Expedition Think: The State of Muslims in the twenty-first century

the prohibitions in Surah al-An'am:

۞ قُلْ تَعَالَوْا۟ أَتْلُ مَا حَرَّمَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ أَلَّا تُشْرِكُوا۟ بِهِۦ شَيْـًۭٔا ۖ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًۭا ۖ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَوْلَـٰدَكُم مِّنْ إِمْلَـٰقٍۢ ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكُمْ وَإِيَّاهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلْفَوَٰحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ ۖ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ١٥١

Say: "Come, I will rehearse what Allah hath (really) prohibited you from": Join not anything as equal with Him; be good to your parents; kill not your children on a plea of want;- We provide sustenance for you and for them;- come not nigh to shameful deeds. Whether open or secret; take not life, which Allah hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus doth He command you, that ye may learn wisdom.

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ مَالَ ٱلْيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ ۖ وَأَوْفُوا۟ ٱلْكَيْلَ وَٱلْمِيزَانَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۖ وَإِذَا قُلْتُمْ فَٱعْدِلُوا۟ وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰ ۖ وَبِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْفُوا۟ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ ١٥٢

And come not nigh to the orphan's property, except to improve it, until he attain the age of full strength; give measure and weight with (full) justice;- no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear;- whenever ye speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned; and fulfil the covenant of Allah: thus doth He command you, that ye may remember.

وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٰطِى مُسْتَقِيمًۭا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ١٥٣

Verily, this is My way, leading straight: follow it: follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from His (great) path: thus doth He command you. that ye may be righteous.

[Al-Quran 6:151-153, Translation: A. Yusuf Ali]

Surah al-An'am (The Cattle) is the sixth surah. Towards the end, after stating the only four things (Q6:145) prohibited by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ to an eater who eats, ayaat Q151-153 list the prohibitions on a Muslim. Do we adhere to these prohibitions? That is the question.

Prohibition #1

Join not anything as equal with Him;

There is only one God, one ilah, one deity, the only one to be worshipped. The Quran is very consistently, emphatically, clear about the oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ .

While in theory, most muslims do testify to the oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ , but how often do Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ 's commands get violated, on the altars of wealth, economy, desires, political expediency, science and technology, progress and prosperity, and so on and so forth.

Secular Science vs Creation Faith || Corruption of Creation

Prohibition #2

be good to your parents;

Nothing less than good, or rather best ( إِحْسَـٰنًۭا), is expected towards parents. Immediately after clarifying that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ is the only deity, the only God, and that nothing is equal to Him, we read the command for being extremely good towards our parents, in gratitude. This command creates the balance between the two extremes: it dismisses parent-worship, and it dismisses callousness and carelessness towards parents in their old-age. Parents are to be cherished by their children, and lovingly taken care of in their old-age.

Even in Muslim countries, we notice the rise in the number of homeless, abandoned, old people, the cropping up of old people's homes, and the introduction of secular celebrations in society, such as Father's Day, and Mother's Day.

Related post: Secular Celebrations || Parents & Our Deen

Prohibition #3

kill not your children on a plea of want;- We provide sustenance for you and for them;-

In theory, we believe that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ is the creator and the provider, and that every person is born with their sustenance decreed for them.

In practice, we conflate poverty with population growth, even though studies have clearly shown that there is no correlation between the two. It is the unjust economic systems that impoverish a large segment of society. Yet, there is increasing focus on family-planning, legalising abortions, and so on.

Natural Biology of Procreation || Pregnancies mentioned in The Quran

Prohibition #4

come not nigh to shameful deeds. Whether open or secret;

The institution of marriage, the ratified covenant of 'nikah', is the recognised and approved way for men and women to cohabit with the blessings of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ . Even the arrangement of the match is the responsibility of the family members, particularly the parents. Open intermingling of the sexes, especially in ways to attract each other, is not endorsed.

Increasingly, we see people accepting and normalising that which used to be considered shameful / immoral deeds (ٱلْفَوَٰحِشَ), and thus frowned upon, be it dressing, intermingling, etc.

Prohibition #5

take not life, which Allah hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law

Human life is sacred, and may not be taken, except to serve the purposes of justice, and that also by people appointed to execute the Law.

However, we see increase in domestic violence and murder, terrorist killings on the streets, misuse of the justice system to execute political opponents, and so on. The sanctity of human life is increasingly diminishing in our world.

Not only human life, but also hunting of animals, during pilgrimage, while in the state of ihram, has been made illegal (Q5:1).

Related post: ...

Prohibition #6

And come not nigh to the orphan's property, except to improve it, until he attain the age of full strength;

Orphans are perhaps the most vulnerable members of any society. They have lost their father, while they haven't yet attained marriageable age themselves. Allah عزوجل ordains extra sensitivity in managing their affairs, supporting them and their mothers, and being very careful and vigilant about their inheritance, dutifully handing it over to them in the state it became their property, or in an improved state, willing good for them, and fearing the consequences of not doing so in the Hereafter.

However, we see a lot of injustice towards the weaker segments of society in all matters financial. Guardians consume the wealth of the orphans in their care, men deny the inheritance of the women, ...

Related post: ...

Prohibition #7

give measure and weight with (full) justice;- no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear;-

The belief in accountability and Allah ﷻ 's Justice on the Day of Judgement should be enough deterrent for any person who hopes for an easy reckoning to actively ensure that they give everyone their due, with equitable justice (بِٱلْقِسْطِ), such that the weak are especially taken care of, while the strong are also not wronged.

In our muslim society, we find so many people cheating others; corruption is rampant; the markets are full of cheaters who fleece people off their money; the weights and measures are tampered; the products are adulterated; the quality is compromised; prices are exorbitant; yes, there are good, honest people in the markets also, but, generally, things are increasingly bad.

