Hadith is Full of Internal Contradictions

Subscribe to the podcast and notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/ Quran translation on iOS: https://apple.co/2C1YGXj Additional Resources: http://www.masjidtucson.org Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com   Rolling Stones - Keith Richards & Mick Jagger - I can’t get no satisfaction  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VZ4mAfta3s Cow never asks am I satisfied with my life  two central questions that people ask themselves when determining whether they’re satisfied with something in their life: Am I doing better than I was before? Am I doing better than other people? This applies to wealth, but also to attractiveness, height, and other things that people fret about. “But the problem is,” Norton says, “a lot of the things that really matter in life are hard to measure. So if you wanted to be a good parent, it’s a little hard to know if you’re being a better parent now than you were a year ago, and it’s also hard to know if you’re a better parent than the neighbors.”  So people turn to dimensions of comparison that can be quantified. “Money is a terrific one,” Norton says. “If I need to know if I’m doing better than I was, the easy thing to ask is, Am I making more money? or Does my house have more square feet? or Do I have more houses than I used to?”   The research Norton has conducted illustrating this phenomenon is dispiriting. In a paper published earlier this year, he and his collaborators asked more than 2,000 people who have a net worth of at least $1 million (including many whose wealth far exceeded that threshold) how happy they were on a scale of one to 10, and then how much more money they would need to get to 10. “All the way up the income-wealth spectrum,” Norton told me, “basically everyone says [they’d need] two or three times as much” to be perfectly happy. https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2018/12/rich-people-happy-money/577231/ [30:6] Such is GOD's promise—and GOD never breaks His promise—but most people do not know. [30:7] They care only about things of this world that are visible to them, while being totally oblivious to the Hereafter. Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts. Some of the things that matter the most are not measurable in the worldly sense? Righteousness, virtue, honesty, etc. [7:26] O children of Adam, we have provided you with garments to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment is the garment of righteousness. These are some of GOD's signs, that they may take heed. Hoarding [102:1] You remain preoccupied with hoarding. [102:2] Until you go to the graves. التَّكاثُرُ = the competitive quest for more / hoarding. “We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like.” God makes us satisfied [53:48] He is the One who makes you rich or poor. أَغْنَىٰ = Ag-nah-ah = Rich = free from need وَأَقْنَىٰ =  ag-nah-ah = poor = makes satisfy Root = ق ن ي = to acquire a thing; to cause to acquire; make contended; satisfy; preserve; make satisfy with a given thing GOD is the only one who can make us satisfied Motley Crue movie - Dirt  Being impressed by the abundance of sin [5:100] Proclaim: "The bad and the good are not the same, even if the abundance of the bad may impress you. You shall reverence GOD, (even if you are in the minority,) O you who possess intelligence, that you may succeed.” [9:55] Do not be impressed by their money, or their children. GOD causes these to be sources of retribution for them in this life, and (when they die) their souls depart while they are disbelievers. [9:85] Do not be impressed by their money or their children; GOD causes these to be sources of misery for them in this world, and their souls depart as disbelievers. God has everything we need Addiction - drug, porn, depression etc. root cause is lack of satisfaction Depression - some people have a genuine psychological imbalance I think out of the 9 different traits for depression only 2 have to do with biology  "no food one problem- lots of food many problems” Diogenes - Apocryphal Greek philosopher and one of the founders of Cynic philosophy. ~350BC Stories of him take minimalism to a whole new extreme All he had was a cup to drink from then one day he saw a boy drinking from his hand and he cursed his cup and got rid of it Alexander and Diogenes While Diogenes was relaxing in the morning sunlight, Alexander, thrilled to meet the famous philosopher, asked if there was any favor he might do for him. Diogenes replied, "Yes, stand out of my sunlight." Alexander then declared, "If I were not Alexander, then I should wish to be Diogenes." "If I were not Diogenes, I would still wish to be Diogenes," Diogenes replied. In another account of the conversation, Alexander found the philosopher looking attentively at a pile of human bones. Diogenes explained, "I am searching for the bones of your father but cannot distinguish them from those of a slave.” Choose Your Priorities Carefully This Life [17:18] Anyone who chooses this fleeting life as his priority, we will rush to him what we decide to give him, then we commit him to Gehenna, where he suffers forever, despised and defeated. The Hereafter [17:19] As for those who choose the Hereafter as their priority, and work righteousness, while believing, their efforts will be appreciated. [17:20] For each one of them we provide; we provide those and these from your Lord's bounties. Your Lord's bounties are inexhaustible. [17:21] Note how we preferred some people above others (in this life). The differences in the Hereafter are far greater and far more significant. Clayton Christensen - How to measure a life Kafar = disbeliever but also means unappreciative Hell and Satisfaction Imagine if you had the best most extravagant life - but no improvement whatsoever for all of eternity - how long before you would be absolutely miserable?  Eternally hopeless knowing for sure your situation will NEVER change Imagine you had to spend your life digging a hole, now imagine if that task was expected from you for eternity [13:14] Imploring Him is the only legitimate supplication, while the idols they implore beside Him, cannot ever respond. Thus, they are like those who stretch their hands to the water, but nothing reaches their mouths. The supplications of the disbelievers are in vain. [88:6] They will have no food except the useless variety. [88:7] It never nourishes, nor satisfies hunger. [88:8] Other faces on that day will be full of joy. [88:9] Satisfied with their work. [24:39] As for those who disbelieve, their works are like a mirage in the desert. A thirsty person thinks that it is water. But when he reaches it, he finds that it is nothing, and he finds GOD there instead, to requite him fully for his works. GOD is the most efficient reckoner. Matthew 6: Treasures in Heaven 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Do Not Worry 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

