The Qur’ān (2:175-176) condemns those ‘who barter guidance for error and forgiveness for suffering’ and those who suppress the Truth. But this condemnation is by way of pointing out their mistake in a straightforward manner. As God is the Most Merciful and the Most Beneficent, He unveils the principles of true faith and the rules of proper Islamic conduct even to such misguided persons with the hope that they may eventually realise the Truth.
The Qur’ān (2:177) enlists some principles of true faith. It in fact defines who are ‘truly righteous’. The Book of God says: “Righteousness is not that you turn your faces towards the east or the west.” A great exegete comments on what it means to turn one’s face towards the east or the west: “Turning one’s face towards the east or the west is mentioned here only by way of illustration. The actual purpose of the verse is to emphasise that the observance of certain outward religious rites, the performance of certain formal religious acts out of conformism, and the manifestation of certain familiar forms of piety do not constitute that essential righteousness which alone carries weight with God and earns His recognition and approval.”
The first criterion for being truly righteous is that one ‘believes in God, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the Prophets’. Not believing in any one of these will not complete one’s belief.
The second principle of a righteous person is that he ‘gives his money, much as he may cherish it, to his kinsfolk, orphans, the needy, a stranded wayfarer, beggars, and for the freeing of slaves’. Giving his money to the needy ought to aim at winning the pleasure of God. And it ensures that if and when required, he will be able to sacrifice his all for God’s pleasure.
The third criterion is that he ‘attends to his prayers and pays zakāt’. Performing Salat or prayers five times a day is obligatory. And equally obligatory is paying zakāt. There is no limit of giving one’s money to the needy at any given time. But the amount of zakāt is stipulated, i.e. 2.5% of the surplus money after the passage of one year.
The fourth criterion for being truly righteous is to ‘keep promises once made’. Islam does not tolerate double-dealing. It requires the believer to do what he says or claims. Also, not keeping promises amounts to telling lies, which has the potentiality to open doors for all evils and crimes. Hence keeping promises is of paramount importance.
The fifth criterion for being truly righteous is to be ‘patient in misfortune and adversity and in time of peril’. Life is full of trials and tribulations. At such moments we must not despair. We should believe that such a hard time is not for ever, and we have to remain steadfast and face the difficulties patiently.
If one fulfils all these criteria, one will be able to reap ultimate success here in this world and in the world to come as well.