The Reality of the Fitrah/Nature of Allah

Author’s-Note:

For Additional-Info. regarding the Subject-Matter:

Allah is not Imageless – Permanent Committee

What I have to present is a very simple, concise, Treatise on the Nature of Allah’s Existence, the Splendor of His Exclusivity, and the Magnitude of His Dominance over All-Things. I have taken upon myself to write something such as this, as a result of sitting in a class at NYC’s MECCA-Center on `Aqīdah/Islāmic-Theology, in which the Instructor (Amin Muhammad of Atlantic City, NJ) teaching this Class mentioned some Things about Allah that didn’t sit right with me at all, in spite of this Person mentioning Revelatory/Textual-Sources. The Premise of this Class was centered upon (Literal & Allegorical/Figurative) Aspects of Revelatory-Texts (the Qur’ān in particular), which highlight some Sifāt (Characteristics/Qualities) of Allah, in which Persons (both classically, as well as contemporarily) have expressed Various-Madhāhib/Religio-Postures about. But, with me being me, their Religio-Posturing of Amin Muhammad just wasn’t good enough for me. So, of course, I had decided to take Pen-to-Paper, and here we are, with this Treatise, concerning the Nature of Allah.

My Objective, however, is not to call People out, or declare at-Takfīr (Blasphemy) upon any Muslim. Rather, it’s only an honest, unbiased, simple, Attempt to clarify some Aspects of Allah’s-Nature, especially for those Muslims who may be Reverts/Non-Arabic speaking Muslims, and/or Persons (both Muslim & Non-Muslim alike) who may legitimately be oblivious/ignorant to this Millenium-Old issue, concerning Allah’s-Nature: to make it plain, everyone has Madhāhib/Religio-Opinions, about whom Allah is, how does He manifest His Divine-Qualities, what is the Extent (if any) of His Qualities , etc. This Treatise is not about this. It’s simply a Platform, to display Specific-Things which Allah establishes for Himself, in both The Qur’ān & the Sunnah/Prophetic-Tradition, about Himself/His Divine-Nature.

It is my Sincere-Hope that anyone & everyone may be able to benefit, in some Way, from whatever I’ve written in this Treatise. I’m hopeful that this could inspire/empower Others to, in fact, seriously study this Subject-Matter. This is very necessary to do extensively, independently (without any Religio-Sectarian Influence) in order to theologically empower & liberate one’s Self, from the Theological-Dominance/Oppression of Others: those whom may or may not have your best interests at heart. As Muslims, we owe it to Allah, then to ourselves, to be Theologically-Safe&Free from Theological-Flaws, Religio-Mistakes/Errors, Personal-Opinions of Others, etc. & just stick to Authentic Religio-Stances, based upon Authentic Revelatory-Texts, from both The Qur’an & the Sunnah.

By the way, just for enforced Personal-Clarification: I am a Non-Sectarian Muslim, which means that I am not partial, nor biased, towards or against any particular `Aqīdah/Theological-School, Hizb/Sectarian-Group, Madhab/Religio-Legal School, etc.

The Nature of Allah:

His Existence-
Allah is: Uncreated, Eternal, Divine, Perfect…completely unlike anything which has ever been, or ever will be amongst al-Makhlūq/Creation. When describing Allah, firstly: it is of the Utmost-Importance to stay within the Authentic-Parameters of the Qur’ān & Sunnah/Prophetic-Tradition, in regards to what Allah attributes to Himself, as well as to what Extent Allah goes to elaborate on certain and/or specific Attributions about Himself. When it comes to how He exist, He in fact exists in an Eternal-Context. Meaning, He exists without having a Beginning or an Ending-This is the Absolute-Basis of His Dominance over all else which exists, aside from Himself.(Noble Qur’an: Chpt.112, V.2; 42, V.11)

His Oneness/Uniqueness-
Allah is Absolutely-One/Singular, Completely/Ultimately-Unique, etc. This highlights His Divinity, His Exclusive-Right to be worshipped, at All-Times & in All-Places. This is important, because, when People commit themselves to Worship/take on Acts of Worship, they must be sure that it is Allah who is the Object of their Worship, and no one else whom exists. The best example of this is ash-Shahādah, itself. ash-Shahādah is the Religious-Testimony of Faith for Muslims.

