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Bismi Allah

(In the Name of Allah)

Part–3(i) of 11

By Abul Kasem (e-mail address: nirribilli@gmail.com) May 26, 2006 [color=RED][i][A note of caution: The contents of this essay might offend some readers.][/i][/color]

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Allah’s Likes and Dislikes-(i)

In part-1 of this series, we noted what Allah is all about. Allah, truly, is like a human being—at least, this was the impression Muhammad wanted to implant in the minds of his followers. The Bedouin Pagans had a concept of Allah which was primarily fuzzy, unclear and filled with superstitious belief. When Muhammad introduced to them his new Allah, they were more confused; they wanted to have a proper grasp of who was this new Allah. To clear the cobwebs, vis-à-vis Allah from the minds of these Pagans, Muhammad had no choice but to tell them that his Allah had the same desire, habits, likes and dislikes just like any human being has. To this end in view, Muhammad engaged himself in inventing all means of description of his Allah’s mental disposition regarding all and every matter which all human beings are familiar with. Here are a few examples of Muhammad’s Allah’s likes and dislikes.

Allah does not like any challenges

The Bedouin Pagans challenged Muhammad to prove his claims of divine inspiration from Allah. Having failed to successfully meet their challenge, Muhammad became irate, frustrated and vengeful. In Mecca, he had no raw muscle power to subdue those Quraysh who were constantly harassing him through many poems and intellectual debates. In all those debates Muhammad was beaten—hands down. Many poets in Mecca flattened Muhammad in their compositions—insisting that Muhammad’s claims were nothing new. Dejected, saddened and hopelessly dispirited, Muhammad now turned to his Allah. Allah quickly sent down verses to placate his intimate, dearest friend. In these verses, Allah steadfastly asserted that He too is angered and insulted by the insolence of the Pagan Arabs who dared to challenge Him with compositions quite akin or better than the Qur’anic verses. Allah promised His wrath, vengeance, terror and threatened the Quraysh Pagans with Hell if they dared to continue with their challenge to him (i.e. Muhammad). Allah was deeply perturbed with the ‘puny’ poems of the Meccan poets who defeated the Qur’an, Muhammad’s composition of Allah’s Words. Muhammad was unable to prove that his Qur’an was really from Allah. So, Allah had to come to rescue His dearest Apostle. Allah now challenged those Meccan poets to compose one sura similar to the Quran. The poets of Mecca, of course met this challenge. Angered, Allah then asked the Pagans to compose ten suras similar to the Qur’an. The Pagan poets duly met this challenge as well. Greatly perturbed, Allah then challenged those poets of the desert to compose a book which will be superior to the entire Qur’an and the Taurat combined. Those Arab poets had no difficulty in meeting this challenge from Allah (i.e. Muhammad). Infuriated and frustrated, Allah, citing how he had, in the past destroyed many generations for indulging in such calumny issued warrants that henceforth He would never forgive those who dared to challenge Him (i.e. Muhammad). Let us read a few verses from the Qur’an about Allah’s absolute dislike for his challengers. First, Allah challenged the Pagans to bring a sura like the Qur’an, if anyone doubts it…10:38 [quote] [i]010.038 [/i] [b]YUSUFALI: [/b]Or do they say, "He forged it"? say: "Bring then a Sura like unto it, and call (to your aid) anyone you can besides Allah, if it be ye speak the truth!" [/quote] Then Allah challenged the Pagans to compose ten suras similar to the Qur’an. Qur’an is the direct speech of God; when the unbelievers insist that Muhammad himself had written the Qur’an, Allah challenges them to bring ten Suras like the Qur’an...11:13 [quote] [i]011.013[/i] [b]YUSUFALI:[/b] Or they may say, "He forged it," Say, "Bring ye then ten suras forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid) whomsoever ye can, other than Allah!- If ye speak the truth! [/quote] Finally Allah challenged the Pagan poets to compose the entire Quran and the Taurat. If the unbelievers could bring a book better than the two (Qur’an and Taurat?) then Muhammad would have followed that book…28:49 [quote] [i]028.049[/i] [b]YUSUFALI:[/b] Say: "Then bring ye a Book from Allah, which is a better guide than either of them, that I may follow it! (do), if ye are truthful!" [/quote] Allah is now furious and in extreme frustration. He threatens those who dared to challenge Him. He even cites the fate of earlier generations who threw challenges to Him. Challenging Allah is incurring hell (Allah does not like any challenges)...22:51 [quote] [i]022.051[/i] [b]YUSUFALI:[/b] "But those who strive against Our Signs, to frustrate them,- they will be Companions of the Fire." [/quote] When Lot admonished his people for their sinful acts of sodomy and highway robbery, they challenged Lot to bring to them the wrath of Allah …29:29 [quote] [i]029.029 [/i] [b]YUSUFALI:[/b] "Do ye indeed approach men, and cut off the highway?- and ractise wickedness (even) in your councils?" But his people gave no answer but this: they said: "Bring us the Wrath of Allah if thou tellest the truth." [/quote] Allah metes out a humiliating punishment to the challengers of the Qur’an…34:5 [quote] [i]034.005[/i] [b]YUSUFALI:[/b] But those who strive against Our Signs, to frustrate them,- for such will be a Penalty,- a Punishment most humiliating. [/quote] Allah will punish those who challenge the Qur’an…34:38 [quote] [i]034.038[/i] [b]YUSUFALI:[/b] Those who strive against Our Signs, to frustrate them, will be given over into Punishment. [/quote] Allah will mete out retribution to those who challenge Him…51:14 [quote] [i]051.014[/i] [b]YUSUFALI:[/b] "Taste ye your trial! This is what ye used to ask to be hastened!" [/quote]

