A bit about Ramadan

Ramadan 2011

 
First Fasting Day of Ramadan 2011: July 31 
Last Fasting Day of Ramadan 2011: August 28

The first day of Ramadan will begin by the Sunset of July 30 in the year of 2011 for the U.S.  This means that our first fasting day will be July 31, God willing. Our last fasting day of Ramadan will be August 28, 2011. Night of Destiny, traditionally believed to be  the 27th night of Ramadan, starts at the sunset of August 25, 2010.
To verify your city's first day of Ramadan, check on the time of the sunset and the time of the birth of the New Moon at:  US Naval Observatory -  If the new moon is born before the Sunset you will fast next morning as the first day of fasting. If it is born after the Sunset, then, the first day of Ramadan will start by the following Sunset, and you fast the day after that.
The Falsehood of Moon Sighting
God never commanded that the moon be sighted with the naked eyes to know the beginning of  the new month. Quran is very clear that any method  of calculation is acceptable.  A search for Meton in any search engine or encyclopedia will demonstrate that man knew the birth of new moon by calculation since 5th century B.C. Certainly this information was available at the time of Muhammad and even Abraham, to whom all religious duties were revealed.

The sighting of the new moon is a fabrication of the scholars. The observer of  Ramadan in the last few years can easily spot the abuse and lies used by some of the so called Islamic countries of the sighting method.  Politics and personal desires  replaced science and accurate calculations in determining the first day of Ramadan. Thank God Almighty, we can have our calendar as accurate as an atomic clock for the next several hundred years.
 Quran Verses about Ramadan & Fasting
[2:183]  O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you, as it was decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation.

2:183-187. Like all duties in Submission, fasting was decreed through Abraham
(22:78). Prior to revelation of the Quran, sexual intercourse was prohibited throughout the fasting period. This rule is modified in 2:187 to allow intercourse during the nights of Ramadan.
[2:184] Specific days (are designated for fasting); if one is ill or traveling, an equal number of other days may be substituted. Those who can fast, but with great difficulty, may substitute feeding one poor person for each day of breaking the fast. If one volunteers (more righteous works), it is better. But fasting is the best for you, if you only knew.

[2:185] Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation.
[2:186] When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided.

[2:187]  Permitted for you is sexual intercourse with your wives during the nights of fasting. They are the keepers of your secrets, and you are the keepers of their secrets. GOD knew that you used to betray your souls, and He has redeemed you, and has pardoned you. Henceforth, you may have intercourse with them, seeking what GOD has permitted for you. You may eat and drink until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn. Then, you shall fast until sunset. Sexual intercourse is prohibited if you decide to retreat to the Masjid (during the last ten days of Ramadan). These are GOD's laws; you shall not transgress
them. GOD thus clarifies His revelations for the people, that they may attain salvation.

The Meaning of Ramadan

Ramadan is a special month of the year for over one billion Muslims throughout the world. It is a time for inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control. Muslims think of it as a kind of tune-up for their spiritual lives. There are as many meanings of Ramadan as there are Muslims.

The third "pillar" or religious obligation of Islam (submission in English), fasting has many special benefits. Among these, the most important is that it is a means of learning self-control. Due to the lack of preoccupation with the satisfaction of bodily appetites during the daylight hours of fasting, a measure of ascendancy is given to one's spiritual nature, which becomes a means of coming closer to God. Ramadan is also a time of intensive worship, reading of the Quran, giving charity, purifying one's behavior, and doing good deeds. For Muslims (Submitters), Ramadan is  an opportunity to gain by giving up, to prosper by going without and to grow stronger by enduring weakness.

As a secondary goal, fasting is a way of experiencing hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate, and learning to thankfulness and appreciation for all of God's bounties. Fasting is also beneficial to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits or overindulgence.

Who Fasts in Ramadan?

Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory on those who can do it. . Sick people and some travelers in certain conditions are exempted from the fast but must make it up as they are able.

From Dawn to Sunset

The daily period of fasting starts at the breaking of dawn and ends at the setting of the sun. In between -- that is, during the dawn and daylight hours -- Muslims  (Submitters) totally abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sex. The usual practice is to have a pre-fast meal (suhoor) before dawn and a post-fast meal (iftar) after sunset.

