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(Q). You earlier in your speech, quoted a Verse from the Qur'an, that actually its not only the moon which moves, but it is also the sun… and science has proved, that sun moves alright. But this seems to be, regarding the earlier belief, that the earth is round alright - but all the heavenly bodies, are going round the earth… including the sun. The geo-centric theory… you know that all the stars, sun, and the moon, go round the earth… and the earth is the centre of everything - This seems to be implying that… is n it not?
(Ans.) A very good question, the brother has asked. That’s why for more details, I said… You refer to my video cassette - “Qur'an and Modern Science – Conflict or conciliation” Part I & II. It’s a four hour cassette, which took place in Bombay. The chair person is saying that… (Be brief). It is difficult to be brief and convince, and the brother has rightly said…There was a theory… which was propounded by Tolommy - I am giving the name of the person by Tolommy… 2nd century B.C., which believed in the theory of Goecentrism. Geocentrism means, the earth was the centre of the universe, and all the planets including the sun, revolved round the earth - which the Qur'an completely contradicts. In fact, what I quoted from the Verse of the Holy Qur'an was brother, from Surah Al-Anbiya, Ch. No. 21, V. No. 33… (Arabic)…. That it is Allah, who has created the nights and the day…. (Arabic)…. each one travelling in a orbit, with its own motion. It says that… The sun and the moon is travelling in a orbit… orbit means revolving - with its own motion means… rotating. Yasbahun is an Arabic word, describing the motion of a moving body for a celestial body. It is rotating… it revolving and rotating. No where does the Qur'an say that… The sun and moon revolves, around the earth. Today the science has advanced - that is on old theory, which has been proved wrong. Today science tells us that… The sun solar system… of the solar system - sun is the centre. The planets Mercury, Earth, Venus - all one revolving. But the solar system on its own - the solar system is also revolving round, in the galaxy. If you know brother, that is the latest theory... That even the solar system is revolving around a point in the galaxy, and even the galaxy is revolving point in the universe. So the Qur'an does not say, that the sun and moon is revolving round the sun - which Tasnema Nasreen has misinterpreted. She says that… The Qur'an says that the sun, revolves round the earth. There is not a single statement - that is a misinterpretation. The Qur'an says that… The sun and moon, revolve and rotate. It doesn’t say… Around the earth - That is she is adding the own. Previously, when I was in school, I was thought that the sun revolves… it does not rotate - it was stationery. Today, with the help of an equipment, you can have the image of the sun, on the table top. Since we can look at the sun directly, you can have the image of the sun, on the table top - And we have come to know, that the sun has got black spots. And it takes approximately 25 days for these black spots, to complete one rotation - indicating, the sun takes 25 days to complete one rotation. So what science tells… proves today, in school I didn’t knew this. What science has proved today… that the sun rotates and revolves. Qur'an has mentioned this, 1400 years ago. There is not a single statement in the Holy Qur'an, which goes against established science. There may be theories which go against the Qur'an -Theories like Darwins Theory, which has been proved wrong. But theories… Not a single scientific fact, which has been established, which goes against a single Verse of the Holy Qur'an. Hope that satisfies for brother
(Ans.) A very good question, the brother has asked. That’s why for more details, I said… You refer to my video cassette - “Qur'an and Modern Science – Conflict or conciliation” Part I & II. It’s a four hour cassette, which took place in Bombay. The chair person is saying that… (Be brief). It is difficult to be brief and convince, and the brother has rightly said…There was a theory… which was propounded by Tolommy - I am giving the name of the person by Tolommy… 2nd century B.C., which believed in the theory of Goecentrism. Geocentrism means, the earth was the centre of the universe, and all the planets including the sun, revolved round the earth - which the Qur'an completely contradicts. In fact, what I quoted from the Verse of the Holy Qur'an was brother, from Surah Al-Anbiya, Ch. No. 21, V. No. 33… (Arabic)…. That it is Allah, who has created the nights and the day…. (Arabic)…. each one travelling in a orbit, with its own motion. It says that… The sun and the moon is travelling in a orbit… orbit means revolving - with its own motion means… rotating. Yasbahun is an Arabic word, describing the motion of a moving body for a celestial body. It is rotating… it revolving and rotating. No where does the Qur'an