text:
Placement, Theme and Relationship with the Previous Surah
This is the last surah of the third chapter. It was revealed in Madinah. It does not have a counterpart and is like a supplement and appendix to Surah al-Mu'minun, the previous surah. I have explained in the foreword of this exegesis that a surah which is a supplement and appendix to the previous one is in fact a part of it, and for this reason does not need a counterpart. Examples of such surahs can be seen later as well.
Readers may well look up the first eleven verses of Surah al-Mu'minun. It has been stated in them that salvation and success before God is reserved for believers whose prayers are marked with humility and concentration, who abstain from frivolous activities, who pay zakah, guard their private parts and control their sexual desires and do not cross limits by being overwhelmed by them, who are honest in what is entrusted to them and abide by their word.
As long as the Muslims lived in Makkah, these consequences of faith could only have found expression in their individual lives because there was no collective system in place. However, after migration, when they assembled in Madinah under a political and collective set-up time was ripe that these consequences of faith also find expression in their social and political spheres. Thus at the very pace at which circumstances became conducive, directives related to their collected reformation and purification were also revealed. Thereby, the radiance of faith that was hitherto confined to their individual lives then extended to their collective lives also.
Surah al-Nur is a surah that reflects this scenario. Through it, the believers, in accordance with the specific circumstances of those times, were informed of directives which could set right the collective affairs of their society and which were necessary to protect them from the consequences that conflicted with their faith.
Following is the analysis of the meanings of the surah so that the correspondence of its components with its theme becomes evident.
Analysis of Meanings
Verses (1-3): The punishment of fornication is mentioned, and the prohibition for a Muslim to marry an idolater or someone guilty of fornication is stated.
Verses (4-5): The punishment of accusing someone of fornication and the law of evidence related to prove this crime is referred to.
Verses (6-10): If a person accuses his wife of adultery and is not able to present the evidence prescribed by the shari'ah, then the matter is to be decided through oaths. This methodology is then explained.
Verses (11-26): The mischief worked by the hypocrites in the incident of ifk is briefly referred to. Appropriate directives are given to curb such a disruption. The hypocrites are exposed and warned. Muslims who show carelessness and negligence in this matter and thereby inadvertently strengthen the propaganda worked by the hypocrites are also warned to beware of them in future. The hypocrites are looking to damage the moral reputation of the Muslims. Hence it is not allowed for them to believe in whatever they whisper in their ears to cause this harm. On the contrary, they must make allowances for their fellow Muslims. They must not believe any accusation unless there is a solid proof in its favour.
Verses (27-31): If Muslims needs to visit other Muslims in their houses, they must abide by a certain decorum in that the eyes are restrained from taking undue liberties and Satan is not afforded with any opportunity to make hay. This decorum is explained and the religious restrictions imposed in this situation on women present in the houses are elucidated.
Verses (32-34): It is emphasized that widows and widowers of the society should be married off. A similar directive is given regarding slave-men and slave-women. The purpose is to promote purity in the society. The directive of mukatabat is given to eradicate the institution of slavery and bring slave-men and slave-women at par with the free men and women. It is stressed upon Muslims to financially help slave-men and slave-women who want to undertake mukatabat. People are emphatically asked to refrain from forcing their slave-women into prostitution.
Verses (35-40): A parable of belief and disbelief is related. It is explained that hearts which have faith in them shine both inwardly and outwardly. On the other hand, those who are deprived of the radiance of faith are engulfed by pitch darkness both inwardly and outwardly.
Verses (41-46): People are invited to profess faith by presenting to them signs from the world around them. Only God, the one and only, is controlling this universe. Everything is glorifying and praising Him alone. Thus it is the obligation of human beings also that they profess faith in the one and only God, and not make themselves worthy of His anger by associating others in His worship and obedience.
Verses (47-54): Opponents of the Prophet (sws) agree with him if something is in their interest and if this is not the case they leave aside God and His Prophet (sws) and do what they like. They are warned that they cannot divide their loyalties in this way for long now. If they want to achieve success in this world and the next, they should devotedly support him only; otherwise, they can wander here and there. God does not care about them. They should also remember that the real thing is faith and obedience. They should not try to swear false oaths and deceive the Prophet (sws). His responsibility is to convey God's religion which he has done. It is now left to people and each of them must contemplate his fate.
Verses (55-57): The righteous companions of God's messenger are given unequivocal glad tidings of political authority in the land. They are told that their rivals and foes of their religion cannot harm their religion the slightest. They should continue to be diligent in the prayer, pay zakah and strongly adhere to the obedience of the Prophet (sws). Soon the time will come when God will replace the current state of fear with peace and security.
Verses (58-61): Earlier in verses 27-31, directives related to gender interaction were given. Later some questions arose about them. The current verses answer them and it is also explained that these verses were revealed after answers were given to these questions.
Verses (62-64): These are the concluding verses of the surah. After the elucidatory verses, the discourse returns to the topic of obedience to the Prophet (sws) mentioned earlier in verse 57. This grand surah also ends on this topic. In these concluding verses, Muslims are warned in general and the Hypocrites in particular. They are told that when God's messenger calls them for some collective task, they must not regard his call to be the call of an ordinary person in that they may or may not respond to it. They have to respond to his call come what may and unless given permission, they must not leave his presence. Their success in this life and the next depends on this obedience.
The relationship of the components of the surah with its theme has become fully evident from this analysis. I now begin in God's name its explanation.
Section I: Verses (1-10)
بِسۡمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِیۡمِ
سُوۡرَةٌ اَنۡزَلۡنٰهَا وَ فَرَضۡنٰهَا وَ اَنۡزَلۡنَا فِیۡهَاۤ اٰیٰتٍۭ بَیِّنٰتٍ لَّعَلَّکُمۡ تَذَکَّرُوۡنَ . اَلزَّانِیَةُ وَ الزَّانِیۡ فَاجۡلِدُوۡا کُلَّ وَاحِدٍ مِّنۡهُمَا مِائَةَ جَلۡدَةٍ وَّلَا تَاۡخُذۡکُمۡ بِهِمَا رَاۡفَةٌ فِیۡ دِیۡنِ اللّٰهِ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ تُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَ الۡیَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ وَ لۡیَشۡهَدۡ عَذَابَهُمَا طَآئِفَةٌ مِّنَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ . اَلزَّانِیۡ لَا یَنۡکِحُ اِلَّا زَانِیَةً اَوۡ مُشۡرِکَةً وَّ الزَّانِیَةُ لَا یَنۡکِحُهَاۤ اِلَّا زَانٍ اَوۡ مُشۡرِكٌ وَ حُرِّمَ ذٰلِكَ عَلَی الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ . وَ الَّذِیۡنَ یَرۡمُوۡنَ الۡمُحۡصَنٰتِ ثُمَّ لَمۡ یَاۡتُوۡا بِاَرۡبَعَةِ شُهَدَآءَ فَاجۡلِدُوۡهُمۡ ثَمٰنِیۡنَ جَلۡدَةً وَّ لَا تَقۡبَلُوۡا لَهُمۡ شَهَادَةً اَبَدًا وَ اُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الۡفٰسِقُوۡنَ . اِلَّا الَّذِیۡنَ تَابُوۡا مِنۡ بَعۡدِ ذٰلِكَ وَ اَصۡلَحُوۡا فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِیۡمٌ . وَ الَّذِیۡنَ یَرۡمُوۡنَ اَزۡوَاجَهُمۡ وَ لَمۡ یَکُنۡ لَّهُمۡ شُهَدَآءُ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡفُسُهُمۡ فَشَهَادَةُ اَحَدِهِمۡ اَرۡبَعُ شَهٰدٰتٍ بِاللّٰهِ اِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الصّٰدِقِیۡنَ . وَ الۡخَامِسَةُ اَنَّ لَعۡنَتَ اللّٰهِ عَلَیۡهِ اِنۡ کَانَ مِنَ الۡکٰذِبِیۡنَ . وَ یَدۡرَؤُا عَنۡهَا الۡعَذَابَ اَنۡ تَشۡهَدَ اَرۡبَعَ شَهٰدٰتٍ بِاللّٰهِ اِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الۡکٰذِبِیۡنَ . وَ الۡخَامِسَةَ اَنَّ غَضَبَ اللّٰهِ عَلَیۡهَاۤ اِنۡ کَانَ مِنَ الصّٰدِقِیۡنَ . وَ لَوۡ لَا فَضۡلُ اللّٰهِ عَلَیۡکُمۡ وَ رَحۡمَتُهُ وَ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ تَوَّابٌ حَکِیۡمٌ . (1۔10)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful.
This is an important surah that We have revealed and have made its directives mandatory and have also revealed very clear admonitions in it so that you fully take heed. (1)
A man or a woman guilty of fornication , flog each of them with a hundred lashes, and in the implementation of God's law any feeling of sympathy with them should not arise in you, if you truly believe in God and in the Hereafter . And let a group of Muslims at the time of their punishment be present there. (2)
A man guilty of fornication should only marry a woman guilty of fornication or an idolatress . And a woman guilty of fornication should only be married to a man guilty of fornication or an idolater. And this has been prohibited to the believers. (3)
And those who accuse chaste women , then do not bring four witnesses to support their accusation, flog them with eighty lashes and never accept their testimony in future. It is these people who are the real defiant . Those who repent and reform after this, then God is Forgiving and Merciful. And those who accuse their wives and have no other witness except themselves, then the procedure of their testimony is that they should swear four times by God and say that they are truthful and the fifth time they should say that may the curse of God be on them if they are lying. And the punishment can be averted from the woman when she swears four times by God that this person is a liar and the fifth time she should say that may the wrath of God come upon her if he is truthful. And had not God's mercy and blessings been upon you and had it not been that God accepts repentance and is wise, you would have been seized by Him. (4-10)
سُوۡرَةٌ اَنۡزَلۡنٰهَا وَ فَرَضۡنٰهَا وَ اَنۡزَلۡنَا فِیۡهَاۤ اٰیٰتٍۭ بَیِّنٰتٍ لَّعَلَّکُمۡ تَذَکَّرُوۡنَ .1
As indicated earlier, this surah is like a supplement and appendix to Surah al-Mu'minun. For this reason it begins without any introductory part and with an admonition. When an inchoative (mubtada') is suppressed, as is the case here, the purpose is to direct all attention to the enunciative (khabar). This further reflects the importance of the surah. The opening words imply that if God has revealed it, then people should not regard it to be something trivial. It has to be obeyed come what may.
The words "and have made its directives mandatory" indicate the obligatory nature of the surah's directives. They must be followed without any hesitancy and negligence in any way.
The part "and have also revealed very clear admonitions in it so that you fully take heed" points to the admonitions found in the surah that are interspersed repeatedly in between the directives. Thus verses 1, 15, 17, 20, 24, 46 and 58 can be looked up. The common purpose of these admonitions is that people should follow these directives in letter and spirit; otherwise, they should remember that the punishment of God is very stern.
These admonitions were specially needed in this surah because the directives given in it about the family, society and crimes perpetrated by people proved to be pitfalls for previous nations because of which those nations earned God's wrath. It is a favour of God on this ummah that He besides giving these directives, has also repeatedly informed it about the consequences of violating them so that people remain vigilant. The words "so that you fully take heed" refer to this.
اَلزَّانِیَةُ وَ الزَّانِیۡ فَاجۡلِدُوۡا کُلَّ وَاحِدٍ مِّنۡهُمَا مِائَةَ جَلۡدَةٍ وَّلَا تَاۡخُذۡکُمۡ بِهِمَا رَاۡفَةٌ فِیۡ دِیۡنِ اللّٰهِ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ تُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَ الۡیَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ وَ لۡیَشۡهَدۡ عَذَابَهُمَا طَآئِفَةٌ مِّنَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ .2
Fornication plays the greatest role in spreading disorder and anarchy in a society. This is because its stability depends on the purity of blood relations and on their protection from every form of disruption. Fornication on the other hand destroys this purity and plunges a society into sexual disarray. The consequence of this is that a society is converted into a herd of animals. Since this disorder and disarray disrupts the society from its very roots, all divine religions regard fornication to be a punishable offence. In the very first phase, Islam too gave directives to stop this disorder from spreading. Thus verses 15-16 of Surah Nisa' mention the initial directives given in this regard when circumstances had not yet become conducive for the implementation of punishments in the society. At the same time, it indicated that final and ultimate directives in this regard will be revealed later. Thus in the verse under discussion this promise was fulfilled, and a man and a woman guilty of this crime were to be flogged with a hundred lashes each.
The word دِیۡنِ in وَّ لَا تَاۡخُذۡکُمۡ بِہِمَا رَاۡفَۃٌ فِیۡ دِیۡنِ اللّٰہِ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ تُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِاللّٰہِ وَ الۡیَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ refers to the punishment of fornication mentioned here. In other words, no lenience should be shown in the implementation of this punishment; softness should be shown to neither a woman nor a man, to neither the rich nor the poor. The limits set by God should be observed without granting any alleviation or showing partiality, for this is a requirement of belief in God and in the Hereafter. The faith in God and in the Hereafter of those who show weakness in this regard cannot be trusted. A noteworthy point in the statement of this punishment is that the woman is mentioned before the man. One reason for this is that without a woman's consent, fornication cannot take place; secondly, there is a strong possibility that being the weaker sex, feelings of compassion may arise for her; the Qur'an, therefore, has mentioned her before the man so that it becomes evident from the style of the verse that in the Almighty's eyes no lenience should be shown to either the woman or the man.
The reason to emphasize the implementation of punishments prescribed by God was because the Jews had practically done away with most of them. The punishment of fornication in their shari'ah was stoning to death but in reality it was only given to the poor and the rich were spared. And in current times, it has become an established philosophy that people who perpetrate crimes are mentally sick; thus they deserve to be sympathized with and rehabilitated instead of being punished. As a consequence of this approach, God's earth has been filled with barbarians and ruffians who wreak havoc with the honour of decent and civilized people. Consider our own country. If the prescribed punishment of fornication is mentioned to those responsible for creating law and order, they will call these punishments barbaric in spite of staking tall claims to faith. If because of some contingency they do not call them so, in their hearts they will think that they are in fact barbaric. Such is the situation of our country that every year thousands of lives are lost and women are mercilessly raped by these savages. Newspapers are flooded by such heart wrenching news every day.
On the other hand, such is the sympathy these people have for thieves and those guilty of fornication that it is as if they have become more merciful to them than the Most Merciful God; merely imagining the punishments of flogging and amputation of hands makes them shudder. However, the irony is that no emotions of concern and sympathy arise in them for those who are murdered, raped or looted in large numbers by these animals.
If these people do not find the need to abide by the requisites of their faith, then at least they should learn a lesson from what is happening elsewhere: in the land of Saudi Arabia, these punishments are implemented. Statistics can reveal instances of the crimes of theft, plunder and fornication and how many of those guilty of these crimes were punished in the prescribed manner. I do not have these statistics but I have heard what eye-witnesses say in this regard and at the same time what I myself have observed: these crimes and their perpetrators are virtually non-existent there. It is merely due to the awe and fear of Islamic punishments that neither are there any instances of theft and fornication nor does the need arise to amputate hands of thieves or flog those guilty of fornication there. If any such incident does happen, such are the punishments that are meted out to the criminals that it becomes a strong deterrent for the rest. On the contrary, when we see the circumstances of our own country, we are forced to say what Jesus (sws) is reported to have said: "You have turned it [–house of God–] into a den of thieves." (Matthew, 21:13)
It is evident from the words "and let a group of Muslims at the time of their punishment be present there" that one of the objectives of Islamic punishments is that others receive a reminder and learn a lesson. Thus the Qur'an mentions the word نَکَال (5:38) for them which means "exemplary punishment." Thus to make them exemplary these punishments must be given in public. If they are administered in jails, this purpose is lost. Some exegetes think that the word "group" also applies to a single individual. God knows what the source of this unique research is!
As far as the apparent words of this verse are concerned, it is evident that all types of men and women guilty of fornication are included in it. However, our jurists have imposed certain specifications, some of which are correct and some in my opinion not correct and some need elaboration. Though it is beyond the scope of this people to discuss juristic issues, it is essential that some important points raised by them be referred to.
Firstly, this punishment can only be implemented in an Islamic state. Hence, these directives were only revealed when such a state had been set up in Madinah.