The Islamic lunar calendar, being 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, migrates throughout the seasons. Thus, if  Ramadan begins on January 20 one year, next year it will begin on January 9. In this way, the length of the day, and thus the fasting period, varies in length from place to place over the years. Every Muslim, no matter where he or she lives, will see an average Ramadan day of the approximately 13.5 hours.

Devotion to God

The last ten days of Ramadan are a time of special spiritual power as everyone tries to come closer to God through devotions and good deeds. The night on which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet, known as the Night of Power (Lailat ul-Qadr), is generally taken to be the 27th night of the month. The Quran states that this night is better than a thousand months. Therefore many Muslims (Submitters)  spend the entire night in prayer.

During the month, Muslims (Submitters) try to read as much of the Quran as they can. Some spend part of their day listening to the recitation of the Quran in a mosque. meet for Quranic studies or for congregation prayers. Some spend the last ten days of Ramadan  in a mosque devoting the whole ten days for worshipping God.

Better than a 1000 months
[97:1] We revealed it (Quran) in the Night of Destiny.
[97:2] How awesome is the Night of Destiny!
[97:3] The Night of Destiny is better than a thousand months.
[97:4] The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by their Lord's leave, to carry out every command.
[97:5] Peaceful it is until the advent of the dawn.

Food in Ramadan

Since Ramadan is a special time, Muslims (Submitters) in many parts of the world prepare certain favorite foods during this month. Since Ramadan emphasizes community aspects and since everyone eats dinner at the same time, Muslims often invite one another to share in the Ramadan evening meal.

Some Muslims (Submitters) find that they eat less for dinner during Ramadan than at other times due to stomach contraction. However, as a rule, most Muslims experience little fatigue during the day since the body becomes used to the altered routine during the first week of Ramadan.

Straight Path

"Let there be no compulsion in religion: truth stands out clear from error."
Quran 2:256
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
John 8:32
We have been receiving many e-mails from our Christian brothers and sisters in which they preach to us that Jesus  Christ is the Savior and the way. With due respect to them, we cannot accept their notion as it contradicts every known divine scripture including the  Old Testament, the New Testament and the Final Testament (Quran).  Any sincere student of the scripture will find out that the ONE and ONLY Savior and Redeemer is the One God , the Almighty, the God of Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammed.
In the NEW TESTAMENT we see that the idea of every one responsible for his own deed were expressed in Galatians 6:4-7, which states
“Each man should look to his conduct; if he has reason to boast of anything, it will be because the achievement is his and not another’s. ......... A man will REAP ONLY what he SOWS.” Galatians 6:4 - 7
"Each of us shall give an account of himself to God." Romans 14:12
"Each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor." 1Corinthians 3:8
"Also to you O Lord, belong mercy; for you render to each one according to his work." Psalms 62:12
"And will he not render to each man according to his deeds?" Proverbs 24:12
"The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself." Ezekiel 18:20
If each man reaps what he sows, how can Jesus be the savior ? How could he have taken on the sins of mankind and negated them ? Only the One who accepts repentance and wipes out sins can do that. Indeed throughout the Old Testament, God ALONE is referred to as the SAVIOR. See , 2 Samuel 22:1-3 , and Isaiah 43:3-11
In Isaiah, God Himself speaks, saying clearly that He ALONE is the SAVIOR:
“For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your SAVIOR....It is I, the Lord; there is NO SAVIOR BUT ME...” Isaiah 43:3 &11
HE repeats this categorical statement in Hosea:
“I am the Lord, your God, since the land of Egypt; You know no God besides me, and there is NO SAVIOR but me.” Hosea 13:4
There is also a related concept, the idea of a “REDEEMER”. This word has also been exclusively used for God in the Old Testament, e.g. Isaiah 44:24 and Isaiah 60:16
“You shall know that I, the Lord am your SAVIOR, your REDEEMER, the mighty one of Jacob.” Isaiah 60:16
The created idea of Jesus being the Savior can only be witnessed in the New Testament where the alteration has been highly suspected because of its complete contradiction to the Old Testament that came from the same God. God does not change His mind. God does not call Himself the ONLY SAVIOR then decides to change that and call Jesus the Savior. This term describing Jesus as the Savior was used only twice in the N.T. This is noted in Lk.ii 11 and in Jn. iv 42. Besides these two occurrences , the only other occurrence in the Gospels clearly refers to God, not Jesus :
“Then Mary said: “My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord. My spirit finds joy in God , MY SAVIOR, For He has looked upon his servant in her lowliness...” Luke 1: 46-48
We cannot ignore the reminder in Isaiah 46:9  where God speaks of Himself
“I am God, there is no other;, I am God, there is none like me.” (La Elaha Ella Allah).
In the Final Testament, the Quran, God clearly calls Himself the Redeemer and no savior besides Him;
[2:160.15] As for those who repent, reform, and proclaim, I redeem them. I am the Redeemer, Most Merciful.
[ 4:173.46] As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, He will fully recompense them, and shower them with His grace. As for those who disdain and turn arrogant, He will commit them to painful retribution. They will find no lord beside GOD, nor a savior.
[9:104.22] Do they not realize that GOD accepts the repentance of His worshipers, and takes the charities, and that GOD is the Redeemer, Most Merciful?
[ 24:10.11] This is GOD's grace and mercy towards you. GOD is Redeemer, Most Wise.
[ 49:12.54] .....You shall observe GOD. GOD is Redeemer, Most Merciful.
[ 110:3.16] You shall glorify and praise your Lord, and implore Him for forgiveness. He is the Redeemer.
Quran (The Final Testament) confirms the basic principle in the Old and New Testaments, that a man will reap only what he sows.
"Every soul is responsible only for his/her own work" 53:39
".............no soul benefits except from its own work, and none bears the burden of another......" 6:164 
We have Only One God who can redeem us, He is the same God who spoke in the Bible, the Gospel and the Quran reminding us that there is no god besides Him.
[Quran 112:1-4] Proclaim, "He is the One and only GOD. "The Absolute GOD. "Never did He beget. Nor was He begotten. "None equals Him."