Allah does not like the tolling of bells and music

Muhammad never had any liking for music and song. In the ancient Arabian society these two artistic skills were highly prized. This is true even today. Listen to any Arab music or songs and you will be astonished by its vibrancy, rhythm, eloquence, lilting tunes and its enthralling power to bewitch the audience. Muhammad did not posses any such skills. He had nothing to contribute to the rich culture of Arab music, song and dance. So he had to disparage the skilful music composers and their enchanting songs. The Christians used the appealing music of the bell to invite their adherents to their Churches. Muhammad hated this. So Allah also had to hate music and songs. Allah compared those who tolled the bells and composed music with the activities of Satan and promised a severe retribution to those who indulged in such pleasure. While we do not read any verse in the Qur’an which specifically prohibits tolling of bells or playing of music, there are plenty of ahadith which do prohibit music, song and dance. In sharia law music and dance are strictly forbidden. Let us read a few ahadith on the banning of music, song and dance. The bell is the musical instrument of Satan… (Sahih Muslim, 24.5279) [quote] [i]Book 024, Number 5279:[/i] Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The bell is the musical instrument of the Satan. [/quote] Similar ahadith are found in Sunaan Abu Dawud. The bell is a musical instrument of Satan…(Sunaan Abu Dawud, 2.14.2550) [quote] [i]Sunaan Abu Dawud, Vol ii, Book 14, Hadith Number 2550:[/i] Abu Hurairah reported the Prophet (may peace be upon him) as saying: The bell is wooden wind and musical instrument of Satan. [/quote] Let us read another hadith from Sunaan Abu Dawud. Singing, playing and simple amusement without musical instrument is allowed… (Sunaan Abu Dawud, 3.41.4905) [quote] [i]Sunaan Abu Dawud, Vol.iii, Book 41, Hadith Number 4905:[/i] Anas said: When the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) came to Medina, the Abyssinians played for his coming out of joy; they played with spears. [/quote] We might think this hadith permits Muslims to indulge in contemporary music and songs. But we are dead wrong. The translator of Sunaan Abu Dawud writes that dancing, singing and music of modern times, especially by women are completely prohibited (Hasan, 2001, p. 3.1371, foot note 4284). And Sahih Bukhari too confirms that music, fine dressing and wining are absolutely forbidden. Those Muslims who enjoy music, fine silk, drinking and sex—some of them Allah will destroy, some of them will be transformed into monkeys and pigs… (Sahih Bukhari, 7.69.494v) [quote] [i]Volume 7, Book 69, Number 494v: [/i] Narrated Abu 'Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash'ari: That he heard the Prophet saying, "From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful. And there will be some people who will stay near the side of a mountain and in the evening their shepherd will come to them with their sheep and ask them for something, but they will say to him, 'Return to us tomorrow.' Allah will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and He will transform the rest of them into monkeys and pigs and they will remain so till the Day of Resurrection." [/quote] According to Sharia law music, songs and dances are haram (prohibited) activities (al-Misri, 1999, p. 77 476). This Sharia law is quite length. I shall quote only the relevant parts. [b]Musical