Monday, 21 September 2020

Allah’s Need for Human Sacrifice to Appease Hell’s Angelic Ruler

In this post I am going to prove from the Islamic sources that Allah pays a sacrificial ransom to a created spirit being to procure the release of Muslims from hell.

The Command For Blood

According to the Quran Allah commanded that all the nations offer blood sacrifices:

In them ye have benefits for a term appointed: in the end their place of sacrifice is near the Ancient House. To every people did We appoint rites (of sacrifice) (mansakin), that they might celebrate the name of God over the sustenance He gave them from animals (fit for food). But your god is One God: submit then your wills to Him (in Islam): and give thou the good news to those who humble themselves, – To those whose hearts when God is mentioned, are filled with fear, who show patient perseverance over their afflictions, keep up regular prayer, and spend (in charity) out of what We have bestowed upon them. The sacrificial camels we have made for you as among the symbols from God: in them is (much) good for you: then pronounce the name of God over them as they line up (for sacrifice): when they are down on their sides (after slaughter), eat ye thereof, and feed such as (beg not but) live in contentment, and such as beg with due humility: thus have We made animals subject to you, that ye may be grateful. S. 22:33-36 Yusuf Ali

Here is how the Islamic commentators explain the meaning of rites (mansakan):

And for every community that is for every believing group that came before you We have appointed a holy rite read mansakan as the verbal noun ‘ritual’ or mansikan as a noun denoting the site for a rite in other words for every community We have appointed a sacrificial slaughter or the site for such a ritual that they might mention God’s Name over the livestock that He has provided them at the point of slaughtering them. For your God is One God so submit yield to Him. And give good tidings to the humbly obedient. (Tafsir al-Jalalayn https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=74&tSoraNo=22&tAyahNo=34&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2; bold emphasis mine)

(And for every nation) of believers (have We appointed a ritual) a location for slaughtering their sacrifices in the lesser and greater pilgrimages, (that they may mention the name of Allah over the beast of cattle) which is sacrificed (that He hath given them for food; and your God is One God) without a son or partner, (therefore surrender unto Him) be sincere to Him in worship and profession of His divine Oneness. (And give good tidings to the humble) and give good tidings to those who exert their effort and are sincere. (Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn ‘Abbâs https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=73&tSoraNo=22&tAyahNo=34&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2; bold emphasis mine)

Rites of Sacrifice have been prescribed FOR EVERY NATION IN THE WORLD

Allah tells us that sacrifice AND SHEDDING BLOOD in the Name of Allah has been prescribed FOR ALL NATIONS. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said…

(And for every nation We have appointed religious ceremonies,) “Festivals.” `Ikrimah said, “Sacrifices.”…

(And for every nation We have appointed religious ceremonies,) Zayd bin Aslam said, “This means Makkah; Allah did not appoint religious ceremonies anywhere else for any nation.” (Tafsir Ibn KathirQ. 22:34 http://www.alim.org/library/quran/AlQuran-tafsir/TIK/22/34; capital emphasis ours)

Now contrast the following narration with Ibn Kathir’s statement regarding the shedding of blood:

Sunan Ibn Majah

The Chapters on Sacrifices

It was narrated from ’Aishah that the Prophet said: “The son of Adam does not do any deed on the Day of Sacrifice that is dearer to Allah than shedding blood. It will come on the Day of Resurrection with its horns and cloven hoofs and hair. Its blood is accepted by Allah before it reaches the ground. So be content when you do it.”

Grade: Da’if (Darussalam)

English reference: Vol. 4, Book 26, Hadith 3126

Arabic reference: Book 26, Hadith 3246 (Sunnah.com; italicized and underline emphasis mine)

This places Muslims in quite a predicament since this means that the pagan nations which carried out sacrifices to their gods and goddesses were simply doing what Allah commanded them!

Sacrificing Jews and Christians as the ransom for the sins of Muslims

Muhammad is reported to have taught that Allah will actually sacrifice Jews and Christians in hell as a ransom for all the sins committed by the Muslims!