God speaks for the Children

It is out of God's infinite mercy, compassion, and justice that He guards the weak and the helpless who cannot stand for their rights or speak for themselves. God expects the believers to have the same sense of compassion and justice. Quran contains many reminders and commands to regard the children with integrity, nourish them with love, and protect them by all means until they mature physically, mentally, and emotionally to stand strong in life on their own. God informs us that having children is among His tests (8:28). That test could represent both extremes from being distracted from God by the obsessive attendance to our kids to the other end of neglect or abuse.

God knows how much parents love to support their kids, and provide them with the best for a good life. He used this instinct of love in their hearts to motivate them to be both charitable and equitable to other kids as well. An example is that integrity and righteousness are to be observed in situations of witnessing the execution of wills on behalf of dependent children. God informs the believers that they will be paid back for this righteousness in the form of divine care and support for their own dependent kids in case they die and leave them behind:

[4:8]  During distribution of the inheritances, if relatives, orphans, and needy persons are present, you shall give them therefrom, and treat them kindly.
[4:9]  Those who are concerned about their own children, in case they leave them behind, shall observe GOD and be equitable.

[2:265]  The example of those who give their money seeking GOD's pleasure, out of sincere conviction, is that of a garden on high fertile soil; when heavy rain falls, it gives twice as much crop. If heavy rain is not available, a drizzle will suffice. GOD is Seer of everything you do.
[2:266]  Does any of you wish to own a garden of palm trees and grapes, with flowing streams and generous crops, then, just as he grows old, and while his children are still dependent on him, a holocaust strikes and burns up his garden? GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you, that you may reflect.

This reminder is not exclusively about what God has decreed to care for our own dependent children. It lists the verses that contains both obligations and manners to righteously deal with the dependent kids God brings our way - our own ones, those who are in our care, or those who are in need of our guardianship and protection- until they become capable of taking care of themselves:

 

- Healthy-minded parents are by instinct seeking the best for their kids. The best in the sight of God is righteousness (49:13). Therefore, believing parents feel obligated to raise their kids according to the standards of righteousness detailed for us in Quran. The wisdom of Luqmaan that he shared with his son in 31:13, 31:16-19 is an excellent educational lesson for all parents and guardians about the responsibility to teach kids the basic and necessary righteous values decreed by God. 
 

 

[20:132]  You shall enjoin your family to observe the contact prayers (Salat), and steadfastly persevere in doing so. We do not ask you for any provisions; we are the ones who provide for you. The ultimate triumph belongs to the righteous.

Abraham and Jacob were joining their kids rehearsing the lines of submission to God alone until their last moments:

 

[2:132]  Moreover, Abraham exhorted his children to do the same, and so did Jacob: "O my children, GOD has pointed out the religion for you; do not die except as submitters."
[2:133]  Had you witnessed Jacob on his death bed; he said to his children, "What will you worship after I die?" They said, "We will worship your god; the god of your fathers Abraham, Ismail, and Isaac; the one god. To Him we are submitters."