instrument[/b] Quoting various sources, from the Qur’an and ahadith, the Sharia law on musical instrument stipulates: [quote] All of this is explicit and compelling textual evidence that musical instruments of all types are unlawful. Law r40.2 (Nawawi) It is unlawful to use musical instrument—such as those which drinkers are known for, like mandolin, lute, cymbals and flute—or to listen to them. It is permissible to play the tambourine at weddings, circumcisions, and other times, even it has bells on its sides. Beating the kuba, a long drum with a narrow middle is unlawful. [b]Singing[/b] Law r40.3 (Ibn Hajar hayatami): As for listening to singing that is not accompanied by instruments, one should know that singing or listening to singing is offensive except under the circumstances to be mentioned in what follows. Some scholars hold that singing is sunna at weddings and the like, and of our Imams, Ghazali and ‘Izz ibn ‘Abd al–Salam say that it is sunna if it motivates one to a noble state of mind that makes one remember the hereafter. It is clear from this that all poetry which encourages good deeds, wisdom, noble qualities, abstinence from this worldly things, or similar pious traits such as urging one to obey Allah, follow the sunna, or shun disobedience, is sunna to write, sing, or listen to, as more than one of our Imams have stated is obvious, since using a means to do good is itself doing good. [b]Dancing[/b] Law r40.4 (Nawawi: (n: with commentary by Muhammad Shirbini Khatib)) It is not prohibited to dance ((Shirbini) which is not unlawful because it is only motions made while standing or bowing. Furani and others have expressly stated that neither is it offensive, but rather is permissible, as is attested to by the hadith related in the Sahihs of Bukhari and Muslim that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) stood before ‘Aisha (Allah be well pleased with her) to screen her from view so that she could observe the Abyssinians sporting and dancing)—unless it is languid, like movements of the effeminate. [/quote] So, according to Allah’s law, standing, bowing and walking are Islamic dancing and these are allowed. Any other form of dancing—the cultural dances of all nations (like Indian dance, Western dance, Thai dance and Malay dance….etc) are strictly forbidden.

Allah likes perfume

Yes, that is correct. Imam Ghazali writes that on the Resurrection Day, Allah will wear such a perfume that its fragrance will beat even the fragrance of the musk (Ghazali, 1993, p. 4.322). This means that Allah is really physical, otherwise how could an entity wear perfume if it does not possess a physical existence? Imam Ghazali writes: [quote] …The Prophet said, “There is account for everything lawful and there is punishment for what unlawful (sic). He also said: People will be asked on the resurrection day (sic) for everything, even why he applied antimony to his eyes, why he muddled the earth with his fingers, why he touched the things of his brother. He said: He applies scent for the sake when Allah will come on the Resurrection Day with such a fragrance which will become more scented than musk. He who applies it for other than Allah will come on the Resurrection Day with stench more than that of a dead animal. …. [/quote] The above passage clearly demonstrates why Allah likes to wear perfume: yes, it is because Muhammad had a great taste for musk perfume. When meeting delegates and women he always wore that perfume. Allah also likes perfume—only for Muhammad’s sake.