Superiority of the believers in the Oneness of Allah and the punishment of the Jews and Christians

8) Narrated Abu Musa: Allah’s Messenger said: On the Day of Resurrection, my Ummah (nation) will be gathered into three groups. One sort will enter Paradise without rendering an account (of their deeds). Another sort will be reckoned an easy account and admitted into Paradise. Yet another sort will come bearing on their backs heaps of sins like great mountains. Allah will ask the angels though He knows best about them: Who are these people? They will reply: They are humble slaves of yours. He will say: UNLOAD the sins from them AND PUT THE SAME OVER the Jews and Christians: then let the humble slaves get into Paradise by virtue of My Mercy.

(This Hadith IS SOUND and mentioned in Mustadrak of Hakim). (110 Hadith Qudsi (Sacred Hadith), translated by Syed Masood-ul-Hasan, revision and commentaries by Ibrahim m. Kunna [Darussalam Publishers and Distributors], pp. 19-20; capital and underline emphasis mine)

432. Abu Musa al-Ash’ari reported that the Messenger of Allah said, “On the Day of Rising, Allah will hand over a Jew or a Christian to every Muslim and say, ‘HERE IS YOUR REDEMPTION FROM THE FIRE.” [Muslim]

In another variant from him is that the Prophet said, “Some of the Muslims will be brought on the Day of Rising WITH SINS THE SIZE OF MOUNTAINS and Allah will forgive them.” (Al-Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Sharaf An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi, Riyad as-Salihin (The Meadows of the Righteous), 51. Chapter: On Hope; capital and italicized emphasis mine)

(20) CHAPTER. Disbelievers are sent to Hell as SACRIFICE to the Muslims

1937. Abu Musa narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “When it is the Day of Resurrection, Allah will deliver every Muslim a Jew or Christian and say: ‘THAT IS YOUR SACRIFICE FROM HELL-FIRE.’” (The Translation of the Meanings of Summarized Sahih Muslim (Arabic–English), Compiled by Al-Hafiz Zakiuddin Abdul-Azim Al-Mundhiri [Darussalam Publishers & Distributors, First Edition: February 2000], Volume 2, 62– The Book Of Repentance And Allah’s Great Mercy, pp. 1033-1034; capital emphasis mine)

And here is a different translation of the above hadith, along with a couple of others from Sahih Muslim:

Chapter 8: THROWING OF NON-BELIEVERS IN HELL-FIRE FOR BELIEVERS AS DIVINE GRACE AND MERCY

Abu Musa’ reported that Allah’s Messenger said: When it will be the Day of Resurrection Allah would deliver to every Muslim a Jew or a Christian and say: That is your RESCUE from Hell-Fire. (Sahih Muslim, Book 037, Number 6665 https://www.searchtruth.com/book_display.php?book=037&translator=2&start=0&number=6665)

Abu Burda reported on the authority of his father that Allah’s Apostle said: No Muslim would die but Allah would admit IN HIS STEAD a Jew or a Christian in Hell-Fire. ‘Umar b. Abd al-‘Aziz took an oath: By One besides Whom there is no god but He, thrice that his father had narrated that to him from Allah’s Messenger. (Sahih Muslim, Book 037, Number 6666)

Abu Burda reported Allah’s Messenger as saying: There would come people amongst the Muslims on the Day of Resurrection with AS HEAVY SINS AS A MOUNTAIN, and Allah would FORGIVE THEM and He would PLACE IN THEIR STEAD the Jews and the Christians. (As far as I think), Abu Raub said: I do not know as to who is in doubt. Abu Burda said: I narrated it to ‘Umar b. ‘Abd al-‘Aziz, whereupon he said: Was it your father who narrated it to you from Allah’s Apostle? I said: Yes. (Sahih Muslim, Book 037, Number 6668)

This brings me to my next point.

Ransoming Muslims From the Ruler of Hell

Muslims are faced with a major dilemma since a ransom assumes a payment given to release someone. Therefore, the question that they need to answer is, to whom exactly does Allah make the ransom in order to redeem Muslims from being tortured in hell?

The answer may come as a shock.

According to the Quran, hell has a ruler called Malik which, ironically, is the Arabic word for master, ruler and/or king!

