WHO ARE NAS’ARA- GENERAL MISCONCEPTIONS

As per common misconceptions, the word Nas’ara refers to those who are Christians, which is not backed by Quran. When Quran is for the whole of humanity for all times to come, why would Allah talk only about Christians and Jews and not every other religion? Additionally, Allah never discriminate anyone and there is no possibility of any generalization as per Quran. For instance, Allah could never treat all the Christians as the same, based on their religion or what the world recognizes them as. As per Quran, the only addressees and discussions is around the acts, behaviors and roles of people, never on the basis of their gender, or race or religion etc. There is a possibility, that even in Christians or Jews or person following any other religion, would be Momin, or Hanifan or Muslim as per the definitions and concepts of Quran. Hence there is not a possibility that Allah would treat all the Christians same way, simply on the basis of their religion.

By mistranslating and misinterpreting these words like Yahood and Nas’ara as Jews and Christians, we have restricted many Ayahs of Quran, as if they are talking to, and about them, and not us, the addressee of the Quran. And hence we have missed key important divine instructions, that could have reached us, if we would have understood these terminologies better. These key Quranic terminologies, such as Yahood and Nas’ara’, does not refer to anyone else, or people following some other religions, but in fact pertains to roles, behaviors and responsibilities of those all around us.

THE SPECIFIC MEANINGS OF THE WORDS NAS’AR, NAS’EER, ANS’AR ETC.

The word Nas’ara as per Quran shares the same meanings and characteristic such as the words Nas’eer (نَصِيرٍ) and Ans’aar. The word Naseer is used in Quran in the meanings of “Helper” but in a much broader meaning. Basic characteristic of the word is like water as a source of life, nourishment, and basic requirement to produce results and S’amaraat. Therefore, without the water, all efforts of farmers are rendered useless. Therefore, it’s used for anyone or anything, that is required as a source of life, a source of nourishment, the main catalyst on the basis of which one’s efforts and struggle would produce results. These words are also used in the meanings of the source of Khair (in all its meanings of the word Khair) as gift, bestowment or contribution of any kind. Let’s refer to some usages of these words as per Quran

[Quran Ayah 3:111] “….They will not be Yuns’aron….”

The word Yuns’aron, here, is not only used in terms of they will not be aided or helped, but also in the meanings of their efforts will not produce results, and they will not be protected, from the harmful effects of their choices and will not be taken out of it.

[Quran Ayah 47:7] “O you who Amanu, if you Tans’uru Allah , Allah will Yuns’urkum you and Yus’betu (plant firmly) Aqdaman (your feet)”

Here the first word, Tans’uru is used for us, as those who Amanu, to become Nas’eer for the Sabeel of Allah, in terms of being the helper, the catalyst, the source of nourishment for the Sabeel of Allah. The second word, Yun’urukum by Allah to us, is used in all the meanings of Allah as helper, providing assistance to us, source of life for us, a source of nourishment, the main catalyst on the basis of which our efforts and struggle would produce results, source for Khair for us, as those who Amanu and who are Nas’eer for the Sabeel of Allah.

[Quran Ayah 2:250] And when they went forth towards Ja’loot and his forces, they said, “Our Rabb, pour upon us Sabar (perseverance, of being steadfast) and plant firmly our feet and Ans’urna over the Kaafireen Quom (people).”

Here the word Ans’uran, meanings give us Nas’eer, is used in all of the meanings, but more specifically in terms of being the source of our success and victory, provide protection and shield on the face of any harm or injury from the Quom Al Kaafireen as well as in the meanings of assistance, help, protection, catalyst to turn efforts & struggles into results and help and support to take us out from the difficult situation.

[Quran Ayah 3:160] “If Allah Yans’urkum, then no one can overcome you, overpower you…” &

[Quran Ayah 3:147] “…and Ans’urna us over the Kaafireen People…”

Here the words Yans’urukum- Allah as Nas’eer and Ans’urna- give us Nas’eer, are used in all of the meanings of asking for Allah’s help and assistance, for success, for victory, to produce results of one’s efforts and struggles, as protector, shield, and as a source of Khair, but more specifically in terms of providing or source of victory, dominance or success.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE WORD NAS’ARA AS PER QURAN?

