RationalWiki:Annotated Qur'an/The Spider

Annotated Qur'an
Sura 29: The Spider
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Qur'an 29:1 Alif, Lam, Meem.	Qur'an 29:1 Notes These letters are apparently crucial to the final message to all of humanity.

Qur'an 29:2 Have the people supposed that they will be left alone to say, “We believe,” without being put to the test?	Qur'an 29:2 Notes Humans are capable of believing things when provided with convincing evidence. Tests may or may not be part of that process.

Qur'an 29:3 We have tested those before them. God will surely know the truthful, and He will surely know the liars.	Qur'an 29:3 Notes God contradicts himself in this book far too much to know truth from lies.

Qur'an 29:4 Or do those who commit sins think they can fool Us? Terrible is their opinion!	Qur'an 29:4 Notes God would have to exist for anyone to fool him.

Qur'an 29:5 Whoever looks forward to the meeting with God—the appointed time of God is coming. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.	Qur'an 29:5 Notes I can wait. I pass.

Qur'an 29:6 Whoever strives, strives only for himself. God is Independent of the beings.	Qur'an 29:6 Notes Striving... in general? Like at all?

Qur'an 29:7 Those who believe and do righteous deeds—We will remit their sins, and We will reward them according to the best of what they used to do.	Qur'an 29:7 Notes This mercy is, of course, limited to a select few whom God has chosen to let believe the truth.

Qur'an 29:8 We have advised the human being to be good to his parents. But if they urge you to associate with Me something you have no knowledge of, do not obey them. To Me is your return; and I will inform you of what you used to do.	Qur'an 29:8 Notes Respect your parents, but don't follow the religion of your parents blindly... unless it happens to be Islam, in which case you are allowed to follow them blindly.

Qur'an 29:9 Those who believe and do good works—We will admit them into the company of the righteous.	Qur'an 29:9 Notes Muhammed is considered righteous. I do not want to be in his company given the many atrocities which he has reportedly commited.

Qur'an 29:10 Among the people is he who says, “We have believed in God.” Yet when he is harmed on God’s account, he equates the people's persecution with God’s retribution. And if help comes from your Lord, he says, “We were actually with you.” Is not God aware of what is inside the hearts of the people?	Qur'an 29:10 Notes This sounds like a poor communicator.

Qur'an 29:11 God certainly knows those who believe, and He certainly knows the hypocrites.	Qur'an 29:11 Notes I happen to know a certain hypocrite living in the Middle East several centuries ago. His name starts with M.

Qur'an 29:12 Those who disbelieve say to those who believe, “Follow our way, and we will carry your sins.” In no way can they carry any of their sins. They are liars.	Qur'an 29:12 Notes Disbelievers often see believers as following a false, dangerous path and, out of compassion, want them to not hurt themselves and the ones around them. God really attempts to make these compassionate humans look so villainous for no good reason.

Qur'an 29:13 They will carry their own loads, and other loads with their own. And they will be questioned on the Day of Resurrection concerning what they used to fabricate.	Qur'an 29:13 Notes Threats that only work on those who already believe

Qur'an 29:14 We sent Noah to his people, and He stayed among them for a thousand years minus fifty years. Then the Deluge swept them; for they were wrongdoers.	Qur'an 29:14 Notes He stayed alive for 950 years? What was his secret? What kept his body going for so long? Also, was this a local flood or that global flood that was debunked time and time again?

Qur'an 29:15 But We saved him, together with the company of the Ark, and We made it a sign for all peoples.	Qur'an 29:15 Notes Why did you choose to save only a small handful of people? Why did you choose to create a deluge and leave very little evidence of it being anything more than a local flood.

Qur'an 29:16 And Abraham, when he said to his people, “Worship God, and fear Him. That is better for you, if you only knew.	Qur'an 29:16 Notes Abraham could have said that if he existed, but people say things all the time.

Qur'an 29:17 You worship idols besides God, and you fabricate falsehoods. Those you worship, instead of God, cannot provide you with livelihood. So seek your livelihood from God, and worship Him, and thank Him. To Him you will be returned.”	Qur'an 29:17 Notes Abraham also likes to accuse disbelievers of malice. Can nobody in this religion understand that good people can sincerely disbelieve without any malice?

Qur'an 29:18 If you disbelieve, communities before you have also disbelieved. The Messenger is only responsible for clear transmission.	Qur'an 29:18 Notes The messenger forgot to make anything clear. The fact that anyone sincerely disbelieves is evidence against clear messages.

