221- DO NOT MARRY THE DISBELIEVING WOMEN UNTIL THEY BELIEVE, FOR A BELIEVING WOMAN SLAVE (OF ALLAH) IS BETTER THAN A DISBELIEVING ONE, EVEN IF SHE ALLURES YOU. AND DO NOT MARRY THE DISBELIEVING MEN UNTILL THEY BELIEVE, FOR A BELIEVING MAN SLAVE (OF ALLAH) IS BETTER THAN A DISBELIEVING ONE, EVEN IF HE ALLURES YOU.  THOSE CALL YOU TO THE FIRE WHILE ALLAH CALLS YOU TO THE PARADISE AND FORGIVENESS, WITH HIS PERMISSION.  ALLAH IS MAKING HIS AYAHS CLEAR FOR MANKIND SO THAT THEY MAY TAKE KEED.

 

 This is another command and in fact, a rule and law in Islam. Allah the Highest is forbidding the Muslims men and women from marrying total disbelievers, telling us that believing men or women are better than the disbelieving ones. 

For Men: 

Allah the Highest allowed men to marry women of the people of the book i.e. Christians or Jew when He said: “TODAY ALL GOOD THINGS HAVE BEEN MADE LAWFUL FOR YOU, AND THE FOOD OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE BOOK BEFORE YOU IS LAWFUL FOR YOU, AND YOUR FOOD IS LAWFUL FOR THEM, SO ARE THE VIRTUOUS WOMEN OF THE BELIEVERS AND THE VIRTUOUS WOMEN OF THOSE WHO WERE GIVEN THE BOOK BEFORE YOU”  (S:5 A:5)

If people ask about why, say this is Allah’s decision, and Allah sees that this is best for us and Allah does not have to explain why.  The insistence here is on the women being virtuous. 

A woman of no faith does not fear her Creator, and is not likely to have respect for a man’s faith and honor or bring up her children as believers.  Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, said: “the Lower life is nothing but pleasures, and the best of its pleasures is a righteous wife”.  (M: Redae; 59 & Ma: Nekah; 5 & A: 2; 168)

Also Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, said: “A woman is being married either for her money, status, beauty or faith, win the one who has faith and you will be fortunate” (M: Redae; 54 & T: Nekah; 4 & M: Nekah; 6)

For Women:

Allah the Highest allows Muslim women to marry Muslim men; they may not marry men from the people of the book, as the above mentioned Ayah clearly states only Muslim men marrying women of the people of the book.

Men are usually the head of the household and their children follow their religion.  Therefore the children from a married Muslim man and Christian woman are usually brought up as Muslims, while the children from Christian man and Muslim woman would be brought up as Christians.

The disbelievers and idle worshipers, men or woman, call us to worship other than Allah and perhaps we are influenced by them.  We are likely to be influenced by our spouse in a marriage and certainly our children will be influence by their parents.  A disbelieving parent is going to have a negative influence on both their children and spouse.

 

Muslim men, marrying non Muslim women happens a great deal in non-Muslim countries.  Muslim men should be very clear before entering into such a marriage, that their children are going to be brought up as Muslims.  This is his duty and right.  Leaving the children without a clear religious direction on the understanding that they will choose when they are older is both unfair and wrong.  They need clear direction in the right way from a very young age so as to have a clear identity and understanding of the faith.

Muslim women should be very careful in marrying non-Muslim men who promise to embrace Islam in order to marry them.  Marriage is not a good reason for embracing a religion, and this reason, certainly does not reflect  real conviction or faith.  They will soon revert, and then what is going to happen, when the woman already is married to a non-Muslim and might have had children from him.  If she continues with the marriage, she is committing adultery; otherwise, she has to break up the family, which is not easy.

Following Allah’s commands leads us to His pleasure and Paradise.