Thus, in a nutshell, the words such as Ans’aar and Nas’ara also belongs to the same set of words with same characteristics of meanings such as being the source of help and assistance, for success, for victory, to produce results of one’s efforts and struggles, as protector, shield, as a source of Khair and of victory, dominance or success. Thus, whenever Allah refers to the words Ans’aar or Nas’ara, these are referred to specific people in our lives, who have taken upon themselves to act as Nas’eer for us, could be our employees, our helpers, our supporters, our protectors, our parents, our friends, etc. The word Yahood, again a detailed discussion and key Quranic concept, but in a nutshell, as per Quran, would refer to those who are our teachers, who we look up to as our guide, our preachers, who we follow. With reference to any religious organization, the word Yahood, would refer to their leader, the religious scholar and the word Nas’ara would refer to their helpers and supporters, who are working for such organization.

YAHOOD AND NAS’ARA AS SPECIFIC ROLES!

Throughout Quran, Allah has given us specific guidance w.r.t. what our role, our behaviors and conducts should be for instance refer the following Ayahs

[Quran Ayah 3:67] “ Ibrahim was neither a Yahood nor a Nasara, but he was a Hanifan Musliman. And he was not of the Mushrekeen”.

The phrase to focus here is that the argument is that Ibrahim was neither a Yahood or a Nasara but he was Hanifan…the word Hanifan was then defined further as Musliman and not of Mushrikeen. Had the words Yahood and Nasara would have referred to the followers of religions such as Jews and Christian’s then the word Hanifan should not have been there. We need to understand the two words Hanifan and Mulsiman and then ask ourselves if there any possibility of anyone from Jews or Christian’s to be of Hanifan or not? The answer is there is always a possibility of anyone to be a Hanifan, no matter to which religion he/she belongs to in the eyes of the world. Allah has referred to the terms such as Hanifan and Musliman in specific definitions and usages. These are the roles and the behaviors and have nothing to do with anyone calling themselves as Jews or Christians or Muslims etc. Therefore, here Allah is not referring to Yahood and Nasara as Christian’s or Jews, as is widely misunderstood, but in terms of roles of preachers, scholars, helpers or protectors. In the sight of Allah, it’s not what religion one associate themselves with for instance as Atheists, or Hindus or Buddhist or Jews or Christians or Muslims but in specific roles. Whoever has Emaan and does Amal e swalehat is one category and all the rest are other than that and termed as Ummat e Wahida by Quran. If these terms are Jews and Christian’s then what about atheists or Hindus or Buddhists etc.? Is Quran only for these Jews Christians or Muslims or for the whole of mankind? Nabiy Ibrahim is Imam of mankind in his role, conducts and behaviors not as a role of Yahood (those who are preachers or scholars etc.) Neither that of a Nasara (one’s helper or protector) but as the role of Hanifan Musliman. Therefore, in these ayahs, Allah confirms that Ibrahim was neither a Yahood nor a Nasara but he was a Hanifan Musliman, meaning he was one of those who left the wrong path through his own efforts, found and took the right path by himself and remained steadfast on the right path by being persistent and perseverant. Quran Defines the word Hanifan as someone who remain steadfast on the right path by avoid shirk at all costs. Therefore, the avoidance of Shirk at all costs is inherent in the meanings of Hanifa. And also highlighted in the subsequent phrase as “He was not of the Mushrikoon” That is the meanings of a true Muslim is a hanifa Lil Allah means he/she would follow the laws of Allah as mentioned in Quran, as Allah is the only lawmaker in Deen and there cannot be anyone but Allah when it comes to laws of Deen. Dividing oneself in sects is like following the laws of someone other than Allah and therefore those from the people of the Kitaab, who call themselves, or those who associates themselves with any sects, or groups such as Sunni, Shia, Wahaby, Salafi, etc. are all doing Shirk as per the definitions of the Kitaab.

[Quran Ayah 2:135] “And they say, ‘Be Yahood or Nasaara, and you will be guided.” Say, “Rather, the Millat of Ibrahim, the Hanifan; he was not one of the Muskrikeen.”

