2:124 – 2:141

According to Wikipedia and scripture Mecca was a plantless valley and later became the center of commerce:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaaba#History

14:37 “Our Lord, I have settled part of my family in this plantless valley , at Your Sacred House. Our Lord, they are to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), so let throngs of people converge upon them, and provide for them all kinds of fruits, that they may be appreciative.

Does not look like there was much activity in Mecca prior to Abraham and Ismail building the Ka’aba. I think this is one of the miracles that God bestowed upon Abraham that his wife was sterile and despite that he still became the father of nations, and even though he resided in a plantless valley today millions of people all over the world travel to the Shrine that he established. That God can take what appears to be a dire situation and allow it to flourish despite any circumstances.

Interesting fact that in 1979 a group of people seized the Grand Mosque in Mecca for two weeks.

The Grand Mosque seizure occurred during November and December 1979 when extremist insurgents calling for the overthrow of the House of Saud took over Al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The insurgents declared that the Mahdi (the “redeemer of Islam”) had arrived in the form of one of their leaders – Mohammed Abdullah al-Qahtani – and called on Muslims to obey him. The seizure of Islam’s holiest site, the taking hostage of hundreds of Hajj pilgrims, and the deaths of hundreds of militants, security forces and hostages caught in crossfire in the ensuing battles for control of the site, all shocked the Islamic world. The siege ended two weeks after the takeover began with militants and the mosque was cleared. Following the attack, the Saudi state implemented a stricter enforcement of Islamic code.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Mosque_Seizure

What does it mean to conceal a testimony from God?

2:140 Do you say that Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs were Jewish or Christian? Say, “Do you know better than GOD? Who is more evil than one who conceals a testimony he has learned from GOD ? GOD is never unaware of anything you do.”

Concealing the Word of God

2:76 And when they meet the believers, they say, “We believe,” but when they get together with each other, they say, “Do not inform (the believers) of the information given to you by GOD, lest you provide them with support for their argument concerning your Lord. Do you not understand?”

Chapter 12 Joseph’s Dad told Joseph not to divulge his dream to his brothers…was this concealing the word of God?

Concealing the word of God is in regards to scripture. For instance in the Old Testament some individuals attempted to change Ismail to Isaac in regards to Abraham sacrificing his son. Or in the New Testament many Gospels were omitted as it conflicted with their narrative of Christianity when it depicted Jesus as a prophet with a wife and kids. It is also interesting that in 2:140 it uses the word “testimony” as during the time of the past scriptures most of the scripture was passed down orally.

Not all inspiration is meant to be communicated to everyone. What God told Joseph was not meant for everyone. Scripture is different than inspiration

One form of testimony can be seen in 6:19

Quran, the Whole Quran, and Nothing But the Quran

6:19 Say, “ Whose testimony is the greatest ?” Say, “GOD’s. He is the witness between me and you that this Quran* has been inspired to me, to preach it to you and whomever it reaches. Indeed, you bear witness that there are other gods* beside GOD.” Say, “I do not testify as you do; there is only one god, and I disown your idolatry.”

What can we learn from the devotion that we see from Abraham

Hajj today has added a lot of steps that have not been authorized by God for instance an additional two unit Contact Prayer at the station of Abraham.

What does it mean when it says “station of Abraham” in 3:97

3:97 In it are clear signs: the station of Abraham . Anyone who enters it shall be granted safe passage. The people owe it to GOD that they shall observe Hajj to this shrine, when they can afford it. As for those who disbelieve, GOD does not need anyone.

According to Wikipedia:

“The Station of Abraham, a glass and metal enclosure with what is said to be an imprint of Abraham’s foot. Abraham is said to have stood on this stone during the construction of the upper parts of the Kaaba, raising Ismail on his shoulders for the uppermost parts”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaaba

Why is the word “Shrine” in the Quran when it refers to the Ka’aba only capitalized on the following verses? 5:2, 22:26, 33:33, 52:4

What does it mean to use Abraham’s shrine?

2:125 We have rendered the shrine (the Ka`aba) a focal point for the people, and a safe sanctuary. You may use Abraham’s shrine as a prayer house. We commissioned Abraham and Ismail: “You shall purify My house for those who visit, those who live there, and those who bow and prostrate.”

Do we need to pass all our admission test to be in God’s kingdom?

As long as we submit to God and don’t break God’s law we remain in God’s kingdom once we break God’s law we step out of God’s kingdom. This can be seen in the example of Adam in Paradise.

Humans Fail to Make a Firm Stand

20:115 We tested Adam in the past, but he forgot, and we found him indecisive.

20:116 Recall that we said to the angels, “Fall prostrate before Adam.” They fell prostrate, except Satan; he refused.

20:117 We then said, “ O Adam, this is an enemy of you and your wife. Do not let him evict you from Paradise, lest you become miserable .

20:118 “You are guaranteed never to hunger therein, nor go unsheltered.

20:119 “Nor will you thirst therein, nor suffer from any heat.”

20:120 But the devil whispered to him, saying, “O Adam, let me show you the tree of eternity and unending kingship.”

20:121 They ate from it, whereupon their bodies became visible to them, and they tried to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise . Adam thus disobeyed his Lord, and fell.

20:122 Subsequently, his Lord chose him, redeemed him, and guided him.

20:123 He said, “Go down therefrom, all of you. You are enemies of one another. When guidance comes to you from Me, anyone who follows My guidance will not go astray, nor suffer any misery.

As long as we observe God’s laws we are in God’s protection

Perfect Happiness: Now and Forever (Introduction)

One of the most elusive objectives of every human being is “Happiness.” The Quran reveals the secret of attaining perfect happiness in this life and forever. We learn from the Quran that happiness is an exclusive quality of the soul. Thus, a body that attains all the material successes it longs for – money, power, fame, etc. – often belongs to an unhappy person. Happiness depends totally on the degree of growth and development attained by the soul, the real person. The Quran provides a detailed map towards perfect happiness for both body and soul, both in this world and in the eternal Hereafter (Appendix 15).

In the numerous verses throughout this proven Testament, God personally guarantees the believers’ happiness, now and forever:

Absolutely, God’s allies will have nothing to fear,

nor will they grieve.

They are those who believe

and lead a righteous life.

For them happiness in this life, and in the Hereafter.

Such is God’s inviolable law.

This is the true triumph 10:62-64

God already grants us so many blessings in advance i.e. our eyes, our legs our lives.

Interesting to compare Jacob losing Joseph vs. Abraham wiling to sacrafice Ismail. Jacob grieved due to his attachment to Joseph.

The tests are designed to commensurate with our degree of faith. So that we are not tested beyond our limits.

God’s Tests Are Never Unreasonable

4:66 Had we decreed for them: “You must offer your lives,” or “Give up your homes,” they would not have done it, except for a few of them. (Even if such a command was issued,) had they done what they were commanded to do, it would have been better for them, and would prove the strength of their faith.

Having a visa in God’s kingdom vs. having citizenship in God’s kingdom. When we are citizens in God’s kingdom God will keep us in His kingdom and protect us from falling in sin.