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"Then pour over his head the Penalty of Boiling Water..."
Maududi says that sura 43 was revealed around the same time as suras 32, 40 and 42, when the pagan Quraysh of Mecca, the tribe from which Muhammad came, was plotting to kill him – he adds that Allah makes a reference to their secret plots in vv. 79-80.
The sura begins with the familiar affirmation of the Arabic character and wisdom of the Qur’an (v. 3), and notes that “it is in the Mother of the Book, in Our Presence” (v. 4). The “Mother of the Book” is, according to Islamic tradition, the Preserved Tablet, the copy of the Qur’an that has existed for all eternity with Allah. The Qur’an that Muhammad received through the angel Gabriel over the twenty-three years of his career as a prophet is a perfect copy of this eternal book. Then Allah again excoriates the unbelievers, warning them that the earlier prophets were mocked also (v. 7), and that he destroyed the mockers (v. 8).
Verses 9-12 then detail various signs of Allah’s power in the natural world, which are all signs for the unbelievers. Then verses 13-25 criticize the unbelievers for blindly following the religion of their fathers (vv. 23-24) and for suggesting that Allah has daughters, which they themselves are sorry to have (vv. 16-17). This refers to the goddesses of the Quraysh, which Muhammad himself briefly acknowledged as “daughter of Allah,” and then reneged when he realized he had compromised his monotheistic message. This was the notorious “Satanic Verses” incident, which we’ll discuss in detail in sura 53. As for this passage: “Women,” explains Ibn Kathir, “are regarded as lacking something, which they make up for with jewelry and adornments from the time of childhood onwards, and when there is a dispute, they cannot speak up and defend themselves clearly, so how can this be attributed to Allah?”
Abraham appears briefly (vv. 26-28) to repeat the warning to unbelievers, and then verses 29-42 detail the ingratitude and self-delusion of the unbelievers: they think they’re rightly guided when in fact they’re under demonic influence (vv. 36-37). Allah reassures Muhammad that the Qur’an is true and that he is on the right path (vv. 43-45). Moses reappears in verses 46-56, with the parallels to Muhammad more transparent than ever: the unbelievers ridicule his signs (v. 47) and call him a sorcerer (v. 49); ultimately Allah punished them (v. 55).
Jesus then follows (verses 57-65), with affirmations that he was not divine (v. 59), and that he shall return at the time of Judgment (v. 61). In a hadith, Muhammad says that at that time Jesus will “break the cross, kill the pigs, and abolish the Jizya tax” that is mandated for Christians under Islamic rule. This means he will destroy Christianity and Islamize the world. Jesus also preached the oneness of Allah (vv. 63-64), but his followers divided into warring sects (v. 65). If Allah really had a son, Allah tells Muhammad to say he would be the first to worship him (v. 81).
Verses 66-88 then rehearse the delights of the Garden of Paradise and the pains of Hell. The unbelievers will plead for it to end, but will be rebuffed (v. 77). Islam is the truth, but the unbelievers hate the truth (v. 78). Those whom they worship have no power (v. 86); Muhammad should turn away from them, for they will know he was right soon enough (v. 89).
According to Islamic tradition, sura 44 was revealed around the same time as sura 43. It too begins by praising the Qur’an: it “makes things clear” (v. 2) and began to be sent down during a “Blessed Night” (v. 3), which was during Ramadan. It was revealed as a sign of Allah’s mercy (vv. 5-6). Then follow warnings of the Day of Judgment, and the warning that people will be enveloped with smoke – a painful punishment (vv. 10-11). This penalty will be removed for a time, but the people will still not believe (v. 15). A hadith explains that Muhammad had asked Allah to curse the Quraysh; another says that he asked him to give them seven years of famine, “so famine overtook them for one year and destroyed every kind of life to such an extent that the people started eating hides, carcasses and rotten dead animals. Whenever one of them looked towards the sky, he would (imagine himself to) see smoke because of hunger.” After the chief of the Quraysh appealed to Muhammad that his own kin were dying (the Quraysh were Muhammad’s tribe), Muhammad relented and prayed for them, and Allah revealed vv. 10-16.
