MOTHER TERESA - of those whose deeds have been in vain

[Faris_Mee]

<b>THOSE WHOSE DEEDS HAVE BEEN IN VAIN - Deemed Null & Void & rendered fruitless
.</b>





<b>Jesus is my God
, :astagh:</b>


Jesus is my Spouse
, :astagh:


Jesus is my Life
, :astagh:


Jesus is my only Love
, :astagh:


Jesus is my All in All
; :astagh:


Jesus is my Everything.
" :astagh:


- Mother Teresa


<b>Alif L'am Ra. </b>


These are the verses of the Divine Book, the Glorious Qur'an which makes the things clear. 15.1


The Day will come when the unbelievers will wish that they were Muslims
. 15.2


They are the ones whose deeds will become void in this world and in the Hereafter
, and they will have no helpers. 3.22


Those whose all efforts in this worldly life had gone astray from the Right Way, but all along they were under the delusion that they were doing good deeds; they are the ones who are disregarding the revelations of their Rabb and the fact that they will meet Him for accountability of their deeds in the Hereafter, so their deeds will become null and will not carry any weight
on the Day of Judgment. 18.104-5


...Anyone who commits Kufr with Iman (rejects faith), all his good deeds will be in vain
and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers. 5.5


This is the guidance from Allah; He bestows it upon whom He pleases of His devotees. If they had committed shirk (worshiped anyone else besides Allah e.g. Jesus) all their deeds would have become void.
6.88


Those who deny Our Ayaat and the meeting of the Hereafter, their deeds are null.
Should they be rewarded except for what they have done?" 7.147


...while they bear witness against themselves about their unbelief. It is they whose deeds are in vain
and in the hellfire shall they live forever. 9.17


Your behavior is just like those who have gone before you. They were mightier than you in power and more flourishing in wealth and children. They enjoyed their portion of this worldly life; thus have you enjoyed your portion as did those before you; and you have entered into vain discourses as they did. Consequently their deeds were fruitless in this world and in the Hereafter
, and they are the ones who are the losers. 9.69


They are the ones who will have nothing in the hereafter except Hellfire. There they shall come to know that their deeds were fruitless and their actions were worthless
. Can they be like those who have clear revelations from their Rabb and to whom a witness from Himself recites it, and they have the Book of Musa before them - a guidance and a blessing? Can such people deny the revelation of Al- Qur'an? No of course not, rather such people will believe in this, but those factions who do not believe shall have their promised place in the Hellfire. So, O Prophet, do not be in any doubt about it; it is the Truth from your Rabb, even though most people do not believe so. 11.16-7


Tell them plainly because it has already been revealed to you as it was revealed to those before you that if you commit shirk (e.g. christians), all your deeds will become fruitless
and you will surely be among the losers." 39.65


As for the unbelievers, they shall be consigned to perdition, and He will bring their deeds to nothing.
That is because they hate the revelations of Allah; therefore, He rendered their deeds fruitless. 47.8-9


Then what will they do when the angels carry off their souls, smiting their faces and their backs? That will happen because they followed the way that called for the wrath of Allah and hated to adopt the way of His pleasure, therefore He made all their deeds void.
47.27-8


<i>My dear brothers and sisters in Islam, are Mother Teresa's deeds better than the one who protected the Prophet's life and sheltered him from the enemies of Islam single-handedly through the early years?</i>


Sahih Bhukari - Narrated Abu Said Al Khudri


I heard Allah's Apostle when his uncle, Abu Talib had been mentioned in his presence, saying, <b>"Maybe my intercession will help him
(Abu Talib) on the Day of Resurrection so that he may be put in a shallow place in the Fire, with fire reaching his ankles and causing his brain to boil."
</b>

[AlShamms]

This is the guidance from Allah; He bestows it upon whom He pleases of His devotees. If they had committed shirk (worshiped anyone else besides Allah e.g. Jesus) all their deeds would have become void.
6.88


Tell them plainly because it has already been revealed to you as it was revealed to those before you that if you commit shirk (e.g. christians), all your deeds will become fruitless
and you will surely be among the losers." 39.65

Peace....


This is not a defense of the nun Teresa, but I notice something you do Faris and wanted to question you about it. In the above verses you added in parenthesis "Jesus" and "christians". These terms do not appear in the Qur'an in these verses, so they are clearly your opinion added in.....why? Why do you feel the need to add to the Qur'an? Why not let the text stand on its own?


