WEBVTT 00:00:06.835 --> 00:00:14.280 Al-Bayan, Discourses on the Qur'an Javed Ahmad Ghamidi 00:00:15.544 --> 00:00:23.924 Surah Aal i Imran Aayaat 100 to 104. 00:00:24.294 --> 00:00:28.014 Gratitude is only for God, the Lord of the World, 00:00:28.014 --> 00:00:31.274 and may His peace and mercy be on Muhammad, the trustworthy. 00:00:31.274 --> 00:00:33.874 I seek refuge with God from the accursed Devil. 00:00:33.874 --> 00:00:36.024 In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful. 00:00:36.024 --> 00:00:39.754 Ladies and Gentlemen, We are beginning 00:00:39.754 --> 00:00:42.751 the study of Surah Aal I Imran from verse 100 in the Quran. 00:00:44.147 --> 00:00:48.937 Earlier, the first section of the chapter concluded on verse 99 00:00:50.066 --> 00:00:55.466 This Surah comprises of two sections, one introduction and one conclusion. 00:00:55.466 --> 00:00:58.596 This is the structure of its subject matter. 00:00:58.825 --> 00:01:00.585 There is an introduction. 00:01:00.585 --> 00:01:04.585 Then begins a section on the completion of proof on the People of the Book 00:01:05.206 --> 00:01:07.866 and it reaches a conclusion on verse 99. 00:01:08.384 --> 00:01:12.384 Now begins the second section which would finally lead 00:01:12.384 --> 00:01:14.274 to the conclusion of the chapter. 00:01:14.674 --> 00:01:19.326 This verse onwards the address is directed towards the Muslims. 00:01:19.985 --> 00:01:22.195 The direction of the address has changed. 00:01:22.368 --> 00:01:26.368 In these verses of the Quran, this method is generally adopted. 00:01:26.614 --> 00:01:29.913 Either the address is directed towards the Muslims, 00:01:29.913 --> 00:01:33.533 as in Surah Nisa and then the People of the Book are discussed. 00:01:34.184 --> 00:01:37.844 After the introduction of the chapter, the chapter will either begin 00:01:37.844 --> 00:01:41.615 by addressing the People of the Book and then Muslims will be addressed. 00:01:41.974 --> 00:01:46.594 If you look here, the conclusive proof of Allah was demonstrated 00:01:46.594 --> 00:01:48.654 to the People of the Book. 00:01:48.654 --> 00:01:51.644 All evidences were supplied and as we saw in the last lecture, 00:01:51.644 --> 00:01:55.384 at the end of that topic, the Quran provided answers to the 00:01:55.384 --> 00:01:58.244 three main objections raised by the people of the book. 00:01:58.543 --> 00:02:01.693 After providing answers to their objections 00:02:01.693 --> 00:02:04.898 they were sternly reprimanded and then they were also invited to Islam 00:02:04.898 --> 00:02:07.183 and they were asked to not reject the Quranic verses 00:02:07.183 --> 00:02:09.363 and not to stop people from Allah's path 00:02:09.363 --> 00:02:12.983 and not to sully those things that they have been made witness to 00:02:12.983 --> 00:02:15.743 because this is not the correct attitude. 00:02:16.269 --> 00:02:18.619 Now the address is directed towards the Muslims, 00:02:18.619 --> 00:02:24.609 Muslims are first warned of the deviant schemes of the People of the Book 00:02:24.609 --> 00:02:30.379 which they would employ to turn away the Muslims from the path of the truth 00:02:30.379 --> 00:02:33.274 But they should stay steadfast on the path of Allah. 00:02:33.802 --> 00:02:37.354 After this, the stages of purification and cleanliness of the Muslims will begin 00:02:37.354 --> 00:02:39.292 In other words, Muslims should reform themselves, 00:02:39.292 --> 00:02:41.302 they should fulfil their obligation towards islam, 00:02:41.302 --> 00:02:43.902 they should hold on to the rope of Allah steadfastly, 00:02:43.902 --> 00:02:47.252 they should follow the way of Allah and the Prophet (pbuh) in difficult times. 00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:51.680 So, these things which are important for their purification, cleansing 00:02:51.680 --> 00:02:55.680 the purification of their wisdom and character will be discussed. 00:02:55.770 --> 00:02:58.050 So, this is the order of this Surah. 00:02:58.359 --> 00:03:02.359 Allah says, "Yaaa ayyuhal lazeena aamanoo in tutee'oo fareeqam 00:03:02.359 --> 00:03:04.519 minal lazeena ootul Kitaaba" 00:03:05.602 --> 00:03:10.922 Believers! If you yield to a group from among these People of the Book, 00:03:10.974 --> 00:03:13.794 It is obvious that from all the things that have been said, 00:03:13.794 --> 00:03:16.594 one of these includes telling the people of the book 00:03:16.594 --> 00:03:18.544 about things they have been doing wrong. 00:03:18.544 --> 00:03:22.544 On the other hand, since they are religious people 00:03:22.544 --> 00:03:25.074 and they are at the forefront of religious issues, 00:03:25.074 --> 00:03:27.924 people look up to them with respect to these issues, 00:03:28.416 --> 00:03:31.541 in a way, they have the status of religious leaders, 00:03:31.541 --> 00:03:35.541 the common people of Arabia, those from the tribes of Aws and Khazraj 00:03:35.541 --> 00:03:40.541 and people from other tribes think that these people have the best understanding 00:03:40.541 --> 00:03:45.261 of issues relating to Prophethood for they have a whole history of Prophets. 00:03:45.261 --> 00:03:47.381 We can make a mistake but 00:03:47.381 --> 00:03:50.474 these people would not easily fall into mistakes in this regard. 00:03:50.474 --> 00:03:53.404 So, these people would be influenced by them to an extent as well. 00:03:53.404 --> 00:03:55.804 That is why this issue was introduced by stating that: 00:03:55.804 --> 00:03:59.804 Believers! If you yield to a group from among these People of the Book, 00:03:59.804 --> 00:04:03.044 By 'a group', Quran refers to those people who are stubborn 00:04:03.044 --> 00:04:06.864 and these people usually include their religious leaders, 00:04:06.864 --> 00:04:09.094 something which the Quran tells us. 00:04:09.094 --> 00:04:12.074 They are the leaders and hence trusted by the common populace. 00:04:12.074 --> 00:04:13.626 It is mostly those people. 00:04:13.626 --> 00:04:15.966 By 'a group', Quran refers to those people only. 00:04:15.966 --> 00:04:18.520 And by 'a group', Quran also refers to those people 00:04:18.520 --> 00:04:20.447 who are not part of this group. 00:04:20.447 --> 00:04:24.137 It Is not as though every one from among the people of the Book 00:04:24.137 --> 00:04:25.847 has become an ingrate. 00:04:25.847 --> 00:04:29.847 A group from among them which also plays the leadership role 00:04:29.847 --> 00:04:31.657 indulges in such activities. 00:04:31.657 --> 00:04:34.617 If you yield to this group from among the People of the Book, 00:04:34.617 --> 00:04:36.147 then what will these people do? 00:04:36.147 --> 00:04:38.527 yaruddookum ba'da eemaanikum kaafireen 00:04:38.527 --> 00:04:42.187 Yaaa ayyuhal lazeena aamanoo in tutee'oo fareeqam 00:04:42.187 --> 00:04:43.537 minal lazeena ootul Kitaaba 00:04:43.537 --> 00:04:47.537 Believers! If you yield to a group from among these People of the Book, 00:04:47.537 --> 00:04:52.557 they will turn you back from belief to disbelief. 