Some Principles of Muslim Social System
(Do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and you. Indeed, killing them is a grave sin.
Approach not fornication. Indeed, it is ever obscenity, and an evil way.
Do not kill a soul whom Allah has forbidden to be killed except for a lawful cause. Whomever is unjustly killed, We have given authority to his guardian to demand retaliation. He must not transgress the lawful limit in carrying out the retaliation. Indeed, he will be victorious.
Do not dispose of the orphan’s property except in the best manner until he reaches maturity. And fulfill every commitment. Indeed, the commitment will be asked about.
Give full measure when you measure, and weigh with a just balance. That is good, and results in the best end.
Do not follow conjectures. Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart will be asked bout.
Do not walk arrogantly on the earth. Indeed, neither can you penetrate the earth nor reach the height of the mountains.
All that, the wicked of which, are detested by your Lord.
That is some of what your Lord revealed to you of the wisdom. Do not worship other gods besides Allah. Thus, you will be thrown into Hell blamed, accursed.
[Surah al-Isra: 31- 39]
Relationship with the Previous Part
In the previous part, Allah, Exalted is He, commanded to worship Him alone, be dutiful and kind to the parents, help the relatives, the poor, and the wayfarers, and speak kindly to them if one is unable to help them. Then Allah, Exalted is He, mentioned manners of spending wealth, which is spending it moderately, without stinginess nor extravagance.
After that Allah, Exalted is He, has commanded not to commit fornication nor approach means leading to committing it, not to kill a soul that He has forbidden to be killed except for a lawful reason, and not to dispose of the orphan’s property except in the best manner. Then, Allah, Exalted is He, has commanded to fulfill commitment, and give full measure when weighing to people.
Finally, Allah has commanded not to follow conjectures, be arrogant, and worship other deities besides Him.
In sum, the commandments have been begun by ordering to worship Allah alone, and concluded with the same command. This indicates that the first thing that must be considered concerning man’s actions, speech, and thought is to worship Allah alone with no partner.
Tafsir
After Allah clarified that He alone provides for His creatures, He has prohibited killing one’s children for fear of poverty.
(Do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and you. Indeed, killing them is a grave sin.)[31]
O parents! Do not kill your children for fear of poverty, as Allah will provide for you and them. Allah says, interpretation of meaning:
(There is no living creature on earth but Allah provides it with its sustenance. He knows its dwelling and its final resting place; all of which is recorded in a clear book.)[Q 11:6]
Undoubtedly, the children have right to live, just as their parents have right to live. It is injustice to violate their rights by killing them for fear of expected poverty though Allah guarantees sustenance for the children and their parents.
(Indeed, killing them is a grave sin.)
Another reason for prohibiting killing the children is that it is a grave sin, leading to loss in the worldly life and the Hereafter. Society approving of killing of children is corrupt because its members are opportunist, having evil thought about Allah, that is to say, He has created His creatures and does not provide for them – Allah, Exalted is He, is far above doing so.
The Messengerﷺ commanded to take care of one’s children, and warned of violating their rights. Abdul-Allah bin Mas’ûd, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘I asked the Prophetﷺ, ‘What is the greatest sin in the sight of Allah?’ He said, ‘It is to make another being equal to Allah though He has created you.’ I said, ‘Indeed, it is a great sin.’ Then I said, ‘What comes after it?’ He said, ‘It is to kill your child for fear that he will share food with you.’ I said, ‘Then what comes after that?’ He said, ‘It is to have unlawful sexual intercourse with the wife of your neighbor.’’
After Allah, Exalted is He, commanded not to kill offspring for fear of poverty, He has commanded not to commit fornication, nor approach means leading to commit it.
(Approach not fornication. Indeed, it is ever obscenity, and an evil way.) [32]
Do not commit fornication, nor approach means leading to commit it. Being close to means leading to commit fornication leads to commit it. Fornication is an abominable and grave sin because it blemishes honor, and causes mixing of lineage. It is also violation of prohibitions, and transgression against rights of people, destroying pillars of society by ruining the structure of families, and spreading chaos and diseases.
Allah, Exalted is He, has described fornication with these characteristics: 1) It is obscenity because it causes mixing of lineage, which leads to ruining societies. 2) It is an abominable sin since its perpetrator becomes detested even in un-conservative societies. 3) It is an evil way of conduct as committing it makes man like animals.
(Approach not fornication.)
