ISLAM & THE MUSLIMS
Blessing or Burden?
YOU be the Judge
Part 72
Sura 49 “THE APARTMENTS”
By
John W. Bailey

Muhammad demands respect from his followers at the beginning of this Sura. “O Believers! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet [Muhammad], neither speak loud to him as ye speak loud one to another, lest your works come to nought, and ye unaware of it. They who lower their voices in the presence of the Apostle of Allah [Muhammad], are the persons whose hearts Allah hath inclined to piety [devotion and reverence to Allah].” According to Muhammad, speaking loud to him will likely lead your good works to come to nothing, but while speaking quietly to him will show the believer to be in the right attitude towards Allah and Muhammad.

In Sura 49:7, while speaking to believers in Islam, Muhammad says “But Allah hath endeared the faith to you, and hath given it favour in your hearts, and hath made unbelief, and wickedness, and disobedience hateful to you.” Muhammad is sharing that a faith instilled in the believers heart by Allah, will lead the believer in Islam to hate unbelief, wickedness and disobedience towards Allah. According to Muhammad, this hate of unbelief, wickedness and disobedience is instilled by Allah in the believer upon their accepting the faith of Islam into their hearts.

Some final statements of Muhammad from this Sura: “Truly, the most worthy of honour in the sight of Allah is he who feareth him most.” “The true believers are those only who believe in Allah and his apostle [Muhammad] and afterwards doubt not; and who contend with their substance and their persons on the path of Allah.”

One more glimpse into the Koran from a common American citizen. Islam, a blessing or burden? You be the judge!