How do OIC Members stack up against the nonmuslim world?

Figure 1 An Emirati man talks on his mobile phone.  United Arab Emirates has the highest mobile penetration in the world. Photo courtesy: andy carvin

Assalamu Alaikum brothers and sisters in Islam, apologies for the lengthy absence at Al Nahza.

This time we look at the telecommunications sector in the Muslim world and its standing relative to some nonmuslim economic blocs.

We approach the issue from two perspectives.

Firstly, the mobile phone usage statistics – teledensity/mobile subscribers per 100 persons, total subscribers and total population – is tabulated. For comparison, the leading OIC member states in mobile phone penetration rate and total subscriber numbers are jotted down.

Then, we look at some of the largest mobile phone companies originating in the wider Muslim world – in OIC Member states – and compare their performances with those from the nonmuslim world.

Mixed results

The OIC Member states as a whole perform at par with the nonmuslim world. Mobile penetration rate – mobile phone subscribers as a percentage of total population – stands roughly at 58.58%.1

Wide variations are seen between countries and regions of the OIC in terms of mobile phone penetration. From as high as 200% for the United Arab Emirates (whose per capita GDP, teledensity rates, quality of living and many other statistics would have been higher if not for the foreign population from poorer countries that form a majority of its population) to as low as 14.90% for Comoros,2 the variation in teledensity rates is immense and illustrates the wide disparity in social, technological and economic situations of member states.

For Comoros, only data from 2008 was easily accessible. Therefore, understandably the figures presented are most likely to be lower than 2009 statistics.

Largest Mobile Phone Market in the World!

At over 900 million subscribers, the OIC members present a lucrative and largely untapped font of opportunity for telecom companies. Despite the numerous political and social divisions within the OIC member states, this market is larger than China (the world’s single largest national market for mobile telephony), the European Union, Russia, or other less significant markets.

Arabic speaking countries lead in teledensity

According to latest available information from the public domain, Arabic speaking countries take a good 9 of the top 15 spots in teledensity in the Muslim world.

At least 11 countries have mobile penetration rates of over 100% – more than one mobile phone per capita – which compares favourably with many highly touted “emerging countries” in the western and allied media/press/publications.

By some estimates, Algeria and Albania also possess teledensity rates in excess of 90%. In sub-saharan Africa, Gabon is clearly the leader, while Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are predicted to break through the psychological barrier of 100% penetration soon.

In contrast, the lowest teledensity rates are seen in sub-saharan African member states, Bangladesh and Yemen.

Only Bangladesh and Yemen outside sub-saharan Africa is seen to have a teledensity rate lower than 35%.

Muslim3 telecom companies: Trailing the world leaders or trailblazing trendsetters?

From Saudi Telecom Company to Kuwait’s Zain, from UAE’s Etisalat to Qatar’s Qtel, mobile telecom companies from OIC member states have performed admirably well in the face of widespread economic malaise across most of the world.

When compared with the global leaders, Muslim telecom companies still have opportunity for growth. It is observed that the world leaders most frequently originate in the European Union. Charts comparing the performance of some Muslim and nonmuslim telecom companies are shown for convenience.

In comparison, some of the largest Muslim companies for which data was easily available fare quite well in profitability. Global reach of Arab companies leaves the rest of the Muslim world in the dust.

However, as we can see from the chart below, no individual Muslim telecom company is large enough to challenge the global leaders (originating mostly in the EU).

Figures for assets as at Dec 31, 2008 could not be obtained for three firms – Libyana (Libya), Globacom (Nigeria) and Sonatel (Senegal). Estimated/actual profits could not be obtained for Globacom and Libyana while revenue figures could not be obtained for Globacom.

The tables would be promptly updated with accurate figures once they are available.

Regarding the methodology, instead of using exchange rate values, we made corrections for Purchasing Power Parity bearing in mind the cost-of-living differences across countries.

Values were adjusted to reflect the relative purchasing power – a basket of goods and services one could purchase in a standard country, which is taken to be Kuwait for our analysis – of all the three indicators we listed, namely annual revenues, (net) profits and total assets.

Whenever possible, end of 2008 results were used failing which the results from the closest dates or the most easily available publications were referred to.

Sorted by the number of subscribers, the table looks somewhat different, as shown below.

It is also to be noted that some of the companies in the above list are majority owned by foreign nonmuslim4 companies, while certain other notable telecom firms as Taif Telecom (Tatarstan) and Astelit/Life (Ukraine) majority owned by Muslims are not included in our calculations solely for convenience of calculations.

In future editions Inshallah, revisions may be made to include such Muslim owned companies while excluding the nonmuslim companies from our lists.

Finally, we conclude that neither are Muslim3 firms global laggards nor global leaders.

Greater international ambitions and enhanced cooperation needed

Muslim telecom companies need to expand their presence in the world

If Muslim telecom companies are to become truly global leaders, they must think more ambitiously of acquiring foreign firms with great lucrative potential, enhance the scope for cooperation amongst fellow members, actively improve and develop products and services keeping the market dynamics in mind while carrying out groundbreaking R&D.

Also to be noted is the mobile handset market, which in the OIC alone, has a potential market of over a billion and a half customers! Already Indonesian, Iranian, Bangladeshi, Malaysian, Emirati, and many other companies have ventured into the sector. Though we must be cautious in our expressions for none of the OIC origin mobile phone manufacturer is among the global leaders, we have grounds for optimism considering the huge market within the OIC that is yet to be tapped. Taking the pole position in mobile phone sales within national and regional borders must be the first priority for handset manufacturers – Vitell Mobile, AsiaFone from Indonesia, CSL Group from Malaysia, Nawaiya from United Arab Emirates.

Indonesia’s ViTELL makes eye-catching mobile phones embedded with the latest applications. A ViTELL V720 can be seen here. Image courtesy: Vitellmobile.com

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1 Data is for December, 2009 or latest available data, whichever is earlier. In many cases, accurate data was unavailable. Estimates were made for various items such as teledensity rates or total mobile subscribers based on information in the public domain.

2 Data used is for 2008. Latest data could not be gathered for Comoros, Djibouti, Guyana and Suriname. For these 4 countries, data for 2008 were used. Understandably, lower figures were registered in these countries’ accounts in our rankings. We would warmly welcome any up-to-date data on total mobile subscribers, mobile teledensity or population on these countries. We eagerly await members to update us with the latest data, alongside verifiable accounts for the information, if any mistakes are spotted.

3 Only OIC Member state-origin/owned companies are included under the term “Muslim telecom companies” in this case. As a result, groups such as Taif Telecom from the Russian Federation are not included while others like Maxis Telecom are included in our calculations.

This is purely a matter of convenience and other methods of calculation excluding nonmuslim owned companies from OIC member states but including Muslim owned companies from outside the OIC could also be used instead.

4 Originating in non-OIC member states.

In contradiction with his calls for nuclear-free world, US President Barack Obama has given Israel guarantees to maintain its nuclear ambiguity policy to skip international inspection of its nuclear facilities.

“What this means is that the president gave commitments that politically he had no choice but to give regarding Israel’s nuclear program,” a Senate staffer told the Washington Times Friday, October 2, on condition of anonymity.

