Acts of Kindness– Delving into the Heart of Islam – Understanding and Practicing Compassion Through the Pages of the Holy Quran” Surah Al- Ma’un Acts of Kindness / Service to the Needy (Quran Chapter 107)
This chapter is a Makkan revelation in line with the majority of Qur’anic students. According to some government this is a Makkan-Madinan revelation (The first three verses are stated to were found out in Makkah and the relaxation in Madinah).
Yet this bankruptcy in its theme and structure is one interwoven entity, aiming at the established order of one of the most essential aspects of faith. It have to be brought here that the strongest proof favors the view that the whole chapter became found out early within the Makkan duration.
The chapter deals with basic principles of Islam whose neglect constitutes denial of faith itself and might be construed as disregard for the results of responsibility on the Day of Judgment.
These ideas are: worship of God and provider to humanity. The name of this chapter is taken from the word “al-ma’un” with which the chapter ends.
“Have you observed the person that belies the Faith and denies the Judgment.” 107:1
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This chapter starts with a difficult question addressed to all folks who can use the school of notion and perception, generating suspense and protecting their interest which will make them replicate and recognize the aim, the challenge and the ethical of this bankruptcy.
Have you found, or reflected on the person that falsifies, misrepresents the Deen of Islam, or who undermines the very last authority and comprehensiveness of the Final Judgment? It should be referred to here that the word al-Deen is the infinitive noun from Arabic which means that “he obeyed / earned.”
The word “Deen,” by using implication, can be construed to mean: requital, recompense, judgment or reckoning, predominance or ascendancy, mastery or rule, religious agency, righteousness, state or condition, Divine decree, habit, custom; or faith in wellknown. In view of the exclusive meanings of Deen, this first verse may characterize connection with the person that has no faith in Divine reckoning; or person who disobeys and defies propriety to the network or society or ideological grouping to which he belongs; or one that does not believe that religion is the ultimate supply of morals; or one with whom the doing of precise does not come to be a addiction; or one that does no longer conform his behavior to Divine Decree and consequently does no longer develop in himself divine attributes; or one who does no longer worship God with proper and honest devotion. We can as a result deduce that the word “Deen” consists of in its signification all those matters which are ethical, beneficial and performed with commitment, consciousness and sincerity.
“That is the individual that repulses the orphan without care or consideration and does no longer challenge himself nor encourages others to feed the negative and help the needy” 107:2-3
The phrase yadu’ue, although implying harsh or tough action, should consist of misappropriation, usurpation, repulsing, insulting, disgracing and denigrating any orphan.
The Holy Qur’an has not best advised us to provide the orphans their rights however also reprimands folks that do no longer deliver them recognize. (Chapter 89, Verse 17). In the preceding verse we had been informed that denial of faith or of the Final Reckoning opens the way to heedlessness and a feel of non-responsibility.
These verses talk of perhaps the two maximum deadly ills of society, which if now not scrupulous guarded in opposition to, ought to result in the decline and disintegration of a community;
1. The failure to take proper care of the orphans (this kills the spirit of sacrifice, of sharing and caring in people).
2. Neglect of the poor and needy (which deprives a useful segment of the society the initiative and the will to enhance their situation.)
These verses represent one of the primary standards of Islam, huquq al ‘ibad (provider to humanity). The Holy Prophet in numerous ahadith made reference to this spirit of carrier and goodwill to humanity as “shafaqatu’ala khalqillah”.
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The verbs utilized in both those ayats yadu’ue and yahuddu are used inside the destiny aggravating and for that reason the case indicate the continuity of such actions in regard to orphans and the bad. It must be cited that to feed the needy is in itself a virtuous deed, irrespective of whether the needy man or woman be a Muslim or a non-Muslim; and to be harsh to an orphan is a sinful act in all situations whatever faith, ideology or network the orphan might also belong to.
We additionally understand from those verses that if we cannot feed the hungry with the aid of ourselves then we have to inspire others who’re capable of, to do so. What is maximum large to not is that at the time while this bankruptcy was discovered the number of Muslims in Makkah changed into very small and the Muslim network was nevertheless in its infancy, but the command to feed the negative and assist the needy on the inception of Islamic society is evidence that Islam desires to create in its followers that feeling of human sympathy, whose sphere of affect is enormous sufficient to cowl the entire humanity and on the idea of which every deserving man or woman have to be helped.
