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The Quranic Treasures Khurram J. Murad Please
visit FREE e-libraries: www.al-islamforall.org www.prophetmuhammadforall.org
www.quranforall.org Preface
What does the Qur’an have to say? This should be important
to know for all who are concerned with humanity and peace in this world, torn
apart by strife, hatred and violence. It should be important whether one
believes that the Qur’an is the Word of God or not. To know what the Qur’an says is important because the Qur’an
has made a deep and abiding impact on the course of human civilization and
history in many fundamental ways’ because it has been inspiring, shaping,
governing, and directing countless human lives over the ages, since it first
appeared fourteen hundred years ago. And, it still does. The Qur’an, among all other books believed to be divine, is
the only book which itself claims, and is believed by its followers, to be
literally the word of God. Those who first heard it from the lips of the
prophet Muhammad had absolutely no doubt that, through him, God was speaking to
them. It totally transformed them: it quickened their hearts, it reshaped their
minds; it made their eyes overflow with tears and their bodies tremble with
awe, it changed them into new individuals, as well as a new society and polity;
it lead them to be the leaders of making and founders of a rich and flowering
civilization. More significantly, what a remarkable testimony it is to the
unique power of the Qur’an that, in an age when God has been made irrelevant to
human existence and concerns, millions and millions of human beings – as much
as one fifth of the human race – still cling tenaciously to the book which they
believe with certainty to be the word of God, as the only blueprint for a
bright, progressive, postmodern future. It is still the supreme source of
inspiration, guidance and comfort in their spiritual, moral, social and
cultural lives, it still influences and shapes their ways of thinking and
conduct, both private and public, innumerable ways. To know what it has to say is therefore not only important
for better inter-human understanding and amity, but it may be crucial for the
destiny of mankind too. However, everyone cannot venture to read the whole of
the Qur’an though its length is less than that of the New Testament. Yet
everyone should have the opportunity to taste the delicious fruits in the
garden of the Qur’an. The Quranic Treasures is a small step towards
the fulfillment of the enormous task of making the words of the Qur’an heard in
our times. This pocket-size, short book is an anthology of its selected verses,
arranged under various topics. Though an anthology by its very nature has to
leave out much precious and important material, these selections, it is hoped
will give even the unfamiliar and the uninitiated a good glimpse of the vast
treasures of knowledge and wisdom offered in the Qur’an, and will bring them
face to face with the light that the Qur’an is. This short pocket book, it is also hoed may spur and temp the
readers to take up the reading of the whole of the Qur’an. Even the believers
may fine it a useful companion for keeping in touch with the Qur’anic teachings
and making them heard in our times. Finally, I pray to Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, to
accept this humble endeavour in the cause of his great and majestic book,
forgive my shortcoming and mistakes, and grant me to live by what says. 26 Rajab 1417 Khurram Murad 7 December 1996 The Human Cry All
praise be to God alone, The
Lord of all the worlds, The
All-Merciful, the Ever Mercy-giving,
The
Master of the Day of Judgment. You
alone we worship, and you alone we ask for help. Guide
us on the straight path, The
path of those whom you have blessed, not of those who incur your anger, nor of
those who go astray (al-Fatihah 1:1-7) The
Mystery of Life Where to Find the Light God
the light, that shines forever God is the Light of the heaves and the earth. The parable of His Light is like a niche wherein is a lamp;
the lamp is in a glass-the glass shines like a radiant star – [a lamp] lit from
a blessed tree, an olive tree that is neither of the east nor of the west,
whose oil would well–nigh give light even if no fire touched it; light upon
light! God guides to His Light whom He wills… And as for those who choose to deny [god], their deeds are
like a mirage in a desert, which the thirsty supposes to be water, till, when
he comes t it, he finds it is nothing; instead there he finds god with him, and
He pays him his account in full. Indeed God is swift in reckoning. Or, like the depths of darkness upon an abysmal sea, made yet
more dark by eave billowing above wave, above which are clouds: depths of
darkness, piled one upon another, [so much so that] when one holds up his hand,
he can hardly see it: [thus] to whomsoever God gives no light, he has no light (al-Nur
24:35-40). God the Sustainer, Who provides everything Now,
all the [false gods] are an enemy to me, except the Lord of all the worlds: it
is He who has created me, and so it is He who guides me; It is He who gives me
to eat and drink, and whenever I am sick It is He who heals me; and it is He
who makes me to die and then will bring me to life. And upon Him, I pin my hope
that He would forgive my sins on the Day of Judgment (al-Shu’ara’26: 77-82). The
Light that is Life Can, then, one who was dead and whom we set up a light
whereby he lives among men, be like the one who is in deep darkness, out of
which he cannot come out? (al-An’am 6:122). The Luminous Book There has come to you from God a light and a luminous Book,
through which God, by His grace, guides all who seek His good pleasure on the
path of peace, and brings them our of the depths of darkness into light and
guides them onto a Straight path (al-Ma’idah 5: 15-16). And thus [O Muhammad] We have revealed to you the life-giving
Message at Our behest. [Before this Message came to you] you did not know what
