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4/18/2015 CommanmentsfortheFormationofMuslim

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CommandsmentsfortheFormationofMuslimSociety

ByBrigGulzarAhmed

Introduction.HejrahofMuhammadRasulullah(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)TheProphetofIslam,hasauniqueplaceinthehistoryofIslam.TheMuslimCalenderstartsfromHejrahandisnamedaccordingly.ButforHejrahthe"ConstructionofIslamicSociety",mayhavetakenadifferentandnotsospeedyailluminatingprespectiveofHejrahwehavetogobacktoPreHejrahMakkanperiodduringwhichtheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)andhiscompanionhadbeenreceivingveryhardandharshtreatmentattheHandsofUnbelievingQuraysh,theleadingTribeofMakkah.ThiswasinspiteofthefactthattheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)himselfbelongedtoarespectedhouseofthetribe.Wewill,trytopresentabriefsummaryofthebackgroundtoHejrah.TheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)hadangeredtheQurayshbecausehehaddeclaredthattheywereonthewrongpathforworshipingidols.Mattershadreachedastagewhereabout72ofhiscompanionshadtomigratetoHabsha.IbneIshaq,oneoftheearliesthistoriansoftheperiodsays,"WhentheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)sawtheafflictionofhiscompanionsandthoughheescapedbecauseofhisstandingwithAllahandhisuncleAbuTalib,hecouldnotprotectthem,hesaidtothem,'IfyouweretogotoAbyssinia(itwouldbebetterforyou)forthekingwillnottolerateinjusticeanditisafriendlycountry,untilsuchtimeasAllahshallrelieveyoufromyourdistrees'."

AlthoughtheMakkanspresecutedtheMuslims,theywouldallowthemnottoleaveMakkah,forfearthatiftheysucceededinestablishingthemselvesabroadtheirwayofLife,ReligionofIslamwillflourish,and"theirnumberswouldsogrowthattheywoulddestroytheauthorityofQurayshaltogether."sotheytriedtobringthembackfromHabshabutthekingrefusedtohandtheMuslimrefugeesovertotheMakkandelegation.WheneventuallytheHejrahtoMadinawasstartedtheMakkanstriedtostoppeoplefromimmigrating.

WhentheyfeltthattheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)mayalsomigratetoMadinatheyhatchedaplottokillhimwhenhecameoutofhishouseonthenextmorning.AllfamiliesofQurayshweretosendonevolunteerwhowouldstandguardoutsidetheProphet'(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)houseandthenonhisemergingfromthehousetheyallwouldshowerblowsfromtheirswords,simultaneously,sothatthemurderwouldbecommittedbytheQurayshasatribe.TheincidentisreferredtoinQuraninaVerseandinIbneIshaqonpage223.TheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)andhisclosestfriendAbuBakrleftthehousemiraculouslyinthatthemenguardingthehousedidnotrealise.

Whenthenewsofhissafearrival,inspiteoftheirsearchingforhimenroute,reachedMakkah,theywrotealettertoMadina.TheletterwasaddressedtoAbdullahbinUbbay,tellinghimeithertoexpeltheimmigrantsortokillthem.Iftheydidnotdosothey,theQuraysh,wouldattackMadina.Thisamountedtodeclarationofwar.AbdullahbinUbbaywasinclinedtoturnMuslimmigrantsoutofMadina,byforceofarms.TheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)approachedhimandexplainedtohimthatifhedidsothebloodofhistribewillflowfrombothsides,because,Muslimmembersofhistribe,whowerequiteafew,willfightalongsidetheirMuhajirbrothers.Thetwonationstheoryhadcomeintoexistence.TheMuslimsconstitutedONEUMMAandtherestofhumanitytheotherUmmah.

AbdullahbinUbbaymusthaveaskedastowhowilldefendMadina,intheeventofMakkanattack.



TheProphetmusthavereplied,"WetheMuslimswilldefendMadina."AsaresultofthisdiscussionameetingofentireMadinawasheldinwhichtheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)dictatedthedocumentknowninhistory,asMeethaqueMadina.Thishistoricaldocumentiscalled"CovenantwiththeJewsandmenofMadina."TheheadingoftheDocumentisinthesewords.

"ThisisaDocumentfromMuhammadtheProphet(governingtherelations)betweenthebelievers,MuslimsofQurayshandYathribandthosewhofollowedthemandjoinedthemandlabouredwiththem6."whichwhenseeninthetechnicalmeaningof"JahaduMaahuu"meansthosewhofoughtJehadwiththem.TheJewsneverfollowedthemorlabouredwiththem.NeitherdidtheyjointheMuslimsinJehad.ThedocumentisthusnotatreatybutAcharter.7Itwould,therefore,becorrecttomaintain,thattheHejrah,resultedinthesettingupofafreeandsovereignState,knownastheStateofMadina,withaproperlyawardedConstitutionalCharter.TheotherresultofHejrahwastheestablishmentofasocietyknownasIslamicorMuslimSociety.Someoftheoriginalmembers,aminority,tobemoreparticularhadmigratedfromMakkaandhadbeentrainedbyMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)withgreatcarebuttheywereforthefirstfewmonths,lessthanfiftyinnumber.Theestablishmentofthestatehadcomeaboutthroughtheacceptancebyall,includingtheJewsandtheMushriqeen(disbelievers)ofMadina.TheaffairsoftheStatewerepresidedoverbytheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)personally.HisCabinetconsistedoftheCompanionsreferredtoinQuranasAhlalAmr(Menwithauthority)8.

