Monthly Archives: July 2020

Rashad Khalifa, Messenger of God

SURA 74: THE HIDDEN SECRET (Al-Muddath-thir)

[74:1] O you hidden secret.
[74:2] Come out and warn.
[74:3] Extol your Lord.
[74:4] Purify your garment.

[74:30] Over it is nineteen.
[74:31] We appointed angels to be guardians of Hell, and we assigned their number (19) (1) to disturb the disbelievers, (2) to convince the Christians and Jews (that this is a divine scripture), (3) to strengthen the faith of the faithful, (4) to remove all traces of doubt from the hearts of Christians, Jews, as well as the believers, and (5) to expose those who harbor doubt in their hearts, and the disbelievers; they will say, “What did GOD mean by this allegory?” GOD thus sends astray whomever He wills, and guides whomever He wills. None knows the soldiers of your Lord except He. This is a reminder for the people.

[74:32] Absolutely, (I swear) by the moon.
[74:33] And the night as it passes.
[74:34] And the morning as it shines.
[74:35] This is one of the great miracles.

DOES 19 IN 74:30 REFER TO 19 ANGELS IN CHARGE OF GUARDING THE (HELL) FIRE?

For centuries, no one knew what is meant by the number 19 in 74:30. The verse simply states, “Over it nineteen”. The best conclusion was that 19 is the number of the angels of Hell, even though the next verse states, “None knows the soldiers of your Lord except He”. The mathematical miracle of the Quran was revealed to a computer literate generation. The Quran is not static but a dynamic book for different communities in different eras with vast knowledge. We now know that 19 in 74:30 points to the miracle of the Quran.

The Arabic word, ‘Adad, which means number, originates from the root word ‘Adda. ‘Adda in all its forms in the Quran is repeated 57 (19 x 3) times. Per 72:28 (7+2+2+8=19), “He has counted the numbers of all things”.

The Arabic word, ʿiddatahum, or ‘their number’ is mentioned in the Quran twice, in 74:31 and in 18:22. In both instances the word means ‘their number’.

Verse 74:31 states, we made (‘iddatahum) their number, (fit’natan) a test to (1) to disturb the disbelievers, (2) to convince the Christians and Jews (that this is a divine scripture),..etc. The verse is specifically speaking about ‘their number’ (19) as a test. Even if someone chooses to believe that number 19 could the number of angels of Hell, the verse is still saying that it is the number 19 that will be (fit’natan) a test for the five mentioned purposes in the verse. Simple logic dictates that 19 angels of Hell would not increase the faith of the believers, convince the Jews and Christians that this Quran is God’s word, or remove all traces of doubt from the heart of the Jews or Christians. If Angels of Hell are causing these tests, there would have been no need to mention their number as the verse states. The verse could have stated “We appointed angels to be guardians of Hell, and we made them (fit’natan).

The same word (biʿiddatihim) in 18:22 means ‘their number’.

Some would say “They were three; their dog being the fourth, “While others would say, “Five, the sixth being their dog,” as they guessed. Others said, “Seven,” and the eighth was their dog. Say, “My Lord is the best Knower of (biʿiddatihim) their number”….”

ADDITIONAL VERSES REFERRING TO THE PROOF OR THE MATEMATICAL STRUCTURE OF THE QURAN

[83:18-22] Indeed, the book of the righteous will be in Elleyyeen.
Do you know what Elleyyeen is?
A numerically structured book.
To be witnessed by those close to Me.

Sura 98: Proof (Al-Bayyinah)
[98:1] Those who disbelieved among the people of the scripture, as well as the idol worshipers, insist on their ways, despite the proof given to them.

The word Proof is repeated in the Quran 19 times.

[38:1] S. (Saad), and the Quran that contains the proof.
[36:69] What we taught him (the messenger) was not poetry, nor is he (a poet). This is but a formidable proof, and a profound Quran.
[21:2] When a proof comes to them from their Lord, that is new, they listen to it heedlessly.
[26:5] Whenever a reminder from the Most Gracious comes to them, that is new, they turn away in aversion.
[38:8] “Why did the proof come down to him, instead of us?” Indeed, they are doubtful of My proof. Indeed, they have not yet tasted My retribution.

