The difference between pre-Islamic Ramadan and Islamic Ramadan is, pre-Islamic Ramadan was practiced by a Pagan tribe in Arabia, and Islamic Ramadan is practiced by Muslims all over the world.
During Ramadan, Pagan Arabs used to abstain from food, water, sexual contact etc. Muslims practice the same Pagan Ramadan rituals.
It is a well-known fact that Islam adapted the Pagan practice of fasting. There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari that mentions the ritual.
Bukhari 5:58:172 – Narrated Aisha: ‘Ashura was a day on which the tribe of Quraish used to fast in the pre-lslamic period of ignorance. The Prophet also used to fast on this day. So when he migrated to Medina, he fasted on it and ordered (the Muslims) to fast on it. When the fasting of Ramadan was enjoined, it became optional for the people to fast or not to fast on the day of Ashura.’
The fasting for Ashura (10th of Muharram) originated from a Quraish Pagan practice. Ramadan fasting came later from Sabian tradition. Sabians are mentioned in several verses of the Quran [al-Baqarah 2:62], [al-Hajj 22:17] , [al-Maa’idah 5:69] along with Christians and Jewish. Sabians, a non-Muslim Iraqi tribe, believed in monotheism, observed fasting 30 days a year, and prayed 5 times a day.
Not only Ramadan fasting, other Pagan rituals were also Islamized. The Ka’aba in Mecca was a center of idol-worship. 360 idols were kept in the Ka’aba. According to Hadith Bukhari 3:43:658 Narrated Abdullah bin Masud: The Prophet entered Mecca and (at that time) there were three hundred-and-sixty idols around the Ka’aba. He started stabbing the idols with a stick he had in his hand and reciting: “Truth (Islam) has come and Falsehood (disbelief) has vanished.”
The Black-stone or al-Ḥajar al-Aswad of the Ka’aba became the central shrine object in Islam. It was one of the many stones and idols venerated by pre-Islamic Pagans. The Black Stone was kissed by people during pre-Islamic pagan worship. Muhammad did not completely abolish Idol worship, he made the Black Stone stay and allowed people to continue the practice of kissing the stone. It is the same pre-Islamic Pagan stone that Muslims kiss today during Hajj and Umrah. The Islamic historians believe that the black stone was a pagan deity called ‘Al-Lat’, one of the three daughters of Allah, the Pagan moon-god. She was once venerated as a cubic rock at Ta’if in Arabia.
Hisham ibn-Al-Kalbi (819 CE) in his ‘The book of Idols’ wrote that ‘Al-lat stood in al-Ta’if, and was more recent than Manah. She was a cubic rock beside which a certain Jew used to prepare his barley porridge (sawiq). Her custody was in the hands of the banu-’Attab ibn-Malik of the Thayif, who had built an edifice over her. [...]She is the idol which God mentioned when He said, “Have you seen al-lat and al-Uzza?” (Surah 53:19)
Muslims in the 21st century believe that the Black Stone fell from the heaven during the era of Adam and Eve. They also believe that the stone was originally white, but it turned black because of absorbing human sins.
Pre-Islamic Pagans prayed five times a day facing Mecca. Persian Zoroastrian tribe prayed five times a day too, in the direction of the Sun or fire temple. Before prayers, Zoroastrians cleaned themselves or practiced ablution. Ablution and the prayers for 5 times are not something Islam invented. The Hadith [Sahih Bukhari Book 8, no. 345] tells us that when Muhammad met Allah in heaven, Allah demanded 50 prayers per day. But with the help of Moses, Muhammad bargained with Allah and finally he was successful to reduce 50 prayers per day to 5 prayers per day. Even the Quran (4:28) says, ‘God wishes to lighten your burden, for the human being is created weak’.
During Hajj, Muslims walk between two mountains seven times. It is also a pre-Islamic practice. Let’s see what the Quran and the Hadith say about the special mountain walk.
Hadith Bukhari. Volume 2, Book 26, Number 710: Narrated ‘Asim: I asked Anas bin Malik: “Did you dislike to perform Tawaf between mountain Al-Safa and mountain Al-Marwa?” He said, “Yes, as it was of the ceremonies of the days of the Pre-lslamic period of ignorance, till Allah revealed: ‘Verily! Al-Safa and Al-Marwa are among the rites (or symbols) of Allah. It is therefore no sin for him who performs the pilgrimage to the Ka’ba, or performs ‘Umrah, to perform Tawaf between them.’ ” (Quran 2.158)
Many non-Islamic Pagan rituals are now known as Islamic rituals. Pagan’s crescent moon: the symbol of the moon god, circumambulation, Ihram etc. were taken or stolen by Islam. Muslims now begin their Ramadan fasting after seeing a crescent moon in the sky. Ramadan is a kind of a month-long food festival for Muslims. It is supposed to be a month of sacrifice and Muslims are expected to eat less. But in reality, Muslims eat more in Ramadan than any other month. Some people call Ramadan the holy month of feasting, instead of the holy month of fasting. They make sense.
There are some unscientific, nonsense verses in the Quran about Ramadan.
Quran.Sura 2:187: “Eat and drink until white thread of dawn appears to you and then complete your fast till the night appears.”
Quran.Sura 18:83-86:“Zulkharnain reached the setting place of the sun. He saw that it set in a pool of black muddy water.”
Quran.Sura 67:3-5; 37:6-9: “We created 7 heavens one above the other and decorated the lowest heaven with lamps – The Stars. We made such lamps as missiles to drive away Satan, who try to listen the conversation of the higher group — i.e., Conversation between Allah and his angels.”
There are many Hadith on Ramadan too. The most interesting ones are the ones about Muhammad kissing his wives and the way he permitted old men to embrace their young wives but prevented young men from embracing their young wives. Needless to say, Muhammad was old.
Hadith. Bukhari, Vol.3:149: narrated Aisha, ‘Muhammad used to kiss and embrace his wives while he was fasting and he had more power to control his desires than any of you.’
Hadith.Bukhari, Vol.3:151: Narrated Zainab: (daughter of Umme Salma) that her mother said, The prophet and I used to take a bath from one water pot and he used to kiss me while he was fasting.”
Hadith. Book 13, No.2381: Narrated Abu Hurayrah: A man asked Muhammad whether one who was fasting could embrace his wife and he gave him permission; but when another man came to him, and asked him, he forbade him. The one to whom he gave permission was an old man and the one whom he forbade was a youth.
Hadith. Book 13, No. 2380: Narrated Aisha: Prophet Muhammad used to kiss and suck her tongue, while he was fasting.
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Bob Jase
July 21, 2012 at 9:28 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Glad to hear that Jews & Christians aren’t the only Abrahamic religions to have stolen from pagans.
Gene C
July 21, 2012 at 10:27 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Boring.
