AL-HAJJ - EIDUL ADHA

MY UNDERSTANDING OF AL-HAJJ & EIDUL ADHA = عيد الأضحى – RETURN TO LIGHT FROM DARKNESS.

Eidul adha and Hajj is wrongly connected with 10th day of the "month of Zil Hajj of Islamic Calendar" thereby endorsing the Biblical parabolic story of Abraham sacrificing his son thus converting the symbolic parable into literal grand event of mass slaughtering of cattle and distribution of meat.

I have tried to analyze some terms in order to understand what Eid actually means; although the festival has nothing to do with the book Quran but still its significance is one of the backbone of Islamic theology. I will try to discuss this topic within the framework of the book Quran and try to unlock the true significance behind this festival by unraveling its real meaning.

Eid عيد means to return, come back or repeat - The triliteral root ʿayn wāw dāl (ع و د) occurs 63 times in the Quran, in six derived forms:


18 times as the form I verb ʿāda (عَادَ)

18 times as the form IV verb uʿīdu (أُعِيدُ)

24 times it is categorize as proper noun ʿād (عَاد)

once as the noun ʿīd (عِيد) - (5:114)

once as the noun maʿād (مَعَاد)

once as the active participle ʿāidūn (عَآئِدُون)


Adha الأضحى means his darkness became light or the road appeared or the road became apparent, under the sun. The triliteral root ḍād ḥā wāw (ض ح و) occurs seven times in the book Quran, in two derived forms:

once as the form I verb taḍḥā (تَضْحَىٰ)

six times as the nominal ḍuḥan (ضُحًى)


That means whenever we come out of darkness to light is Eidul Adha for us minus all the rituals connected to it.


BRIEF:

Eidul Adha is misinterpreted as Bakri Eid in the Indian subcontinent because too much time, energy and importance is given to slaughtering of cattles rather than conquering our own darkness. There is a strong belief among the label Muslims that slaughtering a healthy animal is a great act of sacrifice and on the day of Judgment that slaughtered cattle will carry the person who killed the poor cattle to easily cross the bridge [pool siraat] to the paradise [Jannah]. But the biggest beast or animal we need to sacrifice is our ego. The strong desire for paradise compels them to take the convenient path so it is much easier to slaughter the poor cattle in the name of sacrificing ritual. This mass killing of poor animal is considered as a great deed of sacrifice for God, actually the root of this ritual is found in Pre-Islamic Pagan rituals. 

Eidul Adha is a old Islamic Arabic term and has lot to do with Islamic theology. Although the word Eid is mentioned in the book Quran but not in the context of Eid festival, nevertheless Muslims all over the world enthusiastically celebrate it. The basic significance of عيد (Eid) is to come back to its original state, return, repeat, restore. Collectively Eidul Adha عيد الأضحى literally means to come back to light.

Retrieving back to our original state of mind is a tough task but it is also a moment of great achievement if we able to do it. When a child is born that is his / her original and foremost state. The child is born without any indoctrination or belief. He is not aware what is vanity, greed, fear and expectations. He knows no sadness, he is happy all the time, he cries because he does not know how to talk, crying is his only language which is universally understood. Through crying he conveys whether he is hungry or feeling uncomfortable, in it are the signs for the knowledgeable. One of the meanings of Bakkah in 3:96 is to cry, unable to speak, paucity of wealth, that's why it is called أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ. Gradually as we grow older we have been continuously smeared upon with layers of superficial information by parents, teachers and society at large. Because of this coating of layers of information our original script is lost or hidden from us. The result is we are lost in the whirlpool of information; in the process we forgot to connect with our embedded book / script [Al-Kitab]. In Quranic terminology such person becomes Kafir because his original script is hidden or covered with false information so he is denies, reject and is arrogant or in the state of darkness about the self. 

Hajj is all about Abraham who is Ummatan, Qanitan, Hanifan and is not a Mushrik nevertheless he is the main Imam un Naas [guide of agitated minds] who builds and Ismail cleans our house [طَهِّرَا بَيْتِيَ]. The house of Allah is our own mind, body and soul. Ibrahim is the Imam (guide) of our thinking mind (Naas). We cannot follow dead Imam for that our Imam must be alive and functioning.

The Hajj [repairing / restoration] is not possible without our Imam and Masjid e Haram [not mosque at Mecca] but our inherent institution of guidance which we must take as our Qibla [the direction with acceptance]. Wherever we be our 24x7 focused / attention should be on our Masjid e Haram (2:144). Our own mind, body and soul must be Masjid e Haram provided we keep it clean from impure thoughts. The chapter of repentance (Taubah) deals with the freedom or elimination from impure thoughts [al-mushrikeen] and not from "polytheist people"- This is the Great Hajj if we are able to repair or restore ourselves but I won't touch that topic for the reason of brevity.

When man starts to question his own beliefs and think by himself he begins to gradually get rid of all the superficial information and education that once had cluttered his mind. That gradual de-cluttering of mind and coming back on the original track of proper evolution is the real moment of ecstasy and feast for his own self. The real Al-Hajj is repairing of our own mind and coming back to the course or direction (musalla) of Ibrahim; who is the guide [Imam] and the course to follow [مُصَلًّى] for the agitated mind [جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا]. 

It is a belief among traditional Muslims that when they complete the rituals of Hajj they become like newborn babies. The original significance of Hajj is completely lost or ignored and they are satisfied enacting like babies by shaving their heads, wearing un-stitch loincloths, throwing stones at cement concrete walls assuming it to be satan, the root cause of all their sins. By completing this "magnum opus" ritual they feel a great sense of achievement.  

The moment of real Hajj is a great day for every an individual who have sacrificed their very precious time for achieving the path or the journey towards knowing / understanding his own consciousness [Rabb]. It has nothing to do with animal sacrifice or visiting Mecca. It is a moment of great achievement and celebration for individuals who prefer to walk in darkness to seek light or enlightenment. It is a day of sunshine when the darkness is slaughtered or the darkness is exposed to sun. It is the day / period or a moment of clarity of information and knowledge. This is the 12th and final evolutionary period in man’s life. This period is called Dhu'l-Hijjah / Zil Hajj - ذو الحجة - Dhū al-Ḥijjah ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة possessor or endowed with knowledge to repair, cure or probe his own self. Recognition [Arafat] of self is complete thus attaining the ground of enlightenment.