THE SIMPLE TO COMPLEX FACTS WITH 19 AS THE COMMON DENOMINATOR

  • The first verse (1:1), known as “Basmalah,” consists of 19 letters.
  • The Quran consists of 114 suras, which is 19 x 6.
  • The Basmalah occurs 114 times, despite its conspicuous absence from Sura 9 (it occurs twice in Sura 27) & 114=19 x 6.
  • From the missing Basmalah of Sura 9 to the extra Basmalah of Sura 27, there are precisely 19 suras.
  • It follows that the total of the sura numbers from 9 to 27 (9+10+11+12+…+26+27) is 342, or 19 x 18.
  • This total (342) also equals the number of words between the two Basmalahs of Sura 27, and 342 = 19 x 18.
  • The 19 letters of Basmalah and its mathematical design (page 18 )
  • Sura 1 and its mathematical Design
  • The famous first revelation (96:1-5) consists of 19 words.
  • This 19-worded first revelation consists of 76 letters 19 x 4.
  • Sura 96, first in the chronological sequence, consists of 19 verses.
  • This first chronological sura is placed atop the last 19 suras.
  • Sura 96 consists of 304 Arabic letters, and 304 equals 19 x 16.
  • The last revelation (Sura 110) consists of 19 words.
  • The first verse of the last revelation (110:1) consists of 19 letters.
  • 14 different Arabic letters, form 14 different sets of “Quranic Initials” (such as A.L.M. of 2:1), and prefix 29 suras. These numbers add up to 14+14+29=57=19 x 3.
  • The total of the 29 sura numbers where the Quranic Initials occur is 2+3+7+…+50+68 = 822, and 822+14 (14 sets of initials) equals 836, or 19 x 44.
  • Between the first initialed sura (Sura 2) and the last initialed sura (Sura 68) there are 38 un-initialed suras 19 x 2.
  • Between the first and last initialed sura there are 19 sets of alternating “initialed” and “uninitialed” suras.
  • The Quran mentions 30 different numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 99, 100, 200, 300, 1000, 2000, 3000, 5000, 50,000, & 100,000. The sum of these numbers is 162146, which equals 19 x 8534.
  • The Quranic initial ‘Q’ occurs in Suras 50 & 42 precisely 57 times in each.
  • The Quranic initial ‘Saad’ occurs a total of 152 (19 x 8) times in Sura 7, 19 and 38.
  • The Quranic initials ‘Y’ and ‘Seen’ occur 285 (19 x 15) times in Sura 36.
  • The five initials of Sura 19, K.H.Y.A.S (Kaaf Ha Ya Ayn Saad) occur 798 (19 x 42) times.

THE MAGICIANS FELL PROSTRATE. [7:120, 20:70, 26:46]

Ignoring and discounting the above sample of the formidable mathematical structure of the Quran with 19 as the common denominator, the writer of the web page laments on certain other aspects of the miracle which do not have a ‘consistent method of counting’ as he prefers.

Per the verses above, the Quran gives us the example of the miracle in front of Pharaoh and a mass gathering. Only the magicians could grasp and appreciate God’s miracle. It is not God’s system, nor is the design of all aspects of the mathematical miracle of the Quran such, that a third party such as “Scientific American” or other similar independent organization study the miracle of the Quran and declare it as a miracle.

If we will, we can send from the sky a sign that forces their necks to bow. [26:4]
Are they waiting for the angels to come to them, or your Lord, or some physical manifestations of your Lord? The day this happens, no soul will benefit from believing if it did not believe before that, and did not reap the benefits of belief by leading a righteous life. Say, “Keep on waiting; we too are waiting.” [6:158]
They also said, “If only an angel could come down with him!” Had we sent an angel, the whole matter would have been terminated, and they would no longer be respited. [6:8]

The writer of the web page demands a sign from God ‘which forces their necks to bow’. He demands uniformity, as he perceives it, or a third party satisfactory to him produce an acknowledgement of a miracle. He rejects, sets aside, or minimizes the above sample of the miracle of the Quran with uniformity per his liking. He comes up with his own definition of the miracle of 19 which deals with a subset of God’s signature of 19 in the universe. The writer of the web page was with Mr. K E Emami for several years. Mr. K E Emami, like 100+ individual who declared their messengership after Dr. Rashad Khalifa could never provide proof of their claim from the Quran. Even though the writer of the web page claims a divorce from Mr. Emami and his teachings, he has not divorced himself of Mr. Emami’s style of ‘miracles’.

