1 00:00:06,835 --> 00:00:14,280 Al-Bayan, Discourses on the Qur'an Javed Ahmad Ghamidi 2 00:00:15,544 --> 00:00:23,924 Surah Aal i Imran Aayaat 100 to 104. 3 00:00:24,294 --> 00:00:28,014 Gratitude is only for God, the Lord of the World, 4 00:00:28,014 --> 00:00:31,274 and may His peace and mercy be on Muhammad, the trustworthy. 5 00:00:31,274 --> 00:00:33,874 I seek refuge with God from the accursed Devil. 6 00:00:33,874 --> 00:00:36,024 In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful. 7 00:00:36,024 --> 00:00:39,754 Ladies and Gentlemen, We are beginning 8 00:00:39,754 --> 00:00:42,751 the study of Surah Aal I Imran from verse 100 in the Quran. 9 00:00:44,147 --> 00:00:48,937 Earlier, the first section of the chapter concluded on verse 99 10 00:00:50,066 --> 00:00:55,466 This Surah comprises of two sections, one introduction and one conclusion. 11 00:00:55,466 --> 00:00:58,596 This is the structure of its subject matter. 12 00:00:58,825 --> 00:01:00,585 There is an introduction. 13 00:01:00,585 --> 00:01:04,585 Then begins a section on the completion of proof on the People of the Book 14 00:01:05,206 --> 00:01:07,866 and it reaches a conclusion on verse 99. 15 00:01:08,384 --> 00:01:12,384 Now begins the second section which would finally lead 16 00:01:12,384 --> 00:01:14,274 to the conclusion of the chapter. 17 00:01:14,674 --> 00:01:19,326 This verse onwards the address is directed towards the Muslims. 18 00:01:19,985 --> 00:01:22,195 The direction of the address has changed. 19 00:01:22,368 --> 00:01:26,368 In these verses of the Quran, this method is generally adopted. 20 00:01:26,614 --> 00:01:29,913 Either the address is directed towards the Muslims, 21 00:01:29,913 --> 00:01:33,533 as in Surah Nisa and then the People of the Book are discussed. 22 00:01:34,184 --> 00:01:37,844 After the introduction of the chapter, the chapter will either begin 23 00:01:37,844 --> 00:01:41,615 by addressing the People of the Book and then Muslims will be addressed. 24 00:01:41,974 --> 00:01:46,594 If you look here, the conclusive proof of Allah was demonstrated 25 00:01:46,594 --> 00:01:48,654 to the People of the Book. 26 00:01:48,654 --> 00:01:51,644 All evidences were supplied and as we saw in the last lecture, 27 00:01:51,644 --> 00:01:55,384 at the end of that topic, the Quran provided answers to the 28 00:01:55,384 --> 00:01:58,244 three main objections raised by the people of the book. 29 00:01:58,543 --> 00:02:01,693 After providing answers to their objections 30 00:02:01,693 --> 00:02:04,898 they were sternly reprimanded and then they were also invited to Islam 31 00:02:04,898 --> 00:02:07,183 and they were asked to not reject the Quranic verses 32 00:02:07,183 --> 00:02:09,363 and not to stop people from Allah's path 33 00:02:09,363 --> 00:02:12,983 and not to sully those things that they have been made witness to 34 00:02:12,983 --> 00:02:15,743 because this is not the correct attitude. 35 00:02:16,269 --> 00:02:18,619 Now the address is directed towards the Muslims, 36 00:02:18,619 --> 00:02:24,609 Muslims are first warned of the deviant schemes of the People of the Book 37 00:02:24,609 --> 00:02:30,379 which they would employ to turn away the Muslims from the path of the truth 38 00:02:30,379 --> 00:02:33,274 But they should stay steadfast on the path of Allah. 39 00:02:33,802 --> 00:02:37,354 After this, the stages of purification and cleanliness of the Muslims will begin 40 00:02:37,354 --> 00:02:39,292 In other words, Muslims should reform themselves, 41 00:02:39,292 --> 00:02:41,302 they should fulfil their obligation towards islam, 42 00:02:41,302 --> 00:02:43,902 they should hold on to the rope of Allah steadfastly, 43 00:02:43,902 --> 00:02:47,252 they should follow the way of Allah and the Prophet (pbuh) in difficult times. 44 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:51,680 So, these things which are important for their purification, cleansing 45 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:55,680 the purification of their wisdom and character will be discussed. 46 00:02:55,770 --> 00:02:58,050 So, this is the order of this Surah. 47 00:02:58,359 --> 00:03:02,359 Allah says, "Yaaa ayyuhal lazeena aamanoo in tutee'oo fareeqam 48 00:03:02,359 --> 00:03:04,519 minal lazeena ootul Kitaaba" 49 00:03:05,602 --> 00:03:10,922 Believers! If you yield to a group from among these People of the Book, 50 00:03:10,974 --> 00:03:13,794 It is obvious that from all the things that have been said, 51 00:03:13,794 --> 00:03:16,594 one of these includes telling the people of the book 52 00:03:16,594 --> 00:03:18,544 about things they have been doing wrong. 53 00:03:18,544 --> 00:03:22,544 On the other hand, since they are religious people 54 00:03:22,544 --> 00:03:25,074 and they are at the forefront of religious issues, 55 00:03:25,074 --> 00:03:27,924 people look up to them with respect to these issues, 56 00:03:28,416 --> 00:03:31,541 in a way, they have the status of religious leaders, 57 00:03:31,541 --> 00:03:35,541 the common people of Arabia, those from the tribes of Aws and Khazraj 58 00:03:35,541 --> 00:03:40,541 and people from other tribes think that these people have the best understanding 59 00:03:40,541 --> 00:03:45,261 of issues relating to Prophethood for they have a whole history of Prophets. 60 00:03:45,261 --> 00:03:47,381 We can make a mistake but 61 00:03:47,381 --> 00:03:50,474 these people would not easily fall into mistakes in this regard. 62 00:03:50,474 --> 00:03:53,404 So, these people would be influenced by them to an extent as well. 63 00:03:53,404 --> 00:03:55,804 That is why this issue was introduced by stating that: 64 00:03:55,804 --> 00:03:59,804 Believers! If you yield to a group from among these People of the Book, 65 00:03:59,804 --> 00:04:03,044 By 'a group', Quran refers to those people who are stubborn 66 00:04:03,044 --> 00:04:06,864 and these people usually include their religious leaders, 67 00:04:06,864 --> 00:04:09,094 something which the Quran tells us. 68 00:04:09,094 --> 00:04:12,074 They are the leaders and hence trusted by the common populace. 69 00:04:12,074 --> 00:04:13,626 It is mostly those people. 70 00:04:13,626 --> 00:04:15,966 By 'a group', Quran refers to those people only. 71 00:04:15,966 --> 00:04:18,520 And by 'a group', Quran also refers to those people 72 00:04:18,520 --> 00:04:20,447 who are not part of this group. 73 00:04:20,447 --> 00:04:24,137 It Is not as though every one from among the people of the Book 74 00:04:24,137 --> 00:04:25,847 has become an ingrate. 75 00:04:25,847 --> 00:04:29,847 A group from among them which also plays the leadership role 76 00:04:29,847 --> 00:04:31,657 indulges in such activities. 77 00:04:31,657 --> 00:04:34,617 If you yield to this group from among the People of the Book, 78 00:04:34,617 --> 00:04:36,147 then what will these people do? 79 00:04:36,147 --> 00:04:38,527 yaruddookum ba'da eemaanikum kaafireen 80 00:04:38,527 --> 00:04:42,187 Yaaa ayyuhal lazeena aamanoo in tutee'oo fareeqam 81 00:04:42,187 --> 00:04:43,537 minal lazeena ootul Kitaaba 82 00:04:43,537 --> 00:04:47,537 Believers! If you yield to a group from among these People of the Book, 83 00:04:47,537 --> 00:04:52,557 they will turn you back from belief to disbelief. 