This ayah is basically an instruction to everyone who has this wishful thinking that just being a Yahood- leader, preacher, scholar, teacher or a Nasara- a helper, protector, supporter, no matter what role or behavior we adopt, in our mind, and as our behaviors and accords in terms of work towards Deen, we cannot be termed as the guided ones unless and until we “follow the Millat of Ibrahim, Hanifan, he was not of the Mushrikeen.” As we know Hanifan means to leave the wrong path and take the right path and remain steadfast on the right path by being persistent and perseverant in remaining on the right path. The avoidance of Shirk at all costs is inherent in the meanings of being Hanifan. That is the meanings of hanifa Lil Allah means we would follow the laws of Allah as mentioned in Quran, as Allah is the only lawmaker in Deen and there cannot be anyone but Allah when it comes to laws of Deen. Since Ibrahim was surrounded by Idols and idol-worshippers growing up, but he found Allah himself through the use of his own faculties and reasoning, therefore the word Hanifan is used in Quran most of the times in reference to Ibrahim and keeping him as a benchmark and also as a word opposite to Shirk. Which is also highlighted in this Ayah through the phrase “..and he was not of the Mushrikeen..” since the clear criteria of being a Hanifan, and of being on Hidayah, is not that we becomes Yahood or Nas’ara but follow the Millat of Ibrahim- Hanifan and not be a Mushrik.

[Quran Ayahs 2:111-112] “They say, ‘None will enter the Jannat unless is a Yahood or Nasaara’. That is your wishful thinking. Say, ‘bring your proof if you are truthful’. Indeed, whoever Aslama his/her Wajahu to Allah, while being Mohsin, then for him/her is a great reward from his/her Rabb..”

Allah is telling us about false claim in the name of Allah by Yahuud- leaders, scholars and Nasaara, their helpers and supporters, about their lies and wishful thinking that “None will enter the Jannat unless is a Yahood or Nasaara.” Allah is giving an argument against their lie that “Bring your proof, if you are truthful”. In Ayah 2:112 Allah is giving us the answer against their lie and wishful thinking and also a very important guidance to us; Allah says “Indeed, whoever Aslama his/her Wajahu to Allah, while being Mohsin” this is a very broad and comprehensive phrase which embodies three important foundations i.e., whoever will do these, will have their reward with Allah and there will be no fear or grieve. These three foundations are 1) Aslama – not only the complete submission to Allah’s Deen but included all the meanings of this word 2) Wajahu Allah, striving to reach the desired destination through complete attention, focus and submission to Allah’s established Laws and Commandments and 3) Mohsin, the one who has Husn Deeds – the one who does Ahsan.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF NAS’ARA IN ANIMOSITY AMONG MUSLIMS?

In order to understand the divine warnings about Nas’ara given in Quran, we need to refer to Ayahs 5:12-14, especially keeping in mind the concept of Bani-Israel. Since Israel refers to the stage of mankind after the big flood, wherein the humanity practically started from afresh; Israel refers to that group of people who followed the Naba of Allah’s Nabiy, by letting go of previously adopted practices and making personal sacrifices by riding in the boat with Nabiy Nuh. Thus, whenever Allah addresses, Oh Bani-Israel, Allah is addressing all of us, who follow the Naba of Allah’s Nabiyeen (any, more or all of them) by letting go of our preconceived ideas, making personal sacrifices and adopting the Naba!

The Ayahs 5:12-14, basically talk about Allah’s Meesaq with us, as Bani-Israel, along with the overriding guiding principle and the terms of this Meesaq. Allah then talks about specific groups within Bano- Israel, that is people all around us, who follow any of Allah’d Nabiy as Isreal; and who have Naqs’e their Meesaq: with respect to Allah’s Meesaq with us, those before us and people all around us, as Bani-Israel, our acts of Naqzehim would mean breaking of Meesaq in all-encompassing meanings of fraudulently altering or making false the terms of this Meesaq; breaching, breaking or infringing the Meesaq; our acts of proving the Meesaq & its terms wrong through nullification, abolition, overruling, repudiation, abrogation, annulment, or quashing of these terms; The state of the Meesaq being voided by us committing breach and violation of the Meesaq and our breaking of our promise, the Aieman and Meesaq with Allah by not following and obeying its terms. Then in Ayah 5:14, Allah talks about Nas’ara, that is those helpers, protectors, etc. who took it upon themselves to act as Nasara to anyone and especially to any religious leader.