the Book is, nor what the faith [implies]. But now We have make this [Message]
the light, whereby We guide among Our servants whom We will, so [with this
light] you indeed guide onto the Straight path-the path of God, to whom belongs
all that is on the heavens and all that is on earth. Surely, with god is the
beginning and the end of all things (al-Shura 42: 52-3). O mankind, there has now come to you an exhortation from you
Lord, and a healing for all the ills in hearts, and a guidance and mercy to al
the believers. Say: In this bounty of God and in His mercy-in this, then -
let them rejoice: it is better than whatever (worldly wealth) may amass (Yunus
10: 57-8). Is the Qur’an the Word of God? Say: ‘Does any of those you make gods beside God guide to the
truth? Say: It is God alone who guides to the truth. Which, then, is more
worthy to be followed: He who guides to the truth, or he who cannot find the right
way unless he is guided? What then ails you, how do you judge? Indeed most people follow only conjecture, but conjecture can
never be a substitute for truth. Surely God knows all they do. This Qur’an is such as could not possibly have been composed
by anyone except God: it confirms what was revealed before it, and spells out
fully [the contents of] the book, which–let there be no doubt about it-comes
from the Lord of al the worlds. And yet they say, ‘He [Muhammad] has forged
it’! Say: ‘produce, then, a single Surah [chapter] like the Qur’an and call to
your aid anyone you can, other than God, if what you say is true’ [Yunus 10:
35-8]. Those who have chosen to deny the truth say, ‘This [Qur’an]
is nothing but a forgery which he [Muhammad] has himself concocted, and certain
people have helped him in this. ‘These people pervert the truth and indulge in
falsehood. They say, ‘These are legends of ancient times, which he has got
written down, and they are read our to him morning and evening.’ Say, ‘He who has
sent it down knows al the mysteries of the heavens and the earth. He is
All-Forgiving, All-mercy-giving.’ They also say, ‘What sort of Messenger is
this who eats food [like all other mortals] and goes about in the
market-places? Why has no angel been sent with him, to act as a warner along
with him? Or, why has not a treasure been given to him? Or, at least, he should
have had a garden to eat of?’ And so these evil-doers say, ‘If you were to follow
[Muhammad] you would be following only a human–being, who is under a spell’ (al-Furqan
25: 4-8). Will they not, then, try to understand this Qur’an? Had it
come form anyone other than God, they would have found in it many an inner
Contradiction (al-Nisa’ 4: 82). No! I call to witness all that you see, as well as all that
you do not see! This [Qur’an] is indeed the world [brought] by a noble
Messenger. It is not the word of a poet, but little do you [want] to believe;
and neither is it the word of a soothsayer, but little do you [want] to take it
to heart. [It has been] sent down by the Lord of all the worlds (al-Haqqah
69: 38-43). And when our clear messages are conveyed to them, they-those
who do not expect meeting Us-say, ‘Bring a Qur’an other than this, or alter
this one.’ Say, ‘It is not within my power to alter it of my own accord. I
follow nothing, except what is revealed to me. Truly, I would dread, were I to
rebel against my Lord, the punishment of a dreadful day.! Say, ‘Had God [not] willed, I would, not have brought this
[book] to you, neither would He have brought it to your knowledge. Indeed, a
whole lifetime I have dwelt among you before this [Book came to me]: will you
not, then, use your reason?’ (Yunus 10: 15-16) Had we so willed, could indeed take away whatever we have
revealed to you, and in that case you would fine none to protect you against
Us. [Whatever you receive is] only by the mercy of your Lord; His favour to you
is great indeed. Say, ‘If all mankind and all jinn a come together to produce
the like of this Qur’an, they would never produce its like, even though they
help one another [to their best]’ (al-Isra’ 17:86-8). Why no Miracles? And they say, ‘[O Muhammad] we will not believe you till you
make a spring gush forth from the earth for us; or till you own a garden of
date palms and vines, and you make rivers of water to flow abundantly; or till
you make skies to fall down upon us, as you threaten, in fragment, or till you
bring God and angels face to face before us; or till you have a house made of
gold; or till you go up into heaven; but nay, we would never believer even in
your going up till you bring down to us a book which we ourselves could read.’ Say, ‘Glory be to my Lord! Am I anything but a mortal man, a
Messenger?’ Indeed nothing has prevented people [more] from believing whenever
God’s guidance came to hem [through a prophet] but that they objected, ‘Would
God have sent a mere human being as Messenger?’ Say, ‘Had there been angels
walking about on earth as their natural abode, We would indeed have sent to
them an angle out of heaven as Messenger.’ Say, ‘God suffices as witness [to my truthfulness] between
you, and me surely He is aware of and sees His servants (al-Isra 17: 90-5).
4. Why Divine Guidance? Why Life, the Existential Question Blessed is He in whose hands is the Kingdom – who is powerful
over everything – who has created death and life, so that He might test you as
to which among you [proves that he] is good in conduct (al-Mulk 67: 1-2).
Has there [not] been a long time when man was not even a
mentionable thing. It is We who have created man out of a sperm-drop
intermingled, so that We might test him. And therefore We have made him hearing
and seeing. Surely We have guided him to the way [and it rests with him to
prove himself] either grateful or ungrateful (al-Dahr 76: 1-2). Free-will and Moral Responsibility Say: The Truth has come from your Lord. Let him who will,
believe it, and let him who will, reject it (al-Kahf 18: 29). Whosoever chooses to follow guidance follows it for his own
good; whosoever goes astray, goes astray to his own loss (al-Isra 17:15).
