The above verse is for the prevention of the habit of backbiting. Only a person who has met with an injustice from the other is allowed to tell about this person's bad deed to others with the intention to get justice and correct the wrong doer. However, even in this case, the aggrieved one is encouraged to forgive the ill done to him.

Slander is bigger sin. The difference between backbiting and slander is, in backbiting, the teller is telling about the bad deeds of a person. In slander, the teller is lying about the person and trying to associate a bad deed which is not committed by him. The intention is to defame him and bring him discredit in society.

The Jews do not believe in Prophet Isa (عليه السلام) and Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). The Christians do not believe in Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). Not accepting a truthful prophet of Allah is rejection of Allah's (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) command openly and brazenly. Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) treats it as disbelieve.

Raising of Hadhrat Isa (عليه السلام) alive on the sky is a factual truth established from the above verses. Some people try to misinterpret these verses to prove that Isa (عليه السلام) has died. Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) says, 'they neither killed nor crucified him, though it so appeared to them, and in fact Allah raised Isa (عليه السلام) towards Him. Those who disagree in the matter are only lost in doubt.' They interpret the meaning of raising Isa (عليه السلام) as raising his status after his death. Needless to say that their understanding is wrong and they need to correct it.

Human being is provided with intelligence to understand and deduce things. Therefore he is made responsible for all his actions and is also subject to torment (عذاب) or recompense (ثواب) depending upon his deeds. Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) has provided mind and heart to every human being and it is imperative that they use them properly, ponder over the facts of the Cosmos and walk on the right path.

(i) It is in Quran - كَذَ‌ٰلِكَ يَجْعَلُ اللَّهُ الرِّجْسَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ [So Allah places degradation (subject them to torment) on those who do not believe." (Al-An'aam - 125)

(ii) It is in Quran - وَيَجْعَلُ الرِّجْسَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ [ And He places degradation on those (subjects them to torment) who have no understanding. ] ( Yunus - 100)

The above Quranic verses clarify that the punishment for rejection and punishment for 'not trying to understand', is the same.

The above verse describes the second coming of Isa (عليه السلام) in the end times.

The Jews and some Muslim sects believe that Prophet Isa (عليه السلام) had been killed. This is a wrong understanding and a false belief. Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) will send him in the end time to prove that he is alive. He will come after the appearance of Dajjal. Prophet Isa (عليه السلام) will descend from the heaven, pursue and kill Dajjal. He will also destroy Yajooj and Majooj.

Christians will recognize the truth and accept Isa (عليه السلام) as an Apostle of Allah (and not as son of God) and will come under the fold of Islam. The religion of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ), which is Islam, will rule the world. There will be no oppression or conflicts. Peace will prevail all over the world. There will be no need to collect Jizyah, the specific tax for protectorates (أهل الذمة), as Islamic Zakat will be paid by all. Christianity and Judaism and all other religions will end. Isa (عليه السلام) will perform Hajj, get married and will have children. He will die after living his full life on Earth. His death will mark the beginning of the last days of humanity before the Day of Judgment.

It is in Quran - إِنَّهُ لَعِلْمٌ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمْتَرُنَّ بِهَا وَاتَّبِعُونِ ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ [ And indeed, Isa (عليه السلام) will be (a sign for) of the Hour, so be not in doubt about it, and follow Me. This is a straight path.] (Az-Zukhruf - 61)

It is in Hadith - It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said : There is no prophet between me and him (Isa - عليه السلام ). He shall descend, and you will recognize him when you see him. He is a man of medium height, between reddish and white complexion. He will be dressed in two slightly yellowish garments. His head looks as if it is dripping water even though it is not wet. He will fight people for the sake of Islam, will break the Cross, kill the swine and abolish Jizya. Allah will put an end to all religions and sects except Islam during his time. He will kill the Dajjal. He will stay in the World for 40 years before his death. Muslims will perform the funeral prayer for him. (Abu Dawood, Ahmad)

The people of knowledge and wisdom among Jews and Christians did recognize Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) as the last Apostle to humanity, as was already foretold in earlier scriptures. They eventually came to Islamic fold. The above verse describes that they will also get the reward from Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ).

