177- RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NOT JUST TO DIRECT YOUR FACE TOWARDS THE EAST OR WEST, BUT RIGHTEOUSNESS IS TO BELIEVE IN ALLAH, LAST DAY, THE ANGELS, THE BOOK, THE PROPHETS AND TO GIVE FROM YOUR WEALTH, LIVING IT, THE KINSFOLK, THE ORPHANS, THE POOR, THE WAYFARER, TO FREE SLAVES, TO STEADFAST IN SALAH, GIVE ZAKAH, THOSE WHO FULFILL THEIR COVENANT WHEN THEY MAKE COVENANTS, THOSE WHO ARE PATIENT AND PERSEVERE IN AFFLICTION, ADVERSITY, AND IN BATTLE.  THOSE ARE SINCERE AND THOSE ARE THE PIOUS.

 

The Muslims and the Jews had a great deal of argument about the different Qibla after it has been changed.  Allah the Highest settles this argument and gives us a brief but precise account of the real meaning of righteousness.  They are:

1-    Believing in Allah, His Angels, Books and Prophets.  This is the first article of faith.  No deeds are of any value or consequence or shall have any reward with Allah the Highest if there is not belief.  Allah  the Highest said: “THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE, THEIR DEEDS ARE LIKE MIRAGE IN A DESERT”  (S:24 A:39)

Following having Faith, the rest of the features of Righteousness and Piety are shown in behavior and manners of the Muslims.  They are:

2-    Giving charity out of our money, loving what we give and loving to give. Allah the Highest said: “YOU SHALL NOT ACHIEVE RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTIL YOU SPEND OUT OF WHAT YOU LOVE”.  (S:3 A:92)

Giving frees the soul from slavery to earthly things.  Also it brings the society together cementing social and family ties.

Some people might give charity while they are poor themselves.  Allah the Highest said about them: “AND THEY GIVE OTHERS IN PREFERRENCE TO THEMSELVES, EVEN IF THEY SUFFER POVERTY” (S: 59 A: 9)

Others give charity while they are rich. Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “The best charity is that given while wealthy, yet careful with money, desiring to be rich and fearing poverty” (M: Zakah; 92, 93 & N: Wasaya; 1 & A: 2; 231,415)

 

Allah the Highest then states who to give charity to:

 

a-     The Kinsfolk i.e.  The blood relations.  They come first in their priority for any good deed, charity or help.  It is also rewarded more.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “The charity from a man to another is a charity, but to his blood relations are a charity and a being good to blood relation”.  (T:Sunah,26 & N:Zakah; 82 & Da:Zakah;38 & A:3;492)

 

b-    The Orphans: They are children under the age of puberty who lost their father, or both their parents.  These days, education takes longer and children are dependant on their parents before they can be independent for much longer than before.

Charity to orphans and looking after them is not only greatly rewarded, but also greatly esteemed by Allah the Highest.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Whoever strokes the head of an orphan, doing this only for the sake of Allah, he shall have a reward for every hair his hand passes on.  And whoever is charitable to an orphan, male or female, he and I shall be like these in the Paradise (and he showed his index and middle finger together)”  (A:5;250)

 

c-     The Poor: This is the person who does not have enough for his basic needs and necessities.  A person might have enough to eat and drink but not to by cloth or medicines etc.  They are not the street beggars, for Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “The poor is not the person who goes around to be given a date or two, but the poor is the person who does not have enough for his needs, yet is unrecognized by people to give him charity”.  (B:Zakah;53 & M:Zakah;101,102)

d-    The Wayfarer: This is a traveler who ran out of money for food, drink, transport, place to stay etc.  He might be a rich person in his home country or two, but has no means to get to his money.  He might be rich, yet disparately in need.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Three kinds of people Allah does not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, neither look at them, nor purify them, and they shall have a painful punishment; a man in the desert having more than his needs of water, but he withholds it from a wayfarer, a man who bought goods from another after Asr for agreed price, but intends to pay him less, and a man who gave his allegiance to an Imam (leader) only for earthly gain, if the Imam rewards him he fulfils his covenant, but if he does not the man does not”  (B:Ahkam;48 & M:Eman;171,174 & D:Byou;6 & N:Byou;5,6)

 

In fact the Wayfarer is one of the 8 categories of people entitled for help from the Zakah money even when the Zakah was collected and distributed by the state.

