2.30. EXTRAVAGANCE

God says

….eat of their fruit when it comes to fruition, and give [unto the poor] their due on harvest day. And do not waste [God’s bounties]: He does not love the wasteful! -- Q.6:141

O children of Adam! Beautify yourselves for every act of worship ; and eat and drink [freely], but do not waste: verily, He does not love the wasteful! -- Q. 7:31

…. give his due to near of kin, as well as to the needy and the wayfarer, but do not squander [thy substance] senselessly.* Behold, the squanderers are, indeed, of the ilk [lit., “brethren”] of satans – inasmuch as Satan has proved to be most ungrateful to his Sustainer. -- Q.17:26,27
*It is to be borne in mind that the term tabdheer does not relate to the quantity but, rather, to the purpose of one’s spending. Thus, both Ibn Abbas and ibn Masud (both of them quoted by Tabari) defined tabdheer as “spending without a righteous purpose” or “in a frivolous (baatil) cause”: and Mujahid is reported to have said, “If a man were to spend all that he possesses in a righteous cause, it could not be termed as squandering; but if he spends even a small amount in a frivolous cause, it is squandering.”

Yet we should remember verse 17:29 “And neither allow thy hand to remain shackled to thy neck (like a miser), nor stretch it forth to the utmost limit [of thy capacity], lest thou find thyself blamed [by thy dependents], or even destitute.” Also verse 25:67 “[the servants of Most Gracious are] those who, when they spend on others are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a just (balance) between those (extremes).”

Prophet said

1. “(God disliked that you) squander possessions”– H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Mughirah.

2. The Holy Prophet passed by Sa`ad while he was performing ablution and asked, “Why this extravagance?” Sa`ad enquired: Is there any extravagance in ablution? “Yes” said the Prophet, “Even though you may be doing it from a flowing rivulet.”-- H: Ahmed and Ibn Majah. N: Abdullah-b-Amr-b-al-‘Aas

Conservation of resources is stressed in Islam even if a resource is in plenty, as can be seen by the above verses as well as Prophet’s sayings.
Today the world is crying for conservation of food, water and energy. Muslims are bound by their belief to take the lead and set an example, wherever they are. It is their religious duty.

2.29. MISERLINESS (concluded)

God says

. …he who acts niggardly [in God’s cause] is but niggardly towards his own self: for God is indeed self-sufficient, whereas you stand in need [of Him]; and if you turn away [from Him], He will cause other people to take your place, and they will not be the likes of you! -- Q.47: 38

But as for him who is niggardly, and thinks that he is self-sufficient, and calls the ultimate good a lie – for him shall We make easy the path towards hardship: and what will his wealth avail him when he goes down [to his grave]. -- Q.92: 8 -11

[woe unto] those who want only to be seen [praying] and praised, but refuse [to supply even] neighbourly needs. -- Q.107:6,7

Prophet said

1. “…the charitable man who even though may be illiterate is dearer to God than the miser even though he may be pious” -- H: Tirmizi. N: Abu Hurairah.

2. “(The worst of men is) he who is begged off in the name of God but who does not give for Him” – H: Tirmizi, Ahmed and Nisai. N: Ibn ‘Abbas.

3. “The charity of a silver coin in one’s lifetime is better than his charity of one hundred coins at the time of his death" – H: Abu Daud. N: Abu Sayeed.

Restraining of ones hand where expense is necessary means miserliness; and to spend where restraint is necessary is extravagance: both are disallowed.

2.29. MISERLINESS

God says

And they should not think – they who niggardly cling to all that God has granted them out of His bounty – that this is good for them: nay. It is bad for them.* That to which they [so] niggardly cling will, on the Day of Resurrection, be hung about their necks: for unto God [alone] belongs the heritage of the heavens and of the earth; and God is aware of all that you do. -- Q.3:180
* This is an allusion to the way of life of the unbelievers mentioned in the earlier verse 3: 179: a way or life characterized by extreme attachment to the material things of this world – a materialism based on a lack of belief in anything that transcends the practical problem of life.

[God loves not] those who are niggardly or enjoin niggardliness on others, or hide the bounties which God has bestowed on them… Q.4:37

Make not your hand tied [like a niggard’s] to your neck… Q.17:29

Prophet said

1. “Beware of miserliness because it destroyed those who were before you” --
H: Muslim. N: Jabir.

2. “There are two traits that are not present in a believer: miserliness and bad conduct.” -- Tirmizi. N: Abu Sayeed.

3. “…Miser is far off from God, from paradise, from people, and is near hell” -- H: Tirmizi. N: Abu Hurairah.

2.28. ASPECTS OF CHARITY (concluded)

God says

…. And spend on others out of what We have provided for you as sustenance,* ere there come a time when death approaches any of you, and he then says, “O my Sustainer! If only Thou wouldst grant me a delay for a short while so that I could give in charity and be among the righteous!” But never does God grant a delay to a human being when his term has come; and God is fully aware of all that you do.- Q.63:10-11
*Ar-rizq (“provision of sustenance”) applies to all that may be of benefit to
man whether it be concrete (like food, property, offspring, etc.) or abstract (like
knowledge, piety etc.). It is precisely in selfless acts of spending that true piety
comes in its full fruition.
The context of the verse lays emphasis on helping now, now that we can.

Let him who has ample means spend in accordance with his amplitude; and let him whose means of subsistence are scanty spend in accordance with what God has given him: God does not burden any human being with more than He has given him -- [and it may well be that] God will grant, after hardship, ease. -- Q.65:7

Prophet said

1. “Do not regard any good deed too humble even if it be (as small as) meeting a brother(i.e, any Muslim) with cheerful countenance’ – H: Muslim. N: Abu Zarr.

