Pandit Shri Ram Sharma Achaarya's view on GOD

“God is one-alone; not multiple”

Pandit Shri Ram Sharma Achaarya

[A great authority of Hinduism and founder of Gayatri pariwaar]

Pandit Shri Ram Sharma Acharya [died 1990] was one of the greatest Sanatan-dharmi scholar of Vedas and Hindu scriptures. He was the founder of Gayatri parivar – haridwar based religious organization / sect that have millions of followers. Below are his writing from akhand-jyoti magazine [official magazine of Gayatri parivaar]; june 1985 edition.

Hindi version: https://khurshidimam.blogspot.com/2016/08/blog-post.html

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“The Creator of this universe is just one. It is only He, who generates, proliferates and causes all variations as per His plans. Neither has he any associate nor any helper.

All people have their interests related together [in the matter of God]. The kingdom of the One God was considered to be divided between different gods and people started thinking that they will worship and support their own selected god. And they didn't stop here; later on they started believing in opposing and causing loss to the other parties [those who worship other gods]. This is the belief system of today’s polytheism. In this way not only one true God got divided into many groups, but also each lineage, village and locality got its own god and goddess.

The One God was divided into several god and goddesses. Theses god and goddesses not only possessed different shapes but also these gods were given different nature; and they were attributed such nature as if they were angry over the one who didn't worship them and worshipped the others. These gods started giving miseries to those who did not worship them. 

In the starting days of polytheism, there were only three gods: Brahama, Vishnu and Mahesh and their wives – Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kaali. From thereafter, daily new gods started coming into existence. The number of gods and goddesses became as high as to be countable. Their diverse and amazing wishes were also fabricated. From among them some were vegetarians and some were non-vegetarians, some furious and some cool minded. Sometimes even ghosts and forefathers became gods and goddesses. And their number increased to thousands and hundred-thousands. In this respect, the backward classes made god with great zeal. It was believed that physical and psychological diseases were due to the wrath of these gods. And the treatment of all such diseases was some intermediary ‘ojha’ [religious doctors] and his bribe fee. Very often, in this treatment, food items were used. Especially the sacrifice of animals and birds was done. Such things [sacrificed animals and birds] were used as offering [‘chadhaawa’].

                    Whenever a new daughter-in-law entered the house or a new baby was born, it was deemed necessary to visit the [family god; god specific to this family] ‘kuldevta’. In this way, it became necessary to keep the mood of the respective god in the right order. This aspect was important feature of those groups/tribes considered to be lower class level. Gods of higher classes of society were relatively more prestigious and honourable. Wealthy people thought that their prestige lies in becoming the worshipper of these higher gods. Pandits, purohits [religious authorities] would do rituals related to worship of these higher gods. Things like Durga Shaptshati Paath, Shiv mahima, Rudri etc path, hawan, poojan [worship related rituals] were invented. With the polytheism, several stories and legends were attached. Several stories were fabricated so that people could understand benefit of worshipping these gods and wrath incurred by these gods [if they were not worshipped]. Numerous gods were attached to festivals. It was made compulsory to visit places of these gods. Some of these old gods sustained and several new originated. Several of the old gods were forgotten into oblivion and several new came into existence and became famous.

On the basis of reason, rationality and intellect, it is unavoidable to accept that God is one. His being and His attributes and His laws cannot be as per wishes of different sects/sampradaay. Their own beliefs are their own personal matters.

The Omnipotent power should be formless (niraakaar). The one having some form will be confined to some country and he will be limited. And it is said ‘न तस्य प्रतिमा अस्ति” [Na tasya pratima Asti- yajurved 32:3] meaning that he does not have any idol/shape/form. And at one place it is said ‘एकं सद्विप्रा वहुधा वदन्ति’ [Ekam sadvipra bahudha wadanti. Rigved 1:164:46] meaning that the scholars have called the same one God by several names. Ultimately – it will be wise decision and highly recommended to turn away from those false gods who are considered to be associated in any way in the creation and running of the universe and its affairs.”  