Qur'an 29:19 Have they not seen how God originates the creation, and then reproduces it? This is easy for God.	Qur'an 29:19 Notes We have not seen that. God never does things in front of people in a way that they can comprehend.

Qur'an 29:20 Say, “Roam the earth, and observe how He originated the creation.” Then God will bring about the next existence. God has power over all things.”	Qur'an 29:20 Notes Where do I need to roam to see the evidence of Allah's creations specifically firsthand? You keep teasing me with evidence.

Qur'an 29:21 He punishes whom He wills, and He grants mercy to whom He wills, and to Him you will be restored.	Qur'an 29:21 Notes Capricious as always, eh?

Qur'an 29:22 You cannot escape, on earth or in the heaven; and you have no protector and no savior besides God.	Qur'an 29:22 Notes What a lovely threat...

Qur'an 29:23 Those who disbelieved in God’s signs and His encounter—these have despaired of My mercy. For them is a painful torment.	Qur'an 29:23 Notes What a merciful god you must be to threaten people after admitting to setting them up for failure...

Qur'an 29:24 But the only response from his people was their saying, “Kill him, or burn him.” But God saved him from the fire. Surely in that are signs for people who believe.	Qur'an 29:24 Notes There would be signs in that story for those who have evidence that it actually happened precisely as described in this book.

Qur'an 29:25 And he said, “You have chosen idols instead of God, out of affection for one another in the worldly life. But then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will disown one another, and curse one another. Your destiny is Hell, and you will have no saviors.”	Qur'an 29:25 Notes Another lovely verse... Also, since when was affection for peers a bad thing?

Qur'an 29:26 Then Lot believed in him, and said, “I am emigrating to my Lord. He is the Noble, the Wise.”	Qur'an 29:26 Notes Lot could have said that if he was real. Does that make his statement correct?

Qur'an 29:27 And We granted him Isaac and Jacob, and conferred on his descendants the Prophethood and the Book, and gave him his reward in this life; and in the Hereafter he will be among the upright.	Qur'an 29:27 Notes How can we normal people get that?

Qur'an 29:28 And Lot, when he said to his people, “You are committing an obscenity not perpetrated before you by anyone in the whole world.	Qur'an 29:28 Notes He apparently said that to a people who invented a whole new way to sin. They were the first humans in existence to do this specific thing. How amazing!

Qur'an 29:29 You approach men, and cut off the way, and commit lewdness in your gatherings.” But the only response from his people was to say, “Bring upon us God’s punishment, if you are truthful.”	Qur'an 29:29 Notes That... that is the thing that nobody has ever done before these people did it? Really? Either way, how is that such a heinous crime against humanity even if does seem disgusting to homophobes.

Qur'an 29:30 He said, “My Lord, help me against the people of corruption.”	Qur'an 29:30 Notes His lord was not real and thus did not do anything directly.

Qur'an 29:31 And when Our envoys brought Abraham the good news, they said, “We are going to destroy the people of this town; its people are wrongdoers.”	Qur'an 29:31 Notes Everybody in this town? All of them? Even the women? Even the innocent children?

Qur'an 29:32 He said, “Yet Lot is in it.” They said, “We are well aware of who is in it. We will save him, and his family, except for his wife, who will remain behind.”	Qur'an 29:32 Notes Did... did God specifically make them all so horrendously sinful without exception? Will any innocents be destroyed with them?

Qur'an 29:33 Then, when Our envoys came to Lot, they were mistreated, and he was troubled and distressed on their account. They said, “Do not fear, nor grieve. We will save you and your family, except for your wife, who will remain behind.”	Qur'an 29:33 Notes Lot presumably loved his wife, so he presumably continued fearing and grieving.

Qur'an 29:34 “We will bring down upon the people of this town a scourge from heaven, because of their wickedness.”	Qur'an 29:34 Notes Muhammed groomed a literal child and owned sex slaves. That seems far worse than men doing things with consent. He was also a violent warlord. He was not wicked. Those... those disgusting degenrates, on the other hand, were far more wicked than Muhammed.

Qur'an 29:35 And We left behind a clear trace of it, for people who understand.	Qur'an 29:35 Notes Where? Where can we see the ruins of a city that could only have been destroyed by this one specific deity sending punishment from the heavens? How can we tell that these traces are exclusively from heavenly punishment?

