egyptian Cairo-based independent newspaper (Al-Ahrar), now, as we copy this article in our website here in 2012, the Wahabi religious fanaticism and extremism dominate Egypt and the cursed terrorist MB members and Salafists desire now to legalize and normalize this fanaticism and extremism in the Egyptian Law and Egyptian Constitution! If this occurs, Egypt will collapse and be ruined forever, and it will be removed from the world-map!).

 

 

 

The Pharaonic Kingdom of Fear and Torture

 

 

 

 

Firstly: the vicious circle of fear:

1- This is a true story/incident that took place during the era of Mubarak in Egypt; a prisoner in Torah Prison saw a dream (and narrated it to his cell inmates) that he drove a motorcycle with a friend from his village and with both of them was a bomb; when this dream/vision reached the wardens and then the high-rank officers in this prison, this prisoner was interrogated about the dream and the friend he saw in this dream; next day, this friend was arrested in the village and brought to Torah Prison; cell inmates ridiculed him as the man who was imprisoned merely because of the 'motorcycle' dream his friend saw!    

2- We analyze this story on one word: fear. The fear and fright of Mubarak and the men of the Mubarak regime. Mubarak ruled for 30 years using the Emergency Law to protect himself. As a military ruler, Mubarak gave his authority to policemen and State Security Apparatus men so as they can arrest, detain, incarcerate, imprison, and torture any citizens anytime for any reason. The more torture crimes are committed, the more tyrants and cronies fear the coming revenge; the specters of the dead/tortured/imprisoned victims haunt them all the time; existential fear drive tyrants (like Mubarak and his men) to imprison and torture any suspected persons; this is why they readily arrested a young man because of his being seen in a dream by a prisoner in Torah Prison!      

3- This is the same type of deep-seated fear that seized the heart of Moses' Pharaoh; once he doubted that the Israelites were not worshiping him and were not loyal to him, he tortured and oppressed them so as not to let them grow too powerful and too many in number inside the land of Egypt: "Pharaoh exalted himself on earth, and divided its people into factions. He persecuted a group of them, slaughtering their sons, while sparing their daughters. He was truly a corrupter." (28:4). The females were spared to be used in service and the males were murdered to lessen the number of the Israelites; such severe torture was employed to make the Israelite fear Pharaoh and submit to him; he himself feared them for no reason, except for imaginary doubts and deep-seated fright of any chance of insubordination from anyone inside Egypt. 

4- Hence, Moses' Pharaoh employed torture to terrorize all Egyptians; this is why he tortured victims in public; this is done by all those tyrants who followed the footsteps of Moses' Pharaoh; e.g., the Mameluke sultans commanded the flaying alive of victims who were tortured and their straw-stuffed dead bodies roamed the streets of Cairo to terrorize the masses; also, those who were sentenced to death by being beheaded were made to roam streets of Cairo first before being beheaded in public. More details about this fact regarding the Mameluke Era in Egypt are found in our book about the Mameluke society and how the Mameluke sultan Qaitbay applied the Sunnite sharia laws. The military rule in Egypt since 1952 still tortures victims in prison and spread the news about such torture to intimidate citizens; in 2000s, videos of torture inside prisons and police stations were deliberately being diffused to terrorize citizens. President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, the current pharaoh today in Egypt, has threatened an unknown person in one of his speeches recently; this reflects his deep-seated fear.     

5- It is frightening and it sends shivers down our spine to imagine how Israelite men and women saw their male babies slaughtered before their eyes by cruel men of Moses' Pharaoh; the Quran reminds the Israelites several times of their being delivered from such immense torture: "Moses said to his people, "Remember God's blessings upon you, as He delivered you from the people of Pharaoh, who inflicted on you terrible suffering, slaughtering your sons while sparing your daughters. In that was a serious trial from your Lord."" (14:6); "And recall that We delivered you from the people of Pharaoh. They inflicted on you terrible persecution, killing your sons and sparing your women. Therein was a tremendous trial from your Lord." (2:49); "Remember how We saved you from Pharaoh's people, who subjected you to the worst of sufferings-killing your sons and sparing your women. In that was a tremendous trial from your Lord." (7:141). Such painful memories of torture haunt the victims whose sons were slaughtered before their eyes; Pharaoh, of course, heard their screams and he had deep-seated fears of possible revenge; this drove him to commit more crimes of torture; this has been an endless, vicious circle of fear, injustices, and torture.  

6- Moses' Pharaoh expected 100% loyalty from his retinue members who deified and worshiped him as their god; this is why when the magicians believed in the Lord of Moses and Aaron instead of defeating Moses by their magic, their insubordination made Moses' Pharaoh so furious and he crucified and tortured them in public (by dismembering their bodies or cutting off their limbs while they were alive) so as to terrorize and intimidate other Egyptians who should remain submissive to Pharaoh.

7- In the 1990s, we have encountered a retired Egyptian Prime Minister who occupied this position in the 1970s, and he was very reserved in his manner of talking with us because he knew we are vociferous in our stance and views against the Mubarak regime and he felt afraid of Mubarak men; this man used to talk to us about Mubarak in a low voice while making sure no one else is hearing what he said; he did not use the word (Mubarak); instead, he referred to him as (the Big Man); we have met this man once more in a conference in Washington; he kept talking to us in whispers about Mubarak lest any Egyptian men would hear him and notify Mubarak about words overheard during the conference. A former university professor who was a minister of finance and then a Parliament member was detained for a week in a solitary-confinement cell where he heard ceaseless cries of pain by tortured men in other cells; his 'crime' was being vociferous in criticizing Mubarak; upon his release he retired from his political career and was paranoid all the time lest the Mubarak men would be watching him all the time; he kept praising Mubarak to anyone he meets, almost every day, out of deep-seated fear; he never felt relieved until the ouster of Mubarak in Feb. 2011.   

8- Retinue members or courtiers remained in constant fear of Moses' Pharaoh; this does not apply to the believing prince who preached (in vain) his people to believe in God with Moses: "A believing man from Pharaoh's family, who had concealed his faith, said, "Are you going to kill a man for saying, `My Lord is God,' and he has brought you clear proofs from your Lord? If he is a liar, his lying will rebound upon him; but if he is truthful, then some of what he promises you will befall you. God does not guide the extravagant imposter." (40:28); God saved this prince from conspiracies of the evil ones: "You will remember what I am telling you, so I commit my case to God. God is Observant of the servants." So God protected him from the evils of their scheming, while a terrible torment besieged Pharaoh's family." (40:44-45).

9- Moses' Pharaoh's wife was a princess/queen who believed in God with Moses and was very much afraid of her husband who shared her bed. She implore God to deliver her from schemes of her unjust husband and the unjust ones who served him; God has made her faith exemplary: "And God illustrates an example of those who believe: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, "My Lord, build for me, with you, a house in Paradise, and save me from Pharaoh and his works, and save me from the unjust people."" (66:11).