It confirms 2-Things:

a. Our recognition/acceptance that there is no one who is worshipworthy, except Allah.

b. Our recognition/acceptance that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah, to be followed in All-Things, regarding the Proper-Way to be Obedient to Allah.(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.47, V.19; Chpt.33, V.21)

His Names & Characteristics-
Any & all of Allah’s Names&Characteristics serve as Direct-Indicators of His Qualities, which are: Uncreated, Eternal, Divine, Absolute, Unlimited, Complete, Perfect & Positive, just like He is.(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.7, V.180)

Allah’s Divine-Impossibilities:
There are very detailed Things which are impossible for Allah, and before People get Crazy, let me explain them-

a. It’s impossible for Allah to be created, to age, or to die. Allah explains in detail, how this is an impossibility.(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.55, V.26&27; Chpt.112, V.2)

b. It’s impossible for Allah to be Multiple. Allah is one, without being divided. He is perfectly individual.(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.112, V.1; Chpt.2, V.163)

c. It’s impossible for to Allah to have Parents or Children. Allah makes it crystal-clear that it is not from His divine-integrity to have parents or children.(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.112, V.3)

d. It is impossible for Allah to be Dependent upon anyone or anything. Allah needs nothing from anyone or anything, and, everyone & everything needs Allah.(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.2, V.255; Chpt.31, V.26)

e. It is impossible for Allah to be a Tyrant. This is based upon what Allah says about himself.(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.18, V.49; an-Nawawī)

f. It is impossible for Allah to be Selfish or Cheap. Allah gives of what he wills, how He wills, to whom He wills.(Noble Qur’an: Chpt.5, V.64)

g. It is impossible for Allah to be Defeated/Subdued. Allah can never be defeated or conquered by anyone or anything.(Noble Qur’an: Chpt.6, V.28; Chpt.38, V.65)

h. It is impossible for Allah to have any Negative-Names, Negative-Characteristics/Qualities. Allah is in possession of the best Names, Characteristics/Qualities, which are: Eternal, Positive, and Perfect, just as He is.(Noble Qur’an: Chpt.2, V.286; Chpt.20, V.8; Chpt.7, V.180)

Allah’s Features:

a. Allah has a Nafs/Persona-
This is solely based upon the Fact that Allah does in fact describes Himself, in The Qur’an, as well as Muhammad (Peace be upon him), in the Sunnah, as having an actual Nafs/persona, not to be compared, or confused with the similitude of the Nafs/persona of any created thing.(Noble Qur’an: Chpt.5, V.116; at-Tabarī; as-Suyūtī)

b. Allah has a Face/Eyes-
This is solely based upon the fact that Allah does in fact describes Himself: within The Qur’ān, as well as Muhammad (Peace be upon him) via the Sunnah describing Him as having an Actual/Real-Face. This isn’t at all to be compared or confused with the Similitude of the Face of any Created-Thing.(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.52, V.48; 55, V.26 & 27; at-Tabarī; as-Suyūtī)

c. Allah has a Voice/Speech-
This is solely based upon the Fact that Allah does in fact describes Himself, in The Qur’an, as well in the Sunnah, as having an Actual/Real-Voice/Speech, not to be compared or confused with the Similitude of the Voice/Speech of any Created-Thing.(Noble Qur’an: Chpt.4, V.164; at-Tabarī; as-Suyūtī)

d. Allah has Hands/Fingers-
This is solely based upon the Fact that Allah does in fact describes Himself, in The Qur’an, as well as the Sunnah, as having actual hands, not to be compared or confused with the Similitude of the Hands/Fingers of any Created-Thing.(Noble Qur’an: Chpt.38, V.75; at-Tabarī; as-Suyūtī; al-Bukhārī; Muslim)

e. Allah has Shins-
This is solely based upon the Fact that Allah does in fact describes Himself, in The Qur’an & the Sunnah, as having actual shins, not to be compared or confused with the Similitude of the Shins of any Created-Thing.(Noble Qur’an: Chpt.68, V.42; at-Tabarī; as-Suyūtī)

f. Allah has Feet-
This is solely based upon the Fact that Allah does in fact describes Himself as having actual feet, not to be compared, or confused with the Similitude of the feet of any Created-Thing.(al-Bukhari&Muslim)

Now, at this point, I will have to explain why some Muslims would have a Serious-Problem with what I’ve just mentioned:

There have been, classically & contemporaneously, (various Persons, Groups, Schools, etc.) those whom have taken a Theological-Position that the Features which Allah describes Himself with are only “Allegorical”, and not Literal/Real. This is based solely upon Interpretations of Linguistic-Nuances of the Arabic-Language, as opposed to what Allah has actually mentioned about Himself, what Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has mentioned about Him, what his Companions (May Allah be pleased with them altogether), and what the general Consensus of Muslim-Scholars of as-Salaf (the 3-Generations of Muslims, relative to the revelation of The Qur’ān) have commented on, concerning the Features of Allah. In fact, classically, the vast majority of the Salaf (as-Sahābah/the Companions & at-Tābi`ūn/the Followers) have always taken a Religio-Posture known as at-Tafwīd/Neutrality, regarding the Features of Allah: they are what they are, as mentioned, in both The Qur’ān & Sunnah, without attempting to explain them, nor denying the Reality that these Features actually exists.(al-Barbahāri)

However, Persons have deemed it necessary to do one of 2-Things:

a. Negate the Reality that Allah has described Himself with these Features, giving them a “Figurative-Definition/Allegorical-Interpretation”.

b. Attempting to give the Features of Allah Form/Structure.

