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Graceful Living
Ch. Nazar Mohammad

CONTENTS
Relationship with Parents
Relationship with Kith and Kin
Behavior towards Orphans
Behavior with Slaves
Behavior with Neighbors
Helping the Needy
Conduct with Debtors
The Rights of the Poor
Treating a Prisoner
Treating a Traveler
Serving Meals

In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful
RELATIONSHIP WITH PARENTS

Sura: 2, Ayat: 83.
When We made a covenant with the children of Israel: You serve none but Allah. Show kindness to your parents, to your kinsfolk, to the orphans, and to the destitute. Exhort men to righteousness. Attend to your prayers and pay the alms-tax. But you all turned your backs except a few, and gave no heed.

Sura: 2, Ayat: 180.
It is decreed that when death approaches, those of you that leave wealth shall bequeath it equitably to parents and kindred. This is a duty incumbent on the righteous.

Sura: 2, Ayat: 215.
They will ask you about alms giving, Say: 'Whatever you bestow in charity must go to your parents and to your kinsfolk, to the orphan and to the poor man and to the wayfarer. Allah is aware of whatever good you do.'

Sura: 4, Ayat: 36
Serve Allah and associate none with Him. Show kindness to your parents and your kindred, to the orphans and to the needy, to your near and distant neighbors, to your fellow travelers, to the wayfarers, and to the slaves whom you own. Allah does not love arrogant and boastful men.

Sura: 6, Ayat: 151.
Say: 'Come, I will tell you what your Lord has made binding on you: ....... that you shall show kindness to your parents: .........

Sura: 9, Ayat: 114.
Ibrahim prayed for his father only to fulfill a promise he had made him. But when he realized he was an enemy of Allah, he disowned him. Surely Ibrahim was a compassionate and tenderhearted man.

Sura:14, Ayat: 40-41.
'Lord, make me and my descendants steadfast in prayer. Lord, accept my prayer. 'Forgive me, our Lord, and forgive my parents and all the faithful on the Day of reckoning.'
Serve no other gods besides Allah, lest you be despised, forsaken. Your Lord has enjoined you to worship none but Him, and show kindness to your parents.
If either or both of them attain old age with you, show them no sign of impatience nor rebuke them; but speak to them kind words. Treat them with humility and tenderness and say: 'Lord, be merciful to them. They nursed me when I was an infant.'

Sura: 17, Ayat: 23-25.
Your Lord best knows what is in your hearts. If you are good, He will forgive those that turn to Him.

Sura: 19, Ayat: 12-15.
'0 Yahya, hold fast to the Book,' We bestowed on him wisdom while yet a child and (gave him) pity (for others) and purity; and he grew up a righteous man; honouring his father and mother, and neither arrogant nor rebellious. Peace on him on the day he was born and the day he dies; and may peace be on him when he is raised to life.

Sura: 19, Ayat: 29-33.
She pointed to him. But they replied: 'How can we speak with a baby in the cradle? (Whereupon) he said: 'I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Book and made me a prophet.
He made me blessed wherever I go, and He has commanded me to be steadfast in prayer and to give alms to the poor as long as I shall live. He has made me kind to my mother and not insolent, miserable.
So peace be on me on the day I was born, and on the day I die; and may peace be upon me on the day when I shall be raised to life.'

Sura: 27, Ayat: 19.
Sulayman smiled at her words, and said: 'Inspire me, Lord, to render thanks for the favours You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and to do good works that will please You. Include me, through Your mercy, among Your righteous servants.'

Sura: 29, Ayat: 8.
We have enjoined man to show kindness to his parents. But if they bid you to associate with Me what you know nothing of, do not obey them. To Me you will all return, and I shall declare to you all that you have done.

Sura: 31, Ayat: 14-15.
And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), 'Show gratitude to Me and to your parents: to Me is (your final) Goal.
'But if they strive to make you join in worship with Me things of which you have no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to Me (in love): In the End the return of you all is to Me, and I will tell you the truth (and meaning) of all that you did.'

