Ramadan mubarak Part 2 of 2. Warning: Not Vegan but friendly enough

CONTINUED. PART 2 OF 2 Ramadan mubarak. Warning: Not Vegan but friendly enough

Custard Creams or Bourbons

In The Quran Godsmakes us aware of many muslims who pray Salah/t in mosques or give charity - only to be seen of physically praying (4:142,143 8:35 9;54 107:4,5) and to be seen of doing. The Hypocrites (Chapter 63). Its great networking and PR in the community. Muslims pray salah/t for different reasons, some pray to supplicate for wants and needs, others are praying for good deeds and reward, and most because they have been led to believe their sins are falling off their backs when they prostrate in prayer (Source:Hadith). Sin/ Self-cleanse/ Repeat psychology. Only a few, the mu'mim prayer salat as unconditional worship (Source: Quran) - not wanting anything from their act of worship, no strings attached. God explains the purpose of praying salat is in fact xzikkr - the remembrance of God (6:162 and 20:14). That praying salat prohibits immorality and wrongdoing for those few minutes whilst you're in an act of worship - but the remembrance of God is greater (29:45). Throughout the day, being mindful and conscious of God.

From a few of the many verses regarding praying salat we learn Mary prostrated with those who bowed in prayer (3:43) as did Jesus (19:31), Ishamel too (19:55) and Moses instructed his people to build their homes in the direction of Kaba in Mecca constructed by Abraham to pray salat (10:87). Evidently praying salah/t pre-dates Muhammad.

From the Quran we also learn Charity can be given for many different reasons. Either unconditionally because wealth was on trust to us for almsgiving. Or to be seen of giving charity or helping others for benefit and reward, PR and reputation (2:261-267, 271- 4 4:38 13:22 14:31 16:75 23:60 35:29 36;47 76:7-10 89:15-20 92:5, 18-21). Encouraged not to expect favor or return or reward.

Growing a beard without a moustache, or frequenting a mosque daily are physical acts, great PR and networking also. From atleast 35 verses throughout the Quran we learn about such people and musims alike - the cream of the crop, who did good deeds aplenty but their deeds rendered worthless (6:88, 18:102-106) like Zero scoreboards. [0] [0] [0] [0] [0]. POLO

Bounty. Multipack.

Simarly most muslims believe hungrily 'Paradise lies at your mothers feet'. Not according to God & The Quran, in which mothers are mentioned in half dozen verses. But enshrined into religion by Hadiths and books written about prophet Muhammad in third person 200 years after his death. It was reported that someone had heard another to have heard Muhammad may have said this and that. Unverifiable by the Blessed prophet Muhammad sawt.

From The Quran and we also learn about parental relations and father's ways. From the parables of Abraham and his father, Luqman and his son. Joseph and his father Jacob, fine examples of Jesus and John (19:14, 32), from Noah & his son and from Jethro too. We learn little from Muhammad because he lived without a father or mother, an orphan (43:31 93:6)

Cooked the goose

Consequently in the asian community not being devoted to your mother is much frowned up, in fact expelled as the black sheep and becoming outcast. Slander, causing reputational and economical damage, plagued and followed by the black mark across the country. Propaganda. Anyone not doting on their mother is considered as "..Not a stand-up guy...". Most would agree when you were born you signed up to only a mother, not a package deal of an evil one armed ego-ridden uncle - Buy one get one free. Maternal relations and family ties ought not to sabotaged or severed for rejecting arranged-in marriages, instead marrying out-out. Burnt toast.

Theres much to learn from animals and nature. The Cuckoo, the Panda, the Harp seal and black bear are some of the worst parents on earth. They're just not very maternal, rejecting or abandoning their children. Bad mothers, fathers too.

Duo bar. Say not uff to your parents. God counsels children riled up against God by their very own parents and led astray into disbelief and evil. The Quran set aside Raised to associate with God by shirk and peers and supersition and magic and jinns. Not to disrespect them but to be kind and good treatment, leave them to God, do not obey them (29:8 and 31:13). Indeed a beautiful God.

Once upon a time 'Paki'stan was 'Hindu'stan

For Pakindians, its a cultural mix and infusion of Hindu-Indian rituals and traditions and ancestry. Pakistan as a nation is just older than your nan at 75 years old. Pre-1947 Pakistan was in fact India/ Hindustan - for hundreds of years. Today, similarities are too obvious in the pakistani language, cuisine, clothing, culture and rituals, ie weddings etc, magic, superstition and folklore, darbars and shrines, worship too. A cultural hotpot of 'fathers (mothers) ways infused into religion - ignorant to The Quran, it wasn't in their language they say. Blended with inbreeding and political entanglement.

For Arab muslims its a bedouin and pagan culture and traditions and customs and rituals and witchcraft and superstitions of reading palms and blue eyed charms passed down many generations entangled into religion. Akin to picking away the nougat pieces out of a bar of Toblerone.

Strawberry Laces

On the surface it may seem an advantage or blessing to be 'born muslim', converts however are fortunate to have a blank canvas onto which they can develop their faith by understanding and absorbing the Quran to become God-cognizant. Free from entanglement and becoming exposed and embroiled by traditions and cultures, hearsay and rituals of previous generations - The force is strong.

Bubblegum Screwball

The faith of every soul is tested by Ramadan. Even the disbelievers are tested by their attitude towards those fasting. Will the Jews and Christians not turn back to God for forgiveness, to worship God and become God-cognizant? (4 39, 5:74) What would they lose if they worshipped only God?

‘Fitnah' has become a dirty word for muslims, it’s been hadithified & hijacked by schools of thoughts and scholars, by anyone and everyone and reinterpreted as 'civil strife & sedition/ persecution/ evil/fables of dajjal' a fictitious one eyed Monster Munch.

You shall certainly be tested with fear, hunger, loss of properties and lives and fruits. Give glad tidings, then, to those who remain patient; Who, when afflicted by trials & tribulations say, "Indeed we belong to God, indeed to God we will return." Quran 2:155, 156

Skittles

From over 101 verses in The Quran containing the actual Arabic word "fitnah" we come to learn that?religion (sects, schisms, traditions, ccustoms, peers),?trade-off between the worldly life and hereafter,?the soul - what a piece of work is mankind,?wealth +/- rizq,?health,?family ties and?children and parents,?war and peace,?divine calamities and punishment?- are all examples of 'FITNAH'. Each specific one, detailed and laid bare in The Quran by many examples and Gods counsel.

Abraham tested by the sacrifice of his only son in old age, Mary and Job and Jacob and Noah and the mother of Moses all tested by their children. Religion is a fitnah - tested by sects, schisms, traditions and peers, do we hold fast to The Quran or follow our fathers ways and prefer folklore and hearsay and hadiths offering greater flex and different shades of grey.

From The Quran we learn about God and our purpose to worship God. Not to dispute with other religions about God. Nor to insult or war with them. Rather to live and let live, each to their own. There is no compulsion in religion, Only God guides or leaves astray whomever He wills by The Quran.??Your God is our God (2:139, 6:106-108, 19:36, 29:46, 42:15).