The above verse is very clear in describing Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) as Noor from Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ).

It is in Quran - قَدْ جَاءَكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُّبِينٌ (From Allah has come to you a Light and a Book manifest.) (Al-Maeda - 15).

It is in Quran – يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا - وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى اللَّهِ بِإِذْنِهِ وَسِرَاجًا مُّنِيرًا [ O’ Prophet ﷺ, Truly We have sent you as a Witness, a Bearer of Glad Tidings, and Warner (for the entire Cosmos); and one who invites to Allah's (Grace) by His consent, and as a lamp spreading light (into the whole cosmos).] (Al – Ahzab - 45-46).

It is in Hadith - It is related that Jābir Ibn Abd Allah (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) said to Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), O' Apostle of Allāh (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) may my father and mother be sacrificed for you, tell me the first thing Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) created before all things." The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said: O' Jabir (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ), the first thing Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) created was the light of your Prophet ( صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) from His light. (And everything else was created from that light). (Part of the Hadith).

The above Hadith was narrated by Abd al-Razzaq (d. 211 AH) in his Musannaf according to Qastallani in al-Mawahib al-Laduniyya (1:55) and Zarqani in his Sharh al-Mawahib (1:56 of the Matba`a al-amira edition, Cairo). There cannot be any doubt as to the reliability of Abd al-Razzaq as a narrator. Bukhari took 120 narrations from him while Muslim took 400. Biahaqi also narrated this Hadith with a different wording in "Dala'il al-Nubuwwa, according to Zurqani in his Sharh al-Mawahib (1:56 of the Matba'a al-amira, Cairo). Also Diyarbakri narrated it in 'Taarikh al-Khamis (1-20).

It is important that Muslims perform Hajj carefully without violating any of the prescribed deeds during it. The sanctity of the sacred months should be maintained. During pilgrimage, hunting of animals is forbidden in the vicinity of Makka, therefore it is not lawful to kill them while in Ihram. It is important to protect the lives of the people who are coming to perform Hajj. Makkan pagans had stopped Muslims from performing Umra before the fall of Makka, and they were forced to stay in a place called Hudaibiya and return back to Madina without performing Umra. This was a serious provocation and irritant for Muslims. Allah commanded Muslims that they should forgive this episode as all the people in Makka have embraced Islam.

What is the purport of ( وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ ' - 'a thing which has been dedicated to other than Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) is forbidden') in the above verse?

The above command is with reference to what we intend and commit by saying at the time of sacrificing the animal. The Makkan pagans used to say - بسم اللاتِ والعُزَى ['Bismillati wal Uzza' - In the name of Laat and Uzza - the deities of Makkan pagans]. Against this, it was established in Islam that Muslims say - بسم اللهِ اللهُ اكبر [ Bismillahi Allahu Akbar - In the name of Allah and Allah is Supreme].

Islam teaches us to take the name of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) before everything we do.

It is in Hadith - It is narrated by Abu Hurairah (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said : 'Every thing which does not start with the praise of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) is vitiated, devoid of virtue. (Musnad Ahmed).

This is the reason Fateha and Eisaal-e-Thawab is so popular among Muslims. We cook food, sacrifice animals in the name of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and dedicate recompense (thawaab) to Awliya Allah and dead Muslims. The people who are dead surely get benefited from Fateha and Eisaal-e-Thawaab in their 'Life after Death'.

In Fateha, generally people read one time Sura Fateha, three times Sura Iqhlas (it is in Hadith that the recompense of reading 3 times Surah Ikhlas is equal to one full Quran), three times Durood and in the end Dua for our dead relatives.

Deviant sects like Salafis, Deobandis and their like minded groups cite a part of this verse ( وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ ' - 'a thing which has been dedicated to other than Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) is forbidden') - to claim Fateha as Haram. They also raise an objection saying why should we do things in a specific way? Put the food in front, read Quran on it and feed people. Can't we feed the people without doing any such thing?

The answer is, because it is Prophet's (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) Sunnah to keep food in front and read Quran over it. It is a Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) practice for barakah in the food.

