Many Muslims believe that dogs are impure and cannot be taken as pets. However, there is no such law in the Quran. On the contrary, there is actually much evidence to indicate that dogs can be had.
The cave sleepers and the dog
In chapter 18 (surah kahf) of the Quran, there is a story of the cave sleepers who had a dog with them. They were not out hunting but rather fleeing religious persecution (18:20). They all slept for hundreds of years. Not only did God keep the sleepers safe, He also kept the dog safe allowing it to stretch its paws over that long period of time (18:18). These sleepers were righteous and guided people (18:13). If dogs were forbidden and impure, why did God tell this story of righteous people who had a dog sleep with them?
Hunting dog
In verse 5:4, God says that we can eat what our hunting dogs catch.
They ask you, [O Muhammad], what has been made lawful for them. Say, “Lawful for you are [all] good foods and [game caught by] what you have trained of hunting dogs which you train as Allah has taught you. So eat of what they catch for you, and mention the name of Allah upon it, and fear Allah.” Indeed, Allah is swift in account. (5:4)
The word “hunting dog” in Arabic is “mukallibiin”. Unfortunately, many translators of the Quran translate this word as one of hunting animals, beasts, birds of prey, hunting creatures, falcons, and predatory animals. The word “mukallibiin” clearly comes from the word “kalb” which Arabic speakers all know to mean “dog”. According to the Edward Lanes Lexicon, the word “mukallibiin” means “a dog trained and accustomed to hunting”.
Many Muslims believe the law regarding interest applies to both people who charge interest and pay interest. However, the Quran makes it clear that what is forbidden is only the charging of interest or usury.
Definition of Riba
To understand the meaning of riba, Verses 2:278-279 give us a good understanding of what riba is.
And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your capital sums (Arabic: amwaalikum) – [thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged. (2:279)
The Arabic word “amwaalikum” means “your capital sums”. In most cases, this means your original or principal amount of money that you lend someone. If you charge someone interest, then you will receive your original loan amount + interest. Mathematically, the equation would read
Original Loan Amount + Interest = Total
The verses above instruct people to give up what remains of interest and to repent and if they do so, they can keep their capital sums or the original money they lent to someone.
Trade vs Usury
Making a profit from trade is different from making a profit from usury. According to verse 2:275, trade is allowed but usury is not.
Those who consume usury will not stand except as stand one whom the Satan has confounded by his touch. That is because they say: “Trade is like usury,” but God has permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from their Lord, desist, shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for God (to judge); but those who repeat (the offence) are companions of the Fire: They will abide therein. (2:275)
Example of trade
If you buy a product for x and sell it for x + 10 (profit), then that is trade.
Example of riba
If you lend someone 5 apples and one month later expect 7 apples in return, then the excess of 2 apples constitutes riba.
If you or a bank loans some money to someone with an interest rate (beyond currency inflation), then the profit from interest constitutes riba.
Capital sums
According to verse 2:279, a creditor is entitled to their capital back. Therefore, if the commodity lent is money, then it’s reasonable to expect the creditor to receive capital plus inflation since the value of money changes over time.
O you who have believed, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may be successful. (3:130)
Some people may use verse 3:130 to define usury as exorbitant interest. However, this verse merely indicates that usury, excessive or not, is forbidden. It is verses 2:278-279 which provide a suitable definition for riba.
Paying interest
There is no prohibition against paying interest. The prohibition is strictly and specifically limited to receiving interest.
Some people think that Jesus is dead. Others think that he is alive on earth or in Heaven or Paradise and that he will return. Let’s see what God says about this in the Quran. In verse 5:117, we see a statement that God caused Jesus to die and that after Jesus died, God became the witness over Jesus’ people. The dialogue is between God and Jesus and takes place on the Day of Judgment.