19 Huhti 201922min

Subscribe to the podcast and notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/ Quran translation on iOS: https://apple.co/2C1YGXj Additional Resources: http://www.masjidtucson.org Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com 4 Requirements for Marriage Mutual desire and intention that the a man and a women would like to get married to spend the rest of their lives as a strictly monogamous couple Man provides the dowry - agree between the two what that is Solemn pledge man makes to the women Consummation  Should you do a formal marriage under state law? Should you announce it? Should you have a ceremony?  Ask yourself why not? Are you trying to make it easy to divorce Only Mutually Acceptable Transactions Can Be Made [4:29] O you who believe, do not consume each others' properties illicitly - only mutually acceptable transactions are permitted. You shall not kill yourselves. GOD is Merciful towards you. The expectation is that the marriage is supposed to be for their entire lives Protection for the Women [4:20] If you wish to marry another wife, in place of your present wife, and you had given any of them a great deal, you shall not take back anything you had given her. Would you take it fraudulently, maliciously, and sinfully? [4:21] How could you take it back, after you have been intimate with each other, and they had taken from you a solemn pledge? You Shall Keep Your Word [16:91] You shall fulfill your covenant with GOD when you make such a covenant. You shall not violate the oaths after swearing (by God) to carry them out, for you have made GOD a guarantor for you. GOD knows everything you do. [16:92] Do not be like the knitter who unravels her strong knitting into piles of flimsy yarn. This is your example if you abuse the oaths to take advantage of one another. Whether one group is larger than the other, GOD thus puts you to the test. He will surely show you on the Day of Resurrection everything you had disputed. God discourages divorce (temporary marriages) is just prostitution [24:33] Those who cannot afford to get married shall maintain morality until GOD provides for them from His grace. .… You shall not force your girls (women) 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. [2:191] ...Oppression is worse than murder. Age [17:38] All bad behavior is condemned by your Lord. Morality - all bad behavior is prohibited - not sure what that is ask 10 people do you think this is good behavior if 9/10 people tell you that isn’t moral behavior then it probably isn't Word for marriage is full grown / working age / done with puberty (women) 4:127 - النِّسَاءِ = (al-neesa - like name of cousin) the orphan women ن س و = women  Root = ف ت ي to be young; full-grown; brave; generous; youth; generosity; manly qualities; young man; bold; courageous; young slave; fine fellow; servant; to advise; explain; give opinion or instruction; judgment or decision in a matter of law; give a formal legal decree; issue a (divine) decree or a sacred law; explain the meaning; pronounce; to consult; ask opinion or advice; decision; opinion; advice 4:25 - فَتَيَاتِكُمُ = (fatty yateh koom ) full-grown young women 24:33 - full-grown women (young women) - in context of forcing to prostitution Root for female - irrespective of age is  ا ن ث = female = أُنْثَىٰ  [3:36] When she gave birth to her, she said, "My Lord, I have given birth to a girl"—GOD was fully aware of what she bore—"The male is not the same as the female. I have named her Mary and I invoke Your protection for her and her descendants from the rejected devil." The age of marriage also means puberty  ن ك ح = to tie; make a knot; contract; cement; marriage (age of marriage / age to sign a contract)  النِّكَاحَ -  age of marriage / puberty / sexual maturity / age to be able to sign a contract independently 4:6 Khalifa You shall test the orphans when they reach puberty. As soon as you find them mature enough, give them their property. Do not consume it extravagantly in a hurry, before they grow up. The rich guardian shall not charge any wage, but the poor guardian may charge equitably. When you give them their properties, you shall have witnesses. GOD suffices as Reckoner. Yusuf Ali Make trial of orphans until they reach the age of marriage; if then ye find sound judgment in them, release their property to them; but consume it not wastefully, nor in haste against their growing up. If the guardian is well-off, Let him claim no remuneration, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just and reasonable. When ye release their property to them, take witnesses in their presence: But all-sufficient is God in taking account. Pickthal Prove orphans till they reach the marriageable age; then, if ye find them of sound judgment, deliver over unto them their fortune; and devour it not by squandering and in haste lest they should grow up Whoso (of the guardians) is rich, let him abstain generously (from taking of the property of orphans); and whoso is poor let him take thereof in reason (for his guardianship). And when ye deliver up their fortune unto orphans, have (the transaction) witnessed in their presence. Allah sufficeth as a Reckoner. Shakir And test the orphans until they attain puberty; then if you find in them maturity of intellect, make over to them their property, and do not consume it extravagantly and hastily, lest they attain to full age; and whoever is rich, let him abstain altogether, and whoever is poor, let him eat reasonably; then when you make over to them their property, call witnesses in their presence; and Allah is enough as a Reckoner. Sher Ali And test the understanding of orphans until they attain the age of marriage, then, if you perceive in them mature judgment, deliver to them their property; and devour it not in extravagance and haste against their growing up. And whoso is rich, let him abstain; and who so is poor let him eat thereof with equity. And when you deliver to them their property, then call witnesses in their presence. And Allah is sufficient as a Reckoner.       shows that maturity is when someone is of sound mind and body Marriage is a contract - need someone of sound mind to agree to a contract [2:282]...If the debtor is mentally incapable, or helpless, or cannot dictate, his guardian shall dictate equitably. Dowry / Engagement [4:4] You shall give the women their due dowries, equitably. If they willingly forfeit anything, then you may accept it; it is rightfully yours. [4:24] …These are GOD's commandments to you. All other categories are permitted for you in marriage, so long as you pay them their due dowries. You shall maintain your morality, by not committing adultery. Thus, whoever you like among them, you shall pay them the dowry decreed for them. You commit no error by mutually agreeing to any adjustments to the dowry. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.  Breaking the Engagement  = divorce [2:236] You commit no error by divorcing the women before touching them, or before setting the dowry for them. In this case, you shall compensate them—the rich as he can afford and the poor as he can afford —an equitable compensation. This is a duty upon the righteous. [2:237] If you divorce them before touching them, but after you had set the dowry for them, the compensation shall be half the dowry, unless they voluntarily forfeit their rights, or the party responsible for causing the divorce chooses to forfeit the dowry. To forfeit is closer to righteousness. You shall maintain the amicable relations among you. GOD is Seer of everything you do. Need to be able to afford to marry [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… Honoring the parents by asking permission from them 4:25 [4:25] Those among you who cannot afford to marry free believing women, may marry believing slave women. GOD knows best about your belief, and you are equal to one another, as far as belief is concerned. You shall obtain permission from their guardians (family Ah-lee hee nah) before you marry them, and pay them their due dowry equitably. They shall maintain moral behavior, by not committing adultery, or having secret lovers. Once they are freed through marriage, if they commit adultery, their punishment shall be half of that for the free women.* Marrying a slave shall be a last resort for those unable to wait. To be patient is better for you. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful. Who we can’t marry  Respect for the Father  [4:22] Do not marry the women who were previously married to your fathers—existing marriages are exempted and shall not be broken—for it is a gross offense, and an abominable act.  Incest Forbidden  [4:23] Prohibited for you (in marriage) are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, the sisters of your fathers, the sisters of your mothers, the daughters of your brother, the daughters of your sister, your nursing mothers, the girls who nursed from the same woman as you, the mothers of your wives, the daughters of your wives with whom you have consummated the marriage—if the marriage has not been consummated, you may marry the daughter. Also prohibited for you are the women who were married to your genetic sons. Also, you shall not be married to two sisters at the same time—but do not break up existing marriages. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful. [4:24] Also prohibited are the women who are already married, unless they flee their disbelieving husbands who are at war with you.* These are GOD's commandments to you. All other categories are permitted for you in marriage, so long as you pay them their due dowries…. Henry Ford about the model T: “You can have any color as long as it is black” [2:221] Do not marry idolatresses unless they believe; a believing woman is better than an idolatress, even if you like her. Nor shall you give your daughters in marriage to idolatrous men, unless they believe. A believing man is better than an idolater, even if you like him. These invite to Hell, while GOD invites to Paradise and forgiveness, as He wills. He clarifies His revelations for the people, that they may take heed. What about homosexuality?  [7:80] Lot said to his people, "You commit such an abomination; no one in the world has done it before! [7:81] "You practice sex with the men, instead of the women. Indeed, you are a transgressing people."  [42:50] Or, He may have the males and the females marry each other, then render whomever He wills sterile. He is Omniscient, Omnipotent. What the right hand possess Or not And [23:5] And they maintain their chastity. [23:6] Only with their spouses, or those who are rightfully theirs, do they have sexual relations; they are not to be blamed.   مَلَكَتْ =  possess / owner of / or to take a wife أَيْمَانُهُمْ =  right hand / oaths / vows  [70:29] They keep their chastity. [70:30] (They have sexual relations) only with their spouses, or what is legally theirs - [70:31] anyone who transgresses these limits is a sinner. أَيْمَانُهُمْ = See: 9:12. 9:13, 16:94 = oaths [9:12] If they violate their oaths after pledging to keep their covenants, and attack your religion, you may fight the leaders of paganism—you are no longer bound by your covenant with them—that they may refrain. [9:13] Would you not fight people who violated their treaties, tried to banish the messenger, and they are the ones who started the war in the first place? Are you afraid of them? GOD is the One you are supposed to fear, if you are believers. 30:28 = servants 4:3 = you already have  33:50 = what they already have 16:71 = subordinate  4:25 = slave 9:12 = oaths 9:13 = oaths 4:24 = took a vow for marriage [33:55] The women may relax (their dress code) around their fathers, their sons, their brothers, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, the other women, and their (female) servants. They shall reverence GOD. GOD witnesses all things. Divorce  Marriage Arbitration [4:35] If a couple fears separation, you shall appoint an arbitrator from his family and an arbitrator from her family; if they decide to reconcile, GOD will help them get together. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant. Divorce Discouraged  [4:128] If a woman senses oppression or desertion from her husband, the couple shall try to reconcile their differences, for conciliation is best for them. Selfishness is a human trait, and if you do good and lead a righteous life, GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do. Polygamy  Grounds For Polygamy [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. Polygamy Discouraged [4:129] You can never be equitable in dealing with more than one wife, no matter how hard you try. Therefore, do not be so biased as to leave one of them hanging (neither enjoying marriage, nor left to marry someone else). If you correct this situation and maintain righteousness, GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful. Polygamy was a way of life until the Quran was revealed 1400 years ago. When the earth was young and under-populated, polygamy was one way of populating it and bringing in the human beings needed to carry out God's plan. By the time the Quran was revealed, the world had been sufficiently populated, and the Quran put down the first limitations against polygamy. Polygamy is permitted in the Quran, but under strictly observed circumstances. Any abuse of this divine permission incurs severe retribution. Thus, although polygamy is permitted by God, it behooves us to examine our circumstances carefully before saying that a particular polygamous relationship is permissible.  1. It must alleviate pain and suffering and not cause any pain or suffering. 2. If you have a young family, it is almost certain that polygamy is an abuse.  3. Polygamy to substitute a younger wife is an abuse of God's law. Don’t ascribe to Hadith and the disgusting lies they have about the prophet. As far as I am concerned the prophet was bound by the Quran. God Strengthens the Messenger [17:73] They almost diverted you from the revelations we have given you. They wanted you to fabricate something else, in order to consider you a friend. [17:74] If it were not that we strengthened you, you almost leaned towards them just a little bit. [17:75] Had you done that, we would have doubled the retribution for you in this life, and after death, and you would have found no one to help you against us. [17:76] They almost banished you from the land to get rid of you, so they could revert as soon as you left. [17:77] This has been consistently the case with all the messengers that we sent before you, and you will find that our system never changes.