- Writing a will to prepare for leaving this world, and to specify all the protective measures for the future of the children left behind is decreed by God as a duty upon the believers. This emphasizes how important of an obligation to plane for the continued support and provision for the dependent kids left behind. As indicated in 4:8-9, above, those who witness the execution of wills must reverence God while undertaking the great responsibility of perfectly honoring the wishes of the deceased :

[2:180]  It is decreed that when death approaches, you shall write a will for the benefit of the parents and relatives, equitably. This is a duty upon the righteous.

[4:11]  GOD decrees a will for the benefit of your children; the male gets twice the share of the female.* If the inheritors are only women, more than two, they get two-thirds of what is bequeathed. If only one daughter is left, she gets one-half. The parents of the deceased get one-sixth of the inheritance each, if the deceased has left any children. If he left no children, and his parents are the only inheritors, the mother gets one-third. If he has siblings, then the mother gets one-sixth. All this, after fulfilling any will* the deceased has left, and after paying off all debts. When it comes to your parents and your children, you do not know which of them is really the best to you and the most beneficial. This is GOD's law. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise

- Killing any human is strictly prohibited by God in Quran, but killing innocent souls who cannot defend themselves in the name religion, or out of fear of poverty such as the commonly practiced abortion is a vicious crime and a gross sin according to God :

[17:31]  You shall not kill your children due to fear of poverty. We provide for them, as well as for you. Killing them is a gross offense.

[81:8]  The girl who was buried alive is asked:
[81:9]  For what crime was she killed?

[6:140]  Losers indeed are those who killed their children foolishly, due to their lack of knowledge, and prohibited what GOD has provided for them, and followed innovations attributed to GOD. They have gone astray; they are not guided.

- Defending the children and all those who are weak and oppressed on earth is an obligation for the believers:

[4:75]  Why should you not fight in the cause of GOD when weak men, women, and children are imploring: "Our Lord, deliver us from this community whose people are oppressive, and be You our Lord and Master."

- Adopted children are also well cared for in Quran. Their genetic heritage has to be preserved for all health objectives, and they are to be regarded, nourished, and cared for just like our own children:

[33:5]  You shall give your adopted children names that preserve their relationship to their genetic parents. This is more equitable in the sight of GOD. If you do not know their parents, then, as your brethren in religion, you shall treat them as members of your family. You do not commit a sin if you make a mistake in this respect; you are responsible for your purposeful intentions. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
 - Caring for the children is also highlighted in the divorce laws. Divorced women must wait for three months before considering another marriage to be sure they are not pregnant. If they are, it is unlawful to hide the information from the fathers. For the well being of the unborn child, a righteous woman should know that the genetic father is preferred to raise him/her and would consider reconciliation (2:228).

If the parents to be mutually agree to go with the divorce, the divorced mothers shall nurse their infants for two full years. 2:233 reflects the utmost care of those helpless infants while parents are finalizing and going through their divorce. Maintaining an amicable relation between divorcees and providing all means of comfort and support for the divorced mother will be reflected in the care for the child and his/her well being:

[2:233]  Divorced mothers shall nurse their infants two full years, if the father so wishes. The father shall provide the mother's food and clothing equitably. No one shall be burdened beyond his ability. No mother shall be harmed on account of her infant, nor shall the father be harmed because of his infant. (If the father dies), his inheritor shall assume these responsibilities. If the infant's parents mutually agree to part, after due consultation, they commit no error by doing so. You commit no error by hiring nursing mothers, so long as you pay them equitably. You shall observe GOD, and know that GOD is Seer of everything you do.

- It is noteworthy that both marriage and divorce are based on choice and mutual agreement of both parties, the man and the woman (2:221, 4:24, 2:33, 4:35). A certain level of wisdom and maturity is needed to reach for agreements and to make decisions. The claim documented in man-made history books of Hadith& Sunna, and others that prophet Muhammad married a nine years old child cannot be validated in the light of Quran. That myth is a direct violation of all the divine ethics to guard for the children and to preserve their innocence as in (24:58). It is also against the divine DECREE for a man and a woman to mutually agree with marriage or divorce.