Pharaoh reappears in verses 17-33, challenged by a curiously unnamed Moses. Allah chose the Children of Israel above other nations (v. 32). Islamic commentators minimize the ongoing import of this: according to Mujahid, “This means that they were chosen above those among whom they lived,” and Qatadah agreed: “They were chosen above the other people of their own time, and it was said that in every period there are people who are chosen above others.” The Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn ‘Abbâs likewise says that the Israelites were chosen above others “of their time.”
Then verses 34-59 repeat warnings to the unbelievers, recounting their scorn at the idea of the resurrection of the dead (v. 35); they will be destroyed (v. 37). In hell the unbelievers will eat of the tree of Zaqqum, which will scald their insides (vv. 43-46), while the righteous in Paradise will enjoy the company of “fair women with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes” (v. 54).
Sura 45 continues in this vein. The Qur’an is from Allah (v. 2); there are signs for the believers in the heavens and on earth (vv. 3-6, 12-13). But the unbelievers mock the signs of Allah (v. 9); hell awaits them (vv. 10-11). The believers should forgive the unbelievers (v. 14); however, Ibn Kathir explains that this was only a temporary provision: “Let the believers forgive the disbelievers and endure the harm that they direct against them. In the beginning of Islam, Muslims were ordered to observe patience in the face of the oppression of the idolaters and the People of the Scriptures so that their hearts may incline towards Islam. However, when the disbelievers persisted in stubbornness, Allah legislated for the believers to fight in Jihad.”
Allah favored the Children of Israel above the nations (v. 16), but they fell into schisms because of insolent envy (v. 17). Muhammad is now on the right path (v. 18), and Ibn Kathir warns that this passage “contains a warning to the Muslim Ummah as well. It warns them not to take the path the Jews took nor adopt their ways.” The evildoers will not judged in the same way as are the righteous (v. 21). Allah has left the one who worships his own desire blind and straying (v. 23). Then verses 24-37 conclude with more warnings of the Day of Judgment: the unbelievers scoff (v. 25), but there is no real doubt about the Day (v. 26). The unbelievers will be reminded that they witnessed Allah’s signs (v. 31), but they took them in jest, and now will burn forever (v. 35).
(Here you can find links to all the earlier "Blogging the Qur'an" segments. Here is a good Arabic Qur’an, with English translations available; here are two popular Muslim translations, those of Abdullah Yusuf Ali and Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall, along with a third by M. H. Shakir. Here is another popular translation, that of Muhammad Asad. And here is an omnibus of ten Qur’an translations.)
Posted by Robert at September 7, 2008 7:50 AM
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In the beginning of Islam, Muslims were ordered to observe patience in the face of the oppression of the idolaters and the People of the Scriptures so that their hearts may incline towards Islam. However, when the disbelievers persisted in stubbornness, Allah legislated for the believers to fight in Jihad.”
So, Allah changed his mind. From observing patience to waging jihad. Or could it be that as islam gained military power, they could just ignore the order for patience?
Posted by: Zorro![[TypeKey Profile Page]](https://swap.stanford.edu/was/20100322163935im_/http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at September 7, 2008 8:45 AM
Mr. Spencer,
You stated:
"Jesus then follows, with affirmations that he was not divine, and that he shall return at the time of Judgment"
How is it that in Islamic theology Jesus is not divine but will return on judgment day? I realize that Allah can do anything He wants to. Is this why? Will any other prophets be making an appearance that day?
Posted by: dentalque at September 7, 2008 10:36 AM
the Penalty of Boiling Water...
.... Which begs the question of whether Hell at least has instant coffee.
But if they do, it's probably Sanka.
Posted by: MarisolJW at September 7, 2008 11:31 AM
for suggesting that Allah has daughters, which they themselves are sorry to have
but then who would they sell? who would wait on them hand and foot?
Women are regarded as lacking something
like a d***?
which they make up for with jewelry and adornments
but adornments are referred to as body parts elsewhere, which must be covered. So adornments are jewelry type things?
that he shall return at the time of Judgment
Is Mo returning at the time of Judgment? No? Why is Jesus special?
unbelievers: they think they’re rightly guided when in fact they’re under demonic influence
but that's because Allah wants them to be, since Allah controls everything, including who will or will not believe.