Anyone who recognizes the mathematical structure of the Quran based on the number 19 and based on 74:30, will have no problem seeing the pattern in the following based on the number 19:

-The word ‘Ism’ is repeated in the Quran 19 times.
-Letter “N” is Sura 68 and its unusual spelling of “N”w”N”
-‘Saad’ in Suras 7, 19 & 38
-‘Y’ & ‘S’ in Sura 36
-‘H’ & ‘M’ in Suras 40-46
-‘T’ & ‘H’ in Sura 20, ‘T’, ‘S’ & ‘M’ in Sura 26, 28 and ‘T’ & ‘S’ in Sura 27

Additional details in Appendix 1.

THE FALSE VERSES OF 9:128-129

Contrary to the writer of the web page deceptive assertions, Dr. Rashad Khalifa’s removal of the false inserted verses, 9:128-129, were based exclusively on the miracle of 19 enveloping the Quran. Dr. Khalifa’s reference to historical documents and hadith is simply to point out that these verses were always considered suspect. The miracle of 19 within the Quran expunges and exposes those inserted two false verses. On a secondary note, the words of those two verses expose the fact that they are human insertions to the Quran. The reader is free to examine the following links:

All other aspects of the miracle of 19 in the Quran are authenticated after the removal of the false inserted verses of 9:128-129; including but not limited to occurrence of the word God in the Quran and occurrence of the four words of Basmallah.

THE MESSENGER AFTER THE PROPHETS

GOD took a covenant from the prophets, saying, “I will give you the scripture and wisdom. AFTERWARDS, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures. You shall believe in him and support him.” He said, “Do you agree with this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?” They said, “We agree.” He said, “You have thus borne witness, and I bear witness along with you.” [3:81]

And when Allah took covenant (of) the Prophets, “Certainly, whatever I (have) given you of (the) Book and wisdom THEN comes to you a Messenger….[Literal word by word 3:81]

Recall that we took from the prophets their covenant, including you (O Muhammad), Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus the son of Mary. We took from them a solemn pledge. [33:7]

And when We took from the Prophets their Covenant and from you and from Nuh and Ibrahim and Musa and Isa, son (of) Maryam. And We took from them a covenant strong. [Literal word by word 33:7]

Verse 33:7 makes it clear the prophets took covenant and Muhammad was one of those prophets. Verse 3:81 makes it clear that after the prophets have been give the scripture and wisdom, a messenger will come (to confirm existing scriptures or what is with you). The writer of this web page has an elaborate write up with various theories but ignores a simple fact in verse 3:81. He ignores the word ‘thumma’ which translates as ‘then’ or ‘afterwards’. The simplicity in the Quran is profound. Muhammad was one of the prophets (of the covenant) per 33:7. AFTER the prophets a messenger will come per 3:81.

God supported this messenger with ‘one of the great miracles’ with the same powerful message as all previous messengers, ‘you shall not worship except God.’

Questioning God’s Wisdom in Sending A Consolidating Messenger

SMOKE PROPHECY

The Quran’s smoke prophecy was fulfilled on Jan 22, 1991. Since the writer of this web page refers to Dr Khalifa’s newsletter of March 1990, the Quran smoke prophecy took place precisely 22 days after ‘end of 1990’ or within 22 days of the strong feeling Rashad Khalifa had of the fulfillment of the Quran prophecy.

QIBLA DIRECTION FROM USA

The simplicity in the Quran is profound. Rashad Khalifa, as Messenger of God was indeed correct that the direction of Salat from USA/Canada is to the East SE.

To GOD belongs the east and the west; wherever you go there will be the presence of GOD. GOD is Omnipresent, Omniscient. [2:115]
The fools among the people would say, “Why did they change the direction of their Qiblah?” Say, “To GOD belongs the east and the west; He guides whoever wills in a straight path.” [2:142]
Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or the west. … [2:177]
Have you noted the one who argued with Abraham about his Lord, though GOD had given him kingship? Abraham said, “My Lord grants life and death.” He said, “I grant life and death.” Abraham said, “GOD brings the sun from the east, can you bring it from the west?” The disbeliever was stumped. GOD does not guide the wicked. [2:258]

East or West are meaningless unless there is the reference point of North and South. The North and South Poles are natural reference points for the earth.

By mentioning East and West in the Quran, God acknowledges the existence of North and South Poles as reference points.