Zil = contextually it signifies long, touching the lower extremity, boldness, forwardness, proud, drag, carry himself or walk with elegance or posses competency, richness

Hajj = It’s an individual's journey or a path or pilgrimage towards correction or repairing of oneself…It is a journey of inquiry / probe / investigation or gathering of evidence or testimonies for a purpose proof for a final argument, so that it brings satisfaction to heart and mind.

Dhu'l-Hijjah / Zil Hajj - ذو الحجة means the period of long argument with competency or going to the base of an argument, stretching it to the ground level to prove a point until it is clear.


AL-HAJJ ACCORDING TO AL-QURAN:

وَأَذِّن فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَى كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ


22:27 And pay attention / listen [أَذِّن] in [فِي]the agitated mind [ النَّاسِ] with the intention of repairing / overcoming an arguments [Hajj]; they [thoughts] will come to you on their own strength [رِجَالًا] and with utmost conscience [ضَامِرٍ] ; they [thoughts] will come into existence from every depth of unripe path [فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ] -

According to the verse 22:27 is very clear that listening / calling our own inner voices in our own agitated / thinking mind [An-Naas] with the intention to repair or rebuilt our self is Al-Hajj. Every arguments or thoughts carry their own weight [رِجَالًا] and determination / conscience from various unknown path of knowledge. So according to the above ayaat the real Hajj is IN NAAS and not at Mecca, revolving around the cube structure dressed in black cloths.

رِجَالًا - A determination in mind to carry any task on its own strength, without any outside strength. 

ضَامِرٍ - Active participle - It cannot mean camel - A thing which is determine in your heart or mind, conscience, moral compass - ضمير

لِيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَّعْلُومَاتٍ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّن بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْبَائِسَ الْفَقِيرَ

22:28 That they may witness / experience benefits for themselves and always preserve in mind the lofty character of system of conscience [Allah] in the moments of knowledgeable information over what He has provided them from the path of confusion / difficult to express or understood [بَهِيمَةِ]. So use intellect from it and educate in order to transform [أَطْعِمُوا] the distressed and the one in need [Of Allah].

AL-SAFAA & AL-MARWAH

2:158 ۞ إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ۚ وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ

Indeed, the clarity [الصَّفَا] and the process of doubt [الْمَرْوَةَ] are from the  consciousness / amusic / poems [شَعَائِرِ] of System of Conscience [اللَّهِ]. So whoever repairs [حَجَّ] within the system of deep thoughts [حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ] or lives by it [اعْتَمَرَ] - there is no problem upon him that he circumvents [يَطَّوَّفَ] between both of them. And whoever voluntarily desire good - then indeed, Allah is appreciative and All Knowing.

When thoughts clearly understood and digested or accepted, some are confused doubts, these are feel of music or a flow of current runs through our nervous system, that feeling of stream of current is termed as شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ [poems/music / awareness of system of conscience by the book Quran. This happens when complete the Hajj al bayat is completed; i.e. repairing of our own thought process [حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ]


When something is clearly understood and digested the sensation of music runs through our nervous system, such feeling is termed as شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ by the Quran.


AL-HAJJ IS NEW DISCOVERY OF KNOWLEDGE:

2:189 ۞ يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْأَهِلَّةِ ۖ قُلْ هِيَ مَوَاقِيتُ لِلنَّاسِ وَالْحَجِّ ۗوَلَيْسَ الْبِرُّ بِأَن تَأْتُوا الْبُيُوتَ مِن ظُهُورِهَا وَلَـٰكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنِ اتَّقَىٰ ۗ وَأْتُوا الْبُيُوتَ مِنْ أَبْوَابِهَا ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ


They ask you, about the process of stripping off [old beliefs] . Say, "It is state of defining period for the agitated / restless minds and the reparation of thoughts [Al-Hajj]." And it is not righteousness to come to the house of thoughts from its exoteric background, but the righteousness is one who is diligent. And come to the house of thoughts from its proper way. And be cautious of Allah [system of consciousness] that you may succeed.

 الْأَهِلَّةِ - the process of removing something, stripped off, removing of cover,  passing off [month], separating darkness from light. In the above context الْأَهِلَّةِ is peeling-off of old beliefs or ideas or superficial knowledge for new knowledge and genuine ideas. 

2:190 وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ

Acquire complete knowledge in the Cause of the System of consciousness those who want to acquire complete knowledge and do not transgress. Indeed the system of consciousness does not like transgressors.

2:196 وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ ۚ فَإِنْ أُحْصِرْتُمْ فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ ۖ وَلَا تَحْلِقُوا رُءُوسَكُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ الْهَدْيُ مَحِلَّهُ ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ بِهِ أَذًى مِّن رَّأْسِهِ فَفِدْيَةٌ مِّن صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ ۚ فَإِذَا أَمِنتُمْ فَمَن تَمَتَّعَ بِالْعُمْرَةِ إِلَى الْحَجِّ فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ ۚ فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ فِي الْحَجِّ وَسَبْعَةٍ إِذَا رَجَعْتُمْ ۗ تِلْكَ عَشَرَةٌ كَامِلَةٌ ۗ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ لِمَن لَّمْ يَكُنْ أَهْلُهُ حَاضِرِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

And the complete transformation of self is Al-Hajj [overcoming the internal arguments for the sake of amending oneself] and Al-Umrah [the process of living by it] is only for Him [Consciousness]. But if you are blocked, then use whatever easily available from the guidance. And let not distress afflict your topmost priority [رُءُوسَكُمْ] until the guidance has reached its solution. And whoever from you is disordered or unexpected with it, from its topmost priorities then a process of liberation from abstinence or process of truthfulness or devotion. And when you are secure, then whoever took advantage with the 'umrah towards the Hajj what can be obtained with ease from the guidance. And whoever cannot find [guidance] - then a abstinence till the pending / final stages / moments in the Hajj and continuously congregation [the arguments] till you have reconciled all. This is the process of complete communion [عَشَرَةٌ كَامِلَةٌ]. It is for those who are not its worthy attendee of the enshrined state of humbleness [al-Masjid al-haram]. And be cautious of system of consciousness [Allah] and know that the system of consciousness [Allah] is severest tracker.