In a stew

Intercession or not to be? A hot topic left simmering, which has become divisive pertaining to which God presents 70 different verses about the concept of intercession, put simple Piggybacking. Several affirmative, overwhelmingly in the negative and a few Maybe's - thereby serving as a test of faith. The Believer firm in faith will accept all verses and find a good, fair balance (2:26 3:7 74:31) - not to Pick'n'Mix and select what suits them best, placing all their eggs in one basket. Besides, if you are alive or reading this or able to use logic, you can repent/reform/refrain, thereby not having to rely on wishful thinking and something or someone else to help you, to kick the can down the road when you can help yourself. Trade-off: Wordly life - Hereafter. Ignorance is (not) bliss.

From Job and Jacob we learn health is a fitnah, family ties too. Wives are a fitnah as we learn from the betrayal of Noah’s wife and Lots wife (66:10) Job's and Muhammads wives too (66:3-5), to give them a gracious release by divorce (33:28, Chapter 65 Divorce). Along with the fine examples of Mary and the wife of Pharaoh (66:11,12).

When things go pear shaped

Either by Gods decree or divine calamities/ punishment or self-sabotage. From The Quran we learn about Gods Power. Creator of the heavens and earth in 6 days. Absolute control over the elements, weather, the land, above and beyond. Mankind prefers to dismiss Gods Supreme Authority over the earth. From the floods of Noah, God opens the skies and lets loose the seas. Earthquakes to droughts, famines in the days of Joseph, plagues of Egypt (7:133-136) and seas parted into two for Moses are all well documented in The Quran and The Bible and The Torah - Yet mankind still thinks viruses and climate change are powered by man and man-made? Mankind cured and/or created, beat cancer?

Whatever the true reason behind divine calamities, lightning strikes and bush fires (36:80) and rising sea levels which are reported to have happened pre-industrialisation also. Seem to be a form of reminder or punishment or correction. Mustnt disregard the Reset aspect to a Restart - To begin again, afresh. Pastures anew. They serve as a test of faith 'fitnah', so that mankind may become grateful, humbled, contented. To worship God and help them, reach out and show compassion and mercy. From the wealth which God entrusted upon them by charity and almsgiving. Assured by God that no soul is ever overburdened beyond its capacity and that we are to be tested through one another. There's so much above and beyond our comprehension, God knows best. What we do know, you and I were not there 100 years ago and for sure won't be here in another 100 years ttime to reflect and say "Wow, that's what all that was about.. A Better Restart.." God is Great. God is Subtle. God is Merciful.

From The Quran we learn about Divine Decree - 'Qadr' or Deus vult. Predestination. If God wills, God willed and for whom God wills. Certain aspects governed by divine decree, preordained like milestones. Believers should respond to the good and bad which befalls them with thankfulness or patience.

Lion

From oft-repeated verses throughout The Quran we learn our birth, wealth and properties, intellect and faculties of eyesight hearing, being formed in the womb to the number of children, male or female or barren, every heartbeat and Death, the time and place, in which land you will die (31:34) - are matters predestined. Qadr.

Recently in 2022 Blackburn born and raised Faisal Akram buried in "Blackburn-Sharif" (as its come to be known in some circles for the grave of a martyr aged 44) died across the world in Texas USA after emigrating from the UK. Lived all his life not knowing his ending. Deep.

From The Quran we learn God destroyed many cities (7:94-99) and nations and generation after generation. Cities of Aad and its people (51:42 69:6), Thamud (69:5), Hurricanes (11:82) to reference a few. Floods of Noah. Demonstrating Israel too could be destroyed in a heartbeat. But it serves a purpose as bait. Israel is like a maggot at the end of a fishing hook, a fitnah. By which God will test mankind - every soul who hears or sees the plight of Palestinians. Mostly Sellouts, nations and muslims like the western world will put on their blinkers and be ignorant to innocent children incarcerated, maimed and killed for protesting and throwing stones - only because they were born muslim and evicted from their homes and oppressed. Resembling the Holocaust, the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and genocide.

Few muslims will lose faith reeling off the classics of blasphemy, ignorant to the Qurans counsel. Some will broker peace and make reconciliation, others will get rich by proxy wars and self-preservation. Some will offer up charity and aid, compassion and sympathy, others will stand up against injustice, few with their lives in exchange for Paradise. WIN;WIN.

Red m&m's Orange.

Millions flee war to live or emigrate for prosperity (8:15 62:8). Drowned at sea, found dead washed up on the beach front or lofty towers (4:78). Every soul shall taste death (3:185 21:35 29:57). Death rate of 2 deaths/second, 120 go dead every minute. Otherwise crammed into refugee camps living in tents and inhumane conditions. Or finding refuge in the West cleaning toilets or driving taxis and menial labor, illegal work and exploited.

It’s no use crying over spilt milk

God explains the concept of Qadr in many verses throughout The Quran for muslims, Christians and Jews, and mankind alike to correct previous scriptures of The Quran and Torah and Psalms. The concept of predetermination or predestination, reconciling free will with God's decree is a delicate affair, easily misconstrued. How much of a part did God play and how much is mankind to be held responsible. Causation and causal factors. Mankind is quick to blaspeheme and lose faith to blame God for everything seemingly wrong in this world. ,

As cool as a cucumber

From The Quran (4:163 21:83,84 ?38:41-44) and the Bible: Book of Job we learn about prophet Job's faith tested through the loss of his wealth and properties and status, then the loss of his children and family, then by the loss of his health, then his wife abandons him too, and then his closest and dearest friends/ aides betray him and kick him when he's down, one after another after another (and then some) to add salt to his wounds and twist the knife, except for one.? Who reassures JOB that God tests his beloved, it’s a test of faith -- and being tried & tested by God does not interpret into being punished or penalised or cursed as per mankinds preferred rhetoric.

To take the biscuit

Today, anyone who has wealth and many children is deemed 'blessed' and respected and normal, but anyone barren or with less children, disabled or estranged children deemed 'cursed' or 'doomed' or 'punished' - for mankind and muslims alike. Still unsure where celibacy fits into mankinds half-baked wisdom? Choosing not to have children - forfeiting the right to. As you can probably agree - (in)breeding and creating children is hardly a challenge or feat or accomplishment in any way whatsoever. Particularly with state support and child benefits, its cheap too, in fact a livelihood for many in Western countries such as the UK. A money-spinner. In the long term, a reliable source of income and dependency and support that is if you live to become old and grey. Children for many are an investment.

Tangfastics

Dummies. Look as us "blesseth is we, I've got four children, that's Four kids, How many? I said Four and I love story marriage with 4 Precious kids, What to do" (Not to mention my children are inbreds and live in my dads house all my life mortgage free, gangsta innit)" Family Pack. Zing. Look at me so blessed is I, I have houses and business and cars and money and children and family and buffalo farm in pakistan" ("i" represent 20 inbreds working the system). Suckers.

