What is Cupping or Hijama?

Many Olympians at Rio, Brazil have taken to cupping (Hijama in Arabic), an ancient therapy that has mostly been used in Middle Eastern countries as well as in China.

It consists of having round glass suction cups that are warmed, then placed on the sore parts of the body. The placement of the glass cup creates a partial vacuum, which is believed to stimulate muscles and blood flow while relieving pain.

It is believed that Prophet Muhammad practiced cupping and encouraged his followers for that. Here are a few statements attributed to the Prophet (ahadith) on the subject of cupping.

Anas ibn Malik reported that the messenger said, "Indeed the best of remedies you have is cupping." [Sahih al-Bukhari(5371)].

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger said, "If there was something excellent to be used as a remedy then it is cupping ." [Sahih Sunan abi Dawud (3857), Sahih Sunan ibn Majah (3476)]. 

Anas ibn Malik reported that the Messenger said, "Whoever wants to perform cupping then let him search for the 17^th, 19^th and 21^st day (of the Islamic, lunar month) and let none of you allow his blood to rage (boil) such that it kills him." [Sahih Sunan ibn Majah (3486)].

Abdullah ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger said, "Healing is in three things: in the incision of the cupper, in drinking honey, and in cauterizing with fire, but I forbid my Ummah (nation) from cauterization (branding with fire)." [Sahih al-Bukhari(5681), Sahih Sunan ibn Majah (3491)]. 

Jaabir ibn Abdullah reported that the Messenger said, "Indeed in cupping there is a cure." [Sahih Muslim (5706)].

Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger said, "Cupping on an empty stomach is best. In it is a cure and a blessing..." [Sahih Sunan ibn Maajah (3487)].

Abu Hurairah t reported that the Messenger said, "Whoever performs cupping on the 17^th, 19^th or 21^st day (of the Islamic, lunar month) then it is a cure for every disease." [Sahih Sunan abi Dawud (3861)].

Anas ibn Malik reported that the Messenger said, "Whoever wants to perform cupping then let him search for the 17^th, 19^th and 21^st…" [Sahih Sunan ibn Majah (3486)].

Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger said, "Cupping on an empty stomach is best. In it is a cure and a blessing. It improves the intellect and memory. So cup yourselves with the blessing of Allah on Thursday. Keep away from cupping on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to be safe. Perform cupping on Monday and Tuesday since it is the day that Allah saved Ayoub from a trial. He was inflicted with the trial on Wednesday. You will not find leprosy except (by being cupped) on Wednesday or Wednesday night." [Sahih Sunan ibn Majah (3487)].

Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger said, "Cupping on an empty stomach* is best. It increases the intellect and improves memory. It improves the memory of the one memorizing. So whoever is going to have cupping then (let it be) on a Thursday. Keep away from being cupped on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Be cupped on a Monday or Tuesday. Do not be cupped on a Wednesday because it is the day that Prophet Ayoub was befallen with a trial. You will not find leprosy except (by being cupped) on Wednesday or Wednesday night." [Sahih Sunan ibn Majah (3488)].

Salma, the servant of the Messenger said, "Whenever someone would complain of a headache to the Messenger of Allah r, her would advise them to perform cupping." [Sahih Sunan abi Dawud (3858)].

Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger said, "Cupping on an empty stomach* is best. In it is a cure and a blessing. It improves the intellect and the memory..." [Sahih Sunan ibn Majah (3487)].

Jaabir ibn Abdullah reported that the Messenger fell from his horse onto the trunk of a palm tree and dislocated his foot. Waki' t said, "Meaning the Messenger was cupped on (his foot) for bruising." [Sahih Sunan ibn Majah (2807)].

Abdullah ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger was cupped on his head for a unilateral headache while he was in Ihraam (clothes worn during the performance of Hajj and Umrah). [Sahih al-Bukhari(5701)]. 

Abdullah ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger was cupped while he was fasting. [Sahih al-Bukhari(5694)].

Anas ibn Maalik was asked: "Did you dislike cupping for the fasting person?" He said, "No except for the reason of one becoming weak." [Sahih al-Bukhari(1940)].