2:197 الْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌ مَّعْلُومَاتٌ ۚ فَمَن فَرَضَ فِيهِنَّ الْحَجَّ فَلَا رَفَثَ وَلَا فُسُوقَ وَلَا جِدَالَ فِي الْحَجِّ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ يَعْلَمْهُ اللَّهُ ۗوَتَزَوَّدُوا فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَىٰ ۚ وَاتَّقُونِ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ

Al-Hajj is the manifestation of the process of knowledge so whoever made obligatory upon himself therein the Hajj then there should be no submission/surrendering and no deviation / neglecting and no dispute in the Hajj and whatever you do from goodness - Allah knows it. And take the provision, so indeed the best provision is caution/diligence. And be cautious of Me, O foremost in possession of intelligence.

2:198 لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَبْتَغُوا فَضْلًا مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَا أَفَضْتُم مِّنْ عَرَفَاتٍ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ عِندَ الْمَشْعَرِ الْحَرَامِ ۖ وَاذْكُرُوهُ كَمَا هَدَاكُمْ وَإِن كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الضَّالِّينَ

There is no fault upon you for seeking preference from your Consciousness. But when you are overwhelmed from recognition / understanding, retrospect upon Allah [system of consciousness] through the sacred/enshrined feeling [al- Mash'ar al-haram]. And remember Him, as He has guided you, indeed, you have accepted it from those who were misguided.

WHAT IS HOUSE [الْبَيْتَ] IN QURANIC CONTEXT ?

2:125 وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَثَابَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمْناً وَاتَّخِذُواْ مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى وَعَهِدْنَا إِلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْعَاكِفِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ

And when We have set up the house of thoughts [Al-Bayat] as a process of returning / restoring the intellect for the agitated / restless minds and a security. And grasp / absorb, from the status of Abraham a course to connect closely. And We charged / entrusted towards Abraham and Ishmael [one who is conscious and responds], [saying], "Refresh / Purify My house of thoughts [Bayat] for those who circumvent and those who persevere and those who bow in humbleness."


The word جَعَلْنَا is used in this context, whenever the word جعل is used that means that the making of anything is done without the help of any physical material. The book Quran uses the word جعل for making of day and night or making of zodiacal signs because no material is required in the making of day, night and zodiacal signs. Here in verse 2:125 the word جعل is used for making the house which is made by Allah, so in this context the house cannot be of stone, brick or concrete cement. Here in this context the book Quran is saying house without physical materials. This verse is definitely not talking about any physical house in Mecca, but the house we built by our own thoughts on the basis of the guidance of Ibrahim and must dwell in it forever. 


2:127 وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ۖإِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ


And if Abraham raises up the beliefs from the house of thoughts and consciously responds [Ishmael], [saying], "Our Consciousness, accept from us. Indeed You are the one who Responds / understands, the Knows very well.

The book Quran clearly refutes the existence of any physical house built by Ibrahim. The function of Ibrahim and Ismael is to raised the beliefs from the house of thoughts which also is the sacred house and purify it to the original state that was originally built by Allah/Rabb. The entire book Quran talks about elements inside us, nothing is physical, all is bil-gayab which we have to experience or witness within ourselves.


THE DAY OF ARAFAH IS THE MOMENT OF RECOGNITION - 2:198

لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَبْتَغُواْ فَضْلاً مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ فَإِذَا أَفَضْتُم مِّنْ عَرَفَاتٍ فَاذْكُرُواْ اللّهَ عِندَ الْمَشْعَرِ الْحَرَامِ وَاذْكُرُوهُ كَمَا هَدَاكُمْ وَإِن كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الضَّآلِّينَ

There is no fault upon you for seeking preference from your Consciousness [Rabb]. But when you are overwhelmed from knowing / understanding; retrospect the system of consciousness [Allah] through the sacred/enshrined perception [al- Mash'ar al-haram]. And remember Him, as He has guided you, indeed, you have accepted it from those who were misguided.

3:96 - إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَالَمِينَ


Indeed the foremost house of (imagination, thoughts and intellect) laid for the agitated minds is blessed / steady / fixed / with poverty of words / unable to speak because of lack of words [بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا] however it is a guidance / lesson for all the knowledgeable. 

بِبَكَّةَ - it is an initial process where one experience scarcity of words to express him or herself. 

3:97 - فِيهِ آيَاتٌ بَيِّـنَاتٌ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمَن دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آمِنًا وَلِلّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلاً وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ الله غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ

In it are clear cut signs of Ibrahim's stability / status and whoever enters it is safe, and belongs to Him the repairing of course of thoughts of the agitated minds, whoever able to seek the way towards it and whoever disbelieved then indeed the system of consciousness [Allah] is free from need of the all the knowledgeable.


THE CRUX OF 3:96-97 - Continuous pain and struggle to find words/ideas or paucity of wealth is called bakkah. The word Bakkah is a combine derivative of of two roots بكك / بكا  / بكى - it is a feminine gender based on verb form ii pattern. The feminine gender of bakkah signifies a silent process of pain / struggle without able to express; just like a crying child who is not able to express his/ her feelings. Pain and persistency is the foremost requirement for any man to acquire safety and security. It is a blessing in disguise and guidance for the knowledgeable. The journey of amending of our thought process is not easy but whoever can afford to do it should undertake that mental journey. Father Abraham is the pioneer of that process of struggle and pain.The journey is not for Allah [the system of consciousness] as He is above all needs. The mental journey is for our own safety and security because acquiring knowledge, guidance and implementation is our fundamental duty. 

According to "al-Sihah fi al-Lugha" (الصحاح في اللغة) a renowned Arabic dictionary by Abu Nasr al-Jawhari (Died between 1002 - 1008 CE) - entry no. 383 (of 5519) one of the meaning of bakkah بكك - is crying, entry no. 359 (of 5645) it also means weeping. In Lisan ul Arab entry no. 602 (of 9059) means tear it, separate it, crowded, cried - bakkah basically means severe struggle that makes people cry.

MASS ANIMAL KILLING IS UN ISLAMIC AND NON QURANIC RITUAL. IT'S A WASTAGE OF ONE'S RESOURCES UNDER THE ILLUSION OF PLEASING ALLAH.

