Ashura: A Day Muslims Celebrate the Deliverance of the Children of Israel

 Ashura: A Day Muslims Celebrate the Deliverance of the Children of Israel

Today, millions of Muslims across the world observe Ashura, the tenth day of the Islamic month of Muharram. While this day is associated with several significant events in Islamic history, one of its most profound meanings is the miraculous deliverance of the Children of Israel from the tyranny of Pharaoh through the Prophet Moses (Musa), peace be upon him.

When the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) migrated to Madinah, he found the Jewish community fasting on this day. Upon asking the reason, they replied that it was the day on which God saved Moses and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh. The Prophet responded, "We have a greater claim to Moses than you," and he fasted that day and encouraged the Muslims to do the same.

This statement was not one of ownership, but of continuity. Islam does not present itself as a new religion detached from the past. Rather, it affirms the same message carried by Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and finally Muhammad (peace be upon them all): the worship of the One Almighty God and submission to His guidance.

The Quran repeatedly reminds believers of the immense suffering endured by the Children of Israel under Pharaoh's rule:

"And remember when We saved you from the people of Pharaoh, who afflicted you with terrible torment, slaughtering your sons while sparing your women. In that was a tremendous trial from your Lord." (Quran 2:49)

Their rescue was not merely a historical event. It stands as one of history's greatest demonstrations that oppression, no matter how powerful it appears, can never overcome the will of God. Pharaoh possessed armies, wealth, and absolute political authority. Moses possessed only unwavering faith and trust in his Lord. Yet it was Pharaoh who perished, while the oppressed were granted freedom.

Ashura therefore teaches Muslims lessons that remain timeless. It reminds us to place our trust in God during moments of hardship, to remain patient in the face of injustice, to reject arrogance and tyranny, and to express gratitude when God grants relief.

Perhaps what surprises many people is that Muslims annually commemorate the salvation of the Children of Israel through an act of worship. Every year, believers voluntarily fast in gratitude to God for His mercy upon Moses and his people. This annual observance reflects Islam's profound respect for the prophetic legacy that began long before the coming of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

In a world where religion is often misunderstood or politicized, Ashura serves as a reminder that Islam is deeply connected to the Semitic prophetic tradition. Muslims revere Moses as one of the greatest messengers of God, believe in the miracles granted to him, and cherish the story of the liberation of the Children of Israel as part of their own spiritual heritage.

The message of Ashura extends far beyond one nation or one period in history. It is the enduring story of truth overcoming falsehood, humility triumphing over arrogance, and divine justice prevailing over earthly oppression.

May this Ashura renew within us gratitude for God's countless blessings, strengthen our trust in Him during times of difficulty, and remind us that no tyranny is permanent when hearts remain firm upon faith.

Abu Abdul Mannaan

Distorted Shape Inside The 'Original Shape'

Assalamualikum

May the peace and blessings of Almighty God be upon you.

Consider a scenario in which the tail of an elephant is cut, fitted it to a monkey and the public is attracted by the deception that there is an elephant sitting on a tree! 

• Here the public viewers of this scene are not fools themselves but they are dumped to believe that there are elephants that can climb upon a tree and can sit on the branches of a tree!

• Here the public viewers of this scene are not fools themselves but they are dumped to believe that there are trees that can host elephants on its branches!

Such is the case of the movie named 'Vishwaroopam'. The movie has cut a couple of symbols of Islam and fitted it to what they call, terrorism. 

People who cannot be dumped by this kind of act can easily identify that the one who is sitting on the tree is actually a monkey fitted with the tail of an elephant. 

But people who are dumped by this act is deceived to believe that the one who is sitting on the tree is actually an elephant.

The makers of this kind of depiction argue that they are showing how a monkey misuses the tail of an elephant. But in fact, they are dumping the image of an elephant sitting on a tree by the means of its tail.

The makers of this film argue that they are showing how Islam is misused by terrorists. But in fact, the film is dumping a distorted view of Islam by the means of context stripping.