84 00:04:53,050 --> 00:04:58,570 Their real intention is that you yield to these people 85 00:04:58,570 --> 00:05:06,401 so that they will also lead the Muslims into disbelief like themselves. 86 00:05:06,916 --> 00:05:12,806 I have already mentioned that the justice loving people from among them, 87 00:05:12,806 --> 00:05:15,206 those people that the Quran will praise later on, 88 00:05:15,206 --> 00:05:18,616 the Quran always mentions them by setting them apart from these people. 89 00:05:18,616 --> 00:05:25,266 The Quran tells us that there are such people who talk of justice, 90 00:05:25,266 --> 00:05:27,976 and don't act stubbornly at all. 91 00:05:27,976 --> 00:05:29,676 Although it can be the case that 92 00:05:29,676 --> 00:05:31,576 their minds may still lack clarity, 93 00:05:31,576 --> 00:05:35,576 but they ask questions and they engage and then again 94 00:05:35,576 --> 00:05:39,576 there are people who have a clarity in their thoughts 95 00:05:39,576 --> 00:05:42,326 but there still persists a dissonance in their actions. 96 00:05:42,326 --> 00:05:44,576 In other words, he pauses regularly wondering 97 00:05:44,576 --> 00:05:46,351 if his decision was right of not. 98 00:05:46,351 --> 00:05:49,744 Even those people that have such ambiguities are different. 99 00:05:49,744 --> 00:05:53,744 But these people are the ones who are in such a place 100 00:05:53,744 --> 00:05:59,024 because of their stubbornness that if you listen to them, 101 00:05:59,024 --> 00:06:00,954 then you should know their objective. 102 00:06:00,954 --> 00:06:04,284 It is that they will also lead you into disbelief 103 00:06:04,284 --> 00:06:07,224 just as they disbelieve out of their sheer stubbornness. 104 00:06:07,224 --> 00:06:10,544 And you think that since they are believers 105 00:06:10,544 --> 00:06:13,474 and hence they cannot lead you into disbelief... 106 00:06:13,830 --> 00:06:17,830 It is obvious that if religious leaders and believers are like that 107 00:06:17,830 --> 00:06:23,007 then people feel that the leaders have no reason to lead them away. 108 00:06:23,561 --> 00:06:26,481 The Quran stated that their religion is merely ritualistic 109 00:06:26,481 --> 00:06:29,271 and they are the primary enemies of religion. 110 00:06:29,271 --> 00:06:32,218 They not only themselves are its disbelievers, but they will also 111 00:06:32,218 --> 00:06:35,031 lead the Muslims into disbelief if they are led away by them. 112 00:06:35,031 --> 00:06:38,341 The Quran stated that their actions would lead to such consequences. 113 00:06:38,341 --> 00:06:44,123 Wa kaifa takfuroona wa antum tutlaa 'alaikum Aayaatul laahi 114 00:06:44,667 --> 00:06:48,667 O Muslims [Be forewarned of this]. In other words, [Be forewarned of them] 115 00:06:48,667 --> 00:06:52,067 Be forewarned of what you have been told. 116 00:06:52,067 --> 00:07:01,647 [just reflect] how can you disbelieve when God’s verses are being recited to you 117 00:07:01,647 --> 00:07:04,527 It is understandable that they want to lead you away 118 00:07:04,527 --> 00:07:07,667 but how can you disbelieve when God’s Book has been revealed to you 119 00:07:07,667 --> 00:07:11,447 and His own Messenger is among you, when God’s verses are being recited to you 120 00:07:11,447 --> 00:07:14,494 when the truth is being manifested before you 121 00:07:14,494 --> 00:07:18,194 wa antum tutlaa 'alaikum Aayaatul laahi 122 00:07:18,194 --> 00:07:20,914 when God’s verses are being recited to you 123 00:07:20,914 --> 00:07:26,394 wa feekum Rasooluhu; and His own Messenger is among you. 124 00:07:26,971 --> 00:07:29,681 If in spite of this they disregard the truth 125 00:07:29,681 --> 00:07:33,391 then there is no bigger deprivation and misfortune than that. 126 00:07:33,391 --> 00:07:38,991 They will now have no excuse to present before the Almighty 127 00:07:38,991 --> 00:07:43,641 which in other words would mean that they have slipped in broad daylight. 128 00:07:43,641 --> 00:07:47,641 The result would be that even though everything was visible even then 129 00:07:47,641 --> 00:07:51,641 they surrendered themselves to the dark. 130 00:07:51,894 --> 00:07:54,804 wa feekum Rasooluh; wa mai ya'tasim 131 00:07:54,804 --> 00:07:58,104 billaahi faqad hudiya ilaa Siraatim Mustaqeem 132 00:07:58,104 --> 00:08:01,376 [So hold fast to God] 133 00:08:01,576 --> 00:08:04,036 "To hold fast to God” means that 134 00:08:04,036 --> 00:08:08,036 in good and bad circumstances a person adheres to the truth 135 00:08:08,036 --> 00:08:12,036 and does not swerve in any way from the directives of God 136 00:08:12,036 --> 00:08:15,326 and the teachings of His Book. 137 00:08:15,326 --> 00:08:22,306 [So hold fast to God] and [remember that] he who holds fast to God 138 00:08:22,306 --> 00:08:29,266 [then know that] the one who holds fast to Allah shall be guided to the straight path 139 00:08:29,266 --> 00:08:33,916 So, he who holds fast to God shall never be misguided 140 00:08:33,916 --> 00:08:38,916 If you hold fast to your own ego then you will face the same misfortune 141 00:08:38,916 --> 00:08:41,766 that these people have faced. 142 00:08:44,538 --> 00:08:48,538 Yaaa ayyuhal lazeena aamanut taqul laaha haqqa tuqaatihee 143 00:08:48,538 --> 00:08:52,828 Believers! Fear God as you should by [His] right. 144 00:08:53,694 --> 00:08:57,694 This is an explanation of what holding fast to God actually means: 145 00:08:57,880 --> 00:09:00,441 When it was instructed to hold fast to God 146 00:09:00,441 --> 00:09:02,391 and when it was said that 147 00:09:02,391 --> 00:09:04,171 he shall be guided to the straight path 148 00:09:04,171 --> 00:09:06,511 who holds fast to God and shall never be misguided. 149 00:09:06,511 --> 00:09:09,211 So, what does holding fast to God actually mean? 150 00:09:09,931 --> 00:09:13,291 The Quran makes clear its meaning in the next verse: 151 00:09:13,291 --> 00:09:17,809 to fear God the way a person rightly should. 152 00:09:18,264 --> 00:09:23,074 The word 'fear' that is usually used... 153 00:09:23,074 --> 00:09:26,311 Here, the Quran uses the word 'Taqwa' or God-consciousness. 154 00:09:27,224 --> 00:09:29,754 In other words, they should be vary of the limits. 155 00:09:29,754 --> 00:09:32,481 They should be wakeful with respect to Allah. 156 00:09:32,481 --> 00:09:36,481 So, generally people feel that it is a way of intimidation. 157 00:09:36,481 --> 00:09:41,591 Fear is both rational as well as superstitious. 158 00:09:42,238 --> 00:09:48,268 The fear of ghosts, for example, is a fear that stems from superstition. 159 00:09:48,268 --> 00:09:51,178 You come across such a situation when you, for instance, 160 00:09:51,178 --> 00:09:52,318 visit some house. 161 00:09:52,318 --> 00:09:54,918 It is a fear that stems from delusions. 162 00:09:55,349 --> 00:09:56,759 Fear is also rational. 163 00:09:56,759 --> 00:09:59,239 It is a rational fear when you know that the bridge in front of you 164 00:09:59,239 --> 00:10:01,971 is broken and there are chances that you will fall off the bridge. 165 00:10:01,971 --> 00:10:03,701 One has to be cautious about it ... 166 00:10:03,701 --> 00:10:07,701 In other words, a child is quite courageous. 167 00:10:07,701 --> 00:10:09,462 He can catch hold of a snake. 