The Qur’ān (23: 1-9) says: “Truly, successful shall be the believers, who humble themselves in their prayer, who turn away from all that is frivolous, who are active in deeds of charity, who refrain from sex except with those joined to them in marriage, or those whom they rightfully possess – for then, they are free of all blame, whereas those who seek to go beyond that (limit) are indeed transgressors, who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges, and who are diligent in their prayers.”
“Truly, successful shall be the believers.” (Ayah 1) What is promised is success in the life of this world and in the life to come; success for the individual believer and for the community of believers. A believer will feel this success in his heart and will see it coming true in his day-to-day life. The success Allah, the Exalted, promises includes all that human beings associate with success and what Allah keeps in store for His faithful servants.
So, who are those faithful servants, the believers who receive this promise and a clear declaration of success? Who are the believers promised all goodness, victory, happiness, success and goodly provisions in this life on earth; and further promised to be successful in the hereafter, when they receive Allah’s reward and enjoy His pleasure? Who are these believers who will inherit paradise where they will abide?
Ayat 2-9 give us a detailed list of their characteristics. So, what do we make of these characteristics? Together, they draw for us the character of a Muslim at its highest level. Aisha, Allah’s Messenger’s wife, was asked about his character. Her answer was: “His character was the Qur’ān in practice.” She then recited verses 1-9 of the present surah, and commented, “Such was Allah’s Messenger.” (Al-Nasai)
“Who humble themselves in their prayer.” (Ayah 2) They feel the reverence associated with prayer, as they stand up to address Allah and their hearts are thus filled with awe, which is, in turn, reflected in their features and movements. Their spirits feel Allah’s majesty as they realise that they stand in His presence. Thus, all their preoccupations and distractions disappear. Their thoughts and feelings are all concentrated on their discourse with Him.
“Who turn away from all that is frivolous.” (Ayah 3) This includes all frivolity, in words, actions, or concerns. A believer’s heart has its own preoccupations which steer it away from frivolity. It is full with the remembrance of Allah. Moreover, the duties required by faith keep a believer preoccupied with maintaining the purity of his or her heart, soul and conscience. Furthermore, the task of enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong aims at preventing any deviation in the life of the Muslim community. This does not preclude relaxation and seeking comfort when it is needed. But this is totally different from indulging in frivolous and idle pursuits.
“Who are active in deeds of charity.” (Ayah 4) Having turned away from all that is frivolous, true believers complement this by being active in charity. Charity purifies man’s heart and money. It purges hearts of selfishness and greed, and overcomes Shaitan’s whispers of discouragement as he raises before us the illusion of poverty, and demonstrates our trust in Allah. Furthermore, charity protects the Muslim community against the imbalance that results from the extremes of poverty on the one side and affluence on the other. It provides social security for all individuals in the Muslim community, particularly the weaker elements, and it protects the community against disintegration.
“Who refrain from sex…” (Ayah 5) This is a pointer to the purity of the human soul, the home and the community, and to the way of protecting oneself, family and society. It is all the result of refraining from indulgence in sin and turning people’s hearts only to what is permissible. Thus, the Muslim community is protected from the unrestrained promiscuity that undermines the family and allows dubious parenthood to increase and become acceptable. A community where unrestrained desire becomes commonplace is a filthy community that occupies a very lowly position in humanity’s esteem.
The Qur’ān defines here the clean and healthy way which allows a man to place the seeds of life in the right place: “Who refrain from sex except with those joined to them in marriage, or those whom they rightfully possess – for then, they are free of all blame.” As for married couples, no argument is raised here, because marriage is respected in all human communities.
“Whereas those who seek to go beyond that (limit) are indeed transgressors.” (Ayah 7) The limit is that of wives and women rightly possessed. There can be no other legitimate way. Whoever tries to go beyond this limit actually breaks the boundaries of permissibility and falls in sin. When transgression beyond these well-defined limits takes place, the individual concerned becomes corrupt, like a sheep grazing out of bounds, and the family is undermined because of the lack of security felt by its members. Indeed, the whole community feels endangered because its wolves have been set loose. Islam is keen to avoid all that.
“Who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges.” (Ayah 8) They, individuals and community alike, honour their pledges and discharge their trust. The first pledge is that Allah has taken from, and made ingrained in human nature, committing it to believe in His existence and His oneness.
The Muslim community is also responsible for honouring its public trust, and for the fulfilment of its pledges to Allah and the duties that result from these pledges. The surah gives its statement in very general terms so as to include every type of trust and pledge. Believers are faithful to all these, at all times. Being faithful is part of their character. No community can hope to have a straightforward life unless pledges and trusts are fulfilled, so that every individual and group are certain of this basic rule of community life. It is the rule that gives everyone a sense of trust and security.
“And who are diligent in their prayers.” (Ayah 9) They do not neglect their prayers or miss them through laziness. Nor do they fail to attend to them as prayer should be attended to. They offer them on time, attending to obligatory and recommended parts, making them complete, omitting nothing essential. Their prayer is alive, filling their hearts and interacting with their consciences. The qualities of believers outlined in this surah start with prayer and finish with prayer, so as to stress its unrivalled importance in the structure of faith. After all, prayer is the most perfect form of worship.
These characteristics define the character of believers who are certain to be successful. While they are characteristics of individuals, they are decisive in giving the Muslim community its collective character and shaping the type of life it lives. It is an honourable life that befits man, the creature Allah has honoured to move up on the way to perfection. It is clear that Allah does not want man to live like animals, merely eating and indulging in pleasure.