Multiculturalism in Quran

49:13 O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a 
male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

30:22  And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge. 

Calling Haram & Halal, and Quran

First of all study the meanings of Halal and Haram here;

حلال 

حرام

Many Muslims try to use these big words, frequently ,
 without knowledge.

Let's see what Quran says in this regard.

10:59	Say, `Have you ever considered that ALLAH has sent down provision for you, then you make some of it unlawful and some lawful ? Say, `Has ALLAH permitted you that, or do you invent lies against ALLAH ?'
10:60	What think those who invent lies against ALLAH of the Day of Resurrection ? Surely, ALLAH is Gracious towards mankind, but most of them are not thankful.

16:116

And say not - because of the falsehood which your tongues utter - `This is lawful, and this is unlawful,' so as to be of those who forge lies against ALLAH. Surely, those who forge lies against ALLAH do not prosper.

7:31	O children of Adam ! take your adornment at every time and place of worship, and eat and drink, but be not immoderate; surely, HE does not love those who are immoderate.
7:32	Say, `Who has forbidden the adornment of ALLAH which HE has produced for HIS servants and the good things of HIS providing ?' Say, `They are for the believers in the present life and will be exclusively for them on the Day of Resurrection.' Thus do WE explain the Signs for a people who have knowledge.
7:33	Say, `My Lord has only forbidden indecencies, open or secret and sin and wrongful transgression and that you associate with ALLAH that for which HE has sent down no authority, and that you say of ALLAH what you know not.'

Does Quran allow any competitions?

Yes!

Not in health, wealth or any possessions like houses, cars, etc...

but,

in two things only...

Good Deeds

and 

Knowledge

You would like to study the following verses of Quran 

 فَٱسۡتَبِقُواْ ٱلۡخَيۡرَٲتِ‌ۚ

2:148 .....then strive together (as in a race) Towards all that is good....

23:60	And those who give that which they give with hearts afraid because they are about to return unto their Lord,
23:61	These race for the good things, and they shall win them in the race.

35:32

Then We gave the Scripture as inheritance unto those whom We elected of Our bondmen. But of them are some who wrong themselves and of them are some who are lukewarm, and of them are some who outstrip (others) through good deeds, by Allah's leave. That is the great favour!

Everything we are blessed with, is a Test or Trial for us. No competition is allowed in this regard.

64:16

Verily, your wealth and your children are but a trial; but with ALLAH is an immense reward.

21:35

Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial. to Us must ye return.

20:131

And do not stretch your eyes after that with which We have provided different classes of them, (of) the splendor of this world's life, that We may thereby try them; and the sustenance (given) by your Lord is better and more abiding.

Allah blesses whatever He wants and whoever He wants.We have no authority over it.

3:26 Say, `O ALLAH, Lord of Sovereignty, Thou givest sovereignty to whomsoever Thou pleasest; and Thou takest away sovereignty from whomsoever Thou pleasest. Thou exaltest whomsoever Thou pleasest and Thou abasest whomsoever Thou pleasest. In Thy hand is all good. Thou surely hast power to do all things.

3:27 Thou makest the night pass into the day and makest the day pass into the night. And Thou bringest forth the living from the dead and bringest forth the dead from the living. And Thou givest to whomsoever Thou pleasest without measure.'

81:29 And you desire not a thing except that ALLAH, the Lord of the worlds, desire it.

Similarly, Quran speaks of knowledge and Wisdom, as a blessing, yet , an aspect to strive for!

2:269 HE grants wisdom to whom HE pleases, and whoever is granted wisdom has indeed been granted abundant good; and none would take heed except those endowed with understanding.

Quran tells us that such and such people cannot be regarded equal in Allah's eyes.

:75	Allah sets forth a parable: (consider) a slave, the property of another, (who) has no power over anything, and one whom We have granted from Ourselves a goodly sustenance so he spends from it secretly and openly; are the two alike? (All) praise is due to Allah! Nay, most of them do not know.
16:76	And Allah sets forth a parable of two men; one of them is dumb, not able to do anything, and he is a burden to his master; wherever he sends him, he brings no good; can he be held equal with him who enjoins what is just, and he (himself) is on the right path?

39:9

Is one who worships devoutly during the hour of the night prostrating himself or standing (in adoration), who takes heed of the Hereafter, and who places his hope in the Mercy of his Lord - (like one who does not)? Say: "Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition.

35:19	And the blind and the seeing are not alike
35:20	Nor the darkness and the light,
35:21	Nor the shade and the heat,
35:22	Neither are the living and the dead alike. Surely Allah makes whom He pleases hear, and you cannot make those hear who are in the graves.

40:58

And the blind and the seeing are not alike, nor those who believe and do good and the evil-doer; little is it that you are mindful.

Quran on Spending

This is what we do all the time. We spend! We spend on food. We spend on clothes. We spend for Education.We spend for comfort , luxury and fun. We spend for us and people we care.