168 00:10:09,462 --> 00:10:10,832 But why? 169 00:10:10,832 --> 00:10:15,427 Because, rationally speaking, he does not understand the concept of a snakebite. 170 00:10:15,897 --> 00:10:20,777 By 'fear of God', it does not mean that you are frightened by a ghost. 171 00:10:21,351 --> 00:10:24,881 It entails that you should be conscious of the fact that one day 172 00:10:24,881 --> 00:10:26,254 you will stand before Allah. 173 00:10:26,254 --> 00:10:28,234 He is your almighty. You have to face him. 174 00:10:28,234 --> 00:10:31,834 If you go before him as a dishonest, fraudulent person, 175 00:10:31,834 --> 00:10:33,944 if you are guided by stubbornness and hauteur 176 00:10:33,944 --> 00:10:36,254 do you know the consequence of such an action? 177 00:10:36,254 --> 00:10:40,964 Every reasonable person should be apprehensive of it. 178 00:10:40,964 --> 00:10:43,707 Our discourse is based on the same principle in this world as well. 179 00:10:43,707 --> 00:10:47,707 This is what the Quran is trying to explain. 180 00:10:47,863 --> 00:10:49,123 So, this is being stated. 181 00:10:49,123 --> 00:10:51,553 The word 'righteousness' that has been used, 182 00:10:51,553 --> 00:10:53,283 it is obvious that the Quran has said: 183 00:10:53,283 --> 00:10:55,363 ittaqul laaha haqqa tuqaatihee 184 00:10:55,363 --> 00:10:58,633 Believers! Fear God as you rightly should. 185 00:10:58,633 --> 00:11:04,073 But Fearing God is required to the extent that a person is capable of. 186 00:11:04,073 --> 00:11:06,903 The Qur’ān itself has explained this in Surah Taghabun. 187 00:11:06,903 --> 00:11:08,777 Fataqul la masta ttaatu 188 00:11:08,777 --> 00:11:12,777 You should fear God as much as you are capable of. 189 00:11:12,925 --> 00:11:15,635 In other words, such an attitude is not detrimental for the individual. 190 00:11:15,635 --> 00:11:19,355 If he is fearful and apprehensive, if he is conscious of the transgressions 191 00:11:19,355 --> 00:11:21,935 and if he bound by the limits set by God, 192 00:11:21,935 --> 00:11:25,605 he will do it to the extent that a person is capable of. 193 00:11:25,605 --> 00:11:29,285 God doesn't ask you to shoulder more responsibility 194 00:11:29,285 --> 00:11:31,095 than you are capable of shouldering. 195 00:11:31,095 --> 00:11:35,095 But he will fear God by accepting the truth of fearing God. 196 00:11:35,095 --> 00:11:38,405 In other words, he will fear God with the consciousness that 197 00:11:38,405 --> 00:11:40,295 he is dealing with God himself. 198 00:11:40,295 --> 00:11:43,175 Firstly, the obligations a person owes to God 199 00:11:43,175 --> 00:11:45,175 are ones which he owes to no other person. 200 00:11:45,175 --> 00:11:47,495 Secondly, the limits and bounds set by God 201 00:11:47,495 --> 00:11:51,495 and the punishments for violating them 202 00:11:51,495 --> 00:11:55,495 have been prescribed for the worldly and next-worldly benefit of people; 203 00:11:56,219 --> 00:12:00,219 God does not stand to gain from obeying these limits; it is they who stand to gain 204 00:12:00,219 --> 00:12:03,529 Even when we apply the system of recompense and Punishment 205 00:12:03,529 --> 00:12:06,557 we do it for the reformation of the community and the people, 206 00:12:06,557 --> 00:12:07,907 we do it for their welfare. 207 00:12:07,907 --> 00:12:10,577 In other words, the system of recompense and Punishment 208 00:12:10,577 --> 00:12:13,287 and the judicial system does not stand to benefit from it. 209 00:12:13,287 --> 00:12:14,870 It is meant for human beings only. 210 00:12:14,870 --> 00:12:17,636 And if they transgress the set limits then everyone feels 211 00:12:17,636 --> 00:12:19,716 that they should be criticised. 212 00:12:19,716 --> 00:12:21,136 So, the law of recompense and Punishment 213 00:12:21,136 --> 00:12:22,606 that has been legislated by Allah 214 00:12:22,606 --> 00:12:24,496 is meant for the benefit of human beings only. 215 00:12:24,496 --> 00:12:26,766 Thirdly, God is watching over everything; so much so, 216 00:12:26,766 --> 00:12:29,006 He even knows what is in the hearts of people. 217 00:12:29,006 --> 00:12:31,236 Fourthly, no one can save a person from God’s punishment 218 00:12:31,236 --> 00:12:33,516 and the Almighty can punish a person both in this world 219 00:12:33,516 --> 00:12:35,700 and in the Hereafter and this punishment can be eternal. 220 00:12:35,700 --> 00:12:39,259 So, these are the things which when an individual takes into consideration 221 00:12:39,259 --> 00:12:44,436 while fearing God, it is only then that he fears God as he rightly should. 222 00:12:44,436 --> 00:12:47,646 Unless a person keeps an eye on all these aspects of fearing God, 223 00:12:47,646 --> 00:12:51,046 he cannot grasp the real meaning of fearing God. 224 00:12:51,046 --> 00:12:53,954 There are lot of things for which man fears man, 225 00:12:53,954 --> 00:12:57,954 but it is the fear of God, his virtue that is stated here. 226 00:12:57,954 --> 00:13:00,654 itaqul laaha haqqa tuqaatihee 227 00:13:00,654 --> 00:13:03,877 Believers! Fear God as you rightly should. 228 00:13:03,877 --> 00:13:07,877 wa laa tamootunna illaa wa antum muslimoon 229 00:13:08,467 --> 00:13:14,427 and when you leave this world, then leave it only as followers of Islam 230 00:13:15,067 --> 00:13:19,067 In other words, when the time comes to leave this world 231 00:13:19,067 --> 00:13:23,067 then you should be a follower of Islam until that time. 232 00:13:23,067 --> 00:13:25,307 Wa'tasimoo bi Hablil laahi jamee'anw 233 00:13:25,307 --> 00:13:29,177 and together cling to the rope of God. 234 00:13:29,177 --> 00:13:32,857 wa laa tafarraqoo and let nothing divide you 235 00:13:32,857 --> 00:13:36,857 These are the things that have been stated. 236 00:13:36,857 --> 00:13:40,037 and we should take note of each of the aforementioned aspects. 237 00:13:40,037 --> 00:13:42,827 wa laa tamootunna illaa wa antum muslimoon 238 00:13:42,827 --> 00:13:46,827 It means that the instruction to fear Allah 239 00:13:46,827 --> 00:13:49,700 or when you are instructed to be obedient towards Allah, 240 00:13:49,700 --> 00:13:51,980 it is a commitment for a lifetime. 241 00:13:51,980 --> 00:13:54,050 There is no scope for leave in it. 242 00:13:54,050 --> 00:13:56,260 Once you have become mature, 243 00:13:56,260 --> 00:14:00,986 once God-consciousness has become a part of your thought process, 244 00:14:00,986 --> 00:14:04,986 once it has become part of your intellect, and inner life, 245 00:14:04,986 --> 00:14:10,223 then this struggle will go on until your last breath. 246 00:14:10,795 --> 00:14:12,825 Therefore, you should be mindful. 247 00:14:12,825 --> 00:14:15,724 If you leave this struggle before your death, 248 00:14:15,724 --> 00:14:17,578 then your hardwork will go to waste. 249 00:14:17,578 --> 00:14:21,364 So, when the Quran stated that: wa laa tamootunna illaa wa antum muslimoon 250 00:14:21,364 --> 00:14:24,844 it entails that this matter is not meant for a day or two, 251 00:14:24,844 --> 00:14:27,944 instead the duration that Allah has decided for this test, 252 00:14:27,944 --> 00:14:33,154 the entire duration must be spent in this very piety, by fearing Allah. 