Fried Eggs

Without argument mankind is endowed with faculties to reproduce, have babies. But that is not our primary purpose. Jesus and John were celibate, guarding their chastity. We also have faculties to eat & drink, to see, to hear, to think, and to reflect upon The Quran - which many don't.

We learn from The Quran that children happen - by Gods will. (Birth rate: 4 births/second 250 newborns every minute)*. God creates and forms children in the wombs, male or female, down to every precise detail. Some are born blind or deaf, fitna for mankind - Not as punishment or cursed as per mankinds malevolent interpretation of Gods decree beyond mankinds comprehension.

We learn from the verses surrounding 'Kun Fayakun' Be & It is (Gods will), that Mary was a virgin - yet she conceived Jesus without a man. Zachariah was old and his wife unable to give birth - yet they conceived John. Abraham and his wife was old and barren - yet they conceived Ishamael, Isac. Adam & Eve multiply into descendents and generations. Not necessarily incest & inbreeding per se. Similarly nature happened, forests the world over - before man ever planted a seed.

In ample verses throughout The Quran God reminds mankind and muslims alike, children are a "fitnah". A means to test your faith in God. Thats all.

After Eight

Some are born without an arm, and for others it was self-inflcited for being greedy. Double-shifting and moonlighting, clocking in the hours and working tired for an extra tuppence for deodorant. God could've intervened to prevent it or even worse costing him a leg too? Consequently cashed in with generous compensation payout and sympathy and pity in abundance. Peer worshipping ego-ridden hillbilly, turning his hand to bullying taxi drivers on the rank for peanuts, backhanding them with his prosthetic. Cabbing every possible hour for every scrap and squabbling for a better fare and short changing customers. Millionaires Shortbread. Asset rich/ cash poor.

It all boils down to faith

It may seem like cruelty but that disabled person too is being tested in faith, God reassures us that no soul is over burdened beyond its capacity to possibly secured the Hereafter at the cost of Worldly life. Putting to test the faith of hundreds and thousands of others who saw or heard about it. To humble them, perhaps they might return to faith and become grateful instead of being busy with first World problems playing Monopoly or Hungry Hungry Hippos. For sure that wheelchair bound person served a much better and bigger purpose then someone privileged or abled. Working for the cash machine and living their best life spending on a dog to follow it around and scoop the poop.

Dog eat dog

There are 140 million orphans worldwide. ￡350 per annum can provide food & shelter, welfare and support, nutrition and health, education and training - for One child. 24% of UK adults have a cat. Estimated 10 million cats in the UK. Research suggests cat ownership costs ￡1,000 per annum (Source:Battersea.org) 26% of the UK population have a dog. Thats 10.9 million dogs. Research suggests cost of having a dog is ￡1,183 per annum (Source: Battersea.org)

Bread and butter

Many are quick to blaspheme, encouraged to do so by media controlled by atheists and polytheists churning out half-cooked wisdom and conspiracy theories and Flying Saucers and role playing God. "..how could God be so cruel.." and commonly heard muttered "..if God was good how could he let this happen.." Yet can't see the forest for the trees. Most things are above and beyond mankinds comprehension, a leaf falls Gods knows.

The Quran encourages mankind and particularly 'muslims' to adopt children and help the orphans. Case in point prophet Muhammad was himself an orphan - What better an example for 'muslims' to adopt? You'd be fooled to think. Sadly you too can probably count on one hand the number of orphans adopted by muslims that you know of, in your community or further afield. It just doesn't happen. Let alone adopting interracial children.

Most muslims prefer the sunnah and Hadiths to the Quran - all want heirs to continue their bloodline and leave a legacy with mini-me's and better-me's in the image of themselves. In fact, Muslims are discouraged from adopting orphans by historical Hadiths and Sunnah and traditions and customs. In desperation turning to medical intervention and IVF, even magic & witchcraft, peers and jinns and shirk and supersition and amulets and charms and cupping and anything and everything. Heirs at any cost, in this worldy life at the expense of The Herafter.

Cut and dried

All in all proving muslims can change the meaning of Arabic words from The Quran such as "fitnah" or "taqwa" or "shifa" or "xzikkr" or try to reinterpret or redefine them to suit their agenda better. Rebranding is commonplace I.e "Alcohol as 'Spirits' or 'Steroid as Supplements. In so doing misleading and influencing anyone (wilfully) ignorant to The Quran. Forming new movements and cults and schools of thoughts and innovations by printing mass publications and books and sermons the World over. Or distinguish themselves from other muslims and sects. But The Quran is a fact of life. It cannot be re-edited or removed from the earth, it’s still here fourteen centuries later and self-regulating, Crossword like.

Alphabet Soup

Even by misinterpreting or manipulating a verse or two and chopping off verses. Proven by 'Kanzul Iman distortion of 2:146 and 6:20. The Urdu paraphrased translation' of the Quran Made in Pakistan, championed by pakindians. Cannot remove the preceding and subsequent verses which support each other. Linked together sharing the same bowl. Which are reinforced by oft repeating and diversified verses. More than 6,000 pearl like verses, it's Self-Governing, Genius. The Quran makes falsehood disappear, like the foam from the ocean. Even when its learned from translation without speaking Arabic. So let’s hold fast to it, learn from it & be representative to it and Gods words, glorify and celebrate it for being A mercy to the worlds.

☆ Invoke God. God is near.

From the handful of verses about Ramadan akin to?a Limited Edition 5-fingered Kit Kat. Four fingers regarding Ramadan attached to a fifth (2:186) in a set of grouped verses.

A?powerful reminder in 2:186 for those fasting Ramadan?and in general that God is near.? God reassures us throughout the Quran and reinforces in oft-repeated verses God is Near;? to remember God so that God will remember you (2:152); Unquestionably The help of God is near (2:214); that God intervenes between a man and his heart (8:24).? Prophet Salih reminded his people of the same that God is near and responsive (11:61), and Muhammad is told to remind mankind God is near and All-Hearing thousands of years later (40:60), on the battlefield (9:40)? That God is with you wherever you are (57:14).

Even when you're not praying, performing salat in mosques. Standing or Sitting or lying on your sides (3:191, 4:103) Or whilst devouring that mango.

We also learn from previous scripture which God revealed unto David for the Jews and Christians, from The Bible Psalm 139 : God know your thoughts.

Crystal clear

We learn from The Quran God is closer to us than we are to our own jugular veins (50:16) and souls. Our every thought, every feeling, is witnessed by God and recorded for one day come to pass . Never mind our actions and deeds, words and private conversations (58:7).

From The Quran we are encouraged to invoke God, to call upon God - directly. (17:46, 39:45, 40:11) Like the many not to lose faith and turn to other deities or statues or shrines or peers or saints or prophets or etcetera’s - to invoke God through them as key decision makers and aides or delegates for their closeness to God in a hierarchy, like Gatekeepers.