 Anas ibn Maalik reported that the Messenger was treated with cupping three times on the two veins at the side of the neck and the base of the neck. [Sahih Sunan abi Dawud (3860), ibn Majah (3483)].

Abdullah ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger was cupped on his head. [Sahih al-Bukhari(5699)]. 

Jaabir ibn Abdullah reported that the Messenger was treated with cupping on his hip for a pain in that area. [Sahih Sunan abi Dawud (3863)].

Anas ibn Malik reported that the Messenger was treated with cupping when he was in Ihram, on the top of his foot, for a pain in that area. [Sahih Sunan abi Dawud (1836)].

Jaabir ibn Abdullah reported Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) asked permission from the Messenger to be treated with cupping . So the Messenger r ordered Abu Teeba t to cup her. Jaabir ibn Abdullah said, " I think he said that Abu Teeba is her brother through breastfeeding or a young boy who didn't reach puberty". [Sahih Muslim (5708), abu Dawud (4102), Sahih ibn Majah (3480)].

They would always oppose you

No matter what Muslim Americans say and do, there would always a substantial section of citizens who would doubt their patriotism and commitment to the constitution. This group would always ask them to denounce terrorism, renounce violence and distance themselves from sharia, the foundation of the Islamic faith. Even when they follow other dictates, there is no guarantee that they could be accepted as equal. The lingering episode of Khizr and Ghazala Khan provide clear evidence that certain groups and individuals would always consider Muslims fifth columnists. 

Who are these groups and individuals and why are they so much focused on Islam and Muslims. 

It is imperative to understand them, otherwise, the Muslim response could create more confusion in the already confusing situation. Based on the responses of groups and individuals on the latest cycle of hatred spat on Muslims after the Democratic National Convention where a Muslim couple publicly eulogized their son who offered ultimate sacrifice to defend the USA, one can identify six major groups who are the flag bearers of anti-Muslim sentiments. These groups are: Right-wing Christian evangelists, supporters of Israel who do not want to be challenged in their narratives of the Middle East situation, the extremists Hindus who are primarily influenced by the socio-political conditions in India, the extreme liberal atheists who see religion as a manifestation of dark ages, politicians who believe in the divide and conquer rule and Muslim extremists who believe in the supremacy of their ideas.  Each of these groups has its own socio-political agenda. Even though they may be diametrically opposed to each other, but they can either cooperate with each other or remain silent on issues involving Muslims. Of course, a vast majority of Americans do not identify with any of these groups, but their opinions are often influenced by the rhetoric these groups play and the tactics they employ to smear a community. Election cycle every two years offer such groups an opportunity to flex their muscles.

1. Right-wing Christian Evangelists

Their opposition to Islam and Muslims is based on a faith basis. Muslims are pagans in their views and always at war with the Christian West. Muslims are not worthy to be given a dignified presence in the country because they do not accept Jesus as their savior. They regard Islam, anti-Christian faith based on false ideas. In their views, Islam originated in violence and wants to dominate the world through violence. This group relies on a literature that is the product of the 1400 year old conflict between the two faiths.

2. Supporters of the Jewish State who do not want to be challenged in their narratives on the situation in the Middle East

These groups believe that the US support for Israel is essential for the existence of the Jewish state.  They see the presence of Muslims as a threat to the Israeli interests in the US for the simple reason that Muslims hold Israel is accountable for the mess prevailing in the region. They fear that the emergence of a strong Muslim voting bloc might influence the outcome of elections and the policies that have remained pro Israel so far.

3. Extremist Hindu groups that represent the ideology of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh, the Bharatiya Janata Party and many other similar outfits. In their view, Muslim Indians, as well as Islam, are responsible for the disintegration of a greater India. Islam in their view is a violent protest ideology against the domination of a religious class that believes in social stratification based on birth. They view Islam as a violent faith, keen to rule over the world through coercion and suppression of all other religions.