Theestablishmentofsocietyproceededgradually,ItsauthoritywastheRevealedWordofAllah.TheQuranandtheinstructiongivenbyMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)knownasAhadith.Hisactions,thewayandmannerofdoingthingsishisSeerah,basedonQuran.TheformationofMuslimSocietytooktime,throughouttheperiodofhisstayinMadina.ItendedwithDivineWords:

ThisdayhaveIperfectedyourDeen(WayofLife)foryouAndhavechosenforyouAsDeen(ReligionWayofLifeAlISLAM).(AlMaeda5:3)

AlIslam.TheWayofLife,chosenbyAllahfortheMuslimscoverseveryaspectoftheirlives.ItisthesumtotalofDirectives,CommandmentsandInstructionfromtheHighestAuthorityintheUniverseTheCreator,ThesustainerandTheMasteroftheSayofResurrection.Hiscommandsarefinal.TheycannotbeabrogatedbecausethereisnoauthorityhigherthanHim.TheymakethesumtotaloftheCommandswhichadduptothebringingaboutofindividualcharacterandcharacteristicsofMuslimmembersofAnIslamicSociety.

TheseCommandscovertheBehaviorofindividualMuslimswithoneanotherandtowardsthesocietyitself.TheycoverthebehaviourandconductofMuslims,withothers.Theyincludethesubjectslikepromises,factsandtreaties,thesaleandpurchaseofcommodities,theaffairsofmembersofafamily,thetreatmentofparentsbytheirchildrenandrelationsbetweenspouses.TheyareobeyedbecausetheyemanatefromthehighestauthoritytheCreatorofmankindtowhomweallareanswerableforouractions.ThesystemoperatesorotherwiseontheFaith(Eiman)ofindividualmembersandtheirAhlalalAmr,(MenwithAuthority),invarioussocietiesofMuslimsspreadoutalongthesurfaceoftheGlobe.WegivebelowasummaryofCommandmentsofAllahwhichadduptotheFormationofaMuslimSociety.

MuslimSociety

MuslimSocietyiscomposedofindividualwhobelieveintheUnityofAllahasthesoleCreatorandsustaineroftheworldsandpossessoroftheonlysovereignWillintheentireUniverse,WhoalonewillholdauthorityontheDayofResurrectionandeverafter.



Say:HeisAllahtheOne!AllahtheeternallyBesoughtofall!HebegetethnotNorwasHebegottenAndthereisnonecomparabletoHim.

(AlAkhlas112:14)

IfthereweremorethanONEgodstherewouldcertainlyhavebeendisorder.Religionswhichbelieveinmorethanonegodsarefullofstoriesofbattlesbetweenthem.Allahsays.

IftherewerethereinGodbesideAllahThenverilyboth(theheavensandtheearth)HadbeendisorderedGlorifiesbeAllah.TheLordoftheThrone,Fromallthattheyascribe(LHim.)

(AlAmbia21:22)

HealoneistheCreatorandHecanbringaboutanythingatanytime.AndHeitisWhocreatedTheheavensandtheearthintruth(withapurpose)AndintheDaywhenHesaith:Be!Itis(73)HisWordisthetruth,AndHiswillbetheSovereigntyOntheDaywhenthetrumpetisblownKnoweroftheinvisible.Andthevisible.HeistheWise,theAware.

(AlAlnaem6:7374)

AndthereisapurposeinthiscreationAndhathmadeofserviceuntoyouWhatsoeverisintheheavensAndwhatsoeverisintheearthItisallfromHim.Lo!HereinverilyareProtentsforpeoplewhoreflect.

(AlJathia45:12)

Thereisapurposebehindallthiscreation.Hegavetomantheknowledgeintheshapeofnamesandpropertiesofallthings:

AndHetaughtAdamAllthenames,

(AlBaqarah2:31)

And:

HeuntoWhombelongeth



hesovereigntyoftheheavensandtheearth,HehathchosennosonNorHathHeanypartnerInthesovereignty.HehathcreatedeverythingAndhathmetedforitameasure(qualities,charateristics,usesetc)

(AlFurqan25:2)

Andexpectsmantomakeuseofitbyfindingout"thismeasure"(HerekeepinmindVerse45:12)AllahistheholderofultimatepowerintheUniverse.

All(power,command,decision)restswithAllahaloneHehasCommandedyouToworshipnoneexceptHim.Thisisthefirmreligion,Butmostpeopledonotrealise.

(Yusuf12:40)

AsocietycomposedofindividualswhosecenterofmentalandspiritualconcentrationisOneandonlyOnebeingwhichisnotlikeanyotherhumanlyimaginablesubstance,arebynaturesocongenialtooneanotherthattheycanbetermedassomanysoulsbutoneONEbody.Heis:

TheCreatoroftheheavensandtheearthHehathmadeforyoupairsofyourselvesAndofthecattlealsopairsWherebyHeMultipliethyouNaughtisasHislikenessAndHeistheHearer,theseer.