US official said Obama gave Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu during their first meeting in May guarantees that he will keep a four-decade-old secret understanding between the US and Israel over its nuclear program.

(Under this agreement,) the United States passively accepting Israel’s nuclear weapons status as long as Israel does not unveil publicly its capability or test a weapon,” said Avner Cohen, Israeli writer specialized in the history of the Israeli nuclear program.

The guarantees contradict with Obama’s call for establishing a nuclear-free world.

Terming them the most dangerous legacy of the Cold War, Obama last April called for a world without nuclear weapons.

But Netanyahu affirmed he got the guarantees from Obama to exclude Israel from his calls.

“I want to remind you that in my first meeting with President Obama in Washington I received from him, and I asked to receive from him, an itemized list of the strategic understandings that have existed for many years between Israel and the United States on that issue,” Netanyahu has told Israeli Channel 2.

“It was not for naught that I requested, and it was not for naught that I received [that document].”

Israel is believed to be the only nuclear power in the Middle East, with experts saying it has no less than 200 nuclear warheads.

Israel has long declined to confirm or deny having nuclear bomb as part of a strategic ambiguity policy.

A declassified British documents has showed London helped Israel obtain its nuclear bomb 40 years ago.

Double Standards

The Senate staffer said this agreement puts Obama’s nuclear-free world calls into question.

“However, it calls into question virtually every part of the president’s non-proliferation agenda,” he told the Times.

“The president gave Israel an NPT treaty get out of jail free card.”

US intelligence agencies routinely omit Israel from semiannual reports to Congress identifying countries developing weapons of mass destruction to protect it from any economic or military sanctions.

David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security, said that Obama has made too much concessions to Israel.

Rea full article on IslamOnline.net

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Was He a Prophet?

Allah the Almighty praised Dhul-Qarnain in the Glorious Qur’an for his justice. He ruled over the easts and wests and many regions where he subjected their peoples and ruled them with perfect justice. The most likely opinion is that he was just a king. Also, he was said to be a Prophet, or a Messenger. However, the most unlikely opinion thereof was that he was an Angel. The latter was narrated after the Leader of the Faithful, ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) who heard a man calling another saying: 0 Dhul-Qarnain! He (‘Umar) said: Shut up! Was it not enough with you to name yourselves after the Prophets, that you take names after those of the Angels?”

It is reported that’ Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr said: Dhul-Qarnain was a Prophet. Conversely, Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: “I do not know whether Tubba’ was a cursed one or not? And, I do not know whether Hudud (the Prescribed Penalties) are expiatory for their people or not? And, I do not know whether Dhul-Qarnain was a Prophet or not?” (This Hadith is Odd and Strange)

In other narration, Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) transmitted a report that goes to the saying that Dhul-Qarnain was a good king whose work was praised in Allah’s Book (the Glorious Qur’an); he was made victorious; and Al-Khadir was his minister, leader of his army, and his consultant.

Al-Azraqi and others mentioned that Dhul-Qarnain embraced Islam at the hands of Ibrahim (Abraham) (Peace be upon him) and that he circumambulated around the Ka’ bah with him and his son, Isma’il (Peace be upon them). Also, it was narrated after ‘Ubaid Ibn ‘Umair and his son, ‘Abdullah and others: that Dhul-Qarnain set out on foot to perform Pilgrimage. Upon hearing this, Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) welcomed him and invoked Allah for his sake and gave him advice as well. In addition, Allah the Almighty subjugated for Dhul-Qarnain the clouds to carry him wherever he wished. Allah knows best!

Why was he called “Dhul-Qarnain” (i.e. Owner of the two horns)?

This is a controversial issue, that there is not a definite known reason behind this. Some said: he had something on his head that looked like two horns. Wahb Ibn Munabih said: He had two horns of brass on his head. (This interpretation is very weak)

Some scholars from among the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) said: This is because he ruled over Persian and Roman territories. It was also said: that he reached the first ray of the rising sun on the east and that on the west and he ruled over all that was in between. (The latter opinion is more likely true, which is the saying of Az-Zuhari)

Al-Hasan Al-Basri said: He had two braids of hair that he used to fold up and thus was called “Dhul-Qarnain”. And, Ishaq Ibn Bishr narrated that the grandfather of ‘Umar Ibn Shu’ aib said: DhulQarnain, once, invited a tyrant king to the way of Allah. The king hit him on the head and broke one of his horns. Dhul-Qarnain invited him again and the tyrant broke the second horn. Thus, he was called “Dhul-Qarnain”.

Narrated Ath-Thawri that ‘Ali Ibn Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) was once asked about Dhul-Qarnain. He replied saying: He was a rightly-guided and pious man. He invited his people to Allah, but they hit him on his horn (side of the head) and he was killed. Allah the Almighty resurrected him and he invited them again, again they hit him on his second horn and he was killed (for the second time). Allah the Almighty revived him and thus he was called “Dhul-Qarnain”. In other narrations, it was narrated by Abu At-Tufail after ‘Ali Ibn Abu Talib that he said: He was neither a Prophet, nor a Messenger, nor an Angel, but was a godly, pious worshipper.

What’s his Name?

Scholars disagreed regarding his name. Az Zubair Ibn Bakkar narrated after’ Abdullah Ibn, Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him): His name was ‘Abdullah IbnAd-Dahhak Ibn Ma’d; or Mus’ab Ibn ‘Abdullah Ibn Qinan Ibn Mansur Ibn ‘Abdullah Ibn Al-Azd Ibn Ghauth Ibn Nabt Ibn Malik Ibn Zaid Ibn Kahlan Ibn Saba’ Ibn Qahtan.

It has been narrated in a Hadith that he was from the tribe of Himyar and that his mQther was Roman, and he was called the Philosopher for the excellence of his mentality. However, As-Suhaili said: his name was Marzaban Ibn Marzabah. This was mentioned by Ibn Hisham who mentioned in another location that his name was: As-Sa’b Ibn Dhi Mara’id who was the grandfather of the Tababi’ah and it was him who gave the verdict to the benefit of Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) pertaining to the well of As-Sab’.

It was said: He was Afridun Ibn Asfiyan who killed Ad-Dahhak. Al-Qass Ibn Sa’ idah Al-Iyadi said in his famous sermon: 0 folk of Ayad Ibn As-Sa’b! Dhul-Qarnain ruled over the west. and east, subjugated the Jinn and mankind, and he lived for two thousand years. However, all this was just like a twinkle of the eye.

Ad- Daraqutni and Ibn Makula mentioned that his name was Hirmis, or Hirwis Ibn Qitun Ibn Rumi Ibn Lanti Ibn Kashaukhin Ibn Yunan Ibn Yafith Ibn Nuh (Noah (Peace be upon him)), and Allah knows best!

Ishaq Ibn Bishr narrated after Sa’id Ibn Bashir on the authority of Qatadah as saying: Alexander was (called) Dhul-Qarnain, his father was the first Caesar, and he was from among the offspring of Sam Ibn Nuh (Noah (Peace be upon him)).