And [look at the witness] by the human self, and how suitably has He formed it
[to fulfill its purpose in life], and then imbued it with [tendencies for] evil
as well as good; successful is he who develops his self [in goodness], and
failed is he who buries it [in evil-doing] (al-Shams 91: 7-9). Accountability and Judgment Has [man] not been told of what was written in the books of
Moses, and in those of Abraham who fulfilled his every duty: that no person
shall be made to bear the burden of another; and that nothing shall be
accounted unto a person except what he does himself; and that in time he shall
see the results of his doings; and then he shall be recompensed for them with
the fullest recompense (al-Najm 53: 36-41). They say, ‘There is nothing beyond or present life. We die as
we come to life, and nothing but time destroys us.’ But of this they have no
knowledge whatever, they merely speculate. And when Our messages, clear
messages are recited to them, their only argument is this: ‘Bring us our
forefathers [as witness] if what you claim is true.’ Say, ‘It is God who gives you life, then makes you die; and
in the end He shall gather you on the Day of Resurrection [the coming of] which
is beyond all doubt, but most people do not understand.’ To God belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. And
on the Day when the Last Hour is come – on that Day all those who refused to
believe [this Day] shall be the real losers. And you shall see all people
hobbling on their knees, [for] all people will be called upon to [face] their
record: ‘Today you shall be recompensed for all that you ever did. This is Our
record, it speaks about you in all truth; for We had been recording all that
you were doing.’ Now for those who have believed and done righteous deeds,
their Lord will admit them into His mercy – that, that is the manifest success.
But to those who denied [it will be said]: ‘Were not My
messages recited to you, but you gloried in your arrogance, and thus you became
a sinful people. For when it was said [to you], “God’s promise is true, and
there can be no doubt about [the coming of] the Last Hour”, you would answer,
“We do not know what that Last Hour may be: We think it is no more than an idle
speculation, and we are by no means convinced”. And [on that Day] the evil of their doings will become
obvious to them and they will be overwhelmed by the very thing which they were
wont to deride. And [they] will be told: ‘Today We shall forget you as you have
been forgetful of meeting Us on this Day, and now your refuge is the Fire, and
you have none to help you’ (al-Fathiyah 45: 24-34). Prophethood and Divine
Guidance We have sent revelation to you as We sent revelation to Noah,
and the prophets after him, as We sent revelation to Abraham, Ishmael, Isasc,
Jacob, and their descendants, including Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon,
and We gave David Psalms – of some Messengers before you We have told you, of
others We have not – and God spoke to Moses as well. Messengers who gave good tidings as well as warnings, so that
mankind, after the coming of Messengers, would have no excuse before God [on
the Judgment Day]; God is All-mighty, All-wise (al-Nisa 4: 163-5). [And God said to Adam] ‘Get you all down out of it; yet there
shall most certainly come to you guidance from Me, and those who follow My
guidance need have no fear, and neither shall they grieve’ (al-Baqarah 2:38).
The Prophet to All Mankind Forever Surely We have sent you [O Muhammad] with the Truth, as a
herald of good tidings and a Warner; for there never were a people without a
Warner having come among them (al-Fatir 35:24). We have sent you to the entire mankind to give them good
tidings, and warn them; but most people do not understand this ( Say [O Muhammad]: ‘O mankind, verily I am the Messenger of
God to all of you, [sent by Him] to whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and
the earth. There is no god but He. He alone gives life and makes to die’. Believe, then, in God, an din His Messenger, the unlettered
Prophet – who believes in God and His words; follow him, so that you find
guidance (al-A’raf 7:158). And [O Prophet] We have indeed sent you as a Mercy for all
the worlds. Say, ‘The message that I have been given is only this much: your
God is the One and Only God; will you, then, surrender yourselves unto Him?’ (al-Anbiya’
21: 107-8). 5. Inter-faith Dialogue Unity of Religion: Say: We believe in God, and in that which has been sent down
on us, and that sent down on Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and their
descendants, and that which was given to Moses and Jesus, and was given to all
the prophets, from their Lord; we make no distinction between any of them; and
we surrender ourselves to God alone (al-Baqarah 2:136). Come to a
common Creed: One God Say: ‘O People of the Book, come to the creed common between
us and you: that we worship and serve none but God, and that we shall make no
gods beside Him; that we shall not take human beings as Lords other than God.’
If they turn away, say: ‘Bear witness that we have surrendered to God.’ O People of the Book, why do you dispute about Abraham? The
Torah was not sent down, neither the Gospel, but after him. Will you not, then,
use your reason?… Abraham was not a Jew, neither a Christian, but he was a
Muslim, (one who surrendered himself unto God) turning away from all false
idols. And he made no gods beside God (al ‘Imran 3: 64-7). The Right Choice: God Said: With My punishment I afflict those whom I will, but
My mercy embraces everything: so, I shall confer it on those who are
God-fearing, pay the Alms, and believe in Our messages; those who shall follow
the [last] Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in the
Torah and the Gospel [that are] with them – he enjoins them what is right and
forbids them what is wrong, makes lawful to them the good things of life and
forbids them the bad things, and releases them from their burdens and from the
shackles that are upon them. So those who shall believe in him, honour him,
help him, and follow the light that has been sent down with him, it is they who
will find salvation and success (al-A‘raf 7: 156-7). No Coercion Let there be no coercion in matters of religion. The right
way has become distinct from (the way of) error: so, whosoever rejects the
powers of evil, and believes in God, has taken hold of a most firm, unfailing
support. God is All-hearing, All-knowing (al-Baqarah 2:256). For every one of you We have appointed a law and a way. And
had God so willed, He could have made all of you one [religious] community, but
[He willed it otherwise] in order to test you in what He has given you. Vie,
then, with one another in doing good. Unto God you all must return, and then He
will tell you [the truth] about which you used to differ (al-Ma’idah 5:48).
