Koine Greek Analysis: Did the Disciples Worship Jesus p? Ali Ataie.

Trinitarian Christians claim the disciples worshipped Jesus p yet we see a linguistic analysis of the Greek shows us something different. The word in question proskuneo does no refer to worship. Proskuneo is a reference to kissing the hand (i.e. showing reverence and respect, not worship). In the Bible the same verb, proskuneo, is used to show respect to Jewish priests and Angels.

The Greek word for worship which is only due to God is latreuo.



If the video does not play, please see:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye4NBtX5Yb4

Latreuo

Definition

to serve for hire
to serve, minister to, either to the gods or men and used alike of slaves and freemen
in the NT, to render religious service or homage, to worship
to perform sacred services, to offer gifts, to worship God in the observance of the rites instituted for his worship
of priests, to officiate, to discharge the sacred office

http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/latreuo.html


Proskuneo

Definition

to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence
among the Orientals, esp. the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence
in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication
used of homage shown to men and beings of superior rank
to the Jewish high priests
to God
to Christ
to heavenly beings
to demons

http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/proskuneo.html

Mary In The Qur'an

Does the Quran include Mary in the Christian Trinity? Ali Ataie Answers

Responding to Christians who boast they call God 'Father'. Ali Ataie.

What Non Muslim Women Really Think About Muslim Men

Prophecies of the Messiah - Reza Aslan

Numerical miracle in Quran

British Muslims Protested to Defend Jesus p

Sharia Law against terrorism

Christians having dreams and converting to Islam

Conversions to Islam

Learn about Islam

Email: yahyasnow@yahoo.co.uk

Mary In The Qur'an

As opposed to the New Testament, the Qur'an has copious mention of Mary, starting from her birth, to her seclusion, the annunciation and her giving birth to Jesus. While the Qur'an has lots of things to say regarding the childhood of Mary, the New Testament contains nothing of the sort. It practically sheds no light on the life of Mary before she became pregnant.

The Qur'anic narrative begins with the pregnancy of the wife of ‘Imran. When the wife of ‘Imran became pregnant, she took a vow to dedicate the child in her womb to God [Qur'an 3:35]. She was disappointed when she delivered a girl who was named Mary; but God accepted the female child [v. 36-37]. Zakariyya was appointed as the guardian of Mary [v. 37]. The angels informed Mary that God had purified her and chosen her above the women of the world. She was asked to bow down in prayer and spend time in worship [v. 42-43]. Being a pious woman, Mary had secluded herself from the people and devoted her life to God. Whenever Zakariyya entered Mary's mihrāb, to his surprise, he always found her being provided with food miraculously. When Zakariyya, Mary's caretaker, asked her who was providing her mysterious assistance, she says: "It is from Allah. Surely Allah gives to whom He pleases without measure" [v. 37]. Therefore, it is God, not Zakariyya, who is Mary's true keeper.

The Qur'an informs us that God preferred the family of ‘Imran above all the people [v. 33]. This is consistent with the picture of Mary depicted in the Qur'an, a pious woman, chaste, dedicated to serving God and putting her trust in Him. God chose her above the women of the world. Thus Mary not only came from a very illustrious family but also one which was very devout. The Qur'an connects Mary with another illustrious and pious family of the past; the events leading to it which we shall now turn our attention.

From: http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Quran/Contrad/External/mary.html


Does the Quran include Mary in the Christian Trinity? Ali Ataie Answers

Responding to Christians who boast they call God 'Father'. Ali Ataie.

What Non Muslim Women Really Think About Muslim Men

Prophecies of the Messiah - Reza Aslan

Numerical miracle in Quran

British Muslims Protested to Defend Jesus p

Sharia Law against terrorism

Christians having dreams and converting to Islam

Conversions to Islam

Learn about Islam

Email: yahyasnow@yahoo.co.uk

Responding to Christians who boast they call God 'Father'. Ali Ataie.

Christian missionaries often claim they have some special relationship with God because the New Testament uses the word 'Father' yet as Ali Atiae points out it's a figurative term and the Muslims have a term which reflects the figurative meaning of 'the Father' i.e. the One who takes care of you in stages. This term is Rabb. This term is used in the Quran for Allah.  For more from Ali Ataie please see here



If the video does not play please see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhEGfiQGvw4

What does ‘Son of God’ mean in the Hebrew Bible?

