RationalWiki:Annotated Qur'an/The Elevated Places

Annotated Qur'an
Sura 7: The Elevated Places
Word-by-word translation Alternate translations and related tafsirs Alternate translations
Previous sura	Following sura

Qur'an 7:1 Alif, Lam, Meem, Saad.	Qur'an 7:1 Notes Letters of the alphabet that are apparently integral to the meaning of this book

Qur'an 7:2 A Scripture was revealed to you, so let there be no anxiety in your heart because of it. You are to warn with it—and a reminder for the believers.	Qur'an 7:2 Notes This book tells us from time to time not to be anxious about it, but to be honest, most of the text in here is designed to scare you to death into believing it. Just one more ridiculous contradiction in the Quran. Barraging believers with reminders of infinite torture tends to make them anxious. That is how human psychology works.

Qur'an 7:3 Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord, and do not follow other masters beside Him. Little you recollect.	Qur'an 7:3 Notes I take it that what is revealed to me from the Lord, is whatever this Muhammed person said was revealed? Allah specifically chose to reveal the truth through this man for reasons. Are people allowed to question these reasons?

Qur'an 7:4 How many a town have We destroyed? Our might came upon them by night, or while they were napping.	Qur'an 7:4 Notes I wouldn't say that destroying towns in a murderous religious war and conversion is a positive thing, but who am I to question the goodness of this overlord?

Qur'an 7:5 When Our might came upon them, their only cry was, “We were indeed wrongdoers.”	Qur'an 7:5 Notes I am extremely skeptical that anyone said that as they were being murdered.

Qur'an 7:6 We will question those to whom messengers were sent, and We will question the messengers.	Qur'an 7:6 Notes I actually have a few questions for the messengers myself.

Qur'an 7:7 We will narrate to them with knowledge, for We were never absent.	Qur'an 7:7 Notes Stuff that was made up in someone's head is not knowledge. Stuff sporked from other religion's fictional holy books is also NOT knowledge. Also, taking credit for it retroactively and repeatedly asserting it does not make it knowledge.

Qur'an 7:8 The scales on that Day will be just. Those whose weights are heavy—it is they who are the successful.	Qur'an 7:8 Notes This refers to the totally proportionate decision by Allah to either send you to eternal paradise or torture. Nothing in between. This is the action of the universe's chief of morality. Also, Allah seems to spork this from already existing religions.

Qur'an 7:9 But as for those whose weights are light—it is they who have lost their souls, because they used to mistreat Our revelations.	Qur'an 7:9 Notes So basically, if you disagree with the ideas of this religion being created, you are doomed to go to a fictional hell. Uhuh. You didn't believe in this hell because Allah did not convince you of it and sealed your heart to the truth, so you ultimately deserve this hell which you clearly chose for yourself.

Qur'an 7:10 We have established you firmly on earth, and made for you in it livelihood—but rarely do you give thanks.	Qur'an 7:10 Notes Why would we give thanks to an invisible non-existent god? How do we know *which* non-existent god to thank when there are so many gods out there who seem far more believable than this one specific god?

Qur'an 7:11 We created you, then We shaped you, then We said to the angels, “Bow down before Adam;” so they bowed down, except for Satan; he was not of those who bowed down.	Qur'an 7:11 Notes Muhammed didn't know anything about evolution and instead turned to the wisdom of the Old Testament. Also, even if a god *did* these things, how can we verify that this is the same god taking credit for those actions in this verse?

Qur'an 7:12 He said, “What prevented you from bowing down when I have commanded you?” He said, “I am better than he; You created me from fire, and You created him from mud.”	Qur'an 7:12 Notes Uh oh. The emergence of Satan, a convenient scapegoat for the problem of an all loving and all caring God who allows suffering...

Qur'an 7:13 He said, “Get down from it! It is not for you to act arrogantly in it. Get out! You are one of the lowly!”	Qur'an 7:13 Notes God is like an obnoxious overbearing boss who creates an environment of autonomy and then gets furious when anyone remotely questions their decisions. Also, it is not for anyone except Allah (and Muhammed) to act so arrogantly.

Qur'an 7:14 He said, “Give me respite, until the Day they are resurrected.”	Qur'an 7:14 Notes Seems you can negotiate with Allah.

Qur'an 7:15 He said, “You are of those given respite.”	Qur'an 7:15 Notes Seems you can challenge Allah and then negotiate with him. You can even do that if Allah knows that you will be the tool to corrupt his creations and send them down to hell with you.

Qur'an 7:16 He said, “Because you have lured me, I will waylay them on Your straight path.	Qur'an 7:16 Notes Why is Allah allowing this to happen? Does Allah actually *want* so many people to go astray and go to hell?

Qur'an 7:17 Then I will come at them from before them, and from behind them, and from their right, and from their left; and you will not find most of them appreciative.”	Qur'an 7:17 Notes Isn't it enough that Allah has created these rules and yet provided no more evidence for those rules except one of many competing strange books? You need to trust me and appreciate me even if I fail to give you enough evidence to convince you!

Qur'an 7:18 He said, “Get out of it, despised and vanquished. Whoever among them follows you—I will fill up Hell with you all.	Qur'an 7:18 Notes The compassionate loving caring Allah predicting he will fill up his underground torture chamber with many of his creations. He will surely show them how All-Merciful he can be when mercifully torturing them for eternity.

Qur'an 7:19 And you, Adam, inhabit the Garden, you and your wife, and eat whatever you wish; but do not approach this tree, lest you become sinners.”	Qur'an 7:19 Notes More recycled Old Testament (in fact even older) stories. Also, why is this tree even in the garden? Why would Allah create a garden with a single tree that can ruin everything?

Qur'an 7:20 But Satan whispered to them, to reveal to them their nakedness, which was invisible to them. He said, “Your Lord has only forbidden you this tree, lest you become angels, or become immortals.”	Qur'an 7:20 Notes Sporking from the Torah/Old-Testament without realizing why this whole story is BS

Qur'an 7:21 And he swore to them, “I am a sincere advisor to you.”	Qur'an 7:21 Notes God creating a creature to tempt innocent people who are unaware of the severity of the consequences. Very strange. He knew from the very beginning what would happen.

Qur'an 7:22 So he lured them with deceit. And when they tasted the tree, their nakedness became evident to them, and they began covering themselves with the leaves of the Garden. And their Lord called out to them, “Did I not forbid you from this tree, and say to you that Satan is a sworn enemy to you?”

Qur'an 7:22 Notes I mean, you might as well put children in a room full of candy, say "no candy" and then leave for a week and come back in shock to find they ate it and then beat them to a near bloody pulp. You see the person who encouraged the kids to eat the candy and think that this is perfectly okay but that you will beat him to a bloodier pulp much much later. It is literally just as reasonable. This assumes that they survive the toxins which you yourself put in the candy that would leave them in agony for the entire week.

Qur'an 7:23 They said, “Our Lord, we have done wrong to ourselves. Unless You forgive us, and have mercy on us, we will be among the losers.”	Qur'an 7:23 Notes While this book claims that Allah is merciful, he did not forgive Adam and Even and condemned humanity to centuries of toil. I cannot think of any more representative line in this book which conclusively demonstrates that for the most part, Allah is anything but merciful.

Qur'an 7:24 He said, “Fall, some of you enemies to one another. On earth you will have residence and livelihood for a while.”	Qur'an 7:24 Notes An example of Allah's non-forgiveness and non-compassion.

Qur'an 7:25 He said, “In it you will live, and in it you will die, and from it you will be brought out.”	Qur'an 7:25 Notes Quite anti-forgiveness and anti-compassion.