2. Sa`ad-b-Ubaidah enquired: O Messenger of God! The mother of Sa`ad has died; so which charity is best? The Prophet replied, “Water”. Then Sa`ad excavated a well and said: this is for the mother of Sa`ad.’ – H: Abu Daud and Nisai. N: Sa`ad-b-Ubaidah.

3. “A man whom God did not provide wealth or knowledge but whose (sincere)
intention is to have done the (charitable) work of such and such (benevolent rich) had he the riches (then) rewards of both are equal.” – H: Tirmizi. N: Kabshah al-Anmariy.
Quite obviously, without wealth or knowledge it was beyond him to do what he desired even if he had tried very hard for it. On the other hand if one had the ability to try; tried but could not succeed, even then the rewards will be equal.

4. Bibi Ayeshah reported that people sacrificed a goat. The Messenger of God asked, “Is there anything left (after giving away in charity).” She said: Nothing remained except the shoulder. He said, “Everything remains except the shoulder.”-- H: Tirmizi.

(The above reminds one of an old saying: What you gave, you have; what you spent, you had; what you saved, you lost.)

2.28. Aspectsof Charity (to be continued)

God says

A kind of word and veiling of another's want is better than charity followed by hurt: -- Q.2:263

.....and choose not for your spending the bad things (to others) which you yourselves would not accept without averting your eyes in disadain. -- Q.2:267

Never shall you attain to tru piety unless you spend on others what you chericsh yourselves; -- Q.3:92

And Neither allow thy hand to remain shackled to thy neck,* nor stretch it forth to the utmost limit (of thy capacity), lest thou find thyself blamed (by thy dependents), or even destitute. -- Q.17:29

* A metaphor signifying miserliness and, in particular, unwillingness to help others (cf. a similar expression in 5:64).

Prophet said

1. "...wealth of a man does not diminish if given in charity..." -- H:Tirmizi. N:Abu Kabshah al-Anmariy.

2. "Spend and don't count lest god couns while giving you, and don't hoard up lest God with holds from you. Spend (on charity) what you can." - H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Asma

3. "Indeed charity decreases wrath of God and removes pangs of death." -- H: Tirmizi. N: Anas.

2.27. CHARITY (concluded)

God says

When [they perceived Qarun’s arrogance,] his people said unto him: “Exult not [in thy wealth], for, verily, God does not love those who exult [in things vain]! Seek instead, by means of what God has granted thee, [the good of] the life to come,* without forgetting, withal, thine own [rightful] share in this world;** and do good [unto others] as God has done good unto thee; and seek not to spread corruption on earth: for, verily, God does not love the spreaders of corruption!”-- Q.28: 76,77

* I.e., by spending in charity and on good causes.

** Lit., “and do not forget …”, etc.: a call to generosity and, at the same time, to moderation (cf. 2: 143 – “We have willed you to be a community of the middle way”)

….and (God-conscious would assign) in their wealth and possessions the due share unto such as might ask [for help] and such as might suffer privation.* -- Q.51:19

* Sc., “but could not beg” – and this applies to all living creatures, whether human beings or mute animals (Razi), irrespective of whether the need is of a physical or of an emotional nature.

Prophet said

1. “Whoever seeks shelter from you in the name of God, give him shelter;

whoever begs in the name of God, give him;…”-- H: Abu Daud, Ahmad and Nisai. N: Ibn Omar.

2. “The best charity is that which is given when one is not (even) wealthy; and begin (charity) first with relatives”– H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah and Hakeem-b-Hezam.

3. “The generous man is near God, near paradise, near people and is far off from hell….”-- H: Tirmizi. N: Abu Hurairah.

2.27. CHARITY (to be continued)

God says

The parable of those who spend their possessions for the sake of God is that of a grain out of which grow seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains: for God grants manifold increase unto whom He wills; and God is infinite, all knowing. They who spend their charity for the sake of God and do not thereafter mar their spending by stressing their own benevolance and hurting [the feelings of the needy] shall have their reward with their Sustainer, and no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve. -- Q.2:261,262

O you who believe! Do not deprive your charitable deeds of all worth by stressing your own benevolance and hurting [the feelings of the needy], as does he who spends his wealth only to be seen and be praised by men, and believes not in God and the Last Day: -- Q.2:264

Satan threatens you with the prospect of poverty and bids you to be niggardly, whereas God promises you His forgiveness and bounty; and God is infinite, all-knowing. -- Q.2:268

If you do deeds of charity openly, it is well; but if you bestow it upon the needy in secret, it will be even better for you, and it will atone some of your bad deeds. And God is aware of all that you do.-- Q.271

Prophet said

1. "....Doing justice is charity... and good word is charity... every step he (or she) takes towards prayer is charity... and removing harmful things from pathways is charity (this includes obstructions in the way of others: economical, social, spiritual.)" -- H. Bukhari and Muslim. N. Abu Huraira.

2. "To enjoin good is charity, to forbid evil is charity" -- H. Muslim. N: Bukhari

3. "Every good deed is charity" -- H. Bukhari and Muslim.

4. "God said: spend (on charity), O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you" -- Hadees Qudsi: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Huraira.

26. GREED (concluded)

God says

Truly man is to his Lord, ungrateful; and to that (fact) he bears witness (by his deeds); and most ardently devoted is he in his love of wealth. - Q.100:6-8

The mutual rivalry for piling up (worldly things) diverts you (from more serious things), until you go down to your graves. - Q.102:1,2

[Woe unto him] who amasses wealth and counts it a safeguard, thinking that his wealth will make him live forever! * Nay, but [in the life to come such as] he shall indeed be abandoned to crushing torment! And what could make thee conceive what that crushing torment will be? A fire kindled by God, which will rise over the [guilty] hearts: verily, it will close in upon them in endless columns!- Q.104:2-8

*This is a metonym for the tendency to attribute an almost “religious” value to the acquisition and possession of material goods and facilities – a tendency which precludes man for giving any real importance to religious considerations.