Secondly, this punishment can only be meted out to mature and adult individuals. Juveniles and those inflicted with lunacy are exempt from it. This premise is self-evident. All such people have always been given this exemption.
Thirdly, slave-men and slave-women will only be administered half of this punishment. This also seems correct and is based on verse 25 of Surah al-Nisa'. Actually, in the times of the jahiliyyah period, the moral character of slave-men and slave-women had deteriorated a lot. They could not have been immediately brought at par with free men and women. For this reason, in their case, a gradual strategy was adopted. Once their mental and moral standards had been raised, the law of mukatabat mentioned later in this surah was revealed. This law ensured the emancipation of every slave who was able-minded, and thence slaves were regarded to have the same obligations and rights as the rest. This issue will be discussed more ahead.
Fourthly, one group of our jurists say that this punishment will only be implemented on Muslims. Non-Muslims will be exempt from it. Under an Islamic government, non-Muslim subjects are indeed exempt from public laws in their personal affairs; however, how can it be possible to sustain this exemption in punishments which are meant to create peace and justice in a society? If a Muslim criminal is flogged or stoned for committing fornication and a non-Muslim criminal is totally spared in this crime or given a lesser punishment, how can fornication be put an end to? Similar is the case of amputation of hands in the case of theft. If this discrimination is also maintained in the punishment of this crime, then it would mean that while an Islamic state stops Muslims from perpetrating this crime, it is giving a license to non-Muslims to commit this crime. This obviously is illogical and also against the practice of the Prophet (sws) and the rightly guided caliphs. Both implemented these punishments on non-Muslims too. I have written in detail about the rights of non-Muslims in my book The Islamic State. Those who would like to read about this issue may consult this book.
Fifthly, almost all jurists are of the view that this punishment only relates to criminals who are unmarried or if married, the marriage has not been consummated. As for those who are married and have also consummated their marriage, their punishment is stoning to death. They argue in favour of stoning from the practice of the Prophet (sws) and the rightly guided caliphs. In this way, they specify that the punishment mentioned in this verse only relates to unmarried individuals who commit this crime. Or, in other words, through the Sunnah, they abrogate this punishment with regard to married men and women.
This last condition imposed by our jurists is very significant. Whether it is regarded as specifying a directive or abrogating it, one is not satisfied to see a directive of the Qur'an being specified or abrogated by a khabar wahid. Thus the khawarij do not accept specifying or abrogating this directive in such a manner. They deny the punishment of stoning and regard the punishment mentioned in this verse to be applicable to all types of criminals guilty of committing it.
More important is the issue of our new khawarij than those of the previous ones. The latter only denied stoning and not flogging. The new ones are not even willing to accept flogging, let alone stoning. Thus it is essential that the source of stoning in the Qur'an be explained and as well as the exact the relationship of the punishment mentioned in this verse with the punishment of stoning. I will first present the narratives from which our jurists have argued in favour of stoning and then indicate its source in the Qur'an. After that, I will explain to which criminals the punishment of stoning must be administered and the type of criminals who were given this punishment by the Prophet (sws). Though I may be prolonging this discussion, yet it is not possible to ignore it. For this reason, I will try to briefly refer to some important aspects.
The following narrative reported by 'Ubadah ibn Samit is the one on the basis of which our jurists have regarded the punishment mentioned in this verse to be abrogated for married individuals:
خُذُوا عَنِّي قَدْ جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ لَهُنَّ سَبِيلًا الْبِكْرُ بِالْبِكْرِ جَلْدُ مِائَةٍ وَنَفْيُ سَنَةٍ وَالثَّيِّبُ بِالثَّيِّبِ جَلْدُ مِائَةٍ وَالرَّجْمُ
The Prophet said: "Preserve what I am now informing you of. The Almighty has revealed the directive He had promised for regarding women guilty of fornication. If both the perpetrators of this crime are unmarried, their punishment is one hundred lashes and one year exile and, if both are married, their punishment is lashes and death by stoning.3
If this narrative is deliberated upon, it will be seen that unmarried individuals guilty of this crime will be punished by one hundred lashes and also exiled for one year and, if both are married, their punishment is both lashes and death by stoning. The question arises that will both of punishments in each of the two cases be given simultaneously. The Hanafite and Shafite jurists say that lashes and stoning cannot be given together and that the flogging punishment mentioned has been abrogated by the practice of the Prophet (sws) and his companions; thus for married perpetrators of the crime, the only punishment is stoning.
It is this narrative of 'Ubadah bin Samit on the basis of which the verse of Surah al-Nur stands abrogated even though nothing except the Qur'an can abrogate the Qur'an. Then when this narrative could also not solve the problem, it was regarded to be abrogated by other narratives. It is such inferences of our jurists which have created doubts about religion in the minds of people. I will later show that if this narrative is deliberated upon in the light of the Qur'an, it is in harmony with it and no need arises for any sort of abrogation.
The second narrative which is cited in this regard is reproduced thus with a heavy heart:
عن ابن عباس قال قال عمر قد خشيت أن يطول بالناس زمان حتي يقول قائل لا نجد الرجم في كتاب اللّٰه فيضلوا بترك فريضة أنزلها الله وقد قرأنا الشَّيْخُ وَالشَّيْخَةُ إذا زَنَيَا فَارْجُمُوهُمَا الْبَتَّةَ
Ibn 'Abbas stated: " Umar bin al-Khattab said: 'I fear that time will pass over people until someone will say: "We do not find the verse of stoning in the Book of God." So, in this way, people will be led astray by abandoning a directive revealed by God. We used to read: الشَّيْخُ وَالشَّيْخَةُ إذا زَنَيَا فَارْجُمُوهُمَا الْبَتَّةَ (Necessarily stone to death the married man and the married woman guilty of adultery).'"4
As stated earlier, I have cited this narrative with great aversion merely to clear doubts spread by devious elements and thereby reach the truth. The simpletons among our exegetes and jurists have included such narratives in their books.
Deliberation on this narrative shows that it seems to have been fabricated in every way by a hypocrite, and the purpose of this fabrication is to raise doubts on the preservation of the Qur'an and implant this notion in the minds of the naïve that some verses of the Qur'an were taken out from it.
Let us first reflect on the language of the narrative. Can any upright person regard this verse to be part of the Qur'an? Even regarding it to be an utterance of Prophet Muhammad (sws) is impossible for any person of taste, let alone regarding it to be a verse of the Qur'an. What relation can it have with the eloquent style and construction of the Qur'an?
Secondly, if this was a verse of the Qur'an, who had the authority of taking it out when its directive is still operational? What is the sense in expunging a verse and still keeping its directive intact? If this was a verse of the Qur'an and later removed from it, then this means that the punishment of stoning was first in place and then abrogated. Then was the meaning of arguing in favour of this punishment?
Thirdly, even if this verse is accepted, the purpose of our jurists is not fulfilled. They need evidence for married people guilty of this crime whereas this verse only mentions old men and old women who have committed this crime. It is not essential for every married person to be old. Then what is the relation between the claim and its proof?
Nonetheless, this narrative is a worthless one. The irony is that it has been ascribed to 'Umar (rta). I am certain that if any person had the audacity to narrate it in his time, he would have not been spared by his lash. A weakness among our jurists is that when they indulge in debate with their rivals, they use all sorts of things that they can lay their hands on without realizing its far-reaching consequences.
These are the narratives which are cited in support of stoning and the criticism they invite has also been mentioned above. The question now is: what is the source of stoning in Islam? For what type of criminals is this punishment prescribed and to whom was it administered by the Prophet (sws)? It is essential to deliberate on this question because it is obvious that not only the Prophet (sws) meted out this punishment to certain criminals but the rightly guided caliphs too did so. Those who deny this established fact can deny everything. Hence I am not much concerned about them. However, since I myself am convinced about this punishment, I feel that it is my responsibility to find its source in the Qur'an and also try to understand its occasion and background.
To understand this issue, an important premise must be fully kept in mind:
Criminals are of two types. One of them are those who are guilty of committing crimes like theft, murder, fornication and accusing someone of fornication but the manner in which these crimes are committed is not that they become a nuisance for the society or create a situation of law and order for the government. The second type is of those who in their individual capacities and as a group become a nuisance for the both the society and the government. For the first type of criminals, the Qur'an has prescribed certain punishments that are implemented by an Islamic government keeping view the conditions stipulated for them by the Qur'an and the Hadith. For the second type of criminals, punishments are mentioned in verses 33-34 of Surah al-Ma'idah, and have been explained under them. These verses are:
جَزٰٓؤُا الَّذِیۡنَ یُحَارِبُوۡنَ اللّٰهَ وَ رَسُوۡلَهُ وَ یَسۡعَوۡنَ فِی الۡاَرۡضِ فَسَادًا اَنۡ یُّقَتَّلُوۡا اَوۡ یُصَلَّبُوۡا اَوۡ تُقَطَّعَ اَیۡدِیۡهِمۡ وَ اَرۡجُلُهُمۡ مِّنۡ خِلَافٍ اَوۡ یُنۡفَوۡا مِنَ الۡاَرۡضِ ذٰلِكَ لَهُمۡ خِزۡیٌ فِی الدُّنۡیَا وَ لَهُمۡ فِی الۡاٰخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِیۡمٌ. اِلَّا الَّذِیۡنَ تَابُوۡا مِنۡ قَبۡلِ اَنۡ تَقۡدِرُوۡا عَلَیۡهِمۡ فَاعۡلَمُوۡا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِیۡمٌ. (5 :33-34)
The punishments of those who wage war against God and His Prophet and strive to spread anarchy in the land are to execute them in an exemplary way or to crucify them or to amputate their hands and feet from opposite sides or to banish them from the land. Such is their disgrace in this world, and in the Hereafter, theirs will be an awful doom except those who repent before you overpower them, then you should know that God is Oft-Forgiving, Ever-Merciful. (5:33-34)
Reproduced below is what I wrote while explaining these verses:
The meaning of waging war against God and His Prophet is that a person or a group blatantly and obdurately tries to disrupt the system of justice which God and His Prophet have set up. If such subversive activities are from an external enemy, the directives of war have been mentioned in detail independently. Here, instead of the external enemy, punishments are being prescribed for enemies residing within the country and as citizens of the state regardless of being Muslim or non-Muslim challenge the law and system of the country. One way of violating the law is that a person perpetrates a crime; in this case, he will be dealt with through the general principle prescribed by the shari'ah for common criminals. Another way is that a person or a group tries to take the law in his hands, disrupts the peace and stability of the area through his evil-doing and, people always feel that their lives, wealth and honour are in danger; murder, robbery, vandalism, hijacking, fornication, destruction and other similar crimes create a law and order situation for the government. For such criminals, instead of being dealt with through common punishments prescribed, an Islamic government has the authority to take the following steps.5
After this, I have referred to the source of the punishment of stoning in the following words:
The words اَنۡ یُّقَتَّلُوۡا (an yuqattalu) refer to the fact that the criminals of this type will be executed. The word taqtil (which is from the from taf'il) has been used instead of qatl. In Arabic, taqtil means to execute someone in such a way that there is severity in the process of killing him. This implies that not only should the criminals of this category be executed but the execution should be carried out in a manner that serves as a severe warning to others. Only punishments which are prohibited in the shari'ah like killing through burning will be an exception to this. Other than these, all other ways and means which can teach a lesson and terrorize hooligans and miscreants and at the same time create respect for law in the eyes of people can be adopted by a government. In my opinion, the punishment of rajm (stoning to death) is one form of taqtil. Thus crooks and criminals which pose a threat for to the honour of decent people, who adopt fornication and hijacking as a profession, who attack the honour of people in broad daylight and openly commit rape, for them stoning is included in the word taqtil.6
It is evident from these details that those who think that the punishment of stoning is not mentioned in the Qur'an are incorrect. This punishment is based on verse 33 of Surah al-Ma'idah. It is for this reason that the instances of stoning that took place in the times of the Prophet (sws) have been mentioned by Imam al-Bukhari in his Al-Jami 'al-sahih under verse 33 (muharabah verse). He has also mentioned a narrative in the kitab al-muharibin of this book from which it becomes evident that some of our past authorities regarded this verse to be the source of this punishment.
Now let us take a brief look at the most famous incident of stoning that took place in the times of the Prophet (sws): the rajm of Ma'iz. Narratives about this person have a very strange type of discrepancy. Some narratives depict him to be a very decent and upright person and some show that he was a very wicked scoundrel. For my own guidance, I find it sufficient that the Prophet (sws) had him stoned to death and did not even lead his funeral prayer. For this reason, I give preference to narratives which portray his evil character that made him worthy of this punishment. It is evident from certain narratives that when the Prophet (sws) and his companions would go out for a battle, he quietly held back and taking advantage of the absence of men would try to chase women. Some narratives say that this would be like a goat chasing does. The Prophet (sws) continued to be informed of his misdeeds but did not take any step to check him because till then he had not committed a violation that could make him liable. Finally, he came under the jurisdiction of the law and was called up by the Prophet (sws), who sternly questioned him. He then understood that he could not hide his crime anymore and hence confessed. Upon confession, the Prophet (sws) ordered that he be stoned to death and did not offer his funeral prayer. After his stoning, the general impression of people that is evident from narratives was that many of them said that his wretchedness caught up with him until he was doomed. Though the Prophet (sws) had asked people not to comment about him after his stoning, yet this was the general impression they did form.
I will now cite some narratives so that some aspects become absolutely clear:
Firstly, like an upright person, Ma'iz had not come to the Prophet (sws) himself to confess his crime. He in fact came over to him at the insistence of the people of his tribe hoping that this would save him from a big punishment. The Prophet (sws) had already been informed of his crime and his confession was a consequence of the Prophet's questioning him.
Secondly, Ma'iz had a very loose and immoral character. When the Prophet (sws) and his companions would go out for battle, he would chase women overcome with sexual frenzy.
Thirdly, neither did the Prophet (sws) pray for his forgiveness nor led his funeral prayer which is evidence enough that he was regarded a die-hard hypocrite.
Here are the narratives:
... قال يا بن أَخِي أنا أَعْلَمُ الناس بهذا الحديث كنت فِيمَنْ رَجَمَ الرَّجُلَ إِنَّا لَمَّا خَرَجْنَا بِهِ فَرَجَمْنَاهُ فَوَجَدَ مَسَّ الْحِجَارَةِ صَرَخَ بِنَا يا قَوْمُ رُدُّونِي إلي رَسُوْلَ اللّٰهِ صَلَّي اللّٰهُ عَلَیۡهِ وَسَلَّمَ فإن قَوْمِي قَتَلُونِي وَغَرُّونِي من نَفْسِي وَأَخْبَرُونِي أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللّٰهِ صَلَّي اللّٰهُ عَلَیۡهِ وَسَلَّمَ غَيْرُ قَاتِلِي فلم نَنْزَعْ عنه حتي قَتَلْنَاهُ فلما رَجَعْنَا إلي رَسُوْلَ اللّٰهِ صَلَّي اللّٰهُ عَلَیۡهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَأَخْبَرْنَاهُ قال فَهَلَّا تَرَكْتُمُوهُ وَجِئْتُمُونِي بِهِ لِيَسْتَثْبِتَ رَسُوْلَ اللّٰهِ صَلَّي اللّٰهُ عَلَیۡهِ وَسَلَّمَ منه فَأَمَّا لِتَرْكِ حَدٍّ فلا قال فَعَرَفْتُ وَجْهَ الحديث
Jabir (rta) stated: "O Nephew! I know him the most from among all the people. I was among those who stoned this person to death. The incident happened thus: We started to stone him after bringing him into the open. When he was struck by the stones, he shouted: 'People! Take me over to the Prophet (sws); the people of my tribe have had me killed and they deceived me. They continued to say to me that the Prophet (sws) would not have me killed.' However, we ended up killing him. So, when we returned to the Prophet (sws) and informed him of his words, he said: 'Why did you not spare him? Why did you not bring him to me?' This he said so that he could find out the reality. He did not say this to annul the punishment." The narrator says: "After this, I understood this narrative."7
…فَرَمَيْنَاهُ بِجَلَامِيدِ الْحَرَّةِ يَعْنِي الْحِجَارَةَ حتي سَكَتَ قال ثُمَّ قام رَسُوْلَ اللّٰهِ صَلَّي اللّٰهُ عَلَیۡهِ وَسَلَّمَ خَطِيبًا من العشي فقال أَوَ كُلَّمَا انْطَلَقْنَا غُزَاةً في سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ تَخَلَّفَ رَجُلٌ في عِيَالِنَا له نَبِيبٌ كَنَبِيبِ التَّيْسِ علي أَنْ لَا أُوتَي بِرَجُلٍ فَعَلَ ذلك إلا نَكَّلْتُ بِهِ قال فما اسْتَغْفَرَ له ولا سَبَّهُ
"Thus we hurled on him stones from the valley of al-Harrah until he died." A narrator said: "The same day the Prophet (sws) delivered a sermon at the time of 'asr and said: 'Was this not the case that whenever we would go out to wage war for the cause of God, a person would stay behind among our families and behave like a goat overcome with sexual frenzy. Listen! It is incumbent upon me that if such a person is brought before me, I give him an exemplary punishment.'" A narrator said: "Neither did the Prophet (sws) pray for his forgiveness nor abused him."8
