Let us Learn Arabic... 2 hours per
day. The actual whole course takes 6-7 months. For us..it depends how
often we watch per day.... and ITS TOTALLY FREE !
This Course has been designed to teach the Arabic language inspired by
one of the most popular courses being used today - the Madinah Book
Series by Dr V Abdur Rahim from Medina University Saudi Arabia. This course will contain everything an
individual needs to learn the Arabic Language (Classical and Modern
Standard) from complete beginner to an intermediate level Insha'Allah
(God Willing).
I
found there is an error in uploading book 2 on the above website. So if
you come to lessons on Book 2... go to the website below and follow the
rest of the
lessons on book 2 in the YouTube posted by LearnQuranicArabic.
When I went to visit Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, a tour guide told me that the shape on the peak of the mountain is that of an old woman's face lying down. That is why they named the mountain... 'Kinabalu' or 'Chinese Widow' in English.
I explained to the guide that this is just a Pareidolia, which is a psychological phenomenon involving a vague and random image or even sound, being perceived as significant. Common examples include seeing images of animals or faces in clouds, the man in the moon or the Moon rabbit, and hearing hidden messages on records played in reverse.
Most often it is claimed to be a religious sign by all religions.
I remember reading an article from a neighbouring country about the map of Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait when joined together shows a figure of a person performing a 'solat' or prayer. And people claim that this image was already there since the formation of the earth. I asked them, how could this be, because 1,000 years ago there is no Kuwait or Jordan? Even the shape of Iraq was not like that during the era when the Roman invade middle east.
Most people believes that the shape of Jordan represents the human face, Iraq the body, Kuwait the index finger. But what if there is another war which changes the shape of the map?
I am not trying to condemn those who believe it as a religious sign, but let us use logic and the intelligent mind Allah the Almighty has given us;
When I looked at the picture of the map turned 90 degrees and claimed to resemble a person in the prayer's position of 'tahiyat akhir ', Jordan size is not so accurate compare to other countries nearest to it.
The kiblat or Kaabah's position seems also to be edited to be inline with the face in Jordan. And if we are praying in that position, we are supposed to look down at the area where we perform prostration or 'sujud'. Why the face is facing upwards instead? And to me, if we believe it is indeed a religious sign, then guess what shape would Israel represents? The hat !
Another story I want to relate here is about 'blessed or holy water'. When I once went to a shopping complex, I saw a foreign guy selling mineral water which look like being imported from a foreign country. So I asked him why the mineral water cost $6 where as it normally cost 60 cent. His reply was, its already been blessed by a 'orang alim' or holy man. So I told the seller that I am also 'orang alim' (I don't know how someone defines 'orang alim'), and that I can bless the water at Sungai Layong and Tasik Lama 'free of charge', so everyone can benefits from it, especially those who are very sick, weak in studies, or even those who has been unsuccessful in finding husband or wife.
Alhamdulillah, praise to Allah the Almighty, I am pretty sure we in Brunei would not be easily influenced with rubbish stories like these. This is why I have always reminding Bruneian, not to be easily influenced by outsiders as I have written in one of my previous letter; 'Don't Get Swayed By Outside Influences'.
I purchased a copy of 'THE NOBLE QUR'AN' in English Language. The cover page states "Interpretation of the meanings of The Noble Qur'an'. Inside it reads; THE NOBLE QUR'AN Translated by Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan. Published by DARUSSALAM, Publishers and Distributors, P. O. Box 22743, Riyadh, 11416, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Fifteenth Revised Edition. December 1996.
On page 199 appears the under mentioned English text for the above verse 4:157:
"And because of their saying (in boast). We killed Messiah 'Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allah," -- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of 'Isa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man)..."
After reading of the above text or texts a reader may conclude that Allah (SWT) has Himself Revealed in His Own Words the; "substitution of 'Isa (Jesus) with another man". The wordings of the original Arabic text do not categorically speak of "substitution of 'Isa (a.s.) with another man". Here is the transliteration of the actual Arabic text and its literal translation as translated by other Muslim and non Muslim translators. I hope and pray that this will give the readers an opportunity to understand the "Words of Allah".
The publishers of 'The Noble Qur'an' have printed the original Arabic text, side by side with the English text. The text which reads:
"but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of
'Isa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man)"
is the translation / interpretation of the Arabic text that reads:
"wa ma qatala hu wa ma salabu hu wa lakin shubbiha lahum"
The variations appear in the translation/interpretation of the end portion of the verse which reads: "wa lakin shubbiha lahum"
wa means: And, also, but, whilst. lakin means; But, still, nevertheless. shubbiha means; To be made like; A likeness or similitude. (This could refer to: A likeness or similitude (of Jesus), or
A likeness or similitude (of Killing), or
A likeness or similitude (of Crucifixion), or
A likeness or similitude (of Killing & Crucifixion)
lahum means; Was made for them.
Below are the other English translations by Muslims and non Muslim scholars for comparison:
1. Translation by Allama Abdullah Yusuf Ali: "But they killed him not, nor crucified him,
only a likeness of that was shown to them."
2. Translation by Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall: "...They slew him not nor crucified
but it appeared so unto them;"
3. Translation by Professor Arthur J. Arberry: "...yet they did not slay him, neither crucified him,
only a likeness of that was shown to them."
In the above English translations the translators have refrained from advocating any specific theory since Allah (SWT) has not mentioned any of the prevalent theories on the subject in this verse or anywhere else in the Qur'an. (I repeat "in the Qur'an").
Muslim scholars have in the past advocated more than one theory which can be also regarded as an applicable interpretations of the phrase "but a likeness of that was shown to them". As for an example, Sheikh Ahmed Deedat had written a well publicized booklet 'Crucifixion or Cruci-fiction' based upon the so called "Swoon Theory". (The word "swoon" means; to faint).
It is not my place to judge or to declare which theory is the Reality. All I am trying to emphasize is that since Allah (SWT) has not categorically declared "Jesus was substituted with another man", the factual translation should leave the doors open for the alternate theory or theories. The prevalent theory or theories, based upon any document or documents other than the Qur'an, can be included within the footnotes of the verse, for the knowledge of the readers. They should not form the part and parcel of The Revealed Text.
In Surah Al- 'Imran (3), verse 7, Allah (SWT) clearly reveals that no one knows "the true meanings" of the verses that are not entirely clear, except Allah.
I am sad to see that people who have an easy access to propagate the TRUTH - Revealed by Allah (swt), are propagating their own theory of SUBSTITUTION in the name of Allah (swt). I have also noticed that the original Commentary written by Abdullah Yusuf Ali on this subject has also been edited by the publishers or the editors of the revised edition.
To read more on the subject of Shaikh Deedat's "Swoon Theory" and how it concurs with the biblical texts and the prophecies by Jesus, please click HERE and read the text under the sub-heading: 'The Final Days Of The Ministry Of Jesus'.
Allah knows the Realities...
SO LET US ALL LEARN ARABIC TOGETHER. NO MORE EXCUSES !