Sura: 46, Ayat: 15-16.
We have enjoined man to show kindness to his parents. With much pain his mother bears him, and with much pain she brings him into the world. He is born and weaned in thirty months.
When he grows to manhood and attains his fortieth year, let him say: Grant me, Lord, that I may give thanks for the favours You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and to do good works that will please You. Grant me good descendants. To You I turn and to You I surrender myself.'
Such are those from whom We will accept their noblest works and whose misdeeds We shall overlook. (We shall include them) among the people of Paradise: true is the promise that has been given them.

Sura: 46, Ayat: 17-19.
But (you rind one) who says to his parents: 'Fie on you! Do you threaten me with a resurrection when entire generations have passed away before me?'
But they pray for Allah's help and say: 'Woe to you! Have faith. the promise of Allah is true.' He replied: 'This is but a fable of the ancients.' He shall justly deserve the fate of bygone nations of men and jinn: he shall assuredly be lost.
There are degrees for all, according to their deeds, so that Allah may duly requite them for their works.

Sura: 71, Ayat: 28.
Forgive me, Lord, and forgive my parents and every true believer who seeks refuge in my house. Forgive all the faithful, men and women, and hasten the destruction of the wrongdoers.'

In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful
RELATIONSHIP WITH KITH AND KIN

Sura: 2, Ayat: 177.
Righteousness does not consist in whether you face towards the east or the west. The righteous man is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, in the angels and the Book and the prophets; who for the love of Allah gives his wealth to his kinsfolk, to the orphans, to the needy, to the wayfarers and to the beggars, and for the redemption of captives; who attends to his prayers and pays the alms-tax; who is true to his promises and steadfast in trial and adversity and in times of war. Such are the true believers; such are the God-fearing.

Sura: 2, Ayat: 180.
It is decreed that when death approaches, those of you that leave wealth shall bequeath it equitably to parents and kindred. This is a duty incumbent on the righteous.

Sura: 2, Ayat: 215.
They will ask you about alms-giving, Say: 'Whatever you bestow in charity must go to your parents and to your kinsfolk, to the orphan and to the poor man and to the wayfarer. Allah is aware of whatever good you do.'

Sura: 4, Ayat: 1.
Men, have fear of your Lord, who created you from a single soul. From that soul He created its mate, and through them He bestrewed the earth with countless men and women. Fear Allah, in whose name you plead with one another, and honour the mothers who bore you. Allah is ever watching over you.

Sura: 4, Ayat: 8.
If relatives, orphans, or needy men are present at the division of an inheritance, give them, too, a share of it, and speak to them in kind words.

Sura: 4, Ayat: 36.
Serve Allah and associate none with Him. Show kindness to your parents and your kindred, to the orphans and to the needy, to your near and distant neighbours, to your fellow-travellers, to the wayfarers, and to the slaves whom you own. Allah does not love arrogant and boastful men.

Sura: 4, Ayat: 135.
0 you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: For God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you swerve, and if you distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily God is well-acquainted with all that you do.

Sura: 6, Ayat: 151-152.
Say: 'Come, I will tell you what your Lord has made binding on you: ....... Speak justly, even if it affects your own kinsmen ..........

Sura: 8, Ayat: 41.
And know that out of all the booty that you may acquire (in war), a fifth share is assigned to God, - and to the Apostle, and to near relatives, orphans, the needy, and the wayfarer, - if you do believe in God and in the revelation We sent down to Our Servant on the Day of Testing (battle of Badr), - the Day of the meeting of the two forces. For God has power over all things.

Sura: 8, Ayat: 74-75.
Those that have embraced the faith and migrated from their homes and fought for the cause of Allah, and those that have sheltered them and helped them - they are the true believers. They shall receive mercy and a generous provision.
Those that have since embraced the faith and fled their homes and fought together with you - they too are of you. And according to the Book of Allah, those who are bound by ties of blood are nearest to one another. Allah has knowledge of all things.

