Research, Lab, Archeaological Dig and the student in Islam

"Say: "Travel through the earth and see what was the end of those who rejected Truth." ~ Surahtul Anam 11
"Nor did We send before thee (as apostles) any but men, whom we did inspire,- (men) living in human habitations. Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those before them? But the home of the hereafter is best, for those who do right. Will ye not then understand?" ~ Surahtul Yusuf 109
"Do they not travel through the land, so that their hearts (and minds) may thus learn wisdom and their ears may thus learn to hear? Truly it is not their eyes that are blind, but their hearts which are in their breasts." ~ Surahtul Hajj 46
"Say: "Travel through the earth and see how God did originate creation; so will God produce a later creation: for God has power over all things." ~ Surahtul Ankabuti 30
"Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those before them? They were superior to them in strength: they tilled the soil and populated it in greater numbers than these have done: there came to them their apostles with Clear (Signs). (Which they rejected, to their own destruction): It was not God Who wronged them, but they wronged their own souls." ~ Surahtul Rumi 9
"Say: "Travel through the earth and see what was the end of those before (you): Most of them worshipped others besides God." ~ Surahtul Rumi 42
"Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the End of those before them,- though they were superior to them in strength? Nor is God to be frustrated by anything whatever in the heavens or on earth: for He is All-Knowing. All-Powerful." ~ Surahtul Fatir 44
"Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the End of those before them? They were even superior to them in strength, and in the traces (they have left) in the land: but God did call them to account for their sins, and none had they to defend them against God." ~ Surahtul Ghafir 21
"Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the End of those before them? They were more numerous than these and superior in strength and in the traces (they have left) in the land: Yet all that they accomplished was of no profit to them." ~ Surahtul Ghafir 82
"Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the End of those before them (who did evil)? God brought utter destruction on them, and similar (fates await) those who reject God." ~ Surahtul Muhammad 10

How do we describe Bahthu ain Haqiqat? البحث عن الحقيقة [The search for the Truth], or Hana ain Ilm? حن عن العلم [to yearn for or to long for knowledge], or Hana ain Hikmat? حن عن الحكمة [To yearn or long for wisdom] Nabi Sulaimon (saws) articulated what some would call his thirst for wisdom in the book "The Wisdom of Solomon" in the Apocrypha. Perhaps, words like Laboratory Technician, Laboratory Researcher, Archaeologist, Systematic Analysis, Meticulous Research, Scientific Inquiry or Tenacious Study would be of the mindset. But, to what ends or for what purpose? Perhaps, to improve upon relations with Allah. To improve upon civilization. To advance society. Peace and prosperity and a better future. Just to name a few good reasons. Pins used for setting the corners of excavation sites or archaeological digs, are similarly used for setting the corners of foundations for construction sites. In other words, the intelligence gathered by researching past and other existing societies can be used for laying the foundations of future societies.

But, it is nothing short of a Miracle of God, or command and instruction of Allah, that places that will, drive, focus, determination, energy, concentration, and analysis in a person to cause them to excel in a field of study. Do most Archaeologists at a dig bring out their staff, excavation tools, brushes, etc. and work on the site for a day and then are tapped out of their motivation to learn more the next day? Not hardly...most of them are asking for commissions for projects that would span months or even years of research gathering. And it is Allah that places that light of drive in each of them to do so.

How to describe having that light turned on and then turned off? It would be like someone finding light, and then, whoever puts out that light, it is like that researcher lost their light. We know by the Quranul Kareem that there are those that wish to extinguish the Light of God, and God (Allah) has said that it is His Will to perfect that Light. Some would say that the archaeologist finds a treasure, but, in fact the true archaeologist(s) is a precious gem(s) of a treasure to civilization.