At this conjecture one should distinguish between two people who were called Dhul-Qarnain. The first is our pious Dhul-Qarnain while the second is Alexander Ibn Philips Ibn Masrim Ibn Hirmis Ibn Maitun Ibn Rumi Ibn Lanti Ibn Yunan Ibn Yafith Ibn Yunah Ibn Sharkhun Ibn Rumah Ibn Sharfat Ibn Tufil Ibn Rumi Ibn AI-As far Ibn Yaqz Ibn Al-’lis Ibn Ishaq Ibn Ibrahim (Peace be upon him). This lineage was stated by Al-Hafiz Ibn’ Asakir in his Tarikh (History). Moreover, he was the Macedonian, Greek, Egyptian leader who established Alexandria and basing on whom the Romans set their Calendar. He came after the first Dhul-Qarnain with a very long time. This was three hundred years before Jesus (Peace be upon him). His minister was the famous Philosopher Artatalis. Moreover, he was the one who killed Dara Ibn Dara, and subjugated the Persian kings and seized their lands. We only drew the reader’s attention to this because many people think that the two men called “Dhul-Qarnain” are me, which is a big mistake for there were great differences between both. The first was a godly, pious, righteous worshipper of Allah the Almighty, and he was a just king whose minister was the pious man, Al-Khadlr. Moreover, some scholars stated that he was a Prophet as well. Whereas, the latter was a polytheist whose minister was a philosopher as mentioned earlier. In addition, the time elapsed between them both was more than two thousand years. Hence, none can miss the great differences and variance between both of them but an ignorant idiot who know nothing at all!

Allah’s Saying: {And they ask you about Dhul-Qarnain} was revealed because the people of Quraish asked the Jews of something about which they would ask the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to test his knowledge. The Jews told them: Ask him about a man who traveled through the earth, and about some young men who set out and no one knew what happened to them? Thereupon, Allah the Almighty revealed the stories of the Owners of the Cave and that of Dhul-Qarnain. Thus, He said: {Say: I shall recite to you something of his story}, i.e. enough and sufficient news about him and his status. Then, He said: {Verily, We established him in the earth, and We gave him the means of everything}, i.e. Allah the Almighty expanded his kingdom and provided him with what might enable him to gain what he wished to. Narrated Qutaibah that ‘Ali Ibn Abu Talib was once asked about Dhul-Qarnain: how could he reach the east and west? ‘Ali replied: The clouds wert
subjugated for him, the means (of everything) were provided to him, and he was given extension pertaining to the light. ‘Ali added: Do you want me to go on? The man became silent and thereupon, ‘Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) became silent.

Narrated Abu Ishaq As-Subai’i after ‘Amr Ibn ‘Abdullah Al-Wada’i: “I heard Mu’awiyah as saying: four persons ruled over the earth: Sulaiman Ibn Dawud theProphet (Peace be upon them), Dhul-Qarnain, a man from the people of Hulwan, and another man. Someone said: was it Al-Khadir? Mu’awiyah said: No.”

Az-Zubair Ibn Bakkar narrated that Sufyan Ath Thawri said: I have come to know that four persons ruled over the whole earth: two of them were believers and the other two were disbelievers. The believing two were: Prophet Sulaiman and Dhul-Qarnain. And, the disbelieving two were: Namrud and Bikhtinassar.” The same was narrated by Sa’ id Ibn Bashir.

Narrated Ishaq Ibn Bishr after Sa’ id Ibn Abu ‘Urubah after Qatadah after Al-Hasan as saying: “Dhul-Qarnain was a king after Namrud. He was a pious, righteous Muslim who traveled through the east and west. Allah the Almighty prolonged his life and granted him victory over the enemies and to ge1 hold of their properties. He conquered the land, subjugated the people and traveled through the earth till he reached the east and west. Allah the Almighty says: {And they ask you about Dhul-Qarnain. Say: “I shall recite to you something of his story.” Verily, We established him in the earth, and We gave him the means of everything}, i.e. knowledge of seeking the means of fulfilling things. Ibn Ishaq said: Muqatil claimed that he used to
conquer the lands and collect treasures, and used to offer the people two choices: whether they embrace his religion and follow him, or they be killed. Ibn ‘Abbas, Mujahid, Sa’id Ibn Jubair, ‘Ikrimah, ‘Ubaid Ibn Ya’ la, As-Sadyi, Qatadah and Ad-Dahhak said: {and We gave him the means of everything}, i.e. knowledge. Qatadah and Matar Al-Warraq said: This means landmarks, locations, milestones and traces of the land. ‘Abdur Rahman Ibn laid Ibn Aslam said: this means languages as he used not to conquer a people but he first speaks with them in their own language. The most possible and true explanation is that he knew all means through which he could fulfill his need or desire. As he used to take from every conquered region the provisions that enabled him to seize the next region, and so on.

Some scholars from among the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) mentioned that he spent one thousand and six hundred years traveling through the land inviting people to the worship of Allah the Almighty Who has no partner in His Dominion. But, it seems that there is some exaggeration in specifying that lengthy period, and Allah knows best!

Allah’s Statement {So he followed a way. Until, when he reached the setting place of the sun} i.e. he reached the place that no one can ever overpass, and he stood on the edge of the western ocean called Oqyanus wherein the islands called Al-Khalidat “The Eternal Ones”. There, he could watch the setting of the sun. {He found it setting in a spring of black muddy (or hot) water}, i.e. the sea or ocean, as one who stands ashore sees the sun as if it rises from and sets in the sea. For this he said {he found it}, i.e. as he thought.

Imam Ahmed narrated after Yazid Ibn Hamn after Al-’Awwam Ibn Haushab as saying: I was told by a freed-slave of ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr after ‘Abdullah as saying: Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) looked at the sun when it sat and said: “In Allah’s blazing fire. Were it not for its prevention by Allah’s Command, it would burn all that is on earth.” (This Hadith is very Strange and Odd and surely it is not an Authentic one)

Dhul-Qarnain is Seeking the Eye of Life:

Ibn ‘Asakir reported a lengthy narration in which: Dhul-Qarnain had a friend from among the Angels called Ranaqil. Dhul-Qarnain asked him: Do you know the place on earth called “the Eye of Life”? The Angel described to him its location. Dhul-Qarnain set out seeking it appointing Al-Khadir as his harbinger. Al-Khadir came upon it in the land of darkness and he drank thereof. But, Dhul- Qarnain did not make it. However, Dhul-Qarnain met with a group of Angels in a palace there and he was given a stone. When he returned to his army, he asked the scholars who put it on a scale and put on the other one thousand stones of the like (weight and shape). However, the scale containing the first stone tilted. He, then, asked Al-Khadir who put on the other scale a single stone and a handful of dry dust. Al-Khadir’s scale tilted this time. He then commented saying: “This is like the son of Adam, he is never satisfied till he is buried (covered with dust)”. Thereupon, the scholars prostrated themselves before him as a sign of respect and honor; and Allah knows best!

