Concepts clarified in the Quran - 1

Concepts clarified in the Quran -I

The role of the Quran in shaping the Muslim personality: The treasures of the Quran are hidden and buried as far as many Muslims are concerned, as they have not yet discovered these precious treasures that Allaah has placed in it.
Besides the fact that a Muslim is rewarded for reciting the Quran and applying its rulings, it is also the case that the Quran explains and clarifies the correct way to understand many concepts that people have misperceived or misinterpreted. For example, it expounds upon the reality of the concept of loyalty and disavowal, the concept of worship, the concept of the conflict between the truth and falsehood, and many other concepts which all Muslims must correctly understand and realise.
The great treasures in the Quran: Some people seek to attain the reward of reciting the Quran, others memorise its verses in order to attain the reward of such memorisation, while others recite it to taste the sweetness that the soul feels during this. There are others who recite it in order to search for the lofty manners it calls the people to possess, and yet others who recite the Quran in order to find therein solutions to their social or economic problems.
These are all important matters and one must seek to attain all the abovementioned goals and many more, but what is more important than that is for one to recite it in order to extract the great principles that mould the individual’s character and aid in correctly nurturing him.
Many people recite the Quran hastily, or pass over its verses quickly without pondering over their meaning.
The Quran is of great importance due to many more reasons than those we mentioned above, and which the Muslims must realise and have clear in their minds. I will try to highlight in this sermon some of these concepts that are instilled in the Quran, so that perhaps we may realise the importance of pondering upon the Quran.
The concept of worship and seeking assistance: If one ponders over the saying of Allaah (which means): “It is You we worship and You we ask for assistance.” [Quran 1: 5] He will realise that it means that worship and seeking assistance are exclusively for Allaah, and this is the real essence of servitude to Allaah. One must wonder when he recites this verse, which we do more than seventeen times daily, why worship is designated solely to Allaah, and likewise seeking assistance. This concept must be clear in our minds: that only Allaah is to be worshipped; not wealth, not position, not other people, not man-made laws, or anything else. We must submit our wills solely to Allaah and humble ourselves only to Him. Also, we must seek only His assistance as a sign of perfect servitude because regardless of how powerful human forces are, they remain very limited, while the power of Allaah is ultimate and unlimited as He is the All-Powerful and the Irresistible.
The concept of abiding by the commands of Allaah and hastening to fulfil them: The Quran emphasises on the great importance and the compulsion of adhering to the commands of Allaah and not transgressing or disobeying His command. The Jews were commanded by Allaah to prostrate, as Allaah Says (what means): “…And enter the gate bowing humbly…” [Quran 2: 58] What did they do instead of adhering to this command? They entered on their buttocks and therefore opposed the command of Allaah. Therefore, anyone who tries to alter the commands of Allaah and applies what his desires are dictating to him resembles these people.
Furthermore, one must hasten in fulfilling the commands of Allaah and not act like the Jews did when Allaah commanded them to slaughter a cow; they kept asking for finer details regarding the type of cow to slaughter while slaughtering any cow would have done. Many Muslims follow in the footsteps of these deviants by inventing obstacles that would cause them to not fulfil certain commands that do not happen to coincide with their desires, and this is nothing but following the whispers of Satan.
The concept of being distinct in worship: Muslims must be distinct and not resemble the disbelievers in any of their acts of worship or religious rites. In the early stages of Islam, the Muslims would direct themselves towards Al-Aqsaa mosque in Jerusalem in prayer, but they were later commanded to direct themselves towards the Ka’bah in Makkah in order to differ from the disbelievers.
The concept of people’s ranks: Allaah Says (what means): “And it is not your wealth or your children that bring you nearer to Us in position, but it is [by being] one who has believed and done righteousness…” [Quran 34: 37]
Allaah also Says (what means): “…Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allaah is the most righteous of you…” [Quran49: 13]
It is very important for us to know this rule of how people are measured according to the scale of Allaah. How do people become loftier than others? How does one possess a higher rank than others? What are the criteria used to judge this issue? The Quran establishes that no worldly matter is of any effect in this regard and that it is solely based on matters related to the religion of Allaah. When Allaah favoured Taaloot and chose him to rule over the children of Israel, they objected and judged the matter with a worldly scale: they protested that he was not rich, as Allaah informs us when He Says (what means): “…They said: 'How can he have kingship over us while we are more worthy of kingship than him and he has not been given any measure of wealth?'...” [Quran 2: 247] But Allaah immediately highlights the correct criteria of judging in the very same verse, saying (what means): “He said: 'Indeed, Allaah has chosen him over you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature…'” [Quran 2: 247] Therefore, knowledge and a strong body that enabled him to fight the enemies of Allaah are what made him deserving of this rank, and both these qualities are matters that are connected to the religion: one is knowledge regarding it, while the other is the ability to defend and proliferate it.