00:04:53.050 --> 00:04:58.570 Their real intention is that you yield to these people 00:04:58.570 --> 00:05:06.401 so that they will also lead the Muslims into disbelief like themselves. 00:05:06.916 --> 00:05:12.806 I have already mentioned that the justice loving people from among them, 00:05:12.806 --> 00:05:15.206 those people that the Quran will praise later on, 00:05:15.206 --> 00:05:18.616 the Quran always mentions them by setting them apart from these people. 00:05:18.616 --> 00:05:25.266 The Quran tells us that there are such people who talk of justice, 00:05:25.266 --> 00:05:27.976 and don't act stubbornly at all. 00:05:27.976 --> 00:05:29.676 Although it can be the case that 00:05:29.676 --> 00:05:31.576 their minds may still lack clarity, 00:05:31.576 --> 00:05:35.576 but they ask questions and they engage and then again 00:05:35.576 --> 00:05:39.576 there are people who have a clarity in their thoughts 00:05:39.576 --> 00:05:42.326 but there still persists a dissonance in their actions. 00:05:42.326 --> 00:05:44.576 In other words, he pauses regularly wondering 00:05:44.576 --> 00:05:46.351 if his decision was right of not. 00:05:46.351 --> 00:05:49.744 Even those people that have such ambiguities are different. 00:05:49.744 --> 00:05:53.744 But these people are the ones who are in such a place 00:05:53.744 --> 00:05:59.024 because of their stubbornness that if you listen to them, 00:05:59.024 --> 00:06:00.954 then you should know their objective. 00:06:00.954 --> 00:06:04.284 It is that they will also lead you into disbelief 00:06:04.284 --> 00:06:07.224 just as they disbelieve out of their sheer stubbornness. 00:06:07.224 --> 00:06:10.544 And you think that since they are believers 00:06:10.544 --> 00:06:13.474 and hence they cannot lead you into disbelief... 00:06:13.830 --> 00:06:17.830 It is obvious that if religious leaders and believers are like that 00:06:17.830 --> 00:06:23.007 then people feel that the leaders have no reason to lead them away. 00:06:23.561 --> 00:06:26.481 The Quran stated that their religion is merely ritualistic 00:06:26.481 --> 00:06:29.271 and they are the primary enemies of religion. 00:06:29.271 --> 00:06:32.218 They not only themselves are its disbelievers, but they will also 00:06:32.218 --> 00:06:35.031 lead the Muslims into disbelief if they are led away by them. 00:06:35.031 --> 00:06:38.341 The Quran stated that their actions would lead to such consequences. 00:06:38.341 --> 00:06:44.123 Wa kaifa takfuroona wa antum tutlaa 'alaikum Aayaatul laahi 00:06:44.667 --> 00:06:48.667 O Muslims [Be forewarned of this]. In other words, [Be forewarned of them] 00:06:48.667 --> 00:06:52.067 Be forewarned of what you have been told. 00:06:52.067 --> 00:07:01.647 [just reflect] how can you disbelieve when God’s verses are being recited to you 00:07:01.647 --> 00:07:04.527 It is understandable that they want to lead you away 00:07:04.527 --> 00:07:07.667 but how can you disbelieve when God’s Book has been revealed to you 00:07:07.667 --> 00:07:11.447 and His own Messenger is among you, when God’s verses are being recited to you 00:07:11.447 --> 00:07:14.494 when the truth is being manifested before you 00:07:14.494 --> 00:07:18.194 wa antum tutlaa 'alaikum Aayaatul laahi 00:07:18.194 --> 00:07:20.914 when God’s verses are being recited to you 00:07:20.914 --> 00:07:26.394 wa feekum Rasooluhu; and His own Messenger is among you. 00:07:26.971 --> 00:07:29.681 If in spite of this they disregard the truth 00:07:29.681 --> 00:07:33.391 then there is no bigger deprivation and misfortune than that. 00:07:33.391 --> 00:07:38.991 They will now have no excuse to present before the Almighty 00:07:38.991 --> 00:07:43.641 which in other words would mean that they have slipped in broad daylight. 00:07:43.641 --> 00:07:47.641 The result would be that even though everything was visible even then 00:07:47.641 --> 00:07:51.641 they surrendered themselves to the dark. 00:07:51.894 --> 00:07:54.804 wa feekum Rasooluh; wa mai ya'tasim 00:07:54.804 --> 00:07:58.104 billaahi faqad hudiya ilaa Siraatim Mustaqeem 00:07:58.104 --> 00:08:01.376 [So hold fast to God] 00:08:01.576 --> 00:08:04.036 "To hold fast to God” means that 00:08:04.036 --> 00:08:08.036 in good and bad circumstances a person adheres to the truth 00:08:08.036 --> 00:08:12.036 and does not swerve in any way from the directives of God 00:08:12.036 --> 00:08:15.326 and the teachings of His Book. 00:08:15.326 --> 00:08:22.306 [So hold fast to God] and [remember that] he who holds fast to God 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 00:08:29.266 --> 00:08:33.916 So, he who holds fast to God shall never be misguided 00:08:33.916 --> 00:08:38.916 If you hold fast to your own ego then you will face the same misfortune 00:08:38.916 --> 00:08:41.766 that these people have faced. 00:08:44.538 --> 00:08:48.538 Yaaa ayyuhal lazeena aamanut taqul laaha haqqa tuqaatihee 00:08:48.538 --> 00:08:52.828 Believers! Fear God as you should by [His] right. 00:08:53.694 --> 00:08:57.694 This is an explanation of what holding fast to God actually means: 00:08:57.880 --> 00:09:00.441 When it was instructed to hold fast to God 00:09:00.441 --> 00:09:02.391 and when it was said that 00:09:02.391 --> 00:09:04.171 he shall be guided to the straight path 00:09:04.171 --> 00:09:06.511 who holds fast to God and shall never be misguided. 00:09:06.511 --> 00:09:09.211 So, what does holding fast to God actually mean? 00:09:09.931 --> 00:09:13.291 The Quran makes clear its meaning in the next verse: 00:09:13.291 --> 00:09:17.809 to fear God the way a person rightly should. 00:09:18.264 --> 00:09:23.074 The word 'fear' that is usually used... 00:09:23.074 --> 00:09:26.311 Here, the Quran uses the word 'Taqwa' or God-consciousness. 00:09:27.224 --> 00:09:29.754 In other words, they should be vary of the limits. 00:09:29.754 --> 00:09:32.481 They should be wakeful with respect to Allah. 00:09:32.481 --> 00:09:36.481 So, generally people feel that it is a way of intimidation. 00:09:36.481 --> 00:09:41.591 Fear is both rational as well as superstitious. 00:09:42.238 --> 00:09:48.268 The fear of ghosts, for example, is a fear that stems from superstition. 00:09:48.268 --> 00:09:51.178 You come across such a situation when you, for instance, 00:09:51.178 --> 00:09:52.318 visit some house. 00:09:52.318 --> 00:09:54.918 It is a fear that stems from delusions. 00:09:55.349 --> 00:09:56.759 Fear is also rational. 00:09:56.759 --> 00:09:59.239 It is a rational fear when you know that the bridge in front of you 00:09:59.239 --> 00:10:01.971 is broken and there are chances that you will fall off the bridge. 00:10:01.971 --> 00:10:03.701 One has to be cautious about it ... 00:10:03.701 --> 00:10:07.701 In other words, a child is quite courageous. 00:10:07.701 --> 00:10:09.462 He can catch hold of a snake. 