I (Jesus) did not say anything to them except what you commanded me with: To worship God, my Lord and your Lord, and I was a witness over them as long as I was among them, but when you caused me to die (Arabic: Tawafaytani), you were the watcher over them, and you are witness of all things. (5:117 part)
In verse 3:55, we see proof that God will cause Jesus to die before raising him.
When God said: “O Jesus! Verily, I shall cause you to die (Arabic: Mutawafeeka), and shall exalt you (Arabic: Rafiuka) to Me, and cleanse you of [the presence of] those who are bent on denying the truth; and I shall place those who follow you [far] above those who are bent on denying the truth, to the Day of Resurrection. In the end, to Me you must all return and I shall judge between you with regards to all on which you differed. (3:55 part)
The word “Mutawafeeka” comes from the word “tawaffa” which means “to cause to die”. Here is the definition from the Edward Lanes Lexicon.
This word and its correct meaning is used in many other verses including 16:70, 3:193, 7:126, 47:27, 2:234, 2:240, 2:281, 4:15, 4:97, and 6:61.
The word “Rafiuka” comes from the root word “raffa” which means “to be raised / raised to a high station”. It doesn’t literally mean cause Jesus to be lifted to ascend to Heaven but rather to raise Jesus in rank or status, e.g. exalt him. This expression is also used in verse 19:56-57 where Prophet Idris was also raised to a high station / exalted.
”And make mention in the Scripture of Idris. Indeed! he was a saint, a prophet; And We raised him to high station. (Arabic: Rafa’nahu)” (19:56-57)
As a reminder to readers of how many translations of the Quran can be very misleading, following are some translations of part of verse 3:55 above. Apparently, many translators try to avoid saying that Jesus is dead.
Translator
Translation
Sahih International
“O Jesus, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself …
Pickthall
“O Jesus! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me…”
Yusuf Ali
“O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself…”
Shakir
“O Isa! I am going to terminate the period of your stay (on earth) and cause you to ascend unto Me”
Muhammad Sarwar
He told Jesus, “I will save you from your enemies, raise you to Myself…”
Mohsin Khan
“O ‘Iesa (Jesus)! I will take you and raise you to Myself….”
Farooq-i-Azam Malik
“O Isa (Jesus)! I am going to recall you (from your mission) and raise you up to Myself….”
Ahmed Ali
“O Jesus! I will take you to Myself and exalt you…..”
In verse 5:109, we see proof that no messenger will know what happened on earth after they die. This includes prophet Jesus as he was not specifically excluded.
“One day God will gather the messengers together, and ask: “What was the response you received (from men to your teaching)?” They will say: “We have no knowledge: it is You Who knows in full all that is hidden.” (5:109)
In verses 4:157-158, God says that the Jews did not kill not crucify Jesus and that God raised Jesus to a high station / exalted him.
‘And they said (in boast), “Behold, we have slain the Christ Jesus, son of Mary, messenger of God” However, they did not slay him, and neither did they crucify him (Arabic: Salabuhu), but it appeared so to them; and, verily those who hold conflicting views thereon are indeed confused, having no [real] knowledge thereof, and following mere conjecture. For, of a certainty, they did not slay him’ ‘Nay, God exalted him (Arabic: rafa-ahu) to Himself – and God is indeed almighty, wise’ (4:157-158)
However, this verse doesn’t mean that Jesus was raised to a high station while he was alive. If it meant that, then that would contradict verse 3:55. Therefore, this verse just means that the Jews didn’t kill Jesus but rather they killed someone who was made to resemble Jesus.
In we compare verses 19:33 to 19:15, we see that the lifecycle of Prophet Jesus matches that of Prophet Yahya (John). That is that they both were born, died, and will be raised up to life again.
So Peace on him (Prophet Yahya) the day he was born, the day that he dies, and the day that he will be raised up to life (again)! (19:15)
In verses 5:109-115, God tells us about many events related to Prophet Jesus. If Jesus were to come back and return to earth, it would be hard to believe that such an important event would be omitted from the verses above or anywhere else in the Quran.