Qur'an 29:36 And to Median, their brother Shuaib. He said, “O my people, worship God and anticipate the Last Day, and do not spread corruption in the land.”	Qur'an 29:36 Notes This story probably defines corruption in such a way that something perfectly reasonable is considered sinful.

Qur'an 29:37 But they rejected him, so the tremor overtook them, and they were left motionless in their homes.	Qur'an 29:37 Notes This story... does not even elaborate. What specifically did they do that deserved that?

Qur'an 29:38 And Aad and Thamood. It has become clear to you from their dwellings. Satan embellished for them their deeds, barring them from the path, even though they could see.	Qur'an 29:38 Notes God is the one who does that, not Satan. Why would Allah give the credit to Satan this time? I am confused as to which deception methods are from God and which are from Satan.

Qur'an 29:39 And Quaroon, and Pharaoh, and Hamaan—Moses went to them with clear arguments, but they acted arrogantly in the land. And they could not get ahead.	Qur'an 29:39 Notes Of course, our only clear arguments are clearly flawed.

Qur'an 29:40 Each We seized by his sin. Against some We sent a sandstorm. Some were struck by the Blast. Some We caused the ground to cave in beneath them. And some We drowned. It was not God who wronged them, but it was they who wronged their own selves.	Qur'an 29:40 Notes Victim blaming again, even if Allah has admitted to wronging people repeatedly in other verses

Qur'an 29:41 The likeness of those who take to themselves protectors other than God is that of the spider. It builds a house. But the most fragile of houses is the spider’s house. If they only knew.	Qur'an 29:41 Notes Spider silk is surprisingly durable for how thin it is. Setting that fun fact aside, are you threatening to destroy the house of everyone who does not worship you exclusively, Allah?

Qur'an 29:42 God knows what they invoke besides Him. He is the Almighty, the Wise.	Qur'an 29:42 Notes He is also so incredibly fragile in his ego if he even cares that people would worship beings other than himself.

Qur'an 29:43 These examples—We put them forward to the people; but none grasps them except the learned.	Qur'an 29:43 Notes Prove that any of these examples actually happened as your holy scripture describes them.

Qur'an 29:44 God created the heavens and the earth with truth. Surely in that is a sign for the believers.	Qur'an 29:44 Notes Where is the sign that the same God mentioned in this book actually created the heavens and the earth?

Qur'an 29:45 Recite what is revealed to you of the Scripture, and perform the prayer. The prayer prevents indecencies and evils. And the remembrance of God is greater. And God knows what you do.	Qur'an 29:45 Notes Big Brother is watching you. You had best behave because he says that his worship methods are best.

Qur'an 29:46 And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in the best manner possible, except those who do wrong among them. And say, “We believe in what was revealed to us, and in what was revealed to you; and our God and your God is One; and to Him we are submissive.”	Qur'an 29:46 Notes Can you clarify that? Productive, civil discussions are important, and Muslims should know how to be well-spoken and respect other people when talking to them. Surely this extensive book in no shortage of verses gets into the details of these civil, productive discussions, right? Right? RIGHT?!

Qur'an 29:47 Likewise, We revealed to you the Scripture. Those to whom We gave the Scripture believe in it, and some of these believe in it. None renounce Our communications except the disbelievers.	Qur'an 29:47 Notes What's wrong with sincerely not believing something that sounds as outlandish as the claims of this book? Did they hurt your feelings, Mr. All-Powerful?

Qur'an 29:48 You did not read any scripture before this, nor did you write it down with your right hand; otherwise the falsifiers would have doubted.	Qur'an 29:48 Notes People doubt no matter what. Many people doubt that Muhammed was even illiterate.

Qur'an 29:49 In fact, it is clear signs in the hearts of those given knowledge. No one renounce Our signs except the unjust.	Qur'an 29:49 Notes As if justice means anything to the god who inflicts infinite punishments for finite sins which the sinners committed outside of their control

Qur'an 29:50 And they said, “If only a miracle from his Lord was sent down to him.” Say, “Miracles are only with God, and I am only a clear warner.”	Qur'an 29:50 Notes Muhammed was far from clear.

Qur'an 29:51 Does it not suffice them that We revealed to you the Scripture, which is recited to them? In that is mercy and a reminder for people who believe.	Qur'an 29:51 Notes It does not suffice. This scripture comes nowhere near sufficing.