Cchoton
July 22, 2012 at 3:41 am (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Wow! We’ve got some wonderful facts unveiling the history and hypocritical nature of Ramadan fasting. Thank you Taslima. You have written,”There are some unscientific, nonsense verses in the Quran about Ramadan”. But according to me,the whole Quran is a compilation of some unscientific, nonsense verses. Some are very funny. There are some guys living in my neighborhood. They almost worship Zakir Naik and some few other new-age prophets. The leader of those guys is studying MBBS in a medical college. This highly educated,socially acclaimed boy strongly believes that the Quarn is the source of every invention. Even the Quran is a science manual! This is 21st century…era of hijab and fatwa by educated peoples. Sad!
Winterwind
July 22, 2012 at 4:40 am (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Hahaha. It might give you a bit of comfort to know that there are such people in every religion. Once I read a comment by a Hindu claiming that Vishnu’s Dasavatara actually represent Evolution. Of course Hindus invented everything 10 million years before anyone else. Also, temples are built in places where the Earth’s magnetic field is particularly strong. The idols actually absorb “positive energy” and beam it into worshippers!
Anyway, as you say, a lot of people who fall for these things are quite bright and intellectually curious. We should try to engage with them and show them they’ve been misled.
muller
October 13, 2012 at 1:43 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
hindu was the first religion which exist on earth…. my dear friend…
jonathanagathokles
October 13, 2012 at 4:59 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Actually the first religion were animistic, from which then developed later religions. Hinduism is just one of the many resulting religious traditions over the two hundred thousand years of Homo sapiens’ existence, if indeed they didn’t inherit religious belifs from yet earlier species of humans.
Rasheed
October 20, 2012 at 3:20 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Dear Hindu brother, According to DNA verification test results almost 99% Muslims of India, Pak & Bangladesh are identical to local Hindus and Indian Muslims DNA never match to either Arabs, Persians or Egyptians, this indicates clearly that only local Hindus were converted to Islam and everyone should know that 99% Muslims of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are from Hindu ancestors as per British genealogy report. Might be your ancient cousins converted to Muslims from Hinduism only due to the atrocities of upper caste of Hindus on lower caste one and resulted in conversion in to Islam. If in India Hindus forcibly converted in to Islam then why Muslims are not returning back in Hinduism fold again? It is because of Hindus converted in to Muslims as per their own will & wish only since Hinduism is falsely framed religion by Aryans to dominate & establish Rule over native backward, scheduled caste & tribes to commit their atrocities. Now you are saying Muslims are terrorists because these native Indians no more under Aryans control.
However keep in mind that already from Aryans created Hinduism (Hindus) left to Islam in Pakistan & Bangladesh and within coming 100 years India also will with Muslims Majority and become Islamic country.
Is there anyone to clarify that why there is no difference between Hindus & Muslims on their faces/ Heights/ personality or on their genes? Because of Muslims and Hindus (Except Aryans) are really natives of Indian sub continent with in different faiths.
F
July 22, 2012 at 10:06 am (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
How delightful! Your words are bring in the extreme as well. Cheers!
F
July 22, 2012 at 10:16 am (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
I hadn’t realized that the form of the fast was taken from pagans as well. Everybody stole from them, as they had the then-current monopoly (or oligopoly), and were generally much more varied and entertaining, and frequently available for mixing and matching (or this is possibly even required in some cultures and states).
Islam had a good market to choose from, with access to several other authoritarian monotheistic religions as well (and the baggage they had collected from competing and precursor polytheisms as well).
In most cases, though, religions have a habit of keep picking the worst bits of other religions, or from their own history, and making them worse. Or completely perverting what were originally good elements included in a religion.
Taslima Nasreen
July 22, 2012 at 11:29 am (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Muhammad used to go to Syria by a trade caravan belong to his first wife Khadija. He met many Christians in Syria. He also met Jews in Medina. One of Khadija’s cousins, Waraqah ibn Nawfal, had embraced Christianity. Muhammad learned a lot from them and wrote the Koran on the basis of the stories he heard. Probably his only creation was 72 virgins thingie.
Rituals are mostly stolen from pagans.
Muhammad Suleman
July 23, 2012 at 12:22 am (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Dear Nasreen;
My Tasleema’t to you.
Your name is a Muslim name. Instead of presuming that you are a Muslim I wish to ask you if you are one.
Do you normally speak against Islam or have you also written in favour of some aspects of Islam?
Looking forward to a pleasant dialogue with you.
Muhammad Suleman
zahida
July 23, 2012 at 11:12 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
I never talk or think against Islam
BinJabreel
July 24, 2012 at 7:26 am (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
I think part of it is that we need our religions to be special, born fully-formed like Athena.
Acknowledging that they are part of a seamless continuum of rituals and beliefs that get borrowed and built upon comes too close to acknowledging that they’re a human cultural artifice like any other.
I adore your writings, even reading you translated into English makes me miss the flavor of Arabic when I was attempting to learn it.
sc_4ae9536f673e9e97b5c5583be6fada8d
July 26, 2012 at 11:16 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Interesting comment being that the Prophet Mohammed was unable to read or write..well known fact Taslima, wake up!
anti paganism
September 27, 2012 at 7:11 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
sham on you, Taslima. Actually you are pegan, that is why you are supporting paganism. Pagansim worship davil and so do you. Our prophet mohammad (peace be up on him) was not a copy cat like you are. He had fear of Allah unlike you. If you are so brave and so powerful can you stop death Taslima because you are doctor. Sham on you taslima, you are so filthy.
Look at you and Dr. Zakir naik. You are disgusting and Alhamdurilla he is so respectful to this world insha Allah next world he will be too. Alhamdullih Allah keep his promises because dr. zakir talk for Allah and for Mohammad(S.w) he is respected to this world so far. Look at you, you try to insult ALlah and his prophet Mohammad(s.w) and Allah made you to get slap through other people shoes. Sham on you Taslima.
Now I got it you actually worship filthy jinn. So you are pegan disgusting!!!!
Jonathan Agathokles
July 22, 2012 at 3:19 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
There is one mistake in this otherwise excellent essay. Allaḥ is not a Moon God, just like in Islām he is the creator and highest of the Gods, with Allat as his wife and co-creatress of the world. The crescent moon did not become a symbol of Islām until deep in Ottoman times. It is true that the crescent moon in the sky was important as it marked the beginnings of each month, as it does in many cultures past and present.
So while it is true that the crescent moon is a symbol of lunar deities throughout the ancient Near East, going back thousands of years, it was never a symbol of Allaḥ, for Allaḥ is not a Moon God.
