By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya

X.  Allâh Guides Mankind to Do Deeds of Righteousness

Allâh is Most Gracious, Most Merciful. He guides all mankind to the Right Path through the Qur’ân. Allâh commands us to worship Him, offering Him sincere devotion, being true in faith (98:5), to fear Him, believe and follow His Revelation (2:40-41) and be righteous (6:155). The best among mankind in the sight of our Creator is he who is most righteous. Allâh tells us:

 “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other). Verily, the most honored of you in the sight of Allâh is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allâh has full knowledge and is well-acquainted (with all things).” (49: 13)

Allâh instructs the believers to help one another in righteousness and piety (5:2). He makes it clear that He loves the righteous (9:4) and those who do good (5:93). It is, therefore, an act of righteousness on the part of the Believers to invite others to all that is good. To be able to do so, it is a must for us to follow the Qur’ân and be righteous so that we may receive mercy (6:155) as it is the Book of sure guidance (2:2).

Allâh emphasizes the virtue of righteousness in many parts of the Qur’ân. He guides everyone, whether male or female, to have faith in Him and to be righteous. Allâh makes it clear that only those who repent and believe, and work righteousness will enter Paradise. He says:

“Except those who repent and believe, and work righteousness, for these will enter the Garden and will not be wronged in the least ¾ Gardens of Eternity, those which (Allâh) Most Gracious has promised to His servants in the Unseen, for His promise must (necessarily) come to pass. They will not there hear any vain discourse, but only salutations of Peace. And they will have therein their sustenance, morning and evening. Such is the Garden which We give as an inheritance to those of Our Servants who guard against evil.” (19:60-63)

All mankind must, therefore, believe in Allâh and do righteous deeds in order to attain everlasting peace in the Hereafter. For your guidance, you must read, study understand and above all, follow the Qur’ân. It is the only book that teaches us the true meaning of righteousness based on divine injunction. Allâh says in His Book:

“It is not righteousness that you turn your faces toward East or West.  But it is righteousness:  to believe in Allâh and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfill the contracts which you have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-fearing.” (2:177)

The above verse tells us that the righteous are those who are truly God-fearing. They show their true and sincere faith in Allâh not only by praying to Him but also by giving charity, fulfilling contracts, and being firm and patient in whatever trials that Allâh may bring to them. The righteous individuals, therefore, are expected to be assets and not liabilities to the society where they belong and to humanity as a whole. In line with the concept of righteousness, Allâh guides us as to how we may attain righteousness. He tells us:

 “By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you give (freely) of that which you love; and whatever you give, of a truth Allâh knows it well.” (3:92)

To be righteous, we have to give wholeheartedly of the things that we love. We should give charitable gifts to others out of our sincere feeling to please Allâh and not because we want people to recognize us. To give freely of that which we love implies that Allâh enjoins upon the righteous to love one another. This is in line with His divine attribute as One Who is Full of Loving-kindness (85:14). Allâh bestows love on those who believe and work deeds of righteousness (19:96). He is the Rabb of Grace, Abounding (57:29). He listens to those who believe and do deeds of righteousness and gives them an increase of His Bounty (42:26). He is Most Gracious, Most Merciful. He grants the need of every creature (55:29). His bounties are not closed to any one (17:20).

The Qur’ân mentions more divine injunctions on righteousness for the benefit of mankind. In Islâm, righteousness covers all virtuous teachings. Examples are truthfulness, equality, justice, and peace. Allâh not only commands the believers to fear Him but to be with those who are truthful. He tells us that the one who does wrong is he who tells a lie concerning Him and rejects the Truth (39:32). He will reward the people of Truth for their Truth, and punish those who deny it (33:24). He has prescribed the law of equality to the believer. Whoever exceeds the limits that Allâh has set shall be in grave chastisement (2:178). He has ordained for us to observe: “Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal.” If anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself (5:45).

Another excellent Qur’ânic teaching that Allâh enjoins upon us is justice. He commands us to render back our trusts to whom they are due and when we judge between man and man, that we judge with justice (4:58). We are to stand firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allâh, even against our selves, our parents, or our kin, whether rich or poor. Never should we decline to do justice because Allâh knows all that we do (4:135). He tells us not to depart from justice. To be just, according to Him, is next to Piety (5:8). We have to stand firm for justice to orphans (4:127). We have to give measure and weight with (full) justice. Whenever we speak, we ought to speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned (6:152). Although Allâh has permitted a believing man to marry women of his choice, two, three or four, He has stipulated justice as a condition. If he cannot treat them equally, then, he should marry only one (4:3). To make justice prevail, Allâh has enjoined the believers to fight against the oppressors (2:193 and 8:39).

Believers are expected to promote peace among them and to the rest of humanity. To promote peace, Allâh commands us to extend and answer greetings of peace to others (4:86). He enjoins us also to establish treaties of peace to those who do not fight us (4:90). Our Creator commands us the following:  to fear Him and be with those who are truthful (9:119); to help one another in righteousness and piety and not in sin and rancor (5:2); to be moderate in our pace and lower our voices (31:19); to show kindness not only to our parents, kin and the orphans but to all those in need; to speak fair to the people (2:83); to repel (evil) with what is better (41:34); to exercise self-restraint (41:35); to be charitable (2:270, 274); to give Zakât (2:277); to establish regular prayer, enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong and bear with patience and constancy whatever befalls us (31:17).

Allâh also commands us to patiently persevere as He shall test us with something of fear, hunger, loss in wealth, lives, and the fruits (of our toil) (2:153 and 155). If (at any time) an incitement to discord is made by Satan, Allâh tells us to seek refuge in Him (41:36).