As regards the response to the query about the one who denies the Judgment or the Deen of Islam, these verses supply a right away reaction. It is the only who harshly repels the orphan and does not care nor urges others to feed the poor.
This definition of disbelief or false claimant to notion may additionally marvel a few whilst in comparison with the conventional understanding and definition of faith, however that is the foundation of the complete issue.
Indeed the only who misrepresents the religion is the person that is wicked, harsh, humiliating, careless and selfish. If the fact of Islam had in any way affected his coronary heart, such a person could in no way treat the most needy participants of society (and creation of God) with such harshness and might neither occur a non-chalant mindset of this nature.
True perception then, isn’t always mere utterance of the mouth, however an typical trade of the person’s heart and mind-set, motivating him to benevolence and goodwill for all people, in particular the ones which can be in need of his care, interest or assistance.
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“Shame unto those worshippers who’re unmindful (regarding the scale of) their prayer” 107:4
The subconscious worshippers had been singled out here as unmindful of the character and the real cause of prayer seeing that their prayer fails to bring about in them a moral alternate which prayers are supposed to create and the social consciousness that the jama’ah have to develop within the worshipping individual. Prayer represents the responsibilities and duties we owe to God and they’re referred to as huquq- God (obligations due to God- the first simple principle of Islam).
These verses additionally purport that the prayers of those hypocritical humans who do not discharge the duties they owe to God’s creations (huquq al-‘ibad, responsibilities due to humanity at massive) are like a frame without a soul, a shell with out substance.
Their actions tend to be superficial and hypocritical, which in preference to doing them precise provides to their hypocrisy. They are folks that put on a display of piety, who execute the mechanical components and pronounce the verbal formulae of prayer, however their hearts are not receptive to them, neither are they enriched via praying, nor is their social cognizance awakened.
Thus the essence and cause of prayer and its components are not present in their psyche. They offer prayer simply as exercising or a habit; perhaps to electrify or deceive others, however not out of real devotion to God and His commands concerning himself and the rest of advent.
Muslims, it must be remembered, are obliged to offer their prayer frequently, bearing mind that these prayers are a manifestation in their servitude to God in all components of life and shows commitment to the comprehensive commands of the Creator.
The time period sahun is derived from sahu which means a mistake done unintentionally or a wrong done neglectfully. In the primary case one might be excused, however inside the 2d case one is not.
Here, sahun purports negligence with guilt. So being unmindful of prayer can be construed as meaning now not paying heed to the spirit of prayer, and prayer in jama’ah specially have to inspire members of the jama’ah to care for the jama’ah as they take care of themselves.
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“Those who carry out ostentatious prayer (prayer for show) but refuse and refrain from helping others” 107:five-7
Prayer for show is bereft of sincerity and is simply a prayer of soulless show and hypocrisy that is executed simply so humans might imagine of the worshipper as being pious and non secular. Such display their pray-fullness and their might-be piety to the general public. Once once more, we find the Holy Qur’an affords the fundamental nature and spirit of prayer.
Any semblance of servitude which is supposed for show and no longer devoted to God; that type prayer that has now not affected their hearts, their conduct and consequently no longer influenced them to selfless carrier for the advantage of these they are capable of assist; to such hypocrites God says; “fa waylul lilmusallin” (woe to such worshippers).
In reference to such hypocrisy there are statements of Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus, Peace be Upon Him) which might be quoted inside the Book of Matthew verse 6, in which he is reported to have said, “Beware of training your piety before human beings that allows you to be seen through them.
When you give alms sound no trumpet earlier than you because the hypocrites do inside the places of worship and within the streets, so that they may be praised by way of the humans.
Truly I say to you they have got already acquired their awards (the accolades of the human beings for whom they’re showing off). But whilst you provide charity, do now not permit your left hand know what your right hand is doing; and whilst you pray you ought to not be like hypocrites for they love to face and pray in locations of worship and in public so that human beings may additionally see them.”
