In the light of the initial ayahs revealed in the Qur’ān, Syed Kazim presents how reading and performing Tahajjud Salah make us intellectually and spiritually strong enough to face the challenges while performing the task in the way of Allah.
As a Muslim one is entrusted with great responsibility. In order to fulfil his responsibility in the most effective manner, certain training is required. The initial ayahs revealed in the Qur’ān will help us understand the training and the tasks which were given to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him). These initial ayahs are mentioned in Surah Al-Alaq, Surah Al-Muzzammil and Surah Al-Muddathir. When we combine the commandments in the initial ayahs, we can conclude that the three important aspects were to read, spiritual activism and physical activism in the way of Allah.
The following are the various aspects of Training and Task:
GAINING KNOWLEDGE
Allah says in the Qur’ān, “Read in the name of your Lord who created.” (Qur’ān 96:1) In the world before Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him), reading generally used to be the prerogative of the royal family, of the families of nobles and aristocrats, and of the clerical and priestly classes. Others were often discouraged or even prevented from learning to read and write. In some instances, they were punished. This is how the world was before the Blessed Prophet. The situation changed completely after the Blessed Prophet. The first commandment given by Allah was not to pray, was not to do Dawah, was not to give charity, was not to fast, but the very first commandment given was to ‘Read’.
Reading has at all times and in all ages been a source of knowledge, of happiness, of pleasure and even moral courage. It is one of the core characteristics of a complete human being. It helps in mental stimulation, reduces stress, increases knowledge, expands vocabulary, improves memory, strengthens analytical and thinking skills, improves focus and concentration, improves writing skills and contributes to tranquillity.
SPIRITUAL ACTIVISM
Allah says in the Qur’ān, “Arise (to pray) in the night …” (Qur’ān 73:2). The second command which was given to the Prophet was to perform Tahajjud Salah. He used to stand in the prayer in the night to such an extent that his legs would be swollen. This act contributed to the spirituality of the Prophet which made him mentally strong and confident. Performing Tahajjud Salah is like food for one’s soul and it also gets a person closer to Allah, as the Prophet once said, “The Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the night remains and says, ‘Who will call upon Me, that I may answer Him? Who will ask of Me, that I may give him? Who will seek My forgiveness, that I may forgive him?’” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Al-Mughirah ibn Shu’bah reported, “The Prophet would pray until his feet were swollen. It was said, “Why do you do this when Allah has forgiven your past and future sins?” The Prophet replied, “Shall I not be a grateful servant?” (Bukhari and Muslim) This shows that the Prophet displayed a high level of spiritual skill that he would pray until his feet were swollen and it was done only to please Allah.
Islam is a way of life which is based on spirituality; as it would act as a base for all the actions. Once the revelation of the Qur’ān began, all the ayahs and chapters revealed at the initial stage were focusing on oneness of God, Prophethood and the Life after Death, which helps a person strengthen his spirituality. Islam aims at increasing one’s spirituality through various acts of worship and Tahajjud Salah is the most prominent one among them all.
PHYSICAL ACTIVISM
After the people are commanded to read and perform Tahajjud Salah, they are instructed to take up the task. Allah says in the Qur’ān, “Arise and Warn” (Qur’ān 74:2). The Blessed Prophet has been commanded to stand up and arouse the people who live around you in utter heedlessness. Warn them of the fate which would certainly overtake them if they remained involved in the same heedlessness. Warn them that they are not living in a lawless kingdom where they are free to conduct themselves as they like and where they can do wherever they please without any fear or being called to account for it. The ayah tells the Prophet to come out of the comfort zone and to warn people about the hereafter and their final destination where they would abide forever.
Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri reported, someone asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be to him), “Who is the best man?” He answered, “A believer who strives in the Cause of Allah with his life and his wealth.” The man asked, “Who is the next?” He said, “One who retires into a narrow valley and worships his Lord.” (Bukhari) This shows that the best person is one who is physically active in the way of Allah.
The Qur’ān came with an objective to train people so that they can take up the message of Islam and spread it to the people around them. For a person to do justice to the responsibility which is given to him, he needs to gain knowledge and gain the spiritual strength by performing Tahajjud Salah. People will have to be intellectually and spiritually strong to face the challenges which would come up while performing the task and this can only happen through reading and performing Tahajjud Salah.
[Syed Kazim is working as Assistant Professor at Acharya Bangalore B School, Bengaluru. He can be contacted at [email protected]]