Qur'an 7:26 O children of Adam! We have provided you with clothing to cover your bodies, and for luxury. But the clothing of piety—that is best. These are some of God’s revelations, so that they may take heed.	Qur'an 7:26 Notes Ouch. Just don't believe it in this book the dozens of times it claims Allah is merciful and compassionate.

Qur'an 7:27 O Children of Adam! Do not let Satan seduce you, as he drove your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their garments, to show them their nakedness. He sees you, him and his clan, from where you cannot see them. We have made the devils friends of those who do not believe.	Qur'an 7:27 Notes It's pretty messed up that Allah would allow Satan to harm his creations this much. It's even more messed up that Allah would later use that to punish Satan and his human creations for this exact reason.

Qur'an 7:28 And when they commit an indecency, they say, “We found our parents doing this, and God has commanded us to do it.” Say, “God does not command indecencies. Are you attributing to God what you do not know?”	Qur'an 7:28 Notes This gets more and more creepy. Muhammed needed a mental health professional, not a cult willing to take him seriously.

Qur'an 7:29 Say, “My Lord commands justice, and to stand devoted at every place of worship. So call upon Him, and dedicate your faith to Him alone. Just as He originated you, so you will return.”	Qur'an 7:29 Notes Nah. We are a result of meaningless evolution. Sorry. Unless he renames himself to Allahvolution or something similar, he does not get the credit for creating us.

Qur'an 7:30 Some He has guided, and some have deserved misguidance. They have adopted the devils for patrons rather than God, and they assume that they are guided.	Qur'an 7:30 Notes It's hard to make sense out of why any creation would deserve misguidance. Did they deserve misguidance because they were initially misguided? Did they get perfect guidance, consciously reject it, and then stop believing? Does this "perfect" book answer these very obvious questions?

Qur'an 7:31 O Children of Adam! Dress properly at every place of worship, and eat and drink, but do not be excessive. He does not love the excessive.	Qur'an 7:31 Notes Allah seems to command his people to do pretty excessive things throughout this book so I don't understand this line very well. Maybe they are only allowed to worship excessively while not enjoying their lives excessively?

Qur'an 7:32 Say, “Who forbade God’s finery which He has produced for His servants, and the delights of livelihood?” Say, “They are for those who believe, in this present world, but exclusively theirs on the Day of Resurrection.” We thus detail the revelations for people who know.	Qur'an 7:32 Notes People who know what?

Qur'an 7:33 Say, “My Lord has forbidden immoralities—both open and secret—and sin, and unjustified aggression, and that you associate with God anything for which He revealed no sanction, and that you say about God what you do not know.”	Qur'an 7:33 Notes I'd rather not say this.

Qur'an 7:34 For every nation is an appointed time. When their time has come, they cannot delay it by one hour, nor can they advance it.	Qur'an 7:34 Notes I agree that every nation comes to an end, just don't see any evidence it involves an "appointed time". Unless Allah interferes with everything in which case how could we be responsible for our actions?

Qur'an 7:35 O Children of Adam! When messengers from among you come to you, relating to you My revelations—whoever practices piety and reforms—upon them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.	Qur'an 7:35 Notes Except the overwhelming majority of the pious who still suffer a lot.

Qur'an 7:36 But as for those who reject Our revelations, and are too proud to accept them—these are the inmates of the Fire, where they will remain forever.	Qur'an 7:36 Notes Don't confuse using reason with being proud. You created us and know exactly what goes on in your minds.

Qur'an 7:37 Who does greater wrong than he who invents lies about God, or denies His revelations? These—their share of the decree will reach them. Until, when Our envoys come to them, to take their souls away, they will say, “Where are they whom you used to pray to besides God?” They will say, “They have abandoned us,” and they will testify against themselves that they were faithless.	Qur'an 7:37 Notes I can think of many people who do much more wrong than those who invent lies about an invented god: rapists, murderers, tyrannical dictators, abusive parents, crooked salespeople, religious leaders who take money from their congregation and buy mansions, planes, and sports cars.

Qur'an 7:38 He will say, “Join the crowds of jinn and humans who have gone into the Fire before you.” Every time a crowd enters, it will curse its sister-crowd. Until, when they are all in it, the last of them will say to the first of them, “Our Lord, these are the ones who misled us, so inflict on them a double punishment in the Fire.” He will say, “Each will have a double, but you do not know.”	Qur'an 7:38 Notes I think the writers of this awful book relied way to much on "fear of the fire". Clearly though it managed to terrify millions into believing this nonsense. If you use your heart [your thinking organ] to question or doubt any of these claims, then you should be scared stiff and stop that.

Qur'an 7:39 The first of them will say to the last of them, “You have no advantage over us, so taste the torment for what you used to earn.”	Qur'an 7:39 Notes It's hard to think how even if someone tortured every other human on Earth, that they would deserve an eternity of torture. Seems pretty disproportionate punishment coming from an all moral being.

Qur'an 7:40 Those who reject Our revelations and are too arrogant to uphold them—the doors of Heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise, until the camel passes through the eye of the needle. Thus We repay the guilty.	Qur'an 7:40 Notes But it is still sad that people back then didn't see through this blatant religious salesmanship.

Qur'an 7:41 For them is a couch of hell, and above them are sheets of fire. Thus We repay the wrongdoers.	Qur'an 7:41 Notes Gross

Qur'an 7:42 As for those who believe and do righteous works—We never burden any soul beyond its capacity—these are the inhabitants of the Garden; abiding therein eternally.	Qur'an 7:42 Notes Pretty nice trick there, promising people something they cannot prove exists until you are already dead. Nice!

Qur'an 7:43 We will remove whatever rancor is in their hearts. Rivers will flow beneath them. And they will say, “Praise be to God, who has guided us to this. Had God not guided us, we would never be guided. The messengers of our Lord did come with the truth.” And it will be proclaimed to them, “This is the Garden you are made to inherit, on account of what you used to do.”	Qur'an 7:43 Notes Had God not guided us, we would never be guided is assuming that an imaginary being in the sky is the only thing that can guide you. You can also guide yourself.

Qur'an 7:44 And the inhabitants of the Garden will call out to the inmates of the Fire, “We found what our Lord promised us to be true; did you find what your Lord promised you to be true?” They will say, “Yes.” Thereupon a caller will announce in their midst, “The curse of God is upon the wrongdoers.”

Qur'an 7:44 Notes And if there was any shred of morality in Allah...Allah would stop the fire and say "lesson learnt...now all come to heaven". The pointless torture could have been avoided but at least the absurdity of eternal torture would leave the field of "religious ethics". Also, is heaven not supposed to be filled with moral people? Would these moral people not feel an ounce of compassion to those burning in hell? Would parents in heaven not feel an ounce of compassion to their kids burning in hell? How can these moral people enjoy anything in heaven knowing that far more people are suffering infinitely?

Qur'an 7:45 “Those who hinder from the path of God, and seek to distort it, and who deny the Hereafter.”	Qur'an 7:45 Notes The path that Muhammed and his later followers invented in their heads. Also, based on the many contradictions in this book, Muhammed distorted it himself without even realizing.

Qur'an 7:46 And between them is a partition, and on the Elevations are men who recognize everyone by their features. They will call to the inhabitants of the Garden, “Peace be upon you.” They have not entered it, but they are hoping.	Qur'an 7:46 Notes How does anyone know this will happen?