عن بن عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّ مَاعِزَ بن مَالِكٍ أتي النبي صَلَّي اللّٰهُ عَلَیۡهِ وَسَلَّمَ فقال إنه زَنَي فَأَعْرَضَ عنه فَأَعَادَ عليه مِرَارًا فَأَعْرَضَ عنه فَسَأَلَ قَوْمَهُ أَمَجْنُونٌ هو قالوا ليس بِهِ بَأْسٌ قال أَفَعَلْتَ بها قال نعم فَأَمَرَ بِهِ أَنْ يُرْجَمَ فَانْطُلِقَ بِهِ فَرُجِمَ ولم يُصَلِّ عليه
'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas narrated that Ma'iz ibn Malik came to the Prophet (sws) and confessed that he had committed fornication. The Prophet (sws) ignored him. Then he repeated his confession a number of times. Even then the Prophet (sws) disregarded him. He asked his people: 'Is he mad?' They replied: 'No, he is a normal person.' The Prophet (sws) then asked him: 'Did you really commit vulgarity with that girl?' He replied: 'Yes.' Thus the Prophet ordered that he be stoned to death. Thus he was and the Prophet (sws) did not offer his funeral prayer.9
فَأَمَرَ بِهِ فَرُجِمَ فَكَانَ الناس فيه فِرْقَتَيْنِ قَائِلٌ يقول لقد هَلَكَ لقد أَحَاطَتْ بِهِ خَطِيئَتُهُ
The Prophet (sws) ordered about Ma'iz whereby he was stoned to death. Later, people were divided into two groups about him. One of them opined that his sin surrounded him from all sides until he was killed.10
فَأَمَرَ بِهِ فَرُجِمَ فَسَمِعَ النبي صَلَّي اللّٰهُ عَلَیۡهِ وَسَلَّمَ رَجُلَيْنِ من أَصْحَابِهِ يقول أَحَدُهُمَا لِصَاحِبِهِ انْظُرْ إلي هذا الذي سَتَرَ اللّٰه عليه فلم تَدَعْهُ نَفْسُهُ حتي رُجِمَ رَجْمَ الْكَلْبِ
Thus the Prophet (sws) ordered about Ma'iz; so he was stoned to death. After this incident, the Prophet (sws) heard one his companions say to the other: "Look at this wretch. The Almighty had stretched a veil over him but his desire did not leave him until he was stoned to death like a dog."11
The next incident of stoning is about a woman called Ghamidiyyah who belonged to the tribe of Ghamid, a sub-tribe of the tribe of Juhaynah. The details which are found about her in the narratives do not tell us anything about her character or her marital status. Among the little that is mentioned about her has many mutual contradictions like the incident of Ma'iz bin Malik al-Aslami. It is evident from some narrative that initially the Prophet (sws) tried to dissuade her but she remained emphatic on her confession. At this, he said: "If you insist, go and come back after you have delivered the child." Later, she came over with the child. At this, he said: "Go, suckle the child and come after weaning." She then returned after weaning the child and had a piece of bread in her hand which she made the child eat in front of the Prophet (sws). It was then that he ordered to have her stoned. On the contrary, some other narratives say that when she confessed, the Prophet (sws) consigned her to the custody of a person from the Ansar. When she informed the Prophet (sws) that she had delivered the child, he said that she cannot be stoned in these circumstances when there is no one to suckle this little child. At this, a person from the Ansar got up and took responsibility of suckling the child. After this, the Prophet (sws) order for her stoning without any delay.
Not only does this contradiction comes to light after the narratives are studied, it also becomes evident that she was a rather independent and free sort of a woman who neither had a husband nor a guardian who was prepared to take on her responsibility. She spent her time of pregnancy at the place of a person from the Ansar. From her confession to the implementation of punishment on her, no one from her family or tribe came forward to pursue her case. Although details about this woman have not been fully preserved, but in my opinion, her case was similar to that of Ma'iz as a result of which she too was stoned to death.
A study of those times shows that in the times of jahiliyyah there were many women who would run dens of prostitution. It was mostly the Jews under whose patronage this was done. They would receive a part of the income generated. Once an Islamic state was set up in Madinah, this evil practice was greatly checked. However, such criminals do not easily desist from their wrongdoings. It seems that some men and women of this sort continued to carry out this practice in secrecy and did not stop even after warning. Finally, when they came under the jurisdiction of the law, they were stoned to death in accordance with the verse of Surah al-Ma'idah cited earlier.
Since the punishment of rape is also of the category of spreading anarchy in the society and waging war against God and His Prophet (sws), criminals guilty of it were stoned to death in accordance with this verse by the Prophet Muhammad (sws) and were not administered the punishment of a hundred lashes which was meant for common criminals of fornication. Since in this crime, the criminal did not deserve any lenience because he had raped a woman going to offer the prayer, the Prophet (sws) never inquired about his marital status. This incident is mentioned thus in a narrative:
عن عَلْقَمَةَ بن وَائِلٍ عن أبيه أَنَّ امْرَأَةً خَرَجَتْ علي عَهْدِ النبي صَلَّي اللّٰهُ عَلَیۡهِ وَسَلَّمَ تُرِيدُ الصَّلَاةَ فَتَلَقَّاهَا رَجُلٌ فَتَجَلَّلَهَا فَقَضَي حَاجَتَهُ منها فَصَاحَتْ وَانْطَلَقَ فَمَرَّ عليها رَجُلٌ فقالت إِنَّ ذَاكَ فَعَلَ بِي كَذَا وَكَذَا وَمَرَّتْ عِصَابَةٌ من الْمُهَاجِرِينَ فقالت إِنَّ ذلك الرَّجُلَ فَعَلَ بِي كَذَا وَكَذَا فَانْطَلَقُوا فَأَخَذُوا الرَّجُلَ الذي ظَنَّتْ أَنَّهُ وَقَعَ عليها فَأَتَوْهَا بِهِ فقالت نعم هو هذا فَأَتَوْا بِهِ النبي صَلَّي اللّٰهُ عَلَیۡهِ وَسَلَّمَ فلما أَمَرَ بِهِ قام صَاحِبُهَا الذي وَقَعَ عليها فقال يا رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ أنا صَاحِبُهَا فقال لها اذْهَبِي فَقَدْ غَفَرَ اللّٰه لَكِ وقال لِلرَّجُلِ قَوْلًا حَسَنًا قال أبو دَاوُد يَعْنِي الرَّجُلَ الْمَأْخُوذَ وقال لِلرَّجُلِ الذي وَقَعَ عليها ارْجُمُوهُ
'Alqamah ibn Wa'il reports from his father that in the times of the Prophet (sws), a woman came out of her house to go and offer the prayer. Thus a person saw her on the way. He got hold of her and fulfilled his sexual desire from her. At this, she shouted and cried out. So, he took to his heels. Meanwhile a person chanced by. The woman told her how she had been molested by a person. When this conversation was taking place, a group of the Muhajirun too came over there. She narrated her tale to them as well. So they ran and caught hold of the person the woman had indicated. Thus they brought him over to her and she said: "Yes this is the same person." They then took him to the Prophet (sws). At this, the Prophet (sws) immediately ordered his punishment. Thereafter, the real criminal stood up and said: "O Messenger of God! It was me who molested this woman." At this, the Prophet (sws) told the woman: "Go, God has forgiven you," and expressed favourable words for the person who had been caught as a suspect. After that, regarding the person who had raped her, he said: "Stone him."12
It is evident from this discussion that all the incidents mentioned in the books of Hadith are not related to common criminals of fornication. They are about such scoundrels who because of their sexual misdemeanour and dissolute practices were a severe threat to decent women and were guilty of raping them. In fact, they had adopted this heinous act as a profession. Then when they thought that they are being grabbed by the law, they would confess their crime in accordance with the common psyche of such criminals in order to gain sympathy of both the society and the law. As to why the Prophet (sws) ascertained the marital status of criminals of these types, it was to determine the circumstances of the criminals in whether they deserved any lenience in the punishment – a principle upheld by the Islamic shari'ah too just as it is upheld by other penal systems. A court must give due regard to the age, marital status, mental condition, environment, in short every factor that can become a motive or hindrance in committing the crime. The words ثيب and بكر occur in the narratives. In Arabic, just as these words are spoken for married and unmarried individuals respectively, they also refer to middle aged people and to budding youth. The mistake of our jurists is that they have regarded a state of the criminal to be the basis of the directive, whereas, it has no relationship with its basis. Such factors are always kept in consideration in the implementation of every punishment. Thus, those who regard the verse under discussion to be abrogated are not correct in my view. No verse of the Qur'an has ever been abrogated by any other thing except the Qur'an itself, and both the abrogating and the abrogated verses are present in the Qur'an. Even if the sphere of a verse is curtailed or made specific, then indications of this are either found in the context or occasion of the verse or in other instances of the Qur'an.
If the narrative reported by 'Ubadah ibn Samit (rta) is understood in the light of this discussion, it has a certain meaning. The letter و here is for division and not for addition. In other words, the real punishment of any person guilty of fornication whether married or unmarried is a hundred lashes but if an unmarried person cannot be stalled by the punishment of lashing, a government, in accordance with the verse of Surah al-Ma'idah referred above, can also exile that person for a year if this is more expedient because the authority of exiling a person has also been given to the government. Similarly, the real punishment of a married person guilty of this crime is also a hundred lashes, as is evident from the narrative. However, if such a criminal cannot be stalled by the punishment of lashing and has become a nuisance for the society, a government can administer the punishment of taqtil (stoning) in accordance with this very verse of Surah al-Ma'idah.
اَلزَّانِیۡ لَا یَنۡکِحُ اِلَّا زَانِیَةً اَوۡ مُشۡرِکَةً وَّ الزَّانِیَةُ لَا یَنۡکِحُهَاۤ اِلَّا زَانٍ اَوۡ مُشۡرِكٌ وَ حُرِّمَ ذٰلِكَ عَلَی الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ .13
The words لَا یَنۡکِحُ are not meant as a description of a situation. They are meant as a negative imperative. When a negation is meant to both stop as well as to urge and exhort people to refrain from something, then it will be mentioned as a description of a situation. I have explained this style under verse 272 of Surah al-Baqarah. Here the purpose is to exhort and rouse the faith of a Muslim society: they should abhor a person guilty of fornication marrying among them and as guardians not let their daughters wed such people; such people should only have the option of marrying women guilty of fornication or idolatry. No believing woman should be prepared to marry such people. Similarly, a woman who has committed this crime should not find a man prepared to marry her. Only a man guilty of this crime or an idolater should be available to her. No believer should bring home this filth. This is because believers are prohibited to marry men and women guilty of this crime.
The mention of a man guilty of fornication with an idolater and a woman guilty of fornication with an idolatress is very meaningful. I have been referring to the similarity of fornication and polytheism at many instances in this exegesis. Ancient divine scriptures compare an idolater to a harlot. This comparison carries great eloquence in it. Fornication is the same type of moral filth as is the filth of polytheism with regard to faith. It is for this generic reason that polytheism and polytheists are called filth (9:28).
The need to awaken the faith of the society from its slumber was that mere imposition of a law, however unbiased and sagacious it may be, cannot protect the society until the society itself has an aversion to sin. In the implementation of a law, especially when it is a stern one, there necessarily are conditions because of which many criminals succeed in protecting themselves from it. It is the responsibility of the society to thwart the activities of the criminals by hating what they do, and forcing them to live a life of humiliation wherever they are. If they want to marry an upright Muslim woman, she should reject such proposals; so much so, that such people do not have the courage to even think of marrying among them. This vigilance is essential to check crimes. Among the various pitfalls of modern times is that it is not merely that the penal code is not Islamic, a more situation of concern is that feelings for Islam have vanished. If in these times, a person wants to find a match for his daughter, he mostly looks for highly regarded worldly qualities and very few people care for qualities that are referred to in this verse.
وَ الَّذِیۡنَ یَرۡمُوۡنَ الۡمُحۡصَنٰتِ ثُمَّ لَمۡ یَاۡتُوۡا بِاَرۡبَعَةِ شُهَدَآءَ فَاجۡلِدُوۡهُمۡ ثَمٰنِیۡنَ جَلۡدَةً وَّ لَا تَقۡبَلُوۡا لَهُمۡ شَهَادَةً اَبَدًا وَ اُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الۡفٰسِقُوۡنَ . اِلَّا الَّذِیۡنَ تَابُوۡا مِنۡ بَعۡدِ ذٰلِكَ وَ اَصۡلَحُوۡا فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِیۡمٌ .14
These verses mention the law of evidence and the punishment of accusing a person of fornication (qadhf). It should be kept in mind that in an Islamic society, regarding someone's evidence to be inadmissible forever is no ordinary a thing. It means that a person's reputation has been permanently dented. The real status of this ummah is that they bear evidence to the truth before God on earth. Therefore, if a person's evidence is regarded to be inadmissible, it would mean that he has lost his status as an individual of this ummah.
Though the demonstrative pronoun الَّذِیۡنَ is used for the masculine gender, there is no reason that women be exempted from the punishment if they are guilty of this crime. Hence this word will include both genders. The reason that men have been addressed is because of being the dominant gender ('ala sabil al-taghlib).
In such a context, the word مُحۡصَنٰتٌ is used for free women in contrast to slaves. For this reason, well-argued is the opinion of those who believe that slave men and women will receive half of the punishment.
After repentance and making amends, the sin of such individuals will be forgiven by God but the in-acceptability of their testimony will still stand. The reason for this is that the matter of repentance of a person relates to his heart and only God knows a person's heart. It is also evident from the words of the verse that forgiveness relates only to repentance and not to testimony. Hence, such a person's testimony will never ever be accepted.
. وَ الَّذِیۡنَ یَرۡمُوۡنَ اَزۡوَاجَهُمۡ وَ لَمۡ یَکُنۡ لَّهُمۡ شُهَدَآءُ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡفُسُهُمۡ فَشَهَادَةُ اَحَدِهِمۡ اَرۡبَعُ شَهٰدٰتٍ بِاللّٰهِ اِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الصّٰدِقِیۡنَ . وَ الۡخَامِسَةُ اَنَّ لَعۡنَتَ اللّٰهِ عَلَیۡهِ اِنۡ کَانَ مِنَ الۡکٰذِبِیۡنَ . وَ یَدۡرَؤُا عَنۡهَا الۡعَذَابَ اَنۡ تَشۡهَدَ اَرۡبَعَ شَهٰدٰتٍ بِاللّٰهِ اِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الۡکٰذِبِیۡنَ . وَ الۡخَامِسَةَ اَنَّ غَضَبَ اللّٰهِ عَلَیۡهَاۤ اِنۡ کَانَ مِنَ الصّٰدِقِیۡنَ .15
If a person accuses his wife of fornication and he has none but himself as a witness to this crime, the matter will be decided through oaths. In the shari'ah, this is called Li'an. The verse describes its procedure.
The word الۡعَذَابَ in وَ یَدۡرَؤُا عَنۡهَا الۡعَذَابَ obviously refers to the punishment referred to in verse 2. It is against the principles of Arabic language to regard it to refer to any other punishment.
Our jurists are of the opinion that if such an incident takes place between a husband and wife, a court of law shall annul this marriage. This seems to be a wise opinion because when matters reach this extent, it cannot be expected that the harmony that is needed between a husband and wife in a marriage can remain intact.
وَ لَوۡ لَا فَضۡلُ اللّٰهِ عَلَیۡکُمۡ وَ رَحۡمَتُهُ وَ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ تَوَّابٌ حَکِیۡمٌ .16
This verse is meant to warn and remind people, as has been indicated earlier. The answer to the condition it states is suppressed in accordance with linguistic principles. Verse 14 ahead reveals this suppression. The implication is that it is the consequence of God's blessings and mercy and the fact that He accepts repentance that He has given people clear directives replete with wisdom so that they are guided to repentance and to mending their ways; otherwise, the attitude they have adopted will only earn His wrath.
It may be kept in mind that these directives were revealed in the times when because of the conspiracies of the hypocrites great weaknesses had arisen among the Muslims, as will become evident in the succeeding verses. However, instead of punishing people for these weaknesses, God, out of His grace and mercy, used these circumstances to reveal directives that were necessary to protect an Islamic society from the conspiracies and connivances of the devils and hypocrites.
1. This is an important surah that We have revealed and have made its directives mandatory and have also revealed very clear admonitions in it so that you fully take heed.
2. A man or a woman guilty of fornication , flog each of them with a hundred lashes, and in the implementation of God's law any feeling of sympathy with them should not arise in you, if you truly believe in God and in the Hereafter . And let a group of Muslims at the time of their punishment be present there.
3. Muslim, Al-Jami' al-sahih, 749, (no. 4414).
4. Al-Jassas, Ahkam al-Qur'an, vol. 5, 97.
5. Tadabbur-i Qur'an, vol. 2, 505.
6. Ibid., vol. 2, 505-506
7. Abu Da'ud, Sunan, vol. 4, 145, (no. 4420).
8. Muslim, Al-Jami' al-sahih, vol. 3, 1320, (no. 1694).
10. Muslim, Al-Jami' al-sahih, vol. 3, 1322, (no. 1695).
11. Abu Da'ud, Sunan, vol. 4, 148, (no. 4428).
13. A man guilty of fornication should only marry a woman guilty of fornication or an idolatress . And a woman guilty of fornication should only be married by a man guilty of fornication or an idolater. And this has been prohibited to the believers.
14. And those who accuse chaste women , then do not bring four witnesses to support their accusation, flog them with eighty lashes and never accept their testimony in future. It is these people who are the real defiant . Those who repent and reform after this, then God is Forgiving and Merciful.
15. And those who accuse their wives and have no other witness except themselves, then the procedure of their testimony is that they should swear four times by God and say that they are truthful and the fifth time they should say that may the curse of God be on them if they are lying. And the punishment can be averted from the woman when she swears four times by God that this person is a liar and the fifth time she should say that may the wrath of God come upon her if he is truthful.
16. And had not God's mercy and blessings been upon you and had it not been that God accepts repentance and is wise, you would have been seized by Him.