Shamms

[Faris_Mee]

Peace....


This is not a defense of the nun Teresa, but I notice something you do Faris and wanted to question you about it. In the above verses you added in parenthesis "Jesus" and "christians". These terms do not appear in the Qur'an in these verses, so they are clearly your opinion added in.....why? Why do you feel the need to add to the Qur'an? Why not let the text stand on its own?


Shamms

This section of the forums is called <b> <i>" And remind for reminding benefits the believers"</i> </b>. And so I am reminding the muslims because it has been said by some illiterate muslims that they believe people like Mother Teresa will be rewarded for her good in the Hereafter.


If they say that, then they are calling Allah a liar.


<b>Who can be more wicked than a person who forges a lie against Allah or denies His revelations? Surely the wrongdoers shall never get salvation.</b> 6.21


And what would become of me if I see them in error and keep silent?


<b>Also remind them about the conversation among some of them, when some of them asked: "Why do you admonish a people whom Allah will destroy or sternly punish?" They replied: "To be able to offer an excuse before our Rabb, that we did discharge our duty, and also in the hope that they may refrain from His disobedience."</b> 7.163


Mother Teresa is a christian hence why I inserted <i>(Christians / Jesus)</i> in brackets to emphasie the point. And that the <b>"Followers of Paul"</b> might realise it is also them who are being addressed. You, yourself have referred to the "Trinity" and "The Holy Ghost". This is shirk. But you deny it. People like 'Don S' believe that the Qur'an considers Jews and "Followers of Paul" to be true believers.


You are not.


What you do is Shirk. Plain, simple and UNFORGIVABLE. Truly, the <i>'Followers of Paul'</i> are in big trouble.


<b>SHIRK:</b>


Associating partners with Allah. Shirk can also encompase any object that a person may hold in regard higher than Allah. It is the most severe of sins and will not be forgiven.


http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/reference/glos...term.SHIRK.html


<b>SHIRK:</b>


To associate partners with Allah in all that is particular to Allah, from love, hope, fear, worship, and all other matters that are solely due to Allah, swt, alone.


http://muttaqun.com/dictionary3.html


Here are some translations of that verse:


<b>This is the Guidance of Allâh with which He guides whomsoever He will of His slaves. But if they had joined in worship others with Allâh, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them.</b> - Al-Hilali & Khan


<b>Such is the guidance of Allah wherewith He guideth whom He will of His bondmen. But if they had set up (for worship ) aught beside Him, (all) that they did would have been vain.</b> - Pickthall


<b>This is the guidance of Allah: He giveth that guidance to whom He pleaseth of His worshippers. If they were to join other gods with Him all that they did would be vain for them.</b> - Yusef Ali


<b>This is the guidance from Allah; He bestows it upon whom He pleases of His devotees. If they had committed shirk (worshiped anyone else besides Allah) all their deeds would have become void. </b> - Malik


And so...


<i>And remind, for reminding benefits the believers.</i>


<b>Therefore remind, surely reminder does benefit. </b>


He who fears Allah will heed the reminder,


and he who is unfortunate will avoid it.


The one who will avoid, shall burn in the gigantic fire,


where he shall neither die nor live.


The one who will take admonition


and purify himself shall be successful,


who remembers the name of his Rabb and prays.


But O men! You prefer the life of this world;


while the Hereafter is better and everlasting.


Surely the same was said in the earlier scriptures;


the scriptures of Ibraheem and Musa . 87.9-19


<b>Nay! By the moon,</b>


by the departing night


and by the coming of dawn,


surely this hellfire is one of mighty scourge,


a warning to mankind;


to any of you who chooses to go forward or to lag behind.


Every soul is held in pledge for its deeds,


except the people of the right hand,


who shall be in paradise. They will ask


from the culprits:


"What brought you into hell?".


They will answer: "We did not use to offer the Salah (prayers),


we did not use to feed the poor,


we used to join those who wasted their time in vain talk,


and we used to deny the Day of Judgment,


until death overtook us."


On that Day, no intercession of any intercessors shall profit them.


Then what is the matter with them that they turn away from this admonition?


Like frightened donkeys


fleeing from a lion.


Nay, each of them wants a scripture of his own to be unrolled before them.


