i. Selected Verses:
يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلًا سَدِيدُ اليُصْلِحْ لَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَمَنْ يُطِعِ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا
(سورۃ الاحزاب ۷۰ : اے )
Translation: O you who have believe, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice. He will (then) amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and the messenger has already attained the highest achievement.
ii. Interpretations:
The important points of this verse are as following:
Address to believers:
In this verse, the address is to believers only, Belief means to testify by heart and confession by tongue. All Quranic teachings are for those people who believe in God and trust him. In this manner of address, there is familiarity, sweetness, love and sympathy.
Righteousness:
Righteousness is to fear Allah and avoid bad deeds. It is a special trait which forbids from evil and urges to do good. The object of all Islamic teachings is to make people righteous. Prayer, fasting, Hajj, Zakah all pillars of Islam aim at purifying man internally and externally and make them pious. Allah says: Indeed prayer stops from immorality and bad deeds. The object of fasting is that you become righteous. It was said about Hajj that, "the best support in journey is righteousness".
Right and Truthful Saying:
In reality is true, right and clear speech, Its objective is to save man against trouble of tongue. Tongue is the cause of many evils. It utters many such things that ruin the lives and future of many of the people. Therefore, it is saying of the Holy Prophet "He is not a Muslim from whose hands and tongue, other Muslims are protected". In another hadees, he said, "The person who gives me guarantee of protecting his tongue and private part, I give him the tiding of paradise". In other words, tongue has half part in the efforts to achieve paradise. In this verse, Muslims have been directed to say truthful and clear thing and they have been forbidden from false and hypocritical talk.
Correction of deeds:
A person who has faith in Allah, fears Allah and speaks the truth, Allah has *promised to rectify the flaws left in his deeds. It is true that in our good deeds, there are certain lapses even after our great efforts, Allah forgives those flaws. It is great blessing of Allah on us. In reality, if Allah analyzes our deeds strictly, then the great part of them would be lost. Rectification of our deeds is the first reward of speaking truthfully.
Forgiveness:
The second reward from Allah after correcting 'one's deeds is tiding of forgiveness. Actually, the people who are on path of Allah, He increases their good deeds and forgives their bad deeds. This is His greatest reward, otherwise no person can claim to be forgiven on the basis of his good deeds.
iii. The only path of success: Allah's and his Prophet's obedience:
The mentioned aspects are mainly concerned with inner self and Quran enlightens the world of heart with goodness. Another reward by Allah Jon believers is that besides, giving success of the hereafter, Allah gives them, worldly success too, so, the reward of His and Prophet's obedience is also given in this world and that salvation of both worlds depends on obedience of Allah J and of His Prophet only. The reason for degradation of Muslims today is disobedience of Allah and His Prophet's commandments.
لَقَدْ كان لكم في رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أَسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ ( جزاب :21)
Translation: There has certainly been for you in the messenger of Allah an excellent pattern.
iv. Interpretation:
The life of Hazrat Muhammad is such a model for the whole humanity that no other such example can be presented in human history. He guided us in all aspects of life. The certain traits of his excellent pattern are as following.
Collectivity:
The life of Holy Prophet is so accomplished that no aspect of life is deprived from his guidance. Allah's messenger provided us complete and tremendous guidance from the walls of house to the courts of government. He has taught us skills of individual and collective life. He guided as father, husband, justice, ruler, teacher, preacher, commander in chief, educator and economist, means in all aspects.
Historical authenticity:
Holy Prophet's biography is proved historically. There are many books with references available on it. His life account was recorded during his life time and research and investigation is still continued until today. There are several books available on this topic. Therefore, historically, Prophet's life is secured and recorded according to scientific standards even to these days.
Wholeness:
Holy Prophet has not left any aspect of life unguided, this is collectivity but another point is that he provided complete guidance in every aspect and there is no flaw or shortage left in it. Its aim was that people would not face difficulty in following pattern of the Prophet in their practical lives and this is wholeness.
Practicality:
One of the eminent features of the Prophet's character is practicality it means the ideologies and views presented by Allah's messenger, those were followed by the Prophet himself. On the other hand, many thinkers without being pragmatic in their ideologies passed away but the Holy Prophet followed exactly his ideology and views. This is nature of human beings that unless they have any practical model in front of them, they do not act. However, Allah's messenger left that excellent pattern that every one could follow it according to one's own capacity.
v. Solution of present era's difficulties:
Muhammad's pattern:
In this age, when humanity is at the verge of destruction. The dealers of weapons let fire of war spread in any part of the world for selling their ammunition The capitalist is also unsuccessful in solving man's issues. In these, circumstances, human difficulties could be eliminated stunningly by following the pattern of the Holy Prophet particularly; there is no any other path for Muslims.
وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللهِ جَمِيعًا ولا تفرقوا (آل عمران: 103)
Translation: And hold firmly to the rope of Allah altogether and do not become divided.:
The important points of this verse are following:
vi. Rope of Allah
The rope of Allah J here means the Holy Quran. It is saying of the Holy Prophet:
كِتَابُ اللهِ هُوَ حَبْلُ اللَّهِ الْمَمْدُودُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ
.
Translation: "The book of Allah (Holy Quran) is a rope which is tied from heavens to earth between man and the creator."
The Holy Messenger said, "I am leaving among you two things; if you follow them you will not go astray; one is Quran and the other is Sunnah". Molana Ameen Ahsan Islahi writes: "This word progressed and started being used as the meaning of 'agreement' as well. Therefore, this is an agreement between us and our Lord. Taddabur ul Quran. (153-2), Molana Madudi writers, "Allah's rope means his religion and that has been interpreted with it (rope) that this is the relation which establishes relation of believers with Allah and on the other hand, it makes believers one community". (Tafheem-Ul-Quran). Holy Quran is the only source of Muslims unity and guidance.
vii. Demand to Muslims:
Molana Muhammad Ameen Ahsan Islahi writes, "It is demanded in communal status. All should hold this rope tightly. Muslims unity is formed due to this", (Taddabur- e-Quran 154-2). Muslims have been commanded to get affiliated with Quran Kareem collectively. If they do not do it and tried to hold other ropes besides Quran, then unity, of Islamic ummah will shelter badly, because the center of all Islamic teaching is only Quran. Unfortunately, we have started searching other supports except Quran and consequently, Muslims, due to sectarianism, are at the lowest point of humiliation these days.
viii. Sectarianism is Haram:
"When Muslims avoid the basic teachings of Islam and forget its motto and their interested priorities get diverted to parts and 'subdetails, then there would be certainly sectarianism and differences developed which had the ummahs of past messengers by diverting them from their real objective and they were humiliated in this world and the hereafter.
إن أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللهِ القَبكُمُ (الحجرات:13)
Translation: Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.
Interpretation:In this verse of surah Al Hujarat, all standards of superiority have been rejected except 'Taqwa'. Therefore, we are supposed to see other apparent standards of superiority.
Wealth:
Before Islam, even, the wealth was considered the criteria of honor and superiority and today also due to influence of age of darkness, it is made standard of honor and preference. Although, the state of being rich or poor is mostly due to luck. Therefore, Islam, has made righteousness the criteria of honor and distinction.
Color and Race:
Some nations are proud of their color race such as Germans in Europe, or in past, Romans, Iranians or Arabs. This racial pride indulged the world in world wars I and II. Therefore, it is saying of the Holy Prophet "No Arab has any priority over a non- Arab and no non-Arab has any priority over an Arab, no white has any priority over a black and no black has any priority over a white, but except righteousness.
Territory:
Some people feel pride on being born in a particular territory and this is merely by destiny. Man has no interference in it, because no one is born in a specific place or dies in a specific place with his own will. Therefore, it is saying of the Holy Prophet that no Arab over a non Arab and no non Arab over an Arab has any, preference.
Language:
Some people have made language the criteria of honor. Islam has not given language the standard of honor but it has made piety only the standard.
Religion:
Some nations consider religion as the source of pride. For instance Iranians regard fire worship and Romans for Christianity. Islam has not made this religious standard as the symbol of distinction but it has made belief and good deeds as the standard.
ix. Standard of distinction in Islam:
Islam removed all those ignorant pride and arrogant concepts and made righteousness as only standard of superiority. The Holy Prophet said on the occasion of Hijjatul Wida, "No Arab has over a non Arab and no non Arab over an Arab has any superiority, no red over a black and no black over a red has any superiority. If there is any superiority, that is on the basis of piety. Allah J rejected the distinction based on race and color. "Your community and tribe are only sources of your recognition". So these are not the reasons of pride for you. The Holy Prophet said explaining this, you all are offspring's of Adam and Adam was created from dust. The human wisdom also demands that when mode and origin of human birth are same, all stages of eating, drinking, sleeping, sitting, standing, life and death stages are same Then regarding. wealth, race, religion and others factors as factors of pride and priority is irrational. Piety is the symbol of welfare of humanity. Therefore, to be righteous in this world is useful for us in this worldly life. The Holy Prophet said, "now you have two kinds of human beings, one is of righteous who is respectable and distinguished in the sight of Allah and the other is sinful and criminal and he is inferior and humiliated in the sight of Allah".
