Abusing God’s Provisions
[6:136] They even set aside a share of GOD’s provisions of crops and livestock, saying, “This share belongs to GOD,” according to their claims, “and this share belongs to our idols.” However, what was set aside for their idols never reached GOD, while the share they set aside for GOD invariably went to their idols. Miserable indeed is their judgment.
[6:137] Thus were the idol worshipers duped by their idols, to the extent of killing their own children.* In fact, their idols inflict great pain upon them, and confuse their religion for them. Had GOD willed, they would not have done it. You shall disregard them and their fabrications.
*6:137 A perfect example is the internationally infamous incident of the execution of a Saudi Arabian princess in 1978 for alleged adultery. God’s law institutes whipping, not execution, as a punishment for adultery (24:1-2), while the idolatrous laws stipulate execution. As pointed out in 42:21, the traditionalists follow a religion that is not authorized by God.
Religious Innovations Condemned
[6:138] They said, “These are livestock and crops that are prohibited; no one shall eat them except whomever we permit,” so they claimed. They also prohibited the riding of certain livestock. Even the livestock they ate, they never pronounced GOD’s name as they sacrificed them. Such are innovations attributed to Him. He will surely requite them for their innovations.
[6:139] They also said, “What is in the bellies of these livestock is reserved exclusively for the males among us, and prohibited for our wives.” But if it was a still birth, they permitted their wives to share therein. He will certainly requite them for their innovations. He is Most Wise, Omniscient.
[6:140] Losers indeed are those who killed their children foolishly, due to their lack of knowledge, and prohibited what GOD has provided for them, and followed innovations attributed to GOD. They have gone astray; they are not guided.
What is the meaning of 6:136?
Idol worship nullifies any of our good deeds. So even if we set aside good deeds for God, it is useless if we also associate idol worship with it.
[6:88] Such is GOD’s guidance, with which He guides whomever He chooses from among His servants. Had any of them fallen into idolatry, their works would have been nullified.
[7:147] Those who reject our revelations and the meeting of the Hereafter, their works are nullified. Are they requited only for what they committed?
[39:65] It has been revealed to you, and to those before you that if you ever commit idol worship, all your works will be nullified, and you will be with the losers.
[47:1] Those who disbelieve and repel from the path of GOD, He nullifies their works.
[47:9] That is because they hated what GOD revealed and consequently, He nullifies their works.
[47:32] Those who disbelieve and repel from the path of GOD, and oppose the messenger after the guidance has been manifested for them, will never hurt GOD in the least. Instead, He nullifies their works.
[2:217] …Those among you who revert from their religion, and die as disbelievers, have nullified their works in this life and the Hereafter. These are the dwellers of Hell, wherein they abide forever.
[3:22] Their works have been nullified, both in this life and in the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers
[25:23] We will look at all the works they have done, and render them null and void.
There are two paths: God’s path and Satan’s path. This is a binary decision. If we commit idol worship then we are on Satan’s path despite anything a person may do for God. If a person mixes idol worship with worship of God then by definition that person is an idol worship.
Imagine you have $100 and you want to give half for God and the other half for idol worship, but since you committed idol worship then your whole $100 was wasted.
Can someone’s false claim make good food bad?
Does people’s innovation make something that God made lawful to be unlawful?
How do you dedicate grains to other than God? If someone can do such, does that mean they have the authority to make something lawful into something unlawful?
When we do righteous work we need to do it with the intent that it is for God.
[76:8] They donate their favorite food to the poor, the orphan, and the captive. [76:9] “We feed you for the sake of GOD; we expect no reward from you, nor thanks. [76:10] “We fear from our Lord a day that is full of misery and trouble.”
How is the dedication of Amram’s wife of Mary to God different than dedicating food?
[3:35] The wife of Amram said, “My Lord, I have dedicated (the baby) in my belly to You, totally, so accept from me. You are Hearer, Omniscient.”
What are some examples of idols inflicting great pain on them to the extent of killing their children?
There were many false religions that practiced child sacrifice i.e. Mayans.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_sacrifice
Witchcraft Condemned
[2:102] They pursued what the devils taught concerning Solomon’s kingdom. Solomon, however, was not a disbeliever, but the devils were disbelievers. They taught the people sorcery, and that which was sent down through the two angels of Babel, Haroot and Maroot. These two did not divulge such knowledge without pointing out: “This is a test. You shall not abuse such knowledge.” But the people used it in such evil schemes as the breaking up of marriages. They can never harm anyone against the will of GOD. They thus learn what hurts them, not what benefits them, and they know full well that whoever practices witchcraft will have no share in the Hereafter. Miserable indeed is what they sell their souls for, if they only knew.
Dr. Robert Barron on Abortion and Health Care
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHrePl6zvfQ
MidPoint | Heather Hansen discusses unregulated prenatal genetic screening tests
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FAyRmGvhWQ
Genetic test raises ethical questions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eR4XdJSmqc
What if they could tell with 100% certainty that the child would have a genetic disease is it wrong to abort the fetus?
[6:151] Say, “Come let me tell you what your Lord has really prohibited for you: You shall not set up idols besides Him. You shall honor your parents. You shall not kill your children from fear of poverty – we provide for you and for them. You shall not commit gross sins, obvious or hidden. You shall not kill – GOD has made life sacred – except in the course of justice. These are His commandments to you, that you may understand.”
Quran Talk Blog 