But no! The fact is that they do not fear the Hereafter.


But no! Surely this Qur'an is an admonition.


Let him who wills take heed.


But none takes heed except by the will of Allah.


He Alone is worthy to be feared


and He Alone is worthy to forgive those who fear Him.74.32-56


As for you AlShams, I know not the unseen. I don't know if Allah has brought you here to open your breast to Islam;


<b>Whomever Allah wills to guide, He opens his chest to Islam and whomever He intends to confound, He makes his chest narrow and squeezes so tight that, at the very idea of Islam, he feel as if his soul is going to climb up towards the sky. That is how Allah places a blight on those who do not believe, whereas in fact this way (Al-Islam) is the Right Way of your Rabb and We have spelled out Our revelations very clearly for the people who use their common sense.</b> 6.125-6


Or if you have exceeded the limits;


<b>Whosoever goeth right, it is only for (the good of) his own soul that he goeth right, and whosoever erreth, erreth only to its hurt. No laden soul can bear another's load. We never punish until We have sent a messenger</b>. 17.15


<b> <i> So bear in mind what I have told you, I am entrusting my affairs to Allah, surely Allah is ever watchful over His servants."
</i> </b> 40.44

[naseeha]

Why do you feel the need to add to the Qur'an? Why not let the text stand on its own?


Shamms

Correct me if i'm wrong AlShamms but did you refer only to this specific verse that you quoted or was this a general question.... if it was a general question then i dont think that faris answered it at all.. :) :peace:

[AlShamms]

Peace.....


Naseeha, I asked a very specific question based on the two verses I quoted. Faris' answer was there, you probably over looked it.


"Mother Teresa is a christian hence why I inserted (Christians / Jesus) in brackets to emphasie the point. And that the "Followers of Paul" might realise it is also them who are being addressed. You, yourself have referred to the "Trinity" and "The Holy Ghost". This is shirk. But you deny it. People like 'Don S' believe that the Qur'an considers Jews and "Followers of Paul" to be true believers.


You are not.


What you do is Shirk. Plain, simple and UNFORGIVABLE. Truly, the 'Followers of Paul' are in big trouble."


This was his answer....he says that the verses in the Qur'an was not clear enough, so he added to them to emphasize the point.


Shamms

[Mahasvapna]

Peace.....


Naseeha, I asked a very specific question based on the two verses I quoted. Faris' answer was there, you probably over looked it.


"Mother Teresa is a christian hence why I inserted (Christians / Jesus) in brackets to emphasie the point. And that the "Followers of Paul" might realise it is also them who are being addressed. You, yourself have referred to the "Trinity" and "The Holy Ghost". This is shirk. But you deny it. People like 'Don S' believe that the Qur'an considers Jews and "Followers of Paul" to be true believers.


You are not.


What you do is Shirk. Plain, simple and UNFORGIVABLE. Truly, the 'Followers of Paul' are in big trouble."


This was his answer....he says that the verses in the Qur'an was not clear enough, so he added to them to emphasize the point.


Shamms

So, good deeds must not only benefit mankind in a great way - they must be in the name of Allah as well?


I realize this a message to muslims but...


The actions of those such as the nun Teresa have a positive and lasting impact on humanity. Her actions have made the world a better place in a small way. If the world is made better by-and-by, then in time people will have TIME and PEACE to consider things like which religion they want to follow. In the end, is not every action in the service of Allah? Is he not the only eternal part which will see those deeds come to their fruition? I hate to tell you this, but Teresa's work already bore fruit, and continues to do so today. How do you explain this? According the Christians (catholics specifically) this is so BECAUSE she devoted herself to Christ and the Christian God. Also, you do not know what her heart was, you have only words. Is it not possible that she saw Jesus as one with God, or as an Aspect of God? I know many christians who believe this, and they are usually more experienced and older, more devotional. How do you know that Teresa did not ultimately believe in only one God, and devoted herself to his service selflessly as she did?


Words are a poor reason to judge. Actions, personal achievement, the way in which one relates to and interacts with people. To judge on something as flexible and uncertain as words - this is surely a mistake. Even the verses of your qu'ran have been interpreted differently by different people - obviously words are not so reliable as to the true nature of a thing.


Judge not, lest ye be judged - is there a parallel of this saying in Islam?