 

e-     Those asking for help:  They might be people who fell on hard times.  They should be helped if genuine, otherwise just a kind word.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “He who asks for help has a right, even if he comes on the back of a horse”.  (D:Zakah; 33 & A: 1; 201)

 

f-      Freeing Slaves: There are many instances in Islam when it is required to free slaves besides being one of the desirable charities.  Ransoming an oath, in case of not fasting in Ramadan without a lawful reason, in case of accidental killing.  The Muslims were encouraged to free slaves whenever they can.

 

Although slavery is not an issue now, however this should answer these who wrongfully accuse Islam of encouraged slavery. 

3-    Steadfast in Salah:  Which is to pray Salah properly and at the right times, 5 times/day.  It is the direct daily contact between a slave and his God.

 

4-    To Give Zakah.  Zakah is the prescribed charity, it is a duty upon those who can afford it, and a right for those who need it.

Zakah means to purity, and Zakah purifies one’s money, which is what it does.  It can be spent of defense and general welfare of the Muslims.

 

5-    Fulfilling the Covenants; is a mark of decency and honesty, it is a character of Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him and should be a character of all the Muslims.  Allah the Highest said: “FULFIL YOUR COVENANT, FOR YOU SHALL BE ASKED ABOUT YOUR COVENANTS”.  (S:17 A:34) 

We should also remember that not fulfilling our covenants (agreements and promises) is a mark of hypocrisy as stated by Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him who said: “Four characters, he who has them all is a complete hypocrite, while he who has one of them, he has a character of hypocrisy until he leaves it; he lies when he speaks, does not fulfill his promises, betrays his covenants, and is very wicked and unjust in disputes”.  (B: Eman; 24 & M: Eman; 106 & D: Sunah; 15)

 

6-    Patience and Perseverance in the face of Poverty, Illness, and War.  For it is all parts of Allah’s tests and trials for us, for Allah the Highest said: “WE WILL TEST AND TRY YOU WITH SOME FEAR, HUMBER, SHORTAGE OF MONEY, SOULS, AND CROPS, BUT GIVE GLADE TIDINGS TO THOSE WHO ARE PATIENT AND PERSEVERE”.  (S:2 A:155)

 

We will notice in the characteristics of the Pious described in this Ayah that it consists of two parts: 

-         Faith and Believe.

-         The deeds and practices resulting from this faith. 

They are acts or worship like Salah, and acts with people, like charity, keeping promises, patience, etc. 

It is clear then that Piety is not just the result of faith and worship, but it is largely actions of the believer in life and with people which mark him or her as pious in Allah’s estimate.

 

B: Bukhari  M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi  

 

174- THOSE CONCEALING WHAT ALLAH SENT DOWN OF THE BOOK AND SELL IT FOR A MISERELY PRICE.  WHAT THEY EAT INTO THEIR BELLIES IS BUT THE FIRE.  ALLAH DOES NOT SPEAK AT THEM ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION, DOES NOT PURIFY THEM, AND THEY SHALL HAVE PAINFUL PUNISHMENT.

175- THEY ARE THOSE WHO EXCHANGED GUIDANCE FOR MISGUIDANCE AND FORGIVENESS FOR PUNISHMENT.  VERY PATIENT THEY WILL HAVE TO BE WHEN SUFFERING THE FIRE.

176- BECAUSE ALLAH SENT THE BOOK DOWN WITH THE TRUTH, WHILE THOSE DISPUTING CONCERNING IT ARE EXTREMELY APART FROM THE TRUTH.

 

The Jews of the Medina knew about the coming of a prophet from Allah whom they expected to be one of them, and they used to tell the Arabs about it.  When the prophet came from the Arabs, they denied it.

Whenever Allah the Highest gives someone and people knowledge, it is a trust which has to be passed on to others.  Hiding this knowledge is a serious form of lying. 