Qur'an 7:47 And when their eyes are directed towards the inmates of the Fire, they will say, “Our Lord, do not place us among the wrongdoing people.”	Qur'an 7:47 Notes Again...can anyone demonstrate how they know this will happen? Can we get evidence *before* we die?

Qur'an 7:48 And the dwellers of the Elevations will call to men they recognize by their features, saying, “Your hoardings did not avail you, nor did your arrogance.”	Qur'an 7:48 Notes I deny that any of this will happen.

Qur'an 7:49 “Are these the ones you swore God will not touch with mercy?” “Enter the Garden; you have nothing to fear, and you will not grieve.”	Qur'an 7:49 Notes I call absolute bullshit on all this nonsense.

Qur'an 7:50 The inmates of the Fire will call on the inhabitants of the Garden, “Pour some water over us, or some of what God has provided for you.” They will say, “God has forbidden them for the disbelievers.”	Qur'an 7:50 Notes We are calling the people in hell inmates? How about victims of a psychopathic god? Also, the inhabitants of the Garden are supposed to be compassionate and loving. Would they be even *less* merciful than the All Merciful?

Qur'an 7:51 Those who took their religion lightly, and in jest, and whom the worldly life deceived. Today We will ignore them, as they ignored the meeting on this Day of theirs, and they used to deny Our revelations.	Qur'an 7:51 Notes Or...or...maybe this is all a scam to get people to follow this nonsense religion. This exact same carrot has been used to entice people to false beliefs before with the same exact stick to keep people in line.

Qur'an 7:52 We have given them a Scripture, which We detailed with knowledge—guidance and mercy for people who believe.	Qur'an 7:52 Notes Can you call even 1% of this book knowledge? In the same way that people call this drivel "knowledge", I look at my bed and call it "gold". I do not have a pile of gold just because I said so.

Qur'an 7:53 Are they waiting for anything but its fulfillment? The Day its fulfillment comes true, those who disregarded it before will say, “The messengers of our Lord did come with the truth. Have we any intercessors to intercede for us? Or, could we be sent back, to behave differently from the way we behaved before?” They ruined their souls, and what they used to invent has failed them.	Qur'an 7:53 Notes We have been waiting 1300 years and nothing has been fulfilled yet. What is the timeline here?

Qur'an 7:54 Your Lord is God; He who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then established Himself on the Throne. The night overtakes the day, as it pursues it persistently; and the sun, and the moon, and the stars are subservient by His command. His is the creation, and His is the command. Blessed is God, Lord of all beings.	Qur'an 7:54 Notes Was the Earth created in six days? By the way...why would an all powerful God need to take a rest? Also, since when was the night a distinct entity that can overtake the distinct entity of day? Is this meant to be literal or metaphorical?

Qur'an 7:55 Call upon your Lord humbly and privately. He does not love the aggressors.	Qur'an 7:55 Notes God doesn't love aggressors? He commands people to murder others...is that not a command to be aggressive? To be fair, he probably does not love anyone at all because only a hateful god would act as cruelly as he does.

Qur'an 7:56 And do not corrupt on earth after its reformation, and pray to Him with fear and hope. God’s mercy is close to the doers of good.	Qur'an 7:56 Notes So God is only very partially merciful? Several human beings are already more merciful than their god, including the former believer writing this line back when he believed.

Qur'an 7:57 It is He who sends the wind ahead of His mercy. Then, when they have gathered up heavy clouds, We drive them to a dead land, where We make water come down, and with it We bring out all kinds of fruits. Thus We bring out the dead—perhaps you will reflect.	Qur'an 7:57 Notes So he is extremely selectively merciful.

Qur'an 7:58 As for the good land, it yields its produce by the leave of its Lord. But as for the bad, it produces nothing but hardship and misery. Thus We explain the revelations in various ways for people who are thankful.	Qur'an 7:58 Notes Except of course throughout history some devout Muslim believers have tilled and starved to death on unproductive lands and billions of non-believers have tilled extremely fruitful land. Yet another verse that is patently absurdly wrong.

Qur'an 7:59 We sent Noah to his people. He said, “O my people! Worship God; you have no god other than Him. I fear for you the punishment of a tremendous Day.”	Qur'an 7:59 Notes This book talks about this like this was a historical event. Was it though? Do we have evidence of this tall tale ever happening beyond a few holy texts talking about it?

Qur'an 7:60 The dignitaries among his people said, “We see that you are in obvious error.”	Qur'an 7:60 Notes The dignitaries were correct.

Qur'an 7:61 He said, “O my people, I am not in error, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the Worlds.”	Qur'an 7:61 Notes He said this without providing solid evidence. You do not prove yourself correct by saying that you are correct.

Qur'an 7:62 “I deliver to you the messages of my Lord, and I advise you, and I know from God what you do not know.”	Qur'an 7:62 Notes Does the word "evidence" mean nothing to you? How exactly are they supposed to know that Noah would be correct about anything?

Qur'an 7:63 “Do you wonder that a reminder has come to you from your Lord, through a man from among you, to warn you, and to lead you to righteousness, so that you may attain mercy?”	Qur'an 7:63 Notes I have no idea if any characters in this story even existed, but they would have important, demonstrable things to think about.

Qur'an 7:64 But they called him a liar. So We saved him and those with him in the Ark, and We drowned those who rejected Our revelations. They were blind people.	Qur'an 7:64 Notes Whenever someone confidently asserts ridiculous claims without evidence, people are naturally skeptical. When that same someone refuses to give evidence and insults those skeptics, would the natural conclusion be to believe in this series of tall tales or doubt every word coming from his mouth?

Qur'an 7:65 And to Aad, their brother Hud. He said, “O my people! Worship God; you have no god other than Him. Will you not take heed?”	Qur'an 7:65 Notes How original. A truly perfect book would not need to be so repetitive.

Qur'an 7:66 The elite of his people who disbelieved said, “We see foolishness in you, and we think that you are a liar.”	Qur'an 7:66 Notes The elite of his people were correct when talking about him.

Qur'an 7:67 He said, “O my people! There is no foolishness in me, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the Worlds.	Qur'an 7:67 Notes Spoiler alert: He says this with the exact same evidence that these other prophets used.

Qur'an 7:68 “I convey to you the messages of my Lord, and I am a trustworthy adviser to you.”	Qur'an 7:68 Notes "You can trust me! I am trustworthy! I am trustworthy according to myself, so you can trust me!"

Qur'an 7:69 “Are you surprised that a reminder has come to you from your Lord, through a man from among you, to warn you? Remember how He made you successors after the people of Noah, and increased you greatly in stature. And remember God’s blessings, so that you may prosper.”	Qur'an 7:69 Notes Give me evidence that these blessings are indeed God's blessings. An all-knowing deity knows exactly what convinces the people he created.

Qur'an 7:70 They said, “Did you come to us to make us worship God alone, and abandon what our ancestors used to worship? Then bring us what you threaten us with, if you are truthful.”	Qur'an 7:70 Notes Does this mean that people shouldn't just accept Islam because they grew up in a Muslim household? Islam is the fastest growing religion because of high birth rates, and with that, people are still leaving Islam in droves.

Qur'an 7:71 He said, “Condemnation and wrath have befallen you from your Lord. Are you arguing with me over names, which you and your ancestors invented, for which God sent down no authority? Just wait; I am waiting with you.”	Qur'an 7:71 Notes "You don't believe me before you see the evidence? You dare treat me with your vile skepticism? HOW DARE YOU?! You deserve the wrath of the god who totally exists just for refusing to believe him immediately!"

