Basic Commitments of Muslims
Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi
Sûrah al Isra’ 17:23-39
“Your Lord has decreed that you
worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both
of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt,
nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor.
And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say:
"My Lord! Bestow on them Mercy even as they cherished me in
childhood."
"Your Lord knows best what is in your
hearts: if you do deeds of righteousness, verily He is Most Forgiving to
those who turn to Him again and again (in true penitence).
And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in
want, and to the wayfarer: but squander not (your wealth) in the manner of
a spendthrift. Verily
spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the Evil One is to his
Lord (Himself) Ungrateful. And
even if you have to turn away from them in pursuit of the Mercy from thy
Lord which you do expect, yet speak to them a word of easy kindness.
"Make not your hand tied to your neck,
nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach, so that you become blameworthy
and destitute.
"Verily your Lord does provide
sustenance in abundance for whom He pleases, and He provides in a just
measure: for He does know and regard all His servants.
"Kill not your children for fear of
want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the
killing of them is a great sin.
"Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is
a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils).
"Nor take life - which Allah has made
sacred - except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, We have
given his heir authority (to demand Qisas or to forgive): but let him not
exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the law).
"Come not nigh to the orphan's
property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength;
and fulfill (every) engagement, for (every) engagement, will be enquired
into (on the Day of Reckoning).
"Give full measure when you measure,
and weigh with a balance that is straight; that is the most fitting and
the most advantageous in the final determination.
"And pursue not that of which you have
no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing, or of (feeling in)
the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).
"Nor walk on the earth with insolence:
for you cannot rend the earth asunder, nor reach the mountains in height.
"Of all such things the evil is
hateful in the sight of your Lord.
"These are among the (precepts of)
wisdom, which thy Lord has revealed to you. Take not, with Allah, another
object of worship, lest you should be thrown into Hell, blameworthy and
rejected".
Surah al-Isra’ was revealed to Prophet
Muhammad -peace be upon him- in Makkah after his Night Journey from Makkah
to Jerusalem. In this Sûrah Allah mentions some basic commitments of
Muslims. Without fulfilling these commitments no individual or group can
succeed. Muslims have to live by these values and should invite the
humanity to these principles. These principles are not limited to one
race, tribe or group; they are universal in their scope and application.
These are also called the Hikmah or the teachings of wisdom. It is wise
for every one to follow them. If followed properly they are capable to
increase the goodness and wisdom of all people. These principles are:
1. Worship Allah alone:
This means to recognize Allah as the
ultimate reality and to recognize Allah as the Lord, to worship Him with
all sincerity and to submit to Him in every aspect of life. A Muslim’s
life is nothing but total commitment to Allah. We are not only monotheists
(people of Tawhîd) but we are also theocentric people. Allah is the
center of our life and He is our total and ultimate concern.
2. Be respectful and kind to parents:
This is to acknowledge the compassion and kindness of the parents, to be
grateful to them and to do one’s utmost to reciprocate that love and
compassion. Filial piety and devotion is the second most important
commitment of Muslims. Respect and kindness to parents is not just a
social duty for us; it is our religious duty and obligation.
3. Be good to your relatives, to the
poor and the travelers:
This is to remember that we are interconnected in this world. Our
responsibilities are not only towards our immediate families, and
ourselves but also to other relatives and to the society at large. We are
all in need of each other and we are all fellow travelers in this path of
life. We must see what we can do for others. Muslims must live a socially
responsible life. Social responsibility begins with the family, other
relatives, and it includes all those who are in need.
4. Be careful with your money. Do not
waste your resources:
One should be neither be too tight with one’s money nor be too lose with
it. Extravagance is not right, but also one should not become stingy and
miserly. A Muslim is committed to the balanced life style. Money should be
earned in Halal ways and it should be spent in the right manner. This
principle can be applied to all resources that Allah has given us. Wise
and conscientious use of resources is a very important commitment of
Muslims.
5. Take good care of your children:
As we recognize the rights of the parents, we should also recognize the
rights of children. Our children are our future. We must see that we raise
healthy, intelligent and morally responsible children. Our commitment
should be to raise them in safe and healthy environment. We must protect
their life as well as their sprit and mind, their morals and manners.
6. Do not commit adultery or
fornication:
Sexual perversions bring the greatest harm to individuals and societies.
Observing the proper rules in this matter lead to health, happiness and
good moral society. Muslims are committed to pure, clean and socially
responsible life style. Islam teaches that one should not come even close
to adultery or fornication. This means proper dress code for males and
females, proper behavior in mixed societies and proper control on social
relations and entertainments.
7. Respect every life. Do not kill
anyone unless in the pursuit of justice:
This means that one should recognize the sanctity of all life and should
not do anything that may jeopardize life. One should avoid aggression and
violence, because these things lead to murder. Every Muslim must be
committed to peaceful ways. Conflicts should be resolved by dialogue and
negotiations not by killings and murders. However, justice must be
maintained, because just punishment brings safety and protects life.
8. Take care of the orphans:
Orphans and all those who are vulnerable must be taken care of. Their
rights must be recognized and they should be protected from all harms. A
Muslim must be deeply committed to the care of young, poor, infirm and
handicapped. Kindness and compassion is the basic commitment of a Muslims.
It includes every one, including the animals.
9. Fulfill the promises and your
commitments:
Promises and contracts are an important part of human life and human
civilization. When promises are not kept people lose trust in each other
and the whole society becomes weak. Muslims must be true to their words.
Our commitment must be to speak the truth, to be honest and when we make a
pledge we do our best to fulfill our pledges.
10. Be honest in business dealings.
Do not cheat in weight or measurement:
Honest business brings progress, success and blessings. All business
whether it is commercial, social or political must be done with a sense of
justice and fairness. A Muslim is committed to fair dealing in everything
and with every one. Dealing with a Muslim means dealing with full
confidence. A Muslim businessman is the most truthful businessman. A
Muslim worker is the most honest worker. A Muslim in any profession should
bring honor to that profession.
11. Do things with knowledge. Do not
follow the hearsay or act on half- knowledge:
The information agencies, the media have a great responsibility. A lot of
injustice is done when the misinformation is given or the information is
misused. Muslims should be committed to truth in information. They should
promote truthful and honest reporting about everyone including their
enemies. A report coming from a Muslim source should be the most
trustworthy report. In a similar way Muslim should be extremely careful
with their actions and reactions. They should not react without proper
evidence against anyone. They should show the world how the information is
ascertained.
12. Be humble and don’t be arrogant:
Moderation and balance is the best thing in one’s behavior as well as in
one’s attitudes toward others. A Muslim is a dignified person, but
he/she is humble. A Muslim is not boastful, arrogant or vainglorious. A
Muslim thanks Allah for all His gifts. For everything the ultimate praise
is for Allah and the real glory belongs to Allah.
These are the basic commitments of Muslims,
as individuals and as people. These are the principles of wisdom and the
universal values of Islam. When they are followed they bring justice,
peace and happiness in this world and they will indeed bring success and
salvation in the Hereafter. Let us all try to make these our real
commitments.
Source: www.isna.net
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