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Ask About Islam – Adam’s Punishment and More

Maen Khalifa
21 August, 2016

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

 

We are glad to conclude this Live Session on Wednesday, August 24, 2016.

 

This session was dedicated to “Ask About Islam”; Br. Maan Khalife replied to general questions about Islam.

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Please don’t hesitate to send us your questions through the following email address:

 

[email protected]

Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016 | 15:00 - 17:00 GMT

Session is over.
DISCLAIMER
Views expressed by hosts/guests on this program (live dialogue, Facebook sessions, etc.) are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.  

Salam, pls kindly outline the moral lessons of Adam's punishment to our modern days life?



Assalamu Alaykum Dear Questioner,

 

Thank you for your question and for joining our live session.

 

There was never a punishment for Adam as I explained in the answer below. When we commit a sin, we sincerely ask for Allah’s forgiveness and Allah forgives us. Allah says what means:

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{And We said: O Adam! Dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden, and eat ye freely (of the fruits) thereof where ye will; but come not nigh this tree lest ye become wrong-doers.

 

But Satan caused them to deflect therefrom and expelled them from the (happy) state in which they were; and We said: Fall down, one of you a foe unto the other! There shall be for you on earth a habitation and provision for a time.

 

Then Adam received from his Lord words (of revelation), and He relented toward him. Lo! He is the relenting, the Merciful.

 

We said: Go down, all of you, from hence; but verily there cometh unto you from Me a guidance; and whoso followeth My guidance, there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.} (Al-Baqarah, 2:35-38)

 

However, we may learn from Adam’s test and experience. The main lesson is to control ourselves and realize what is beneficial for us and what is not. The main test of this world is temptation. Whether it is wealth, prestige, or position, we need to stop and think before indulging.

 

Are we acquiring what we are acquiring to please Allah or for some other purpose? Are we using lawful means to get our wealth? Are we really deserving of the position we are holding?

 

Allah judges us according to our intentions. If we are worldly people then we will do anything to get what we want without paying attention to Allah’s command. However, if we commit a mistake and we are God conscious then we will surely ask for Allah’s forgiveness. We will live our lives according to Allah’s law. In return, this is what we get:

 

{Whosoever doeth right, whether male or female, and is a believer, him verily we shall quicken with good life, and We shall pay them a recompense in proportion to the best of what they used to do.} (An-Nahl, 16:97)

 

Our modern life is filled with temptations. We seem to be racing for this world. Who wants to get the bigger car, bigger house, better position, etc. While our final aboard is a pitfall of sand. Allah says what means:

 

{Rivalry in worldly increase distracteth you until ye come to the graves.} (At-Takathur, 102:1-2)

 

We must realize those temptations and keep ourselves in control. This requires strong will and dedication. The dedication to obey and remember Allah. He will then take care of us in the best way possible and we will never regret anything we do.

 

Do you believe that Gods knowledge of Adams sin and punishment prior to their occurrence was actually Gods plan? If you do believe that God planned the sin and punishment of Adam, what was Gods plan for redemption?



Salam (Peace) Dear Questioner,

 

Thank you for your question and for joining our live session.

 

It is obvious that God planned everything. He created Adam and He put him through the test to experience how to deal with his worst enemy, Satan.

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We all agree that Adam disobeyed God’s command by eating from the forbidden tree but we don’t all agree about the punishment. I strongly believe that there was no punishment because Adam asked for God’s forgiveness and God forgave him.

 

Some believe that Adam’s punishment was to be sent down to live on Earth. However, this was God’s plan from the beginning so Adam and his wife, Eve, were eventually going to dwell on Earth no matter what.

 

Before living on their own without God’s full support, when they had everything easy, they needed to be trained for controlling their temptations; thus the test.

 

Therefore, there was no redemption because God is most forgiving. When Adam sincerely asked God for His forgiveness, God forgave him.