Then, Allah the Almighty informs us that Dhul-Qarnain gave verdicts pertaining to the people of that region {We (Allah) said (by inspiration): “0 Dhul-Qarnain! Either you punish them, or treat them with kindness.” He said: “As for him (a disbeliever , in the Oneness of Allah) who does wrong, we shall ! punish him, and then he will be brought back unto his Lord, Who will punish him with a terrible torment (Hell)} i.e. he tastes the torment in this present life and in the Hereafter. He began with the torment
of the present life for its more difficult in the sight of the disbeliever. {But as for him who believes (in Allah’s Oneness) and works righteousness he shall have the best reward, (Paradise), and we (Dhul-Qarnain) shall speak unto him mild words (as instructions)} where he started with the reward of the Hereafter which is most important and he added thereto kindness,
i.e. justice, knowledge and faith. Allah the Almighty says {Then he followed another way}, i.e. he followed a way to return back from the west to the east. Some say that it took him twelve years to return to the east. {Until, when he came to the rising place of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We (Allah) had provided no shelter against the sun}, i.e. they do not have houses or any shelters to save them from the blazing sun. Some scholars say: they used to resort to trenches dug in the earth to shelter then from the burning rays of the sun. Then, Allah the Almighty says: {So (it was)! And We knew all about him (Dhul-Qarnain)}, i.e. Allah knows all about his affairs; He preserves and keeps him during his travels through the land from the
west to the east and vice versa.

It was narrated after’ Ubaid Ibn ‘Umair, his son ‘Abdullah and others that Dhul-Qarnain performed Pilgrimage on foot. Upon hearing that, Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) met him and on their meeting he invoked Allah for his sake, and advised him. It was said also that he was brought a horse to ride, but he said: I do not ride (on the back of horses) in a land wherein Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him). Hence, Allah the Almighty subjugated for him the clouds, and Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) gave him the glad tidings pertaining to this. The clouds used to carry him anywhere he wished for. Allah the Almighty says:
{then, he followed (another) way. Until, when he reached between two mountains, he found, before (near) them (those two mountains), a people who scarcely understood a word}, i.e. they were ignorant. It was said that they were the Turk,6 cousins of Gog and Magog. However, they told him that Gog and Magog wronged them and practiced mischief in their land. They offered him a tribute for that he builds a barrier (dam) preventing them from raiding over them. He refused to take the tribute they offered him finding sufficiency in that which Allah the Almighty has given him, so {He said: “That (wealth, authority and power) in which my Lord had established me is better (than your tribute)}. Then, he asked them to bring him men and tools to erect the barrier between them. Gog and Magog could only reach them from that place located between two mountain-cliffs. The other paths were either vast seas, or high mountains. Consequently, he erected it using iron and molten copper: he put iron instead of bricks and molten copper instead of clay. Allah the Almighty commented, {So they (Gog and Magog) could not scale it} with escalators, {or dig through it} with axes or picks. {(Dhul-Qarnain) said: “This is a mercy from my Lord} i.e. Allah the Almighty decreed this to be a mercy from Him to His slaves that they no longer assaulted by Gog and Magog. {But when the Promise of my Lord comes} i.e. the time He decided for them (Gog and Magog) to demolish it and get out attacking mankind near the Last Hour, {He shall level it down to the ground} this will inevitably take place. As He says {And the Promise of my Lord is ever true}, and {Until, when Gog and Magog are let loose (from their barrier), and they swoop down from every mound. And the true promise (Day of Resurrection) shall draw near (of fulfillment). Then (when mankind is resurrected from their graves), you shall see the eyes of the disbelievers fixedly staring in horror. (They will say): Woe to us! We were indeed heedless
of this nay, but we were Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers)}. (Al-Anbiya’, 96, 97) Allah the Almighty says: {We shall leave them to surge like waves”on one another} i.e. on the day Gog and Magog will come out, {and the Trumpet will be blown, and We shall collect them (the creatures) all together}.

Narrated Abu Dawud At- Tyalisi after Ath-Thawri saying: I have been informed that the first human being to shake hands (with someone else) was Dhul-Qarnain. Moreover, it was narrated on the authority of Ka’b Al-Ahbar that he said to Mu’awiyah: Dhul-Qarnain on his death-bed told his mother, after his death, to prepare food and gather the women of the city and invite them to eat save anyone who lost any of her children (she should not eat thereof). The mother did as she asked, and none of them stretched a hand towards the food. She said: Glory be to Allah! Did you all lost children? They answered: By Allah!
Yes we did. And, this was a great condolence for her.

Ishaq mentioned after Bishr Ibn ‘Abdullah Ibn Ziyad after some of the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) the will of Dhul-Qarnain, an eloquent and lengthy advice, and that he died at the age of three thousand years. (This is very odd and strange)

Ibn ‘Asakir said: I was informed that he lived for about thirty-six years. Others said: he lived for thirty-two years and that he came seven hundred and forty years after Dawud (David) (Peace be upon him). He came after Adam (Peace be upon him) with five thousand and one hundred eighty-one years and that his reign lasted for sixteen years. But, that which he related is true as for the Macedonian Alexander and not our Dhul-Qarnain. He thus mixed the former with the latter and this is perfectly wrong.

Among those who mixed them and declared both to be just one, was Imam ‘Abdul Malik Ibn Hisham (Narrator of the Prophet’s Biography), which was denied and rejected by Al-Hafiz Abu Al-Qasim AsSuhaili. He severely refuted his sayings and set clear boundaries between the two persons as mentioned earlier. He said: May be some of the former kings called themselves “Dhul-Qarnain” following the example of the first true one; and Allah knows best!

Hussein Al-Houthi was a representative of Al-Haq party in the Yemeni parliament from 1993 to 1997. However, Al-Houthi, who had wide backing the northern provinces, thought the government was too closely allied with the United States. The Zaydi leader established a group known as Al-Shabab Al-Mo’men (The Believing Youth).

The protests led by the group against Israel and the United States turned to violent clashes with the security forces, and the situation quickly escalated to a full-blown rebellion. After months of fighting, Al-Houthi and a number of his aides were killed during a government operation against the rebels.

Yet, against all expectations, the armed revolt continued under the leadership of a number of the late cleric’s family members. A number of truces and mediation efforts did not succeed in putting an end to the ongoing conflict.

In 2006, around 600 rebels were released by the government after signing a “covenant of loyalty.” However, repeated clashes between the security forces and the rebels renewed, with each side accusing the other of violating the terms of the cease-fire.

The Qatari mediation efforts succeeded at bringing the two sides to the meeting table in 2008. Yet, the Qatari-brokered deal broke down this year.

The latest round of fighting has caused much alarm in Yemen’s ultraorthodox neighbor Saudi Arabia. Warplanes have been bombing several northern town, killing scores of civilians according to rebels.

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Despite all this the Palestinian preserved his entity and instilled patriotism deep in his sons’ hearts, passing on the flag of the nation from the elder, whom the enemies wanted him to perish, to the youngster, whom they wanted him to sink into oblivion. Such flag together with devotion and love to one’s homeland remained alive, purified and kneaded with the martyrs’ blood. This Palestinian will always stand firm before all the sufferings, pains, massacres, conspiracies, he will always come out stronger, because he is the Palestinian.

This study of the History of Palestine stresses on the right of every human being to return back to his homeland, and to stress that the right of return and ownership of lands and homes is an eternal, individual and collective right that no occupation, state, treaty, agreement can gainsay, as every occupation no matter how long it lasts, and no matter how strong it is, is doomed to extinction.

