All posts by foronecreator

Human beings are equal irrespective of color, creed or nationality

Verse 49:23 explained with examples

Translation

Human beings, We created you all from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most God-fearing of you. *28 Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware. *29

Equality of human beings expected and abuses done by human beings on each other based on color, creed, nationality etc

On account of these prejudices man in every age has generally been discarding humanity and drawing around himself some small circles and regarding those born within those circles as his own people and those outside them as others. These circles have been drawn on the basis of accidental birth and not on rational and moral grounds. In some cases their basis is the accident of being born in a particular family, tribe, or race, and in some particular geographical region, or in a nation having a particular colour or speaking a particular language. Then the discrimination between one’s own people and others is not only confide to this that those who are looked upon as one’s own people are shown greater love and cooperation than others, but this discrimination has assumed the worst forms of hatred, enmity, contempt and tyranny. New philosophies have been propounded for it, new religions invented, new codes of law made and new moral principles framed; so much so that nations and empires have made this distinction a permanent way of life with them and practiced it for centuries. The Jews on this very basis regarded the children of Israel as the chosen people of God and even in the practice of their religious rites looked upon the non-Jews as inferior to the Jews in rights and rank. This very discrimination gave birth to class distinctions (varnashrama) among the Hindus according to which superiority of the Brahmins was established, all other human beings came to be regarded as inferior and unclean and the shudras cast into the depths of disgrace and degradation. Every person can see for himself even in this 20th century what atrocities have been committed against the colored people in Africa and America on account of the distinction between the white and the black. The treatment that the Europeans meted out to the Red Indian race in America and to the weak nations of Asia and Africa had the same concept underlying it. They thought that the lift and property and honor of all those who had been born outside the frontiers of their own land and nation were lawful for them and they had the right to plunder and take them as their slaves and exterminate them if need be. The worst examples of how the nationalism of the western nations has turned one nation against the others and made it their bloodthirsty enemy have been seen in the wars of the recent past and are being seen even in the present time. In particular, if what was manifested by the racism of the Nazi Germany and the concept of the superiority of the Nordic race m the last World War is kept in view. One can easily judge how stupendous and devastating is the error for whose reform this verse of the Qur’an was revealed. 
In this brief verse, AIlah has drawn the attention of all mankind to three cardinal truths: 
(1) “The origin of alI of you is one and the same: your whole species has sprung up from one man and one woman: aII your races that arc found in the world today are, in fact, the branches of one initial race that started with one mother and one father. In this process of creation there is no basis whatever for the divisions and distinctions in which you have involved yourselves because_ of your false notions. One God alone is your Creator. Different men have not been created by different Gods. You have been made from one and the same substance; it is not so that some men have been made from some pure and superior substance and some other men from some impure and inferior substance. You have been created in one and the same way; it is not also so that different men have been created in different ways. And you are the offspring of the same parents; it is not so that in the beginning there were many human couples which gave birth to different populations in the different regions of the world.’ 
(2) “In spite of being one in origin it was natural that you should be divided into nations and tribes. Obviously,. alI the mcn on the earth could not belong to one and the same family. With the spread of the race it was inevitable that countless families should arise, and then tribes and nations should emerge from the families. Similarly, it was inevitable that after settling in different regions of the earth, there should be differences of colors, features, languages and ways of living among the people, and it was also natural that those living in the same region should be closer in affinity and those living in remote regions not so close; but this natural difference never demanded that distinctions of inequality, of high and low, of noble and mean, should be established on its basis, that one race should claim superiority over the other, the people of one color should look down upon the people of other colors, and that one nation should take preference over the ocher without any reason. The Creator had divided the human communities into nations and tribes for that was a natural way of cooperation and distinction between them. In this way alone could a fatuity, a brotherhood, a tribe and a nation combine to give birth to a common way of life and to cooperate with each other in the affairs of the world. But it was all due to satanic ignorance that the differences among mankind created by Allah to be a means of recognition, were trade a means of mutual boasting and hatred, which led mankind to every kind of injustice and tyranny. 