In all reality, both are equally Theologically-Dangerous.

This Particular-Debate (over the Extent of the Reality or lack-thereof concerning the Features of Allah), has been a (recurring, theological/scholarly) Debate, for the past Thousand-Years amongst Muslims. But, that’s not my Concern, to get caught-up with the Differing Madhāhib/Religio-Scholastic Opinions of Others. My Point here is very simple: there’ so many things about Allah’s-Nature, which we, as Created-Things will probably never know.

But, it honestly doesn’t even matter, for the Following-Reasons:

a. If it were really that important for us, as Created-Things, to know in detail, regarding the Features of Allah, then, Allah would’ve most definitely extended the Definition of what His features are/are not, either in The Qur’ān/the Sunnah.

b. Debating over whether Allah has these Features or not will not get you any further in one’s Individual Islāmic-Development/Evolution. I view this as a Waste of Time, for People to go back&forth: debating, arguing, attacking one another, verbally, sometimes, even physically, over these Theological-Issues.

There must/should be no Doubt, to any Muslim, that when Allah mentions something in The Qur’ān, or within the Sunnah, that He is not at all attempting to be deceptive. I mean, really…do you really think/feel that Allah: the Creator/Lord of the Universe would just mention that He possesses Features, for Himself, just to throw us off & confuse us, to have us at one another’s Throats (figuratively & literally)?!!!

What type of God do you think/feel you’re worshipping?!!! Allah never plays Practical-Jokes upon His Creation, nor does He deceive people, nor does He insult anyone’s Intelligence. However, because we may possess some Deficiencies of our own, due to our Egos/Desires, Lack of Intellectual-Vision, and/or just Plain-Ignorance of the Knowledge of Revelatory-Texts: we have a Tendency/Propensity to overcompensate for the Fact that we don’t comprehend something about Allah, by attempting to define it by ourselves, which in turns leads us astray.

Gareth Bryant/2012

My thoughts on Misogyny (The hatred & disrespect of Women):

Author’s note:
I wrote this poem, to shed some much-needed light on how men (Muslim men particularly) have allowed this disgusting concept, that we know as Misogyny, to dictate how we are to treat the most precious & priceless of all of the creation of Allah: the Human female. Allah has placed inside the mind, heart, soul, and body of the Human female so much blessing and abilities to cultivate the growth & development of all of us, generation after generation, century after century, and millennium after millennium. Yet, unfortunately, we’ve allowed ourselves to view the woman as a worthless sexual-prize, only to satisfy the carnal cravings of men. We need to start having real conversations as to why we’ve allowed the Devil to encourage us to treat women in such a demoralized fashion, and we have to correct this vicious cycle of pathological thinking. It’s no wonder why so many women have converted to Feminism, because they’ve been short-changed and pushed around, by the same men Allah has created to respect, honor, protect, secure, cherish & love. And, it is my sincere hope that this poem can help in some way spark some interesting conversations about this topic, as well as get people uncomfortable enough to want to change the Non-Islamic status-quo of how women are allowed to be viewed and treated in our societies.

P.S. Don’t get pissed-off concerning the title of the poem:

Bitches:

Why are our women “Bitches”?
We degrade at them, beat them & crush them.
We belittle them, and destroy their self-esteem.

Why are our mothers “Bitches”?
We don’t respect, honor, appreciate, or love them.
We make them weep, their tears flow like a stream.

Why are the mothers of our children “Bitches”?
We deny responsibility and neglect the Child-Support.
They’re forced to be both parents, it’s the only resort.

Why are our daughters “Bitches”?
Daddy’s little-girl is helpless and completely alone.
No clue how a man is to treat her, he’s long gone.

Why is a “Woman” a female-dog?
It’s really sad how easy it is to call a woman by other than her real name.
This word “Bitch” hurts so many and saying it so comfortably is a shame.

When did our love for women turn into hate?
We seem to let our bad experiences determine how we treat others.
We have to end this cycle and be examples for our young brothers.

If someone calls a woman we care about a “Bitch”, we all wanna fight.
But, if we say the same thing to woman, it’s just supposed to be alright.

We were all birthed by women, so let’s start honoring females.
When we view women as “Bitches”, we disrespect ourselves.