If we compare verse 3:144 to verse 5:75, we see that Prophet Jesus passed away just like all of the other messengers.
And We sent not before you, [O Muhammad], except men to whom We revealed [the message], so ask the people of the message if you do not know. And We did not make the prophets forms not eating food, nor were they immortal. (21:7-8)
And We did not grant to any man before you (Muhammad) eternity [on earth]; so if you die – would they be eternal? (21:34)
To conclude, it should be clear now that Jesus is dead and then he was exalted in rank. Jesus is not alive neither on earth nor in Heaven and he will not come back.
Many Muslims believe that prophet Muhammad or someone special can help them on the Day of Judgment. However, the Quran makes it clear that no one, including Prophet Muhammad, can intercede and help anyone on that day. This is proven in verses 82:17-19.
And what can make you know what is the Day of Recompense? Again, what can make you know what is the Day of Recompense? It is the Day when a soul will not possess for another soul [power to do] a thing; and the command, that Day, is [entirely] with Allah. (82:17-19)
According to verse 46:9, prophet Muhammad doesn’t know what will happen to himself let alone anyone else. His job was just to warn people.
Say, “I am not something original among the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow that which is revealed to me, and I am not but a clear warner.” (46:9)
According to verses 7:188 and 10:49, prophet Muhammad had no power of good or harm to himself and he had no knowledge of the unseen.
Say (O Muhammad), “I hold not for myself [the power of] benefit or harm, except what Allah has willed. And if I knew the unseen, I could have acquired much wealth, and no harm would have touched me. I am not except a warner and a bringer of good tidings to a people who believe.” (7:188)
Say (O Muhammad), “I possess not for myself any harm or benefit except what Allah should will. For every nation is a [specified] term. When their time has come, then they will not remain behind an hour, nor will they precede [it].” (10:49)
According to verse 39:19, God makes it clear that no one can save anyone else who is in Hell.
And fear a Day when no soul will suffice for another soul at all, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be taken from it, nor will they be aided. (2:48)
And fear a Day when no soul will suffice for another soul at all, and no compensation will be accepted from it, nor will any intercession benefit it, nor will they be aided. (2:123)
The fact that no intercession will exist is reiterated in 2:254.
O you who have believed, spend from that which We have provided for you before there comes a Day in which there is no exchange and no friendship and no intercession. And the disbelievers – they are the wrongdoers. (2:254)
According to verse 9:80, even if prophet Muhammad asks 70 times for God to forgive someone, God will not forgive.
Ask forgiveness for them, [O Muhammad], or do not ask forgiveness for them. If you should ask forgiveness for them seventy times – never will Allah forgive them. That is because they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger, and Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.
According to verse 9:113, prophet Muhammad and believers are forbidden from praying for polytheists, even if they were close relatives.
It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire. (9:113)
Ini adalah terjemahan dari versi bahasa Inggris dari dokumen ini. Google Translate digunakan untuk sebagian besar terjemahan ini. Kalau terjemahhannya terdengar sedikit aneh, itu sebabnya.
Informasi di bawah ini adalah ringkasan dari dokumenter House of Saud oleh PBS Frontline. PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) adalah penyiar publik televisi non-komersial yang didanai oleh rakyat Amerika.
Informasi yang disajikan di bawah ini adalah untuk tujuan pendidikan dan perbandingan. Tak satu pun dari informasi dibawah merupakan pendapat pribadi.
Pendiri Wahabisme dan Keluarga Suku Al Saud
Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, pendiri “Wahhabisme,” bentuk Islam yang keras, tiba di negara bagian tengah Najd di Arab pada tahun 1744 untuk mengumumkan pengembalian ke Islam yang “murni”. Dia mencari perlindungan dari amir setempat, Muhammad ibn Saud, kepala keluarga suku Al Saud, dan mereka membuat kesepakatan. Al Saud akan mendukung bentuk keras Islam al-Wahhab dan sebagai imbalannya, Al Saud akan mendapatkan legitimasi politik dan uang pajak dari pengikut al-Wahhab.
