VERSE 2:221

Muslims all over the world respectably give divine status to the book Quran. According to Merriam Webster’s Thesaurus the word DIVINE means of the very best kind. Other words for divine are awesome, excellent, beautiful, noble, par excellence, wonderful, superb, heavenly, spiritual, celestial and holy.

When we interpret or translate this divine book in a senseless / insane / reckless / thoughtless manner, we rob the divine status of the original message of this wonderful book. The message of the book Quran should be applicable to the entire mankind without differentiating any class or individuals then only everyone can believe in its divinity. Every creation has a just value in the eyes of the Divine Nature and the books that impart prejudice messages can never be divine.  

By specifically defining some words like Kafir / Mushrik as unbelievers, idolaters or polytheist and describing them in derogatory terms, we are creating hate and malice in the minds of Muslims against certain groups.

We ignore the fundamental message of the book Quran that it addresses all types of groups, class, community, sects or genders without any type of discrimination. If the message or the interpretation of the book Quran is spreading hate, malice and fear in the minds of non Muslims then the belief that this is the book of Peace [Islam] is utterly false.

I strongly believe that the original message of the book Quran promote peace in every individuals. It has nothing to do with different religious beliefs, caste, creed, culture or customs. Neither has it had to do with agreements, contracts between communities of different ideologies.

Each and every verse of the book Quran is for the guidance of all common people who are looking for peace within themselves. If we understand the verses like 2:221, 2:190-193, 9:5, 9:29 and many more verses with traditional lens then we are promoting hate, aggression, bigotry and feeling of superiority complex among Muslims. 

Furthermore if we understand the book Quran with the view point or the theme of establishing “the kingdom of God on earth” [nizam e rabubiat] then the verses are only for those elite / educated classes who drafts constitutions, agreements between countries or different ideologies, rules and regulation for the benefit of their own respective states, countries or communities.

The problem starts when some sincere followers of the book Quran blindly act on some controversial verses which are translated badly.

When we believe that the book Quran contains the message of Peace then it should be applicable for the entire mankind. But if we segregate and hate people on the basis of their culture, beliefs, language, rituals, customs then we are contradicting the fundamental message of the book Quran.  

My interpretation of verse 2:221 is purely based on lexicon meanings and the context of the preceding and following the verses –

2:221وَلَا تَنكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكَاتِ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنَّ ۚ وَلَأَمَةٌ مُّؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكَةٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ ۗ وَلَا تُنكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنُوا ۚوَلَعَبْدٌ مُّؤْمِنٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكُمْ ۗ أُولَـٰئِكَ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ ۖ وَاللَّهُ يَدْعُو إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَالْمَغْفِرَةِ بِإِذْنِهِ ۖ وَيُبَيِّنُ آيَاتِهِ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ

And don’t be infected [tankihoo] with your own polluted thoughts [Al-mushrikaati] until they become safe / secure [muminatun]. And a principled thought [one who sincerely obeys the rule of life] in a state of safety / security is better than your own process of infiltrated / impure thoughts [mush'rikatin], even though it might dazzle you? And do not get infected with your own infiltrated/impure thoughts until they become safe / secure for you. And surely serving safe/secure [thoughts] is better than a infiltrated / impure one, even though it might dazzle you. Those [thoughts] continuously invite [you] to the Fire, but Allah [system of consciousness] invites to the hidden garden of knowledge [Al-Jannah] and the process of protection, by His notification. And He makes clear His signs for the agitated / restless minds that perhaps they may retrospect.

Al-Mushrikaati - accusative feminine plural (form IV) active participle – our own polluted, filthy and impure thoughts.

Tankihoo – 2nd person masculine plural imperfect verb, jussive mood - Marry, comingling of rain with soil, infected, overcome,

The fire in the context of the book Quran indicates conflict within oneself [3:103]

ADDENDUM TO SALAT ARTICLES:

ADDENDUM TO SALAT ARTICLES:

Let’s discuss the difference between Salat and Salwaat:

2:157 - أُولَـئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ وَأُولَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ

Those, upon them are blessing [salwaat] from their Rabb [consciousness] and a mercy, and those are the guided.

صَلَوَاتٌ - nominative feminine indefinite noun - root word صلو 

2:238 - حَافِظُواْ عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ والصَّلاَةِ الْوُسْطَى وَقُومُواْ لِلّهِ قَانِتِينَ

Preserve /guard on the blessings [salwaat] and the process of the connection [salat] is the balance, and install / establish for Him in silent devotion.

الصَّلَوَاتِ - genitive feminine plural noun - صَلَوَاتِ - genitive feminine plural noun [9:99] - root word صلو -

الصَّلاَةِ - genitive feminine noun - root word - وصل -

9:103 - خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ صَلاَتَكَ سَكَنٌ لَّهُمْ وَاللّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

Hold from their truthful inclination, to purify them mentally and cause them to grow continuously with it, and bless [صَلِّ] upon them, indeed your connection [صَلاَتَكَ] are tranquility for them, and the system of consciousness [Allah] is hearing / listening, knowledgeable.