Gareth Bryant/2009

The Islāmic-Clarification of Marital-Rape

This is something which had been on my Mind/Heart for a Long-Time, regarding precisely how to tackle it. There’s 2 Polarizing Stances holistically as per This-Issue: a. That there’s no such Thing as Marital-Rape…b. That Marital-Rape is anything which any Woman says that it is. Both are Equally-Negative/Toxic Interpretations. This-Conversation will (no Doubt at all) be something Extremely-Risky, because if one is apathetic/careless, they can easily be stigmatized/accused as being a “Sympathizer/Proponent” of Rape-Culture. Even for me personally: for me to dare address this Type/Kind of Issue is quite dangerous for me. It’s something which can yield a Significant-Amount of Backlash, which can backfire in a Terrible-Way absolutely not in my Favor. The Subject of “Marital-Rape” is, by default, very controversial for Obvious-Reasons. It’s something which I (via my Profession as a Chaplain [Counselor/Therapist]) am very familiarized with. Likewise, because of my Position as a Chaplain: this is something that has potential to alienate me astronomically. I’ve literally counseled Countless-Persons regarding This-Issue. And, there’s 0-Doubt concerning how much of a Necessity it is to educate Others (Men especially) the Reality of This-Issue. The 1st-Thing which must be recognized/accepted is that Marital-Rape is a Real-Thing & there’s 0 Islāmic-Justification to deny this. The 2nd-Thing is that “Marital-Rape” must be accurately&honestly defined. The 3rd-Thing is that “Marital-Rape” must be understood via the Context of ash-Sharī`ah/Islāmic-Law, as opposed to Secular-Law. The 4th-Thing is that “Marital-Rape” must be compared/contrasted to Sexual-Abuse & must be examined as per if/how it’s Islāmically-Punishable. I plan to purposely ruffle the Feathers of Lots of People, because Convos like this must be had & being soft about it just can’t/won’t get it done.

Defining “Marital-Rape”

Any&all Sexual-Contact/Acts imposed upon Spouses without Sexual-Consent.

Defining al-Ightisāb/Sexual-Abuse:

Any&all Sexual-Contact which is imposed upon Others without Sexual-Consent (Necrophilia, Bestiality, Child-Molestation, Rape, Sex-Trafficking/Prostitution, etc.).

(Lisān-ul-`Arab: Lexicon of the Arabic-Language, ibn-Manzhūr; Merriam-Webster)

Contextualizing “Marital-Rape”

Marital-Rape, mostly claimed by Women, is predicated upon the Pontification of Sexual-Agency/Autonomy. Meaning, the Concept of “Women’s-Liberation”/Feminism, fuels this. With that being said, anything which is classically understood via at-Tanzīl/Revelation, Historical-Norms via Human-Societies/Civilizations, etc. is falsely classified as Misogyny. In the case of “Marital-Rape”, this is abundantly obvious. Islāmically, in spite of the Fact that Marital-Rape is a Real-Thing, it most definitely isn’t predicated upon Feminists-Views. And, this is exclusively because of the Nature of an-Nikāh/Marriage itself. As per ash-Sharī`ah: an-Nikāh is a Religio-Sexual Commitment between Man&Woman, predicated upon at-Tanzīl. In fact, ironically: the Etymology of the Word “Nikāh” is literally al-Jinsiyyah (Sexuality/Sexual-Intercourse). By definition, Sexual-Intercourse is the Most-Rudiment/Foundational Dimension of any Marriage, so much so that if one is Sexually-Dissatisfied then that alone is Valid-Grounds for Marital-Annulment: this literally applies to both Men & Women. Allah details clearly, via The Qur’ān, that Sexual-Gratification is a Marital-Right/Expectation for both Man & Woman equally, and neither Woman nor Man is Islāmically justified to deny one another Sexual-Appeasement, as Muhammad (Peace be upon them) mentioned: “Approach them whenever/however you will, feed them what you feed yourselves, clothe them however you clothe yourselves, don’t disrespect them, don’t strike/beat them.”.
(Chpt.2, V.228; Chpt.4, V.19; Muslim; Abū-Dāwud; Lisān-ul-`Arab)

Proving Marital-Rape

What constitutes Marital-Rape according to ash-Sharī`ah can only be based on 3-Things: a. If one is forced to have Sex after being abused…b. If one is forced to have Sex while experiencing Illness…c. If one is forced to comply with participating in Islāmically-Prohibited Acts.

a. Abuse:

To abuse someone (physically, psycho-emotionally, etc.) & then to press them for Sex realistically counts as Marital-Rape, based on the Statement of Muhammad (Peace be upon them): “How dare any of you beat their Wives, as if they’re a Slave or a Beast, then expect them to be warm towards you sexually?!!!”.
(al-Bukhārī&Muslim)

b. Illness:

It’s Mahrūm/Islāmically-Prohibited to force one’s Spouse to engage in Sex while they’re Ill is in fact Marital-Rape. For the Record: a Woman experiencing their Menstrual-Cycle counts as al-Mardh (Illness/Sickness), as Allah states: “And don’t approach them, until after they purify/clear themselves (after their Menstrual-Cycle ceases).”.
(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.2, V.222; at-Tabarī; as-Suyūtī)

c. Sexual-Prohibition:

To force one’s Spouse to commit and/or comply with Things like: al-Liwāt/Sodomy (Anal-Sex), Orgies, Prostitution, etc. is a Valid-Case for Marital-Rape.
(al-Kabā’ir/The Major-Sins, adh-Dhahabī)