Qur'an 29:52 Say, “God suffices as witness between you and me. He knows everything in the heavens and the Earth. Those who believe in vanity and reject God—it is they who are the losers.”	Qur'an 29:52 Notes What of those who have never seen or heard God ever?

Qur'an 29:53 And they urge you to hasten the punishment. Were it not for a specified time, the punishment would have come to them. But it will come upon them suddenly, while they are unaware.	Qur'an 29:53 Notes They are made unaware by the same god who created them specifically for this punishment.

Qur'an 29:54 They urge you to hasten the punishment. But Hell will engulf the disbelievers.	Qur'an 29:54 Notes What a lovely threat that you don't repeat to a sickening level!

Qur'an 29:55 On the Day when the punishment will envelop them, from above them, and from beneath their feet, He will say, “Taste what you used to do!”	Qur'an 29:55 Notes God sure is vindictive for a supposedly all-merciful being.

Qur'an 29:56 O My servants who have believed: My earth is vast, so worship Me alone.	Qur'an 29:56 Notes They can only get rewarded for kissing up to the slave master. Good to know.

Qur'an 29:57 Every soul will taste death. Then to Us you will be returned.	Qur'an 29:57 Notes Prove that you exist and can see us after death. Prove that we can exist after death. Assertions are not evidence.

Qur'an 29:58 Those who believe and work righteousness—We will settle them in Paradise, in mansions under which rivers flow, dwelling therein forever. Excellent is the compensation for the workers.	Qur'an 29:58 Notes They only believed because Allah let them believe and didn't seal them away from the truth.

Qur'an 29:59 Those who endure patiently, and in their Lord they trust.	Qur'an 29:59 Notes Be patient, trust my specific god over any other gods, and you can we promise you great rewards!

Qur'an 29:60 How many a creature there is that does not carry its provision? God provides for them, and for you. He is the Hearer, the Knowledgeable.	Qur'an 29:60 Notes God loves to provide to the many, many starving children who have no idea when their next bite of food will come. Many of them were the poor people from Arabia at the time of Muhammed's revelations.

Qur'an 29:61 And if you asked them, “Who created the heavens and the earth and regulated the sun and the moon?” They would say, “God.” Why then do they deviate?	Qur'an 29:61 Notes Because not all of them believe that non-answer.

Qur'an 29:62 God expands the provision for whomever He wills of His servants, and restricts it. God is Cognizant of all things.	Qur'an 29:62 Notes Thank you for wanting to restrict provisions to anyone at all, Allah.

Qur'an 29:63 And if you asked them, “Who sends water down from the sky, with which He revives the earth after it had died?” They would say, “God.” Say, “Praise be to God.” But most of them do not understand.	Qur'an 29:63 Notes The earth never died for it to spring back to life. Allah should use metaphors that actually correspond to reality and not this mess.

Qur'an 29:64 The life of this world is nothing but diversion and play, and the Home of the Hereafter is the Life, if they only knew.	Qur'an 29:64 Notes If only we had evidence and no seal on our heart placed there by some dictator in the heavens above.

Qur'an 29:65 When they embark on a vessel, they pray to God, devoting their faith to Him; but once He has delivered them safely to land, they attribute partners to Him.	Qur'an 29:65 Notes Who specifically does that? Allah keeps talking about people who engage in polytheism whenever they want. Do these people sincerely believe in those other gods when not in danger?

Qur'an 29:66 To be ungrateful for what We have given them, and to enjoy themselves. They will surely come to know.	Qur'an 29:66 Notes Not everyone who disagrees with your BS (Belief System) is ungrateful for doing so.

Qur'an 29:67 Do they not see that We established a Secure Sanctuary, while all around them the people are being carried away? Do they believe in falsehood, and reject the blessings of God?	Qur'an 29:67 Notes We do not see that you specifically did that, nor that a Secure Sanctuary of which you speak necessarily exists.

Qur'an 29:68 And who does greater wrong than he who fabricates lies and attributes them to God, or calls the truth a lie when it has come to him? Is there not in Hell a dwelling for the blasphemers?	Qur'an 29:68 Notes I know a certain slaving warlord known for massacring people who rejected his message and enslaving many of the survivors. Does this man really not do worse than a pacifist anti-slavery disbeliever?

Qur'an 29:69 As for those who strive for Us—We will guide them in Our ways. God is with the doers of good.	Qur'an 29:69 Notes God is apparently not with Muhammed then.