صَلِّ  - second person masculine singular (form II) imperative verb - root word صلو -
صَلاَتَكَ - second person masculine singular possessive pronoun - root word - وصل -

Guidance is the blessings from our consciousness [Rabb] and we are instructed to preserve these blessings of the connection at all cost and time, even if you are walking, riding, sitting or travelling. Remembrance [zikr] of Allah is part of the process of connection [salat].

But when we strictly follow our traditional scholars and academicians we simply copy their understanding without using our divine ability to think. The religious scholars have their limitations, they cannot think beyond their religious syllabus or curriculum.

2:170 - وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوا مَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ قَالُواْ بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَا أَلْفَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ آبَاءَنَا أَوَلَوْ كَانَ آبَاؤُهُمْ لاَ يَعْقِلُونَ شَيْئاً وَلاَ يَهْتَدُونَ

When it is said to them: "Follow what Allah hath revealed:" They say: "Nay! We shall follow the ways of our fathers [spiritual teachers, scholars, grammarians, schools and institutions."] What! Even though their fathers were void of wisdom and guidance?

Such people are like cattle they possess herd mentality – 2:171

As-Salat [الصَّلاَةِ] and As-Salwaat [الصَّلَوَاتِ] are two different words having two different root words, although their pronunciation is somewhat similar but their connotations are totally different.

Salwaat is the plural of salu [صلو] and it is not a plural salat as we are made to believe by the majority – The meaning of As-Salwaat is blessings and the meaning of As-Salat is the process of connection.

The plural of salat is ṣalāti [صَلَاتِ] - The meaning of ṣalāti is links, connections. Salwaat is not a plural of salat. Salwaat is all together different word with totally a different connotation and has no connection with the word Salat. If salwaat is the plural of Salat then it must be written صَلَوَاتِهِمْ as mentioned in 23:9 instead of  صَلَاتِهِمْ occurred in 6:92, 17:110, 23:2

But our scholars’ and academicians blindly rely upon the ready made information from the books written by our "eminent  predecessors" rather than decisions made on knowledge or common sense. They interchange its meanings according to their predecessors’ beliefs and understanding. The context, colloquial use and the essence of the message are totally ignored.

The enemies of Islam has very smartly changed the pattern of this important word by inserting the fabricated meaning in the lexicons to familiarize its meaning in the line of Traditional Arab Religion but they could not change its derivatives present in colloquial usage. Lets scrutinize in the light of the Arabic language.

و-ص-ل  is the root word of  Salat -  الصَّلاَةِ – Let’s study the root word Waw Saad Laam (وصل) and its derivatives to know the essence of Salah -                                                   

و ص ل - Waw-Saad-Lam -  وصل = attained, reached, connected, joined, he made close ties of relation, bond of love, held close, to continue, communion, communicated, صلة – establish contact, connection or relation, يصل – is to join, connect, unite, combine, link, receive – صلة الرحم – making close relationship – connective preposition is called حرف الصلة –‎ ittiṣālāt-  اتصالات‎- literally means "communications" – to get in touch with telephone [modern Arabic] - These words are all derivatives of وصل 

The use of derivations of the root of صلاۃ [Salah] has not changed its primary meaning even in modern Arabic. At present in normal routine also the derivatives of صلاۃ / وصل is used in different field, for example connecting a microphone is صِل الميكروفون – connecting an adapter [automotive] is صل المهايئ – to connect a call is توصيل مكالمة [telephone] – connect USB cable is صل كابل [computer] - sprinkler used in agriculture is صُلْ هوائي – movement joint is فا صل حركة - and finally even today for prayers in general the word is صلّ used.

Furthermore when I first heard the word ittiṣālāt-  اتصالات‎-  in Dubai some 25 years back I was wondering then that this word has something to do with contact prayers [namaz] or may be the telephone line or transportation is coming from some big mosque. But later after probing I found that this is the name of a very big telecommunication [الاتصالات ] [Etisalat] company. Again one commonly used the word is مواصلات [mawasalat], this word is used for transportation. These words have nothing to do with any ritual contact prayer [namaz]. In Arabic parlance اتصالية [ittisalat] and مواصلات [mawsalat] are derivatives of words صلاۃ وصل / صلة /

Note the root word of  الصَّلَوَاتِ [salwaat] is صلو [salu] -

The basic meaning of صلو [salu] is - I struck, or beat. صلوت الظهر means to beat the back – Beat / struck is called صلا – all the meanings in the lexicons suggest that the word صلا means back portion and it cannot be inferred as prayers. This is clearly the work of enemies of the book Qur'an to totally change paradigm of the one of the most important pillar of Islam.

For the sake of information I am mentioning the liturgical usage of word salu and its derivatives are الصَّـلَاةَ - صَلَوَاتٌ - يُصَلِّي - يُصَلُّواْ - the meanings are are – he prayed, supplicated, petitioned, divinely appointed prayer, eulogy, benediction, commendation, blessing, but remember الصَّـلَاةَ is not the derivative of صلو [salu] and it does not mean prayers at all. The fundamental meaning of salu is back-patting of an animal or man, this is the sign of encouragement, blessing, admiration, respect and praise.