(3) The only basis of superiority and excellence that there is, or can be, between man and man is that of moral excellence. As regards birth, aII men arc equal, for their Creator is One, their substance of creation is one, and their way of creation is one, and they are descended from the same parents. Moreover, a person’s being born in a particular country, nation, or clan is just accidental. Therefore, there is no rational ground on account of which one person may be regarded as superior to the other. The real thing that makes one person superior to others is that one should be more God-conscious, a greater avoider of evils, and a follower of the way of piety and righteousness. Such a man. whether he belongs to any race, any nation and any country, is valuable and worthy on account of his personal merit. And the one who is reverse of him in character is in any case an inferior person whether he is black or white, born in the east or the west. 
These same truths that have been stated in this beef verse of the Qur’an, have been explained in greater detail by the Holy Prophet in his addresses and traditions. In the speech that he made on the conquest of Makkah, after going round the Ka’bah, he said: ‘Thank God Who has removed from you the blemish of ignorance and its arrogance. O people, men are divided into classes: the pious and righteous, who arc honorable in the sight of Allah, and the sinful and vicious, who arc contemptible in the sight of AIlah, whereas aII men are the children of Adam and Adam had been created by Allah from clay.” (Baihaqi, Tirmidhi). 
On the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage, in the midst of the Tashriq days, he addressed the people, and said: ‘O people, be aware: your God is One. No Arab has any superiority over a non-Arab, and no non-Arab any superiority over an Arab, and no white one has any superiority over a black one, and no black one any superiority over a white one, except on the basis of taqva (piety). The most honorable among you in the sight, of Allah is he who is the most pious and righteous of you. Say if I have conveyed the Message to you?” And the great congregation of the people responded, saying: Yes, you have, O Messenger of Allah.”Thereupon the Holy Prophet said: “Then Iet the one who is present convey it to those who are absent,” ( Baihaqi)
In a Hadith he has said: “You are all the children of Adam, and Adam was created from the dust. Let the people give’up boasting of their ancestors, otherwise they will stand more degraded than a mean insect in the sight of Allah.”( Bazzar)
In another Hadith the Holy Prophet said: “Allah will not enquire about your lineage on the Day of Resurrection. The most honourable in the sight of AIIah is he who is most pious. “(Ibn Jarir)
In still another Hadith he said: “Allah dces not see your outward appearances and your possessions ,but He sees your hearts and your deeds.” (Muslim, lbn Majah). 
These teachings have not remained confined to words only but Islam has practically established a universal brotherhood of the believers on the basis, which does not allow any distinction on account of color, race, language, country and nationality which is free from every concept of high and low, clean and unclean, mean and respectable, which admits all human beings with equal rights, whether they belong to any race and nation, any land or region. Even the opponents of Islam have had to admit that no precedent is found in any religion and any system of the success with which the principle of human equality and unity has been given practical shape in the Muslim society, nor has it ever been found. Islam is the only religion which has welded and combined innumerable races and communities scattered in all corners of the earth into one universal Ummah. 
In this connection, a misunderstanding also needs to be removed. In the case of marriage, the importance that Islamic law gives to kufv (likeness of status)has been taken by some people in the sense that some brotherhoods are noble and some mean, and matrimonial relations between them are objectionable. But this, in fact, is a wrong idea. According to the Islamic law, every Muslim man can marry every Muslim woman, but the success of the matrimonial life depends on maximum harmony and conformity between the spouses as regards habits, characteristics and ways of life, family traditions and economic and social status, so that they may get on well with each other. This is the real object of being equal and alike. Where there is unusual difference and disparity between the man and the woman in this regard, lifelong companionship will be difficult. That is why the Islamic law disapproves of such intermarriages, and not for the reason that one of the spouses is noble and the other mean, but for the reason that in case there is a clear and apparent difference and distention in status, there would be a greater possibility of the failure of the matrimonial life if the marriage relationship was establ ished. 
*29) That is, “This is only known to Allah as to who is really a ntan of high rank and who is inferior in respect of qualities and characteristics. The standards of high and low that the people have set up of their own accord, are not acceptable to and approved by AIIah. Maybe that the one who has been regarded as a man of high rank in the world is declared as the lowest of the low in the final judgment of AIIah, and maybe that the one who has been looked upon as a very low person here, attains to a very high rank there. The real importance is not of the honor and dishonor of the world but of the honor and dishonor that one will receive from Allah. Therefore, what man should. be most concerned about is that he should create in himself those real qualities and characteristics which make him worthy of honour in the sight of AIlah.

