Some Muslims believe that there are no aliens. However, the Quran indicates that there are living creatures beyond the Earth.
Definition of alien
Alien: “An extraterrestrial being. A form (s) of life assumed to exist outside the Earth or its atmosphere within other parts of the Universe”
What is the Arabic word “Da’aba”?
Da’aba means to go gently, crawl, creep or walk. The word basically captures whatsoever moves on the earth, especially that of animals and beasts of burden, quadrupeds, any moving creature, insects, and humans.
Daabatun (n.): Moving creature; Crawling animal.
Dawaabbun (n.plu.): Crawling animals.
Daba has been used to denote humans too (24:45; 35:45). It is also used negatively (16:61 8:22; 8.55).
Dabbah n.f. (pl. dawab) has been used many times in the Quran: 2:164, 6:38, 8:22, 8:55, 11:6, 11:56, 16:49, 16:61, 22:18, 24:45, 27:82, 29:60, 31:10, 34:14, 35:28, 35:45, 42:29, 45:4
What is the Arabic word “Samawaat (heavens)”?
The Quranic expression “Samawat wal ‘ard” means “The Heavens and the Earth”. It denotes the whole Universe in its entirety.
Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth (Arabic: samawat wal ‘ard) in six days and then established Himself above the Throne, arranging the matter [of His creation]. There is no intercessor except after His permission. That is Allah, your Lord, so worship Him. Then will you not remember? (10:3)
Indeed, We have adorned the nearest heaven (Arabic: samaa) with an adornment of stars / planets. (37:6)
Based on the above verses, it should be clear that the Arabic word “samaa” (heaven) or plural “samawaat” (heavens) means the entire universe.
Proof of alien existence
Now that we know what da’ba (moving creature) and samawaat (heavens / universe) mean, we can see from verse 42:29 that there are moving creates in both the heavens and the earth.
And of his signs is the creation of the heavens and earth and what He has dispersed in both of them (Arabic: fi-hima) of creatures. And He, for gathering them when He wills, is competent.(42:29)
The basis of the question posed by the angels
In verse 2:30, there is a story about the angels questioning God regarding man’s vicegerency on the Earth.
And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, “Indeed, I will make upon the earth a vicegerent.” They said, “Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?” Allah said, “Indeed, I know that which you do not know.”(42:29)
For the angels to ask whether God was going to place on Earth a creature such as humans who will shed blood, they must have known about a similar creature that sheds blood, e.g. in some other part of the universe. If the angels had no prior knowledge of a similar creature that behaves that way, they wouldn’t have asked that question. At this point in the conversation with God, humans had not yet been created. Also, angels have no knowledge of the future as, according to the Quran, only God knows the future.
Many people associate Muslims with Arabs – possibly because the Quran is in Arabic and Prophet Muhammad was an Arab. However, statistics show that the majority of Muslims as of 2019 are from South Asia.
2017 Statistics
According to Wikipedia, as of 2017, here are the top 8 most populous Muslim countries, ordered by Muslim population.
Rank
Country
Muslim Population
Percentage of World Muslim Population
1
Indonesia
231,000,000
12.7%
2
Pakistan
212,300,000
11.1%
3
India
200,000,000
10.9%
4
Bangladesh
153,700,000
9.2%
5
Nigeria
95,000,000–103,000,000
5.3%
6
Egypt
85,000,000–90,000,000
4.9%
7
Iran
82,500,000
4.6%
8
Turkey
74,423,725
4.6%
Most Muslims don’t speak Arabic
All but one country, Egypt, in the list above are non-Arabic speaking countries and they make up more than half (58.7%) of the world Muslim population.
Most Muslims are from South / Southeast Asia
Furthermore, the first four countries in the list above are all in South/Southeast Asia and make up almost half (43.9%) of the world’s Muslim population. As of 2017, there were 986,420,000 Muslims in Asia and only 370,070,000 Muslims in the Middle East and North Africa (Arabic-speaking countries), i.e. there were 2.6 times as many Muslims in Asia as there were in the Middle East and North Africa.