Prophecies of the Messiah - Reza Aslan

Christians having dreams and converting to Islam

Learn about Islam

Email: yahyasnow@yahoo.co.uk 

Does the Quran include Mary in the Christian Trinity? Ali Ataie Answers

Ali Ataie answers a Christian missionary polemic concerning this Verse of the Quran. Some Christian missionaries wrongly claim the Quran misrepresents their Trinity by including Mary in it, Ali Ataie answers them with great eloquence and erudition. I hope this will enlighten the Christian missionaries and discourage them from repeating their argument in the future. For more from Ali Ataie please see here




If the video does not play please see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xacYoRqkK7Q

And [beware the Day] when Allah will say, "O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, 'Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah ?'" He will say, "Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen. [Quran Translation of the Meaning 5:116]


What does the definition of Jeshua tell us?

Prophecies of the Messiah - Reza Aslan

Sharia Law against terrorism

Christians having dreams and converting to Islam

Learn about Islam

Email: yahyasnow@yahoo.co.uk

Muslim Message to Jimmy Epting University

Jimmy Epting is the former president North Greenville University. In his moment of need Muslims should be there for him. If there are any Muslims in his life, please do offer your support for Jimmy during these times. Be there for him, he may need to talk to you for emotional support. He may just need a friend and somebody to confide in. Invite him to Islam if he's not already a Muslim.

Best Religion for Homosexuals and Bisexuals? Islam or Christianity?

Muslims Have Least Sex Outside of Marriage (Least Fornication and Adultery By Muslims)

Reza Aslan on Gospel Writers, Luke and Matthew

Title "Son of God" does not mean Divinity

More about the Paraclete

Prophecies of the Messiah - Reza Aslan

Numerical miracle in Quran

British Muslims Protested to Defend Jesus p

Sharia Law against terrorism

Christians having dreams and converting to Islam

Conversions to Islam

Learn about Islam

Email: yahyasnow@yahoo.co.uk

Jahan Mahmood on Sara Khan

In response to Sara Khan's channel 4 interview I have to say I have not endured the kind of backlash she illustrated. She complained saying that sections of the Muslim community impede her and her colleagues in their counter-extremism work.

I've been working in this field since 2007 and I've found the Muslim community to be remarkably supportive of my work.

I'm wondering whether it has anything to do with my willingness to call out the Government for their hypocrisies, the rise in anti Muslim hatred and the negative media portrayal of Muslims. I am sure if she were to express a more comprehensive and realistic explanation to why people are radicalised she would find more support across the community.

Taken from Jahan's FB

Adam Deen Blinded By Sectarian Motives on BBC Panorama?

Noam Chomsky on How to Stop Terrorism from ISIS etc.

Why Do Sikhs Commit Terrorism, Douglas Murray?

Noam Chomsky on Barack Obama's Most Extreme Terrorist Campaign in Modern History

A Response to Adam Deen's 'Exodus to ISIS - a Tale of Two Dars'

About 20% of British Muslim Women Feel Unsafe in Britain

Bradford Man Fooled by ISIS (Terrorist Group)

Britain First's Jayda Fransen and Paul Golding Learn About Anti-Semitism and Christianity

British Muslims in Preston Helping to Save Lives

Sharia Law against terrorism

Christians having dreams and converting to Islam

Learn about Islam

Email: yahyasnow@yahoo.co.uk 

What Non Muslim Women Really Think About Muslim Men

Muslim men have done it again. We have forged a reputation of being people of security for Non Muslim women. Non Muslim women feel Muslim men are upright men who are non-threatening. In fact they'd rather travel with Muslm men as Muslim men don't drink, are more responsible and are seen as less of a danger to the women (less risk of predatory sexual behaviour etc.).

All of this talk about women only train carriages reminds me of a story withFahad Ansari going back to 2006/2007. We were in Scotland taking a train from I believe Aberdeen to Glasgow quite late at night on a weekend. The train was nearly entirely empty except for us on one end, and a group of very young and drunk white Scottish boys on the other end.

At one of the stops during our journey, a young girl gets on to our carriage, surveys the situation before her and decides that instead of sitting on any number of the completely free and available seats, decides to sit down with us on our table of 4! Fahad (who she sat next to) gives me this look of, "Typical, only time it is useful to sit with two bearded Muslim men is when seeking cover from drunken lads."