 

God does not punish for a test that He set. He knew that Adam will not pass the test. However, Adam learned a great deal and was regretful for disobeying God and listening to Satan. He learned that God must be obeyed and there are beings who are deceiving and will lead you astray. They promise you falsehood while God’s promise is always true.

 

Finally, our God is not punishing. His mercy overcomes all things. His punishment befalls those who are persistent in disobeying Him and die on such a condition. God’s doors of forgiveness are wide open. It is only the humans’ shortcomings of being arrogant and not asking for God’s forgiveness.

 

I hope this helps answer your question.

 

Salam and please keep in touch.

 

Why are most Muslims today so tough is dealing with other Muslims when they differ in religious or political issues? What should Muslims today do to become more merciful in their dealings with each other?



Assalamu Alaykum Dear Questioner,

 

Thank you for your question and for joining this Ask About Islam live session.

 

I will initially talk about differing in religion because the political aspect is often hidden behind a religious garment.

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Unfortunately, there are many Muslims who have adopted ways of certain Muslim groups without prior knowledge of the consequences or to what these groups are aiming at. Some of which are purely political. Their aims could be for serving the political agenda of a certain country.

 

This does not actually mean that there is no politics in Islam. Islam has a complete political system. However, the way it is used nowadays, it contradicts the original aim of this political system, which is to unite Muslims under a pious and wise leadership.

 

The following is my advice:

 

1. Do not follow anyone or a group who is trying to interpret Islam in their own way.

 

2. If you hear a matter that is new to your ear, investigate about it by asking trustworthy scholars who are moderate in religion. Any extreme could lead us astray even if it sounds good. Some Muslims like to hear stringent religious rulings while others are on the complete opposite. Moderation is the middle course, it will always make sense based on the Quran and the authentic tradition.

 

3. We should be patient with our Muslim brothers and sisters and treat them kindly. We may gently discuss matters but we should never argue.

 

Finally, if you are in a situation that might turn into an argument then stop and request all parties involved to research the matter and come back for a discussion. This will be based on knowledge and references.

 

Sometimes it is fine to differ because certain matters could have different solutions that are suitable for different individuals.

 

I hope this helps answer your question.

 

Salam and please keep in touch,

I watched Mo Farah kneeling on the ground yesterday after he won his second gold medal in Rio.What was all that about?



Salam (Peace) Dear Questioner,

 

Thank you for your question and for joining this Ask About Islam Live Session.

 

Mo Farah was kneeling with his hands open and pointed to the sky after he won his second Gold medal. He was also seem prostrating with his head on the ground at other occasions.

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Initially, Muslims pray to God or thank God, Allah is Arabic, in several ways. The two most important ones are the five daily prayers and supplications.

 

During the five daily prayers, a Muslim prostrates to the ground, called Sujud. These prayers are standard for all Muslims worldwide.

 

This means that there are specific things to read and do that are required and there are optional words that we may add. These optional words are called supplication, dua in Arabic. This means that we may ask God for whatever we wish. Supplication is confined to the Sujud and/or the end of the prayer.

 

However, supplication can be said at any time otherwise and it could be simply praises to God, without specifically asking anything from Him. For example, a Muslim might recite in Arabic or in his/her own language:

 

“Allahumma Lakalhamdu wa Shukru Ala Niamikal-Adhima“

 

Translation: “O God or O Allah! Praise and thanks be to You for Your great blessings [upon us]”

 

I am assuming that when Mo Farah prostrated and at another occasion kneeled raising his hands to the sky, he was simply thanking God for His blessings upon him. Similar to the supplication above but in his own words. Those words could have been: “Thank you God!”

 

You might see other Muslim athletes doing the same. This is simply a way of thanking God for their victory because it is only God who gave them the strength and He is the One who blessed them with their talent.

 

God made it possible for them to pursue their dreams by making all the different worldly means available to become who they are today.

 

I hope this help answer your question.

 

Salam and please keep in touch.