Most populous Muslim country
Though Indonesia currently has the largest population of Muslims, it likely only became so as of 1947 when the British divided India into India and Pakistan. And in 1971, India was further divided into India and Bangladesh. Had either of these partitions not happened, India would by far have the largest percentage of Muslims worldwide. Furthermore, projections suggest that by 2050 India will have the world’s largest population of Muslims, with estimates expected to reach at least 300 million.
Islam to be largest religion by 2070
The Pew Research Center estimates that by 2070, Islam will overtake Christianity, due to a faster birth rate (2.7 children per family vs. 2.2 for Christian families). As of 2017, Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world.
Many Muslims believe that certain people such as Prophet Muhammad’s wives, by virtue of being married to the prophet, are automatically righteous and are guaranteed paradise
However, the Quran makes it clear that no one is automatically righteous. In verse 2:124, we see proof that not all of Prophet Abraham’s offspring are righteous.
And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham was tried by his Lord with commands and he fulfilled them. [ Allah ] said, “Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people.” [Abraham] said, “And of my descendants?” [ Allah ] said, “My covenant does not include the wrongdoers.” (2:124)
Similarly, this verse also means that the descendants of Prophet Muhammad can also be wrongdoers.
According to 2:134, the actions of others will have no bearing on us.
That was a nation which has passed on. It will have [the consequence of] what it earned, and you will have what you have earned. And you will not be asked about what they used to do. (2:134)
According to 2:281, each soul carries the burden of their own actions on their own soul.
And fear a Day when you will be returned to Allah . Then every soul will be compensated for what it earned, and they will not be treated unjustly. (2:281)
Some points to consider:
Most of prophet Abraham and prophet Noah’s descendants were unrighteous (57:26, 37:113, 2:124)
The wives of prophet Noah and prophet Lot, despite living with then, remained unrighteous.(66:10)
Prophet Noah’s son was of evil conduct (11:46)
Prophet Jacob’s sons tried to kill their brother, Joseph. (11:1-18)
Pharaoh’s wife was righteous despite being married to one of the worse (11:46)
Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) wives were threatened with twice the punishment if their conduct was unrighteous. (33:30)
Conclusion
Righteousness is an individual matter. It cannot be ascribed to one based on lineage, relationship, companionship or indeed proximity. No one can know the true affairs of the heart except God. Each individual is subjected to their own circumstances, faculties, reason, judgment, resources and clarity of message that has reached them. Each person is unique as is their case with God.
Many Muslims believe that blasphemy (ridiculing) Islam or Prophet Muhammad demands a penalty. Some Muslims even take matters into their own hands and kill people who ridicule the prophet. However, the Quran does not prescribe any penalty for blasphemy. As a matter of fact, the Quran indicates that the prophet himself was often ridiculed in person and the prophet was told to simply ignore them as if to let God deal with them.
Blasphemy towards Prophet Muhammad, the Quran and God Himself
We see in the Quran that Prophet Muhammad
was mocked and ridiculed (37:12) like the messengers before him (13:32; 15:11; 21:41)
was called an inventor, forger, liar (16:101; 25:4)
was called a man who was bewitched (17:47; 25:8)
was called a possessed poet (37:36)
We also see in the Quran that it was called
“Muddled dreams” (21:5)
“Foreign, outlandish” (16:103
an invention, a forgery (38:7)
Tales of the men of the past (25:5)
Of course, the gravest blasphemy was that done against God Himself (7:180)
And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them. but shun such men as use profanity (Arabic: Yul’hiduna) in His names. They will be recompensed for what they have been doing. (7:180)
The Arabic word “yul-hiduna” means to blaspheme, deviate, violate, distort, pervert.
Nowhere in the Quran did any of these insults attract the death penalty. Rather, the advice given was to be patient as indicated in 38:17 and 20:130.