Taslima Nasreen
July 22, 2012 at 4:29 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
As far as I know Hubal and Allah are connected. http://www.studytoanswer.net/islam/hubalallah.html
Jonathan Agathokles
July 22, 2012 at 5:21 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Yet the South Arabian tribes had a different Moon God, Ta’lab, yet they also worshipped Allaḥ.
sc_4ae9536f673e9e97b5c5583be6fada8d
July 26, 2012 at 11:19 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
As far as you know? I could throw a refrigerator farther than you know! By the way, they are not connected…lol. Muslims beleive that God has no partners. Obviously, this is a pagan beleif. So as far as I know, you dont know anything about Islam or Allah.
muller
October 13, 2012 at 1:36 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
taslima,
the belief of pagans was to god shiva.. but prophet muhaamed started his own religion… disregarding the pre-islamic rituals… as the kabba in mecca is the shivaling of god shiva…. there were 260 idols of gods in kaba.. but islam doesnot belief in idol worship…
jonathanagathokles
October 13, 2012 at 5:01 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
The Ka’aba is NOT originally a Temple to Shiva. It is a temple to Allah, and to the other Gods of Arabia and their trade partners. So while hypothetically an idol of Shiva could have been present at the site, it wasn’t the primary deity there, let alone the reason it was built.
zahida
July 23, 2012 at 11:21 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Fasting has been practiced since the very beginning of human life on earth. Some sects of Jews and Christians do fasting for 40 days. Hindu people do fasting in different occasions.
The fasting that Muslim people do may be different in some aspects of practice.
It should be remembered that the intention of fasting is same for all religion e.g. satisfying God.
People of different religion got the direction of fasting from the same god.
zahida
July 23, 2012 at 11:34 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
We can’t judge Quran either by holding few translations, criticizing difference of Islamic practice among different sects or societies of Muslims and of course not blindly believing the propaganda against Islam by non Muslims.
The whole universe exists in the quran. It needs extensive knowledge to about all the aspects of realistic and so called unrealistic things; a non biased mind.
lpetrich
July 24, 2012 at 11:55 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
I’ve seen a more mundane explanation for fasting, that it’s a way of practicing for surviving famines. That had been a real problem for many premodern societies.
Some people fast because it induces religious/mystical visions. These are essentially hallucinations, and they can be induced in a variety of ways. Bertrand Russell once knew a woman who fasted because of the experiences she had while doing so. He stated that if you eat too little, you see heaven, while if you drink too much, you see snakes.
lpetrich
July 25, 2012 at 12:10 am (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
As to Islam ripping pre-Islamic practices, as some commenters noted here, that’s rather common. Consider winter-solstice celebration in mid-northern latitudes. English speakers usually call it Christmas, but Danish and Swedish and Norwegian and Icelandic speakers still use cognates of English “Yule”. Candles and conifer trees don’t have much connection with Jesus Christ, but instead with what there’s not much of in winter: light and living vegetation.
But there are winter-solstice-aligned monuments that go back very far, like Newgrange, Ireland, nearly 5000 years ago, and the Goseck Circle, southern Germany, nearly 7000 years ago. Seems like their builders thought winter solstice worth noting.
Illiterate
July 25, 2012 at 12:57 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
If Muhammad had the chance to respond to this, he most probably will remind that like many in his time, he also was reviving and perfecting Abrahamic traditions which partially was embedded in Arab practice, though some took pagal flavor, other retained in more pure form (called Hanafi) and others were blended in Arab Jewish or Arabo Christian traditions.
Hajj for example was first introduced by Abraham, then became mixed in Arab local tradition (hence idol worship came into form). So to label it pagan is bit dishonest or myopic at best.
Regarding the statement you made, “There are some unscientific, nonsense verses in the Quran about Ramadan.”
Quran.Sura 2:187: “Eat and drink until white thread of dawn appears to you and then complete your fast till the night appears.”
Quran.Sura 18:83-86:“Zulkharnain reached the setting place of the sun. He saw that it set in a pool of black muddy water.”
It seems people often forget that Quran has a very poetic language because classic Arab is.
When in Bangla language we say, “Amar Shnonar Bangla Ami Tomae Bhalobashi” .. literally it means “My Bengal Land of Gold, I love you,” this doesnt mean Bangladesh has Gold mines, it simply express preciousness.
Similarly in 18:83-86… when it says Zulkarnain reached the setting place of sun, its an idiomic phrase of furthest west. Just as Japan is called “the Land of Rising Sun.”
Thanks.
zahida
July 30, 2012 at 12:29 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
If any one reads the Quran, he/she will find that Quran holds a gradual transition beginning from Adam. It acknowledges the importance of all of the important prophets. The Quran didn’t deny them rather directed to respect them. A native american man once told me about their prophet. His name was Nanabush. What he told was the exact story of Prophet Noah. This man’s tribe still do spiritual practice by their own way.
According to the Quran, Adam’s religion was Islam. All the other prophets’ religion was Islam though their practice was different from modern day practice. For example, direction for five times salat.
Quran also says that sharing god with wife, son etc etc. and worshiping other Gods are anti Islam.
As a chemical engineer I like to say that God is the central nucleus of the universe. The universal activities are regulated by it. Religious practice is for mingling the transformed energy with that core energy. A good chemical reaction always needs the utmost purity of the components.
There many opportunities of discriminating oppressing man kind when more than God is worshiped; the cast system and hierarchy of brahminism.
Some people accepts Ramadan as a ritual without any option. No, ramadan is not a must for whatever reason we show. Their is option for giving alms and in case of incapability only prayer.
many of the Islamic practices that is criticized now a days are actually not in compliance with Quran, hadith, sunnah and fiquah. example: hadith says every muslim man and woman must be educated, if even it needs you to go a far away county. According to sariah, a muslim woman can be the head of a country or army chief of staff.
Some muslim countries ignore these. That is not the fault of the Quran but of human beings and for that they will be judged.
Some people think being anti religion means being modern and learned in so many modern concepts. But we forget that man is mortal.
sc_4ae9536f673e9e97b5c5583be6fada8d
July 26, 2012 at 11:08 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Dear Sincere Truth Seekers,
I have literally copied and pasted the authors complete entry. I will now refute her misleading statements with the truth. My own words will be added to the authors entry seperated by brackets []. Please note..I am not a scholar and my comments below are based on my limited knowledge as a student of history and Islam.