The crux of al-Masjid al-haram & al-Masjid al- Aqsa

The crux of al-Masjid al-haram & al-Masjid al- Aqsa -

Sajda in the context of the book Quran -

Malikah do Sajda for Adam - اسْجُدُواْ لِآدَمَ - (2:34)

Iblees don't do Sajda for Adam - (2:34)

When the Quran (compilation of guidance and criterion) is revealed upon them they don't become humble (Sajda) - sajdah is only for Momin (not a label of any particular community) because Kafir (arrogant & ignorant are in dark) never are humble - (84: 20-21-22)

Our Kafeer and Takaboor thoughts don't do Sajda because they are part of our inner Iblees that prevent us from becoming humble (2:34) - إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ وَاسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ

Sajda is not physical action of touching the forehead on the ground neither, neither the word Masjid refers to "Islamic Architectural monument." In Quranic context the foundation of masjid is build on Taqwa (faith as decribed in 2:177) and not on concrete, cement and brick platforms. (9:107 - 108 - 109)

Masjid is only for Allah, it is the House of Allah (2:114) where there is no ego only knowledge, learning in the state of humbleness. All our call (dua) goes through our Masjid (7:29), it is our own connection center with our system of clean conscience (Allah). Masjid is our own state of humbleness build on the foundation of Taqwa and Sajda. Humility, humbleness comes from the sincere realization that we have no knowledge except the knowledge taught by the Rabb - The feeling of knowing nothing is characteristics of our Malaikah. 

Masjid, Masjid Haram and Masjid Aqsa are our stages of growth or ascension towards higher knowledge or consciousness (samawaat) - Masjid ḍirāran is harmful / damage Masjid because it is based on division, dispute, corruption and untruthfulness. 

In Arabic, Persian it is known as ooruj (عروج) / meraaj (ميراج - ladder, to elevate or to ascend) - it is soul's (nafs) forward leap into higher knowledge of self - (34:2 - 43:33) - Although ooruj and miraaj are Arabic words but we will not find these words in their exact forms in the book Quran. In 70:3 Allah is called Owner of Ascent - مِّنَ اللَّهِ ذِي الْمَعَارِجِ - 

What is so important travelling in night between the two physical structures in Mecca and Jerusalem? - Why should the book Quran and Hadith discusses this so called "miraculous event" ? Does it have any message or significance worth heeding?

What Musa and Bani Israel have to do with these verses? Why Musa was given Al-Kitab and what is Al-Kitab in this context? 

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلاً مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ البَصِيرُ – 17:1

The verse describes the objective of this inner journey (أَسْرَى) with the obedient servant (pure nafs / self / mohammed) the one having abundant knowledge (سُبْحَانَ) - travelling in the state of anxiety (لَيْلاً) from the state of enshrined state of humbleness (الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ) towards reaching the furthermost degree of humbleness (الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى). Whose surroundings are blessed by Rabb, so that the our own consciousness would show it signs (آيَاتِنَا). Indeed its (sign) is full of thought provoking, that knocks the door of insight (البَصِيرُ) understanding (السَّمِيعُ).

The verse (17:1) points towards the inner journey of those who possess tremendous knowledge that made them travel from mere humbleness to the extreme degree of realization of humbleness due to their virtue of knowledge and wisdom. Masjid alharam and Masjid Aqsa are the state of our own conscious mind. It is not a place of physical prostration but a state where our pure mind / nafs / self / soul that reach or get connected with our own higher level of consciousness (samavaat). Without knowledge, wisdom and humbleness we cannot reach or attain ascension of our souls in Hadithic term it is called meraj or ooruj. 

The feeling of humbleness comes from the virtue of deep knowledge, understanding and acceptance that we are nothing in contrast to the vastness of the Universe or the Environment around us. The feeling of humbleness, abasement, humility or nothingness comes when we ponder, meditate, contemplate and compare the immeasurable wonders of the Universe with our minute or microscopic self. The masjid of Allah is where Ego is lost, where we belittle ourselves in admiration and amazement in comparison with the astonishing Nature or Reality of our existence. Masjid is to remain in the state of humbleness 24x7. Just as much we belittle ourselves or abase our selves (nafs) in view of the fact that we are of no importance and our knowledge is very limited compare to Consciousness or Awareness of Mother Nature. The more we grow or move in our inner journey, the further we travel from Masjid Al-Haram towards Masjid i Aqsa we realize there are more bonderies to conquer. It is a continuous non-stop journey for the seeker of truth.

وَآتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ وَجَعَلْنَاهُ هُدًى لِّبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَلاَّ تَتَّخِذُواْ مِن دُونِي وَكِيلاً – 17:2

And (continuation from the first verse) We have given Musa Al-Kitab and drafted guidance for Bani Israel so that they could not extract out from my weak self (دُونِي) any judgment / opinion (وَكِيلاً) …

We can find Musa when we reach one of the highest level of our own consciousness, when we can know / decode our own script (Al-Kitab) that can guide us to become humble, wise and diligent.

The second verse (17:2) is the continuation of first verse as it is joined by the prefixed conjunction و – so to interpret this verse to the hadith based story of "physical ascension of person Mohammed to seventh heaven” is bogus and misleading. If we correctly understand the right theme of the book Quran then only we can understand the real interpretation of some of the Hadith related to Meraj and few other topics in light of the Quran. 

Nothing is physical in the entire message of the book Quran as well as Hadith. But the book Quran is the mother book if one want to study other books related to religion Islam they must first understand the book Quran thoroughly not the traditional translation or the new interpretations but the original message in Arabic text. Then only they can judge whether other material is helping them or diverting them from the message of the main book. All Islamic literature must be studied under the light of Quran and not vice versa. We should never touch any books other than the book Quran. It took me at least 56 years to understand the core theme of the book Quran now in the light of that enlightenment I am beginning to understand some valuable Hadith. I am not at all encouraging people to read or study Hadith when their base of Islam is founded on rituals, Arab culture, Arab History and Geography. 

The main theme of the book Quran is to understand the Self, nothing else. When you understand your own self you will begin to understand how to grow it and connect it with the fountainhead of all knowledge. (رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ)

UNDERSTANDING THE ESSENCE OF SOME WORDS:

Asra = Inner journey of self – أَسْرَى - its 3rd person masculine singular (form IV) perfect verb - the root word is س ر ى – the basic meaning is something which travels deep, like root of the tree crept beneath the ground, strain of evil crept in the man, the poison crept in him, travelling in night, the word سرى denotes unseen progress. 

Subhan = سُبْحَانَ – accusative masculine noun - Root word is س ب ح – means to swim – Subhan means to swim vigorously or occupy oneself, abundant knowledge – ا ن (aan) suffixes occur in verbal noun, participle/agent noun, and irregular plural structures… as in Rehman, Insaan, Quraan…and commonly used in diptotes also.