253 00:14:33,314 --> 00:14:37,644 It also makes clear that it is an uneven path, 254 00:14:37,644 --> 00:14:41,644 we will face ups and downs, we will face difficulties, 255 00:14:41,644 --> 00:14:45,644 we will face discord, we will face Satans who will ambush us at night 256 00:14:45,644 --> 00:14:49,174 and come across many hitches and obstacles from enemies. 257 00:14:49,174 --> 00:14:53,734 At times, greed will try to lure us and, at others, 258 00:14:53,734 --> 00:14:57,174 fear will try to intimidate us. 259 00:14:57,174 --> 00:15:01,174 Those who passed through all these phases while protecting their faith 260 00:15:01,174 --> 00:15:04,564 and reached their destination that Allah has ordained for the believers. 261 00:15:04,564 --> 00:15:06,504 And what is the nature of that destination? 262 00:15:06,504 --> 00:15:10,124 It is that man should continue to live under the principles and 263 00:15:10,124 --> 00:15:13,094 instructions of Islam, He should be God-fearing till the end of his life. 264 00:15:13,094 --> 00:15:16,614 At that point when they give up their soul to the Supreme Being, 265 00:15:16,614 --> 00:15:20,994 as the Quran rightly depicts that they will say that, 266 00:15:20,994 --> 00:15:22,944 Oh God! we have come to you, 267 00:15:22,944 --> 00:15:25,847 And in turn God will instruct them to enter paradise, 268 00:15:25,847 --> 00:15:27,364 Raaziyatum marziyah 269 00:15:27,364 --> 00:15:30,394 Man is pleased with God, and God is pleased with Man. 270 00:15:30,394 --> 00:15:35,094 This is what the Quran has termed as Ahtisam Billah 271 00:15:35,094 --> 00:15:38,514 cling to the rope of God steadfastly, mentioned the Quran and 272 00:15:38,514 --> 00:15:40,724 then elaborated it at length. 273 00:15:40,724 --> 00:15:42,324 What is the rope of Allah? 274 00:15:42,324 --> 00:15:47,224 It is the Quran. This refers to the Qur’ān because this is the rope which is 275 00:15:47,224 --> 00:15:51,224 stretched from the heavens to the earth between God and His servants. 276 00:15:51,224 --> 00:15:55,224 It is this rope which is the means to reach God 277 00:15:55,224 --> 00:15:57,754 and it is also our covenant with Him. 278 00:15:57,754 --> 00:16:01,434 Consequently, holding firmly the rope of God means nothing but 279 00:16:01,434 --> 00:16:05,434 to firmly grasp the Book of God and in no situation leave it. 280 00:16:05,434 --> 00:16:08,947 Holding steadfast is qualified by the word la tafariqu 281 00:16:08,947 --> 00:16:11,067 and then the Quran has used the words verse 282 00:16:11,067 --> 00:16:13,197 the Quran has instructed us against any sort of dissension. 283 00:16:13,197 --> 00:16:14,257 What does it mean? 284 00:16:14,257 --> 00:16:18,257 This means that this requirement is from Muslims in their collective and 285 00:16:18,257 --> 00:16:23,750 individual capacity to cling firmly to the rope of Allah. 286 00:16:23,750 --> 00:16:26,357 They should not become divided by forsaking it. 287 00:16:26,357 --> 00:16:28,767 While being united they should adhere to the Qur’ān, 288 00:16:28,767 --> 00:16:30,647 read it and reflect on its verses. 289 00:16:30,647 --> 00:16:34,647 They should gather counsel from it, turn to it in all their affairs 290 00:16:34,647 --> 00:16:38,647 considering it to be a scale of justice 291 00:16:38,647 --> 00:16:44,587 and before its verdicts give no importance to any other yardstick whatsoever. 292 00:16:44,587 --> 00:16:48,587 This is what the words 'etisaam bi hablillah' mean. 293 00:16:48,799 --> 00:16:52,329 You should firmly grasp this rope of Allah as the Quran said: 294 00:16:52,329 --> 00:16:54,759 Wa'tasimoo bi Hablil laahi jamee'anw 295 00:16:54,759 --> 00:16:58,759 Take it that as it was said earlier that you should hold on to Allah firmly, 296 00:16:58,759 --> 00:17:02,759 and a person holds on to Allah by fearing him and by fully obeying God 297 00:17:02,759 --> 00:17:04,439 and once you have the fear of God, 298 00:17:04,439 --> 00:17:06,489 then you are inclined towards the book of Allah 299 00:17:06,489 --> 00:17:09,569 so that I do not transgress the limits set by Allah. 300 00:17:09,569 --> 00:17:13,569 And how to cling to the rope of Allah is further emphasized 301 00:17:13,569 --> 00:17:17,569 and portrayed in the reality of the Quran that, 302 00:17:17,569 --> 00:17:22,259 If you really want to abstain from any sort of discord then this thing 303 00:17:22,259 --> 00:17:23,959 must be taken in consideration. 304 00:17:23,959 --> 00:17:26,629 You must cling to the book of God. 305 00:17:26,629 --> 00:17:28,769 wazkuroo ni'mat allaahi alaikum 306 00:17:28,769 --> 00:17:30,089 And the Quran said: 307 00:17:30,089 --> 00:17:33,279 and remember the favour God has bestowed upon you: 308 00:17:33,279 --> 00:17:34,269 What favours? 309 00:17:34,269 --> 00:17:35,949 iz kuntum a'daaa'an 310 00:17:35,949 --> 00:17:39,986 Here, the companions are the addressee, that when you were enemies of one another 311 00:17:39,986 --> 00:17:43,629 fa allafa baina quloobikum so He united your hearts 312 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:46,962 fa asbah tum bini'matiheee ikhwaananw 313 00:17:46,962 --> 00:17:52,788 and with His grace, Allah's grace, you became brothers. 314 00:17:52,788 --> 00:17:55,738 And remember, the Quran said: 315 00:17:55,738 --> 00:17:58,748 wa kuntum 'alaa shafaa hufratim minan Naari 316 00:17:59,149 --> 00:18:03,149 and [remember] when you stood at the very brink of an abyss of fire; 317 00:18:03,149 --> 00:18:07,149 fa anqazakum minhaa; then He saved you from it 318 00:18:08,697 --> 00:18:13,927 The companions, who were party to the Prophet (pbuh) are told 319 00:18:13,927 --> 00:18:18,267 about the grace that Allah has bestowed upon them. 320 00:18:19,203 --> 00:18:23,203 Anyone who is aware of the history of Pre-islamic Arabia knows that 321 00:18:23,505 --> 00:18:27,505 Before the revelation of this Book, every tribe was an enemy of the other 322 00:18:28,256 --> 00:18:31,836 and they would be engaged in fighting and warfare. 323 00:18:31,836 --> 00:18:33,256 The stories of their warfare 324 00:18:33,256 --> 00:18:35,726 are spread across their literature and poetry. 325 00:18:36,250 --> 00:18:40,250 There was no unifying thread between them on the basis of religion also. 326 00:18:40,733 --> 00:18:43,451 They were, each one of the them, the progeny of Abraham, 327 00:18:43,451 --> 00:18:44,446 but only in name. 328 00:18:44,446 --> 00:18:46,438 Each tribe had its own deity. 329 00:18:47,071 --> 00:18:50,111 Their interests clashed with one another 330 00:18:50,111 --> 00:18:52,511 in the fields of politics and economics as well. 331 00:18:52,511 --> 00:18:54,061 With the coming of the Quran, 332 00:18:54,061 --> 00:18:58,061 it knitted them together and weaved them into a locket of pearls 333 00:18:58,061 --> 00:19:04,141 and those erstwhile foes became friends, well-wishers, and brothers. 334 00:19:04,391 --> 00:19:09,451 Here, they are reminded of the blessings bestowed upon the arrival 335 00:19:09,451 --> 00:19:12,507 of the Prophet (pbuh) and the Quran. 