(AlShura.42:11)

Thedivisionofmankindintopairs,thenthefamily,thetribeandnationsaremeredistinctionsforknowingoneanother.ThecriteriaofexcellenceintheeyesofthecreatorisgooddeedsinaccordancewithHisCommandment.

Omankind!Wehavecreatedyoumaleandfemale,AndhavemadeyounationsandtribesThatyoumayknowoneanother,Lo!Thenoblistofyou.Inthebestinconduct.Lo!AllahisknowerAware.

(AlHajaraat49:13)

Therefore,ifyoubelongtopowerfultribeorastrongnation,donotbecarriedawaywithafalsesenseofpower.Manyanationappearedonthescene,gainedstrength,prosperedandthendisappeared.

AndhowmanyatownshipStorngerthanthytownship,(Muhammad)Whichhascasttheeout,



HaveWedestroyed,Andtheyhadnohelper.

(Muhammad47:13)

AndmoreoftenthannotthesetownshipsdestroythemselvesthroughtheirmisdeedsandrefusaltoliveaccordingtoAllah'(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)commandments,regardingahealthySociety.Allahwouldhavepardonedthemiftheyhadrepentedevenatthelastminute.

Allahiskind,Merciful,ForgivingandMostBenevolent.DonotgiveupHopeinHim.Say:OMyslavesWhohavebeenprodigaltotheirownhurt:DespairnotoftheMercyofAllahWhoforgivethallsens.Lo!Heistheforgiving,theMerciful

(AlZaman39:53)

HehasOrderedgoodnessandtruth.AddressingtheBelievers,inHim.HehasCommanded:

OYewhobelieve!BeyestaunchinJustice,WitnessforAllahEventhoughagainstyourselfOr(your)parentsOr(your)kindredWhether(theaffectedisrichorpoorForAllahisneareruntoboththen(thanyouare)SofollownotpassionLestyoulapse(fromTruth)Anifyelapseorfallaway,ThenLo!Allahiseverinformedofwhatyedo.

(AlNisa4:135)

Societiesdistintegrateoncejusticebecomesextinct.OnceJusticedisappearssocietyceasestoexist.WhenawholecommunitybelievinginONEALLAHandobeyingHiminmattersofjusticeamongtheirneighbours,whetherbelievingorunbelievingareboundtobringaboutanexemplarysocietyinallrespect.TothemQuranisFundamentalLawandtheycannotfloutLawOrdainedbyHimWhomtheyworship.AndmindyouthereisnothingunusualornewinQuran.ItcontainsinitwhatwasRevealedtoearlierprophetbuthadbeenforgottenormixedwithhearsay.AllahAddressingMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)says:

Naughtissaiduntothee(Muhammad)SavewhatwassaidUntothemessengersbeforethee.Lo!ThyLordisownerofForgivenessand(Heisowneralso)ofdirepunishment.

(HameenAllSajda41:43)

AndHeiskind,Benevolentandmerciful,Hedoesnotinflictpunishmentwherenot



deservedWhosodothrightItisforhisownselfAndwhosodothwrongItisagainsthim.AndthyLordisnotatallatyrantForHisslaves.

(HameenAlSajda41:46)

CrueltyisforeigntoIslam.Evencruelmenaretobeavoidedandshunned.HowcanaMuslimthinkofhisLordbeinginclinedtocruelty.AdevoteealwayswishestobelikethePowerbeworship.AbelieversinAllahwishestobecomeaxoacstlyasheimaginesHimtobe.

ThosewhodisbeliveAnddocruel(deeds)AndhinderothersfromTheWayofAllah.Theyverilyhavewanderedastray.

(AlNisa4:138)

Allahisfarfromcruel.ThosewhobelieveinHimshuncruelty.Itisonlythedisbelieverswhotendtobecruel.Thecruelhavenoshareinthefuturelife.TheyhaveerredagainstAllah'screation,menandwomenandtheywillbepunishedfortheirilldeeds.

Lo!ThosewhodisbelieveAndarecruelAllahwillneverforgivethemNeitherwillHeguidethemontoaroad.

(AlNisa4:168)

Crueltyintheworldcanbedecreasedorcontrolledifnotcompletelyeliminatedifthosedesiringloveandgoodnesstoprevail,remainofonevoice,irrespectiveofhowgreatstresshasbeenlaidonunityandpeacefulrelationsamongMuslims.

Lo,keepyourdutytoAllahAndadjustthemattersofdifferenceAndobeyAllahandHismessengerIfyouarebelievers

(AlAnfal8:1)

Onlybyremainingunitedcantheybringoutahealthysociety.Withoutunitythereisnoforceeventhoughthecallmaybeforthemostpiouspurpose.ThisVersehasbeenordainedforMuslimgroupsmorethanforindividuals.Itwill,therefore,bebroughtunderdiscussionwhencollectiveaffairsofMuslimsarebeingstudied,inalaterpublication.However,suchimportantaspectsoflifecannotbeignored.WehavebeenOrdainedtokeepremindingoneanotherofthesematters.

Andwarm(remind)Forwarning



(reminding)profitethbelievers.