From many examples in verses God demonstrates and teaches mankind and Muslims alike God is listening to each and every prayer and knows every intention and leaf falling. Glance at that tree yonder, too many leaves to count. let alone the number of trees in the World. Ponder. Each leaf falls God knows and every grain in the land. That's Power. Beyond mans comprehension. God is All-Seeing, All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

Rest assured. Our souls are taken every night (6:60 39:42) and everything we do or say or think or feel is being noted by recorders - at all times. (58:7) Every soul has a direct connection to God- whether you choose to believe that or not is your prerogative, a question of faith. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. Faith cannot be spoon-fed.

You can’t have your cake and eat it (too)

If your prayers for a bigger house and/or faster car and/or progeny and/or love and/or wealth and/or cure and/or bla bla bla are unanswered - that’s not to be (mis)interpreted as God has abandoned you. As we learn from Muhammad in Chaper 93 Morning Brightness That you need to step it up a gear and Better Call in a favor to next man to pray on your behalf. Maybe God has a better plan for you and I. For your Lord be Patient. Besides what you're praying for and wanting and needing and wishing for, is maybe pointless - its worldly affairs. A temporary abode, a testing ground. The Herafter is better for you and more enduring.

Over-egg the pudding

Both Sunnis and Shias alike invoke God through prophets or saints or peers, angels even. The sunnis invoke God through Muhammad, they pray to him, praise him, love him and glorify him by Salawat. So that God would answer their prayers because they referenced and hash-tagged Muhammad. Like minded Shia muslims invoke Ali and his family known as Waliyah. Visiting graves and shrines of the dead to invoke God in a ritualistic manner. Sunnis perform pilgrimages to Muhammad’s grave/ shrine in Medina along with caliphs. The Green Dome, Masjid Al Nabawi. Averaging 2.5 million a year. 230 miles journey, 6 hours travel away from Mecca and The Kaaba. The Shiahs do pilgrimage to Alis grave/ shrine in Iraq along with his sons and family members and caliphs - known as ziyarat. Surpassing 13 million attendees.

Like a Bakewell Tart.

Both denominations believing physical proximity and by visiting their shrines to invoke God, will improve the odds to ensure their prayers will be answered or Paradis guaranteed by their intercession. Otherwise, muslims have redefined the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca to The House of Abraham. Which attracts 2.5 million muslims a year. To invoke God and devoutly believe their physical proximity will ensure their past sins expunged and prayers answered - curses too. Recently in March 2022 a peer (and his companion wife) were caught red-handed. Arrested for performing Black Magic and witchcraft, blowing into knots and casting spells in Meccas holy site during the pilgrimage.

Spoilt for choice

In Pakistan there are atleast 52 shrines and Darbar-"Sharif"s across the country, graves of saints and peers and awlia and martyrs and sheikhs with atleast 582 similar durgahs and tombs and mausolea scattered accross India. Which muslims visit to invoke God and worship God through the grave or for intercession. In fact every other muslim country has atleast a dozen shrines, but nowhere as many offered by the pakindians.

Like a chocolate coin, God tells mankind in the Quran that the dead cannot and do not hear your prayers or invocations (27:80, 35:22). Only God hears you. Flipside - supported by hundred of verses advising mankind to worship only God, to associate nothing with God. Reinforced by verses refuting intercession. Exalted is God above what they associate (9:31) (10:31). In its simplest form to say "anything/anyone" instead of "God" in worship is shirk, association. Only takes a second. God compares taking associates/ allies "awlia" to a spiders web (29:41). Weak.

Use your loaf

From oft-repeated verses in The Quran we learn about God. Only God is your only protector, your only helper, your only intercessor. Only God can help you. Nothing/ No-one can help you in this Worldly life or the Hereafter (intercession) not your family or your children, angels or prophets or saints or peers or amulets and charms.??But mankind, and muslims alike remain unconvinced.? Quick to lose faith when things don't go to plan. To their plan atleast, case in point no-one planned for Covid19.? God's plan is above and beyond mankinds limited scope.

In a pickle

Turning to Peers and Witchcraft and Magic and Jinns and Superstition, to try and force Gods hand to increase their wealth or children, better health.? Taking prophets and saints as Lords, singing their names in praise and wailing and invoking upon them.??Mankind is encouraged by God to devote their worship to only God - directly. Not to associate anything or anyone in worship to God. Nothing compares, not prophets or saints or angels. Only God is worthy of worship. Encouraged to invoke God, to call upon God. To pray and submit ourselves to God in worship. Devoutly in the fine examples of all prophets/messengers including Muhammad and Jesus son of Mary, Moses, JOB and Jonah when he called out to God from the whale's belly.

Had God willed they would not have associated (6:107) they would've forgotten what they associated to God. (6:41)

Quality Street

From The Quran we learn God commissioned prophets from among the people to convey Gods message. God uses the terms 'prophets' and 'messengers' interchangeably, referred to as 'nabi', 'rasul', 'nazir' To God it matters not. Mankind however has had quite a lot to say about it alright. Spewing out sermons and books picking favourites. All prophets/messengers taught mankind the same thing: to be God-cognizant, worship one God and follow Gods Guidance. Not to pick and choose or discriminate between them (2:136, 3:84, 4:150-152). Same message to generation after generation conveyed by prophets and messengers. A duty of notification, Follow The Quran (6:155) To remind mankind who is forgetful and weak. What was that meal you had t'other day?

The apple of your eye

Muhammad does not need muslims praise and prayers and worship and salawat- He is blessed. Already made 100%, in Paradise along with all other prophets messengers (22:15 66:8 94:4), Jesus too. Muhammad cannot help you or anyone out of hell (2:119) or forgive you, only God forgives (9:80) Muhammad is dissassociated with what you do and you from him (10:41 26:216 46:9). In fact he and all prophets will stand to witness against mankind when messengers are assembled. (4:41) Muhammad was an excellent pattern of conduct for mankind (33:21) as was Abraham (60:4-7). Muhammad's in Gods watchful gaze, guardianship (52:48,49) and Moses too (20:39).

Muslims are encouraged to confer peace and blessings upon the prophet (33:43, 56). To respect and honor the prophet Muhammad (48:9) and glorify God morning and afternoon. Muhammad is not your Manager, walli or wakeel (6:107 39:41) or controller (88:2). Not an angel (6:50). Muhammad cannot intercede for anyone (46:9 & 70 reinforced and supported by seventy verses on Intercession)

From several verses in the Quran (including 7:52 7:203 10:57) we learn The Quran is a mercy to mankind. Muhammad too (21:107 28:46) was a mercy to mankind. The Quran was not bestowed upon you that you be distressed (20:2).

Raisins in a mince pie

From atleast 23 verses scattered throughout the Quran we learn about the purpose of prophets/messengers - A duty of notification. To convey Gods message. We also learn each and every prophet/messenger successfully fulfilled their duties by observers (72:27,28) .