Concepts clarified in the Quran -2

The concept of the conflict between the followers of truth and those of falsehood: This conflict can only be to the advantage of the Muslims if their ranks are cleared of hypocrites and those of weak faith. If any believing group wishes to attain victory from Allaah, then it must fulfil the requirements of victory as Allaah explains to us in the following story (which means): “…'Indeed, Allaah will be testing you with a river. So whoever drinks from it is not of me, and whoever does not taste it is indeed of me, except one who takes [from it] in the hollow of his hand'…” [Quran 2: 249] What happened? Many people failed the test and the ranks were therefore cleared of those who were weak in faith. Only the true believers, who had strong faith, remained with him as told in the remainder of the verse; Allaah Says (what means): “…But they drank from it, except a [very] few of them. Then when he had crossed it along with those who believed with him, they said: 'There is no power for us today against Jaaloot [Goliath] and his soldiers.' But those who were certain that they would meet Allaah said: 'How many a small company has overcome a large company by permission of Allaah…'" [Quran 2: 249] Note that the words of those who did not drink, not even a handful, were firm and that it was to these people that victory came. Allaah Says after this (what means): “So they defeated them by permission of Allaah…” [Quran 2: 251]
The conflict between the followers of the truth and those of falsehood is what causes the victory from Allaah to descend as well as strengthening the Muslims and initiating Jihaad. Additionally, the ranks of the believers could never be distinguished without such a conflict, and nor would the Muslims receive any practical cultivation without it.
It is the way of Allaah that the disbelievers temporarily overcome the Muslims, so that the Muslims can rearrange their ranks, purify themselves and work on building and strengthening their faith. It is after this that Allaah chooses those who are worthy for martyrdom and grants the believers victory over the disbelievers, as they then become worthy of such victory.
The concept of debate: The Quran teaches us how to debate with our enemies and how to present evidences. Many enemies of Islam use debating in order to cast doubts and spread false information about Islam. Allaah presents to us the following debate (which means): “Have you not considered the one who argued with Ibraaheem about his Lord [merely] because Allaah had given him kingship? When Ibraaheem said: 'My Lord is The One Who gives life and causes death,' he said: 'I give life and cause death'…” [Quran 2: 258] This man then brought forth a person and killed him, and then commanded that a man who was sentenced to death be freed, demonstrating by this ridiculous example that he had therefore granted life and caused death. Thereupon, Prophet Ibraaheem threw him another challenge which stunned him; Allaah Says in continuation of the same verse (what means): “…Ibraaheem said: 'Allaah brings up the sun from the east, so bring it up from the west.' So the disbeliever was overwhelmed [by astonishment], and Allaah does not guide the wrongdoing people.” [Quran 2: 258]
The concept of the reality of the worldly life and its value: The Quran confirms the real value of this life and its reality and essence in many verses; Allaah Says (what means): “Whatever you have will end, but what Allaah has is lasting…” [Quran 16: 96] When one reads this, which of the two would he naturally choose?
The concept of loyalty and disavowal: Loyalty to the believers is manifested in the saying of Allaah(which means): “Let not believers take disbelievers as allies [i.e. supporters or protectors] rather than believers. And whoever [of you] does that has nothing [i.e. no association] with Allaah…” [Quran 3: 28] Would one befriend the disbelievers after this? Would he support them? Would he feel compassion towards them? Would he socialise with them? Would he join forces with them against his Muslim brothers?
The concept of loving the Prophet : Loving the Prophet is not a mere claim; Allaah Says (what means): “Say, [O Muhammad]: 'If you should love Allaah, then follow me, [so] Allaah will love you…” [Quran 3: 31]
The claim of loving the Prophet is therefore not to be accepted from one who acts in contradiction to his Sunnah. This concept is not clear in the minds of many, who seem to believe that this love is merely a claim while their conduct with their families, business partners and so on, as well as their outward appearance opposes that of the Prophet , which is a clear contradiction and misconception.
The concept of the comprehensiveness of Islam: Many people erroneously believe that adhering to the religion is satisfied by the limited performance of certain acts of worship, and that as soon as they step out of the mosque for example, they can deal with others in any wicked way they choose. These people thereby rid themselves of their religion, but Allaah refutes this attitude by saying (what means): “Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allaah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveller, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; and [who] establishes prayer and gives Zakaah; [those who] fulfil their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.” [Quran 2: 177]
The concept of exposing the plans of the disbelievers: The disbelievers endeavour to divert the Muslims from their religion and use extremely evil methods in order to cause us to have doubts or misgivings towards it; Allaah Says (what means): “And a fraction of the People of the Scripture say [to each other]: 'Believe in that which was revealed to the believers at the beginning of the day and reject it at its end that perhaps they will return [i.e. abandon their religion].'” [Quran 3: 72] Just look at how evil their plan is! They would even pretend to embrace Islam and then leave it so that people, including some simpleminded Muslims, would think that there is a problem or defect with the religion and therefore shun it, or at least develop misgivings regarding it. The Quran exposes these people's plans so that we can counter them.