Qur'an 7:72 So We saved him and those with him, by mercy from Us, and We cut off the roots of those who rejected Our revelations and were not believers.	Qur'an 7:72 Notes Allah's mercy seems incredibly finite.

Qur'an 7:73 And to Thamood, their brother Saleh. He said, “O my people! Worship God; you have no god other than Him. Clarification has come to you from your Lord. This she-camel of God is a sign for you. So leave her to graze on God’s earth, and do her no harm, lest a painful penalty seizes you.”	Qur'an 7:73 Notes We get it. Several different prophets had the exact same experiences without any evidence.

Qur'an 7:74 “And remember how He made you successors after Aad, and settled you in the land. You make for yourselves mansions on its plains, and carve out dwellings in the mountains. So remember God’s benefits, and do not roam the earth corruptingly.”	Qur'an 7:74 Notes Did they ever see evidence that Allah was the one who made them successors after Aad? Why would they believe that Allah specifically did that?

Qur'an 7:75 The elite of his people, who were arrogant, said to the common people who had believed, “Do you know that Saleh is sent from his Lord?” They said, “We are believers in what he was sent with.”	Qur'an 7:75 Notes They could only be this way out of arrogance. Surely no other reasons make more sense than arrogance.

Qur'an 7:76 Those who were arrogant said, “We reject what you believe in.”	Qur'an 7:76 Notes Those who were rationally skeptical said the same thing.

Qur'an 7:77 So they hamstrung the she-camel, and defied the command of their Lord, and said, “O Saleh, bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you are one of the messengers.”	Qur'an 7:77 Notes This crime is severe enough to deserve utter destruction and infinite torture after that.

Qur'an 7:78 Whereupon the quake overtook them, and they became lifeless bodies in their homes.	Qur'an 7:78 Notes In case you forgot what Allah's maximal mercy looks like, here it is on full display.

Qur'an 7:79 Then he turned away from them, and said, “O my people, I have delivered to you the message of my Lord, and I have advised you, but you do not like those who give advice.”	Qur'an 7:79 Notes They do not like those who make unsubstantiated claims. They probably liked evidence-based advice that did not ask them to abandon their entire worldview for a doomsday cultist, but they may or may not have even existed beyond this story.

Qur'an 7:80 And Lot, when he said to his people, “Do you commit lewdness no people anywhere have ever committed before you?”	Qur'an 7:80 Notes They were the first people to commit such lewdness? Who is supposed to believe that?

Qur'an 7:81 “You lust after men rather than women. You are an excessive people.”	Qur'an 7:81 Notes The very first gay men in history are finally here. This verse is not talking about people who act on their lust for men. This is talking about anyone who feels that lust in any way, whether they act on that lust or not. Also, does this verse say anything about anyone other than strictly gay men or are people supposed to assume anything here?

Qur'an 7:82 And his people's only answer was to say, “Expel them from your town; they are purist people.”	Qur'an 7:82 Notes Of course the very first gays in history would say that.

Qur'an 7:83 But We saved him and his family, except for his wife; she was of those who lagged behind.	Qur'an 7:83 Notes Did we get to know why she lagged behind? Did she want to stand up to this blatant homophobia? What was her reason for lagging behind? What do readers learn from her example?

Qur'an 7:84 And We rained down on them a rain; note the consequences for the sinners.	Qur'an 7:84 Notes Rain was supposed to be a blessing all the time. Why did Allah use rain to destroy a people and then tell Muhammad that rain is actually always a blessing?

Qur'an 7:85 And to Median, their brother Shuaib. He said, “O my people, worship God; you have no god other than Him. A clear proof has come to you from your Lord. Give full measure and weight, and do not cheat people out of their rights, and do not corrupt the land once it has been set right. This is better for you, if you are believers.”	Qur'an 7:85 Notes These people got a clear proof? Can we see it? What is this clear proof that always points to the only true deity Allah?

Qur'an 7:86 “And do not lurk on every path, making threats and turning away from the path of God those who believe in Him, seeking to distort it. And remember how you were few, and how He made you numerous. So note the consequences for the corrupters.”	Qur'an 7:86 Notes They actually have the proof that Allah made them numerous. Surely they would not act like cartoonish villains like the other cartoonish villains in this book.

Qur'an 7:87 “Since some of you believed in what I was sent with, and some did not believe, be patient until God judges between us; for He is the Best of Judges.”	Qur'an 7:87 Notes On this note, what exactly is this judging supposed to look like? Allah just knows everything about anyone at any point in time.

Qur'an 7:88 The arrogant elite among his people said, “O Shuaib, We will evict you from our town, along with those who believe with you, unless you return to our religion.” He said, “Even if we are unwilling?”	Qur'an 7:88 Notes Does this verse condemn religious intolerance? Does this verse actually advocate for freedom of religion, or is it just freedom of religion when it applies to Islam?

Qur'an 7:89 “We would be fabricating falsehood against God, if we were to return to your religion, after God has saved us from it. It is not for us to return to it, unless God, our Lord, wills. Our Lord embraces all things in knowledge. In God we place our trust. Our Lord, decide between us and our people in truth, for You are the Best of Deciders.”	Qur'an 7:89 Notes Allah should know how many people are fabricating falsehoods against him by pretending to be Muslims just to keep their lives. Allah has demanded the heads of disbelievers on numerous occasions, so this naturally leads to people pretending to believe only to avoid heavy persecution or execution.

Qur'an 7:90 The elite of his people who disbelieved said, “If you follow Shuaib, you will be losers.”	Qur'an 7:90 Notes The elite prophet Muhammed said something similar: If you follow anybody other than Allah (and me by extension), you are losers and even subhuman.

Qur'an 7:91 Thereupon, the quake struck them; and they became lifeless bodies in their homes.	Qur'an 7:91 Notes What a merciful deity!

Qur'an 7:92 Those who rejected Shuaib—as if they never prospered therein. Those who rejected Shuaib—it was they who were the losers.	Qur'an 7:92 Notes Hypocrisy

Qur'an 7:93 So he turned away from them, and said, “O my people, I have delivered to you the messages of my Lord, and I have advised you, so why should I grieve over a disbelieving people?”	Qur'an 7:93 Notes Maybe you should grieve because they could have been spared eternal torture? Would truly good people want anybody at all to burn in hell?

Qur'an 7:94 We did not send any prophet to any town but We afflicted its people with misery and adversity, so that they may humble themselves.	Qur'an 7:94 Notes Allah admits here that it was indeed Allah who afflicted its people with misery and adversity. Did they end up humbling themselves out of the goodness of their hearts?

Qur'an 7:95 Then We substituted prosperity in place of hardship. Until they increased in number, and said, “Adversity and prosperity has touched our ancestors.” Then We seized them suddenly, while they were unaware.	Qur'an 7:95 Notes Allah does things in such a roundabout way that would be easy to explain without any supernatural intervention.

Qur'an 7:96 Had the people of the towns believed and turned righteous, We would have opened for them the blessings of the heaven and the earth; but they rejected the truth, so We seized them by what they were doing.	Qur'an 7:96 Notes Again, were they even aware of the truth? Did they consciously choose to reject a message that they knew deep down to be true?

Qur'an 7:97 Do the people of the towns feel secure that Our might will not come upon them by night, while they sleep?	Qur'an 7:97 Notes Given the track record of this despot, nobody should feel anything other than constant fear.

Qur'an 7:98 Do the people of the towns feel secure that Our might will not come upon them by day, while they play?	Qur'an 7:98 Notes These threats do nothing to convince those who are not already convinced that Allah is real, and those people should already know what to expect of their god.