Lail = لَيْلاً – Any Anxiety - accusative masculine indefinite noun

Al-Masjid = A state where one is in the state of acceptance / obedience / humbleness - A focused state

Sajda = Lowly, submissive, humble, prepared to obey or accept others unquestioningly, subservience

Al-Haram = Something which is unlawful as well as sacred – Laced with condition of do and don’t list which one has to respect and follow, the enshrined one

Masjid al Haram - الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ = A enshrined state of humbleness or a state of acceptance laced with restrictions and strict discipline – A state of certain restrictions in attaining the humble / modest knowledge whose head is the Knowledgeable Consciousness.

Normally a human mind, body and soul is termed as the most sacred and humble entity – Lowly, submissive but at the same time sacred and attached with lot of conditions. The state of humbleness or submission is called Masjid-e-Haram in Quranic terminology.

Masjid al Aqsa - الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى = A state of extreme obedience / humbleness but at the same time who has attained the utmost knowledge of it – In other words who has realized the knowledge of his Rabb.

Bani – لِّبَنِي = possessing the quality of weaving, building, constructing, attain high degree, reared, brought up, educate, form, made, become, grow, adopt, manner, mode, natural constitution…

Israel – إِسْرَائِيلَ = A verbal noun (المصدر) form IV –the root word is س ر ى – إِسْرَائِيلَ - means which travel without being seen – imagination, thinking, doubts, anxiety, rumors, news, jealousy – suffix ايل signifies a force or a power which cannot be seen yet has the power to rule. Bani Israel is the community of individuals who apply their mind to think… that’s why the community of Bani-Israel possess wisdom and are familiar with Al-Kitab; they are the favored community in the sight of the Rabb (45:16) (2:47) (2:122).  

FROM "HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE”:

The place referred to in the Quran as "the farthest mosque" - Arabic: المسجد الأقصى‎‎, al-Masjidu 'l-’Aqṣá, from surat al-Isra, has been historically considered as referring to the site of the modern-day al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. However, the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem was not built during Muhammad's lifetime. The interpretation was advanced by the earliest biographer of Muhammad (ca. 570-632) – Ibn Ishaq (ca. 704-761/770) – and is supported by numerous hadith. The “al-Aqsa Mosque” marks the place from which Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven. The exact date of the Journey is not clear, but is celebrated as though it took place before the Hegira and after Muhammad's visit to the people of Ta'if. According to traditional historians Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven from “Aqsa Mosque” which was not even existed in Jerusalem at that time. The mosque was originally a small prayer house built by Caliph Umar, but was rebuilt and expanded by the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik and finished by his son al-Walid in 705 CE – 72 AH.

The “Masjid-e-Haram الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ or restricted mosque” which was restricted for “idol worshippers” was in fact controlled by them at the time of ascension so historically the “Masjid-e-Haram” was just a temple at that time of so called ascension and to term it as Masjid-e-Haram is not valid at all.

That means the book Quran is not talking about travelling between two physical structures but it is talking about discovery of self by reaching towards higher consciousness (samawaat).  

BANI ISRAEL: THOSE WHO APPLY THEIR MIND

ADAM, IBLEES, SATAN & JANNAH

ADAM, IBLEES, SATAN & JANNAH

The verses of the the book Quran are explained with the help of vibrant and living symbols or signs or illustrations termed as Ayaat (آيَاتٌ) in the Arabic language. These ayaats help us in decoding the parables [misaal] of the book Quran. The basic purpose of any ayaat, sign or symbol or language is to show direction, to guide on the basis of which a person or a thing can be known or understood. Ayaat or signs must always be clear and tangible. An important point to be noted about an ‘ayaat’ is that the ayaat [signs] are only understood the person of knowledge or those with information. The principle of sign [ayaat] in Quranic context is that they are always valid, clear, present or can be easily understood by any individuals with the basic knowledge of self. For example fever is the sign [ayaat] of illness of body. 

Ya / يا is a vocative particle and is one of the derivatives of word Ayaat آيَاتٌ - It is used for calling those who are near and alive- Ayaat are living signs or symbols in any language that are meant to be studied or observed diligently so that it can act like a guide and it is not meant to be sung as rote.

The notable point is that the ayaats [signs] always appeal to those who are near or close by, they are not distant or far because the basic purpose of ayaat is that it should be precisely studied to be clearly understood. If they are far or intangible then how can we study or understand them? An ayaat or a sign that is intangible has no appeal or value to the person to whom it is addressed.

Quran the book does not discuss or give any clues about the life or birth place of any of the “Prophets” and their progeny. Neither does it talk about any event; nor about any science, geography or history. Neither does it glorify “God” by praising its attribute; nor does it encourage any rituals to please “God”. The main theme of the entire book Quran is mankind and his script, i.e Kitab in Arabic (21:10) and how he must manage his / her affairs and extract benefits from the wisdom of his inherent book.

If the book Quran does not increase your wisdom then it means you do not understand its signs and the symbolic meanings embedded in them. Instead of focusing on the message which demonstrate emitting signs (Ayaat), we are either concentrating more on the nuance of pronunciations of the language; or we are busy in comparing the biblical stories with the the parables of the Quran rather than understanding it independently on the basis of the contextual language alone.

The powerful message of Quran on human psychology is totally ignored and sadly the followers of this magnificent book are the ones who are suffering the most with the problem of psychological disorder. The glorious message of the Quran is the only remedy for them but sadly its prescription has gone in vain.

The term Adam is the symbol which represents mankind; similarly Allah, Rabb, Rehman, Iblees, Satan, Malaikah, Noah, Ibrahim, Musa, Firaun, Marium, Isa, etc are all Ayaats (Symbols). These simple demonstrative symbols combined with parables represent a deep meaningful message, confine in a simple symbols and narrated with the help of personified parables. The respected author of the 114 chapter book Quran explains the magnificent message in a theophany format by personifying the characters to illustrate different roles of the various characteristics in humans. 