----  Pandit Shri Ram Sharma Acharya, Akhand Jyoti, June 1985    

         

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Source: Hindi to English translation of the below content.

http://literature.awgp.org/magazine/AkhandjyotiHindi/1985/June.14 

http://literature.awgp.org/magazine/AkhandjyotiHindi/1985/June.15

http://literature.awgp.org/magazine/AkhandjyotiHindi/1985/June.17

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Sanatan dharm and Avtaar-Waad [Re-incarnation of God]

Sanatan dharm and Avtaar-Waad [Re-incarnation of God]

By: Khurshid Imam

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A. Concept of Avtaar-wad

Avtaar-Wad or the Concept of reincarnation of God is fundamental belief of Hinduism [except aryasamaj]. According to this belief; God comes down to earth and takes form of human being or animal. Now-days, anyone who does good thing is considered re-incarnation of God [Avtaar of God].

1. This concept is not from the very beginning. During Vedic era people did not believe in it. Even idol worship was not practiced during Vedic era. By Vedic era i mean the period during which original ved was in the life of people. I am not aware of any vedic mantr that preaches Avtaar-wad.

Later on, with the adulteration in pure teachings of God, several new concepts came into existence. Avtaar-wad is one among them. Probably; puranas paved way for this concept. People refer to a shlok in Shrimad bhagwad Puran and Bhagwad geeta in support of Avtaar-Wad.

No wonder – Aryasamajis strongly reject the concept of avtaar-wad. They say avtaar-wad is against Vedic teaching.

2. One of the ways of division of Hindus is through Shaiv (Primarily worship Shiva), Vaishnav (Primarily worship Vishnu) and Shakt (Primarily worship Shakti). Earlier, only vaishnav believed in Avtaar-wad. Shaiv and shakt did not believe in this concept. But today almost all sects and groups of Hindus believe in it.

3. How many avtaar (reincarnations of God) were there? Initially 10 avtaar of Vishnu were accepted, later on, this number was increased to 24. Today there is no limit to number of avtaar, everyone who does good is considered as avtaar.

According to hindu tradition; 10 avtaar of Vishnu (god) are:

1. Matasya Avtaar i.e. God reincarnated as Fish
2. Kaschap Avtaar i.e. God reincarnated as Tortoise
3. Varaah Avtaar i.e. God reincarnated as Pig
4. Narsingh Avtaar i.e. God reincarnated as Man-lion
5. Waman Avtaar i.e. God reincarnated as Dwarf
6. Ram. Believed to have come in Treta yug
7. Parshuram
8. Krishna. Believed to have come in Dwapar yug
9. Balraam. Believed to have come in Dwapar yug
10. Kalki Avtaar. The much awaited avatar.

B. AvtaarWad contradicts several mantr of Vedas

1. God is one, unique, master-sustainer of the universe:

“The Only Lord of all created beings. He fixed and holds up this earth and heavens.

Who by His grandeur has became sole ruler of the moving world that breaths and slumbers; He is Lord of men and Lord of cattle.

By Him the heavens are strong and earth is steadfast, by Him light’s realm and sky-vault are supported: by Him the regions in mid-air were measured. What gods besides Him shall we adore with our oblation?" Rigved 10:121:1,3,5

"One who has control over the whole universe, established difference between day and night.” Rigved 10:190:2

“He alone is the master of the whole universe. Every creature bows down before Him. Only He is eligible to be worshipped.” Atharvaved 2:2:1

2. God is free from image, likeness, death, birth etc.

a. Na tasy pratima asti, yasya namah mahadhsha - There is no image of that God, remembering him itself is great act. Yajurved 32:3

b. He can not be grasped in any direction. Yajurved 32:2

c. Those who worship natural things enter into darkness of hell; those who worship man made things enter more into darkness of hell. Yajurved 40:9

d. sah akayam - He is bodiless and pure. Yajurved 40:8

e. Na mamar na jiiryati - He does not die,nor grows old. Atharvved 10:8:32

f. He is beyond the imagination of death. Atharvved 13:4:46

Above vdic-mantr define God in such a way that contradicts with the assumption that God comes down to earth, takes form, lives and dies .

3. Can God be ideal for human being?

It is said that we should emulate Avtaar. Is this possible?

Almighty God is free from any error, any weakness [Refer Yajurved 10:8]. God can not commit mistake or sin. We human being are creature with weakness. We can be biased, we can err, we can commit mistake. How can we try to emulate God?

The logical alternative is that we should try to emulate human being who has very high level of piety, God consciousness and righteousness. Only a human being can be ideal for human being.

