PROFESSOR U MUHAMMAD IQBAL delves deep into the scriptures especially the Bhagavad Gita, the New Testament and finally the Qur’ān to gather and tell those who care to read and reflect over the consequences of rejecting a scripture and mend their ways accordingly.
Did you give the lie to My Signs (Aayaati) even without encompassing them with your knowledge? (27:53)
There is one more specific feature of a scripture. Every scripture holds out a warning of dire consequences if its respective addressees turn their backs upon it, turn a deaf ear to it, and hold it in utter contempt. For example, the Bhagavad Gita contains this statement, “If from egoism, you will not hear Me, you will perish.”(18:58) Commenting on 18:67, Swami Chidbhavananda says, “The teachings of the Gita do no good to those who are devoid of austerity and disciplined life.” (p. 963)
Jesus says, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (St. Luke, 13:3) The act of repentance includes the acceptance of Jesus’ precepts and teachings. Non- acceptance will result in perdition.
The New Testament has this: He that believeth not in the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (St. John, 3:36) (To some interpreters this statement is of doubtful authenticity. There is another statement Verse 18, in the same chapter with the same import but some question its authenticity too.) As these statements are available in several versions, and as Christians believe in their truth, they have been quoted.
“In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” (Jude, 5:17) A similar statement is found in 2 Peter 3:3.
Punishment is sparingly described in words like these, “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (St. Matthew, 8:12, 25:30) “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire.” (ibid., 25:41)
In the Gita (18:58) and in the Gospel according to St. John, 3:36, the rejection of the respective Preceptors is emphasised. However, this rejection includes their precepts which are enshrined in the respective scriptures and so, in actual practice, the rejection of Preceptors is tantamount to the rejection of their scriptures. What entails the rejection is briefly commented upon in them.
As the Qur’ān is the definitive scripture, it deals with the issue of the rejection of a scripture and its grievous consequences in an elaborate manner. It deals with the reasons and consequences of the rejection of the scripture and with the impact of the rejection in relation to Allah and His Messenger too. Elaboration is necessary to make the final warning very effective indeed to those who care to hear and obey the scripture. The act of hearing and obeying is emphasised in the scriptures. While commenting on the Gita 18:67, Swami Chidbhavananda discusses the meaning of a word in it. “The word ‘asusrushavah’ has two meanings. He who does not render service, is one meaning, and he who does not care to listen and follow is another meaning.” (P. 964 of his commentary).
Jesus says, “He who has ears to hear let him hear.” (St. Luke, 8:8, 14:35) “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” (ibid., 5:21) “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (ibid., 11:28) Jesus describes the scripture as the word of God. “He who belongs to God hears what God says.” (St. John, 8:47)
The Qur’ān lays emphasis on hearing and obeying too. “So hold Allah in awe as much as you can, and listen and obey, and be charitable. This is for your own good.” (64:16) Muslims tell Allah, “We hear and obey.” (2:285)
Among the rejecters of the scripture there are those who reject it without listening to it and evaluating it intellectually. They will feel remorse on the Day of Judgment and say, “If we had only listened and understood.” (67:10) Prophet Noah complained about his contemporaries, “They thrust their fingers into their ears and wrapped up their faces with their garments.” (71:7) And there are those who listen but disobey like the contemporaries of Moses who worshipped an idol in the shape of a calf and said, “We hear and disobey” (2:93). Every guilty impostor hears Allah’s signs being rehearsed to him and yet persists in his pride. (45:7)
And there are those who hear and obey and believe and then are overwhelmed by doubts and renounce Islam and then believe again and then go out of the pale of Islam and then go on strengthening their disbelief. God puts a seal on their hearts; as a result, they understand nothing. (63:3)
And there are those who not only reject the divine message but also prevent others from accepting it. The Qur’ān is aware of them and says, “Those who denied this Truth and barred others from the ways of Allah have indeed strayed away.” (4:167)
REASONS FOR REJECTION
The Qur’ān not only classifies the rejecters but also records the reasons they advance in defence of their rejection and offers its own comments.
1. “There is a disease in their hearts, and Allah has intensified this disease.” (2:10) “They are deaf, they are dumb, they are blind, they will never return (to the Right Way.)” (2:18)
2. The rejecters cause mischief. (3:63)
3. The rejecters say, “The way of our forefathers suffices us.” (5:104) “When their Messengers came to them with Clear Signs, they arrogantly exulted in whatever knowledge they had (by then)”. (40:83)
4. They say that everything is pre-destined. “Were Allah to will so, neither we nor our forefathers would have worshipped any other than Him, nor would we have prohibited anything without His command.”(16:35)
5. Their attitude towards the Messenger is biased. They say that he is “a well-tutored madman.” (44:14) See also 51:5.
Shall mortals like ourselves guide us to the right way? (64:6) And so they rejected the Prophets by saying, “Allah has revealed nothing. You are surely in huge error.” (67:9) The rejecters wanted angels to guide them. (6:8)
6. The doctrine that every dead person will be physically resurrected appears extremely incredible and too far-fetched to them. “Their only contention is: Bring back to us our fathers if you are truthful.” (45:25) They refused to believe in the Day of Judgment. (74:46)
7. The reaction to Prophet Hud’s preaching was as follows: “Have you come to turn us away from our gods? Then, bring upon us the scourge that you threaten us with.” (46:22)
CONSEQUENCES
OF REJECTION
“You will perish.” (Gita, 1858) “You too will all perish.” (St. Luke, 13:3) The dire consequences that are hidden in these brief observations are lucidly and graphically laid bare in the Qur’ān in order to awaken the rejecters from the state of heedlessness, indifference, lethargy, and complacency. Forewarned is forearmed.
In this life, Allah may treat the rejecters in the following ways. “As for him who sets himself against the Messenger and follows a path other than that of the believers even after guidance had become clear to him, We will let him go the way that he has turned to, and We will cast him into hell – an evil destination.” (4:115)
“These are the ones who have purchased error in exchange for guidance. This bargain has brought them no profit and certainly they are not on the Right Way.” (2:16)
“As for those who reject Our Signs as false, We shall lead them step by step, to their ruin without their even perceiving it.” (7:182)
The deviation from the Straight Path will be rendered fascinating. “(How awful is the straying of the person) for whom his evil deed has been embellished so that it looks fair to him.” (35:8)
“Certainly those who have turned their backs on the True Guidance after it became manifest to them, Satan has embellished their ways for them and has buoyed them up with false hopes.” (47:25)
At the time of Resurrection, it will be announced: “Unbelievers, make no excuses today. You are being recompensed for nothing else but your deeds.” (66:7)
After the Judgment, the rejecters will suffer a painful chastisement. “They shall be inmates of the Fire and will abide in it.” (64:10) “It (Hell) shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it.” (70: 17, 18) The unbelievers will be informed, “You have exhausted your share of bounties in the life of the world and you took your fill of enjoyments. You waxed arrogant in the earth without justification and acted iniquitously.” (46:20)
“Thus Allah will show them their works in a manner causing them bitter regrets.” (2:167)This is a prophecy of the Qur’ān: “Soon will the time come when the unbelievers will wish they were Muslims.” After all, “This ‘Qur’ān’ is the true guidance.” (45:11) “Do they, then, not reflect on the Qur’ān? Or are there locks on their hearts?” (47:24) If they reflect, they will realise that the Qur’ān has all the principal precepts of all preceding scriptures. (20:133, 41:43)
Towards the end of days, Allah “shall bring forth for them a beast from the earth who will speak to them.”(27:82) The addressees will be those who rejected the divinely appointed human Prophets.
(to be concluded)