The difference between pre-Islamic Ramadan and Islamic Ramadan is, pre-Islamic Ramadan was practiced by a Pagan tribe in Arabia, and Islamic Ramadan is practiced by Muslims all over the world. [Very broad comment. There are many differences between Pre-Islamic Ramadan and Islamic Ramadan rituals, too many to list. Do some research through credible sources]
During Ramadan, Pagan Arabs used to abstain from food, water, sexual contact etc. Muslims practice the same Pagan Ramadan rituals.[Although Muslims do abstain from the above mentioned, Ramadan is much more than that. Why do Muslims abstain from this? It is to detach oneself from worldly matters for the pleasure of their Lord, to remember why we were created and humble ourselves. Check out islamreligion.com for much more in depth info on Ramadan]
It is a well-known fact that Islam adapted the Pagan practice of fasting. [The Pagans in question were also re-knowned through out Arabia to be the most hospitable to their guests, their generosity,bravery and many other great qualities. Does this mean that it is wrong to continue to practice some Pre-Islamic rituals that were noble?? If that was the case then Muslims should not be as hospitable, generous etc etc since this is apparently soley attributed to Pagans. Jews and Christians by the way also practice forms of fasting dont they?]
There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari that mentions the ritual.
Bukhari 5:58:172 – Narrated Aisha: ‘Ashura was a day on which the tribe of Quraish used to fast in the pre-lslamic period of ignorance. The Prophet also used to fast on this day. So when he migrated to Medina, he fasted on it and ordered (the Muslims) to fast on it. When the fasting of Ramadan was enjoined, it became optional for the people to fast or not to fast on the day of Ashura.’
The fasting for Ashura (10th of Muharram) originated from a Quraish Pagan practice. Ramadan fasting came later from Sabian tradition. Sabians are mentioned in several verses of the Quran [al-Baqarah 2:62], [al-Hajj 22:17] , [al-Maa’idah 5:69] along with Christians and Jewish. [Yes they are mentioned, but in what context??] Sabians, a non-Muslim Iraqi tribe, believed in monotheism, observed fasting 30 days a year, and prayed 5 times a day. [More useless info that doesnt prove anything]
Not only Ramadan fasting, other Pagan rituals were also Islamized. The Ka’aba in Mecca was a center of idol-worship. 360 idols were kept in the Ka’aba. According to Hadith Bukhari 3:43:658 Narrated Abdullah bin Masud: The Prophet entered Mecca and (at that time) there were three hundred-and-sixty idols around the Ka’aba. He started stabbing the idols with a stick he had in his hand and reciting: “Truth (Islam) has come and Falsehood (disbelief) has vanished.”[ This proves that Islam is not based on Idol worship and pagan beleifs. Yes the Ka'aba in Mecca was a center of idol-worship before Islam. Islam came and did away with this through Monotheism]
The Black-stone or al-Ḥajar al-Aswad of the Ka’aba became the central shrine object in Islam.[Central Shrine object?? Not really. Some Islamic historians beleive this stone was sent to Ismael from the Angel Gabriel and placed on the Ka'aba when Ismael and his father Abraham constructed the Ka'aba. This stone does not play a pertinent role in the Islamic religion nor is central to anything] It was one of the many stones and idols venerated by pre-Islamic Pagans. [Again, given to Abrabram and his son Ismael when they constructed the Ka'aba with their own hands. Abraham by the way is "the father" of all 3 major monotheistic religions in the world, Judaism, Christianity and Islam...so the black stone was not just venerated by pagans rather their origins of worship stemmed from monotheistic beleifs that later became diluted with falsehood with addition of idol worship] The Black Stone was kissed by people during pre-Islamic pagan worship. Muhammad did not completely abolish Idol worship, he made the Black Stone stay and allowed people to continue the practice of kissing the stone. [False, the prophet Mohammed (pbuh) did in fact abolish ALL forms of idol worship. As stated, this stone has a special history. To venerate, or hold something in a deep respect is completely different than Idol Worship] It is the same pre-Islamic Pagan stone that Muslims kiss today during Hajj and Umrah. [Again, given to Abraham and his son Ismael, Prophets of God and fathers of the 3 Major Montheistic religions in the world today] The Islamic historians believe that the black stone was a pagan deity called ‘Al-Lat’, one of the three daughters of Allah, the Pagan moon-god. She was once venerated as a cubic rock at Ta’if in Arabia. [ Completely false, a lie. The author conveniently does not cite any sources here. There is not one credible Islamic Scholar/Historian that would agree to the authors statement]
Hisham ibn-Al-Kalbi (819 CE) in his ‘The book of Idols’ wrote that ‘Al-lat stood in al-Ta’if, and was more recent than Manah. She was a cubic rock beside which a certain Jew used to prepare his barley porridge (sawiq). Her custody was in the hands of the banu-’Attab ibn-Malik of the Thayif, who had built an edifice over her. [...]She is the idol which God mentioned when He said, “Have you seen al-lat and al-Uzza?” (Surah 53:19) [Yes some of the well known idols of these Pagans are mentioned in the Quran, but under what context??? Here is entry 53:23- These are nothing but names which ye have devised,- ye and your fathers,- for which Allah has sent down no authority (whatever). They follow nothing but conjecture and what their own souls desire!- Even though there has already come to them Guidance from their Lord!]
Muslims in the 21st century believe that the Black Stone fell from the heaven during the era of Adam and Eve. They also believe that the stone was originally white, but it turned black because of absorbing human sins. [Which muslims beleive that? Im not sure there is a precise history of this stone's origin, and frankly, the religion of Islam would be the same with or with out this stone]
Pre-Islamic Pagans prayed five times a day facing Mecca. [Islamic prayer and how and when it was to be done was instituted after the Prophet was commanded by Allah during the Isra and Miraj - On that occasion the Prophet received a number of directives including that Prayers were obligatory five times a day. (http://www.islamicity.com/Articles/articles.asp?ref=IC0608-3086)]
Persian Zoroastrian tribe prayed five times a day too, in the direction of the Sun or fire temple. Before prayers, Zoroastrians cleaned themselves or practiced ablution. Ablution and the prayers for 5 times are not something Islam invented.[Not sure about this statement but doesnt it make sense that before anyone would kneel and pray to their Lord and Creator that they should be in a state of cleanliness?] The Hadith [Sahih Bukhari Book 8, no. 345] tells us that when Muhammad met Allah in heaven, Allah demanded 50 prayers per day. But with the help of Moses, Muhammad bargained with Allah and finally he was successful to reduce 50 prayers per day to 5 prayers per day. Even the Quran (4:28) says, ‘God wishes to lighten your burden, for the human being is created weak’. [ok..this is true, humans are weak and Allah is the most kind]
During Hajj, Muslims walk between two mountains seven times. It is also a pre-Islamic practice. Let’s see what the Quran and the Hadith say about the special mountain walk. [Muslims perform Tawaf, "special mountain walk" as stated by author, to honor and commemorate the Tawaf made by Haggar, the wife of Abraham, again the father of the 3 major Monotheistic religions of the world today]
Hadith Bukhari. Volume 2, Book 26, Number 710: Narrated ‘Asim: I asked Anas bin Malik: “Did you dislike to perform Tawaf between mountain Al-Safa and mountain Al-Marwa?” He said, “Yes, as it was of the ceremonies of the days of the Pre-lslamic period of ignorance, till Allah revealed: ‘Verily! Al-Safa and Al-Marwa are among the rites (or symbols) of Allah. It is therefore no sin for him who performs the pilgrimage to the Ka’ba, or performs ‘Umrah, to perform Tawaf between them.’ ” (Quran 2.158)
Many non-Islamic Pagan rituals are now known as Islamic rituals. Pagan’s crescent moon: the symbol of the moon god, circumambulation, Ihram etc. were taken or stolen by Islam. [Moon-God?? there are also other idiots that try to tie this to Islam but fail to do so. Muslims do not beleive in any moon gods or any diety except for Allah, the Creator of the worlds and everything in them. The most important tenant of Islam is in fact tawhid, Oneness of God] Muslims now begin their Ramadan fasting after seeing a crescent moon in the sky. [This is true, we do this since the moon phase cycle is an exact science which allows us to tell time, thus knowing when to start and end through cycles/phases of the moon] Ramadan is a kind of a month-long food festival for Muslims. [ Ramadan is much more than just about food as stated previously, see islamreligion.com for more info about Ramadan.] It is supposed to be a month of sacrifice and Muslims are expected to eat less. But in reality, Muslims eat more in Ramadan than any other month. [weird, everyone I know thats fasts during Ramadan abstains from food all day and when the sun goes down and its time to eat, we could hardly eat half a meal since we lose apetites and get full so fast! I never heard anyone call it the month of feasting..just ridiculous] Some people call Ramadan the holy month of feasting, instead of the holy month of fasting. They make sense. [The author does not make any sense!]