Prophet said

“A man says: My property, my property! But, verily, his properties out of his wealth are three: what he puts on and is worn out; what he gives away (in charity) out of what he has hoarded; what is besides that is perishable and he will leave it for people.”-- H: Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.

26. GREED (to be continued)

God says

Know [O men] that the life of this world is but a play and passing delight, and a beautiful show, and [the cause of] your boastful vying with one another, and [of your] greed for more and more riches and children.* - Q.57:20

* Commenting at length on this passage, Razi makes it clear that life as such is not to be despised, inasmuch as it has been created by God: cf. 38:27 – “ We have not created heaven and earth and all that is between them without meaning and purpose”; and 23:115 – “Did you think that We have created you in mere idle play?” But whereas life in itself is a positive gift of God and – as Razi points out – the potential source of all blessings, it loses this positive quality if it is indulged in recklessly, blindly and with disregard of spiritual values and considerations: in brief, if it is indulged in without any thought of hereafter.

Prophet said

“Had there been two mountains of wealth for the son of Adam he would have sought the third; and nothing but earth can fill up the belly of (such) son of Adam. And God returns to one who turns to Him penitently”– H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Ibn Abbas.

2.26. GREED (to be continued)

God says

Know [O men] that the life of this world is but a play and passing delight, and a beautiful show, and [the cause of] your boastful vying with one another, and [of your] greed for more and more riches and children.* - Q.57:20

* Commenting at length on this passage, Razi makes it clear that life is not as such to be despised, inasmuch as it has been created by God: cf. 38:27 – “ We have not created heaven and earth and all that is between them without meaning and purpose”; and 23:115 – “Did you think that We have created you in mere idle play?” But whereas life in itself is a positive gift of God and – as Razi points out – the potential source of all blessings, it loses this positive quality if it is indulged in recklessly, blindly and with disregard of spiritual values and considerations: in brief, if it is indulged in without any thought of hereafter.

Prophet said .

“Had there been two mountains of wealth for the son of Adam he would have sought the third; and nothing but earth can fill up the belly of (such) son of Adam. And God returns to one who turns to Him penitently”– H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Ibn Abbas.

2.26. GREED (concluded)

God says

...nor do you encourage one another to feed the poor! -- and you devour the inheritance of [others] with devouring greed, and you love wealth with boundless love! -- Q.89:18,20

Truly man is to his Lord, ungrateful; and to that (fact) he bears witness (by his deeds); and violent is he in his love of wealth. -- Q.100:6-8

The mutual rivalry for piling up (worldly things) diverts you (from more serious things), until you go down to your graves. -- Q.102:1,2

[Woe unto him] who amasses wealth and counts it a safeguard, thinking that his wealth will make him live forever! *…. Q.104:2-3

*This is a metonym for the tendency to attribute an almost “religious” value to the acquisition and possession of material goods and facilities – a tendency which precludes man for giving any real importance to religious considerations.

Prophet said

“A man says: My property, my property! But, verily, his properties out of his wealth are three: what he puts on and is worn out; what he gives away (in charity) out of what he has hoarded; what is besides that is perishable and he will leave it for people.”-- H: Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.

2.26. GREED (to be continued)

God says

...and know that your worldly goods and your children are but a trial and a temptation,* and that with God there is a tremendous reward. -- Q.8:28

* Inasmuch as love of worldly goods and a desire to protect one’s family may lead a person to transgression (and thus to a betrayal of the moral values postulated in God’s message), and they are described as fitnah …. This reminder connects with verse 25 earlier : “beware of that temptation to evil which does not befall only those who are bent on denying the truth,” since acquisitiveness and a desire to confer benefits on one’s own family which often tempt an otherwise good person to offend against the right of his fellow-men. It is to be born in mind that, contrary to the NewTestament, the Qur’an does not postulate a contempt for worldly attachments as a pre-requisite of righteousness: it only demands of a man that he should not allow these attachments to deflect him from the pursuit of moral values.

Prophet said

1. “The son of Adam grows old but two things remain young in him : greed for wealth and hope for life.”-- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Anas.

2. “Had there been two mountains of wealth for the son of Adam he would have sought the third; and nothing but earth can fill up the belly of (such) son of Adam. And God returns to one who turns to Him penitently”– H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Ibn Abbas.

25. CONTENTMENT (concluded)

God says

Only they [truly] believe in Our messages who, whenever they are conveyed to them, fall down, prostrating themselves in adoration, and extol their Sustainer’s limitless glory and praise; and who are never filled with false pride; [and] who are impelled to rise [at night] to call out to their Sustainer in fear and hope; and who spend on others out of what We provide for them as sustenance. And [as for all such believers,] no human being can imagine what blissful delights, as yet hidden, await them [in the life to come]* as a reward for all that they did. -- Q.32:15-17

* The impossibility of man’s “imagining” paradise has been summed up by the Prophet in the well-authenticated Qudsi Tradition quoted by Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi and Ibn Majah, and narrated by Abu Hurairah: “God said : I have prepared for My righteous servants what no eye has seen, and no ear has heard, nor has it occurred to human heart.”

Say: my Lord enlarges and restricts the provision to whom He pleases but most men understand not [God’s ways] . It is not your wealth nor your sons that will bring you nearer to Us in degree: but only those who believe and work righteousness – these are the ones for whom there is a multiple reward for their deeds; and it is they who shall dwell secure in the mansions [of paradise]. -- Q.34:36,37

Prophet said

1. “Live in this world as if you are a stranger or in transit, and count yourself as one of the inmates of graves” -- H: Bukhari. N: Ibn Omar.