I am not arguing with you, i'm only trying to offer the chance to widen your perspective a bit. Only Allah can know the true nature of a person's heart and soul. It is not for any mortal cast judgement on another - for in the end, their actions may have been the will of Allah to begin with.


Namaste


Mahasvapna

[Faris_Mee]

So, good deeds must not only benefit mankind in a great way - they must be in the name of Allah as well?


I realize this a message to muslims but...


The actions of those such as the nun Teresa have a positive and lasting impact on humanity. Her actions have made the world a better place in a small way. If the world is made better by-and-by, then in time people will have TIME and PEACE to consider things like which religion they want to follow. In the end, is not every action in the service of Allah? Is he not the only eternal part which will see those deeds come to their fruition? I hate to tell you this, but Teresa's work already bore fruit, and continues to do so today. How do you explain this? According the Christians (catholics specifically) this is so BECAUSE she devoted herself to Christ and the Christian God. Also, you do not know what her heart was, you have only words. Is it not possible that she saw Jesus as one with God, or as an Aspect of God? I know many christians who believe this, and they are usually more experienced and older, more devotional. How do you know that Teresa did not ultimately believe in only one God, and devoted herself to his service selflessly as she did?


Words are a poor reason to judge. Actions, personal achievement, the way in which one relates to and interacts with people. To judge on something as flexible and uncertain as words - this is surely a mistake. Even the verses of your qu'ran have been interpreted differently by different people - obviously words are not so reliable as to the true nature of a thing.


Judge not, lest ye be judged - is there a parallel of this saying in Islam?


I am not arguing with you, i'm only trying to offer the chance to widen your perspective a bit. Only Allah can know the true nature of a person's heart and soul. It is not for any mortal cast judgement on another - for in the end, their actions may have been the will of Allah to begin with.


Namaste


Mahasvapna

Hello Mahasvapna. May Allah guide the one who is sincerely seeking Him. Before we begin might I remind you of something you said elsewhere;


<b> <i> 'I believe that the greatest good one can do is to simply align one's own will with the will of God. '</i> </b>


So with that in mind, I attempt to answer your questions.


<b> <i>So, good deeds must not only benefit mankind in a great way - they must be in the name of Allah as well?
</i> </b>


Look closely at the sentence. First you said <i>"So, good deeds must not only benefit mankind in a great way"</i> then "<i>they must be in the name of Allah as well?"</i> This is called shirk. Polytheism. Making partners with God. Creating other gods. In this case - 'mankind'. I think you should read over again what Allah has said in the Qur'an. The answer is plain. You must be a believer first and foremost. How else can anything you do be dedicated to Him if you do not believe in accordance with what He has revealed? Throughout the Qur'an Allah (Most Gracious, Most Merciful) clearly reminds you and me;


<b>To Him you shall all return. Allah's promise is true. He is the One Who originates the process of Creation and repeats it (will bring it back to life) so that He may justly reward those who believed in Him and did righteous deeds. As for those who disbelieved, they shall have boiling fluids to drink and shall undergo a painful punishment because they rejected the truth.</b> 10.4


Belief comes first - then good deeds. Note clearly in the above verse that disbelief is not associated with good deeds. Whereas belief is.


<b> <i> The actions of those such as the nun Teresa have a positive and lasting impact on humanity. Her actions have made the world a better place in a small way.
</i> </b>


The address in post # 1 clearly reminds us that we are here for one purpose only. To worship the God of Creation. Not false gods. Be they Shiva, Jesus, money, humanity, pride etc. God comes first - then good deeds. So what she has done will become like dust on the Day of Judgement.


<b> <i> If the world is made better by-and-by, then in time people will have TIME and PEACE to consider things like which religion they want to follow.
</i> </b>


There is no time. Once your dead that's it. You are retired to the grave. And the more wealth and comfort man has the further he turns away from God. Only when we 'need Him' do we acknowledge Him;


<b>When We show mercy to mankind after some calamity had afflicted them, they begin to plot against Our revelations! Tell them: "Allah is more swift in plotting than you; indeed Our angels are recording all the plots you make." Jonah 10.21</b>


He is the One Who enables you to travel through the land and by the sea; until when you are on board a ship, as the ship sails with a favorable wind and they feel happy about it; but when there comes a stormy wind and the waves reach them from all sides and they think they are being overwhelmed: then they pray to Allah with their sincere devotion, saying, "If You deliver us from this, we shall become your true thankful devotees!" 10.22