[24:58]  O you who believe, permission must be requested by your servants and the children who have not attained puberty (before entering your rooms). This is to be done in three instances - before the Dawn Prayer, at noon when you change your clothes to rest, and after the Night Prayer. These are three private times for you. At other times, it is not wrong for you or them to mingle with one another. GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.

- Forcing  girls to be prostitutes is a betrayal of morality decreed in Quran (24:30-31) and  is prohibited by God:

[24:33]  Those who cannot afford to get married shall maintain morality until GOD provides for them from His grace. Those among your servants who wish to be freed in order to marry, you shall grant them their wish, once you realize that they are honest. And give them from GOD's money that He has bestowed upon you. You shall not force your girls to commit prostitution, seeking the materials of this world, if they wish to be chaste. If anyone forces them, then GOD, seeing that they are forced, is Forgiver, Merciful.

- Orphans are placed in the spot light when it comes to caring for needy and helpless children. Among the eligible categories that is ranked right after our parents and the relatives to receive our charity is the orphans. This charity to feed and spend from our provisions on the orphans is mentioned by God in seven different verses ( 76:8, 90:15, 2:177, 2:215, 4:8, 8:41, 59:7). However, bringing them up as righteous candidates of the community, honoring them just like our own family members, and sympathizing with their fragile emotions and wounded hearts due to the loss of their parents is decreed by God in another six verses (89:17, 93:9, 107:2, 2:83, 2:220, 4:36). Another important aspect of caring for the orphans is guarding their money and properties until they become eligible to manage them on their own. This is emphasized in five other verses (6:152,17:34, 4:2, 4:6, 4:10). Wronging our souls and cheating them out of their own rights because of their helplessness or dependence while observing such a duty is an abomination with a shameful and miserable penalty:

[4:10]  Those who consume the orphans' properties unjustly, eat fire into their bellies, and will suffer in Hell.

The story of Moses and the knowledgeable servant of God in chapter eighteen and what this servant did to protect the treasure left for two orphaned boys sets a powerful reminder for us to go out of our ways, above and beyond, in protecting the rights of the orphans:

[18:82]  "As for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city. Under it, there was a treasure that belonged to them. Because their father was a righteous man, your Lord wanted them to grow up and attain full strength, then extract their treasure. Such is mercy from your Lord. I did none of that of my own volition. This is the explanation of the things you could not stand."

4:127 is another verse that re-emphasizes and commands us to fear God in dealing with both boys and girls orphans. It also highlights the importance of being equitable to orphaned girls when they are ready to get married. Lack of guardianship should not be a justification for any form of abuse:

[4:127]  They consult you concerning women: say, "GOD enlightens you regarding them, as recited for you in the scripture. You shall restore the rights of orphaned girls whom you cheat out of their due dowries when you wish to marry them: you shall not take advantage of them. The rights of orphaned boys must also be protected as well. You shall treat the orphans equitably. Whatever good you do, GOD is fully aware thereof."

The only ground for polygamy in Quran is to care for orphaned kids when marrying their mother is deemed best for them.. This is conditioned by the man's ability to be absolutely equitable in dealing with more than one wife. It is evident from all the above 20 mentioned verses about orphans that regarding them and stepping in to provide for them is an obligation for all righteous believers that could be fulfilled without the need to marry their mothers. It is only logical to conclude that the Most Merciful is offering this one option in specific situations or in certain unfair societies when a father figure for the orphans is needed and deemed as the best remedy to spare them any kind of injustice or mistreatment.

[4:3]  If you deem it best for the orphans, you may marry their mothers - you may marry two, three, or four. If you fear lest you become unfair, then you shall be content with only one, or with what you already have. Additionally, you are thus more likely to avoid financial hardship.

In conclusion, the divine morality in Quran sets the highest standards of ethics and compassion. God, the Most Merciful, the Source of True Justice, speaks on behalf of all the children and stands for their rights. Utmost care, love, protection, and honor are granted to all dependent kids - orphans, adopted kids, needy children of the community, and our own children. As parents, guardians, and community members, raising helpless children as dignified and righteous submitters is a sign of our reverence to God and a validation of our belief in Him.

Salat Al Juuma

Juuma Mubarak.. Happy Friday everyone !!!

Inspiration

SHIRK!!

(Thanks to Kidr Amari for reminding me of the website in which I pasted this article from)

In 12:106, Allah says that majority of those who consider themselves believers are in fact, MUSHRIKEEN.