[Quran Ayah 5:14] “And from those who Qaalu, “Indeed, we are Nas’ara,” WE Akhazna their Meesaq then they Ansu’ Hazzan of what they Zikar with it. Then WE Aghra’ena between them the Auduwata and the Baghza’a until Youm Al Qayyamate. And Saofa Allah Naba them with what they kanu Yas’a’nun.

This ayah is specifically addressing and talking about those, within us as Bani-Israel, who have also entered into this Messaq with Allah, but additionally have taken on the role of being Nas’ara, as helpers, protectors of this Meesaq. Even those, who present themselves as helpers and protectors in Deen, even for such people Allah says that the same Kitaab, Risalat, Allah’s Kalaam, their Meesaq with which they do Zikar, which was supposed to be a Hazzan- great fortunes and Allah’s greatest blessing for them, but instead of benefiting from it, they Nasuu- considered it less in importance, left, and abandoned it and therefore fell into oblivion with it, into a disadvantaged stage. Thus, this is referring to all such ‘nas’ara’ who are helpers in deen, or who have taken upon themselves to Nas’ar people in Deen. This refers to all such so-called helpers in Deen, who have Naqze their Mesaaq as Bani-Israel and are working for in the path of religion in their minds, by working for such Yahood and leaders who are far Zalal and Naqze of this Meesaq.

The consequences of such acts of Nas’ara, by Naqze of their Allah’s Meesaq, as Bani-Israel, is that ‘Auduwat and Baghza’a’ – animosity, hostility, bitterness, hatred, intense dislike, despise and grudge, etc. ‘Aghraena’- dominate, overpower, and overshadow among them until the Youm AL-Qayyama, when they will be recompensed on the basis of their acts in terms of accountability, when there will be judgment based on the “Deen AL Qayyemu”. And then they would realize and face, Allah’s Naba, with what they used to Yas’na’aun- industrialize in terms of them making, producing, manufacturing and fabricating things in the name of Allah’s Deen, Meesaq and Hidayah, when they were working as Nas’ara.

CONCLUSION- SPECIFIC DIVINE WARNINGS & EXPLICIT CRITERIA

Allah’s divine guidance is very thought provoking and deep, with very clear warnings. Especially if as Nas’ara, our acts of Naqzehim, fraudulently altering the terms of this Meesaq; breaching, breaking or infringing the Meesaq; our acts of proving the Meesaq or any of its terms wrong through nullification, or quashing of these terms; our acts of considering this Meesaq as null and void, is equivalent to our breaking of our promise, the Aieman and Meesaq with Allah. Especially if we have taken upon ourselves the duties and roles of Nas’ara, this Meesaq and abiding by it’s terms are extremely important, more so, since now, we have taken on specific roles and responsibilities, which are over and beyond all of the rest of Bani-Israel. Hence abiding by these terms are much more important to Nas’ara. If they are involved in the Naqze of this Meesaq, then the criteria to judge them is very clearly mentioned in Quran, which is witnessing of Auduwat and Baaghza, overpowering and dominating between them. Hence if we witness, the helpers and protectors of different religious organizations and leaders, having Auduwat and Baghza’a – animosity, hostility, bitterness, hatred, intense dislike, despise and grudge- against each other; then we know that they have Naqze their Meesaq with Allah as bani-Israel. This is precisely the current situation of the Muslim world today. If we look all around us, in the Muslim world, we are divided into many sects, and the Nas’ara of each one, have animosity, hatred and despise against others, treating all the others as Kaafir.

Source: To read the whole concept, translation and implementation, please read https://quranthinkers.com/surah-al-maidah-ayah-no-13-14/

In order to read through the explicit terms of this Meesaq, please read https://quranthinkers.com/surah-al-maidah-ayah-no-12/

WQT

ROLE OF NAS’ARA IN ANIMOSITY AMONG MUSLIMS!