 

B: Bukhari   M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi  

 

 

219- THEY ASK YOU ABOUT INTOXICANTS AND GAMBLING, SAY; “THERE IS A GREAT SIN IN THEM AS WELL AS BENEFITS TO PEOPLE, BUT THEIR SIN IS GREATER THAN THEIR BENEFITS”, AND THEY ASK YOU WHAT THEY SHOULD SPEND (IN CHARITY), SAY: “WHAT IS OVER YOUR NEEDS”.  THUS DOES ALLAH CLAREFIES HIS AYAS TO YOU SO THAT YOU MAY THINK.

220- IN THIS WORLD AND IN THE HEREAFTER.  AND THEY ASK YOU ABOUT THE ORPHANS, SAY: “THE BEST IS TO DO WHAT IS GOOD FOR THEM, AND IF YOU MIX YOUR AFFAIRS WITH THEM, TREAT THEM LIKE BROTHERS”.  ALLAH KNOWS THOSE WHO DO MISCHIEF FROM THOSE WHO DO GOOD, AND IF ALLAH DESIRED, HE WOULD HAVE CAUSED DIFFICULTIES FOR YOU.  INDEED ALLAH IS MOST EXALTED IN POWER AND MOST WISE.

 

These two Ayahs are about 3 different Issues:

1-    Intoxicants and Gambling: 

 

It is important to note that Allah the Highest spoke always about intoxicants and gambling together.  Intoxicants are every thing which intoxicates the mind, not only Alcoholic drinks as is often believed. All drugs of abuse such as Cannabis, Cocaine, Magic Mushrooms, Heroin, etc are Intoxicants and are forbidden.

 

What the Arabs knew and used at the time was Alcoholic drinks.  They used to ferment and make alcoholic drinks from grapes, dates, cereal and other things.  The prohibition of Intoxicants and Gambling happened in steps, and did not start until after a while of the Muslims migration to Medina.  This was the first stage of the prohibition.

 

The Muslims saw what Alcoholic drinks and gambling does to people and they asked Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him about them and here came the answer.  It was not prohibiting, but stating facts about them.  There is a great deal of wrong in Intoxicants and Gambling and there are some benefits.

 

They affect one’s health, behavior and the relationship between people badly.  In the mean time, there are some benefits in drinking small amounts of Alcohol, there is also an industry in Intoxicants and Gambling which provide jobs and income to some people, but the bad is more than the good.  Allah the Highest did not say any more at this stage.

 

The next stage came when a number of the early Muslims drank wine with a meal, after which they prayed together.  The Imam made a number of mistakes reciting the Quran.  Allah the Highest sent another Ayah saying “YOU WHO BELIEVE, DO NOT APPROACH THE SALAH WHEN YOU HAVE DRUNK, SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW WHAT YOU SAY”.  (S: 4 A: 43)

 

Although this Ayah was not a prohibition, yet if made it impossible for the Muslims to drink during the day, otherwise they will not be able to pray.  People at that time used to rise for Fajr and sleep with the sun.  They used to wait after Magreb to pray Esha.  Those very keen to drink, had to wait after Esha to have a drink, which reduced the Muslims drinking considerable.

 

The next and final stage was that of total prohibition.  Some Muslims drunk then had a fight (as often happen in dinking places) Allah the Highest sent this Ayah down: “YOU WHO BELIEVE, THE KHAMR (INTOXICANTS), GAMBLING, IDLES AND AZLAM (A FORM OF GAMBLING) ARE BUT ILLS OF THE WORK OF SATAN, AVOID THEM SO THAT YOU MAY SUCCEED * SATAN DESIRRES TO STIR UP HATRED AND STRIVE BETWEEN YOU THROUGH INTOXICANTS AND GAMBLING AND PREVENT YOU FROM REMEMBERING ALLAH AND FROM SALAH, WILL YOU THEN BE FORBIDDEN”.  (S: 5 A: 90-91)

When this Ayah was sent down, Omar Ibn El-Khatab said: “We are forbidden, we are forbidden”.  (D: Ashrebah; 1 & T: Tafseer Sorah 5; 8, 9)

 

Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him then sent men around Medina telling people that intoxicants (Including alcoholic drinks) are prohibited, and to pour any of it on the sand.