This concealment usually happens for some form of gain.  It might be wealth, status or power, or favour to someone in power.  Regardless, what they gain, will lead them to the Hell-Fire.  Allah the Highest is giving a Parable here, simulating what they gain with swallowing fire into their bellies.  Indeed, this is likely to happen to them in reality in the Hell-Fire.  A similar image was drawn of people who devour others money illegally, having their money heated in the fire to burn them with.  Allah the Highest said: “THE DAY WHEN IT WILL BE HEATED IN THE FIRE OF GAHANAM, AND THEIR FACES, SIDES, AND BACKS SHALL BE BURNED WITH IT.  THIS IS WHAT YOU TREASURE FOR YOURSELVES, SO TASTE WHAT YOU TREASURED”.  (S: 9 A: 35)

Allah not speaking to and turning away from people shows His anger with them.  Purifying people on the Day of Resurrection is forgiving people their sins in order to grant them the Paradise.  On the Day of Resurrection, they are rejected and despised.

They are trading the guidance given to them for the misguidance they speak and follow, which misguides others too.  They are trading the Reward of the Paradise they shall have if they follow this guidance for the Punishment they shall suffer for following the misguidance.

As they knowingly persevered with their misguidance and with their ways, they shall have to be patient in tolerating the Punishment.  The difference is that in this life they have a choice while in the Hereafter, they do not.  Their punishment will not be lightened, nor will they be reprieved.

Then, closing statement that the truth is in our Book, the Quran, and Teaching of Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him.  To go astray of the Right. 

This warning applies to Muslims as much as to others.  We have Allah’s teachings, Allah’s guidance.  To hide it or parts of it for any reason or gain, or even to save ourselves suffering, is something we shall have to answer for to the Almighty.  Our responsibility is greater not less.

 

172- YOU WHO BELIEVE, EAT OUT OF THE GOOD AND PURE THINGSALLAH PROVIDED FOR YOU, AND THANK ALLAH IF YOU TRULY WORSHIP HIM.

173- HE HAS FORBIDDEN YOU THE DEAD, BLOOD, THE FLESH OF THE PIG, AND WHAT OTHER THAN THE NAME OF ALLAH HAS BEEN INVOKED ON.  BUT WHOEVER IS COMPELLED WITHOUT BEING WILLFULY DISOBELIENT OR TRANSGRESSOR, HE INCURS NO GUILT, FOR ALLAH IS MOST FORGIVING, MOST MERCIFUL.

 

Another statement in the Quran where Allah the Highest is clearly telling us that All Things provided for us are Good and Pure for us to Eat i.e. Halal.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: ‘Allah the Most Exalted said: “All the goods I give my slaves are halal and I created my slaves pure, then Satan goes and forbids them what I permitted them”.  (Muslim)

In the next Ayah Allah the Highest tells us the exceptions.

Allah the Highest reminds us that for such bounties, we should be thankful always.  In fact Allah the Highest commands us to be thankful. 

Allah does not need our thanks, for He is above the need, but Allah the Highest commands us for our own good.  This is because thanking Allah the Highest is rewarded twice:

1-    In this life, for Allah the Highest said: “AND YOUR LORD DECREED, IF YOU GIVE THANKS, I SHALL GIVE YOU MORE”.  (S:14 A:7)

 

2-    In the Hereafter.  Allah the Highest said: “HE WHO DESIRES THE REWARD OF THIS LIFE, WE SHALL GIVE HIM FROM IT AND HE WHO DESIRES THE REWARD OF THE HEREAFTER, WE SHALL GIVE HIM FROM IT, AND WE SHALL REWARD THE THANKFUL”.  (S:3 A:145)

Then the exceptions; that are what are forbidden (Haram).  We have to note that what is forbidden here is eating, not other uses.  Four Items are mentioned here:

1-    The dead: That is the animal which died by any cause other than being slaughtered.  It might have fallen from a height, hit by a car or another animal, was sick, strangled or even died of old age. 