It is in Hadith - It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) that he said : We were accompanying the Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) in a march (towards Tabuk). He (the narrator) said : The provisions with the people were almost depleted. He (the narrator) said : (And the situation became so critical) that they (the men of the army) decided to slaughter some of their camels. He (the narrator) said : Upon this Umar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) said to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) : Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), I wish that you should pool together what has been left out of the provisions with the people and then invoke (the blessings of) Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) upon it. He (the narrator) said : He (the Prophet ﷺ) did it accordingly. He (the narrator) said : The one who had wheat in his possession came there with wheat. He who had dates with him came there with dates. And Mujahid said : He who possessed stones (seed) of dates came there with stones. I (the narrator) said : What did they do with the date-stones. They said : They (the people) sucked them and then drank water over them. He (the narrator said) : He (the Prophet ﷺ) invoked the blessings (of Allah) upon them (provisions). He (the narrator) said : (And there was such a miraculous increase in the stocks) that the people used their provisions fully (all through the journey). He (the narrator) said : At that time he (the Prophet ﷺ) said : I bear testimony to the fact that there is no god but Allah, and I am His Apostle. The servants who would meet Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) without having any doubt about these, would enter Paradise. (Muslim)

The deviant sects raise one more question, why should we do Fateha at a specific time in a year.? Like at the time of Prophet's (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) birth day, at the time of the death anniversary of Ghousul Azam Shaikh Abdul Qader Jilani (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ), or on 40th day after the death of a person and on certain other occasions?

The answer is, because it is Sunnah to keep specific days for specific works. There are many Ahadith which describe that Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) fixed the days, dates and timings of specific things. This is the reason that the people of Sahih Iman, the truthful Ahle Sunnah wal Jama'a, fix the dates for doing good deeds like Fateha and Eisaal-e-Thawaab.

(i) It is in Ahadith that Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) used to keep fast on the 'Day of Arafat', Ashura, and 15th Shabaan.

(ii) Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) commanded to perform Child's Aqeeqa on the 7th Day of birth.

(iii) Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) went to Ghazwa-e-Tabook on Thursday and he preferred to start journey on Thursdays.

(iv) Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) used to keep fast on Mondays and Thursdays.

(v) Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) used to go to Masjid-e-Quba on Saturdays.

It is important that when we intend to do a good thing, we should fix the time and inform people in advance about it so that they do not forget in view of their preoccupations with other things.

Deviant sects mislead Muslims saying that if you sacrifice an animal for Eisaal-e-thawaab for some Wali Allah or dead Muslim, this is Haraam. With this logic, they claim the food of Fateha is Haraam.

It is in Hadith - At the time of sacrificing the animals Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) used to say اللهمَّ هذا منكَ ولك - اللهمَّ هذا عن محمدٍ وآلِ - بسم الله اللهُ اكبر [O' Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) this is for you and from you. O' Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) this is from Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) and 'Aal-e-Nabi (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) '. In the name of Allah who is Supreme]. And - اللهمَّ انّ هذا عَن شَهِدَ نِي بِى البَلاغ [O' Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ), this is from the ones (your servants) who stood witness to my conveying your Message.] (Abu Dawood, Ahmad).

Slaughtering of animals for deities is different from sacrificing them in the name of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) for conveying recompense (thawaab) to the dead relatives.

All Muslims in the world sacrifice animals by saying "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar". Where is shirk in it? Muslims sacrifice animals in the name of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and supplicate Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) to convey its thawaab to the dead Muslims by taking their names. What is wrong in it?

Wahhabism / Salafism was invented in Arabian Peninsula in 18th century AD by Ibn 'Abdul-Wahhab who took Quranic verses revealed for the Mushrikeen of Makka and applied them on Muslim Ulema, Awliya Allah, Sufi Shuyookh and general Muslims and said those who do Fateha and Eisaal-e-Thawaab are similar to the Mushrikeen of Makka. He branded all Muslim Ulema/Awliya and Shuyookh of 1000 years before him as Mushrikeen. The Salalfis, Wahhabis, Deobandis and their like minded groups follow him and other deviant scholars like him.

Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) says that we can marry chaste women from the people of book. What is the meaning of 'Chastity' in this verse?