And they will cry: “O Malik (Keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us.” He will say: “Verily you shall abide forever.” S. 43:77 Hilali-Khan

And they will cry: “O thou [angel] who rulest [over hell]! Let thy Sustainer put an end to us!” – whereupon] he will reply: “Verily, you must live on [in this state]” (Muhammad Asad https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/43/st20.htm)

Note what the expositors say about this mysterious character:

4674 Malik: The name of the Angel in charge of Hell. (Abdullah Yusuf Ali, The Holy Qur’an: Text, Translation and Commentary http://www.alim.org/library/quran/surah/english/43/YAT#ayanote-4674)

And they will call out ‘O Mālik — the name of the Keeper of the Fire — let your Lord finish us off!’ let Him make us die. He will say after the passing of a thousand years ‘You will surely remain!’ you will remain in the chastisement forever. (Tafsir al-Jalalayn https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=74&tSoraNo=43&tAyahNo=77&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2; bold emphasis mine)

(And they cry: O master) when their patience run out, they cry: O master of the Fire! (Let thy Lord make an end of us). The custodian of the Fire answers them after 40 years, (He saith: Lo! here ye must remain) you will dwell eternally in the torment and you will never come out. (Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn ‘Abbâs https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=73&tSoraNo=43&tAyahNo=77&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2; bold emphasis mine)

The so-called authentic narrations also mention Malik:

Narrated Samura: The Prophet said, “Last night I saw (in a dream) two men coming to me. One of them said, “The person who kindles the fire is Malik, the gate-keeper of the (Hell) Fire, and I am Gabriel, and this is Michael.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 54, Number 459 https://www.searchtruth.com/book_display.php?book=54&translator=1&start=0&number=459)

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: I found myself in Hijr and the Quraish were asking me about my might journey. I was asked about things pertaining to Bait-ul-Maqdis which I could not preserve (in my mind). I was very much vexed, so vexed as I had never been before. Then Allah raised it (Bait-ul-Maqdis) before my eyes. I looked towards it, and I gave them the information about whatever they questioned me I also saw myself among the group of apostles. I saw Moses saying prayer and found him to be a well-built man as if he was a man of the tribe of Shanu’a. I saw Jesus son of Mary (peace be upon him) offering prayer, of all of men he had the closest resemblance with ‘Urwa b. Masu’d al-Thaqafi. I saw Ibrahim (peace be upon him) offering prayer; he had the closest resemblance with your companion (the Prophet himself) amongst people. When the time of prayer came I led them. When I completed the prayer, someone said: Here is Malik, the keeper of the Hell; pay him salutations. I turned to him, but he preceded me in salutation. (Sahih Muslim, Book 001, Number 0328 https://www.searchtruth.com/book_display.php?book=001&translator=2&start=0&number=0328

Now since a ransom presupposes a payment that one gives to another to bring about the release of a particular individual, and since Allah expressly states that he will ransom or redeem Muslims by sacrificing Jews and Christians in their place by throwing them in hell, and since Malik is in charge of hell, it is only reasonable to assume that Allah is making the ransom to Malik.

To put this in the form of a logical syllogism:

1.       Ransom/redemption assumes a payment made to a specific party to procure the release of another.

2.       Allah ransoms Muslims by sacrificing Jews and Christians in hell for their sins.

3.       Malik is the angelic creature who rules over hell.

4.       Malik must, therefore, be the party that Allah pays the ransom to in order to procure the release of Muslims from hell.

I’ll leave it to Muslims to figure the mess created by their deity and his messenger.

Further Reading

No Atonement in Islam? Responding to Another Typical Muslim Objection (https://answeringislamblog.wordpress.com/2018/09/14/no-atonement-in-islam-responding-to-another-typical-muslim-objection/)

The Problems with the Islamic Doctrine of Atonement (https://answeringislam.net/authors/shamoun/rebuttals/zawadi/islamic_atonement3.html)

Whom Exactly does Allah Pay a Ransom to? Pt. 1 (https://answeringislam.net/authors/shamoun/rebuttals/ally/allah_ransom1.html), Pt. 2 (https://answeringislam.net/authors/shamoun/rebuttals/ally/allah_ransom2.html)

Source: https://answeringislamblog.wordpress.com/2019/12/24/allahs-need-for-human-sacrifice-to-appease-hells-angelic-ruler/

IHS

No comments:

Post a Comment