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Ain Soph Aur

Nehustan

Well-Known Member
To further consider the number five and as touched upon the symbol of the hand with its five digits is representative of many things, whether it be the letter shin, the name Allah, or the star hinted at inherently in the number 5.

The hamza is used by both sons of Abraham, with it being traced back thus to him. For the Arabs through the Banu Hashim, and with the daughter of Muhammad continuing that house it is commonly known as 'the hand of fatima'. Alternative Religions says...

This ancient symbol is used as a protective amulet by both Jews and Muslims. The Jewish name, Hamsa, is derived from the Semitic root meaning "five." It is called the Hand of Fatima by Muslims, named for the daughter of Mohammed. It is usually worn around the neck or hung on walls or over doors as protection from the evil eye.


hamsa.jpg


an interesting image of the hamsa including the letter shin is seen below...


GoldHand.jpg



with the following exposition of the symbol, engraved hebrew, the symbol shin, and of course an attempt at invalidating the muslim use of the symbol to only the last 1400 years.​


hebrew.jpg


Interestingly nowhere does it allude to the symbol as gematriacally refering to Ruach Elohim...however again on Alternative Religions there is reference to the blessing of the Aaronite preisthood...​


Blessing.jpg


This gesture accompanies the Birkat Kohanim, or Priestly Blessing, an ancient Jewish custom. The Blessing is administered by members of the Kohanim, or priestly class, usually on holidays. The hands are spread into two "V" shapes, in the form of the Hebrew letter Shin () and symbolizes the light of the Shekhina, or Presence of God.

The blessing itself is taken directly from that given in the Book of Numbers:

"The Lord bless and keep you.
The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace."
 

Nehustan

Well-Known Member
Continuing briefly on the topic of the hand, the common cross of the Templar, and the Sephirah it is interesting to consider the flag for the provinces of Ulster remaining within the United Kingdom...

Ulster.jpg

Thus the star is representative of the higher six sephiroth, crowned by Keter/Crown with the hand representative of Yod. As is said...​

yod.jpg


IVD, Yod , of the Ancient One, is hidden in its origin (that is, the father, who is usually symbolized by I, Yod , and is himself also called the Ancient One, is shrouded by the beard of Macroprosopus; or otherwise. Instead of that manner in which the other two letters duplicate their literal parts— e.g. , HH and VV—I, Yod , by reason of his very nature, cannot be expressed by this duplication, but remaineth one and alone), because the name is not found; that is, because if II be put, it can no longer be pronounced as I, Yod ; therefore is it written IVD).

The historic context in which this symbolism should be viewed in is delineated in a thread here on RF, described as British-Israelism/Anglo-Israelism.
 

Nehustan

Well-Known Member
Cross_of_Lorraine.jpg


To remain with the Templar it is cited that the Templar were accorded use of the cross of Lorraine by the Kingdom of Jerusalem as a result of the Kingdom's association with that family. This can be see today used by OSTMH and SMOTJ. It is considered the symbol within the temple of the rank of Preceptor. It also is said to have qabbalistic significance, again representing the higher six sephira of the tree of life, kether through to Tipareth. Opinion varies as to whether a temporal crown should mount at Kether, with some placing it at Tipareth, thus with the tree climbing through and up to the supernal crown of Adam Qadmon.


tree.jpg



It is oft commented upon by conspiracy theorists and new agers alike, deriving from a piece of prose which reads...


"The arms of Jesus are the Cross of Lorraine,​
Both the blood in the artery and the blood in the vein,​
Both the source of grace and the clear fountaine;​
The arms of Satan are the Cross of Lorraine,​
And the same artery and the same vein,​
And the same blood and the troubled fountaine."​




which may be considered in the context of the Algerian conflict, when the House of Lorraine fought against the blood and faith considered Satanic by those without knowledge, that being the daughters of the Banu Hashim who returned with Templar to Christedom as slaves (read second wives!!!), and the religion of Muhammad.​


Algeria.jpg
 

Nehustan

Well-Known Member
As stated in post #57 it is prudent post consideration of the word IHVH as manifest in Adam Qadmon, to move on to consider the concept of 'male and female' unified, and the concept of Shekhinah. There therfore follows some passages from the Zohar surrounding general issues on that topic...