Here, chastity means, they should be morally chaste as well as their beliefs should also be chaste.

What is the meaning of chastity of belief?

It means, they should not believe that Isa (عليه السلام) or Uzair (عليه السلام) are the sons of God. They should not worship the Idols of Prophets kept in Churches and Synagogues. Since the scriptures given to Christians and Jews have been corrupted, they should be inclined to believe their religions in purest forms avoiding the corrupted version contained in their books. They should believe in the version of the Quran which shows the correct version of belief in God. Quran is the only book that has not been corrupted so far. It is also important that they believe in the Prophet-hood of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) as the seal of Prophets. This is the meaning of chastity in beliefs

It is in Quran - قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْا إِلَىٰ كَلِمَةٍ سَوَاءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلَّا نَعْبُدَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَلَا نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَقُولُوا اشْهَدُوا بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ [ Say : 'O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you : That we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah.' If then they turn back, say you : 'Bear witness that we are Muslims. ] (Aal-e-Imran - 64).

It is in Quran - لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلَاثَةٍ ۘ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَـٰهٍ إِلَّا إِلَـٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۚ وَإِن لَّمْ يَنتَهُوا عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ لَيَمَسَّنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ [ Indeed those who say : 'Allah is the third of the Trinity' became unbelievers. There is no god but Allah. If they do not desist in what they say, a painful punishment will afflict those of them who disbelieve. ] (Al-Ma'eda - 73)

It is in Quran - وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ عُزَيْرٌ ابْنُ اللَّهِ وَقَالَتِ النَّصَارَى الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ اللَّهِ ۖ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ قَوْلُهُم بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ ۖ يُضَاهِئُونَ قَوْلَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن قَبْلُ ۚ قَاتَلَهُمُ اللَّهُ ۚ أَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ [ The Jews call 'Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah's curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth! ] (At-Taubah - 30)

Three issues have been mentioned in the above verse; (i) Ghusl, (ii) Wudu, and (iii) Tayammum. We will discuss these briefly here.

(i) Ghusl

A Muslim, male or female is expected to take bath (Ghusl) after sexual intercourse, menstrual period, wet dreams etc.

There are 3 imperatives (Faraa'ez) of Ghusl, viz., (a) To rinse the mouth thoroughly, (b) To rinse nostrils thoroughly, and (c) Clean the impurity and thoroughly rub and wet the whole body, including the root of the hairs on head.

How Ghuls is done? First have the intention in heart to purify for major impurity. Then recite Bismillah and wash hands three times, then wash the private part. Then perform Wudu as done for Salah. Then pour water over the head and body three times, and rub the hair so that the water reaches the roots of the hair. Then wash the body, making sure that the water reaches all parts, starting with the right side of the body and then the left, and rubbing it with the hands so that the water reaches the entire body.

(ii) Wudu

Wudu is performed for minor impurities, like a person has attended the call of nature, or passing of gas, etc.

There are 4 imperatives (Fara'ez) in Wudu, viz., (a) Washing the face from the top of forehead down to the lower portion of the chin and across from one ear to the other, (b) Washing both hands and arms up to the elbows, (c) Masah, wiping the head with wet hands, and (d) Washing both the feet up to the ankles

Sunnah of the Wudu are, (a) Intention, (b) Reciting Bismillah, (c) Washing hands three times up to wrists, (d) Brushing teeth with a tooth stick (Miswak), (e) Rinsing the mouth thrice, (f) Passing fingers (khilal) through the bottom of the beard with wet hands, (g) Khilal of fingers and toes (passing fingers of both hands against each other and passing them through toes, (h) Washing each limb three times, (i) Doing Masah of the head once, (j) Doing Masah of the ears, (k) Doing wudu in proper order, (l) Washing each part, one after the other, without pause to make sure that no part gets dried before the next step.

Desirable actions of Wudu (Mustahabat) are, (a) Begin Wudu from the right side, (b) Masah of the nape, (c) Doing Wudu without assistance from others, (d) Sitting at an elevated clean place for Wudu.