Actually reminds me of something Long Distance Clara said to me once when we were travelling to Sweden together - again in 2007 at a time we were doing a lot of investigation work abroad. We were at Stanstead Airport and she suddenly says:

"Asim, dont get offended and hear me out. I've come up with a theory about Muslim men, but want to make sure you dont get offended by it."
"Go ahead Clara, I'm sure I wont be."
"Well....Now that I've been spending a lot of time around Muslim men, for me they are little like the new gay for non-Muslim women." She says...
"You're going to have to explain yourself a little more clearly."
"Basically, gay men are useful travelling companions for women, because women know they will be safe and wont get harmed around them. But I've found Muslim men are equally safe to travel around, except with the added benefit that they dont get drunk and do crazy things."


Taken from Asim Qureshi's FB

 

Muslims Have Least Sex Outside of Marriage (Least Fornication and Adultery By Muslims)

Best Religion for Homosexuals and Bisexuals? Islam or Christianity?

 

Numerical miracle in Quran

British Muslims Protested to Defend Jesus p

Sharia Law against terrorism

Christians having dreams and converting to Islam

Conversions to Islam

Learn about Islam

Email: yahyasnow@yahoo.co.uk

Muslim Tried to Send Combat 18 in Australia an Email!

Hi

This is a message of love to Combat 18 in Melbourne, Australia

I saw in the news that some of your literature has alarmed Muslims in Melbourne, I'd like you to look into Islam with an open heart and become a Muslim (if you're not already a Muslim.

People can be transformed. The opponents of the Prophet (p) were particularly vicious against Muslims. Hind actually bit into the liver of the Prophet's uncle, Hamzah, when he was martyred at the Battle of Uhud. However, she later became a Muslim, and hence became a Companion of the Prophet (p), a member of that special generation of humanity. In fact, she even narrated hadith which can be found in the well-known compilations. Repentance is a recourse that the Lord of the World's has given humanity. [p129, Purification of the Heart by Hamza Yusuf]

 Jesus taught people to do the Will of God (according to Mark 3:35) in order to become his brothers, mothers or sisters. A Muslim means one who submits to the Will of God. Do you want to become a brother of Jesus? If yes, become a Muslim. Now is the time.

Numerical miracle in Quran

British Muslims Protested to Defend Jesus p

Sharia Law against terrorism

Christians having dreams and converting to Islam

Conversions to Islam

Learn about Islam

Email: yahyasnow@yahoo.co.uk

Recent news story involving Combat 18 in Melbourne:

A mother has been left appalled after her son discovered 'combat Islamic takeover' stickers while playing in a park in Melbourne's north east. The woman and child were waiting for a bus at Olympic village reserve in Heidelberg West on Monday morning when the young boy innocently retrieved the offensive material plastered over the playground by an anti-Islam group, who call themselves 'Combat 18' after a neo-Nazi organisation.

Bishop T.D. Jakes rejects the Trinity and is invited to Islam

Bishop T.D. Jakes has rejected a belief in a trinity, he's not comfortable with the terminology of 'persons'. Well guess what, he's getting closer to the pure Abrahamic monotheism that Moses, Jesus and Prophet Muhammad (peace be on them) all taught.

Bishop T.D. Jakes : From the Trinity to Oneness Doctrine

I hope he has a Muslim neighbour or friend who can just give him the message of Islam. If there are any supporters of T.D. Jakes out there who are interested in learning more about Islam please see the following links:

Numerical miracle in Quran

British Muslims Protested to Defend Jesus p

Sharia Law against terrorism

Christians having dreams and converting to Islam

Conversions to Islam

Learn about Islam

Email: yahyasnow@yahoo.co.uk

Muslim Message to North West Infidels

Greetings

I have a message for the members of North West Infidels, look into Islam for yourselves with an open heart.

Please do read the following:

People can be transformed. The opponents of the Prophet (p) were particularly vicious against Muslims. Hind actually bit into the liver of the Prophet's uncle, Hamzah, when he was martyred at the Battle of Uhud. However, she later became a Muslim, and hence became a Companion of the Prophet (p), a member of that special generation of humanity. In fact, she even narrated hadith which can be found in the well-known compilations. Repentance is a recourse that the Lord of the World's has given humanity. [p129, Purification of the Heart by Hamza Yusuf]

Jesus taught people to do the Will of God (according to Mark 3:35) in order to become his brothers, mothers or sisters. A Muslim means one who submits to the Will of God. Do you want to become a brother of Jesus? If yes, become a Muslim. Now is the time.

Numerical miracle in Quran

British Muslims Protested to Defend Jesus p

Sharia Law against terrorism

Christians having dreams and converting to Islam

Conversions to Islam

Learn about Islam

Email: yahyasnow@yahoo.co.uk

A recent news story involving North West Infidels:

The North West Infidels, an extremist group that has taken aggressive positions towards Muslims and Islam, marched in Manchester yesterday, trying to show the public that they are a greater force than they are. In reality, this small group of mainly football hooligans, many of whom are ageing adrenaline junkies trying to reclaim the days when they would look for a ‘punch-up’ after matches, have become the poster boys for far right extremist groups.