The
Jews say, ‘The Christians have no valid grounds’; the Christians say, ‘The Jews
have no valid grounds’; and both quote the Book [of God]. So do those who have
no knowledge [of the Book] speak like them. But it is God who will decide
between them on the Day of Resurrection about all on which they differ (al-Baqarah
2:113) 6.
The Straight Path Say: come, let me tell you what God has forbidden you, ‘Do
not make any god beside Him; and do good to your parents; and do not kill your
children for fear of poverty – for it is We who provide sustenance to you, and
[shall provide] to them as well; and do not go near any shameful deeds, be they
open or secret; and do not take any life, which it has been forbidden to take,
except by right: This He has enjoined upon you so that you might use your
reason. ‘And do not touch the property of an orphan, except in a fair
manner, until he comes of age; give full measure and weight [in all your
dealings] with justice; [however] We do not burden any person with more than
his capacity, and when you speak, be just, even though it be [against] a near
kinsman. And fulfill your promise to God: This He has enjoined upon you, so
that you might keep it is mind.’ And [know] that this is My Straight Path: follow it, then,
and follow not diverse paths lest they scatter you from His path (al-An’am
6: 151-3). Say: ‘As for me, my Lord has guided me onto a straight path -
the sound and perfect way of life, the way of Abraham, who turned away fro all
false gods and made no gods beside God.’ Say: ‘My Prayer, and all my acts of
worship, and my living and my dying are for God alone, the Lord of all the
worlds. He has no associate: Thus I have been commanded, and I am foremost
among those who surrender themselves unto Him’ (al-Ah’am 6: 161-3). Whosoever holds fast to God, he has been guided onto the
Straight Path (al- Imran 3:101). 7. The Most Merciful, Creator, Sovereign, and Lord God In His Presence To God belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; and
God is powerful over everything. Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in
the succession of night and day, there are signs [of God] for all who possess
insight, who [thereby] remember God whether they are standing, sitting, or lying,
and when they reflect upon the creation of the heaven and the earth [cry out]:
‘O our Lord, You have not created any of this without meaning and purpose.
Glory be to You, keep us safe from the Fire’ (Al Imran 3: 189-91). It is
We who have created man, and We know even whatever thoughts arise within him;
and, We are nearer to him than his neck-vein. The two angels appointed to
record, do record: one sitting on the right, and one on the left: Not a word he
utters, but there is an observer with him, ready [to record it] (Qaf 50:
16-18). And He is with you wherever you are; and God sees all that
you do (al-Hadid 57:4). Know the Only God Say: He is God, the One and Unique; God, the Eternal source
and support of every thing; He begets not, and neither is He begotten; and none is His
equal (al-Ikhlas 112: 1-4). Glory be to the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord
of the Throne, [He is] above all they may attribute to Him by way of definition
[for, being the only Creator, His reality is utterly beyond any human
comprehension, imagination or description, as it cannot be done without
comparing the only Creator with the created] (al-Zukhruf 43:82). The Originator [is He] of the heavens and the earth. He has
given you, of yourselves, mates – and also mates among the cattle – to multiply
you thereby. There is nothing like Him. He is the All-hearing, the All-seeing. To Him belong the keys
of the heavens and the earth. He grants His provision to whom He wills, in
abundance or in scant measure. Surely He has knowledge of everything (al-Shura
42: 11-12). This is God, you Lord; there is no god but He, the Creator of
everything. So serve and worship Him alone, for He has everything in His care.
No human vision can encompass Him, whereas He encompasses all human visions (al-An’am
6: 102-3). Creation, Sustenance and Mercy Can, then, He who creates be like any that cannot create?
Will you not, then, take lesion? For should you try to count God’s blessings,
you would never compute them. God is indeed All-forgiving, All-compassionate…
And those they call upon, apart from God, can create nothing, since they
themselves are created; they are dead, not alive, and do not even know when
they shall be raised (al-Nahl 16: 17-21). O men, a parable is set forth, so give ear to it: surely
those you call upon, instead of God, cannot create [as much a] a fly, even were
they to join all their forces to that end. And if a fly robs them of anything,
they cannot [even] rescue it from him. Weak is the seeker, and [weak] the
sought! (al-Hajj 22:73). Or, [do they deny God?] Have they been created out of
nothing? Or are they their own creators? Or, did they create the heavens and
the earth? Nay, but they have no certainty of anything (al-Tur 52: 35-6).