say that… The sun and moon revolves, around the earth. Today the science has advanced - that is on old theory, which has been proved wrong. Today science tells us that… The sun solar system… of the solar system - sun is the centre. The planets Mercury, Earth, Venus - all one revolving. But the solar system on its own - the solar system is also revolving round, in the galaxy. If you know brother, that is the latest theory... That even the solar system is revolving around a point in the galaxy, and even the galaxy is revolving point in the universe. So the Qur'an does not say, that the sun and moon is revolving round the sun - which Tasnema Nasreen has misinterpreted. She says that… The Qur'an says that the sun, revolves round the earth. There is not a single statement - that is a misinterpretation. The Qur'an says that… The sun and moon, revolve and rotate. It doesn’t say… Around the earth - That is she is adding the own. Previously, when I was in school, I was thought that the sun revolves… it does not rotate - it was stationery. Today, with the help of an equipment, you can have the image of the sun, on the table top. Since we can look at the sun directly, you can have the image of the sun, on the table top - And we have come to know, that the sun has got black spots. And it takes approximately 25 days for these black spots, to complete one rotation - indicating, the sun takes 25 days to complete one rotation. So what science tells… proves today, in school I didn’t knew this. What science has proved today… that the sun rotates and revolves. Qur'an has mentioned this, 1400 years ago. There is not a single statement in the Holy Qur'an, which goes against established science. There may be theories which go against the Qur'an -Theories like Darwins Theory, which has been proved wrong. But theories… Not a single scientific fact, which has been established, which goes against a single Verse of the Holy Qur'an. Hope that satisfies for brother
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(Q) If God is One, He has sent lot of messengers to this world. If Islam believes in the messenger called Moses (pbuh), Christianity also believes that Moses one of His Prophets, too. Know… Moses the Prophet, wrote the book of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. In these books of laws, he has revealed more this humanity. Both Islam and Christianity claim that Moses is their Prophet. In his revelation, he has got 10 Commandments, in the books of Exodus Ch. No. 20, V. No. 3 to 17. It is very well written that... ‘The Lord is the Almighty Creator’. My question is within this frame. Which is verse no. 8, Exodus, Ch. No. 20, V. No. 8 which says… Remember the sabbath day, to keep it Holy… which the Lord has created the entire world in six days, and on seventh day, He tested. If Islam claims… Moses to be the Prophet, and Christianity claims those, Moses as the Prophet … why so indifference in the Revelation? Could you please answer?
(Ans) Brother has asked a very good question - I would love to answer each and every point. He has spoken a few sentences, in which I believe there are ten questions for me. But then, Nawab Sahab is saying… (The co-ordinator is saying… Be brief). Its difficult I am a student of comparative Religion. I have studied the Bible, I have studied the Vedas, and the Bhagvadgita, the Qur'an, and I love taking discussions, to come to know the truth. Jesus Christ (pubh) said… Seeketh the truth, and the truth shall….. Brother… he quoted…. he said that… (something is missing) The ten Commandments, are mentioned in Exodus, Ch. No. 20, V. No. 38. He didn’t quote the first few verses - I’ll quote the first few verses. If you read the Exodus, Ch. No. 20, V. No. 2, says… Thou shalt have no other God besides Him. Thou shalt not make any graven things of thee, of the likeness in the heavens above, in the earth beneath, and the water beneath the earth. Thou shalt not serve them, nor bow down to them, for thy God, is the jealous God. Who says that?… the same Exodus which gave the quotation - but you jumped to verse No. 8, directly. The first few verses say that… Thou shalt make no graven image of thee, of the likeness of thee, in the heavens above, on the earth - for their God, is a jealous God. You cannot bow down to anyone, nor worship them - same as Islam…same as Hinduism - no images, no idol worship, worship only, one true God . Jesus Christ (pbuh) said the same thing, that Moses (pbuh) said, in the book of Deuteronomy, Ch. No. 6, V. No. 47 in Hebrew)…Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. Coming to the main question… there were many questions in it - Time doesn’t permit me to answer all. The main question is - Why is the difference of Sabbath(revelation)? See… I do agree, that the Jews, they believe that Saturday was the Sabbath, and Jesus Christ (pbuh) mentioned in the Gospel of Mathews - you are a Pastor… you must be knowing Gospel of Mathews, Ch. No. 5, V. No. 17 to 20… I think - Not