Running from the Left to the Right.

No man is an island,

Entire of itself.

Each is a piece of the continent,

A part of the main.

If a clod be washed away by the sea,

Europe is the less.

As well as if a promontory were.

As well as if a manor of thine own

Or of thine friend’s were.

Each man’s death diminishes me,

For I am involved in mankind.

Therefore, send not to know

For whom the bell tolls,

It tolls for thee.

For Whom The Bell Tolls, 1624 by John Donne

وَلا تَكونوا كَالَّذينَ قالوا سَمِعنا وَهُم لا يَسمَعونَ

“Do not be like those who say, ‘We hear,’ when they do not hear.” Qur’an, 8: 21

Belief requires demonstration.

We make every effort to demonstrate how good we are to Chuck, but do we demonstrate our faith to Allah?

يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنُوا استَجيبوا لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسولِ إِذا دَعاكُم لِما يُحييكُم ۖ وَاعلَموا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَحولُ بَينَ المَرءِ وَقَلبِهِ وَأَنَّهُ إِلَيهِ تُحشَرونَ

“You who profess faith!, respond to God and to the Messenger when He calls you to what will bring you to life! Know that Allah intervenes between a man and his heart and that you will be gathered to Him.” Qur’an, 8: 24

Some commentators say that this phrase means the God has more power than a wicked person who, although he may be planning some devious scheme, cannot frustrate God’s plan in the end.  Other commentators explain that it means that God brings faith to the heart of those who show some inner desire for it, and He extinguishes it from whomever willfully blinds himself to faith.  The Prophet said, “The heart is like a feather in the desert: the wind blows it all around.”  He also used to pray, “O turner of hearts, keep my heart firm in Your religion.”  Related by Imam Ahmad.

وَلَن تَرۡضَىٰ عَنكَ ٱليهُودُ وَلَا ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتُهمۡ‌ۗ قُلۡ إِنَّ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ هُوَ ٱلهُدَىٰ‌ۗ وَلئنِ ٱتَّبَعتَ أَهوَآءَهُم بَعدَ ٱلَّذِى جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلعِلمِ‌ۙ مَا لَكَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَلِىٍّ۬ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ

“The Christians and the Jews will never be pleased with you until you adopt their ways. Say: ‘the guidance from Allah is real Guidance.’  If you were to follow their whims and desires, after the knowledge that has come to you, you would find no protector or helper against Allah.” Qur’an, 2: 120

We love to talk of interfaith but what was that interfaith conversation like between Ibrahim and his father?