Human beings are equal irrespective of color, creed or nationality

GOD CREATED HUMAN BEINGS FROM ONE MALE & ONE FEMALE..

We created you all from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.

Tribes and nations are made to know each other, identify each other not for purposes of fighting, suppressing , abusing each other.

Please open the link to explanations with examples of how human beings are doing otherwise.

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ [Al-Hujuraat : 13]

(49:13) Human beings, We created you all from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most God-fearing of you. *28 Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware. *29

Please read further the examples of abuses by human beings on each other against teachings from ALMIGHTY GOD.

Verse 49:23 explained with examples

Xxxxxxxxxx

In this verse the whole of mankind bas been addressed to reform it of the great evil that has always been causing universal disruption in the world, that is, the prejudices due to race, colour, language, country, and nationality.

Translation of Surah Al-Hujurat, Verse 13:

“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”

Interpretation:

This verse addresses all of humanity, highlighting the significant misguidance that has historically led to widespread corruption in the world. Throughout history, humans have tended to create small circles around themselves, often disregarding the broader concept of humanity. Those born within these circles are considered “us,” while those born outside are deemed “others.”

These circles are not based on any moral or ethical foundations but rather on the coincidence of birth. Sometimes, they are formed based on being born into a particular family, ethnicity, or geographical region, or even sharing a specific skin color or language. Consequently, the discrimination established on these bases has not only led to favoritism towards those deemed “us” but has also fostered hatred, enmity, and division among people.

Philosophies have been constructed, religions invented, laws established, and moral principles defined to justify this discrimination. Nations and governments have adopted these ideologies as their guiding principles and have implemented them throughout history.

To be continued…

Islamic knowledge, Moses & Pharoa s drowning events

Divine instruction to Moses.. leave the sea apart

Al Dukhan Verse 24

وَاتْرُكِ الْبَحْرَ رَهْوًا ۖ إِنَّهُمْ جُندٌ مُّغْرَقُونَ [Ad-Dukhaan : 24]

(44:24) And leave the sea behind you as calm as ever. Surely they are an army that is doomed to be drowned.’ *23

*23) This command was given when the Prophet Moses had crossed the sea along with his caravan and wanted that he should restore the sea to its former state by smiting it with the staff so that Pharaoh and his hosts should not pursue them on the dry path created by the miracle. At that times it was said: “Leave the sea divided as it is, so that Pharaoh and his armies should descend into it; then the sea will be restored and they will be drowned all together.”
 

Prophet Moses, Uncategorized

Life of prophet Moses

Prophet Moses , Quranic perspective as compiled by GROK

Please open the link if interested in knowing more about one of the great prophets

https://twitter.com/i/grok/share/YkPw9WfSKkO11KPSY3p1AKWMQ

The life of Prophet Moses (Musa, peace be upon him) is extensively detailed in the Quran, with his name mentioned 136 times, making him the most frequently referenced individual in the text. The Tafheem-ul-Quran, a renowned 6-volume Urdu translation and commentary by Syed Abul Ala Maududi, provides deep insights into the Quranic verses about Moses, combining orthodox and modernist interpretations. Below is a summarized account of Moses’ life based on the Quranic narrative, with references to relevant verses and insights from Tafheem-ul-Quran where applicable.

### Early Life and Birth

Moses was born into an Israelite family in Egypt during a time when the Pharaoh enslaved the Israelites and ordered the killing of their male newborns. To save him, Moses’ mother, inspired by God, placed him in a basket and set it afloat on the Nile River (Quran 28:7, 20:39). The Tafheem-ul-Quran explains that this act was divinely guided, highlighting God’s promise to restore Moses to his mother and appoint him as a messenger (28:7). Pharaoh’s wife, Asiya, discovered the basket and adopted Moses, raising him in the royal household (28:9). Maududi notes that this upbringing gave Moses insight into Egyptian affairs, preparing him for his future role (28:14).

