Dunya

In Islam, dunyā (Arabic: دُنْيا‎) refers to the temporal world and its earthly concerns and possessions, as opposed to the hereafter (ʾākhirah). In the Qur'an, dunyā and ākhira are sometimes used dichotomously, other times complementarily. Islam does not a priori dismiss the world as "evil".

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Garden . Repentance (Tawbah) . Dunya

I feel that Prophet Adam (as) should have been taken back to the garden if he went against an advice and then repented after facing the consequences. Why was he not, and what is the purpose and reason for our stay in this world?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 1 month ago

It seems that when Allah created Adam, and gave him the human nature, Allah understood what Adam would do and that eventually Adam would come to this world, and that this was part of the plan of the creation of the human being, as well as something for us to learn from about our own nature.

Otherwise, if this process had not continued, and human beings were still living in the garden, we would not be dealing with the complexities of this world that enable it to fulfil its spiritual function for us - for instance, refining the soul, learning about things and their opposites (such as mercy and lack of mercy, knowledge and ignorance), developing the soul, testing the soul, and overall experiencing the world of matter and the material world. We would just be like children in the womb who are provided for and are secure but who are not growing beyond their confines.

Perhaps, one can also learn from this that our actions change us. Even if Adam's repentance was accepted, he was still a different person after what he did and therefore had a different life path.

Also, Allah says in the Qur'an that Allah loves those people who repent/turn back to Him (2:222). It is narrated that the Prophet (S) said: “Had you not committed sins and sought the forgiveness of Allah, He would have created others who commit sins and then seek His forgiveness so that He will forgive them. A believer commits sins frequently, but repents to Allah very frequently."

So it seems that the human being was created in such a manner that it is expected that we will need to continually turn back to Allah, even though of course we should not be making mistakes intentionally.

As for the overall purpose of life in this world, this of course is a question that people have debated since the beginning of time. From the Qur'an and hadith, one can understand that the purpose of being in this world includes cognizance and worship of Allah, learning about greater realities, growth, and testing the soul.

One can also consider that there is an overall purpose of existence of humanity in general, and each of us may also have our own individual purposes; for instance, I am sure that my purpose in life is not to become an Olympic runner (at least, I have not yet shown any talent in this area), but perhaps my personal purpose is something else.

Garden . Repentance (Tawbah) . Dunya

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 2 months ago

Allah's Knowledge is unlimited, as well as His Wisdom and Mercy. Allah The Glorious Knows why he send Adam from Paradise to this world and we are here now. Allah Has promised pious human being to return to the Paradise, but evil people will be away from the Paradise.

We have to be realistic as we have very limited knowledge, and refrain from suggesting on Allah (SWT) what He should do.

Wassalam.

132310

Time . Soul . Menstruation . God (Allah) . Dunya

Why was I not created in a different time period? How does God determine in which age each soul should come to this world?

Allah's Wisdom and Knowledge and Mercy determine which age, country, place, family ,father, mother, etc each one should come to this world.

We believe in His Absolute Wisdom and Mercy and thank Him that created us in the age, place, family from which He created us. Allah says in Quran ( Your Lord Creates whatever He Wills and Choose, no choice have they) Sura 28, Verse 68.

Wassalam.

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Life . Ghayba (Occultation) . Life Expectancy . Imamah . Dunya

If there was no threat to the life of Imam al-Mahdi, and so there was no occultation, would he have lived a normal lifespan? If so, would there have been more than 12 Imams or would the world have ended early?

The fact of the Twelve Imams after the Prophet of Islam is an order from Allah (SWT). No one has right to say or suggest on any matter which has been decreed by Allah (SWT). Allah Knows every thing including all the future, so, there is no point in putting such questions from us. Allah Knows everything and He is The Absolute Wise, All Knowung, Most Merciful.

Wassalam.

127788

Islam . Atheism . Dunya

Some atheists have challenged the universality of Islam, saying it is only 25% of the world's population, and almost absent from many regions of the Americas and east Asia. What is the response to this objection?

Islam is the only religion which addresses all human beings and deals with all of them with equality with out any discrimination. Islam states the fact: All human beings are from one father (Adam) and one mother (Hawwa).

Political reasons caused depriving many people from knowing Islam. When people are able to know Islam, millions will embrace it because it has The Real Evidence from God which can never be found in any other faith or ideology.

Number of followers is never the only evidence of the reality of any religion or idea because we need to study the political reasons. Intellectually, Islam is the only religion which has the rational answers for the questions of those who think properly.

Scholars from all over the world admit the superiority of Islam which has has resulted despite all the obstacles, in making Islam the most spreading religion in the world today. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-39279631

Wassalam.