C. Avtaar-wad is against common sense and logic

Look at the world around. How big our earth is; huge mountains, large oceans.
What is the status of earth in our galaxy? Almost nothing. Our galaxy has more than 1000000000000 stars!!! Each star is thousands of time greater than Earth!! How many galaxies are in the universe? More than 100000000000!!!!! 
So how many stars are there in the universe? Probably Uncountable?How big our universe is? Infinite? And this gigantic universe is continuously expanding!!!

Who is the creator of this huge universe? It’s Almighty GOD – who is the master, planner and sustainer of this ultra complex universe. 
   
When we say:
The creator of this universe took birth in India.
Almighty God married and had kids.
Almighty God died because of arrow.
Almighty God was searching his spouse.
Almighty God did not recognize his son.
Almighty God lived in uttar pardesh [India].
…………. Then for sure we are demeaning the status of God. We are giving ungodly qualities to God. We are contradicting the definition of God given in scriptures. 

    How can we imagine God taking any form?
    How can God be confined to time and space?
    How can we say that God lived and died in india? 
    How can we think of God being man or animal? 
    Do we need to review and introspect regarding the concept of Avtaar-Wad?


D. yuga and Avtaar-Wad: how much compatible?

As per Hindu tradition - life time/era is divided in 4 yuga or era.

a. Sat yug – era of truth. 4 avtaar came

b. Dwapar yug – more truth, less evil. 3 avtaar came.

c. Treta yug – more evil, less truth. 2 avtaar came.

d. Kal yug – era of evil. 1 avtaar came.

All sects of Hinduism, including, aryasamaji believe in the concept of yug or era. Present era is Kal yug or era of evil. Very soon sat yug or era of truth will come. As per this concept; number of avtaar is 4,3,2,1 in Sat yug, dwapar yug, treat yug and kal yug respectively.

Ponder upon the number of avatar and portion of evil present in the era.

It is said that in sat-yug when everywhere there was peace, truth and happiness then god came down to earth 4 times. Please remember – the purpose of incarnation of God is to fight and destroy evil. When there was peace and happiness in sat-yug then why it was necessary for god to come down – [and fight evil powers]- to earth 4 times? 
It can be argued that sequence is reverse; i.e. since God came down to earth 4 times - so there was peace and prosperity. Fair enough.

However, when it is kal-yug – era of evil, crime, filth – then god is supposed to come down to earth only 1 time?

There is logical inconsistency in the concept of yug and number of avatar in each era. In kal-yug – ideally – there should have been more avtaar because of so much of evil. Even though it is believed that kalyug is about to end yet no avtaar has come yet.

It’s very clear that as evil is increasing number of avtaar is decreasing which is against logic.

E. Shri Ram chandr ji as avtaar

One of the most popular avtaar is Shri Ram chandr ji. His story is mentioned in the epic Ramayan. The Ramayana that you know is very different from the first book of Ramayana written by valmiki ji. For detail, refer to the article – “Difference between original Ramayan and the Ramayan you know”

1. As per the epic of valmiki ramayana; Shri Ram chandr ji was a human being. He had human qualities, some positive, some negative. He himself used to worship God.

2. He took birth, he married, he had children – these all are qualities of human being and not that of God.

3. His wife was abducted by Ravana. It took Shri Ram chandr ji several years to know whereabouts of his wife and rescue her.
“God knows all the domains, all the places and origins”. Yajurved 31:10

“God knows all dimensions and directions”. Rigved 6:9:3

“God knows everything”. Rigved 1:145:1

4. At the end; he died. Can God die?

5. Any honest person; after going through the story of Shri Ram chandr ji will agree that he could have been a great man or noble person.But to say that he was Almighty God - it will be exaggeration. God is one, unique, the master-creator-sustainer of the universe.

F. Shri Krishn ji as avtaar

Another very popular avtaar is Shri Krishna. He forms the central character in Bhagwad Geeta. Bhagwad Geeta is nothing but few chapters from another great epic – Mahabharat. Mahabharat is an epic attributed to Ved vyas ji that speaks about the War. The advice given by Shri Krishna to Arjun in the battlefield is called Bhagwad Geeta.

1. Shri Krishna took birth just like any other human being takes.
2. He grew up old. His naughty activities during childhood and teenage are famous in hindu traditions.
3. At the end; he was killed by an arrow. The wound could not be healed and resulted in death. 