Marital-Rape Exaggerations

Now, how’s it even possible for anyone to actually prove that Marital-Rape, even as per the Aforementioned-Conditions, actually took place?!!! That’s the challenge, to be able to prove it. This is where it gets very complex/complicated. And, one Particular-Example of this is a Husband enjoying their Wife while they’re asleep. Ironically enough, there’s actually those whom would actually consider something like this to constitute as “Marital-Rape”…Islāmically something like this most definitely doesn’t fall under Marital-Rape inherently by the way. I’ve literally counseled Men whose Wives have literally accused them of “Marital-Rape”, resulting from them wanting Sex while the Woman is asleep. This is honestly quite ridiculous though. I mean, that’s literally like any Husband crying “Marital-Rape”, resultung from their Wife giving them Blowjobs while they’re asleep…like seriously, really?!!! Also, even if/when any Woman can prove Marital-Rape: exactly what Kind/Type of Hadd/Islāmic-Punishment does one actually expect that their Spouse receive?!!! Because, afterall, the Hadd for al-Ightisāb is Death-Penalty.
(Abū-Dawud)

Retribution for Marital-Rape

Realistically, external of any Secular-Law: there’s actually 0 Revelatory/Textual Hadd for Marital-Rape, in spite of it definitely being Islāmically-Wrong. And, in All-Truthfulness, there’s plenty of Other-Sins which don’t have any Mundane-Hudūd/Islāmic-Punishments attached to them (like purposely not fasting via the Month of Ramadhān, purposely not making al-Hajj/Pilgrimage, an-Namīmah/Backbiting, etc.). However, via the Ākhirah/Hereafter, Allah will choose whether or not Allah will forgive/pardon vs. shun/punish those whom commit this. Because, surely, no one will escape the Qist/Justice of Allah. Anything/everything which is done Allah knows it, records it, will press those whom do it, as They mention regarding al-Mujrimūn/the Criminals: “What Kind/Type of Book is this (their own Record of Deeds) which leaves nothin small nor large, expect that it’s been enumerated/recorded?!!!”.
(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.10, V.44, Chpt.18, V.49)

Clearly, there’s going to be People who’ll despise what I’ve presented via This-Article & of course: Controversy isn’t something which I’m foreign to, nor am I shy from. However, I must be Muslim-1st. And, via being Muslim-1st, I’ll most definitely piss People off & I’m OK with that. Besides, I’m Smart/Wise enough to know what I always tell People: Controversy is the Best-Publicity.

Gareth Bryant 1443, A.H./2022, A.H.

Dissecting the “Toxic-Masculinity & Toxic-Patriarchy” Mythos/Pseudo-Narrative

1. The Human-Race is called “Children-Of-Adam” 8-Times, Word4Word, via at-Tanzīl/Revelation. This by definition indicates that Adam is the Patriarch of the Human-Race.
(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.5, V.27; Chpt.7, V.26-27, 31&35, 172; Chpt.17, V.70; Chpt.36, V.60)

2. Adam (Peace be upon them), the 1st-Human, was a Man.
(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.2, V.30-37; at-Tabarī, as-Suyūtī, ibn-Kathīr)

3. The Word “Female” literally derives from the Word “Male” & the Word “Woman literally derives from the Word “Man”. And that’s because Hawwā’/Eve (Peace be upon them) was created from an Extracted-Portion of the Anatomy of Adam. In fact, the Word “Hawwā'” literally means “To be completely-created from something already alive/breathing.”.
(Merriam-Webster; Lisān-ul-`Arab: Lexicon of the Arabic-Language, ibn-Manzhūr)

4. Historically, via Normal-Circumstances (external of Rape, Non-Marital Pregnancies, Adoption of Children abandoned without knowledge of their Heritage, etc.): People have always been granted the Names of their Fathers.
(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.33, V.5; at-Tabarī; as-Suyūtī)

5. (Historically) Most Surnames/Last-Names, regardless of: Language, Culture, Society, etc. have always been Masculine-Names.

6. There’s literally Women (in spite of the Fact that this is Mahrūm/Islāmically-Prohibited) whom take-on the Names of their Husbands via Marriage.
(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.33, V.5)

Gareth Bryant 1443, A.H./2022, C.E.

