Anam 158

Anam 158

158-WILL THEY WAIT UNTIL THE ANGELS COME TO THEM OR YOUR LORD COMES OR SOME OF YOUR LORD’S SIGNS COME, THE DAY SOME OF YOUR LORD’S SIGNS COME NO SOUL WILL BENEFIT FROM ITS BELIEVE HAVE IT NOT BELIEVED BEFOREHAND OR EARNED WHAT IS GOOD WITH ITS FAITH;  SAY: “WAIT, AND SO WE ARE WAITING”

Our belief is within us, only Allah the Highest knows it.  Allah the Highest does not reward good deeds if not associated with belief, after all why would a person expect reward from the God he does not believe exists.

Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “The hour (Day of Resurrection) will not happen until the sun rises from the west, when it does, those who see it will believe, this is when “NO SOUL WILL BENEFIT FROM ITS BELIEVE, HAVE IT NOT BELIEVED BEFOREHAND OR EARNED WHAT IS GOOD WITH ITS FAITH”.  (Bukhari: Tafseer & Muslim: Eman) 

No one can tell or predict when the Day or Resurrection will take place, and no one can predict the time of his or her death.  The times of Death and Resurrection are not known to any one, therefore we should do our best to be ready for them, not leave it to the last minute, it will be too late then.

Anam 154-157

Anam 154-157

154- AND WE HAVE GIVEN MOSES THE BOOK COMPLETING ALL THAT IS GOOD, DETAILING EVERY THING, GUIDANCE AND MERCY, SO THAT THEY BELIEVE IN THE MEETING OF THEIR LORD.

155- AND THIS IS A BLESSED BOOK WE SENT DOWN, FOLLOW (ITS GUIDANCE) AND TO BE PIOUS SO THAT YOU MAY BE TREATED MERCIFULLY.

156- SO THAT YOU MAY NOT SAY: “BUT THE BOOKS WERE SENT TO TWO GROUPS BEFORE US, AND WE WERE NOT AWARE TO STUDY THEM”.

157- OR SAY: “IF A BOOK HAS BEEN SENT DOWN TO US, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER GUIDED THAN THEM”.  YOU HAVE INDEED RECEIVED A MANIFEST SIGN FROM YOUR LORD, GUIDANCE AND MERCY; WHO IS MORE UNJUST THEN THAN THOSE WHO REJECTED THEIR LORD’S AYAHS AND TURNED AWAY FROM THEM, WE WILL RECOMPENSE THOSE WHO TURN AWAY FROM OUR AYAHS WITH THE WORST PUNISHMENT BECAUSE OF TURNING AWAY.

Allah the Highest is answering the arguments of the disbelievers before they raise them.  Allah the Highest sent down books with messengers beforehand, they had guidance and light like the Torah sent down to Moses and the Engeel to Jesus, peace upon them.  

If the disbelievers do not know about these books, then Allah the Highest sent down the Quran with complete guidance and it was also preserved from being lost or perverted.  People then have a complete religion, a way of life, a way of relating to God and to other people.  

Allah the Highest said: “AND THEY SWORE BY ALLAH AS HARD AS THEY COULD THAT HAVE THEY HAD SOMEONE TO WARN THEM, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER GUIDED THAN ANOTHER NATION, BUT WHEN THEY HAD HE WHO WARNS THEM IT INCREASED THEM IN NOTHING BUT REJECTION”.  (S: 35 A:42)

This shows it is what people do that they are judged by, not what they say.

Allah the Highest made it a duty upon himself to send people guidance, first to people before judging them and possibly punishing them; Allah the Highest said: “AND WE WERE NOT TO PUNISH BEFORE SENDING A MESSENGER”.  (S:17 A:15)

 As for those who lived in totally isolated places, who never heard of a prophet or a messenger, they are under Allah’s Mercy who said: “AND WE WERE NOT TO PUNISH BEFORE SENDING A MESSENGER”.

Only Allah the Highest knows who heard and who did not hear, and who knew and who did not.  Allah knows what we hide and what we reveal.  It is not our business to argue about what is totally in Allah’s hands.