4. Liberal Atheist Groups that view religion as a force representing dark ages.

Even though on issues pertaining to human rights and justice, these groups do not discriminate against people on the basis of their faith or culture or race, yet they view that Islam is no different than Christianity or any other faith as they all represent dark ages. In their view, the concept of God is an outdated concept that offers nothing but hatred, extremism, and obscurantism. They point out to the position of religious establishments of all faiths on issues such as equality of women, homosexuality, the oneness of humanity, and punishment and rewards based on the teachings of a God whose existence cannot be proved.

5. Politicians who believe in the divide and conquer rule.

Politicians are known for saying anything and everything that can win them elections. If they realize that Muslims offer a strong electoral bloc, they would stand for Islam and Muslims and if they believe that speaking against Islam would get them elected, they would go to any length to denounce Islam and Muslims.

6. The Muslim extremists who believe in the supremacy of their ideas

Muslim extremists based their analysis of the current world on historical grounds and not on a faith basis. In their view, the West offers corrupt, inhumane, and violent ideas with clear evidence of committing terror against innocent people all over the world. They view the West as a conspirator against Islam and Muslims and they believe that Islam is at war with the West. They view their fellow Muslims who do not share their vision as western lackeys who lack an understanding of genuine Islam and who are willing to go to any length to secure their presence in the East.

Obviously, the leadership in each of these six categories is very strong on its opinions about Islam and Muslims and no amount of debate or dialogue would make them change their perspectives.So Muslims have to be prepared to deal with them with or without incidents of terrorism or violence attributed to those who claim to be Muslims.

So what should Muslim Americans do?

While they develop strong ties with groups that want to live the spirit of the US constitution, they should also open channels of communication with people at the grassroots levels. They should have trained people who can relate with the masses, to identify with their situation and to speak to them an idiom that is commonly understood. Through their involvement at every level of social life, they need to explain who they are and what their faith stands for and how can their presence in the country is a source of the strength of the nation.

The idea that Islam and Muslims are in perpetual conflict with the rest of humanity is not substantiated by either the Quran or the teachings of the Prophet. The Islam sharia primarily derived from the Quran does invite Muslims to cooperate with the other for the purpose of enhancing the quality of life based on the principles of justice, equality, freedom, and human dignity as well as the unity of humanity. When Muslims are engaged with any of these six groups or individuals reflecting the ideas of such groups, they often lose focus on their founding principles and get broiled in an unending debate as who is right and who is wrong. Perhaps Muslims ought to review their own strategy in standing for themselves and their faith. in the situation they face in the US today. Perhaps, they may find that the old style of working and standing for their faiths is not working. Perhaps they may realize that a new vision and a new way of looking at issues need to be adopted to ensure that they do not become victims of the politics of hate and vengeance.

The Revenge by the Disintegrated Empire

The Soviet Union was defeated. Its army humiliated and the superpower scattered like a pack of cards into smaller countries. It was one of the biggest earth-shaking events of the last century. It caused the collapse of the biggest espionage agency ever existed. It rendered the nuclear arsenal of the former superpower useless. It made millions of people unemployed. The world changed and the empire described by another empire as the evil empire collapsed. 

It all happened because the United States played an active role in the dismemberment of the rival superpower and used the occupation of Afghanistan as a pretext to establish its supremacy in world politics. 

Thousands of Afghans lost their lives, billions of dollars were spent to lure fighters from all over the world to Afghanistan to cause the worst humiliation to the Soviet Union. But who cares. Human life has always been the cheapest commodity in our world forever.
What, then, do you expect from those unemployed KGB operatives all over the world who lost their livelihood because of the US? What do you expect from those illegal weapon manufacturing units all over the world run by the former Soviet agents who lost their regular revenue? What do you expect the weapon experts to do with the unused Soviet arsenal?
In the eyes of an average Russian, the United States is the culprit. For KGB and the Soviet Army, the US is the one that caused their misery through disintegration.of their main employer, their national government. In a world where national and ethnic pride determine policies and political and social behavior of most people, it would be naive to think that the KGB would not strike back.

It has struck back in its own ways and those who understand the world of intelligence know exactly what has been going in our world today.
What is happening in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria or Pakistan and what would happen in other Middle Eastern countries as well as in Europe in years to come is the outcome of this revenge tactics on the part of a former superpower. 