Qur'an 29:70 And He is God. There is no god but He. To Him belongs all praise in this life, and in the next. And His is the decision, and to Him you will be returned.	Qur'an 29:70 Notes And He is fake. There is no evidence but His book.

Qur'an 29:71 Say, “Have you considered? Had God made the night perpetual over you until the Day of Resurrection, which god other than God will bring you illumination? Do you not hear?”	Qur'an 29:71 Notes Again, day and night are not distinct entities. Do you know not how your own creations work?

Qur'an 29:72 Say, “Have you considered? Had God made the day perpetual over you until the Day of Resurrection, which god other than God will bring you night to rest in? Do you not see?”	Qur'an 29:72 Notes He has demonstrated neither himself nor this Day of Resurrection. How can we see?

Qur'an 29:73 It is out of His mercy that He made for you the night and the day, that you may rest in it, and seek some of His bounty; and that you may give thanks.	Qur'an 29:73 Notes His mercy would sure be nice to abolish this cruel system of hell as well as any suffering in this world.

Qur'an 29:74 On the Day when He will call to them, and say, “Where are My associates whom you used to claim?”	Qur'an 29:74 Notes God sounds so insecure here. He needs to rub in the faces of the polytheists that those other gods are not real like him. What sick enjoyment does such a deity get from this?

Qur'an 29:75 And We will draw out from every community a witness, and say, “Produce your evidence.” Then they will realize that the truth is God’s, and those they used to invent have forsaken them.	Qur'an 29:75 Notes God has already forsaken most of his creations when creating them to never be able to believe in him and go to hell.

Qur'an 29:76 Quaroon belonged to the clan of Moses, but he oppressed them. We had given him treasures, the keys of which would weigh down a group of strong men. His people said to him, “Do not exult; God does not love the exultant.	Qur'an 29:76 Notes Yet another historical story where the main characters may or may not have ever existed... joy...

Qur'an 29:77 But seek, with what God has given you, the Home of the Hereafter, and do not neglect your share of this world. And be charitable, as God has been charitable to you. And do not seek corruption in the land. God does not like the seekers of corruption.”	Qur'an 29:77 Notes This book is long enough without repeating stories over and over again.

Qur'an 29:78 He said, “I was given all this on account of knowledge I possess.” Did he not know that God destroyed many generations before him, who were stronger than he, and possessed greater riches? But the guilty will not be asked about their sins.	Qur'an 29:78 Notes God apparently likes destroying those who recognize their own merits and don't exclusively kiss up to him.

Qur'an 29:79 And he went out before his people in his splendor. Those who desired the worldly life said, “If only we possessed the likes of what Quaroon was given. He is indeed very fortunate.”	Qur'an 29:79 Notes Quaroon was a showoff. Was Muhammed not also a showoff in several ways?

Qur'an 29:80 But those who were given knowledge said, “Woe to you! The reward of God is better for those who believe and do righteous deeds.” Yet none attains it except the steadfast.	Qur'an 29:80 Notes People can have worldly rewards and afterlife rewards... or they could if the afterlife rewards existed in any capacity.

Qur'an 29:81 So We caused the earth to cave in on him and his mansion. He had no company to save him from God, and he could not defend himself.	Qur'an 29:81 Notes God is insecure and vindictive.

Qur'an 29:82 Those who had wished they were in his position the day before were saying, “Indeed, it is God who spreads the bounty to whomever He wills of His servants, and restricts it. Had God not been gracious to us, He would have caved in on us. No wonder the ungrateful never prosper.”

Qur'an 29:82 Notes This suggests that the ungrateful never prosper in this life and always face destruction before dying. Countless atheists have prospered, lived happy lives, succeeded in what they set out to do in life, and died peacefully without destruction or fear of burning in some sadistic hell before. Of course, this prosperity is finite, but God wants to also pair it with infinite torment.

Qur'an 29:83 That Home of the Hereafter—We assign it for those who seek no superiority on earth, nor corruption. And the outcome is for the cautious.	Qur'an 29:83 Notes Muhammed sought superiority and spread vast corruption in the land.

Qur'an 29:84 Whoever brings a virtue will receive better than it. But whoever brings evil—the evildoers will be rewarded only according to what they used to do.	Qur'an 29:84 Notes Meaningless threats to cap this chapter off.