 

Intoxicants are whatever intoxicates the mind as Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “every thing that intoxicates the mind is Khamr, and every thing that intoxicates the mind is forbidden”.  (B: Adab; 80 & M: Ashrebah; 73-75)

 

The name does not matter, for there will always be new names.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Some of my nation will drink Khamr, calling it other names” (B: Ashrebah; 6 & D; Ashrebah; 6 & Ma: Ashrebah; 8 & A: 4; 237)

 

If something causes intoxication when large quantities are consumed, like Beer or Cider, then it is forbidden even in small quantities.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “What plenty of is intoxicating, a small amount of is forbidden”.  (D:Ashrebah;5 & T:Ashrebah;3 & N:Ashrebah;5 & Ma:Ashrebah;10 & Da:Ashrebah;9)

 

What is forbidden concerning Intoxicants?

 

Every thing to do with it is forbidden.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “The Khamr (intoxicants) is cursed in 10 ways; whoever drinks it, whoever offers it to be drunk, whoever sells it, buys it, carries it, whoever it is carried to, whoever squeezes the juice out, whoever it is squeezed for, whoever takes it’s price, and whoever sites with people drinking”

 (Ma: Ashrebah; 6 & T; Beyo; 58 & a: 2; 71)

 

Why are they forbidden?

 

They are forbidden because of what they do to us and their effect on the society.  They lead to many evils.

Intoxicants cause Addiction, Stomach ulcers and cancer, liver cirrhosis, depression, schizophrenia and loss of memory.  They cause antisocial behavior and immoral behavior.  They cause crimes and animosity between people as well as break up families. 

 

Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Do not drink Khamr, for it is a key to all evils” (Ma: Feten; 23)

 

Penalty for those who take Intoxicants:

 

-         Their Salah not accepted for 40 days after drinking once.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “The Salah of a person drinking Khamr is not accepted for forty days and if he dies meanwhile, he goes to the Hell-Fire, but if he repents, Allah shall forgive him”.  (Ma:Ashrebah;4 & T:Ashrebah; 1 & A:2;35)

 

-         If one dies drinking without stopping, he does not enter the Paradise.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “He who is addicted to Khamr, shall not enter the Paradise”.  (Ma;Ashrebah;3 & N:Zakah;69 & A:1:272)

 

 

-         Penalty of flogging 40 lashes.  It was reported: “A man was caught drinking Khamr and brought to Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: ‘Hit him’.  Some of us hit him with the hand, some with the shoes, and some with cloths.  Some of us said: “May Allah humiliate him”, Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Do not say that do not help Satan against him”.  (B:Hodoud;2 & M:Hodoud;37)

 

Abu Bakr Al-Seddique may Allah be pleased with him while he was Khalifa flogged a man who drunk Khamr 40 lashes.  (B: Hodoud: 2, 4 & M: Hodoud; 35, 36, 38)

 

Gambling has been associated with drinking intoxicants in all Ayahs.  It also leads to loss of money, hatred and strive between people as well as loss of money.  Gambling is also addictive like intoxicants.

 

2-    Spending in the cause of Allah:

 

Spending for charity should be out of what is above our needs, not wants.  One should start with spending on our dependants and close relative, and those he or she is responsible for.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Son of Adam, to spend out of what is above your needs is good for you and to keep is bad for you.  You shall not be blamed for not having money.  Start with your dependants, and the higher hand (that gives) is better than the lower hand (that receives)”.  (M: Zakah; 95 & D: Zakah; 39 & A: 2; 94)

 

Abu Saed El-Khodari reported that he was travelling with Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him when a hungry man came looking for something to eat.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “He who has animal to ride above his needs, let him give it to he who has non, and he who has food over his need, let him give it to he who has non” Then Abu Saed said: ‘And he kept naming all types of things which can be over our needs, until we realized that we do not have any right to what is above our needs”.  (M: Loqtah; 18 & D: Zakah; 32 & A: 3; 34)