10- Pharaoh himself was afraid very much of Moses; he could have killed Moses but God prevented this scheme: "Pharaoh said, "Allow me to kill Moses, and let him appeal to his Lord. I fear he may change your religion, or spread corruption on earth."" (40:26). This means that the might of Pharaoh was imaginary and false; it was based on the false religion of deifying Pharaoh; Moses destroyed this false religion of polytheism; Pharaoh feared that Moses would undermine his authority as a self-deified tyrant; corruption for him was  that Moses would change the religion of Egyptians who deified Pharaoh. This is why Pharaoh asked his courtiers or retinue members to allow him to kill Moses; this is strange because the obsequious courtiers or retinue members worshiped and feared Pharaoh; this request of Pharaoh shows that God kept his promise made to Moses and Aaron that He will protect them from the tyranny of Pharaoh and will throw fear inside the heart of Pharaoh so as not to think of murdering or even harming Moses and Aaron.     

 

Secondly: the Quranic laws of fear and security:

1- God says the following about polytheists/disbelievers who are always afraid and live in fear because of their polytheism/disbelief: "We will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve, because they attribute to God partners for which He revealed no authority. Their lodging is the Hell-fire. Miserable is the lodging of the unjust ones." (3:151).

2- God says the following about believers who feel security and relief as they remember their Lord God: "Those who believe, and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of God. Surely, it is in the remembrance of God that hearts find comfort." (13:28); they know that polytheism is a grave injustice and sin: "...for polytheism is a grave injustice." (31:13); they never omit injustices against people; God grants them security in return: "Those who believe, and do not obscure their faith by committing injustices - those will have security, and they are guided." (6:82).

3- In contrast, Satan and devils cause fear to their human allies who are sinners, disbelievers, polytheists, and disobedient ones. Real believing monotheists never fear anything or anyone; they fear only their Lord God within piety and He provides them with serenity, calm, relief, peace of mind, and security. The disobedient ones who rejected the Quran feel afraid of everyone and everything: "That is only Satan frightening his allies; so do not fear them, but fear Me, if you are believers." (3:175).

4- When monotheistic believers feel afraid and suffer persecution, they are to follow these steps.

4/1: They must adhere to patience; Moses gave the same piece of advice to the Israelite: "Moses said to his people, "Seek help in God, and be patient. The earth belongs to God. He gives it in inheritance to whomever He wills of His servants, and the future belongs to the pious ones."" (7:128).

4/2: They must adhere to their reliance on the Lord God and to supplicate Him for victory/deliverance. Again this is exemplified in the Quran by Moses and his people: "But none believed in Moses except some children of his people, for fear that Pharaoh and his chiefs would persecute them. Pharaoh was high and mighty in the land. He was a tyrant. Moses said, "O my people, if you have believed in God, then put your trust in Him, if you have submitted." They said, "In God we have put our trust. Our Lord, do not make us victims of the oppressive people." "And deliver us, by Your mercy, from the disbelieving people."" (10:83-86).

4/3: They must adhere to prayers all the time within patience; this is God's command to the Israelites: "And seek help through patience and prayer. But it is difficult, except for the devout ones." (2:45); the same command of the Lord God is addressed directly to Quran-believing people here: "O you who believe! Seek help through patience and prayers. God is with the patient ones." (2:153).Moses told his people to pray within congregations in Egypt inside their houses to invoke God's wrath against Pharaoh and Moses joined them and God answered these prayers: "And We inspired Moses and his brother, "Settle your people in Egypt, and make your homes places of worship, and perform the prayer, and give good news to the believers." Moses said, "Our Lord, you have given Pharaoh and his chiefs splendor and wealth in the worldly life. Our Lord, for them to lead away from Your path. Our Lord, obliterate their wealth, and harden their hearts, they will not believe until they see the painful torment." He said, "Your prayer has been answered, so go straight, and do not follow the path of those who do not know."" (10:87-89) 

 

Lastly:

1- Any pharaohs who are enthroned as tyrants oppress and humiliate citizens by means of torture; such torture sows fear inside the hearts of the victims and inside the hearts of tyrants as well.  

2- Salvation for people is by adhering to God and His Word; God does not desire injustices for people.

3- The Egyptian who have been oppressed, humiliated, and tortured should make them fill the air and space with supplications and invocations to the Lord God against Al-Sisi and his generals.

4- Even if they mention bad words in public, God will forgive those Egyptians because they are oppressed and wronged ones who suffered injustices inflicted on them: "God does not like the public uttering of bad language, unless someone was wronged. God is Hearing and Knowing." (4:148).

5- Who knows? The Lord God may answer their (and our) prayers and smite and punish Al-Sisi and his deep-state men very soon.

 

 

 

 

Features of the Pharaonic Kingdom of Torture within the Quranic Chapter 28

 

 

 

Introduction:

  Moses' Pharaoh and his affluent people differed from the Egyptian nation; i.e., in the dominant culture of tyranny, Pharaoh as a tyrant assumed that he and his affluent courtiers or retinue members are masters and the people of the Egyptian nation were their slaves. The Egyptian nation at the time were not free people; they were enslaved by means of torture, terror, and intimidation; they chose being submissive to the Pharaonic tyrant out of fear of being tortured. This circle of fear and terror engulfed the whole of the Egyptian people at the time; they are the absent, but also the ever-present, element in the story of Moses and Moses' Pharaoh in the Quran. We trace in the points below the features of the Pharaonic kingdom of torture within the Quranic Chapter 28.  

 

Firstly:

1- God says in the Quran: "We narrate to you from the history of Moses and Pharaoh, in truth, for people who believe." (28:3). Moses' Pharaoh is the only character in Quranic stories that represents its people and affluent courtiers or retinue members. In the other Quranic stories of previous prophets/messengers, no names or titles are provided for the leaders of the disbelieving retinue members. Besides, Moses' Pharaoh here is a main character in the story like Moses; this is repeated in the Quranic Chapters 7, 10, 20, 26, 40, and 43. Moses' Pharaoh is an imam/leader for all tyrants coming in the eras after him; as per the Quran, God is tormenting the souls of Pharaoh and his people (once they died by drowning) within a Barsakh level until now; this will go on till the end of days.  

2- God says in the Quran: "Pharaoh exalted himself on earth, and divided its people into factions. He persecuted a group of them, slaughtering their sons, while sparing their daughters. He was truly a corrupter." (28:4). Because of its might, civilization, and its powerful deep-state, Egypt is described in the Quran (as the earth); more details about this are found in our books, in English, titled "Egypt in the Holy Quran", found on this link: (http://www.ahl-alquran.com/arabic/book_main.php?main_id=97) and "The Israelites in Pharaonic Egypt within a Quranist Vision" found on this link: (http://www.ahl-alquran.com/arabic/book_main.php?main_id=118). Hence, when Pharaoh exalted himself inside Egypt, he did so on earth; he assumed he owned and controlled Egypt; he followed the policy of (divide and rule) within the inhabitants/dwellers of Egypt. This is about the Quran endorsing the meaning of citizenship: the Israelites had a difference race, religion, culture, and tongue than the rest of the Egyptians, and yet, they were among Egypt's people, and its factions, since they were born inside it. The torture policy employed by Moses' Pharaoh made him oppress one faction of the Egyptians: the Israelites. Pharaoh massacred their sons and enslaved their daughters; he doubted their loyalty to him since they were descendants of foreign ancestors who originally came from the East and lived for centuries inside Egypt; the culture of the Israelites never matched with that of the self-deified Pharaoh who enslaved them and forced them to worship him. This is an indication about the deep-state of Pharaoh; his Quranic story repeats these words: (people), (troops), (family), and (retinue members). This means there were high-ranks and lower-ranks within these classes of affluent, arrogant ones who served Pharaoh and spread in all villages and cities inside Egypt. Among such low-rank troops were those who watched the pregnant Israelite women closely; once such women gave birth, they male babies were put to death and the female ones were enslaved. This is why Pharaoh was a corrupter.      