Holding the globe in front of our eyes with the North Pole on the top and South Pole on the bottom, Mecca is East to SE from USA and Canada. Thus, with North and South Poles as reference points, Mecca is always East to SE from USA and Canada.

Those who advocate the NE direction for prayers remove the North and South poles as reference points as the first step for their elaborate calculations. Without the reference points they have no basis for the NE direction based on the Quran.

Whichever direction one faces in USA, standing erect, the line of sight initially parallel to the ground goes straight into space as the earth is round. The line of sight, does not travel to the other side of the earth. The line of sight is straight, not curved like the curvature of the earth. Thus, whichever direction one faces in USA, the straight line of sight goes into space.

The worshipers of God alone, however, need a common direction to face for Salat. Based on the Quran, as per above, the direction is East SE, exactly as pointed out by God’s messenger, Rashad Khalifa.

SATAN AS KHALIFA IN 2:30

The word khalīfatan / خَلِيفَةً occurs twice in the Quran.

[2:30] Recall that your Lord said to the angels, “I am placing a khalifa on Earth.” They said, “Will You place therein one who will spread evil therein and shed blood, while we sing Your praises, glorify You, and uphold Your absolute authority?” He said, “I know what you do not know.” …..Continue reading.

END OF THE WORLD

We are providing the link to Appendix 25 in Dr. Khalifa’s translation of the Quran. The reader can draw their own conclusions based on the information in the appendix and the verification from the Quran. Dr. Khalifa simply refers to a hadith as a historical information which has no bearings to his conclusions in the appendix.

PROPHET MUHAMMAD WAS LITERATE

We are providing the link to Appendix 28 in Dr. Khalifa’s translation about Prophet Muhammad being literate. The writer of the web page makes a hapless attempt to prove that Prophet Muhammad was illiterate and then become literate based on a source outside the Quran.

A U T H O R I Z E D

Most translations of the Quran require an approval or endorsement of Islamic religious authorities. A translation of the Quran published in 1997 by The Institute of Islamic Knowledge in Houston proudly reproduced letters of approval by religious authorities in Egypt and Pakistan. The Study Quran translation published in 2015 by Harper Collins reproduces similar endorsement of religious authorities and scholars.

Dr. Rashad Khalifa’s use of the phrase ‘Authorized English Version’ in the subtitle of his translation of the Quran is an ‘in your face’ to religious authorities and scholars in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the Muslim world. Dr. Khalifa pointed out that he does not need any human’s permission nor endorsement to translate God’s words in the Quran.

The meaning and the use of the word ‘Authorized’ is no more and no less than what is stated above. The worshippers of God alone readily accept and believe that God’s words in the Quran, revealed 1400 years ago are complete, and the only source of law (6:114-115). Thus, no words, other than the words of the Quran have any weight as a source of religious law.

Dr. Khalifa went out of way to point out in various formats, ‘don’t go by what I say go by the Quran.’

AGE OF FORTY

“What is the age of responsibility? If a child dies at the age of 12, without even hearing about God, does this child go to Heaven or Hell? What if the child is 15 years old, or 21, or 25? At what age will the human being be held responsible for his or her beliefs? This question has puzzled researchers of all religions for a long time.”

We will let the reader draw their own conclusions from Appendix 32

NEW’ JUSTICE SYSTEM

Unlike the web page writer’s assertion, Dr. Khalifa did not point to a ‘new’ justice system. He simply pointed to verses from the Quran for a criminal justice system.

FOUR SACRED MONTHS

Four Sacred Months

RELIGIOUS DUTIES AND RELIGIOUS LAW

The Quran is a fully detailed book. Specifically, it is fully detailed for religious law (6:114). The Quran sanctions all religious duties but does not provide details of rituals which make up those religious duties. Those rituals were given to Prophet Abraham with the Quran correcting all corrupted practices. The ritual of symbolic stoning of Satan during pilgrimage has been with us since the time of Abraham. The web page writer’s comment on correct shahada echoes the influence and teachings of Mr. K E Emami who like numerous others, sought to change Salat because he could not find certain exact words of Salat rituals in the Quran. Using Dr Khalifa’s phrase of ‘universal acceptance’; it is universally accepted by Muslim scholars that recitation of any additional Sura after Al fatiha in salat is optional.