Further on in Matthew, Nabi ‘Isa (Peace be Upon Him) stated: “Shame on you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Who eat widows’ homes and for pretense you are making long prayers wherefore you may get hold of splendid condemnation. Shame on you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
For you clean the outdoor of the cup however inner you’re full of dust. Shame on you scribe and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like a white- washed tomb, which outwardly seems stunning, however within they may be complete of dead guy’s bones and all un-cleanliness. So you furthermore mght outwardly appear righteous to people however inside you’re full of hypocrisy and injustice.” (Matthew, verse 23)
It might be appropriate right here to reflect upon the famous hadith of the holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) “Actions may be judged and evaluated in line with the goal that motivates the motion. And every body can be rewarded in step with his or her purpose.”
The bankruptcy concludes with the word al-ma’un which is also the identify of the chapter. Al-ma’un refers to the requirements of life, articles of common use; can talk to zakah, acts of kindness, true deeds or supporting others in trendy. In its wider experience it denotes useful resource and help in any trouble.
Al-ma’un is defined by way of Imam Bukhair (R.A) as that means al-ma’ruf kulluhu (this is every correct, or form of charitable deed). And Ikrama (in line with Bukhari), considers the very best form of ma’un to be zakah and the bottom shape to be supporting others with simple beneficial matters; as a result, in step with Bukhari, al-ma’un consists of all acts of kindness or help offered to all people. In the final two verses of this chapter, foremost troubles are brought to our interest:
1. One is hypocrisy, in which prayer is executed for show and not executed simply;
2. Secondly, refusal to deliver primary help to the needy.
This shows that whatever is for God the insincere ones do and carry out to reveal people, and some thing is for the benefit of humans they decline to fulfill. Here we name to thoughts the words of our grasp Muhammad (pbuh) who is pronounced to have said:
“God is at the help of someone so long as that individual is of help to his fellow people.” Serve the Creator and Creation this bankruptcy gives expression to the prominence, which Islam gives to supporting the needy and uplifting the bad. Anyone who can pay no attention to that is spoken of as one who has belied the Religion and undermined the Judgment.
Prayer to God and assist to the poor are time and again spoken of inside the Holy Qur’an as foundations of Islam. But we are instructed, in this bankruptcy, that even prayer is mere display and hole if it does no longer generate feelings of affection, sympathy and fellow- feeling.
Islam isn’t a way of existence built on ostentation and superficiality. Different aspects of Islamic acts of worship are meaningless if they’re only mechanical, except encouraged via sincerity, commitment and devotion. Sincere worship produces effects in the man or woman’s heart, which need to motive him to act righteously, pretty, justly and in a balanced way. This can be meditated in his social conduct.
The essence of Faith, if firmly rooted in the hearts and minds of human beings, ought to immediately perform behaviorally thru the man or woman and happen itself within the individual’s mind-set, expression and moves.
The chapter stresses that if that isn’t always the case, then wherein is the religion, simply speaking. The characteristics of despising orphans, refusing to feed the hungry or assist the needy, being heedless of the prescribed prayer, showing off, hypocrisy and no longer being co-operative with the humans; illustrates miserliness, conceit and such men and women have neither connection with the people nor real association with the Creator.
The holy Prophet (pbuh) is pronounced to have stated: “Surely the egocentric person is far from God, a long way from human beings, some distance from the paradise, close to the Fire; but the charitable, helpful individual is close to God, cherished by means of people, close to the paradise and a long way form the Fire.”
From this idea-upsetting bankruptcy, we collect the reason at the back of what God needs folks when He instructs us to believe in and worship Him. God is freed from all wishes and therefore seeks no benefit for Himself, but He cares for the welfare and prosperity, the purification and happiness of His creation.
The Creator needs human life to be elevated, happy, based on pure motives and characterized by means of mutual compassion, brotherhood, purity of coronary heart, clean sense of right and wrong, unwavering commitment and beneficial behavior.
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Categories: PRAYER (Salat), ALMS (Zakat), SAWN (Fasting) HAJJ (Pilgrimage) & DUA (Supplications), Hadith and Tafseer, The Holy Quran, Quran Jaz 1- 114
Topics: Ushr and Zakat, Hijab, Arabic Corner, Faith, Islamic History, Biography, Sirat ul Nabi PBUH, Islamic Studies, Halal & Haram