The study tackles the history of Palestine since the dawn of history till our contemporary time, it is a part of a large book entitled “Connecting Voices”, written by a young Tunisian author and writer called Fawzy Al-Ghadiry. The goal of the book is to identify the religion of Islam in a simple and easy to understand way, also and more important acquaint the reader with many facts about the Middle East, such facts that reach them distorted and twisted, due to Zionist meddling that alters and forges incidents.

The aim of this book is to inform the westerns of the truth about what is happening in the Middle East. In addition to conveying the point of view of the Arab and Muslims to them, directly and without the interception of the scissors of the Zionist censor. On that basis, the book is divided into 11 chapters, each of which tackles the most important issues that the American and all the westerns should know. But this great and crucial book is faced with a financing problem and in need of all the support to help publishing it as soon as possible. Thorough information about the book is available at the following site (http://ourvoice.jeeran.com), those desiring to contribute to the book can contact the author at amour2vie@yahoo.fr or borkan79@yahoo.fr

A hadith given by al-Bukhari and Muslim states that Abu Hurairah (ra) narrated Allah’s Messenger (saw) as saying:”If the Religion were at the Pleiades, even then a person from Persia would have taken hold of it, or one amongst the Persian descent would surely have found it.” Abu Hurairah (ra) also narrates:”We were sitting in the company of Allah’s Apostle (saw) when Surat al-Jum`a was revealed to him and when he recited amongst them, (those who were sitting there) said `Allah’s Messenger?’ but Allah’s Apostle (saw) made no reply, until he was questioned once, twice or thrice, and there was amongst us Salman the Persian. Allah’s Apostle (saw) placed his hand on Salman and then said:”Even if faith were near the Pleiades, a man from amongst these would surely find it.”

Imam as-Suyuti a Shafi’i alim (rh) remarked:”It has been communicated unanimously that this hadith refers to Imam Abu Hanifah.”

Kufa at the time of the Imam’s birth was a great center of knowledge and learning, with many of the noble Prophet’s (saw) Companions (ra) having taken residence there. Due to the presence of these venerable people who had engendered so much interest in hadith and riwayat that practically every house in Kufa had become a center of these disciples and their disciplines.

At first, Imam Abu Hanifah was not a student of knowledge. However, by coincidence, while one day passing by the house of Sha’bi (an acclaimed “Great Scholar among the Successors (rh)”), Abu Hanifah was called in by the shaykh who mistook him for a student. “Where are you going young man?” asked Sha’bi. Abu Hanifah named the merchant he was going to see. “I meant to ask,” asked Sha’bi, “Whose classes you attend?” “Nobody’s,” replied the Imam regretfully. “I see signs of intelligence in you,” began Sha’bi,”you should sit in the company of learned men.”

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Thirty years after this author passed all his academic degrees secure in such knowledge and started teaching it in reputable Western universities, he came across new learning away from standard books and literature, which surprisingly taught him that:

(i) Industrial production, manufacturing, and mass production for both vast urban populations and for export, relying on machinery powered by wind and water, had existed nearly ten centuries before the 18th century English Industrial Revolution,

(ii) Metals were smelted in huge quantities, in the Muslim world, for local and foreign markets,

(iii) Textiles were produced, from China to Muslim Spain, in ways not so dissimilar from methods we have today,

(iv) Such products were not bartered but sold in exchange for cash, or paid for by cheques honoured and valued across Asia, Africa, and Southern Europe, and,

(v) Capital was invested and reinvested across vast domains according to lines and mechanisms corresponding to our modern methods.”

For example, during the Abbasid Caliphate, manufactures of every kind were encouraged and fostered in Iraq and many other lands. Glass and soap were made in the factories of Basra. The paper industry particularly received much impetus. It attracted workers from all over the world, particularly from Egypt. Persia was noted for her gold and embroidery work, which was carried on in all the big cities. High class fabrics including satin, brocade, silk and carpets were manufactured in Islamic domains and were in great demand all over the world. Kufa was famous for its silk and silk handkerchiefs known as kuffiyeh. Khuzistan (ancient Susiana) produced superfine cloth.

The chemical research in Iundishapur, possibly the oldest observatory and college of natural sciences, led to the knowledge of sugar refining which was successfully applied to sugar industry in Khuzistan and later on in Spain. In addition to being famous for its manufacture of Damascus steel swords, Syria was also known for its glass, where, as early as the 9th century, parti-coloured and enamelled glass was produced. The commodities exported during the Abbasid Caliphate were agricultural produce, glass, hardware, silk, textiles, perfumes of all kinds, rose water, saffron, syrup, and oil. In short, every city in the Muslim world had its own particular manufacture in metal, glass, wool, silk or linen.

To sum up this trend of industrial production as accounted for in brief by recent historiographical works, let’s quote the beginning of the only available synthesis on Islamic technology : “Technology is the tool of civilisation, and for Islamic civilisation to have been such a leading force for several centuries, clearly it must have been based on important technological achievements”

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Narrated Al-`Ufi in his interpretation on the authority of Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) pertaining to Allah’s Statement {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, “We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us).”…} When Sulaiman lost his kingdom, great numbers from among mankind and the jinn renegaded and followed their lusts. But, when Allah restored to Sulaiman his kingdom and the renegade came to follow the Straight Path once again, Sulaiman seized their holy scriptures which he buried underneath his throne. Shortly after, Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) died. In no time, the men and the Jinn uncovered the buried scriptures and said: This was a book revealed by Allah to Sulaiman who hid it from us. They took it as their religion and Allah the Almighty revealed His Saying: {And when there came to them a Messenger from Allah confirming what was with them, a party of those who were given the Scripture threw away the Book of Allah behindtheir backs as if they did not know!}. (Al-Baqarah, 101) and they followed what the devils gave out, i.e. musical instruments, play and all that blocks the remembrance of Allah.

Narrated Ibn Abu Hatim: I was told by Abu Sa’ id Al-Ashaj after Abu Usamah after Al-A’ mash after Al-Minhal after Sa’id Ibn Jubair after Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) as saying: Asif was Sulaiman’s scribe. He knew the Greatest Name of Allah and used to write what he was ordered to by Sulaiman, then, bury it underneath the throne. After Sulaiman’s death, the devils got it out and wrote between each two lines magical and blasphemous things. They said: “this is what Sulaiman used to apply and act upon.” The ignorant among the people regarded Sulaiman as a disbeliever and continued to insult him till Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was sent with the Glorious Qur’an that reads:
{They followed what the, Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}.