THE DARKENED LIGHT
(Zohar III, 45b)


Rabbi Judah began by quoting: "You may not look upon me, because I am blackened, because the sun has tanned me" (Song of Songs 1:6). This verse has been explained. But when the moon hid herself in exile, she said "You may not look upon me." Not that this was a command, not to look at her, but since she saw how Israel yearned to look at the light, she said "You may not look upon me"—you are not able to see me—it is impossible to see me. Why is this? Because "I am blackened"—because I am in darkness. Why does it say "'sheharhoret (blackened)"? It should have said shehorah But there are two darknesses. One is because "the sun has tanned me," because the sun has withdrawn its light from me and does not look on me, and the other is caused by the fact that "my mother's sons burned in anger against me." Sheshzafatni (it has tanned me)? It should have said shezafatni. But there is an allusion here to the number six, for when the sun shines, it shines with six lights, and when it removes itself, the whole six are removed with it. "My mother's sons"—these are they that come from the side of strict Judgment. "They burned in anger against me," as it is said "My throat burns" (Psalm 69: 4). This is [the significance of] the verse "To our very necks we are pursued" (Lamentations 5: 5), for when Israel went into exile, they went with their hands tied behind their backs, and millstones round their necks, and they could not open their mouths. "They made me keeper of the vineyards," so that I might go into exile to keep the other peoples, for Israel's sake. "But my own vineyard I have not kept," for I am not able to keep them as I did at the beginning. Before, I kept my own vineyards, and the other vineyards were kept as a result, but now I keep the other vineyards, so that my own vineyard among them should be kept.

Lachower, F, and Tisby, I., (1989) translated by Goldstein, D., The wisdom of the zohar: an anthology of texts volume 1, Littman Library, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.
 

Nehustan

Well-Known Member
THE SHEKHINAH, ABOVE AND BELOW
(Zohar I, 159b-160a)

Rabbi Hiyya began by quoting: "And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered My covenant" (Exodus 6: 5). "And I have remember­ed"—this is zekhirah (remembering), because it is in the realms above that this planet, which is above in the male {zakhar), is joined to pekidah (visitation), which is in exile below, in the female. Likewise: "And God remembered Rachel" (Genesis 30: 22), as it is said "And I have remembered My covenant."

Come and see. It is written "I have surely visited you" (Exodus 3: 16). What is the significance of "I have surely visited"? "Visitation" applies to the female, and at that time she was in exile, and yet she says "I have surely visited"? But one must meditate on this, and here we have a secret of wisdom. If she was in exile how could she appear to Moses, and how could she say "I have surely visited"? Thus have we learned: When the sun shines it is in the heavens, but its power and its strength rule throughout the earth. And so "the whole earth is full of his glory" (Isaiah 6: 3). When the Temple was still standing "the whole earth was full of his glory," namely, the holy land. But now that Israel are in exile, she is in the realms above, and the strength encompasses Israel, in order to protect them, even though they are in another land. And come and see. There is the Shekhinah below, and the Shekhinah above. The Shekhinah is above in the twelve regions of the holy chariots, and among the twelve supernal hayyot (creatures); the Shekhinah is below among the twelve holy tribes. Thus the Shekhinah above and below is comprised together, and everything is united at one and the same time. Therefore when Israel is in exile she is in disorder below; and she is also in disorder above because she is in disorder below. And this is [the significance of] her being in exile with Israel; she shares their exile. How can she be restored? It may be compared to a king whose son has died. What does he do? He dismantles his bed in mourning for his son. And he does not make up his bed, but takes thorns and thistles, and puts them beneath the bed, and lies upon it. And so with the Holy One, blessed be He. When Israel went into exile, and the Temple was destroyed, He took thorns and thistles, and put them beneath Him. This is [the meaning of] the verse, "And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush" (Exodus 3: 2), because Israel were in exile.