الأنعام ١٥٤-١٥٨

الأنعام ١٥٤-١٥٨

١٥٤- ثُمَّ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ تَمَامًا عَلَى الَّذِي أَحْسَنَ وَتَفْصِيلًا لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لَعَلَّهُمْ بِلِقَاءِ رَبِّهِمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ 

١٥٥- وَهَٰذَا كِتَابٌ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

١٥٦- أَنْ تَقُولُوا إِنَّمَا أُنْزِلَ الْكِتَابُ عَلَىٰ طَائِفَتَيْنِ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا وَإِنْ كُنَّا عَنْ دِرَاسَتِهِمْ لَغَافِلِينَ

١٥٧- أَوْ تَقُولُوا لَوْ أَنَّا أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْنَا الْكِتَابُ لَكُنَّا أَهْدَىٰ مِنْهُمْ ۚ فَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ بَيِّنَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ ۚ فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ كَذَّبَ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَصَدَفَ عَنْهَا ۗ سَنَجْزِي الَّذِينَ يَصْدِفُونَ عَنْ آيَاتِنَا سُوءَ الْعَذَابِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَصْدِفُونَ 

١٥٨-هَلْ يَنْظُرُونَ إِلَّا أَنْ تَأْتِيَهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَوْ يَأْتِيَ رَبُّكَ أَوْ يَأْتِيَ بَعْضُ آيَاتِ رَبِّكَ ۗ يَوْمَ يَأْتِي بَعْضُ آيَاتِ رَبِّكَ لَا يَنْفَعُ نَفْسًا إِيمَانُهَا لَمْ تَكُنْ آمَنَتْ مِنْ قَبْلُ أَوْ كَسَبَتْ فِي إِيمَانِهَا خَيْرًا ۗ قُلِ انْتَظِرُوا إِنَّا مُنْتَظِرُونَ

لقد تعهد الله عز وجل على نفسه بأن يرسل للبشر هدى بعد أن أنزلهم الى الأرض ”قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا ۖ فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ مِنِّي هُدًى فَمَنْ تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ“   (البقرة ٣٨)

وتعهد للناس أن لا يعذبهم على معصية ما تصلهم رسالة من ربهم على يد رسول  من ربهم  ”مَنِ اهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِي لِنَفْسِهِ ۖ وَمَنْ ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۗ وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّىٰ نَبْعَثَ رَسُولًا“  (الأسراء ١٥)

فأنزل الله عز وجل الكتب السماوية على الناس من بعد آدم عليه السلام ويذكر لنا الله عز وجل منها هنا التوراة كتابا مباركا أنزل على موسى عليه السلام ثم وكذلك الزبور والأنجيل ثم ختم الكتب بالقرآن الكريم وحفظه من الفساد والتغيير , فيه كل الهدى والرحمة للأنسان فأظلم الخلق هو من ينكره وينكر آياته ويبتعد عنها , فئولائك جزاءهم العذاب من الله عز وجل.

يحذرنا الله عز وجل من أن يؤجل أحدنا الأيمان أو التوبة أو العمل الصالح الى الغد , فلا نؤجل حتى يزورنا ملك الموت يقبض الأرواح , وهو يأتي في أي وقت , أو حتى تقوم الساعة وهي تأتينا بغتة , فعندها لن ينفع أي نفس أن تؤمن أو أن تكون قد كسبت خيرا في أيمانها , قال الله عز وجل ”هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ طِينٍ ثُمَّ قَضَىٰ أَجَلًا ۖ وَأَجَلٌ مُسَمًّى عِنْدَهُ ۖ ثُمَّ أَنْتُمْ تَمْتَرُونَ“  (الأنعام ٢)

فمتى حتى أي من هذان الأجلان , الموت أو القيامة , يكون قد فات الأوان على الإيمان أو العمل الصالح.

Anam 153

Anam 153

153- AND THIS IS MY STRAIGHT PATH FOR YOU TO FOLLOW, AND DO NOT FOLLOW OTHER PATHS WHICH WILL LEAD YOU ASTRAY OFF HIS PATH, THIS IS WHAT HE ADVISES YOU SO THAT YOU MAY BE PIOUS.

Allah the Highest sent us His prophets, messenger, books and religions to guide us.  Every time a prophet or messenger was sent, he had the guidance then, up until the last prophet and messenger Mohamed prayer and peace upon him.  Allah the Highest shows the way to him in His commands in the Quran and the teachings of His prophet and messenger.  

The Path to Allah the Highest is the straight path.  The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and the shortest way to Allah is His straight Path.

Allah the Highest is also advising us against division which leads to weakness.  At the times when the Muslim Nation was one nation, it was strong and prosperous.  Now we are divided into many countries and religious sects, although we all worship the same God, follow the same prophet, and read the same book, The Quran.  We have suspicion, and doubt between Muslim countries and sects, mainly Sunni and Shiaat.  Some may even form alliances with the Muslim’s enemies against follow Muslims. We are clearly weakened by this division, which allows Muslim countries to be taken one at a time, like taking a bit of an apple.

