Fatwas Part One-Hundred-and-Thirty-Two

Issued by: Dr. Ahmed Subhy Mansour, translated by: Ahmed Fathy

About the Quranic Verse 6:57

Published in July 5, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir, …  Would you please explain to me the underlined expression in the following Quranic verse: "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."" (6:57)? What is meant by the phrase (the Best of Judges) which describes the Lord God? Any ideas? … Thank you …

Answer:

 Of course, the Omniscient Lord Allah is the Only Judge on the Last Day; the expression (the Best of Judges) refers to the fact that as the Divine Judge, the Lord God is more Just than the human  judges/arbiters on earth who never have God-like Omniscience and may follow their whims. God's Omniscience and Absolute Justice are expressed here and are linked together: "He knows the deceptions of the eyes, and what the hearts conceal. God judges with justice, while those whom they invoke besides Him cannot judge with anything. It is God who is the Hearing, the Seeing." (40:19-20).

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About the Quranic Verse 6:123

Published in July 8, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir, … The Lord Allah says the following in the Quran: "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." (6:123). My question is as follows: Why would the Lord God torment those people in Hell since He made them sin and conspire?! … Thank you …

Answer:

  The Lord God has not make them sin and conspire; they have chosen this willingly; the Lord Allah increases the (mis)guidance chosen freely by human beings. This fact about misguided sinners is asserted further in the following verses: "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." (43:36-37); "We had assigned companions for them, who glamorized to them what was in front of them, and what was behind them. And the Word proved true against them in communities of jinn and humans that have passed away before them. They were losers." (41:25); "Have you not considered how We dispatch the devils against the disbelievers, exciting them with incitement? So do not hurry against them. We are counting for them a countdown." (19:83-84).

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The Verb (Scatter) in the Holy Quran

Published in July 1, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir, … In the Quranic text, the verb (scatter) is employed several times and is linked to God's creatures; would you explain this further to me?  … Thank you …

Answer:

 This verb comes in the Quran in the contexts of the spread and multiplication of the Lord God's creatures, including human beings: "He created the heavens without pillars that you can see, and placed stabilizers on earth lest it shifts with you, and scattered throughout it all kinds of creatures..." (31:10); "In the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of night and day; in the ships that sail the oceans for the benefit of mankind; in the water that God sends down from the sky, and revives the earth with it after it had died, and scatters in it all kinds of creatures; in the changing of the winds, and the clouds disposed between the sky and the earth; are signs for people who understand." (2:164); "O people! Fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul, and created from it its mate, and scattered from them many men and women..." (4:1); "And in your own creation, and in the creatures He scattered, are signs for people of firm faith." (45:4); "And of His signs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the creatures He has scattered throughout them; and He is Able to gather them at will." (42:29).

 Besides, this verb comes also in the Quran in the contexts of the spread of things in one place: "And the mountains are crushed and crumbled.And they become scattered dust." (56:5-6); "And carpets scattered around." (88:16); "The Day when the people will be like scattered moths." (101:4).  

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The Number and Timing of Glorifying God's Holy Name

Published in July 15, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir, … Many people glorify/praise the Lord God's Holy Name within a certain number after performing every one of the five daily prayers; is this OK within Quranism or not? Any ideas? … Thank you …    

Answer:

 It is OK to do so before, during, and after prayers and in all times of the day; you do not have to set a certain number for yourself as you glorify the Lord God's Holy Name; what matters most is attaining piety within monotheism; you should never praise/glorify deified mortals (prophets or non-prophets/'saints') alongside with the Lord God the Creator of the universe.

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About the Quranic Verse 19:75

Published in July 15, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir, …  What is meant by the underlined part in the following Quranic verse: "Say, "Whoever is in error, the Dominant Lord will lead him on." Until, when they see what they were promised - either the torment, or the Hour. Then they will know who was in worse position and weaker in forces." (19:75)? … Thank you …      

Answer:

 This means that when human beings choose (mis)guidance, the Lord God will increase their (mis)guidance; the misguided ones assume wrongly that they are guided: "Say, "Whoever is in error, the Dominant Lord will lead him on." Until, when they see what they were promised - either the torment, or the Hour. Then they will know who was in worse position and weaker in forces. God increases in guidance those who accept guidance. And the things that endure - the righteous deeds - have the best reward with your Lord, and the best outcome." (19:75-76); "As for those who are guided, He increases them in guidance, and He has granted them their righteousness." (47:17); "In their hearts is sickness, and God has increased their sickness. They will have a painful torment because of their denial." (2:10).

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Remembrance of the Lord God

Published in July 16, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir, … Is it OK to remember the Lord God's Holy Name (i.e., Allah) several times or to repeat the phrase (There is no God but Allah) several times to feel safe, in times of panic for instance, and in order to allay one's fear? What do you think?… Thank you …      

Answer:

 Yes, this is OK; this Quranic verse proves it: "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).

