The Message of the Quran

The Message of the Quran

1989 12 December 13-15 The Message of the Quran (1048) They ask you about drinking and gambling. Say: ‘There is great sin in both, although they have some benefit for men: but their sin is greater than their benefit.’ They ask you what they should spend. Say: ‘What you can spare.’ Thus God makes plain for you His revelations, so that you may reflect upon this world and the Hereafter. They question you concerning orphans. Say: ‘To deal justly with them is best. If you mix their affairs with yours, they are you brothers. God knows the man who means mischief from the man who means good. If God pleased, He could afflict you. He is Mighty and Wise (2: 219-20).

The answer to the above questions reveal certain fundamental principles: firstly, if something does more harm than good, it should be eschewed: secondly, any wealth in excess of one’s actual needs should be spent in the cause of God: thirdly, in one’s dealings with others, one should avoid any action which could lead to evil, and engage only in such activity as will bring some positive benefit to society.

Let us concede that after drinking wine a person becomes elated. And gambling could be looked upon as an easy way of making money without having to work hard for it. But, viewed from a purely moral angle, drinking and gambling lead to such spiritual danger as far outweighs any benefits they may confer. The same rule applies to other human activities. If they are calculated to be more harmful than beneficial, they are to be avoided. Social celebrations, political activities, personal affairs – everything, in fact, that one does in life, should be evaluated in terms of this standard, before one ever considers engaging in them.

Who can truly call himself a Muslim? He who makes the next world his goal and who is constantly striving to find favour with his Lord. Such a man does not make worldly possessions his aim in life. This does not mean, however, that he renounces the world, for a certain number of material things are an obvious necessity. It simply means that when he makes a living and engages in worldly activities, he does so only insofar as such action is related to acquiring the bare necessities of life. His purpose in life is never to amass wealth. His purpose, on the contrary, is to find favour with the Lord. So, out of whatever he has, he keeps only what he really needs for himself and spends the rest in the cause of God.

If we were to attempt to state, in explicit, legal terms, how men should deal with their fellows and how they should conduct their business, this would be too complicated in the context of daily living. It is, therefore, more useful to lay down some simple, fundamental guidelines: to wish others well and to keep in mind not just our own interests, but also the interests of those with whom we have to deal, thinking of them as brothers.

God will never take us to task if we act in a manner which is conducive to harmony and justice.

You shall not wed idolatresses, unless they embrace the faith. A believing slave-girl is better than an idolatress, although she may please you. Nor shall you wed to idolaters unless they embrace the faith. A believing slave is better than an idolater, although he may please you. These call to the Fire; but God calls you, by His will, to Paradise and to forgiveness. He makes plain His revelations to mankind, so that they may be mindful. They ask you about menstruation. Say: ‘It is an indisposition. Keep aloof from women during their menstrual periods and do not approach them until they are clean again. But when they have purified themselves, have intercourse with them in the manner enjoined upon you by God. God loves those who turn to Him in repentance, and He loves those who keep themselves clean.’ Women are your tilth: go, then, unto your tilth as you please. Do good works and fear God. Bear in mind that you shall meet Him. Give good news to the believers (2: 221-23).

To illustrate the purpose of the matrimonial bond, the relationship between man and wife may be likened to that of a farmer and his field. This means that it is not just for selfish enjoyment that a couple takes the marriage vow. Just as a farmer goes about the task of planting his fields in a serious manner, so also is the husband/wife relationship a serious one. Various factors have to be taken into account, certain guidelines followed.

The first thing to be taken into consideration when choosing a spouse is belief. The relationship between a husband and wife is an extremely delicate one, balanced precariously within a network of social, domestic and psychological factors. For such a close, intricate relationship to flourish there has to be harmony of belief. A Muslim who marries someone of another faith may have to compromise on his beliefs, in which case it will be his faith that suffers; and if he refuses to do so, it will be his marriage which will founder. Secondly, a husband and his wife should consort and cohabit according to the pattern of creation. Just as revelation is an expression of God’s will, so is nature, for it acts exactly according to divine command. Natural laws are for us to follow, just as revealed laws are to be obeyed. And one should fear God at all times, always remembering that He knows a person’s inner and outer states and that eventually one is going to be brought before Him.

Doing good works means acting with the Hereafter in mind. Seeing that there is an eternal side to life, which is more important than the temporal side, it is for eternity that we should strive. Should our actions on earth profit us in this life, but be harmful to our everlasting life, we shall have lived our lives in vain. What we do on earth will be judged after death. We should take care to ensure that our deeds measure up well on God’s scale of justice, for if they fail to do so there is no way we can avoid His punishment.