The ayah expresses prohibition of fornication by commanding not to come near means leading to it because coming close to its means leads to commit it. This is a wise method of admonition because it is understood from commanding not to come near something that committing it is prohibited. It is as if Allah, Exalted is He, addresses the Muslims, saying,
O Muslims! Be far from all things leading to commit fornication such as free mixing between men and women, and sitting with each other in privacy.
Then Allah, Exalted is He, has prohibited killing a soul that it is prohibited to be killed except for a lawful cause.
(Do not kill a soul whom Allah has forbidden to be killed except for a lawful cause. Whomever is unjustly killed, We have given authority to his guardian to demand retaliation. He must not transgress the lawful limit in carrying out the retaliation. Indeed, he will be victorious.)[33]
(Do not kill a soul whom Allah has forbidden to be killed except for a lawful cause.)
Do not kill a soul that Allah has prohibited to be killed except for a lawful reason. These reasons are: 1) apostasy. 2) A married person, who commits adultery. 3) Killing an innocent soul without a lawful reason.
Killing without a lawful reason is a great crime because it is corruption, and Allah abhors corruption. Moreover, it is aggression, threat to security, and a means for perishing humanity.
After prohibiting killing of an innocent soul except for a lawful cause, Allah has confirmed the right of retaliation under the supervision of the state.
(Whomever is unjustly killed, We have given authority to his guardian to demand retaliation…)
‘His guardian’ refers to the guardian of the killed person such as his father, son, or brother. If the killed person does not have a relative, then the ruler of the state will be responsible for retaliation.
‘Given authority to’ refers to the authority the Islamic law gives to the guardian of the killed person over the killer. It gives him the right to demand retaliation from the killer, take blood money, or pardon the killer. No one can abolish this right or force him to waive this right.
Whomever is unjustly killed and without lawful reason, Allah has given authority to his guardian to demand retaliation. If he wants, he can demand retaliation, if he wants, he can take blood money, and if he wants, he can pardon the killer. In this manner, the guardian has a complete right to decide how to deal with the matter.
(He must not transgress the lawful limit in carrying out the retaliation. Indeed, he will be victorious.)
The authority of retaliation of the guardian is restricted by the fact that he must not transgress the lawful limit in carrying out the retaliation, such as killing two persons in return for killing one person, killing another person instead of the killer, or mutilating the killer’s body after killing him.
Zayd bin Aslam said, ‘The Arab used to refuse to kill the killer of the victim. Instead, they used to demand to kill a person, who is nobler than the killer. Therefore, Allah says, (We have given authority to his guardian to demand retaliation, he must not transgress the lawful limit in carrying out the retaliation.), that is to say, to kill an innocent person.’
(He must not transgress the lawful limit in carrying out the retaliation. Indeed, he will be victorious.)
The guardian of the killed person must not transgress the lawful limit in carrying out retaliation. Allah, Exalted is He, will make him victorious and help him to take his right.
Allah has given the guardian of the killed person great authority, i.e. he has the right to demand retaliation from the killer, or take blood money. In addition, the ruler and those who are in authority will support him until he attains his right.
This ayah, which was the first ayah revealed about killing , tackles this crime wisely. First, it prohibits killing because it is one of the major sins, leading to deserving the anger of Allah, Exalted is He. Allah says, interpretation of meaning:
(Whoever kills a believer deliberately, his punishment will be Hell, wherein he will abide. Allah will be angry with him, curse him, and prepare severe torment for him.)[Q 4:93]
Second, it gives the guardian of the killed person wise guidance that helps him to calm down, and extinguish his anger.
Sayyid Qutb excellently clarified this idea. He wrote, ‘(He must not transgress the lawful limit in carrying out the retaliation. Indeed, he will be victorious.). Allah has given the guardian of the killed person the right to retaliate, the Islamic law supports him, and the ruler will help him. Thus, he should be just when carrying out the retaliation. Indeed, all authorities support and help him to take his right. Giving the guardian of the killed person authority for retaliation, and mobilizing the authority of Islamic law and the ruler to support him satisfy human nature, and calm down the extreme anger of the guardian of the victim. Such extreme anger may drift, and compel him to go aimlessly right and left amidst the circle of anger and agitation. However, when the guardian of the victim realizes that Allah has given him authority to retaliate, and that the ruler is commanded to help him to retaliate, then his anger will subside and he will not exceed the limit of just retaliation. Man is a human being. He should not be demanded to act against his natural disposition, which wants to retaliate. Therefore, Islam acknowledges this natural disposition, gives it safe boundaries, and does not ignore it, or forcefully impose pardoning on it. Rather, it emphatically invites the guardian to forgiveness, encourages him to practice it, and rewards him for practicing it. However, Islam instructs so after giving the guardian the right for retaliation. The guardian has the right to retaliate or forgive. When the guardian knows that he has both options, it may lead him to pardon and forgive the killer, but if he feels that he is forced to pardon, he may be agitated, and becomes extremist.”