012:106 And most of them believe not in Allah without doing SHIRK!

The following forms of Shirk have been given in the Quran

1. Taking human beings from among ourselves as Lords or Patrons besides Allah

3:64 Say, “O People of the Book! Let us come to a mutual agreement, that we shall worship and obey none but God. That neither shall we ascribe divinity to anyone beside Him, nor shall we take human beings from among ourselves as our lords beside God.” And if they turn away, then say, “Bear witness that it is we who have surrendered ourselves unto Him.”

2. Taking angels or Prophets as Lords or Patrons besides Allah

3:80 Nor would he instruct you to take the angels and the Prophets for lords and patrons. Would he command you to disbelieve after you have surrendered to Allah?

3. Taking Ahbaar and Rahbaan (religious authorities) as Lords and Patrons besides Allah

9:31 They take their rabbis, priests and monks or ascetics to be their Lords* besides Allah. And they take as their Lord, the Messiah son of Mary. Yet they were commanded to worship but One God. There is no god but He. Praise and Glory to Him, He is far too Glorious for what they ascribe to Him. (*Talmud shows the Jewish superstition of ascribing divinity to Ezra, rabbis, saints, doctors of law and learned men. And the doctrine of Papal infallibility, divinity of saints and praying to them are common in the Roman Catholic Church).

9:34 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! A great many religious leaders, rabbis, priests, monks, mullahs, yogis, and mystics devour the wealth of mankind in falsehood, and debar them from the Path of Allah. All those who hoard up gold and silver and spend it not in the Cause of Allah, to them give tidings (O Prophet) of a painful doom.

12:39 “O My prison mates! Are several Lords differing among themselves better, or Allah, the One, the Insuperable?”

4. Worshipping, obeying and adoring [IBADAT of] anything besides Allah

4:36 Obey, adore and worship Allah and associate no partner with Him…

18:110 Say (O Prophet), "I am but a mortal man like all of you. It is revealed to me that your God is the One and Only God. Hence, whoever looks forward to meeting His Sustainer, let him do works that help others, and let him admit no one as partner in the service [Ibadat] of his Sustainer. ”

24:55 Allah has promised that those of you peoples who will believe in the Divine Laws and strengthen human resources, He will surely make them rulers in the earth - Just as He granted rule to the previous nations (28:6), (33:27). He will surely establish for them the System of life that He has approved for them, and will replace their fear with peace and security. All this because they serve Me alone. They ascribe no partner to Me. But all who, after this, deny these Laws will drift out (of the community of living nations. The ‘belief’ in this verse does not pertain to any dogmas and tenets, but to the realization that the entire Universe is operating under the unchangeable Physical Laws of One Supreme Authority, thus providing the basis for all Science and Technology).

5. Taking Masters [Wali] other than Allah

6:14 Say, “Shall I take for my master [Wali] other than Allah Who is the Initiator of the heavens and the earth? And He provides all without return. Feeds but is not fed.” Say, “ I have been commanded to be the foremost among those who surrender to Him and ascribe not divinity besides Him.”

6. Taking ILAH other than Allah

6:19 Say (O Messenger), "What could be the greatest witness?” Say, “Allah is Witness between me and you. This Qur’an has been revealed to me so that I may warn you as well as whomever it reaches. Do you bear witness that there are other deities besides Allah?” Say, “I bear no such witness.” Say, “He is the One God [ILAH]. I disown what you associate with Him.”

7. Taking Jinns as partners of Allah

6:100 Yet, there are people who think falsely that there are invisible creatures, Jinns, with occult powers that share the Divine Attributes. But He has created them, and people assign sons and daughters to Him out of sheer ignorance. Glorified, Exalted is He, infinitely Above what they ascribe to Him.

8. Obeying devil-inspired people

6:121 Eat not anything (not just meat) unless the Name of Allah has been pronounced first, for that will mean drifting away from Commands. The rebellious or devils [among people] inspire their companions to dispute with you. If you people obey them, you will be associating others with Allah.

9. Calling upon others [graves, mystics, saints, idols, etc.] besides Allah for help

7:189 (The Message encompasses life in its totality.) Recall that Allah created life from a single life cell, then made male and female cells, and then shaped you into human beings, males and females. He designed it such that man might incline with love towards the woman. When he gets intimate with her, she carries a light load that she can hardly notice. As she grows heavy with the child, they both implore Allah, their Lord, “If you indeed grant us a healthy baby, we shall certainly be among the grateful.”