Qur’an: it “makes things clear
that's why it's the world most misunderstood book.
by those who believe it and by those who don't believe it
even the chapters start with characters that islamic scholars admit that no one knows what they mean or what they are there for. So much for making things clear.
Allah chose the Children of Israel above other nations
Why would Allah EVER have done that? Allah surely should have know how it would turn out in the end? Allah would only favor believers and if they aren't believers it is because Allah put a seal on their hearts so they can not see.
Muslims were ordered to observe patience in the face of the oppression of the idolaters and the People of the Scriptures so that their hearts may incline towards Islam. However, when the disbelievers persisted in stubbornness, Allah legislated for the believers to fight in Jihad.”
Well, Ibn Kathir, this must be a mistake, because we all know islam is peaceful. The koran is CLEAR but you, a believer, must be misunderstanding it.
Have a nice day Robert. We are reading your Blogging series.
PS. What is the talk about the Undercover Mosque The Return, in areas that could see the broadcast? I haven't seen much coverage or comments.
at September 7, 2008 11:40 AM
Zorro...Allah changed his mind a lot in the old days, usually in regard to something Mohammad wanted to do.
But Allah retired from his position of giving revelations to Mohammad, when Mohammad died.
I don't think Allah has spoken to anyone since, well, maybe Beasty Boy Ahmadinijad of Iran.
So if Allah has changed his mind about anything, since MO died, few if any muslims know about it.
He does talk to muslims directly through the Quran, (a recorded message no doubt), but he only repeats himself and offers nothing new.
Yet, this is what muslims have to go on, so they go on it. A recorded message from Allah...In that message he is firm as to who he likes, Muslims, especially Mohammad, and everyone he does not like, Kufirs of every type and description. He makes it clear how he wants his muslims to behave
toward non believers. In those things Allah never changes his mind...He created apes and pigs, but he never liked them much...
at September 7, 2008 11:53 AM
Thanks Mr. Spencer.
Posted by: Spirit of 1776 at September 7, 2008 12:21 PM
How is it that in Islamic theology Jesus is not divine but will return on judgment day? I realize that Allah can do anything He wants to.
A few thoughts on this:
With rare exceptions, just about anybody seeking to introduce a new religion in the past two millenia has had to reckon with the status of Jesus in their narrative of the way things "really" are. In part, it rides the coattails of established religions' legitimacy, and also helps siphon off some of their followers.
From that perspective, Muhammad had a delicate theological balance to strike, with implications for his position as leader of a religious and political movement: Attribute too much power to Jesus, and Muhammad is unnecessary. Attribute too little, and weaken Islam's claim to being the culmination of the monotheistic religions.
Inconsistencies still abound, but what Islam does attribute to Jesus is, of course, handy for dawa and "interfaith" discussions , especially among people not equipped to ask follow-up questions.
Posted by: MarisolJW at September 7, 2008 12:52 PM
Mr. Spencer,
This passage wasn't clear to me:
After the chief of the Quraysh appealed to Muhammad that his own kin were dying (the Quraysh were Muhammad’s tribe), Muhammad relented and prayed for them, and Allah revealed vv. 10-16.
Did that end with the right verb?
Also: Muslims were ordered to observe patience in the face of the oppression of the idolaters and the People of the Scriptures so that their hearts may incline towards Islam. However, when the disbelievers persisted in stubbornness, Allah legislated for the believers to fight in Jihad.
But doesn't Allah pre-ordain who will be unbelievers?
at September 7, 2008 1:04 PM
Cowboy - exactly. Allah makes believers of those who he choses, and unbelievers of those he choses to curse. Why, after the disbelievers persisted in stubborness, would Allah send his believers after them? Doesn't make ANY sense. Unless of course Allah looks at people as pit bulls to be put into the ring and slug it out for Allah's amusement. Or maybe to have believers prove they are believers? Believers should not have to PROVE they are believers, Allah should know they are.
Posted by: Borg at September 7, 2008 1:13 PM
dentalque:
How is it that in Islamic theology Jesus is not divine but will return on judgment day? I realize that Allah can do anything He wants to. Is this why? Will any other prophets be making an appearance that day?
The most likely explanation is that Muhammad heard stories of the second coming of Christ, and incorporated it into Islam.