IBLEES is one of the important traits of mankind (Adam). Adam is basically a homogeneous mixture of many characters arranged in a single body of species Adam. Iblees is termed as the enemy of mankind in the book Quran. Hope or faith / safety / security (Iman) is termed as the greatest gift bestowed upon mankind. Those who cannot see the right path suffer from depression, low spirit or despair, such thoughts are called are called Iblees in Arabic. To be in the state of Iblees is the highest form of dejection and primarily the main cause of all malfunctions in life. The state of Iblees is the breeding ground or favorable ground for Satan to emerge and this type of condition can be experienced by anyone in life.

In short Iblees represents a state of hopelessness, dejection, despair, depression or under some grief or who have lost all hopes from the Rabb [Consciousness].

The root word of Iblees is ب ل س -  The word Iblees is a verbal noun (Form IV) just like the word Islam – This pattern is similar to form II in that it makes intransitive verbs transitive, and transitive verbs doubly so.  This verb form IV indicates that the word Iblees is a state of desperation; low spirit, affliction , sulking nature, if adapted or transformed into that state one becomes hopeless or dejected and is not able to follow the commandments of his / her Consciousness (Rabb).

2:34 وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ وَاسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ


And when We said to the Malaikah [signifies a mechanism that possess power to command / exercise authority / dictate] "Be humble [asajudu] for Adam." So they became humble [fasjadu] except Iblees [unable to see the right course], he refused and became arrogant / proud, and he was from the Al-Kafireen [who covers the knowledge with ignorance] – 2:34

إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ اسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنْ الْكَافِرِينَ

Not so Iblis: he was arrogant, and is ever one of those who conceal the fact (Al-Kafireen) – 38:74

The word Iblees and its derivatives are mentioned 16 times in the entire “Quran”. To deduce the right meaning of any word of the Quran we must go through all the verses where the word Iblees and its derivatives are mentioned. Apart from the lexicon meaning, the contextual meaning of the word also plays a very important role in understanding the right application of the word. The basic meaning of Iblees is a state of desperation or despair of any person; it is an inherent quality of every human being which one must keep in control. Please check in verses (6:44, 23:77, 30:12, 30:49, and 43:75)

The act of suicide is the highest form of dejection or desperation. Losing all hopes or all apprehensions of all kind can also be termed as the state of Iblees. The condition of Iblees (dejection) rejects all types of positivism. In other words it’s a failure of our consciousness or awareness to act in the right direction. The state of Iblees is the lower form of Satan because it has no energy or power to act, as though the person has given up or surrendered completely to fear. Satan is a powerful force, whereas Iblees is a depressed form or a fertile ground for the growth of satanic allies.

It was not Iblees who tempted Adam (Mankind) to go near the “tree of dispute” (Shajrah). One of the characters present in Adam is the state of dejection (Iblees) that caused Satan to breed and raise its head. The state of despair (Iblees) is the fertile ground for the Satan to grow and develop false desires in Adam. This false desire compels him to disobey the command of his consciousness (Rabb). In the state of desperation (Iblees) man looks for immediate relief did not allow him to obey the commandment of his Rabb.  But it was Satan who was responsible for the degradation of Adam; from the position of security and hidden garden of knowledge (Jannah), where enlightenment flows to the position of blockage and stagnation of thoughts or the state of Jahannum.

EFFECTS OF IBLEES:

To understand Iblees first we should understand what does Kafir mean, as we know that Iblees is described as one of the Kafireen in Quran – 2:34 – WHO ARE KAFIRS?

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيْهِمْ أَأَنذَرْتَهُمْ أَمْ لَمْ تُنذِرْهُمْ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Indeed, those who chose to cover / hide or be ignorant [their own script]  - it is all the same upon them whether you warn them or you warn them not - they will not trust in themselves [their script] (2:6)

خَتَمَ اللّهُ عَلَى قُلُوبِهمْ وَعَلَى سَمْعِهِمْ وَعَلَى أَبْصَارِهِمْ غِشَاوَةٌ وَّلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ

The Allah [system of Consciousness] has set a seal [blockage] over their heart / mind and over their understanding, and over their insights is a layers of covering. And for them is a great chastisement [Azaab].(2:7) 

Iblees is the state where our vital abilities (intellect, understanding and insight) stop working and this condition is a great punishment in itself (2:6-7). This happens when the ego, ignorance and arrogance rules us and our consciousness [Rabb] is leaves us in the hands of untruthfulness and vanity [Shaitaan]. The basic rule of the System of Consciousness [Allah] is “As you sow, so shall you reap”.

One of the major causes for such plight is the habit of being secretive or concealing of facts (Kafir). When one starts concealing or hiding facts and pretends to be normal the habit of denying the facts develops gradually. Such state is termed as Kafir in Arabic. Slowly the person begins to feel the gravity of hiding and concealing the facts. Living on the basis of lies leads him to the life of fear.

The second stage of Kafir is Iblees where the person is in the state of depression and hopelessness.

The last and final stage is Satan, a powerful force who dictates his terms and condition on the person until he is confronted by truth or facts.

The individuals deceive themselves by not obeying the system of consciousness (Allah) but they don’t realize (2:9). In their intellect is disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they used to lie (2:10). They spread corruption in the lower consciousness and they themselves are corrupted due to that but they realize not (2:11-12). And it is told to them to trust but they think others as unwise, and they don’t know that they themselves are deprived of wisdom (2:13). And when they are with those who trust they will say we are with you but when they are alone with their Shaitaan they would say we were just mockers (2:14).

The reason of discussing the initial verses of surah Baqra is to make the readers aware that how the book Quran must be understood in the right perspective. From the beginning of the surah to the last verse the subject must not drift into different segments. The sign of a good script is that the theme and the plot run parallel to the story. The script of the Quran is the masterpiece in the Arabic language, how can it discuss thing irrelevant to the topic. All the characters of the Quran must be relevant and interconnected to the entire topic, then only the message will make sense. But our translators have messed up the Quran into various tales.  To understand Iblees we cannot directly jump to verse 2:34. We have to understand all the preceding and following verses in sequence and also understand the connection between them, prior to understanding any context and its vocabularies.

We need to understand each and every word according to the theme of the subject in order to extract the right message. The signs or Ayaats of the Quran have to be relatively applicable in our present day lives. The Quran is invariably or universally applicable in today’s times and it’s definitely alive, but to restrict it to ancient Biblical interpretation is an act of grave injustice to this marvelous message.  

SHAITAAN / IBLEES

IBLEES is the dejected thought of human beings. In such a state man fails to recognize the facts and gets inspired by the whims of Satan (Shaitaan). Here the word Shaitaan is an adjective which indicates - one of the evil qualities of a human being that seduce man away from the truth or fact.