One of the concocted or misunderstood meaning صلى a derivative of صلو is said to be the horse that followed the next after the foremost in the race or a goal – صلا is middle back of the human being or horse. Projected portion of the central back of the animal between the buttocks from where the tail of an animal comes out, the rump. The said example of one horse following the other horse is meant for displaying the exact portion of the horse's back while competing in the race but unfortunately some eminent translators have taken the meaning of salu as to follow closely.

The more commonly used meanings by the translators or exegete for SALAT are:

Divinely appointed prayers, supplication, contact prayers, blessing, commitment, follow closely and establishment of Kingdom of God on Earth [nizam e rabubiat]. While deducing the meanings no regard is given to context, lexicon or colloquial use of the language.

Any deviation from the commonly held or established beliefs or in the absence of reference from so called authorities is not at all easy for anyone to explain their point of view. The most common form of confirmation demanded by almost all academicians or common man is “show us where it is written” that salat and sila are derivatives of wasal.

Unfortunately references from the lexicons or exegesis, lexicographers and web sites are treated as bench mark of authority & authenticity by the so called academicians and students alike. No space or respect is given to independent research, deliberation, colloquial usage, common sense or even the context of the book Qur’an. Subsequently the understanding of Islam and the book Qur’an are dictated by the same prejudiced authorities who are not independent thinkers but bookish henchmen of the rule books written by their hallowed predecessors. These pseudo scholars are the main hindrance in understanding the book Qur’an independently.

I am not against the use of lexicons or exegesis or any other literature or tools as long as it helps in finding the truth and give sense to the context. But we all should be aware that all the lexicons or exegesis are customized to legitimized Hadith literature rather than the semantics of the book Quran. No doubt classical lexicons do possess some traces of truth in it but for that we should have an open mind and scanning eyes to pick up the right meaning from so many vocabularies. If we only depend on academics and fail to apply reason while translating the noble book Quran then we would be doing great injustice to the message of the book Qur’an.

TO SOME QURAN ALONE FOLLOWERS

TO SOME "QURAN ALONE" FOLLOWERS:

I am still unable to understand how some sensible people can understand any foreign language without the help of dictionaries / lexicons or grammar books. For comprehensive study of any language, it is important to grasp the overall idea / concept of that word and the context of the topic, without which it is not possible to understand the crux of the message. When the value of understanding the book Quran is matter of life and death for its followers, I don't understand how they can trust / rely / accept somebody else's translations without verifying it. 

How the Muslims around the world can understand the message of the book Quran without the help of dictionaries and grammar books. The correct understanding of the book Quran is a matter of life and death for Muslims but I don't understand why they still rely on unreliable sources for guidance? Such people believe that thinking is dangerous and questioning means blasphemy. Thinking on our own is an act of rebellion. The safest way is to remain within the cult by blindly following its leader; like the herds following the shepherd.

To keep the herd intact special ready-made dictionaries are crafted by the theologians specifically for the study of the book Quran but they are completely influenced by Hadith literature rather than the Arabic language. This is not the right way to do sincere study of the message [Quran] whose linguistic are made very simple due to diacritical markings done by very high standard grammarians. We just cannot understand its vibrant message simply by relying on low level translations and ignoring the language and the divine common sense due to our lethargic attitude.

I am very much surprised by the methodology by which many sincere students of the book Quran study the message of the book without learning the basics of its language. Instead of referring the grammar books, linguistic dictionaries, they either trust their respective religious site or refer their doubts by comparing the various ready-made translations available on the net or in the market. In both these cases no brain is applied; they just copy paste the information from the wall of the site to the wall of their mind and happy to confirm their beliefs. Such type of study or research is superficial. One can only grasp the intrinsic nature of the message only when he/she sincerely learns the language of the message and honestly studies the book purely in the light of that language.


Language has no caste, creed or color but ironically in the case of the language of the book Quran simple colloquial Arabic words are prejudiced or given preconceived meanings to paint the color of traditional Arab religion. This change of Arab color is not based on reason or comprehension of the language but predetermined through concocted literature [Hadith] that has nothing to do with the language or the message of the book Quran.

Inspite of believing in hadith based translations these poor souls who called themselves Quran alone followers and are allergic to the word lexicon or dictionaries thinks referring dictionaries and grammar books is going against the "established meanings". These Quran alone followers want to study the book Quran from the so called established meanings derived from various Hadith literature but they proudly feel that they are solely following the book Quran without any outside influence. These innocent souls do not realize that the translation of book Quran they are studying is heavily adulterated from Hadithic elements.

I find many such intelligent people on the internet who find Hadith based translation of the book Quran correct because it matches with their old beliefs. They think their understanding of the book Quran is final and they argue on the basis of that copy paste information. They miss the actual truth in lieu for their intellectual compatibility with the majority.  