Can God suffer this fate?
“None can ever obstruct or deviate you from your path (Oh God!)”. Rigved 4:54:4
“God is the giver of life’s breath. He is the lord of death”. Rigved 10:121:2

No need to say that God does not take birth. God cannot be hit by arrow. God does not die. So Shri Krishna could have been a great person. To claim that Shri Krishna was God is exaggeration and against definition of God.

G. Substitute of Avtaar-Wad – DutWad [Prophet hood]

What is the solution? God is not confined to time and space. God is not like anything, he is the creator, sustainer and planner of the whole universe. There is need to introspect about the concept of Avtaar-Wad. This concept is not divine. It is not given by God.

The original concept was dutWaad or Prophet Hood. While Avtaar-Wad speaks about God coming down to earth for destruction of evil; concept of prophet hood says that Almighty God reveals his message to human being called messenger or the prophet. The messenger or the prophet then delivers the message of God to people. This concept is pretty well defined in Quran, bible etc. Even Holy Ved talks about prophet hood or dut-waad.

Which concept is more logical – AvatarWad OR Prophet hood?

Ved is considered to be God’s word. So how Vedas came into existence?
Did God himself come to the world and spoke words of ved? No.
Surprisingly; though our Hindu brethren love Shri Ram chandr ji and Shri Krishna ji to great extent, yet they never associate any of them with Vedas. 

No one claims that Vedas were brought by Shri Ram chandr ji or Shri Krishna ji.
Then how come Vedas reached to us? Only option is: through human source.

There can be two ways:
1. God came down to earth, took human form and spoke mantr of Vedas.
OR
2. God inspired Vedic mantr to his chosen person called as Ish-Dut or rasul or Prophet.

To know more about the subject kindly read the book – “Lost prophets Of Hinduism and India”. Prophet Muhammad is the last messenger of God on whom Quran was revealed.

H. Conclusion

1. The concept of Avtaar-Wad is one of the fundamental beliefs of Hinduism. This belief is not divine; it’s not present in Vedas. This was gradually accepted by followers; earlier only vaishnav used to believe in this concept.

2. As per Avtaar-Wad - God takes form of human being in order to destroy evils.

3. This concept is against the Vedic teachings. Ved speaks against AvtaarWad. Morever – it goes against logic and common sense.

4. The correct concept is Prophet Hood. Almighty God does not take human form rather he appoints human being as the messenger for delivering his message. 

5. Prophet Muhammad was the last and final messenger of Almighty God.

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Is human being Ashraful Makhlooqaat?

Is human being Ashraful Makhlooqaat?

By Khurshid Imam
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A. Introduction

I wanted to correct him - but did not do so; as we were having general discussion; but he said once "Insaan Ashraful makhluqaat hai" (Human kind is the BEST of creations). It is very common practice among many of us to say that Man / Human being is ashraful makhlooqaat i.e. BEST of CREATIONS. People don't ponder over this term; whether it is used anywhere in Quran or Hadees. Nowhere does Quran says that Man / Human being is BEST of creations or Ashraful Makhluqaat. Neither any hadees - as per my best understanding - says so. So how come this statement became very popular in Muslim world? I really don't know. It may be because of superiority complex?  But this statement is ONE of the false / wrong / unislamic / unquranic statement popular in muslim world.

B. Universe made FOR mankind, mankind made FOR Life-Hereafter

In the house of Islam human beings have a distinction among other creations in following aspects:
- They are given free will . Quran 18:29; 10:99
- Whole universe is made FOR human being. Refer Quran  14:32-33; 16:12; 16:14; 22:36-37; 22:65; 31:20; 43:13; 45:12-13

It is very interesting to note that God has made everything in the universe to FOLLOW his law. Sun, moon, galaxies, stars, atoms, weather, sea, air, water - these all always ABIDE BY laws of God.

Only creation that is FREE to obey / disobey God is mankind (and Jinn). Man has a choice to follow God's command or not to follow. Why it is so? Because he has been given free will? Why is this free will? So that he can be tested in this life. It will not make any sense if man does not have free will / choice and at the same time he has to undergo test of life.

That is why Allama Iqbal says:

Na Tu Zameen Ke Liye Hai Na Asman Ke Liye

Jahan Hai Tere Liye, Tu Nahin Jahan Ke Liye

You are neither for the earth nor for the heaven:

The world is for you, and not you for the world.

