The Prophets

Prophets are men of God chosen by Him only. I’m not talking about those self proclaimed ones who do nothing but lead astray humanity with false utterances. The chosen ones by God are above us mere mortals.

You can’t say this man is a prophet if he is a sinner who indulges in shameful acts. A prophet is held accountable for anything he does which may not be a sin even. For example Yunus (Jonah) left his people in despair when they wouldn’t listen to him. He boarded a boat where as a punishment for leaving his people without waiting for God’s directive to leave, he was swallowed by a whale.

He repeatedly asked for God’s forgiveness, whereas he got ejected by the whale.

I read someplace where a blogger called Lut a sinner. He didn’t choose the place where he was told to preach. God directed him there. A true prophet follows God’s clear instructions only. He doesn’t go by his own whims and feelings.

There are shameful acts attributed to him which are not true, and doesn’t exist in Islamic scriptures, only made up in other books penned by men themselves.

Glorified be thy Lord, the Lord of Majesty, from that which they attribute (unto Him)

And peace be unto those sent (to warn)

And praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds!

God doesn’t send peace on a wrongdoer. From Ayat 181, you can discern a prophet’s status.

Fasting

As Muslims, we are getting much nearer to the end of our thirty days fasting period — the month which is known as Ramadan. When God decreed it centuries ago for believers, many didn’t know how beneficial it was to health, but now fasting has been proven through scientific knowledge, of utmost value to our health.

One thing I can vouch for is shinning white teeth. Normally I brush my teeth thrice a day minimally, but in Ramadan probably I do more. Once I’m in the bathroom, I reach for the toothpaste almost reflexively— forgetting I’ve not eaten anything since Sehr timings. The result is that teeth shine like pearls — Masha’Allah!

When my late husband was alive, and I lived in Pakistan, every Ramadan started with Dora Quran. It was held at a friend’s house where like minded ladies gathered every Thursday to read, and gain more insight into Quran, and Islam. With the beginning of Ramadan the meeting was held every day, and we women had Dora Quran which meant a quick reading of one Sipara (one part of the Quran– there are thirty parts) each day. It used to be quite comprehensive, as it entailed various aspects of our religion.

Then dear husband died, and I got permanently shifted to the US. It has been five years now, and I missed the valuable lessons about being a better human than I initially was, and doing charity work which I learnt through our weekly meetings.

This year I got lucky that my daughter visited me just before the beginning of Ramadan. Daughter was getting audio recordings daily from her neighbor in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Her neighbor held Dora Quran. My daughter asked that I should be included in getting the audio recordings daily. Jazak’Allah Khair to the lady for including me. It’s really inspiring.

It’s told that Angels are present when the Quran is read in the mornings. Normally I read two pages every morning after Fajr Prayers, and again when I’m having breakfast I read, and listen to it on my iPad.

It was a revelation to read Chapter 19, Surah Shuarah, Ayat 196 that Quran is the same book which earlier generations received from Torah to the Bible. Basically the teachings are the same except for the parts where they slung mud at the prophets, and distorted the fact that God is One only, and no other exists beside Him. Those books got muddled, and distorted through the hands of misguided zealots.

Religious fanatics against Islam are trying their best to do the same thing to Quran, but it’s almost impossible, as there are many Muslims who memorize each and every word. Even if distortions occur no one can put false interpretations in each, and every copy. A true version will be always be there till the end of time.