There is no shortcut for those who really want to understand the book Quran. Referring multiple corrupted translations will never solve the problem unless you courageously take out mistakes / faults from prominent translations. No translations are above mistakes. Doubting the existing translations is the first step towards critical analysis. Majority of Muslims read / study the book Quran for confirming their old beliefs. You don't have to disrespect or insult other translators simply to hold your views but it is of prime importance to verify each and every verse of the book Quran if you are really in love with it. Blind love is always dangerous.


I never recommend people to waste their time and energy to learn Classical / Modern Arabic in order to understand the book Quran in a better perspective. This post is only for those who are really interested in knowing the correct message of the book Quran.

67:10 - And they will say: "Had we but listened or used our intelligence [Aqal], we would not have been among the dwellers of the blazing Fire!"

The entire book Quran emphasizes on using our own intelligence, it never said to learn Arabic language. If we use our intelligence properly we need not need any other books to guide us.

SIRATAL MUSTAQIM - GUIDANCE TO FIXED & STEADY PATH

THE BOOK QURAN IS FOR THE GUIDANCE TO THE STEADY AND FIXED PATH - اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ – [1:6]

The main subject of the book Quran is guidance to the steady and fixed path of life. It talks nothing about the afterlife drama but discusses in great degree on human evolution based on growth and development of his own thoughts. 

Peaceful and sound mind is the main criteria to have balance life, that’s why the book Quran gives more importance to ‘Taqwa’ [precaution, carefulness, thoughtfulness, diligent behavior]. Taqwa is more to do with the conditioning of mind rather than the religious rituals or dress code. A careful / diligent mind is extremely conscious about type of inspiration or thoughts it entertains or conceive. Thoughts are the basic foundation of human behavior. A Mutaqi [diligent / cautious mind] understands how the negative thoughts / inspirations, vanity, carelessness, laziness and all wrong temptations affects or weaken our system of consciousness [Allah]. Wrong tempting thoughts always seduce mankind from the fixed / established path and strengthens Satan and its Allies. 

Everyone of us have a unique and specific script [Al-Kitab] as a guide [Imam]. That's why each one of us pray to be guided to that fixed / established path - اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ - The path of comfortablity and ease and not the path that leads to anger or irritation due to choosing the wrong path -  صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلا الضَّالِّينَ -

The book Quran emphasizes readers on steady fixed path. The address of steady and fixed path will come from our own inner script [Al-Kitab], our inner discourses [Kalimat], inner signs symptoms [ayaats], guidance [Hidayah], Criterion [Furqan] inspiration [Wahi] we receive come from our Knowledgeable Consciousness [Rabb il Aalameen] and our inner voice [Rasul]. 

Peace and soundness depends upon the types of thoughts we conceive / entertain or care. Each and everyone must understand the essence of الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ. The word الْمُسْتَقِيمَ is a form X active participle which signifies towards making an effort to seek the fixed and steady path. The emphasis is given on fixed and steady path [الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ] because the script [Al-Kitab] is firmly installed in everyone of us, we just need to connect [Salat] it with ourselves.

The marvelous book Quran never discusses petty issues like how many times to eat, what to eat or how many liters of water to drink or how to take bath, what to dress, how many times to pray, what time to pray, what time to take rest or sleep, whom to marry and with how many to marry, waiting period of divorce, breastfeeding span, with whom to keep friendship or enmity, whom to kill or fight, criminal or civil laws or society laws. Nor the book Quran emphasizes on clear / common / simple things like praising and boasting that “God” has made sky and earth, grown fruits and vegetables, sends down water from the sky so we should worship in return and praise Him 3/5 times a day otherwise He will burn us in Hell. Such petty issues are not the subject of the book Quran but is a result of very bad translation or interpretation. 

The entire book Quran must be understood in the context of following or obeying Allah and Rasul but if we look for Allah in the sky and Rasul in the history of Mecca and Madina we won't be able to understand the marvelous message of the book Quran. The Muslim masses find it difficult to understand the message of the book Quran because they believe that Allah is invisible and Rasul is dead so it is impossible to understand the message without the help of supplementary books or scholars. 

All the characters of the book Quran must be understood from within the context of the book Quran only and any interpolation from outside the context is just a speculation or bad interpretation.

ARABIC IS THE LANGUAGE OF ROOT WORDS

ARABIC IS THE LANGUAGE OF ROOT WORDS

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

The language of the book Quran is Pre-Classical Arabic, which was primarily an oral and regional language but spoken in various dialects. Initially the Arabic language is developed on root words or a base letters that carries the semantic content of the word and from it derives the family of the particular word.

The idea of root languages is that a base word as well as its inflected forms support the same core meaning, and can be considered extended words if a learner knows both the base word and the affix. Pre-Classical Arabic words are formed by taking basic words and adding combinations of prefixes and suffixes to them. A basic word to which affixes (prefixes and suffixes) are added is called a root word because it forms the basis of a new word. The root word is also a word in its own right. For example, the English words achieve, achiever, achievement consist of the root word achieve and the suffix – “er and ment.”

