Yusuf Islam

semar wrote: Salam, But in many verses in the Quran Allah asks us to use our brain, our mind, to think. Thinking is always comes from "why". It's not fair if Allah asks us to use our brain and on the other hand we can not ask "why" to understand Allah's law. If so we don't need any more Islamic scholars just follow the text that already written, it has everything, don't ask , just do it. So we will be "taqlid" (follow blindly). This is probably why Muslim declined since 1100 because they discouraged to ask "why". Allah knows best.

Wa-Alaikum Salaam wa Rahmatullah

Semar

I agree that we should use the gifts Allah (SWT) has bestowed upon us, otherwise He would not have given us those attributes (He would have given us wings, if He wanted us to fly).

My point is that I am looking at �the big picture�, this forum is a public place, and hence any one (Muslim or non-Muslim) may pass through (casually or otherwise).

It is upon this premise that I state � submit to the best of your ability (closest to the ways of the Qur�an & Prophet�s [SAW] Sunnah), now, as currently we do not have the attributes to be able to question Allah�s (SWT) will (ie His Messenger [SAW]). The questions/doubts we may have about �clear or unclear� areas, will, Insha Allah, be explained within time.

So yes I agree, it strengthens one�s faith to actually know why we are required to perform/refrain from certain acts, however if you are truly sincere in your belief, you will submit now, & trust Allah (SWT) will calm one�s heart, with regards to our incessant - needing to know why? Because I might know better!    

It is not my intention to judge any as non-Muslim, rather I am thinking of the example we are setting for all whom are brought to view �us�.

Al-Hamdulilah

blond wrote: "7:11. And We indeed created you, then We fashioned you, then We said to the angels: Make submission to Adam. So they submitted, except Iblis; he was not of those who submitted." This has been a sore spot for many in Islam, because we make submission to none but Allah. Who is the "We", since Allah has no parnters?

Assalamu alaikum,

It is the royal "we," which is a very common  device in many languages, including English. The English kings/queens regularly referred to themselves as "we," as in the phrase "we are not amused."

In the Holy Qur'an, it is used for rhetorical purposes. "We" is used to imply distance between Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, and His servants. "I" is used when Allah's closeness to His servants is emphasized. An excellent example of the use of this device in the Holy Qur'an can be found in Sura Ta Ha, where "we" ("nah.nu") is used to decribe Allah's acts, but "I" ("ana") is used when Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, speaks to Musa, alaihi salam.

As-Salaamu Alaikum

Dear blond, 

Narrated Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him); Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, "People will not stop asking questions till they say, This is Allah, the Creator of everything, then who created Allah?� [9:399 O.B.]

Please do not think my quoting this Hadith is a means to dodge your issue, I would love to give you an answer from my own interpretation of the matter, but I am going to first see if Yusuf knows of an article on the matter (by a scholar/learned man), that we may read?

Wa-Salaam

blond wrote: Yusuf. wrote: blond wrote: "7:11. And We indeed created you, then We fashioned you, then We said to the angels: Make submission to Adam. So they submitted, except Iblis; he was not of those who submitted." This has been a sore spot for many in Islam, because we make submission to none but Allah. Who is the "We", since Allah has no parnters? Assalamu alaikum, It is the royal "we," which is a very common  device in many languages, including English. The English kings/queens regularly referred to themselves as "we," as in the phrase "we are not amused." In the Holy Qur'an, it is used for rhetorical purposes. "We" is used to imply distance between Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, and His servants. W.A.S. With all due respect to you, When the personal pronoun "We" (referring to Allah) is used, it is BEFORE Adam's creation. How could Allah display nearness to HIS servants, or their works before they existed, by calling Himself "We"? That does not make sense to me.

Assalamu alaikum,

I'm a bit busy till evening, but briefly: in the passage you quote, Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, is addressing the angels. Throughout the Holy Qur'an, "We" is used by Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, in His relationship to the angels. Thus, the usage is both consistent and logical, since the angels are also servants, but since they lack the knowledge man possesses, they cannot have the intimate relationship with Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, that man can have Insha'Allah.

Allah 'Alim