YOU TOOK A COVENANT WITH GOD BEFORE YOU WERE BORN

[mclinkin94]

we had an existence at some location (or in some state) prior to our 'physical' birth. (Our physiological state is different from our spiritual state (nafs)). We took a primordial covenant with God at some point before our physical birth (7:172, see also 33:72). This is where our 'innate' belief of some kind of Creator comes from (our 'fitrah'). We also find a reminder of this in verse 57:8. Then we were put to sleep (1st death). We were then given life in our physical state (1st life). We will then be tested in our lives where God will show us His signs in multifaceted forms. We will not be left without purpose (75:36). We will then pass away, 29:57 (2nd death). On the day of resurrection (on the second 'calling' 39:68, 79:6-7) we will be brought back to life (2nd life).

As you can see there are two 'deaths' and two 'lifes'. This understanding also finds some support from the following verse:

040:011
"They say: Our Lord! Twice have You made us die, and twice have You made us live. Now we confess our sins. Is there any way to go out?"

Here is an inspirational video about this subject matter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRGZ7sSlLZU&index=3&list=UUSEJJw_7lB_nzuHxsej_WnA

[ManOfGod]

That's an interesting observation. I'm glad you are doing your own analysis of the Quran, and not relying on a political leader for his.

[shabeer_hassan]

33:72
Truly, We did offer the Amanah to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it. But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust and ignorant.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn Abbas said,

"Al-Amanah means obedience.

This was offered to them before it was offered to Adam, and they could not bear it. Then Allah said to Adam:

`I have offered the Amanah to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and they could not bear it. Will you take it on!'

He said, `O Lord, what does it involve!'

He said, `If you do good, you will be rewarded, and if you do evil, you will be punished.'

So Adam took the Amanah and bore it, and this is what is referred to in the Ayah: وَحَمَلَهَا الْإِنسَانُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ ظَلُومًا جَهُولًا (But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust and ignorant.''

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas said,

"Al-Amanah means Al-Fara'id (the obligatory duties). Allah offered them to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, (on the grounds that) if they fulfilled them, He would reward them; and if they failed, He would punish them. But they did not want to do that, and they were afraid of it, not because their intention was sinful, but because of their respect for the religion of Allah, in case they could not fulfill the obligations involved. Then Allah offered it to Adam, and he accepted it with all that it entailed. This is what is referred to in the Ayah: وَحَمَلَهَا الْإِنسَانُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ ظَلُومًا جَهُولًا (But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust and ignorant).

meaning, he underestimated the command of Allah.''

This was also the view of Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Ad-Dahhak, Al-Hasan Al-Basri and others that Al-Amanah means Al-Fara'id.

Others said that it meant obedience.

Al-A`mash narrated from Abu Ad-Duha from Masruq that Ubayy bin Ka`b said: "Part of Al-Amanah means that woman was entrusted with her own chastity.''

Qatadah said: "Al-Amanah means religion, obligatory duties and prescribed punishments.''

Malik narrated that Zayd bin Aslam said:

"Al-Amanah means three things:

-                      prayer,

-                      fasting and

-                      performing Ghusl to cleanse oneself from sexual impurity.''

http://www.quran4u.com/Tafsir%20Ibn%20Kathir/033%20Ahzab.htm