7:190 But as soon as He grants them a sound baby, they begin to ascribe to other powers beside Him a share in bringing about what He has granted them. Exalted is He, High Above all that they associate with Him.

7:191 Do they ascribe to Him as partners things that can create nothing, but are themselves created?

7:192 And they cannot help them, nor can they help themselves.

7:193 When you invite them to the Guidance, they follow you not. It is the same for you whether you invite them or remain silent.

7:194 Those whom you call upon besides Allah, [such as mystics and saints], are people like you. Go ahead and call upon them, let them respond by helping you if you are true in your belief.

7:195 Do the idols have feet to walk, hands to hold, eyes to see and ears to hear? (Likewise, these human demigods have no foundation of Truth to stand on, nor the power to avert Requital, nor the faculties of confronting Reason). Tell the opponents of the Message, "Call upon your idols and your so-called partners of Allah, contrive what you can, and give me no respite.

7:196 My Protecting Friend [Wali] is Allah Who has revealed this Book, and He befriends the righteous.”

7:197 Whomever you call instead of Him, have no power to help you, nor can they help themselves.

7:198 Such people are lost in their reverence of false deities. When you invite them to Guidance, they hear without listening and you see them looking at you, but they see not.

28:87 And let them not divert you from Allah's Revelations after they have been sent down unto you. But, invite people to your Lord and be not among Mushrikeen.

28:88 (Keeping pristine the Divinely ordained System of Life) call not upon [human ‘authorities’ and man-made systems as] gods side by side with Allah. There is no god but He. Everything is mortal except His Eternal Self. To Him belong all Governance and all Judgment, and unto Him you shall be returned.

34:22 Say, “Call upon those whom you imagine beside Allah! They have not an atom’s weight of power either in the heavens or in the earth, nor have they any share in either, nor does He need any of them as a helper.”

10. To ascribe Allah’s partners in His Kingship or dominion [maalikiyyat]

17:111 And say, "All Praise is due to Allah Who begets not an offspring, and has no partner in His Dominion, and has absolutely no weakness, hence no need of any aid." And so, extol His limitless Greatness.

25:2 (The Sender of this Criterion is) He to Whom belongs the Kingship of the heavens and the earth. He has chosen no son, nor does He have a partner in His Kingship. He it is Who creates all things in precise design and gives them the potential to become what they are meant to be.

11. To ascribe Allah’s partners in His Command or Rule [Hukm]

18:26 Say, “Allah knows best how long they remained there.” His alone is the knowledge of the hidden reality of the heavens and the earth. How well does He see and hear! They have no guardian apart from Him and He shares His Command or Rule with none whosoever

12. To ascribe Allah’s partners in His Lordship [Raboobiyyat]

18:38 “As for me, God is my Lord and I will never associate any other god besides my Lord.”

18:42 And thus it happened. One day, the arrogant man’s fruitful gardens were indeed wiped out. And there he was, twisting and turning his hands in sorrow. He lost his property which was now tumbled to pieces in complete ruin. And he could only say, "Oh, I wish I never worshiped anyone (even my property) instead of my Lord!”

72:2 “It shows the way to Enlightenment, so we have come to believe in it. And we shall never again ascribe a partner unto our Lord.”

72:20 Say, "I call unto my Lord alone and associate no one with Him (I heed no one against His Laws)."

13. To be divided into sects

30:31 Turn unto Him alone then, and be mindful of Him, and establish the Divine System and be not of the MUSHRIKEEN who ascribe authorities along with Him. (2:213).

30:32 The MUSHRIKEEN who split up their religion, and become sects - each sect delighting in whatever beliefs they have. ((3:104), (6:160), (23:53), (42:13). Sectarianism is invariably based upon taking humans as ‘authorities’).

14. Failing to establish the Just Economic System of Zakat

41:6 (O Prophet) say to them, "I am only a human being like you. It has been revealed to me that your God is One God. Therefore, march along the Straight Road to Him and seek the protection of His forgiveness. And (know that) there is nothing in store but loss for them who associate ‘partners’ with Him." (‘Wayl’ = Woe = Ultimate loss).

41:7 Those who (because of submitting to man-made systems) fail to set up the Just Economic Order of Zakat and thus practically deny (the accountability in) the life to come. (And the long-term prosperity and viability of their societies).