The root word of Shaitaan is shīn ṭā nūn (ش ط ن). The word Shaitaan (الشَّيْطَانُ) and its derivatives are mentioned 88 times in the entire “Quran”.

The basic meaning of  ش ط ن  is – Distant, remote far from the truth, turn away from the direction, penetrating, concealed, firmly fixed, bound him…

WHAT IS JANNAH IN THE CONTEXT OF THE BOOK QURAN?

2:35 وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَـٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

And We said, "O Adam, calm down / remain still, you and your pair is Al-Jannah, [the garden of hidden knowledge underneath which river of enlightenment flow is  Al-Jannah, the real mate or companion of Adam] and both consume intelligence from it freely whenever you both desire. But do not come near such / differences / disputes, lest you be from the unjust [or in darkness]."

 كُلَا - second person dual imperative verb is a derivative of اكيل which means intelligent, it does not means eat or to devour as perceived by the traditionalist. 

Man is inseparable from whatever knowledge he possess [Al-Jannah] - thus Al-Jannah is termed as companion - زَوْجُكَ 20:117 because man cannot be separated from the knowledge he possessed. ZAUJ here is a masculine nominative noun, so how it can be termed as wife by the traditional translators, however the following sentence is making it very clear that Al-Jannah or the latent knowledge is data storage device which is a 24x7 companion [ZAUJ / PAIR] of man. Al-Jannah is feminine noun - Man and the data storage device both have to share the knowledge covered with guidance. Al-Jannah is the get-way to the state of bliss but if we gets embroiled in unnecessary arguments and disputes then he/she loses Al-Jannah.

2:36 فَأَزَلَّهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ ۖ وَقُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ

Then both [the hidden garden of knowledge & Adam] let Satan [falsehood] to slip themselves concerning it [the garden of hidden knowledge covered with guidance] and he himself removed from what they were in it [cover of guidance]. And We said, "Degrade yourselves all of you, as rivals to one another, and you will have in the lower consciousness an ongoing desire for settlement and an advantage leading towards the time of reaping." 

فَأَزَلَّهُمَا - form IV perfect verb

فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا - form IV perfect verb

I am emphasizing more on the use of FORM IV verb, only because if it is correctly interpreted it will completely change the dimension of the Quranic message. Form IV indicates that we are responsible for our own action.

Satan + Malaikah are part of Al-Jannah [the process to tap the hidden knowledge which is covered with guidance] and Al-Jannah is the part of Adam [Mankind]. Only through latent knowledge which is covered with guidance [Al-Jannah], one can enter the state of bliss. If the cover of knowledge with guidance is removed then we are out from Jannah, the state of bliss. In Jannah flows the four rivers of enlightenment from which one can gather light of knowledge and guidance. Knowledge is paradise, without the light of knowledge is the state of stagnation which is in Quranic terminology is Jahannum [Hell]


2:37 فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

Then Adam encountered from his Consciousness some propositions / words, then he turned / retrospect upon it. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the extremely Merciful.

فَتَلَقَّىٰ - form V perfect verb

2:38 قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا ۖ فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدًى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

We said, "Degrade from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance - there will be no fear upon them, nor will they grieve.

The above verse prove that guidance itself is Jannah and separation from guidance is Jahannum

LET’S ANALYZE SOME VERSES TO UNDERSTAND THE EXACT ROLE OF SATAN IN OUR LIVES:

2:36 - Then did Satan make them slip from the (garden), and get them out of the state (of felicity) in which they had been. We said: "Get you down, all (ye people), with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood - for a time."

2:168 - O ye people! Eat of what is on earth, Lawful and good; and do not follow the footsteps of the evil one, for he is to you an avowed enemy.

2:268 - The Evil one threatens you with poverty and bids you to conduct unseemly. Allah promises you His forgiveness and bounties. And Allah cares for all and He knoweth all things.

3:175 - It is only the Evil One that suggests to you the fear of his votaries: Be ye not afraid of them, but fear Me, if ye have Faith.

4:119 - "I will mislead them, and I will create in them false desires; I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and to deface the (fair) nature created by Allah." Whoever, forsaking Allah, takes Satan for a friend, hath of a surety suffered a loss that is manifest.

4:120 - Satan makes them promises, and creates in them false desires; but satan's promises are nothing but deception.

6:43 - When the suffering reached them from us, why then did they not learn humility? On the contrary their hearts became hardened, and Satan made their (sinful) acts seem alluring to them.

7:20 – So by deceit he brought about their fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them: "Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an avowed enemy unto you?"

7:22 - So by deceit he brought about their fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them: "Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an avowed enemy unto you?"

7:27 - O ye Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you, in the same manner as He got your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their raiment, to expose their shame: for he and his tribe watch you from a position where ye cannot see them: We made the evil ones friends (only) to those without faith.

7:175 - Relate to them the story of the man to whom We sent Our signs, but he passed them by: so Satan followed him up, and he went astray.

8:11 - Remember He covered you with a sort of drowsiness, to give you calm as from Himself, and he caused rain to descend on you from heaven, to clean you therewith, to remove from you the stain of Satan, to strengthen your hearts, and to plant your feet firmly therewith.

8:48 - Remember Satan made their (sinful) acts seem alluring to them, and said: "No one among men can overcome you this day, while I am near to you": But when the two forces came in sight of each other, he turned on his heels, and said: "Lo! I am clear of you; lo! I see what ye see not; Lo! I fear Allah: for Allah is strict in punishment."

12:5 - Said (the father): "My (dear) little son! Relate not thy vision to thy brothers, lest they concoct a plot against thee: for Satan is to man an avowed enemy!

12:42 - And of the two, to that one whom he considers about to be saved, he said: "Mention me to thy lord." But Satan made him forget to mention him to his lord: and (Joseph) lingered in prison a few (more) years.

14:22 - And Satan will say when the matter is decided: "It was Allah Who gave you a promise of Truth: I too promised, but I failed in my promise to you. I had no authority over you except to call you but ye listened to me: then reproach not me, but reproach your own souls. I cannot listen to your cries, nor can ye listen to mine. I reject your former act in associating me with Allah. For wrong-doers there must be a grievous penalty."