The reason why today Arabs or non Arabs don't understand the Quranic Arabic is that their basic premise is wrong. Fundamentally the Quranic Arabic is a root word language but it no longer follows its principles of sticking to its basic root meaning, thanks to the evolution of Original Arabic into Modern Standard Arabic [MSA]. All the languages of the world evolved and Arabic is not an exception to it.

“Our ability to form a limitless number of thoughts into spoken word is one of the things that separate us from our less evolved cousins. While we know that language first appeared among Homo sapiens somewhere between 30,000 and 100,000 years ago, the secret to how language evolved is still unknown, and mainstream theories fall into two distinctly different camps. One widely held theory is that language came about as an evolutionary adaptation, which is when a population undergoes a change in process over time to better survive.” – Charles W. Bryant –

The evolution of vocabularies in the language depends upon the fast growing need to perceive / learn things beyond our culture and beliefs. Many times some foreign words are baptized into the mother language to fulfill these gaps. These baptized words no longer remain foreign as they are brought into the fold of the mother language. So in my opinion when we discuss Arabic vocabularies it is useless to discuss Aramaic, Hebrew or Syrian origin of some baptized Arabic words.    

All the current translations of the book Quran are either based on Modern Standard Arabic or Shan e Nuzool [circumstances of revelation]. The present translation or interpretation of the book Quran does not represent the actual message intended by the author of the book because our puppet scholars have confined the vibrant Arabic meanings to fixed liturgical meanings thus confining the timeless message to the concocted Jewish and Christian stories.

If the derivative of single root word have so many different meanings that do not connect with the essence of the root word then we must not mislead people into thinking that Arabic is a root word language. If Arabic is a root word language then we cannot fool people into believing that a single root word have so many drastically different meanings which does not have any relation or connection with meaning of the root word.

The true meanings of the words will be decided by the context of the subject but our translators have fixed established meanings in their minds even before they undertake the work of translation of the book Quran. This is the reason why the readers are so confused. And it is a very difficult job to overhaul the entire translation of the book Quran. All present translation of the book Quran is based on Tafsir Al- Tabari. Abū Jaʿfar Muḥammad ibn Jarīr al-Ṭabarī [224-310 AH] was a influential Persian scholar during Abbasid period. All the so called scholars / translators with the exception of very few are ditto copycats of that first tafsir.

In classical lexicons the basic meanings of امه [ummuhu] are he tended, he repaired, betook himself, directed his course towards him, pursuing the right way so all the related words of ام [Umm] must have the same essence as of the meaning of the root word in all its derivative words.

The below are the translation of the root word ا م م and its derivatives taken from Arabic Corpus. The basic purpose is to show how the translators of the book Quran have drifted away from a single root word and derived so many different shades of meanings without having the essence of the root word present in it. The essence of the word is totally destroyed by the translators from its root just to justify their own preconceived context and narratives.


Umm - أُمُّ – Mother, foundation – 3:7

Imāman - إِمَامًا – Leader, guide – 2:124, 11:17

Anyone with little common sense can accept the above meanings as it has the essence of the root word but to accept the meanings such as unlettered ones, register, highway, record abode, community, nation, religion, people and coming is against the principle of root word languages like classical Arabic. Modern Arabic is evolved Arabic but the book Quran is written in pre-classical and classical Arabic so the translators must follow the principles of root word languages.

Ummiyyūna – أُمِّيُّونَ – Unlettered ones – 2:78

Imāmin – إِمَامٍ – Register – 36:12

Imāmin - إِمَامٍ – Highway – 15:79

Imāmi – إِمَامِ – Record – 17:71

Ummuhu – أُمُّهُ – His abode – 101:9

Amāmahu - أَمَامَهُ – Before him – 75:5

Ummatan – أُمَّةً – Community – 2:128

Ummatin – أُمَّةٍ – Nation – 4:41

Ummatan – أُمَّةً – Religion – 23:52

Ummatun – ummatun – People – 3:104

Āmmīna – آمِّينَ – Coming – 5:2



There are many such words but we will discuss only 4 more words.

(1) - عَلِمَ - The basic meaning of ilm is he knew, the meaning of other derivatives of ilm are Maulim - Teacher, Uloom - science, Aalim - scientist, Allama - Higher degree of teacher, Taalim- Education - We can see the chain of thematic words connected to single root word with the similar essence of meanings except the below three words. Such discrepancies any layman can pick up faults in the translations.


Mountain - 42:32, 55:24 - كَالْأَعْلَامِ


Landmark - عَلَامَاتٍ - 16:16


Universe / worlds - 1:2 and many more - الْعَالَمِينَ

The above 3 words have ilm as its root word but see how its meaning is so awfully different from the root word علم - ilm

(2) -  شَهْرُ - The basic classical meaning is notable, apparent, manifestation, famous, notorious, commonly know - the derivatives are Mashoor - Famous, Reputed, Shaurat - Fame, Ashaar - well known, Ashaaru - banner. All the derivatives have the essence of the root word present in it but when this word is translated as lunar month then we can clearly see that its meaning does not belong to the thematic chain of this word thus the meaning has to be wrong.