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This Is Not True Love

Published in July 16, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir, … A rich woman loved a man so much and she forced her family members to accept her getting married to him; after the marriage took place, this woman discovered that her husband is jobless and married to another woman and he has children; he receives money from her to spend on his first wife and his offspring; the rich woman provided a decent job for him in her father's factory, but he stole money from the factory and she covered up his theft and fired him; he was furious and returned to his first wife and deserted the rich wife. The rich woman has not bear any children yet, but she still loves this man despite her despising him; would she continue in this marriage or not? Any advice?  … Thank you …      

Answer:

 We do believe she must get divorced from him and leave him to his wife and children; she must liberate herself from such failed marriage before this man would return to her to embezzle her emotionally to get more money from her and before she would get pregnant. She must not deceive herself; this is not true, mutual love. This dishonest man is not a good husband for her. She must look for another husband who deserves her so that she gets a second chance to begin a new life based on frankness, honesty, and mutual love.  

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Shall I Return to My Husband?

Published in July 17, 2019

Question:  … Dear Sir, … My husband who is the father of my only son is jobless; I work most of the day because I'm the breadwinner; two years ago, I discovered that my husband got married to a second wife and that he and his new wife sometimes have sex in my own house inside my own bedroom during my absence! After confronting him, we quarreled and he left my house; he deserted me and his son! Mediators between me and him who sought reconciliation told me that he demanded that I must choose between getting divorced or accepting his second wife and allow her to live in my own house with him! He knows that I love him so much (and so does my son) and that I cannot live without him! My work colleagues advised me to choose divorce; one male colleague at my workplace, a good-natured, kind widower, told me he loved me and he is ready to marry me once I get divorced. Yet, after dating this widower, he told me frankly that he feels that I'm sick with love and that I yearn and pine for my husband. My dignity entails that I must get divorced; yet, my heart tells me that I cannot bear to love any other man; I'm still in love with the father of my son! I cannot stand thinking of having sex with another new husband! What shall I do?! Any advice?    … Thank you …      

Answer:

 It is unfair and unjust to marry someone else while you love the father of your son; this kind widower does not deserve such injustice. We tend to think that you should return to your husband and accept his return to your house along with his second wife. It seems that you cannot dare to think of being a wife to another man.

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In the Senile Age

Published in July 18, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir, … My 75-year-old bad-tempered, harsh father has mistreated me and my siblings all his life; he has mistreated and beaten my mother all his life; we live in a big villa built by my paternal grandfather; before their death, this grandfather and his wife, my grandmother, defended my mother most of the time; after their death, my father became more cruel with my mother; after a big quarrel, he and my mother got divorced; he threatens me and my siblings now that he will marry a young woman who is old enough to be his granddaughter! He threatens to sell the villa to get enough money and throw us out of the villa, but in order to foil his evil plan, I stole the papers proving the ownership of the villa by my late grandfather to prevent selling it; my father got furious! The young woman he desires to marry is of ill-reputation and if she would become my step-mother, my life and that of my brothers would be veritable hell inside the villa. Some people advised me to sue my senile father to demand control over his possessions and to care for my father at the same time while preventing his gaining any control over his possessions; yet, this would be a big scandal. Any advice?!  … Thank you …   

Answer:

 There is no hope that your father will change to the better in his senile age; you must proceed with the legal procedures to protect your father from senility and bad decisions and to protect yourself and your siblings. Of course, you must continue caring for your father and providing for him after winning the case.  

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Prayers and Invocation for Taking Revenge?

Published in July 19, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir, … A man to whom I was kind and charitable dealt with me in a most unfair manner; he committed a grave injustice against me; is it OK to invoke God's wrath on him in my prayers so that Fate would allow me to take revenge? Would the Lord God accept such prayers from me?! Any ideas? … Thank you …     

Answer:

 Of course, you can do so; supplication/invocation is part of acts of worship. You should bear in mind that the unjust ones are punished by the Lord God in this world and in the Hereafter in case they never repent and make amends. Moses and Aaron invoked God against Pharaoh. Please ponder on these Quranic verses:

 "God does not like the public uttering of bad language, unless someone was wronged. God is Hearing and Knowing. If you let a good deed be shown, or conceal it, or pardon an offense-God is Pardoning and Capable." (4:148-149); "...Whoever works evil will pay for it, and will not find for himself, besides God, any ally or savior." (4:123); "Your Lord has said, "Pray to Me, and I will respond to you. But those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell forcibly."" (40:60); "Moses said, "Our Lord, you have given Pharaoh and his retinue members 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."" (10:88-89).

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About Pizza!

Published in July 21 2019

Question: …  Dear Sir, … I live and work in New York as a single man; I have not time to cook; I typically order pizza for dinner and it is delivered at my doorstep. This went on for ten years; days ago, I discovered that the meat within the topping is smoked pork! This means that I consumed forbidden food item without knowing it for years! What am I to do to atone for this sin?! I feel so guilty! Any advice?!   …  Thank you …        

Answer:

 The Lord God will never punish you since you did that unintentionally and unknowingly; no atonement is needed; make sure you check your daily food items carefully from now on.