Obviously, those that refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Sometimes delving into a few good books is sufficient as a travel or journey experience in search of knowledge. (Some of us do not have the budget to travel the globe, and some places have become extremely dangerous with sex trades, kidnappings, etc.) With the worldwide web and extensive libraries, fulfilling this aspect of faith is quite easy right from home. The more truthful and meticulous the research the more valuable the person. Again, having that light of inner drive snuffed out is equivalent to losing a type treasure, value or worth. The ones that extinguish this type of light in you (namely, the research of Allah's Divine Words in the 2 Holy Books of Bible and Quran and the study of the World) would be better off with a millstone tied around their neck be flung to the bottom of the sea or ocean as in Matthews 18:6 of the Injeel (Gospel), but, of course taking matters into your own hands could land you behind bars in prison...so not advised. Blog Reflecting on the Value of Abel's Life. Just patiently persevere. I pray that I not cause the faithful or children to lose faith in God. Allahumma Ameen.

Here is some of PBS's work on Lost Roman Ships. To me this is brilliant.

Watch Lost Ships of Rome on PBS. See more from Secrets of the Dead.

When does a person validate or invalidate their right to exist?

Perhaps, only God can truly answer that question. Yet and still there are times when humans and jinns deal with this very question for decisions that they choose to make concerning the lives of others. Below the question of an animal's right to exist is posed to the people of Thamudi. "To be or not to be, that is the question." ~ Hamlet by Shakespeare. Obviously, this is a question that Allah intended for us to meditate on by teaching us about the Thamudi in the Holy Quran. Allahumma salli ala wa barak ala Nabi Salih (infinite saws). See blog on: The Value of Abel's Life. Although, invalidation is not only limited to life and death, but, also encompasses the areas of influence, authority, freedom, independence, etc., and when these areas are invalidated unjustly the invalidated person suffers hardship and oppression.

[7:73] To the Thamud people (We sent) Salih, one of their own brethren: He said: "O my people! worship God: ye have no other god but Him. Now hath come unto you a clear (Sign) from your Lord! This she-camel of God is a Sign unto you: So leave her to graze in God’s earth, and let her come to no harm, or ye shall be seized with a grievous punishment. [7:74] "And remember how He made you inheritors after the ’Ad people and gave you habitations in the land: ye build for yourselves palaces and castles in (open) plains, and carve out homes in the mountains; so bring to remembrance the benefits (ye have received) from God, and refrain from evil and mischief on the earth." [7:75] The leaders of the arrogant party among his people said to those who were reckoned powerless - those among them who believed: "know ye indeed that Salih is an apostle from his Lord?" They said: "We do indeed believe in the revelation which hath been sent through him." [7:76] The Arrogant party said: "For our part, we reject what ye believe in." [7:77] Then they ham-strung the she-camel, and insolently defied the order of their Lord, saying: "O Salih! bring about thy threats, if thou art an apostle (of God)!" [7:78] So the earthquake took them unawares, and they lay prostrate in their homes in the morning! [7:79] So Salih left them, saying: "O my people! I did indeed convey to you the message for which I was sent by my Lord: I gave you good counsel, but ye love not good counsellors!" ~ Holy Quran Surahtul Araf

Blog on: The Expendables? Perhaps, through meditation upon these verses there is enough to stem the tide of senseless, bloodshed on the earth. Also see blog: Al Mumit Dispensation in the Holy Scriptures. There, obviously, arises situations that require the people of a society to litigate on others rights to "be" when they have committed crimes against that society. Rape, murder, theft, kidnapping, etc. But, injustice occurs when the people in a society validates persons that should not be; and invalidates people that should be. Case and point:

Ezekiel 13:19 - "You turn my people away from me for a few handfuls of barley or a piece of bread. By lying to my people who love to listen to lies, you kill those who should not die, and you promise life to those who should not live."