And Currants

From The Quran and specifically atleast 67 verses we learn about Prophet Muhammad and prophets messengers are Warner(s). To warn mankind (25:1, 27:92 35:23 38:65) further to notifying them - you Muhammad are a warner. (nazira). Aswell as Bringer of glad tidings to give mankind of details about Paradise. If God had willed each and every city a Warner (25:51)

Comparable to other prophets/ messengers (2:136 3:84 41:43 46:9,19 53:56)

Extracting selective verses about the Prophet Muhammad to support an agenda or cult like sect has resulted in the religion of Islam becoming divided into hundreds of branches and sub branches and sects. In trying to elevate him to a higher level. A rotten apple spoils the whole barrel. Like trying to seperate the dates from dibis, sesame seeds from tahini, chick peas from hummus or the milk from yoghurt.

Fudged

Someone somewhere decided in their better judgement Muslims need 5 posts to be guided. Hadiths and History and Hearsay, upon which many books and sermons and schools of thoughts have been strained out. It was reported that someone had heard another to have heard Muhammad may have said this and that. Unable to be confirmed by the Blessed Prophet Muhammad sawt.

Evidently from The Quran we learn about praying Salah/t in many verses, mostly paired with giving Charity. Hajj has its own chapter, surah 22 Hajj. The declaration of faith ie shahdah to say "there is no God but God" La ilaha illallah is mentioned in atleast 73 verses. To which has been added "Muhammad" is God's prophet (3:144, 33:40, 47:2, 48:29, 61:6). Peace be upon all prophets messenger (37:181). The Arabic word "Allah" has finally been translated into the English word "God" by The Quran Project. For God is beyond vision and comprehension except for what we learn about God from The Quran itself, One God.

As we've established Ramadan is set out in the handful of verses above. All 5 'pillars' have been extracted from the banquet of The Quran. From pillars to post.

Rocky

For some reason someone somewhere decided that The Quran itself as The Guidance wasn't deserving of its own pillar? Nevermind post, it ought to have been labelled as 'The Foundation'. A solid base, upon which the 5 pillars are built upon. For without The Quran, there is no five pillars. Without the five pillars remains The Guidance - The Quran.

☆ Glorify God.

From 2:185 we come to learn the purpose of fasting Ramadan is to glorify God for The Guidance - The Quran.

We are also reminded from many oft-repeated verses throughout The Quran to exalt & glorify god. That mankind was not created aimlessly in play for amusement - but to worship God. (51:56) until there comes to you the certainty of death (15:99) In so doing our faith is tested, and our worthiness determined for the Hereafter.

God is not a jealous God, needy and wanting, God does not expect anything in return from mankind. From many verses we learn and assured and reminded that God is Free of Need (2:263,267 3:97 4:131-133 6:133 10:68 14:8,19 22:64 27:40 29:6 31:12, 26 35:15,16? 39:7.47:38 57:24 60:6 64:6). God doesn't need you or your worship or lack thereof.

Proven by your very existence!!

Mankinds worship or lack thereof does not sustain God - if that were so the worlds would've ended already.

It is mankind who is in need.

Further proven by God's mercy upon the atheists and polytheists and mankind and every single creature on the earth and in the seas. All provided for with provisions regardless of what they do, or do not do. Gods mercy and forgiveness and grace is apparent everywhere. Look around.

From a few of the verses from The Quran presented below we learn whatever is in the heavens and on the earth exalts God (57:1, 59:1, 24, 61:1, 62:1, 64:1, 42:4.) Willingly (17:43,44, 59:24:) devoutly obedient to God (2:116) but you do not know their way of exalting and glorifying God.

All praise is (over) due to God

Birds twittering away in worship (21:79) glorifying God. Relentless and with wings spread in flight (24:41). Never seen birds living in it up in treetop mansions with balcony. They tire not from exalting and glorifying God, humbled living in twig make-shift nests. Human-like they too have eyes to see, ears to listen, brains to think with hearts beating. Like us they sleep, move around and fly, eat food and drink water from Gods sustenance. Suppose difference, they didn't forget their purpose with egos in check.

The Sun and Moon and stars glorify God, (16:48,49) the trees and shadows in submission to glorify God (55:6). Thunder exalts God (13:13). Most animals and Giraffes stand tall and proud until humbled back to ground for a drink. Ants too have eyes to see, and brains too think and worship God (27:18,19).

Wings - 2, 3 or 4 (35:1) Angels too, exalt and glorify God day and night, relentless in their worship - Unconditionally (40:7-9) . They expect or want or need nothing. Not food or water or homes or progeny or etcetera etcetera. Self-less. Keeping the heavens from breaking (42:5) and praying for the forgiveness of mankind. Flawless (43:60).

Muslims are encouraged to glorify God with great glorification (17:111)

The favor upon mankind has been great.

The Quran. Because God created mankind, it was incumbent upon God to provide Guidance for mankind, The Quran (2:38, 20:123). A light which guides mankind out of darkness ((6:104 42:52 45:20). Lest they say (6:157) we didn't know, or we didn't get the memo. Had God willed The Quran could have never been recited or conveyed by Muhammad (10:16). God could've removed and done away with it (17:86,87) Then mankind would have gone astray, destined for hellfire. To paraphrase, every soul could have been pre-programmed with its own Quran as guidance (32:13). For only God guides whomever He wills by The Quran & leaves astray anyone deluded away from understanding The Quran. Verily Gods favour upon mankind has been great. (4:113).

Furthermore, God has ensured the The Guidance of The Quran remains available everywhere and anywhere on the earth and online. transiated into every language, in audio too. Protected and sealed from being changed or edited (6:34,115 10:15 18 27 69:43-48 85:22) with God is its custodian. (15:9 56:77-80). To ensure its remains unchanged by mankind, not for love nor money unlike the previous scriptures of Toprah and Gospel.

The power of the quran is encapsulated by a pair of themed verses (13:31 and 59:21) using mountains as relatable and visible examples. Which would break apart and crumble at the majesty of The Quran. Humbled.

5-A-Day

On average performing the 3-5 salat prayers takes a total time of an hour/ day. Some a few minutes others 20 minutes or so. At dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and night. Different sects have different volumes and different protocol depending on their interpretations and schools of thoughts they identify with. The Quran sets out the 3-5 prayers but does not expand on its actions. Only explaining the purpose of praying salat - to remember and glorify God aforementioned. Hand on heart, from the 24 hours you've been granted today, and every other day of your life, an hour is neither fair or reasonable?

God encourages mankind and muslims alike to exalt God much (20:33) night and day (21:20) morning and afternoon (33:42) so that you may become satisfied (20:130). In the examples of all the messenger prophets Zachariah (3:41, 19:11) , Jonah (21:87, 37:143). To glorify God with the best names (7:180, 17:108-110, 20:8 59:24)

So Exalt the name of your Lord (56:74,96 ), the most Great.(69:52), The most High (87:1),

For the love of God - Love God (2:165 3:31 5:54 9:24). Muslims in their better judgement feel they should set up cults and movements to Love Muhammad. Increasingly imported by pakindian immigrants from third world countries who are unlearned to The Quran. Reciting The Quran and revering it but failing to understand its verses. Yet most muslims would struggle to understand his namesake Chapter 47 Muhammad comprising of only 38 verses. In which Muhammad does not tell muslims to love or glofiy him. Rather to hold fast to The Quran and accept the decree of God. To Love God and God will love you. Then do they not reflect upon the Qur'an, or are there locks upon their hearts? (47:24).Muhammad does not need mankind to pray for him or love him.