Money can buy anything and former KGB players and their supporters are buying terrorists, anarchists, and war mongers. The intelligence agencies always operate through their henchmen. When the CIA worked in Afghanistan, it did not send its field officers to distribute money to Afghans directly. It worked through the government of Pakistan and several Islamic organizations to channel its funds and export its ideology. When the USA went into Iraq, its secret agencies worked through religious leaders from among Shias and Sunnis to run its operation. 

In Afghanistan, it was through the religious leaders that the CIA managed to develop an Islamic curriculum for schools opened for Afghan refugees in Pakistan and elsewhere. It was through religious scholars, the CIA worked to convince the masses that violence for the right cause is always justified and loved by the divine. Its scholars found religious texts to support this ideology.
Why, then, anyone would think that the nonexistent, but ever-present KGB would not use the same tactics in an improvised manner? Why do you think the Russians would not use ISIS, ISIL, Iran, Syria for their purposes? Why do you think the Russians would not exploit the prevailing conditions in the United States to create more chaos and fear and impact the forthcoming elections.
The Russian espionage is alive and well. Now one of our presidential aspirants has endorsed the Russian espionage and even encouraged, to actively spy on his rival, the Russians will feel bold to pursue their political goal. Their objective is to ensure that the US loses its edge as a superpower and suffers catastrophic economic and political disasters. If in this war, the Russians have to use Islam as a scapegoat, they would not hesitate. Why should they? When the CIA also used Islam and Muslims to pursue their political interests, Russians feel justified in following the lead. 

The Muslim political and religious leadership is myopic. It does not see anything beyond its own narrow ethnic, sectarian and selfish interests. It can sacrifice anything for its egoistic goals regardless of the price people might pay.
Let us be prepared for a long war that is much colder than the cold war and in this war of revenge, besides the US, Islam and Muslims would also be major casualties. The White Christian right wing evangelical establishment in the US and the West is not thinking beyond its racism and religious bigotry. It is willing to sacrifice its own freedom to ensure that non white, non Christians do not occupy positions of significance in world politics. Its endorsement of the Republican candidate is a testimony of its eagerness to commit suicide on the altar of hate.
The world is in a big mess and in the days, months and years to come, the mess would expand, creating destabilization in every society and community unless the people under a sincere and honest leadership emerge for the betterment of all and not just one nation and group. Welcome to Jahiliya (Days of Ignorance) when tribal, ethnic, cultural, religious and nationalist wars were justified to perpetuate the revenge, plunder and murder.

The Failed Coup and the Challenge of Erdogan

The failed coup in Turkey should not make people think that the danger is over. Those who wanted to replace President Erdogan and his party are still there in Turkey and they would do everything possible to destabilize the country. However the ball is in the court of the President and if he responds to the crisis in a magnanimous manner, he could turn the tables against his foes and create a democratic model that would be the envy of every country.
Rather than locking up all his foes, he needs to win them over to his vision of Turkey. He needs to initiate a dialogue with those who see his understanding of Islam irrelevant in Turkey and the modern world. Doubtlessly, Erdogan and his party are committed to Islam and aspire to present the country as a leading example of Islam to the world. There are certain areas where the vision that Erdogan has of Islam needs to be focused. He would have to prove that Turkey under his leadership is an open society that respects human rights and promotes peace and progress. He would have to set the example through concrete actions that science and technology are the foundations of emerging Turkey where corruption has no place. He would have to prove to the world that his country can give a balanced education system to the people that integrate science with the religious ethos and universal ethics.
In particular, the following major areas would deserve his utmost attention.
1. Emphasis on Islamic values should not lead him to deny non-Muslims their right to preach and practice their religion or no religion freely.
2. Women should not be forced into a lifestyle they do not want to identify with and their rights to seek equality in all spheres of life should be respected.
3. Moral values should not be imposed on those who do not believe in them.
4. Rather than reacting on the basis of political expediency, a principled position should be taken on matters of concerns to Turkey and the Muslim world. In other words, Turkey should emerge as a voice of decency and support for all those who are denied justice and equality regardless of their background.
5. Negotiations should open with Kurds and Armenians and other dissident groups to find a solution of the bitterness that has lingered long and caused tensions in the relationship.
6. An education system that integrates ethics with science and technology should be the foundation to lay the future social fabric of the country.
7. Peaceful opposition should be encouraged and those in power should always be ready to consult even their foes on matters of public interests.
8. Witch-hunt of those involved in the failed coup should be replaced with dialogue and reconciliation. Rather than turning Gulanists into enemies, efforts should be directed to secure their support for a unified Turkey with prosperity for all.
9. Better and stronger relations with neighbors should be the mainstay of Turkish policies as it would prevent possible incursion and infiltration.
10. Living conditions of people regardless of their social and religious background should be improved so that their basic needs are guaranteed.