Related post: ...

Prohibition #8

whenever ye speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned;

In theory, Islam is Deen-e-Haqq, which ensures that everyone gets their rights. An important component of providing everyone their rights is truth, generally every time we speak, and especially while giving testimony.

In practice, we witness many people habitually and constantly lying, during conversations, and when giving testimony. Many other considerations seem to override the directive to speak justly.

Related post: ...

Prohibition #9

and fulfil the covenant of Allah

Allah ﷻ has taken a covenant from all the believers. It must be fulfilled.

Related post: The Covenant & Its Ratification

Prohibition #10

Verily, this is My way, leading straight: follow it: follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from His (great) path: thus doth He command you. that ye may be righteous.

These are the prohibitions and this is the path that leads to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ , and His Path, the path that leads to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ 's Protection and eternal bliss.

Surah al-An'am concludes thus:

ثُمَّ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ تَمَامًا عَلَى ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْسَنَ وَتَفْصِيلًۭا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ وَهُدًۭى وَرَحْمَةًۭ لَّعَلَّهُم بِلِقَآءِ رَبِّهِمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ ١٥٤

Moreover, We gave Moses the Book, completing (Our favour) to those who would do right, and explaining all things in detail,- and a guide and a mercy, that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord.

وَهَـٰذَا كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ مُبَارَكٌۭ فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ ١٥٥

And this is a Book which We have revealed as a blessing: so follow it and be righteous, that ye may receive mercy:

أَن تَقُولُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ عَلَىٰ طَآئِفَتَيْنِ مِن قَبْلِنَا وَإِن كُنَّا عَن دِرَاسَتِهِمْ لَغَـٰفِلِينَ ١٥٦

Lest ye should say: "The Book was sent down to two Peoples before us, and for our part, we remained unacquainted with all that they learned by assiduous study:"

أَوْ تَقُولُوا۟ لَوْ أَنَّآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْنَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَكُنَّآ أَهْدَىٰ مِنْهُمْ ۚ فَقَدْ جَآءَكُم بَيِّنَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَهُدًۭى وَرَحْمَةٌۭ ۚ فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن كَذَّبَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَصَدَفَ عَنْهَا ۗ سَنَجْزِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَصْدِفُونَ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا سُوٓءَ ٱلْعَذَابِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْدِفُونَ ١٥٧

Or lest ye should say: "If the Book had only been sent down to us, we should have followed its guidance better than they." Now then hath come unto you a clear (sign) from your Lord,- and a guide and a mercy: then who could do more wrong than one who rejecteth Allah's signs, and turneth away therefrom? In good time shall We requite those who turn away from Our signs, with a dreadful penalty, for their turning away.

هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّآ أَن تَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ أَوْ يَأْتِىَ رَبُّكَ أَوْ يَأْتِىَ بَعْضُ ءَايَـٰتِ رَبِّكَ ۗ يَوْمَ يَأْتِى بَعْضُ ءَايَـٰتِ رَبِّكَ لَا يَنفَعُ نَفْسًا إِيمَـٰنُهَا لَمْ تَكُنْ ءَامَنَتْ مِن قَبْلُ أَوْ كَسَبَتْ فِىٓ إِيمَـٰنِهَا خَيْرًۭا ۗ قُلِ ٱنتَظِرُوٓا۟ إِنَّا مُنتَظِرُونَ ١٥٨

Are they waiting to see if the angels come to them, or thy Lord (Himself), or certain of the signs of thy Lord! the day that certain of the signs of thy Lord do come, no good will it do to a soul to believe in them then if it believed not before nor earned righteousness through its faith. Say: "Wait ye: we too are waiting."

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا۟ دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا۟ شِيَعًۭا لَّسْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِى شَىْءٍ ۚ إِنَّمَآ أَمْرُهُمْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَفْعَلُونَ ١٥٩

As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, thou hast no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah: He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.

مَن جَآءَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُۥ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا ۖ وَمَن جَآءَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ فَلَا يُجْزَىٰٓ إِلَّا مِثْلَهَا وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ ١٦٠

He that doeth good shall have ten times as much to his credit: He that doeth evil shall only be recompensed according to his evil: no wrong shall be done unto (any of) them.

قُلْ إِنَّنِى هَدَىٰنِى رَبِّىٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍۢ مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ دِينًۭا قِيَمًۭا مِّلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًۭا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ١٦١

Say: "Verily, my Lord hath guided me to a way that is straight,- a religion of right,- the path (trod) by Abraham the true in Faith, and he (certainly) joined not gods with Allah."

قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ١٦٢

Say: "Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds:

لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُۥ ۖ وَبِذَٰلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ ١٦٣

No partner hath He: this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who bow to His will.

قُلْ أَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ أَبْغِى رَبًّۭا وَهُوَ رَبُّ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ ۚ وَلَا تَكْسِبُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ إِلَّا عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌۭ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ ١٦٤

Say: "Shall I seek for (my) Cherisher other than Allah, when He is the Cherisher of all things (that exist)? Every soul draws the meed of its acts on none but itself: no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another. Your goal in the end is towards Allah: He will tell you the truth of the things wherein ye disputed."

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَـٰٓئِفَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَكُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍۢ دَرَجَـٰتٍۢ لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِى مَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَغَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۢ ١٦٥

It is He Who hath made you (His) agents, inheritors of the earth: He hath raised you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He hath given you: for thy Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

[Al-Quran 6:154-165, Translation: A. Yusuf Ali]

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Wednesday 19 June 2024

The State of Muslims in the twenty-first century

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