123660

Transgressors . God (Allah) . Obedience . Dunya . Meaning

Does Allah intentionally will certain people to be transgressors since He says some people will disobey Him as the world will come to an end? Does that mean He wants them to disobey Him?

Allah never wants any one to do wrong, on the contrary, He showed every one the right way and the wrong way and ordered and encouraged to do good and avoid bad. Allah granted human beings the intellect and the option to do whatever they decide to do and He never forced any one to do good or bad.

Wrong doers do wrong out of their own option and decision. Allah never wants wrong. He orders us to do good and He helps every one who to do good.

Wassalam.

122943

God (Allah) . Oppression . Dunya . Divine Justice

If Allah loves us why doesn't He save the oppressed people of the world?

Allah's love to us does not need to be proven after He created us from nothing and granted us life and all bounties of life. Allah (SWT) gave human beings the option and ability to be good or otherwise. Allah does not force us to be good nor to be bad but He helps us if we want to do good and leaves us if we want to do bad. Those who do bad and oppress others will face the result of their deeds while the oppressed will be compensated by Allah for their sufferings.

Wassalam.

120859

Black Magic . Dunya

Does black magic actually exist in this world and affect people?

Zoheir Ali Esmail, Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD... Answered 9 months ago

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. The existence of magic is attested to in the Qur'an in the stories of Prophet Sulayman (as) (2:102) and Musa (as) (7:113 onwards for example). A definition of magic to separate it from other less well known sciences is "the use of najasat and demons to fulfill an outcome". Such practices do exist and can have an affect on people.

May you always be successful

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Tears . Salah (Prayers) . God (Allah) . Dunya

If a man or a woman sheds tears in their prayers, but are not sure whether it was out of love of Allah and other allowed reasons or instead for matters of this world, are their prayers valid?

Shedding tears during Salah does not invalidate the Salah if it was not for a worldly matter.

Wassalam.

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Woman . Spinster . Marriage . Paradise . Dunya

Who does an unmarried woman marry in Jannah if she was unmarried in this world?

A human that she likes (from any time period in history!), probably male version of hur al ayn, maybe hanging around by herself and not bothering with marriage. There are no limitations in jannah :)

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Destiny . God (Allah) . Al-Qalam . Dunya

Is it true Allah created the Qalam to write till the end of the world, or that the thing He writes is part of one's destiny?

1.   We have in many Hadeeths that Allah has created the Qalam (The Pen), and the Qalam has been ordered by Allah to write what will be happening till the Day of Judgement.
   2.   Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (A.S.) has been asked about this verse: ن والقلم (Noon Wal Qalam). He said Noon was a river in the Paradise,White more than the ice and sweet more sweet than the Honey. Allah ordered the river to be ink, then Allah put a tree and told that tree to become Qalam (A Pen) then Allah ordered the pen (Qalam) to write. The Qalam asked: What shall I write? Allah replied: Write whatever will be happening till the day of Judgement. The Qalam wrote according to the order of Allah then it was silent. Allah ordered: Do not talk till the designated time means the day of Judgement. (Elal Al-Shara’e’, علل الشرائع Page 402.
   3.   Another Hadeeth from Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (A.S.) when he was been asked about Noon Wal Qalam. He says: Noor was a river in the Paradise. Allah ordered the river to be frozen. It became frozen then it became ink. Allah told the Qalam (the Pen): Write. The pen wrote in the preserved board –Lawh Al-Mahfoudh اللوح المحفوظ . The Pen wrote whatever was happening and whatever will happen till the day of Judgement. The ink was ink from Noor (Light) and the Qalam (the Pen) was a Pen from Noor (Light) & Lawh (the Board) was Board from Light. معاني الأخبار Ma’aani Al-Akhbar Page 23.
   4.   In Tafseer Ali-Ibn Ibrahim Volume 2 Page 379, there is a narration from Abdul Rahim Al Qaseer who said: I asked Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (A.S.) about Noon Wal Qalam. Imam said: Allah has created the Qalam (the Pen) from a tree in the Paradise called “Al Khuld”. then Allah told a river in the Paradise to be ink. The river became frozen, and it was more white than the ice and more sweet than the Honey. Then Allah ordered the Qalam (the Pen) to write. The Qalam said “O my Lord What shall I write”. Allah Ordered the Qalam to write whatever existing and whatever will happen till the day of judgement.
   5.   In Tafseer Ali Ibn Ibrahim Volume 2 Page 198 , there is a narration from Hisham narrating from Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (A.S.) saying the first which Allah created is Al-Qalam. Then Allah ordered the Qalam : أُكتُب Write. The Qalam (the Pen) wrote what was going on and what will happen till the day of Judgement.
   6.   We also have narrations about the meaning of Noon and the meaning of Qalam. A narration from Imam Moosa Al-Kadhim (a.s.) which was narrated by Muhammed Ibn Al-Fadheel . He said I asked Imam Moosa Al-Kazim (a.s.) about Noon Wal Qalam Verse he said: Noon is a name of the Messenger of Allah, and Al-Qalam is name for Ameerul Momeneen Ali (a.s.).