Hola Babes! Im just going to jump right into it! So I am leaving WordPress because *DRUMROLL* I FINALLY HAVE MY OWN WEBSITE!!! Here is the link, https://www.supersweetserendipity.com I hope all 800+ of you, my gorgeous followers, will follow me to my next chapter in my blogging life! I will definitely miss WordPress because they were … More IMPORTANT INFO, LEAVING WORDPRESS!!
4 Comments IMPORTANT INFO, LEAVING WORDPRESS!!
Whats up my gorgeous babes!? I am so pumped to share this Ulta Haul with you all today. Weirdly this is the first time I have every ordered anything online from Ulta so I was super excited when the package came! Check it out and let me know what you think about all those goodies! … More Ulta Haul!
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Hey Babes! I hope you are all having a somewhat happy and productive Monday! Today I am sharing my absolute favourite boyfriend jean I think I have ever owned. I mean just look at them, They're better than any actual boyfriend lets be honest 😉 They have it all; the perfect slouch, awesome rolled up … More The Best Boyfriend Jean!
7 Comments The Best Boyfriend Jean!
Happy Hump Day Babes! Todays outfit is basically as the title suggests filled with a lot of different shades of blue. Take a look, This is probably one of my favourite outfits of all time! It has SO much detail happening at one time and it just looks so summery. The top has A LOT … More Fifty Shades of Blue?
9 Comments Fifty Shades of Blue?
Hey guys! I am so pumped to finally be able to share this with you guys! I am sure most of you have heard Swalla by Jason Derulo by now. Well I decided to make a parody for the song for Iftar, Iftar is when Muslims break their fasts during Ramadan in the evening. It … More Swalla by Jason Derulo:IFTAR VERSION!
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Home > All news > Forex scarcity pushes US Dollar price to record 40 Sudanese Pounds
Forex scarcity pushes US Dollar price to record 40 Sudanese Pounds
February 1 - 2018 KHARTOUM
A deepening scarcity of hard currency in Sudan has pushed the price of a US Dollar to a new record high of SDG 40 on the parallel market in Khartoum.
This new record reported on Wednesday shows the sharp decline in the Sudanese currency, which has effectively halved in value in just three months. The greenback was trading at around SDG 20 at the beginning of November 2017.
"There is a major shortage in the foreign exchange market because of the tight measures taken by the government against the parallel market traders" one trader told Dabanga Radio in Khartoum on Monday.
He predicted that US Dollar prices will continue to rise on a daily basis because the market is dominated by scarcity and not supply and demand.
The falling value of the Sudanese currency has resulted in price hikes for fuel, food, and medicines which have prompted mass public protests across the country.
In November last year, the Sudanese Finance Ministry revealed new security and administrative measures to prevent speculation in foreign currency. A number of major currency dealers were arrested, and others fled abroad. The Central Bank of Sudan (CBoS) ordered banks to freeze the assets of dozens of Sudanese individuals and companies. The State Security Prosecution charged them for trading currencies, against the Central Bank's instructions.
In an attempt to bolster foreign currency reserves, the CBoS also instructed all banks in Sudan to hand over remittances by Sudanese expatriates abroad in the same currency as the transfer.
New official rate
In early January this year, the Sudanese government raised the customs rate of the US Dollar from SDG 6.7 to SDG 18, in a bid to halt the plummeting of the Pound on the black market. To no avail however, as the Dollar rate increased from SDG 28 to SDG 34.50 in the following two weeks.
April 27 - 2018
Long queues for salaries as Sudan's Kassala runs short of cash
Rates on the rise on Sudan's parallel forex market
February 25 - 2018
Psychiatric, cancer medicine availability drops 80% in Sudan
Butchers on strike in South Kordofan capital
February 7 - 2018
Auditor-General: 15 Govt. companies 'manipulated 2016 accounts'