☆ S111UKR. Gratitude. Contentment

From fasting a month of Ramadan and cutting back to only two meals a day, at sunrise and sunset, we come to appreciate the 7 meals/fruit a day we may have become accustomed to. Otherwise one meal a day and for those who don't wake up at sunrise to fill up their tanks for the several hours of fasting ahead. Only from deprivation do we learn appreciation.

There are many people living in poverty across the World who eat/drink only once a day, Every other day even - That's life for them. It’s the norm. Consequently some have better health too, obesity for sure is not such an epidemic or drain on medical health resources.

From The Quran we learn about gratitude, and contentment, to become grateful to God for the (un)apparent favours, most importantly for the greatest blessing of all the revelation of The Quran (17:86,87)(2:18-)

Lemongrass

When was the last time you appreciated your tastebuds? Or eyebrows for protecting sweat (salt) from running into your eyes during your last workout? Or your eyelashes which are a first line of defence keeping airborne dirt, dust, lint and other debris from reaching the delicate eye tissues.

Or the succulent melons melting in your mouth, juice packed oranges, pineapples and many other hard-shelled fruits and vegetables. Taking several years to grow to produce fruit and months, weeks, days for each fruit to ripen. Squirrel-like abled to gnaw away at the goodness and benefit from the delicious textures and tastes. Nuts. Pistachios, pine and hazelnuts, almonds and cashews, pecan and walnuts. Baklava.

Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny? (x31 in Chapter/Surah 55) Repeated Thirty One times in the same chapter, poetic reminders. We would fail to list all the (un)apparent favours even if we tried to (15:34), try it.

Fruit Salad

Everything we eat or drink or consume traces back to God. If you remove all the fluff and packaging and marketing and advertising and branding and manufacturing and padding added by ego-ridden mankind - back to God we arrive, every time.

Rose syrup and Turkish Delight from Rose Petals. Rainbow Drops comprising sugar coated puffed maize and rice.

From farm to fork

Either to crop from the ground and harvest to vegetation and fruits from trees and bushes. Even Ice cream and desserts and sweets are traced back to the sugar cane. Quarter Mix of Pear Drops, Kola Cubes, Pineapple Chunks, Rhubarb and Custard, Sasparilla drops,

Dairy Milk. Chocolate from cocoa or butter and milk - grown across the World. A small yellow flower with five petals becomes a watermelon (in several weeks). Mouth watering. Pomegranates from a bright red flower (taking 6 months to fruit). Figs pollinated by wasps.?Honey from bees. Milk and cheese from cows. Grazing livestock and Meats from poultry and clothing too, wool from sheep's back or leather from sheepskin and cowhide for shoes and sandals. Simply too much to list. Tabbouleh. To get you started.

Tip Tops.

Even water, rain. Bottled and branded and distributed and transported, commercialised. (16:8:18, 56:63-74). It came from God, it fell from the skies forming seas. From The Quran we learn about Moses and the 12 springs gush forth as drinking water (2:57-60, 7:160, 20:80) along with manna and quails Abrahams family provided for by God (14:37,38) in the desert and Jesus with the disciples and The Last Supper (5:110-116).

Imagine if everything tracing back to God was attached with a label: MADE BY GOD, ORGINATED FROM GOD, or GODS WATER, or PRODUCED BY GOD, COURTESY OF GOD, or CONTAINS MATERIALS PROVIDED BY GOD. To remind us of Gods (un)apparent favours. What a Wonderful World. Humbled.

Ruby and pearls. Oysters.

Wealth too. Gold nuggets and silver and every metal and iron ore and building materials and plastics from organic materials of the earth, diamonds and oil and gas. All wealth is traced back to God in one form or another. Monetised.

Otherwise we draw so much inspiration from Gods creation of birds to aeroplanes. Cygnets piggybacking on Swans to boats. Tree trunks rounded as telegraph poles to the internet. From donkeys and horseys carrying loads to transportation. Reflections on the surface of lakes to mirrors.

Tree tops - the best part of a tree. Untouched by mankind. Pruning and cutting and trimming and meddling and shaping and intervening. Everything and anything within reach.

We owned it - All.

So much we just took for granted. Appreciation for the obvious faculties we rely upon of eyesight, hearing, intellect, coordination, touch and taste. And the Biggest favor of the all - The Guidance - The Quran. (100:6) Verily mankind, to his Lord, is ungrateful.

F(e)asting

Ramadan has become a greasy affair of kebabs and samosas and pakgoras and burgers and Cola Bottles. Feasting twice a day and eating like a horse. Most muslims will add a few pounds, kilo or two in Ramadan. Cooking and grilling and splurging out on fatty foods and meats and hotpots etc...which the body was hoping to get a rest from breaking down in Ramadan.

Gutted

Your stomach was not designed for excessive eating, drinking and indulgence. Agreeably it’s expansive to allow you a splurge once in a while, possibly to build up a little stock for a long journey ahead, obesity is medically proven to be a burden on the body and soul.

Munchies

The Quran teaches us much about moderation, to find the middle ground. Not to be stingy or withholding - Not to be excessive or extravagant and not to be greedy. Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins in Christianity and most other religions too. Chewing more, eating slowly and breathing in between mouthfuls.

Water never tasted so good

Refreshed. To put things into perspective we learn about Mary from her namesake Chapter 19 Mary, giving birth to Jesus. secluded under a palm tree, alone, in anguish and exhaustion. God reassures her to shake the tree for dates and reach for water to drink from the stream nearby. Eat and be contented (19:16-(26)-34). Dates and water after childbirth. For most muslims, dates and water is a fast opener before the starters before the feast - for fasting without food and water for several hours.

Hibernation

Many muslims book their holidays during Ramadan, to make Ramadan more palatable or go part-time. Flipz. Taxi drivers changing their shift patterns to work nights, along with others so they can sleep all day whilst fasting - multi-tasking. Muslims alike, stay up later and later at night puffing away and drinking and watching and praying, controlled by vices of smoking and drugs and alcohol and nicotine and vaping.

Hedgehogs and marmots from the squirrel family, are enabled to reduce their metabolic rate to a tenth of its normal level: it breathes only once or twice per minute and its heart beats a maximum five times per minute. Yours 70-100 beats-per-minute (bpm).

The bear, on the other hand, reduces its circulation, breathing and heartbeat and restricts kidney function to go into hibernation for weeks and months. The bear can switch its kidney function 'on and off' when necessary, which largely remains a mystery. Before their winter rest, bears must eat enough to form a decent layer of fat since they lose around a third of their body weight during this sleeping phase. This layer of fat enables their survival in winter, under the condition of reduced energy consumption. For the latter, rest is an important precondition.

Sober up

We learn from The Quran that it was revealed in Ramadan when mankind was fasting and sober, that’s no accident or fluke. With due consideration to nature’s vices of wine and drugs and intoxicants.