• Not a single alphabet in Tamil Language has two dots on it and yet, the depiction of the name of this film has more than two such letters on it! 

• On the other hand, the Arabic language has more than two such alphabets that have two dots on it. The font used for the title depicts its title look like an Arabic word.

From the depiction of the very name of this film, there is a concerted effort to distort the teachings of Islam. A film that is taken in the name of the so called War-On-Terror is literally painting a terrible picture of some of the most holly signs of Islam.

Deception - 1

Background of a Mosque & Execution of a Man

In one of the scene, it shows the minaret of a Mosque followed by the hanging of a man by a group of people such as terrorists, well within premises of a Mosque and by chanting a Quranic verse. 

• The scene is inducing a notion into the mindset of audience that the Mosque has some 'role' in it and that the Quranic verse calls for it!.

Suppose an Australian film maker depicts the killing of Graham Staines, within the premises of Supreme Court of India by chanting its motto.

A person having a reasonable understanding of the case clearly knows how Mr. Graham Staines and family were brutally burned to death by some extremists elements. 

• The mass majority of Australians who don't know for what the court stands for and who don't know the meaning of its motto, might conclude that Supreme Court Of India supports such activities and its motto calls for it! What a shame.

Here the film depicts the hanging of a man within the premises of a Mosque. A person having a reasonable understanding about a Mosque and the Quranic verse, will have a clear picture on for what a Mosque stands for and what the Quranic verse says. 

• The mass majority of the spectators who don't know the for what a Mosque stands for and who don't know the context and the meaning of the Quranic verse, might conclude that a Mosque supports such activities and the Quranic verse calls for it!

A Mosque primarily stands for The Worship of The Creator, without any man made materials. A Mosque servers as a resort for comforting the problems of people within its reach.

"In houses (Mosques) which Allah has ordered to be raised, in them His Name is remembered. Therein glorify Him in the mornings and in the evenings." - Quran 24:36

Supreme Court of India stands for the Justice of People of India.

"Yatho dharma statho jaya." 

This is the motto that India's supreme authority for justice has carved on its emblem. It means "Where there is righteousness, there is victory". 

Any depiction of either the two should depict for what they really stands for. It should NOT be depicted by the way of someone who misuses it. 

• A person who doesn't know the use of these entities, will treat its misuse as its use!

Deception - 2

What if the Australian film maker depicts Mr. Dara Singh chanting the caption of Supreme Court Of India, during when he burned Mr Graham Staines  and family ? Is this what we call freedom of expression ?

Suppose the Australian movie director depicts Dara Singh who chants "Yatho dharma statho jaya." and burns Mr Graham Staines and his family!

• What conclusion, an Australian gets from these kind of distortion ?

Now, coming to what this Movie has done with the Quranic verse 3:182. The movie has depicted terrorists reciting the verses such as the following, before executing any terror strike. 

"<cut cut> This is because of that which your hands have sent before you ... <cut cut>" - Quran 3:182

The movie has done three kinds of distortions with the above Quranic verse.

A. The verse is distorted by 'meaningfully' cutting its Left

The verse that is 'meaningfully' cut left is given below.

"Indeed, Allah has heard the statement of those who say: "Truly, Allah is poor and we are rich!'' We shall record what they have said and their killing of the Prophets unjustly, and  We shall say: "Taste torment of the burning (Fire). " Quran 3:181

In this verse, Almighty God is severely condemning the wicked and cowardice actions of The Children Of Israel.  The Jewish people during the time of prophet Mohammed, expressed their contempt by saying that Almighty God is poor(!). 

It has been the stubborn nature of the The Children Of Israel that they used to ridicule the  messengers of Almighty God. They even killed His messengers unjustly.  

Because of these kinds of acts, those people will be put in the Hell fire in the Hereafter and Almighty God will then say to them - "Taste torment of the burning (Fire)."

Those people will be put into the Hell fire because of what they did with their hands (such as killing of prophet of God). That's what the following verse says -

"This is because of that which your hands have sent before you. ..." - Quran 3:182

• The verse that Almighty God will speak to the dwellers of Hell fire in the Hereafter, is represented by this movie as what a terrorist say, before he executes an attack in this world!