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Found Pharaonic Statues!

Published in July 21, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir,  …  I've found by accident some Pharaonic statues in my stretch of land; I desire to sell them in order to grow rich instead of delivering them to the Egyptian authorities. Some employees there might smuggle and sell them anyway. Is this OK in Islam or not? Have I the right to sell them since I found them myself?! Any ideas?! … Thank you …

Answer:

 No; you have no right to do so; this is theft; this is prohibited in Islam. These Pharaonic statues are not yours; they are owned by all Egyptians; you must give them to the Ministry of Antiquities. Do not be a thief. Do not consume ill-gotten money. It is an unjustifiable sin to steal to prevent employees from stealing! Those who rob thieves are thieves. 

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About the Quranic Verse 101:9

Published in July 22, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir, … The Lord God says the following in the Quran about Hell and fate of sinners in it: "And his mother is the Abyss." (101:9); what is meant by (mother) here?! What is the link between the sinner in Hell and his biological mother?! …  Thank you …

Answer:

 You misunderstand the verse 101:9; the word (mother) here is employed figuratively; this means that Hell is the home or womb enveloping the sinner forever and he will never get out of it.

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Football Team and Prostration!

Published in July 8, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir,  … Some football players prostate (on camera) to thank the Lord God for allowing them to score a goal; is this OK in Islam? Is this a type of hypocrisy and bad religiosity? … Thank you …     

Answer:

   In general, one can prostrate within piety anywhere to the Lord God, provided that there is no hypocrisy or show-off before the eyes of onlookers; i.e., without trying to deceive others (or viewers) if such players feign being religious on camera.  

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Satan and Concentration during Prayers

Published in July 24, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir,  … Satan and devils distract me more often than not and make me lose concentration during prayers; they inspire evil thoughts inside me about the Lord God! What shall I do?! Any advice?! … Thank you … 

Answer:

  You must seek refuge in the Lord God before performing prayers; you must utter your prayers slowly and feel the meaning of every word you pronounce. This will increase your concentration during prayers.

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No Acts of Worship In Paradise

Published in July 25, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir, … Will Paradise-dwellers be praising the Lord incessantly all the time forever? some Orthodox Christians assume that in Paradise, they will singing hymns all the time! Is that true?! Any ideas?! …  Thank you …    

Answer:

 This is impossible; the Quran does not mention that there will be acts of worship performed by Paradise dwellers; there is no fatigue or work in Paradise; Paradise is about pleasures and bliss for eternity. All acts of worship are to be done during the time of the test; i.e., within one's lifetime on earth only. We cannot imagine with our limited minds the eternal pleasures of Paradise; may the Lord God allow us to be among the Paradise-dwellers.

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A Question of Inheritance

Published in June 26, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir,  … My late mother married three men and have children from all of them (such husbands are dead now); how can her money be distributed among her progeny? … Thank you …    

Answer:

 The different fathers have nothing to do with inheritance shares among male and female children: "...The male receives the equivalent of the share of two females..." (4:11).

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How to Avoid Aggressors

Published in July 11, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir, …  In your Quranist articles, you wrote that the early believers in Yathreb were commanded by God to never resist attackers and to avoid aggressors until the permission to engage into self-defense fighting came to them later on; how they did avoid such aggressors at first?!  … Thank you …  

Answer:

 By running away from them and to seek refuge inside houses. after they were militarily prepared, the permission to engage into self-defense fighting has come to them in the Quran.

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Embarrassing Questions

Published in July 27, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir, … I'm embarrassed but I have to ask you about something: I'm married to two women; am I allowed to have sex with both of my wives in one bed at the same time? Is it OK if the three of us shower and take a path together? Any ideas?! … Thank you …  

Answer:

 Yes; you can do so provided that prior consent is obtained from all parties involved. We are not a prude person, but we do not like questions of such sexual content. Please read our article in English found on this link:

http://www.ahl-alquran.com/English/show_article.php?main_id=16335

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Many Hopes, But

Published in July 29, 2019

Question: … Dear Sir, … I am forever indebted to you; your Quranism saved me from the trap of atheism; I should like to propose that all Quranists should donate money (as per what each of them can afford) to collect enough donations to launch a Quranist satellite channel; this will help save more souls; many Arab people balk at the prospect of having to read your entire archive to get to know real Islam.............. I desire to donate a certain sum.............. … Thank you …        

Answer:

 Thank you. This is one of our many aborted dreams and crushed hopes, but most Quranists are impecunious; our main hope now is to allow our website and YouTube channel to go on existing and to find someone to produce our scripts of movies and TV series which aim at religious reform.

http://www.ahl-alquran.com/English/show_article.php?main_id=15999