Dolma

From grapevines is made wine by fermentation, pressed grape alcoholised. From the flower of the opium poppy comes Heroin - a drug made from morphine. Cocaine is produced from the Coca plant with some added chemistry. Marijuana from the Cannabis plant. From the leaves of Nicotiana tabacum plant comes tobacco. Beer, cider from apples and yeast fermented, alcoholised.

God explains in (each) of them is much good (depending on application for medicinal purposes, antiseptic, painkillers and treatments, industry and commerce) and much harm/ evil also (intoxication, psycho-active, forgetting God). That the harm/ Sin is greater than the good (2:219, 4:43, 5:90,91, 16:67). Same applies to Fruit Machines, gambling and games of chance because of their addictive nature, thereby forgetting God.

To consider The Quran with a clear mind. And maybe break free from the vices and addictions by changing habits too.

Dumb-bells

And for the gym-goers jacked up lifting the same dumb-bells again and again and again, over and over and over and again and over again. Ramadan present a great chance to deflate your Ego's and detox from addictions of steroids/ supplements/ protein intakes to let your body just be, and brains too!.. Which are increasingly proven and associated with mental health and psychological problems, memory impairment and depression and hormonal damage. Side effects of vanity and building street-cred.

Two peas in a pod

Clear your heads, allow your hormones and systems to normalise, egos to deflate and give the mirrors a rest too. Courage does not come from weightlifting, it comes from the heart. Case in point Soldiers of God, Mujahedeen. Gods design - the Achilles heel, regardless of your dimensions cut to the jugular drop like a sack of potatoes. Mushy peas.

Weightwatchers

Some 1400 years after The Quran was blessed upon mankind by God, and from scientific studies, extensive research and development of science and technology. Mankind has only recently discovered the health benefits of fasting and intermittent fasting. A detox for the body, books and TV programmes aplenty, Fasting is actually good for you.. who would've thought!? Islam(ophobia). Fasting was also prescribed upon all Abrahamic faiths which branched off from Islam, the Jews and some Christians fast for lent, Chocolate Easter Egg(s). Gold Bunny.

Cooking on Gas

Mash potato. Soon enough, celebrities including Angelina Jolie, Sandra Bullock, Hugh Jackman, Charlize Theron, Gigi & Bella Hadid, and Madonna all reportedly adopted some form of the Fasting diet. For muslims, fasting has become all about weight loss. Many fast devoutly twice a week, on a Monday and Thursday throughout the year because of folklore or hearsay or culture and traditions dissolved into Hadiths. Because it was reported that someone had heard another to have heard the prophet may have said this and that. Unsubstantiated by The Blessed Prophet Muhammad sawt.

Crunchie. That Friday feeling

Supposedly the Gates of Paradise are also flung open every Monday and Thursday' throughout the year and every week sins are forgiven on Mondays. Not to draw parallels but 75 years ago Paki-stan was Hindu-stan. Hindus and devotees of?Shiva?tend to fast on Mondays, while devotees of?Vishnu?tend to fast on Thursdays. Reputedly sins are also erased/ cancelled on Fridays too during Jumma congregational prayer held at mosques. Although not mentioned in The Quran, not even in Surah Jumma. Chapter 62 of The Quran consisting of eleven verses which explains the purpose of Friday prayers is to remember God all day, leave off trade to worship God.

Tara-wee

During Ramadan, Muslims organise and attend daily sessions of congregational prayers at the mosques in the late evening with much vigor and devotion. Packed in like sardines. Not religion per se because it’s not mentioned in The Quran. Therefore its al-Hadiths and traditions or customs passed down from previous generations.

Boost . After muslims have been refilled with their second meal of the day. Bursting with energy, off they go into the mosques for their daily session of praying salat for Extras. Which in fact amounts to more than the five daily prayers combined, both in physical exertion and time taken. Bonus credits.

Dolly Mix

The Quran is recited in Arabic in most mosques - without translation.? You'd think it would be atleast recited with translation into the language of the land for non-Arabic speaking muslims i.e. in English in the UK or into Chinese over in China. (If muslims managed to evade mass concentrations camps to re-programme muslims and erase the Quran from their hearts and minds, power-trim their beards and and force feed them pig and get them merry on alcohol.? For non-muslims and the homeless it’s a great destination to be at and pretend to be Muslim.) Some imams are Turbo-charged on Fast Forward mode to recite as much of the Quran as possible on Repeat - as many Qurans possible, others prefer a much slower or moderate pace.

Most muslims would be unable to explain or paraphrase the 7 oft-repeated verses of Chapter 1 Quran. Because its recited so quickly in a language they understand not, in limited time frame before the congregation bows in prostration.

It seems, although not according to God in The Quran, any rewards for good deeds are multiplied during the month of Ramadan, the rewards for Tara-wee are even greater - all your sins since last years Ramadan are forgiven. Double Dip.

CLUB Mosque

Sins falling off backs. The sprawling one, the daddy and son one, the biryani-burp - aromatic one, uff. The loud-ameen one, the yawning one. The heavy-breathing one, the really bad BO one, and wass-Whispering one. The flick of shalwarkameez one, and the curry smelling one. The really obese one, the splashed a full bottle of attar one. Not to forget the day-dreaming one and the sleepy one and the swaying one. The adrenaline rushed one and the kebab burp–toxic one. The rocking one. The Hubba-bubba one.

You too will be familiar with muslims for whom for tara-wee salat has become about calorie burn and reps, a work out for many. Robotic, mechanical actions of salat consisting of sitting, standing, bowing, prostrating - push/press-ups. Burn off that one too many kebab you gorged earlier in haste, samosa too .. burping away. The Anglo Bubbly one.

Hold your horses

Tis supposed to unconditional worship, to develop a mental and spiritual connection with God and become God-cognizant. Not a race of who gets in the most units fastest and leaves quickest. Before the next feast fast approaching in a few hours’ time at sunrise. The fast-track one.

In God we trust

Fasting Ramadan also develops trust in God at a very basic level, tawakal (26:217 29:51 33:3) ?Best developed by learning from The Qurans many verses illustrated by examples of prophets (8:2) We learn from The Quran that God never overburdens a soul beyond its capacity. And intends ease not hardship. To put your trust in God, to let go of yourselves and what you thought you knew best, God told you to do something - so Just Do It. Expect nothing in return.

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade

Less theories and wisdom and rationales and rewards and incentives. Learn to trust God again. Mu'mins do not question Gods decree, for they are assured at the remembrance of God, hearts find rest. To trust God always knows better for you.

Food for thought

What’s good for the body is often good for the brain as well. Studies show intermittent fasting improves various metabolic features known to be important for brain health. Helping to reduce: oxidative stress, inflammation, blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, fasting increases the growth of new nerve cells, with benefits for brain function

Fasting also increases levels of a brain hormone called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). A BDNF deficiency has been implicated in depression and various other brain problems.

Brain food

By fasting your body has less toxic materials flowing through the blood and lymphatic system, making it easier for you to think. Whilst fasting the energy normally used to digest food is available to be used by the brain.