• The verse really represents an incident that is going to come on The Day of Resurrection. But the movie misrepresents this verse as that of the chant of a terrorist in this world!

B.  The verse is recited by completely cutting its Right

"This is because of that which your hands have sent before you. And certainly, Allah is never unjust to (His) servants." - Quran 3:182

The second sentence is the completely right cut part of the verse. It says Almighty God is never unjust to His servants, in any manner. 

• The movie has represented the context stripped and partially cut part of the verse so as to create a feeling that the verse calls for the executions that is being carried out by  terrorists!

In fact, the verse connotes that Almighty God will punish the sinners and will reward the good people. 

- If a man is punished by Almighty God in the hereafter then it is because of what all bad things he did in this world.

- If a man is rewarded by Almighty God in the hereafter then it is because of what all good things he have done in this world.

C. The Quranic verse is completely taken out of the context.

When a Judge from Supreme Court of India chants its motto "Where there is righteousness, there is victory" during the execution of a criminal, it is meaningful.

• When a person like Dara Singh chants the motto of Supreme Court of India during when he physically burns and kills persons such as Graham Staines, what does it mean ?

The movie has done the same thing with the meaning and the context of the above Quranic verse 3:182.

Deception - 3

Misuse of a great saying 'Allahu Akbar' i.e. Almighty God is Great

Previously we saw how a great saying 'Maa Shaa Allah' was misused by the killers of a political figure. Here again, another great saying 'Allahu Akbar' is misused by this movie.

Suppose the Australian film maker depicts Dara Singh in one of his phone call. Dara Singh is shown to have saying "Satyameva Jayate" i.e. "Truth Alone Triumphs" before and after making a phone call. 

• An Australian who doesn't know the meaning of 'Satyameva Jayate' concludes that it is a chanting used by criminals before they execute their mission! What a shame.

The movie has depicted the terrorists saying the saying 'Allaahu Akbar' before and after they make a telephone call. 

• Any person who doesn't know the meaning of 'Allahu Akbar' concludes that it is a chanting used by terrorists before they execute their mission! What a shame.

India has imprinted the saying "Satyameva Jayate" in its National Emblem; it has its meaning and actions. Islam has imprinted many sayings such as "Allaahu Akbar" in its belief and practice; it has its meaning and actions.

- Five times a day, the call to prayer from Mosques begin with 'Allaahu Akbar'. 

- Five times a day, a believer starts his Namaz with  'Allaahu Akbar'.

- Throughout the Namaz, a believer says 'Allaahu Akbar'.

- During the days of two Eids (festivals), a believer says 'Allaahu Akbar'.

- Whenever a believer is wondered by the Signs of Almighty God, he says 'Allaahu Akbar'.

The saying 'Allaahu Akbar' i.e. 'Almighty God is Great' is for Glorifying the Creator of the Universe. The saying has great impact between the Creator and His creations.

The meaning and actions of 'Allaahu Akbar' is broad. It has nothing to do with the actions of puny humans; it has great things to do between the Creator and His creation.

Among other things, there are many socio and political distortions done by this movie. This article has only done a little attempt to bring-out the scriptural distortions inside the movie. 

Regards

Nisam

Only That They Shall Be Killed Or Crucified

Assalamualikum
May the peace and blessings of Almighty God be upon you.

14 centuries ago, the Glorious Quran legislated, enacted and implemented the very law for which there is a loud public outcry, right in front of the historical landmark of the Republic Of India's capital New Delhi.

It came through the Words & Actions of Mohammad, an illiterate man of 6th century who was known as The Trusty and who claimed that he had revelations from Almighty God.

Most of the time when Islam puts forward its laws before this world, humans with their very limited knowledge says that - 'Oh it is a barbaric punishment', they say that 'Islam should update its penal code' etc. 