"I have surely visited you." How can one "visit" and what can he do to that which is not under his authority? But pakod from above, and pakadti from below. Why is this? Because the "remembering" happened first, as it is written "I have remembered My covenant." Since it is written "I have remembered," remembering (zekkirah) was promised her, and so it is written later "I have surely visited," for a sign had already been given before. So it was with Sarah, where it is written, "And the Lord visited Sarah" (Genesis 23: 1). But with Rachel, where "remembering" is not mentioned previously, it does not speak of "visiting" but "remembering," and it is all through the male [zekhirah), through the mystery of the planet.


Lachower, F, and Tisby, I., (1989) translated by Goldstein, D., The wisdom of the zohar: an anthology of texts volume 1, Littman Library, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.
 

TashaN

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Wow, this thread have been so informative and i havn't read about such a thing anywhere before except few things.

I have actually a question about Moses "peace be upon him". Do you believe that he saw God or even a light even by one eye open with the other close?

I have actually alot of questions but i'm enjoying now by reading first to understand more.

Thanks .. :)
 

Nehustan

Well-Known Member
Hi The Truth, glad you have found some of this interesting. I would love you to add what you can find about Moses as I often ponder the 'burning bush' the voice that said 'Eheieh asher Eheieh' (I am that which I am) and told Moses to call tell Banu Israel to call him 'Iam', which has come down to the present day as HaShem (the name) and Jahweh which may be considered as the Word. It would be great if you would add anything on Moses from Hadith to the thread. I may well have a look around myself, but feel free to add anything you think relevant to the thread. As I have said I often think about Moses and I call it 'The Moses Enigma'. The only answer I have yet come up with is this, when Muhammad was asked 'Why does this Quran not come all at one time?' he was told to reply 'It comes in stages so as to strengthen you!'. If this was true with God's revelation through Muhammad, then surely is not the same true of the whole message to mankind, that it came in stages, so as to strengthen us. The fact that there was knowledge even beyond the comprehension of Prophets, especially Moses, is testified to in the Quran with the story of Khader, who says to Moses that he should ask of him nothing for Moses will not understand Khader's answers.
 

Nehustan

Well-Known Member
I found this hadith which seems to infer that Gabriel was also sent to Moses...
Narrated 'Aisha:

(the mother of the faithful believers) The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah's Apostle was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright day light, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship (Allah alone) continuously for many days before his desire to see his family. He used to take with him the journey food for the stay and then come back to (his wife) Khadija to take his food like-wise again till suddenly the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira. The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet replied, "I do not know how to read.

The Prophet added, "The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, 'I do not know how to read.' Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read but again I replied, 'I do not know how to read (or what shall I read)?' Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said, 'Read in the name of your Lord, who has created (all that exists) has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous." (96.1, 96.2, 96.3) Then Allah's Apostle returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely. Then he went to Khadija bint Khuwailid and said, "Cover me! Cover me!" They covered him till his fear was over and after that he told her everything that had happened and said, "I fear that something may happen to me." Khadija replied, "Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your Kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones."

Khadija then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin 'Abdul 'Uzza, who, during the PreIslamic Period became a Christian and used to write the writing with Hebrew letters. He would write from the Gospel in Hebrew as much as Allah wished him to write. He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadija said to Waraqa, "Listen to the story of your nephew, O my cousin!" Waraqa asked, "O my nephew! What have you seen?" Allah's Apostle described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, "This is the same one who keeps the secrets (angel Gabriel) whom Allah had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out." Allah's Apostle asked, "Will they drive me out?" Waraqa replied in the affirmative and said, "Anyone (man) who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly." But after a few days Waraqa died and the Divine Inspiration was also paused for a while.

Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah Al-Ansari while talking about the period of pause in revelation reporting the speech of the Prophet "While I was walking, all of a sudden I heard a voice from the sky. I looked up and saw the same angel who had visited me at the cave of Hira' sitting on a chair between the sky and the earth. I got afraid of him and came back home and said, 'Wrap me (in blankets).' And then Allah revealed the following Holy Verses (of Quran):

'O you (i.e. Muhammad)! wrapped up in garments!' Arise and warn (the people against Allah's Punishment),... up to 'and desert the idols.' (74.1-5) After this the revelation started coming strongly, frequently and regularly."




Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 1, Number 3.
 

Nehustan

Well-Known Member
Relating to Kadir and the Quranic story of he and Moses Bukhari says...





Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:

That he differed with Hur bin Qais bin Hisn Al-Fazari regarding the companion of (the Prophet) Moses. Ibn 'Abbas said that he was Khadir. Meanwhile, Ubai bin Ka'b passed by them and Ibn 'Abbas called him, saying "My friend (Hur) and I have differed regarding Moses' companion whom Moses, asked the way to meet. Have you heard the Prophet mentioning something about him? He said, "Yes. I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "While Moses was sitting in the company of some Israelites, a man came and asked him. "Do you know anyone who is more learned than you? Moses replied: "No." So Allah sent the Divine Inspiration to Moses: 'Yes, Our slave Khadir (is more learned than you.)' Moses asked (Allah) how to meet him (Khadir). So Allah made the fish as a sign for him and he was told that when the fish was lost, he should return (to the place where he had lost it) and there he would meet him (Al-Khadir). So Moses went on looking for the sign of the fish in the sea. The servant-boy of Moses said to him: Do you remember when we betook ourselves to the rock, I indeed forgot the fish, none but Satan made me forget to remember it. On that Moses said: 'That is what we have been seeking? (18.64) So they went back retracing their foot-steps, and found Khadir. (And) what happened further to them is narrated in the Holy Qur'an by Allah. (18.54 up to 18.82)




Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 3, Number 74.
 

Nehustan

Well-Known Member
I suspect some people might never have heard the story of Kadir so I suppose it is prudent to place it here...

Bimillah Ar Rahman Ar Raheem


We have explained in detail in this Qur'an, for the benefit of mankind, every kind of similitude: but man is, in most things, contentious.And what is there to keep back men from believing, now that Guidance has come to them, nor from praying for forgiveness from their Lord, but that (they ask that) the ways of the ancients be repeated with them, or the Wrath be brought to them face to face? We only send the apostles to give Glad Tidings and to give warnings: But the unbelievers dispute with vain argument, in order therewith to weaken the truth, and they treat My Signs as a jest, as also the fact that they are warned! And who doth more wrong than one who is reminded of the Signs of his Lord, but turns away from them, forgetting the (deeds) which his hands have sent forth? Verily We have set veils over their hearts lest they should understand this, and over their ears, deafness, if thou callest them to guidance, even then will they never accept guidance. But your Lord is Most forgiving, full of Mercy. If He were to call them (at once) to account for what they have earned, then surely He would have hastened their punishment, but they have their appointed time, beyond which they will find no refuge. Such were the populations we destroyed when they committed iniquities; but we fixed an appointed time for their destruction.
Behold, Moses said to his attendant, "I will not give up until I reach the junction of the two seas or (until) I spend years and years in travel." But when they reached the Junction, they forgot (about) their Fish, which took its course through the sea (straight) as in a tunnel. When they had passed on (some distance), Moses said to his attendant: "Bring us our early meal; truly we have suffered much fatigue at this (stage of) our journey." He replied: "Sawest thou (what happened) when we betook ourselves to the rock? I did indeed forget (about) the Fish: none but Satan made me forget to tell (you) about it: it took its course through the sea in a marvellous way!" Moses said: "That was what we were seeking after:" So they went back on their footsteps, following (the path they had come). So they found one of Our servants, on whom We had bestowed Mercy from Ourselves and whom We had taught knowledge from Our own Presence. Moses said to him: "May I follow thee, on the footing that thou teach me something of the (Higher) Truth which thou hast been taught?" (The other) said: "Verily thou wilt not be able to have patience with me! And how canst thou have patience about things about which thy understanding is not complete?" Moses said: "Thou wilt find me, if Allah so will, (truly) patient: nor shall I disobey thee in aught." The other said: "If then thou wouldst follow me, ask me no questions about anything until I myself speak to thee concerning it." So they both proceeded: until, when they were in the boat, he scuttled it. Said Moses: "Hast thou scuttled it in order to drown those in it? Truly a strange thing hast thou done!" He answered: "Did I not tell thee that thou canst have no patience with me?" Moses said: "Rebuke me not for forgetting, nor grieve me by raising difficulties in my case." Then they proceeded: until, when they met a young man, he slew him. Moses said: "Hast thou slain an innocent person who had slain none? Truly a foul (unheard of) thing hast thou done!" He answered: "Did I not tell thee that thou canst have no patience with me?" (Moses) said: "If ever I ask thee about anything after this, keep me not in thy company: then wouldst thou have received (full) excuse from my side." Then they proceeded: until, when they came to the inhabitants of a town, they asked them for food, but they refused them hospitality. They found there a wall on the point of falling down, but he set it up straight. (Moses) said: "If thou hadst wished, surely thou couldst have exacted some recompense for it!" He answered: " This is the parting between me and thee: now will I tell thee the interpretation of (those things) over which thou wast unable to hold patience. "As for the boat, it belonged to certain men in dire want: they plied on the water: I but wished to render it unserviceable, for there was after them a certain king who seized on every boat by force. "As for the youth, his parents were people of Faith, and we feared that he would grieve them by obstinate rebellion and ingratitude (to Allah and man). "So we desired that their Lord would give them in exchange (a son) better in purity (of conduct) and closer in affection. "As for the wall, it belonged to two youths, orphans, in the Town; there was, beneath it, a buried treasure, to which they were entitled: their father had been a righteous man: So thy Lord desired that they should attain their age of full strength and get out their treasure - a mercy (and favour) from thy Lord. I did it not of my own accord. Such is the interpretation of (those things) over which thou wast unable to hold patience."