7. What was been written in the Qalam is everything which was happening, and which will happen till the day of judgement. No doubt we as a human beings are included but we should understand that the destiny which is enforced on us does not mean at all that our faith and deeds are also enforced on us. Allah the Glorious, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate, the Absolute Wise did not force us to do bad and no one can claim that he is doing bad because it is his destiny. Destiny is our shape, our gender, our skin colour, our eyes colour, our parents, our place of birth and other things which are out of our control. But our faith and our deeds is under our own option and our own Choice. Our faith and deeds are never enforced on us.

Wassalam.

115781

Satan . God (Allah) . Dunya

According to Islam, is it Satan or God who rules the world? Can you please share any supporting scriptural references if possible?

According to the Qur'an, God has absolute power over all things.

Satan, as a created being, is under God's power and only has some capability to influence or affect people because God has allowed this for the duration of this world or universe.

God has given Satan free will, just as God has given free will to human beings and other jinn. (According to most Muslim exegetes, Satan is one of the jinn, not an angel or fallen angel.) However, this free will is not absolute: while we are responsible for our decisions in the hereafter, and lead ourselves to heaven or hell, we cannot always do everything we want since sometimes the divine decree/destiny affects what happens in our lives. So, we are still under the power of God, even if we have free will in how we respond to matters that are fated.

Therefore, Satan is not an equal contender to God and there is no cosmic battle between good and evil, even if sometimes an individual person may go back and forth towards or against Satan.

(However, the idea of a cosmic battle between good and evil predates Islam, and has hence influenced some cultures, and also seems to be part of the human psyche, so you will sometimes hear Muslims framing things like that. But that is not theologically correct according to the Qur'an.)

Some scriptural references from the Qur'an:

* Satan has no powerful over the faithful who seek refuge with their Lord (16:22).
* On Judgment Day, Satan will tell people, "God made promises that were true, and I made promises to you that I did not keep. I had no authority over you, except that I called you and you obeyed me. So do not blame me; blame yourselves. I cannot aid you now, and you cannot aid me now. I disassociate myself from the way you associated partners with God." (14:22)
* The story of when Adam is created, God orders Satan to bow to him. Satan refuses, and God expels him from the celestial realms. Satan swears to misguide humanity, so God allows him to do that for the duration of this world or universe, after which time Satan and those who choose to obey him will enter hell. (7:11-7:18, and elsewhere in the Qur'an)
* Satan's power is to whisper and delude. (4:120)
* Satan's plots are weak. (4:76)
* People choose by their own free will to obey (and hence worship, since obedience is considered a form of worship) Satan and are held accountable for it. (36:59-63)

These sections of the Qur'an can be read further at quran.al-islam.org or other websites if one does not have a printed copy of the Qur'an.

However, insofar as Satan's power in this world among humanity is proportional to how many people choose to support, follow, or obey him, one could say that, to some degree, Satan's power depends on people's choices. This is similar to a country which has a president who has full authority to exert his/her will (for instance, a military and police force which will do what he says), but where the people follow what a social influencer says. He may allow this and be the ultimate authority, and could shut down the influencer if he wanted, but, in practice, the social media influencer is asserting some authority due to the people's choice.

So, from this angle, one could say that sometimes Satan's influence is greater or lesser, depending on where one is, what era one is living in, etc. Certainly there has been a lot of evil in the world in the 20th century, however, it is also quite possible that Satan was not behind this and is simply standing there smiling and laughing as human beings make a mess of things themselves.

Some of this is apparently also due to human choice, especially the move away from the divine and the sacred in some heavily secular ideologies; the Qur'an says: "They forgot God, so God forgot them". (8:67) People can do this with or without Satan.

Still, the Qur'an says: Had it not been for the grace and mercy of God Allah upon you, you would have followed Satan, except a few of you (4:83). So this reiterates the idea that God is the ultimate authority, not Satan.

I also like to think that, despite the evils of the world, most people are ultimately good at heart and want for things to go aright; we are just going through a difficult time.

Hope that helps!