 

One should not spend most of his money in charity leaving himself and his family destitute.  It was reported: “We were with Allah’s messenger when a man came to him with a piece of gold the like an egg and said: ‘Allah’s messenger, I have this piece of gold and it is Sadaqah, I do not have anything else”.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him turned away from him, so he came to him from the right and said the same, and Allah’s messenger turned away from him.  He came to him from the left and said the same, and Allah’s messenger turned away from him.  He came to him from behind and said the same, then Allah’s messenger took it and throws it at him if it hit him, it would have hurt him.  Then Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “One of you would come with all he possesses and say: ‘this is for charity’, then stretches his hands to people begging.  The best charity is that which is out of what you do not need” (Abu Dawood)

 

3-    The Orphans:

 

Abd Allah Ibn Abas reported that this Ayah was sent down following to others Ayahs which are:

a-     “DO NOT TOUCH THE WEALTH OF THE ORPHANS EXCEPT TO DO WHAT IS GOOD FOR THEM”  (S:6 A:152)

b-    “THOSE WHO UNJUSTLY EAT UP THE WEALTH OF THE ORPHANS, ARE EATING FIRE INTO THEIR STOMACHS, AND SHALL BURN IN A BLAZING FIRE”.  (S:4 A:10)

Ayah 220 is a clarification of the above two Ayahs which caused Muslims who were looking after orphans and orphans money many anxieties.  They began separating their food from the food bought by the orphan’s money, and generally not touching their food or things and separating it from their own. 

This was not nice for the orphans living in a family for they felt separated and not part of that family.  This Ayah was sent down stating in general terms that we should treat the orphans in our homes as brothers and sisters.  Treat them fairly and justly, in the mean time kindly and affectionately like our own flesh and blood, indeed some of them may be.  Allah knows who is doing well and who is doing wrong, even if we try to cover it up.  We should manage their affairs this way, and provide them with the warmth and affection in our homes.

 

B: Bukhari   M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi  

 