There are some unscientific, nonsense verses in the Quran about Ramadan. [lol, yea because Taslima is a brilliant author by day and Rocket Scientist by night. No idea what she is talking about]
Quran.Sura 2:187: “Eat and drink until white thread of dawn appears to you and then complete your fast till the night appears.” [Im not a scientist or scholar of Islam but i think this makes perfect sense. White threads of dawn is when the sun rises in the morning hours and the first rays of light are reaching over the lands from the blackness of the night. I think this is beautiful!]
Quran.Sura 18:83-86:“Zulkharnain reached the setting place of the sun. He saw that it set in a pool of black muddy water.” [again not a scholar but havent you ever seen a sunset over a lake or body of water? looks like the description somewhat above?? again im not a scholar and can not provide more analysis]
Quran.Sura 67:3-5; 37:6-9: “We created 7 heavens one above the other and decorated the lowest heaven with lamps – The Stars. We made such lamps as missiles to drive away Satan, who try to listen the conversation of the higher group — i.e., Conversation between Allah and his angels.” [Amazing, the Quran, a 1400 year old book states there are 7 atmospheres when modern science just discovered this fact not so long ago. Proof that Islam is a book of science and from the Lord, The All Knower]
There are many Hadith on Ramadan too. The most interesting ones are the ones about Muhammad kissing his wives and the way he permitted old men to embrace their young wives but prevented young men from embracing their young wives. Needless to say, Muhammad was old. [lol, the more interesting ones? Anyway, this statement sounds like complete garbage. and this is supposed to be a celebrated Author?]
Hadith. Bukhari, Vol.3:149: narrated Aisha, ‘Muhammad used to kiss and embrace his wives while he was fasting and he had more power to control his desires than any of you.’ [is there something wrong with embracing your wife? During Ramadan one abstains from sexual intercourse during fasting. A muslim is allowed to embrace his wife while fasting, just be careful not to arouse yourself to the point where your fast is broken because of sexual desires. A hug or a kiss can be ok..not talking about make out sessions here people.]
Hadith.Bukhari, Vol.3:151: Narrated Zainab: (daughter of Umme Salma) that her mother said, The prophet and I used to take a bath from one water pot and he used to kiss me while he was fasting.” [The prophet (pbuh) was a role model for husbands then and today on how to be tender and treatment of wives]
Hadith. Book 13, No.2381: Narrated Abu Hurayrah: A man asked Muhammad whether one who was fasting could embrace his wife and he gave him permission; but when another man came to him, and asked him, he forbade him. The one to whom he gave permission was an old man and the one whom he forbade was a youth. [Again not a scholar but this makes some sense to me. An old man is not the same as a youth. Imagine an old man with his wife vs a youth and his wild strong emotions and urges with his wife.]
Hadith. Book 13, No. 2380: Narrated Aisha: Prophet Muhammad used to kiss and suck her tongue, while he was fasting. [Sounds romantic..]
FYI People…about the author, where it lists how many awards she has won aound the world. Who awarded them to her? Only some of the most outspoken critics and anti-Islam groups well known for their corrupt morals and beleifs.
read more about islam. do your won research. if you are sincere about finding the truth about something, put a little effort into it and do not beleive everything u read on the internet or media. try islamreligion.com. thanks.
jackharris
July 28, 2012 at 1:31 am (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
The name Taslima in itself is Arabic not Bangladeshi at all.
Secondly the name Allah for God is also used by Arab and Malaysian Christians. Khoda is a Farsi name for God and it is used all over the Indian subcontinent by Moselms, Sikhs, Christians and even Hindus.
Third fasting was done by all spiritual societies from Arabs to Native Americans. Anti-spiritualists more commonly known as human secularists see Spiritualism as strictly being Pagan and view it as primitive and backwards. But the probability of secular humanism surviving another 100 years is very low. Virtually every society is reporting an increase in some type of Spiritualism.
Fourth the 72 virgin “thingie” is not Islamic there is no exact number, the number 72 comes from the 72 “Demons” King Solomon had sealed also known as the 72 Keys of Solomon, he was married to a thousand women and girls.
Fifth, men can be virgins too, its not strictly a girl “thingie”, femminists thikn its only girls because it makes them feel victimized by being left out. Virgin males are promised to the female believers.
And sixth there is nothing wrong with hetrosexual sexuality.
jackharris
July 28, 2012 at 1:35 am (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
And one more off topic coment.
You need to figure out how to spell your name. In your banner your last names is Nasrin in your bio its Nasreen.
Spend a few bucks and get it fixed, it looks suspicious like someone who doesn’t know how to write their own name winning prestigious literary writing awards.
jonathanagathokles
November 29, 2012 at 1:04 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
This is actually a simple transliterration difficulty between Arabic and English. The “i” is probably not short but long, which English writes as “ee”, but in Arabic, there is a difference between a long “i” and a long “e”, that English spelling is unable to recognize. Philologists would probably write the name as: Nasrīn, using the macron to indicate the lengthened vowel.
ali
July 29, 2012 at 5:37 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Taslima,
You are so fucking mis guided. By allah, in whose hand is my life, you are worst than kuffar
Jonathan Agathokles
July 29, 2012 at 11:17 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Yay for kuffār! Kāfir Pride! Long live the mušrikūn!
zahida
July 30, 2012 at 7:41 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
After death, The energy stored that allows automation in our body will have to transform (energy can’t be destroyed; it just transforms in to another kind as the kinetic energy in water turns into electricity.