Indeed, there is no remedy for killing, and all other crimes, except applying the Islamic law prescribed by Allah, the Creator, who knows what brings happiness to humanity. This law combines between mercy and justice. By mercy, the hearts meet after separation, and by justice, the wounds are healed.
After prohibiting destroying of life by murdering and fornication, then Allah, Exalted is He, has prohibited destroying of wealth, which is the backbone of life, by disposing of orphans’ property unlawfully or unwisely. Allah has commanded disposing of it justly and in the best manner.
(Do not dispose of the orphan’s property except in the best manner until he reaches maturity. And fulfill every commitment. Indeed, the commitment will be asked about.)[34]
O guardians of the orphans! Do not dispose of the orphans’ property except in the manner that will benefit him, such as preserving, and investing, and spending it on lawful means. You should know that any conduct regarding the orphans’ property that falls outside this limit, i.e. being in the best manner and beneficial, is unlawful and prohibited, and Allah will call you to account for it.
(Do not dispose of the orphan’s property except in the best manner until he reaches maturity.)
The commandment of not to dispose of the orphans’ property except in the best manner until he reaches maturity does not mean to dispose of it when he reaches maturity. Rather, it means to keep on taking care of the orphans’ property until he reaches maturity, and becomes mature, and then give him his wealth.
Islam commands to take care of the orphans, and preserve their rights, and prohibits abusing their rights in any manner since they lost their fathers in early age. If the orphan is brought up in a compassionate family, he will grow up, loving those who around him and the society where he lives.
Qatãda, may Allah have mercy on him, said, ‘When Allah, Exalted is He, revealed (Do not dispose of the orphan’s property except in the best manner until he reaches maturity.), the companions of the Messenger of Allah were greatly concerned. They stopped from sharing food or other things with the orphans. So Allah revealed, (They ask you – O Prophet – about the orphans’ property. Say, ‘Benefiting them is the best conduct. And if you share your affairs with theirs, then they are your brothers. Allah distinctly knows those who intend corruption, and reform…’) [Q 2:220].Thus they were relieved.’
After commanding to dispose of the orphans’ property in the best manner, Allah, Exalted is He, has commanded to fulfill every commitment.
(And fulfill every commitment. Indeed, the commitment will be asked about.)
Fulfill every commitment, whether it is to Allah, Exalted is He, or people. Fulfilling commitment is a virtue, and breaching it is vice since it causes loss of trust and rights. Therefore, it is obligatory to fulfill agreements and commitments. Indeed, it will be asked about fulfilling the commitments before Allah, Exalted is He, and people.
After a general commandment to fulfill commitments, Allah, Exalted is He, has commanded to fulfill commitment when dealing with people in business.
(Give full measure when you measure, and weigh with a just balance. That is good, and results in the best end.)[35]
O believers! Give full measure when you sell and measure to other people, and weigh for them by a just balance.
The ayah specifically mentions giving full measure when selling because usually cheating happens during it as the seller normally gives less measure than due.
(That is good, and results in the best end.)
The commandment to give full measure when dealing with people is good for you in the worldly life since it encourages people to deal with you. It will also produce best result in the hereafter, as it will bring you a great reward from Allah, Exalted is He.
(Do not follow conjectures. Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart will be asked bout.)[36]
O man! Do not follow conjectures. They are vices, distort facts, defame other people unjustly, and destroy certain knowledge and facts. Do not follow conjectures regarding any statement, or action. In other words, do not judge things without having accurate knowledge, or a proof.