What is an ideal society desired by the Divine?

People often talk about an ideal society based on their values, religious or otherwise. Jews talk about an ideal society where their Messiah would restore peace and prosperity, Christians talk about Jesus returning to establish the kingdom of God on earth, Muslims espouse the idea of a society based on the values revealed in the Quran and traditions promoted by the Prophet, Buddhists talk about a society where individuals will deliver them from the tribulations of pain and sufferings, Sikhs envision a society where differences of caste and race would no longer exist, atheists talk of a world where people will be free from the yoke of religion and exercise the free will the way they want and so on and so forth.

Every religious or irreligious community has its vision of a society, yet the reality is that no religious community has ever been able to recreate an environment that reflects its values in totality. On the contrary, the zealots in all communities have created conditions that contradict the basics of their own faith. There may be several factors for that, but the two main reasons are the differences among communities on the scope and dimensions of an ideal world and the differences several factions and sects have within each community on the definition of an ideal society. For instance, what is ideal for Muslims is not ideal for Christians and Jews and what is ideal within one group of Jews may not be ideal among other Jewish factions.

Logically speaking, all those who believe in the existence of God or gods, believe that there is one ultimate supreme power regardless of the varying definitions they give for that being. Yet, all of them have different visions of an ideal  a society with one common factor that each assigns a superior role to its values and traditions.

Thus the unity in God diversifies itself into competing visions that have often led to conflicts, hatred and disorder, all in the name of religion.

The concept of unity in God is a powerful one as it expresses the desire of having a unity of human beings and a unity in the vision of an ideal society. This concept liberates human beings from accepting the slavery of others and free from the dictates of fellow human beings. God did not confuse human beings by proposing conflicting ideals to his creation. He is the source of unity and reason. The disunity is the outcome of diverse human experiences and interpretations of divine guidance.

The purpose of faith is to enable human beings to find the ultimate unity in a manner where diversity can express itself in a framework so that the human society achieves its true potential in terms of exploring the universe and human capability in living in a balanced and peaceful life.

Even though people speaking for different faiths often talk of an ideal Islamic, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, atheist, Jain or Sikh society, the deductive logic suggests that the human society can either have a unified divinely guided society or a disunited conflicting a society based on the experience of each separate race, nationality, ethnicity, tribe, community or nation. The former is the intent of the divine and the later is the outcome of asserting values that are determined by the narrow and limited experiences of humans.

If one has to reconstruct the basic outlines of an ideal society desired by the divine who is the creator of everything that exists in the universe, then one has to give considerations to the following minimum requirements.

1. There is one supreme power that alone created the universe

2. The unity of humanity is the essence of the creation as everything revolves around human beings.

3. The resources that exist in the universe are given to human being as a trust to be used to enhance life and progress not to destroy and regress.

4. Regardless of the gender and race and the differences in the intellectual capabilities of human beings, the society and its instruments of governance have to ensure dignity of everyone in terms of guaranteeing the right to life, right to mind, right to work, right to explore the universe and the right to create a nucleus in the form of a family to live peacefully.

5. Violence in any form or shape is based on coercion and it must not have any place in an ideal human society.

6. Justice and peace are the two essential values that should dictate all the spheres of life.

7. Freedom and the responsibility to use freedom in a social context are paramount to secure justice and peace.

8. The pursuit of happiness is an inalienable right of everyone that should be secured without infringing upon the rights of others.