00:10:09.462 --> 00:10:10.832 But why? 00:10:10.832 --> 00:10:15.427 Because, rationally speaking, he does not understand the concept of a snakebite. 00:10:15.897 --> 00:10:20.777 By 'fear of God', it does not mean that you are frightened by a ghost. 00:10:21.351 --> 00:10:24.881 It entails that you should be conscious of the fact that one day 00:10:24.881 --> 00:10:26.254 you will stand before Allah. 00:10:26.254 --> 00:10:28.234 He is your almighty. You have to face him. 00:10:28.234 --> 00:10:31.834 If you go before him as a dishonest, fraudulent person, 00:10:31.834 --> 00:10:33.944 if you are guided by stubbornness and hauteur 00:10:33.944 --> 00:10:36.254 do you know the consequence of such an action? 00:10:36.254 --> 00:10:40.964 Every reasonable person should be apprehensive of it. 00:10:40.964 --> 00:10:43.707 Our discourse is based on the same principle in this world as well. 00:10:43.707 --> 00:10:47.707 This is what the Quran is trying to explain. 00:10:47.863 --> 00:10:49.123 So, this is being stated. 00:10:49.123 --> 00:10:51.553 The word 'righteousness' that has been used, 00:10:51.553 --> 00:10:53.283 it is obvious that the Quran has said: 00:10:53.283 --> 00:10:55.363 ittaqul laaha haqqa tuqaatihee 00:10:55.363 --> 00:10:58.633 Believers! Fear God as you rightly should. 00:10:58.633 --> 00:11:04.073 But Fearing God is required to the extent that a person is capable of. 00:11:04.073 --> 00:11:06.903 The Qur’ān itself has explained this in Surah Taghabun. 00:11:06.903 --> 00:11:08.777 Fataqul la masta ttaatu 00:11:08.777 --> 00:11:12.777 You should fear God as much as you are capable of. 00:11:12.925 --> 00:11:15.635 In other words, such an attitude is not detrimental for the individual. 00:11:15.635 --> 00:11:19.355 If he is fearful and apprehensive, if he is conscious of the transgressions 00:11:19.355 --> 00:11:21.935 and if he bound by the limits set by God, 00:11:21.935 --> 00:11:25.605 he will do it to the extent that a person is capable of. 00:11:25.605 --> 00:11:29.285 God doesn't ask you to shoulder more responsibility 00:11:29.285 --> 00:11:31.095 than you are capable of shouldering. 00:11:31.095 --> 00:11:35.095 But he will fear God by accepting the truth of fearing God. 00:11:35.095 --> 00:11:38.405 In other words, he will fear God with the consciousness that 00:11:38.405 --> 00:11:40.295 he is dealing with God himself. 00:11:40.295 --> 00:11:43.175 Firstly, the obligations a person owes to God 00:11:43.175 --> 00:11:45.175 are ones which he owes to no other person. 00:11:45.175 --> 00:11:47.495 Secondly, the limits and bounds set by God 00:11:47.495 --> 00:11:51.495 and the punishments for violating them 00:11:51.495 --> 00:11:55.495 have been prescribed for the worldly and next-worldly benefit of people; 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 00:12:00.219 --> 00:12:03.529 Even when we apply the system of recompense and Punishment 00:12:03.529 --> 00:12:06.557 we do it for the reformation of the community and the people, 00:12:06.557 --> 00:12:07.907 we do it for their welfare. 00:12:07.907 --> 00:12:10.577 In other words, the system of recompense and Punishment 00:12:10.577 --> 00:12:13.287 and the judicial system does not stand to benefit from it. 00:12:13.287 --> 00:12:14.870 It is meant for human beings only. 00:12:14.870 --> 00:12:17.636 And if they transgress the set limits then everyone feels 00:12:17.636 --> 00:12:19.716 that they should be criticised. 00:12:19.716 --> 00:12:21.136 So, the law of recompense and Punishment 00:12:21.136 --> 00:12:22.606 that has been legislated by Allah 00:12:22.606 --> 00:12:24.496 is meant for the benefit of human beings only. 00:12:24.496 --> 00:12:26.766 Thirdly, God is watching over everything; so much so, 00:12:26.766 --> 00:12:29.006 He even knows what is in the hearts of people. 00:12:29.006 --> 00:12:31.236 Fourthly, no one can save a person from God’s punishment 00:12:31.236 --> 00:12:33.516 and the Almighty can punish a person both in this world 00:12:33.516 --> 00:12:35.700 and in the Hereafter and this punishment can be eternal. 00:12:35.700 --> 00:12:39.259 So, these are the things which when an individual takes into consideration 00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:44.436 while fearing God, it is only then that he fears God as he rightly should. 00:12:44.436 --> 00:12:47.646 Unless a person keeps an eye on all these aspects of fearing God, 00:12:47.646 --> 00:12:51.046 he cannot grasp the real meaning of fearing God. 00:12:51.046 --> 00:12:53.954 There are lot of things for which man fears man, 00:12:53.954 --> 00:12:57.954 but it is the fear of God, his virtue that is stated here. 00:12:57.954 --> 00:13:00.654 itaqul laaha haqqa tuqaatihee 00:13:00.654 --> 00:13:03.877 Believers! Fear God as you rightly should. 00:13:03.877 --> 00:13:07.877 wa laa tamootunna illaa wa antum muslimoon 00:13:08.467 --> 00:13:14.427 and when you leave this world, then leave it only as followers of Islam 00:13:15.067 --> 00:13:19.067 In other words, when the time comes to leave this world 00:13:19.067 --> 00:13:23.067 then you should be a follower of Islam until that time. 00:13:23.067 --> 00:13:25.307 Wa'tasimoo bi Hablil laahi jamee'anw 00:13:25.307 --> 00:13:29.177 and together cling to the rope of God. 00:13:29.177 --> 00:13:32.857 wa laa tafarraqoo and let nothing divide you 00:13:32.857 --> 00:13:36.857 These are the things that have been stated. 00:13:36.857 --> 00:13:40.037 and we should take note of each of the aforementioned aspects. 00:13:40.037 --> 00:13:42.827 wa laa tamootunna illaa wa antum muslimoon 00:13:42.827 --> 00:13:46.827 It means that the instruction to fear Allah 00:13:46.827 --> 00:13:49.700 or when you are instructed to be obedient towards Allah, 00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:51.980 it is a commitment for a lifetime. 00:13:51.980 --> 00:13:54.050 There is no scope for leave in it. 00:13:54.050 --> 00:13:56.260 Once you have become mature, 00:13:56.260 --> 00:14:00.986 once God-consciousness has become a part of your thought process, 00:14:00.986 --> 00:14:04.986 once it has become part of your intellect, and inner life, 00:14:04.986 --> 00:14:10.223 then this struggle will go on until your last breath. 00:14:10.795 --> 00:14:12.825 Therefore, you should be mindful. 00:14:12.825 --> 00:14:15.724 If you leave this struggle before your death, 00:14:15.724 --> 00:14:17.578 then your hardwork will go to waste. 00:14:17.578 --> 00:14:21.364 So, when the Quran stated that: wa laa tamootunna illaa wa antum muslimoon 00:14:21.364 --> 00:14:24.844 it entails that this matter is not meant for a day or two, 00:14:24.844 --> 00:14:27.944 instead the duration that Allah has decided for this test, 00:14:27.944 --> 00:14:33.154 the entire duration must be spent in this very piety, by fearing Allah. 00:14:33.314 --> 00:14:37.644 It also makes clear that it is an uneven path, 00:14:37.644 --> 00:14:41.644 we will face ups and downs, we will face difficulties, 00:14:41.644 --> 00:14:45.644 we will face discord, we will face Satans who will ambush us at night 00:14:45.644 --> 00:14:49.174 and come across many hitches and obstacles from enemies. 