The more this energy is purified the more closer it will go to the central nucleus e.g. God.
No religion teaches things that is harmful for mankind or society.
Many religions doesn’t accept drinking but do that and even try to show that it is directed by religion!
Fasting may cause hallucination and dream but Muslims don’t experience hallucination and day dreaming while fasting.
Some religious practices allows taking psychogenic substances along with fasting and they experience hallucinations!
Hadith forbids too much sleeping while fasting.
Jonathan Agathokles
July 30, 2012 at 8:40 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
“Fasting may cause hallucination and dream but Muslims don’t experience hallucination and day dreaming while fasting.”
As far as I am aware Muslims are allowed to drink and eat after sunset and before sunrise. In other religions fasting when practiced is permanent for the period one wishes to fast.
zahida
July 31, 2012 at 8:01 am (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
That is true
zahida
July 31, 2012 at 8:23 am (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
About the black stone: this is the stone standing on which Ibrahim used to see the recovering work of Kabba.
Muslims considers Ibrahim as the Patriarch of monotheism. Quran also says that “follow the religion of Ibrahim”. In salat we also pray for him with Muhammad.
I also read Bukhari, Muslim and Meshkat hadith and life of Ayesha and important sahaba but I never found such nasty hadith!
I think you are fueled by something behind!!!
Hridoyakash
August 1, 2012 at 6:17 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Do you have any Bangla blog ? If have, please give me its address.
Wheel
December 13, 2012 at 12:05 am (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
We must be living in a heightened level IGNORANCE when people read one article and BELIEVE pretty much all of it. There’s no doubt that the people who believed this article without first considering to hear an explanation would be Atheists or people who either HATE or DISLIKE Islam or religion in general. (which makes them BIASED)
If the people appreciating this article were asked; do you speak Arabic, Do you know WHAT is really meant by some of these accounts in their linguistic and cultural meanings, WHEN were any of these quotes revealed, WHY were such accounts revealed, to Whom are they Addressing, Did you VERIFY such accusations with their ORIGINAL SOURCES, & did you hear the other side (various accredited Muslim Scholar(s))
How many of you can say YES to the questions being posed ???
Don’t Allow Ignorance to prevail & please take from the simple and wise words of the Dalai Lama
“Consider things from every angle”.
Peace
umroh haji
February 10, 2013 at 11:31 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
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jual oleh oleh umroh
April 10, 2013 at 10:10 am (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
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zahida
July 30, 2012 at 10:29 am (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Yes, very good anti Islam fanaticism! Muhammad stolen knowledge from Christians. I studied bible and know that it gets revised edition every two years. Quran is so far the same (New York museum). look at this, is that in bible?THE QUR’AN AND THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION
Qur’an: “I have created everything from water”.
Darwin: “Animals evolved from the most simple form to the most complex form gradually.
According to the modern scientists, the first life on earth was “Cyanobacteria”. Next came “Archeobacteria”. Cyanobacteria use carbon as the source of carbon for making food. The oxygen is released in the atmosphere.
After the very birth of the earth, the atmosphere was shrouded by clouds of carbon dioxide. There was no oxygen. The oxygen released from cyanobacteria eventually came to a concentration suitable for oxygen utilizing organisms e.g. organisms that need oxygen for respiration. In the presence of oxygen, new combinations appear in water like iron oxide. At this point, archeobacteria evolved by changes in the cyanobacteria.
Human being has the complete set of DNAs of this Archeobacteria and the order of gene sequence is same as that of the bacteria. It was proven after 20 years of worldwide research. These genes are present in the Mitochondria of each cell of our body; and it is present in the same combination and sequential order of DNAs and genes in each human being. The statistical
Qur’an: I have created all human being from a single pair of man and woman”.
Activities of genes depend on their sequence of their arrangement. It has been proven that this sequence is also same for the above mentioned bacteria and human mitochondria. Each gene is composed of three pairs of DNA. These DNAs doesn’t have complete similarity with each other for a single gene. From the total of 4 DNAs (1pair+1pair=2pairs) a little more than 300 gene combination is possible. The production of a particular amino acid depends on the sequence of these three pairs of DNA. Some time for a particular gene, there may be repetitions of the same DNA pair. We get the mitochondrial genes from the ovum of our mother. There is no mitochondrion in the male sperm. Moreover, statistical difference between the chromosomes of all the human being is only 0.1%.
DNAs are present one after another lengthwise in each chromosome. If we stretch the entire chromosomes of a single nucleus of a single cell, it will be thousands and thousands mile long. Human beings use only 1% of this long chromosome; 99% remain inactive. Rest remain inactive. Research on these remaining genes has proven that they are genes of other creations. Even, we have the gene /genes of plant! For this reason, human being can trap UV light in its skin and produce Vit. D. Besides, we also have all the plant proteins in our body.
Human chromosome also contains the genes of animals. In the uterus a human being gradually changes shape from a single cell to warm and then fish like appearance even with gills!!! The embryo does respiration through these gills until placenta is formed. Before that, the embryo gets oxygen by diffusion. Animals with lungs don’t breath in womb.
Recently the gene of the extinct animal Neanderthal has been found in human chromosomes.
When one specific gene, called the primer gene starts working for a particular amino acid the other genes come to work in a sequential order and a protein is produced by this way. Example, Production of a particular hormone. If one gene is the sequence is absent the whole system is upset and by this way genetic diseases happen.
The duty of gene/genes is to produce amino acid. Production of a particular protein depends on the sequential arrangement of amino acids. Protein is called the “Building Block”. In our body, all the functions are done and regulated by protein substances. Besides, the form of the body is also protein. The important things are that all the hormones are protein except two groups; corticosteroid hormones and male -female sex hormones. All the neurotransmitters are also protein; all the enzymes are protein. Without these three things, no a life on earth can be born, developed and stay alive. Absence of only one enzyme is enough for causing a hereditary disease.
Quran: “I have revitalised the dead earth and redistributed all sort of animal and plant life on that”.
Darwin: Natural Selection: Struggle for existence and survival of the fittest.
This sentence of the Quran has been translated different by different translators. Some of the examples are below:
Verily in the creation of the heavens and the earth, the alternation of night and day, the sailing ship at sea to bring what is useful for humans, and what God sent down from heaven in the form of water, then with water that he turn the earth after its death (dry) and his He spread the earth was all kinds of animals, an pengisaran wind and clouds which are controlled between the heavens and the earth was (found) signs (oneness and greatness of Allah) for people who reflect. (Surah Al Baqoroh verse 2:164)
Verse (2:164) – English Translation
Word by Word
Quran Dictionary
__
Chapter (2) sūrat l-baqarah (The Cow)
Sahih International: Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, and the [great] ships which sail through the sea with that which benefits people, and what Allah has sent down from the heavens of rain, giving life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and dispersing therein every [kind of] moving creature, and [His] directing of the winds and the clouds controlled between the heaven and the earth are signs for a people who use reason.
