Fatwas Part One-Hundred-and-Seventy

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

The Prison Is Never a Solution!

Published in July 27, 2020

Question: … Dear Sir, … Years ago, when I worked in the UAE, I borrowed some money through visa cards; I was never able to settle such debts; I left the UAE years ago; I do not own enough money now to settle such debts and their interest rates; I feel ashamed of myself for not being able to settle such debts; I fear that in my old age now, I may die soon without being able to settle such debts. Shall I travel to the UAE once more, with the little money I have, and surrender to the police there to get imprisoned so that I have a clear conscience? What piece of advice can you offer me? … Thank you …

Answer:

 Being imprisoned is never a solution to your problem. Your good intentions to settle the debts are enough to ease your conscience; the Lord God knows you have no money to settle such a debt; yet, imploring and supplicating to Him for a way out may help you. You might get enough money to settle such debts later on: "With hardship comes ease." (94:5). In Islam, creditors should wait for those who cannot afford to settle their debts.

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About the Quranic Verse 17:62

Published in August 2, 2020

Question: … Dear Sir, … What is meant by the underlined terms in this Quranic verse: "He said, “Do You see this one whom You have honored more than me? If You reprieve me until the Day of Resurrection, I will bring his descendants under my sway, except for a few.”" (17:62)? … Thank you …

Answer:

 Of course, in 17:62, the Lord God quotes what Satan/Iblis said; Satan vowed to take most of human beings (i.e., descendants of Adam) with him in Hell; this means He and his devils will control them totally or have them under their sway/authority when they will obey such devils. In fact, 17:62 is explained in the very next verses: "He said, “Be gone! Whoever of them follows you - Hell is your reward, an ample reward.” “And entice whomever of them you can with your voice, and rally against them your cavalry and your infantry, and share with them in wealth and children, and make promises to them.” But Satan promises them nothing but delusion. “As for My servants, you have no authority over them.” Your Lord is Enough as a Guardian." (17:63-65). The same meaning is repeated here: "“Over My servants you have no authority, except for the sinners who follow you.”" (15:42); "When you read the Quran, seek refuge in God from Satan the outcast. He has no authority over those who believe and trust in their Lord. His authority is only over those who follow him, and those polytheists who believe in him." (16:98-100).

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About Huzayfah Ibn Al-Yamman

Published in August 10, 2020

Question: … Dear Sir, … Since you are a historian, I'd like to pose a question to you about Huzayfah Ibn Al-Yamman; did he knew that Abou Bakr, Omar, and Othman conspired to murder Muhammad? Why he never swore allegiance/fealty to them as caliphs, then? … Thank you …

Answer:

 We do believe that such are nonsensical stories/myths invented in the Abbasid Era; long decades after the death of the companion Huzayfah Ibn Al-Yamman, many hadiths-inventors and fabricators used his name (supposedly as a narrator of hadiths and of history) to give false credibility to their lies/myths/narratives/hadiths. Of course, Huzayfah Ibn Al-Yamman never knew the names of those adamant in hypocrisy; they were never known to Muhammad himself as per 9:101. Of course, we assume that some of the authors of false accounts about Huzayfah Ibn Al-Yamman are his own descendants.  

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About the Quranic Verse 27:61

Published in August 12, 2020

Question: … Dear Sir, … What is meant by the underlined word here: "...and placed a partition between the two seas?..." (27:61)? … Thank you …   

Answer:

  The term partition (or Barsakh/barrier) in 27:61 (which comes in the context 27:59-64 about proving the fact that there is no God but Allah) refers to separating fresh, drinkable water of rivers from the salt water of seas (where river water reaches eventually). This is a miracles scientific indication; science tells us now that there are fresh water rivers inside the depths of oceans of salt water and both types of water are separated invisibly. The same meaning of 27:61 is repeated here: "And it is He who merged the two seas; this one fresh and sweet, and that one salty and bitter; and He placed between them a barrier/Barsakh, and an impassable boundary." (25:53); "He merged the two seas, converging together. Between them is a barrier/Barsakh, which they do not overrun." (55:19-20).

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About the Quranic Verse 47:4

Published in July 29, 2020

Question: … Dear Sir, … What is meant by the underline term in the following Quranic phrase: "...Then, when you have routed them..." (47:4)? … Thank you …        

Answer:

 It means engaging into fierce self-defense fighting until the military aggressors/enemies retreat or run away; this is mentioned once more in the Quranic text here: "It is not for a prophet to take captives before he has routed enemies in the land..." (8:67).