00:14:49.174 --> 00:14:53.734 At times, greed will try to lure us and, at others, 00:14:53.734 --> 00:14:57.174 fear will try to intimidate us. 00:14:57.174 --> 00:15:01.174 Those who passed through all these phases while protecting their faith 00:15:01.174 --> 00:15:04.564 and reached their destination that Allah has ordained for the believers. 00:15:04.564 --> 00:15:06.504 And what is the nature of that destination? 00:15:06.504 --> 00:15:10.124 It is that man should continue to live under the principles and 00:15:10.124 --> 00:15:13.094 instructions of Islam, He should be God-fearing till the end of his life. 00:15:13.094 --> 00:15:16.614 At that point when they give up their soul to the Supreme Being, 00:15:16.614 --> 00:15:20.994 as the Quran rightly depicts that they will say that, 00:15:20.994 --> 00:15:22.944 Oh God! we have come to you, 00:15:22.944 --> 00:15:25.847 And in turn God will instruct them to enter paradise, 00:15:25.847 --> 00:15:27.364 Raaziyatum marziyah 00:15:27.364 --> 00:15:30.394 Man is pleased with God, and God is pleased with Man. 00:15:30.394 --> 00:15:35.094 This is what the Quran has termed as Ahtisam Billah 00:15:35.094 --> 00:15:38.514 cling to the rope of God steadfastly, mentioned the Quran and 00:15:38.514 --> 00:15:40.724 then elaborated it at length. 00:15:40.724 --> 00:15:42.324 What is the rope of Allah? 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 00:15:47.224 --> 00:15:51.224 stretched from the heavens to the earth between God and His servants. 00:15:51.224 --> 00:15:55.224 It is this rope which is the means to reach God 00:15:55.224 --> 00:15:57.754 and it is also our covenant with Him. 00:15:57.754 --> 00:16:01.434 Consequently, holding firmly the rope of God means nothing but 00:16:01.434 --> 00:16:05.434 to firmly grasp the Book of God and in no situation leave it. 00:16:05.434 --> 00:16:08.947 Holding steadfast is qualified by the word la tafariqu 00:16:08.947 --> 00:16:11.067 and then the Quran has used the words verse 00:16:11.067 --> 00:16:13.197 the Quran has instructed us against any sort of dissension. 00:16:13.197 --> 00:16:14.257 What does it mean? 00:16:14.257 --> 00:16:18.257 This means that this requirement is from Muslims in their collective and 00:16:18.257 --> 00:16:23.750 individual capacity to cling firmly to the rope of Allah. 00:16:23.750 --> 00:16:26.357 They should not become divided by forsaking it. 00:16:26.357 --> 00:16:28.767 While being united they should adhere to the Qur’ān, 00:16:28.767 --> 00:16:30.647 read it and reflect on its verses. 00:16:30.647 --> 00:16:34.647 They should gather counsel from it, turn to it in all their affairs 00:16:34.647 --> 00:16:38.647 considering it to be a scale of justice 00:16:38.647 --> 00:16:44.587 and before its verdicts give no importance to any other yardstick whatsoever. 00:16:44.587 --> 00:16:48.587 This is what the words 'etisaam bi hablillah' mean. 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:52.329 You should firmly grasp this rope of Allah as the Quran said: 00:16:52.329 --> 00:16:54.759 Wa'tasimoo bi Hablil laahi jamee'anw 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:58.759 Take it that as it was said earlier that you should hold on to Allah firmly, 00:16:58.759 --> 00:17:02.759 and a person holds on to Allah by fearing him and by fully obeying God 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:04.439 and once you have the fear of God, 00:17:04.439 --> 00:17:06.489 then you are inclined towards the book of Allah 00:17:06.489 --> 00:17:09.569 so that I do not transgress the limits set by Allah. 00:17:09.569 --> 00:17:13.569 And how to cling to the rope of Allah is further emphasized 00:17:13.569 --> 00:17:17.569 and portrayed in the reality of the Quran that, 00:17:17.569 --> 00:17:22.259 If you really want to abstain from any sort of discord then this thing 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:23.959 must be taken in consideration. 00:17:23.959 --> 00:17:26.629 You must cling to the book of God. 00:17:26.629 --> 00:17:28.769 wazkuroo ni'mat allaahi alaikum 00:17:28.769 --> 00:17:30.089 And the Quran said: 00:17:30.089 --> 00:17:33.279 and remember the favour God has bestowed upon you: 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:34.269 What favours? 00:17:34.269 --> 00:17:35.949 iz kuntum a'daaa'an 00:17:35.949 --> 00:17:39.986 Here, the companions are the addressee, that when you were enemies of one another 00:17:39.986 --> 00:17:43.629 fa allafa baina quloobikum so He united your hearts 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:46.962 fa asbah tum bini'matiheee ikhwaananw 00:17:46.962 --> 00:17:52.788 and with His grace, Allah's grace, you became brothers. 00:17:52.788 --> 00:17:55.738 And remember, the Quran said: 00:17:55.738 --> 00:17:58.748 wa kuntum 'alaa shafaa hufratim minan Naari 00:17:59.149 --> 00:18:03.149 and [remember] when you stood at the very brink of an abyss of fire; 00:18:03.149 --> 00:18:07.149 fa anqazakum minhaa; then He saved you from it 00:18:08.697 --> 00:18:13.927 The companions, who were party to the Prophet (pbuh) are told 00:18:13.927 --> 00:18:18.267 about the grace that Allah has bestowed upon them. 00:18:19.203 --> 00:18:23.203 Anyone who is aware of the history of Pre-islamic Arabia knows that 00:18:23.505 --> 00:18:27.505 Before the revelation of this Book, every tribe was an enemy of the other 00:18:28.256 --> 00:18:31.836 and they would be engaged in fighting and warfare. 00:18:31.836 --> 00:18:33.256 The stories of their warfare 00:18:33.256 --> 00:18:35.726 are spread across their literature and poetry. 00:18:36.250 --> 00:18:40.250 There was no unifying thread between them on the basis of religion also. 00:18:40.733 --> 00:18:43.451 They were, each one of the them, the progeny of Abraham, 00:18:43.451 --> 00:18:44.446 but only in name. 00:18:44.446 --> 00:18:46.438 Each tribe had its own deity. 00:18:47.071 --> 00:18:50.111 Their interests clashed with one another 00:18:50.111 --> 00:18:52.511 in the fields of politics and economics as well. 00:18:52.511 --> 00:18:54.061 With the coming of the Quran, 00:18:54.061 --> 00:18:58.061 it knitted them together and weaved them into a locket of pearls 00:18:58.061 --> 00:19:04.141 and those erstwhile foes became friends, well-wishers, and brothers. 00:19:04.391 --> 00:19:09.451 Here, they are reminded of the blessings bestowed upon the arrival 00:19:09.451 --> 00:19:12.507 of the Prophet (pbuh) and the Quran. 