Concepts Clarified in the Quran -III

The concept that the future belongs to the Muslims: Allaah will certainly make this religion prevail and grant the Muslims victory over the disbelievers, even if after a while. Allaah Says (which means): “They want to extinguish the light of Allaah with their mouths, but Allaah will perfect his light, although the disbelievers dislike it. It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, although those who associate others with Allaah dislike it.” [Quran 61: 8-9]
Muslims nowadays are in dire need of understanding this concept. We must firmly believe that despite our current weakness, Islam will prevail and be victorious. This concept gives hope to the hearts of the believers, especially when one reads the saying of the Prophet : “A group from (among) my nation will continue to be upon the truth supported by Allaah; they will continue to fight Jihaad until the advent of the Hour.” We ask Allaah to make us from them.
The concept of Unity: This is a concept that The Quran emphasises upon; it commands the Muslims not to disunite and become scattered groups; Allaah Says (what means): “And hold firmly to the rope of Allaah all together and do not become divided…” [Quran 3: 103]
Where do the Muslims of our era stand in terms of this divine command? They have disunited and become scattered groups, to the point that the common Muslims cannot recognise where the truth is anymore. How can the Muslims unite? What will unite them? The only thing that will unite them is their collectively holding on to the Bond of Allaah, His Book (i.e. the Quran), His commands, and His religion. Any attempt to unite on any basis other than the religion of Allaah will be fruitless and people will not attain the sought victory, because Allaah only aids those who unite on the basis of His religion.
The concept of superiority: Allaah Says (which means): “You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allaah…” [Quran 3: 110] How did our nation become the finest and most superior? It was through it enjoining good and forbidding evil. If we fail to do this then we can no longer count ourselves as a part of this superior nation as this superiority is not granted simply for being a member of this nation. Rather, we must fulfil the conditions of being superior.
This superiority is mentioned in different verses to reflect another concept; Allaah Says
(what means): “So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers.” [Quran 3: 139] Meaning that we are superior when we adhere to our religion and its teachings; we are superior with the faith that Allaah blessed us with; we are superior due to our adhering to the Sunnah of our Prophet ; we are superior by persevering in our adherence to the Quran and the Sunnah.
The concept of not being attached to individuals: One must not be attached to individuals, regardless who they are. Instead one must attach himself to the religion only, because those attached to individuals usually give up their convictions with the death of the ones to whom they are attached, while those attached to the religion remain steadfast even with the deaths of those who introduced the religion to them and whom they love dearly; Allaah Says (what means): “Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]?...” [Quran 3: 144] If this is regarding the Prophet then it is certainly more applicable with respect to anyone else.
The concept of having to face harm from the disbelievers: We must realise that the disbelievers will afflict us with numerous and varied types of harm; Allaah Says (what means): “You will certainly be tested in your possessions and in yourselves. And you will surely hear from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those who associate others with Allaah much abuse. But if you are patient and fear Allaah – indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of determination.” [Quran 3: 186] Therefore, the harm that they afflict us with is physical, financial and psychological, but what is the cure and way out? Allaah gives us the cure at the conclusion of the verse, namely, perseverance and piety. If we do not have these then we will not be able to stand their afflictions, nor will we be able to confront them.
The concept of referring to the Quran and the Sunnah for judgement: This must be applied to all our affairs and disputes; Allaah Says ( what means): “But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.” [Quran 4: 65]
Disputes and disagreements amongst the Muslims have increased, and thus the need for applying this concept is needed more than ever. Even in matters of jurisprudence, the common people have become very confused due to hearing different opinions regarding the same issue.
What is the solution to this confusion and disputation? It is in the saying of Allaah (which means): “…And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allaah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allaah and the Last Day…” [Quran 4: 59]
Finally, the solution for all our problems is found in the Quran and all we need to do is to adhere to it, correctly understand the concepts in it, and apply them and inculcate them in practical life.

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