336 00:19:12,507 --> 00:19:13,747 They were told that: 337 00:19:13,747 --> 00:19:18,547 they stood at the very brink of an abyss of fire; 338 00:19:18,547 --> 00:19:22,547 Warfare, hatred for each other, Shirk, and consequently, internal grudges 339 00:19:22,547 --> 00:19:26,547 which were founded on disbelief, and colliding with each others profits 340 00:19:26,547 --> 00:19:30,547 had dragged you to a place where you stood at the very 341 00:19:30,547 --> 00:19:33,547 brink of that abyss of fire. 342 00:19:33,684 --> 00:19:36,194 And the nature of that fire is such that 343 00:19:36,194 --> 00:19:40,194 it is quite extraordinary for nations in this world as well as in the next world 344 00:19:40,194 --> 00:19:42,784 where it won't spare anyone indulging in idolatry, 345 00:19:42,784 --> 00:19:46,734 injustice, oppression and transgressions against others. 346 00:19:47,114 --> 00:19:48,754 So, the Quran said: 347 00:19:48,754 --> 00:19:52,754 then the Prophet (pbuh) and the Quran saved you from it. 348 00:19:52,894 --> 00:19:56,524 kazaalika yubaiyinul laahu lakum aayaatihee 349 00:19:56,524 --> 00:19:58,964 Thus God explains to you His revelations 350 00:19:59,636 --> 00:20:02,856 la'allakum tahtadoon so that you may be guided. 351 00:20:02,856 --> 00:20:05,936 Through these verses we come to know that 352 00:20:05,936 --> 00:20:09,936 one really important blessing from among God's blessings 353 00:20:09,936 --> 00:20:13,286 bestowed upon a nation or a group or a collective is that 354 00:20:13,286 --> 00:20:17,246 a bond of love comes into being between them 355 00:20:17,246 --> 00:20:19,896 The truth is that it doesn't happen easily. 356 00:20:19,896 --> 00:20:22,696 Hence, look at the words that the Quran uses: 357 00:20:22,696 --> 00:20:26,696 iz kuntum a'daaa'an fa allafa baina quloobikum 358 00:20:27,098 --> 00:20:31,930 Allah put love between you people when you were foes. 359 00:20:32,559 --> 00:20:34,939 This is a great blessing by Allah. 360 00:20:35,162 --> 00:20:42,312 Otherwise, minor issues result in the disintegration of nations. 361 00:20:43,344 --> 00:20:47,344 The ego of human beings is such and it breeds suspicions so easily 362 00:20:47,344 --> 00:20:51,344 and they are so prone to looking after their own profits, 363 00:20:51,344 --> 00:20:55,344 that it is even difficult for even four people to work together. 364 00:20:56,170 --> 00:21:00,720 At every step we are anxious that they might fall in a ditch. 365 00:21:00,834 --> 00:21:04,834 And internal conflicts, the sort that we see amongst Muslims... 366 00:21:05,001 --> 00:21:07,041 People are slaves to profits. 367 00:21:07,041 --> 00:21:11,041 If two people work together, then we do not expect them 368 00:21:11,041 --> 00:21:15,551 to live their lives together and put faith in each other. 369 00:21:16,238 --> 00:21:20,238 Mistrust is in the family and outside, it is in the society, 370 00:21:20,238 --> 00:21:23,318 in the cultural and the political world. 371 00:21:23,318 --> 00:21:26,220 In other words, they have engulfed the entire community. 372 00:21:26,220 --> 00:21:29,226 If you look at the environment in your social milieu, 373 00:21:29,226 --> 00:21:33,549 you will find out that moral degradation is exemplified 374 00:21:33,549 --> 00:21:36,109 in national divisiveness. 375 00:21:36,703 --> 00:21:40,703 The entire community will become discordant and perturbed 376 00:21:40,703 --> 00:21:42,963 because from a moral point of view, 377 00:21:42,963 --> 00:21:45,673 people are not able to trust each other. 378 00:21:45,673 --> 00:21:50,833 This environment of mistrust creates a crisis of trust. 379 00:21:50,833 --> 00:21:53,283 And then it is very difficult to come out of it. 380 00:21:53,283 --> 00:21:57,063 Hence, Allah has especially brought it to the attention of the Companions that: 381 00:21:57,063 --> 00:22:03,223 my greatest blessing towards you was to turn your enmity into love 382 00:22:03,223 --> 00:22:07,223 You became brothers because of My blessings. 383 00:22:07,223 --> 00:22:11,223 And the situation of your nation was such that 384 00:22:11,223 --> 00:22:15,223 it would have resulted in a pit of fire in this world as well as the next 385 00:22:15,223 --> 00:22:17,503 and Allah pulled you out of it. 386 00:22:17,503 --> 00:22:20,683 Then the Quran stated that: this is the manner in which 387 00:22:20,683 --> 00:22:22,393 Allah explains his verses. 388 00:22:22,393 --> 00:22:24,913 And this is how Allah explains to you that 389 00:22:24,913 --> 00:22:28,913 a slight mistake in this matter can result in grave trials. 390 00:22:28,913 --> 00:22:32,913 if they want to sustain love and unity among them 391 00:22:32,913 --> 00:22:36,363 In other words, Allah has united you and if you want to sustain it 392 00:22:36,363 --> 00:22:39,753 they must hold fast to this Book otherwise 393 00:22:39,753 --> 00:22:44,773 they will revert to the age of ignorance that they used to be in. 394 00:22:44,773 --> 00:22:48,773 It was undeniable that they were standing at the brink of an abyss of fire 395 00:22:48,773 --> 00:22:51,643 If you read their history, it becomes absolutely clear. 396 00:22:51,643 --> 00:22:55,643 the Almighty caught them by their hands and saved them from it. 397 00:22:55,643 --> 00:22:58,023 So now if they forsake this Book, 398 00:22:58,023 --> 00:23:01,053 there is a strong chance that they will fall in this abyss 399 00:23:01,053 --> 00:23:03,593 and then will not be able to save themselves from its flames. 400 00:23:03,593 --> 00:23:08,123 This directive that was applicable to the muslim collectivity at that point of time 401 00:23:08,123 --> 00:23:11,548 it is applicable in the same manner even today. 402 00:23:11,548 --> 00:23:16,123 The discord and disagreement, the ugliness 403 00:23:16,123 --> 00:23:19,493 which has become part of our culture, politics, economics, 404 00:23:19,493 --> 00:23:21,993 one of the major reasons behind that is that 405 00:23:21,993 --> 00:23:23,980 Muslims have abandoned the book of Allah. 406 00:23:23,980 --> 00:23:28,360 The instructions and guidance that was there in the Quran, 407 00:23:28,360 --> 00:23:33,370 the manner in which our moral being was made the real objective of our lives, 408 00:23:34,041 --> 00:23:38,741 this is the most foundational and axial point of the Quran 409 00:23:38,741 --> 00:23:42,741 that you have to purify your moral being, 410 00:23:42,741 --> 00:23:47,971 you have to be of service to others, your wealth is not your own, 411 00:23:47,971 --> 00:23:50,261 others have a right to it as well. 412 00:23:50,261 --> 00:23:54,261 You have to spend in the way of your lord and it is obvious that when 413 00:23:54,261 --> 00:23:56,504 someone is willing to spend their wealth 414 00:23:56,504 --> 00:23:59,544 then how is it possible that he commits injustice and transgressions 415 00:23:59,544 --> 00:24:01,964 and how is it possible for him to steal from others? 416 00:24:01,964 --> 00:24:05,764 This is something which purifies human beings from a moral point of view. 417 00:24:05,764 --> 00:24:07,914 This was the real message of the Quran. 418 00:24:07,914 --> 00:24:09,744 Even today if you read the Quran, 419 00:24:09,744 --> 00:24:12,194 you will find that the Quran does not consist of things like 420 00:24:12,194 --> 00:24:14,224 which are very common in our culture such as: 421 00:24:14,224 --> 00:24:16,134 stories of the Prophet being Nur or Bashar. 422 00:24:16,134 --> 00:24:20,134 He invites human beings to the simple message that 423 00:24:20,134 --> 00:24:24,134 they should try to verify the true essence of virtue. 