In this video below, however, we are concerned as to the manner in which a potential threat has been dealt with. The statement was made to a Muslim female who was arguing with one of the North West Infidel demonstrators. The woman in this video asks the individual whether he will repeat something he allegedly said to her and he seems to state that the woman filming the event will be leaving in a ‘body bag.’ [Read more]

Why I Will Help Asif Quraishi: How the LGBT Community and TV Directors Misuse Asif Quraishi (Muslim Drag Queens)

OK, my friend messaged me about this Muslim drag queen program to be aired on Ch4. I already know about Asif Quraishi. I'm aware of his work. I've wrote about him previously.

As far as I know they don't do shows on Hindu drag queens, Sikh drag queens, Jewish drag queens or Christian drag queens? Why not? It's because Muslims are in the news nowadays. The media constantly beat us down. There's a demonization campaign against us as well as a campaign to try and get people to call for 'reforming' our religion and our religious outlook (in no way shape or form should we do this - this is our identity and the Western White Liberal world is not going to play a game of superiority over us and tell us what to believe or think!!)

Asif Quraishi (aka Asifa Lahore) is being used by Islamophobes and is also being used by people behind the scenes in TV to court controversy in order to grab a few extra views in an ever more competitive TV audience battle. Does Asif Quraishi know this? I don't know...but he should. Perhaps he should also know that the folk behind the TV show may also be using him as a 'look at this guy' type of thing, where they don't respect him but rather use him as something to look at and perhaps poke fun at such as some of the out-there individuals they used to choose for their Big Brother program. Let's face it, Channel 4 have a history of using people in this way. Some of whom may have had mental problems.

However, perhaps Asif Quraishi knows all this. Perhaps for him it's a bit of a trade-off. He gets used but he also uses the media too. For him he courts attention which means his popularity on the drag queen and gay scene increase which in turns means more revenue (CASH) for him.

But life is not about using people for cash and purposes of popularity. There's more to life than this. Asif Quraishi knows this. Deep down Asif Quraishi is also using this as a cry for help. A cry for Muslims to sit him down and talk to him. Befriend him and rescue him from his current plight of loneliness and life as a pawn for people who want to rinse him for their own ends - be they gay club owners, TV directors, Islamophobes, LGBT rights activists etc. People are using our Asif Quraishi.

He should be incorporated into the Muslim community fully. Away from the cameras and the prying eyes. He should be rescued. He needs Muslim heroes at this time. He needs Muslim friends. Let's befriend him and let's take him to the mosque regularly and get him attending Islamic circles, classes and lectures. Let's help him. This is our duty. Either we try to help him or just leave him to the wolves who are devouring him right now by misusing him for their own selfish purposes.

If there are any  Muslim drag queens, transgender people, lesbians or gays who are looking for a Muslim to speak to please do email me, I will try my best to offer advice and direct you to avenues which can assist you. Muslims are here for you!

What is Islam's view of homosexuality? Dr. Shabir Ally answers

For Gay Men: What's Better Islam or Unitarian Universalism?

Best Religion for Homosexuals and Bisexuals? Islam or Christianity?

Rick Warren and Elton John - Muslim Response!

People converting to Islam

Muslims give the most charity and have least sex outside of marriage!

British Christian Islamophobes and Polish Women

Numerical miracle in Quran

Sharia Law against terrorism

Christians having dreams and converting to Islam

Conversions to Islam

Learn about Islam

Email: yahyasnow@yahoo.co.uk

Christian Polemicist Jay Smith and The Christian Apologetics Alliance Debunked Again

This is another video where we see Christian missionaries continue to present the intellectually dishonest argument that Muslims believe the sun sets and rises on earth. For more information please see the following article entitled Did the Sun set in a Muddy Spring according to the Quran? (Quran 18:86):
http://quran-errors.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/did-sun-set-in-muddy-pool-according-to.html



If the video does not play see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCex-UKY_xY

Imam Al-Qurtubi (d. 651 A.H.):
Al-Qaffal said: It is not meant by reaching the rising or setting of the sun that he reached its body and touched it because it runs in the sky around the earth without touching it and it is too great to enter any spring on earth. It is so much larger than earth. But it is meant that he reached the end of populated land east and west, so he found it – according to his vision – setting in a spring of a murky water like we watch it in smooth land as if it enters inside the land. That is why He said, “he found it rising on a people for whom we had provided no covering protection against the sun.” (Holy Qur’ân 18:90) and did not mean that it touches or adheres to them; but they are the first to rise on. (Al-Qurtubi, Al-Game’ le Ahkam-el-Qur’an, Volume 16, page 47. Published by Dar-ul-Hadith, Cairo, Egypt.)