Sura: 9, Ayat: 113-114.
It is not for the Prophet or the believers to beg forgiveness for polytheists, even though they be near of kin, after it has become manifest that they are the people of the Fire. Ibrahim prayed for his father only to fulfill a promise he had made with him.
But when he realized he was an enemy of Allah, he disowned him. Surely Ibrahim was a compassionate and tender-hearted man.

Sura: 16, Ayat: 90.
Allah enjoins justice, kindness and charity to one's kindred, and forbids indecency, wickedness and oppression. He admonishes you so that you may take heed.

Sura: 17, Ayat: 26.
Give to the near of kin their due, and also to the destitute and to the way-farers. Do not squander (your substance) wastefully.

Sura: 24, Ayat: 22.
Let not the honourable and rich among you swear not to give to their kindred, the poor, and those who have emigrated for the cause of Allah. Rather, let them pardon and forgive. Do you not wish Allah to forgive you? He is Forgiving, Merciful.

Sura: 24, Ayat: 61.
It shall be no offence for the blind, the lame, the sick and yourselves to eat at your table. Nor shall it be an offence for you to eat in your houses and in the houses of your fathers, your mothers, your brothers, your sisters, your paternal uncles, your paternal aunts, your maternal uncles, your maternal aunts or in houses with the keys of which you are entrusted, or in those of your friends. It shall be equally lawful whether you eat together or apart.
When you enter houses, salute one another with a salutation from Allah, blessed and kind. Thus Allah makes clear to you His revelations so that you may understand.

Sura: 26, Ayat: 214-216.
Admonish your nearest kinsfolk and show kindness to the believers who follow you. If they disobey you, say: 'I am not accountable for what you do.'

Sura: 30, Ayat: 38.
Give their due to the near of kin, to the needy, and to the wayfarers. That is best for those who seek the Countenance of Allah; such men will surely prosper.

Sura: 33, Ayat: 6.
The Prophet has a greater claim on the faithful than their own selves. His wives are their mothers.
Blood relations are closer to one another in the Book of Allah than to other believers or muhajirs*, although you are permitted to do your friends a kindness. This is decreed in Allah's Book. (*The emigrants to Madinah)

This is what Allah announces to true believers who do good works.

Sura: 42, Ayat: 23.
Say: 'For this I demand of you no recompense except the love of those near of kin. He that does a good deed We add to its goodness for him. He is Forgiving and Bountiful in His rewards.'

Sura: 58, Ayat: 22.
You shall find no believers in Allah and the Last Day on friendly terms with those who oppose Allah and His Apostle, even though they be their fathers, their sons, their brothers, or their kindred. Allah has written the faith in their very hearts and strengthened them with a spirit of His own. He will admit them to gardens watered by running streams, where they shall dwell forever.
Allah is well pleased with them and they with Him. They are the party of Allah: and Allah's party shall surely triumph.

In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful
BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS ORPHANS

Sura: 2, Ayat: 177.
Righteousness does not consist in whether you face towards the east or the West. The righteous man is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, in the angels and the Book and the prophets; who for the love of Allah gives his wealth to his kinsfolk, to the orphans, to the needy, to the wayfarers and to the beggars, and for the redemption of captives; who attends to his prayers and pays the alms-tax; who is true to his promises and steadfast in trial and adversity and in times of war. Such are the true believers; such are the God-fearing.

Sura: 2, Ayat: 215.
They will ask you about almsgiving, Say: 'Whatever you bestow in charity must go to your parents and to your kinsfolk, to the orphan and to the poor man and to the wayfarer. Allah is aware of whatever good you do.'

Sura: 2, Ayat: 220.
They question you concerning orphans. Say: 'To deal justly with them is best. If you mix their affairs with yours, remember they are your brothers. Allah knows the just from the unjust. If Allah wished, He could afflict you. He is Mighty and Wise.'

Sura: 4, Ayat: 2.
Give orphans the property that belongs to them. Do not exchange their valuables for worthless things or devour their possessions adding them to yours; for this would surely be a great sin.