217- THEY ASK YOU ABOUT THE SACRED MONTH AND FIGHTING DURING THE SACRED MONTH? SAY: “FIGHTING DURING THE MONTH IS A GRAVE SIN”. BUT OBSTRUCTING ALLAH’S PATH, TO DISBELIEVE IN HIM, AND TO PREVENT ACCESS TO THE SACRED MOSQUE AND DRIVE THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE BY IT AWAY IS A GRAVER SIN IN THE SIGHT OF ALLAH. INDEED, PERSECUTION AND AGGRESSION ARE WORSE THAN KILLING. THEY SHALL CONTINUE FIGHTING YOU UNTIL THEY TURN YOU AWAY FROM YOUR RELIGION IF THEY CAN, AND WHOEVER TURNS AWAY FROM HIS RELIGION AND DIES A DISBELIEVER, HIS DEEDS WILL BE RENDERED FUITHLESS, BOTH IN THIS WORLD AND IN THE HEREAFTER. THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE OF THE HELL-FIRE, WHERE THEY WILL ABIDE FOREVER. 218- THOSE WHO BELIEVED, MIGRATED AND FOUGHT IN THE CAUSE OF ALLAH, THEY HOPE FOR ALLAH’S MERCY, AND ALLAH IS MOST FORGIVING AND MOST MERCIFUL. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him sent a patrol of 8 mean of the migrants (Muhajeren) lead by Abd Allah Ibn Gahsh. They were given written instructions which they were told not to open and read until they were 2 days traveling away from Medina. The Instructions were to travel to a place between Makah and Medina and to look out and try to find out as much as possible about Qurish (the people of Makah). Because of the special risk in the mission, the instructions also included giving each of the men the choice as to go ahead with it them or not. They all went. One the way, the camel two men were sharing went astray in the desert, and they went looking for it, hoping to catch up with the rest of the company later. They were Saad Ibn Abi Waqas, and Otba Ibn Gazwan. While those six men were on their way, they saw a caravan of Makah. It is reported that this was on the last night of Rajab, a sacred month. There are two theories: 1- The caravan was attacked on the last night of Rajab knowingly, not wanting to miss it, as next day it would have entered Makah. 2- The caravan was attacked on the last night of Rajab mistaking it for the first day of Shaban, which is not a sacred month. It should be mentioned that the Muslims felt justified in attacking the Makans caravans after the persecution they suffered in Makah. Also they lost their houses, land, animals, etc to the Makans, for they had to migrate in secret and leave every thing behind, and the Makans took what they left behind. The caravan was attacked on the last day of Rajab, its leader Abd Allah Al-Hodromi was killed, two men were taken prisoners and a man escaped. When they went back to Medina, Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him refused to take anything of this bounty, did not allow them to take any of it, and the Muslims rebuked them. Than Allah the Highest sent these Ayahs, following which they took their bounty, and Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him accepted his share (a fifth, which was mostly spent on those in need, and from this Bit El-Mal developed) The people of Makah sent some men to Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him to ransom the two prisoners, and also to reproach the Muslim. He waited until the return of the two men who went looking for their camel, then allowed accepted ransom for the two prisoners. One of the two men embraced Islam and did not return to Makah. These two Ayahs are about important principles in Islam and indeed in life in general. It is that all wrongs are not of the same degree, and sins are not of the same degree and should not be seen as such. To fight during the sacred month is a sin, but not as bad as killing believers, forcing them to leave their homes and possessions, obstructing people’s way to know God and preventing them from visiting Kabba. Persecution in Faith is worth than killing. Killing destroys this life, temptation and persecution in faith can destroys ones Hereafter, which is far worse. Allah the Highest warns us that in all times and ages, the disbelievers will be tempting us and trying to corrupt our Faith. Those who go astray and die as disbelievers will have lost all the good deeds they might have done before disbelieving. The Muslim migrants who went out on this mission, risking their lives, obeying Allah and His messenger, were to be embraced with Allah’s Mercy and Forgiveness for their error. We do not know whether their error was a mistake or intentional, however the intention behind it was not evil or disobedient of Allah and His messenger, therefore they were forgiven. What is more, Allah the Highest is reassuring them of such Mercy and Forgiveness in His Book, the Quran, for every one to read until the Day of Resurrection. B: Bukhari M: Muslim Mal: Malek A: Ahmed D: Abu Dawood Da: Daremy Ma: Ibn Magah N: Nesae T: Termezi

216- FIGHTING HAS BEEN MADE A DUTY UPON YOU WHILE YOU HATE IT.  MAY BE THAT YOU HATE SOMETHING WHILE IT IS GOOD FOR YOU, AND MAY BE THAT YOU HATE SOMETHING WHILE IT IS BAD FOR YOU, FOR ALLAH KNOWS AND YOU DO NOT KNOW.

 

Allah the Highest made fighting a duty upon the Muslims in this Ayah.  It is not attacking people for no reason and threatening civilians and killing randomly.  Fighting should be in the cause of Allah the Highest. 

Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Whoever fights so that Allah’s Word becomes the supreme, he is in the case of Allah the Most Exalted the Majestic”. (B: Elm; 45 & M: Emarah; 150-151 & Ma: Jehad; 13 & A: 4; 392,397)

Why should a Muslim fight?

1-    Protecting out lives, that is every one’s life.  Not just the Muslims, but any one of any faith who lives with the Muslims in their land in peace.

2-    Protecting our property and possessions.

3-    Protecting our faith and freedom to worship.

4-    Opening the land which does not allow Islam so that Islam may be heard and practiced there. 

It is often claimed that Islam was spread by force, which is not true.  The Muslim State spread by force, which used to be the rule at that time.  Islam as a religion did not spread by force however.  People in these lands were not forced to embrace Islam or be killed, Islam spread there peacefully and gradually.  For decades and centuries, Muslim Khalifas ruled over majority of non-Muslim population, indeed allowing the free worship for the Christians and Jews.  This is because Allah the Highest said: “THERE IS NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION, FOR THE RIGHT HAS BEEN DISTINGUISHED FROM THE WRONG” (S: 2 A: 256)

 

Allah the Highest promised those who fight in His cause the following:

1-    Return having gained Allah’s pleasure and reward.