We spend for Allah's sake, too! Its called charity or  زكوة in the language of Quran. The order of Zakat is next to Salah صلوة , if you notice. For example

 وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُواْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱرۡكَعُواْ مَعَ ٱلرَّٲكِعِينَ

2:43 And be steadfast in prayer; practise regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship).

Now study the meanings of Zakat , first . 

Its "To Purify" and it has been made clear here, in Quran.

92:18	Those who spend their wealth for increase in self-purification,
92:19	And have in their minds no favour from anyone for which a reward is expected in return,
92:20	But only the desire to seek for the Countenance of their Lord Most High;
92:21	And soon will they attain (complete) satisfaction.

Remember, it is not on saved money only, as referred usually. It is spending money in the name of Allah, continuously. Chapters or Surahs of Quran revealed in Makka and Madina, both have the same order...of..
وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُواْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ
Allah will reward such people who spend, regularly.
3:134 Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men;- for God loves those who do good;-

And this spending is according to one's pocket.
65:7 Let the man of means spend according to his means: and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what God has given him. God puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him. After a difficulty, God will soon grant relief.

And the spending is after our needs are fulfilled.

2:219........." They ask thee how much they are to spend; Say: "What is beyond your needs." Thus doth God Make clear to you His Signs: In order that ye may consider-

And what we should spend? 

2:215 

They ask thee what they should spend (In charity). Say: Whatever ye spend that is good, is for parents and kindred and orphans and those in want and for wayfarers. And whatever ye do that is good, -God knoweth it well.

Whatever we spend is for the benefit of our own souls

2:195 

And spend of your substance in the cause of God, and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction; but do good; for God loveth those who do good.

64:16 

So fear God as much as ye can; listen and obey and spend in charity for the benefit of your own soul and those saved from the covetousness of their own souls,- they are the ones that achieve prosperity.

This whole section beautifully explains the concept of spending for the sake of Allah.

2:261	The parable of those who spend their substance in the way of God is that of a grain of corn: it groweth seven ears, and each ear Hath a hundred grains. God giveth manifold increase to whom He pleaseth: And God careth for all and He knoweth all things.
2:262	Those who spend their substance in the cause of God, and follow not up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury,-for them their reward is with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
2:263	Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. God is free of all wants, and He is Most-Forbearing.
2:264	O ye who believe! cancel not your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury,- like those who spend their substance to be seen of men, but believe neither in God nor in the Last Day. They are in parable like a hard, barren rock, on which is a little soil: on it falls heavy rain, which leaves it (Just) a bare stone. They will be able to do nothing with aught they have earned. And God guideth not those who reject faith.
2:265	And the likeness of those who spend their substance, seeking to please God and to strengthen their souls, is as a garden, high and fertile: heavy rain falls on it but makes it yield a double increase of harvest, and if it receives not Heavy rain, light moisture sufficeth it. God seeth well whatever ye do.
2:266	Does any of you wish that he should have a garden with date-palms and vines and streams flowing underneath, and all kinds of fruit, while he is stricken with old age, and his children are not strong (enough to look after themselves)- that it should be caught in a whirlwind, with fire therein, and be burnt up? Thus doth God make clear to you (His) Signs; that ye may consider.
2:267	O ye who believe! Give of the good things which ye have (honourably) earned, and of the fruits of the earth which We have produced for you, and do not even aim at getting anything which is bad, in order that out of it ye may give away something, when ye yourselves would not receive it except with closed eyes. And know that God is Free of all wants, and worthy of all praise.
2:268	The Evil one threatens you with poverty and bids you to conduct unseemly. God promiseth you His forgiveness and bounties. And God careth for all and He knoweth all things.
2:269	He granteth wisdom to whom He pleaseth; and he to whom wisdom is granted receiveth indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the Message but men of understanding.
2:270	And whatever ye spend in charity or devotion, be sure God knows it all. But the wrong-doers have no helpers.
2:271	If ye disclose (acts of) charity, even so it is well, but if ye conceal them, and make them reach those (really) in need, that is best for you: It will remove from you some of your (stains of) evil. And God is well acquainted with what ye do.
2:272	It is not required of thee (O Apostle), to set them on the right path, but God sets on the right path whom He pleaseth. Whatever of good ye give benefits your own souls, and ye shall only do so seeking the "Face" of God. Whatever good ye give, shall be rendered back to you, and ye shall not Be dealt with unjustly.
2:273	(Charity is) for those in need, who, in God's cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land, seeking (For trade or work): the ignorant man thinks, because of their modesty, that they are free from want. Thou shalt know them by their (Unfailing) mark: They beg not importunately from all the sundry. And whatever of good ye give, be assured God knoweth it well.
2:274	Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

Allah neither likes the niggard (miser) nor the spendthrift.