(AlZariyat51:55)

ItwillbenoticedthatforcenturiesaffairsofMuslimgrouphavebeenignoredeitherwillfullyorduetounwelcomesituations.Itistimethatcollectiveproblemsarenowbroughtforwardfordiscussions.Weinviteviewsonthissubject.

Oneofthecommonpracticesofinjusticeisregardingtheorphans.Allahenjoinsonbringingthemupproperlyandwhentheycomeofagetheirshareofinheritanceshouldbehandedovertothem.Withoutstrictobservanceofsuchpracticesfuturegenerationswillgrowupasdisgruntledcitizenandbethecauseofdisruptioninsociety.Ahealthysocietycanemergeonlywhenallsectionofpopulationfeelthattheyreceivetheirdueshareinequitablemanner.

Keeptheorphansengaged(inwalksoflife)Untiltheyreachageofmarriage(puberty)ThenifyoufindthemofsoundjudgementDeliveruntothemtheir(shareofthe)propertyAnddevouritnotbysquandering(Anddonot)spenditinhaste(fearing)ThattheymaynotgrowupquicklyWhoso(oftheguardians)isrichLethimabstaingenerously(fromtakingexpensesincurred)AndwhosoispoorLethimtakewithinreasons(forguardianship)AndwhenyoudeliveruptheirfortuneHaveit(thetransactionwitnessedIntheirpresence.AllahisenoughasaReckoner.

(AlNisa4:6)

Lookingafterandbringinguporphansisthetestofthesoundnessorotherwiseofasociety.ThosewhobelieveinAlmightyAllahandfeartheDayofReckoninghaveitingrainedinthemtoshowextrabenevolencetoorphansandtheneedyandactaccordingtotheDictatesofAllah.

AndapproachnowealthoftheorphansExceptthatwhichisbetterTillhereachmaturity.

(Alinaam6:153)

ThisOrderisrepeatedinanotherAyahandinadditiononeisremindedofthefactthatwhenapersonundertakestolookafteranorphanhedoesitunderanexpresswordoffaithandfulfillmentofpromisessoimportantforthehealthyupholdingofasocietyinwhichitsmembercantrustandplanonthefulfillmentofpromises.ThisOrderisrepeatedinclearestpossibleword:

ApproachnotthewealthoftheorphanExceptwiththatwhichisbetterTillhereachmaturityAndkeepthecovenantLo!Ofthecovenantitwillbeasked.



(AlAsraa17:34)

Imagineasocietyinwhichapromisedoesnotmatter.Howcantheaffairsofsuchagroupofpersonarrivefinalisation.Theaffairsofdaytoday,nayaffairsofmomenttomomentwillnotreachfinalisationifpeopleofthatgroupdonotabidebywhattheypromiseandarenotcertainthatpromisesbeingmadetothemwillbefulfilled.Therearegravematters,andhavetobeapproachedassuch.

Nay,but(thechosenofAllahie)hewhofilfilethThepledgehehathmadeAndwardethoff(evil)ForLo!Allahlovesthosewhowardoff(evil)

(AaleImran3:76)

AndagainHeCommandstoHisservants:

OyewhobelieveFulfilyourundertakings.

(AlMaeda5:1)

Anidealsocietycanonlybecreatedwhenitsindividualstandbytheirwordasamatterofhonourandlifeanddeath.Manisremindedthatinthelongrunewhofulfilshispromisesistheonewhoiswise.Heestablishesareputationofbeingabovepettybehaviourandcanberelieduponatalltimestostandbyhisword

Onlymenofunderstandingheed.(19)SucharethepeopleWhofulfilthePacewithAllahAnddonotbreakthecovenant.(20)

Allahcertifiesthatwhatevermanhasbeensayingwillbefulfilled.UpholdingofapromiseisaCharacteristicofthehonourable.PromisemadebyHimwillsurelybefulfilled.Hisservantsareexpectedtostandbytheirpromises.

SurelythatwhichyearepromisedWillbefall.

(AlMurselat77:7)

Oneformofpromisesiswhensaleandpurchasetakesplace.Thesellerundertakestosellacertainweightorlengthofanitem,inreturnforacertainamountofmoneyinexchange.Ifheunderweighsheisbreakinghispromise.Wearetoldthatsocietiesinbygonedaysdisappearedbecausetheydidnotgiveproperweightsandmeasures.AllahhasOrdainedinclearWordsofHis:

AndobservethemeasurestrictlyNeverfallshortthereoff.

(AlRehman55:9)

Andnevergiveshortmeasure,andshortweightsIseeyouwelltodo(flourishing)



Andlo!Ifearforyou(thewelltodoareapttogoastray)ThedoomofabesettingDay.(84)Omypeople!GivefullmeasureandfullweightinjusticeAndwrongnotpeopleinrespectoftheirgoods.Anddonotdoevilintheearth,Causingcorruption.

(Hood11:84:85)

Ifwecorruptthesocietyitwillrepurcatebackonusinsomeformorother.Howshortsightedmanis.Hcheat'stobecheatedbyothersinreturn.HoweasyandsimpleisthePathofAllah.Ithasnoblindcorners.Itdoesnotleadtopetsandthornypaths.ItislightedbytheCountenanceofAllahHimselfifonlywedecidetobeguidedbytheinnerlightlightbestowedbyAllahhimself

ButtoreachthestraightPathweneedBeliefinAllahthatHealoneisSovereignPowerintheuniverse,thatHisLawsalonebeobeyed,thatHisLawsaloneareeternalandthatHewellbetheMasteroftheDayofReckoningwhichhastocome.Withoutbeliefmanisanemptyshell.