Be patient over what they say and remember Our servant, David, the possessor of strength; indeed, he was one who repeatedly turned back [to Allah ]. (38:17)
So be patient over what they say and exalt [ Allah ] with praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and during periods of the night [exalt Him] and at the ends of the day, that you may be satisfied. (38:17)
The Right to Kill
From the Quran’s perspective, the right to kill is only allowable in two circumstances.
As a retribution for murder (punishable by the state). (5:32)
As a retribution for causing ‘fasaad’ (gross mischief, spreading corruption, evil, beyond all bounds) in the land (punishable by the state). (5:33-34)
Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. … (5:32)
Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is none but that they be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land. That is for them a disgrace in this world; and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment. Except for those who return [repenting] before you apprehend them. And know that Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (5:33-34)
Note that 5:33 uses the word “strive” (Arabic: ya-ouna) which indicates that the corruption and evil done is one that is repeated with serious efforts. What’s also interesting to note about verses 5:33-34 are the punishment options:
Execution
Crucifixion
Exile
What is also significant is verse 5:34 which states that if evildoers repent before they are captured, then they should not be punished according to 5:33.
Many Muslims believe that because the Quran is in Arabic, then Arabic must be a holy or superior language. However, the Quran makes it clear that this is not the case.
No distinction between languages
In verse 30:22, we see that God makes no distinction between any language.
And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed in that are signs for those of knowledge. (30:22)
Obviously, Arabic is important if you want to study the Quran since it’s in Arabic but that doesn’t mean that Arabic is better than any other language. Similarly, if one wanted to study the Torah or Injil, then other languages such as Hebrew or Latin would be important for understanding those scriptures.
Different messengers, different languages, but same message
The Quran was revealed in Arabic for no reason other than so that the designated primary audience at the time (Arabs) could understand it. The same reason applied to all previous messengers. Previous messengers were Muslim yet they did not speak nor pray in Arabic. They were sent with the language of their people so they could communicate clearly to their people. This is proven in verse 14:4.
And We did not send any messenger except [speaking] in the language of his people to state clearly for them, and Allah sends astray [thereby] whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (14:4)
Arabic for an Arabic-speaking community
Even though the Quran is meant for all of mankind, verse 42:7 proves that the Quran was sent down in Arabic so that the prophet could warn his own mother town and the immediate towns around him.
And thus We have revealed to you an Arabic Qur’an that you may warn the Mother of Cities [Makkah] and those around it and warn of the Day of Assembly, about which there is no doubt. A party will be in Paradise and a party in the Blaze. (42:7)
The term “hawlaha” means “around it” and refers to towns immediately around the mother city. It does not mean all towns all around the world. Thus definition can be verified by seeing other uses of the term “hawlaha” in the Quran. Therefore, if the Quran needed to be explained to someone in China, it would need to be translated into Chinese.
Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger. So fear Allah and obey me. (26:162-163)
The same Arabic sentence has been used for Prophets Noah (26:106-107), Hud (26:125-126); Saleh (26:143-144); Lut (26:162-163) and Shuaib (pbut) (26:178-179) one after the other. Not one of these messengers ever delivered this sentence in Arabic but rather in their own languages to their own people. Therefore, it is the message which is important, not the language it is delivered in. The Quran itself is a translation from other languages into Arabic.
There are many historical dialogues and stories mentioned in the Quran of Prophets Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus (pbut), different messengers, angels, Iblis (Satan), Pharaoh, and even of an ant (27:18) and a Hoopoe bird (27:22). All this speech has been captured and translated by God Himself for an Arabic audience to grasp the message and its wisdom. If God can translate the speech of others throughout history to make the message clear to an Arab audience, then why can’t non-Arabic speakers focus their endeavors to understand the message in their own languages?
This explanation is proven a few verses later in 26:195-196.