RASHAD KHALIFA’S DEATH

The writer of the web page is enamored by the fact that Rashad Khalifa lived on this earth exactly 19798 days. He writes:

“Sura 19 is an initialed sura, and contains 5 Quranic initials (the largest set of Quranic initials in the Quran). Such initials occur 798 times in sura 19 (including the unnumbered “Bismillah”), and 798 = 19 x 42.

“Rashad Khalifa, who is the first historically to try to interpret the sign of 19 as a mathematical miracle studying the Quranic initials, was Born in Egypt on the 19th of November 1935 and died on the 31st of January 1990: He spent very exactly 19798 days on earth (both dates inclusive), and 19798 = 19 x 1042.”
“Rashad Khalifa died on 31/01/1990 and number 31011990 is – incredibly – both divisible by number 19 and 1230, the gematrical value of “Rashad Khalifa” (!):

“31/01/1990: 31011990 = 19 x 1230 x 1327.
“Furthermore, if we consider the initialed suras subgroup – from which Rashad derived his 19 based theory – verse 19:1 (the initials “K.H,Y.A.S.”) is the 1230th verse of the Quran in such initialed suras, and the last verse of sura 19 is the 1327th verse!”

“Given the fact that Rashad Khalifa was assassinated on 31/01/1990 (31011990 = 19 x 1230 x 1327), is it just an amazing coincidence or a sign from God Almighty?”

It is a shame that the writer of the web page cannot grasp the fact that God revealed “one of the great miracles” [74:30-35] to His messenger, Rashad Khalifa. The writer of the web page has a belief that God can be tricked and as such was tricked by Rashad Khalifa.

As the above smoke prophecy page points out, the following Quran prophecies were fulfilled in the time frame of the messenger after the prophets (3:81), Rashad Khalifa:

– Splitting of the moon: 1969
– Covenant fulfilled: 1972
– Quran’s Mathematical Miracle: 1974
– The creature: 1980s
– Messenger of the Covenant: 1988
The Smoke: 1991

Eckhart Tolle and belief in God

The New York Times called Eckhart Tolle “the most popular spiritual author in the United States”. His books, “The power of Now” and “Stillness speaks” have sold millions of copies with translations in 33 languages.

TOLLE’S TEACHINGS
[The Quran verses are only given as reference to similar topic]

  • Ego is an illusory sense of self (25:43). It implies unawareness. Our consciousness is based on ego.
  • Thoughts are tormentors in the head (2:284). Voice in head is not who I am.
  • There is a difference between knowing yourself and knowing about yourself. This awareness (where thoughts exist) becomes an agent for change.
  • Having control is an illusion (3:109).
  • Have an honest self-evaluation (17:14) and let go of the past (25:70).
  • Unhappiness is based on your thoughts (28:69). Inner peace is not based on perceived thoughts. Material possessions will not bring happiness (11:15).
  • The present moment or the power of now (rather than the past or future) should be the primary focus of life.

NOW THEN, WHERE WILL YOU GO?
This is a message for all the people.
For those who wish to go straight.
Whatever you will is in accordance with the will of GOD, Lord of the universe. [81:26-29
]

There is a perceived value in Tolle’s teachings for quite a few humans as evidenced by the book sales and by other self-help books. Should an individual reach the destination of ‘now’ by following Tolle’s teachings, what happens then?

The answer – oblivion. The absence of God from an individual’s life makes everything else, infinitesimal.

TOLLE’S IDOLATRY

“I have devoted myself absolutely to the One who initiated the heavens and the earth; I will never be an idol worshiper.” [6:79]

  • Like other new-agers, Tolle advocates looking to the universe for guidance, rather than to the Creator of the universe.
  • According to Tolle, Heaven is inner awakening. As we know, there can be no belief in God without belief in the Hereafter.
  • Per Tolle, universe creation is an ongoing process. Per Tolle, an outside agent creates and walks away and there is an evolving god and humans.
  • Tolle makes no distinction between humans and God; and considers both to share divinity.
  • Tolle believes in Pantheism – Pantheism is the belief that reality is identical with divinity, or that all-things compose an all-encompassing, immanent god.

GOD: there is no other god besides Him, the Living, the Eternal. Never a moment of unawareness or slumber overtakes Him. To Him belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth. Who could intercede with Him, except in accordance with His will? He knows their past, and their future. No one attains any knowledge, except as He wills. His dominion encompasses the heavens and the earth, and ruling them never burdens Him. He is the Most High, the Great. [2:255]