This mental change is noticed after a few days of fasting because our body takes time to adjust. After its cleared itself of toxins, our brains have access to a cleaner bloodstream, resulting in clearer thoughts, better memory, and increased sharpness of other senses.

Up to speed

Numerous studies shown that fasting has powerful benefits for your body and brain:

When you fast, insulin levels drop and our cells also initiate important cellular repair processes. When you don’t eat for a while, hormone levels in the body are changed to make stored body fat more accessible which initiates important cellular repair processes. Blood levels of insulin drop significantly, which facilitates fat burning. The blood levels of human growth hormone (HGH) may increase dramatically which facilitate fat burning and muscle gain, and have numerous other benefits. The body induces important cellular repair processes, such as removing waste material from cells. There are beneficial changes in several genes and molecules related to longevity and protection against disease.

Like a duck to water

Intermittent fasting helps you eat fewer calories while boosting metabolism slightly. It’s a very effective tool to lose weight and visceral fat. Shown to have major benefits for insulin resistance and to lead to an impressive reduction in blood sugar levels. To reduce oxidative damage and inflammation in the body. To improve numerous risk factors for heart disease, such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and inflammatory markers. Fasting triggers a metabolic pathway called autophagy, which removes waste material from cells. Proven to help prevent cancer and reduce side effects caused by chemotherapy.

QUESTION: So, What was it that you actually did again?

Charity. Payback

Charity is prescribed upon mankind, by the religion of Islam and Christianity and Judaism - The Abrahamic faiths. We learn from The Quran that God entrusted wealth upon mankind for one purpose only - almsgiving. Not to hoard wealth or get greedy, not to spend excessively and extravagance. No mention is made of sins being expunged by Zakah/Charity, for it was never yours to begin with.

God prescribed charity as obligation - not for reward. Cashback.

For most muslims charity has become a transaction and reward some. To offset or erase their sins by doing charity. In a SIN / CLEANSE/ REPEAT cycle,.? No doubt you too are familiar with muslims who rush to the mosques to pray or give charity after a pint in the pub or following a transgression and wrongdoing.

No compulsion in religion, so if you can't fast for the days in the months of Ramadhan then feed the poor or make it up later - if you think you can. God intends ease and does not intend difficulty. Instead of imposing a penalty or heavy fine or spelling out hellfire, God gives mankind counsel in a friend-like manner, and further chance to do some good with their existence. Feed the poor and give charity and help the orphans.

On a plate

From The Quran we learn wealth, properties are a Fitna - a test of faith.? Muslims believe God extends & restricts provisions to mankind. Rizq is from God, 100% of it - predetermined. God extends & restricts provisions for whomever He wills. (Key verses: 13:26 +/- 17:20-30 +/- 28:82 +/- 30:37 +/- 34:36,39 +/- 39:52 +/- 42:12,19 +/- 89:15-20 (Not exhaustive)) God made some wealthier others poorer. Splits. Muslims in their better wisdom and Judgement strike a re-distribution deal of 97.5% for them and give-back 2.5% to God.

A small slice of the cake

From The Quran we learn about Muslims who did much good, they amassed deeds aplenty. But because they failed to get the basics right their deeds were rendered worthless, like dust on a smooth stone. Compared to people who were restricted in doing good, but for a little charity they managed to do which outweighs much of what others did. In its simplest form, a well-to-do person can do much good by giving more charity. Whilst living a best life and so less conscious of God, lacking taqwa and faith. A poor person or downtrodden is unable and restricted, but holds fast to The Quran and becomes God-cognizant. WIN:WIN.

Paradise cannot be purchased. Not for all the tea in China.

Proof is in the pudding

Case in point, no doubt you too have met wealthy people and familiar with millionaires and billionaires who are plain and simply donuts for want of a better word.

Got lucky, or inherited wealth, equity rich from rising property prices or EG debt-laden and leveraged to the hilt, otherwise proceeds of crime and illicit activity or serendipity. Getting paid for groundhog day and doing the same thing over and over and over again - all your life is not entrepreneurial or genius!! Its service, supply & demand. The gravy train - maybe if they had persevered and kept faith in God - they would have earned the same amount by legal and honourable means, dignified too . They'll never know...

White Mice

So many factors contribute to being wealthy. If you're White and in the UK, odds are already in your favour when you were born. White privilege and institutional racism sets you in good stead. Inherited wealth and serendipity to ride the wave of rising property prices.

Anyone who bought a property in London or other areas of the UK atleast 20 years ago - is today a Millionaire by default. Hardly praiseworthy. Status comes with an ego ie most taxI drivers in the Southeast!!. Otherwise working their skin to the bone whilst living ten to a loo for the American dream. Apple pie.

God is subtle in the distribution of provisions and wealth (6:103, 12:100, 22:63, 31:16, 33:34, 42:19, 68:14). God is the provider. God is the Sustainer.

The poor tested by poverty. Complaining, wanting, needing more wealth - at any cost. Most poor people are quick to lose faith and blaspheme. They see and hear the grass is greener on the other side. Feel they've been let down by God or abandoned, exclaiming God is cruel. Turning to get rich quick schemes, RIBA interest % credit and finance and debt, gambling, picking sherbet straws and lottery, crime and illicit activity. Sell-outs, many turning to shirk and peers and jinns and witchcraft. And so forgot God, the Quran was set aside.

On a silver platter

The wealthy tested by richness. Ego-ridden and deluded to convince themselves they got wealthy on their own merit, off their own backs. From using the faculties and ability and intellect and health the wealth and opportunities bestowed upon them by God. Troubled because they're losing their wealth, consumed by the leaking bucket syndrome. Distracted and obsessed, the grass is not greener they profess. Hoarding and watching every penny counts or trying to live like Kings and keeping up with the Joneses. There's always someone wealthier. And so forgot God, the Quran was set aside.

It's a wrap. Ramadan Mubarak, more than third passed by already, first draft, time waits for no one. Deluded away from The Quran are the deluded (51:9)

END

Any/ all references made above contained in brackets are to The Quran in numerical format of (Chapter : Verse). In some places references provided are not exhaustive and further references to all/ any of the above available upon request.

sawt - abbreviation of 'salu alehi wasalamu taslima' Ask 'God to confer blessing upon Muhammad 33:43,56. And peace be upon all prophets messengers (51:9)

This article does not intend to offend or disrespect anyone or anything whatsoever and contains many idioms and wordplay and examples to illustrate points and develop understanding. Simply reflecting upon The Quran. Quranic references contained are comparable to the sprinkles over the top of the 1/3 layer of whipped cream, before the custard, into the jelly and goodness of fruit pieces and sponge cake of Trifle.

If you do have a problem or do take issue or offence with any of the content than kindly take it up with God directly - its Gods Book and references to verses have been provided to assist with your complaint. Being non-denominational muslim, free from biases, I do not identify with particular sect or subscribe to schisms and stereotypes or cults and do not prefer or lean towards one over another, iNeutral - Each to their own.