Qur'an 7:99 Do they feel safe from God’s plan? None feel safe from God’s plan except the losing people.	Qur'an 7:99 Notes This verse threatens the believers. Believers themselves are supposed to fear God and not feel safe. How is this religion supposed to comfort people and give them any sense of reassurance?

Qur'an 7:100 Is it not guidance for those who inherit the land after its inhabitants, that if We willed, We could strike them for their sins? And seal up their hearts, so that they would not hear?	Qur'an 7:100 Notes With enough brainwashing, the word "guidance" would fit in this situation.

Qur'an 7:101 These towns—We narrate to you some of their tales. Their messengers came to them with the clear signs, but they would not believe in what they had rejected previously. Thus God seals the hearts of the disbelievers.	Qur'an 7:101 Notes These signs point away from Allah being a benevolent, merciful being in any way.

Qur'an 7:102 We found most of them untrue to their covenants; We found most of them corrupt.	Qur'an 7:102 Notes God made them so corruptible and also let Satan loose to corrupt them while knowing exactly what would happen in advance.

Qur'an 7:103 Then, after them, We sent Moses with Our miracles to Pharaoh and his establishment, but they denounced them. So consider the end of the evildoers.	Qur'an 7:103 Notes This verse talks about a singular Pharaoh when so many pharaohs existed. Each of these many pharaohs has more historical evidence of their existence than Moses.

Qur'an 7:104 Moses said, “O Pharaoh, I am a messenger from the Lord of the Worlds.”	Qur'an 7:104 Notes So many people say that. People say things. People say outlandish things.

Qur'an 7:105 “It is only proper that I should not say about God anything other than the truth. I have come to you with clear evidence from your Lord, so let the Children of Israel go with me.”	Qur'an 7:105 Notes Again, people say things all the time. They claim that their evidence is clear. So what?

Qur'an 7:106 He said, “If you brought a miracle, then present it, if you are truthful.”	Qur'an 7:106 Notes This is a reasonable response on the face.

Qur'an 7:107 So he threw his staff, and it was an apparent serpent.	Qur'an 7:107 Notes It was an apparent serpent. Did it actually turn into a serpent, though?

Qur'an 7:108 And He pulled out his hand, and it was white to the onlookers.	Qur'an 7:108 Notes What context makes this detail meaningful in any way?

Qur'an 7:109 The notables among Pharaoh’s people said, “This is really a skilled magician.”	Qur'an 7:109 Notes I have seen similar magic tricks by people who need never claim to get their magic abilities from a supreme ruler of the universe.

Qur'an 7:110 “He wants to evict you from your land, so what do you recommend?”	Qur'an 7:110 Notes The reason for wanting this eviction is...?

Qur'an 7:111 They said, “Put him off, and his brother, and send heralds to the cities.”	Qur'an 7:111 Notes This story is skipping over several details and does not flow well at all. Without context from outside the book, this story makes so little sense.

Qur'an 7:112 “And let them bring you every skillful magician.”	Qur'an 7:112 Notes Every skilled magician? I have no idea when this story is set or how many magicians would have been in Ancient Egypt at the time, but I doubt that this could be even reasonably granted.

Qur'an 7:113 The magicians came to Pharaoh, and said, “Surely there is a reward for us, if we are the victors.”	Qur'an 7:113 Notes Surely, there is a reward for those who have the patience for this boring book.

Qur'an 7:114 He said, “Yes, and you will be among my favorites.”	Qur'an 7:114 Notes Pharaoh cared that much about this one preacher among so many preachers, huh?

Qur'an 7:115 They said, “O Moses! Either you throw, or we are the ones to throw.”	Qur'an 7:115 Notes Why not both?

Qur'an 7:116 He said, “You throw!” And when they threw, they beguiled the eyes of the people, and intimidated them, and produced a mighty magic.	Qur'an 7:116 Notes And the people clapped.

Qur'an 7:117 And We inspired Moses: “Throw your staff.” And at once, it swallowed what they were faking.	Qur'an 7:117 Notes That would be quite the magic trick if true. Again, though, how can we tell that this is not also a magic trick. The magicians faked their serpents and convinced the people with their fakes.

Qur'an 7:118 So the truth came to pass, and what they were producing came to nothing.	Qur'an 7:118 Notes Because of a serpent, people jumped to the conclusion that a single god is responsible for everything so far.

Qur'an 7:119 There they were defeated, and utterly reduced.	Qur'an 7:119 Notes They lost the magic duel. I can see that as a big blow to their egos, but does it become anything more than that?

Qur'an 7:120 And the magicians fell to their knees.	Qur'an 7:120 Notes This could be appended to the previous verse. The verse structure in this book is all over the place.

Qur'an 7:121 They said, “We have believed in the Lord of the Worlds.”	Qur'an 7:121 Notes Just like that? Again, there are several skipped steps. Maybe Moses is the most skilled magician in the world going up against the second most skilled magician in the world without the jump all the way to an infinite god.

Qur'an 7:122 “The Lord of Moses and Aaron.”	Qur'an 7:122 Notes They acknowledge that this is the lord of Moses and Aaron. They assume, then, that this lord is also the lord of the entire world because... he turned a stick into a snake more convincingly than they could ever do? They just assumed that this was the pinnacle?

Qur'an 7:123 Pharaoh said, “Did you believe in Him before I have given you permission? This is surely a conspiracy you schemed in the city, in order to expel its people from it. You will surely know.”	Qur'an 7:123 Notes Pharaoh said this in a way that would imply that he did not genuinely believe in Allah too.

Qur'an 7:124 “I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides; then I will crucify you all.”	Qur'an 7:124 Notes He still sounds far less evil than Muhammed and Allah.

Qur'an 7:125 They said, “It is to our Lord that we will return.”	Qur'an 7:125 Notes Wishful thinking

Qur'an 7:126 “You are taking vengeance on us only because we have believed in the signs of our Lord when they have come to us.” “Our Lord! Pour out patience upon us, and receive our souls in submission.”	Qur'an 7:126 Notes Pharaoh here is strongly implied to not actually believe in these signs despite seeing them firsthand.

Qur'an 7:127 The chiefs of Pharaoh's people said, “Will you let Moses and his people cause trouble in the land, and forsake you and your gods?” He said, “We will kill their sons, and spare their women. We have absolute power over them.”	Qur'an 7:127 Notes What do the chiefs believe? Do they sincerely believe that Moses and his people are causing trouble in the land?

Qur'an 7:128 Moses said to his people, “Seek help in God, and be patient. The earth belongs to God. He gives it in inheritance to whomever He wills of His servants, and the future belongs to the righteous.”	Qur'an 7:128 Notes God wills for people to suffer immensely before things are made right, in which case people continue to suffer.

Qur'an 7:129 They said, “We were persecuted before you came to us, and after you came to us.” He said, “Perhaps your Lord will destroy your enemy, and make you successors in the land; then He will see how you behave.”	Qur'an 7:129 Notes Can this lord do anything nice without so much destruction?

Qur'an 7:130 And We afflicted the people of Pharaoh with barren years, and with shortage of crops, that they may take heed.	Qur'an 7:130 Notes The innocent civilians who shared none of the faults of their Pharaoh are shared in the punishment. How is this any form of justice or mercy?

Qur'an 7:131 When something good came their way, they said, “This is ours.” And when something bad happened to them, they ascribed the evil omen to Moses and those with him. In fact, their omen is with God, but most of them do not know.	Qur'an 7:131 Notes This kind of thinking is also a hallmark of Islam. Praise Allah for the good things in this life and the hereafter! What about the bad things? Well...