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About Job in the Bible and in the Quran

Published in August 10, 2020

Question: … Dear Sir, … I was discussing the Quranic story of Job with a Christian friend who told me about how it is narrated in the Bible's Old Testament; such questions are raised:..................... What do you think?   … Thank you …      

Answer:

 Firstly, do not talk about any Quranic stories or legislations with any of the People of the Book lest they would ridicule them and you would be a sinner for listening to them mocking the Holy Quran. Secondly, do not preach Quranism outside the circle of the Muhammadans. Thirdly, you should never believe in Biblical stories; the Bible is never inspired by the Lord God. Lastly, the Quranic stories aim at making us draw moral lessons; their focus is never on too much details, names, places...etc.; they are never the source of legislations in Islam. The moral lesson to be drawn from the Quranic story of Job is to adhere to patience in times of prolonged ordeals.

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A Blessing in Disguise?

Published in August 12, 2020

Question: … Dear Sir, … She was an excellent teacher; she is married and have grownup sons and daughters; yet, ten years ago, she was taken ill by a serious and rare disease in her brain; she has lost her memory now; she never remembers her job, her husband, and her children; she only remembers her life before marriage and before her job and her life now after she recovered from her long coma; she cannot remember the names of her husband and her children; she considers her husband as her brother and she calls him by the name of her late elder brother! When anyone talks to her about her husband and children, she gets mad and says she is still a virgin maiden! Years ago, when her husband approached her for sex, she screamed and made a scene, saying that a strange man tried to rape her! She rarely talks to anyone now; she only prays and reads the Quran a lot; we rarely understand her murmurs now! We feel very sorry for her ordeal of which she is never aware; it is a hopeless case; no medical doctors can cure her; this means she will die one day while she suffers a loss of memory. What do you think of such a case, Dr. Mansour?!  … Thank you …      

Answer:

 This is a blessing in disguise; sometimes, bounties come while dressed in the form of calamities and distress and ordeals come while dressed in the form of bounties. Every blessing is a mixed blessing. The winners who pass the tests/ordeals of life are those who adhere to patience and are thankful to their Lord God; those who reject/resent and disbelieve and lose their faith are losers in the Hereafter. What happened to this woman is a blessing in disguise since she prays and reads the Quran as her usual habits in her previous life; this indicates her deep piety even before her ailment. This is a blessing even if she dies sooner or later since she will commit no sins like ordinary people; we implore the Lord God to accept this woman (and accept her good deeds and acts of worship) in Paradise in the Hereafter.

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We Never Care about Them!

Published in August 13, 2020

Question:  … Dear Sir, …  I would like to notify you about the vital importance of adding a new section or corner/column to refute the lies ascribed to you, within the cyberspace, by haters of Quranism; they pretend to be Quranists and ascribe to your ideas which contradict the Holy Quran! You never expressed such ideas at all in your videos or writings! The propagators of such lies desire to tarnish your reputation and to repel others from exploring your great Quranism website and from watching your videos! Why do not you refute their lies about you?!  … Thank you …      

Answer:

 Thank you for notifying our person; may the Lord God bless and reward you. We are quite aware of what haters of Quranism publish online about our person. We never care about them. We never care to refute our foes who slander our person even if they pretend to be Quranists. The reason: our views are published on our website (www.ahl-alquran.com) and also within our YouTube subtitled-into-English videos (https://www.youtube.com/user/ahlalquran1/videos?view=0&sort=dd&flow=list). Seekers of Quranism will find our views easily; we are responsible only for our own views; they are recorded in our Book of Deeds; this applies to each person, of course. Hence, the inveterate liars who ascribe lies to our person are responsible for their sin and will be judged by the Lord God. One's lifetime is too short to be wasted; we will never care to refute the views of our foes about our person; they may unwittingly (i.e., unbeknownst to them) propagate Quranism indirectly by making curious people eager to explore our Quranism website. This may increase the number of Quranists. Seekers of guidance (i.e., those who seek True Islam: Quranism) will be guided by Allah Who will increase their guidance when they choose to embrace the Quran-only Islam which is the Only True Islam. Those who insist on being misguided will remain so and Allah will increase their misguidance; no one can guide them however hard one tries to do so.     

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May Allah Bless and Reward you

Published in August 13, 2020

Question: … Dear Sir, … I came across your great Quranism website weeks ago and it has already changed my religious views to the better; I continue reading your writings and I will go on with watching your great YouTube videos; I am a 37-year-old man; I am glad to have found what True Islam really is. I am overjoyed! I seize this opportunity of writing to you to thank you for what you are. Do not be saddened for having to leave our beloved Egypt; please do not be overcome with sorrow for being severely persecuted by some men of Al-Azhar! I do believe that Allah makes your Quranist call reach as many people as possible from among those who seek the Truth in the religious sense of the term. I take pride in being a Quranist Muslim. I ardently hope that I will meet with you and with the rest of Quranists in Paradise.................    … Thank you …   

Answer:

 You are more than welcome to our YouTube channel and to our Quranism website. The likes of you who send us such a type of messages warm our heart and assure us that our peaceful, intellectual jihad of religious reform is bearing fruit. Thank you and may the Lord God bless and reward you. 