3- God says in the Quran: "But We desired to favor those who were oppressed on earth, and to make them leaders, and to make them the inheritors. And to establish them on earth; and to show Pharaoh, Haman, and their troops, the very thing they feared." (28:5-6). Because of this grave injustice of this self-deified tyrant who monopolized power/might and oppressed a very weak faction, the divine intervention aimed to punish Pharaoh and his troops, family, courtiers, and retinue members; ironically, Pharaoh himself raised and protected Moses inside his palace and he did not slaughter him. This does not come as a surprise; God has control over His affairs. The story of Moses' Pharaoh serves to warn and preach all arrogant, unjust tyrants who assume superiority on earth and are heedless of the fact that their evil schemes will turn against themselves later on.     

4- God says in the Quran: "We inspired the mother of Moses: "Nurse him; then, when you fear for him, cast him into the river, and do not fear, nor grieve; We will return him to you, and make him one of the messengers." Pharaoh's household picked him up, to be an opponent and a sorrow for them. Pharaoh, Haman, and their troops were sinners. Pharaoh's wife said, "An eye's delight for me and for you. Do not kill him; perhaps he will be useful to us, or we may adopt him as a son." But they were not aware." (28:7-9). The mother of Moses lived inside the capital of Egypt during the era of Pharaoh; we infer that she and the Israelites lived within the outskirts of the Egyptian capital; in contrast, the palace of Pharaoh overlooked the River Nile, and so were the mansions or palaces of the affluent class members. We infer that the mother of Moses concealed her pregnancy very well; the spies of Pharaoh never knew about it; when she delivered her baby, God revealed to her that if she feared the troops of the tyrannical Pharaoh, she should hide the baby in the casket into the River Nile; God promised her to bring the baby back to her bosom. The River Nile carried the casket of Moses till members of the Pharaoh's household (i.e., followers of Pharaoh inside his palace) fetched it; they carried the baby to Pharaoh and we infer they understood that the baby belonged to the Israelites; they were about to put him to death if it had not been for the wife of Pharaoh.    

5- God says in the Quran: "The heart of Moses' mother became vacant. She was about to disclose him, had We not steadied her heart, that she may remain a believer. She said to his sister, "Trail him." So she watched him from afar, and they were unaware. We forbade him breastfeeding at first. So she said, "Shall I tell you about a family that can raise him for you, and will look after him?" Thus We returned him to his mother, that she may be comforted, and not grieve, and know that God's promise is true. But most of them do not know." (28:10-13). The mother of Moses was filled with worry about her baby; she made her daughter follow the casket as the River Nile carried it with the current. This elder sister of Moses got news about the baby Moses without stirring any suspicions as the Israelites feared the troops of the tyrannical Pharaoh; this elder sister was very cautious and managed to see her baby brother without making anyone feel her presence. Once she knew Moses was hungry as he refused breasts of wet-nurses, she proposed to the wife of Pharaoh and those around her to make her mother as his wet-nurse; God has fulfilled His promise to the mother of Moses. We infer that the screams of the hungry baby alarmed the wife of Pharaoh and that many wet-nurses desired to get the job, but in vain. Hence, between the lines, we see examples of the absent but ever-present Egyptian nation within this Pharaonic kingdom of torture and tyranny; e.g., those who saw the casket, those who carried the baby to Pharaoh and his wife, the spies/troops avoided by the elder sister of Moses, and the wet-nurses; the sister might have talked to one of these wet-nurses and other servants who worked inside the palace of Pharaoh. This Egyptian nation at the time was the working force that had no voice and had no say at all within any affairs of life.

6- God says in the Quran: "And when he reached his maturity, and became established, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. Thus do We reward the charitable ones." (28:14). Moses' Pharaoh and his wife raised Moses inside the palace of Pharaoh and he grew up there as a charitable doer of good deeds within deep faith; Moses knew that he was an Israelite and a monotheist. God granted Moses wisdom and knowledge of faith as a prophet. 

7- God says in the Quran: "Once he entered the city, unnoticed by its people. He found in it two men fighting-one of his own sect, and one from his enemies. The one of his sect solicited his assistance against the one from his enemies; so Moses punched him, and put an end to him. He said, "This is of Satan's doing; he is an enemy that openly misleads." He said, "My Lord, I have wronged myself, so forgive me." So He forgave him. He is the Forgiver, the Merciful. He said, "My Lord, in as much as you have favored me, I will never be a supporter of the criminals."" (28:15-17). We infer that Moses was granted knowledge from God about his ancestors: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph; he came to know the plight of his people the Israelites; even as he lived inside the palace of Pharaoh, he came to know that Pharaoh was the enemy; this palace of terror made Moses feel afraid all the time despite being a Pharaonic prince and the adoptive son of the queen who was Pharaoh's wife. As a prince of Egypt, Moses moved about within the Egyptian capital along with troops/guards of his own; he was not free and he felt fear because he knew that such troops/guards were spies of Pharaoh. This is why in this scene when he entered the city (unnoticed by its people), he moved about alone and without being watched by such troops/guards. We infer that he knew the oppressed man in the quarrel from the signs of humiliation in his clothes and facial features; no one interfered to release the Israelite man, out of fear of this Egyptian man of authority. Moses inadvertently killed the Egyptian man and he admitted his sin to God and God has forgiven him; we infer that the killed man was a low-rank person among the classes/strata of affluent retinue members of Pharaoh; such persons as masters typically tortured and beat the oppressed, weak, enslaved ones in the streets as per the rules in this kingdom of torture in Egypt at this Pharaonic era to show strength and might and terrorize onlookers. We do believe this occurs until now in modern Egypt. This killed person was not very strong in terms of physical might; one strike from Moses caused his death; this means that this man had authority and power among the low-rank affluent class. We infer that the group of men (i.e., Israelites and Egyptians) who gathered around the scene moved away and left the corpse in the street; they were witnesses who spread the news about this action of Moses.      

8- God says in the Quran: "The next morning, he went about in the city, fearful and vigilant, when the man who had sought his assistance the day before was shouting out to him. Moses said to him, "You are clearly a troublemaker." As he was about to strike the one who was their enemy, he said, "O Moses, do you intend to kill me, as you killed someone yesterday? You only want to be a bully on earth, and do not want to be a peacemaker."" (28:18-19). Moses was afraid and he was keen on getting news from the retinue members; Moses described the Israelite man as a troublemaker because he was the primary cause of the serious trouble of Moses; the Egyptian man in this context reminded Moses of the crime and this means that the news of this incident spread and Moses was regarded by them as a murderer. 