### Flight to Midian

As an adult, Moses inadvertently killed an Egyptian while intervening in a dispute between an Israelite and an Egyptian (28:15). Consumed by guilt, he sought God’s forgiveness and fled Egypt to escape punishment (28:16, 28:20-21). In Midian, Moses helped two women water their flocks and was invited by their father, traditionally identified as Prophet Shuaib, to stay. Moses married one of Shuaib’s daughters and worked for him for eight to ten years (28:23-28). Tafheem-ul-Quran emphasizes Moses’ humility and strength in these verses, portraying him as a man of compassion and integrity (28:24).

### Prophetic Mission and Encounter with God

While traveling back to Egypt with his family, Moses encountered a fire near Mount Tur, where God spoke to him directly, appointing him as a prophet (28:29-30, 20:9-14). This direct communication earned Moses the title *Kaleemullah* (“Speaker of God”) in Islamic tradition (4:164). God revealed two miracles: Moses’ staff turning into a snake and his hand shining brightly (28:31-32). Maududi’s commentary on 20:14 underscores Moses’ acknowledgment of God as the sole Creator and Sovereign, a central theme in his mission to call people to monotheism. God instructed Moses to confront Pharaoh and demand the liberation of the Israelites, with his brother Aaron appointed as his helper (20:24-36, 23:45).

Tafheem-ul-Quran on 23:45 notes that the “clear authority” accompanying Moses and Aaron refers to their miracles, particularly the staff, as undeniable proof of their prophethood. Maududi explains that these signs were meant to affirm their divine mission to Pharaoh and his court (14:5).

### Confrontation with Pharaoh

Moses and Aaron challenged Pharaoh, urging him to worship the One God and free the Israelites (7:103-105). Pharaoh questioned Moses’ God, leading to a contest with Egyptian magicians. Moses’ staff, transformed into a snake, devoured the magicians’ illusions, proving God’s power (20:65-70). Maududi’s commentary on 20:50-52 highlights Moses’ wise response to Pharaoh’s taunts about the ancestors’ beliefs. Instead of condemning them, Moses stated that their fate was known only to God, a tactful approach that avoided alienating the audience while affirming divine justice.

Despite the miracles, Pharaoh remained defiant, enslaving the Israelites further (7:124-126). The Quran recounts nine signs sent to Pharaoh, including plagues, as warnings (17:101-102). Maududi notes that these signs were progressive demonstrations of God’s authority, yet Pharaoh’s arrogance led to his downfall.

### Exodus and Parting of the Sea

God commanded Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (20:77). Pursued by Pharaoh’s army, Moses, under divine guidance, struck the sea with his staff, parting it to allow the Israelites to cross (26:63). When Pharaoh’s forces followed, the sea closed, drowning them (26:66). Tafheem-ul-Quran on 26:63 emphasizes this miracle as a testament to God’s protection of His chosen servants and His punishment of oppressors.

### Revelation of the Torah and Challenges with the Israelites

At Mount Sinai, God revealed the Torah to Moses as guidance for the Israelites (2:87). However, the Israelites frequently disobeyed, notably worshipping the golden calf while Moses was receiving the revelation (7:148-150). Maududi’s commentary on 2:55 addresses their demand to see God outright, which led to a thunderbolt striking them, illustrating their rebellious nature. Moses prayed for their forgiveness, but their ingratitude persisted, such as complaining about manna and quails (2:57-61).

### Encounter with Khidr and Other Events

The Quran also narrates Moses’ journey with Khidr, a wise servant of God, to seek knowledge (18:60-82). Maududi’s Tafseer on 18:60-82 explains this as a lesson in divine wisdom, showing Moses the limits of human understanding. Another incident involves Korah (Qarun), a wealthy Israelite who rebelled against Moses and was swallowed by the earth as punishment (28:76-81).