On the contrary, we see in Europe, different countries of many persuasions and speaking many languages, Catholic, Protestants and Atheists, uniting and building up on their unity.  This unity allows them all to be strong politically, and allows the poor to prosper and the prosperous to become even more prosperous.

Allah the Highest commanded us all, to hold firmly to His religion, His robe and not to divide. “AND HOLD FIRMLY TO ALLAH’S ROBE ALL TOGETHER AND DO NOT DIVIDE”.  (S: 3 A: 103)

The remedy to our weakness is with us, the remedy is in our Book, the Quran.  It is not in being allied to one major power or another, but in being a major power ourself, and this does not happen with division.

Anam 152

Anam 152

152- AND DO NOT APPROACH THE MONEY OF THE ORPHANS EXCEPT TO DO GOOD AND UNTIL THEY GROW UP AND BECOME STRONG AND ABLE, AND MEASURE UP AND WEIGHT JUSTLY, WE DO NOT DEMAND FROM A SOUL MORE THAN WHAT IT CAN BEAR, AND WHEN YOU SPEAK, BE JUST, EVEN IF HE IS A CLOSE KIN, AND FULFILL ALLAH’S COVENANT, THIS IS WHAT ALLAH ADVISES YOU TO DO, SO THAT YOU MAY REMEMBER.

There are a number of instructions for the Muslims in this Ayah: 

1. Whenever we have any dealings with the orphans and their money, particularly if we are their guardians, we should do our best to do what is good for them.  This largely depends on our intentions, which is known to Allah the Highest.  “AND KNOW THAT ALLAH KNOWS WHAT IS INSIDE YOU, THEREFORE TAKE HEED OF HIM”.  (S:2 A:235)

When they are grown up and are of sound mind and able to look after their own affairs, then we may give them their money and property to look after, Allah the Highest said: “AND TEST THE ORPHANS UNTIL THEY REACH PUBERTY, IF YOU FIND THEM OF SOUND JUDGMENT, GIVE THEM THEIR MONEY, AND DO NOT TAKE IT YOURSELVES BY SPENDING IT WASTEFULLY AND HASTILY BEFORE THEY GROW UP.  LET THOSE WHO ARE RICH NOT TAKE ANY OF THE WEALTH OF THE ORPHANS FOR THEMSELVES, AND LET THOSE WHO ARE POOR TAKE ONLY A FAIR PORTION.  WHEN YOU GIVE THEM THEIR WEALTH, LET THERE BE WITNESSES OVER IT, AND ALLAH IS SUFFICIENT TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF ALL YOUR ACTIONS”.  (S:4 A:6)

It is also the duty of the guardian to teach the orphans how to manage their money and property.  In the past, a person of 16 years or 18 years of age could work, earn a living and manage his money and get married too.  Life is becoming more complicated and we need to be educated for longer, and consequently the orphans might need to remain in guardianship for longer.

2. Honesty in dealings and trading.  Starting with giving the right amount bought, to giving the right quality and time etc.  Industry and business are getting more complex, therefore, cheating and deceiving is more involved than the weight and volume, but it is all cheating.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Whoever cheats us is not one of us”.

Cheating was one of the main reasons for the destruction of the People of Madian.  “GIVE THE MEASURE AND WEIGHTS IN FULL, AND DO NOT CHEAT PEOPLE OUT OF THE VALUE OF THEIR THINGS, AND DO NOT CAUSE MISCHIEF ON EARTH AFTER IT HAS BEEN PUT RIGHT, THIS IS BETTER FOR YOU IF YOU ARE TRUE BELIEVERS”.  (S:7 A:85)

And said: “WOE FOR THE CHEATERS * THOSE WHOM WHEN THEY HAVE GOODS MEASURED FOR THEM THEY TAKE IT IN FULL * AND IF THEY MEASURE OR WEIGH FOR OTHER, THEY GIVE THEM LESS * DO THEY NOT KNOW THAT THEY ARE TO BE RESURRECTED * AT A GREAT DAY * THE DAY WHEN ALL MANKIND WILL RISE BEFORE THE LORD OF ALL BEINGS”.  (S:83 A:1-6)

3. One should be just and right in whatever one says, even if one is speaking against a close kin, or even one’s self.   Whenever we give a testimony about someone or something, we should be right and just.  Even if we are giving an opinion about something, it should be what we believe to be right.  “YOU WHO BELIEVE, STAND FIRMLY FOR ALLAH AND LET YOUR TESTIMONY BE JUST. AND DO NOT LET THE HATRED OF PEOPLE MAKE YOU TRANSGRESS AND BE UNJUST, BE JUST FOR THIS IS NEARER TO PIETY”.  (S:5 A:8)
4. We should fulfill our covenants with Allah the Highest; and they are many, starting with worshipping no partners by Him, and going on to observing Allah’s commands and following the way He wants us to live.