ThesearethepeopleWhoseHeartsfearWhenAllahismentionedAndwhateverbefallsthemTheybearitwithpatienceAndwhoestablishprayerAndwhospendofthatWehavebestowedonthem

(AlHajj22:35)

AndwhentheyspendofwhatAllahhasbestowedonthemtheydonotdiscardthevaluelessitemsbutselectofwhattheylikebestinthenameofAllahbecauseAllahisMostbeautifulandgivestomanofHisbest.

YewillnotattaintopietyUntilyespendofthatwWhichyeloveAndwhatsoeveryespendAllahisawarethereof

(AaleImran3:92)

InanotherplaceHesays:

AndbebenevolentAllahloveththebeeficent

(AlBabrah2:195)

BecauseHeisMostBeneficentHimself.AllahwillshowHisBlessingsonasocietyofbenevolentmenandwomen.



Muslimshavebeentoldtowishoneanotherpeacewhentheyenterahouse.Itcreatesfriendlyfeelingtowardsoneanother,Particularlybecauseitis"agreetingfromAllahblessedandsweet."

Whenyeenterhouses,SaluteoneanotherWithagreetingfromAllahBlessedandsweet.ThusAllahmakesHisrevelationforyou,Thathaplyyoumayunderstand.

(AlNoor24:61)

Whenoutofthehousetheyareequallyniceandfriendlytooneanother.Menandwomenalike.Theyarepeoplewhodonotstareatpassersbywhethermaleorfemaleandtheywalkwitheyescastdown.Theyareadvisedtolookaftertheireyes,thewindowsofthesoul.

TellthebelievingmentolomentogazeAndbemodest.Thatispurerforthem.Lo!Allahisawareofwhattheydo.(30)AndtellthebelievingwomentolowertheirgazeAndbemodestAndtodisplayoftheirornamentsOnlythatwhichisapparentAndtodrawtheirveilovertheirbosom

(AlShoora24:3031)

ThecompleteAyahneedsattentiononthissubjectbothbytheholdersofconservativeviewsandthoseholdingviewsotherwise.ItishoweverimportanttoseethatdifferenceofviewsistoleratedandindiscussionthedirectionscontainedinQuranareobservedsincerely.

CalluntothewayofthyLordWithwisdomandfairexaltationAndreasonwiththeminthebetterwayLo!ThyLordisbestawareofhimWhostrayethfromHisway.AndHeisbestAwareofthosewhogoastray

(AlNahal16:125)

Humanbeingsareweak.Manhasgreatcapabilitiesbutattimesheshowsweakness.Hisweaknessmustbekeptinmind

AllahdesirestolightenyourburdenFormanwascreatedweak.

(AlNisa4:28)

Thereforemanhastoberemindedagainandagain.KeeppeopleawareoftheirdutiestoAllahandtofellowmenandwomenbecauseafterbeliefitisactionsthatcount.



Andwarn(remind)Forwarning(remindingprofitsbelievers

(AlZariat51:55)

Theprophet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)wastoldthathisdutywastoconveytheMessageandnomoreHewasnottobeheldresponsibleforthemisdeedofpeople.

Thineisbutconveyance(ofthemessage)Oursthereckoning.

(AlRaad13:40)

Dowerealisetheextentofreckoningawaitingus.

AllahdesirestheformationofawellknitandhappysocietynotthroughspeechbutthroughactionHehaswarnedthatmereverbalacceptanceofIslamisnotenough.Hehasemphasizedactionas"Righteousaction".Itisactionwhichwillcountatthetimeofreckoningandmerewordswillnotcountunlesstheyhaveresultedingoodandrighteousactiononsomebodiespart.

Oyewhobelieve!Whysayyethingswhichyedonot

(AlSaff61:2)

Thesocietyrevolvesonthepivotalpositionheldbyahousehold.Parentsarethevocalpointofafamily.Greatstresshasbeenlaidonduerespecttobeofferedtothem.Theemphasisonrespectofparentscanbejudgedwithitsfrequenciesandthefarmingofthecommandment.Forinstanceitsays:

AndLordhasdecreedThatyeworshipnonesaveHimAnd(thatyeshow)kindnesstoparentsIfoneofthemorbothattaintooldagewiththeeSaynot"fie"untothem,Norrepulsethem,Butspeakuntothemagraciousword.(24)AndloweruntothemthewingofsubmissionThroughmercyAndsay,MyLord!HavemercyonthembothAstheydidcareformewhenIwaslittle

(AlAsraa17:2324)

TheseinstructionsmusthavebeencontainedinearlierCodesofLawaswellbecausewithloveandrespectforparentsnosocietycancontinuehealthyandrobuststructure.Ifmankindhasdeviatedfromthisbasicprincipleitwillfindthatitisunhappytothatextent.Allahremindsinthesewords:AndWeenjoineduponmankind

ConcerninghisparentsHismotherbearethhiminweaknessuponweaknessAndhisweaningfortwoyears



GivethanksUntomeanduntothyparentsUntomeisthejorneying.