Narrated Ibn Jarir: I was told by Abu As-Sa’ib Salamah Ibn Junadah As-Sawa’i after Abu Mu`awiyah after Al-A`mash after Al-Minhal after Sa`id Ibn Jubair on the authority of Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) as saying: When Sulaiman wanted to answer the call of nature or to make love with any of his wives, he used to give his ring to a woman called Al-Jaradah. When Allah the Almighty wanted to afflict Sulaiman, he gave his ring to that woman. Afterwards, Satan came to her in the form of Sulaiman and took the ring from her. When Satan put the ring on, all mankind, the jinn and Devils submitted to him. Then, Sulaiman came seeking his ring from her and she said: “You are a liar, you are not Sulaiman.” Thus, Sulaiman knew that it was a test from Allah the Almighty. Upon this, the devils were free to do whatever they wished. So, they wrote down books of black magic and blasphemy which they buried underneath the throne of Sulaiman. After Sulaiman’s death, they uncovered these books and said to the people: Verily, Sulaiman used to prevail with the help of these books. Consequently, the people declared their innocence of Sulaiman and declared him to be a disbeliever till the advent of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) who came with the Qur’anic Verse that reads: {Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}. Then, Ibn Jarir said: I was told by Ibn Hamid after Jarir after Husain Ibn `Abdur Rahman after `Imran as saying: While we were with Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them), a man came and Ibn `Abbas asked him: Where do you come from? The man said: from Iraq. Ibn `Abbas asked: which city? The man said: Kufa. Ibn `Abbas asked: What is the latest news there? The man said: I left them talking about `Ali’s departing for them. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: how dare you say so! If we felt that (he is departing us for the people of Kufa), we would not marry his women, or divide his properties among us. However, I will tell you the truth: the angels used to descend on the clouds and mention this or that matter decreed in the Heaven. The devils listen stealthily to such a matter, come down to inspire the soothsayers with it, and the latter would add to it one hundred lies of their own. The people believe in them and regard them trustworthy. Allah the Almighty informed Sulaiman with the matter and enabled him to bury these lies under his throne. After his death, one of the devils said: I can lead you to Sulaiman’s dearest and most precious treasure. It is under his throne. Consequently, they uncovered it and said: this is magic. Afterwards, it continued to be copied and acted upon and what the Iraqi people practice nowadays is nothing but its remnants. Allah the Almighty revealed: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, “We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us). ” And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man, and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah’s Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter}.

As-Sadiy said: Allah’s Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}, i.e. the devils used to listen stealthily to the talks of the angels concerning what happens to those on earth: death, unseen matters or divine ordainments. Then, they come down to inspire the soothsayers with it and the latter would tell the people with it. The people believe in them and regard them trustworthy. Time after time, the soothsayers trusted the devils who later on used to add to each word one-hundred lies of their own. The people started to write down these matters and it circulated among the Children of Israel that the Jinn know the Unseen. Sulaiman moved quickly and gathered all these writings and put them in a chest and buried it under his throne. All the devils who tried to even approach the chest were burnt alive. Sulaiman declared that he would behead anyone who claims that the devils know the Unseen. After Sulaiman’s death and that of the godly-scholars who knew it well, a devil came in the form of a human being to the people and said: I will lead you to an everlasting treasure that will never run out. He ordered them to dig under Sulaiman’s throne and he took a side. He said to them: kill me if you find nothing. They dug it and found these writings. Thereupon, the devil said: Only with this magic, Sulaiman could overcome mankind, the Jinn and birds. Then, he flew away. It was rumored and circulated that Sulaiman had been a sorcerer. The Children of Israel kept these writings and disputed with Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) regarding them. But Allah the Almighty revealed to him His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}.

Narrated Ar-Rabi’ Ibn Anas: the Jews used to ask Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) about matters from the Torah, and every time they ask him, Allah reveals to him that with which he defeats and overcomes them. Thereupon, they said: Muhammad knows what has been revealed to us better than we do! Then, they asked him about sorcery and Allah revealed His Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut}. And He informed His Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) that the devils wrote a book about sorcery and soothsaying and buried it under Sulaiman’s throne. Verily, Sulaiman was not knowledgeable about the Unseen. When he died, the devils got that magic out and deceived the people by saying: this is the knowledge which Sulaiman used to secretly keep from you. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) informed the Jews of that narration and they went out lowering their heads defeated and humiliated.

Mujahid said pertaining to Allah’s Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut}, the devils used to listen stealthily to the discussions of the angels and add to what they heard twohundred lies. Then, Sulaiman seized what they wrote and after his death they regained it and taught it to the people, it was nothing but blackmagic.

Sa’id Ibn Jubair said: Sulaiman used to look for and capture the magic of the devils and keep it buried under his throne. The devils could not reach it and thus they inspired to the people that it is the knowledge with which Sulaiman was able to overcome the Jinn, the wind, etc., and that it is buried under his own throne. Afterwards, the people got it out and practiced it. Later, the people of the Hejaz said: Sulaiman used to practice sorcery. Upon this, Allah the Almighty revealed His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut}. Muhammad Ibn Ishaq Ibn Yasar said: when the devils knew of the death of Sulaiman, they wrote down types of sorcery (magic) as thus: to fulfill such and such matters, practice such and such (procedures). They gathered all these in a book and sealed it with a ring bearing the inscription found on Sulaiman’s ring and titled it with: This is what was written by Asif Ibn Barkhiya by order of King Sulaiman Ibn Dawud. Then, they buried it under the throne (of Sulaiman). After some time, the Children of Israel got it out and said: Verily, Sulaiman ruled over us only with this and they diffused sorcery among the people. When Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) mentioned Sulaiman Ibn Dawud as one of the former Messengers sent by Allah the Almighty, the Jews in Madinah said: Amazingly Muhammad claims that Sulaiman Ibn Dawud was a Prophet, by Allah, he was nothing but a sorcerer. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty revealed His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, “We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us).” And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah’s Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew).

Narrated Ibn Jarir: I was told by Al-Qasim after Hussein Ibn Al-Hajjaj after Abu Bakr after Shahr Ibn Hawshab2 as saying: The devils used to write sorcery down when Sulaiman was absent. “They wrote: whosoever wants to do such and such, he should stand facing the sun and say such and such. And, whosoever wants to do such and such, he should stand giving his back to the sun and say such and such.” They wrote this in a book titled: “This is what has been written by Asif Ibn Barkhiya by the order of King Sulaiman Ibn Dawud: from the treasures of knowledge.” Then, they buried it under Sulaiman’s throne. When Sulaiman died, Satan established himself as an orator and said: “O people! Sulaiman was not a prophet; he was only a sorcerer! Go and seek his sorcery in his dwellings and luggage.” And he led them to the buried “treasure”. The people said: “By Allah! Sulaiman was a sorcerer who subjected us through his magic.” The believers from among them said: “Nay, he was a faithful Prophet.” When Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was sent and he mentioned Dawud and Sulaiman, the Jews said: “Muhammad confounds the truth with falsehood: he puts Sulaiman with the Prophets while he was just a sorcerer who was carried by the wind. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty revealed: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marutbut neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, “We
are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us). “And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah’s Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew}.

Narrated Ibn Jarir: I was told by Muhammad Ibn`Abdel A`la As-San`ani that he was told by Al-Mu`tamir Ibn Sulaiman who said: I heard ` Imran Ibn Jarir who narrated from Abu Majliz as saying: Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) took from every living creature a covenant. So when any person gets afflicted with anything, he (Sulaiman) asks Allah with that covenant and the person recovers. Unfortunately, the people added to this sorcery and magic and said: this is what Sulaiman Ibn Dawud used to act upon. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty revealed His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did lot disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came town at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, “We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us).” And from these (angels) people earn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah’s Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew}.