Starving for Attention via Preying upon the Ignorant

The Person depicted via this Picture is
Nahiem Ajmal (AKA “Mufti Abu Layth”)

Allah states: “Have you seen those whom take their Desires as their God? Are you then their Enabler?
(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.25, V.43)

Let’s talk about Mufti Abū-Layth

Nahiem Ajmal is their Real-Name, by the way. They’ve made quite the Name/Reputation for themselves, for a Long-Time, via their Self-Proclaimed Religio-Scholarship (and/or lack-thereof). However, they’ve particularly embarked upon something very dangerous. This Particular-Thing is literally attacking one of the most Respected Religio-Scholars amongst Muslums since the Revelation of The Qur’ān: Muhammad ibn-Ismā`īl al-Bukhārī. The most Wellknown-Canon of Religio-Academic Work of al-Bukhārī actually bears their Moniker: Sahīh-ul-Bukhārī/the Authentic-Collection of al-Bukhārī. This-Work is known even by Non-Muslims, as a Premier-Source for Revelatory/Textual-Info. regarding al-Islām (relative to the Revelation of The Qur’ān). But, sadly, there’re Persons like Abī-Layth whom deem to totally discredit al-Bukhārī…why I honestly don’t even know. What I do know is that, simply as an Islāmic-Academic: al-Bukhārī was (still is Centuries after their Death) Light-Years ahead of the Likes of Abī-Layth, especially via their Mukhtasir/Specialty of Religio-Scholarship known as `Ulūm-il-Hadīth/Hadīth-Science (the Islāmic-Discipline dedicated to the Preservation/Documentation of The Qur’ān & the Sunnah/Prophetic-Tradition jointly). The Irony is that even the Religio-Opposition to al-Bukhārī, via their Lifetime, praised their Religio-Scholastic Diligence.

http://www.garethbryant.wordpress.com/2013/08/17/quranandsunnahjointly

Let’s talk about al-Imma`tiyyah (Groupie/Stan-Culture) via “Muslim-Celebrity/Scholar” Culture

Abū-Layth isn’t the Only-Muslim to criticize someone like al-Bukhārī, or any other `Ālim (Muslim Religio-Academic/Scholar). And, really, This-Issue is much deeper than Abū-Layth criticizing al-Bukhārī. What it’s truly about is someone like Abū-Layth, whom knows that there’s a Following which they have, whom outlandishly posture Things regarding Religio-Dynamics/Issues which are quite honestly their Audience doesn’t possess the Objectivity to handle. And, this comes at the Expense of Ignorant/Impressionable-Persons literally rejecting Islāmic-Knowledge (via Revelatory-Texts), without any Justification, simply because their “Favorite-Scholar/Speaker” said so. Their Audience are Dick-Riders, whom’ll literally co-sign anything/everything which they state, via Personality-Worship (Another-Sifah/Manifestation of al-Imma`tiyyah by the way). People whom’re Religio-Groupies of Persons like Abī-Layth are the Reason how/why Muhammad (Peace be upon them) stated: “Don’t be an Imma`ah/Dick-Rider.”.
(at-Tirmidhī)

Ironically, it’s literally no different than how Rap-Beefs catapult into Street-Violence, for no other Reason than a Person dick-riding what they’ve heard from a Rap-Song, a Rapper-Interview, etc. Just as Allah states: “And never let your hatred, against any People, prevent you from behaving justly.”. Also, Muhammad (Peace be upon them stated: Apathy/Arrogance is denying Truth & mocking People.”. As well, Mu`ādh ibn-Jabal (May Allah be pleased with them) stated: “Always accept Truth, even if it comes from a Kāfir (Disbeliever/Non-Muslim) or a Fāsiq/Sinful-Person. And, this sets the Precedent for the Islāmic-Principle: “Truth is Truth, regardless of whom/where it comes from.”.
(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.5, V.8; an-Nawawī; Abū-Dāwud)

Let’s talk about the “Bukhārīgate” Video-Series produced via Abī-Layth

https://youtu.be/X6SfFYRljeY

https://youtu.be/IijbMTxUEOw 

I watched both Part-1 & Part-2. I’ve personally commented on both Part-1&2 Videos. I’ve even personally messaged Abā-Layth almost everything mentioned here, almost Word4Word prior to actually authoring this Article. I’m not going to give Commentary upon the Entirety of both Videos. But, what I will do is simply detail some Specific-Things which Abā-Layth literally proves the Depths of their own: Ignorance, Apathy/Arrogance, etc.

Beginning from 5:30 on the Part-2 of this “Bukhārīgate” Video-Series: There’ a Story which Abū-Layth criticizes a Scenario, in which Muhammad (Peace be upon them) witnessed an Unnamed-Companion (May Allah be pleased with them) praying & reciting from The Qur’ān which was removed from the Mushaf/Corpus of The Qur’ān via an-Naskh (Abrogation/Cancelation). This was clearly referring to a Companion whom was reciting something from The Qur’ān which was Mansūkh (Religio-Abrogated/Canceled) as well as striken from the Dhikr/Memory of Muhammad, Mushaf of The Qur’ān, etc.