Sura Al Kahf 18:54-82

 

TashaN

Veteran Member
Premium Member
GOD'S DISCOURSE WITH MUSA (AS)

When Musa went up to the fire on the mountain, he was greeted by a marvellous event. He was addressed by God from a bush. There, he received the first revelations, stated in the Qur'an as follows:

But when he reached it a voice called out to him from the right hand side of the valley in the part which was full of blessing, from out of the bush: "Musa, I am God, the Lord of all the worlds." (Qur'an, 28: 30)

Then when he reached it, a voice called out, "Musa! I am your Lord. Take off your sandals. You are in the holy valley of Tuwa. I have chosen you, so listen well to what is revealed. I am God. There is no god but Me, so worship Me and establish prayer to remember Me." (Qur'an, 20: 11-14)

This was the first revelation Musa received, honouring him as God's messenger, the highest rank that a human can attain in this world.

An important point deserves attention here; God addresses Musa... God had called onto Musa from a tree. God was close enough to Musa as to address him directly. The truth however is, God is always close enough to address anybody. For instance, as you read these lines, God is close to you. He is close enough to speak to you, to hear your voice and make you hear His voice. He is always close enough to hear our every word. He can hear us even if we whisper.

This fact is related in the Qur'an as "We are nearer to him than his jugular vein." (Qur'an, 50: 16) After telling Musa that the voice he hears belongs to our Lord, God asked him about his staff:

"What is that in your right hand, Musa?" He said, "It is my staff. I lean on it and beat down leaves for my sheep with it and have other uses for it." (Qur'an, 20: 17-18)

No doubt God had known what Musa held in his hand. However, to edify Musa and make known His wisdom to him, God asked him to throw down his staff:

"Throw down your staff." Then when he saw it slithering like a snake he turned and fled and did not turn back again... (Qur'an, 27: 10)

When Musa saw his familiar staff turned into a snake, he was seized with fear. However, this event was designed to be a lesson by which God taught Musa to feel no fear except for Him, and to submit to no one other than Him:

…"Have no fear, Musa. In My Presence the Messengers have no fear." (Qur'an, 27: 10)

He said, "Take hold of it and have no fear. We will return it to its original form." (Qur'an, 20: 21)

In compliance with the command, Musa picked up his staff. This staff would later become a miracle used against Pharaoh. Thereafter, God gave Musa a second miracle:

Put your hand inside your shirt front. It will emerge pure white yet quite unharmed… (Qur'an, 28: 32)

As the above verse informs us, Musa's hand emerged pure white, as a miracle from God. Musa became excited and felt frightened by these things. However God commanded him to pull himself together and go forth with these miracles to Pharaoh:

…And hug your arms to your sides to still your fear. These are two proofs from your Lord for Pharaoh and his ruling circle. They are a deviant people. (Qur'an, 28:32)
 

TashaN

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Moses gathered his people and left Egypt. At the last second, the Pharaoh had a change of heart and began to pursue them. However, he was swallowed by the Red Sea which parted long enough for Moses and his people to cross, but which closed on the Pharaoh. From here, Moses led his people on the Exodus. They eventually reached Mount Sinai. Moses told the people that Harun was his deputy and was to be the leader while he was gone. Moses then went to climb Mount Sinai.

Moses climbed the mountain, and returned to the spot where he had first received his miracles from God. He took off his shoes as before and went down into subjugation to The Creator. He prayed to Allah for His guidance. He was given the Ten Commandments at this session. Before leaving, he begged Allah to be revealed to him. Allah told him that it would not be possible for him to set his eye on His Divine Radiance, but He would shower just a little of this over the mighty mountain so that Moses might derive some satisfaction. No sooner had the communication ended than a blinding pure white radiance struck the mighty mountain and instantaneously turned it into ashes. Moses lost consciousness from the roar that accompanied the lightning. When he recovered, he went down in total submission and asked forgiveness of Allah.
 

Nehustan

Well-Known Member
Very nice additions 'The Truth', I think very relevant given the reference to the 'tree' and 'the light'. Although I agree that Allah/Eloah (The Quran states it so actually my agreement or disagreement is pretty irrelevant) is as close as our own jugula, I tend to always be cautious of the voices I hear in my head. At worst they are jinn, a little better my own nafs, and if Allah is gracious an angel. I have heard over the years many people say they 'hear the voice of God' (like George W!!!!), myself I tend to think that when Allah/Eloah wanted to speak with Muhammad he sent Gabriel, so again although it is quite possible for God to speak to us, I am minded more often or not to believe it is a voice from within the creation, rather than from beyond the Arsh.

I think when I consider 'inspiration' from God, it is more likely to come via the written word than by a voice in my head. I bring to mind the first revelation to Muhammad via Gabriel...

Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Raheem​

'READ in the name of thy Sustainer, who has created man out of a germ-cell, Read - for thy Sustainer is the Most Bountiful One, who has taught [man] the use of the pen, taught man what he did not know!'​

Sura Al Alak, 96:1-5​
 

TashaN

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Also, When Mohammed "peace be upon him" ascended to the sky in "al-mi'arj" he directly heard the voice of Allah without any messenger like what was the case when Allah was sending Gabriel with the revelation.

Moreover, When they asked Prophet Mohammed whether he saw Allah or not on that night he said: "I saw a light" and in other hadiths he said "I saw him as a light, i'm seeing a light". Some other scholars said he saw him while he was sleeping once. Both can be right or one of them though.

Allah knows best .. :)
 

ButcherGEIN

Member
This is an awesome thread which I will bookmark and read later. There is MUCH information here. Enough for a weeks worth of reading. :)

Thanks for the contribution!
 

Nehustan

Well-Known Member
Mullasadra said:
Isn't interesting that considering the rumours circulating of Newton's Templar leanings that he was so instrumental in forming the theory of light. Refraction, reflection, the prism and splitting light from its source

I have been pondering how the seven prismatic colours might relate to the tree.

prism21.gif



It is quite normal to refer to the supernal and infernal sephira, and I think that the light which becomes manifest may do so at the point of the abyss/daath, at which point it would then associate the seven refracted colours in the infernal spheres.
 
I must say that I did not understand all of this, nor would I expect to, but I have indeed learned several new things. I'm wondering, given that it appears you are knowledgeable regarding Islam and much of this thread references concepts of emanation, can you give me some references regarding the Islamic view of evolution?
 