424 00:24:24,134 --> 00:24:25,714 That is the real faith in God. 425 00:24:25,714 --> 00:24:28,128 It is a feeling of being present before Him. 426 00:24:28,128 --> 00:24:32,128 You should live with the sentiment that you will be accountable to god. 427 00:24:32,128 --> 00:24:35,152 and the basis for this accountability is the purification of your moral being. 428 00:24:35,152 --> 00:24:37,262 Moral being should be as pure as possible. 429 00:24:37,262 --> 00:24:39,542 The Quran calls it amale saaleh 430 00:24:39,542 --> 00:24:43,153 You should act in such a way that 431 00:24:43,153 --> 00:24:49,172 it guides you, your society, your environment to the straight path, 432 00:24:49,172 --> 00:24:56,162 When things become part of a jargon then people stop focusing on its meaning. 433 00:24:56,162 --> 00:24:58,282 It is a very beautiful expression. 434 00:24:58,282 --> 00:25:01,312 In other words, there are certain actions which when commited 435 00:25:01,312 --> 00:25:05,312 result in internal friction within yourself. 436 00:25:05,312 --> 00:25:09,312 These actions stem discord at your home, in your community, 437 00:25:09,882 --> 00:25:16,224 And then there is a sort of action which leads to goodness and success everywhere. 438 00:25:16,224 --> 00:25:18,074 What is that action? 439 00:25:18,074 --> 00:25:22,074 It is obvious that it is the same action where an individual has a knowledge 440 00:25:22,074 --> 00:25:24,384 of his moral being and acquires it. 441 00:25:24,384 --> 00:25:27,764 He should recognise himself and the essence of his dignity. 442 00:25:27,764 --> 00:25:33,234 I am a moral being and I will take moral purification to that level 443 00:25:33,234 --> 00:25:38,034 where it is supposed to be and then I will achieve eminence. 444 00:25:38,034 --> 00:25:41,744 If I fail to do that then there is no difference between myself and an animal. 445 00:25:41,744 --> 00:25:43,514 So, this is the teaching of the Quran. 446 00:25:43,514 --> 00:25:46,244 If you hold steadfast to the directives of the Qur’ān 447 00:25:46,244 --> 00:25:49,084 and if you make it the center and axis of all things 448 00:25:49,084 --> 00:25:51,444 which I always translate as the following: 449 00:25:51,444 --> 00:25:55,444 The main reason for the decline of the Muslim community is that 450 00:25:55,444 --> 00:25:59,244 it neither made Quran the center and axis of its knowledge 451 00:25:59,244 --> 00:26:02,014 nor did it make the Quran the center and axis of its actions. 452 00:26:02,014 --> 00:26:05,254 In terms of knowledge, if you visit the religious schools, 453 00:26:05,254 --> 00:26:09,254 if you look at religious education, philosophy or debates in jurisprudence 454 00:26:09,254 --> 00:26:13,254 making Quran the axis of your religion and then trying to comprehend the Quran 455 00:26:13,254 --> 00:26:16,656 as the Quran wants us to do has escaped our knowledge. 456 00:26:16,656 --> 00:26:20,656 Due to this reason we are left with the stories of virtuous men, fables 457 00:26:20,656 --> 00:26:26,966 the debates on furu'aat, and those things that have no relevance to our lives 458 00:26:26,966 --> 00:26:30,376 The most important reality of our life is that which the Quran states as 459 00:26:30,376 --> 00:26:33,946 the act of leading one's life with the sentiment of accountability before god 460 00:26:33,946 --> 00:26:36,316 One day I will have to stand in the court of my lord 461 00:26:36,316 --> 00:26:37,636 and I cannot take any chances. 462 00:26:37,636 --> 00:26:40,136 I cannot deceive anyone, I cannot do adulteration, 463 00:26:40,136 --> 00:26:43,726 I cannot be dishonest, I cannot be unjust towards others. 464 00:26:43,726 --> 00:26:47,216 You will feel this sentiment only when 465 00:26:47,216 --> 00:26:49,676 you will lead your life with the consciousness that 466 00:26:49,676 --> 00:26:51,436 you are accountable to your lord. 467 00:26:51,436 --> 00:26:54,906 And then there is the issue of making aspects of religion such as: 468 00:26:54,906 --> 00:26:58,906 rituals, the organisation of the society, and reminder of things that are symbolic, 469 00:26:58,906 --> 00:27:03,704 aspects that are, in fact, supplementary, but replace the real essence of religion. 470 00:27:03,704 --> 00:27:06,464 The is the aspect that the Quran is explaining here. 471 00:27:06,464 --> 00:27:10,464 Even today, if Quran becomes a central and axial part of our lives 472 00:27:10,464 --> 00:27:12,524 then what will be the consequences? 473 00:27:12,524 --> 00:27:16,214 It will result in you acquiring such a scale in religious matters 474 00:27:16,214 --> 00:27:20,214 that you will be able to examine everything. 475 00:27:20,975 --> 00:27:24,975 If you overcome your prejudices, then you will be able to decide 476 00:27:24,975 --> 00:27:28,975 between good and bad in a jiffy. You will find a way out of 477 00:27:28,975 --> 00:27:32,975 those metaphysical debates that people found very interesting 478 00:27:32,975 --> 00:27:36,975 in our tradition and such exceptional people surrendered themselves 479 00:27:36,975 --> 00:27:39,295 to these debates. Then your entire focus... 480 00:27:39,295 --> 00:27:43,295 It is obvious that when it becomes clear what God is, 481 00:27:43,295 --> 00:27:47,295 what his knowledge is like, his attributes and the correct method 482 00:27:47,295 --> 00:27:50,185 to be accountable in the court of Allah. When these issues become clear 483 00:27:50,185 --> 00:27:52,826 then you abandon the debates of philosophy and Kalam 484 00:27:52,826 --> 00:27:55,896 and stand on the correct path, then only your entire focus will be on 485 00:27:55,896 --> 00:27:58,376 natural sciences and development of your own life. 486 00:27:58,376 --> 00:28:02,126 It will result in you focusing on scientific disciplines 487 00:28:02,126 --> 00:28:06,126 and you will abandon superstitions. Quran germinates both these things 488 00:28:06,126 --> 00:28:11,216 within you when you focus on the Quran. Here it is stated that: 489 00:28:11,216 --> 00:28:15,216 hold steadfast to this rope of Allah, if you hold firmly the rope of Allah, 490 00:28:15,216 --> 00:28:18,056 then it will have certain consequences and those consequences are the following: 491 00:28:18,056 --> 00:28:22,396 kazaalika yubaiyinul laahu lakum aayaatihee la'allakum tahtadoon 492 00:28:22,444 --> 00:28:27,994 Thus, God explains to you His revelations so that you may be guided, 493 00:28:27,994 --> 00:28:30,124 that you may be on the right path. 494 00:28:30,124 --> 00:28:34,124 Waltakum minkum ummatuny yad'oona ilal khairi wa ya'muroona 495 00:28:34,124 --> 00:28:38,124 bil ma'roofi wa yanhawna 'anil munkar; 496 00:28:38,124 --> 00:28:42,867 Now muslims have become a community. A system has been established by them. 497 00:28:42,867 --> 00:28:46,867 They have established their government in Medina, 498 00:28:46,867 --> 00:28:48,877 even though it is of a tribal nature. 499 00:28:48,877 --> 00:28:51,277 The community has become organized. 500 00:28:51,277 --> 00:28:56,326 There is a stage when people profess faith individually, 501 00:28:56,326 --> 00:29:00,326 they don't even own a piece of land, they are spread throughout the world. 502 00:29:00,458 --> 00:29:03,108 So, an organisation is not possible in such a scenario. 