Many Questions:

[Scott76]

I have a few questions on some of the deeper meanings of the Qur'an and some Arabic meanings.

1. I know that the Qur'an talks of three beings that are under God. The Malak(angels), the Al-Jinn(who??), and Men. I hear that Al-Jinn may come from the root "Janna", which means to conceal or deceive. Who/what are the Al-Jinn?.........demons of some kind?

2. Lucifer is translated as "bearing of the light". Is Iblis considered the same fallen angel and what is the translation of the name? In "old" Christian texts, Lucifer is often refered to as taking on the image of God as a deceitful way of fooling those with weak faith and convictions. Lucifer has often fancied taking on the image of an "eye" with or without a brilliantly lit background(sometimes just a representation of light). We can see the image of Lucifer's fancy in numerous religions of the past and present that use a representation of "light" and/or an "eye". These religions have/had VERY questionalbe morals. Ancient western culture has often coined the term "the evil eye".

For instance "The eye of Horus" in ancient Egypt. The Masonic "all seeing eye"(now found on the US dollar bill:eek: ). The Aztec representation of "the sun" could be interpreted as "the light", since that would be their best attempt at representing a brilliant light source. The symbol of the Order of Nobles and Mystics has an "eye". The ancient civilization of Babylon which worshiped Set used the "eye".............and there are various other religions of "questionable" morality that use the "eye" or "sun" in their representations of their religion.

My personal belief is that any religion or organization that uses an "eye" or symbol of light "might" be in reference to Lucifer. I want to know how the Qur'an portrays him/it.

.........I'll ask more later. Thanks.

[AhmedSyed]

Ty for your questions Scott.

Jinns are creatures made from fire. They aren't usually seen. They have freedom of will, unlike the angels who have no freedom. There are good jinns as well as bad jinns.

Iblis was a jinn, he was infact the leader of the jinns. Not sure what the name means, *If some brother or sister wants to correct me go on ahead.*

Iblis didn't listen to God when God commanded Iblis to bow down to Prophet Adham ^pbuh (Adam). He rebelled. And said that he was indeed better.

Iblis, through his stubbourness, became the shaytan. Or better known as Satan in english. He vowed to lead astray the children of Prophet Adham pbuh.

^Pbuh means (peace be upon him), its used as a way of respect.

[Muslimah]

As Salam a`alaman itaba`alhoda

Welcome to the forum scott.

Brother Ahmed did explain well, however, I may add something here. The word Iblis is derived from the word moblis, which means desperate from Allah’s mercy. Because as Ahmed explained, when he disobeyed Allah’s command to prostrate to Adam, he went into argument with Allah saying:” Allâh) said: "What prevented you (O Iblîs) that you did not prostrate yourself, when I commanded you?" Iblîs said: "I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay." (Quran 7:13) thus the trait of arrogance is one of Satan’s. To start with, he was among the Jinn who lived on earth before the creation of mankind, but committed a lot of evil and blood shed which made the angles say to Allah when He informed them that He is going to create mankind:”. And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth." They said: "Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, - while we glorify You with praises and thanks and sanctify You." He (Allâh) said: "I know that which you do not know." (Quran 2:30)

. But due to his extra ordinary level of worship, Allah rewarded him by taking him up to Jannah with the angles who are created from light. Again on Jinn, they are the 2nd type of creation to whom Allah sent the final Messenger Mohamed Peace and prayer be upon him. Part of them believed and others did not just as mankind which is brought forth in Quran (Surat Jinn).

Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "It has been revealed to me that a group (from three to ten in number) of jinn[1] listened (to this Qur’ân). They said: ‘Verily, we have heard a wonderful Recitation (this Qur’ân)!

2. ‘It guides to the Right Path, and we have believed therein, and we shall never join (in worship) anything with our Lord (Allâh).

3. ‘And He, exalted be the Majesty of our Lord, has taken neither a wife nor a son (or offspring or children).[2]

4. ‘And that the foolish among us [i.e. Iblîs (Satan) or the polytheists amongst the jinn] used to utter against Allâh that which was an enormity in falsehood.

5. ‘And verily, we thought that men and jinn would not utter a lie against Allâh. (Quran 72: 1-5)

Most welcome for any more questions.

[Scott76]

Thanks for the help once again. This clears up some of my questions on the Jinn. Although the Christian Bible leaves out mention of the Jinn, early Christian text not included in the Bible hints at their existance. After all, the writings in the Bible were assembled by imperfect humans based on imperfect judgement as to what is "appropriote" for believers to read. There are many early Christian texts that are quite crutial IMO for understanding. Western culture(Christian) called them Incubi, Syphs, and/or Succabae.

1. I have another question. What is the Fihrist? I know that it was completed during the most advanced time of Arabic culture.

2. One more. What does the "C.E." represent in Arabic dating? For instance western calenders use B.C./A.D. then a numberical date.

Thanks:D

[UmmAiman]

Hi Scott,

As for your first question about Fihirst, I haven't got a clue......maybe someone Arab can help with that...????

As for you second question about C.E. it stands for "Christian Era" like instead of Muslims saying 2003 A.D. we say 2003 C.E. because we know that A.D. stands for "Year of the Lord" who in christian terms is Jesus and that is against Islam's teachings so we do not use A.D./B.C. when talking about dates.

Muslims start their Islamic calendar from the date that the Prophet Muhammed made his hijra (emigration) to Medina and so you will find that in Islamic terms our date would be 1424 A.H. (after hijra) but being that we deal with the rest of the world too who do not use an Islamic calendar we recognize the date as also being 2003 C.E.

I hope that is clear.......???

[Muslimah]

<i>Originally posted by Scott76 </i><b>1.  I have another question.  What is the Fihrist?  I know that it was completed during the most advanced time of Arabic culture.</b>

Thanks:D

as salam a`alaman itab`alhoda

Scott I am a native arabic speaker, however, I am afraid I can not really make out what the Fihrist is? if u can just give me an idea about what u know about it, may be then I can figure out.

[Dan]

Bismillah

As-salam alaikum

UmmAiman, in my history and other courses in college, the abbrevations "C.E." mean "Common Era." It is a new term to get away from the religious implications you pointed out with B.C./A.D. Also, the time that used to be called B.C. is now more commonly known as B.C.E. or Before Common Era. I knew of this change before I became a muslim and I believe that it is a trend that is being perpetuated to secularize the Western nations even more.

Jazak Allah

As salam alaikum

[Ali]

Yes Indeed C.E stands for Common Era.

-- Ali