Jay Smith Disturbs Muslims, Honor Killings

Did Jonathan McLatchie Copy Nabeel Qureshi?

Hate Speech at St. Timothy's Parish Church, Middlesbrough (UK)

Christian Voice ‘Mosque Watch’

UK Church Hosts Speaker Inciting Hatred and Fear of Muslims!

Paul Williams Disapponted in Jonathan McLatchie

Does Jonathan McLatchie Believe the Bible Teaches a Flat Earth?

Jonathan McLatchie and Alexander the Great - Christian apologists take note!

Jonathan McLatchie's Amazing Admission on the New Testament and Sola Scriptura

Christian Voice ‘Mosque Watch’

Pastor learns about Hijab

British Muslims Protested to Defend Jesus p

Sharia Law against terrorism

Christians having dreams and converting to Islam

Learn about Islam

Email: yahyasnow@yahoo.co.uk

AntiMuslim Sun Set Arguments Refuted by That Muslim Guy

This was recommended by AC so I've reproduced it here. I have not had time to check it.
http://quran-errors.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/did-sun-set-in-muddy-pool-according-to.html


Did the Sun set in a Muddy Spring according to the Quran? (Quran 18:86) [Detailed]

A number of Critics of the Quran put forth that there is a verse in the Quran that states that the Sun sets into a Muddy or Murky body of water. They claim it is a clear Scientific Error.

Verses in Question

The verses in question are found in chapter 18 verses 83-90 of the Quran. Here, Dhul-Qarnayn is described as rightous ruler who travelled to spread the message of God. Please read these verses before reading the following.

The specific verse in question Chapter 18:86 says:

{حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغَ مَغْرِبَ الشَّمْسِ وَجَدَهَا تَغْرُبُ فِي عَيْنٍ حَمِئَةٍ}

When taking a look through varyious translations we gather what the verse is actually saying:

Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it [as if] setting in a spring of dark mud... [Saheeh International]

Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of murky water... [Yusuf Ali]

[And he marched westwards] till, when he came to the setting of the sun, it appeared to him that it was setting in a dark, turbid sea [Muhammad Asad]

Until when he reached the place where the sun set, he found it going down into a black sea... [Shakir]

Until when he reached the setting-place of the sun, he perceived it setting in a miry spring... [Abdul Majid Daryabadi]

Until, when he reached the setting-place of the sun, he saw it setting in a spring of hot and black muddy water... [Ali Unal]

Till, when he reached the setting-place of the sun, he found it setting in a muddy spring... [Pickthall]

until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it setting in a muddy spring... [Arthur John Arberry]

until he reached the West and saw the sun setting in a pool of black mud... [N J Dawood]

After looking at a few translation of the verse it becomes clear what the verse is saying. The verse clearly says Dhul-Qarnayn travelled to the end of the land (i.e. until he reached the sea), as far west as he could travel. When he travelled west and reached the coast, there was no more land in this direction (on is route to travel westward), there was only the ocean, and the sun was setting. And as he looked across the murky body of water he saw the sun setting at the horizon.

So what does the Quran actually say, does it state the sun enters the murky spring as the critics claim? The Quran was revealed in Arabic so to answer this we need to do a linguistic analysis of the verse.

Linguistic Analysis

{حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغَ مَغْرِبَ الشَّمْسِ وَجَدَهَا تَغْرُبُ فِي عَيْنٍ حَمِئَةٍ}

Until, when he reached the setting of the sun (maghrib), he found (wajada) it set (taghrubu) in a spring of murky water...

The main words in question in this verse are:

 مَغْرِبَ (Maghrib)

 وَجَدَ (Wajada)

 تَغْرُبُ (Taghrubu)

Meaning of  مَغْرِبَ (Maghrib)

 The word “maghrib” [مغرب] is literally meaning something that is doing غرب, or loosely (but commonly): “west” or “sunset”.