Pickthall: Lo! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of night and day, and the ships which run upon the sea with that which is of use to men, and the water which Allah sendeth down from the sky, thereby reviving the earth after its death, and dispersing all kinds of beasts therein, and (in) the ordinance of the winds, and the clouds obedient between heaven and earth: are signs (of Allah’s Sovereignty) for people who have sense.
Yusuf Ali: Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain which Allah Sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they Trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth;- (Here) indeed are Signs for a people that are wise.
Shakir: Most surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day, and the ships that run in the sea with that which profits men, and the water that Allah sends down from the cloud, then gives life with it to the earth after its death and spreads in it all (kinds of) animals, and the changing of the winds and the clouds made subservient between the heaven and the earth, there are signs for a people who understand.
Muhammad Sarwar: The creation of the heavens and the earth, the alternation of nights and days, the ships that sail in the sea for the benefit of the people, the water that God sends from the sky to revive the dead earth where He has scattered all kinds of animals, the winds of all directions, and the clouds rendered for service between the sky and the earth are all evidence (of His existence) for those who use their reason.
Mohsin Khan: Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, and the ships which sail through the sea with that which is of use to mankind, and the water (rain) which Allah sends down from the sky and makes the earth alive therewith after its death, and the moving (living) creatures of all kinds that He has scattered therein, and in the veering of winds and clouds which are held between the sky and the earth, are indeed Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs, etc.) for people of understanding.
Arberry: .. Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day and the ship that runs in the sea with profit to men, and the water God sends down from heaven therewith reviving the earth after it is dead and His scattering abroad in it all manner of crawling thing, and the turning about of the winds and the clouds compelled between heaven and earth — surely there are signs for a people having understanding.
According to scientists, during the era of Dinosaurs’ (Triassic-Jurassic extinction event) repeated appearance of volcanic eruption resulting of shaking of the earth killed all of the land animals. Some of the water creatures are still alive e.g. crocodile and some fishes. Some of the seeds escaped as those were sheltered within cracks of the earth e.g. Palms and Linden.
I have read the Bengali translation of three translators. Among the translators one an eminent veteran in Muslim theology has translated that sentence as “I have destroyed those animals which were harmful to you”. My father didn’t know much about the dinosaurs and the causes of their destruction but was very proficient in Arabic language. When I told this sentence to my father he told me that the rest of this sentence; “and even those who were similar in appearance with you”. Who are these similar creatures?
In the earth there had been two man like creatures; Neanderthal and Cro Magnon. We studied about these animals in the history book. Then they were called “Primitive Humans” who liver during the old and new stone ages. They were during more than one ICE AGES. Cause of destruction was lack of enough intelligence to survive in cold. These animals at last ate one another for survival: fossil study revealed that.
About the atmosphere; we know that there is a 7and a half mile wide gaseous atmosphere surrounding the earth surface; There after infinite vacuum. Rest of this sentence I think everybody knows the explanation.
Darwin: Human being evolved from Apes.
Quran doesn’t admit that. According to the Quran one group of disobedient Jews were turned into Apes to punish there sin; May be by genetic mutation. Besides, modern scientists are equivocal about this fact. Some scientists don’t even believe the theory of evolution. Recently, the gene of the 1st mentioned has been found while doing research on human gene map. Though human genome has the genes of all organisms, may be absence of the primer/other gene/genes suppresses their expression.
Human brain has a special system that is called the pyramidal system. For the presence of this system, humans can do writing, sewing, painting and many other things that need fine motor skills. In some animals this system is present in a very rudimentary level e.g. Guinea Pig and Apes. Cursed Jews might have been turned into Apes though genetic mutation.
My comment: Though God has kept the characteristics of all animals in human being; His intention was to express only the decent qualities. Don’t we express animal behaviour in our nature (fighting with each other)? Yes, but in very sophisticated manner and that’s why now a days it is called “Nerve War”
Nasreen
July 26’ 2012
zahida
July 30, 2012 at 10:31 am (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Yes, very good anti Islam fanaticism! Muhammad stolen knowledge from Christians. I studied bible and know that it gets revised edition every two years. Quran is so far the same (New York museum). look at this, is that in bible?
THE QUR’AN AND THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION
Qur’an: “I have created everything from water”.
Darwin: “Animals evolved from the most simple form to the most complex form gradually.
According to the modern scientists, the first life on earth was “Cyanobacteria”. Next came “Archeobacteria”. Cyanobacteria use carbon as the source of carbon for making food. The oxygen is released in the atmosphere.
After the very birth of the earth, the atmosphere was shrouded by clouds of carbon dioxide. There was no oxygen. The oxygen released from cyanobacteria eventually came to a concentration suitable for oxygen utilizing organisms e.g. organisms that need oxygen for respiration. In the presence of oxygen, new combinations appear in water like iron oxide. At this point, archeobacteria evolved by changes in the cyanobacteria.
Human being has the complete set of DNAs of this Archeobacteria and the order of gene sequence is same as that of the bacteria. It was proven after 20 years of worldwide research. These genes are present in the Mitochondria of each cell of our body; and it is present in the same combination and sequential order of DNAs and genes in each human being. The statistical
Qur’an: I have created all human being from a single pair of man and woman”.
Activities of genes depend on their sequence of their arrangement. It has been proven that this sequence is also same for the above mentioned bacteria and human mitochondria. Each gene is composed of three pairs of DNA. These DNAs doesn’t have complete similarity with each other for a single gene. From the total of 4 DNAs (1pair+1pair=2pairs) a little more than 300 gene combination is possible. The production of a particular amino acid depends on the sequence of these three pairs of DNA. Some time for a particular gene, there may be repetitions of the same DNA pair. We get the mitochondrial genes from the ovum of our mother. There is no mitochondrion in the male sperm. Moreover, statistical difference between the chromosomes of all the human being is only 0.1%.
DNAs are present one after another lengthwise in each chromosome. If we stretch the entire chromosomes of a single nucleus of a single cell, it will be thousands and thousands mile long. Human beings use only 1% of this long chromosome; 99% remain inactive. Rest remain inactive. Research on these remaining genes has proven that they are genes of other creations. Even, we have the gene /genes of plant! For this reason, human being can trap UV light in its skin and produce Vit. D. Besides, we also have all the plant proteins in our body.