that I have come to destroy the law and Prophet but to fulfill. Jesus Christ (pbuh) is speaking in the Bible in the New Testament, in Gospel of Mathews, Ch. No. 5, that… Think not that I have come to destroy, the laws and Prophet. I have come not destroy but to fulfill. So unless the heavens and the earth pass away, not one got or title shall pass away from the law, until all be fulfilled. So whosoever shall break one of the least Commandments, and teach men do so, he will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. And whosoever shall teach the Commandment… teach others to do so, will be called great in the Kingdom of heaven. Pastor… its from King James Version… it’s a verbatim quotation. That unless your righteousness, exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and the Pharases, in no way you shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven. So Jesus Christ (pbuh) said that… If a Christian, has to be a good Christian, he should follow each and every law of the Torah - Whatever Moses said… they have to follow, verbatim. Even if one jot or a title, if they break… they will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Who said that? - Jesus Christ (pbuh) said that. So that’s the question for the Christian - Why don’t they observe Saturday, as the Holy day?…You have to ask the Christians. That’s the law Jesus Christ (pbuh) thaught… that I have not come to destroy the laws and the Prophet, but I have come to fulfill. Now when Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) came he didn’t say that. The Qur'an says in Surah Baqarah, Ch. No. 2, V. No. 106, We have sent Revelations, We have given Ayaats, but We substitute things which are better or similar. The Qur'an believes that Moosa Ale-salam was a Prophet of God Almighty, the Qur'an believes that Isa, Jesus Christ ( pbuh) was a Prophet of Almighty God. Islam is the only Non-Christian faith, which makes it an article to believe in Jesus Christ (pbuh).We believe, that he was one of the mightiest messengers of Allah (SWT). We believe, that he was born miraculously, without any male intervention… which many modern day Christians today, do not believe. We believe, that Jesus Christ (pbuh), he gave life to the dead, with Gods permission. We believe, that he healed those born blind and lepers, with God’s permission - We are together. But what we believe, as I said earlier…All the previous messengers, they only came for a particular group of people. For example, the Qur'an says in Surah Al-Imran, Ch. No. 3, V. No. 49, that… Isa Ale-Salam, was sent as a messenger to the Bani Israel… to the children of Israel. Jesus Christ (pbuh) says in the Gospel of Mathews, Ch. No. 10, V. No. 5 to 6, he tells his twelve disciples… Go ye, not in the way of gentiles. Who were the Gentiles? - the Non-Jews, the Hindus, the Muslims, the Christians. Jesus Christ (pbuh) said… Go ye not in to the way of gentiles… enter ye not in to the city of the Samaritans, but rather go to the lost sheep of Israel. Jesus Christ (pbuh) says, in the Gospel of Mathews Ch. No. 15, V. No. 24, I have not been sent, but to the lost sheep of Israel. That means… Jesus Christ (pbuh), came only for the Jews - not for the other humanity. Who says that? - Jesus Christ (pbuh) says that - its mentioned in the Bible. But Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)… (Arabic)... That We have sent thee not, but as a mercy to the whole of humanity. So whatever revelations Mohammad Sallalah-u-Alayhiwassalam received, it need not be the same, as of the previous Revelation - the basic message is the same. The basic message brother… is the same - that believe in one God…You don’t do idol worship. But the basic is same… laws may change - The laws… the superficial laws may change. The Jew does it on Saturday… Christian does it on Sunday. I don’t know why? Jesus Christ (pbuh) said… You can’t break a single law. Mohammed Sallalu-Alayhiwassalam… to show that they are different… we one differtent, from the so called Jews and Christians of that are today. Because what we say, that…Isa Alaysalam, he did not teach Christianity… he teach nothing but Islam. The word Christian is a nick name, given by the enemies of Christ - Its mentioned in the Bible, in the Book of Acts. The Pastor may be knowing - It’s the Book of New testament…It’s the Book of Acts. The enemies of Christians, nick named the follower of Christ, as Christian. Its an abuse given to them… which is held on today. But the Holy Qur'an says in Surah Al-Imran, Ch. No. 3, V. No. 52, that… Jesus Christ was a Muslim. Qur'an says in Surah Al-Imran, Ch. No. 3, V. No. 67, he was not a Jew or a Christian but he was a Muslim. So what law Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) brought… the basic message, is the same… Believing one God, don’t do idol worship, same the superficiality. So that human race, when it reached a certain level, Allah (SWT)… God Almighty, thought it fit, that they can receive the final message. After