According to Almu'jam Alwaseet المعجمالوسيط( Arabic dictionary published by Academy_of_the_Arabic_Language ):

المغرب
مكان غروب الشمس
وزمان غروبها
وجهة غروبها
وبلاد المغرب البلاد الواقعة في شمال إفريقية في غربي مصر وهي ليبيا وتونس والجزائر ومراكش
ومملكة المغرب اليوم الجزء الواقع في أقصى بلاد المغرب في غربي الجزائر ويحدها البحر
المغرب

So, it's :

1. Place of sunset
2. Time of sunset
3. Point of sunset
4. Countries located in North Africa in the west of Egypt ( Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco)
5. The Kingdom of Morocco ( Called Maghrib in arabic )

[Source]

According to Vocabulary of the Holy Qur'an page 447:

According to Arabic-English Dictionary of Quranic Usage page 661:

According to Al-Mawrid Arabic-English Dictionary page 1077 Maghrib means:

According to Hans Wehr Arabic-English Dictionary, 3rd Edition Page 669 Maghrib means:

The words used in this verse are مَغْرِبَ الشَّمْسِ. The author of Hans Wehr defines مَغْرِبَ الشَّمْسِ as:

Maghrib is used in other verses of the Quran where the word does indeed mean “west”, such as {رَبُّ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ} in Chapter 26:28 meaning “Lord of the east and the west”.

So according to:

1. Almu'jam Alwaseet المعجمالوسيط
2. Vocabulary of the Holy Qur'an page 447
3. Arabic-English Dictionary of Quranic Usage page 661
4. Al-Mawrid Arabic-English Dictionary page 1077
5. Hans Wehr Arabic-English Dictionary, 3rd Edition page 669

 مَغْرِبَ (Maghrib) means:

1. Place of Sunset, i,e west as the sun sets in the west
2. Time of Sunset
3. West
4. Sunset

According to:

1. Arabic-English Dictionary of Quranic Usage page 661
2. Hans Wehr Arabic-English Dictionary, 3rd Edition Page 669

مَغْرِبَ الشَّمْسِ used in Surah 18:86 should be understood to mean:

1. Time of Sunset
2. Place of Sunset, i.e. west as the sun sets in the west.

So when Allah says "Until, when he reached the setting of the sun (maghrib)" it can either mean:

1. He reached the time of Sunset.
2. Or Dhul-Qarnayn reached the western part of his empire where there was no longer any land.

Meaning of  وَجَدَ (Wajada)

 وَجَدَ (Wajada) can mean to find/perceive/see/discover/experience.

According to Mini English-Arabic & Arabic-English Dictionary, Wagdi Rizk Ghali, Librairie du Liban Publishers, Page 340:

According to Al-Mawrid Arabic-English Dictionary page 1223:

According to Hans Wehr Arabic-English Dictionary, 3rd Edition, page 1049:

According to A Dictionary and Glossary of the Koran by John Penrice p.158:

According to H. Anthony Salmoné. An Advanced Learner's Arabic-English Dictionary. Beirut. Librairie du Liban. 1889:

---

وَجَدَ

a. [ يَجِدُ ] ( n. ac. جِدَة [ 2t ] , وُجْد 3 , وُجُوْد 27 , وِجْدَاْن 34 , إِِجْدَان [ وِجْدَاْن 34I ]), Found; met with, came upon; perceived.

According to Arabic-English Dictionary by J.G.Hava p.884:

According to Dictionary Of The Holy Quran, by Malik Ghulam Farid, M.A p.817:

According to Arabic-English Dictionary of Quranic Usage page 1012:

The author says about the verse in question:

According to Edward William Lane’s Arabic-English Lexicon p. 2924:

He further writes:

Also according to the authoritative lexicon of Qur'anic terms Mufradat al-Quran of Imam Raghib Isfahani:

وجود بإحدى الحواس الخمس 

Perceiving something using one of the five senses

So according to:

1. Mini English-Arabic & Arabic-English Dictionary, Wagdi Rizk Ghali, Librairie du Liban Publishers, Page 340
2. Al-Mawrid Arabic-English Dictionary page 1223
3. Hans Wehr Arabic-English Dictionary, 3rd Edition, page 1049
4. A Dictionary and Glossary of the Koran by John Penrice p.158
5. H. Anthony Salmoné. An Advanced Learner's Arabic-English Dictionary. Beirut. Librairie du Liban. 1889.
6. Arabic-English Dictionary by J.G.Hava p.884
7. Dictionary Of The Holy Quran, by Malik Ghulam Farid, M.A p.817
8. Arabic-English Dictionary of Quranic Usage page 1012
9. Edward William Lane’s Arabic-English Lexicon p. 2924
10. Mufradat al-Quran of Imam Raghib Isfahani

 وَجَدَ (Wajada) means:

1. To find.
2. To discover.
3. To perceive.
4. To see.
5. To experience.
6. Finding by means of any one of the five senses.