Qur'an 7:132 And they said, “No matter what sign you bring us, to bewitch us with, we will not believe in you.”	Qur'an 7:132 Notes These people should not be so closed-minded to Islam. Does this mean that Muslims should not be so closed-minded to other faiths?

Qur'an 7:133 So We let loose upon them the flood, and the locusts, and the lice, and the frogs, and blood—all explicit signs—but they were too arrogant. They were a sinful people.

Qur'an 7:133 Notes How is this just or merciful in any way? They could not tell one tall tale from another tall tale, so they naturally dismissed both as bunk. In what moral system is this skepticism considered a sin? This story makes clear the fact that they did not actually believe and did not choose to reject this message out of any ill will. They saw no compelling evidence, so it's their fault that they did not find the evidence compelling?

Qur'an 7:134 Whenever a plague befell them, they would say, “O Moses, pray to your Lord for us, according to the covenant He made with you. If you lift the plague from us, we will believe in you, and let the Children of Israel go with you.”	Qur'an 7:134 Notes Some people would probably have said that, but as a collective?

Qur'an 7:135 But when We lifted the plague from them, for a term they were to fulfill, they broke their promise.	Qur'an 7:135 Notes Does this mean that they did not believe deep down after this happened? Does this mean that they believed and still chose to keep the Children of Israel in captivity?

Qur'an 7:136 So We took vengeance on them, and drowned them in the sea—because they rejected Our signs, and paid no heed to them.	Qur'an 7:136 Notes This book goes on and on about the All-Merciful.

Qur'an 7:137 And We made the oppressed people inherit the eastern and western parts of the land, which We had blessed. Thus the fair promise of your Lord to the Children of Israel was fulfilled, because of their endurance. And We destroyed what Pharaoh and his people had built, and what they had harvested.	Qur'an 7:137 Notes Right... the archaeological evidence clearly points to this story being real... does it not?

Qur'an 7:138 And We delivered the Children of Israel across the sea. And when they came upon a people who were devoted to some statues of theirs, they said, “O Moses, make for us a god, as they have gods.” He said, “You are truly an ignorant people.”	Qur'an 7:138 Notes They asked for a literal god when they already believed that a god was with them? Did they believe that God was with them or did they need something tangible which they can demonstrate to exist in reality?

Qur'an 7:139 “What these people are concerned with is perdition, and their deeds are based on falsehoods.”	Qur'an 7:139 Notes Once again, the Qur'an calls people losers for being out of line.

Qur'an 7:140 He said, “Shall I seek for you a god other than God, when He has favored you over all other people?”	Qur'an 7:140 Notes Allah plays favorites and somehow does a bad enough job at it for them to want another god. Is this story going to explore why people would think this way instead of this reductive nonsense?

Qur'an 7:141 Remember how We saved you from Pharaoh’s people, who subjected you to the worst of sufferings—killing your sons and sparing your women. In that was a tremendous trial from your Lord.	Qur'an 7:141 Notes Allah saved them from dire consequences which Allah imposed upon them in the first place. Of course, this is just a trial and somehow completely justified.

Qur'an 7:142 And We appointed to Moses thirty nights, and completed them with ten; and thus the time appointed by his Lord was forty nights. And Moses said to his brother Aaron: “Take my place among my people, and be upright, and do not follow the way of the mischief-makers.”	Qur'an 7:142 Notes How could his brother mess anything up?

Qur'an 7:143 And when Moses came to Our appointment, and his Lord spoke to him, he said, “My Lord, allow me to look and see You.” He said, “You will not see Me, but look at the mountain; if it stays in its place, you will see Me.” But when his Lord manifested Himself to the mountain, He turned it into dust, and Moses fell down unconscious. Then, when he recovered, he said, “Glory be to you, I repent to you, and I am the first of the believers.”

Qur'an 7:143 Notes Allah destroyed an entire mountain just to avoid showing himself? Did anybody other than Moses looking in that direction happen to see a mountain just disappear into thin air?

Qur'an 7:144 He said, “O Moses, I have chosen you over all people for My messages and for My Words. So take what I have given you, and be one of the thankful.”	Qur'an 7:144 Notes So many people claim to be chosen by God in this exact same manner.

Qur'an 7:145 And We inscribed for him in the Tablets all kinds of enlightenments, and decisive explanation of all things. “Hold fast to them, and exhort your people to adopt the best of them. I will show you the fate of the sinners.”	Qur'an 7:145 Notes God chose to use these tablets procured by suspicious means... as a means of communication?

Qur'an 7:146 I will turn away from My revelations those who behave proudly on earth without justification. Even if they see every sign, they will not believe in it; and if they see the path of rectitude, they will not adopt it for a path; and if they see the path of error, they will adopt it for a path. That is because they denied Our revelations, and paid no attention to them.	Qur'an 7:146 Notes God knows that many of his people would not believe. Can they be blamed when your revelations look identical to any false religions of the time? God presented this truth in such a way that people could not tell it apart from many lies floating around at the time. God set them up to fail from the start.

Qur'an 7:147 Those who deny Our revelations and the meeting of the Hereafter—their deeds will come to nothing. Will they be repaid except according to what they used to do?	Qur'an 7:147 Notes You can be a good person, but none of that will matter unless you accept this specific religion among the thousands of religions throughout history.

Qur'an 7:148 In his absence, the people of Moses adopted a calf made from their ornaments—a body which lowed. Did they not see that it could not speak to them, nor guide them in any way? They took it for worship. They were in the wrong.	Qur'an 7:148 Notes When exactly has this specific God talked to them directly? When exactly has this specific God given them clear guidance directly? He chose to do things through a prophet. Understandably, many people were not satisfied by this.

Qur'an 7:149 Then, when they regretted, and realized that they had erred, they said, “Unless our Lord extends His mercy to us, and forgives us, we will be among the losers.”	Qur'an 7:149 Notes Allah happens to be known as the All-Merciful and should have no issues extending mercy to them.

Qur'an 7:150 And when Moses returned to his people, angry and disappointed, he said, “What an awful thing you did in my absence. Did you forsake the commandments of your Lord so hastily?” And he threw down the tablets; and he took hold of his brother’s head, dragging him towards himself. He said, “Son of my mother, the people have overpowered me, and were about to kill me; so do not allow the enemies to gloat over me, and do not count me among the unjust people.”

Qur'an 7:150 Notes Does anybody in this story know anything about justice in the first place?

Qur'an 7:151 He said, “My Lord, forgive me and my brother, and admit us into Your mercy; for you are the Most Merciful of the merciful.”	Qur'an 7:151 Notes Allah, being the All-Merciful, should easily forgive him, his brother, and everyone else. That is what an All-Merciful deity does, right?

Qur'an 7:152 Those who idolized the calf have incurred wrath from their Lord, and humiliation in this life. We thus requite the innovators.	Qur'an 7:152 Notes They had an unconvincing religion, so they are clearly in the wrong for wanting anything more?

Qur'an 7:153 As for those who commit sins, and then repent afterwards and believe—your Lord, thereafter, is Forgiving and Merciful.	Qur'an 7:153 Notes The word "repent" adds a few hundred asterisks to the labels of Forgiving and Merciful.

Qur'an 7:154 When the anger abated in Moses, he took up the tablets. In their transcript is guidance and mercy for those in awe of their Lord.	Qur'an 7:154 Notes Allah could not be bothered to extend his guidance and mercy to anyone else.