O mankind, worship and serve your Lord alone, who has created
you and those who were before you, so that you may attain righteousness. He has made for you the earth a resting place, and they sky a
canopy, and has sent down water from the sky, and has thereby brought forth
produce for your sustenance. Do not, then, make anything as God’s equal when you know
(that He is One) (al-Baqarah 2: 21-2). Verily your Lord is God. He has created the heavens and the earth in six days, then
sat Himself on the Throne. He covers the day with the night in swift pursuit.
And the sun, and the moon, and the stars are all subservient by His command. Surely, His is the creation, in Him rests the sovereignty.
Blessed be God, the Lord of all the worlds. Call on your Lord humbly, and in the secrecy of your hearts.
Surely, He loves not transgressors. Do not spread corruption on earth, after is
has been so well ordered. And call on Him with fear and longing. Surely, God’s
mercy is ever near to the doers of good (al-A’raf 7: 54-6). We create man out of the essence of clay, then We make him a
drop of sperm in [the womb’s] secure receptacle, then We create out of the drop
a germ-cell, then We create out of the germ-cell an embryo, then We create
within the embryo bones, then We clothe the bones with flesh – and then We
bring this into being as a new creation. So blessed be God, the best of
Creators! Then, after all this, you shall surely die, and then on the
Day of Resurrection you shall surely be raised from the dead (al-Mu’minun
23: 12-16). Perish man! How stubbornly does he deny the truth! [Does
he never think] out of what He has created him? Out of a drop of sperm! He
creates him, then determines his nature, then makes it easy for him to live,
and in the end makes him die, and so brings him to the grave, and then, when He
wills, He shall raise him again to life. No indeed! Man has not fulfilled what
He has enjoined upon him. Let man, then, consider his food: We pour down rains
abundantly, then We cleave the earth [with new growth], cleaving it asunder,
then we make grain to grow out of it, and vines and edible plants, and olives,
and date-palms, and gardens dense with foliage, and fruits, and pastures, for
you and for your animals to enjoy (‘Abasa 80: 17-32). Your God is one God, there is no god but He, the Most
Merciful, the Mercy-giving. Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth, in the
succession of night and day, in the ships that sail through the sea with what
benefits man, in the water God sends down from the sky, thereby giving life to
the earth after it is dead and making all manner of living creatures to
multiply thereon, in the change of the winds, and in the clouds between sky and
earth which are harnessed – (in all this) surely there are messages for people
who use their reason. Yet there are people who make other as God’s equals, loving
them as only God should be loved; but those who have faith love God more than
all else (al-Baqarah 2: 163-5). Among His sign is that He has created you from dust; and,
then, you became human beings scattered far and wide. And among His signs is that He creates for you mates from
among yourselves, so that you may live in tranquility with them, and He has put
love and mercy between you. Surely in this are messages for people who reflect.
And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the
earth, and the variations in your languages and your colours. Surely in this
are messages for those who have knowledge. And among His signs is your sleep at night or by day time,
and your seeking of livelihood out of His bounty. Surely in this are messages
for people who listen (al-Rum 30: 20-3). No God beside God Say, all praise belongs to God alone, and peace be upon His
servants whom He has chosen (to be His Messengers). What, is God better, or
gods they make beside God? Look,
who has created the heavens and the earth, and who sends down for you water
from the skies – and therewith We make gardens of shining beauty to grow? It
was not in your power to make any tree grow on earth. Is there a god with God?
Nay, but they are people who swerve from the path of reason. Or, who has made
the earth a place fit to live in, who has made rivers in its midst, who has set
upon it high mountains, and who has placed a barrier between tow kinds of
water? Is there a god with God? Nay, but most of them have no knowledge. Or, who answers the distressed when he calls unto Him and
relieves his suffering, and who makes you inherit the earth. Is there a god
with God? Little indeed you remind yourselves. Or, who guides you in darkness on land and sea, and sends the
winds as a good tiding before the coming of His mercy? Is there a god with God?
High and exalted is god above gods they associate with Him. Or, who creates all life in the first instance, and then
brings it forth anew, and who gives you sustenance from heaven and earth? Is
there a god with God? Say, ‘Produce your evidence, if you are telling the
truth’ (al-Naml 27: 59-64). Say: Have you thought about this? If God were to make the
night continue over you without break, until the Day of Resurrection, what god
other than God could bring you daylight? Will you not, then, listen? Say: Have you thought about this? If God were to make the day
continue over you without break, until the day of Resurrection, what god other
than God could bring you night in which you may rest? Will you not, then, see?
(al-Qasas 28:72). Say: who saves you from the dark dangers of land and sea,
when you call upon Him humbly, and in the secrecy of your hearts, ‘If you save
us from this (danger), we shall surely be among the grateful. ‘Say, it is God
who saves you, from this and from every other distress; and yet you make gods
with God (al-An’am 6: 63-4). God-Man Relationship All that is in the heavens and on earth glorifies God; He is
the al-mighty, the all-wise. To Him belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; He
gives life and death, and He ahs power over everything. He is the First and the
Last, the Outward and the Inward; and He has knowledge of everything. It is He who has created the heavens and the earth in six
days, and, then, sat on the Throne. He knows all that enters the earth, and all
that comes out of it, all that comes down from heaven, and all that goes up
into it. And He is with you wherever you are. God sees all that you do. To
Him belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; and all matters are
returned unto God. He makes the night enter into day, and makes the day enter
into night; and He knows all that is in hearts. Attain faith in God and His
Messenger, and spend out of that which He has made you trustees. For, those of
you who have faith and spend shall have a great reward (al-Hadid 57: 1-7).