ان في خلق السموتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ اليَلِ وَالنّهَارِ لايت لأولي الألباب ( آل عمران: 190)
Translation: Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of the night and the day there are signs indeed for those men of understandings.
Interpretation:The important points of this verse are discussed below:
Creation of heavens:
The creation of heavens is one of the greatest signs among signs of Allah Its perfect design, its vastness, its height, its splendor during daytime, its beauty during night have treasures of knowledge and recognition in itself. After passing thousands of years, there is no degradation in its sublimity. Instead, its stars, planets, moon, sun are shining with full glory,
Creation of Earth:
Earth is also the masterpiece of Allah's creation like heavens. In this creation, there are mountains, deserts, planes and oceans included. The mountains are built by Allah J which keep the earth stable. In these rocks, valuable trees, minerals, streams, gardens, forests are signs of beauty of Allah's creation. In planes, fruits, wheat, vegetables, rivers, population are the guarantors of human needs.
Cycle of day and night:
Allah has made the cycle of day and night as the blessing for mankind. If there were days only, then human would finish without resting and if there were night only, then the process of human progress would stop. Therefore, Allah makes human beings habitual of working in all circumstances. Sometimes, summer causes sweating and winter compels them to have quilt: Sometimes, spring reason makes this earth a bride and sometimes autumn brings colorlessness. Allah has kept so many miracles in one thing that we are humble to pay thanks to Him.
x. Signs for wise people:
In this verse, this has also been highlighted that a man can pay thanks only when he ponders on all these things using his wisdom. Otherwise, he would not be able to recognize his lord. The Holy Quran says about those people who contemplate on signs of Allah and they say, "O, our Lord, You are exalted, you have not created all this without any purpose.
لَن تَنالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنْفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ : ( آل تهران 292
Translation: "Never will you attain the good (reward) until you spend (in the way of Allah) from that which you love".
Interpretation:In this verse of surah Al Imran, the real identity of piety and the way to achieve it have been described.
Real Identity of Piety:
In this verse of surah Al Imran, Allah (SWT) opposed that concept which prevailed since centuries among jews and Christians. Allah Jsays, "righteousness is not that you turn your faces towards the east or the west, but (true) righteousness is (in) one believes in Allah, the last day, the angels, the book, and the Prophets and give wealth in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask (for help), and for freeing slaves, and (who promise when they promise and are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle (Baqrah: 177) those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous"..
Spending wealth (in path of Allah):
The worldly wealth is very dear to human beings. Therefore, Allah J has imposed two conditions in this verse; one is that to spend wealth in the path of Allah J and second is to spend that wealth which is liked by oneself. It means that should not be the waste thing which is given in Allah's path then it is thought that obligation has been fulfilled. The real trial is that after spending wealth, a person is elevated to the higher rank of piety or in other case, he is degraded further.
It is said by Allah wealth and offspring's are your test. It is commanded to spend wealth on the weak persons of society so that deprived persons become a respectable part of society. About the obedience of sahabah according to Quranic verse, we come to know that after revelation of this Quranic verse, Hazrat Talha went to Holy Prophet and said, about well that I am very fond of that well in my property, therefore, I give that well in the path of Allah .
xi. Advantages of Spending in the Path of Allah :
It needs to be considered. that what are the advantages of spending in Allah's path, on which Allah has emphasized.
- The love of Allah is produced in heart which is the basis of all good deeds.
- There is remedy of sorrows of weak persons of a society.
- It produces love between rich and poor people of a society which is essential for the progress of any society.
- The love of wealth, which is in reality the basis of sins is reduced..
- A person who spends wealth in path of Allah J is elevated spiritually.
- This quality makes a person holder of strong character and this is the cause of protection of good deeds and elimination of bad deeds in a society.
وَمَا الكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانتَهُواء ( حشر:7)
Translation: And whatever, the messenger has given you take, and what he has forbidden you refrain from it.
Interpretation:This verse is actually about 'fay' (that wealth which is captured without fighting in a war). In this; the Prophet has the right to grant the amount of wealth to anyone according to his own will, and no one has the right of objection on this. This commandment is general and there are two parts-in it.
xii. Act according to Allah's Prophet's commandment:
In the first part, it is said whatever the Prophet grants you, means what ever he directs you, it is must obey that commandment and it is disbelief to refuse him. Moreover, the obedience of the Prophetis Allah's Jobedience in reality.