00:19:12.507 --> 00:19:13.747 They were told that: 00:19:13.747 --> 00:19:18.547 they stood at the very brink of an abyss of fire; 00:19:18.547 --> 00:19:22.547 Warfare, hatred for each other, Shirk, and consequently, internal grudges 00:19:22.547 --> 00:19:26.547 which were founded on disbelief, and colliding with each others profits 00:19:26.547 --> 00:19:30.547 had dragged you to a place where you stood at the very 00:19:30.547 --> 00:19:33.547 brink of that abyss of fire. 00:19:33.684 --> 00:19:36.194 And the nature of that fire is such that 00:19:36.194 --> 00:19:40.194 it is quite extraordinary for nations in this world as well as in the next world 00:19:40.194 --> 00:19:42.784 where it won't spare anyone indulging in idolatry, 00:19:42.784 --> 00:19:46.734 injustice, oppression and transgressions against others. 00:19:47.114 --> 00:19:48.754 So, the Quran said: 00:19:48.754 --> 00:19:52.754 then the Prophet (pbuh) and the Quran saved you from it. 00:19:52.894 --> 00:19:56.524 kazaalika yubaiyinul laahu lakum aayaatihee 00:19:56.524 --> 00:19:58.964 Thus God explains to you His revelations 00:19:59.636 --> 00:20:02.856 la'allakum tahtadoon so that you may be guided. 00:20:02.856 --> 00:20:05.936 Through these verses we come to know that 00:20:05.936 --> 00:20:09.936 one really important blessing from among God's blessings 00:20:09.936 --> 00:20:13.286 bestowed upon a nation or a group or a collective is that 00:20:13.286 --> 00:20:17.246 a bond of love comes into being between them 00:20:17.246 --> 00:20:19.896 The truth is that it doesn't happen easily. 00:20:19.896 --> 00:20:22.696 Hence, look at the words that the Quran uses: 00:20:22.696 --> 00:20:26.696 iz kuntum a'daaa'an fa allafa baina quloobikum 00:20:27.098 --> 00:20:31.930 Allah put love between you people when you were foes. 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:34.939 This is a great blessing by Allah. 00:20:35.162 --> 00:20:42.312 Otherwise, minor issues result in the disintegration of nations. 00:20:43.344 --> 00:20:47.344 The ego of human beings is such and it breeds suspicions so easily 00:20:47.344 --> 00:20:51.344 and they are so prone to looking after their own profits, 00:20:51.344 --> 00:20:55.344 that it is even difficult for even four people to work together. 00:20:56.170 --> 00:21:00.720 At every step we are anxious that they might fall in a ditch. 00:21:00.834 --> 00:21:04.834 And internal conflicts, the sort that we see amongst Muslims... 00:21:05.001 --> 00:21:07.041 People are slaves to profits. 00:21:07.041 --> 00:21:11.041 If two people work together, then we do not expect them 00:21:11.041 --> 00:21:15.551 to live their lives together and put faith in each other. 00:21:16.238 --> 00:21:20.238 Mistrust is in the family and outside, it is in the society, 00:21:20.238 --> 00:21:23.318 in the cultural and the political world. 00:21:23.318 --> 00:21:26.220 In other words, they have engulfed the entire community. 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:29.226 If you look at the environment in your social milieu, 00:21:29.226 --> 00:21:33.549 you will find out that moral degradation is exemplified 00:21:33.549 --> 00:21:36.109 in national divisiveness. 00:21:36.703 --> 00:21:40.703 The entire community will become discordant and perturbed 00:21:40.703 --> 00:21:42.963 because from a moral point of view, 00:21:42.963 --> 00:21:45.673 people are not able to trust each other. 00:21:45.673 --> 00:21:50.833 This environment of mistrust creates a crisis of trust. 00:21:50.833 --> 00:21:53.283 And then it is very difficult to come out of it. 00:21:53.283 --> 00:21:57.063 Hence, Allah has especially brought it to the attention of the Companions that: 00:21:57.063 --> 00:22:03.223 my greatest blessing towards you was to turn your enmity into love 00:22:03.223 --> 00:22:07.223 You became brothers because of My blessings. 00:22:07.223 --> 00:22:11.223 And the situation of your nation was such that 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 00:22:15.223 --> 00:22:17.503 and Allah pulled you out of it. 00:22:17.503 --> 00:22:20.683 Then the Quran stated that: this is the manner in which 00:22:20.683 --> 00:22:22.393 Allah explains his verses. 00:22:22.393 --> 00:22:24.913 And this is how Allah explains to you that 00:22:24.913 --> 00:22:28.913 a slight mistake in this matter can result in grave trials. 00:22:28.913 --> 00:22:32.913 if they want to sustain love and unity among them 00:22:32.913 --> 00:22:36.363 In other words, Allah has united you and if you want to sustain it 00:22:36.363 --> 00:22:39.753 they must hold fast to this Book otherwise 00:22:39.753 --> 00:22:44.773 they will revert to the age of ignorance that they used to be in. 00:22:44.773 --> 00:22:48.773 It was undeniable that they were standing at the brink of an abyss of fire 00:22:48.773 --> 00:22:51.643 If you read their history, it becomes absolutely clear. 00:22:51.643 --> 00:22:55.643 the Almighty caught them by their hands and saved them from it. 00:22:55.643 --> 00:22:58.023 So now if they forsake this Book, 00:22:58.023 --> 00:23:01.053 there is a strong chance that they will fall in this abyss 00:23:01.053 --> 00:23:03.593 and then will not be able to save themselves from its flames. 00:23:03.593 --> 00:23:08.123 This directive that was applicable to the muslim collectivity at that point of time 00:23:08.123 --> 00:23:11.548 it is applicable in the same manner even today. 00:23:11.548 --> 00:23:16.123 The discord and disagreement, the ugliness 00:23:16.123 --> 00:23:19.493 which has become part of our culture, politics, economics, 00:23:19.493 --> 00:23:21.993 one of the major reasons behind that is that 00:23:21.993 --> 00:23:23.980 Muslims have abandoned the book of Allah. 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:28.360 The instructions and guidance that was there in the Quran, 00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:33.370 the manner in which our moral being was made the real objective of our lives, 00:23:34.041 --> 00:23:38.741 this is the most foundational and axial point of the Quran 00:23:38.741 --> 00:23:42.741 that you have to purify your moral being, 00:23:42.741 --> 00:23:47.971 you have to be of service to others, your wealth is not your own, 00:23:47.971 --> 00:23:50.261 others have a right to it as well. 00:23:50.261 --> 00:23:54.261 You have to spend in the way of your lord and it is obvious that when 00:23:54.261 --> 00:23:56.504 someone is willing to spend their wealth 00:23:56.504 --> 00:23:59.544 then how is it possible that he commits injustice and transgressions 00:23:59.544 --> 00:24:01.964 and how is it possible for him to steal from others? 00:24:01.964 --> 00:24:05.764 This is something which purifies human beings from a moral point of view. 00:24:05.764 --> 00:24:07.914 This was the real message of the Quran. 00:24:07.914 --> 00:24:09.744 Even today if you read the Quran, 00:24:09.744 --> 00:24:12.194 you will find that the Quran does not consist of things like 00:24:12.194 --> 00:24:14.224 which are very common in our culture such as: 00:24:14.224 --> 00:24:16.134 stories of the Prophet being Nur or Bashar. 00:24:16.134 --> 00:24:20.134 He invites human beings to the simple message that 00:24:20.134 --> 00:24:24.134 they should try to verify the true essence of virtue. 