2. “Whoever’s intention is to seek the next world, God creates contentment in his heart and collects vitues from him, and the world comes to him while he turns away (from it)…” – H: Tirmizi and Ahmed. N: Anas.

2.25. CONTENTMENT (to be continued)

God says

Yes, indeed: everyone who surrenders his whole being unto God, and is a doer of good withal, shall have his reward with his Sustainer; and all such need have no fear, and neither shall they grieve. -- Q.2:112

….It is possible that you dislike a thing that is good for you, and that you love anything that is bad for you. But God knows, and you know not. -- Q.2:216

Satan makes them promises and creates vain desires but Satan’s promises are nothing but deception. -- Q.4:120

Know [O men] that the life of this world is but a play and passing delight, and a beautiful show, and [the cause of] your boastful vying with one another,….- Q.57:20 * *

Commenting at length on this passage, Razi makes it clear that life as such is not to be despised, inasmuch as it has been created by God: cf. 38:27 – “ We have not created heaven and earth and all that is between them without meaning and purpose”; and 23:115 – “Did you think that We have created you in mere idle play?” But whereas life in itself is a positive gift of God and – as Razi points out – the potential source of all blessings, it loses this positive quality if it is indulged in recklessly, blindly and with disregard of spiritual values and considerations: in brief, if it is indulged in without any thought of hereafter.

Prophet said

1. “Wealth lies not in being very rich but in self- contentment”– H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.

2. “Blessed is he who is guided to Islam, and whose livelihood is just sufficient and who is contented with it” -- H: Tirmizi. N: Fuzala-b-Ubaid.

3. “Of the beauty of Islam of a man is his giving up what does not concern him.” -- H: Maalik, Ahmed and Tirmizi. N: Ali-b-Husain.

2.24. RELIANCE ON GOD (concluded)

God says

Say (O Prophet): “God is enough for me! In Him [alone] place their trust all who have trust [in His existence].” -- Q.39:38

…. God alone is the Protector [of all that exists], since it is He alone who brings dead to life, and He alone has the power to will anything. -- Q.42:9

…. [Say, therefore:] “Such is God, my Sustainer: In Him I placed my trust, and unto Him do I always turn!” -- Q.42:10

….And unto everyone who is conscious of God, He [always] grants a way out [of unhappiness], and provides for him [and her] in a manner beyond all expectation; and for everyone who places his trust in God, He [alone] is enough….. Q.65:2,3

Reliance on God is not devoid of action, because action is our duty to God. It is action with earnestly praying to Him for help, trusting that the outcome will be based on divine wisdom.

Prophet said

1. “Surely I know a verse (which) if people had followed it would have sufficed them: ‘and whoso is God conscious, He always grants a way for him, and He provides from (sources) he never could imagine’ (Q.65:2,3)” – H: Ahmed and Ibn Majah. N:Abu Zarr.

2. ‘When you are overcome (by grief or anxiety) say: “HASBUNAL LAHU WA NI’AMAL WAKEEL" [Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us – and He is the best Disposer of affairs] Q.3:173 -- Hadith: Abu Daud. Narrator: Arf-b-Malek.

2.24. RELIANCE ON GOD (continued)

God says

As for anyone, be it man or woman – who does righteous deeds, and is a believer withal – him shall We most certainly cause to lead a good life;* and most certainly shall We grant unto such as these their reward according with their best that they ever did. – Q.16:97

* This may relate either to life in this world -- inasmuch as a true believers invariably find happiness in the God-consciousness – or to the happiness which awaits them in the hereafter, or to both.

…. so establish regular prayers, render purifying dues (zakah), and hold fast to God! He is your protector – the best to protect, the best to help! – Q. 23:78

And how many a living creature is there that takes no thought of its own sustenance,* [the while] God provides for it as [He provides] for you – since He alone is all-knowing, all seeing. -- Q.29:60

*I.e., is either too week to fend for itself or (according to Al-Hasan, as quoted by Zamakhshari) does not store up provisions for the marrow.

Prophet said

“If you had relied on God with due reliance, He would have certainly given you provision as He provides to birds who get up hungry in the morning and return with a belly-full at dusk.”-- H: Tirmizi and Ibn Majah. N: Omar-b-al Khattab.

2.24. RELIANCE ON GOD

God says

…. And take council with them in all matters of public concern; then, when thou hast decided upon a course of action, place thy trust in God: for, verily, God loves those who put their trust in Him*. -- Q.3:159*

This injunction, implying government by concent and council, must be regarded as one of the fundamental clauses of Islamic legislation relating to statecraft.

If God helps you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who could help you thereafter? In God, then, let the believers place their trust! (3:160)

….“God is enough for us; and how excellent guardian is He!” -- Q.3:173

And God comprehends the hidden reality of the heavens and the earth: for all that exists goes back to Him [as its source]. Worship Him, then, and place your trust in Him alone: for your God is not unmindful of anything that you do. -- Q.11:123

“…. and do not lose hope of God’s life-giving mercy : indeed, none but people who deny the truth can ever lose hope of God’s life-giving mercy.” – Q.12:87

Truly, the command is with God in all things! -- Q.13:31

Prophet said

1. “Seventy thousand of my followers will enter paradise without account: those who do not seek charms*, nor consider bad omens; but on their Lord do they rely”– H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Ibn Abbas.

*Charms and enchantments which are opposed to Quranic injunctions and which smack of polytheism are quite unlawful. The enchantments which bear the names of Allah or the words of the Quran and Hadis are allowed. (Al-Hadis, vol. 1, page 441, note: 366)

2. 'The last statement of prophet Ibraheem, when he was cast into the fire (of Nimrod and God saved him)., was: "Allah (Alone) is sufficient for me – and He is the best Disposer (of my affairs)" -- H. Bukhari. Narrator: Ibn 'Abbas.