(3) - الدِّينِ - The translators have translated this single word as the religion, the judgment, the law and debt; thus completely ignoring its classical lexicon meaning in lieu for their established narratives in the mind. Because of this whimsical method of choosing the meanings the common readers are deprived the true essence of the word. In fact the word madyan and madina is also a derivative of word دين but it is treated as proper noun and translated as city by the translators. 

(4) - حرم - The basic classical mean is sacred, inviolable but our translators have translated the meaning of its derivatives as forbidden, prohibited, deprived, unlawful, sanctuary...

Since very long the translators are completely destroying the message of the book Quran by whimsically choosing or copying the ready-made meanings without applying their minds to the context and the order of the verses. Although done unintentionally but they are misleading the followers of the book Quran and causing immense damage to the message. Before translation a translator should know the basic difference between Old / Pre-classical / Classical and Modern Arabic. Before translating of any old scriptures one need to have the nuance of that old language plus must have the knowledge of writing format existing in those days. 

I have gone through more than 50 conventional and non conventional translation of the book Quran but unfortunately could not find a single translation which I can approve and recommend to others.   

I am in the process of translating the book Quran. I have written around more than 100 articles plus completed the translation of first draft of 60 surahs starting from backward order of sequence and surah Al-Fateha + Al-Baqrah. Inshallah I will require at least 10 years more to complete the translation of the entire book Quran.

UNDERSTANDING THE ROOT WORD OF SALAT: PART 2

SALAH IN THE LIGHT OF LOCAL ARABIC & THE BOOK QURAN:

First we should know with conviction that the صلاۃ (Salah) mentioned in the book Qur’an is not a contact prayer or “Namaz” which consists of pre-Islamic culture of worshiping of Nature by folding hands in front of trees, Sun, Moon or bowing down towards deities made of stones or considering some house as sacred prostrating towards it. 

The book Quran is an unparalleled literature of its kind in simple Arabic language. It is wrong to give this marvelous book a religious color. We are fortunate that the language of the book Qur’an is not totally dead yet. Even today the native Arabs can relate its word in their daily usage but unfortunately they are not interested in any academic field and majority of the Arabic literature work related to the book Quran is done by non Arabs.

A very vast majority of "Muslims" are content to believe that Allah / Rabb is an exclusive invisible object of worship and our purpose of existence is to please Him day and night as He is watching us 24x7 from the Heaven. Subsequently we will be facing the trail of justice on the basis of how much Allah is pleased with us. All the ritual worship, pleading and devotion is for the purpose of influencing the Judgment of Allah. Allah is presume to be the King of Judgment day and He will decide our afterlife fate whether we would be burned in the eternal "Hell" or enjoy eternal bliss in the "Paradise".

In "Muslim" culture anyone who can recite Arabic and quote the verses from the book Qur'an gains the authority and respect from the community and on the basis of that they select their respective scholars. Beyond this the common Muslims are afraid to go deep in the study of the book Qur’an. Independent and self study of the book is out of question. This is the short synopsis of "Muslims" mentality and belief.

 “صلاۃ”SALAAH AND ITS ROOTS:

The definite feminine noun الصَّلاَةِ is derived from the root و ص ل / ص ل [waw – sad – laam / sad - laam]. Some lexicons take صل as the root word and some describe صلة under the heading وصل. According to Almaany English Arabic dictionary basic meaning of صلة [sila] is:  bearing ; bond ; connection ; contact ; link ; nexus ; pertinence ; relation(ship) ; relevance ; tie ; tie-in - مصدر وثيق الصلة ب means source closely connected with - But this root word  وصل / صل is very rarely used for salah by the academicians although it has strong connection in the local language. I don’t still understand how our eminent academicians can ignore the local language. According to Almaany dictionary the word صلّ is still used in local language for prayers.

The popular Arabic word “اتصالات” (ittisalat) is also derived from the same root and Emirates Telecommunication Group Company, (Arabic: مؤسسة الإمارات للاتصالات‎, Mu'asissat al-'Imārāt lil-'Ittiṣālāt, literally, "Emirates Institute for Communications"), branded trade name Etisalat. In Arabic: اتصالات‎ ittiṣālāt, literally "communications" and for transportation the word is مواصلات (mawasalat) that is also derived from the same root word of  صلاۃ [Salah]. The phrase inner calling in Arabic is الاتصال الداخلي here the word الاتصال is a derivative of Salah and wasl.

When I first heard this word in Dubai some 20 years back I thought it has something to do with contact prayers [namaz] or may be the telephone line is coming from some big mosque. But later I found that this is the name of a very big telecommunication [الاتصالات] [Etisalat] company – the word for transportation is مواصلات [mawasalat] and these words have nothing to do with any ritual contact prayer [namaz]. In Arabic language اتصالية [ittisalat] and مواصلات [mawsalat] are from the same root of وصل / صلة.