2-    To be martyred, gaining the great reward of Martyrdom.

The Early Muslims fought in the cause of Allah more than any other nation, therefore the Muslim state spread throughout the Earth and with it Islam Spread.  We should remember that Islam spread and is still spreading in many countries which were never under Muslim Rule, including the US and Europe.  This could not have been by the sword.

In fact, the Muslims were not allowed to fight at the beginning, and the permission to fight came after 15 years of the beginning of Islam.  This is because the Muslims were under threat and attacks, were killed and tortured and had their money and possessions taken from them. 

Protecting the safety and security of the Muslim Nation and the Muslims is a very important goal, and without it, the Muslims can not maintain their faith and life. 

Usually, being strong rebels most potential aggressors, this is why Allah the Highest commands us to keep our military strength and preparation always high saying: “AND PREPARE FOR THEM WHAT YOU CAN OF STRENGH AND HORSESTO PUT FEAR INTOALLAH’S ENEMIES AND YOUR ENEMIES, AS WELL AS OTHERS YOU DO NOT KNOW BUT ALLAH KNOWS”.  (S: 8 A: 60)

This fighting in the cause of Allah is what is called “Jihad”. 

Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Whoever dies having not fought in the cause of Allah or thought about it, he would have died like a disbeliever”.  (Bukhari)

Indeed, no other deed matches or equals Jihad in its reward from Allah the Highest.  A man asked Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him: “Allah’s messenger, tell me about a deed which equals Jihad” He prayer and peace upon him said: “There is not.  Can you when the man goes out for Jihad to go to your mosque to pray without rest, and fast without eating?”  The man said: “But who can do that?”  (B:Jihad;1 & M:Emrah;110 & T:Fadael el-Jihad;1 & N:Jihad;17 & A:2;344)

Meaning that from the person out fighting in Allah’s cause, from the minute he leaves his home is like being in continuous Salah and Fasting.

Fighting involves physical and mental strain, loss or earning and being away from family and loved ones, and most of all loss of life, therefore no one likes it.  It can be necessary however, and without being prepared to fight for our security and dignity, Muslims will not live in peace, have freedom in their faith and be able to prosper. 

We see how Muslim countries have been invaded for the most flimsy excuses.  The only real deterrent of potential aggressors is power, and power needs believers who are prepared and willing to stand in the face of the aggressor and fight.

 

B: Bukhari   M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi  

 

215- THEY ASK YOU WHAT THEY SHOULD SPEND.  SAY: “WHATEVER GOOD THINGS YOU SPEND IT SHOULD FOR YOUR PARENTS, THE CLOSE KIND, THE ORPHANS, THE POOR AND THE WAYFARER”, AND WHATEVER GOOD YOU DO, ALLAH IS KNOWLEADGABLE OF.

Allah the Highest encourages the Muslims to give for charity, and there are many Ayahs in the Quran to this effect.  When the Zakah, which is the duty charity from our money, was prescribed upon us, it became a duty, yet a Muslim is still encouraged to give Charity (Sadaqah) whenever possible.

The Zakah should be collected by the Governor and then spent on those who need it, as well on things for the welfare of the nation like defense and health etc. 

It is clear that one’s charity should first go to the closest of blood relatives, the parents, then the closer etc.  In fact, although one should be charitable to one’s parents, it is an obligation not an option, it is their right but Allah the Highest in His Generosity rewards us for it.

Naturally, the relatives qualifying for charity should be poor and in need, not just because they are blood relatives.  The charity to blood relatives has double the reward, for it is charity and making good relations with a blood relative.

Allah the Highest reassures us of knowing too well all the good things we do and the recompense is guaranteed.