But when the pressure is off we turn away, making up all sorts of fanciful ideas about God;


<b>Yet, when He does deliver them, behold! The same people become unjustly rebellious in the land. O mankind! Your rebellion is against your own souls - (you may enjoy) the transitory pleasure of this world - in the end you have to return to Us, then We shall inform you of what you have done. </b> 10.23


<b><i> Is he not the only eternal part which will see those deeds come to their fruition? I hate to tell you this, but Teresa's work already bore fruit, and continues to do so today. How do you explain this? According the Christians (catholics specifically) this is so BECAUSE she devoted herself to Christ and the Christian God.
</i></b>


What is the fruitition? To believe that God ate and went to the toilet? This is what she is calling to. Surely even you have passed this falacy? Her works are a means to an end. And that is to call people to believe that Jesus is God or part thereof. And this is calling people to the fire. She has done them no favor.


<b><i>Also, you do not know what her heart was, you have only words
.</i></b>


She has said by her words "Jesus is My GOD". And she has trod this path all her life. Her deeds as we all know were to call people away from the one true God. And what can be worse than this? To call people to the hellfire. We can only judge by what we see and by the revalations we are given.


<b> Certainly they have disbelieved who say: "Allah is Christ the son of Maryam (Mary)." While Christ himself said: "O children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Rabb and your Rabb." Whoever commits shirk (joins partners with Allah), Allah will deny him the paradise, and the hellfire will be his home. There will be no helper for the wrongdoers. </b> 5.72


<b> <i>Is it not possible that she saw Jesus as one with God, or as an Aspect of God?
</i></b>


This is still called shirk. Polytheism. Making partners with God. Creating other Gods.


<b>As a result most of them who believe in Allah also commit shirk.</b> 12.106


<b> <i>I know many christians who believe this, and they are usually more experienced and older, more devotional. How do you know that Teresa did not ultimately believe in only one God, and devoted herself to his service selflessly as she did?
</i> </b>


And again,


<b>As a result most of them who believe in Allah also commit shirk.</b> 12.106


Surely I would be numbered among the losers if I were to deny what my Lord has revealed. But if these people are sincere surely they will act upon the reminder;


<b>Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.</b> Matt 7:7-8


So what are they seeking? What are they asking for?


<b>If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (Submission to the Creator) never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).</b> 3.86


Are they sincerely asking for forgiveness of their sins from the One True God?


<b>...Allah chooses for His service whom He wills, and guides to His Way only those who turn to Him in repentance.</b> 42.13


And so then the guidance is thus;


<b>Whomever Allah wills to guide, He opens his chest to Islam...</b>


But for those who are revolted at acknowledging a greater power than themselves exists, that there truly is a God and one must surrender to Him and that He is closer to you than your jugular vein;


<b>...and whomever He intends to confound, He makes his chest narrow and squeezes so tight that, at the very idea of Islam, he feel as if his soul is going to climb up towards the sky. That is how Allah places a blight on those who do not believe, whereas in fact this way (Al-Islam) is the Right Way of your Rabb and We have spelled out Our revelations very clearly for the people who use their common sense.</b> 6.125-6


<b>O ye who believe! Obey Allah and His messenger, and turn not away from him when ye hear (him speak). Be not as those who say, We hear, and they hear not. Lo! the worst of beasts in Allah's sight are the deaf, the dumb, who have no sense. Had Allah Known of any good in them He would have made them hear, but had He made them hear they would have turned away, averse.</b> 8.20-3


<b> <i>Words are a poor reason to judge. Actions, personal achievement, the way in which one relates to and interacts with people. To judge on something as flexible and uncertain as words - this is surely a mistake.
</i> </b>


I assume you mean her words. We must judge by what God has revealed. Man's whims are no sound foundation to judge by. Only God has the right to judge and we must act in accordance with His instructions. We are given tongues to express our feelings. Are you saying she lied? Her actions bore out what she felt. And dedicating one's life to 'another god' is the one unforgivable sin.