9- God says in the Quran: "And a man came from the farthest part of the city running. He said, "O Moses, the retinue members are considering killing you, so leave; I am giving you good advice." So he left, fearful and vigilant. He said, "My Lord, deliver me from the unjust people."" (28:20-21). News of the incident of Moses killing an Egyptian man reached the retinue members very soon; they decided to put Moses to death in secret within a scheme away from the palace of Pharaoh; they could not murder him in public or within a trial because Pharaoh's wife loved him as if she were his own mother. This is a main feature of the Pharaonic deep-state of tyranny; i.e., strata or classes of retinue members and courtiers would act freely within all evil schemes of murder, kidnapping, looting, etc. without qualms and without fearing any penalties since the victims belonged to the class of slaves; but when the intended victim belonged to the class of masters (Moses in this case), the scheme of getting rid of him must be implemented in secret. It is noteworthy here the one telling Moses about this scheme came from the farthest part of the city; he was an Egyptian man who lived in the outskirts of the capital; he was not among the retinue members or affluent courtiers; this man hated their injustice and sided with Moses and the Truth and he knew that Moses was innocent and never deserved to be punished. This is why he hurried to Moses to warn him; this man had a conscience and he was manly in the sense of being chivalrous and courageous. Feeling extremely afraid, Moses implored the Lord God to deliver him from the unjust ones as he ran away to flee from Egypt.      

10- God says in the Quran: "Then, one of the two women approached him, walking bashfully. She said, "My father is calling you, to reward you for drawing water for us." And when he came to him, and told him the story, he said, "Do not fear, you have escaped from the unjust people."" (28:25). Upon reaching a water-well inside Madian in a desert area, he met with the two young women and later on their father, who is destined to be his father-in-law later on, and this man reassured him that he escaped from the unjust ones; he told Moses to stop being afraid. Fear is linked always with Moses in the Quranic stories; he lived within terror inside the place of Pharaoh and he drank fear from the breast-milk of his mother. This reflects the huge terror spread within this Pharaonic kingdom of torture and tyranny.  

11- God says in the Quran: "Put your hand inside your pocket, and it will come out white, without blemish. And press your arm to your side, against fear. These are two proofs from your Lord, to Pharaoh and his dignitaries. They are truly sinful people." He said, "My Lord, I have killed one of them, and I fear they will kill me. And my brother Aaron, he is more eloquent than me, so send him with me, to help me, and to confirm my words, for I fear they will reject me." He said, "We will strengthen your arm with your brother, and We will give you authority, so they will not touch you. By virtue of Our signs, you and those who follow you will be the triumphant."" (28:32-35). Upon his return to Egypt, Moses was commanded by his Lord God to preach to Pharaoh and his affluent and powerful retinue members and courtiers and God has granted him miracles as signs to show inside the palace of Pharaoh; Moses was afraid because he inadvertently caused the death of an Egyptian man; we infer that this killed man was among the low-rank troops or retinue members who roam streets and alleys of cities as spies and keepers of order, and NOT among the high-rank retinue members who had camps, mansions, and palaces. Yet, killing this man meant a type of destruction for the awe and fear instilled by the masters into the enslaved ones; this is why the roaming troops or low-rank retinue members decided to murder Moses in secret within a scheme so as not to be punished or questioned by Moses' Pharaoh's wife who loved him as if he were her own son. Moses declared to his Lord God his fear from both low-rank and high-rank retinue members; God promised protection for Moses and Aaron.

12- God says in the Quran: "He and his troops acted arrogantly on earth, with no justification. They thought they would not be returned to Us. So We seized him, and his troops, and We threw them into the sea. Observe, therefore, what was the end of the oppressors. And We made them leaders calling to the Fire. And on Resurrection Day, they will not be saved. And We pursued them in this world with a curse. And on Resurrection Day, they will be among the despised." (28:39-42). Pharaoh and his people rejected the call of Moses, and Pharaoh went into extremes of disbelief, violence, and arrogance and so did his people; i.e., his deep-state members, troops, soldiers, spies, security men, retinue members, courtiers, cronies, and family members; God punished them as they drowned in the Red Sea. God made them imams/leaders to all arrogant tyrants who never believe in the Day of Judgment.    

 

Lastly:

 We perceive now the reason for the fact that the Quranic story of Moses' Pharaoh and his people is repeated in the Quranic text; i.e., the aim of these repeated details of this Quranic story is to warn and preach believers in all eras and locations. Sadly, the Muhammadans never take heed of this warning. Proof: the tyrannical pharaoh enthroned in Egypt now follows the footsteps of Moses' Pharaoh. Any ordinary person once enthroned as the ruler of Egypt, the Pharaonic spirit of tyranny haunts him and he easily forgets his past when he was never known by anyone. Is there a devilish substance in the throne of Egypt that gets up the butthole of rulers, once seated there, that makes them follow the footsteps of Moses' Pharaoh until they die or get deposed/ousted?! Why would not rulers draw useful lessons from the fall/end of their predecessors?!   

 

 

 

 

The Pharaonic Kingdom of Torture and the Absenting of the Egyptian Nation by Force from History

 

 

 

Firstly:

1- Ahmad Ourabi, the Egyptian political and military leader who emerged shortly before the British occupation of Egypt, was the son of the mayor of a rural village in Al-Sharqiyah Governorate; his father owned 74 feddans and their family assumed to be among the so-called descendants of Ali and Fatima daughter of Muhammad. Ourabi was taught at Al-Azhar. The Khedive of Egypt, Saeed Pacha, allowed the sons of Azharite sheikhs and wealthy merchants and owners of farms to join the military army whose officers, soldiers, and troops had less number after Mohamed Ali Pacha killed off all the Mamelukes who formed the main people in this army of Egypt. Hence, Ourabi became a soldier and he was promoted later on; he suffered from the authoritarianism and persecution of Circassian military officers who hated and despised the new Egyptian soldiers, despite the fact that those soldiers were sons of rich owners of feddans of fertile, verdant farms, as such wealthy class came in the lower ranks and not from the high-rank class of non-Egyptian aristocracy. This is the primary cause for the revolt of Ourabi and soldiers under him against the Khedive Tawfik Pacha; the revolt failed and Great Britain invaded and occupied Egypt in 1882. We focus here on how Ourabi faced the Khedive; when the military solders demonstrated in the streets, Ourabi as their leader handed their written demands to the Khedive who told them they deserve no rights or demands as he inherited them alongside with land of Egypt from his royal ancestors, as they are his slaves who deserve only his charity! Ourabi told him that God created them as free people and not as inherited assets, commodities, or slaves; no one has the right to enslave or inherit them. This means that the military power is the basis of Pharaonic might and tyranny.             

2- This entails a brief analysis on our part; the Khedive here was a weak Egyptian pharaoh of non-Egyptian origin who ruled while depending on the military power which was originally formed by the remnants of the Mamelukes, who were among the high-rank retinue members. The low-rank owners of the farms (and their men of authority: police, mayors, etc.) were the fangs of the ruling pharaoh/khedive in rural villages; they tortured and flogged in public those peasants who hid any parts of the crops (some peasants withstood torture and flogging and bragged of the parts of crops they had hidden!); this is the dominant culture that drove the Khedive to despise Ourabi and to ridicule his demands in the scene when they confronted one another.     