The use of derivations of the root of صلاۃ [Salah] has not changed its primary meaning even in modern Arabic too. At present in normal routine this root word is used in different field, for example connecting a microphone [computer] is صِل الميكروفون – connecting an adapter [automotive] is صل المهايئ – to connect a call is توصيل مكالمة [telephone] – connect USB cable is صل كابل [computer] - sprinkler used in agriculture is صُلْ هوائي – movement joint is فا صل حركة  - and finally even today for prayers in general the word is صلّ used.

Discussing some theory for academic purpose, nothing to do with translation of the book Quran: However, during the Umayyad period [661A.H – 132A.H] Islam spread very fast to the non Arab lands. Umayyads were non religious Arabs, they were only interested in usurping power and expansion and they never felt the necessity to interpret the book Quran in any other language. It may be that the native speakers of Arabic do not give much importance to the translations, but they will know its importance if they ask any non-Arab Muslim about it. Only one important thing they did to protect the original script of the book Quran is by coding the Quranic script with diacritics marking [Al-Tashkil]. This is a boon for non-Arabs Muslim researchers.

Abū al-Aswad al-Duʾalī [16A.H – 69A.H], was the poet companion of Ali bin Abu Talib [d 40A.H] and grammarian is said to have introduced the use of diacritics (consonant and vowel markings) to writing, and to have written the earliest treatises on Arabic linguistics, and grammar (nahw). He had many students and followers. Al-Duʾali is credited with inventing a system of placing large colored dots above certain letters to differentiate consonants (because several groups share the same shape), and indicate short vowels (because the sounds are not otherwise indicated). Consonant differentiation is called I'jam (or naqt). Vowel indication is called tashkil. Al-Du'ali's large-dot system addressed both of these, resolving readers' confusion and making clear how to read, understand and write Arabic words.

Although effective, the large dots were difficult to use on small-size fonts except on limited selection of scripts. They were also time-consuming to make on any size of fonts or script. Thus, the Umayyad governor al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi [40A.H - 95A.H] - asked two of al-Duʾali’s students [Nasir and Yahya] to create and codify a new system that was simpler and more efficient. Even though the first usage of diacritics is said to have begun with Abu al-Aswad al-Dualy (d. 69 A.H), Hasan Basri (d. 109 A.H), Nasr ibn Asim (d. 88 A.H) or Yahya ibn Ya’mur, it seems more likely that Abu al-Aswad began this usage and the rest played important roles in its development. As a matter of fact, Nasr and Yahya were both students of Abu al-Aswad and were nominated to carry out this task on the order of Hajjaj.

Unfortunately even this meticulous decoding of the words of the noble Quran failed to stop the corruption in the understanding the book Quran. The Persians were very academically intelligent people but they were defeated by the superior Arab power. They could not fight the Arabs physically but politically they were very sharp. They knew the strength and weakness of Arabs. Their strength was the book Quran and weakness was women. The Arabs forcefully married fair skin Persian girls thus giving the Persians an opportunity to develop a political nexus between the despotic Arab. This way the Persians completely took under their control the entire administration of the “Islamic Empire” under the garb of providing guidance to Arabs. A simple guide of living was given the form of a sacred / religious book and especial rules were formulated to understand the vibrant message of the book Quran. Initially it was spread in non Arab Muslim regions so that nobody could doubt their intentions. Those who raised their voices were slyly put to death. Hundreds of Arabic speaking intellectuals were assassinated in order to camouflage their nefarious activities. Under the influence of government and the help of the illiterate Arabs even sane among them started to believe that to understand the “religious book Quran” they need to learn special sciences. The Arabs forget that the simple book Quran is in their own local language and they need not take help of any supplementary literature to understand it. The fake supplementary literature invented to distort the meanings and context of the book Qur’an was falsely attributed to the exalted messenger of Islam so that nobody could question its authenticity.

Majority of newly converted Arabs and non Arabs Muslims were not aware of the core philosophy of the book Quran. So it became even easier for the conspirators to revert back the traditional Arabs to their old worshiping methods and accommodate some rituals along with their important annual pilgrimage in the fold of Islam. Each and every verses of the book Quran was cleverly hijacked according to old Arab / Persian cultural beliefs. Special attention was given to the word صلاۃ and its derivatives so that it looks more like mixture of Jew / Christian / Zoroastrian form of worship.  Applause to them they did a marvelous job in converting a vibrant book of human psychology into the sacred book of religion.

It is a fact of Nature that you cannot hide the truth for long, it is bound to come out and the manifestation is in its nature. After taking so much trouble to fit in the designated words of their own choice their cheating was finally exposed by the translations itself. There are three root words in case of salah [صلو- صلى- - وصل / صل] from which one can choose the meaning according to its context. In the case nisa there are two root words [نسأ  and نسو ] and in the case of nabi there are two root words to choose from that are نبا and نبى  in all such cases the context of the book Qur’an will decide the root word and not the lexicographer. Lexicographers can play with its meaning but the immutable context of the book Qur’an will have the final say.