Saudi Arabia adalah tempat suku-suku yang berperang satu sama lain. Tidak ada persatuan di antara kelompok-kelompok itu.
Saudi pada tahun 1900
Di antara para pengembara, syekh dan amir adalah keluarga Al Saud.
Abdul Aziz ibn Al Saud ingin menyatukan suku-suku.
The information below is a summary of the PBS Frontline documentary House of Saud. PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) is a non-commercial free-to-air television public broadcaster funded by the American people.
The information presented below is for educational and comparative purposes. None of it is personal opinion.
The Founder of Wahhabism and the Al Saud Tribal Family
Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, founder of “Wahhabism,” an austere form of Islam, arrives in the central Arabian state of Najd in 1744 preaching a return to “pure” Islam. He seeks protection from the local emir, Muhammad ibn Saud, head of the Al Saud tribal family, and they cut a deal. The Al Saud will endorse al-Wahhab’s austere form of Islam and in return, the Al Saud will get political legitimacy and regular tithes from al-Wahhab’s followers.
Arabia was a place of warring tribes. There was no unity among the groups.
Arabia in 1900
Among the nomads, sheikhs and emirs was the family of Al Saud.
Abdul Aziz ibn Al Saud wanted to unite the tribes.
If you’ve got many songs in Google Play Music, it can be difficult to manage which songs are in which playlists. Google Play Music doesn’t show you a list of playlists a particular song is in, if any. To create such a list, here’s a solution that works.
In the excerpt above, we see that the song “Santa Baby” is in the Christmas playlist but the song “True Blue” is not in any playlist. You can then find a playlist to the the latter song in so you don’t forget that you have that song.
Posting content on WordPress can be time consuming without the right technique. By default, copying and pasting images isn’t possible. Images need to manually be uploaded, resized, and optimized for performance. And even if you do that, they’re still not optimized for global performance because they aren’t on a CDN (content delivery network). To simplify posting content on WordPress, I’ve found the following setup and workflow to be best.
Managed WordPress Hosting
You can be cheap and try to manage hosting a WordPress site yourself. But, you’ll likely get frustrated as you can’t keep up with vulnerabilities that can slow down or break your site. You can get affordable managed WordPress hosting on GoDaddy. They’ll take care of upgrades and remove insecure plugins for you.
Install the Free JetPack Plugin
This plugin is critical, especially for performance. Among other things, you can enable performance optimization to automatically resize, optimize and host all images and static files (CSS, JS) on WordPress’ content delivery network. A 3.5 MB image instantly gets optimized to a fraction of that size, e.g. 120 KB. This plugin is an absolute must.”
Many people use pressure-treated wood posts but though they are cheaper, they do have downsides includng:
they can rot and decay
they can warp and bend, especially if you leave them out in the sun and don’t finish the fence right away
attaching 2x4s to them require toenailing or toescewing nails and screws at an angle or using metal brackets for 2x4s
if you attach 2x4s to the post and later decide you want to move them up or down, it’s a hassle
Steel posts have holes all along the length on both sides so screwing 2x4s into them are very easy. This saves a lot of time and money from not having to buy a bunch of brackets. Furthermore, there’s no worry about it warping due to the elements.
Here’s one way to secure an item using rope that locks tension in the rope. It’s a variation of the Trucker’s Hitch. It involves creating a loop (butterfly knot) and then looping the free end of the rope twice through the loop. For the first, fixed end, I use a ring hitch knot which easily ties the first end of the rope to an anchor without it loosening. No matter how hard you pull, the knot won’t loosen.
Here’s how to tie a ring hitch for the first end.
Loop the rope end through an anchor point
Create two loops
Stick the end through the two loops and tighten
Here’s how to tie the butterfly knot.
And here’s how to use the butterfly knot to create a super tight rope line.
Loop the free end through an anchor point
Loop the free end through the butterfly knot twice