Not desirable actions (Makroohaat) of Wudu are, (a) Doing Wudu at a dirty place, (b) Blowing nose with right hand, (c) Chit chatting worldly issues during Wudu, (d) Wasting a lot of water during Wudu, etc.

It is imperative (fard) to do Wudu when one is in the state of minor ritual impurity, (a) before performing Salah, (b) reciting Quran or (c) touching the Mushaf of Quran.

It is Wajib to perform Wudu before circumambulation (Tawaf) of Kaba.

(iii) Tayammum

If there is no access to water, or if water can't be used in view of certain health conditions, Tayammum is performed in place of Ghusl or Wudu. There are four steps in doing tayammum. (a) Recite Bismillah and make Niyyah of Tayammum for Wudu or Ghusl, (b) Strike both hands on clean earth, (c) Rub both the hands on the complete face (as in Wudu), (d) Again strike both hands on the clean earth and rub the left hand over complete right hand till elbow. Then rub the right hand over complete left hand.

Important point

There is a difference between imperatives (Faraa'ez) related to faith (Iman) and imperatives related to deeds. The one who ignores or rejects the imperatives related to basic faith of Islam is treated as out of Islam. In the imperatives of the deeds, the commandment is absolute, but in its implementation is subject to interpretation. Those who differ in this context, cannot be regarded as out of Islam.

For instance, the wiping of head (Masah) is one among the imperatives related to faith (Iman). No one can deny this commandment. If he does, he will be out of Islam. In the performance of how much head has to be wiped? This issue is subject to interpretation. It is where the differences of opinion occur between various Imams of Fiqh.

When was this covenant taken?

It may have been taken in the world of Similitude (عالمِ مِثال). Or the verse may be referring to the Promise of Allegiance (Baya) the Sahabah used to do on the hand of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) at the time of accepting Islam.

There were incidents during the Prophet's (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) time when Makkan pagans and Jews attempted to attack and kill the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) and his close Sahabah by deceit. However, they could not succeed in their evil designs. Probably, Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) is reminding the believers about those incidents.

The above verse describes the Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) as Noor from Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ).

It is in Quran - يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ بُرْهَانٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَأَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكُمْ نُورًا مُبِينًا (O' mankind! Indeed the clear proof from your Lord has come to you, and We have sent down to you a bright light.) (An-Nisa - 174).

It is in Quran – يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا - وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى اللَّهِ بِإِذْنِهِ وَسِرَاجًا مُّنِيرًا [ O’ Prophet ﷺ, Truly We have sent you as a Witness, a Bearer of Glad Tidings, and Warner; and one who invites to Allah's (Grace) by His consent, and as a lamp spreading light (into the whole cosmos). ] (Al–Ahzab - 45-46).

It is in Hadith - It is related that Jābir Ibn Abd Allah (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) said to Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), O' Apostle of Allāh (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) may my father and mother be sacrificed for you, tell me the first thing Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) created before all things." The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said: O' Jabir (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ), the first thing Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) created was the light of your Prophet ( صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) from His light. (And everything else was created from that light). (Part of the Hadith)

The above Hadith was narrated by Abd al-Razzaq (d. 211 AH) in his Musannaf according to Qastallani in al-Mawahib al-Laduniyya (1:55) and Zarqani in his Sharh al-Mawahib (1:56 of the Matba`a al-amira edition, Cairo). There cannot be any doubt as to the reliability of Abd al-Razzaq as a narrator. Bukhari took 120 narrations from him while Muslim took 400. Biahaqi also narrated this Hadith with a different wording in "Dala'il al-Nubuwwa, according to Zurqani in his Sharh al-Mawahib (1:56 of the Matba'a al-amira, Cairo).

The detailed account of Bani Israel during the time of Musa (عليه السلام) has been discussed in detail in the Tafseer of Surah al-Baqara.

In five preceding verses (27–31), Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) describes the story of the two sons of Adam (عليه السلام), namely, Habeel (Abel) and Qabeel (Cain).