9. Human beings should not be restricted in their pursuit of happiness anywhere in the world provided they do not violate the rights of others and do not exploit the resources to their racial, ethnic and tribal advantages.

10. Punishment and reward should be based on the concept of maintaining justice and peace in the world of on the basis of doing the job for God.

Perhaps this ideal society is deep in the conscience of every human being. But each religious and irreligious community represents these values in its limited and narrowest form within their own context creating conditions that often result in conflicts and violence in the name of God or progress.

In order for this ideal society to emerge, one must start with oneself so that an individual can identify with it in a non-sectarian and non-factional manner. It must be reflected in our education system and it must be espoused by those who claim to be speaking in the name of God. In the absence of serious commitment to these ideals, we would always be in a race to prove others wrong and unconsciously fighting for our sectarian superiority.

This in essence is the divine call, a call that has been misconstrued most of the times, a call that has been distorted in the places that are described as the houses of God. This idealism needs people who are willing to dedicate them to achieve it in an organized manner, because these values are the ones that will deliver us from falsehood that our human society has been living for centuries.

And the Creator Sent Revelation to Honey Bee

Referring to the honey bee, we find a very intriguing verse in the Quran. 

"And [consider how] your Sustainer has given revelation to the bee: "Prepare for yourself dwellings in the mountains and in the trees, and in what [people] may build [for you by way of hives];" - 16:68

The Quran uses the word Awha, (root word wahi) to talk about the process of honey production described in the verse. What has wahi to do with the bee or honey production? What is it that the Quran wants humans to understand from this example and what are the open secrets mentioned in this verse?

Every living organism follows certain laws to live and survive. We need oxygen to survive. If we do not inhale oxygen we would suffocate and die. Those laws are fixed and they do not change on their own unless interfered. Those laws are applicable to all. For instance, even the most pious in any or all religious traditions would suffer suffocation, without oxygen regardless of his piety or knowledge. 

In the Quranic language, these laws are also called the wahi or divine inspiration or programming This inspiration is embedded in every living thing including the physical anatomy of human beings. Thus, every part of the human body would act in a uniform manner all over the world in all races and communities because human anatomy has been inspired by the divine to act in that manner.

This wahi or inspiration in the physical realm does not come through angel Gabriel. It is programmed in the DNA, anatomy and physical being of everything that exists. For living creatures other than human beings everything is fixed and programmed to the extent that their tasks are monotonous and are repeated according to the laws they are created with. A bee cannot say that "I am tired today and I would take a rest or just go sightseeing." Bee has to perform the task that has been embedded in her creation. The mountains cannot say that I intend to reappear in a different location.  

This wahi or inspiration in the physical make of the universe is spread all over and it keeps everything in balance. When we interfere in these laws or try to change them, imbalances occur. 

For human beings, God has sent additional wahi through the angel Gabriel to messengers so that we could use the physical laws in a manner that would maintain the balance. No one can escape the physical laws of God because they are fixed, but we human beings have a choice to either cause destruction or maintain the balance in the physical laws based on their relationship with the wahi or revelation that God sent through angels to his messengers who relayed it to their people. In order to use the wahi given through messengers, we have to learn the wahi spread in the physical universe. Without that, we cannot use the wahi through messengers properly. We will continue to wander in darkness. 