Also this action of Wajada is done with a strong emotion.

So when Allah says "wajada it set (taghrubu) in a spring of murky water" it can mean:

he found/discovered/perceived/saw the sun set in a spring of murky water. 

This means it is from Dhul-Qarnayn perspective, where he saw or perceived the sun setting in murky water. This can be easily seen when one travels to a shore whilst it is sun set and he will find it setting in the sea:

It is important to note that if the Quran wished to give the implication that the sun entered the body of water it wouldn't of said:

Until, when he reached the setting of the sun (maghrib), he found/perceived/saw (wajada) it set (taghrubu) in a spring of murky water...

It would of said:

Until, when he reached the setting of the sun (maghrib), it set in a spring of murky water...

The usage of wajada shows that it is from Dhul-Qarnayn's perspective.

Meaning of  تَغْرُبُ (Taghrubu)

The word used to describe the setting of the sun ‘in the murky spring’ is تَغْرُبُ [stemming from the word غرب - meaning to leave, be absent, be hidden, to depart, to be distant].  تَغْرُبُ  just means setting or disappearing. Meaning Dhul-Qarnayn found/saw/perceived the sun setting/disappearing.

It is important to note that the word used doesn't mean to enter [دخل], neither to sink in/be swallowed up [خسف]. If the Quran wished to say the Sun entered the water it wouldn't have used تَغْرُبُ (taghrubu) as تَغْرُبُ (taghrubu) doesn't mean entering. It would of used  دخل meaning to enter.

Everything mentioned above is summarised in the following video:

Summary of Linguistic Analysis

So the verse says that Dhul-Qarnayn reached maghrib - the time of Sunset or the place of sunset (west) - and he found/saw/perceived (wajada) it setting/disappearing (taghrubu) into a body of murky water.

This verse doesn't state the sun goes into a body of water, there are no implications of this at all. What the verse states is that Dhul-Qarnayn found/saw/perceived the sun setting in a body of water, which would obviously be the case when he travelled as far west as possible until there was no more land to travel on. Just as one can easily do if they visit the sea-side and watch the sunset.

Tafsir and Opinions of classical scholars

How did Classical Tafsirs and Scholars understand this verse? Did they support the understanding above? Undoubtedly yes:

Tafseer al-Jalalayn co-authored by al-Suyuti (d. 911 A.H.) and al-Mahalli (d. 864 A.H.):

until, when he reached the setting of the sun, the place where it sets, he found it setting in a muddy spring (‘ayn hami’a: [a spring] containing ham’a, which is black clay): its setting in a spring is [described as seen] from the perspective of the eye, for otherwise it is far larger [in size] than this world; and he found by it, that is, [by] the spring, a folk, of disbelievers. We said, ‘O Dhū’l-Qarnayn — by [means of] inspiration — either chastise, the folk, by slaying [them], or treat them kindly’, by [merely] taking them captive. [Source]

Tafseer ibn Katheer (d. 774 A.H.):

Until, when he reached the setting place of the sun,) means, he followed a route until he reached the furthest point that could be reached in the direction of the sun’s setting, which is the west of the earth. As for the idea of his reaching the place in the sky where the sun sets, this is something impossible, and the tales told by storytellers that he travelled so far to the west that the sun set behind him are not true at all. Most of these stories come from the myths of the People of the Book and the fabrications and lies of their heretics.

(he found it setting in a spring of Hami’ah) meaning, he saw the sun as if it were setting in the ocean. This is something which everyone who goes to the coast can see: it looks as if the sun is setting into the sea but in fact it never leaves its path in which it is fixed… [Source]

Abu Hayyan al-Andalusi (d. 745 A.H) said in his Tafsir al-Bahr al-Muhit:

"And the meaning of setting in a spring is that it is according what the eye sees, not that it it actually does so, just as we see it (the sun)on the smooth earth (land) as if it as if it goes into the earth. It is also permissible (possible) that this spring a part of the sea"

(Abu Hayyan al-Andalusi, Muhammad bin Yusuf,Tafsir al-bahr al-muhit, 1993, First print, Dar al-kutub al-''ilmiyya, vol.6, p. 151)

Imam Al-Baidawi (d. 691 A.H.):