Narrated Ibn Abu Hatim: I was told by `Isam Ibn Rawwad after Adam after Al-Mas`udi after Ziyad the freed slave of Ibn Mus` ab after Al-Hasan pertaining to Allah’s Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}, as saying: one-third of poetry, one-third of sorcery (magic), and one-third of soothsaying. And, he said: I was told by AI-Hasan Ibn Ahmed after Ibrahim Ibn `Abdullah Ibn Bshshar Al-Wasiti after Surur Ibn Al-Mughirah after `Abbad Ibn Mansur after Al-Hasan pertaining to Allah’s Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}, as saying: they were the Jews who followed what they gave out in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Peace be upon him). Prior to that the people knew sorcery, but it was only followed in the lifetime of Sulaiman.

That was a summary of the sayings and narrations of the godly earlier scholars concerning this and it is obvious that there is no clear contradiction between any of them, may Allah guide us all to the Right and Straight Path of His!

Allah’s Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}, i.e. the Jews who were given an earlier Divine Scripture -gave their backs to it and rejected Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and followed {what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic)},what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic), i.e. what was narrated and related by the devils {in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}.

It is true that magic existed before the time of Sulaiman Ibn Dawud (Peace be upon them) because magicians were found in the lifetime of Musa (Moses) (Peace be upon him) and that Sulaiman came after Musa (Peace be upon them both). Allah the Almighty says: {Have you not thought about the group of the Children of Israel after (the time of) Musa (Moses)? When they said to a Prophet of theirs, “Appoint for us a king and we will fight in Allah’s Way.” He said, “Would you then refrain from fighting, if fighting was prescribed for you?” They said, “Why should we not fight in Allah’s Way while we have been driven out of our homes and our children (families have been taken as captives)?” But when fighting was ordered for them, they turned away, all except a few of them. And Allah is All-Aware of the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)}. (Al-Baqarah, 246) then, Allah mentioned the story in which, {and Dawud (David) killed Jalut (Goliath), and Allah gave him [Dawud (David)] the kingdom [after the death of Talut (Saul) and Samuel] and Al-Hikmah (Prophethood), and taught him of that which He willed}. (Al-Baqarah, 251) and, the people of Salih who existed before Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) said to their Prophet Salih: {You are only of those bewitched!}. (Ash-Shu’ara’, 153)

Allah the Almighty says: {and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, “We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us).” And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife), i.e. the Jew falsely claimed that Allah Almighty revealed magic on the tongues of Gabriel and Michael to Sulaiman Ibn Dawud, but Allah belied them and showed their falsehood. Moreover, Allah informed His Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him) that neither Gabriel, nor Michael has descended with magic and He declared the innocence of Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) from sorcery and black magic. Allah told the whole people that magic is nothing but the work of devils who teach it to the people in Babylon. And, that the two men who used to teach it to the people there were called Harut and Marut.

The Related Hadith (And Comments)

Narrated Imam Ahmed (May Allah rest his soul) in his Musnad: I was told by Yahya Ibn Bakir after Zuhair Ibn Muhammad after Musa Ibn Iubair after Nafi after `Abdullah Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) that he heard Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) as saying: “When Adam (Peace be upon him) was put down on earth, the angels said: 0 Lord! {Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, -while we glorify You with praises and thanks and sanctify You}. (Al-Baqarah, 30) They continued: Our Lord! We obey You more than man does. Allah the Almighty said to them: Appoint two angels from amongst you to descend to earth. The angels said: Our Lord! (We chose) Harut and Marut. They went down to earth where the flower appeared to them in the form of the most beautiful woman on earth. They asked her to have sexual intercourse with them. But, she said: only after you disbelieve in Allah. They refused and she went away for a while. Then, she came back holding a child in her arms and they asked her for the second time. She said: first, you must kill this boy. They refused to and she went away for a while and then, came back holding a glass of wine. They asked her for the third time. She said: First, you must drink this glass of wine. They drank the wine, committed adultery with her and finally killed the boy. When they restored their conscience, the woman said: By Allah! After you had drunk the wine, you committed all that which you refused to do at first. Thereupon, they were given the choice between receiving the torment of this like or that of the Hereafter. They’ chose that of the present life.”

(Narrated by Imam Ahmed) The same was narrated by Abu Hatim Ibn Hibban in his Sahih after Al-Hasan after Sufyan after Abu Bakr Ibn Abu Shaibah after Yahya Ibn Bakir. However, this Hadith is an Unfamiliar one from this Chain of Transmission. All its narrators are trustworthy but the one named Musa Ibn Iubair.

Very Important:
Many scholars and transmitters narrated various stories and narrations pertaining to the story of Harut and Marut, but all the details they mentioned could be traced down to the narrations made by the Children of Israel. However, there is not a single Hadith or Narration that can be traced down to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), the infallible one who says nothing but the truth. In addition, the text of the Glorious Qur’an does not relate this story in details, and thus we believe in what is mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an as it is without any increase or decrease. Finally, Allah knows
best!

Allah Almighty says: {But neither of these two taught anyone (such things) till they had said, “We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us) “}, Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: they used to warn anyone who came to them to learn magic and say to him: {We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)}, that they knew what is good, bad, belief and disbelief and thus they knew that magic is of disbelief. Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) continued: if they could not dissuade him, they told him to go to such and such place. There he could find Satan who teaches him. The same time one is taught magic, his belief (symbolized as light) gets out of his body and he could see it flying away in the sky. Upon this, he would say: woe to me! In addition: Al-Hasan Al-Basri said: the two angels were sent with magic to teach the people as a test for them and Allah took their covenant that they do not teach anybody {till they had said, “We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)”}. (Narrated by Ibn Abu Hatim)

Narrated Qatadah: The Covenant was taken from them that they don’t teach anyone till they say: {We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)}. Moreover, As-Sadiy said: they used to warn anyone who came to them to learn magic and say to him: {We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)}. But, if he insisted, they would say: Go to that pile of ashes and “squeeze the lemon thereon”. If the man goes and does what he was ordered, he would see a light coming out of that ashes and flies till it reaches the sky -verily, this is belief. Instead, there would come a black object that would look like smokes and enters his ears and the whole of his body -verily, this is Allah’s Wrath. After that, the man tells them of what happened and they consequently teaches him magic. This is the
interpretation of Allah’s Saying: {But neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, “We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us).” And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah’s Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew}.

In the interpretation of this Qur’anic Verse, Sunaid Ibn Hajjaj narrates after Ibn Juraij his saying: there is no one who practices magic but a disbeliever. As for the word “trial”, it means a test and an ordeal. Some scholars found a textual proof in this Verse that whosoever practices magic; he becomes a disbeliever. This is supported by the Prophetic Hadith that has been narrated by Al-Hafiz Abu Bakr Al-Bazzar after Muhammad Ibn Al-Muthanna after Mu’awiyah after Al-A’mash after Ibrahim after Hammam on the authority of ‘Abdullah as saying: “Whosoever attends himself to (or comes to) a soothsayer or a magician and believes in what he says: he will become a disbeliever in what has been sent to Muhammad (Peace be upon him) “. (An Authentic Hadith)

Allah the Almighty says: {And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife}, i.e. the people learns from Harut and Marut the magic by which they cause separation between man and his wife though they (the man and his wife) have some kind of affinity and passion. This is caused by cunning of the devils as transmitted in Imam Muslim’s Sahih from the Hadith narrated by Jabir Ibn ‘Abdullah that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) says: “Iblis places his throne upon water; he then sends detachments (for creating dissension); the nearer to him in rank are those who are most notorious in creating dissension. One of them comes and says: I did so and so. And he says: You have done nothing. Then one amongst them comes and says: I did not spare so and so until I sowed the seed of discord between a husband and a wife. The Satan goes near him and says: ‘You have done well. “Al-A’mash said: “He then embraces him.” The dissension between a husband and his wife can be created through magic in that the devil let each one of them imagine something bad -a view, or manner, etc. -about the other.