 

2-    Blood:  This means running blood, which Allah the Highest stated in another Ayah: “RUNNING BLOOD”  (S:6 A:145)

We should not drink running blood or cook it (like black pudding).  Other uses of blood like in blood transfusion are not forbidden.

 

3-    The Flesh of the Pig: the Scholars agree that the whole of the pig is forbidden to eat, that is flesh and bone and fat. 

 

4-    What has other than Allah’s name invoked on:  like offerings to Idles and other gods. 

It is important to note that what is forbidden here is eating, not other uses of the animal like using its skin for example.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him passed by a dead sheep, it was given to a freed slave of Maymona from the Zakah.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Would you use its skin”, they said: “It is dead”.  He said: “Only eating it is forbidden”.  (B:Zakah:61 & M:Haed;101 & D:Lebas;38 & Mal:Syd;16 & N:Faraa;4)

The reasons for the prohibitions are best known to Allah the Highest. One can think of at least two reasons:

1-    Prohibited things are harmful.  Even if we can detect some of the harm now and take precautions, we should remember that we did not know about many until recently.  Therefore, it is very possible that there are others not known to us yet or that there are others to come yet.  Our knowledge is always very deficient compared to Allah’s knowledge.

2-    Obedience to Allah’s commands is a very important reason in itself.  Remember that Allah the Highest has forbidden Adam and Eave to eat from one tree in the Garden without telling them or us why.  It is a mark of submission to obey, and to put out trust in Allah.

We have a license however to eat any forbidden food or drink in case of compulsion or absolute necessity.  For Example:

1-    If we have not other food or drink, and are not going to have any so that our life will be put at risk.

2-    The Halal food available is contaminated or not fit for human consumption.

3-    If not eating certain food or drinking certain drinks will uncover out identity and put our safety at risk.

In these instances and other compelling instances, there is no sin committed by the Muslim, provided that his real intention is not to disobey.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “But your deeds depend on your intentions and every one will be recompensed according to his intention”.  (B: Eman; 41 & M: Eman; 155)

As for those who are compelled or disobey, Allah the Highest reminds us that if we repent and ask for forgiveness, we shall find Allah the Highest to be most forgiving.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said that Allah the Most Exalted and Majestic said: “Son of Adam, if you commit as much as the Earth full of sin, but do not believe in any thing besides me, I shall give you as much forgiveness”.  (A: 5; 147,148,153 & M: Zekr; 22 & T: Dawat; 98 & Da: Reqaq; 72)

With Allah’s forgiveness comes Allah’s Mercy. 

This is one form of Halal Food, food that is not forbidden or meat that is slaughtered the Islamic way.  However, the other very important aspect of food being Halal is to have it and earn the money to buy it with in a Halal way.  The food that is bought with Haram money is Haram.

There is a great reward for always having Halal to eat, drink and wear, that is to live in Halal.  Allah the Highest always answers your Dawaa. 

 

As for having Haram to live on, there are two severe penalties:

1-    Allah the Highest does not accept the Muslims worship or good deeds for 40 days.

2-    The destination is the Hell-Fire

Allah’s messenger companion and uncle Saad Ibn Abi Waqas asked him to pray to Allah for him so that Allah will always answer his Dawaa.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “O Saad, make sure that what you eat is good and pure, your Dawaa will be always answered.  By He who has my soul in His hand, whenever a man throws a piece of Haram inside him, Allah will not accept any thing from him for 40 days.  Any slave who’s flesh grow out of ill-gotten and usury, he shall be more worthy of the Fire”.  (T: Jomah; 79)

 

We should always try to eat and drink what is Halal, in kind and in the way we get and earn the money to get it.

We should remember that the rule is that every thing is permitted, except what Allah the Highest forbids, clearly and categorically.

 

B: Bukhari  M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi  

 

170- AND WHAT IT IS SAID TO THEM: “FOLLOW WHAT ALLAH SENT DOWN”, THEY SAY: “BUT WE FOLLOW WHAT WE FOUND OUR FOREFATHERS DO”, EVEN IF THEIR FOREFATHERS DID NOT UNDERSTAND AND WERE NOT GUIDED?