مَنْ يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ الله (النساء:80)
Translation: He who obeys the messenger, has obeyed Allah.
It comes in Holy Quran, anyone who feels narrow hearted about Prophet's commandment even enters in the circle of disbelief.
xiii. Stay away from forbidden things:
As whatever the Prophet commands to do in good, it is must to obey him, so whatever he orders to avoid and stay away from evil and forbidden things, it must be obeyed too. It is saying of the Holy Prophet
وَمَن عَصَانِي فقد عصى !
"Whoever disobeyed me, actually disobeyed Allah
Actually, there are commandments given in the Holy Quran only, these details have been described by Allah's messenger. Therefore, it is must to stay away from whatever he forbade. This is very comprehensive verse, in which Allah has regarded dos and don'ts of the Prophet's commandments or His (Allah's) dos don'ts for believers. It proves the authenticity of hadees as well.
Once, Imam shafi announced in Haram that he would reply every question of people from Quran. A person asked, what about killing a bug, while a person is in state of wearing Ahram. Imam shafi recited this verse in response to his question and then narrated a hadees of the Holy Prophet in regard to killing harmful animals (and insects). "Kill a harmful thing before it afflicts you".
ان الصلوة تنهى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَر (التابوت :45)
Translation: Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrong doing,
Avoiding Immorality: "Haya" means modesty, shyness, curtain and regard. It is that natural source which stops a person from bad deeds. When a person lives in a good company, it (modesty) increases and on the contrary, living in a bad company reduces its good effects. Syed suleman Nadvi writes, that Islam has directed to grow, modesty, because if the boldness on doing immoral things increases gradually, a person will become fully immodest with the passage of time. (Seerah tunabi 438/6). The immoral talk, loose dress (Which exposes body), eye movements signaling something, secret and open invitation for sins, nudity and immoral gait all are sources of immodesty. In the past, the tribe of Loot etc were destroyed due to this immorality and immodesty.
xiv. Evil deeds:
'Munkar, means' 'unknown and unfamiliar. It means those tasks which the right intellect or conscience regards as awkward and stay away from them. This word comes parallel to term 'maruf" and it contains all sins from little to big bad deeds. All civilized rules of world go against them, In forbidden deeds there are telling lies, backbiting, adultery, bribery, stealing, dishonesty, immorality, interest taking, betrayal, breaking promise and numerous small and big bad acts included.
Therefore, a person who is indulged in these bad acts besides offering prayer, it means that person does not fulfil the true demands of prayer. Therefore, it is saying of the Holy Prophet that a person whose prayer didn't stop him from immoral and bad deeds, his prayer would make him go more away from Allah J.
It is saying of Allah
فَوَيْلٌ لِلْمُصَلِّينَ هُ الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ ) ( الماعون: 5.4)
Translation: 107/4. So woe unto those performers of Salât (prayers) (hypocrites), 5. Who delay their Salât (prayer) from their stated fixed times, So prayer (salat) should be offered sincerely from the core of heart, not carelessly. The point to be answerable before almighty Allah must be remembered.
Interpretation:In this verse, every person has been made accountable for his own deeds. Every person will get the reward for good deeds and punishment for bad deeds. No excuse will be accepted in this regard.
Realization of accountability:
On the day of Judgement, every Muslim and every human being have to be accountable for their deeds. No Muslim will be forgiven on the basis of their sect or party. As, Allah has made that accountability on individual basis. The collective accountability is injustice that someone's burden shifted to someone else. In this process, many criminals could be forgiven and sinful exempted. Therefore, Allah. every person accountable for his or her own deeds.
xv. Rejection of creed of disbelief:
The infidels of.has made Makkah didn't believe in the hereafter. So, they tried to make` people bold from the fear of Akhirah's concept. For instance, Waleed Bin Mughiera used to say, "you follow me and refute Muhammad. I will be accountable for all of your sins. Allah rejected all those wrong creeds in this verse. When Abdullah Bin umer observed someone crying on a funeral, then he said, By crying of a living person, a dead person faces punishment. Hazrat Ayesha by rejecting this recited this verse. It is evident that in Islam the doer of deed is responsible for the consequences. It is demand of justice and we should be ready for individual accountability. We should prefer the life after death over this worldly life by doing good deeds and avoiding sinful acts.
انَّ اللهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ (نحل:90)
Translation: Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct.
Interpretation:
Justice: Adal, means to distribute equally, to balance, and to keep things on right and appropriate place. It is opposite of brutality. 'Adal' means justice is the closest to righteousness.
