Friday Nasiha

Al Hajj (The Pilgrimage)
Chapter 22: Verse 31

Whoso ascribes Divinity to aught beside Allah, it is as though he fell down from the sky whereafter either the birds will snatch him away, or the wind will sweep him to a distant place.

Commentary:

The word sky in this parable stands for the natural state of man wherein he is the servant of none except God and his nature recognizes no other doctrine than this ie. the doctrine of pure monotheism.

When a man embraces the guidance brought by the Prophets, it helps him adhere to monotheism on the grounds of knowledge and sound insight and this carries him to even greater heights. On the other hand, when someone embraces polytheism or atheism, he falls away from this natural state and is then confronted with either of the following two situations:

• First, that Satan and those who are out to misguide others, those who are metaphorically called 'birds' in the above account, pounce upon him, each trying to snatch him away.
• Second, that he is carried to and fro by his lusts, emotions and fancies, all of which are likened in the above verse to the wind, with the result that he is ultimately hurled into some abysmal ditch.

The word sahiq used here is derived from the root s-h-q which signifies 'to grind'. A place can be termed as sahiq, if it is so deep that anything that falls into it is reduced to particles. Here, a depraved state of thought and action is likened to a ditch, where he who falls in is blown to pieces.

[compiled from "Towards Understanding the Quran" by Sayyid Abul Ala Mawdudi, Vol 6, p. 33]

Seeking Guidance

It is narrated by Abu Musa that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

"The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain-water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain- water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, (making their animals drink from it) and to irrigate the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then the land was of no benefit).

The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's Religion and gets benefit from the knowledge which Allah has revealed through me and learns and then teaches it to others. The (last example is that of a) person who does not care for it and does not take Allah's Guidance revealed through me (He is like the barren land.)"

[Bukhari]

Human Rights, Democracy and Freedom

Revelations on dubious procedures and corruption in the political quarters of the USA and Europe have disgusted more than one person. Many are those who do not trust politicians and parties who say one thing and do something different, and who seem to be only interested in power. Such an atmosphere drives one to resignation. To compare situations, one may ask what ought to be the reactions of the people of the South regarding the speeches of the powerful of this planet about "human rights, democracy, and freedom". What trust to put in them when they see them, for reasons of economic interest, collaborate with the most ignoble, terrorist or corrupt regimes? Saying such beautiful things, and then doing or allowing such dark ones.

[Taken from "Islam, the West and the Challenges of Modernity" by Tariq Ramadan, p. 272]