Nehustan

Well-Known Member
I can give you my opinion on evolution in light of my studies as an anthropologist and my faith which is Islam. Will that do? I think we can only really consider opinions that come after the proposition of Darwin's theory, so much Islamic thinking (i.e. historically) on this while not irrelevant may not focus on the specific.
 

Nehustan

Well-Known Member
I just had a hunt around for you for a specific Islamic opinion, found one. Please be advised that the scholar who has answered this has done so from his own understanding, which as with all opinions will colour his view. While nothing he has said is unIslamic, I personally think Islam will be the loser if it does not seek to find how the facts as they appear can be reconciled with the Quran. Islam will suffer if we allow our own level of perception/knowledge to govern what exactly the Quran and hadith allude to. The Quran will not change, however our understanding of what it actually says will almost certainly, dare I say it...'evolve' with paradigm shift.

Where does Islam stand on the theory of evolution? Do we believe that the earth was created in six days?

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.


Dear questioner, we are greatly pleased to receive your question, which shows the confidence you place in us. May Allah reward you abundantly for your interest in knowing the teachings of Islam.

In the first place, we would like to stress that Allah is the Absolute Controller of every event that has taken place, is taking place, and will take place.

Every living thing in the universe has been given life by Allah, and Allah alone is sustaining every second of its life. If a species survives better than another in a particular environment, it is because Allah allowed it to live more days, and He willed for its posterity to continue.

Responding to your question, Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, former President of the Islamic Society of North America, states the following:

There are many theories of evolution. Some of them are acceptable according to Islam, while there are others that are not acceptable. If by evolution one means the development and growth that Allah Almighty has placed in the nature of His creation, then this is acceptable and the Qur'an itself talks about it.

Allah has power to say "Be" and everything will become. But He created the heaven and earth in six days, as mentioned in the Qur'an (Al-A'raf 7:54; Yunus 10:3; Hud 11:7; Al-Furqan 25:59; As-Sajdah 32:4; Qaf 50:38; Al-Hadid 57:4; Al-Mujadilah 58:4).

The word "six days" does not necessarily mean six days of twenty-four hours duration each. It could also mean six periods whose duration is known to Allah alone. The word "day" is used in the Qur'an for various lengths or periods of time. It could mean 24 hours, or one thousand years (Al-Hajj 22:47) or fifty thousand years (Al-Ma`arij 70:4) or even more. However, this process of time does indicate some kind of evolution that was created by Allah and directed by Him.

The theory of evolution that postulates that the whole creation came by itself and nature evolved itself by mutation, selection and fixation, et cetera, is not acceptable in Islam. This is an atheistic theory and it has no sensible rational and logical foundation. Everyone knows that nature has so many possibilities and variables; how could all these variables have selected, mutated and fixed themselves in such a way that an orderly universe came out and continues to exist and flourish?

To say that all these things happened by themselves is nothing but absurd. It is like saying that words collapsed, mutated and then fixed into a wonderful encyclopedia by themselves. Or books mutated themselves and then fixed into a well-organized library. Nothing happened or happens by itself. There is a Creator Who has created everything, whether at once or through the process of growth and development.

Islam also teaches us that human beings are a special creation of Allah. Allah created Adam and his wife Eve (peace and blessings be upon them), and then through them created many men and women. We do not accept the theory (it is important to keep in mind that this is only a theory and not a fact) that says that all living organisms came from matter and man evolved from lower living organisms. There is a link between the human body and other living organisms, but this does not prove that one is evolved from the other.


If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to write back!

May Allah guide you to the straight path, and guide you to that which pleases Him, Amen.


Allah Almighty knows best.

 
Whatever specifics you want to provide would be appreciated, but I guess I'm just looking for Islamic sources relating to the basic concept of human evolution. I ask because I have recently become aware of Jewish sources that, though general, proposed human evolution way before Darwin's time. I noticed in one of the Quran citations in a previous post, it mentioned something about man being made from a germ cell. Are there more passages like this in the Quran? Also, in Islam or Sufism, is there any belief in the transmigration of souls?
 
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