13 Huhti 201937min

Subscribe to the podcast and notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/ Quran translation on iOS: https://apple.co/2C1YGXj Additional Resources: http://www.masjidtucson.org Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com   Evolution vs. De-evolution Sign of intelligence is that new information is created E. coli Long-term Experiment on Evolution - Started 24 February 1988.[2] 66,000 in November 2016.[3] No new molecular machines No newly designed cell structures No new protein-coding sections of DNA Evolution vs De-Evolution Example of how to make a car go faster - throw out the seats http://myxo.css.msu.edu/ecoli/ Because it is easier to destroy than to build Ask you what are some decisions in your life you can make to make your life worse? Easy  Run out in front of traffic Poke your eyes out Burn all your savings Hit your head with a hammer Hold your breath underwater until you pass out If I ask you what can be done to make the future WORSE You can probably come up with a whole bunch of ideas Ask you what decisions you can make to make your life BETTER? Little harder - At best you will come up with ideas of what to remove not what to add Easier to break down rather than to build  Because it is easier to destroy than to build If I ask you what can you do to make the future better More difficult Easier to point out the downside and all the reasons something can fail rather than how it can succeed But more ideas does not mean that the ideas are any better - but makes us feel smart Typically an inherent bias that we equate things that we can imagine as more likely than things we can’t …e.g.e shark attacks Pessimism isn't just more common than optimism, it also sounds smarter. Pessimist are intellectually captivating, and people pay more attention to them rather than optimist who are often viewed as an oblivious sucker. If you say the world has been getting better you may get away with being called naïve and insensitive. Harvard professor Teresa Amabile shows that those publishing negative book reviews are seen as smarter and more competent than those giving positive reviews of the same book. "Only pessimism sounds profound. Optimism sounds superficial," she wrote. Why? Here are a few other reasons I've observed for why pessimism gets so much attention. [4:147] What will GOD gain from punishing you, if you became appreciative and believed? GOD is Appreciative, Omniscient. Complaining makes us feel like we are smart There is a form of an iQ/creativity test where the objective is to see how many ideas you can come up in a given amount of time: What can you do with a brick? Come up with different ways that someone can go from place to another? The more answers one comes up with the smarter they feel This is good for creativity, but there are somethings that the quantity of answers is not what is important but the quality 1. Optimism appears oblivious to risks, so by default pessimism looks more intelligent.  2. Pessimism requires action, whereas optimism means staying the course. Pessimism is "SELL, GET OUT, RUN," which grabs your attention because it's an action you need to take right now. You don't want to read the article later or skim over the details, because you might get hurt. Optimism is mostly, "Don't worry, stay the course, we'll be alright," which is easy to ignore since it doesn't require doing anything.  3. Optimism sounds like a sales pitch, while pessimism sounds like someone trying to help you. And that's often the truth. But in general, most of the time, optimism is the correct default setting, and pessimism can be as big a sales pitch as anything – especially if it's around emotional topics like money and politics.  4. Pessimists extrapolate present trends without accounting for how reliably markets adapt. That's important, because pessimistic views often start with a foundation of rational analysis, so the warning appears as reasonable as it is scary. Thomas Malthus 1800 Prophets were the ultimate optimist - that after we die we can be redeemed in God’s kingdom How we respond to God’s promise determines if we believe in God’s promise or not… [3:174] They have deserved GOD's blessings and grace. No harm ever touches them, for they have attained GOD's approval. GOD possesses infinite grace. [33:11] That is when the believers were truly tested; they were severely shaken up. [33:12] The hypocrites and those with doubts in their hearts said, "What GOD and His messenger promised us was no more than an illusion!" [33:13] A group of them said, "O people of Yathrib, you cannot attain victory; go back." Others made up excuses to the prophet: "Our homes are vulnerable," when they were not vulnerable. They just wanted to flee. Psalm 91 1  Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High     will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a] 2  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,     my God, in whom I trust.” 3  Surely he will save you     from the fowler’s snare     and from the deadly pestilence. 4  He will cover you with his feathers,     and under his wings you will find refuge;     his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5  You will not fear the terror of night,     nor the arrow that flies by day, 6  nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,     nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7  A thousand may fall at your side,     ten thousand at your right hand,     but it will not come near you. 8  You will only observe with your eyes     and see the punishment of the wicked. 9  If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”     and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10  no harm will overtake you,     no disaster will come near your tent. 11  For he will command his angels concerning you     to guard you in all your ways; 12  they will lift you up in their hands,     so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13  You will tread on the lion and the cobra;     you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14  “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;     I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15  He will call on me, and I will answer him;     I will be with him in trouble,     I will deliver him and honor him. 16  With long life I will satisfy him     and show him my salvation.”   [33:22] When the true believers saw the parties (ready to attack), they said, "This is what GOD and His messenger have promised us, and GOD and His messenger are truthful." This (dangerous situation) only strengthened their faith and augmented their submission. [2:249] When Saul took command of the troops, he said, "GOD is putting you to the test by means of a stream. Anyone who drinks from it does not belong with me—only those who do not taste it belong with me—unless it is just a single sip." They drank from it, except a few of them. When he crossed it with those who believed, they said, "Now we lack the strength to face Goliath and his troops." Those who were conscious of meeting GOD said, "Many a small army defeated a large army by GOD's leave. GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere.” [14:7] Your Lord has decreed: "The more you thank Me, the more I give you." But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe. [10:57] O people, enlightenment has come to you herein from your Lord, and healing for anything that troubles your hearts, and guidance, and mercy for the believers. [10:58] Say, "With GOD's grace and with His mercy they shall rejoice." This is far better than any wealth they can accumulate.