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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AHS Kicks Off Earth Week
ASB and Science and Eco Club host water conservation activities
On the week of April 18th, Science and Eco Club held various events during lunch in celebration of Earth and the environment.
Junior Celine Chen also used Science and Eco Club's platform to aid in her Girl Scout Gold Award Project. She helped organize and host Monday, Wednesday, and Friday's activities for her project.
"My project is based off of water conservation due to the drought that our local area has been experiencing," Chen said. "I thought of holding a few workshops at school and thought it would be perfect to work with Science and Eco Club, since they are in charge of spreading awareness of environmental issues."
The week started off with water conservation bingo in Ms. Wheaton's classroom on Monday. Students crossed out squares that correlated to the water conservation techniques Chen stated. Candy and other prizes were awarded to the winners.
"The activity implemented and emphasized the reasons why water should be conserved in such a severe drought of our local area," Chen said. "Even though there has been a lot of rain recently, the drought is far from over."
Wednesday's activity involved a do-it-yourself project where students created their own water wetland in a small cup using soil, sand, rocks, plants, and water.
"I chose to a make a wetland, since they are natural water conservation environments," Chen said. "I wanted to implement ideas of water conservation other than the basic ways to save water and present information in a way that was interesting to the students."
The week culminated with another do-it-yourself activity on orange-flavored detergent on Friday. Students were taught how to make detergent at home using orange peels, vinegar, and mason jars.
"[The activity was] very hands-on," vice president of Science and Eco Club, Kathryn Tarver, said. "It gave students the opportunity to connect with the principles of sustainability."
Junior Jackie Le also participated in the project and found it engaging and informative.
"I thought this was such a creative project," Le said. "And on top of that, I learned I could help make the world a greener place."
Apart from Science and Eco Club's workshops, ASB also encouraged students to bike, skateboard, and walk to school on Tuesday. Students who brought their bikes were able to get repairs done in front of Gateway.
"The reason behind Earth Week was really just to celebrate the earth and remind people of the importance of being environmentally friendly, while also providing cool things to do and unique events and opportunities for our club members and the entire school population in general," Science and Eco Club President Denise Kuo said.
On Tuesday and Thursday, Science and Eco Club also sold potted plants for $2 at SAC. Each plant was cultivated in plastic bottles to reinforce the importance of recycling and conservation.
"We sold the flowers to remind people of the importance to take care of the Earth and all the living things in it," Kuo said. "We used plastic water bottles as pots to also remind people of how easy it is to reduce, reuse, and recycle. It was also just really fun to sell pretty flowers and we knew people would enjoy them."
Categories: Campus Life, NewsTags: american high, earth week, fremont united school district
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Send2Press › Wire › Automotive and Motorsports › Checkered Motorsports Offers NASCAR Fans Opportunity to Race to the Finish Line, Own a Piece of the Action and Make History
Checkered Motorsports Offers NASCAR Fans Opportunity to Race to the Finish Line, Own a Piece of the Action and Make History
Source: Checkered Motorsports | Tue, 30 May 2006, 15:35:00 EDT
ATLANTA, GA – May 30 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Ever dream of being part of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Family? Well, this may be the chance that die-hard fans have been waiting for, and Checkered Motorsports is leading the way. Unlike other sports, NASCAR allows anyone to field a Nextel Cup Team. With over 75 million NASCAR fans, the chance that there are some people interested in doing so, is highly likely. And, now is the time. Every year, NASCAR reviews and revises rules and regulations; in two or three years they might not allow just anyone to get in.
"My grand plan is to race two Nextel Cup Teams starting in Daytona 2007 with thousands of other fans and co-owners," James E. Pierce, President, said. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to not only view the action, but be a part of it."
Checkered Motorsports is asking interested fans to invest an initial $10 to get the process started; approximately 100,000 deposits are needed. Once this has been established, the balance – $500 – will be due. At this time, investors will become co-owners and will receive their legal documents.
"As a co-owner, the sky's the limit when it comes to benefits," Pierce explained." Among the return on investment, other benefits may include: auctions for racecar accessories; VIP passes; the ability to display a company logo; and much, much more."
Once the initial goal of 100,000 is met, a staff of business advisors, financial experts, attorneys, marketers and advertising executives will be assembled to ensure the positive outcome of Checkered Motorsports. This management team will have the best interests of the co-owners, team and fans in place.
"Most importantly," Pierce said, "this minimal $10 investment shows that fans are serious and want to be part of the professional sport of racing, and making history; it will prove our credibility and dedication and aid in finding a high-profile sponsor."
Checkered Motorsports is the first fan-based corporation in the history of NASCAR. They are a small, elite group of fans with common goals in mind: to thrive to be a competitive every week; and to ultimately, win the Nextel Cup Championship.
Learn how to become a co-owner at: http://www.checkeredmotorsports.com
News issued by: Checkered Motorsports
Original Story ID: (1680) :: 2006-05-0530-001
Original Keywords: Checkered Motorsports, James E. Pierce, NASCAR sponsorship, fan-based corporation, Nextel Cup Championship, Atlanta, Georgia, co-owner, NASCAR Fans, Nextel Cup Teams, Daytona 2007 Checkered Motorsports
News Source: Checkered Motorsports
https://www.send2press.com/wire/2006-05-0530-001/
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LEGAL NOTICE AND TERMS OF USE: The content of the above press release was provided by the "news source" Checkered Motorsports or authorized agency, who is solely responsible for its accuracy. Send2Press® is the originating wire service for this story and content is Copr. © Checkered Motorsports with newswire version Copr. © 2006 Send2Press (a service of Neotrope). All trademarks acknowledged. Information is believed accurate, as provided by news source or authorized agency, however is not guaranteed, and you assume all risk for use of any information found herein/hereupon.
REFERENCES: Automotive and Motorsports News, Checkered Motorsports, James E. Pierce, NASCAR sponsorship, fan-based corporation, Nextel Cup Championship, Atlanta, Georgia, co-owner, NASCAR Fans, Nextel Cup Teams, Daytona 2007 Checkered Motorsports