171- THE LIKENESS OF THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE IS THAT OF THOSE WHO SHOUT CALLS AND CREIES THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND LIKE ANIMALS, DEAF, DUMB AND BLIND, THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND.

 

It has been reported that some of the Jews went to see Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him.  When he called them to Islam, their answer was: “We will follow what we found our forefathers do”.  This was Allah’s reply to anyone giving such answer, and also giving us a parable to clarify the issue.

Allah the Highest says that they are like animals which do not have a clear and comprehensible language, but just shouting, calls and cries.  As if their argument and reasoning is as intelligent as the animals shouts and cries.  Allah the Highest however endowed human beings with a mind capable of understanding, thinking and reflecting.  It is the duty of every person to use their mind to consider the most important issues of Faith.  One should not forget that Allah the Highest made us his viceroys on Earth.

Allah the Highest describes the disbelievers as being, deaf, dumb, and blind and have no understanding. 

Deaf as they do not listen to Allah’s word, which is the truth.

Dumb, for what they say is not true and is devoid of good reasoning or wisdom.

Blind, for not seeing the clear signs and evidence, indeed they may not wish to see it.

They have no understanding, not because Allah the Highest deprived them of understanding, for this is given to every one, but because they do not want to understand.

Their sin is willfully and arrogantly committed.

 

168- O MANKIND, EAT OUT OF WHAT IS ON EARTH, HALAL (LAWFUL) AND PURE, AND DO NOT FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF SATAN, FOR HE IS A CLEAR ENEMY TO YOU.

169- HE COMMANDS YOU TO DO WHAT IS EVIL AND SHAMEFUL, AND TO SAY ABOUT ALLAH WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW.

 

These two Ayahs are introduction for the Ayahs to follow.  It gives us a very important principle, which is that all food is lawful.  Only Allah the Highest forbids what is forbidden very clearly.  Prohibition is not done by indirect means, by reference; it is done by clear statement.

The occasion when Allah the Highest stated what is allowed, was when stating that the food of the people of the book is permitted for us.  Allah the Highest said: “THIS DAY, ALL THAT IS GOOD AND PURE IS MADE LAWFUL FOR YOU AND THE FOOD OF THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK IS LAWFUL FOR YOU”.  (S: 5 A: 5)

Allah the Highest detailed the prohibitions; therefore, there is no room for further prohibition or speculation in this matter.  Allah the Highest said: “AND WHY DO YOU NOT EAT OUT OR WHAT ALLAH’S NAME HAS BEEN MENTIONED ON, WHEN ALLAH HAS DETAILED FOR YOU WHAT HE HAS FORBIDDEN EXCEPT WHAT YOU ARE COMPELLED TO (EAT OR DRINK)”.  (S: 6 A: 119)

Details of the prohibitions will come at the discussion of the relevant Ayah.

To forbid what Allah the Highest permitted is to go astray and follow the footsteps of Satan.  Only Allah the Highest prohibits the things created by Him.  Allah the Highest said: “HAVE LOST THOSE WHO SLAYED THEIR CHILDREN OUT OF FOLLY AND WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE AND FORBAD WHAT ALLAH HAS PROVIDED FOR THEM , INVENTING LIES ABOUT ALLAH, THEY HAVE GONE ASTRAY AND THEY ARE NOT GUIDED”.  (S: 6 A: 140)

Forbidding what Allah the Highest permitted is a transgression against Allah and Allah’s Authority. Allah the Highest said: “YOU, WHO BELIEVE, DO NOT FORBID THE GOOD THINGS ALLAH PERMITTED YOU AND DO NOT TRANSGRESS, FOR ALLAH DOES NOT LOVE THE TRANSGRESSORS”.  (S: 5 A: 89)

Obviously Allah the Highest considers forbidding what He permits to be a serious sin, for one is putting himself in the position of he who knows better, and gives himself authority like that of the creator.  We Muslims should never say about any thing forbidden, except if there is a very clear Ayah or Hadith to this effect.  Prohibitions are not made by gestures, reference or any indirect means.