Qur'an 7:155 And Moses chose from his people seventy men for Our appointment. When the tremor shook them, he said, “My Lord, had You willed, You could have destroyed them before, and me too. Will you destroy us for what the fools among us have done? This is but Your test—with it You misguide whomever You will, and guide whomever You will. You are our Protector, so forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are the Best of Forgivers.”

Qur'an 7:155 Notes God apparently wills to misguide so many people for some reason. Allah is the one who *makes* them deserve eternal punishment by specifically choosing to misguide them.

Qur'an 7:156 “And inscribe for us goodness in this world, and in the Hereafter. We have turned to You.” He said, “My punishment—I inflict it upon whomever I will, but My mercy encompasses all things. I will specify it for those who act righteously and practice regular charity, and those who believe in Our signs.”	Qur'an 7:156 Notes Allah's mercy encompasses all things? Allah misguides people and dooms them to an endless realm of torture and his mercy encompasses all things? Allah admits to inflicting his punishment upon whomever he wills, dooming them to an eternity in hell with no escape, and his mercy encompasses all things?

Qur'an 7:157 Those who follow the Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel in their possession. He directs them to righteousness, and deters them from evil, and allows for them all good things, and prohibits for them wickedness, and unloads the burdens and the shackles that are upon them. Those who believe in him, and respect him, and support him, and follow the light that came down with him—these are the successful.

Qur'an 7:157 Notes The prophet who kept many slaves, including sex slaves and literal children, directs people to righteousness and deters them from evil. The man who commands the death of people who refuse to believe him is supposed to be a good man?

Qur'an 7:158 Say, “O people, I am the Messenger of God to you all—He to whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. There is no god but He. He gives life and causes death.” So believe in God and His Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet, who believes in God and His words. And follow him, that you may be guided.	Qur'an 7:158 Notes Muhammed did indeed say that without substantiating his claims in any way.

Qur'an 7:159 Among the people of Moses is a community that guides by truth, and thereby does justice.	Qur'an 7:159 Notes Is this another fairy tale or actual history now?

Qur'an 7:160 We divided them into twelve tribal communities. And We inspired Moses, when his people asked him for something to drink: “Strike the rock with your staff.” Whereupon twelve springs gushed from it. Each group recognized its drinking-place. And We shaded them with clouds, and We sent down upon them manna and quails: “Eat of the good things We have provided for you.” They did not wrong Us, but they used to wrong their own selves.

Qur'an 7:160 Notes I wish that Allah would do that to the many starving people today who have no clean water or food.

Qur'an 7:161 And it was said to them, “Settle this town, and eat therein whatever you wish, and speak modestly, and enter the gate in humility—We will forgive your sins, and will promote the righteous.”	Qur'an 7:161 Notes How nice of him to forgive the sins that are not even truly sinful in the first place.

Qur'an 7:162 But the wicked among them substituted other words for the words given to them; so We sent down upon them a plague from the sky, because of their wrongdoing.	Qur'an 7:162 Notes God chose to forgive this sin too, right? Right?

Qur'an 7:163 Ask them about the town by the sea, when they violated the Sabbath. When they observed the Sabbath, their fish would come to them abundantly. But when they violated the Sabbath, their fish would not come to them. Thus We tried them because they disobeyed.	Qur'an 7:163 Notes Which town by which sea? There are so many towns by so many seas in this world.

Qur'an 7:164 And when a group of them said, “Why do you counsel a people whom God will annihilate, or punish with a severe punishment?” They said, “As an excuse to your Lord, and so that they may become righteous.”	Qur'an 7:164 Notes Excuses, excuses...

Qur'an 7:165 Then, when they neglected what they were reminded of, We saved those who prohibited evil, and We seized those who did wrong with a terrible punishment, because of their sinfulness.	Qur'an 7:165 Notes What a loving and forgiving god...

Qur'an 7:166 Then, when they rebelled against the commands to refrain, We said to them, “Be despicable apes.”	Qur'an 7:166 Notes Islamic evolution

Qur'an 7:167 Your Lord has announced that, He would send against them, until the Day of Resurrection, those who would inflict terrible suffering upon them. Your Lord is swift in retribution, yet He is Forgiving and Merciful.	Qur'an 7:167 Notes God makes less sense than a square circle fitting cleanly through the triangular peg.

Qur'an 7:168 And We scattered them into communities on earth. Some of them righteous, and some of them short of that. And We tested them with fortunes and misfortunes, so that they may return.	Qur'an 7:168 Notes That, or... people face good times and bad times because that's how life goes, with or without any ulterior motives.

Qur'an 7:169 They were succeeded by generations who inherited the Scripture and chose the materials of this world, saying, “We will be forgiven.” And should similar materials come their way, they would again seize them. Did they not make a covenant to uphold the Scripture, and to not say about God except the truth? Did they not study its contents? But the Home of the Hereafter is better for the cautious; will you not understand?

Qur'an 7:169 Notes Again with the covenants. Did each and every individual in those generations agree to this? An agreement under duress does not count, neither does getting people to agree without fully informing them of the details of the covenant.

Qur'an 7:170 Those who adhere to the Scripture, and practice prayer—We will not waste the reward of the reformers.	Qur'an 7:170 Notes Those are the only two requirements? Good to know.

Qur'an 7:171 And when We suspended the mountain over them, as if it was an umbrella, and they thought it would fall on them: “Hold fast to what We have given you, and remember what it contains, so that you may be saved.”	Qur'an 7:171 Notes Did this actually happen? Do geologists have any way of seeing that this actually happened to any mountain ever?

Qur'an 7:172 And when Your Lord summoned the descendants of Adam, and made them testify about themselves. “Am I not your Lord?” They said, “Yes, we testify.” Thus you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection, “We were unaware of this.”	Qur'an 7:172 Notes People would probably be too afraid to say anything, but there are people who, in the here and now, sincerely disbelieve. Allah knows this and even seals people's hearts to keep them from accepting the truth himself.

Qur'an 7:173 Nor can you Say, “Our ancestors practiced idolatry before; and we are their descendants who came after them; will you destroy us for what the falsifiers did?”	Qur'an 7:173 Notes That is a completely rational defense. If you grew up in a family of idolators and learned your idolatry from them, then you would naturally grow up to do what you sincerely believe to be the right way of worship.

Qur'an 7:174 We thus elaborate the revelations, so that they may return.	Qur'an 7:174 Notes Kindly elaborate even more. This seems like an elaborate ruse if anything.

Qur'an 7:175 And relate to them the story of him to whom We delivered Our signs, but he detached himself from them, so Satan went after him, and he became one of the perverts.	Qur'an 7:175 Notes Allah's signs are so awful that people reading them would naturally find them unconvincing. Allah knows what would or would not convince each and every person to ever live if he is indeed all-knowing. Allah, of course, blames the unbelievers for being misguided.

Qur'an 7:176 Had We willed, We could have elevated him through them; but he clung to the ground, and followed his desires. His metaphor is that of a dog: if you chase it, it pants; and if you leave it alone, it pants. Such is the metaphor of the people who deny Our signs. So tell the tale, so that they may ponder.	Qur'an 7:176 Notes Yet again, Allah literally states that he could guide the misguided at any point. The fact that they would cling to the ground and follow their desires can only mean that Allah deliberately chose not to guide them.

Qur'an 7:177 Evil is the metaphor of the people who reject Our signs and wrong themselves.	Qur'an 7:177 Notes Believers good. Disbelievers bad. Believers good. Disbelievers bad.

Qur'an 7:178 Whomever God guides is the guided one. And whomever He sends astray—these are the losers.	Qur'an 7:178 Notes Allah loves reminding his creations that the one to blame for their misguidance is Allah himself.