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Tag Archives: Ethiopians
Ethiopia: Redemption of country should be priority, say exiled labor union leaders
ESAT News (November 2, 2017) Ethiopian former labor confederation leaders in exile said the focus now should be the redemption of the country from TPLF's divisive and destructive policies, but not revising labor laws. The former labor leaders in exile issued a statement in connection with labor laws promulgated by the regime that violates the rights to association and other ...
Ethiopia: Cassation bench overrules bail granted to Bekele Gerba
ESAT News (November 1, 2017) A cassation bench with the Ethiopian Supreme court has reportedly overruled an earlier decision by the court to grant bail to Bekele Gerba, a leading opposition figure incarcerated for over a year and half on charges of terrorism. The court over the weekend granted bail to Gerba as per the defense request that his charges ...
British International Development Secretary urges his govt secure release of Andy Tsige
ESAT News (October 31, 2017) Urging his government to get the release of Andargachew Tsige, an Ethiopian born British citizen on death row in Ethiopia, British International Development Secretary, Andrew Mitchell, said he is "confident a solution can be found to get Andy home to his partner and three children in London by Christmas." In a commentary published in the ...
Ethiopia: "I am worried Ethiopia will explode:" Ana Gomes
by Engidu Woldie ESAT News (October 30, 2017) A member of the European Parliament who is a fervent critic of the TPLF said current political developments in Ethiopia could lead to conflict with tremendous consequences to the Horn of Africa. Speaking to ESAT on the phone, the Portuguese politician said she fears that the ongoing conflicts in various parts of ...
Campaign calls for resignation of Tedros Adhanom
by Engidu Woldie ESAT News (October 27, 2017) A change.org campaign calls for the resignation of Dr. Tedros Adhanom from his post as the WHO Director General. The campaign warns if Dr. Tedros fails to resign on his own terms, a world wide campaign will be launched to ask governments to revoke his mandate. "Your recent decision to nominate Mr. ...
Ethiopia: Dozens killed in ethnic attack in south west Ethiopia
ESAT News (October 23, 2017) Information reaching ESAT show that dozens of people were killed over the weekend in south west Ethiopia when anti-government protests turned violent in Bedele and Chora, in Illubabor. Several houses were set on fire and at least 5000 people were forced out of their homes and went to hiding in forests as attackers, some using ...
Two killed as protests continue in Ethiopia
ESAT News (October 18, 2017) At least two people were killed as security forces fired shots into protesters in a village near Fiche town, 53 miles outside the capital Addis Ababa. The anti-government protesters responded with setting government vehicles on fire. Four vehicles were set ablaze in Gebregurecha. Protests continued in Melketuri, Gebreguracha, Ejerie, Chanco, Bedelle, Metu as well as ...
Ethiopian General seeks asylum in U.S.
ESAT News (October 6, 2017) An Ethiopian General has sought asylum in the U.S. after attending an international conference in Washington, DC last month. Brigadier General Melaku Shiferaw has served with the military intelligence of the regime's defense force and as a military attache in a number of African countries. The General came to the United States last month with ...
Ethiopians demonstrate in DC to support human rights bill
ESAT News (September 18, 2017) Ethiopians in the metropolitan Washington, DC area and elsewhere took to the streets today in support of H. RES. 128, a human rights bill by the U.S. congress on Ethiopia. HR – 128 resolution, among others, calls for the Ethiopian regime to investigate the killings and excessive use of force against protesters in the Oromia ...
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text:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