2.23. PARDON

God says

Hold to forgiveness,* and enjoin the doing of what is right; and leave who choose to remain ignorant.** -- Q.7:199 *

i.e., making due allowance for human nature. In accordance with the Qur’anic statements that “man has been created weak” (4:28) and that “God does not burden any human being with more that he is well able to bear” (2:286, 6:152, 7:42, 23:62), the believer is being advised to make due allowance for human nature and not to be too harsh with those who err.

** I.e., those who wilfully remain deaf to moral truths, and not those who are simply unaware of them.

…. let them pardon and forbear [the erring ones]. [For,] do you not desire that God should forgive you your sins God is much- forgiving, most gracious. -- Q.7:199

But (since) good and evil cannot be equal, you repel evil with something that is better – and then, he between whom and you was enmity (may become) as though he had (always) been close (unto you), a true friend! …. Q.41:34,35

But [remember that an attempt at] requiting evil may, too, become an evil: hence, whoever pardons [his foe] and makes peace, his reward rests with God – for, verily, He does not love evildoers. -- Q.42:40

Prophet said

1. “The best of you is he who gets angry slowly, and becomes appeased very soon, and the worst of you is he who gets suddenly angry and becomes appeased very slowly” – Fragment of a Hadis quoted by Tirmizi on the authority of Abu Sayeed al Khodri.

2. Bibi Ayesha said: The Apostle of God did never take revenge for any wrong done to him… – H: Bukhari and Muslim.

3. “Moses, son of Imran, had asked : O my Lord! of Thy servants who is most honorable to Thee? God said: he who pardons when he is in a position of power (to punish)”-- H: Baihaqi. N: Abu Hurairah.

4. When asked to invoke against the polytheists, the Prophet said, “Verily I have not been sent to curse. I have been sent as mercy ”-- H: Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.

2.22. ANGER

God says

Hence, if it should happen that a prompting from Satan stirs you up* (to blind anger), seek refuge with God: behold, He alone is all-hearing, all-knowing! -- Q.41:36

*Extreme anger is forbidden because in such a state one looses all norms of sane thinking and judgment. Besides, recurrence of it now and then can damage one’s health. However, rightly directed anger results in courage and heroism in a fight for self-defense, for instance.

.…and who, whenever they are moved by anger, readily forgive;” -- Q.42:37

Yet indeed, as for any who defend themselves after having being wronged – no blame whatsoever attaches to them: blame attaches but to those who oppress [other] people and behave outrageously on earth, offending against all right: for them there is greivious suffering in store!But withal, if one is patient in adversity and forgives – this, behold, is indeed something to set one’s heart upon!* -- Q.42: 41- 43

…. [the God-conscious] who spend [in His way] in time of plenty and in time of hardship, and who hold in check their anger, and pardon their fellow-men because God loves the doers of good.; -- Q.3:134

Prophet said

1. “A strong man is not he who would knock done others but the one who can control himself at the time of anger”– H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.

2. “Whoever of you gets angry, let him perform ablution.”-- H: Abu Daud. N: Atiyah-b-Urwah As S’adi.

3. “Whenever any of you gets angry while standing, let him sit down. If it does not help, let him lie down”– H: Ahmed and Tirmizi. N: Abu Zarr.

4. “…. so fear anger. It is a burning coal in the heart of the son of Adam. Have you not seen the swelling of his neck and redness of his eyes?” – H: Tirmizi

5. “Anger is due to Satan’s instigation”--H: Abu Daud. N: Atiya-b-Urivah As-S’adi.

2.21. ENVY (continued)

God says

And never turn thine eyes [with longing] towards whatever splendour of this world’s We may have allowed so many others* to enjoy in order that We might test them thereby: for the sustenance which thy Sustainer provides [for thee] is better and more enduring.** -- Q.20:131

*Lit., “groups [or kinds] of them”. According to most of the commentators, this relates to the deniers of the truth spoken of in preceding passages; but since the above injunction has obviously a wider purport, condemning envy in general, this expression has been rendered as “so many others”. **Implying that whatever God grants a person is an outcome of divine wisdom, and therefore, truly appropriate to the destiny which God has decreed for that person. Alternatively, the phrase may be understood as referring to the life to come and the spiritual sustenance which God bestows upon righteous (here).

….and (I seek refuge with the Sustainer of the rising dawn) from the evil of the envious when he envies. -- Q.113: 5

Prophet said

1. “Whenever any of you turns his looks towards one who has been given more in wealth and physique, let him look towards one who has been given less (than you).” – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.

2.21. ENVY

God says

Out of their selfish envy, many among the followers of earlier revelation would like to bring you (people) back to denying the truth after you have attained to faith- (even) after the truth has become clear to them … Q.2:109

And vie with one another to attain to your Sustainer’s forgiveness and to a paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous.-- Q.3: 133

Hence, do not covet the bounties which God has bestowed more abundantly on some of you than on others. Men shall have a benefit from what they earn, and women shall have the benefit from what they earn. [Envy not one another] but ask God [to give you] out of his bounty: behold, God has indeed full knowledge of everything. -- Q.4:32

Prophet said

1. “Be careful of jealousy, because jealousy consumes virtue as fire consumes fuel.” – H: Abu Daud. N: Abu Hurairah.