### Later Life and Legacy

The Quran does not detail Moses’ death, but it emphasizes his role as a prophet and messenger who delivered the Torah and guided his people toward monotheism (5:44). Maududi’s commentary on 5:44 underscores the Torah’s divine origin as a source of guidance, though Muslims believe the Quran supersedes it as the final revelation. Moses’ life exemplifies resilience, faith, and submission to God’s will, serving as a model for believers.

### Key Quranic Verses Referenced

– **Birth and adoption**: 28:7-9, 20:39 (Tafheem-ul-Quran highlights divine protection).

– **Flight to Midian**: 28:15-28 (Maududi notes Moses’ humility).

– **Prophetic call**: 20:9-14, 28:29-32, 4:164 (direct communication emphasized).

– **Confrontation with Pharaoh**: 7:103-105, 20:50-52, 23:45 (miracles as proof of prophethood).

– **Parting of the sea**: 26:63-66 (God’s deliverance of the faithful).

– **Torah revelation**: 2:87, 5:44 (divine guidance for Israelites).

– **Khidr encounter**: 18:60-82 (lesson in divine wisdom).

### Sources

The summary draws from the Quranic text and Tafheem-ul-Quran’s commentary, as provided in the web results (e.g.,,,,,). Maududi’s work, completed over 30 years (1942–1972), offers a comprehensive analysis of these verses, addressing historical, social, and spiritual dimensions relevant to modern readers.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses_in_Islam)%5B%5D(https://www.whyislam.org/story-of-moses-in-the-quran/)%5B%5D(https://islamicstudies.info/towards.php?sura=20&verse=50&to=52)

Idolatry negation in Torah, Bible & Quran, Uncategorized

IDOLATRY, & MONOTHEISM 

Audio discussions on this topic..please click the link. https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/699b4a9e-cde6-4b79-a870-ae8bd5973512/audio

 

AS MENTIONED IN HOLY SCRIPTURES OF JEWISH, CRISTIAN& ISLAMIC FAITHS

Christianity against idolatory , making statues and drawing pictures 

https://twitter.com/i/grok/share/SxlpSrGTHNhFCWO2Af6E2mZT4

The Bible, across various translations and versions, consistently condemns idolatry, which is the worship of idols or false gods in place of the one true God. Below, I provide references from key passages in both the Old Testament and New Testament that address idolatry, drawing from widely recognized translations such as the King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV), and others where relevant. Since “all Bibles” implies a broad scope, I’ll focus on canonical texts shared across major Christian denominations (Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox), noting that translations may vary slightly in wording but not in core meaning. I’ll organize the references by book and provide brief context for each, keeping the response comprehensive but concise.

### Old Testament References

1. **Exodus 20:3-5** (The Ten Commandments)

   – **KJV**: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God…”

   – **NIV**: “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them…”

   – **Context**: Part of the Decalogue given to Moses on Mount Sinai, this is the foundational prohibition against idolatry in Judeo-Christian tradition, emphasizing God’s exclusivity and forbidding physical representations used in worship.

2. **Leviticus 19:4**

   – **KJV**: “Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the Lord your God.”

   – **NIV**: “Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God.”

   – **Context**: Within the Holiness Code, this verse reinforces the ban on creating or following idols, linking it to God’s covenant relationship with Israel.

3. **Deuteronomy 4:15-19**

   – **KJV**: “Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves… Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female… And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars… thou be drawn away to worship them…”

   – **NIV**: “You saw no form of any kind the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb… Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape…”

   – **Context**: Moses warns the Israelites against crafting idols or worshiping celestial bodies, reminding them of God’s formless revelation at Horeb.

4. **Isaiah 44:9-20**

   – **KJV**: “They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit… He heweth him down cedars… he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.”

   – **NIV**: “All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless… He cuts down cedars… he makes an idol and bows down to it.”

   – **Context**: This passage mocks the absurdity of idolatry, describing a craftsman who uses half a log for fire and the other half to carve an idol he worships, highlighting the futility of such practices.

5. **Jeremiah 10:3-5, 14-15**

   – **KJV**: “For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest… They deck it with silver and with gold… They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not… Every man is brutish in his knowledge… They are vanity, and the work of errors.”