4:36	Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess: For God loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious;-
4:37	(Nor) those who are niggardly or enjoin niggardliness on others, or hide the bounties which God hath bestowed on them; for We have prepared, for those who resist Faith, a punishment that steeps them in contempt;-
4:38	Not those who spend of their substance, to be seen of men, but have no faith in God and the Last Day: If any take the Evil One for their intimate, what a dreadful intimate he is!
4:39	And what burden Were it on them if they had faith in God and in the Last Day, and they spent out of what God hath given them for sustenance? For God hath full knowledge of them.
4:40	God is never unjust in the least degree: If there is any good (done), He doubleth it, and giveth from His own presence a great reward.

47:38

Behold, ye are those invited to spend (of your substance) in the Way of God: But among you are some that are niggardly. But any who are niggardly are so at the expense of their own souls. But God is free of all wants, and it is ye that are needy. If ye turn back (from the Path), He will substitute in your stead another people; then they would not be like you!

This is what the Spendthrift (Money-waster) is called in Quran.

17:26	And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer: But squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift.
17:27	Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the Evil One is to his Lord (himself) ungrateful.
17:28	And even if thou hast to turn away from them in pursuit of the Mercy from thy Lord which thou dost expect, yet speak to them a word of easy kindness.
17:29	Make not thy hand tied (like a niggard's) to thy neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach, so that thou become blameworthy and destitute.
17:30	Verily thy Lord doth provide sustenance in abundance for whom He pleaseth, and He provideth in a just measure. For He doth know and regard all His servants.

 

Note: Doing good to others involves spending of good time too, e,g. volunteering in hospitals ,helping animals,etc.

The Reality of the Life of the World and Quran

You must have found lots of quotations about life, but this is how Quran defines the reality of the life!

10:24

The likeness of this world's life is only as water which We send down from the cloud, then the herbage of the earth of which men and cattle eat grows luxuriantly thereby, until when the earth puts on its golden raiment and it becomes garnished, and its people think that they have power over it, Our command comes to it, by night or by day, so We render it as reaped seed; produce, as though it had not been in existence yesterday; thus do We make clear the communications for a people who reflect.

57:20
Know that the life of this world is only a sport and a pastime, and an adornment, and a source of boasting among yourselves, and of rivalry in multiplying riches and children. It is like the rain, the vegetation produced whereby rejoices the tillers. Then it dries up and you see it turn yellow; then it becomes worthless stubble. And in the Hereafter there is severe punishment for the wicked and also forgiveness from ALLAH, and His pleasure for the righteous. And the life of this world is nothing but temporary enjoyment of delusive things.

Qarun became an example of such who are blessed with lots of richness and this is what people get easily impressed by, yet Allah knows the reality of it.

28:79	So he (Qarun) went forth among his people in the (pride of his wordly) glitter. Said those whose aim is the Life of this World: "Oh! that we had the like of what Qarun has got! for he is truly a lord of mighty good fortune!"
28:80	But those who had been granted (true) knowledge said: "Alas for you! The reward of God (in the Hereafter) is best for those who believe and work righteousness: but this none shall attain, save those who steadfastly persevere (in good)."

Quran says the glitter of this world will end here.

11:15	Whoso desires the present life and its adornment, WE will fully repay them for their works in this life and they shall not be wronged therein.
11:16	Those are they who shall have nothing in the Hereafter save the Fire, and that which they wrought in this life shall come to naught, and vain shall be that which they used to do.

This is why Prophet Muhammad S. was asked to say this to his wives, as women can easily be tempted by the glamour.

33:28	O Prophet ! say to thy wives, `If you desire the life of this world and its adornment, come then, I will provide for you and send you away in a handsome manner;
33:29	`But if you desire ALLAH and HIS Messenger and the Home of the Hereafter, then, truly, ALLAH has prepared for those of you, who do good, a great reward.'

Colors & Beauty and Quran

The world of Allah is full of Colors and Designs. Actually the Beauty of the world owes to the coloring and designing, only. Imagine it without Colors and without any Design , and you'll understand. One of the Attributes of Allah is that He is Al Mousawwir المصور  The Artist ,The Fashioner.

 See other meanings here.

59:24 

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُ ٱلۡبَارِئُ ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُ‌ۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ‌ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ 

He is Allah the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner; His are the most excellent names; whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares His glory; and He is the Mighty, the Wise.

35:28

And so amongst men and crawling creatures and cattle, are they of various colours. Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge: for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving. 

16:13 

 And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colours (and qualities): verily in this is a sign for men who celebrate the praises of Allah (in gratitude). 

30:22

 And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colours: verily in that are Signs for those who know. 

So how can one Color be better than another Color?

Allah does not discriminate on behalf of Colors or Languages etc.