This passage in Ezekiel (also touching on the topic of "right to be", namely, giving the right to be to those who should not be, and taking the right to be from those who should be) was in reference to people ensnaring the souls of the people of faith by using magic, magic charms, magic veils, sorcery, witchcraft, voodoo, etc. Then, I would say that a person invalidates their right to be when they are spreading mischief in the land against the commandments and instructions of Almighty God. Yet, in the least, people should validate themselves by striving to "be" good fathers and mothers to their sons and daughters, as the Brad Paisley song above suggests. I actually took the video down. It was the "He didn't Have to Be" track.

Whom to call upon.

Revile not ye those whom they call upon besides God, lest they out of spite revile God in their ignorance. Thus have We made alluring to each people its own doings. In the end will they return to their Lord, and We shall then tell them the truth of all that they did. ~ Surah Anam 108

Say: "My Lord hath commanded justice; and that ye set your whole selves (to Him) at every time and place of prayer, and call upon Him, making your devotion sincere as in His sight: such as He created you in the beginning, so shall ye return." ~ Surah Araf 29

"But those ye call upon besides Him, are unable to help you, and indeed to help themselves." ~ Surah Araf 197

For Him (alone) is prayer in Truth: any others that they call upon besides Him hear them no more than if they were to stretch forth their hands for water to reach their mouths but it reaches them not: for the prayer of those without Faith is nothing but (futile) wandering (in the mind). ~ Surah Rad 14

Those whom they call upon do desire (for themselves) means of access to their Lord, - even those who are nearest: they hope for His Mercy and fear His Wrath: for the Wrath of thy Lord is something to take heed of. Surah Isra 57

It will be said (to them): "Call upon your ’partners’ (for help)" :they will call upon them, but they will not listen to them; and they will see the Penalty (before them); (how they will wish) ’if only they had been open to guidance!’ ~ Surah Qasas 64

Verily God doth know of (every thing) whatever that they call upon besides Him: and He is Exalted (in power), Wise. ~ Surah Ankabuti 42

Say: "Call upon other (gods) whom ye fancy, besides God: They have no power,- not the weight of an atom,- in the heavens or on earth: No (sort of) share have they therein, nor is any of them a helper to God. ~ Surah Saba 22

Say: "Have ye seen (these) ’Partners’ of yours whom ye call upon besides God? Show Me what it is they have created in the (wide) earth. Or have they a share in the heavens? Or have We given them a Book from which they (can derive) clear (evidence)?- Nay, the wrong-doers promise each other nothing but delusions. ~ Surah Fatir 40

When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way. ~ Surah Baqarah 186

Reflection on Surahtul Hajj Ayat 33.

It would be awesome to sacrifice 1000 bulls @ Hajj 1 year. See Blog Solomon's sacrifice of 1000 bulls. I would, of course, have to actually have enough money to do that. [It would cost somewhere between $2 and $4 million.] There is a system set up @ Hajj not to waste the meat from sacrifices. ...they actually send the meat to the poor in different parts of the world. I believe that they are still doing it that way, today. Only question about Qurbani & Udhiya is do the animals have to be brought to Mecca, slaughtered, packed and then distributed to needing countries; or go live directly to the needing countries? Because Allah said that in the end the places of sacrifice are at Baitul Atique. "In them ye have benefits for a term appointed: in the end their place of sacrifice is near the Ancient House." ~ Surahtul Hajj 33 But, the real question (rhetorical) is why is it very important that in the end the place of sacrifice be at Baitul Atique & not anywhere else? #Correction In them ye have benefits for a term appointed: in the end their place of sacrifice is "near" (not @) the Ancient House. ~ HQ 22:33 But, certainly that "near" and not "at" Baitul Atique would mean within the Sacred Precincts of the Holy City of Mecca or proximity. Thus, the question is, "Is it sunnah to slaughter the Hajj sacrifices near Baitul Atique (portion the meats, package; and distribute them from proximity of Mecca); or sunnah to deliver the live animals directly to the needy countries where they can be slaughtered in those countries? And why is it wrong to slaughter the animals "away" from Baitul Atique or the proximity of Mecca in Saudi?" It seems like a simple question, but, it could carry great importance and significance.