Nothing is said to you, [O Muhammad], except what was already said to the messengers before you. Indeed, your Lord is a possessor of forgiveness and a possessor of painful penalty. (41:43)
According to verse 41:44, God chose Arabic for the Quran because no one would have believed Muhammad if the Quran was in a foreign language to the Arabs.
And if We had made it a non-Arabic Qur’an, they would have said, “Why are its verses not explained in detail [in our language]? Is it a foreign [recitation] and an Arab [messenger]?” … (41:44)
Therefore, to conclude, Arabic is not a special and holy language.
Many Muslims believe that prophet Muhammad is more special than the other prophets
However, the Quran makes it clear that all prophets are equal and that Muhammad is no more special than the other prophets. This is proven in verse 2:285.
“The messenger believes in that which has been revealed to him from his Lord and (so do) believers. Each one believes in God and His angels and His scriptures and His messengers – We make no distinction between any of His messengers – and they say: We hear, and we obey. …. ” (2:285)
Some Muslims assume that because the Quran was revealed to prophet Muhammad that he must be superior to other prophets and messengers. However, other prophets also have exclusive characteristics that, in some cases, may make them seem superior.
Prophet Moses’ Exclusivity
Only once has God used the Arabic term ‘mahabbata(n)-minni’ (love from me) with respect to a child and this is with regards Prophet Moses (pbuh) (20:39)
Prophet Moses (pbuh) is the only Messenger of God mentioned by name that was spoken to directly by God. Others, including Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) only received inspiration (4:163-164)
Prophet Moses (pbuh) was chosen over ‘mankind’ (Arabic: is’tafaytuka ala l-nasi) by virtue of his mission and because God spoke to him directly (7:144)
Prophet Moses (pbuh) is the most mentioned Messenger of God in the Quran whilst Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is only mentioned four times directly by name (3:144, 33:40, 47:2, 48:29).
Prophet Jesus’ Exclusivity
He was the only Prophet strengthened with the Holy Spirit since birth (5:110)
He was born with wisdom and spoke with wisdom as a young child (19:29; 3:46, 5:110) unlike other Prophets who did not receive Divine guidance until later in life (e.g. Prophets Abraham, Moses and Muhammad (pbut))
He was conceived from an immaculate conception (3:47; 19:20)
He was granted the power to heal the sick, the blind and to bring the dead to life (5:110).
Prophet Solomon’s Exclusivity
No messenger of God was given a kingdom such as that of Prophet Solomon (pbuh) after him (38:35)
He understood the speech of birds (along with Prophet David) (pbuh) (27:16) and the ants (27:19)
He had control over the winds (38:36; 21:81)
He had control over the Jinn that worked for him (38:37)
Prophet Abraham’s Exclusivity
Prophet Abraham (pbuh) is referred to as the father of faith (22:78)
Prophet Abraham (pbuh) is referred to as a ‘khalil’ (friend) of God (4:125)
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and all believers are asked to follow the footsteps / religious ways of Prophet Abraham (pbuh) (16:123)
Prophet Noah’s Exclusivity
He was the only prophet or messenger of God mentioned as being granted such an extended life span of 950 years (29:14)
Prophet Jonah’s Exclusivity
Prophet Jonah (pbuh) is the only messenger of God whose subsequent Prophetic ministerial success is expressed in numbers of over 100,000 believers (37:147-148).
Prophet Joseph’s Exclusivity
His charm / beauty was greatly admired (akbara), awed at (hasha-lillah – God save us) and even likened to that of a noble angel (malakun karim) (12:31)
He has been mentioned as being granted the wisdom to interpret dreams / events (12:6; 21; 36; 46; 100-101)
Though God has preferred and ranked some messengers over others, believers are not allowed to rank or differentiate between the messengers.
We have made some of these messengers to excel the others among them are they to whom God spoke, and some of them He exalted by rank / degrees; and We gave clear miracles to Jesus son of Mary, and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. … (2:253)
Many Muslims believe that the term “Muslim” and “Mu’min” are interchangeable and have the same meaning. However, according to the Quran, many people are Muslims (including some Jews and Christians) but not all Muslims are Mu’mins.