The traditional translators have taken the root word of صلاۃ [Salaah] as صلو and made يُصَلُّونَ - صَلُّوا its “derivatives” to mean ‘contact prayer’ [namaz]- –Now observe in the following verses how their translations looked like:

33:56 إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

“Allah sends His Salat [ritual prayer] on the Prophet (Muhammad SAW) and also His angels too. O you who believe! Send your Salat [ritual prayer] on him (Muhammad SAW), and (you should) greet (salute) him with the Islamic way of greeting (salutation i.e. AsSalamu Alaikum).” T T

This above verse was the main reason for me to doubt the ritual prayers [namaz]. This is a very important verse of my life; correct understanding of this verse gave me the boost to my further research. I appreciate the English translation of this verse by Dr. Muhsin Khan & Dr. Al-Hilali that gave me my first breakthrough of my research. I have removed much interpolation so that the readers get a better picture of the verse.

 This verse made me ponder how Allah offers Salat on the Nabi. This is some 18 years back when I was critically analyzing salat, people thought I was crazy doubting an important pillar of Islam. Same mistake is committed by the translators in the below verse.

33:43 هُوَ الَّذِي يُصَلِّي عَلَيْكُمْ وَمَلَائِكَتُهُ لِيُخْرِجَكُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ وَكَانَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيمًا

“He [Allah] it is Who sends Salat [ritual prayer] on you, and His angels too, that He may bring you out from darkness into light. And He is Ever Most Merciful to the believers.”

The biggest mistake the translators did is that they inferred يُصَلُّونَ and صَلُّوا as derivative of the word salat [صلاۃ] where as  صلة/ وصل is the root word of صلاۃ – The root word of يُصَلُّونَ and صَلُّوا is صلو – If we still think salat is ritual prayers then it is impossible to explain verse 33:36 and 33:43. And in the form II verb the intensity of the words become more intense.

You have seen if صلاۃ or يُصَلُّونَ and صَلُّوا is taken as a ritual prayer (namaz) it sounds illogical and goes against the general belief of that Almighty Allah. How can He perform ritual prayers on the Nabi as well as on believers and that means that He bows and prostrate to anyone in prayers?

Only a blind and deaf can ignore the normal daily usage of word salat and its derivatives in Arabic language. The Quranic word صلاۃ [Salah] is a primary noun of the same Arabic root word that is used to derive the popular words of general Arabic sense “الاتصالات” (Al itti salat) and “مواصلات” (mawasalat). Linguistically صلاۃ (Salaat) is a synonym of Arabic words رَبَط [rabt] which has the primary characteristics of “اتصالات” (Atta salat) and “مواصلات” (mawa salat). So, being a prime word and as an integral part of “اتصالات” (itti salat) and “مواصلات” (mawa salat), the essence of the Quranic word صلاۃ (Salat) is actually used to mean:  attachment ; conjunction ; connectedness ; connection ; junction ; liaison ; link(age) ; linkup ; union ; communication, transportation; union , connection; (state of) joining; mutual relation, bringing into such a relation; communication; social relations; a point at which two or more things are joined together; a place where two or more railway lines or roads meet, unite or cross; the act or instance of joining; communication or cooperation; relationship in which one is caused or affected by the other; relationship between two or more people; link or tie; act or instance of uniting or the state of being united.

The same word صلاۃ (Salaat) with the definite article الصلاۃ [As Salah] refers to connection, to reach out, to join, to unite, communication, to relate and to get together for purpose of connection with our own inherent script [Al-Kitab] as instructed by the book Quran.

Finally some verses from the book Quran must put the controversy to rest:


13:20 - الَّذِينَ يُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِ اللّهِ وَلاَ يَنقُضُونَ الْمِيثَاقَ

Those who fulfill / complete with system of consciousness's [Allah's] promise / oath, and do not break / undo the promise / covenant.

13:21- وَالَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ مَا أَمَرَ اللّهُ بِهِ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ وَيَخَافُونَ سُوءَ الْحِسَابِ

And those who connect [derivative of salat] what the system of consciousness [Allah] has ordered / commanded with it that to be connected [derivative of salat], and they fear their consciousness [Rabb], and they fear the displeasing reckoning.

13:22 - وَالَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِمْ وَأَقَامُواْ الصَّلاَةَ وَأَنفَقُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلاَنِيَةً وَيَدْرَؤُونَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ السَّيِّئَةَ أُوْلَئِكَ لَهُمْ عُقْبَى الدَّارِ

And those who were patient desiring their Consciousness's direction/face/attention, and kept up the process of connection [salat], and they invest from what We provided for them gladly and clearly, and they repel /avert evil with the good, those for them is the cycle of returning / succession.

The verse 13:20 to 13:22 proves that Salat is contact or process of connection between the Rabb' promise / covenant / contract and us.

You will not see the real purpose of salat unless you replace the fake meaning of صلاۃ [Salah] from the contradictory translations of the above mentioned verses you will see yourself the correct, logical, sensible and understandable meaning of these sensible verses and its daily uses among Arabs.