   – **NIV**: “For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest… They adorn it with silver and gold… Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, their idols cannot speak… Everyone is senseless and without knowledge… Their idols are worthless, the work of delusion.”

   – **Context**: Jeremiah critiques the pagan practice of decorating wooden idols, comparing them to powerless scarecrows and emphasizing their inability to act or speak.

6. **Psalm 115:4-8**

   – **KJV**: “Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not… They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.”

   – **NIV**: “But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see… Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.”

   – **Context**: This psalm contrasts the living God with lifeless idols, noting that those who worship idols become spiritually blind and mute like them.

### New Testament References

1. **Acts 17:29**

   – **KJV**: “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.”

   – **NIV**: “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill.”

   – **Context**: Paul, speaking to the Athenians at the Areopagus, critiques their idolatry, arguing that the true God transcends human-made images.

https://twitter.com/i/grok/share/YxNVsaNESkLG8YrJ6N8Xii0dx

2. **1 Corinthians 10:14**

   – **KJV**: “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.”

   – **NIV**: “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.”

   – **Context**: Paul instructs the Corinthian church to avoid idolatry, particularly in the context of eating food sacrificed to idols, urging them to prioritize their faith in God.

3. **Colossians 3:5**

   – **KJV**: “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

   – **NIV**: “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”

   – **Context**: Paul expands the concept of idolatry to include covetousness or greed, equating the worship of material wealth with idol worship.

4. **1 John 5:21**

   – **KJV**: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”

   – **NIV**: “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”

   – **Context**: John’s closing exhortation warns believers to avoid anything that takes the place of God in their lives, a broad call to reject both literal and figurative idols.

5. **Revelation 21:8**

   – **KJV**: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone…”

   – **NIV**: “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur…”

   – **Context**: This apocalyptic vision lists idolaters among those facing eternal judgment, underscoring the severity of idolatry as a sin.

### Notes on Variations Across Bibles

– **Catholic and Orthodox Bibles**: These include the Deuterocanonical books (e.g., Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach), which also condemn idolatry. For example, **Wisdom 14:12-21** (NRSV) critiques the origin of idols as human inventions and their role in moral corruption. However, since these books are not universally accepted in Protestant canons, I focused on the shared Hebrew Bible and New Testament texts.

– **Translation Differences**: While wording varies (e.g., “graven image” in KJV vs. “idol” in NIV), the theological stance against idolatry is consistent. Some modern translations (e.g., The Message) use more contemporary language but retain the same intent.

– **Cultural Context**: Old Testament passages often address literal idol worship (e.g., Canaanite gods like Baal), while New Testament texts expand to metaphorical idolatry (e.g., greed, false teachings).

### Additional Considerations

– **Idolatry’s Broader Definition**: In both Testaments, idolatry extends beyond physical idols to anything prioritized over God, such as wealth, power, or self.

– **Historical Context**: The Israelites faced constant temptation from surrounding pagan cultures, which shaped the strong biblical rhetoric against idols.

– **If you need more specific references** (e.g., from a particular translation, denomination, or additional Deuterocanonical texts), please clarify, and I can expand the list or analyze specific passages further.

This compilation covers the major biblical teachings on idolatry, drawn from texts universally recognized in Christian Bibles. Let me know if you’d like me to delve deeper into any specific verse, translation, or related topic!

Xxxxxxx

Idolatry and Judaism 

Judaism & Idolatry 

Below are references from Jewish holy books, specifically the Torah (the Five Books of Moses) and other parts of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), that explicitly address and prohibit idolatry. These texts form the foundation of Jewish theology and law regarding the worship of idols or other gods. I’ve focused on key verses and provided brief context for clarity, citing the texts directly and keeping the response concise yet comprehensive.

### 1. **Torah (Pentateuch)**  

The Torah, the most authoritative Jewish text, contains clear prohibitions against idolatry, emphasizing monotheism and exclusive devotion to the one God (YHVH).