Here is a relevant Hadith:
Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Apostle said, "The Hour will not be established until the son of Mary (i.e. Jesus) descends amongst you as a just ruler, he will break the cross, kill the pigs, and abolish the Jizya tax. Money will be in abundance so that nobody will accept it (as charitable gifts).
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/043.sbt.html#003.043.656
RS
Posted by: jihadwatch at September 7, 2008 1:50 PM
Marisol:
.... Which begs the question of whether Hell at least has instant coffee.But if they do, it's probably Sanka.
Yes, and very bad Sanka at that.
RS
Posted by: jihadwatch at September 7, 2008 1:53 PM
Borg:
but adornments are referred to as body parts elsewhere, which must be covered. So adornments are jewelry type things?
In this context, yes.
Is Mo returning at the time of Judgment? No? Why is Jesus special?
Probably because there were existing traditions regarding Jesus' return, which Muhammad incorporated into his new religion as part of his effort to make it appear to be a continuation of, and correction of, Judaism and Christianity.
Allah chose the Children of Israel above other nationsWhy would Allah EVER have done that? Allah surely should have know how it would turn out in the end? Allah would only favor believers and if they aren't believers it is because Allah put a seal on their hearts so they can not see.
A Muslim might say: Perhaps their fall and curse is meant to be a warning.
Have a nice day Robert. We are reading your Blogging series.
Much obliged. I'm glad a few people are.
RS
Posted by: jihadwatch at September 7, 2008 1:56 PM
Cowboy is a compliment:
This passage wasn't clear to me:After the chief of the Quraysh appealed to Muhammad that his own kin were dying (the Quraysh were Muhammad’s tribe), Muhammad relented and prayed for them, and Allah revealed vv. 10-16.
Did that end with the right verb?
Yes. What is unclear about it to you?
But doesn't Allah pre-ordain who will be unbelievers?
Yes, and there is no resolution to the questions that this raises.
RS
Posted by: jihadwatch at September 7, 2008 1:58 PM
For Mr. Spencer,
I noticed that these suras make frequent reference to what previous suras made about how Allah created certain people to be cursed as unbelievers and enemies as islam, cursed to be tortured in this life and the afterlife. Is that a recurring theme in both the Meccan and Medinan suras? Obviously, if it's only in the Medinan suras that's still troublesome as militant muslims can correctly say it's an abrogating verse. However, I was curious as to if this concept is universal or only in Meccan or Medinan suras.
Also, I noticed there are references to eternal torment for those who mocked previous prophets. I presume that to be Jesus, Moses, Abraham, Noah etc. I see that muslims do consider them to be legitimate prophets, but when the interpretation says "Then Allah again excoriates the unbelievers, warning them that the earlier prophets were mocked also (v. 7), and that he destroyed the mockers (v. 8)." does that refer to people who, by simply practicing Christianity and Judaism, made a mockery of the earlier prophets? I know this sounds like a juvenile question for someone with your experience in Islamic theology and texts, but the concept of how muslims view earlier prophets and their followers can be rather confusing.
And as a side note, I'm aware you try to report simply what the islamic texts say and how they are interpreted by muslims. But do you ever, and have you ever in your 20 plus years of studying the Islamic trilogy and culture, looked at these texts and just found this to be entirely revolting and obscence? As in, you start thinking that any muslim who understands these texts and still calls themselves a believing muslim is either deeply stupid or inherently dangerous to you and everyone around you? I know in general you stress not drawing any personal conclusions but I still wonder what your reactions to it are after 25 years. I know if I was studying something I found vile and asinine for that long I'd be severely depressed not to mention thoroughly mad. I don't doubt your ability to stay calm under the cirumstances, patient and Stoic character you are, but I mean, when you study muslim texts and history, do you find any traditions of respect and tolerance at all, comparable to the other mainstream religions? Or is it just ugly from start to finish?
Thanks for you blog, and for the record, I have been reading it faithfully every Sunday and would have kept reading it on Hot Air if it was still there. No that my one opinion matters in any of this, but just thought I'd say it.