To maintain peace among mankind, our Rabb forbids:  all indecent deeds, evil and rebellion (16:90), transgression (59:19), mischief (28:77), arrogance, selfishness, niggardliness (4:36- 37), pride (31:18), ungratefulness (2:276), boasting (4:38), envy (2:109), making oaths to deceive others (16:92), dishonesty (3:161), slandering (68:11), laughing at others, sarcastic attitude, nor calling others by offensive nicknames, suspicion, spying, or speaking ill of others behind their backs (49:11-12). In Islâm, to speak maliciously about someone in his absence is an abominable act. Corollary to this, Allâh has asked us to avoid suspicion as much as possible (49: 12). If a wicked person tells us something against someone else, we should not immediately accept it as a true information. If a sinner comes to us with any news we have to ascertain the truth in order not to harm people unwittingly (49:6).

Other forbidden acts in Islâm include: indecent deeds, whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason; rebellion (49:7); drinking wine and gambling (2:219; 5:90-91); usury (2:275-276); extravagance (6:141; 17:26); stealing; adultery and fornication, killing of children; slandering; and forging falsehood (60:12). Furthermore, He has prohibited the taking of life, which He has made sacred, except by way of justice and law (6:151). Never should a believer kill a believer; but (if it so happens) by mistake, then, compensation is due (4:92). If a man kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell (4:93).

To maintain peace, Allâh has commanded all the Believers to make peace and reconciliation between contending Muslims. He directs us to observe the following injunctions:

 “If two parties among the Believers fall into a quarrel, make peace between them. But if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other, then fight (all) against the one that transgresses until it complies with the command of Allâh. But if it complies, then make reconciliation between them with justice, and be fair, for Allâh loves those who are fair (and just). The believers are but a single Brotherhood. So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers. And fear Allâh, that you may receive Mercy. (49:9-10)

Allâh is Most Forgiving (39:53; 53:32). In line with this He enjoins on us the virtue of forgiveness. He says:

 “Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; and turn away from the ignorant.” (7:199)

 “…Let them forgive and overlook. Do you not wish that Allâh should forgive you? And Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (24: 22)

 “Tell those who believe, to forgive those who do not hope for the Days of Allâh; it is for Him to recompense (for good or ill) each people according to what they have earned.” (45:14)

Allâh’s admonition to the believers to forgive even those who do not hope for the Life of the Hereafter, displays Islâm’s commitment to peace. It is righteousness that we promote and maintain peace among ourselves and to promote unity among us. Allâh enjoins upon us all Muslims to strive together in the pursuit of a goal that is good. (2:148).  We Muslims should unite in brotherhood. Allâh has entrusted upon us the most challenging task to enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. He says:

 “You are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allâh.” (3:110) 

In line with this injunction, we should act as protectors of one another. Allâh commands us to be united together to invite all toward righteousness. He says:

 “Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong; they are the ones to attain felicity. Be not like those who are divided amongst themselves and fall into disputations after receiving Clear Signs; for them is a dreadful Chastisement. (3:104-105)

 “The Believers, men and women, are protectors, one to another. They enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil…” (9:71)

The above Ayât (verses) imply that we Muslims should carry the task of Da‘wah (Islâmic propagation). Da‘wah is one of the best ways of serving Allâh. It is the right way to guide all toward righteousness leading to the Truth or the Right Path. If we want to be successful Du‘ât (those who call people to Islâm, we must do Da‘wah based on Allâh’s injunctions in the Qur’ân and His Messenger’s r Sunnah as reported in the authentic Ahâdîth.  This is a must, if we want Allâh Allâh to reward any effort, resources, time and emotions that we spend in our Da‘wah.  We should be reminded of the Qur’ânic verse to obey Allâh and His Messenger r  (47:33). It is imperative that we Du‘ât must invite people to the Oneness of Allâh with certain knowledge of the Qur’ân and the Sunnah or authentic Islamic sources.  This is the Sunnah of the Prophet r, which we must know and follow.  Allâh the Exalted says:

“Say (O Muhammad): ‘This is my Way; I do invite unto Allâh with a certain knowledge.’ And whoever follows me (must also invite others to the Oneness of Allâh with sure knowledge). Glory to Allâh! And I am not of the polytheists.”  (12: 108)

In our Da‘wah, it is also a must that we invite people with Hikmah (wisdom) and beautiful preaching. Allâh commands:

“Invite (all) to the Way of your Rabb with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for your Rabb knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.”  (16:125)

To be effective in propagating the Truth, we have to practice every good deed that we learn from the Qur’ân and the Sunnah. The best way to teach others is to act and behave properly in accordance with Islâmic morals and conduct. We do not merely say to people what is right but we should act upon it. Allâh hates that we should preach to others what we ourselves do not do:

 “Do you enjoin right conduct on the people, and forget (to practice it) yourselves, and yet you study the scripture? Will you not understand?” (2: 44)

“O you who believe! Why say that which you do not? Grievously hateful is it in the sight of Allâh that you say that which you do not.” (61: 2-3)

If we sincerely carry out or support Da‘wah to the best of our knowledge and ability, we will certainly attain a prosperous life. Allâh the Most High not only commends those who call people to Islâm but also subsequently promises unlimited rewards to them. He says:

 “And he who brings the Truth and he who confirms (and supports) it ¾  such are the men who do right. They shall have all that they wish for with their Rabb. Such is the reward of those who do good.” (39:33-34)

The Qur’ân as the complete Book of Guidance not only teaches us to do righteousness. It also encourages us to call people to do righteousness.  If you are righteous or you go for righteousness, then, accept and follow Allâh’s divine message to all mankind.

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