InboththeseCommandmenttheparentshavebeenmentionedalongwithprayerstoAllah.HowhighthepositionandstatureofparentinasocietybasedonobeyiencetoAllahandrespectfulloveforone'sparents.EvenifparentshavenotembracedIslam,duerespecthastobegiventothem.

ParentsholdaspeciallyreveredpositioninthefamilyandIslamordersMuslimstocontinuegivingtherespect,honourandlovewhichmankindhasrenderedthroughtheagesandrejectthefreeforallandshortsightedungodlyphilosophiesofmodernage.

IslamwhichexpectsMuslimstopaybackevilwithkindnessandgoodcouldnothaveignoredadvising,andinfact,orderingMuslimstoshowkindnesstoparentseventhoughtheymaynothaveacceptedIslam.

RepelevilwiththatWhichisbetter.Wearebestawarewhichtheyallege.(96)Andsay:MyLord!IseekrefugeinTheeFromsuggestionsoftheevilones

(AlMoemenoon23:9697)

Allahcommandsthatifyourenemiesdesistfrommischieftheyshouldbepardonedexcepthewarmongerswhowereguiltyofcruelacts.

IftheydesistThenlettherebenorevengeExceptagainstguiltyofcruelty.

(AlBaqarah2:193)

Inotherplace,addressingMuhammad,theProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)AllahhasCommanded:

Andlo!Thehourissurelycoming,Soforgive,OMuhammadWithgraciousforgiveness.

(AlHajar15:85)

TheMuslimshavetoobeysuchanorderevenwithgreatercarethanifitwasgivenasageneralorderandMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)wasnotdirectlyspecified.Andweknowthatheforgavehisenemiesagainandagain.ThisthemeisthedominantthemeofQuran.AllahCommandsinanotherplaceasunder:

Keeptoforgiveness(OMuhammad)Andenjoinkindness,Andturnawayfromtheignorant.

(AlAaraf7:199)



Itclearlydenotesthatunkindness,mischiefandcrueltyaretheresultofignorance.ThedistinctivecharacteristicofaMuslimsocietyshouldbelove,kindnessandforgiveness.Thesequalities,intheendmakeasocietywellknit,strongandleadingahappylife,andnotthelifeofignorance.

Thesearedirectionsfortheestablishmentofawellknit,friendlyandlovingsocietyformedbyuprightselfrespectingindividualswhoshuneviltopleasetheirLordandinreturnaregivencontentedhappinessinthedaytodaylifeofthismundaleworld.TheinternalsmoothandpeacefulmorallifeofaMuslimsocietyissoimportantthatitsindividualsareadvisedtoavoidgivingnamestooneanotherwhichmayhurtthemintheslightest.

OyewhobelieveLetnotafolkdirideWhomaybebetterthanthey.

(AlHajarat49:11)

Asocietywhichrelaxesitsholdonbehaviourofindividualsbecomesapreytosuspicionsresultinginpettyquarrelsleadingtobloodshedandeventualdisruption.Itis,therefore,Commanded:

Oyewhobelieve!ShunmuchsuspicionForsomesuspicionsisacrime.AndspynotNeitherbackbiteoneanother.WouldoneofyouLovetoeatthefleshofhisdeadbrother?Andkeepyourduty(toAllah)Lo!AllahisRelenting,Merciful.

(AlHajarat49:12)

Selfishnessandprideleadtosuchbasecharacteristics.Bothhavetobeavoidedifahappyandcontentedsocialstructureistoemerge.Highideals,freeofpettymindednessalonecanbuildaviableandlastingsocialstructure.

ThefollowingVerseneedstobekeptinmindatalltime.Omankind!Lo!ThepromiseofAllahistrueSoletnotthelifeoftheworldbeguileyouAndletnotthe(avowed)beguilerBuguileyouwithregardtoAllah.

(Fatir.35:5)

Because:

EverysoulwilltasteofdeathAndyewillbepaidontheDayofResurrectionOnlythatwhichyehavefairlyearnedWhosoisremovedfromthefireAndismadetoenterParadise,Heindeedistriumphant.



Thelifeofthisworldisbutcomfortofillusion.QAaleImran3:185Theevilspirit,Satanistheretomisleadonly.AndSatanpromiseththemonlytobeguile.

(AlNisa4:120)

Manwillearntherewardofhisdeeds.Thereisnodoubtaboutit.Hemayhavebeenmadeoutofclay,nodoubt,butthisisnottheendofhislife.Thesecondphase,themoreimportantwhenhetakespositionbehindthecurtainofdeath.His"fairearnings",intheshapeofhowhehelpedingivingpeaceandhappinesstothesocietyinwhichhewasplaced.Thiswillbethecriteriaofjudginghisactions.ManisexpectedbyAllahto:

Establishprayer,AndpayZakatAndwhateverofgoodyesendbefore(you)Foryoursouls,YewillfinditwithAllahLo!AllahisSeerofwhatyedo

(AlBakaral2:110)

Aquestionisoftenaskedastohowmuchdistributionofwealthmustbeundertaken.AprinciplehasbeenestablishedthatwhathasnotbeenusedorconsumedforayearmustbesubjecttoZakat,whichis21/2%.Thismeansthatanomamentofgoldorsilverifretainedfor40yearsmustbesubjecttoitsequalvaluethroughZakat.Relicsofgrandmothersmusthavepaidmanytimestheirvaluewhenretainedfortwoorthreegenerations.Similarlyquestionsareaskedastohowmuchshouldbespentforgooddeeds.Theansweris.