Posted by: maxwell46&2 at September 7, 2008 2:28 PM
“Women,” explains Ibn Kathir, “are regarded as lacking something, which they make up for with jewelry and adornments from the time of childhood onwards, and when there is a dispute, they cannot speak up and defend themselves clearly, so how can this be attributed to Allah?”
How can it not be? Didn't Allah create women? Did Allah create women 'lacking something' so they would be unable to 'speak up and defend themselves'?
It seems to be that, once again, Allah is creating a group of people just to punish them.
Posted by: tanstaafl at September 7, 2008 3:35 PM
Robert, duh swami's post makes me wonder...how many years before Mohammad died did he 'reveal' his last koranic statement. Had he finished way before? Or was he still tweeking it right up to the end?
And again I have to ask why they call him a prophet and not just a religious leader. Did he actually predict something? I mean in his lifetime that came true? I know he predicted the fall of Constantinople but muslims were calling him a prophet at least when the koran was written down before the fall of Constantinople happened. And if you predict something will happen and it does because of your followers does that even count?
At that rate George Bush would be a prophet since he said he predicted the end of Saddam Hussein and his followers made it happen.
at September 7, 2008 3:56 PM
Borg:
Robert, duh swami's post makes me wonder...how many years before Mohammad died did he 'reveal' his last koranic statement. Had he finished way before? Or was he still tweeking it right up to the end?
Sura 9 was the last with real substance, not long before his death. Then, just days before his death, came sura 110.
And again I have to ask why they call him a prophet and not just a religious leader. Did he actually predict something? I mean in his lifetime that came true? I know he predicted the fall of Constantinople but muslims were calling him a prophet at least when the koran was written down before the fall of Constantinople happened. And if you predict something will happen and it does because of your followers does that even count?
In this usage, common to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, a prophet is not someone who predicts the future, but someone who receives messages from God.
RS
Posted by: jihadwatch at September 7, 2008 4:13 PM
I'm glad a few people are.
You have more readers than you suspect. Thank you for continuing this series.
Posted by: Boot Hill at September 7, 2008 4:52 PM
Yes. What is unclear about it to you?
I guess I'm unclear on whether Allah relented and lifted the sanctions against the Quraysh after Mo prayed for them.
BTW: again thanks for this series.
Posted by: Cowboy is a compliment at September 7, 2008 4:55 PM
Cowboy is a compliment:
I guess I'm unclear on whether Allah relented and lifted the sanctions against the Quraysh after Mo prayed for them.
Yes, but 44:15 says that the penalty will only be removed for "awhile," and 44:16 promises more punishment.
RS
Posted by: jihadwatch at September 7, 2008 5:08 PM
Thanks Mr. Spencer for your hard work.
A thought duh_swami and others about if Muhammad didn't die, would there not be further revelations and abrogations? Maybe not, since I thought I read a hadith which said something that Muhammad recited to Gabriel the Qur'an (already developed), once every year, and that he (Muhammad) knew he was going to die because Gabriel asked him to recite the Quran (the one we have now) to him twice in one year. So the Qur'an we have is all there is.
Maybe Muhammad wanted to ensure he was the final prophet, and that no one could ever be greater than him or steal his thunder.
Posted by: npabga at September 7, 2008 6:04 PM
“Let the believers forgive the disbelievers and endure the harm that they direct against them. In the beginning of Islam, Muslims were ordered to observe patience in the face of the oppression of the idolaters and the People of the Scriptures so that their hearts may incline towards Islam. However, when the disbelievers persisted in stubbornness, Allah legislated for the believers to fight in Jihad.”
Robert, when does the "unbelievers are predestined to be unbelievers" idea enter the Qur'an chronologically? Does it first appear in a Medinan sura? I was wondering if this might have been a angry reaction of Muhammad's to his rejection by the Quraysh and the Jews.
Posted by: Anthony (Los Angeles) at September 7, 2008 6:45 PM
Anthony:
Robert, when does the "unbelievers are predestined to be unbelievers" idea enter the Qur'an chronologically? Does it first appear in a Medinan sura? I was wondering if this might have been a angry reaction of Muhammad's to his rejection by the Quraysh and the Jews.
No, it comes up early, in Meccan suras. Look back over the last few Q-Blogs and you'll see it come up more than once.