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 The Interpretation of Events by Joseph

Published in August 13, 2020

Question: … Dear Sir, … In the Quranic Chapter 12, the expression (the interpretation of events) is mentioned about Joseph and his ability (granted to him by Allah) to interpret dreams; my question is as follows: Why the term (events) is mentioned in 12:6, 12:21, & 12:101 and not the term (dreams)? Yet, the term (dreams) is mentioned in 12:44. Any ideas? … Thank you …     

Answer:

 The term (events) here is a general, umbrella-term which refers to both dreams/visions and narratives/incidents; e.g., in prison, Joseph predicted to his two cell mates the type of food served to them each day as per 12:37.

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Settling Debts & Written Will

Published in August 11, 2020

Question: …  Dear Sir, … I read your view about when someone dies, his/her Book of Deeds is closed/sealed forever and no one can add to it. I have my own debts, and in my old age, I am afraid I might die before settling such debts; is it OK that I write my will and testament that my sons and brothers would settle such debts after my death? What is your own view? …  Thank you …        

Answer:

 Before inheritance money is shared/distributed among the inheritors, debts of a deceased person must be settled first and his/her written will and testimony must be executed. Settling the debts of a deceased person is the responsibility of inheritors and not the deceased person whether he/she left a written will concerning this or not. Of course, written will and testament is part of the deeds recorded in the Book of Deeds. It is OK for you, then, to do what you propose in your message. May the Lord God bless you.

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Charity/Zakat Is from Surplus

Published in July 30, 2020

Question: … Dear Sir, … My divorced female friend has three kids and her ex-husband never gives her a penny for their kids (the eldest is 11 years old); her salary is 500 US$ and she rented her house for 150 US$ a month and she lives with her father; prices are soaring and the standard of living is deteriorating in her country (which suffers a civil war); the question posed to you, via my message here, is from her mother; it is as follows: Would she pay Zakat/charity to her own daughter and her kids? If so, how much? or is it preferable to pay Zakat/charity for those refugees who live in tents? Any ideas? …  Thank you …

Answer:

 Of course, it is OK to pay Zakat for both her daughter and refugees; she can provide the basic needs for her needy daughter and needy grandchildren without extravagance; the surplus of the Zakat money can be given to refugees. Charity/Zakat in general is from the surplus of one's (low or high) income.

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Asking Allah to Pardon Hypocrites

Published in August 7, 2020

Question: … Dear Sir, … The Quranic context 9:80-84 indicates that Muhammad had asked Allah many times to forgive the hypocrites but Allah has prohibited him from doing so anymore; yet, some Sunnites assume that this is an indicator for the alleged role of Muhammad on the Last Day as the 'Grand Intercessor' for true Muslims; what do you think? Any ideas? …  Thank you …

Answer:

 This is not true; there are no human intercessors on the Last Day; the intercessors of good souls are the two angels who carry one's record/book of good deeds upon resurrection: "And every soul will come forward, accompanied by a driver and a witness." (50:21). As for the Quranic context 9:80-84 you refer to, it means that some hypocrites arrogantly refused to repent in public and confess their guilt to Muhammad to make him implore the Lord God to forgive them and to accept their repentance; the Omniscient Lord God exposes their true stance as arrogant disbelievers; see 63:1-6, and please ponder deeply on this verse: "It is the same for them, whether you ask forgiveness for them, or do not ask forgiveness for them; God will not forgive them. God does not guide the sinful people." (63:6); in fact, we have mentioned this a lot in previous fatwas and articles. Please read more within our archive before posing repeated questions.

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No Slavery in Islam

Published in August 7, 2020

Question: … Dear Sir, … Why did conquering Arabs rape/copulate with enslaved females after battles of invasion instead of marrying them? …  Thank you …

Answer:

 Slavery/enslavement has nothing to do with Islam; rape and illicit sex you have mentioned in your message are grave sins/injustices prohibited in Islam; please read our book, in English, titled (Slavery: A Fundamental Historical Overview) found on this link:

http://ahl-alquran.com/arabic/book_main.php?main_id=87

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Fortunetellers and Soothsayers

Published in August 8, 2020

Question: … Dear Sir, … I know your view about never to believe in words of fortunetellers and soothsayers since the future is known only to the Omniscient Lord God; yet, what if their predictions come true? What is your view about some of their predictions which actually have come true?  …  Thank you … 

Answer:

 Of course, human beings have a passion for trying to know the future; they never cease to seek predictions; this applies to some rulers, kings, cultured people, and even the masses. Some deceivers phrase their so-called predictions in a vague manner and strange choice of symbolic diction so that many interpretations might be possible. This means understanding such 'predictions' is up to each person and as per one's culture and knowledge. Away from such myths and nonsense, some predictions, especially in politics and in human behavior, are based on givens and scientific facts. In politics, within Central Intelligence of each country, there are people who predict behaviors and reactions of rulers/tyrants based on previous experiences and precedents. This is not linked to fortunetelling at all. Of course, similarly, one can easily predict behaviors and reactions in the planet of the Muhammadans based on the available knowledge of their culture, history, traditions, earthly religions...etc. This is OK within political articles and analyses we write; we always trace events (which occur in the planet of the Muhammadans) back to their historical roots. This makes one understand the contexts and causes of many phenomena.