With Him are the keys of the Unseen, which none knows but He.
And He knows whatever is no land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but He knows
it; neither is a grain in the earth’s darkness, nor anything fresh or dry, but
is recorded in (His) clear decree. It is He who causes you to be (like) dead by
night, and knows all that you do in day time; and He brings you back to life
each day, so that the appointed term be fulfilled; in the end, unto Him shall
you return. Then He will tell you what you were doing (al-An’am 6: 59-60).
Say: O God, Lord of all power, You give power to whom You
will, and You take away power from whom You will, and You give honour to whom
You will, and You debase whom You will; in Your hand is all good, You have
power over all things. You make the night enter into the day, and the day enter into
the nights; You bring the living out of the dead, and the dead out of the
living; and You give sustenance to whom You will, without measure (al Imran
3: 26-7). If God should touch you with misfortune, none can remove it
but He; and if He should touch you with good fortune, He has power over
everything. For He alone holds sway over His creatures; He is the All-wise, the
All-aware (al-An’am 6: 17-18). It is He who accepts repentance from His servants, and
pardons bad deeds, and knows all that you do. And He answers those who have
faith and do righteous deeds, and gives them – out of His bounty – far more (al-Shura
42: 25-6). Say: O My servants who have transgressed against their own
selves, despair not of God’s Mercy; for God forgives all sins, surely He is the
All-forgiving, the Mercy-giving. So, turn to you Lord and surrender yourselves to Him, before
the punishment comes upon you; for, them, you will not be helped (al-Zumar
39: 53-4). 8. Inter-human Relations General God
enjoins justice, and compassion, and generous giving to the kinsfolk; and He
forbids all indecent acts, all that is wrong, and all excesses against others.
He exhorts you, so that you bear in mind. Fulfill your pledge to God whenever
you bind yourselves by a pledge; and break not the oaths, after they have been
confirmed; for you have made God your surety and God knows all that you do (al-Nahl
16: 90-1). And speak to all people in a kindly way (al-Baqarah 2:83).
Humility The true servants of the Most Merciful are those who behave
gently and with humility on earth, and whenever the foolish quarrel with them,
they reply with [words of] peace (al-Farqan 25:63). Turn not your cheek away from people is scorn and pride, and
walk not no earth haughtily; for God does not love anyone who acts proudly and
boastfully. Be modest in your bearing and lower your voice; for the ugliest
sound in the donkey’s braying (Luqman 31: 18-19). Promises and Trusts [Successful are the believers]… who are faithful to their
trusts and to their promises (al-Mu’minun 23:8). And be true to every promise – for, verily you will be called
to account for every promise which you have made (al-Isra 17:34). Justice Indeed, We sent Our messengers with evident truth, and We
sent down with them the Book and the Balance (or right and wrong), so that
people might behave [with each other] with justice (al-Hadid 57:25). O you who believe, establish justice, being witnesses to the
truth, for the sake of God, even though it be against your own selves, or your
parents and relatives; whether the person be rich or poor, God’s claim takes
precedence over either; and, follow not your own desire, lest you swerve from
justice (al-Nisa 4:135). Never let your enmity for people who barred you from the Holy
Mosque move you to commit any excesses against them. Rather, cooperate with one
another in good and righteous deeds, and do not cooperate in sinful deeds and
injustices (al-Maidah 5:2). Never let your enmity for anyone lead you into the sin of
deviating from justice. Always be just: that in closest to being God-fearing (al-Ma’idah
5:8). The
Most Merciful has taught the Qur’an; He has created man, and imparted in him
articulate thought and speech. The sun and moon run their appointed courses;
and the stars and the trees prostrate themselves; and skies He has raised high,
and set the Balance [in all this]. So never transgress in the Balance, and weigh with justice,
and skimp not in the Balance (al-Rahman 55: 1-9). Woe unto those who give short measure: those who, when they
are to receive their due from other people, demand that it be given in full,
but when they have to measure or weigh whatever they owe to others, give less
than what is due. Do they never think that they shall be raised on an awesome
Day, the Day when all people shall stand before the Lord of all the worlds (al-Mutaffifin
83: 1-6). Compassion and Generous Giving Worship and serve God alone and make no gods beside Him; and
do good to your parents, the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the neighbour
who is a relative, the neighbour who is a stranger, and the companion by your
side, and the wayfarer, and to those you rightfully posses; for God loves not
the proud and boastful, those who are niggardly and urge others to be niggardly
(al-Nisa’ 4: 36-7). The freeing of someone’s neck from bondage, or the feeding,
upon a day of hunger, of an orphan near of kin, or of a needy man rolling in
dust: he [who does this] becomes one of those who have faith, and enjoin upon
one another patience, and enjoin upon one another compassion to others (al-Balad
90: 13-17). Do you know the one who denies the (Day of) Judgment? It is
he who pushes the orphan away, and urges not to feed the needy. Woe, then unto
those praying ones, who are heedless of their prayers, who want to be seen and
praised, and refuse (to give) even little things in charity (al-Ma’un 107:
1-7). Those who unjustly devour the property of orphans only fill
their bellies with fire, and shall roast in a blazing Fire (al-Nisa’ 4:10).