this no other Messenger will come, no other law will come… and todays law, is the most practical law. For example, Moses (pbuh) said… An eye for an eye, an a tooth for a tooth - that’s a very good law… that time. People didn’t have court… like they have today - like the Judge sitting. Anyone take somebodys eye… you take his eye. And, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth - that was the law. Jesus Christ (pbuh), another spiritual person, another messenger of Allah (SWT). Its mentioned in the Gospel of Matthews, Ch. No. 5, V. No. 32 to 40, It is said of the old times, that an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you… whosoever slaps your one cheek, offer him the other. Whosoever asks you for a shirt, give him your cloak. If he asks you to walk for one mile, walk two miles . It’s a remedy… it’s a remedy - that people took it literally. That… if a person playing with a Kati, if he hurts somebodys eye… but natural its by mistake. You can’t take that eye of that person, who by mistake hurt your eye. So Jesus Christ brought a remedy, which was right at that time. Today… depends upon the situation. If he hurts you actually, without a cause or reason - you can take back, you can teach him a lesson. But if its by mistake, you should have a court of law - what is a right…what is wrong. So the law kept on changing, depending upon the situation. This Holy Qur'an, is the last and final Revelation, which will live till eternity, and you can it prove practically, today. Hope that answers your questions.
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(Q)Qur'an says…Allah is most Merciful - its also prescribed later on that the find of very severe punishment -So is He revengeful God…is he a revengeful God, or is He a Merciful God ?
(Ans) Brother as iled a good question…I have understood the question.I am in the field I have understood the question. The brother has asked a question, that the Qur'an says -Allah (SWT) is Rahman-o-Rahim…most Merciful, most Gracious -then why does He give punishment…you know, revengeful or horrifying God, etc. And you have punishments, as I said… Capital punishment for rape, in this world. Some punishment would be… put in the hell fire, etc. The thing that you should realise brother, that Allah (SWT), is a Merciful God at the same time, He is a Just God…both, Just and Merciful -the Qur'an gives 99 different attributes. For e.g. if someone commits rape, Qur'an …you cannot say that God is so merciful, God let the rapists go free. That is not a Merciful God…that is an unjust God. What about the person…the lady which was raped… you let him so free. Science tells us today, that a person who commits rape…one again when he goes in the society, 95% times he will commit a rape again. People say that…First give him 5 years imprisonment, and second time…death penalty. Statistics today tell of America that… 95% when a person commits rape, when he goes in the society, he again commits rape. So Allah (SWT) is Merciful and Just, at the same time. Allah is Just, to the lady who was raped. Allah is even Merciful to that man -he will commit a rape again -It is bad for him…committing rape. Similarly if you rob, the Qur'an says…Chopping of the hands -You call it a very ruthless law… Oh…Islam is very ruthless -Chopping of hands. First Islam says…The system of Zakah. As I said, every rich person should give 2.5 % of excess wealth, to poor people. After that, if some one robs, then…chopping off the hands. Surah Maidah, Ch.5, V. 38, says that…As per the thief, be it a man or a woman, chop off his or her hands, as a punishment from Allah (SWT).People will think that, every second person you will come across in Saudi Arabia, will have his or her hands dropped off. I have been to Saudi Arabia…I did not come across a single person, with this hands chopped off. There will be few people -but I have not come across them -It is not as common as it seems. If you implement the Shariah in America today, that every person…rich person should give Zakat and charity, and after that, if any one robs chop of the hand -Will the rate of crime in America…will it increase?…will it remain the same?…or will it decrease? - It will decrease. So Allah (SWT), is Merciful at the same time… Just - And He is very careful, in taking of accounts. All three…all three can only come together, if a person seeks for the justice of the whole of humanity. Overall… to the humanity, He is merciful or not…to stop rape? It is merciful, or not?…It is merciful. So if you say…No let the people enjoy -today you'll 1,000 rapes…tommorow 10,000 daily, and it will keep on increasing. So, this law of Allah (SWT), is Merciful to the whole of humankind - not only for a particular group of people -or only permission for Saudi Arabia or for Americans -It is Merciful, for the whole of humanity. That is why, these punishments have been kept -so that even they improve, and benefit to the whole of human kind. Hope that answers your question.