5 Huhti 201918min

Subscribe to the podcast and notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/ Quran translation on iOS: https://apple.co/2C1YGXj Additional Resources: http://www.masjidtucson.org Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com If I went back two hundred years and I explained to the people back then that life has gotten so easy in our time that we literally have to pay money to go to a facility to lift heavy objects only to put them back where you got them and to run on a machine that doesn’t take you anywhere they would think that we have all gone crazy The reason is because in the past doing hard labor was part of life Let’s suspend disbelief for one second and imagine that reincarnation was real, then statistically there is a +90% chance that in all your past lives you were a farmer. This is what makes people who believe reincarnation so comical is that they were never a farmer in their past lives instead they were some knight or king/queen or general - a very prestigious historical figure, but in reality, most likely they were farmers, they never traveled more than 25 miles from where they were born in their whole life. They probably lost children due to illness or disease, they were probably illiterate, probably got up before dawn every morning and worked all day till sunset and then went to bed only to do the same thing again the next day and the day after that. Life back then was intrinsically hard, and the ones who survived had the same genes of their ancestors but as time progressed things shifted When in the past 90% of the population were famers now only 2% of the population are farmers Rather than doing physically demanding work for a job we now predominately do mentally demanding work And as a society, we quickly came to realize that because our lives have gotten so less physically demanding our health has taken a major impact We now sit more than ever, we sit in our cars as we commute to work, we sit in front of a computer for many hours during the day and then we sit and watch Netflix or YouTube Because of this gap we understood that in order to stay physically fit and healthy we needed to create ARTIFICIAL physical hardship. We started exercising, going to the gym, running, we sign up for exercise classes (yoga, pilates, cardio kickboxing). We go on hikes (not to tend to our flock or to savage for food) but for leisure. And in return, our health and vitality improved, because our physiology was designed to need stress. If our muscles are not used they atrophy, we get weak, we get prone to injury and our health and overall wellness deteriorates. To someone 200 years ago this would seem Now what is interesting is that this change in lifestyle didn’t just impact our physical lives it also affected our mental ones as well. And for some reason despite realizing that we require physical stresses in order to keep our bodies healthy, we somehow came to believe that by eliminating any mental hardships that somehow this will not have a strain on our mental resilience Today we have life easier than ever Anything we want we can pretty much have instantly. Walk into a grocery and year-round you can choose from any variety of fresh meats, fruits, grains etc. Don’t feel like cooking probably within a five-mile radius of where you are there are a whole list of options of different restaurants and food styles you could select to. Spend five minutes and instantly there will be a team of trained professionals ready to serve you. The concept of being bored is no longer possible. We have such an abundance of entertainment that if you spent your whole life just watching Netflix or YouTube you would never even dent a fraction of one percent of the content that is continuously being produced for your personal entertainment. While this is a HUGE blessing there is no doubt that this life of ease and abundance, if not handled correctly, will have severe consequences on our mental resilience - NO DIFFERENT THAN THE CHANGE IN PHYSICAL WORK has had ************************ DOWNSIDE OF LACK OF MENTAL RESILIENCE What happens to a society that has begotten soft on mental resilience? "History is filled with the sound of silken slippers going downstairs and wooden shoes coming up." —Voltaire This has to do with the physical demand, but what about the mental toll of living too comfortable of a life? Cyrus didn’t want to move the capital from Pasargadae to Susa because he thought that it would make his people soft Under Cyrus' son Cambyses II, Susa became a center of political power as one of 4 capitals of the Achaemenid Persian empire, while reducing the significance of Pasargadae as the capital of Persis. Following Cambyses' brief rule, Darius the Great began a major building program in Susa and Persepolis. During this time he describes his new capital in the DSf inscription: "History is filled with the sound of silken slippers going downstairs and wooden shoes coming up." —Voltaire History is filled with societies who complain more despite having more, being overtaken by societies who complain less despite having less – QuranTalk This is counterintuitive but complaining is inversely proportional to how much we have [14:7] Your Lord has decreed: "The more you thank Me, the more I give you." But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe. [42:27] If GOD increased the provision for His servants, they would transgress on earth. This is why He sends it precisely measured to whomever He wills. He is fully Cognizant and Seer of His servants. [43:33] If it were not that all the people might become one (disbelieving) congregation, we would have granted everyone who disbelieves in the Most Gracious mansions with silver roofs, and stairs upon which they could climb. [16:112] GOD cites the example of a community that used to be secure and prosperous, with provisions coming to it from everywhere. But then, it turned unappreciative of GOD's blessings. Consequently, GOD caused them to taste the hardships of starvation and insecurity. Such is the requital for what they did. Mo Money Mo Problems - Puff Daddy aka P.Diddy PESSIMISM Today despite having so much, society seems to have ever so much more to complain about WHY???? Complaining is tempting because it feels good, but like many other things that are enjoyable—such as smoking or eating a whole chocolate cake for breakfast— complaining isn’t good for you. Research shows that most people complain once a minute during a typical conversation. Neurons that fire together wire together Reinforce find things to complain about. Make more connections and focus on more on what is wrong. While it’s not an exaggeration to say that complaining leads to brain damage, it doesn’t stop there. When you complain, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol shifts you into fight-or-flight mode, directing oxygen, blood, and energy away from everything but the systems that are essential to immediate survival. One effect of cortisol, for example, is to raise your blood pressure and blood sugar so that you’ll be prepared to either escape or defend yourself. All the extra cortisol released by frequent complaining impairs your immune system and makes you more susceptible to high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It even makes the brain more vulnerable to strokes. Complaining is contagious - it affects the people around us • me complaining about kids when she was first born - wife saying why are you ruining this for me. Like someone you go out to eat with and only points out the bad things or similar to a movie What we complain about is proportionate to our expectations Happiness = Expectations - Reality When our expectations that everything has to work out our way on our terms by our expectations then we are setting our selves up for disappointment My threshold for boredom - My threshold for being offended People who think that they are being persecuted and marginalized when they have so much more freedom and opportunity than any other generation in history Do bad things and atrocities occur - sure but these are not the norm We have a limited amount of time in our day and what we choose to focus on will affect not just our mood but our overall destiny, because what we do every day eventually effects our actions in our life. Good thoughts, good actions, good deeds Bad thoughts, bad actions, bad deeds Chip on their shoulder [63:4] When you see them, you may be impressed by their looks. And when they speak, you may listen to their eloquence. They are like standing logs. They think that every call is intended against them. These are the real enemies; beware of them. GOD condemns them; they have deviated. Limited capacity throughout our day what we want to focus on = can choose to focus on the good or the bad Focus on the good or the bad? Can fix as many wrongs, but not dwell only on the bad and neglect the good Like the famous Harvard experiment with the passing of the basketball and that 50% of the people missed the moon walking gorilla The reality is that life is getting exponentially better in every respect in aggregate but our threshold of expectations is growing at a faster clip Think of the idea of travel.... In the past travel was not a leisure activity - it was hardship, painful and typically and absolutely not done for leisure People who used to travel by boat across the Atlantic Or people who used to travel across a continent by wagon They were risking their lives, they would be gone sometimes for years at at time away from their families Now a person is stuck behind a light or the person infront of them cuts them off or their GPS isn’t working and they go nuts If you make more than $33k/ year you are in the top 1% of the world If you adjust for cost of living globally let’s say it is $60k Invisibilia Podcast - The Fifth Vital Sign - Pain Girls who pain receptors would make anything touching their bodies feel excruciatingly painful Like being in a silent room and then the sound of one's heart sounds like a cacophony *********************** HOW TO FOSTER MENTAL RESILIENCE Embrace the pain - Increase our thresholds With pain there is gain [94:5] With pain there is gain. [94:6] Indeed, with pain there is gain. Deprivation Fasting Walking vs. driving Cold showers Achievement without struggle is rarely satisfying - lifting light weights Iran - daily blackouts for hours at a time Meditation people prefer to shock themselves rather than be in a quite room by themselves for 15 minutes Reduce stimulation - Boredom Creating artificial scenarios to mentally challenge one self (seems crazy) why would anyone do that? Just like ti would be crazy for the person 200 years ago for us to go to the gym Do something hard "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard," - JFK Get too soft and your body recalibrated to the new threshold of pain Marriage is on a decline = tinder, bumble app Can’t matin a relationship Someone who is unappreciative - does not acknowledge the benefits of things does not see the value in things A cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing [3:140] If you suffer hardship, the enemy also suffers the same hardship. We alternate the days of victory and defeat among the people. GOD thus distinguishes the true believers, and blesses some of you with martyrdom. GOD dislikes injustice. [3:141] GOD thus toughens those who believe and humiliates the disbelievers. “Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult life” Bruce Lee - Zig Zigler not sure Radio Lab - Bliss - Aleksander Gamme Antartica 3 month hike on skies to the south pole and back by himself Every 200km he would burry something in the snow Day 86 Walking 10 hours a day lost 55 lbs Last cache Double pack of cheese doodles Chocolate bar mentos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC8gJ0_9o4M