2.20. STEADFASTNESS (continued)

God says

[But,] behold, as for those who say: “Our Sustainer is God” and then steadfastly persue the right way – upon them do angels often descend, (saying:) “Fear not and grieve not but receive the glad tiding of that paradise which has been promised to you! We are close unto you in the life of this world and (will be so) in the life to come; and in that [life] you shall have all that your soul may desire, and in it you shall have all that you ever prayed for, as a ready welcome from Him who is much forgiving, and most gracious! ”-- Q.41:30-32

Await, then, [O believer,] in all patience thy Sustainer’s judgment*, … Q.76:24

*This connects with the preceding mention of the life to come, in which the righteous will meet with bliss, and the evildoers with suffering.

Prophet said

1. “So be steadfast and seek nearness (to God).” -- H: Bukhari. N: Abu Hurairah.

2. Sufyan-b-Abdullah-al-Saqafi reported: I asked the Messenger of God to advise me a word about Islam, such that there will be no need ever to ask anyone else. He replied, “Say: ‘I believe in God’ (and) then be steadfast (in your belief) ” – H: Muslim.

2.20. STEADFASTNESS

God says

…. “O our Sustainer! Shower us with steadfastness, and make our steps firm: help us against those who deny the truth!” -- Q.2:250

…. (And God sees all that is in [the hearts of] His servants --) those who are steadfast, and truthful, and truly devout, those who spend [in God’s way and hoard not], those who pray for forgiveness from their innermost heart -- Q.3:17

… And God loves those who are firm and steadfast. -- Q.3:146

And bid thy people to pray, and persevere therein. …. Q.20:132

…. establish regular prayers, enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong: and bear with patient constancy whatever (ill) may befall you; for this is firmness (of purpose) in (the conduct of) affairs! -- Q.31:17

Prophet said

1. “Good deed that pleases God most is that which is done regularly though it may be small”-- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Bibi Ayesha.

2.19. Elements of Patience

God says

STEADFASTNESS:

- And God loves those who are firm and steadfast -- Q.3:146

SELF-RESTRAINT:

Haqqani defines self-restraint in his tafsir as ‘following (one’s God given) reason and restraining fear, desire, anger’ : Q.4:120 - Satan makes promises and creates vain desires; but Satan’s promises are nothing but deception. / Q.12:53 …man’s inner self invite [him] to evil… Q.18:28 - as he had always followed [only] his own desires, abandoning all that is good and true. / Q.42:37 …and who, whenever they are moved by anger, readily forgive”

ENDURANCE:

And [know that true servants of God are only] those who never bear witness to what is false, and [who], whenever they pass by [people engaged in] frivolity, pass on with dignity; and who, whenever they are reminded of their Sustainer’s messages, do not throw themselves upon them [as if] deaf and blind [without making attempt to understand it]; and who pray: “O our Sustainer! Grant that our spouses and our offspring be a joy to our eyes [by living righteous life], and cause us to be foremost among those who are conscious of Thee!” [Such as] these will be rewarded for all their patient endurance [in life] with a high station [in paradise], therein to abide: [and] how goodly an abode and [how high] a station! -- Q.25:72-75

Endure with patience, [O Prophet] what they say [against you], and leave them with noble dignity. -- Q.73:10

Prophet said

1. “If the oppressed remains patient, God thereby increases his honour” – Fragment of an authentic Tradition quoted by Tirmizi on the authority of Abu Kabshah al-Anmari.

2.19. PATIENCE (continued)

God says

“…. do not lose hope of God’s life-giving mercy: indeed, none but people who deny the truth can ever lose hope of God’s life-giving mercy.” – Q. 12:87

Hence, do not barter away your bond with God for a trifling gain! Verily, that which is with God is by far the best for you, if you but knew it: all that is with you is bound to come to an end,whereas that which is with God is everlasting. And most certainly shall We grant unto those who are patient in adversity their reward in accordance with the best that they ever did. --Q.16: 95,96

They who are patient in adversity will indeed receive reward beyond any reckoning! ….Q.39:10

But [since] good and evil cannot be equal, repel thou [evil] with something that is better -- and lo! he between whom and thyself was enmity [may then become] as though he had [always] been close, a true friend! Yet [to achieve] this is not given to any but those who are patient in adversity: it is not given to any but those endowed with the greatest good fortune! -- Q.41:34,35

Bear, then, with patience thy Sustainer’s will, ….Q.68:48

And show not favour, seeking worldly gain! But unto thy Lord turn in patience. -- Q.74:6,7

Persist with truth, persist with patience.- Q103: 3

Prophet said

1. “God will enroll as grateful and patient whoever looks someone superior to him in religious acts and then follows (the same); and looks someone inferior to him in worldly affairs and then thanks to God for His bounties.” – H: Tirmizi. N: Amr-b-Shuaib.

2.19. PATIENCE (continued)

God says

Be not, then, faint of heart, and grieve not: because you are bound to rise high if you are [truly] believers. -- Q.3:139

….God loves those who are patient in adversity: -- Q.3:146

You shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if you persevere patiently, and guard against evil – then that will be the determining factor in all affairs. -- Q.3:186

O you who have attained to faith! Be patient in adversity, and vie in patience with one another, and be ever ready [to do what is right], and remain conscious of God, so that you might attain to a happy state! -- Q.3:200

Be, then, [like Noah] patient in adversity – for, behold, the future belongs to the God-conscious! * -- Q.11:49

* This is though addressed to the Prophet, at the end of the story of Noah, but the statement by God is meant for all times.

Prophet said

1. “Verily, patience is (that which is) observed in the very beginning of (any) grief” – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Anas.

2.19. PATIENCE

God says

And seek aid in steadfast patience and prayer: and this, indeed, is a hard thing for all but the humble, who know with certainty that they shall meet their Sustainer and that unto Him they shall return. -- Q.2:45,46

O you who believe! Seek help in patient perseverance and prayer: for God is with those who are patient in adversity. * -- Q.2:153

* This promise opens the door to every kind of spiritual well-being.