Sura: 4, Ayat: 3.
Marry such women as seem good to you; two, three, or four of them. But if you fear that you cannot do justice, marry one only or those you possess. This will make it easier for you to avoid injustice.

Sura: 4, Ayat: 6.
Test the orphans until they reach the age of marriage; if then you find sound judgment in them, release their property to them; but consume it not wastefully, nor in haste against their growing up. If the guardian is well off, let him claim no remuneration, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just and reasonable. When you release their property to them, call in some witnesses: But All-sufficient is God in taking account.

Sura: 4, Ayat: 8.
If relatives, orphans, or needy men are present at the division of an inheritance, give them, too, a share of it, and speak to them in kind words.

Sura :4, Ayat: 9.
Let those (disposing of an orphan's estate) have the same fear in their minds as they would have for their own if they had left a helpless family behind: Let them fear God, and speak words of appropriate (comfort).

Sura:- 4, Ayat: 10.
Those that devour the property of orphans unjustly, swallow fire into their bellies; they shall burn in the flames of fire

Sura: 4, Ayat: 36.
Serve Allah and associate none with Him. Show kindness to your parents and your kindred, to the orphans and to the needy, to your near and distant neighbors, to your fellow travelers, to the wayfarers, and to the slaves whom you own. Allah does not love arrogant and boastful men.

Sura: 4, Ayat: 127.
They ask your instructions concerning the Women. Say: God does instruct you about them: And (remember) what has been rehearsed upon you in the Book, concerning the orphan women to whom you give not the portions prescribed, and yet whom you desire to marry, as also concerning the children who are weak and oppressed: That you stand firm for justice to orphans. There is not a good deed that you do, but God is well acquainted therewith.

Sura: 6, Ayat: 152.
Do not touch the property of orphans, but strive to improve their lot until they reach maturity....

Sura: 17, Ayat: 34.
Do not draw near the property of orphans except in a nice way, until they reach maturity. And keep your promise....

Sura: 59, Ayat: 7.
The spoils taken from the town-dwellers and assigned by Allah to His Apostle belong to Allah, the Apostle and his kinsfolk, the orphans, the poor and the wayfarers, so that they shall not become the property of the rich among you. Whatever the Apostle gives you, accept it; and whatever he forbids you, forbear from it. Have fear of Allah; He is stern in retribution.

Sura: 76, Ayat: 8-9.
And they feed, for the love of God, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive, (Saying), 'We feed you for the sake of God alone: No reward do we desire from you, nor thanks.

Sura: 89, Ayat: 15-20.
As for man, when his Lord tests him by exalting him and bestowing favours on him, he says: 'My Lord is bountiful to me'. But when He tests him by restricting his subsistence, he says: 'My Lord humiliates me. 'No! But you show no kindness to the orphan, nor do you urge one another to feed the poor. Greedily you lay your hands on the inheritance of the weak, and you love riches with all your hearts.

Sura: 90, Ayat: 8-17.
Have We not given him two eyes, a tongue, and two lips, and shown him the two highways (of good and evil). Yet he would not scale the height. Would that you knew what the Height is! It is the freeing of a bondsman; the feeding, in the day of famine, of an orphaned relation or a needy man in distress; to be one of those who believe, enjoin patience and enjoin mercy.

Sura: 93, Ayat: 6-11.
Did He not find you wandering and guide you?
Did He not find you poor and enrich you?
Therefore do not oppress the orphan, nor drive away the beggar. But proclaim the bounty of your Lord.

Sura: 107, Ayat: 1-3.
Have you thought of him that denies the Last Judgement? It is he who turns away the orphan and does not urge others to feed the poor.

In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful
BEHAVIOUR WITH SLAVES

Sura: 24, Ayat: 32.
Marry those among you who are single, or the virtuous ones among your slaves, male or female: If they are in poverty, God will give them means out of His grace: For God encompasses all, and He knows all things.

