Muhammad’s speech in the Quran. Part 2

In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful

According to traditional opinion, main task of the records of the traditions or sayings of the prophet Muhammad is to report the explanations or Muhammad’s decisions on particular issues. The proposed topic provides specific answers to Muhammad’s questions from the Quran. I would like to remind you that the Quran is relevant up to the Day of Debt, as well as all prescribed by the Creator answers to the prophet.

Determination of the time is involved in a lot of things in people’s lives. Certain time terms play an important role in the life of any person. One of the landmarks of the measure of time is the moon and processes related to it. Therefore, the next question which arose was quite natural.

They ask you about the new moons.

Say, “They are measurements of time for the people and for pilgrimage.” And it is not righteousness to enter houses from the back, but righteousness is [in] one who is aware and enters houses from their doors. And beware of God that you may succeed. (2:189)

The sincere desire to do good things on the way to God dictated the search for the optimal solution. One of the most important acts for the believing person is the charity expense.

And they ask you what they should spend.

Say, “The excess.”

Thus God makes clear to you the signs that you might give thought. (2:219)

It is noteworthy that in this case, binding to any particular rate is not detected. The believer, after securing himself with the necessity is free to spend the rest of the full amount.

They ask you, what they should spend.

Say, “Whatever you spend of good is for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good – indeed, God is Knowing of it.” (2:215)

I would like to note that these categories are made up of socially vulnerable population. Some of them are orphans.

And they ask you about orphans.

Say, “Improvement for them is best. And if you mix your affairs with theirs – they are your brothers. And God knows the corrupter from the amender. And if God had willed, He could have put you in difficulty. Indeed, God is Exalted in Might and Wise. (2:220)

This question is particularly relevant in our time. Despite the availability of orphanages, their condition is still poor. It is no secret that most of the inmates of children’s homes are not compatible with the law. Uncertain prospects, spiritual poverty, the lack of «parent» affection lead many of them to the brink of marginalization.

This is very important, because the orphans grow up and become members of society who need to create a family. The Quran highlights separately orphan girls and the attitude towards them.

And they request from you, a ruling concerning women.

Say, “God gives you a ruling about them in what has been recited to you in the Prescription concerning the orphan girls to whom you do not give what is decreed for them – and yet you desire to have intimate relationships with them – and concerning the oppressed among children and that you maintain for children in balance. And whatever you do of good – indeed, God is ever Knowing of it!” (4:127)

In earlier times, the theme of women’s menstrual cycles provoked improper attitude towards them. Women were considered not clean and some people throw them out of houses when such periods occurred. But the Quran explains the reason for this physical phenomenon and the only limitation which is prescribed in relation to a woman during period.

And they ask you about menstruation.

Say, “It is suffering!”

So keep away from wives during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where God has ordained for you. Indeed, God loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.” (2:222)

The issues that require detail, the Creator leaves clear prescriptions. This is illustrated by the inheritance rules.

They request from you a ruling. Say, “God gives you a ruling concerning distant relatives.” If a man dies, leaving no child but a sister, she will have half of what he left. And he inherits from her if she has no child. But if there are two sisters, they will have two-thirds of what he left. If there are both brothers and sisters, the male will have the share of two females.” God makes clear to you, lest you go astray. And God is Knowing of all things. (4:176)

This once again proves that the Lord covers in detail the important moments for people, when there is a need of precise fulfilment.

The desire for earthly passions pushes people to do things testing the corresponding feelings. Human does not get enough from the natural state of mind, so he or she has to create artificial illusions. But all of them appear only as an effect on the mind, or more precisely, through its closure from the reality.

They ask you about substance that covers the mind and gambling. Say, “In them is great sin and benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.” (2:219)

Before us is a universal formula related to such things. They can be used for good and all that exceeds this criterion relates to the sin, and thus unacceptable to humans.

The theme of food consumption has always been a keen interest. This particularly applies to the hunt. In connection with the prescribed restrictions, the question about the legality of the use of trained animals at hunting arose. To which clear answer was given.

They ask you what has been made lawful for them.

Say, “Lawful for you are [all] good foods and what you have trained of hunting animals which you train as God has taught you. So eat of what they catch for you, and mention the name of God upon it, and fear God.” Indeed, God is swift in account! (5:4)

In contrast to the wild beasts, touch of the trained ones does not violate the state of the meat for consumption.

Military conflicts in the history of mankind are not uncommon. In the Quran, the current concept and the rule of contribution are indicated as clearly as possible.

They ask you about the bounties [of war].

Say, “The bounties is for God and the messenger.” So beware of God and amend that which is between you and obey God and His messenger, if you should be believers!”(8:1)

And know that anything you obtain of war booty – then indeed, for God is one fifth of it and for the messenger and for near relatives and the orphans, the needy, and the traveler, if you have believed God and in that which We sent down to Our Servant on the day of criterion – the day when the two armies met. And God, over all things, is competent! (8:41)

Without the past there is no future, therefore, an interest in history has always aroused a desire to obtain information.

And they ask you about the possessor of two horns.

Say, “I will recite to you about him a reminder.” (18:83)

But the interest of people to the sacred has always prevailed over other issues. In connection with the unfolding events with Muhammad, the question of the Spirit bothered surroundings of the prophet.

And they ask you about the Spirit.

Say, “The Spirit is of the affair of my Lord. And mankind have not been given of knowledge except a little!” (17:85)

But not all in the framework of earthly life, a man should know, however people desperately wanted to know about the occurrence of the last hours of life on the earth.

They ask you about the Hour: when is its arrival?

Say, “Its knowledge is only with my Lord. None will reveal its time except Him. It lays heavily upon the heavens and the earth. It will not come upon you except unexpectedly!” … (7:187)

Knowing that the messenger is chosen by God, his tribesmen thought to know more. However, the Lord himself, as opposed to traditions, clearly said that Muhammad lacks of knowledge on this topic.

They ask you as if you are familiar with it.

Say, “Its knowledge is only with God, but most of the people do not know!”… (7:187)

Many times, the messenger tried to convince others that he lacks any, except the Quranic, information on the topic.

Say, “I hold not for myself benefit or harm, except what God has willed! And if I knew the hidden, I could have acquired much wealth, and no evil would have touched me. I am not except a warner and a bringer of good tidings to a people who believe!” (7:188)

Time and time again, the Quran narrates that Muhammad did not know the signs of the Hour.

People ask you concerning the hour. Say,” Knowledge of it is only with God. And what may make you perceive? Perhaps the hour is near!” (33:63)

Such an active interest in the last hour of earthly life is quite understandable. Knowing this, man, as he thinks, could prepare for the Day of Debt. But, except the most necessary information from the Quran, the Creator does not give any additional one.

And they ask you about the mountains.

So say, “My Lord will blow them away with a blast. And He will leave the earth a level plain. Wherein you will see no crookedness nor any curving!” (20:105-107)

Who is strongly interested in this event? Those who do not want to leave the “darkness” of his condition. But the inner feeling prompts that warning of the messenger is not a joke, but a very serious thing.

Then it will be said to those who had wronged, “Taste the punishment of eternity; are you being recompensed except for what you used to earn?”

And they ask information of you, “Is it true?”

Say, “Yes, by my Lord. Indeed, it is truth; and you will not cause failure!” (10:52-53)

All answers that Muhammad gives in the Quran are final and cannot tolerate additional information in the framework of the divine prescriptions.