C. Human being is not the best of creations

In-spite of this, nowhere Allah said that man is Best of Creations. Some people get confused reading the following ayah :

"We have honored the children of Adam, provided them with transport on land and sea, given them for sustenance things good and pure, and made them superior to a great number of Our creations.” (Qur’an; 17:70)

God has preferred man over MANY of his creations. Ayah does not say that man has been preferred over ALL creations. 
So 17:70 tells that human-being has been given preference over MANY of his creations.

Another ayah of Quran 95:4 says that Allah created humans as ‘ahsane taqvim’. It means that Allah created man in the beautiful mould / design / ability. Man has been made in such way that it can acquire great talent / capabilities and perform good deeds or he can choose to perform bad deeds and harm humanity. This is clear from reading the very next two ayah (95:5-6) that says: some (people) can become lowest (in character, action, misdeed) and some will deserve for reward due to their beliefs and righteous deeds.  It does not mean that He created man as the greatest of all creations.

On the contrary God says that among Human being there are some who are Shaitan. Refer Quran 6:112
Also - those people who are involved in intoxicant and gambling are like Shaytaan. Refer Quran 5:90

Surprisingly Allah has mentioned  in Quran 8:22 THOSE PEOPLE as WORST creatures who do not use their AQAL (brain, intellect) and are thus deaf and dumb.
In Quran 8:55 Allah has described those people as WORST creatures who reject / conceal truth of God knowingly. In both ayah; arabic word Ad-dawwab is used. This word refers to crawling / walking creatures of the earth. 

لدَّوَابِّ - Crawling / walking creature of the Earth.

Similarly in 98:6 God described some people as WORST of creatures. In 98:7 God described some people as BEST of creatures. In both these ayah arabic word Al-barriyah is used. This word refers to creatures of the Earth. This is very significant.  In fact; word used here shows that they are worst or best with respect to the earth. 
الْبَرِيَّةِ   Creature of the EARTH.
أُولَـٰئِكَ هُمْ شَرُّ الْبَرِيَّةِ      98:6 Worst creature of the earth
98:7  أُولَـٰئِكَ هُمْ خَيْرُ الْبَرِيَّةِ   Best of creature of the earth

Please don't think that human being is the only creatures of God apart from jinn and angels. God says in 42:29 that God has scattered creatures throughout the heavens and the earth. Don't be surprised tomorrow if scientists find out creatures residing on other planets or other heavenly bodies.

A very important question will come to the mind: 
a. If human being is not ashraful makhlooqaat then can there be another race / creation of God that would be best of creations?
b. Do we have another creatures apart from human being, angels, jinn?
c. Are there another creatures of God about whom we dont know today? These questions are beyond the scope of the present article and require in-depth explanation of some ayah of Quran.

D. Human being - a unique creature

Whenever Quran talks about fazeelat i.e. "preferring one over other" - its always in some aspect that a particular entity is preferred over other entity. So, in what aspect human being is better than others?
Allah has bestowed the best faculties to us, the best of moulds to make insaan. (95:4)
But no other creation has the capability to reach to the highest level of excellence to which a human being can reach. Allah has kept this in human beings only. The whole point of our existence is to attain that high stature in which Allah has cast us. To reach that high stature He gave us directions through His own words in Quran. No other creation has been blessed that way. 

Allah has given this capability to man that man can reach highest of the high and the lowest of the low; and has been thus put to test. Even; when somebody is sinking to the lowest of low, he/she is doing something that other earthly creations cannot do.

Yet, human beings can turn out both ways; they can become best on earth or worst (98:6-7).
Yet, Allah has not honoured human being with BEST of creatures. if human beings somehow would come out of this complex they would treat other creations in this world with more respect and perhaps not create environmental disturbances
A person CAN BECOME really good or CAN BECOME really bad. This "CAN BECOME" is a capability which has been endowed to human being and no other earthly creation. 
There are numerous abilities and faculties that Allah had bestowed to other species present on this earth like some can fly, swim, have night vision, have electricity and for shocking predator or light for seeing in dark etc. So we just can't go about making sweeping statements that we are the best.

Blessing of intellect is unique for human being.
This intellect is one gift of Allah to human beings and other species have been bestowed with other gifts. What really matters or what really counts for us is our deeds / amaal.

As poet Allama Iqbal said:

Amal se banti hai jannat bhi jahannam bhi,

Yeh khaki apni fitrat se na noori hai na naari hai.

By action life may become both paradise and hell;

This creature of dust in its nature is neither of light nor of fire.