Forgiveness The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto; but
if a person forgives and makes peace, his reward rests with God; He loves not
those who do wrong (al-Shura 42:40). [You Lord’s forgiveness and Paradise as vast as the heavens
and earth], are prepared for the God-fearing, who give generously whether in
times of plenty or in times of hardship, and hold in check their anger, and
pardon their fellow human beings; God loves such doers of good (al- ‘Imran
3: 133-4). Good
and evil can never be equal. Repel (evil) with that which is better, and see
how, then, someone between whom and you was enmity shall become a true friend.
Yet none is given such goodness except those who are patient; none is given
this but the most fortunate (al-Fussilat 41: 34-5). Patience No affliction befalls on earth, and neither in your own
selves, unless it is [written] in a Book before We bring it into being: verily,
all this is easy for God. [Know this] so that you may not grieve for whatever
you lose, nor exult over whatever He gives you. God does not love any who, out
of self-conceit, act in a boastful manner – those who are niggardly and bid all
others to be niggardly (al-Hadid 57: 22-4). Surely We will try you by means of fear, and hunger, and loss
of wordly goods, of lives, of produce; but give glad tidings to those who are
patient, and, when an affliction befalls them, they say, ‘Surely we belong to
God, and to Him we shall return’ (al-Baqarah 2: 155-6). Rules of Communal Conduct All believers are but a single brotherhood, so set things
right and make peace between you two brothers; and fear God, so that you may receive
mercy. O believers, let no men deride other men, for those may be
better than themselves; and, let no women deride other women, for those may be
better than themselves; nor defame each other, not call each other names – evil
it is to call by bad names after one has become a believer – and whoever does
not repent, it is they who are doing wrong. O believers, avoid most suspicion, for some suspicion is a
sin; do not pry into one another’s affairs; and do not speak ill of one another
behind your back – would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother;
nay, you would abhor it. Fear God, God accepts repentance and it Mercy-giving (al-Hujrat
49: 10-12). Family Your Lord has decreed that you shall serve none but Him, and
do good to your parents. Should one or both of them reach old age with you,
never say ‘Ugh’ to them, nor scold either of them; but speak to them kindly and
respectfully, spread over them the wings of humility and mercy, and say, ‘May
Lord, have mercy upon them, as they raised me up when I was little’ (al-Isra’
17: 23-4). And we have enjoined upon man goodness towards his parents:
his mother bore him by bearing strain upon strain, and his weaning takes two
years. Hence, be thankful to Me and to your parents. With Me is all journey’s
end. Yet should they endeavour to force you to make gods beside God, of whom
you have no knowledge, then do not obey them. But, even then keep them company
in this world’s life with customary good behaviour, but follow the faith of
those who turn towards Me (Luqman 31: 14-15). Women have rights (over against men) equal to the rights
(they owe men) – but men have precedence over them (al-Baqarah 2:228). Unity of Mankind O mankind, We have created you all from a male and a female,
and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you may identify one
another; (otherwise the noblest among you in the sight of God is (he who is)
the most righteous among you; God is All-knowing, All-aware (al-Hujurat
49:13). 9. Life Beyond Life The present Life Know well that the life of this world is but a passing
delight and a diversion [form ultimate good], and allurement and a cause of
vying with one another in boasting and greed for more tan more riches and
children. Its parable is that of rain whose vegetation delights the
tillers; but hen it soon withers, and you can see it turn yellow; and in the
end it crumbles into dust. In the world-to-come there is [waiting for you]
either a terrible punishment, or God’s forgiveness and His good pleasure; but
the life of this world is a joy of self delusion. So vie with one another in racing to forgiveness from you
Lord, and a Alluring has been made for people the love of desires for
women, and children, and heaped up treasures of gold and silver, and horses of
high mark, and cattle, and farms. But all this may be enjoyed only in the
present life – whereas the best resort is with God. Say: ‘Shall I tell you of better things than these [earthly
joys]? For the God-conscious there are, with their Lord, gardens through which
waters flow, therein to abide forever, and pure spouses, and God’s good
pleasure (al ‘Imran 3: 14-15). Verily, that which is with God is the best for you, if you
but knew it: all that which is with you is bound to end, whereas all that which
is with God is everlasting (al-Nahl 16: 95-6). And
were it not that [with the prospect of boundless rich] all people would become
one [evil] community, we might indeed have given those who deny the All- merciful
houses with roofs of silver, and stairways whereon to ascend, for their houses,
doors and couches whereon to recline [all of silver], and of gold. Yet all this would have been nothing but a fleeting enjoyment
of life in this world, whereas the life to come awaits the God-conscious with
your Lord (Zukhruf 43: 33-5). Those who store up gold and silver, and do not spend them in
the way of God – give them the ‘good’ tidings of a painful punishment, on the
day when (their) gold an silver shall be heated in the fire of Hell, and their
foreheads and their sides and their backs shall be branded therewith. This is
what you stored up for yourselves! Taste, then, your treasures (al-Tawbah 9:
34-5). The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of God
is that of a grain, out of which grow seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains
(al-Baqrah 2:261). The Life to Come Say: To whom belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth?