Fulfilling these commands is fulfilling some of the covenants with Allah the Highest.

الأنعام ١٥٢-١٥٣

الأنعام ١٥٢-١٥٣

١٥٢- وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُ ۖ وَأَوْفُوا الْكَيْلَ وَالْمِيزَانَ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۖ وَإِذَا قُلْتُمْ فَاعْدِلُوا وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰ ۖ وَبِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ أَوْفُوا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُمْ بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ 

١٥٣- وَأَنَّ هَٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُمْ بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ 

• وينهانا الله عز وجل عن أن نأكل مال اليتيم بدون وجه حق , ولكن أن نحافظ عليه ونستثمرة له حتى إذا ما بلغ أشده وأصبح رشيدا ندفعه له كاملا وربما أكثر مما كان , فقد قال رب العباد ”إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَالَ الْيَتَامَىٰ ظُلْمًا إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلُونَ فِي بُطُونِهِمْ نَارًا ۖ وَسَيَصْلَوْنَ سَعِيرًا“. (النساء ١٠).  فاليتيم ضعيف يجب على كل المجتمع أن يحميه ويحافظ عليه ويعطف عليه , حتى أن الله عز وجل قد جعل للأنسان حسنة في كل شعرة من شعر اليتيم يمر بيده عليها حنوا ورحمة , فقد قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ”«مَنْ مَسَحَ رَأْسَ يَتِيمٍ لَمْ يَمْسَحْهُ إِلا لِلَّهِ , كَانَتْ لَهُ بِكُلِّ شَعَرَةٍ مَرَّتْ عَلَيْهَا يَدُهُ حَسَنَاتٍ، وَمَنْ أَحْسَنَ إِلَى يَتِيمٍ أَوْ يَتِيمَةٍ كُنْتُ أَنَا وَهُوَ كَهَاتَيْنِ» .وَقَرَنَ بَيْنَ إِصْبَعَيْهِ“. (أحمد)
• ثم أمرنا الله عز وجل بأن نوفي بالكيل والميزان فنعطي الناس حقهم في البيع والشراء وتوعد من يفعل غير ذلك وهم المطفيفين بعذاب شديد قائلا : ”وَيْلٌ لِلْمُطَفِّفِينَ ﴿1﴾ الَّذِينَ إِذَا اكْتَالُوا عَلَى النَّاسِ يَسْتَوْفُونَ ﴿2﴾ وَإِذَا كَالُوهُمْ أَوْ وَزَنُوهُمْ يُخْسِرُونَ ﴿3﴾ أَلَا يَظُنُّ أُولَٰئِكَ أَنَّهُمْ مَبْعُوثُونَ ﴿4﴾ لِيَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ ﴿5﴾ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ النَّاسُ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿6﴾“.  (المطففين ١-٦)
• ثم يخبرنا الله عز وجل أنه لا يكلف نفسا إلا وسعها في الحياة , فكل أنسان يحمل ما يطيقة فقط لكنه عليه أن يفعل ما يقدر عليه في طاعة الله عز وجل , فقد قال عز وجل : ”لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا اكْتَسَبَتْ“ (البقرة ٢٨٦)
• ثم يأمرنا الله تبارك وتعالى بأتباع صراطه المستقيم وعدم أتباع السبل.  وفهمي للصراط المستقيم هو أنه ما أمر الله عز وجل به وما كان عليه رسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم وصحابته بدون تحريف ولا ولا مغالاة أو نقصان.  كل هذا ضلال يضل بنا عن سبيل الله عز وجل فيتفرق المسلمون الى فرق تتناحر فيضعف المسلمون ويمس ديننا الآفات التي مست غيره.   وها هو قد حدث هذا , وقد تفرقنا الى فرق يكفر بعضها بعضا ويرى بعضها أنها خير من الآخرين , وقد ضعفنا بتفرقنا.