Thus, the discovery of the physical laws of the universe and everything that exists in it is the journey to understand the wahi of Allah. Human beings have always made efforts to understand the wahi of Allah, Every scientific progress is based on the understanding of this wahi, but many times they have neglected to use this according to the wahi sent through messengers.
Interestingly, many of our Muslim scholars, past and present who claim to have an authentic religious understanding, in general, have denied the existence of the wahi spread in the physical world despite asserting that everything has been created by Allah. They have often said that the study of the universe and the laws that operate every living organism are mundane and in the realm of worldly sciences with no use to one's spirituality. They have also asserted that a person focused on life after death should be less concerned about them. They have even gone to the extent of even denying the study of languages other than own despite the fact that the Quran, the Scriptures of Islam, acknowledges and celebrates human diversity. They have negated the importance of the wahi of Allah spread in our physical world. The biggest proof of this negation is the curriculum that is taught in religious institutions known as Madarsas. Generations after generations have been convinced that these institutions are serving the divine cause, while in reality, they deprive the students of the essence of divine teachings and guidance.
The Quran describes the knowledge of universal laws sacred and makes it obligatory on every human being to acquire it. The Quran tells human beings that when the wahi spread in the physical universe corresponds and reconciles with the wahi delivered through messengers, the human society would continue to hurt itself. That is evident in our world today. The societies that have mastered the physical laws of the universe, but are devoid of the wahi sent by messengers are suffering from imbalances in every walk of life. While the societies who claim to have mastered the wahi sent by through messengers have become a liability on the world. 

Within the Muslim community, we find such scholars and institutions still insist on this duality of divine guidance and in the name of God are willing to reject him and his guidance in this sphere. Read the tafasir written by many prominent scholars of the day and you can easily see the negation. Many such people are still controlling our religious institutions and perpetuating this denial while promoting ideas that defeat the very purpose of divine guidance. 

The Doors of the Heavens open and the doors of the hellfire shut and the devils are chained

Prophet Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, peace, and blessings be upon him, once said, “When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of the heaven are opened; the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained.”  (Sahih Bukhari 1800)

Obviously, this hadith explains some key concepts of Ramada in an allegorical manner using symbolic language. If they are read literally, they would sound a statement of blind faith reflecting the above-mentioned understanding and if read allegorically, they would offer a logical and viable rationale for developing strong conviction and appreciation of the Prophetic wisdom.
We do not know if heavens or hell has gates like the gates of a city or a building. None of us has ever witnessed or would ever witness them in our lifetime. So the meanings have to be found in the symbolism they represent. Opening of the gates of heavens means an easy and smooth journey to a state of utmost peace and happiness under the divine grace because heavens is a place of utmost comfort and peace. The prophet is alluding to this journey during the month of Ramadan when believers have month-long opportunities to change their lifestyle and environment to attain a higher status of self-consciousness. Such a journey would help them enjoy every moment of the month and qualify for uninterrupted mercy and blessings of the divine in this life and the life hereafter as well. Everything can change and with this change, the blessings could multiply. This is how one can understand the meaning of opening the gates of the heavens.
Closing the gates of heavens mean that the creator is eager and ready to forgive every sin committed by sinful beings  by anyone if sincere repentance is sought. Thus the month invites people to introspect and self evaluate them and identify every act that may appear to be deviant and seek forgiveness by pledging that they would not repeat it. In other words, forgiveness would be the divine offering for this month. However, one must realize that represented and forgiveness has to be done in a manner that is suggested by God and his messenger. They are more than offering lip service. They mean that a person is consciously aware of the wrongs committed and is willing to change the lifestyle never to repeat it.
Chaining devils means that the individual would have the opportunities to control their behavior in the wake of all temptations, physical, social, spiritual and what not. In a moment of high self consciousness an individual would ensure that he/she does not commit any act that would either defy the divine or reject his mercy. In another word, each of the believing person has to have a personal battle with one's own ego, the biggest satanic whisper that sits in the sub-consciousness of each one of us and win it..
Thus, this month-long opportunities to earn the boundless bounties, limitless forgiveness and reigning one's own ego are what the fasting offers in a tangible manner. The more intense, a person becomes in seeking these goals, the more beneficial the month becomes to him or her. In other words, humans have the capacity to change them and earn the blessings of God through their efforts and good deeds and they would always be supported by the divine in this endeavor. But as for those who strive hard in Our cause -We shall most certainly guide them onto paths that lead unto Us: for, behold, God is, indeed, with the doers of good. (Quran 29:69)  

Ramadan, the month of fasting is no different than any other month as far as crimes are concerned. Every perceivable sin and crime takes place in this month all around the world. Does this hadith mean the deviations of this month would not count? Does it mean that every sin in this month would be forgiven or does it mean that people cannot commit sin in this month?