00:24:24.134 --> 00:24:25.714 That is the real faith in God. 00:24:25.714 --> 00:24:28.128 It is a feeling of being present before Him. 00:24:28.128 --> 00:24:32.128 You should live with the sentiment that you will be accountable to god. 00:24:32.128 --> 00:24:35.152 and the basis for this accountability is the purification of your moral being. 00:24:35.152 --> 00:24:37.262 Moral being should be as pure as possible. 00:24:37.262 --> 00:24:39.542 The Quran calls it amale saaleh 00:24:39.542 --> 00:24:43.153 You should act in such a way that 00:24:43.153 --> 00:24:49.172 it guides you, your society, your environment to the straight path, 00:24:49.172 --> 00:24:56.162 When things become part of a jargon then people stop focusing on its meaning. 00:24:56.162 --> 00:24:58.282 It is a very beautiful expression. 00:24:58.282 --> 00:25:01.312 In other words, there are certain actions which when commited 00:25:01.312 --> 00:25:05.312 result in internal friction within yourself. 00:25:05.312 --> 00:25:09.312 These actions stem discord at your home, in your community, 00:25:09.882 --> 00:25:16.224 And then there is a sort of action which leads to goodness and success everywhere. 00:25:16.224 --> 00:25:18.074 What is that action? 00:25:18.074 --> 00:25:22.074 It is obvious that it is the same action where an individual has a knowledge 00:25:22.074 --> 00:25:24.384 of his moral being and acquires it. 00:25:24.384 --> 00:25:27.764 He should recognise himself and the essence of his dignity. 00:25:27.764 --> 00:25:33.234 I am a moral being and I will take moral purification to that level 00:25:33.234 --> 00:25:38.034 where it is supposed to be and then I will achieve eminence. 00:25:38.034 --> 00:25:41.744 If I fail to do that then there is no difference between myself and an animal. 00:25:41.744 --> 00:25:43.514 So, this is the teaching of the Quran. 00:25:43.514 --> 00:25:46.244 If you hold steadfast to the directives of the Qur’ān 00:25:46.244 --> 00:25:49.084 and if you make it the center and axis of all things 00:25:49.084 --> 00:25:51.444 which I always translate as the following: 00:25:51.444 --> 00:25:55.444 The main reason for the decline of the Muslim community is that 00:25:55.444 --> 00:25:59.244 it neither made Quran the center and axis of its knowledge 00:25:59.244 --> 00:26:02.014 nor did it make the Quran the center and axis of its actions. 00:26:02.014 --> 00:26:05.254 In terms of knowledge, if you visit the religious schools, 00:26:05.254 --> 00:26:09.254 if you look at religious education, philosophy or debates in jurisprudence 00:26:09.254 --> 00:26:13.254 making Quran the axis of your religion and then trying to comprehend the Quran 00:26:13.254 --> 00:26:16.656 as the Quran wants us to do has escaped our knowledge. 00:26:16.656 --> 00:26:20.656 Due to this reason we are left with the stories of virtuous men, fables 00:26:20.656 --> 00:26:26.966 the debates on furu'aat, and those things that have no relevance to our lives 00:26:26.966 --> 00:26:30.376 The most important reality of our life is that which the Quran states as 00:26:30.376 --> 00:26:33.946 the act of leading one's life with the sentiment of accountability before god 00:26:33.946 --> 00:26:36.316 One day I will have to stand in the court of my lord 00:26:36.316 --> 00:26:37.636 and I cannot take any chances. 00:26:37.636 --> 00:26:40.136 I cannot deceive anyone, I cannot do adulteration, 00:26:40.136 --> 00:26:43.726 I cannot be dishonest, I cannot be unjust towards others. 00:26:43.726 --> 00:26:47.216 You will feel this sentiment only when 00:26:47.216 --> 00:26:49.676 you will lead your life with the consciousness that 00:26:49.676 --> 00:26:51.436 you are accountable to your lord. 00:26:51.436 --> 00:26:54.906 And then there is the issue of making aspects of religion such as: 00:26:54.906 --> 00:26:58.906 rituals, the organisation of the society, and reminder of things that are symbolic, 00:26:58.906 --> 00:27:03.704 aspects that are, in fact, supplementary, but replace the real essence of religion. 00:27:03.704 --> 00:27:06.464 The is the aspect that the Quran is explaining here. 00:27:06.464 --> 00:27:10.464 Even today, if Quran becomes a central and axial part of our lives 00:27:10.464 --> 00:27:12.524 then what will be the consequences? 00:27:12.524 --> 00:27:16.214 It will result in you acquiring such a scale in religious matters 00:27:16.214 --> 00:27:20.214 that you will be able to examine everything. 00:27:20.975 --> 00:27:24.975 If you overcome your prejudices, then you will be able to decide 00:27:24.975 --> 00:27:28.975 between good and bad in a jiffy. You will find a way out of 00:27:28.975 --> 00:27:32.975 those metaphysical debates that people found very interesting 00:27:32.975 --> 00:27:36.975 in our tradition and such exceptional people surrendered themselves 00:27:36.975 --> 00:27:39.295 to these debates. Then your entire focus... 00:27:39.295 --> 00:27:43.295 It is obvious that when it becomes clear what God is, 00:27:43.295 --> 00:27:47.295 what his knowledge is like, his attributes and the correct method 00:27:47.295 --> 00:27:50.185 to be accountable in the court of Allah. When these issues become clear 00:27:50.185 --> 00:27:52.826 then you abandon the debates of philosophy and Kalam 00:27:52.826 --> 00:27:55.896 and stand on the correct path, then only your entire focus will be on 00:27:55.896 --> 00:27:58.376 natural sciences and development of your own life. 00:27:58.376 --> 00:28:02.126 It will result in you focusing on scientific disciplines 00:28:02.126 --> 00:28:06.126 and you will abandon superstitions. Quran germinates both these things 00:28:06.126 --> 00:28:11.216 within you when you focus on the Quran. Here it is stated that: 00:28:11.216 --> 00:28:15.216 hold steadfast to this rope of Allah, if you hold firmly the rope of Allah, 00:28:15.216 --> 00:28:18.056 then it will have certain consequences and those consequences are the following: 00:28:18.056 --> 00:28:22.396 kazaalika yubaiyinul laahu lakum aayaatihee la'allakum tahtadoon 00:28:22.444 --> 00:28:27.994 Thus, God explains to you His revelations so that you may be guided, 00:28:27.994 --> 00:28:30.124 that you may be on the right path. 00:28:30.124 --> 00:28:34.124 Waltakum minkum ummatuny yad'oona ilal khairi wa ya'muroona 00:28:34.124 --> 00:28:38.124 bil ma'roofi wa yanhawna 'anil munkar; 00:28:38.124 --> 00:28:42.867 Now muslims have become a community. A system has been established by them. 00:28:42.867 --> 00:28:46.867 They have established their government in Medina, 00:28:46.867 --> 00:28:48.877 even though it is of a tribal nature. 00:28:48.877 --> 00:28:51.277 The community has become organized. 00:28:51.277 --> 00:28:56.326 There is a stage when people profess faith individually, 00:28:56.326 --> 00:29:00.326 they don't even own a piece of land, they are spread throughout the world. 00:29:00.458 --> 00:29:03.108 So, an organisation is not possible in such a scenario. 