Brief story

The information about this episode is mentioned in Quran. However, details about it are a sketchy in Islamic literature. Based on these accounts, it is reported that after the descent from the Heavens, Adam and Hawwa (عليهم السلام) started living on Earth. It is believed that Hawwa (عليها السلام) bore sets of twins, and in each birth there was a male and a female child. And they were commanded that each son would marry the sister of his brother with whom she was born. No one was allowed to get married with his sister with whom he was born.

The incidence of killing of Habeel by his brother Qabeel was sparked when Qabeel refused to marry the twin sister of Habeel who was designated to be married to him; preferring instead his own twin sister with whom he was born. When Adam (عليه السلام) saw Qabeel was adamant and insisted on marrying his own twin sister, he suggested both the sons to refer the matter to Allah and let Him decided the outcome. They were advised to offer sacrifices and whosoever was right, his sacrifice will be accepted by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ). The sacrifice of Habeel was accepted. The modalities of these sacrifices and how these were accepted are not known, however, Quran testifies that the sacrifice of Habeel was accepted by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ).

Qabeel was not satisfied with the outcome. He was discontented which probably bred envy and jealousy towards his brother. He threatened to kill his brother. Habeel was a pious and virtuous man. He said, even if his brother raises his hands to kill him, he will not resist. By saying so, he wanted to cool down his brother and stop him from committing the crime. However, as the Quran testifies, he killed his brother and when he looked at the dead body of his brother, Qabeel did not know what to do with that as no other man on the face of the earth had died before that. Allah sent a crow digging up the earth to bury another crow who was dead so that he might show him how he should cover the dead body of his brother. Qabeel then knew how to bury the dead. He dug the ground and buried the body of his dead brother. He realized his guilt and regretted his action.

It is in Hadith - Anas (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) narrated that some people from the tribe of Ukl (عُكْلٍ) came to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) and embraced Islam. They were staying with the people of Suffah. The climate of Madina did not suit them, and they became ill. They came to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) and asked for milk. So, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) ordered them to go to the (herd of milch) camels of charity and to drink, their milk and urine (as a medicine). They did so, and after they had recovered from their ailment (became healthy) they turned renegades (reverted from Islam) and killed the shepherd of the camels and took the camels away. The Prophet (s) sent (some people) in their pursuit and so they were (caught and) brought, and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) ordered that their hands and legs should be cut off and that their eyes should be branded with heated pieces of iron, and that their cut hands and legs should not be cauterized, till they die. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Bk 86, Hadith # 32)

Killing of innocent people is strictly prohibited in Islam. Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) says, killing of an innocent person is like killing the entire humanity.

Islamic teachings are defensive in nature. Islam does not teach violence in any format. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) taught us Anti Violence. Violence is offensive in nature and anti-violence is defensive in nature. You need to learn and prepare to defend yourself, your family, your town and your country against the offensive violence of enemies. This is anti-violence.

Jihad is sometimes necessary to bring back peace in the land. Thus Jihad is defensive in nature. Preemptive strike against an existential enemy is included in it. Islam is against offensive Jihad that creates chaos, mayhem and dissensions in the land. Islam does not allow creating anarchy and destruction. Islam is against spreading hatred and terror among people. This is the clear message conveyed by the above verses.

All virtuous deeds are Wasila with which we seek to get proximity to Allah's (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ). Sahih Iman, Salah, Zakat, Fasting, Hajj and Taqwa, all are included in it. However, among all virtuous deeds, the love of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) are supreme.

If someone wants to be in the proximity to Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ), it is important for him to first get to the proximity to the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). As a matter of fact, Iman is not complete, if someone does not love the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) as per the guidelines set by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)

It is in Quran - النَّبِيُّ أَوْلَىٰ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ [ The Prophet ﷺ is more preferable to the believers than their own selves.] (Al-ahzaab - 33)

It is in Hadith - Anas (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) narrated that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said 'None of you will have Iman till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind. (Bukhari)

Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) warns people from Hell and by describing the permanent punishments of Hell, people are encouraged to shun sin and live a life full of virtue. Similarly, certain strict punishment in Islam are a great deterrent for people to stay away from creating chaos in the land.