3- The 1952 military coup deposed the last king of Egypt, Farooq, the descendant of Mohamed Ali Pacha. Abdel-Nasser was right when he said that the military army is the tool of the king used against the citizens; when monarchy ended, the retinue members of ministers, Pachas, governmental high rank employees, etc. obsequiously flattered the young Free Officers who controlled Egypt and the military army; Abdel-Nasser established the military rule in 1954 and allowed some civil bodies and persons to help him; Egypt was turned into a big military camp; torture increased by the men of the Pharaonic deep-state ever since, especially in prisons controlled by the military officers. Marxists, leftists, socialists, and MB members were tortured routinely in prisons. The Egyptian peasants felt the good influence of some reformist measures; yet, many of them were tortured and oppressed routinely by mayors and engineers/heads of agricultural societies who forced them what to plant, etc. and considered the peasants as NOT the owners of any stretches of land or the crops. Many peasants immigrated to the capital, Cairo, and other major cities to flee from oppression and torture; some of them fled to Jordan and the Gulf monarchies and felt more oppression and bore with it patiently for the sake of money; they knew that poverty, oppression, and torture spread more in Egypt and their relatives bore patiently (at least in the period 1952-2010) as they had no other options. Torture is still committed in Egyptian prisons now.      

 

Secondly: the Egyptian nation is the absent by ever-present element in the Pharaonic deep-state within the millennia-old Egyptian history:

1- Within Egyptian history written by historians, we notice that the focus is on any ruling pharaohs, their events and monuments, and their retinue members; no historians of the past had conscience to write few lines about eth oppressed nation whose members suffered oppression and torture to build those monuments, temples, palaces, etc.

2- No historians of the past wrote about corvée or forced labor under the threat of being flogged, humiliated, and tortured in public; they never wrote about cries/screams of oppressed Egyptian people who built all achievements of enthroned pharaohs in all eras.

3- Those unjust historians remained this way in all eras: the Pharaonic Era, the Coptic Era, and the stages of Arab Era as well as the Fatimid, Ayyubid, Mameluke, and Ottoman eras. All enthroned pharaohs/caliphs sans exception (e.g., Ramses, Ptolemy, Amr Ibn Al-As, Ahmad Ibn Tulun, Saladin, Mameluke sultans, M. Ali Pacha, and Khedive Saeed) employed corvée or forced labor within little or no wages and within the threat of torture.

4- Within our book titled "Slavery: A Fundamental Historical Overview" (found in English on this link: http://www.ahl-alquran.com/arabic/book_main.php?main_id=87), we tackle the worst type of corvée or forced labor inflicted on Egyptians within the project of the Suez Canal. Within our book on the influence of Sufism on buildings and monuments erected within the Mameluke Era in Egypt, we tackle the torture and the grave injustices which accompanied the erection of grand mosques, religious institutions, etc. Within our book on the Egyptian society during the reign of the Mameluke sultan Qaitbay, we tackle how the authorities arrested people in the streets to use them in unpaid, forced labor. We hope one day that a just and fair historian with a conscience would emerge to write researches about the absent but also the ever-present Egyptian people between the lines of history who built all these monuments in all eras.

 

Thirdly: the Egyptian nation is the absent by ever-present element in the Pharaonic deep-state: a Quranist vision:

Moses' Pharaoh and his people, family, troops, and military leaders or generals assumed they own the land of Egypt:

1- Moses' Pharaoh proclaimed in a conference that he owned Egypt while he compared himself to Moses: "Pharaoh proclaimed among his people, saying, "O my people, do I not own the Kingdom of Egypt, and these rivers flow beneath me? Do you not see? Am I not better than this miserable wretch, who can barely express himself?" (43:51-52). The query raised here is as follows: did Moses' Pharaoh owned Egypt alone or along with the retinue members: courtiers, wealthy affluent class/family, soldiers, viziers, generals, military leaders?

2- Moses' Pharaoh was the head of the regime; the rest of its body was the affluent, powerful retinue members; both they and him owned the land of Egypt, as we infer from this verse about Pharaoh expressing alarm regarding Moses and asking their advice: "He said to the dignitaries around him, "This is a skilled magician. He intends to drive you out of your land with his magic, so what do you recommend?"" (26:34-35).

3- This sharing of the land of Egypt between Pharaoh and his retinue members is inferred from these verses: "The retinue members among Pharaoh's people said, "This is really a skilled magician." "He wants to evict you from your land, so what do you recommend?"" (7:109-110); "He said, "Did you come to us to drive us out of our land with your magic, O Moses?" (20:57).

4- Their owning Egypt made them unjustly feel superior and arrogant on earth; the link between ownership and superiority/arrogance is expressed here: "They said, "Did you come to us to divert us from what we found our ancestors following, and so that you become prominent on earth? We will never believe with you."" (10:78); "They said, "These two are magicians who want to drive you out of your land with their magic, and to abolish your exemplary way of life. So settle your plan, and come as one front. Today, whoever gains the upper hand will succeed."" (20:63-64).

Moses' Pharaoh and his people employ the Egyptians within forced labor within projects of agriculture, manufacturing, and building:

1- Regarding 43:51, of course, Moses' Pharaoh did not till, irrigate, sow, plant, etc. the stretches of land himself; he employed corvée or forced labor on poor peasants of Egypt who feared being tortured by Pharaoh's men among the lower-rank ones who infiltrated in all villages and cities and watched everything and everyone.  

2- Hence, tears, blood, and sweat of the toil of peasants of Egypt filled the treasuries of Pharaoh and his retinue members with wealth and food; famine struck Egypt as a punishment inflicted by the Lord God; Pharaoh knew that peasants had nothing to do with it; they were silent, submissive, hardworking peasants; Pharaoh and his family and courtiers knew that Moses was behind this plague/curse: "And We afflicted the people of Pharaoh with barren years, and with shortage of crops, that they may take heed. When something good came their way, they said, "This is ours." And when something bad happened to them, they ascribed the evil omen to Moses and those with him. In fact, their omen is with God, but most of them do not know." (7:130-131).

3- The tears, blood, and sweat of the toil of Egyptian builders and workers allowed Pharaoh to build huge temples, palaces, tombs, statues, obelisks, edifices, etc. that made him famous at the time: "And Pharaoh of the huge edifices." (89:10); they are the real builders of such monuments and not Pharaoh or his vizier Haman. Pharaoh's arrogance as a self-deified tyrant led him to demand mockingly from his vizier, Haman to build him a tower to see the God of Moses: "Pharaoh said, "O courtiers, I know of no god for you other than me. So fire-up the bricks for me O Haman, and build me a tower, that I may ascend to the God of Moses, though I think he is a liar."" (28:38); "And Pharaoh said, "O Haman, build me a tower, that I may reach the pathways. The pathways of the heavens, so that I may glance at the God of Moses; though I think he is lying."..." (40:36-37).   