29 Maalis 201930min

Subscribe to the podcast and notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/ Quran translation on iOS: https://apple.co/2C1YGXj Additional Resources: http://www.masjidtucson.org Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com   What causes a nation to fail? There are lots of theories Maybe it is disease? When the Europeans arrived, carrying germs which thrived in dense, semi-urban populations, the indigenous people of the Americas were effectively doomed. They had never experienced smallpox, measles or flu before, and the viruses tore through the continent, killing an estimated 90% of Native Americans. Maybe it is poor financial planning like Communist Russia Maybe it is a revolution like Iran in 1978 One of the theories I particularly like states that: when the complexity of operating a society outstrips its utility then it is destined to fail…  There are endless books and theories to what causes a nation to fail, but these are all by products of one single criteria that God tells us in the Quran: [16:112] GOD cites the example of a community that used to be secure and prosperous, with provisions coming to it from everywhere. But then, it turned unappreciative of GOD's blessings. Consequently, GOD caused them to taste the hardships of starvation and insecurity. Such is the requital for what they did.   [14:7] Your Lord has decreed: "The more you thank Me, the more I give you." But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe. Word: رَغَدًا (raghadan) Root: ر غ د to be abound in a good thing; (eat) freely and plentifully and with ease; live in ease and affluence; be amble and pleasant (in life); freely; plentifully; with ease This root and this word occurs only 3 times in the Quran, one of those times was in 16:112 as we just read  (2) Adam in Paradise  [2:35] We said, "O Adam, live with your wife in Paradise, and eat therefrom generously, as you please, but do not approach this tree, lest you sin.” [20:116] Recall that we said to the angels, "Fall prostrate before Adam." They fell prostrate, except Satan; he refused. [20:117] We then said, "O Adam, this is an enemy of you and your wife. Do not let him evict you from Paradise, lest you become miserable. [20:118] "You are guaranteed never to hunger therein, nor go unsheltered. [20:119] "Nor will you thirst therein, nor suffer from any heat." [7:17] "I will come to them from before them, and from behind them, and from their right, and from their left, and You will find that most of them are unappreciative." [20:120] But the devil whispered to him, saying, "O Adam, let me show you the tree of eternity and unending kingship." [20:121] They ate from it, whereupon their bodies became visible to them, and they tried to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise. Adam thus disobeyed his Lord, and fell.   (2) Children of Israel Word: رَغَدًا (raghadan) Lack of Confidence in God: They Refuse to Enter Jerusalem [2:58] Recall that we said, "Enter this town, where you will find as many provisions as you like. Just enter the gate humbly, and treat the people nicely. We will then forgive your sins, and increase the reward for the pious." [2:59] But the wicked among them carried out commands other than the commands given to them. Consequently, we sent down upon the transgressors condemnation from the sky, due to their wickedness. So much of what we have we did zero work for: [56:57] We have created you, if you could only believe! [56:58] Have you noted the semen that you produce? [56:59] Did you create it, or did we? [56:60] We have predetermined death for you. Nothing can stop us— [56:61] from substituting new generations in your place, and establishing what you do not know. [56:62] You know about the first creation. Do you not remember? [56:63] Have you noted the crops you reap? [56:64] Did you grow them, or did we? [56:65] If we will, we can turn it into hay. Then you will lament: [56:66] "We lost. [56:67] "We are deprived." [56:68] Have you noted the water you drink? [56:69] Did you send it down from the clouds, or did we? [56:70] If we will, we can make it salty. You should be thankful. [56:71] Have you noted the fire you ignite? [56:72] Did you initiate its tree, or did we? [56:73] We rendered it a reminder, and a useful tool for the users. [56:74] You shall glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.  Psalm 8:4 What is man that you are mindful of him    There is no appreciative without believing and glorifying God alone Appreciation comes from worshipping God alone [68:17] We have tested them like we tested the owners of the garden who swore that they will harvest it in the morning. [68:18] They were so absolutely sure. [68:19] A passing (storm) from your Lord passed by it while they were asleep. [68:20] By morning, it was barren. [68:21] They called on each other in the morning. [68:22] "Let us harvest the crop." [68:23] On their way, they confided to each other. [68:24] That from then on, none of them would be poor. [68:25] They were so absolutely sure of their harvest. [68:26] But when they saw it, they said, "We were so wrong! [68:27] "Now, we have nothing! [68:28] The righteous among them said, "If only you had glorified (God)!" Remembering God Every Chance We Get [18:23] You shall not say that you will do anything in the future, [18:24] without saying, "GOD willing." If you forget to do this, you must immediately remember your Lord and say, "May my Lord guide me to do better next time.”  It doesn’t matter how clever you are or how hard you work if we are not acknowledging that all our blessings come from God then we are destined to fail. Example of the two men and their gardens [18:32] Cite for them the example of two men: we gave one of them two gardens of grapes, surrounded by date palms, and placed other crops between them. [18:33] Both gardens produced their crops on time, and generously, for we caused a river to run through them. [18:34] Once, after harvesting, he boastfully told his friend: "I am far more prosperous than you, and I command more respect from the people."   [18:35] When he entered his garden, he wronged his soul by saying, "I do not think that this will ever end. [18:36] "Moreover, I think this is it; I do not think that the Hour (the Hereafter) will ever come to pass. Even if I am returned to my Lord, I will (clever enough to) possess an even better one over there.” [18:37] His friend said to him, as he debated with him, "Have you disbelieved in the One who created you from dust, then from a tiny drop, then perfected you into a man? [18:38] "As for me, GOD is my Lord, and I will never set up any other god besides my Lord. [18:39] "When you entered your garden, you should have said, 'This is what GOD has given me (Mã Shã Allãh). No one possesses power except GOD (Lã Quwwata Ellã Bellãh).' You may see that I possess less money and less children than you. [18:40] "My Lord may grant me better than your garden. He may send a violent storm from the sky that wipes out your garden, leaving it completely barren. [18:41] "Or, its water may sink deeper, out of your reach." [18:42] Indeed, his crops were wiped out, and he ended up sorrowful, lamenting what he had spent on it in vain, as his property lay barren. He finally said, "I wish I never set up my property as a god beside my Lord." [18:43] No force on earth could have helped him against GOD, nor was it possible for him to receive any help. [18:44] That is because the only true Lord and master is GOD; He provides the best recompense, and with Him is the best destiny. [18:45] Cite for them the example of this life as water that we send down from the sky to produce plants of the earth, then they turn into hay that is blown away by the wind. GOD is able to do all things. If we are unappreciative we will lose everything as it is God who causes the provisions to be sent or turned to hay  If we think it is us who is doing this then we are worshiping our selves How can we tell when as a society we are turning unappreciative?   [34:15] Sheba's homeland used to be a marvel, with two gardens on the right and the left. Eat from your Lord's provisions, and be appreciative of Him—good land, and a forgiving Lord. [34:16] They turned away and, consequently, we poured upon them a disastrous flood, and we substituted their two gardens into two gardens of bad tasting fruits, thorny plants, and a skimpy harvest. [34:17] We thus requited them for their disbelief. Do we not requite only the disbelievers? [34:18] We placed between them and the communities that we blessed other oases, and we secured the journey between them: "Travel therein days and nights in complete security." [34:19] But they (turned unappreciative and) challenged: "Our Lord, we do not care if You increase the distance of our journeys (without any stations)." They thus wronged their own souls. Consequently, we made them history, and scattered them into small communities throughout the land. This should provide lessons for those who are steadfast, appreciative.    [34:20] Satan found them readily fulfilling his expectations. They followed him, except a few believers. Entitlement  Just because God has blessed us tremendously does not mean we “deserve” any of this. Once we think we deserve something we no longer become appreciative we think it is owed to us  [41:50] And when we bless him after suffering some adversity, he says, "This belongs to me. I do not believe that the Hour will ever come to pass. Even if I am returned to my Lord, I will find at Him better things." Most certainly, we will inform the disbelievers of all their works, and will commit them to severe retribution.   Children of Israel [7:131] When good omens came their way, they said, "We have deserved this," but when a hardship afflicted them, they blamed Moses and those with him. In fact, their omens are decided only by GOD, but most of them do not know.  [11:9] Whenever we bless the human being with mercy from us, then remove it, he turns despondent, unappreciative. [11:10] Whenever we bless him, after adversity had afflicted him, he says, "All adversity has gone away from me;" he becomes excited, proud. [11:11] As for those who steadfastly persevere, and lead a righteous life, they deserve forgiveness and a generous recompense. [19:77] Have you noted the one who rejected our revelations then said, "I will be given wealth and children"?! [19:78] Has he seen the future? Has he taken such a pledge from the Most Gracious?” Entitlement is the opposite of gratitude  Entitlement - I deserve these eyes, I deserve this clean bill of health  God owes us nothing and we owe Him everything  If I believe it is owed to me then I don’t believe I have to work for it Thinking nothing is their fault and everything is owed to them [10:12] When adversity touches the human being, he implores us while lying down, or sitting, or standing up. But as soon as we relieve his adversity, he goes on as if he never implored us to relieve any hardship! The works of the transgressors are thus adorned in their eyes.  becomes accustomed to something habituation    Children of Israel Rebel [2:61] Recall that you said, "O Moses, we can no longer tolerate one kind of food. Call upon your Lord to produce for us such earthly crops as beans, cucumbers, garlic, lentils, and onions." He said, "Do you wish to substitute that which is inferior for that which is good? Go down to Egypt, where you can find what you asked for." They have incurred condemnation, humiliation, and disgrace, and brought upon themselves wrath from GOD. This is because they rejected GOD's revelations, and killed the prophets unjustly. This is because they disobeyed and transgressed.  How can we tell that we have progressed from feeling entitled to feeling appreciative? When we replace a sense of entitlement and exception that things are owed to me, to a life of service and gratitude and understanding how can I serve others based on the provisions and blessings that God has given me When we are young we are self-centered this makes sense as in our youth we are trying to figure out who we are why are we here But if we never grow out of that phase then we will never grow to understand how we can serve others… Example of Moses - When he was a baby he cried for milk when he refused any nursing mother aside from his own mother. [28:22] As he traveled towards Midyan, he said, "May my Lord guide me in the right path." [28:23] When he reached Midyan's water, he found a crowd of people watering, and noticed two women waiting on the side. He said, "What is it that you need?" They said, "We are not able to water, until the crowd disperses, and our father is an old man." [28:24] He watered for them, then turned to the shade, saying, "My Lord, whatever provision You send to me, I am in dire need for it." [28:25] Soon, one of the two women approached him, shyly, and said, "My father invites you to pay you for watering for us." When he met him, and told him his story, he said, "Have no fear. You have been saved from the oppressive people."  Believing Nations Prosper [10:98] Any community that believes will surely be rewarded for believing. For example, the people of Jonah: when they believed, we relieved the humiliating retribution they had been suffering in this world, and we made them prosperous. [10:99] Had your Lord willed, all the people on earth would have believed.* Do you want to force the people to become believers? A society that believes in God will want to help out others in need. Appreciative means grateful, helpful, charitable Unappreciative ungrateful, self centered, selfish, stingy greedy Done by choice not by force Don’t attempt to outsource your righteous deeds for others to perform on your behalf

