Reflections from a prisoner

Cont'd from page 3

one who He created from aged mud, like the potter’s clay. God is telling His angels to bow down to this created creature, created from mud. Prophet Muhammad was made to deliver this revelation to mankind over 1400 years ago. God did not say worship him. He said prostrate before him.

So what is God really saying to His angels? He is saying to them, “serve” the human being with rain, serve him with vegetation, etc., etc. Often times we think of the word “sajda” as a physical prostration, so we look towards the form rather than the principle. We think of falling prostrate physically but forget submitting to God, e.g., by leading a righteous life, being charitable, serving and assisting in neighborly needs. God says in 107:4-5: And woe to those who observe the contact prayers (Salat)―who are totally heedless of their prayers.  Why would God say “woe” to those who are praying and prostrating five times a day? Because they have not truly prayed if they do not live by God’s words, if they are showing off, and they are not being charitable (Quran 107:5-6). See 108:1-2 We have blessed you with many a bounty. Therefore, you shall pray to your Lord (Salat), and give to charity.

God says, “like the potter’s clay.” This reminded me of a story in the Bible where the prophet Jeremiah prophesied about the potter’s clay. That as potters can shape vessels in clay, God can do so with nations.

God designed us and has perfected our design. And blew into us from His spirit. In John 1:4 a misunderstanding is that life came through Jesus. But we know creation and life come only from God.

I thank Almighty God for the Quran for we are able to understand that which the scholars of the Bible did not understand when they were translating God’s words. I thank God for giving me an understanding that is plain and relative to my human makeup without delving into that which some people have made to fit their own existence. I thank Him for allowing me to see Him in every human being and understanding our essence.

I was inspired to write because brother Abdul Ghani wrote a beautiful article on “Appreciating God” (Submitters Perspective August 2018). He said “a good way to start appreciating God is to always remember Him. Remembering Him means that He becomes a part of our thoughts, words and deeds. How can we thank God if we never think of Him? When we remember Him most, we speak and act the way He would want us to do.”

May God continue to shed His magnificent Light on all submitters and believers so that we may be ready for the day He decides His judgment on all.

Peace,

Timothy

Ramadan 2019

Ramadan begins May 5 and the last day of fasting is June 3 for USA and Canada, God willing (the Night of Destiny will start, God willing, at sunset on May 30).

Full details of fasting are given in 2:183-187. [2:183] O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you, as it was decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation.

New moon times for determining the beginning and ending of Ramadan are below for GMT/UTC (Universal time).

May 04, 2019: 10:45 PM (UTC/GMT)

June 03, 2019: 10:02 AM (UTC/GMT)

The local new moon time can be calculated by adjusting for your time-zone relative to UTC. To calculate the Ramadan start date, compare the local New Moon time with the local Sunset. If the new moon is before sunset, we fast the next day, God willing.  Similarly, to determine the last day of fasting, compare the time of the next new moon with the local sunset. If the new moon is before sunset, the Ramadan month is complete on that day. Otherwise one fasts the next day. For more details on how dates are calculated, please see the September 2009 issue of the Submitters Perspective

For more details or to use a tool to assist you in verifying Ramadan details for your location, please visit:  https://masjidtucson.org/Ramadan/