Ramadhan is well-known for fasting but its importance lies in the revelation of the Qur’an. We celebrated Eid al-Fitr under coronavirus lockdown; now let us analyse what the Qur’an has to say to the entire humanity.
One of the special features of the Qur’an is that it appeals to people to know the truth with open eyes and mind instead of following fantasies, fairytales and superstitions. It demands from them to ponder upon its teachings and then establish opinion based on knowledge, intellect and reasoning. The Qur’an hence explains things in multiple manners, giving examples.
The Qur’an begins with a chapter called Surah Fatiha which explains to us the etiquette of supplication to the Almighty – Allah – Who is also known as God or Ishwar. It starts with Praising the Lord with His attributes like the Most Merciful and Master of the Day of Judgement and then requests Him to show us the Right Path. In response to this prayer, Allah puts forward the entire Qur’an for the guidance of the entire humanity in the succeeding chapters.
TEACHINGS ABOUT ALLAH
Oh people, Allah is only worthy of Worship – this has been told at various places in the Qur’an, giving various examples. He is single (One) without any partner, son or family. He is the Sovereign Lord, Creator, Sustainer, Maintainer, Provider and Ruler of the world. The Qur’an prompts us to observe the signs in the universe and nature which are proofs of the Oneness of Allah. Giving the example of honey bee, it is explained that it is the creation of Allah and that Allah alone has given it the knowledge of collecting and storing the juices which turn into honey. The whole universe consists of multiple of stars, planets, the sun and the moon, rotating and revolving in their orbits, giving perfect example of harmony in the skies. With all these features available for the eyes to see, we obtain the proof of the existence of Allah. The whole system working in perfect harmony and perfection is the proof of the oneness of Allah who alone looks after and regulates its affairs in a completely balanced manner which was not possible in case of more than one Governor.
It is our life’s experience that at the time of calamity we forget all those whom we associate with Allah and call only Him for help since only His remembrance is imprinted on our hearts. The Qur’an reminds us to worship and be obedient like loyal servants to Him alone, following His commandments in all spheres of life. Call out to Him alone for all our needs since He is the one who created life and spread in the universe all things required for its sustenance such as air, water, all kinds of food, etc. He is the one who rotates the earth at 71600 miles an hour and yet keeps us stationary on earth. His conversion of days into nights and vice versa is also for the benefit of human life. Hence the Qur’an questions us if Allah is the one who has gifted all to us, why should we search for other helpers and associates to Him when they themselves are in need of help?
Allah is the one who is Reckoner of our records and deeds of this life. He is Almighty who has full control on our lives. Blessings and calamities are all from Him. He alone is the All Knowing who knows our past, present and future. We see in nature that the whole creation follows the particular task given to them by Allah. A tree bears the same fruit which it belongs to, thus following the law of Allah. Hence it is of outmost importance to human beings to follow the commandments of their Lord and be loyal to Him. Man should not misuse the freedom of choice and intellect given to him and cross the limits ordained by the Almighty.
The Qur’an further warns us to ask for forgiveness of our sins before our death approaches, for Allah alone is the Forgiver, the Pardoner. Accepting these facts and applying them in life is the only solution to maintain peace and harmony in the world.
“And all of you should serve God and associate none with Him.” (4:36)
“Associating Partners with Allah is the only sin that Allah does not forgive.” (4:116)
LIFE, DEATH, JUDGEMENT, HEAVEN/ HELL
This creation of life is not for fun and enjoyment. The purpose of creation is as important as seriousness in its creation. It is known to all, though forgotten, that life of this earth will end one day. The Qur’an repeatedly reminds about death and the Day of Judgement and asks people to prepare themselves for it by recognising their Lord, mending their ways of life as per the commandments of God so as to present a good record of deeds on the Day of Judgement and to grab the reward of heaven and thus save themselves from the punishment of Hell. The Qur’an says that the knowledge of that Hour is only with Allah. That day man will find no way to escape from the Judgement.
“And guard yourselves against the Day when no one shall avail anyone anything; nor shall intercession be accepted from anyone; nor shall anyone be acquitted for any (amount of) ransom; nor shall the guilty ones be helped from any quarter.” (2:48)
“Mischief has appeared in the land and the sea on account of men’s own doings.” (30:41)
Mischief means corruption, fights, violence, murders, atrocities, which can be cast out by heeding to Allah’s teachings and doing rightful deeds, especially submitting ourselves to God and having the fear of the Day of Judgement.
To understand the Day of Judgement, the Qur’an gives the example of a barren land. “And you see the land lying dry and barren, but as soon as We send down rain water upon it, it stirs (to life), and swells and brings forth every kind of luxuriant vegetation.” (22:5-6)
It is our life’s experience that deeds (major and minor) of all human beings and their effects or results (major or minor) cannot be brought to full justice in this life. So there is need for such an occasion where all should be brought to one court for ultimate trial and full justice be set whereby Allah finally bestows reward or punishment for each and every person. Such a judgement is ordained by All Just Allah from whom nothing can remain hidden for He is All-Seeing and All-Hearing.
PROPHETHOOD
Allah did not let humankind to wander in darkness without guidance after creation but sent prophets in every era to guide and show people the right path (10:47). They were selected from among the people themselves, humans, who guided the people with their human capacity and presented a lifestyle suitable to humans to come close to Allah.
Satan tries to tempt people and let them go astray. So this arrangement of sending the prophets to guide mankind was done right from the beginning of the world. The stories of these prophets are found in the Qur’an. Various prophets like Noah, Ibrahim (Abraham), Lut (Lot), Saleh, Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses), Dawood (David), Sulaiman (Solomon), etc. are mentioned, saying that they tried their best to guide the people and faced all challenges and atrocities for the same. Some people accepted them and their message while others did not. Some even tried to kill them. The Qur’an highlights the consequences of those who crossed the limits and what calamities they faced. It invites the people to tour the world and check how many vast empires, consisting of enormous wealth and army were destroyed. Some of them are preserved by Allah even till this day as sign for the world to see like the Relics of Firaun (Pharaoh) in Egypt who claimed to be Allah Himself and tried to destroy Prophet Moses and the faithful.
As per the law of Allah, He keeps established those nations which are on the right path and for those who go astray He gives them opportunity and time to recover, but when this does not happen, He destroys them. Whereas the bigots adopted an attitude of rejection, ban and atrocities on the rightful due to their arrogance, pride, selfishness and adamant nature because the message was against their wishes, freedom, self-made selfish laws. That’s why they also corrupted the teachings of the prophets and the scriptures revealed to them. Hence finally Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) was sent as the final Prophet for the entire humanity with Final revelation in the form of the Qur’an, containing the same message of earlier prophets in a purified manner (4:163). The Qur’an reveals that the people of Arab also adopted the same attitude of rejection and plotting against Prophet Muhammad. So the command of war was finally given as it was the need of the time. The Qur’an also laid down the morals, rules and regulations of war. It says that accepting the Prophet is Accepting Allah and rejecting him is Rejection of Allah.
Allah is the knower of time and so He has revealed the Qur’an as the final revelation for mankind till the Day of Judgement and has taken the responsibility for its preservation and safety. The Qur’an contains the gist of all earlier scriptures and following it should be the prime purpose of life. At one side we have the guidance, mercy and criterion for life in the form of the Qur’an and at another side we have the perfect personality and life of Prophet Muhammad for its implementation.