4-Sone Egyptologists and archeologists are ignoramuses and disbelievers who negate that Moses' Pharaoh existed; we prove them wrong in our book (in English) titled "Egypt in the Holy Quran" found on this link: (http://www.ahl-alquran.com/arabic/book_main.php?main_id=97); we assert in this book of ours that no monuments or remnants of the era of Moses' Pharaoh will be found as God destroyed all of them after Moses' Pharaoh and his deep-state men drowned in the Red Sea: "And We made the oppressed people inherit the eastern and western parts of the land, which We had blessed. Thus the fair promise of your Lord to the Israelites was fulfilled, because of their endurance. And We destroyed what Pharaoh and his people had built, and what they had harvested." (7:137); we should imagine easily that once the impoverished Egyptians knew that the tyrant Pharaoh along with his tyrannical men were dead, they destroyed all his monuments, palaces, etc. and robbed everything inside them; who would dare to blame them, then?!

5- The Pharaoh of Egypt and his deep-state men of his kingdom drowned in the Red Sea as they chased the Israelites during the exodus, as if they were in an 'easy' military mission; God destroyed them and allowed the Israelites to inherit momentarily the verdant, fertile gardens; they returned to Egypt and controlled (for a while before heading to the Promised Land) the stretches of lands along with the Egyptian peasants in them: "So We drove them out of gardens and springs. And treasures and noble dwellings. So it was. And We made the Israelites inherit them." (26:57-59); "How many gardens and fountains did they leave behind? And plantations, and splendid buildings. And comforts they used to enjoy. So it was; and We passed it on to another people." (44:25-28).

 

Lastly:

1- The military rulers of Egypt who occupy it since the 1952 coup controlled and managed the treasures of the Egyptian land by the civil or non-military retinue members who submitted to such rulers; e.g., Gamal Abdel-Nasser nationalized many projects in Egypt. As for now, those on top of the current military rule control and manage everything without retinue members who are civil or non-military persons. The military generals control, monopolize, and steal now trade, agriculture, manufacturing, etc. and all aspects in Egypt and the revenues and wealth enter into their bank accounts; they have provided themselves with all profits and privileges; in contrast, the oppressed Egyptian citizens suffer poverty and submission in silence because they fear that torture might be inflicted on them if they would dare to protest against the status quo.     

2- Egypt has been ruled for more than 50 centuries by both Egyptian and non-Egyptian rulers/pharaohs. Within our reading and studying the Egyptian history, we never found more cruel and unjust pharaohs than the ones of the military rule initiated in 1952, because their tyranny exists despite the fact that we live in the modern era of human rights and democracy. The ancient Pharaonic rulers acted as per the culture of tyranny which dominated their ancient eras. In contrast, the current pharaohs act against the dominant culture of the modern era. The ancient enthroned pharaohs have their own victories and glory, as for the pharaohs of Egypt who rule it today, they have never achieved any sort of victories except over the poor, unarmed, impoverished Egyptian citizens!

3- As the current pharaoh of today has gone into extremes within torture, silence reigns supreme among the Egyptian citizens now; who would dare to blame them, then?!

 

 

 

The Pharaonic Deep-State of Torture 

 

 

 

Firstly: Quranic proofs about the expansion of Egyptian cities and villages during the era of Moses' Pharaoh:

1- God says in the Quran: "And We made the oppressed people inherit the eastern and western parts of the earth, which We had blessed. Thus the fair promise of your Lord to the Israelites was fulfilled, because of their endurance. And We destroyed what Pharaoh and his people had built, and what they had harvested. " (7:137). Egypt is described as the earth and its east and west (when inherited temporarily by the Israelites after the drowning of Pharaoh and his deep-state members in the Red Sea) and a blessed location filled with treasures, crops, gardens, and plenitude and grand-scale monuments/edifices.  

2- The Quran repeats describing Egypt as (the earth) in the stories of Moses and Joseph; this means that Egypt at the time had the biggest population on planet earth and the greatest civilization; the term (cities) in the Quran comes exclusively to refer to Egyptian grand cities. 

3- Hence, the Quranic term (village) is never used in Quranic stories that involve Egypt; its cities were grand even in rural areas; the Quranic terms (city) and (village) come in the Quran to refer to societies or people in general; this is exemplified in these verses: "And cite for them the parable of the people of the village - when the messengers came to it. We sent them two messengers, but they denied them both, so We reinforced them with a third. They said, "We are messengers to you."" (36:13-14); "Then a man came running from the remotest part of the city. He said, "O my people, follow the messengers." (36:20). We conclude that the term (village) here refer to a society or a community and the term (city) refers to the capital or main city of authority within such a community.    

4- The term cities is never used in the Quran except to describe cities of Egypt ONLY, in contrast to the terms "village" and ''city'' to describe other locations in the Quranic stories and parables; this means that they were megacities and densely populated: "They said, "Put him off, and his brother, and send heralds to the cities."" (7:111); "They said, "Delay him and his brother, and send recruiters to the cities." (26:36); "Pharaoh sent heralds to the cities." (26:53).

5- The description of the Egyptian city shows it to be a megacity: "And a man came from the farthest part of the city running. He said, "O Moses, the authorities are considering killing you, so leave; I am giving you good advice." So he left, fearful and vigilant. He said, "My Lord, deliver me from the unjust people."" (28:20-21). This is a man from the outskirts of this spacious megacity that contained several factions (Israelites and others and Pharaonic retinue members, of course), as we infer from these verses: "Once he entered the city, unnoticed by its people. He found in it two men fighting-one of his own sect, and one from his enemies. The one of his sect solicited his assistance against the one from his enemies; so Moses punched him, and put an end to him. He said, "This is of Satan's doing; he is an enemy that openly misleads."" (28:15); "The next morning, he went about in the city, fearful and vigilant..." (28:18).  

6- Because the capital city had the largest number of dwellers within the Egyptian population, Pharaoh was furious because the magicians believed in the God of Moses and the rest of the Egyptians might imitate them as a reaction; Pharaoh assumed that this was a conspiracy against him: "Pharaoh said, "Did you believe in Him before I have given you permission? This is surely a conspiracy you schemed in the city, in order to expel its people from it. You will surely know."" (7:123).      

7- God says in the Quran: "Pharaoh proclaimed among his people, saying, "O my people, do I not own the Kingdom of Egypt, and these rivers flow beneath me? Do you not see?" (43:51); Pharaoh bragged of owning and controlling (via his deep-state members) Egypt and its rivers beneath his feet; maybe rivulets were branched and dug from the River Nile to reach other locations upon his commands; history tells us that some areas in Sinai and the stretch of land from Alexandria to Libya were fertile fields and gardens during several epochs even during the reign of the sultan Qaitbay the last sultan of the Mameluke Era; they retain their water wells until the present day; branches of the River Nile might have reached there. these branches might have been dug from the Nile Delta in Lower Egypt.  

 

Secondly: the features of the full control of the Pharaonic State over all Egyptian cities and villages:

1- We make the following points about the mobilization of Pharaoh's magicians from every city and village of Egypt.

1/1: Moses knew about the great ability of mobilization within this Pharaonic centralized deep state; we infer this from these verses when Moses chose mid-morning in particular for this gathering: "We will produce for you magic like it; so make an appointment between us and you, which we will not miss - neither us, nor you - in a central place." He said, "Your appointment is the day of the festival, so let the people be gathered together at mid-morning."" (20:58-59).

1/2: We quote these verses about mobilizing all magicians. 

