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Difference of opinion about whether Luqman was a prophet or not
- What is a prophet?
- Difference between a prophet and a messenger
- Majority opinion is that Luqman was not a Prophet
- However, it is strange for a regular person to be quoted so extensively in Quran
- Some say he was a slave and carpenter
- Story of sheep tongue and heart
- Don’t really agree with idea of him being a slave
- Some say he may have been Aesop from Aesop’s fables
- Islamic scholars probably got Luqman/slave idea from European depictions of Aesop
- Ancient, mostly fictional tale called Aesop’s Romance depicts his life and describe him
as an ugly slave who uses cunning to get his freedom and become an royal advisor - Medieval historians thought the name Aesop came from the word Ethiopian
- Modern historians say that is not true and they are not connected
- Most likely, ancient Muslim scholars came across stories of Aesop and made them one person
- That is a problem with Islamic scholarship
- Surah 31 is named after Luqman and contains a lecture he gave his son
- Allah describes Luqman, commands him, and then quotes him
- He’s described as being wise, commanded to be grateful, 31:12-13
- Then Allah quotes the conversation with the boy
10 advices Luqman gave his son
- Do not commit Shirk (most important) 31:13
- Allah is aware of all things and nothing is hidden from Him 31:16
- Establish the prayer 31:17
- Command what is good 31:17
- Forbid what is wrong 31:17
- Be patient with what happens to you 31:17
- Do not treat others with contempt 31:18
- Do not walk with pride and arrogance 31:18
- Walk with moderation 31:19
- Lower your voice 31:19
Five Things Only Allah Knows
End of the Surah also has sound advice and mentions five things that only Allah knows:
Next to last verse reminds that father and son cannot help each other in next life, connection to
Luqman’s advice to his son 33:33
- The Hour
- Where beneficial, productive rain will fall
- What is in the wombs
- What each soul will earn in the future
- In which land it will die 33:34