A “Muslim” (Submitter) by definition is anyone who submits or surrenders their will to the one true God. This is irrespective of whether or not they believe in the Quran or prophet Muhammad.
A “Mu’min” (Believer), in the context of the Quran, is one who believes in
The one true God
All of God’s angels
All of God’s scriptures including the Torah, Injeel, and Quran
All of God’s messengers including Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad
One may be a Muslim (Submitter) but not yet be a Mu’min (believer) as true faith has not yet entered their hearts. This is proven in verse 49:14.
The desert Arabs say, “We believe!” Say, “Do not say you believe; but only say, ‘We have submitted our wills to God (as Submitters / Muslims),’ as belief has not yet entered your hearts. But if you obey God and His Messenger, He will not deprive you anything of your deeds: for God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (49:14)
Therefore, being a Muslim (Submitter) first is a pre-requisite for acquiring belief to become a Mu’min (believer). Verse 7:143 shows the example of prophet Moses when he became a Mu’min (believer). Verse 2:260 shows the example of prophet Abraham who asked to have his heart strengthened so that he could become a Mu’min (believer).
There are many proofs in the Quran of people who lived before prophet Muhammad and were Muslim.
Prophet Noah (10:72)
Prophet Solomon (27:31, 27:42)
Prophet Lot (51:36)
Prophet Abraham (3:67)
Disciples of Prophet Jesus (3:52)
Prophet Joseph (12:101)
Prophet Jacob’s children (2:133)
Pharaoh’s magicians (7:126)
None of these people could have known of the Quran or the coming of prophet Muhammad, yet they are described as Muslims (Submitters). Therefore, being a Muslim (Submitter), according to the Quran, does not require belief in the Quran or prophet Muhammad. It just requires submitting one’s will to the one true God.
As a matter of fact, during the time of prophet Muhammad some people amongst the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) did believe in Muhammad and they, therefore, were Mu’mins (believers) even though they were still Jews and Christians.
And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they have recognized of the truth. They say, “Our Lord, we have believed, so register us among the witnesses. (5:83)
And there are, certainly, among the People of the Book, those who believe in God, in the revelation to you (Muhammad), and in the revelation to them (Torah, Injil), bowing in humility to God …. (3:199)
People who believed in the previous scriptures, including Jews and Christians, were already Muslims.
Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it – they are believers in it. And when it is recited to them, they say, “We have believed in it; indeed, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed we were, [even] before it, Submitters (Muslims).” (28:52-53)
Many Muslims believe that all non-Muslims, including Jews and Christians, are disbelievers (kafir). However, the Quran indicates that some Jews and Christians are actually righteous. The Jews and Christians that follow their faith are referred to by the Quran as ‘Ahl-e-Kitab’ i.e. People of the Book, not ‘Kuffars’ (Disbelievers). From the Quran’s perspective, even the Mushrikeen (idolaters) are not necessarily Kuffar. One is not responsible for what one does not know. To claim otherwise is neither just nor true. We see in verse 9:6 proof that idolaters (mushrikeen) were not automatically branded as “kuffar” (disbelievers) as they were simply ignorant (did not know).
And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah. Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know. (9:6)
Therefore, if idolaters (mushrikeen) are not automatically disbelievers (kuffar), then obviously Jews and Christians are not automatically disbelievers (kuffar).
People only become disbelievers (kuffar) if the following conditions are met
The truth has been made clear to them
They have no reason left to deny it
They still choose to deny the truth
In addition, only God has the right to brand someone as a disbeliever (kafir).
The message of truth is made clear to different societies by God’s messengers. That is the one and only job of the messengers, as indicated in 24:54.
