2.08. OPPRESSION (to continue)

God says

…. oppression is even worse than killing. … Q2: 191

…they who transgress the bounds set by God -- it is they, they who are evildoers! - Q.2: 229

But he who commits a fault or a sin and throws the blame on an innocent person, burdens himself with the guilt of calumny and [yet another] flagrant sin. - Q.4: 112

Prophet said

1. “God gives respite to the oppressor until when He overtakes him. He (then) does not exempt him.”-- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Musa.

2. “Of all the people, remotest from God is the hard hearted”– H: Tirmizi. N: Ibn Omar.

3. “Whoever extorts any portion of land unjustly will be sunk down unto seven earths on the Resurrection Day” – H: Bukhari. N: Salem.

4. “The poor man among my people is he who will come on Resurrection Day with prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (on the one hand and on the other, with) rebuking, backbiting, devouring the property, shedding the blood, and beating someone.”-- H: Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.

2.07 KINDNESS

God says

… and speak kindly to mankind;… Q.2: 83

A kind word and the veiling of another’s want is better than a charitable deed followed by hurt;…. Q.2: 263

And the parable of those who spend their possessions out of longing to please God, and out of their own inner certainty, is that of a garden on high, fertile ground: a rainstorm smites it, and thereupon it brings its fruits twofold; and if no rainstorm smites it, soft rain [falls upon it]. And God sees all that you do. - Q.2: 265

Those who act kindly will have kindness and even more besides, neither darkness nor disgrace will shadow their faces [on Resurrection Day]. Those will be inhabitants of paradise; they will live in it forever. - Q.10: 26

Lo! God enjoins justice and kindness, …. Q.16: 90

Act with kindness just as God has treated you kindly. -- Q.28: 77


Prophet said

1. “With kindness comes grace, and its absence leaves disgrace” -- H: Muslim. N: Bibi Ayesha.

2. “ When a man starts to offer gift with the intention to maintain relationships, God multiplies it manifold” -- H: Ahmed. N: Abu Hurairah.

3. “Do not say: if people do good we will do good, and if they do wrong (then) we will do wrong. But (instead) get yourselves accustomed to do good if people do good and not to do wrong if they do wrong.” -- H: Tirmizi. N: Huzaifah.

4. “God is kind and loves kindness” -- H: Muslim. N: Bibi Ayesha

2.06. DISSENSION (concluded)

God says

Thus, indeed, have We given in this Qur’an many facets to every kind of lesson [designed] for [the benefit of] mankind. However, man is, above all else, given to contention: for what is there to keep people from attaining to faith now that guidance has come unto them, and from asking their Sustainer to forgive them their sins – unless it be [their wish] that the fate of the [sinful] people of ancient times should befall them [as well], or that the [ultimate] suffering should befall them in the hereafter? -- Q.18: 54, 55

O you who have attained to faith! If any wicked person comes to you with a [slanderous] tale, use your discernment,* lest you hurt people unwittingly and afterwards be filled with remorse for what you have done. -- Q.49: 6

*I.e., verify the truth before giving credence to any such report or rumour. The tale-bearer is characterized as “wicked” because the very act of spreading unsubstantiated rumours affecting the reputation of other persons constitutes a spiritual offense.

O you who have attained to faith! Avoid most guesswork [about one another] -- for, behold, some of [such] guesswork is [in itself] a sin; and do not spy upon one another, nor allow yourselves to speak ill of one another behind your backs. … Q.49: 12

Prophet said

1. “Dispute between two is destructive”- H: Abu Daud and Tirmizi. N: Abu Dardaa.

2. “Whoever forsakes his brother (Muslim) for a year is like one who sheds his blood.” – H: Abu Daud. N: Abul Kherash as-Solami.

3.“The worst of the servants of God are those who roam with slanderers, who create differences among the pious.” -- H: Ahmad and Baihaqi. N: ‘Abdur Rahman-b-Ganam.

2.06. DISSENSION

God says

And when they are told, “Do not spread corruption on earth,” they answer, “We are but improving things!” Oh, verily, it is they, they who are spreading corruption– but they perceive it not!* -- Q.2: 11,12

* It would seem that this is an allusion to people who oppose any “intrusion” of religious considerations into the realm of practical affairs, and thus – often unwittingly, thinking that they are “but improving things” – contribute to the moral and social confusion referred to in the subsequent verse.

Do not abuse those (beings) whom they invoke instead of God, lest they abuse God out of spite, and in ignorance: …. Q.6: 108

. … 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 God is with those who are patient in adversity -- Q.8: 46

Prophet said

1. “To God, the worst of men in rank on the resurrection day will be one whom people give up for fear of his harms”-- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Bibi Ayesha.

2. “He does not believe in God (said three times): he from whose injuries his neighbour is not safe”-- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.

3. “One who creates dissension shall not enter paradise”--H: Bukhari, Muslim. N: Huzaifah.

4. “Doors of paradise are opened on Monday and Thursday when every servant (of God) who does not ascribe divinity to aught beside God is forgiven except a man between whom and his brother there is rancour. It is then said to leave them alone till they are at peace.” – H: Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.

2.05 PEACE (concluded)

God says

God invites unto the abode of peace* ….. Q10: 25

*‘Abode of peace’ not only denotes the condition of ultimate happiness in the hereafter (alluded to in the allegory of paradise) but also the spiritual condition of a true believer in this world: namely, a state of inner security, of peace with God, with natural environments and with oneself.