00:29:03.108 --> 00:29:07.108 But when a society comes into being, when Muslims become a group 00:29:07.108 --> 00:29:10.858 then the Quran tells them that they are in a position to do so. 00:29:11.084 --> 00:29:15.084 First, the Quran gave an introduction: Fear Allah, Obey Him, 00:29:15.084 --> 00:29:17.218 steadfastly hold on to the rope of Allah, 00:29:17.218 --> 00:29:19.628 make the Quran a central and axial part of your life. 00:29:19.628 --> 00:29:22.038 Stay united and let nothing divide you in groups. 00:29:22.038 --> 00:29:23.628 God has been kind to you that 00:29:23.628 --> 00:29:28.921 He has put love between you and made you brothers when you were foes. 00:29:28.921 --> 00:29:32.921 Allah has made this thing clear to you, now stay true to it. 00:29:32.921 --> 00:29:36.921 Stay true to it, it is your collective responsibility. 00:29:36.921 --> 00:29:38.141 In a society... 00:29:38.141 --> 00:29:41.911 Children are born and they go through the stages of early years and adolescence. 00:29:41.911 --> 00:29:44.521 Then they become adults, attain the age of maturity. 00:29:44.521 --> 00:29:46.821 They are involved in a lot of contradictions. 00:29:46.821 --> 00:29:50.551 A society cannot be termed as something that can stay motionlessness. 00:29:50.551 --> 00:29:55.661 Therefore, in a society it is certain that like an individual has a part to 00:29:55.661 --> 00:29:58.763 play in a society by virtue of his individual responsibilities, 00:29:58.763 --> 00:30:01.663 likewise society too has some collective responsibilities. 00:30:01.663 --> 00:30:08.353 For instance, parents cannot say that they have a child and they are feeding him, 00:30:08.353 --> 00:30:12.703 but they do not have a responsibility for his fostering, education and upbringing. 00:30:12.703 --> 00:30:16.179 If they do not foster and raise their children, the society would turn out 00:30:16.179 --> 00:30:17.879 to be a jungle full of animals. 00:30:17.879 --> 00:30:21.879 In a way, there will be kids who would be clueless about 00:30:21.879 --> 00:30:23.449 the traditions of the society. 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. 00:30:26.449 --> 00:30:30.529 Who would be unaware to the basic facts about edification and civilizations. 00:30:30.529 --> 00:30:33.839 They would be alien to any transmissions of civilized code of conduct 00:30:33.839 --> 00:30:34.979 or gentle behavior. 00:30:34.979 --> 00:30:37.299 In terms of their inheritance, these children 00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:39.229 would have received nothing of worth. 00:30:39.229 --> 00:30:40.979 And they would be left without anything. 00:30:40.979 --> 00:30:44.979 Similarly, when a society transforms to be an organized collective of people. 00:30:44.979 --> 00:30:48.269 It is imperative to establish order. 00:30:48.269 --> 00:30:52.269 Hence, even today all of humanity is unanimous about the fact that 00:30:52.269 --> 00:30:56.269 humans cannot be left without any checks and balances. 00:30:57.329 --> 00:31:02.329 Since, man has an innate quality of both good and evil. 00:31:02.329 --> 00:31:06.329 It is always anticipated that people with evil intentions would incorporate in 00:31:06.329 --> 00:31:10.239 evil activities like robbery, fornication, murder etc., 00:31:10.239 --> 00:31:12.179 They would develop discord in society. 00:31:12.179 --> 00:31:16.179 So, in order to tackle these kind of situations, a order is established. 00:31:16.179 --> 00:31:18.269 It used to take the form of tribal laws, 00:31:18.269 --> 00:31:20.519 but now these laws are implemented on a state level. 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:22.409 This is the work of the government of a nation. 00:31:22.409 --> 00:31:26.229 A complete rule of law is established and implemented in a nation state. 00:31:26.229 --> 00:31:30.229 In a nation state, there are three foundational institutions. 00:31:30.922 --> 00:31:32.582 A judicial system. 00:31:32.582 --> 00:31:35.952 It is evident that if you are incorporating a system of 00:31:35.952 --> 00:31:37.254 reward and punishment. 00:31:37.254 --> 00:31:40.184 Allah has employed this method of reward and reprimand 00:31:40.184 --> 00:31:41.441 on the day of judgement. 00:31:41.441 --> 00:31:45.441 As a corollary of that principle a similar system for reward and punishment 00:31:45.441 --> 00:31:49.441 has emerged in the globe, which is interpreted as the court of law. 00:31:49.441 --> 00:31:53.441 For instance, society comes up with certain laws, code of conduct 00:31:53.441 --> 00:31:56.791 and anyone who rebukes them faces punishment for the same. 00:31:56.791 --> 00:31:59.671 And anyone who lives in consonance with the established law, 00:31:59.671 --> 00:32:02.360 develops a way forward for himself. 00:32:02.360 --> 00:32:07.811 Therefore, justice, judicial system or a system of reward or punishment 00:32:07.811 --> 00:32:09.691 is a pre-requisite for a society. 00:32:09.691 --> 00:32:12.221 It must be established in every society. 00:32:12.221 --> 00:32:17.371 In today's parlance police department is constituted for the same purpose. 00:32:17.371 --> 00:32:21.371 In order words, you establish such a department in the society that 00:32:21.371 --> 00:32:25.932 works like a watchdog to uphold and support good things 00:32:25.932 --> 00:32:30.472 and rebukes anything that is ill-intentioned and crosses its limit. 00:32:30.828 --> 00:32:34.828 All the nations have had this police department from the start, 00:32:34.828 --> 00:32:39.662 even in the tribal societies some people were appointed for a similar kind of job. 00:32:39.662 --> 00:32:42.887 At times, it is impossible to handle the rebellion of states themselves. 00:32:42.887 --> 00:32:47.987 As you say, if you have established a national system, 00:32:47.987 --> 00:32:51.987 demarcated a territory for your state, then you cannot just expect the rebellious 00:32:51.987 --> 00:32:54.437 attitude of people individually but a collective. 00:32:54.437 --> 00:32:56.067 At times an entire nation becomes rebellious. 00:32:56.067 --> 00:32:58.772 As a result, you organise your own army to deal with anything of this nature. 00:32:58.772 --> 00:33:01.732 Therefore, this system of law is nothing but the manifestation 00:33:01.732 --> 00:33:03.671 of the natural attributes of humanity. 00:33:03.671 --> 00:33:05.861 Man would have constituted this system even in the absence 00:33:05.861 --> 00:33:06.862 of any religious teachings. 00:33:06.862 --> 00:33:08.532 Every society accepts it. 00:33:08.532 --> 00:33:12.532 Philosophical debates have their own prominence, but it is a reality that 00:33:12.532 --> 00:33:15.282 we cannot visualize a society without a legal framework. 00:33:15.282 --> 00:33:18.582 Communism tried to envisage a journey without a system of judiciary and police, 00:33:18.582 --> 00:33:20.332 but that could not be fulfilled. 