Say: To God. He has pledged Himself to do mercy: He will, therefore, surely
gather you all on the Day of Resurrection – let there be no doubt about it;
yet, those who have squandered their own selves, they refuse to believe (al-An’am
6:12). Wealth and children are an allurement of the present world;
but good deeds, the fruit whereof endures forever, are better, in the sight of
your Lord, in reward, and as s source of hope. One the Day We shall set the mountains in motion, and you
will see the earth bare and void; and We shall gather them all together, so
that We would leave not even one of them behind; and they shall be presented
before you Lord in ranks – ‘Now you have come to Us as We created you the first
time; but you thought We would not fulfill the appointment made with you (to
meet Us)?’ And the record [of everyone’s deeds] will be laid open; and
you will see the sinners fearful of what is in it; and they will say, ‘Alas for
us! What a book is this! It leaves out nothing, small or great, but takes
everything into account.’ Thus they shall find all that they did present before
them; and your Lord shall not wrong anyone (al-Kahf 18: 46-9). The
great ones [the rich and the powerful] among [every Messenger’s] people,
rejected the truth and denied the life to some – because We had granted them
ease and plenty in their wordly life (and they had become corrupted by it);
they said, ‘This man is a human being like yourselves, eating what you eat and
drinking what you drink. If you pay heed to a human being like yourselves, then
you will be losers. What, does he promise you that after you have died and
become dust and bones, you shall be brought forth (to a new life)? Far-fetched,
far-fetched indeed is what you are promised! There is nothing beyond our life
in this world; we die, and we live (but once), and we shall not be raised up.
He is nothing but a man who attributes his own invented lies to God, and we are
not going to believe him (al-Mu’minun 23: 33-8). We have not created the heavens and earth and all between
them without purpose, though this is what the unbelievers think. Woe to the
unbelievers, because of the Fire! Shall We treat those who believe an do
righteous deeds in the same manner as those who spread corruption on earth?
Shall We treat the God-fearing in the same manner as the wicked? (Sad 38:
27-8). O mankind, if you are in doubt about the Resurrection,
(consider this) We created you out of dust, then out of a sperm-drop, then out
of a germ-cell, then out of an embryonic lump – complete and yet incomplete –
so that We may make things clear to you. And We cause to rest in the wombs what
We will [to be born] for an appointed term, then We bring you out infants, then
[We let grow] so that you may reach maturity; but some of you die early, and
some reach the feeblest old age, when they know nothing of what they once knew so
well. And, further, you see the earth dry and lifeless; then, when We send down
water upon it, it stirs and swells, and puts forth every kind of lovely plant. This is so, because God alone is the Ultimate Truth, because
He brings the dead to life, and because the Hour is bound to come – let there
be no doubt about it – and God shall raise up all who are in their graves (al-Hajj
22: 5-7). When death comes to one of them, he says, ‘My Lord, let me
return, let me return to life, so that I act righteously in whatever I have
left behind.’ Nay, it is but a meaningless word he utters; for, behind them now
is the barrier of death until the day they shall be raised up. The, when the
Trumpet will be blown, no ties of kinship will remain between them that day, neither
would one be able to take care of another: Then they whose weight of good deeds
is heavy in the balance, will attain salvation. But they, whose weight is light
in the balance, will have squandered their own selves. In Hell will they abide
forever (al-Mu’minun 23: 99-103). To him who desires only this fleeting life We grant him only
here and only as much as We please, [giving] only to whomever We will [to
give]; but in the end We consign him to Hell. But as for those who desire the life to come, and strive for
it as it ought to be striven for, and are true believers – they are the ones
whose strivings all find acceptance and reward (al-Isra’ 17: 18-19). 10. Virtue, not Empty Religiosity It
is not virtue that you turn your faces to the East or the West, but virtue is
if one believes in God, and the Last Day, and the angels, and the Book, and the
Prophets; and gives away his wealth – out of love for God – to relatives, and
the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and the beggars, and for the freeing
of human beings from bondage; and performs the Prayer, and pays the Alms; and
keeps his promises whenever he makes promises; and endures with patience
misfortune, hardship and peril; it is they who are true in their faith, and it
is they who are truly God-fearing (al-Baqarah 2:177). And [God does not love] those who spend their wealth to be
seen and praised by people, while they believe neither in God nor in the Last
Day (al-Nisa’ 4:38). The flesh of sacrificial animals does not reach God, and
neither their blood; but only godliness from you reaches Him (al-Hajj 22:37).
And they say, ‘None shall enter Nay, whosoever surrenders his whole being unto God, and is a
doer of good, shall have his reward from his Lord; on them shall be no fear,
neither shall they sorrow (al-Baqarah 2: 111-12). 11. Praying to God If My servants ask you concerning Me, let them know I am very
near; I answer the prayer of him who calls, whenever he prays to Me. So let
them respond to Me, and believe in Me, so that they might follow the right way
(al-Baqarah 2:186). Your Lord says: Pray to Me, and I shall accept (Ghafir
40:60). ‘Our Lord, take us not to task if we forget or make mistakes.
Our Lord, lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid on those before us.
Our Lord, make not us bear burdens, which we have o strength to bear. Pardon us, and forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are our Lord Supreme: Help us against people who deny the
truth’ (al-Baqarah 2:286).
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