503 00:29:03,108 --> 00:29:07,108 But when a society comes into being, when Muslims become a group 504 00:29:07,108 --> 00:29:10,858 then the Quran tells them that they are in a position to do so. 505 00:29:11,084 --> 00:29:15,084 First, the Quran gave an introduction: Fear Allah, Obey Him, 506 00:29:15,084 --> 00:29:17,218 steadfastly hold on to the rope of Allah, 507 00:29:17,218 --> 00:29:19,628 make the Quran a central and axial part of your life. 508 00:29:19,628 --> 00:29:22,038 Stay united and let nothing divide you in groups. 509 00:29:22,038 --> 00:29:23,628 God has been kind to you that 510 00:29:23,628 --> 00:29:28,921 He has put love between you and made you brothers when you were foes. 511 00:29:28,921 --> 00:29:32,921 Allah has made this thing clear to you, now stay true to it. 512 00:29:32,921 --> 00:29:36,921 Stay true to it, it is your collective responsibility. 513 00:29:36,921 --> 00:29:38,141 In a society... 514 00:29:38,141 --> 00:29:41,911 Children are born and they go through the stages of early years and adolescence. 515 00:29:41,911 --> 00:29:44,521 Then they become adults, attain the age of maturity. 516 00:29:44,521 --> 00:29:46,821 They are involved in a lot of contradictions. 517 00:29:46,821 --> 00:29:50,551 A society cannot be termed as something that can stay motionlessness. 518 00:29:50,551 --> 00:29:55,661 Therefore, in a society it is certain that like an individual has a part to 519 00:29:55,661 --> 00:29:58,763 play in a society by virtue of his individual responsibilities, 520 00:29:58,763 --> 00:30:01,663 likewise society too has some collective responsibilities. 521 00:30:01,663 --> 00:30:08,353 For instance, parents cannot say that they have a child and they are feeding him, 522 00:30:08,353 --> 00:30:12,703 but they do not have a responsibility for his fostering, education and upbringing. 523 00:30:12,703 --> 00:30:16,179 If they do not foster and raise their children, the society would turn out 524 00:30:16,179 --> 00:30:17,879 to be a jungle full of animals. 525 00:30:17,879 --> 00:30:21,879 In a way, there will be kids who would be clueless about 526 00:30:21,879 --> 00:30:23,449 the traditions of the society. 527 00:30:23,449 --> 00:30:26,449 They would not want to live their life in any sort of rule or code of conduct. 528 00:30:26,449 --> 00:30:30,529 Who would be unaware to the basic facts about edification and civilizations. 529 00:30:30,529 --> 00:30:33,839 They would be alien to any transmissions of civilized code of conduct 530 00:30:33,839 --> 00:30:34,979 or gentle behavior. 531 00:30:34,979 --> 00:30:37,299 In terms of their inheritance, these children 532 00:30:37,299 --> 00:30:39,229 would have received nothing of worth. 533 00:30:39,229 --> 00:30:40,979 And they would be left without anything. 534 00:30:40,979 --> 00:30:44,979 Similarly, when a society transforms to be an organized collective of people. 535 00:30:44,979 --> 00:30:48,269 It is imperative to establish order. 536 00:30:48,269 --> 00:30:52,269 Hence, even today all of humanity is unanimous about the fact that 537 00:30:52,269 --> 00:30:56,269 humans cannot be left without any checks and balances. 538 00:30:57,329 --> 00:31:02,329 Since, man has an innate quality of both good and evil. 539 00:31:02,329 --> 00:31:06,329 It is always anticipated that people with evil intentions would incorporate in 540 00:31:06,329 --> 00:31:10,239 evil activities like robbery, fornication, murder etc., 541 00:31:10,239 --> 00:31:12,179 They would develop discord in society. 542 00:31:12,179 --> 00:31:16,179 So, in order to tackle these kind of situations, a order is established. 543 00:31:16,179 --> 00:31:18,269 It used to take the form of tribal laws, 544 00:31:18,269 --> 00:31:20,519 but now these laws are implemented on a state level. 545 00:31:20,519 --> 00:31:22,409 This is the work of the government of a nation. 546 00:31:22,409 --> 00:31:26,229 A complete rule of law is established and implemented in a nation state. 547 00:31:26,229 --> 00:31:30,229 In a nation state, there are three foundational institutions. 548 00:31:30,922 --> 00:31:32,582 A judicial system. 549 00:31:32,582 --> 00:31:35,952 It is evident that if you are incorporating a system of 550 00:31:35,952 --> 00:31:37,254 reward and punishment. 551 00:31:37,254 --> 00:31:40,184 Allah has employed this method of reward and reprimand 552 00:31:40,184 --> 00:31:41,441 on the day of judgement. 553 00:31:41,441 --> 00:31:45,441 As a corollary of that principle a similar system for reward and punishment 554 00:31:45,441 --> 00:31:49,441 has emerged in the globe, which is interpreted as the court of law. 555 00:31:49,441 --> 00:31:53,441 For instance, society comes up with certain laws, code of conduct 556 00:31:53,441 --> 00:31:56,791 and anyone who rebukes them faces punishment for the same. 557 00:31:56,791 --> 00:31:59,671 And anyone who lives in consonance with the established law, 558 00:31:59,671 --> 00:32:02,360 develops a way forward for himself. 559 00:32:02,360 --> 00:32:07,811 Therefore, justice, judicial system or a system of reward or punishment 560 00:32:07,811 --> 00:32:09,691 is a pre-requisite for a society. 561 00:32:09,691 --> 00:32:12,221 It must be established in every society. 562 00:32:12,221 --> 00:32:17,371 In today's parlance police department is constituted for the same purpose. 563 00:32:17,371 --> 00:32:21,371 In order words, you establish such a department in the society that 564 00:32:21,371 --> 00:32:25,932 works like a watchdog to uphold and support good things 565 00:32:25,932 --> 00:32:30,472 and rebukes anything that is ill-intentioned and crosses its limit. 566 00:32:30,828 --> 00:32:34,828 All the nations have had this police department from the start, 567 00:32:34,828 --> 00:32:39,662 even in the tribal societies some people were appointed for a similar kind of job. 568 00:32:39,662 --> 00:32:42,887 At times, it is impossible to handle the rebellion of states themselves. 569 00:32:42,887 --> 00:32:47,987 As you say, if you have established a national system, 570 00:32:47,987 --> 00:32:51,987 demarcated a territory for your state, then you cannot just expect the rebellious 571 00:32:51,987 --> 00:32:54,437 attitude of people individually but a collective. 572 00:32:54,437 --> 00:32:56,067 At times an entire nation becomes rebellious. 573 00:32:56,067 --> 00:32:58,772 As a result, you organise your own army to deal with anything of this nature. 574 00:32:58,772 --> 00:33:01,732 Therefore, this system of law is nothing but the manifestation 575 00:33:01,732 --> 00:33:03,671 of the natural attributes of humanity. 576 00:33:03,671 --> 00:33:05,861 Man would have constituted this system even in the absence 577 00:33:05,861 --> 00:33:06,862 of any religious teachings. 578 00:33:06,862 --> 00:33:08,532 Every society accepts it. 579 00:33:08,532 --> 00:33:12,532 Philosophical debates have their own prominence, but it is a reality that 580 00:33:12,532 --> 00:33:15,282 we cannot visualize a society without a legal framework. 581 00:33:15,282 --> 00:33:18,582 Communism tried to envisage a journey without a system of judiciary and police, 582 00:33:18,582 --> 00:33:20,332 but that could not be fulfilled. 