49:13

O you men! surely We have created you of a male and a female, and made you tribes and families that you may know each other; surely the most honorable of you with Allah is the one among you most careful (of his duty); surely Allah is Knowing, Aware.

Modesty canNOT be attributed to 'Black or White Color' only. Why Muslim women are supposed to wear a black covering in scorching heat of sun? Why she needs to wear white like corpse?

Allah has forbidden the 'Public Display' of beauty and adornment /decoration/embelishment  زينت that can be tempting, only. It does not mean all Muslim women are supposed to wear a 'uniform' and they can't dress-up decently, their cultural or traditional way.

7:26

 يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ قَدۡ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكُمۡ لِبَاسً۬ا يُوَٲرِى سَوۡءَٲتِكُمۡ وَرِيشً۬ا‌ۖ وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ ذَٲلِكَ خَيۡرٌ۬‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَذَّكَّرُونَ 

O children of Adam! We have indeed sent down to you clothing to cover your shame, and (clothing) for beauty and clothing that guards (against evil), that is the best. This is of the communications of Allah that they may be mindful.

So What is the color of Taqwa ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ? (Green? :)

I wonder what will most Muslims think if someone will change the color of Kaba's Cover? 

It's our stereotype thinking which is making Islam difficult to understand, not Quran or its teachings.

صِبۡغَةَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ وَمَنۡ أَحۡسَنُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ صِبۡغَةً۬‌ۖ وَنَحۡنُ لَهُ ۥ عَـٰبِدُونَ 

2:138  (We take our) colour from Allah, and who is better than Allah at colouring. We are His worshippers.

click here for meanings of صِبۡغَةَ

Related Topics:

Modesty for men and Women in Quran

Art & Quran

Good & Bad and Quran

First of all study the meanings of these two terms of Quran (click)

معروف

and

منكر

3:104

 وَلۡتَكُن مِّنكُمۡ أُمَّةٌ۬ يَدۡعُونَ إِلَى ٱلۡخَيۡرِ وَيَأۡمُرُونَ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَيَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ‌ۚ وَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ

And let there always be among you a body of men who should invite to goodness, and enjoin virtue and forbid evil. And it is they who shall prosper.

So Good is Appropriate while Bad is In-appropriate , precisely...

so for all the things that matter in this life...are..

Food

Good Food and Bad Food!

not necessarily the Halaal and the Haraam...because even Halaal Food can be Bad for some reason.

Quran talks about Halaal and Tayyab , together...

2:168

O men! eat the lawful and good things out of what is in the earth, and do not follow the footsteps of the Shaitan; surely he is your open enemy.

also

2:172

O you who believe! eat of the good things that We have provided you with, and give thanks to Allah if Him it is that you serve.

Clothes

Good Clothes and Bad Clothes!

Since modesty is highly recommended in Quran, whether it relates to visual, mental or spiritual...it can easily tell which clothes are good and which are bad

Te Quran says..

7:26

O children of Adam! We have indeed sent down to you clothing to cover your shame, and (clothing) for beauty and clothing that guards (against evil), that is the best. This is of the communications of Allah that they may be mindful.

So what could be the the garments or clothings of Righteousness or Taqwa (Libaas ut Taqwa).Can you define it for any particular culture or tradition?

What else....!

Everyone like Good Things or Provisions , as Quran Indicates..

7:31	O children of Adam! attend to your embellishments at every time of prayer, and eat and drink and be not extravagant; surely He does not love the extravagant.
7:32	Say: Who has prohibited the embellishment of Allah which He has brought forth for His servants and the good provisions? Say: These are for the believers in the life of this world, purely (theirs) on the resurrection day; thus do We make the communications clear for a people who know.
7:33	Say: My Lord has only prohibited indecencies, those of them that are apparent as well as those that are concealed, and sin and rebellion without justice, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down any authority, and that you say against Allah what you do not know.

So...  there is a Good and Bad aspect of everything related to our lives . Time changes and new things are invented or created as creativity is one of the natural abilities and genuine faculty of human mind, yet, to adopt them can be based on our own wisdom directed by the words of Allah.

There can be good story books and bad story books good music with good poetry or wordings. There can be good musical instruments and bad musical instrument. Music can be used for good reason or bad reason.

There is good Art and bad Art. Art  can beused for good motives or bad motives. There are good T. V. programs and bad T.V. programs...good and bad movies and good and bad games...!

Do you really expect an 'Index' in Quran about every single thing...!

No ....All you need is TAQWA in your Heart to decide for yourself. what is Good and what is 'evil'!

Remember, Quran has mentioned, very clearly about the 'forbidden' in 7:33 (above)..so read it again!

9:71

And (as for) the believing men and the believing women, they are guardians of each other; they enjoin good and forbid evil and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, and obey Allah and His Apostle; (as for) these, Allah will show mercy to them; surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Related Topics:

Modesty for Men and Women in Quran