By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya
By
Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya
Islâm
is the only Religion and the only Way of Life that teaches us the true meaning
of righteousness based on divine injunctions.
Allâh the Most High 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. Allâh’s Messengerr
defines righteousness as follows:
Wabisha
Ibn Wa’bad
From the above definitions of righteousness in Islâm, the righteous individuals are expected to be assets and not liabilities to the society, to which 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 (Only God, Cherisher and Sustainer) 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 grants the need of every creature (55:29). His bounties are not closed to any one (17:20). This is the reason why non-Muslims who desire and work for material prosperity, fame and other worldly needs in this world become wealthy, famous or attain worldly success. They receive Allâh’s reward for any righteous deed or virtuous act done in this world. If they desire happiness in this present world and work for it, Allâh grants them their need. However, their happiness is nothing but temporary. In the next world to come, they will suffer the eternal and grieve punishments for not worshipping the Only True God and/or accepting the only true Religion before Allâh. Allâh the Almighty stresses:
“This is the Guidance of Allâh with which He guides whomsoever He wills of His slaves. But if they had joined in worship others with Allâh, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them.” (6:88)
“If anyone desires a religion other than Islâm (submission to Allâh), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).” (3:85)
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 have a 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.
Our Creator 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
ourselves, 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). Though Allâh
has permitted a believing man to marry women of his choice, two, three or four,
He has stipulated justice as
a condition. If the man 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).
Belief
in Allâh I
requires that we refrain from assigning partners to Him (60:12, 13:36 and 6:22)
as well as saying things about Allâh of which we have no knowledge (7:33). No
vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision; He is Subtle well aware
(6:102,103). He is Allâh, the One, not one in a Trinity (5:72), nor one of two
(16:51). He has no begotten son (2:116, 6:100,
10:68 and 19:35) nor is He begotten (112:3). Nor does He have any neither
consort nor daughters (6:100-101, 16:57 and 37:149-157). Verily, Allâh has no
partner (6:163). Allâh is the One, the Eternal, Absolute; He begets not, nor is
He begotten; and there is none like unto Him (112:1-4 and 42: 11).
Allâh
the Exalted has commanded us who expect to meet Him to worship Him alone and do
righteousness (18:110). He has commanded us to serve Him with sincere devotion
(39:14). He makes it very
clear that sincere devotion is due to Him alone (39:3).
He further commands us to obey Him and His Messenger r
if we want our deeds not to be futile (47:33).
Furthermore,
Allâh I
guides us to be righteous. Allâh
the Almighty makes it clear that only those who believe and work righteousness
will enter Paradise. He I
says:
“But
those who believe
and do
deeds of righteousness
We shall soon admit them to Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath,ľ
to dwell therein forever. Allâh’s
promise is the truth, and whose word can be truer than Allâh’s?”
(4:122)
For
our complete guidance, Allâh I
commands us to enter into Islâm wholeheartedly and die not except in a
state of Islâm. Our Creator I
tells us:
“O
you who believe! Enter into Islâm wholeheartedly; and follow not the footsteps
of the Evil One, for he is to you an avowed enemy.
(2:208)
“O
you who believe! Fear Allâh as He should be feared, and die not except in a
state of Islâm… that you may be guided.”
(3:102-103)
It
is a must that we accept and follow all the teachings of Islâm.
Allâh I
warns us of the grievous punishment in the Hereafter if we reject the
rest of His Revelation. He
I
warns:
“. . . Then is it only a part of the Book that you believe in. And do you reject the rest? But what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this life? And on the Day of Judgment they shall be consigned to the most grievous chastisement for Allâh is not unmindful of what you do. These are the people who buy the life of this world at the price of the Hereafter: their chastisement shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped.” (2:85-86)
[Home]
[Oneness of Allah]
[Islamic
CDs for Sale] [Download
E-Books]