Say, “Obey Allah and obey the Messenger; but if you turn away – then upon him is only that [duty] with which he has been charged, and upon you is that with which you have been charged. And if you obey him, you will be [rightly] guided. And there is not upon the Messenger except the [responsibility for] clear notification.” (24:54)
Verse 3:113-114 proves that some Jews and Christians are righteous.
They are not [all] the same; among the People of the Scripture is a community standing [in obedience], reciting the verses of Allah during periods of the night and prostrating [in prayer]. They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and hasten to good deeds. And those are among the righteous. (3:113-114)
Verse 5:82-83 proves that some Christians are righteous.
You will surely find the most intense of the people in animosity toward the believers [to be] the Jews and those who associate others with Allah; and you will find the nearest of them in affection to the believers those who say, “We are Christians.” That is because among them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant. And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they have recognized of the truth. They say, “Our Lord, we have believed, so register us among the witnesses. (5:82-83)
Verse 7:159 proves that not all Jews are bad or unjust.
And if only they upheld [the law of] the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to them from their Lord, they would have consumed [provision] from above them and from beneath their feet. Among them are a moderate community (on the right course), but many of them – evil is that which they do. (5:66)
One must remember that the same religion was inspired in all of the prophets, including prophets Moses and Jesus. This is proven in 42:13.
He has ordained for you of religion (Arabic: Deen) what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus – to establish the religion and not be divided therein. Difficult for those who associate others with Allah is that to which you invite them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back [to Him]. (42:13)
Many Muslims use verse 2:120 to infer that the Jews and Christians follow a different religion.
And never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their form of religion (Arabic: Millatahum). Say, “Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the [only] guidance.” If you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allah no protector or helper. (2:120)
However, you will see a difference between verses 42:13 and 2:120 in that 42:13 uses the word “deen” whereas verse 42:13 uses the word “millatahum”.
The word “deen” means religion whereas the word “millat”, in the context of verse 2:120, means “way of belief or form of religion.” According to the Edward Lanes Lexicon, we see this definition as follows:
The word “millat” is also in verse 16:123 where prophet Muhammad was told to follow Abrahams “form of religion” (millat).
Then We revealed to you, [O Muhammad], to follow the form of religion (Arabic: millat) of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with Allah. (16:123)
In other words, people can be part of the same “deen” (religion” but their way / form “millat” may be different. The correct way, according to verse 16:123, is the way of Prophet Abraham. This “way”, according to this verse, is to not join anything with God including partnerships, idols, and intercessors. This “way” applies to Muslims, Christians and Jews.
Many Muslims believe that Zam Zam water is blessed water. However, there is no mention in the Quran of Zam Zam water. The Quran does talk about rainwater and honey, however. The story of Zam Zam is linked with the story of prophet Abraham’s wife, Hagar, his son, prophet Ishmael, Safa and Marwa. However, there is absolutely no mention of Hagar or the Hagar-Ishmael story in the entire Quran. As a matter of fact, there is not even a single mention of the word “Zamzam” in the Quran. Safa and Marwa are not even described as “mountains” in the Quran but rather as “symbols”. Pagan Arabs used to circumambulate (tawaaf) around Safa and Marwa before Islam was revealed to them. The Quran merely allowed this practice of “tawaaf” around Safa and Marwa to continue as optional.
Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs ‘umrah – there is no blame upon him for walking between them. … (2:158)
The statement “there is no blame / sin upon him for walking between them (Safa and Marwa)” clearly indicates that newly converted Muslims (ex Pagans) were allowed to continue the practice of walking between Safa and Marwa as they used to when they were pagans. The Quran does not require this practice.
The Healing Power of Honey
According to verses 16:68-69, honey has the power to heal.
And your Lord inspired to the bee, “Take for yourself among the mountains, houses, and among the trees and [in] that which they construct. Then eat from all the fruits and follow the ways of your Lord laid down [for you].” There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought. (16:68-69)
The Reviving Properties of Rainwater
According to verse 50:9, rainwater is referred to as “blessed” water” and has revitalizing properties.