00:33:20.332 --> 00:33:22.392 Because it was against the natural instincts of man. 00:33:22.392 --> 00:33:26.392 Man has such a being that entails a struggle for both good and bad, 00:33:26.804 --> 00:33:30.804 It is a pre-requisite as He has been given the divine inspiration 00:33:30.804 --> 00:33:31.974 for both good and evil. 00:33:31.974 --> 00:33:33.214 There, a society was being organised there. 00:33:33.214 --> 00:33:35.824 The reason I gave this lengthy introduction was that, 00:33:35.824 --> 00:33:39.714 under the Quranic milieu, a society was getting organized, 00:33:39.714 --> 00:33:42.704 Medina emerged as a small nation-state. 00:33:42.704 --> 00:33:46.704 Those Muslims after being given some basic yet fundamental instructions were 00:33:46.704 --> 00:33:49.124 asked to established a code of conduct, 00:33:49.124 --> 00:33:52.244 in order to sustain this aforementioned system in the society. 00:33:52.244 --> 00:33:54.584 Waltakum minkum ummatun 00:33:54.928 --> 00:33:57.828 to accomplish this task, it is required that some individuals 00:33:57.828 --> 00:33:59.218 be deputed from amongst you. 00:33:59.218 --> 00:34:01.247 And what is this task that is to be carried out? 00:34:01.247 --> 00:34:05.936 yad'oona ilal khairi who calls society towards righteousness 00:34:05.936 --> 00:34:08.149 Notice that a different word has been used. 00:34:08.149 --> 00:34:10.088 The word righteousness has been used for virtue; 00:34:10.088 --> 00:34:12.728 you should call towards those things that are meant 00:34:12.728 --> 00:34:14.362 for the betterment of humans 00:34:14.362 --> 00:34:21.128 wa ya'muroona bil ma'roofi enjoin virtue, to enjoin good 00:34:21.128 --> 00:34:25.889 wa yanhawna 'anil munkar and forbid evil. 00:34:26.992 --> 00:34:30.302 Both these words are very important. 00:34:30.302 --> 00:34:34.302 Maroof signifies those things which are agreed upon unanimously 00:34:34.302 --> 00:34:37.602 by each and every individual that they are good deeds 00:34:37.602 --> 00:34:40.572 and Munkar signifies those things which are agreed upon unanimously 00:34:40.572 --> 00:34:42.552 by each and every individual that they are evil deeds. 00:34:42.552 --> 00:34:43.992 The Quran stated that they should do that: 00:34:43.992 --> 00:34:45.722 wa ulaaa'ika humul muflihoon 00:34:45.722 --> 00:34:47.542 [Diligently arrange for this] 00:34:47.542 --> 00:34:52.010 and [remember that those who do so] will only attain salvation. 00:34:52.585 --> 00:34:55.908 This directive is given to the Muslims in their collective capacity: 00:34:55.908 --> 00:34:57.988 in order to hold [steadfast to this directive of the Qur’ān] 00:34:57.988 --> 00:35:00.508 they must depute some people from among themselves. 00:35:00.508 --> 00:35:04.508 In modern times, if you look at the department of police 00:35:04.508 --> 00:35:08.508 it in the light of the Quran, in the light of a muslims society 00:35:08.508 --> 00:35:10.448 it serves this very purpose. 00:35:10.448 --> 00:35:15.828 Their real job is to keep the organisation of the society intact, 00:35:15.828 --> 00:35:21.138 spread righteousness, encourage virtue in the society 00:35:21.138 --> 00:35:23.148 and not let crimes breed in the society. 00:35:23.148 --> 00:35:27.148 To accomplish this task, two arrangements were made by muslims in their society; 00:35:27.674 --> 00:35:30.151 one of them is the same which is done throughout the world 00:35:30.151 --> 00:35:32.901 But the police department has become exclusive to hold people accountable 00:35:32.901 --> 00:35:35.621 who perpetrate acts which are considered as crimes as per law, 00:35:35.621 --> 00:35:37.798 for those acts that are considered cognizable. 00:35:38.200 --> 00:35:42.200 But, in a Muslim society, the institution of a Masjid was created 00:35:42.200 --> 00:35:43.650 for pedagogical reasons. 00:35:43.650 --> 00:35:47.650 Such an institution, such a training institute, such a place of worship 00:35:47.650 --> 00:35:51.650 was constructed where a law was legislated that 00:35:51.650 --> 00:35:55.650 on every Friday, the leader or representative of the Muslims will come, 00:35:55.650 --> 00:35:59.340 who will be accountable to the people and at the same time 00:35:59.340 --> 00:36:01.370 he will instruct and counsel them as well. 00:36:01.370 --> 00:36:04.548 According to this verse, two institutions came into being: 00:36:04.548 --> 00:36:08.548 the institution of police, and an organisation in the form of a Mosque 00:36:08.548 --> 00:36:11.447 which unfortunately became vulnerable to sectarianism. 00:36:11.447 --> 00:36:16.429 There are certain other things as well and we will discuss those in the next session. 00:36:16.429 --> 00:36:18.349 It is because it is a very important verse and 00:36:18.349 --> 00:36:20.499 people have gone on to misunderstand it as well. 00:36:20.499 --> 00:36:23.689 There have been mistakes made with respect to its meaning and subject matter. 00:36:23.689 --> 00:36:25.479 We need a caution on that as well. 00:36:25.479 --> 00:36:30.341 I will mention those things in detail. Let us end it on this note today. 00:36:30.341 --> 00:36:33.411 And now let us have a look at its translation. 00:36:33.411 --> 00:36:35.451 The Quran has stated: 00:36:35.451 --> 00:36:39.451 Believers! If you yield to a group from among these People of the Book, 00:36:39.451 --> 00:36:43.451 they will turn you back from belief to disbelief. 00:36:43.451 --> 00:36:46.511 [Be forewarned of this] and [just reflect] 00:36:46.511 --> 00:36:51.671 how can you disbelieve when God’s verses are being recited to you 00:36:51.671 --> 00:36:56.871 and His own Messenger is among you. [So hold fast to God] 00:36:56.871 --> 00:37:00.911 and [remember that] he who holds fast to God 00:37:00.911 --> 00:37:04.191 [then know that] he shall be guided to the straight path. 00:37:04.757 --> 00:37:06.907 Believers! Fear God as you rightly should, 00:37:06.907 --> 00:37:11.727 and when you leave this world, leave it only as followers of Islam 00:37:11.727 --> 00:37:16.207 and together cling to the rope of God and let nothing divide you 00:37:16.207 --> 00:37:20.267 and remember the favour God has bestowed upon you: 00:37:20.267 --> 00:37:24.267 when you were enemies of one another so He united your hearts 00:37:24.267 --> 00:37:27.499 and with His grace you became brothers 00:37:27.499 --> 00:37:31.499 and [remember] when you stood at the very brink of an abyss of fire; 00:37:31.499 --> 00:37:33.669 then He saved you from it. 00:37:33.669 --> 00:37:38.679 Thus God explains to you His revelations so that you may be guided. 00:37:38.679 --> 00:37:41.919 And let there be appointed among you a number 00:37:41.919 --> 00:37:48.299 which calls towards righteousness, enjoin virtue and forbid evil. 00:37:48.299 --> 00:37:50.359 [Diligently arrange for this] and 00:37:50.359 --> 00:37:53.259 [remember that those who do so] will only attain salvation. 00:37:53.259 --> 00:37:55.015 I say this saying of mine, and 00:37:55.015 --> 00:37:58.000 I seek forgiveness from Allah for me and for you.