E. Conclusion

1. It is very popular statement in muslim word that human being is ashraful-makhlooqaat i.e. human being is the best of creations. Nowhere Quran or teachings of prophet tell that mankind is the best creation.

2. God has made entire universe for the mankind. Except mankind and jinn every creation in the universe is BOUND to follow laws of Allah. Human has been given free will. He can follow / reject laws of God. This free will forms the basis for his test.

3. Quran says in 17:70 that mankind has got preference over MANY of creation of God. God does not says that mankind has been preferred over ALL creations. This preference of mankind over many is in certain aspects.

4. Human being is unique creature in terms of capabilities. This he achieves by using intellect. There can be good ones from among human being and there can be extremely bad ones. God has made human being in beautiful manner. He can acquire amazing talent, perform astonishing deeds. He can use these for good / bad purpose.

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Secrets of NAFS - ROOH and WAFAAT- MAUUT revealed

Secrets of NAFS - ROOH and WAFAAT- MAUUT revealed

By Khurshid Imam
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A. Introduction

“Kullun nafsin zayqatul maut” – Every soul has to taste the death (Quran, Surah Anbiya 21 Ayah 35)
Above is the popular MISTRANSLATION.

This is widespread misconception that soul will die. Basic problem is that Arabic word “Nafs” has been mistranslated in english translation of Quran as “Soul”. In other words English translation of Quran uses the word “Soul” for translating both “Ruh” and “Nafs”. A  human being is composed of 3 entities (at least) – body, Ruh and nafs. Unfortunately we don’t have any English word for the Arabic word “Nafs”.

Now you would be wondering why I am taking you into complex world of lexicon. Wait: see the magic.


B. Secret of Wafaat and maut (death) revealed

Wafaat and maut (death) - are not identical terms. Quran has maintained difference between these two words. To be short and precise - let us see what Allah has told about wafaat.

اللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى الاٌّنفُسَ حِينَ مِوْتِـهَا وَالَّتِى لَمْ تَمُتْ فِى مَنَامِـهَا فَيُمْسِكُ الَّتِى قَضَى عَلَيْهَا الْمَوْتَ وَيُرْسِلُ الاٍّخْرَى إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى إِنَّ فِى ذَلِكَ لاّيَـتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

Allahu yatawaffa alanfusa heena mawtiha....................................

Ibn Kaseer Translation says - "It is Allah Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed. Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply". Quran, Surah Zumur 39:42

Please concentrate on Arabic words; above translation may not give you the exact content of this ayah. Re-reading the above ayah -

"It is Allah Who causes WAFAAT (or give WAFAAT) to NAFS (plural of nafs is mentioned) at the time of their MAUT (death), and those that die (MAUT) not during their sleep. He keeps those (NAFS) for which He has ordained MAUT (death) and sends the rest for a term appointed. Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply"

The miracle and secrets of this ayah will be revealed - but the condition is we need to think deeply - as described at the end of this ayah  لاّيَـتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ.

Also-give a look at this ayah:

.......وَهُوَ الَّذِى يَتَوَفَّـكُم بِالَّيْلِ Wahuwa allathee yatawaffakum biallayli....

It is He, Who causes WAFAAT by night (referring to the sleep)..... (Quran, Surah An'am 6:60)

Pondering over these two ayah -
1. At death and during sleep - a nafs (or an individual being) undergoes WAFAAT. Allah takes NAFS of a person when he dies and when he sleeps.

2. When a person dies then NAFS is held back by (Not returned) Allah. When a person is sleeping then nafs is returned finally.

3. So maut or death is a TYPE of wafaat. Death is always a wafaat but all wafaat need not be death. From some wafaat return to life is possible - for example Quran 39:42; 6:60 talks about SLEEP as one such case of wafaat.

4. Wafaat is super set of maut (death). For example: Every banglorean is an indian but every indian need not be a banglorean. Similarly every death (maut) is wafaat but NOT every wafaat is death. There are wafaat in which a person does not die; for ex- Sleep.

5. No wonder - this miraculous difference of maut and wafaat is reflected splendidly in the context of Prophet Jesus (Peace be upon him) departure from this world. Quran uses the word WAFAAT for his departure and NOT the word MAUT. In Quran 3:55 Allah has used word - mutawaffeeka - a derivative of WAFAAT for Prophet Jesus's departure. Nowhere Quran says that Jesus underwent MAUT, rather it says he underwent WAFAAT.
For details on this topic read:    JESUS - DEAD or ALIVE?