RS
Posted by: jihadwatch at September 7, 2008 7:19 PM
Of course, I should have remembered that. Thanks for the refresher, and for continuing this series. :)
Posted by: Anthony (Los Angeles) at September 7, 2008 8:51 PM
Posted by: jihadwatch at September 7, 2008 1:50 PM
Thanks. I will keep reading until you stop making sense (not likely) or run out of things to say. Juat tonight, I was telling (educating) one of my friends based on your posts.
You are making a difference!
On another note, I find it interesting that Jesus will be making an appearance on judgment day while Muhammad will be hanging out with the 72 virgins or doing something else.
Posted by: dentalque at September 7, 2008 9:39 PM
That's Just tonight. Damn #$%&* fingers!
Posted by: dentalque at September 7, 2008 9:57 PM
On another note, I find it interesting that Jesus will be making an appearance on judgment day while Muhammad will be hanging out with the 72 virgins or doing something else.
Posted by: dentalque at September 7, 2008 9:39 PM
Someone has to break the Cross on judgement day. Who better than Jesus. the New Testament
Christianity's central text, was so corrupted by men, it tried to turn a man in a miracle working, peace-loving prophet who willfully laid down his life for all people.
We can't have any of that, now can we?
...
Thank you Robert for continuing with the series.
at September 8, 2008 8:35 AM
Mr. Spencer,
A confession: I put your book (PIG Guide) on my Christmas list because it sounded humorous. It was instead hard-hitting, measured, scholarly, and frightening. After a long night of watching oodles of your YouTube videos, I found your movie online and realized that it had been sent to my office some time ago. I am going to try to use your movie in a Sunday School class. Thank you for your terribly important work.
I read on your site that your master's thesis was on heretical Christian groups - I'm very interested. I am a Church History examiner for our local credentialing committee for our denomination and I've always been fascinated with how the divergences from orthodoxy may have "greased the skids" somewhat for Islam.
I've got some catching up to do to work through your Koran blog, but I'm going to give it a shot.
Grace and Peace
Posted by: Cyril Lucar at September 9, 2008 10:06 PM
Thank you Mr Spencer for this informative blog. There are a lot more readers than you think.
Question: Muslims call Mohammed THE prophet, surely they would know it referred to Deuteronomy 18:18 and see that Mohammed does not fit with being a prophet, let alone THE prophet. Also why are any previous scriptures used in the Qur'an anyway if they are unreliable? e.g v 32 Allah choosing the children of Israel over all other nations - surely it's being mentioned many times in the founding scriptures, Muslims would know this is an everlasting covenant despite the actions of Israel (as supported by other Prophets e.g Ovadiah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Zecharyah; all the prophets saying the same thing can't be wrong.
Also Prophets are trustworthy or they are not, why use them at all if there is any doubt about their integrity?
Muslims claim that Jesus is THE Messiah (King) surely THE King Messiah's rules would overide Mohammed's whim changing words?
It is hard to believe that Muslims don't mull these things over.
Posted by: snufkin at September 10, 2008 7:13 AM
Mr. Spencer,
On your blog re: The Cow, part one, you mention that you would be happy to publish a commentary on the Koran, if you can find a publisher willing to publish serialized material. Have you considered self publishing? www.lulu.com (and I'm sure other sites) allows you to set up your book for free, assign it an isbn and list it on amazon. You decide your own profit and list it on the site. Anyone searching your books finds it on amazon. The books are printed as they are ordered and you receive straight royalties. I'm pitching this thought at you because I'd REALLY like to have it. My wife wishes someone would publish a chronological Koran as they do the Bible.
Yours
Posted by: Cyril Lucar at September 12, 2008 8:32 PM
It seems that one of the majorproblems that Allah, or Muhammad, had with Jews (and, presumably Christians?) was that they had 'fallen into schisms'(45:17). Don't Muslims wonder how it is that having then been given 'the Right Way' - 'the clear road' (45:18) - in the Qur'an, they themselves are now divided into schisms, unable to agree about the true meaning of their scripture? Surely it must give them pause for thought that Allah is apparently unable to make his meaning clear for all Muslims for all time.
Posted by: Hannahgee at September 13, 2008 2:20 PM
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