1 Maalis 201933min

Subscribe to the podcast and show notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/ Quran translation on iOS: https://apple.co/2C1YGXj Additional Resources: http://www.masjidtucson.org Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com   What about when the right path is almost impossible to find? So I have been watching a Netflix series called Ozark and the premise of the show is how one family keeps getting further and further away from righteousness and how they keep thinking that if they just do one more bad deed they will be able to get back to their normal lives. In one of the episodes of Ozark, one of the main characters made the following quote that really resonated with me. “evil comes when the righteous path is so hidden it looks like there is only one way out.” What do you do when you reach a crossroads and you are being tested and you know the right path but it is too hard to make the right decision? Scent of a women - I’ve been to the crossroads The question is what should we do when temptation is too high. [29:2] Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe," without being put to the test? [29:3] We have tested those before them, for GOD must distinguish those who are truthful, and He must expose the liars. God's Tests Are Never Unreasonable [4:66] Had we decreed for them: "You must offer your lives," or "Give up your homes," they would not have done it, except for a few of them. (Even if such a command was issued,) had they done what they were commanded to do, it would have been better for them, and would prove the strength of their faith. In consumer electronics and specifically semiconductors there are different grades of product quality. And each grade was more expensive.  Commercial: 0 °C to 70 °C - test at 25C Industrial: −40 °C to 85 °C Automotive: −40 °C to 125 °C Military: −55 °C to 125 °C The higher the test the higher the cause  [6:132] Everyone will attain a rank commensurate with their deeds. Your Lord is never unaware of anything they do. know what the right path is but too hard Cognitive dissonance kicks in and convince yourself the wrong path is the right path The right path is so blocked that it is almost impossible to see The worst thing that can happen to someone is when they can’t differentiate right from wrong. And this occurs when we persist in sins knowingly. Cognitive dissonance - people like to think that they are good righteous, virtuous, but when their actions do not align this causes discomfort and they have a choice They can continue to try to improve and do better They can convince themselves that their sins are actually righteous Better to sin out of weakness and admit it is a sin rather than lie to one’s self and deny it is sinful or worst yet call it righteous [35:8] Note the one whose evil work is adorned in his eyes, until he thinks that it is righteous. GOD thus sends astray whoever wills (to go astray), and He guides whoever wills (to be guided). Therefore, do not grieve over them. GOD is fully aware of everything they do. (3) The Hypocrites [2:8] Then there are those who say, "We believe in GOD and the Last Day," while they are not believers. [2:9] In trying to deceive GOD and those who believe, they only deceive themselves without perceiving. [2:10] In their minds there is a disease. Consequently, GOD augments their disease. They have incurred a painful retribution for their lying. [2:11] When they are told, "Do not commit evil," they say, "But we are righteous!" [2:12] In fact, they are evildoers, but they do not perceive. [6:43] If only they implored when our test afflicted them! Instead, their hearts were hardened, and the devil adorned their works in their eyes. [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. [3:135] If they fall in sin or wrong their souls, they remember God and ask forgiveness for their sins - and who forgives the sins except God - and they do not persist in sins, knowingly. Joseph being tempted  [12:23] The lady of the house where he lived tried to seduce him. She closed the doors and said, "I am all yours." He said, "May GOD protect me. He is my Lord, who gave me a good home. The transgressors never succeed." [12:24] She almost succumbed to him, and he almost succumbed to her, if it were not that he saw a proof from his Lord. We thus diverted evil and sin away from him, for he was one of our devoted servants.  This revelation is not about an ordinary guy, it is about Joseph who was blessed with wisdom and knowledge. Joseph knew what is right and what is wrong but with all knowing, he was about to fail, but he was saved. How? Joseph was saved because he implored to God. God save him by showing a proof from his lord, a mercy, how about us? Do we implore to God? Or can we see a proof from the God when we are at a crossroad and temptation is too high?  [17:73] They almost diverted you from the revelations we have given you. They wanted you to fabricate something else, in order to consider you a friend. [17:74] If it were not that we strengthened you, you almost leaned towards them just a little bit. [17:75] Had you done that, we would have doubled the retribution for you in this life, and after death, and you would have found no one to help you against us. When we sin we are actively trying to block out God’s light [74:38] Every soul is trapped by its sins. [74:39] Except for those on the right. [6:122] Is one who was dead and we granted him life, and provided him with light that enables him to move among the people, equal to one in total darkness from which he can never exit? The works of the disbelievers are thus adorned in their eyes. Light is what lets us know what is right and wrong so that we can get back on the right path Trees move in the direction of the light Kudzu plant will slowly grow over existing structures like trees and will block all sunlight from approaching the object and eventually kill the tree All paths lead back to God so we can submit willingly or unwillingly but ultimately we will be returned to God and either be rewarded with Paradise or see the retribution of Hell [13:15] To GOD prostrates everyone in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the mornings and the evenings. What do we need to see something? 3 things: We need eyes and a brain We need light  and more importantly We have to want to see God's light is the same. We can see God's light with our hearts as long as we are not strayers and want to see God's signs by imploring to Him. What is God’s light and what it does?  There is only one verse in Quran that talks about Light Upon Light and that is when God explains. God  [24:35] GOD is the light of the heavens and the earth. The allegory of His light is that of a concave mirror behind a lamp that is placed inside a glass container. The glass container is like a bright, pearl-like star. The fuel thereof is supplied from a blessed oil-producing tree, that is neither eastern, nor western. Its oil is almost self-radiating; needs no fire to ignite it. Light upon light. GOD guides to His light whomever He wills. GOD thus cites the parables for the people. GOD is fully aware of all things. What does God's light do? It provides guidance.  When in the Contact Prayer, we say "Guide us to the right path the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers. We are asking God to turn on his light. It helps us to see the whole thing, our innermost egos and the consequences of our actions.  It is interesting to mention that there is only one verse that talks about darkness upon darkness and this verse is in the same chapter of Light Upon Light, 5 verses below. There is something very unique about it that I have to share with you. [24:40] Another allegory is that of being in total darkness in the midst of a violent ocean, with waves upon waves, in addition to thick fog. Darkness upon darkness—if he looked at his own hand, he could barely see it. Whomever GOD deprives of light, will have no light. God talks about Darkness upon Darkness... the strange part is , in the same verse, God says "if he looked at his own hand, he could barely see it."; What does “barely” mean? You can barely see if there is tiny light otherwise you could see nothing. What does a tiny light is doing in the middle of Darkness Upon Darkness. Do you know what is called that tiny light in total darkness? HOPE Never despair of God’s mercy. No matter what the odds are. God's Infinite Mercy  [39:53] Proclaim: "O My servants who exceeded the limits, never despair of GOD's mercy. For GOD forgives all sins. He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful." It tells me no matter how darn the situation is, darkness upon darkness, there is always hope, a tiny shred of light, never despair. [9:118] Also (redeemed were) the three who stayed behind. The spacious earth became so straitened for them, that they almost gave up all hope for themselves. Finally, they realized that there was no escape from God, except to Him. He then redeemed them that they may repent. God is the Redeemer, Most Merciful. When is the best time to plant a tree 40 years ago when is the next best day today [65:2] ...Anyone who reverences GOD, He will create an exit for him.  [65:3] And will provide for him whence he never expected. Anyone who trusts in GOD, He suffices him. GOD's commands are done. GOD has decreed for everything its fate. [65:4] ...Anyone who reverences GOD, He makes everything easy for him. [65:7]...GOD will provide ease after difficulty. If you think that there isn't a way, rest assured that with God there is always a way. In the heart to the Sahara desert is the Ubari sand sea Swallows that left Nigeria have travelled 1 and a half thousand miles so far on their way to Europe Luckily in the Ubari Sand Sea there is an oasis called Umm Al-maa In the midst of the desert ancient ground water swells to the surface And at first glance it looks like just what the swallows need for hydration in order to make their trip But they must be careful because this oasis is poisonous evaporation over the years has caused this oasis to be saltier than the sea and if that isn’t bad enough the place is infested with vast swarms of flies But this plague is the swallows salvation because the flies are filled with fresh water that have been filtered from the brine The birds get all the water and food they need from the flies bodies  [2:214] Do you expect to enter Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were tested with hardship and adversity, and were shaken up, until the messenger and those who believed with him said, "Where is GOD's victory?" GOD's victory is near. [2:286] GOD never burdens a soul beyond its means: to its credit is what it earns, and against it is what it commits. "Our Lord, do not condemn us if we forget or make mistakes. Our Lord, and protect us from blaspheming against You, like those before us have done. Our Lord, protect us from sinning until it becomes too late for us to repent. Pardon us and forgive us. You are our Lord and Master. Grant us victory over the disbelieving people."