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About Deifying Muhammad

Published in August 9, 2020

Question: … Dear Sir, … What about the phrase (Peace and blessings be upon him)? Is it employed to worship/glorify Muhammad as a deity or not? Any ideas? … Thank you …    

Answer:

 As for the phrase (Peace and blessings be upon him), we refer readers to our English article found on this link:

http://www.ahl-alquran.com/English/show_article.php?main_id=14140

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Do Not Waste Your Time with Them!

Published in August 8, 2020

Question: … Dear Sir,  … I feel like Don Quixote who in vain fought windmills! Whenever I preach Quranism, through social media networks, and question and refute Sunnite ideas to anyone, no one seems interested! Many people severed their relation with me! I feel very sorry for them! I feel saddened since I could not convince even a single soul with Quranism as the Only True Islam; what shall I do? Any advice?!  … Thank you …    

Answer:

 Please save your breath and do not waste more of your precious time with them. The Muhammadans hate the Quranic facts and they feel aversion towards the Quranic verses which contradict their myths. Please remember these Quranic verses about when disbelief controls souls/hearts of polytheists: "The worst of animals to God are the deaf and dumb - those who do not reason. Had God recognized any good in them, He would have made them hear; and had He made them hear, they would have turned away defiantly." (8:22-23); "If only you could see, when they are made to stand before the Fire; they will say, “If only we could be sent back, and not reject the Verses of our Lord, and be among the faithful.” What they used to conceal before will become clear to them. And even if they were sent back, they would revert to what they were forbidden. They are liars." (6:27-28); "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).

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Prayers in the Streets of European Cities!

Published in August 10, 2020

Question: … Dear Sir, …  What do you think of the silly Sunnite habit of leaving mosques empty to perform prayers in the streets of Arab cities and even European cities?! This is never part of religious freedom! Why would the West tolerate this?! … Thank you  …  

Answer:

 Such silly habit has nothing to do with Islam; such Sunnite ignoramuses annoy passers-by and hinder cars from passing in streets for no reason; this is not to mention the loudspeakers which irritate the poor ears of everyone. It is illogical to leave houses of worship empty to pray in the streets! This is a showoff of false piety by hypocrites; there is a political motive for this by Salafists/Wahabis, we think. Salafists/Wahabis tend to display (to any governments) their control of their 'herd' or their gullible masses of followers. When I saw videos of Sunnite Muhammadans praying in the streets of European cities, we felt disgusted by them and we were furious though we are by nature a peaceful person with a stolidly calm disposition. Of course, such prayers performed in public before eyes of onlookers are devilish prayers performed by hypocrites; see our book titled (Between the Quranic Prayers of Muslims and the Devilish Prayers of the Muhammadans).  

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Muhammad Is Never an Intercessor

Published in September 27, 2007

Question: … Dear Sir, …  Some Sunnites assume that since Muhammad's missions in the Quranic text includes imploring the Lord God to forgive those around him in Arabia, this means he will act as a 'grand intercessor' for the 'Umma' on the Judgment Day; what is your own view of that? … Thank you …

Answer:

 Of course, Muhammad and any human souls will never intercede on behalf of any other souls on the Last Day. There is no Umma for Muhammad or any mortals at all. We refer readers who seek more details to our English book titled (Intercession between Islam and the Muhammadans) found on this link:

http://ahl-alquran.com/arabic/book_main.php?main_id=119

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The Arrangement of Quranic Chapters & Verses

Published in December 8, 2007

Question: … Dear Sir, …  I wonder who put the Quranic Chapters and verses in such order. Was it Muhammad or someone else? What about the Azharite arrangement of verses as per the apparently chronological order of the revelation of verses? What about how to know if a verse descended in Mecca or in Yathreb? Any ideas?....... The Sunnite books have contradictory answers to my questions:....................... … Thank you …  

Answer:

 Please do not waste your time reading Sunnite books of any kind. The Lord God Himself has arranged the entirety of the Quranic text the way we read it now shortly before the death of Muhammad. The so-called Azharite order/arrangement of verses is nonsensical and has nothing to do with Islam. Of course, the arrangement of verses and the unique style of writing of some words in the Holy Quran is part of the numerical miracles of the Holy Quran. We refer you to our book titled (Meccan Revelation and Yathrebian Revelation in the Holy Quran).