1/2/1: Indeed, all magicians were notified of the time and place and were mobilized at once and met with Pharaoh first: "They said, "Put him off, and his brother, and send heralds to the cities." "And let them bring you every skillful magician." The magicians came to Pharaoh, and said, "Surely there is a reward for us, if we are the victors." He said, "Yes, and you will be among my favorites."" (7:111-114).

1/2/2: All magicians were brought at once to the Egyptian capital from every village and city; they were made to be ready for facing Moses: "They said, "Delay him and his brother, and send recruiters to the cities. To bring you every experienced magician." So the magicians were gathered for the appointment on a specified day." (26:36-38). 

1/2/3: Agents of the tyrannical Pharaoh spread among the Egyptians to encourage them to attend the event to face Moses and to support the magicians and the deified Pharaoh; these agents are a typical feature within tyrannical regimes: "And it was said to the people, "Are you all gathered? That we may follow the magicians, if they are the winners."" (26:39-40). 

1/3: Such influence of agents and gathered magicians bore fruit as people were dazzled by the magic tricks: "He said, "You throw!" And when they threw, they beguiled the eyes of the people, and intimidated them, and produced a mighty magic." (7:116).  

1/4: We infer the following points.

1/4/1: The Pharaonic deep state had a great power and ability to mobilize and organize people in a very brief duration from all over Egypt and this indicates full control and authority.    

1/4/2: The Egyptian nation is in the foreground in this Quranic story as dwellers of Egypt are mobilized and gathered in spite of themselves; they are enslaved and can be fully controlled or ridden like horses, as said by Amr Ibn Al-As, the Arab conqueror of Egypt. 

2- We make the following points about the mobilization of Pharaoh's people and retinue members to watch and chase the Israelites.  

2/1: Of course, the deep-state members of Pharaoh watched the Israelites closely and prevented anyone's escape from the hell of daily torture. The self-defied, arrogant tyranny; i.e., Moses' Pharaoh, refused to oblige Moses by allowing him to move away from Egypt along with the Israelites; he desired to continue torturing them to terrorize the rest of Egyptian factions; he feared to lose his stature and awe if he would allow the Israelite to escape from him and to stop their worshiping him; God has delivered the Israelites and destroyed Pharaoh and his deep-state members eventually.       

2/2: God has commanded Moses to move by night to avoid being spotted by spies of Pharaoh, although God knew they will be chased anyway later on when their absence will be noticed: ""Set out with My servants by night - you will be followed." (44:23).

2/3: Once Pharaoh knew about the exodus, h mobilized all his deep-state men from all over Egyptian cities and villages: "And We inspired Moses: "Travel with My servants by night. You will be followed." Pharaoh sent heralds to the cities." (26:52-53).

2/4: Because the self-deified Pharaoh was enraged and felt worried about losing his stature and awe, he mobilized his troops to chase the Israelites: ""These are a small gang. And they are enraging us. But we are a vigilant multitude."" (26:54-56). 

2/5: Within a centralized State fully controlled by soldiers/agents of Pharaoh, Pharaoh managed within a brief space of time to mobilize  all retinue members, leaders, troops, and soldiers from all over Egyptian cities and villages and to lead them to chase the Israelites who fled eastwards to the Red Sea and Sinai; the Israelites felt extremely worried and afraid as troops of Pharaoh were behind them and the Red Sea before their eyes: "And they pursued them eastwards. When the two groups sighted each other, the followers of Moses said, "We are being overtaken." He said, "No; my Lord is with me, He will guide me." We inspired Moses: "Strike the sea with your staff." Whereupon it parted, and each part was like a huge hill. And there We brought the others near. And We saved Moses and those with him, all together. Then We drowned the others." (26:60-66). 

 

Thirdly: the deep-state Pharaonic torture controlled the Egyptian cities and villages:

1- It is expected that the Israelites who suffered severe torture and plight inflicted on them by Pharaoh and his deep-state members (who massacred male babies and enslaved female ones) would be reminded by God's deliverance: "Moses said to his people, "Remember God's bounty upon you, as He delivered you from the people of Pharaoh, who inflicted on you terrible suffering, slaughtering your sons while sparing your daughters. In that was a serious trial from your Lord."" (14:6). The expression (the people of Pharaoh) indicates his deep-state members and his security men who watched the Israelites closely and tortured them all the time. 

2- We make some remarks in the points below.

2/1: This means that torturing others as per whims was the dominant low during Moses' Pharaoh's time; Aaron and his sister were not enslaved or massacred; when Moses was born, Pharaoh's deep-state members murdered all male babies of the Israelites. When Moses, as a prophet, faced Pharaoh inside his palace, the suggestion of massacring males and enslaving females was renewed: "We sent Moses with Our signs, and a clear authority. To Pharaoh, Haman, and Quaroon. But they said, "A lying sorcerer." Then, when he came to them with the truth from Us, they said, "Kill the sons of those who have believed with him, and spare their daughters." But the scheming of the unbelievers can only go astray." (40:23-25); "The chiefs of Pharaoh's people said, "Will you let Moses and his people cause trouble in the land, and forsake you and your gods?" He said, "We will kill their sons, and spare their women. We have absolute power over them."" (7:127). When the Pharaonic persecution and torture increased and they complained to Moses, he advised them to adhere to patience: "They said, "We were persecuted before you came to us, and after you came to us." He said, "Perhaps your Lord will destroy your enemy, and make you successors in the land; then He will see how you behave."" (7:129); many Israelites distanced themselves away from Moses to avoid the Pharaonic torture and terror: "But none believed in Moses except some children of his people, for fear that Pharaoh and his chiefs would persecute them. Pharaoh was high and mighty in the land. He was a tyrant." (10:83).    

2/2: The expression (his chiefs) indicates the many strata within the class of deep-state members or the affluent, powerful retinue members of Pharaoh within a centralized State controlling the land of Egypt and its dwellers/factions (especially the Israelites) and the whole of the Egyptian nation. 

2/3: God says the following about this Pharaonic class of affluent retinue members and its strata: "They disagreed among themselves over their affair, and conferred secretly. They said, "These two are magicians who want to drive you out of your land with their magic, and to abolish your exemplary way of life. So settle your plan, and come as one front. Today, whoever gains the upper hand will succeed."" (20:62-64). This means that despite their different views regarding Moses and Aaron, the strata of the ruling class members stood within one united stance to defend their tyranny and their control of the land of Egypt as superiors over the Egyptian nation and as winners or successful ones, as per their erroneous view of what is deemed as right.  

2/4: There was no law within the Pharaonic State of Moses' Pharaoh to deceive people by asserting that torture is a crime never pardoned by the passage of years while keeping up torture increasing as deep-rooted practice with the passage of time. Torture has been – until now – the unwritten law applied all the time by the masters/members of the affluent ruling class on the bodies of impoverished, oppressed, enslaved Egyptians anytime anywhere anyhow through the centuries in order to assert the awe and fear towards any enthroned pharaohs and their deep state.   

 

Fourthly: a possible ending:

1- God says in the Quran: "Thus he deceived his people, and they obeyed him. They were criminal people. And when they provoked Our wrath, We took retribution from them, and We drowned them all." (43:54-55). This means that Pharaoh and his family members and all deep-state members (i.e., viziers, soldiers, military leaders, overseers, retinue members, courtiers, governors, employees, spies, etc.) drowned and no one among them survived. 