1 Helmi 201926min

Subscribe to the podcast and show notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/ Quran translation on iOS: https://apple.co/2C1YGXj Additional Resources: http://www.masjidtucson.org Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com Mary [3:42] The angels said, "O Mary, GOD has chosen you and purified you. He has chosen you from all the women. [3:43] "O Mary, you shall submit to your Lord, and prostrate and bow down with those who bow down.”  [3:45] The angels said, "O Mary, GOD gives you good news: a Word from Him whose name is 'The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary.' He will be prominent in this life and in the Hereafter, and one of those closest to Me. [3:46] "He will speak to the people from the crib, as well as an adult; he will be one of the righteous.” [19:23] The birth process came to her by the trunk of a palm tree. She said, "(I am so ashamed;) I wish I were dead before this happened, and completely forgotten." [2:216] Fighting may be imposed on you, even though you dislike it. But you may dislike something which is good for you, and you may like something which is bad for you. GOD knows while you do not know. [10:61] You do not get into any situation, nor do you recite any Quran, nor do you do anything, without us being witnesses thereof as you do it. Not even an atom's weight is out of your Lord's control, be it in the heavens or the earth. Nor is there anything smaller than an atom, or larger, that is not recorded in a profound record. When faced with hardship do you believe: “this is happening to me” or “is this happening for me?” Sura 18 - There is a good reason for everything the people who own a boat; the parents of the child; the treasure for the orphans  Job 3 1-7 1. After a while, Job opened his mouth to speak. He cursed the day he had been born. 2 He said, 3 “May the day I was born be wiped out. May the night be wiped away when people said, ‘A boy is born!’ 4 May that day turn into darkness. May God in heaven not care about it. May no light shine on it. 5 May gloom and total darkness take it back. May a cloud settle over it. May blackness cover it up. 6 May deep darkness take over the night I was born. May it not be included among the days of the year. May it never appear in any of the months. 7 May no children ever have been born on that night. May no shout of joy be heard in it. Job 38:4 -7 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? 6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— 7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels[a] shouted for joy? [21:83] And Job implored his Lord: "Adversity has befallen me, and, of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful." [21:84] We responded to him, relieved his adversity, and restored his family for him, even twice as much. That was a mercy from us, and a reminder for the worshipers. Example of Joseph - Left for dead by his brothers Sold into slavery Falsely accused and thrown into prison Even if what happens is a consequence of our actions, God can use this for our good if we trust in Him. Tough Love If we trust in God he can transform any situation God who designed a system where: coal can be transformed into diamonds, sand into pearls, and a caterpillar into a butterfly can transform any situation in our lives as well.  God who can take the most putrid water and transform it to clean fresh nourishing and delicious for us to drink can also take any situation in our life that the devil has made for our bad into being for our good [56:68] Have you noted the water you drink? [56:69] Did you send it down from the clouds, or did we? [56:70] If we will, we can make it salty. You should be thankful. [15:22] ... and cause water to come down from the sky for you to drink. Otherwise, you could not keep it palatable. Joseph extended stay in prison [12:36] Two young men were in the prison with him. One of them said, "I saw (in my dream) that I was making wine," and the other said, "I saw myself carrying bread on my head, from which the birds were eating. Inform us of the interpretation of these dreams. We see that you are righteous." [12:41] "O my prison mates, one of you will be the wine butler for his lord, while the other will be crucified— the birds will eat from his head. This settles the matter about which you have inquired." [12:42] He then said to the one to be saved "Remember me at your lord."* Thus, the devil caused him to forget his Lord, and, consequently, he remained in prison a few more years. Imagine trying to crack an egg prematurely to help the chick before it was ready to get out on it’s own [32:21] We let them taste the smaller retribution (of this world), before they incur the greater retribution (of the Hereafter), that they may (take a hint and) reform. How much worse would it be to spend an eternity in Hell rather than waking up and taking a hint now? [4:147] What will GOD gain from punishing you, if you became appreciative and believed? GOD is Appreciative, Omniscient. There is a season for everything -  Sometimes a season for abundance and sometimes a season for scarcity  The King's Dream [12:43] The king said, "I saw seven fat cows being devoured by seven skinny cows, and seven green spikes (of wheat), and others shriveled. O my elders, advise me regarding my dream, if you know how to interpret the dreams." [12:44] They said, "Nonsense dreams. When it comes to the interpretation of dreams, we are not knowledgeable." [12:45] The one who was saved (from the prison) said, now that he finally remembered, "I can tell you its interpretation, so send me (to Joseph)." Joseph Interprets the King's Dream [12:46] "Joseph my friend, inform us about seven fat cows being devoured by seven skinny cows, and seven green spikes, and others shriveled. I wish to go back with some information for the people." [12:47] He said, "What you cultivate during the next seven years, when the time of harvest comes, leave the grains in their spikes, except for what you eat. [12:48] "After that, seven years of drought will come, which will consume most of what you stored for them. [12:49] "After that, a year will come that brings relief for the people, and they will, once again, press juice." [3:140] If you suffer hardship, the enemy also suffers the same hardship. We alternate the days of victory and defeat among the people. GOD thus distinguishes the true believers, and blesses some of you with martyrdom. GOD dislikes injustice. [3:141] GOD thus toughens those who believe and humiliates the disbelievers. [17:10] As for those who disbelieve in the Hereafter, we have prepared for them a painful retribution. [17:11] The human being often prays for something that may hurt him, thinking that he is praying for something good. The human being is impatient. Things are happening for a purpose  – Trust the process  [2:249] When Saul took command of the troops, he said, "GOD is putting you to the test by means of a stream. Anyone who drinks from it does not belong with me—only those who do not taste it belong with me—unless it is just a single sip." They drank from it, except a few of them. When he crossed it with those who believed, they said, "Now we lack the strength to face Goliath and his troops." Those who were conscious of meeting GOD said, "Many a small army defeated a large army by GOD's leave. GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere.” [33:12] The hypocrites and those with doubts in their hearts said, "What GOD and His messenger promised us was no more than an illusion!" [33:13] A group of them said, "O people of Yathrib, you cannot attain victory; go back." Others made up excuses to the prophet: "Our homes are vulnerable," when they were not vulnerable. They just wanted to flee. [33:14] Had the enemy invaded and asked them to join, they would have joined the enemy without hesitation. [33:22] When the true believers saw the parties (ready to attack), they said, "This is what GOD and His messenger have promised us, and GOD and His messenger are truthful." This (dangerous situation) only strengthened their faith and augmented their submission. If we never move past from “Why is this happening to me” to “This is happing for me” then we could turn into hypocrites [29:2] Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe," without being put to the test? [29:10] Among the people there are those who say, "We believe in GOD," but as soon as they suffer any hardship because of GOD, they equate the people's persecution with GOD's retribution. But if blessings from your Lord come your way, they say, "We were with you." Is GOD not fully aware of the people's innermost thoughts? [29:11] GOD will most certainly distinguish those who believe, and He will most certainly expose the hypocrites. [3:165] Now that you have suffered a setback, and even though you inflicted twice as much suffering (upon your enemy), you said, "Why did this happen to us?" Say, "This is a consequence of your own deeds." GOD is Omnipotent. [3:166] What afflicted you the day the two armies clashed was in accordance with GOD's will, and to distinguish the believers. [3:167] And to expose the hypocrites who were told, "Come fight in the cause of GOD, or contribute." They said, "If we knew how to fight, we would have joined you." They were closer to disbelief then than they were to belief. They uttered with their mouths what was not in their hearts. GOD knows what they conceal. [3:168] They said of their kinsmen, as they stayed behind, "Had they obeyed us, they would not have been killed." Say, "Then prevent your own death, if you are truthful." Difference between a Submitter or Weak Believer and a Hypocrite Difference between a Hypocrite and a weak believer is the weak believer knows what is right and what is wrong, but lacks the strength to go for the right path. The hypocrite on the other hand will change the definition of the right path to match their desires. [9:118] Also (redeemed were) the three who stayed behind. The spacious earth became so straitened for them, that they almost gave up all hope for themselves. Finally, they realized that there was no escape from GOD, except to Him. He then redeemed them that they may repent. GOD is the Redeemer, Most Merciful. [3:154] After the setback, He sent down upon you peaceful slumber that pacified some of you. Others among you were selfishly concerned about themselves. They harbored thoughts about GOD that were not right— the same thoughts they had harbored during the days of ignorance. Thus, they said, "Is anything up to us?" Say, "Everything is up to GOD." They concealed inside themselves what they did not reveal to you. They said, "If it was up to us, none of us would have been killed in this battle." Say, "Had you stayed in your homes, those destined to be killed would have crawled into their death beds." GOD thus puts you to the test to bring out your true convictions, and to test what is in your hearts. GOD is fully aware of the innermost thoughts. Lot less concern on the outcome and more concern for the process Marcus Lemonis - The Profit: people, process; profit Can’t control the winds but we can adjust our sails  We can’t control the outcome we can only control our input Can you go through the experience and feel good about your decision? Sow the seeds to gain the harvest The farmer who trusts in God knows the process. They know that if they plant the right seeds and do the righteous works that they will reap the benefits regardless of the short term outcome or temporary “season” Accumulation of what you do everyday Accumulation of thousands of small decisions to push the lever to the other track  Slight gradual change to big momentous shift Stone cutter quote - “When nothing seems to help, I go back and look at the stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it — but all that had gone before.” [10:61] You do not get into any situation, nor do you recite any Quran, nor do you do anything, without us being witnesses thereof as you do it. Not even an atom's weight is out of your Lord's control, be it in the heavens or the earth. Nor is there anything smaller than an atom, or larger, that is not recorded in a profound record.   Boy named sue - Johnny Cash   Well my daddy left home when I was three And he didn't leave much to Ma and me Just this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze Now, I don't blame him 'cause he run and hid But the meanest thing that he ever did Was before he left, he went and named me "Sue"   Well, he must o' thought that is quite a joke And it got a lot of laughs from a' lots of folk It seems I had to fight my whole life through Some gal would giggle and I'd get red And some guy'd laugh and I'd bust his head I tell ya, life ain't easy for a boy named "Sue"   …   He stood there lookin' at me and I saw him smile And he said, "Son, this world is rough And if a man's gonna make it, he's gotta be tough And I know I wouldn't be there to help you along So I give you that name and I said goodbye I knew you'd have to get tough or die And it's the name that helped to make you strong"   He said, "Now you just fought one hell of a fight And I know you hate me, and you got the right To kill me now, and I wouldn't blame you if you do But you ought to thank me, before I die For the gravel in your guts and the spit in your eye 'Cause I'm the person that named you "Sue"   What could I do, what could I do I got all choked up and I threw down my gun Called him my Pa, and he called me his son And I come away with a different point of view