Equally, it was clear that This-Person was reciting (from Such&Such-Sūrah/Chapter from The Qur’ān) something from The Qur’ān which they learned prior to Those-Āyāt/Verses being Mansūkh. Also, as per the Athar/Non-Prophetic Narration of `Umar ibn-il-Khattāb (May Allah be pleased with them): it was clear that the Āyah/Verse of al-Jamrah/Stonning was as well amongst the Āyāt which were Mansūkh.
(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.87, V.6&7; at-Tabarī; as-Suyūtī; al-Bukhārī)

As per 15:55 on the Par-2 of this “Bukhārīgate” Video-Series: It was a Known-Fact, that Muhammad (Peace be upon them) were Illiterate & never learned how to read/write. Also, when any Human is dying, then Yes…they do in fact experience Certain-Severities of Dellirium: Muhammad (Peace be upon them) was never spared from this. Also, on their Deathbed, they literally mentioned to their Daughter Fātimah (May Allah be pleased with them), 1-Day prior to their Death: “After This-Day I’ll no longer suffer.”, pertaining to the Agony/Suffering-Of-Death. as-Sakrah/Dellirium is a Sifah/Manifestation of Agony/Suffering, especially via al-Mawt/Death. This particularly pertains to the Dying-Days of Muhammad: they requested Pen&Paper to author/write something, in spite of the Fact that it was Mutawātir/Common-Knowledge that they never learned al-Kitābah/Literacy.

http://www.garethbryant.wordpress.com/2019/11/13/quranism

And, moreover: their Claims that Animals never verbally communicated with Anbiyā’/Prophetic-Individuals (Peace be upon them altogether) & them disputing the Sexual-Prowess of Sulaymān/Solomon: they had Fawā’id/Capabilities which no other Kawn/Makhlūq (Being/Created-Thing) had. They possessed Overwhelming-Capabilities to communicate with Terrestrial-Beings like Animals, Jinns/Fire-Beings, Angels, even Allah Themselves, etc. And, Allah gave Primal/Physical-Strength to Anbiyā’ which’re totally unmatched in comparison to Other-Beings. Furthermore, there’s a Difference between a Fitnah/Test & an `Adhāb/Punishment. Anbiyā’ were in fact tested via Deaths/Injuries upon themselves, their Loved-Ones, etc. (Ayyūb/Job [Peace be upon them] as an Ideal-Example). As for Animals being miraculously allowed by Allah to speak…Allah has allowed Infants to speak, and both Animals & Infants speaking are documented as Mu`jizāt/Prophetic-Miracles even prior to the Revelation of The Qur’ān.
(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.7, V.157&158; Chpt.50, V.19; al-Bukhārī; at-Tabarī, as-Suyūtī, ibn-Kathīr)

Also, via the Part-2 Video-Series: Abū-Layth is an Outright-Kādhib/Liar…Allah literally uses the Wording “Radhiyallahu/Allah is pleased”…Multiple-Times via The Qur’ān. So, them criticizing a Hadīth (Recorded/Documented-Narration) of Muhammad stating that Allah was pleased with both `Abdillah ibn-`Uthmān ibn-`Āmir & `Umar ibn-il-Khattāb (May Allah be pleased with them both), claiming that the Wording of the Narration has 0 Islāmic-Validity is a Kadhib/Lie.
(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.5, V.119; Chpt.9, V.100; Chpt.58, V.22: Chpt.98, V.8)

I’ll leave it up to you, the Reader, to make your own Determinations about Abī-Layth…I’ve made my own.

Gareth Bryant 1443, A.H./2022, C.E.

Islāmophobia via Feminism

I recently read an Article via Muslim Matters, regarding a very Controversial-Issue, predicated upon Islāmophobic-Tahrīf/Distortion (done by Muslims & Non-Muslims alike ironically) of the Revelatory-Text above. This Revelatory-Text is one of Countless Revelatory-Texts, which detail whom and/or which Kinds/Types of Beings will dwell either within al-Jannah/Paradise or Jahannam/Hell. The Link to the Muslim Matters Article is below:

http://www.muslimmatters.org/2022/03/02/more-women-in-hell-or-heaven/

I’m honestly unsurprised that this is still a Controversial-Topic. But, I’m disturbingly surprised at just how Pathologically-Ignorant Muslims are concerning This-Issue. It’s almost like Certain-Muslims will literally use their Misunderstandings of a seemingly Gendercentric/Genderbiased-Subject to pontificate an Islāmophobic-Agenda, like the whole “Islāmic-Reformation” Agenda which has the Audacity to pontificate/promote that Certain Revelatory-Texts are “outdate” for the “Modern-World”. This is what happens,when People approach Issues via Egotism, as oppose to Objective-Knowledge. Taking just 1 Revelatory-Text to explain anything doesn’t always work, especially as per a Subject which can easily be weaponized by Islāmophobes whom already accuse al-Islām of being Pro-Misogyny.