Theyaskthe(OMuhammad)Whattheyshallspend(Ongooddeeds)Say:Thatwhichyespendforgood(mustinclude)ToparentsandnearkindredandorphansandtheneedyAndthewayfarer.AndwhatevergoodyoudoLo!AllahisAwareofit.

(AlBaqara2:215)

Butyoudonothavetomakepublicknowledgeofthegooddeedsyoudo.Youareatlibertytodoasyoulike.

IfyoudogoodopenlyOrkeepitsecretOrforgiveevil,Lo!AllahisforgivingPowerful.

(AlNisa4:149)

Gooddeedsaretobeencouragedagreatdeal.Asamatteroffact,atrulyMuslimsocietycomesintoexistenceonlyifeveryindividualmakesefforttosupportothersingooddeeds.



WealthandchildrenareAnornamentoflifeoftheworldButthegoodswhichendureArebetterinthyLord'ssightforrewardAndbetterinrespectoflife.

(AlKahaf18:46)

ThetypeofactionsthatareprohibitedinanIslamicsocietyarethosewhichareliabletohurtothers.Islam,asthenamedevotesmeanssubmissiontotheWillofAllah.AllahDesiresthatHisCreationofExcellence,shouldliveinpeaceandcontinuetogainknowledge,particularlyknowledgewhichwillleadtomasteryovermatter.Matter,infact,allmatter,hasbeenplacedathisdisposal.Itisforhimtoattainit.Thiscanbeattainedonlywhenpeacereigns.

AllahitisWhohathmadeTheseaofservicetoyouThattheshipmayrunthereonByHiscommand,AndthatyemayseekofHisbounty,Andthathaplyyemaybethankful(12)Andwhatsoeverisintheearth,ItisallfromHis.Lo!HereinareportentsForpeoplewhoreflect.

(AlJathia45:1213)

ThosewhodonotbelieveinthelifetocomeshouldnotbeignoredbuttheydeserveaprayertoAllah,toleadthemtotherightpath.

TellthosewhobelieveToforgivethosewhohopenotForthedaysofAllah:InorderthatHemayrequitefolkWhattheyusedtoearn.

(AlJathia45:14)

Butwhentryingtobringpeopletotherightpath,thosethathavegoneastray,rememberthatinthematterofreligion(Deeniewayoflife)nopressureorforcecanbeused.IslamisaWayoflife,completeinitself.Islamhastobelivedandnotmerelyacceptedverbally.Awayoflifewhichhastobeobservedunderallconditionsofwakingperiodofdayandnightcannotbeandshouldnotbeforcedonaselfrespectinghumanbeing.WearetoldtoenterIslaminOnecompletewhole.

Oyouwhobelieve!CameintoIslamcompletelyAndfollownotthefootstepsOftheSatanLo!heisanavowedenemyofyours.

(AlBaqarah2:208)



Whenentryintothiswayoflifeisacompleteentrythenitshouldavoluntaryentry.HencetheCommandment:

Thereisnocompulsioninreligion.TherightdirectionishenceforthdistinctfromerrorAndhewhorejectethfalsedietiesAndbelievethinAllahHathgraspedafirmhandleholdWhichwillneverbreak.Allahishearer,Knower.

(AlBaqarah2:256)

AssuchwhatwouldbethebenefitofbringingpeoplebypressureandforceintoIslam.ThedecisiontoacceptIslamasaWayofLifefortheremainingperiodofone'(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)existenceonthisplanetcannotbemadeasamatterofjest.Itisaseriousaffairaffectingeverwakingandsleepingmomentofaperson'slife.

Say:Lo!AsformeMyLordhathguidedmeUntothestraightpathArightreligion,(wayofLife)TheMillah(communitysociety)ofIbrahim(Abraham)Theupright,whowasnotanidolater.

(AlAnaam6:162)

IneffectitmeansthattheLordhasguidedtheapplicanttothatcommunitywhichbelievesthattheirLordissoMagnanimousthatforeverygooddeedherepaystenfoldandheissomercifulthatforbaddeedshepunishesonefoldandassuresthesinnerthathewillbewronged.

WhosobringethagooddeedWillreceivetenfoldthelikethereof,WhilewhosobringethanilldeedWillbeawardedbutthelikethereof:Andtheywillnotbewronged.

(AlAnaam6:161)

AssaidearlierthemanorwomanwhoelectstobeaMuslimsurrenderscompletelytoTheWillofAllah.EverymomentofhislifeistobecontrolledandguidedbytheQuranicCode.HeisCommandedtosay:

Say:Lo!myworshipandmysacrificeAndmy(saytoday)living(theentirelife)Andmydying(thecauseforwhichIwilllaydownmylife)Are(all)forAllah,LordoftheWorlds.

(AlAnaam6:163)

Aperson,whoacceptsIslamunderpressureorthroughfearofdeathwillnotbeabletostandupto



thehardandrigorouslifeofaMuslimwhohastobeeverreadytomakesacrificesincludingthesacrificeoflifesmilingly.