He probably reached shore of the ocean and saw it like that because there was but water at the furthest of his sight that’s why He says “he found it set” and does not say “it sets”. (Al-Baidawi, Anwar-ut-Tanzil wa Asrar-ut-Taw’il, Volume 3, page 394. Published by Dar-ul-Ashraf, Cairo, Egypt)

Imam Al-Qurtubi (d. 651 A.H.):

Al-Qaffal said: It is not meant by reaching the rising or setting of the sun that he reached its body and touched it because it runs in the sky around the earth without touching it and it is too great to enter any spring on earth. It is so much larger than earth. But it is meant that he reached the end of populated land east and west, so he found it – according to his vision – setting in a spring of a murky water like we watch it in smooth land as if it enters inside the land. That is why He said, “he found it rising on a people for whom we had provided no covering protection against the sun.” (Holy Qur’ân 18:90) and did not mean that it touches or adheres to them; but they are the first to rise on. (Al-Qurtubi, Al-Game’ le Ahkam-el-Qur’an, Volume 16, page 47. Published by Dar-ul-Hadith, Cairo, Egypt.)

Imam Fakhr-ud-Deen Ar-Razi (d. 587 A.H.) in At-Tafsir-ul-Kabir:

When Zul-Qarnain reached the furthest west and no populated land was left, he found the sun as if it sets in a dark spring, but it is not in reality. The same when sea traveller sees the sun as if it sets in the sea if he cannot see the shore while in reality it sets behind the sea. (Ar-Razi, At-Tafsir-ul-Kabir, Volume 21, page 166)

According to Al-Mawardi (d.450 A.H) in his tasir (al-Nukat wa al-'uyun) the verse can be understood as:

That He (Dhul Qarnayn) wajadaha (found it, saw it) setting behind the spring ('ayn) AS IF it was setting in the very spring" 

:فيه وجهان

الثاني انه وجدها تغرب وراء العين حتى كانها تغرب في نفس العين

(Al-Mawardi, 'Ali bin Muhammad bin Habib, Al-Nukat wa al-'Uyun, Unknown year, Dar al-kutub al-'ilmiyya, vol 3, p. 450)

According to Al-Qutaybi (Ibn Qutayba , the famous scholar of Arabic language, d. 276 A.H):

it is permissible for the verse to mean from the perspective of the eye (في راي العين) 

و قال القتيبي: يجوز ان يكون معنى قوله(( في عين حمئة)) اي عندها عين حمئة او في راي العين 

(Al-Baghawi, Al-Hussayn bin Mas'ud, Ma'alim al-tanzil, Dar Ibn Hazm, First print, 2002, p. 795) 

What about the hadeeth in Sunan Abu Dawud?

There is a narration reported in the Sunan of Abu Dawud and in other sources that reads:

Yazid bin Harun- Sufyan bin Husain- Al-Hakam bin ‘Utaybah- Ibrahim (b. Yazid al-Taymi)- Yazid al-Taymi- Abu Dharr said: I was sitting behind the Apostle of Allah who was riding a donkey while the sun was setting. He asked: Do you know where this sets? I replied: Allah and his Apostle know best. He said: It sets in a spring of warm water. (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith 3991)

So the question is - Is this hadeeth authentic?

The answer is no. The hadeeth is Shadh (anonymolous) and Mu'allal (defective), rendering the hadeeth da'if, as has been demonstrated here. 

The defintion of a Shadh hadeeth is the following:

“… the anomalous hadith is the one which a reliable transmitter relates and which is in conflict with what other people relate.” (An Introduction to the Science of Hadith, Translated by Dr. Eerik Dickinson, Garnet Publishing Ltd. Berkshire 2006 p.57) 

The definition of a Mu'allal hadeeth is the following:

“A defective hadith is one in which a defect impugning its soundness is detected, although it outwardly appears to be free of the defect. That may apply to an isnad made up of reliable transmitters which outwardly seems to fulfill the conditions of soundness. Someone being alone in transmitting the hadith as well as others contradicting him aid in catching the defect.” (An Introduction to the Science of Hadith, p.67)

The Shadh and Mu'allal narrations are rejected by the Muhadditheen and cannot be attributed to the Prophet.

Conclusion

The allegation put forth against the Quran is utterly baseless and is simply refuted by the Arabic language. The verse contains no reference at all of the sun literally setting or entering or going down into a muddy pool of water.

It simply tells the story of righteous servant of God - Dhul-Qarnayn - who traveled on a journey until he reached the time of sunset or the western part of his empire and saw the sun setting, from his perspective, in a body of water. As anyone is able to do if they visit the sea side.

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