Human chromosome also contains the genes of animals. In the uterus a human being gradually changes shape from a single cell to warm and then fish like appearance even with gills!!! The embryo does respiration through these gills until placenta is formed. Before that, the embryo gets oxygen by diffusion. Animals with lungs don’t breath in womb.
Recently the gene of the extinct animal Neanderthal has been found in human chromosomes.
When one specific gene, called the primer gene starts working for a particular amino acid the other genes come to work in a sequential order and a protein is produced by this way. Example, Production of a particular hormone. If one gene is the sequence is absent the whole system is upset and by this way genetic diseases happen.
The duty of gene/genes is to produce amino acid. Production of a particular protein depends on the sequential arrangement of amino acids. Protein is called the “Building Block”. In our body, all the functions are done and regulated by protein substances. Besides, the form of the body is also protein. The important things are that all the hormones are protein except two groups; corticosteroid hormones and male -female sex hormones. All the neurotransmitters are also protein; all the enzymes are protein. Without these three things, no a life on earth can be born, developed and stay alive. Absence of only one enzyme is enough for causing a hereditary disease.
Quran: “I have revitalised the dead earth and redistributed all sort of animal and plant life on that”.
Darwin: Natural Selection: Struggle for existence and survival of the fittest.
This sentence of the Quran has been translated different by different translators. Some of the examples are below:
Verily in the creation of the heavens and the earth, the alternation of night and day, the sailing ship at sea to bring what is useful for humans, and what God sent down from heaven in the form of water, then with water that he turn the earth after its death (dry) and his He spread the earth was all kinds of animals, an pengisaran wind and clouds which are controlled between the heavens and the earth was (found) signs (oneness and greatness of Allah) for people who reflect. (Surah Al Baqoroh verse 2:164)
Verse (2:164) – English Translation
Word by Word
Quran Dictionary
__
Chapter (2) sūrat l-baqarah (The Cow)
Sahih International: Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, and the [great] ships which sail through the sea with that which benefits people, and what Allah has sent down from the heavens of rain, giving life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and dispersing therein every [kind of] moving creature, and [His] directing of the winds and the clouds controlled between the heaven and the earth are signs for a people who use reason.
Pickthall: Lo! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of night and day, and the ships which run upon the sea with that which is of use to men, and the water which Allah sendeth down from the sky, thereby reviving the earth after its death, and dispersing all kinds of beasts therein, and (in) the ordinance of the winds, and the clouds obedient between heaven and earth: are signs (of Allah’s Sovereignty) for people who have sense.
Yusuf Ali: Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain which Allah Sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they Trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth;- (Here) indeed are Signs for a people that are wise.
Shakir: Most surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day, and the ships that run in the sea with that which profits men, and the water that Allah sends down from the cloud, then gives life with it to the earth after its death and spreads in it all (kinds of) animals, and the changing of the winds and the clouds made subservient between the heaven and the earth, there are signs for a people who understand.
Muhammad Sarwar: The creation of the heavens and the earth, the alternation of nights and days, the ships that sail in the sea for the benefit of the people, the water that God sends from the sky to revive the dead earth where He has scattered all kinds of animals, the winds of all directions, and the clouds rendered for service between the sky and the earth are all evidence (of His existence) for those who use their reason.
Mohsin Khan: Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, and the ships which sail through the sea with that which is of use to mankind, and the water (rain) which Allah sends down from the sky and makes the earth alive therewith after its death, and the moving (living) creatures of all kinds that He has scattered therein, and in the veering of winds and clouds which are held between the sky and the earth, are indeed Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs, etc.) for people of understanding.
Arberry: .. Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day and the ship that runs in the sea with profit to men, and the water God sends down from heaven therewith reviving the earth after it is dead and His scattering abroad in it all manner of crawling thing, and the turning about of the winds and the clouds compelled between heaven and earth — surely there are signs for a people having understanding.
According to scientists, during the era of Dinosaurs’ (Triassic-Jurassic extinction event) repeated appearance of volcanic eruption resulting of shaking of the earth killed all of the land animals. Some of the water creatures are still alive e.g. crocodile and some fishes. Some of the seeds escaped as those were sheltered within cracks of the earth e.g. Palms and Linden.
I have read the Bengali translation of three translators. Among the translators one an eminent veteran in Muslim theology has translated that sentence as “I have destroyed those animals which were harmful to you”. My father didn’t know much about the dinosaurs and the causes of their destruction but was very proficient in Arabic language. When I told this sentence to my father he told me that the rest of this sentence; “and even those who were similar in appearance with you”. Who are these similar creatures?
In the earth there had been two man like creatures; Neanderthal and Cro Magnon. We studied about these animals in the history book. Then they were called “Primitive Humans” who liver during the old and new stone ages. They were during more than one ICE AGES. Cause of destruction was lack of enough intelligence to survive in cold. These animals at last ate one another for survival: fossil study revealed that.
About the atmosphere; we know that there is a 7and a half mile wide gaseous atmosphere surrounding the earth surface; There after infinite vacuum. Rest of this sentence I think everybody knows the explanation.
Darwin: Human being evolved from Apes.
Quran doesn’t admit that. According to the Quran one group of disobedient Jews were turned into Apes to punish there sin; May be by genetic mutation. Besides, modern scientists are equivocal about this fact. Some scientists don’t even believe the theory of evolution. Recently, the gene of the 1st mentioned has been found while doing research on human gene map. Though human genome has the genes of all organisms, may be absence of the primer/other gene/genes suppresses their expression.
Human brain has a special system that is called the pyramidal system. For the presence of this system, humans can do writing, sewing, painting and many other things that need fine motor skills. In some animals this system is present in a very rudimentary level e.g. Guinea Pig and Apes. Cursed Jews might have been turned into Apes though genetic mutation.
My comment: Though God has kept the characteristics of all animals in human being; His intention was to express only the decent qualities. Don’t we express animal behaviour in our nature (fighting with each other)? Yes, but in very sophisticated manner and that’s why now a days it is called “Nerve War”
Nasreen
July 26’ 2012
Muhammad Suleman
August 11, 2012 at 6:57 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
Were the Jews really changed to Apes? Would you kindly comment more in detail?
Female Divinity, Patriarchy & Religion | Sarah Chronicle
July 29, 2012 at 6:47 pm (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
[...] Arab festival — Taslima Nasreen wrote an excellent blog entry on that which you can read here. If one was to compare clay tablets, artifacts, pottery and carvings of ancient civilisations who [...]
Pagans kiss | Upriverranch
September 6, 2012 at 9:36 am (UTC 5.5) Link to this comment
[...] Ramadan was a non-Muslim pagan Arab festival – Freethought Blogs6 days ago … It was one of the many stones and idols venerated by pre-Islamic Pagans. The Black Stone was kissed by people during pre-Islamic pagan … [...]