ThatpreciselywouldbethereasonwhytheProphetofAllah(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)agreedtotheclausewhichstipulatedthatifMakkanyouthwenttoMadinaandacceptedIslamwithoutpermissionofhisguardianhewillnotbereturnedtoMakkahbutifaMuslimyouthofMadinaabrogatedIslamandwenttoMakkahtojointheQurayshandlivewiththemhewillnotbereturnedtohisguardian.ThephilosophybehindthisseeminglyderogatoryclausewasthataMakkanyouthwillremainaMuslimevenifhewastakenbacktoMakkahbyhisguardianandunderwentgreathardship.AsforasthecaseofaMuslimyouthtakingprotectioninMakkawasconsidereditamountedtoacontradictioninterms.NoMuslimyouthwaslikelytoabrogateIslamandnonedidso.ThereforetheClausedidnotproveofanyadvantagetotheMakkansandtheythemselvesrequesteditsremovalfromthePeaceTreatyofHudaybia.

SummingupFormationofIslamicSocietybasedonQuraniccommandmentsofAlmightyAllah,wasundertakenbyMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)afterhemigratedtoMadina.Itisreportedthat,aftertheconquestofMakkahandtheBattleofHunain,whensomepeoplethoughtthathemaymovetheHeadQuarterofhisStatetoMakka,heallayedtheirfearssayingthatMakkahasitsownimportancebutHijrahhasspecialsignificanceintheschemeofthings(orwords)tothateffect).ThepointthatneedsbeingbroughtoutisthatinspiteoftheimportanceofMakkahandthefactthatQuranstartedbeingrevealedwhiletheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)stillresidedthereandthefactofconfermentofProphethoodinthatcity,thesocietybasedonDivineCommandmentswasestablishedpracticallyinMadinaEventsofLifeofProphetMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)takeimportanceonlywhenviewedinthelightofLawRevealedatMadina.IslamicShariahexceptBeliefinOneAllahismainlyconfinedtoMadinaperiodandthiswefeelenhancestheimportanceofHijrahintheseerah"LifeHistory"ofMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam).TheLastProphetwhoputasealtotheCodeofGuidanceforhumanityfortheperiodoftheirexistenceonEarth.IfaquestionisaskedastowhatisthecriteriaofanIslamicSociety,theansweristhatunlessasocietyinitscommunallife,followsthepatternsetbyTheSeerahoftheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)duringhislifeinMadina,asocietydoesnotqualifytobecalledMuslimsociety.

Itwasthissociety,createdbyMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)atMadina,whichboretheburdenofalongdrawntotalwaragainstheavyodds.ItwasthemenandwomenofMadina,whoinspiteofwavererslivingwithinMadinarosetotheoccasionandacceptedthechallengetomeettheQurayshofMakka,inspiteofinferiorityinnumbersandnoweaponsworththename.

Itwasthemenandwomen,theproductoftheseCommandmentsofAllah,whowithstoodtheentireArmedforcesofArabia'sConfederacyandforcedthemtoabandontheirsiegeanddeparttotheirvariousabodesspreadoutoverentireArabia.

Itwasasocietybroughtintoexistencebypeacefulpersonalexamplewhichborethefinancialburdenofovernineyearswarandatthesametimecarriedontheburdenofinneradministrationthroughoutthisperiodwithoutoneinstanceofcomplainingabouttherigorsofwartimescarcity.BrothersandsistersthisisbriefsummingupofAllah'sCommandmentswhichwhenfollowedbringintoexistencethemannerofsocietywhichMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)wasabletocreate.Weneedtoemulatehismethodsofpreaching,hismannerofapproachtocomplicatedproblemsandhislovingformofleadershipofhard,sincereandhonestmenandwomenofboththecityandthedesert.

LifeofMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)duringthetimethathebroughtabouttheIdealIslamicSocietyatMadinaisafascinatinglifestoryboundedbyCommandmentofAlmightyAllahboth



duringpeaceandwar.Itisauniquelife,fulloflessonsfortherulerandtheruled,therichandthepoor,thefarmerandthemerchantandtheteacherandthetaught.WehopetobeputtingbeforeourbrothersandsistersglimpsesofthislifeinourfuturesnumberswiththehopethatgroupsofMillahspreadalongthesurfaceoftheGlobewilltrytoemulatethislifeofwhichhasbeensaidinQuran:

VerilyintheMessengerofAllahyehaveagoodexampleForhimwholookethatAllahAndtheLastDay,AndrememberethAllahmuch.

(AlAhzab33:21)

NOTES

1. IbneIshaq,TheLifeofMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam),EnglishTranslationbyAGuillaume,OxfordUniversityPress,Karachi,1968,p.146

2. Ibidp.221.3. Ibidp.152.4. Ibidp.213.5. Ibidp.222.6. Ibidp.231233.7. ForaFullerdiscussionseeauthorsbook"Muhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)andhis

ConstituionalCharter".InstituteofIslamicCultureLahoreandPapBoardPrinters(Pvt.)Ltd.,Rawalpindi.

8. SeeVerses.9. Thissubjectwillbedealtwithingreaterdetailatanothertime.

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