583 00:33:20,332 --> 00:33:22,392 Because it was against the natural instincts of man. 584 00:33:22,392 --> 00:33:26,392 Man has such a being that entails a struggle for both good and bad, 585 00:33:26,804 --> 00:33:30,804 It is a pre-requisite as He has been given the divine inspiration 586 00:33:30,804 --> 00:33:31,974 for both good and evil. 587 00:33:31,974 --> 00:33:33,214 There, a society was being organised there. 588 00:33:33,214 --> 00:33:35,824 The reason I gave this lengthy introduction was that, 589 00:33:35,824 --> 00:33:39,714 under the Quranic milieu, a society was getting organized, 590 00:33:39,714 --> 00:33:42,704 Medina emerged as a small nation-state. 591 00:33:42,704 --> 00:33:46,704 Those Muslims after being given some basic yet fundamental instructions were 592 00:33:46,704 --> 00:33:49,124 asked to established a code of conduct, 593 00:33:49,124 --> 00:33:52,244 in order to sustain this aforementioned system in the society. 594 00:33:52,244 --> 00:33:54,584 Waltakum minkum ummatun 595 00:33:54,928 --> 00:33:57,828 to accomplish this task, it is required that some individuals 596 00:33:57,828 --> 00:33:59,218 be deputed from amongst you. 597 00:33:59,218 --> 00:34:01,247 And what is this task that is to be carried out? 598 00:34:01,247 --> 00:34:05,936 yad'oona ilal khairi who calls society towards righteousness 599 00:34:05,936 --> 00:34:08,149 Notice that a different word has been used. 600 00:34:08,149 --> 00:34:10,088 The word righteousness has been used for virtue; 601 00:34:10,088 --> 00:34:12,728 you should call towards those things that are meant 602 00:34:12,728 --> 00:34:14,362 for the betterment of humans 603 00:34:14,362 --> 00:34:21,128 wa ya'muroona bil ma'roofi enjoin virtue, to enjoin good 604 00:34:21,128 --> 00:34:25,889 wa yanhawna 'anil munkar and forbid evil. 605 00:34:26,992 --> 00:34:30,302 Both these words are very important. 606 00:34:30,302 --> 00:34:34,302 Maroof signifies those things which are agreed upon unanimously 607 00:34:34,302 --> 00:34:37,602 by each and every individual that they are good deeds 608 00:34:37,602 --> 00:34:40,572 and Munkar signifies those things which are agreed upon unanimously 609 00:34:40,572 --> 00:34:42,552 by each and every individual that they are evil deeds. 610 00:34:42,552 --> 00:34:43,992 The Quran stated that they should do that: 611 00:34:43,992 --> 00:34:45,722 wa ulaaa'ika humul muflihoon 612 00:34:45,722 --> 00:34:47,542 [Diligently arrange for this] 613 00:34:47,542 --> 00:34:52,010 and [remember that those who do so] will only attain salvation. 614 00:34:52,585 --> 00:34:55,908 This directive is given to the Muslims in their collective capacity: 615 00:34:55,908 --> 00:34:57,988 in order to hold [steadfast to this directive of the Qur’ān] 616 00:34:57,988 --> 00:35:00,508 they must depute some people from among themselves. 617 00:35:00,508 --> 00:35:04,508 In modern times, if you look at the department of police 618 00:35:04,508 --> 00:35:08,508 it in the light of the Quran, in the light of a muslims society 619 00:35:08,508 --> 00:35:10,448 it serves this very purpose. 620 00:35:10,448 --> 00:35:15,828 Their real job is to keep the organisation of the society intact, 621 00:35:15,828 --> 00:35:21,138 spread righteousness, encourage virtue in the society 622 00:35:21,138 --> 00:35:23,148 and not let crimes breed in the society. 623 00:35:23,148 --> 00:35:27,148 To accomplish this task, two arrangements were made by muslims in their society; 624 00:35:27,674 --> 00:35:30,151 one of them is the same which is done throughout the world 625 00:35:30,151 --> 00:35:32,901 But the police department has become exclusive to hold people accountable 626 00:35:32,901 --> 00:35:35,621 who perpetrate acts which are considered as crimes as per law, 627 00:35:35,621 --> 00:35:37,798 for those acts that are considered cognizable. 628 00:35:38,200 --> 00:35:42,200 But, in a Muslim society, the institution of a Masjid was created 629 00:35:42,200 --> 00:35:43,650 for pedagogical reasons. 630 00:35:43,650 --> 00:35:47,650 Such an institution, such a training institute, such a place of worship 631 00:35:47,650 --> 00:35:51,650 was constructed where a law was legislated that 632 00:35:51,650 --> 00:35:55,650 on every Friday, the leader or representative of the Muslims will come, 633 00:35:55,650 --> 00:35:59,340 who will be accountable to the people and at the same time 634 00:35:59,340 --> 00:36:01,370 he will instruct and counsel them as well. 635 00:36:01,370 --> 00:36:04,548 According to this verse, two institutions came into being: 636 00:36:04,548 --> 00:36:08,548 the institution of police, and an organisation in the form of a Mosque 637 00:36:08,548 --> 00:36:11,447 which unfortunately became vulnerable to sectarianism. 638 00:36:11,447 --> 00:36:16,429 There are certain other things as well and we will discuss those in the next session. 639 00:36:16,429 --> 00:36:18,349 It is because it is a very important verse and 640 00:36:18,349 --> 00:36:20,499 people have gone on to misunderstand it as well. 641 00:36:20,499 --> 00:36:23,689 There have been mistakes made with respect to its meaning and subject matter. 642 00:36:23,689 --> 00:36:25,479 We need a caution on that as well. 643 00:36:25,479 --> 00:36:30,341 I will mention those things in detail. Let us end it on this note today. 644 00:36:30,341 --> 00:36:33,411 And now let us have a look at its translation. 645 00:36:33,411 --> 00:36:35,451 The Quran has stated: 646 00:36:35,451 --> 00:36:39,451 Believers! If you yield to a group from among these People of the Book, 647 00:36:39,451 --> 00:36:43,451 they will turn you back from belief to disbelief. 648 00:36:43,451 --> 00:36:46,511 [Be forewarned of this] and [just reflect] 649 00:36:46,511 --> 00:36:51,671 how can you disbelieve when God’s verses are being recited to you 650 00:36:51,671 --> 00:36:56,871 and His own Messenger is among you. [So hold fast to God] 651 00:36:56,871 --> 00:37:00,911 and [remember that] he who holds fast to God 652 00:37:00,911 --> 00:37:04,191 [then know that] he shall be guided to the straight path. 653 00:37:04,757 --> 00:37:06,907 Believers! Fear God as you rightly should, 654 00:37:06,907 --> 00:37:11,727 and when you leave this world, leave it only as followers of Islam 655 00:37:11,727 --> 00:37:16,207 and together cling to the rope of God and let nothing divide you 656 00:37:16,207 --> 00:37:20,267 and remember the favour God has bestowed upon you: 657 00:37:20,267 --> 00:37:24,267 when you were enemies of one another so He united your hearts 658 00:37:24,267 --> 00:37:27,499 and with His grace you became brothers 659 00:37:27,499 --> 00:37:31,499 and [remember] when you stood at the very brink of an abyss of fire; 660 00:37:31,499 --> 00:37:33,669 then He saved you from it. 661 00:37:33,669 --> 00:37:38,679 Thus God explains to you His revelations so that you may be guided. 662 00:37:38,679 --> 00:37:41,919 And let there be appointed among you a number 663 00:37:41,919 --> 00:37:48,299 which calls towards righteousness, enjoin virtue and forbid evil. 664 00:37:48,299 --> 00:37:50,359 [Diligently arrange for this] and 665 00:37:50,359 --> 00:37:53,259 [remember that those who do so] will only attain salvation. 666 00:37:53,259 --> 00:37:55,015 I say this saying of mine, and 667 00:37:55,015 --> 00:37:58,000 I seek forgiveness from Allah for me and for you.