As it is said by Allah
هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقوى
Actually Justice Demands balance, not equality!!!
Justice is the essence of a well-balanced society. No society could achieve prosperity and stability without justice. Justice ensures the progress of a society. If there is no justice, then a society can not maintain long lasting peace and it disintegrates ultimately. The people who had been there to do justice such as righteous four caliphs, Nowsherwan, Umer bin Abdul Aziz etc are respected even these days.
xvi. Ahsaan:
The second aspect is 'ahsaan' which means good behavior, kind treatment, sympathetic attitude, soft speech, forgiveness, courtesy mutual flexibility, ; giving someone more than his right and leaving one's own right. This is more than justice and its importance in collective affairs is more than justice. If justice is the essence of a society, then ‘ahsaan' produces sweetness and pleasantness in it. Society could establish on this notion that, everyone sees only what his right is and pay to someone only according to his right.
In such a calm and straight society, there would not be snatching from each other but it would remain deprived of thankfulness, sacrifice and empathy which are values to beautify life. Therefore, we should treat others with 'ahsaan'. In this way The mutual love is increased.
انا نحن نزلنا الذكر وإنا له تحفِظُونَ (البر (9)
Translation: Indeed, it is we who sent down the Quran and indeed we will be its guardians.
Interpretation:This verse is about protection of Holy Quran and two facts have been highlighted in it.
Sent from Allah:
The first fact is that this Holy Quran is not the creation of any human being but we (Allah S.W.T) are the revealers of Holy Quran. According to Arabic language, when 'Nakhno' comes after 'ana' that is to attest fully and to remove any doubt. In other words, the doubt has been fully eliminated that it is creation of any person. Practically, its challenge was given to non-believers in this way that if they have any doubt in its revelation from Allah then they should bring a surah like that of any surah of the holy Quran, rather they should seek help from any one (Jinn or human beings) And it was foretold as well, that they would never ever be able to do that. No, doubt it is a fact, that until today no one has ever been able to prove that this is not from Allah, or this is man-made. All such attempts have failed badly.
xvii. Protection from Allah :
The second fact which has been described in this verse is that Holy Quran is under protection of Allah J..Its witness is provided by the same millions of copies of Holy Quran found in every corner of the world. The countless memorizers of Holy Quran in every part of the world (Whose hearts are enlightened by Quran Kareem) are giving its witness in every second and moment. Therefore, there could be no amendment made in it till today.
An institute in Germany collected 42000 copies of Holy Quran before Great world war and after complete analysis; it was found that there was no other mistake except typing error. The Holy Prophet got Quran Kareem in written form for its protection point of view, and Hazrat Abu Baker gave it the shape of a book and then Hazrat usman united all Muslims on unified recitation of Quran. Till that time, Holy Quran has been in protected form and this is a live proof of Islam's truth and miracle of Allah.
يَاتِهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصَّيَامُ (البقرة: 183)
Translation: O you, who have believed, decreed upon you's fasting.
Interpretation:In this verse, there are following important points.
Obligation of fasting:
Fasting has been made mandatory on every adult, sane and healthy Muslim. The month of fasting is Ramadan. It is a different worship in which one has to be hungry and thirsty from morning till evening. Besides this, it is essential to stay away from conjugation. Moreover, it is must to refrain from other sins. If a person does not give up sins while fasting, then his fasting does not benefit him. Therefore, it is saying of the Holy Prophet. "A person who does not refrain from telling lies and back biting while fasting, then Allah does not want him to remain hungry and thirsty.
The fasting has great reward due to these factors. So, it is saying of the Holy Prophet. Allah said, "Fasting is for me and I will give the reward for it. The virtue of every good deed increases from seventy to seven hundred times in this month.
Fasting and Previous Ummahs:
Molana Mufti Muhammad shafi writes on this matter. From Hazrat Adam to the last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad, fasting is included in all shariahs and for all ummahs. Hence, it is known that as no ummah and shariah were deprived of prayer, the fasting was obligatory in every shariah as well. (Ma'arif ul QuranL 442/1).
Ramadan and Revealed Books:All divine books were revealed in the Holy month of Ramadan.
Objective of Fasting:
Like other Islamic worships, fasting has an objective in itself and its true aim is to grow righteousness in an individual. It is that spirit which inspires for good deeds and stops from bad deeds. If a person does not do good, then his fasting is useless. Fasting is the medicine to eliminate bad deeds. A person who does not give up sins while fasting, that act of fasting does not benefit him.