Allah loves mosque-building

This liking of Allah should not surprise any readers. Visit any Islamic Paradises and you will be awe-struck with the number of mosques in any suburbs. From the minarets of these ubiquitous mosques, big or small, the cacophony of Azan (prayer call) emanates five-times a day, 24 hours and 365 days. If we ask any Islamists he will surely testify this high pitch blaring sound as Allah’s music. Any person, if ever he dares to call this as absolute noise pollution will have his day, believe me. If the diehard mosque goers could ever spot this person on the street or in the vicinity of a mosque, they will surely hunt him down, heckle him and possibly cut him into pieces. Please visit Dhaka, the capital city of one of the poorest Islamic Paradises, Bangladesh, and enjoy for yourself the music of Allah, from the dawn, before sunrise, until the first part of the night. You will also notice the obsession of ‘moderate Muslims’ to construct mosques in the infidel territories where they have been provided an opportunity to enjoy a relatively calm, peaceful and prosperous life. To these migrants of Islam, it is their most pious, sacred and compulsory religious duty to build mosques in infidel territories, wherever they might be. Nothing will prevent them from raising enormous fund (with help from petrodollar) to construct Allah’s houses (mosques). In Australia, the migrant Islamic community has vowed to build mosques in every suburb even though the population of Muslims in Australia hardly exceeds 1.5%. But this microscopic migrant Islamists have a giant dream—to convert all of Australia into Allah’s land– an Islamic Paradise. Building of mosques is the first step in this direction. So, why the diehard Islamists are fanatical with building mosques wherever they are? The answer is very simple. Allah has urged them to build mosques anywhere Muslims are there—even when there is only a handful of them—even when there may be only two or three of them. When the number of Muslims is very feeble, possibly less than ten, they will start with a Musalla, an exclusive prayer room. When the number rises to around a couple of hundred they will apply to the local government authorities to erect a mosque. If you have doubt on this, please watch how the Muslim students in many western universities demand a special prayer room exclusively for them. When this demand is satisfied they will step up the demand for a little mosque in the university campus. If this demand is not met they will lobby the Arab governments to exert their political pressure on the infidel government. This is the ardour these Islamists have to build mosques wherever they are. Here are some reasons why the Islamists are so much eager to erect mosques. Whoever builds a mosque, Allah will build a similar place for him in Paradise… (Sahih Bukhari, 1.8.441) [quote] Volume 1, Book 8, Number 441: Narrated 'Ubdaidullah Al-Khaulani: I heard 'Uthman bin 'Affan saying, when people argued too much about his intention to reconstruct the mosque of Allah's Apostle, "You have talked too much. I heard the Prophet saying, 'Whoever built a mosque, (Bukair thought that 'Asim, another sub narrator, added, "Intending Allah's Pleasure"), Allah would build for him a similar place in Paradise.' " He who builds a mosque for Allah, Allah would build for him a house in paradise… (Sahih Muslim, [url=http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muslim/004.smt.html]1084, 1085[/url]) Allah will shed a man whose heart is attached to the mosque… (Sahih Bukhari, [url=http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/024.sbt.html]2.24.504[/url]) One step to mosque–one sin is forgiven… (Sahih Bukhari,[url=http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/034.sbt.html]3.34.330[/url] On every Friday Angels stand at the gates of every mosque … (Sahih Bukhari, [url=http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/054.sbt.html]4.54.433[/url]) Allah obliterates sins for performing a thorough ablution, walking to the mosque and waiting for the next prayer… (Sahih Muslim, [url=http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muslim/002.smt.html]2.0485)[/url] He who offers the Morning Prayer in a mosque is under the protection of Allah… (Sahih Muslim, [url=http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muslim/004.smt.html]4.1381)[/url] Angels invoke blessings as long as you are inside a mosque …(Sahih Muslim, [url=http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muslim/004.smt.html]4.1396, 1397, 1399[/url]) He who went towards the mosque in the morning or evening, Allah would arrange a feast for him in the morning or in the evening in Paradise… (Sahih Muslim, [url=http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muslim/004.smt.html]4.1412[/url]) Allah loves the lands of mosques and hates the markets… (Sahih Muslim, [url=http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muslim/004.smt.html]4.1416[/url]) Allah’s security is for three people: 1. a jihadist 2. a mosque goer 3. he who enters his house after giving salutation… (Sunaan Abu Dawud, 2.14.2488) [/quote] The above hadith is not available online. So I shall quote it from the print version of [i]Sunaan Abu Dawud.[/i] [quote] [i]Sunaan Abu Dawud, vol. 2, Book 14, Hadith number 2488:[/i] Abu Umamat al–Bahlil reported the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying: There are three persons who are in the security of Allah, the Exalted: A man who goes out on an expedition to fight in the path of Allah, the Exalted, is in the security of Allah, until He takes him unto Him (i.e. he dies), and brings him unto Paradise or brings him (alive) with reward and booty he obtains; and a man who goes to the mosque is in the security of Allah, until He takes him unto Him (i.e. he dies), and he brings him in to Paradise, or brings him reward and spoils he obtains; and a man who enters his house after giving salutation is in the security of Allah, the exalted. [/quote] With so much extraordinary rewards promised, why should not an Islamist be fervent in building a mosque wherever he goes? After all, he has nothing to lose—Allah fully protects him, for sure.