– **Exodus 20:3-5 (The Ten Commandments)**  

  *“You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God…”*  

  **Context**: This is part of the Decalogue given at Mount Sinai, establishing the foundational prohibition against worshipping other gods or creating physical representations for worship.

– **Exodus 34:14-17**  

  *“For you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God… You shall not make for yourself any gods of cast metal.”*  

  **Context**: This reiterates the covenantal demand for exclusive loyalty to God, warning against adopting the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations.

– **Leviticus 19:4**  

  *“Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal: I am the Lord your God.”*  

  **Context**: Part of the Holiness Code, this verse reinforces the ban on creating or following idols as a violation of God’s sanctity.

– **Deuteronomy 4:15-19**  

  *“You saw no form of any kind the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape…”*  

  **Context**: Moses reminds the Israelites that God has no physical form, prohibiting the creation of images to represent Him or other deities.

– **Deuteronomy 6:14-15**  

  *“You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you, for the Lord your God in your midst is a jealous God, lest the anger of the Lord your God be kindled against you…”*  

  **Context**: Part of the Shema section, this emphasizes exclusive devotion to God and the dangers of following neighboring nations’ gods.

– **Deuteronomy 13:1-5**  

  *“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you… and says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’… you shall not listen to the words of that prophet… for the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”*  

  **Context**: This warns against false prophets who might entice people toward idolatry, prescribing strict consequences for such acts.

### 2. **Prophets (Nevi’im)**  

The prophetic books in the Tanakh frequently condemn idolatry, often linking it to Israel’s unfaithfulness and national misfortunes.

– **Isaiah 44:9-20**  

  *“All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless… He cuts down cedars… A man uses it to make a fire… and the rest he makes into a god, his idol, and falls down to it and worships it…”*  

  **Context**: Isaiah mocks the absurdity of idol-worship, highlighting the folly of crafting gods from wood or metal that cannot save or act.

– **Jeremiah 10:2-5**  

  *“Do not learn the way of the nations… For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest… They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter. Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, their idols cannot speak…”*  

  **Context**: Jeremiah critiques the pagan practices of decorating and worshipping idols, contrasting their powerlessness with God’s sovereignty.

– **Hosea 4:12-13**  

  *“My people inquire of a piece of wood, and their walking staff gives them oracles… They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth…”*  

  **Context**: Hosea condemns Israel’s idolatry, equating it with spiritual infidelity against God.

### 3. **Writings (Ketuvim)**  

While less focused on legal prohibitions, the Writings reflect on the consequences of idolatry and reinforce monotheism.

– **Psalms 115:4-8**  

  *“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see… Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.”*  

  **Context**: This psalm contrasts the lifelessness of idols with the living God, warning that idol-worshippers become spiritually blind and deaf.

– **Psalms 135:15-18**  

  *“The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see…”*  

  **Context**: Similar to Psalm 115, this emphasizes the futility of idols compared to God’s power and presence.

### Additional Notes

– **Talmud and Later Texts**: While the query asks for references from “Jewish holy books,” the Tanakh is the primary source for direct prohibitions against idolatry. The Talmud (e.g., Tractate Avodah Zarah, “Foreign Worship”) elaborates on these laws, detailing practical applications like avoiding idolatrous objects or rituals. For example, Avodah Zarah 3:5 discusses the nullification of idols, but these are interpretive rather than primary scriptural references.

– **Context of Idolatry**: In the Jewish tradition, idolatry (avodah zarah) encompasses not only physical idol worship but also devotion to false ideologies or values that replace God. The verses above focus on physical idols, as this was the primary concern in biblical times.

– **Translation**: Quotes are adapted from standard English translations (e.g., JPS Tanakh, ESV) for clarity, staying faithful to the Hebrew text.

If you’d like me to delve deeper into specific verses, provide Talmudic references, or analyze related concepts (e.g., monotheism in Jewish thought), let me know!