Making fun of the religion, the rules of Sharia or mocking at the call of Salah, are the works of hypocrites and the enemies of Islam. Therefore, it is not advisable for the Muslims to befriend and share their time with them.

Similarly befriending with the followers of the deviant sects, particularly with those whose past time is to disrespect the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) and dignitaries of Islam and make mockery of Awliya Allah and their pious graves is dangerous. They call the graves of the dignitaries of Islam and Awliya Allah as lying Idols worshiped by Muslims. They call Muslims as grave worshipers. In this scenario, how it is possible to be friendly with such people and listen to their blatant blasphemy? It is most likely that by continuously listening to their out of context arguments, you will also fall victim to their hypocrisy and become one of them.

Salafis, Deobandis and their like minded groups take the literal meaning of this verse and claim that Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) has hands and a physical body like human beings.

When someone tries to explain their misconceptions, they create a hue and cry and say this is 'Kalam' (use of mind/philosophy/Biddah). They behave exactly like Christians who believe in Trinity. When someone questions Christians how it is possible that there are three distinct Gods, the Father God, the Son of God and the Holy Ghost; and then all the three are one? They shout back and ask the person not to mix reasoning in religious beliefs.

Salalfis/Wahhabis and the like minded groups have deliberately misinterpreted Quranic verses and created a God of their own and have resorted to idol worship in the sense that they claim their God to have physical body who is sitting over a planet size chair above the seventh heaven and his face is in a certain direction. When someones tries to explain them to learn Quran under the guidance of a Sahih-ul-Aqeedah Shaikh of Ihsan, they claim they can understand Quran by their self reading. This was the attitude of their founding Imams like Ibn Taymiyya, Ibn Abdul Wahhab and others.

It is in Quran - هُوَ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ آيَاتٌ مُّحْكَمَاتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَاتٌ ۖ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ ابْتِغَاءَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَابْتِغَاءَ تَأْوِيلِهِ ۗ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلَّا اللَّهُ ۗ وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّا أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ [ He Allah is, who has sent down to you (O’ Prophet – صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) the Book (Quran). Some verses of it are definite in meaning (Ayaat-e-Muhkamaat). These form the mother of the Book (the basic there in) and the rest are figurative (metaphorical) ( Ayaat - e - Mutashaabihaat ). But they, in whose minds there is a tendency to deviate from truth, take the metaphorical (verses in their literal / textual sense) craving discord, and craving to give them their own interpretation, although none knows the reality about them except Allah. And those who make it right approach to knowledge could only say 'we believe therein all that is from our Lord'. None can catch their significance except those gifted with insight.] (Aal-e-Imran - 7).

Who are those who are gifted with insight? They are Khulafa-e-Rashideen, dignitaries of Islam, Shuyookhs of Ihsan and Awliya Allah who are rewarded with insight and proximity to Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).

It is in Quran - وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِآيَاتِهِ ۗ إِنَّهُ لَا يُفْلِحُ الظَّالِمُونَ [And who is more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) or (he who) gives the lie to His communications (verses of Quran); surely the unjust will not be successful.] ( Al-An-A'am-21).

To accept a body and limbs for Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ), whatever may be the kind, exclusively divine or creature like, is polytheism. Rather it is idolization of a false God.

Hindus got confused in understanding Allah’s (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) attributes and concede every attribute of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) as different God.

The Christian accept 3 different Gods, (i) the Father God, (ii) the son of God and (iii) Holy Ghost whose roles and shapes are different from each other.

It is in Quran - لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلَاثَةٍ ۘ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَـٰهٍ إِلَّا إِلَـٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۚ وَإِن لَّمْ يَنتَهُوا عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ لَيَمَسَّنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ [ They surely are not believers in Allah who say Allah is the third of the three (God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost). And there is no god except one God. And if they do not desist from what they are saying, there will surely afflict the disbelievers among them a painful punishment. (Al-Maidah - 73).

The Salafis/Ahle Hadith and like minded groups accept one Sky Idol God, with exclusive divine face, eyes, hands and Limbs.

All these theories are philosophical, fabricated by human mind and are totally against the facts of this Cosmos.

Unless people have correct faith about Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) their chances of salvation on the Judgement are void.