11 Tammi 201924min

Subscribe to the podcast and show notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/ Quran translation on iOS: https://apple.co/2C1YGXj Additional Resources: http://www.masjidtucson.org Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com   F$%! the poor video Three kinds of people 1. the ones who are indifferent 2. The ones who only react when they are offended 3. The ones who give to charity in either situation [7:176] Had we willed, we could have elevated him therewith, but he insisted on sticking to the ground, and pursued his own opinions. Thus, he is like the dog; whether you pet him or scold him, he pants. Such is the example of people who reject our proofs. Narrate these narrations, that they may reflect. It is good to speak up, but it shouldn’t be the only time we react is to an external stimulus This is the difference between a thermometer and a thermostat Thermometer only reacts to the external environment Thermostat adjusts the settings of the environment If we are only going through life reacting to events then we are just being a thermometer This isn’t bad, but it shouldn’t be our end destination. Think of these moments as our call to action. David vs. Goliath Example of Moses Kills a man Almost kills a person again Comes back as a change agent Rather than just getting mad at the person who is saying these terrible things about the poor. Go and give to the poor. [2:274] Those who give to charity night and day, secretly and publicly, receive their recompense from their Lord; they will have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve. [3:92] You cannot attain righteousness until you give to charity from the possessions you love. Whatever you give to charity, GOD is fully aware thereof. [25:63] The worshipers of the Most Gracious are those who tread the earth gently, and when the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace. [84:19] You will move from stage to stage. Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. [3:175] It is the devil's system to instill fear into his subjects. Do not fear them and fear Me instead, if you are believers. The devil wants to fear, to incite, to get you outraged But fear and outrage are not virtues The question is what do you do when you experience them? 7 stages of grief Shock & Denial Pain & guilt Anger & bargaining Depression, reflection, loneliness The upward turn Reconstruction and working through Acceptance and hope Why so angry? Same thing we go from fear to love of God. [72:13] " `When we heard the guidance, we believed therein. Anyone who believes in his Lord will never fear any injustice, nor any affliction. Injustice only exists if you don’t believe in a Hereafter [4:79] Anything good that happens to you is from GOD, and anything bad that happens to you is from you. We have sent you as a messenger to the people, and GOD suffices as witness. It is easier to destroy than to build ************************************ Why do people like spicy food? Believed to originally be because to mask the taste of food particularly meat that was not fresh. Found that in climates the more hot the more the use of spices in their recipes But this for the most part no longer applies as we have plenty of access to fresh meat by means of refrigeration yet I don’t think there is a decline in human desire towards spicy food With the exception of the tree shrews, I don’t think there is any other mammal that has a fondness of spicy food https://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating/stories/man-is-the-only-animal-to-find-pleasure-in-the-pain-of-peppers https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/science/21peppers.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2&ref=science https://www.thrillist.com/health/nation/what-makes-some-people-like-spicy-food-and-others-hate-it And the only reason that tree shrews like particular chili peppers is because they have a mutation that lowers the sensitivity to the compound that gives spicy food that burning sensation in all other mammals. Dr. Paul Bloom: “How Pleasure Works: The New Science of Why We Like What We Like,” First we do it because we see other people doing it Then since we do it we convince ourselves that we like it Then we start actually liking it Then we want more and more of it to the point that regular food just tastes bland without it This shows how we can train ourselves to like unpalatable things This can be true for much of what we do. Outrage associate the feeling with excitement Animals, for the most part, don’t get angry (monkey grapes and cucumbers experiment) Outrage is a learned behavior Entice / provoke - devils tool [17:64] "You may entice them with your voice, and mobilize all your forces and all your men against them, and share in their money and children, and promise them. Anything the devil promises is no more than an illusion. How cheap is your happiness? When we get angry and stay in a state of anger we are showing that we are doubting God’s promise… [4:85] Whoever mediates a good deed receives a share of the credit thereof, and whoever mediates an evil work, incurs a share thereof. GOD controls all things. Outrage has a social contagion effect Pepsi commercial - Kendall Jenner https://player.fm/series/what-really-happened-1638434/kendall-jenner-the-anatomy-of-an-advertising-disaster https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA5Yq1DLSmQ How anger affects judgment - we make worse decisions The average person didn’t think it was that bad between 18 - 29 years old 50% said it gave them a positive view of Pepsi, 26% less positive. 24% neutral Experiment with music Gave people a list of songs in one group they were told certain songs were liked more than the other and the other group was told the opposite Netflix got rid of the star review system with a simple thumbs up or down. The reason is that everyone says they like movies like Shindler’s list and not Adam Sandler movies, but their viewing habits show otherwise. We weigh negative critiques more than positive. If someone tells you the food at somewhere is bad who is more likely not to go there? The one who went there and experienced that bad food or the one who never went there? Need 10 positive reviews for each negative review What message are we putting out to the world? [9:15] He will also remove the rage from the believers' hearts. GOD redeems whomever He wills. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise. [5:2] O you who believe, do not violate the rites instituted by GOD, nor the Sacred Months, nor the animals to be offered, nor the garlands marking them, nor the people who head for the Sacred Shrine (Ka'bah) seeking blessings from their Lord and approval. Once you complete the pilgrimage, you may hunt.* Do not be provoked into aggression by your hatred of people who once prevented you from going to the Sacred Masjid. You shall cooperate in matters of righteousness and piety; do not cooperate in matters that are sinful and evil. You shall observe GOD. GOD is strict in enforcing retribution. We have limited time and limited brain capacity are you going to focus on the things that make you mad or the the things to be grateful for?  If you look at the world from a perspective of gratitude, looking to see joy and happiness, the brain will translate that joy and happiness into chemistry, such as a dopamine release from feeling pleasure. Molecules of emotion  - peptides and receptors - feedback loop  Happiness: Now and Forever* [10:62] Absolutely, GOD's allies have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve. [10:63] They are those who believe and lead a righteous life. [10:64] For them, joy and happiness in this world, as well as in the Hereafter. This is GOD's unchangeable law. Such is the greatest triumph. Every time you focus on gratitude, you’re helping combat depression and anxiety by minimizing your cortisol production.  https://qz.com/1463947/the-science-behind-the-health-benefits-of-a-daily-gratitude-practice/ Boredom is when our attention has been so dulled that we need some external stimuli to keep our mind occupied - sensationalization of our external stimuli dulls our senses - need outrage to keep us entertained We would rather electrocute ourselves than spend time in our own thoughts. This was demonstrated in a controversial 2014 study in which 67 per cent of male participants and 25 per cent of female participants opted to give themselves unpleasant electric shocks rather than spend 15 minutes in peaceful contemplation. Meditation is the act of getting back to baseline and being aware of your thoughts your surroundings being present - put things in perspective

26 Joulu 201822min