Xxxxxxxxx

Islam and idolatry 

Islam and idolatry 

https://twitter.com/i/grok/share/xR4zheOLnb5qq1wWlFK9MaNd4

Below are references from the Quran, the central holy book of Islam, that explicitly address and prohibit idolatry (referred to as *shirk*, or associating partners with Allah). These verses emphasize the Islamic principle of *tawhid* (the oneness of Allah) and condemn the worship of idols or any entity besides Allah. I’ve included key verses with brief context, citing surah (chapter) and ayah (verse) numbers, and kept the response concise yet comprehensive. Translations are based on widely accepted English renditions (e.g., Sahih International, Yusuf Ali), with minor adjustments for clarity.

### Quranic References Against Idolatry

– **Surah Al-Baqarah (2:256)**  

  *“There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it…”*  

  **Context**: This verse contrasts belief in Allah with *Taghut* (false deities or idols), urging rejection of idolatry as a prerequisite for true faith.

– **Surah An-Nisa (4:48)**  

  *“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.”*  

  **Context**: This verse underscores *shirk* (associating partners with Allah, including idol worship) as the gravest sin, unforgivable if unrepented, highlighting the severity of idolatry.

– **Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:90)**  

  *“O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone altars [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.”*  

  **Context**: This prohibits pagan practices, including sacrifices at stone altars (often associated with idol worship), labeling them as satanic.

– **Surah Al-An’am (6:74)**  

  *“And [mention] when Abraham said to his father Azar, ‘Do you take idols as deities? Indeed, I see you and your people in manifest error.’”*  

  **Context**: This recounts Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) confronting his father’s idol worship, emphasizing that idols are powerless and worshiping them is a clear error.

– **Surah Al-An’am (6:108)**  

  *“And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah, lest they insult Allah in enmity without knowledge…”*  

  **Context**: While instructing Muslims not to mock idols to avoid retaliation against Allah, this verse implicitly condemns idol worship by distinguishing it from devotion to Allah.

– **Surah Ibrahim (14:35)**  

  *“And [mention] when Abraham said, ‘My Lord, make this city [Makkah] secure and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols.’”*  

  **Context**: Abraham prays to be protected from idolatry, reflecting its spiritual danger even for a prophet, and seeks a monotheistic legacy.

– **Surah Al-Hajj (22:30)**  

  *“So avoid the uncleanliness of idols and avoid false statement, inclining [only] to Allah, not associating [anything] with Him…”*  

  **Context**: This verse commands believers to shun idols, equating their worship with spiritual impurity, and to maintain pure devotion to Allah.

– **Surah Luqman (31:13)**  

  *“And [mention] when Luqman said to his son while he was instructing him, ‘O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association [with Him] is great injustice.’”*  

  **Context**: The wise man Luqman advises his son against *shirk*, describing idolatry as a profound moral and spiritual wrong.

– **Surah Az-Zumar (39:3)**  

  *“Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion. And those who take protectors besides Him [say], ‘We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allah.’ Indeed, Allah will judge between them concerning that over which they differ…”*  

  **Context**: This refutes the justification of idol-worshippers who claim idols are intermediaries to Allah, affirming that true worship belongs to Allah alone.

– **Surah Ash-Sharh (94:7-8)**  

  *“So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship]. And to your Lord direct [your] longing.”*  

  **Context**: While not directly mentioning idols, this emphasizes exclusive devotion to Allah, implicitly rejecting any other objects of worship.

### Additional Notes

– **Concept of Shirk**: In the Quran, idolatry (*shirk*) includes both worshipping physical idols (e.g., statues) and attributing divine qualities to anything or anyone besides Allah (e.g., saints, celestial bodies, or concepts). The verses above primarily address physical idol worship, as this was prevalent in pre-Islamic Arabia.

– **Hadith and Tafsir**: While the query asks for Quranic references, Islamic tradition (e.g., Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and tafsir like Tafsir Ibn Kathir) elaborates on these verses, providing stories of prophets destroying idols (e.g., Abraham smashing his people’s idols). If you’d like references from hadith or tafsir, I can include those.

– **Historical Context**: Many of these verses were revealed in the context of confronting the polytheistic practices of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca, who worshipped idols at the Kaaba before Islam purified it for monotheistic worship.

If you’d like further details, specific tafsir explanations, or additional Islamic texts (e.g., hadith) on idolatry, please let me know!