Salafis argue that they are accepting Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) is not like His creatures. Also accepting that creature attributes cannot be associated with him. Some Salafis even accept that the Quranic verses describing hands, eyes for Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) are all allegorical / metaphorical. But, in the same breath they associate all 9 physical characteristics mentioned above with Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ).

This behavior is hypocrisy, which is worse than polytheism.

It is in Quran - وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِآيَاتِهِ ۗ إِنَّهُ لَا يُفْلِحُ الظَّالِمُونَ [ And who is more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah or (he who) gives the lie to His communications (verses of Quran); surely the unjust will not be successful.( Al-An-A'am-21)

It is in Quran يُخَادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلَّا أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ - فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ فَزَادَهُمُ اللَّهُ مَرَضًا ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْذِبُونَ [ They seek to deceive Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and those who believe. Nay, themselves do they deceive, though they are not conscious of it. There is a disease in their hearts; so Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) lets them increase their disease and for them there is a grievous torment for the false assertions they have made. ] (Al-Baqara - 9-10).

ONENESS (TAWHEED) OF SALAFI SKY GOD

Salafis translate Islamic Kalima as 'There is no Deity (Idol) save Allah.' When they say Allah is one, they mean that the Big Deity or Idol sitting on the skies is one, unique and no other Deity or Idol is like him. They worship this idol 5 times a day.

Ibn Taymiyaah who propagated Paganism in the name of Islam, invented a theory of their Idol's Tawheed or Oneness of their Planetary human-like-Idol God.

According to Salafis, the oneness of their Sky God consists of three things.

(i) Tawheed-ar-Rububiyya

(ii) Tawheed al-Uloohiyya, and

(iii) Tawheed-al-Asma-was-Sifaat

In Tawheed-ar-Rububiyya, they claim that their Planetary human-like-Idol God is "Rabb" ( Sustainer) of all creatures and human beings in the Universe.

In Tawheed-al-Uloohiya, they claim that their Planetary human-like-Idol God is Divine. They prostrate in front of this Idol. They say that they only ask from their Sky Idol God and from no one else. They demand all Muslims to bow down in front of their Planetary human-like-Idol God. Whoever does not do that, they call him Mushrik.

In Tawheed al-Asma-was-Sifaat, they claim that their Planetary human-like-Idol God is 'compassionate, merciful and all that. They copy paste all attributes of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) on their Planetary human-like-Idol God.

As a matter of fact, they copy-paste all Quranic verses and Ahadith about Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) on their Planetary human-like-Idol God by misinterpreting their meanings. Salafis have about 200 sub groups and a laarge number of followers of these sub groups. These facts show that by calling their Planetary human-like-Idol God as Allah, Salafis have led millions of people into Idol worship and all of them will sure be in a lot of trouble on the Day of Judgement.

The meaning of sustenance from the above is the rain and below their feet is the vegetation and crops.

It is obvious that the above verse and similar other verses in Quran are meant for idol worshipers. But Salafis and their like minded groups impose these verses on Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), Aimma, dignitaries of Islam and Awliya Allah and claim that for Idol worshipers, the idols are standing in the temples, and for Muslims, their idols are lying in graves. And they call Muslims Grave worshipers. Taking these verses as excuse, they have destroyed the pious graves of Sahabah, dignitaries of Islam, Ahle Bait-e-At Haar in Arabian peninsula, Syria, Iraq and other places in the world.

It is in Hadith - Abdullah bin Umar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) considered the Khawarij the worst of Allah's creation, and said, 'Verily they take the verses that were revealed about unbelievers and use them against the believers. may Allah be pleased with him, considered the Khawārij rebels to be the worst of Allah’s creation and he said, “Verily, they take verses that were revealed about unbelievers and use them against the believers. (Bukhari)

Salafis and their like minded groups are the worst kind of Kharijis ever witnessed in the history of Islam. They are worse than the Kharijis of Hadhrat Ali's (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) time. They followed the old practice of their ancestor Kharijis of imposing Quranic verses meant for non-believers on Muslims and declare them as unbelievers and kill them en masse.