Muhammad ibn Seereen reported that a group of people either boasted or discussed whether men will outnumber women in Paradise or the other way around. It was upon this that Abu Hurayrah said, “Did Abu Al-Qaasim (the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) not say that the first group to enter Paradise would have their faces as bright as a full moon and the next group would have their faces as bright as the brightest star in the sky, that each of them would have two wives and the marrow of their shanks would glimmer beneath the flesh and there would be no bachelors in Paradise.” [Muslim]

This Revelatory-Text clarifies completely the Issue. It clearly indicates directly/overtly that Women will outnumber Men via the Paradise by at least twofold. However, instead of simply accepting that understanding many Revelatory-Texts is literally impossible via only looking through 1-Dimension/Lens: People don’t know Shit really think/feel that they know everything. And, honestly, this is something which we all struggle within internally/introspectively.

In spite of the Fact that the Muslim Matters Article was, I believe, well-intentioned & well-written: I’m still concerned&worried that there’s going to be Muslim&Non-Muslim-Islāmophobes who’ll continue to be Ego/Desire-Driven, and will continue to distort Revelatory-Texts such as the Subject at Hand, which they’ll still use as Fuel for their Islāmophobic-Fires.

Gareth Bryant 1443, A.H./2022, C.E.

al-`Asabiyyah/Xenophobia: Ukraine-Edition

al-`Asabiyyah/Xenophobia: Ukraine-Edition

Political-Hypocrisy: Ukraine-Edition

And never let your hatred, against any People, prevent you from behaving justly.(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.5, V.8)

Russia, headed by Vladimir Putin, invaded/occupied Ukraine in Feb. of 2022. The World watched-on, as Putin postured very similarly to the likes of: Hitler, Mussolini, Tojo, etc. sweeping across the Crimea. It’s literally like reliving 1939 all over again, as the 3rd-Reich mowed over Poland via World-War II. Russia has been condemned for this naturally. However, it’s in fact ironic who’s leading the Charge to condemn Russia in the 1st-Place: the US & Israel. Both these Nation-States have literally done the Same-Things via their Histories. The US annexing the Entirety of what’s now the United States via the “Indian-Wars”…Israel annexing of the Sinai-Peninsula, the West-Bank, the Golan-Heights, etc. via the “Arab-Israeli Wars” from the 1950’s-1970’s…the US invading/occupying: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Somalia, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. Also, assisting their Allies to drone/bomb Syria & Yemen to Death. This is supposed to be “tolerable/acceptable”, while they’ve the Audacity to judge the Actions of Russia?!!!

#MakeItMakeSense

You either judge everyone or no one…you either give everyone or no one a Pass.

Gareth Bryant 1443, A.H./2022, C.E.

Unrealistic-Expectations via Religio-Positions amongst Muslims

This is particularly important to make issue of, because it occurs far too often. Amongst Muslims the Term “Imām” represents one of the most Coveted-Titles which can be bestowed upon any Muslim-Male. The Actual-Meaning of the Term is “One whom heads/leads Others.”.
(Lisān-ul-`Arab: Lexicon of the Arabic-Language, ibn-Manzhūr)

It’s often conventionally understood/misunderstood, interpreted/misinterpreted, presumed/assumed, etc. that whomever dons this Title and/or is granted the Title is an “`Ālim” (Person-Of-Knowledge, Academic, Scholar, Religio-Authority, etc.). By default, Imāms are automatically placed in the Same-Category as those whom pontificate/claim the Titles: Shaykh/Teacher, Ustādh (Professor/Lecturer), etc. or granted Those-Titles by their Communities, Peers, Teachers, etc. So, if/when any Muslim-Male is viewed as being in the Position of being an “Imām” are immediately catapulted into an Arena which can often yield: Egotism, Arrogance, Despotism, Thirst/Lust for Influence, Power, Authority, etc. So much so, that even Muhammad (Peace be upon them) stated: “Whomever is made a Judge/Ruler between People, has been slaughtered without even a Weapon.”.
(Abū-Dāwud)

As for me, personally, as a Muslim-Male Chaplain: I’m literally challenged by this on a Daily. I’m constantly/consistently faced with Fellow-Muslims attempting to trap me into a Boxed-In/Pigeon-Holed Space, because of my Chaplaincy-Profession. Something important to note is that (historically & contemporaneously) the Vast-Majority of Muslim-Male Chaplains have never been (nor will ever be) “Imāms”, as conventionally understood/misunderstood by Other-Muslims. So, because of the Linguistic/Implied-Meaning of the Term “Imām”: Muslim-Male Chaplains are thereby unjustly expected to live their Lives as “Community-Leaders”, yet ironically the Role of a Muslim-Chaplain has nothing to do with al-Imāmah/Leadership & everything to do with al-Khidmah/Service. A Chaplain is a Servant of the People: empowering them with Tools to correct their own Narratives of the Human-Condition…we are not anyone’s “Leaders”.

Gareth Bryant

Sex-Ed is necessary for Muslims…get with the Program People

Sex-Ed is necessary for Muslims…get with the Program People