Araf 199

Araf 199

199-TAKE (FOR CHARITY) FROM PEOPLE’S EXCESS MONEY, COMMAND PEOPLE TO UPHOLD RIGHTEOUS AND GOOD TRADITIONS AND TURN AWAY FROM THE IGNORANT

There are three basic commands in this Ayah:

1. Allah the Highest is commanding his messenger, prayer and peace upon him, to treat people gently and to demand what is feasible and easy for them, and not to make the practice of their religion hard for them.  Aisha, Allah’s messenger’s wife said: “Whenever Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, had to choose between two things concerning Islam, he would choose the easier one of the two”.   (B:Manaqeb;23 & M:Fadael;77-78 & A:6;85 & T:Manaqeb;34 & Da:Adab;4)

The same word also means the excess, that is to take of people’s ZAKAH and charity from what is above their needs in their money.  Allah the Highest said: “AND THEY ASK YOU WHAT THEY SHOULD SPEND (IN CHARITY), SAY: “WHAT IS OVER YOUR NEEDS”.  (S: 2 A: 219)

This has the same meaning, of making things and religious commands easier and more feasible for the believers.

2. To Uphold Righteous and Good Traditions.  Every country and place has its customs and traditions, which apply to different situations or aspects of life, trade, business, and relationships.  As long as these traditions and customs are righteous, good and do not go against the Islamic Principles, they should be upheld.  

3. To Turn away from the Ignorant, that is not to respond to them in the same manner that they treat you.  This does not mean that one should not defend yourself from insults and assaults, but, not to return the rudeness with rudeness and not to be insolent back to the insolent. 

The Muslim should uphold his dignity and status as a believer, and remember that Allah the Highest is witnessing what he does.

It has been reported that someone went to insult Abu Bakr while he sat with Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him.  Abu Bakr did not answer him back at first.  Then when Abu Bakr started swearing back at him, Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, left them and went away.

It is not easy for a person to turn away from the ignorant, for it requires self discipline and control.  It requires that one holds his anger, which is not easy, particularly when a person is insulted.

Turning away from the ignorant, also means that one should not get provoked so that one gets involved in futile arguments and disputes, this serves no good purpose and also turns people against each other.  

We should also remember, that Allah the Highest said: “AND IT HAS BEEN SENT DOWN TO YOU IN THE BOOK THAT IF YOU HEAR ALLAH’S AYAHS BEING REJECTED AND MOCKED, DO NOT SIT WITH THEM UNTIL THEY SPEAK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE, OTHERWISE YOU ARE LIKE THEM, INDEED, ALLAH WILL GATHER THE HYPOCRITES AND THE DISBELIEVERS IN THE HELL-FIRE ALL TOGETHER”.  (S: 4 A: 140)