Hence, if two groups of believers fall to fighting* make peace between them; but then, if one of the two [groups] goes on acting wrongfully toward the other, fight against the one who acts wrongfully until it reverts to God’s commandment;** and if they revert, make peace between them with justice, and deal equitably [with them]: for God loves those who act equitably! - Q.49: 9*

The expression “fighting” comprises in this context all modes of discords and contention, both in word and deed, evidently as a consequence of the slanderous rumours spoken of in verse 6 earlier.** The believers should act as brethren.

Prophet said

1. “A believer is he in whom mankind has an asylum for their lives and properties” -- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abdullah-b-Amr.

2. “Should I not inform you what is better in rank than the (voluntary) fasting, charity and (voluntary) prayer? (It is) to restore peace between the two. Dispute is destructive” -- H: Abu Daud and Tirmizi. N: Abu Darda.

3. “You shall not enter paradise till you believe; and you will not be believers till you love one another. Should I not guide you to something, which if you would do you would love one another? Spread peace among you.”— H: Muslim. N: Abu Huraira.

2.05. PEACE

God says

And when those who believe in Our messages come to you, say “Salamun ‘Alaikum” (Peace be upon you) *…..Q.6:54

* The “peace” referred to in the above expression in 6:54 – which occurs many times in the Qur’an and has become the standard form of Muslim greeting – has a spiritual connotation comprising the concepts of ethical soundness, security from all that is evil and, therefore, freedom from all moral conflict and disquiet.

Islam literally means ‘peace’ and ‘complete submission (to God)’. Hence, maintenance of peace was assured and positive rules were set up for peaceful living. As for neighbours, for instance, The Law of Pre-emption or the Law of Neighbourhood gave right to a non-Muslim over a Muslim. (See topic 29. Duty to Neighbour in previous section). Neglect of peace with them was strictly prohibited by the Prophet of Islam who warned: “One whose neighbour is not safe from being troubled by him shall not enter paradise.” ‘He often stressed a believer’s moral obligation towards his neighbours whatever their faith.’ Even in war-time peace was never lost sight of as can be seen from the verses addressed to the Prophet.

But if they, (i.e., the enemies during war time,) incline to peace, incline thou to it as well, and place thy trust in God: verily He alone is all-hearing, all-knowing! And should they seek but to deceive thee [by their show of peace] – behold God is enough for thee! …. * Q.8: 61,62

* The implication is that “even if they offer peace only with a view to deceiving thee, this (offer of) peace must be accepted, since all judgment (of their intentions) must be based on outward evidence alone” (Razi): in other words, in Islam, mere suspicion cannot be made an excuse for rejecting an offer of peace by an enemy.

Prophet said

1. “A believer is he in whom mankind has an asylum for their lives and properties” -- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abdullah-b-Amr.

2. “… Hence, whoever forsakes his brother (a Muslim) beyond three (days) and then dies shall enter the Fire.” – H: Abu Daud and Ahmed. N: Abu Hurairah.

3. “O people! Spread peace, give food, keep blood-connection, and perform (voluntary) prayer at night while others sleep; you will then enter paradise with peace.” -- H: Tirmizi and Ibn Majah. N: Abdullah-b-Salam.

2.04. BAD CONDUCT (concluded)

God says

O you who believe! Avoid most guesswork [about one another] – for, behold, some of [such] guesswork is [in itself] a sin; and do not spy upon one another, nor speak ill of each other behind their backs: Q.49:12

O you who have attained to faith! Ward off from yourselves and those who are close to you* that fire (of the hereafter) whose fuel are human beings and stones: …. Q.66: 6

* Lit., “your families” or “your people”; however, the term ahl denotes also people who share one’s race, religion, occupation, etc., as well as “dependants” in the most comprehensive sense of this word (Jawhari, Raghib; also Mughni).

Nay, [O men,] but you [are lured away from God whenever you are tempted to] give the lie to [God’s] Judgement! * And yet, verily, there are ever-watchful forces over you, noble, recording, aware of whatever you do! [Behold, in the life to come] the truly virtuous will be in bliss, whereas, behold, the wicked will indeed be in a blazing fire -- Q.82: 9-13

*A tendency inherent in most human beings to close one’s mind – occasionally or permanently, as the case may be – to the prospect of having to answer before God for one’s doings.

Prophet said

1. “Let (your) evil (action) be followed by good (deed) which will efface it.” -- H: Ahmad and Tirmizi. N: Abu Zarr.

2. “The man worst in rank before God on the Resurrection Day will be one whom people forsake for fear of his harms. (And in a narration: for fear of his indecent behaviour).” -- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Bibi Ayesha.

3. According to a Hadis Qudsi, quoted by Muslim on the authority of Abu Zarr, on the Resurrection Day God will not speak to one who treats others harshly, nor look at him, nor purify him and for him there will be a great chastisement.

“Every child that is born, is born innocent and remains in this sinless stage until the age of discretion. His duties towards God and duties towards His creations are clearly defined in the Qur’an and the Traditions of the Prophet. Observance of these (virtues) enables the soul reach its perfection (paradise): their neglect (sin) leads to degradation (hell).” –Al-Hadis