C. ROOH and NAFS: What is the difference?

Rooh and Nafs can be compared to Electricity and Electric machines respectively.

1. The purpose of electricity is to provide "life" to the machine. Similarly ROOH is the entity which is mainly responsible for the LIFE of a living being.

2. ROOH is neutral entity - its nether good nor bad. Electricity is neither good nor bad.
How a machine will behave depends on its internal and external properties. For example - with the same electricity a washing machine will be used to washing clothes, refrigerator will be used for preserving food, Television will be used for relaying video programs. Similarly NAFS will behave differently in different person and it is this nafs due to which a person will do good deed or bad deed. NAFS reflects the CHOICE of a human being - what he choose to do. He can do good things as well as bad things.

3. The moment electricity is taken away from a machine - it becomes dysfunctional and out of use. Similarly when ROOH is out of body - the person dies (MAUT). Death takes place to NAFS and not rooh.

4. ROOH is a SINGULAR entity. Never ever in Quran plural of ROOH is used while NAFS is different for different person hence its plural exists. Quran mentions several times plural of nafs.

5. In the life hereafter punishment and reward is for NAFS and NOT rooh. People of paradise and hell will be given different types of body; the entity which will remain SAME - as in this worldly life and in the life hereafter will be SAME NAFS. This Nafs is supposed to undergo punishment or reward and this same NAFS will make sure that its the same I who was in the worldly life and same I who is now in akhrat.

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Number 786 is NOT sacred

MISCONCEPTION: Number 786 is sacred in islam.

REALITY: Number 786 has nothing do with islam. It has been popularized by films mostly. In Quran almost all chapters start with the statement – Bis millah Al rahman Al Raheem which means 'In the name of Almighty God, most compassionate, most merciful'. 

In every language there is numerical value assigned to each alphabet. Similarly in Arabic language there is numerical value assigned to each alphabet. If we sum all the numerical value assigned to each letter of Bis millah Al rahman Al Raheem then the sum comes to 786. But that does not mean that 786 is sacred or writing 786 EQUALS to Bis millah Al rahman Al Raheem.

The sum 786 can be achieved in number of ways, in different kind of words.

For example – Suppose, just an example: Assume that in English language numerical values are assigned as A=4, B=30, D=10, O=1, G=32

GOOD – 32+1+1+10 = 44
BAD- 30+4+10 = 44

So we can get same number 44 by summing up numerical values of two OPPOSITE words. Hence number 44 does not means GOOD or BAD.

Similarly if, by calculating numerical values of Bis millah Al rahman Al Raheem we get 786 then it DOES not means that 786 is equivalent to saying Bis millah Al rahman Al Raheem. Hence 786 IS NOT EQUAL TO Bis millah Al rahman Al Raheem. This is just a popular myth that 768 is scared.

Muslims do NOT glorify or refer to King Akbar in adhan

MISCONCEPTION: When muslims say – “Allah-u-akbar” then they are referring to Mughal Emperor King Akbar.
REALITY: King Akbar has nothing to do with words “Allah-u-akbar”. “Allah-u-akbar” is made up of two words – Allah and Akbar. “Allah” is an Arabic word, it means “Almighty GOD” and “akbar” means “The greatest”. Hence “Allah-u-akbar” means Almighty God the greatest in English or in Sanskrit Ishwar Mahaprabhu. Many times, because of language difference we get wrong picture or wrong understanding.

Prophet Muhammad(Peace be upon him) was NOT the founder of islam

MISCONCEPTION: Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was the founder of Islam. We read it even in text books.
REALITY: Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was NOT founder of any religion. He was just last and final messenger of Almighty God. Someone who is last in series can not be founder of it. Never ever does Quran claim that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) brought or established any new religion. All the prophets of God gave same fundamental teachings of God. Right from first prophet i.e. Prophet Adam (Peace be upon him) to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) there have been thousands of prophet. They all gave same fundamentals.
The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - the which We have sent by inspiration to thee - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein:….. Quran 42:13
We have sent thee inspiration, as we sent it to Noah and the Messengers after him: we sent inspiration to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms. Quran 4:163
Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things. Quran 33:40
Conclusion: Religion is established by GOD and not by men. hence no man can be founder of releigion. Men can start a sect,ideology,cult etc but Only GOD will be the founder of religion.