This prohibition is also directed to the disbelievers, who worship other gods besides Allah without having accurate knowledge or evidence. Rather, they follow their ancestors, and their soul’s whims. Allah says, interpretation of meaning:
(The idols are nothing but names that you and your fathers named. Allah has not revealed evidence supporting them. They follow nothing but conjectures and what the souls desire. Indeed, there has come to them guidance from their Lord.)[Q 53:23]
Conjectures include things such as false testimony, lying, and distorting scientific facts. It is unacceptable to say something without having knowledge about it, do something without having knowledge about it, or defame someone without having knowledge about him.
(Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart will be asked about.)
The sight and mind are means of knowledge. By the sight, tangible knowledge is acquired, and by the mind, intellectual knowledge is acquired. On the Day of Judgment, man will be asked about his sight and mind. If he uses them in a manner that displeases Allah, Exalted is He, he will be punished, as they must be used in a manner that pleases Allah.
Qatãda, may Allah have mercy on him, said, ‘Do not say, ‘I have seen, while you have not seen, I have heard, while you have not heard. Indeed, Allah will ask you about all that.’’ Allah says, interpretation of meaning,
(On the day, when the enemies of Allah will be gathered towards the Fire. They all will be kept under control. When they come to it, their ears, eyes, and skins will testify against them about what they used to do.) [Q 41:19-20]
Ayah (36) presents a complete guiding map to the mind and the heart. Being certain of every news, word, and movement before giving judgment is the best method for attaining happiness in the worldly life and the hereafter. Thus, one must not utter a word, transfer news, narrate a report, judge something, or implement a matter without being certain of the matter intended to be done so that there will no doubt about the accuracy of the matter.
After prohibiting following conjectures, the ayat prohibit arrogance and haughtiness.
(Do not walk arrogantly on the earth. Indeed, neither can you penetrate the earth nor reach the height of the mountains.) [37]
O man! Do not walk arrogantly and conceitedly on the earth. You should be humble and modest. If you walk arrogantly on the earth, neither can you reach the inner part of it, nor can you reach the highest part of the mountains. Thus, be humble and modest. Indeed, whoever is humble for the sake of Allah, Allah will raise his rank.
Mentioning the word ‘earth’ is a reminder that man’s life began on the earth and will end on the earth after death. Allah says, interpretation of meaning:
(From the earth, We created you, into it, We shall return you, and from it, We shall raise you another time.) [Q 22: 55]
(All that, the wicked of which, are detested by your Lord.) [38]
Allah detests all the evil things that have been mentioned earlier, i.e. prohibiting worshiping other gods besides Allah, being undutiful to the parents, stinginess, extravagance, killing of one’s children, fornication, unlawful killing of innocent souls, and unlawful consuming of orphans’ property.
On the other hand, Allah is pleased with good ethics, such as being kind to the relatives, the poor, and the wayfarers, and fulfilling commitments.
The aforementioned fine rules and sublime commandments are concluded with the following ayah:
[That is some of what your Lord revealed to you of the wisdom. Do not worship other gods besides Allah. Thus, you will be thrown into Hell blamed, accursed.)[39]
O Prophet! Those things that Allah, Exalted is He, has commanded to do, and prohibited you from committing them are some precepts of wisdom that He revealed to you in the Quran.
(Do not worship other gods besides Allah. Thus, you will be thrown into Hell blamed, accursed.)
O man! Beware of worshipping other gods besides Allah; otherwise, you will be thrown into Hell, blamed and accursed.
Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘The entire Torah can be found in fifteen ayat of surah the Children of Israel, al-Al-Isra. Then he recited, the following ayah: (Do not worship others with Allah…).’
Learned Lessons
• It is prohibited to kill one’s children for fear of poverty. Allah, Exalted is He, will provide for the children and their parents.
• Fornication is prohibited. Whatever thing that may lead to fornication must be avoided.
• Unlawful killing of a soul is prohibited. The guardian of the killed person has the right to retaliate. However, retaliation must be done without exceeding the right limit, e.g. only killing the killer, and not mutilate the killer. Allah has promised to make the guardian victorious by helping him to take his right.
• Disposing of the orphans’ property must be done in the best manner that serves their interests.
• Fulfilling commitment is obligatory. Man will be asked about fulfilling it on the Day of Judgment.
• It is obligatory to give just measure when selling without decrease. This will bring man happiness in this life and the Hereafter.
• Following conjectures is prohibited. One must base his judgment on evidence.
• On the Day of Judgment, man will be asked about how he used his hearing, sight, and mind.
• Arrogance and haughtiness are prohibited.
• Humbleness is a praiseworthy characteristic.
No comments:
Post a Comment