Allah the Almighty says: {But they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah’s Leave}, Abu Sufyan Ath-Thawri said: they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah’s Decree. In addition, Muhammad Ibn Ishaq said: they could not thus harm anyone except in case Allah enables them to do so.

Al-Hasan Al-Basri (May Allah be pleased with him) said: {But they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah’s Leave}, i.e. whomsoever Allah wants to be affected, he will be affected. And, whomsoever Allah does not want to be affected, he will not be affected. In addition, they cannot harm anyone except by Allah’s Leave and Decree.

Allah the Almighty says: {And they learn that which harms them and profits them not}, i.e. they learn that which harms their religion and faith and profits them not. Allah says: {And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter}, i.e. the Jews who took magic instead of following Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) knew that anyone who did as what they have done, he would have not share in the Hereafter. Allah Almighty says: {And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew. And if they had believed and guarded themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah, far better would have been the reward from their Lord, if they but knew!}, that they took magic instead of following Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), {And if they had believed and guarded themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah, far better would have been the reward from their Lord} , i. e. if they had believed in Allah and His Messengers and did not violate His Boundaries, they would have received a far better reward from Allah Almighty. This is compatible with Allah’s Saying that reads: {But those who had been given (religious) knowledge said: “Woe to you! The Reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and this none shall attain except those who are As Sabirun (the patient in following the truth) “}. (Al-Qasas, 80)

Some scholars found textual proof that a magician is a disbeliever in the Qur’anic Verse that reads: {And if they had believed and guarded themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah}. Other scholars viewed that a magician is not a disbeliever, but his neck must be cut off. `Amr Ibn Dianr narrated from Bajabla Ibn `Abdah as saying: `Umar Ibn Al-Khattab ordered every magician and witch to be killed. Thereupon, they killed three witches. In addition, it is true that the Mother of the Faithful, Hafsah was bewitched by a maid. Consequently, Hafsah ordered that she had to be killed. Moreover, Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal said: it was transmitted from three of the Prophet’s Companions that a magician must be killed. Besides, At-Tirmidhi narrated from Isma’il Ibn Muslim after Al-Hasan after Jundub Al-Azdi as saying: Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) says: “The Prescribed Penalty set for a magician is a blow with the sword.”

It was narrated that Al-Walid Ibn ‘Uqbah had a magician who used to make shows before him. He used to cut off a man’s head, then calls it to get back to its proper place. The people said: Glory be to Allah! The magician revives the dead. However, a man from the pious migrants saw him and intended something. The next day he came and cut the magician’s head and said: if he is truthful, he can revive himself! And, he recited Allah’s Statement that reads: {Will you submit to magic while you see it}. (Al-Anbiya’, 4) Consequently, Al-Walid raged because the migrant did not ask for his permission first (to kill the magician), he imprisoned him for a while, then set him free. Allah knows best!

Imam Abu Bakr Al-Khallal said: One of the princes used to have a magician who makes shows of his magic and one day Jundub came and killed him saying: I believe he was a magician.

‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas, `Ubaidah As-Salmani, Abu Al-`Aliyah, Mujahid, As-Sadiy and other earlier scholars said: An old man from among the Children of Israel was very rich, and he had some nephews who wished he would die soon to inherit him. One day, one of them on purpose murdered him at night and threw him on the road -or at the door of one of his own brothers. In the morning, the people found the dead body and they disputed over him. His nephew -the murderer -came and began to weep and cry. Some people said: Why do you dispute over him? Why do not you go to Allah’s Prophet (Peace be upon him)? His nephew came and complained to Musa (Moses (Peace be upon him». Musa (Peace be upon him) said: by Allah! Anyone who knows anything about this murdered man, he should let us know. But, no one knew anything
about it. Thereupon, they asked Musa (Peace be upon him) to ask his Lord concerning this issue. Musa (Peace be upon him) asked his Lord and he was commanded to order them to slaughter a cow, {Verily, Allah commands you that you slaughter a cow. They said, Do you make fun of us?} i.e. we ask you about the murdered and you say so! {He said, I take Allah’s Refuge from being among Al-Jahilun (the ignorant or the foolish)} i.e. I take Allah’s Refuge from saying other than that He revealed to me; and that was His Answer to what you had wanted me to ask Him.

Ibn ‘Abbas,’Ubaidah, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, As-Sadiy, Abu Al-`Aliyah and others said: If they were to slaughter any cow, they would fulfill the purpose thereof. But, they made it difficult for themselves (by asking so many questions thereof), and thus Allah the Almighty made it difficult for them (by stipulating so many conditions for the desired cow). They asked about its description, color and age; and they were answered with what was scarce and dear (in a way to make it hard for them to find it). The point is that they were commanded to slaughter neither a too old cow, nor a too young, but (it is) between the two conditions. This view was held by Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Abu Al-`Aliyah, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah and others. Then, they pressed themselves with their questions through asking about its color. And they were answered to make it {yellow cow, bright in its color, pleasing the beholders}, which is very rare and dear.

Then, they asked: {They said, “Call upon your Lord for us to make plain to us what it is. Verily, to us all cows are alike. And surely, if Allah wills, we will be guided.” He [Musa (Moses)] said, “He says: ‘It is a cow neither trained to tilt the soil nor water the fields, sound, having no other color except bright yellow.’ “They said, “Now you have brought the truth.” So they slaughtered it though they were near to not doing it}. It is said that they could not find a cow with all these descriptions but with a man who was righteous and good to his father. They asked him to submit it to them, but he refused. They tried to seduce him as to its price till they offered him what equals its wieght in gold. But, he refused. Then, they offered him an amount of gold that equals its weight ten-times. Finally, he accepted their offer and submitted it to them. Then, Musa (Peace be upon him) commanded them to slaughter it {So they slaughtered it though they were near to not doing it} i.e. while they were hesitant.

Then, Musa (Peace be upon him) instructed them with the Command of Allah to strike the dead man with a piece of the cow. Some scholars said: with part of its thighbone, or with part of the flesh between its shoulders. When they stroke him with part thereof, he was resurrected by Allah the Almighty. Musa (Peace be upon him) asked him: who’s your murderer? He said: it was my nephew who killed me. Then, he died again. Allah the Almighty says {Thus Allah brings the dead to life and shows you His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) so that you may understand} i.e. as you witnessed the revival of that dead man by the Command of Allah the Almighty, He can do the same to all the dead people when He wishes to. He, Almighty Allah, says {The creation of you all and the resurrection of you all are only as (the creation and resurrection of) a single person. Verily, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Seer}. (Luqman, 28)