When calamity befalls them they say: “To God we belong and to Him we return.” On them God’s mercy and blessings are bestowed and they are the ones who receive guidance. -- Q.2:156,157
THE ARABIC WORD SABR implies many shades of meanings which it is impossible to comprehend in one English word: (1) patience in the sense of being thorough, rather than hasty; (2) patient perseverance, constancy, steadfastness, firmness of purpose; (3) systematic as opposed to spasmodic or chance action; (4) a cheerful attitude of resignation and understanding of sorrow, defeat, or suffering as opposed to murmuring, or rebellion, but saved from mere passivity or listlessness, by the element of constancy or steadfastness. … An additional meaning implied in Sabr is self-restraint. – Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Prophet said

1. “God the Almighty says: if I take away to me from my faithful servant his best friend in this world and he then bears it patiently for My sake, his reward from Me will be nothing less than paradise” – Hades Qudsi: Bukhari. N: Abu Hurairah.

2.18. NEGLECT OF KNOWLEDGE

God says

You are indeed the best community that has ever been brought forth for (the good of) mankind: you enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong, and you believe in God*.…. Q3:110

History has shown – this promise is bound to lapse whenever Muslims fail to live up to their faith.

We have neglected the condition to act for the good of mankind, hence, lost the status promised in the verse. This can best be understood in the light of 2 : 143 and notes as under:And thus We have willed you to be a community of the middle way,* so that [with your lives] you might bear witness to the truth before all mankind, and that the Apostle might bear witness to it before you.** -- Q.2: 143

* I.e., a community that keeps an equitable balance between extremes and is realistic in its appreciation of man’s nature and possibilities, rejecting both licentiousness and exaggerated asceticism or so called fundamentalism.

** I.e., “that your way of life be an example (and attraction) to all mankind , just as the Apostle is an example to you.

Now If the followers of earlier revelation had attained to [this kind of] faith, it would have been for their own good; …. Q3:110

Do you think that most of them (who deny Our messages) listen and use their reason? No, they are but the cattle – no, they are even less conscious of the right way! -- Q.25:44

Prophet said

1. “Whoever has the knowledge to answer a question (but) he conceals it, shall earn the girdle of fire on Resurrection Day” – H: Ahmed, Ibn Daud and Tirmizi. Ibn Majah from Anas.

2. “The learning from which no benefit is derived is like the hoarded wealth of which nothing is spent in the way of God.” – Ahmed and Darimi. N: Abu Hurairah.

3. “To impart knowledge to one who does not deserve it is like putting on a necklace of emeralds, pearls and gold to the neck of a swine”-- H: Ibn Majah. N: Anas.

4. “By Him in whose hand is my life, you must enjoin (the doing of) what is right and forbid (the doing of) what is wrong, otherwise it is near that God will send chastisement upon you from Himself. You will then call Him but you will not be responded to!” *-- H: Tirmizi. N: Huzaifa.

2.17. KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION (continued)

God says

- Read in the name of thy Sustainer, who created – created man out of a germ-cell! Read – for the Sustainer is the Most Bountiful One who has taught [man] the use of the pen – taught man what he did not know!*** -- Q.96:1-5

*** “The pen” is used here as a symbol for the art of writing or, more specifically, for all knowledge recorded by means of writing: and this explains the symbolic summons “Read!” at the beginning of the verses 1 and 3. Man’s unique ability to transmit, by means of written records, his thoughts, experiences and insights from individual to individual, from generation to generation, and from one cultural environment to another endows all human knowledge with a cumulative character; and since, thanks to this God-given ability, every human being partakes, in one way or another, in mankind’s continuos accumulation of knowledge, man is spoken of as being “taught by God” things which the single individual does not – and, indeed, cannot – know by himself. (This double stress on man’s utter dependence on God, who creates him as a biological entity and implants in him the will and the ability to acquire knowledge, receives its final accent, as it were, in the next three verses.) Furthermore, God’s “teaching” man signifies also the act of His revealing, through the prophets, spiritual truths and moral standards which cannot be unequivocally established through human experience and reasoning alone: and, thus, it circumscribes the phenomenon of divine revelation as such.

Prophet said

1. “Whoever treads a path seeking knowledge God will make his path to heaven easy”-- H: Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.

2. “On the Resurrection Day three persons will intercede: the prophets, the learned and the martyrs!” -- H: Ibn Majah. N: Usman-b-Affan.

3. “If you learn a chapter of religious knowledge whether it is in practice among the faithful or not, it will be better than one thousand units of non-obligatory prayers” – H: Ibn Majah. N: Abu Zarr.

4. “Circulate from me though it be a sentence”-- H: Bukhari. N: Abdullah-b-Amr.

5. “Search knowledge though it may be in China”– H: Baihaqi. N: Anas.

2.17. KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION (continued)

God says

Read* in the name of thy Sustainer, who created – created man out of a germ-cell!** Read – for the Sustainer is the Most Bountiful One who has taught [man] the use of the pen – taught man what he did not know!*** -- Q.96:1-5

(Theses first to five verses of the surah form the very first revelation of the Quran)
* “Reading” primarily signifies a conscious taking-in with a view to understanding of words and ideas received from an outside source: in this case, the message of the Qur’an.** It is noteworthy that this very first Qur’anic revelation – beginning with the instruction to read – alludes to man’s embryonic evolution out of a “germ-cell”-- i.e., out of a fertilized female ovum – thus contrasting the primitiveness and simplicity of his biological origins with his intellectual and spiritual potential: a contrast which clearly points to the existence of a conscious design and a purpose underlying the creation of life.

For your convenience, note of third astrix along with the verses :1-5 will be given next Friday, inshaAllah.