Allah loves to frighten the believers

This disposition of Allah might shock many readers, especially the Muslims. But this fear tactic of Allah to force people in submission (Islam) should not be unfamiliar to the readers. If you had already read the previous two parts of this series, you might have already guessed the feeling of insecurity Allah suffers from. And, this is because Muhammad, His closest friend, also suffered from insecurity and frustration. That is why Allah has to frighten the believers to keep them in the fold and terrorise the unbelievers and force them to submission (surrender to Allah, Islam). Let us read this hadith from Sahih Bukhari. [quote] Allah sends eclipse to frighten the believers... (Sahih Bukhari, 2.18.167). [i]Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 18, Number 167:[/i] Narrated Abu Musa: The sun eclipsed and the Prophet got up, being afraid that it might be the Hour (i.e. Day of Judgment). He went to the Mosque and offered the prayer with the longest Qiyam, bowing and prostration that I had ever seen him doing. Then he said, "These signs which Allah sends do not occur because of the life or death of somebody, but Allah makes His worshipers afraid by them. So when you see anything thereof, proceed to remember Allah, invoke Him and ask for His forgiveness." [/quote] Here is another hadith from Sunaan Abu Abu Dawud. [quote] [i]Book 20, Number 3084: [/i] Narrated Muhammad ibn Khalid as-Sulami: As-Sulami's grandfather, who was a Companion of the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) said: I heard the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) say: When Allah has previously decreed for a servant a rank which he has not attained by his action, He afflicts him in his body, or his property or his children. [/quote] The translator of Sunaan Abu Dawud, Professor Ahmad Hasan comments on this hadith in this way: [quote] This shows that Allah enhances a person’s rank by affliction in whatever form it may be. Sometimes a man cannot attain the rank previously decreed by Allah for him. Therefore, to raise him to that rank he afflicts him in his body, property or children. One should not take calamity as the wrath of Allah. It is mercy from Him (Hasan, 2001, p. 2.880, foot note 2558). [/quote] The above comment, from a highly respected scholar of hadith tells it all. If you are a Muslim, rest assured that Allah will inflict torture and pain on you. Allah loves to inflict terror, torment, suffering and punishment. These activities please him—if you did not know the reason.

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To be continued in part-3(ii)…