namespace SMSTyping
{
    class SMSTyping
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var numberOfChars = int.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
            var message = String.Empty;

            for (int i = 0; i < numberOfChars; i++)
            {
                var digit = Console.ReadLine();
                var digitLength = digit.Length;
                var mainDigit = int.Parse(digit[0].ToString());
                var offset = (mainDigit - 2) * 3;
                if (mainDigit == 8 || mainDigit == 9)
                {
                    offset += 1;
                }
                var letterIndex = offset + digitLength - 1;

                if (mainDigit == 0)
                {
                    message += " ";
                }
                else
                {
                    message += (char)(97 + letterIndex);             // Adds letterIndex to ASCII code for lower 'a' which is 97
                }
            }
            Console.WriteLine(message);
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Jefferson County, KY 04/09/19 at 4:00pm EDT Committee on Committees Meeting Agenda - Final City Hall: 601 W Jefferson St, Louisville Citizens Commission on Police Accountability - Steven Kniffley (New Appointment).
Jefferson County, KY 04/11/19 at 6:00pm EDT Metro Council Meeting Agenda - Tentative City Hall: 601 W Jefferson St, Louisville Citizens Commission on Police Accountability - Steven Kniffley (New Appointment).
Louisville, KY 04/09/19 at 4:00pm EDT Committee on Committees Citizens Commission on Police Accountability - Steven Kniffley (New Appointment).
Louisville, KY 04/11/19 at 6:00pm EDT Public Safety Committee Citizens Commission on Police Accountability - Steven Kniffley (New Appointment).


While doing some manual labor all week I've been thinking about words and how they are often containers into which we can pour new meaning.
Take "world changers" for instance. Ten years ago or so when Indiana Wesleyan University launched the new World Changer emphasis the meaning of the term was clear. Every faculty and student was expected to read Briner's book—Roaring Lambs which has terrible ecclesiology but interesting ideas on the role Christians in the world. Briner represented the best of the boomer thinking—Christians didn't have to be second class at anything but we can be just as successful in business, just as good a coach, just as rich and just as famous as anyone else in the world.
So IWU brought in examples of world-changers to speak in chapel: famous actors who had made it in Hollywood, writers who had made the New York Times bestselling list, rich businessmen, renowned surgeons or prominent politicians. These were "world changer models." Missionaries, social workers, elementary teachers and nurses were not invited. We even started a hall of fame inducting famous world-changers and placed their bronze head in the library to remind students of what they were to try to become. The message so popular with boomer parents was: Be successful like these people.
We started the UNV 180-world changers course where we tried to convince freshmen students to go for the gold and change the world. While we never said so directly but the implication was clear: make it big time in the world. We were saying you should grab the gold ring of worldly success so some day you too might have a triumphal return to IWU as a true world-changer. For more than ten years this is what "World-changer" has meant.
But words do not have fixed meanings. The people of God have an uncanny way of pouring new meaning into old words. When you alums return to IWU in the future be prepared for this shift in what "world-changer" means. It may not mean what it meant when you were here. We now have a new generation of students and parents (and evangelicals) and this is changing world changers.
So, how is "world-changer" changing? It is coming to mean "making a difference where you live—one by one." A world changer is coming to mean a person who works as a nurse serving others out of love even if you never get famous for it or write a best-selling book. A world changer is coming to mean a teacher who purposely chooses to go to a third-rate inner city school to make a difference in the lives of poverty stricken students. It is increasingly coming to mean doing something to address AIDS in Africa, stop sexual slavery, starting feeding programs for the poor, and developing the personal discipline of recycling and reducing one's energy footprint. It has less to do with becoming rich or famous and more to do with serving and loving. You can be a world-changer now by serving as a youth pastor in South Dakota or by running a homeless shelter in Atlanta. The success content of the term is being gradually displaced with a new moral content.
Nowhere is this so clear as in the new book the UNV180 students now read calling for Christian action on behalf of the poor and needy (more on that book in September). I expect sooner or later we will induct someone into the WC hall of fame like this—some non-famous servant who loves and serves quietly.
Of course REL alums all recognize this is all about theology. Not just Briner's poor ecclesiology, but good solid pneumatology. The church is guided by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is constantly prompting change and correction among the people of God. And, sometimes He does this by prompting us to pour new and better meaning into old words. That's what seems to be happening right now with the term "World-changer." My hunch is most of my former students thought this is what it should have meant all along.
In spite of the famous ones that were honored, I always thought it included the broader definition. Barnes did, too. On return from one of his trips to China, he told the story of meeting an IWU alumna who was teaching English classes and Bible studies for Chinese doctors. He thought this was the epitome of being a World-Changer.
I like the change. But then again I'm a youth pastor in South Dakota and not a multi-millionaire media mogul or equivalent.
Kerry, yep this is always what I thought it included too... what was missing is using the term publicly associated with missionaries or pastors or other quiet servants. That is a change now in the works... presenting public models (maybe even indicting them into the WC hall of fame) that reinforce these private definitions that some have had all along. At least we got the criteria changed so pastors are not excluded from being be inducted into the hall of fame--that's was a good change that occurred a while ago. Now the changes are dominating the grass roots level --right in the actual UNV180 course and in the reading material. It at least balances Briner's low view of the church and low view of lambs that do not roar but merely serve.
I wasn't too impressed with the book writing-wise... though I don't expect an urban minister to be a great writer, though I thought he'd have better editors... ? It was fairly disjointed and not well-supported BUT probably sufficiently disruptive to freshmen students :) so it will accomplish its purpose.
ADAM.... yep, books get into print that are poorly written... editors today do less with a manuscript than they used to do... perhaps it is due to the "Internet age" when rough drafts can survive online and on paper.
I'll let you in on a little secret. The Hall of World Changers was seen by many IWU students in my days as a legitimate joke. I think much of it has to do with the postmoderns shunning any sort of recognition. Bear your cross quietly, in other words. Perhaps most disturbing is the fact that IWU has now married herself to causes and political parties through these men she has endorsed.


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Saint Anne School is a Catholic private elementary school located in Castle Shannon, Pennsylvania, US. It is part of a parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. This school was closed by the Diocese of Pittsburgh following the 2019-2020 school year.

History
Founded in 1894, Saint Anne School was first housed in the Saint Anne Church building in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and initially known as the Sacristy School. Moving into a one-room schoolhouse that same year, Miss Flora Shafer taught the first class of 15 students. Subsequent classes were then taught by Sr. Bernard Murphy. Five years later, the school was more fully staffed, drawing its faculty from the Sisters of St. Agnes. By 1905, students were receiving their instruction from the Sisters of Divine Providence in the same building, which by 1912 had been expanded from one room to three floors. More than four decades later, the student body numbered 800 with peak enrollment achieved at more than 1,600 during the 1960s. They were taught by 32 faculty, 21 of whom were members of the Sisters of Divine Providence. The building principal between 1957 and 1963 was Sr. Concepta.

With an average enrollment of 80 students per grade level during the 1970s, facilities were once again expanded during that decade with Rita Adams, CDP serving as the school's principal until 1990. Cathy Jakubowski then became only the second layperson in the school's history to become the institution's principal. The current principal as of 2019 was Mrs. Harmony Stewart.

Academics
Saint Anne Catholic School was reaccredited by The Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools in the spring of 2017.

Saint Anne School offers an educational experience in four and three year preschool, full day kindergarten, and first through eighth grade with a pupil/teacher ratio of 15 students to 1 teacher, and an average class size of 20 students. In addition to the academic curriculum, daily religious education, weekly Mass and Eucharistic Adoration, sacramental preparation, Spanish, music, art, and physical education classes, and computer equipment are also provided. A scholarship program exists, as do on-site morning and after-school extended care services.

Extracurricular activities
Activities offered at Saint Anne School include PA Junior Academy of Science, Student Newspaper, Forensics, English Festival, AV Club, Lectors, Altar Servers and Lectors, Children's Choir, Spelling Bee, and Band & Advanced Band. Sporting activities that students have the ability to join are Cross-Country, Track, Cheerleading, Diocesan Football, Basketball (Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Instructional), Little Dribblers, and Volleyball (Varsity and Junior Varsity).

Notable faculty and alumni
 Daniel DiNardo, who was appointed a cardinal.
 Dennis Miller, who became a comedian and talk show host.