16:63 - By Allah, We (also) sent (Our messengers) to Peoples before thee; but Satan made, (to the wicked), their own acts seem alluring: He is also their patron today, but they shall have a most grievous penalty.

17:27 - Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the Evil One is to his Lord (himself) ungrateful.

17:53 - Say to My servants that they should (only) say those things that are best: for Satan doth sow dissensions among them: For Satan is to man an avowed enemy.

17:64 - "Lead to destruction those whom thou canst among them, with thy (seductive) voice; make assaults on them with thy cavalry and thy infantry; mutually share with them wealth and children; and make promises to them." But Satan promises them nothing but deceit.

19:44 - "O my father! Serve not Satan: for Satan is a rebel against (Allah) Most Gracious.

20:120 - But Satan whispered evil to him: he said, "O Adam! Shall I lead thee to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that never decays?"

22:52 - Never did We send a messenger or a prophet before thee, but, when he framed a desire, Satan threw some (vanity) into his desire: but Allah will cancel anything (vain) that Satan throws in, and Allah will confirm (and establish) His Signs: for Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom:

22:53 - That He may make the suggestions thrown in by Satan, but a trial for those in whose hearts is a disease and who are hardened of heart: verily the wrong-doers are in a schism far (from the Truth)

24:21 - O ye who believe! Follow not Satan's footsteps: if any will follow the footsteps of Satan, he will (but) command what is shameful and wrong: and were it not for the grace and mercy of Allah on you, not one of you would ever have been pure: but Allah doth purify whom He pleases: and Allah is One Who hears and knows (all things).

25:29 - "He did lead me astray from the Message (of Allah) after it had come to me! Ah! The Evil One is but a traitor to man!"

28:15 - And he entered the city at a time when its people were not watching: and he found there two men fighting,- one of his own religion, and the other, of his foes. Now the man of his own religion appealed to him against his foe, and Moses struck him with his fist and made an end of him. He said: "This is a work of Evil (Satan): for he is an enemy that manifestly misleads!"

35:6 - Verily Satan is an enemy to you: so treat him as an enemy. He only invites his adherents that they may become Companions of the Blazing Fire.

36:60 - "Did I not enjoin on you, O ye Children of Adam, that ye should not worship Satan; for that he was to you an enemy avowed?

47:25 - Those who turn back as apostates after Guidance was clearly shown to them, - the Evil One has instigated them and busied them up with false hopes.

58:19 - The Evil One has got the better of them: so he has made them lose the remembrance of Allah. They are the Party of the Evil One. Truly, it is the Party of the Evil One that will perish!

59:16 - (Their allies deceived them), like the Evil One, when he says to man, "Deny Allah": but when (man) denies Allah, (the Evil One) says, "I am free of thee: I do fear Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!"

The above translations are taken from Esq. Abdullah Yusuf Ali.

WHO IS SATAN?

1) The one who is your avowed enemy – 2:168, 7: 20-22, 12:5, 36:60

2) The one who inspires / instigates false hope or desire – 22:52, 47:25

3) The one who deceives you with wrong suggestions – 22:53, 59:16

4) The one who affects your memory and remembrance – 12:42, 58:19

5) The one who misleads – 7:175, 28:15

6) The one who betrays – 25:29

7) The one who commands shameful and wrong acts – 24:21

8) The one who whispers evil – 20:120

9) The one who is the rebel against the Rehman (Teacher of Quran) – 19:44

10) Commits false promises, has no authority – 4:119-120, 14:22, 17:64

11) The one who sows dissensions – 17:53

12) Spendthrift is the brothers of Satan – 17:27

13) The one who makes own acts seem alluring – 8:48, 16:63

14) The One who gives false assurances – 8:48

15) The one who seduces you to follow what is wrong – 7:27

16) The one who inculcates fear- 3:175

17) The one who threatens you with insecurities / poverty – 2:268

18) The one who makes you slip from the state of bliss and protection – 2:36

19) The one who runs away when the facts confront it –

HOW TO SAVE YOURSELVES FROM SATAN:

1) Don’t ever live in the state of contentment it leads to heedlessness (10:7)

2) Always guard yourselves from wrong and lewd acts (19:59-60) (29:45)

3) Never hide the facts as this leads to fear which will ultimately take you to the state of depression and guilt.

4) The state of depression (Iblees) is the fertile ground for the birth of Satan and its allies.

5) The most important book (مكتب) is your brain; protect it from evil imprints of the Satan.

BE CAUTIOUS FROM THE SATAN THAT LIES WITHIN:

There are ideally more than three stages of evolution of becoming a full-fledged Satan but we will discuss three of them.

*The first stage being Kafir – when one starts to be secretive or lies to the colleagues / companions / caretakers and knows that he is wrong and has guilt feelings. This continuous feeling of fear and guilt weighs him down to the next stage – Iblees.

*The second stage is Iblees – At this stage the person has lost all hopes and becomes weak by telling lies and living a life of falsehood. He does not have the courage to come out of the fear and delves deeper into the problems thus not sharing with the colleagues and eventually surrenders and gives up on hope. At this stage one rejects all positivism.

*The third one is the final that is Satan – The weakened morale helps Satan to easily capture or control the person at the Iblees stage. It’s an easy target for Satan to cultivate or breed on the ground that is already fertile through Iblees. Satan can easily control the affected person and make him do any vices (to lie, steal, to cheat, conceal the truth) thus blocking his ability to reason or think. He is not aware about himself at what state of mind he is and much he is actually suffering.

With the help of this explanation let us take heed and stop ourselves at the first stage itself. The moment we realize that we are at the first or maybe second stage; we need to be cautious and take help and discuss with the ones we are close to. Do not wait until Satan overpowers you. Pay attention to the demonstrative signs [Ayaats] around and within you as they come to you as messengers and guidance from the Knowledgeable Rabb. Do not ignore them giving Satan a chance to sneak in.

The actual Satan is inside US, take precaution, and don’t wait to travel to Mecca to throw stones at him. Satan is not made of concrete and cement pillars but he is made up of false notions. The Satan within is far more dangerous than what we can imagine, if Satan can provoke the person to commit suicide we better beware. Refrain from letting negativity taking control of you. Your body is a sacred place; don’t let any wrong thoughts enter into it. Keep it pure.

Conclusion: The book Quran instruct us that all the powerful forces like Malaikah, Jinn, Ibless, Shaitaan are inside us. We should make them humble [sajda] to Adam in order to live a blissful life.

Editing pending