(Ans) Brother as iled a good question…I have understood the question.I am in the field I have understood the question. The brother has asked a question, that the Qur'an says -Allah (SWT) is Rahman-o-Rahim…most Merciful, most Gracious -then why does He give punishment…you know, revengeful or horrifying God, etc. And you have punishments, as I said… Capital punishment for rape, in this world. Some punishment would be… put in the hell fire, etc. The thing that you should realise brother, that Allah (SWT), is a Merciful God at the same time, He is a Just God…both, Just and Merciful -the Qur'an gives 99 different attributes. For e.g. if someone commits rape, Qur'an …you cannot say that God is so merciful, God let the rapists go free. That is not a Merciful God…that is an unjust God. What about the person…the lady which was raped… you let him so free. Science tells us today, that a person who commits rape…one again when he goes in the society, 95% times he will commit a rape again. People say that…First give him 5 years imprisonment, and second time…death penalty. Statistics today tell of America that… 95% when a person commits rape, when he goes in the society, he again commits rape. So Allah (SWT) is Merciful and Just, at the same time. Allah is Just, to the lady who was raped. Allah is even Merciful to that man -he will commit a rape again -It is bad for him…committing rape. Similarly if you rob, the Qur'an says…Chopping of the hands -You call it a very ruthless law… Oh…Islam is very ruthless -Chopping of hands. First Islam says…The system of Zakah. As I said, every rich person should give 2.5 % of excess wealth, to poor people. After that, if some one robs, then…chopping off the hands. Surah Maidah, Ch.5, V. 38, says that…As per the thief, be it a man or a woman, chop off his or her hands, as a punishment from Allah (SWT).People will think that, every second person you will come across in Saudi Arabia, will have his or her hands dropped off. I have been to Saudi Arabia…I did not come across a single person, with this hands chopped off. There will be few people -but I have not come across them -It is not as common as it seems. If you implement the Shariah in America today, that every person…rich person should give Zakat and charity, and after that, if any one robs chop of the hand -Will the rate of crime in America…will it increase?…will it remain the same?…or will it decrease? - It will decrease. So Allah (SWT), is Merciful at the same time… Just - And He is very careful, in taking of accounts. All three…all three can only come together, if a person seeks for the justice of the whole of humanity. Overall… to the humanity, He is merciful or not…to stop rape? It is merciful, or not?…It is merciful. So if you say…No let the people enjoy -today you'll 1,000 rapes…tommorow 10,000 daily, and it will keep on increasing. So, this law of Allah (SWT), is Merciful to the whole of humankind - not only for a particular group of people -or only permission for Saudi Arabia or for Americans -It is Merciful, for the whole of humanity. That is why, these punishments have been kept -so that even they improve, and benefit to the whole of human kind. Hope that answers your question.
From Lecture "Focus on Islam" by Dr. Zakir Naik
