₦airaland Forum

When I woke up to watch the news this morning, on almost every international media available, there was a syndication of a particular report which caught my eyes. The supposed death of the alleged Al-Qaeda leader in Iraq Abu Musa Al-Zarqawi. Now just in the same way I take with a pinch of salt what these media tell me about Nigeria, I regarded this as mere propaganda to help the cause of the Republicans who are approaching election period in America. Especially against the back drop of ttheir recent low poll results, and the trashing of the same sex amendment bill in the Senate which they had hoped will help lift their popularity.

I consequently ask the questions- did Abu Musa Al-Zarqawi actually exist in real life or was he a contraption of the Bush administration to help justify increased spending to prosecute an unpopular war? If he existed, was he really the threat America would make us believe he was? And did he really die in the bombing raid as alleged by the leader of American forces in Iraq- General Caldwell and the new installed Iraqi PM? Or is this merely another sensationalist approach to the systematic disorientation of the society designed to have anodyne effects on the actual situation on groundin Iraq- America has started another Vietnam it cannot finish?

Please respond and give proofs that Al-Zarqawi actually existed and is dead. The proofs should be different from the images CNN shows us it gets from AL- Jazeera. Thank you

Oh well how am I going to explain this.

You see, in Arabic language, the dual is used for one purpose only-to show numbers in much the same way as the singular. However, the plural is used for two purposes, to show respect or gloryfication. Now, scholars of Arabic language have pointed out that the usage of the Plural for Allah in the Quran is for the second purpose. So, unless you have proof to the contrary, this explanation holds true. It's very similar to the Yorubas, when their king addresses the people, he uses awa, meaning us, while actually referring to himself. This is edifying and gloryfying language which none in this world deserves to use, better than God.

Any allusion to plurality of God in those verses is mischievous and designed to pick holes where there is none. Except if you have studied the Arabic language and can authoritatively say with proofs that this grandiose language or style is not used ordinarily, would I agree with you.

Thanks for sticking to the issue.

Jesus Christ!!!!! Wetin I dey read for here? These people don mara finally. Well, it seems the reverend just had an epiphany, watched Devil advocate and decided to inundate us with the devil's side of the story. But like my man Keanu said, let me repeat with some modifications.
But Reverend, in the Bible and Quran, you and the Devil lose, you lose. And don't tell me consider the source because Avril Lavigne and his cohorts have not successfully stated the future prophecy of Stan's end. I however invite you to do this.

Evolution or creation which do I believe? Both!! I don't see any mutually exclusive terms or events here. Atleast not by my belief.

I've had a laugh of a lifetime, and I must say the human mind is really powerful. I can also see that we have a lot of psychos living like normal human beings. I can't help but revel at the thought that I might be meeting one on the road, or he could even be my own neighbour. And he could be the cause of some untimely accident, because his thinking processes have been altered irreversibly.God save us. Or is it 'No God' save us.

@ Gwaine

I reaffirm my earlier statement that muslims are not expected to make comparison amongst the Prophets. The Quran certainly says this in a number of verses, of which I will give one example. In Quran 2 V 136, God says

Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael,
and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the Prophets received from their
Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered.


Now, you may see some Muslims indulge in this, it don't make it right however. His reference to the classification made by the Time magazine is just to butress his point that people view Muhammad (SAW) as a great person as against the view held by some that he was an evil person. He is not intending to compare him with other Prophets.

As regards your other question about Allah using We when he refers to himself, I tried to explain it to mlks_baby earlier, but she wouldn't accept my explanation, but let me post this may be it might help your understanding of my previous argument that it is a majestic way of speech employed by the noble even on earth, how much more the King of the Day of Judgement Himself ( Azza wa Jalla).



Answer. The Qur’an says very clearly that there is only One God, Allah. “There is no god but Allah” is the basic principle of Islam. There is no ambiguity about this fact in the Qur’an and there are hundreds of ayat or verses of the Qur’an that make this point very clear. Belief in more than one God is Shirk (polytheism) and a major sin according to the Qur’an.

Whenever in the Qur’an Allah is mentioned in the third person there are always singular pronouns used, such as He, him (Huwa or Hu). Whenever Allah is spoken to in the second person there are also singular pronouns, such as Thou, Thine and Thee (Anta, Ka). However only in the first person some times the pronouns I, My or Mine (Ana, Iyaya, ya) are used and sometimes We, Us and Our (Nahnu, Na) are used.

This is a style of speech. Sometime the speaker says I and sometime says we. We also use that in our conversations. In the Qur’an you will see that often the first person singular such as I or My is used, when Allah speaks about His love, care and closeness and forgiveness for His servants. In a similar way the first person plural is often used when Allah speaks about His power, majesty, glory, great deeds or when He speaks about His anger and wrath for the sinners and criminals. (This is, of course, the general use. Sometime the reverse is also the case, depending on the context of the Surah.)

