The Straight Path of the Individual

The Straight Path shall serve no other gods besides Him; that you shall show kindness to your parents; that you shall not kill your children because you cannot support them; We provide for you and for them; that you shall not commit foul sins, whether openly or in secret; and that you shall not kill—for that is forbidden by Allah—except for a just cause. Thus Allah exhorts you, that you may discern. ‘Do not touch the property of orphans, but strive to improve their lot until they reach maturity. Give just weight and full measure; we never charge a soul with more than it can bear. Speak for justice, even if it affects your own kinsmen. Be true to the covenant of Allah. Thus He exhorts you so that you may take heed. ‘This path of Mine is straight. Follow it and do not follow other paths, for they will lead you away from Him. Thus Allah commands you, so that you may guard yourselves against evil.’ (6:152-53) This is the one straight path for the individual’s life. It can be summed up in these words: belief in the oneness of God, good behaviour towards others, reliance on God, avoidance of evil, respect for life, avoidance of oppression, honesty in social dealings, adhering to justice regardless of circumstances, fulfilling as God’s creatures the pledge of obedience to Him, adopting the path of taqwa (fear of God) in all matters. Those on the straight path are the people blessed by God (Chapter 1) and brought from darkness, into light (14:1) They have a special share in the mercy and bounty of God (4:175), (48:2). Obviously, people with such divine endowments cannot lead the lives of ordinary men. These blessings will surely be made manifest in various forms in their lives. 1. First of all, they are in a higher state of realization. It is said that Abdullah ibn Rawaha once suggested to his hearers that they should ‘bring (revive) faith in God for a while.’ At this they became indignant and said, ‘Aren’t we the faithful?’ Ibn Rawaha replied that they were, no doubt, the faithful, but that every time they remembered God, their faith increased. Then one of them went to the Prophet and complained against Ibn Rawaha, saying, “Ibn Rawaha