Sura: 24, Ayat: 33.
Let those who cannot afford to marry live in continence until Allah enriches them of His bounty. As for those of your slaves who wish for a deed (of freedom), free them if you rind in them any promise and bestow on them a part of the riches which Allah has given you. You shall not force your slave-girls into prostitution in order that you may make money, if they wish to preserve their chastity. If any one compels them then surely after such compulsion, Allah will be Forgiving, Merciful (to them).

In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful
BEHAVIOUR WITH NEIGHBOURS

Sura: 107, Ayat: 4-7.
So woe to the worshippers who are neglectful of their Prayers, those who make a show (of piety), but refuse (to supply) (even) neighbourly needs.

In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful
HELPING THE NEEDY

Sura: 17, Ayat: 26-28.
Give to the near of kin their due, and also to the destitute and to the wayfarers. Do not squander (your substance) wastefully, for the wasteful are the devils' brothers; and the devil is ever ungrateful to his Lord. But if you turn away from them (those in want) to seek your Lord's mercy, hoping to attain it, then say kind words to them.

In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful
CONDUCT WITH DEBTORS

Sura: 2, Ayat: 280-281.
If the debtor is in a difficulty, grant him time till it is easy for him to repay. But if you remit it by way of charity, that is best for you if you only knew. And fear the Day when you shall be brought back to God. Then shall every soul be paid what it earned, and none shall be dealt with unjustly.

In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful
THE RIGHTS OF THE POOR

Sura: 2, Ayat: 177
Righteousness does not consist in whether you face towards the east or the west. The righteous man is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, in the angels and the Book and the prophets; who for the love of Allah gives his wealth to his kinsfolk, to the orphans, to the needy, to the wayfarers and to the beggars, and for the redemption of captives; who attends to his prayers and pays the alms-tax; who is true to his promises and steadfast in trial and adversity and in times of war. Such are the true believers; such are the God-fearing.

Sura: 4, Ayat: 8.
If relatives, orphans, or needy men are present at the division of an inheritance, give them, too, a share of it, and speak to them in kind words.

Sura: 8, Ayat: 41.
And know that out of all the booty that you may acquire (in war), a fifth share is assigned to God, - and to the Apostle, and to near relatives, orphans, the needy, and the wayfarer, - if you do believe in God and in the revelation We sent down to Our Servant on the Day of Testing (battle of Badr), - of the two forces. For God has power over all things.

Sura: 9, Ayat: 60.
Alms shall be only for the poor and the needy and for those employed to administer alms, and for those attracted to the faith, and for captives and debtors and for the cause of Allah and the wayfarer. That is a duty enjoined by Allah. He is Wise, Knowing.

Sura: 17, Ayat: 23-26.
Your Lord has enjoined you ....Give to the near of kin their due, and also to the destitute and to the wayfarers....

Sura: 30, Ayat: 38.
Give their due to the near of kin, to the needy, and to the wayfarers. That is best for those who seek the countenance of Allah; such men will surely prosper.

Sura: 69, Ayat: 30-37.
(We shall say): 'Lay hold of him and bind him. Burn him in the blazing Fire, then fasten him with a chain seventy cubits long. For he did not believe in Allah, the Most High, nor did he urge the feeding of the poor. Today he shall have no friend, nor will he have any food except filth which only sinners eat.'

Sura: 74, Ayat: 38-47.
Each soul is held in pledge for what it earns, except those of the right hand.
These will in their gardens ask the sinners: 'What has brought you into Hell?'
They will reply: 'We, never prayed or fed the hungry. We engaged in vain disputes and denied the Day of Reckoning till the inevitable (death) overtook us.

Sura: 76, Ayat: 7-11.
They (the righteous) who keep their vows and dread the far-spread terrors of the Day (of Judgement), who, though they hold it dear, give sustenance to the poor man, the orphan, and the captive, (saying): 'We feed you for the love of God only; we seek of you neither recompense nor thanks: for we fear from Him a day of anguish and of woe.'
So Allah will deliver them from the evil of that day and make their faces shine with joy.

Sura: 89, Ayat: 17-20.
You show no kindness to the orphan, nor do you urge one another to feed the poor. Greedily you lay your hands on the inheritance of the weak, and you love riches with all your hearts.