Prophet said

1. “The superiority of a learned man (‘aalim) over a (mere) worshipper (‘aabid) is like the superiority of the moon on the night when it is full over all other stars” – H: Ibn Hanbal, Abu Daod, Tirmizi, Nasai, Ibn Majah and Darimi.

2. “Seeking knowledge is compulsory upon every Muslim male and female” --H: Ibn Majah. N: Anas.

3. “When a man dies, all his actions are cut off from him except three: ever- recurring charity, knowledge from which benefit (continues to be) derived, and a virtuous son praying for him (parents)”-- H: Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.

4. “…..good questioning is half learning’ – H: Bukhari. N: Abu Hurairah.

2.17. KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION

God says

…. say: “O my Lord, cause me to grow in knowledge!” -- Q.20:114

Of all His servants only such as are endowed with [innate] knowledge* stand [truly] in awe of God: [for they alone comprehend that,] God is almighty, much- forgiving. -- Q.35:28

* I.e., spiritual knowledge, born of the realization that the phenomena which can be observed do not comprise the whole of reality, inasmuch as there is “a realm beyond the reach of human perception”(cf.surah 2, verse 3).

The Most Gracious has imparted the Qur’an [unto man]: He has created man: He has imparted unto him articulate thought and speech.* -- Q.55:1- 4

*The term al-bayaan – denoting “the means whereby a thing is (intellectually) circumscribed and made clear (in spoken or written language)” (Raghib).

Prophet said

1. “If you learn a chapter of religious knowledge whether it is in practice among the faithful or not, it will be better than one thousand units of non-obligatory prayers” – H: Ibn Majah. N: Abu Zarr.

2. “It is part of knowledge to say: ‘God knows best’ for what you don`t know.”- N: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abdullah

3. “Verily, the learned are the heritage of prophets” – H: Ahmed, Tirmizi and Abu Daud. N: Abu Darda.

2.16. DISUNITY

God says

And hold fast, all together, unto the bond with God, and do not draw apart from one another. -- Q.3:103

And be not like those who are divided among themselves and fall into disputations after all evidence of the truth has come unto them; for these it is, for whom tremendous suffering is in store -- Q.3:105

And pay heed unto God and His Apostle, and do not [allow yourself to] be at variance with one another, lest you lose heart and your moral strength desert you. And be patient in adversity: for, verily, God is with those who are patient in adversity. – Q. 8:46

Verily, [O you who believe in Me,] this community of yours is one single community, since I am the Sustainer of you all: worship, then, Me [alone]! But men have torn their unity wide asunder, [forgetting that] unto Us they all have to return. And yet, whoever does [the least] of righteous deeds and is a believer withal, his endeavor shall not be disowned: for, behold, We shall record it in his favour. -- Q.21:92-94

… and seek not [occasion for] mischief in the land: for God loves not those who do mischief. -- Q.28: 77

Prophet said

1. “Dispute about Qur’an is infidelity”-- H: Ahmed and Abu Daud. N: Abu Hurairah.

2. “Surely, the devil (Shaitan) is to a man as wolf is to sheep, attacking those sheep that stray away from the flock: those which wander and those which take to a corner (apart from the flock). So avoid the branching paths and stick to the united body and the majority (of believers)” -- H: Ahmed. N: Muaz-b-Jabal.

3. “You must not become unbelievers after me, some of you killing the others.”-- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Jorair.

2.15. UNITY

God says

….help one another in furthering virtue and God consciousness, and do not help each other in furthering evil and enmity; and remain conscious of God: for, behold, God is severe in retribution! -- Q.5:2 (last sentence)

Remain, then, conscious of God, and keep alive the bond of brotherhood among yourselves* and pay heed unto God and His Apostle, if you are [truly] believers. -- Q. 8:1

* Lit., “set to rights the relationship between yourselves” – i.e., “remain conscous of your brotherhood in faith and banish all discord among yourselves”.

And [as for] the believers, both men and women -- they are close unto one another: they [all] enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong, and are constant in prayer, and render the purifying dues [zakat], and pay heed unto God and His Apostle. It is they upon whom God will bestow His grace: verily, God is almighty, wise! -- Q.9:71

Better to say “I should not just read the above verse and pass on. I should think and plan to redress myself in the light of God’s definition so as to qualify myself for His grace. I should pay attention to right and wrong in daily dealings, and always be thankful when corrected.”

Prophet said

1. “In mutual kindness, love and sympathy you will see the believers like a single body. When a limb complains, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever”– H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Nu’man-b-Bashir.

2. “Eat together and be not separate, because blessing is only with the united body”-- H: Ibn Majah. N: Omar-b-al-Khattab.

2.14. FALSE PRIDE (concluded)

God says

...such as would call God’s messages in question without having any evidence therefor: [a sin] exceedingly loathsome in the sight of God and of those who have attained to faith. It is in this way that God sets a seal on every arrogant, self-exalting heart. -- Q.40:35

And though some be too proud [to listen to this call], they who [in their hearts] are with thy Sustainer extol His limitless glory by night and day, and never grow weary [thereof].-- Q.41:38

Yet indeed , as for any who defend themselves after having been wronged – no blame whatever attaches to them: blame attaches but to those who oppress [other] people and behave outrageously on earth, offending against all right: for them there is grievous suffering in store! -- Q. 42:41,42

The sin of Iblis was false pride that made him disobey God and, yet, not ask for forgiveness: (See surah 7, verses:12 and 13)

Prophet said

1. When enquired about a man who liked that his dress and his shoes should look nice, the Messenger of God said: “God is beautiful and likes beauty. Pride is in disclaiming the truth and despising people”– H: Muslim. N: Ibn Masud.

2. “On the Resurrection Day God will not look at one who lets flow his trouser out of vanity”-- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Ibn Omar. (Same is narrated by Abu Hurairah with slight variation in words.)