References

External links
Saint Anne School website

Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
Catholic elementary schools in Pennsylvania
Schools in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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WAFarmers calls for enquiries and country assistance service
With the Esperance fires now extinguished and the recovery effort in full swing, WAFarmers urges authorities to launch an enquiry into the response to the fires, and to introduce a country-based firefighting body.
Following the fires, concerns have been raised regarding the availability of meteorological information prior to and during the early stages of the fires, the question of responsibility given the fires began on Crown land, the lack of back-up in the early firefighting stages, the threat to local crop-dusting pilots about losing their licences if they flew near the blaze and, finally, telecommunications problems.
WAFarmers President Dale Park said despite actions during the last five years to improve firefighting services in Western Australia, they had not been enough to prevent widespread devastation in Esperance.
"Over the last five or so years, two full scale enquiries were launched into Western Australia's firefighting processes, there was a complete clean-out at the top of FESA, and it was changed from an authority into a government department," Mr Park said.
"While it appears that a lot has been done since to effectively manage the state's bushfires, the Esperance fires have demonstrated that the results have not changed significantly."
Mr Park said WAFarmers recognised that firefighting efforts undertaken by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services representatives, locals and other volunteers had eventually brought the flames under control, but explained that a country fire authority would be better placed to manage rural fire emergencies.
"As Senator Chris Back explained to the Senate in Federal Parliament last week, we should not confuse volunteerism with amateurism, because properly trained and resourced volunteers are more than equal when it comes to their work on fire grounds," Mr Park said.
"Local volunteers, who often have experience in fire brigades, provide expertise in property knowledge and firefighting skills, and their abilities should not be underestimated because they are not paid.
"The establishment of a Western Australian country firefighting authority would be a much better option for regional centres.
"It would have the ability to allocate resources towards mitigation, which is currently the responsibility of the under-resourced Department of Parks and Wildlife, in addition to greater firefighting and training capabilities, allowing for the faster distribution of assistance as needed.
"We hope the government seriously considers the advantages of such a system and quickly puts the idea into practice."
All media requests must be directed to WAFarmers Media and Communications Officer Melanie Dunn on (08) 9486 2100 or [email protected].
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Obituary for Martin Hertzberg, PhD | William F. Conroy Funeral Home, Inc.
Age 88, of Scott Twp., passed away on Monday, September 17, 2018. Beloved husband of Ruth (Schein) Hertzberg, loving father of Lawrence E. (Shen Lin), MD., Honorable Alan D. (Mari), Russell A. Hertzberg, Cory Alexander, MD and the late Eric Paul Hertzberg; grandfather of Ben, Nicole, Dan, Kara, Taylor, Erica, and Michael. A memorial service will be celebrated on Sunday, September 23rd from 2 – 4 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills, 1240 Washington Rd. Pgh 15228.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills in Dr. Hertzberg's name. Please make checks payable to UUCSH and put "Dr. Hertzberg's Memorial" on the memo line.


text:
FiND iT MAP
FiNDiT123: Ballenger Creek Anytime Fitness
What is FiNDiT123?
This blog post is part of a three-post series called FiNDiT123. In this series, FiND iT FREDERiCK highlights a business in or around Frederick, MD on Monday, then on Wednesday we showcase the staff integral to running this local business.
The best part? On Friday, we offer a giveaway! For those looking to start a new exercise routine, stay tuned for your chance to win a free one-month membership featuring three personal training sessions or two weeks of small group training at Ballenger Creek's Anytime Fitness.
Scroll down in our blog to read previous FiNDiT123s for The Lodges at Gettysburg and Emmy's Harvest. Want to be a part of your own FiNDiT123? Let us know and we'll be in touch.
FiNDiT1: The business
FREDERICK, MD — It's no secret that gyms and fitness centers can be intimidating, especially for those looking to establish a simple exercise routine without bodybuilding, powerlifting or Crossfitting. However, Ballenger Creek's Anytime Fitness is different — it's a community-focused gym that caters to the average person seeking to start a healthier routine. Want to learn more about Ballenger Creek's Anytime Fitness? Keep reading and stay tuned for more this week, including a membership giveaway you can't miss!
Why choose Anytime Fitness in Ballenger Creek?
Trainer Josh Messinger works one-on-one with a member/ Photo courtesy of Brian Ricketts
This 5,000 square-foot gym, centrally located on Ballenger Creek Pike, not only offers quality gym equipment for those who want to exercise on their own terms, but it also focuses on small group training, personal coaching and weight loss management programs to help members achieve their fitness goals.
"We're a coaching gym," said Brian Ricketts, owner of the Ballenger Creek and Damascus Anytime Fitness locations. "We want to help you get results, so we're going to give you as much help as you want us to give you. But it's also more of a community feel. You know people by name; it's not like a big club with thousands of people. We know people and there's a great club culture."
Ricketts says that the average person who comes to this Anytime Fitness is "about 45 years old and wants to lose a little weight and get back into shape." However, anyone 18 and older is allowed to join. Younger teens are welcome to join as well, but at least one of their parents must also be a member.
Membership perks
Each month, Anytime Fitness offers a new member challenge, such as trying to wall sit for the longest amount of time, doing the most burpees in a minute or putting the most miles on the treadmill in a month.
Another perk to joining Anytime Fitness is its extended hours, which make it easier for those with non-traditional schedules to still complete their exercise routine. Also, members can use any location they prefer among the 4,000+ worldwide— there are five in Frederick County and three within Frederick.
"I think one of the benefits at Anytime Fitness is that it's 24 hours" Ricketts said. "Whether someone works in law enforcement, fire and rescue, a restaurant employee, hospital worker, or any other job that has irregular hours, this is the gym for them."
Anytime Fitness in Ballenger Creek also offers a membership discount to military, fire/rescue personnel, law enforcement and Frederick County and Montgomery County Public Schools employees.
Gym amenities and features
Anytime Fitness offers many amenities and equipment for every member, including:
24-hour access and 24-hour security
Private showers
Health plan discounts
Cardio TVs
Elliptical cross-trainers
Exercise cycles and spin bikes
Rowing machines
Free weights, dumbbells and barbells
...and more! View the full list here.
The gym is open 24/ 7 for members. Staff hours are 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Sound like your type of gym? Fill out this form and a staff member will be in touch to help you become a member.
Stay tuned to learn more about Owner Brian Ricketts and the trainers on Wednesday, and check back on Friday for your chance to win a free month-long membership!
FiND iT FREDERiCK Magazine
12 S Market Street Ste 101
Frederick, MD 21701
info@pulsepublishing.net


The Shared Links blueprint helps you take content from the web and share it with your team. You can use Shared Links to share and collaborate on web content, or to create a centralized repository of useful links.
The first time you use the Shared Links blueprint in a space, Confluence will create an index page and add a shortcut on your space sidebar (if you're using the default theme). The index lists all the shared links in that space.
If you want to quickly create a blank page, hit the Create button in the header; if you want to create a page from a template, hit the Create from template button.
Include topics to help categorize your links – these are added as labels to your page.
Share the link immediately with another user or group – users will receive a notification.
Add a comment to start the discussion.
To make sharing links even faster, you can add a Share on Confluence button to your browser's toolbar. Click this button and the webpage you're currently viewing will be added as a shared link!
Now, when you want to share a link in Confluence, choose the Share on Confluence button in your browser and follow the prompts.
Screenshot: Share a link from the Create dialog.


The enormous anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane is the anguish of Jesus who yearns for the love of his friends, but they don't realize it. He longs to give them love but they haven't opened themselves to receive it. This is the enormous anguish of God who is only love…who leaves people free to accept or reject that love.


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Clotworthy Upton, 1st Baron Templetown (14 March 1721 – 16 April 1785) was an Anglo-Irish courtier and peer.

He was the youngest son of Lieutenant Colonel John Upton, of Castle Upton, County Antrim, by his wife Mary Upton, only daughter of Dr Francis Upton. He served as Clerk Comptroller to Augusta, Dowager Princess of Wales between 1761 and 1772. In 1768 he succeeded to the family estates following the deaths of both of his brothers. On 3 August 1776 he was created Baron Templetown, of Templetown in the County of Antrim in the Peerage of Ireland, and assumed his seat in the Irish House of Lords.

Marriage and succession
He married Elizabeth Boughton, a Lady of the Bedchamber to the Princess Amelia, on 25 August 1769. He was succeeded in his title by his eldest legitimate son, John Upton, who was created Viscount Templetown in 1806.

References

1721 births
1785 deaths
18th-century Anglo-Irish people
Barons in the Peerage of Ireland
English courtiers
Members of the Irish House of Lords
Peers of Ireland created by George III
Court of George III of the United Kingdom


text:
Q: Can I use RShiny to open RMarkdown Files? Is there a way I can embed RMarkdown documents in an RShiny app? That way when someone clicks on the document it opens in a new window? I know it's straightforward to embed RShiny into RMarkdown documents, but does it go the other way?
I'm working in a RShiny Dashboard, and I'd like to be able to open my menuSubItem and have the list of Rmds there.
library(shiny)

ui <- dashboardPage(
  dashboardHeader(title = "MWE"),
  dashboardSidebar(
    sidebarMenu(
      id = "tabs",
      menuItem("Menu1", tabName = "dashboard", icon = icon("folder-open"),
           menuSubItem("Sub Menu 1",icon = icon("folder-open"), tabName = "subMenu1")
  )
)
  ),
  dashboardBody(
    tabItems(
        tabItem(tabName = "subMenu1",
            h2("How do I list RMarkdown files here?")
     )
    )
  )
)

server <- function(input, output, session) {
}

shinyApp(ui, server)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Caprice is a four bedroom, four and a half bathroom beachfront villa located in the neighbourhood of Reeds Bay in the parish of St. James on the West coast of the island.
Caprice is a retreat to paradise and offers air conditioned comfort in four bedroom suites spread across two floors. Each bedroom boasts stunning views of the ocean as well as private patios where you can have your coffee and listen to the sounds of the surf.
The elegant master suite at this West coast property has a cosy sitting area and Queen size four-poster bed giving gorgeous views of the Caribbean Sea and there are two additional queen bedroom suites and one with twin beds. All bedrooms have bathrooms with a shower or tub, with the exception of the master suite, which has both.
Caprice is the essence of Caribbean villa living,with abundant space, many choices of areas to relax, perhaps share a cocktail or two on our large beach front deck and watch the spectacular West coast sunsets. This villa is designed to embrace indoor and outdoor living such that ocean breezes can be enjoyed by simply opening the door to your private deck.
The interior of this Reeds Bay holiday rental features a large double sitting room with TV, stereo, CD, DVD as well as books and games, or choose a cosy corner under the outside terrace to have an afternoon siesta. Dine al fresco under a coral stone portico, where everyone can gather together for meals and enjoy quality vacation time while creating memories that will last forever.
Caprice's attentive and caring staff include a cook and housekeeper who will provide you with two meals a day, after discussing your particular culinary preferences. Just relax and let Caprice take care of all your needs.