2- All these drowned men were (soldiers/troops) or tools serving Pharaoh, from the grand vizier Haman to the high- and low-rank men of all classes: "So We seized him and his troops, and threw them into the sea, and He was to blame." (51:40).

3- This is we infer and understand from the history of the military dynasty of Ramses (i.e., the unnamed Moses' Pharaoh is supposed to be one ruler of this dynasty), as this Pharaonic dynasty militarized all aspects of life in Egypt and people there were divided into masters/rulers and ruled slaves who suffered torture.  

4- This query is raised here: since Moses' Pharaoh moved along with his deep-state of military leaders, security forces, courtiers, retinue members, viziers, etc. and he left behind the Egyptian nation inside Egypt, why did not the Egyptian revolt against Pharaoh during his absence and the absence of the deep-state members? The answer in one word is as follows: torture. The Egyptians at the time assumed that Pharaoh and his deep-state members would return after this 'simple military excursion that showed his might in which he took pride; they assumed he would finish the Israelite off soon enough and massacred them all in one day and he would return victorious; they feared that if they rebelled during the supposed 'temporary' absence of Pharaoh, they will suffer a fate more terrible that that of the magicians who believed in God with Moses; Pharaoh cut their limbs off and crucified them, as per the Quranic story. 

5- Until now, the Egyptians have inherited the negative influence of millennia-old torture; their songs/ballads are steeped with the sense of loss, sorrow, patience, and melancholy; they seek God's help to ward off evil expected all the time; they even hate to laugh loudly as they expect deep sorrow to follow moments of mirth and happiness!    

 

Lastly:

1- Egypt within the military rule that has commenced since the 1952 coup has witnessed the total separation between the ruling class of affluent retinue members and the Egyptian nation that forms the impoverished class; the affluent, ruling military class comprises the ones who militarized all aspects of life inside Egypt and made the Parliament provide them with immunity, making them above the Law so as not to be questioned by the oppressed citizens among the Egyptian nation; this is akin to self-deification because God is the Only One never to be questioned: "If there were in them gods other than God, they would have gone to ruin. So glory be to God, Lord of the Throne, beyond what they allege. He will not be questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned." (21:22-23).  

2- Has the end of the current pharaoh and his deep-state members drawn near? When this deep state would come to an end, would Egypt sink into chaos?! Would the Israelites invade Egypt as they have done during the lifetime of Moses?! How many millions of Egyptians would be massacred, then?! Would keeping power or the throne deserve all this?! Is not there a believing man among the current pharaoh's family or retinue members to advise and warn the deep-state members using the Quranic verses?! 

3- We implore the Almighty Lord God to have mercy on the Egyptian nation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

 

1- We have written before about torture as the typical crime perpetrated by tyrants against their subjects (or nations) in many articles about history and about politics and also within several books published on our website which include "The Egyptian Life and Society within the Reign of the Mameluke Sultan Qaitbay", "The Political Influence of Sufism on the Mameluke State in Egypt", and "The Persecution of Copts after the Arab Conquest" (found on English on this link: http://www.ahl-alquran.com/arabic/book_main.php?main_id=95). Within our intellectual endeavors to reform the Muhammadans, we stand against the crime of torture; not only because of the fact that some Egyptian Quranists were tortured by the Mubarak regime in Egypt, but also as tyrants everywhere oppress their nations using torture justified by obsequious clergymen of the religions of Satan. Tyrants ride and control clergymen who in turn ride and control gullible, naïve citizens; hence such citizens/nations lose in this world as they live in utter humiliation and depravation and they lose in the Hereafter (as they will enter into Hell) when they obey the misguiding clergymen; hence, the Muhammadans are losers in this world and in the next one as well.         

2- The nations of the West countries got rid of tyranny and the control of clergymen and this has led them to make advances and huge leaps in the horizons of science and scopes of technology; the people in the West have used their mind and reached Islamic/Quranic values denied by the Muhammadans: justice, religious and political freedom, social solidarity, and human rights. Within the climate of religious freedom, some people of the West have reached the fact of monotheism: (There is no God but Allah). hence, the people in the West are winner within this transient world as they live within dignity and within a decent standard of living. Some people of the West will be among the winners in the Hereafter as they embrace monotheism: (There is no God but Allah).         

3- We live in the West now; we can bear witness to what we assert here; in contrast, many Muhammadans who live in the West countries are a disgrace to humanity; i.e., they use civil liberties and freedom of the West to promote terrorism and corrupt values of their earthly/terrestrial, man-made, fabricated religions of Satan. Within our Quranist reformist endeavors, we promote the true image of Islam (i.e., Qurnaism) and to remove the tarnished image offered by such Muhammadans about Islam; yet, sadly, we, as a thinker and writer, suffer media blackout and marginalization.    

4- Many Quran-hating people assume that it is filled with verses about Hell-torment; such people forget the following facts: (1) even in secular legislations made by people in any country, criminals must be punished and they are never made as equals to their victims, (2) the Quran contains verses about Hell-torment and others about describing the bliss and pleasures of Paradise; God mentions both verses to warn and preach living human beings so that they save themselves by their faith and deeds to be among the Paradise-dwellers in the Hereafter and not among the Hell-dwellers, (3) God calls every human being to adhere to repentance, atonement, and making amends, and He never punishes unintentional deeds or forced acts but only those who commit sins and disobey His Quranic commands intentionally, (4) God never burdens any soul beyond its capacity, (5) God will pardon and forgive those who avoided grave sins and will overlook their small mistakes and mishaps and will accept their good deeds, faith, and repentance to admit them into Paradise: "If you avoid the worst of what you are forbidden, We will remit your sins, and admit you by a Gate of Honor." (4:31), (6) lastly, God is never unjust towards human beings; human beings are unjust towards themselves: "God does not wrong the people in the least, but the people wrong their own souls." (10:44); hence, Hell-dwellers will be tormented by their sins committed when they were alive on earth; such sins will turn into Hell-fire and torment that will last for eternity; no one will sleep or die inside Hell.

5- God inflicts temporary torment/adversity on some people in this world as a test for them; those who die as unrepentant, disobedient sinners will be tormented inside Hell forever. Of course, the unjust human beings torture and oppress the innocent ones in this world. We have covered the topic of torment and torture in this BOOK; we have covered how Moses' Pharaoh have inflicted torture on the Israelites and how the Quran mentions this repeatedly to warn human beings against torture and tyranny; yet, no pharaohs/rulers in Egypt and in the Arab world heed the Quranic warning.      

6- We are not responsible for guiding any souls; guidance is a personal responsibility that pertains to each individual. Those who seek guidance will get it for the sake of the fate of their own souls in this world and in the Hereafter; those who adhere to misguidance seek it for the detriment and ruin/perdition of their souls in this world and the next one. We are responsible only for our own soul; each soul is responsible for its fate in the Hereafter; we are striving peacefully within our intellectual endeavors as a thinker to provide means and tools of reform and to spread enlightenment as much as we can to those who seek being reformed and enlightened. We implore the Almighty Lord God to make our person among the dwellers of Paradise in the Hereafter.

 

 

 

Signature: Dr. Ahmed Subhy Mansour

20^th of July, 2018

Springfield, VA, the USA