See for example the verses where the first person singular is used: “When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me: that they may walk in the right way.” (al-Baqarah 2:186) Or “Verily, I am Allah: there is no god but I: so serve thou Me (only), and establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise.” (Taha 20:14) or “But, without doubt, I am (also) He that forgives again and again, to those who repent, believe, and do right, who, in fine, are ready to receive true guidance.” (Taha 20:82) or see another example where both pronouns are used side by side, “Before them the People of Noah rejected (their Messenger): they rejected Our servant, and said, “Here is one possessed!” and he was driven out. Then he called on His Lord: “I am one overcome: do Thou then help (me)!” So We opened the gates of heaven, with water pouring forth. And We caused the earth to gush forth with springs. So the waters met (and rose) to the extent decreed. But We bore him on an (Ark) made of broad planks and caulked with palm-fiber: She floats under Our eyes (and care): a recompense to one who had been rejected (with scorn)! And We have left this as a Sign (for all time): then is there any that will receive admonition? But how (terrible) was My Penalty and My Warning? (al-Qamar 54:9-16)

See also some verses where the first person plural is used: “We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).” (al-Hijr 15:9) or “We created not the heavens, the earth, and all between them, but for just ends. And the Hour is surely coming” (al-Hijr 15:85) or “And among His Signs is this: thou seest the earth barren and desolate; but when We send down rain to it, it is stirred to life and yields increase. Truly, He Who gives life to the (dead) earth can surely give life to (men) who are dead. For He has power over all things.” (Fussilat 41:39). Or “Already has Our Word been passed before (this) to Our Servants sent (by Us). That they would certainly be assisted. And that Our forces, they surely must conquer. So turn thou away from them for a little while. And watch them (how they fare), and they soon shall see. Do they wish (indeed) to hurry on our Punishment? But when it descends into the open space before them, evil will be the morning for those who were warned (and heeded not) (al-Saffat 37:171-177). There are many other examples.

Christian writers in their desperate desire to prove their doctrine of Trinity have sometime interpreted some Biblical passages where first person plural is used to suggest that this means the “Divine Trinity”. For example in the Bible it is mentioned, “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image¦” (Genesis 1:26). Christian writers contend that this means that there is plurality in God (We seek Allah’s forgiveness for mentioning this blasphemy.) Sometime Christian missionaries also go to simple Muslims and try to confuse them by taking some verses from the Qur’an and tell them that the Qur’an also supports such doctrines. I tried to explain this point in some detail, because I have often heard this type of questions from some Christians.


It is a feature of literary style in Arabic that a person may refer to himself by the pronoun nahnu (we) for respect or glorification. He may also use the word ana (I), indicating one person, or the third person huwa (he). All three styles are used in the Qur’an, where Allaah addresses the Arabs in their own tongue. (Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 4/143).

“Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, sometimes refers to Himself in the singular, by name or by use of a pronoun, and sometimes by use of the plural, as in the phrase (interpretation of the meaning): ‘Verily, We have given you a manifest victory” [al-Fath 48:1], and other similar phrases. But Allaah never refers to Himself by use of the dual, because the plural refers to the respect that He deserves, and may refer to His names and attributes, whereas the dual refers to a specific number (and nothing else), and He is far above that.” (Al-‘Aqeedah al-Tadmuriyyah by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah, p. 75).

These words, innaa (“Verily We”) and nahnu (“We”), and other forms of the plural, may be used by one person speaking on behalf of a group, or they may be used by one person for purposes of respect or glorification, as is done by some monarchs when they issue statements or decrees in which they say “We have decided…” etc. [This is known in English as “The Royal We” – Translator]. In such cases, only one person is speaking but the plural is used for respect. The One Who is more deserving of respect than any other is Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, so when He says in the Qur’an innaa (“Verily We”) and nahnu (“We”), it is for respect and glorification, not to indicate plurality of numbers. If an aayah of this type is causing confusion, it is essential to refer to the clear, unambiguous aayaat for clarification, and if a Christian, for example, insists on taking ayaat such as “Verily, We: it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e., the Qur’an)” [al-Hijr 15:9 – interpretation of the meaning] as proof of divine plurality, we may refute this claim by quoting such clear and unambiguous aayaat as (interpretation of the meanings): “And your god is One God, there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful” [al-Baqarah 2:163] and “Say: He is Allaah, the One” [al-Ikhlaas 112:1] – and other aayaat which can only be interpreted in one way. Thus confusion will be dispelled for the one who is seeking the truth. Every time Allaah uses the plural to refer to Himself, it is based on the respect and honour that He deserves, and on the great number of His names and attributes, and on the great number of His troops and angels.” (Reference: Al-‘Aqeedah al-Tadmuriyyah by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah, p. 109). And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

I hope this addresses your concerns.

NMS
NDA

Dblock
Those links you gave prove nothing. Firstly, the originators are not muslims. And they have not quoted any section of the Quran where the relationship between David (ASW) and Muhammed (SAW) wasalluded to. Please give up your claim until you have proof to back it up. I know the Quran, and no such relationship was stated. The only thing the Quran states about David (ASW) and Muhammed (SAW) along with other Prophets is that muslims should make no distiction between them.

Kag

The follower of Islam do not believe Muhammed descended from Prophet David (ASW).

President Gadaffi is only worried about what may befall him when Charles Taylor's trial starts in earnest. It is on record that he trained and armed Taylor as a revolutionary leader, among other similar cases in other African countries. Gadaffi is not comfortable that all the genocidal acts carried out by these rebels could be linked to him indirectly. I think President OBJ did nothing wrong to hand over Taylor to an elected government in Liberia-that was his promise ab initio.

@ mrmayor

I think the answer to your question is obvious. PlayBoy, you are right, they were both prophet's of God. If Muhammad (SAW) could be traced to Abraham (ASW) and David (ASW) could also be traced to Abraham, then there may be some truth that Mohammad (SAW) can be traced to David. But Ithink it is more appropriate to trace him to Ishmael (ASW).

@ Zahymaka

Respects and awe for you. That school was really pretigious-I don't know about now though. I took the entrance exams to the school, came third in Plateau state, but was eventually rigged out on account of my state of origin. Kudos to you.