<b>Surely Allah does not forgive shirk (associating any partner with Him); and may forgive sins other than that if He so pleases. This is because one who commits shirk with Allah, does indeed invent a great sinful lie.</b> 4.48


<b> <i>Judge not, lest ye be judged - is there a parallel of this saying in Islam? I am not arguing with you, i'm only trying to offer the chance to widen your perspective a bit. Only Allah can know the true nature of a person's heart and soul. It is not for any mortal cast judgement on another
</i> </b>


<b>Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. Say: Obey Allah and the messenger. But if they turn away, Lo! Allah loveth not the disbelievers.</b> 3.31-2


<b> <i> - for in the end, their actions may have been the will of Allah to begin with.
</i> </b>


<b>Then We caused Our messengers to follow in their footsteps; and We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow, and gave him the Gospel, and placed compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who followed him. But monasticism they invented. We ordained it not for them. Only seeking Allah's pleasure, and they observed it not with right observance. So We give those of them who believe their reward, but many of them are evil-livers.</b> 57.27


And if you say, look! She is a believer. Then my reply is 'Nay! She loved Jesus only.


Jesus is my God,


Jesus is my Spouse,


Jesus is my Life,


Jesus is my only Love,


Jesus is my All in All;


Jesus is my Everything."


- Mother Teresa


<b>Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. Say: Obey Allah and the messenger. But if they turn away, Lo! Allah loveth not the disbelievers.</b> 3.31-2

[Muslimah]

Bismillah

Peace.....


This was his answer....he says that the verses in the Qur'an was not clear enough, so he added to them to emphasize the point.


Shamms

Salam Shamms


I think u misinterpreted Faris words not sure why, I dont believe Faris meant that the verses of Quran were not clear enough. First off, what is quoted here is not the verse but rather translation of the meaning. Faris putting between brackets the words Christians or jews is not adding to the verse he is trying to explain what shirk is. Surely I m not talking on behalf of Faris, but as he is a Muslim brother, I do give myself permission to explain here.


Mahasvapna, just to clarify those who do good deeds but not on the correct path of Allah, receive their reward in this world. As u can clearly see, someone like mother Teresa, she is grandaized and her memory is maitained by people. Mind u Faris is not judging out of his own opinion, he is quoting the Quran. We dont dare to judge no one or even commend our own deeds. We only can always invoke upon Allah To accet our deeds. But never to praise our own or others deeds because no one can actually know the true intention behind any deed. Unless the intention is purely to Allah, the fruit is lost. For instance, one of the advantages for a Muslim after death, when he/she is not allowed to do good deeds no more, is that the person carries out what is called sadaqa jariay which translates as current charity. As for example building a masjed for people to pray, printing Quran for people to read and the like. Each time a person prays in this masjed or reads in this quran the deseased receives a reward. Again the deed must be strictly to please Allah and not be under no circumstances carrying a bit of the desire to show off, brag or be praised by people. Once this feeling (O how people think of me) entered into the heart, the deeds are somehow suspicious till one clears the heart.

[Muslimah]

And Faris I m so surprised, no I wont say surprised, that there are Muslims who think this way. Sobhan Allah. May Allah Keep us on the correct path ameen

[Mahasvapna]

O ye who believe! Obey Allah and His messenger, and turn not away from him when ye hear (him speak). Be not as those who say, We hear, and they hear not. Lo! <b>the worst of beasts in Allah's sight are the deaf, the dumb, who have no sense. Had Allah Known of any good in them He would have made them hear, but had He made them hear they would have turned away, averse.</b> 8.20-3

Are there any other translations of this verse? The meaning would seem obvious, but surely it isn't. Is it the Islamic belief that essentially those born, for whatever reason, without the ability to practice Islam - for while this verse seems to mention the deaf and the dumb, it seems that the message is geared towards indicating all those who for any reason are physically, perhaps mentally, disabled in a way that prevents them from grasping and practicing the wisdom of Islam - that these people are fated to hell because of this physical flaw alone?


The implication seems to be then that we are all decided, either heaven or hell, when we are born. That no act of free will can change this. Or at least it implies that some are created and live a life for no other purpose than to feed the fire. Surely this cannot be the will of a loving God.


I harbor no assumptions. Is there another understanding of this verse?


If this life is a test, how can one pass who has been designed to fail? If we are to be unattached from others, if only Allah shall matter to one in life, then how can one person pay for the sins or perhaps simply the genetic flaws, of another?


I do not believe in contradictions.


Namaste,


Mahasvapna