Qur'an 7:179 We have destined for Hell multitudes of jinn and humans. They have hearts with which they do not understand. They have eyes with which they do not see. They have ears with which they do not hear. These are like cattle. In fact, they are further astray. These are the heedless.	Qur'an 7:179 Notes Allah destined countless people and jinn for infinite torture and does not even pretend to say otherwise. Allah created us and made us less guided than even cattle. Also, of course we have hearts that do not understands. Brains understand ideas, not hearts. Surely, Allah does not think that the heart is the thinking organ of his special creations, right?

Qur'an 7:180 To God belong the Most Beautiful Names, so call Him by them, and disregard those who blaspheme His names. They will be repaid for what they used to do.	Qur'an 7:180 Notes Is anyone saying anything critical of Allah? You can just mindlessly dismiss them for that reason. What even counts as blasphemy anyhow?

Qur'an 7:181 Among those We created is a community—they guide by truth, and do justice thereby.	Qur'an 7:181 Notes What even is truth? What even is justice? This book fails to answer these questions.

Qur'an 7:182 As for those who reject Our messages, We will gradually lead them from where they do not know.	Qur'an 7:182 Notes They only reject Allah's message because Allah destined them to reject this awful message.

Qur'an 7:183 And I will encourage them. My plan is firm.	Qur'an 7:183 Notes Of course you will.

Qur'an 7:184 Do they not think? There is no madness in their friend. He is but a plain warner.	Qur'an 7:184 Notes To be clear, he could very well have had some madness. There is nothing wrong with this on its face. I won't dehumanize people for having mental issues out of their control. However, denying these mental issues does not help.

Qur'an 7:185 Have they not observed the government of the heavens and the earth, and all the things that God created, and that their time may have drawn near? Which message, besides this, will they believe in?

Qur'an 7:185 Notes We have observed the laws of physics. However, we have not observed any evidence that Allah deserves credit for them. Even assuming that they must come from an all-powerful being beyond our comprehension, why should we just assume that Allah is that being and not any other all-powerful god? What evidence links the laws of physics to the truth value of the book supposedly penned directly by this same all-powerful god?

Qur'an 7:186 Whomever God misguides has no guide. And He leaves them blundering in their transgression.	Qur'an 7:186 Notes With how many times Allah hammers this point home, he wants the people reading this book to know that Allah is the ultimate evil. Why else would Allah repeatedly claim credit for misguiding everybody?

Qur'an 7:187 They ask you about the Hour, “When will it come?” Say, “Knowledge of it rests with my Lord. None can reveal its coming except He. It weighs heavily on the heavens and the earth. It will not come upon you except suddenly.” They ask you as if you are responsible for it. Say, “Knowledge of it rests with God,” but most people do not know.	Qur'an 7:187 Notes This is the ultimate cop-out answer to an unanswerable question.

Qur'an 7:188 Say, “I have no control over any benefit or harm to myself, except as God wills. Had I known the future, I would have acquired much good, and no harm would have touched me. I am only a warner, and a herald of good news to a people who believe.”	Qur'an 7:188 Notes This line of reasoning has also been used ad nauseam well before Muhammed was even born, which is but one of many reasons why people of his time were skeptical of his claims.

Qur'an 7:189 It is He who created you from a single person, and made from it its mate, that he may find comfort with her. Then, when he has covered her, she conceives a light load, and she carries it around. But when she has grown heavy, they pray to God their Lord, “if You give us a good child, we will be among the thankful.”	Qur'an 7:189 Notes Evidence? What on earth is evidence?

Qur'an 7:190 But when He has given them a good child, they attribute partners to Him in what He has given them. God is exalted above what they associate.	Qur'an 7:190 Notes Allah has such a fragile ego to care about this.

Qur'an 7:191 Do they idolize those who create nothing, and are themselves created?	Qur'an 7:191 Notes Demonstrate clearly that you yourself created anything, Allah. For all we know, you were created by the minds of religious people millennia ago and are merely given credit for everything.

Qur'an 7:192 And can neither help them, nor help their own selves?	Qur'an 7:192 Notes Help yourself by getting rid of your own sadism, Allah, and help others by abolishing the maximally sadistic system of Hell. You, as an all-powerful being, can do that.

Qur'an 7:193 And if you invite them to guidance, they will not follow you. It is the same for you, whether you invite them, or remain silent.	Qur'an 7:193 Notes Allah made sure of that by sealing the fates of these unbelievers. Allah makes that abundantly clear.

Qur'an 7:194 Those you call upon besides God are servants like you. So call upon them, and let them answer you, if you are truthful.	Qur'an 7:194 Notes Those idols have tangible bodies. They can be demonstrated to exist in a way far realer than Allah ever could.

Qur'an 7:195 Do they have feet with which they walk? Or do they have hands with which they strike? Or do they have eyes with which they see? Or do they have ears with which they hear? Say, “Call upon your partners, then plot against me, and do not wait.”	Qur'an 7:195 Notes Does Allah have any of those? Allah is just an imaginary idol.

Qur'an 7:196 “My Master is God, He Who sent down the Book, and He takes care of the righteous.”	Qur'an 7:196 Notes This quote is provided without the solid evidence that would set him apart from the idols of the day.

Qur'an 7:197 Those you call upon besides Him cannot help you, nor can they help themselves.	Qur'an 7:197 Notes How about Allah?

Qur'an 7:198 And if you call them to guidance, they will not hear. And you see them looking at you, yet they do not see.	Qur'an 7:198 Notes The reason for that should be clear by now.

Qur'an 7:199 Be tolerant, and command decency, and avoid the ignorant.	Qur'an 7:199 Notes Tolerance is a good thing. Decency is a good thing. Avoiding the ignorant seems rather intolerant.

Qur'an 7:200 And when a suggestion from Satan assails you, take refuge with God. He is Hearing and Knowing.	Qur'an 7:200 Notes How would we know what is from God and what is from Satan? Muslim parents have a feeling that they should abuse their gay child for questioning the faith. Is this suggestion from God or is it from Satan? How can we possibly tell? For all we know, the suggestions in this book could be from Satan.

Qur'an 7:201 Those who are righteous—when an impulse from Satan strikes them, they remind themselves, and immediately see clearly.	Qur'an 7:201 Notes How can we clearly identify impulses from Satan and distinguish them from any others?

Qur'an 7:202 But their brethren lead them relentlessly into error, and they never stop short.	Qur'an 7:202 Notes The reason for this has been hammered down. This chapter alone contains way too much repetition to be well-written.

Qur'an 7:203 If you do not produce a miracle for them, they say, “Why don’t you improvise one.” Say, “I only follow what is inspired to me from my Lord.” These are insights from your Lord, and guidance, and mercy, for a people who believe.	Qur'an 7:203 Notes Excuses, excuses...

Qur'an 7:204 When the Quran is recited, listen to it, and pay attention, so that you may experience mercy.	Qur'an 7:204 Notes By listening carefully to the Quran and paying close attention, I saw the many flaws in it clearly. This is why I eventually left this cult.

Qur'an 7:205 And remember your Lord within yourself, humbly and fearfully, and quietly, in the morning and the evening, and do not be of the neglectful.	Qur'an 7:205 Notes "I want to be on your mind all the time. Never forget me! NEVER FORGET ME!!!"

Qur'an 7:206 Those who are in the presence of your Lord are not too proud to worship Him. They recite His praises, and to Him they bow down.	Qur'an 7:206 Notes Pride plays no part in disbelief. Allah knows this.