Sura: 93, Ayat: 6-11.
Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter?
Did He not find you wandering and guide you?
Did He not find you poor and enrich you?
Therefore do not oppress the orphan, nor drive away the beggar. But proclaim the bounty of your Lord.

Sura: 107, Ayat: 1-3.
Have you thought of him that denies the Last Judgement?
It is he who turns away the orphan and does not urge others to feed the poor.

In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful
TREATING A PRISONER

Sura: 8, Ayat: 67-68.
A prophet may not take captives until he has destroyed many disbelievers in his land. You seek the chance gain of this world, but Allah desires for you the world to come. And Allah is Mighty, Wise. Had there not been a previous sanction from Allah, you would have been sternly punished for what (ransom) you have taken.

Sura: 8, Ayat: 70-71.
0 Prophet, say to those you have taken captive: 'if Allah finds goodness in your hearts, He will give you that which is better than what has been taken from you, and He will forgive you. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.'
But if they seek to betray you, know that they had already betrayed Allah.
Therefore, he has made you triumph over them. Allah is Wise and All-Knowing.

Sura: 47, Ayat: 4-6.
Therefore, when you meet the unbelievers (in the battlefield) strike off their heads and, when you have killed many of them, bind (your captives) firmly. Then grant them their freedom or take ransom from them, until war shall lay down its burdens.
Thus (shall you do), had Allah willed, He could Himself have punished them; but He has ordained it thus that He might test you, the one by the other.
As for those who are slain in the cause of Allah, He will not render their works vain....

Sura: 76, Ayat: 7-11.
They (the righteous) who keep their vows and dread the far-spread terrors of the Day (of Judgement), who, though they hold it dear, give sustenance to the poor man, the orphan, and the captive, (saying):
'We feed you for the love of God only; we seek of you neither recompense nor thanks: for we fear from Him a day of anguish and of woe.'
So Allah will deliver them from the evil of that day and make their faces shine with joy.

In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful
TREATING A TRAVELER

Sura: 4, Ayat: 36.
Serve Allah and associate none with Him. Show kindness to your parents and your kindred, to the orphans and to the needy, to your near and distant neighbours, to your fellow-travelers, to the wayfarers, and to the slaves whom you own. Allah does not love arrogant and boastful men.

Sura: 9, Ayat: 60
Alms shall be only for the poor and the needy and for those employed to administer alms, and for those attracted to the faith, and for captives and debtors and for the cause of Allah and the wayfarers. That is a duty enjoined by Allah. He is Wise, Knowing.

Sura: 17, Ayat: 23-26.
Your Lord has enjoined you....Give to the near of kin their due, and also to the destitute and to the wayfarers. Do not squander (your substance) wastefully for the wasteful are the devils' brothers; and the devil is ever ungrateful to his Lord. But if you turn away from them (those in want) to seek your Lord's mercy, hoping to attain it, then say kind words to them.

Sura: 30, Ayat: 38.
Give their due to the near of kin, to the needy, and to the wayfarers. That is best for those who seek the countenance of Allah; such men will surely prosper.

In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful
SERVING MEALS

Sura: 76, Ayat: 7-9.
They (the righteous) who keep their vows and dread the far-spread terrors of the Day (of Judgment), who, though they hold it dear, give sustenance to the poor man, the orphan, and the captive, (saying): 'We feed you for the love of God only; we seek of you neither recompense nor thanks

Sura: 90, Ayat: 8-16.
Have We not given him two eyes, a tongue, and two lips, and shown him the two highways (of good and evil)? Yet he would not scale the height. Would that you knew what the Height is! It is the freeing of a bondsman; the feeding, in the day of famine, of an orphaned relation or a needy man in distress.

Sura: 107, Ayat: 1-3.
Have you thought of him that denies the Last Judgement? It is he who turns away the orphan and does not urge others to feed the poor.

Source:
Mohammad. Choudhary Nazar, "Commandments by God in the Quran" The Message Publications. New York.