But when the incident such as that is happened in New Delhi comes before their very eyes, they call very loudly for the implementation of a penal code that was well in action 14 centuries ago, on the punishment of crimes such as rape.

Prostitution, A Crime With Consent 

Islam treats prostitution as one among the grave sins. It is a crime with mutual consent. It defines separate punishments for unmarried and married persons.

• For an unmarried person - 

"The female prostitute and the male prostitute, flog each of them with a hundred stripes." - Quran 24:2.

Don't show any kindness in the execution of punishment.

"Let not pity withhold you in their case, in a punishment prescribed by Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day." - Quran 24:2.

Do the punishment in front a gathering of believers.

"And let a party of the believers witness their punishment." - Quran 24:2.

"This is more humiliating for the people who are guilty of illegal sex, if they are flogged in front of the people. This is because it is more effective as a deterrent and it conveys the sense of scandal and rebuke." - Ibn Kathir.

In addition - 

"In addition to this he is to be banished from his homeland for one year" - Ibn Kathir.

• For a married person - 

"Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) awarded the punishment of stoning to death (to the married adulterer and adulteress) and, after him, we also awarded the punishment of stoning." - Imam Muslim.

- Stoning to death is the prescribed punishment for a married adulterer.

Rape, A Crime Without Consent

Rape is a forced form of prostitution. Here the person who applies the force is the offender and the one who is being forced is innocent.

There is no doubt that the act of rape a clear-cut crime against humanity. Islam sees this crime as a forcible prostitution,it is seen as a crime against humanity.

"The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified, or their hands and their feet be cut off on opposite sides, or be exiled from the land." - Quran 5:33

Doing several kinds of mischief deserves the punishment mentioned in the above verse. Those mischievous activity include crimes such as - 

" • Prostitution.

  • Theft.

  • Murdering people.

  • Destroying the crops and cattle.

  • Robbery.

  • Illegally taking possession of others wealth." - Imam Twabari.

A responsible judge should investigate and declares the exact punishment and it should be executed by the government of that country.

Islam defines not just a set of punishment laws, it defines all that is required for a healthy living atmosphere for the mankind, for the world. It envisages a modest society in all the aspects of life in this world.

Modest Men & Women

Islam upholds the sanctity of the mankind by the means of a modest society. It enlists number of practices for a well-built moral society. It includes the following.

A. Modesty Of Tongue

The Glorious Quran prohibits the propagation of slanderous talks about women.

"And those who accuse chaste women, and produce not four witnesses, flog them with eighty stripes, and reject their testimony forever." - Quran 2:24.

B. Modesty Of Gaze

"Tell the believing men to lower their gaze, and protect their private parts. That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do." - Quran - 24:30

Lower the gaze so as not to look onto women/men with that eye.

C. Modesty Of Dress

"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their Jalabib (outer wrapper) over their bodies. That will be better that they should be known so as not to  be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." - Quran 33:59

The above verse calls for modest form of dress for women.

D. Marry As Early As Possible

Prophet Mohammad said -

"O young men, whoever among you can afford to get married, let him marry, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and protecting the private parts. Whoever cannot do that, then let him fast, for it is a protection for him." - Imam Muslim, Imam Bukhari.

The directives and its explanation continues ...

Why Laws ?

There is no traffic problem in the deep see of Pacific, Atlantic etc oceans where millions & billions of fish and other species travel. There is no separate way for male/female animals in the jungle. Even then, there is no problem in the sea or in the jungle.

Humans are not like animals. He needs traffic rules on the road.  There are dos and don'ts on the road. And so, he needs rules on life, he requires dos and don'ts in all aspects of his life.

Islam defined those rules and regulations, not partially but fully; not impractically but practically; not unjustly but justly. It is so because it claims to be the revelation from Almighty God, for the mankind. Thats why it said - 

"Do they not then consider the Qur'an carefully! Had it been from other than Allah (Almighty God), they would surely, have found therein contradictions in abundance."  - Quran 4:82.

The Glorious Quran continues its triumph throughout many generations and that for the last 14 centuries!

Regards

Nisam