Abdul Muqit Chowdhury :
1.
The purpose of creation of this universe, particularly human beings, is the behind all worships. So our a worships, need to be discussed in the context of the Will of Allah -The Creator.
The Holy Quran reveals : “And when thy Lord said unto the angels : Lo! I am about to place a viceroy in the earth, they said: Wilt thou place therein one who will do harm therein and will shed blood, while we, we hymn Thy praise and sanctify Thee? He said: Surely I know that which ye know not.” (Verse 30, Al-Baqarah 2, The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall)
“Behold, thy Lord said to the angels : I will create/A vicegerent on earth They said:/Wilt thou place therein one who will make/Mischief therein and shed blood?-/Whilst we do celebrate Thy praises/And glorify Thy holy (name)./He said : I know what ye know not.” (Verse 30, Al-Baqarah 2, The Holy Qur’an Translation and Commentary by A. Yusuf Ali)
We quote here the meaning of the word ‘vicegerent’ “….. The vicegerent is he who has the power of initiative himself, but whose independent action always reflects perfectly the will of his Principal : …..”.
According to the Will of Allah, thus human being was created to be His vicegerent to reflect His Will.
The purpose of the creation of Jinn and human being as revealed in the Holy Quran ” I created the Jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me.” (Verse 56, Az-Zariat 51, The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall)
“I have only created/Jinns and men, that/They may serve Me”. ( Verse 56, Az-Zariat 51, The Holy Qur’an Translation and Commentary by A. Yusuf Ali )
The comment of Allama Yusuf Ali : “God is the source and centre of all power and all goodness, and our progesss depends upon our putting ourselves into accord with His Will. This is His service. It is not of any benefit to Him : see the next two verses : it is for our own benefit.”
The next two verses are:
“I seek no livehihood from them, nor do I ask that they should feed me.” “Lo! Allah ! He it is Who giveth livelihood, the Lord of unbreakable might.” (Verse 57-58, Az-Zariat 51, The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an)
“No sustenance do I require/Of them, nor do I/Require that they should/ Feed Me.” “For God is He Who/Gives (all) Sustenance, – / Lord of Power, – / Steadfast (for ever).” (Verse 57-58, Az-Zariat 51, The Holy Qur’an Translation and Commentary)
Allah is not dependant on human being and does not require anything from him/her. The thought of dependance is completely absurd.
Now, verse negating thought of creation as ‘(idle) sport.’ The Verse also stresses on the great purpose of creation:
“We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in play.” (Verse 16, Al-Anbiya 21, the Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an)
“Not for (idle) sport did We/Create the heavens and the earth/And all that is between !” (Verse 16, Al-Anbiya 21, The Holy Qur’an Translation and Commentary)
‘The comment on this verse is : ” …..He does not jest nor play with His creatures.”
The verses 60, 61 of Sura Ya-Sin are also being quoted here. These verses command to get rid of Satan and to worship Allah :
“Did I not charge you, O ye sons of Adam, that ye worship not the devil ? Lo! He is your open foe!”
“But that ye worship Me. That was the right path.” (Verse 60-61, Ya-Sin 36, The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an)
“Did I not enjoin/On you, O ye children/Of Adam, that ye/Should not worship Satan ;/For that he was to you/An enemy avowed? -”
“And that ye should/Worship Me (for that) this /Was the straight Way ?” (Verse 60-61, Ya-Sin 36, The Holy Qur’an Translation and Commentary)
The comment in connection with the verse 61 runs : “Thirdly, besides the negative warning, a positive Way was shown to them- the Straight Way, the Way of those who receive God’s Grace and attain to Bliss, the Rope which would save them from shipwreck, the Shield which would save them from assault, the Key to the door of proximity to God.”
2.
Islam calls for the unity of Muslim Ummah. But it does not confine itself in the unity of the Muslims only. It also calls for the fraternity and solidarity of mankind. Unity of Muslims is a step towards the integrity and solidarity of mankind.
Mis-interpretation, mis-presentation and vilification of the sublime image of universal Islam has done much harm. These have gone against the cherished goal of the solidarity and peace of entire mankind.
The Holy Quran reveals : “Mankind were one community, …..” (Verse 213, Al-Baqarah 2, The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an) “Mankind was one single nation, ….”( Verse 213, Al- Baqarah 2 , The Holy Quran Translation and Commentary)
“Mankind were but one community ; then they differed ; ….” (Verse 19, Yunus 10, The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an) “Mankind was but one nation,/ But differed (Iater…).” (Verse 19, Yunus 10, The Holy Qur’an Translation and Commentary)
A. Yusuf Ali comments : “All mankind was created one, and God’s Message to mankind is in essence one, the Message of Unity and Truth. But as selfishness and egotism got hold of man, certain differences sprang up between individuals, races, and nations, and in His infinite Mercy, He sent them messengers and messages to suit their varying mentality to test them by His gifts, and stir them up to emulation in virtue and piety.”
The Holy Quran reveals : “And they have broken their religion (into fragments) among them, (yet) all are returning unto Us.” (Verse 93, Al-Anbiya 21, The Meanings of the Glorious Quran)
“But (later generations) cut off/ Their affair (of unity),/One from another: (yet)/ Will they all return to Us.” (Verse 93, Al-Anbiya 21, The Holy Qur’an Translation and Commentary)
A. Yusuf Ali comments : “God’s Message was and ever is one; and His Messengers treated it as one. It is people of narrower views who come later and trade on the earlier names, that break up the Message and the Brotherhood into jarring camps and sects.” (P. 843)
So, there should not be any conflicting distinction and discrimination among ‘one nation’ of humanity, proclaimed by the Quran.
Division and conflict in the human race in any name is categorically condemned, rejected and forbidden by the Quran.
The Holy Quran says, “There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error… And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower.” : (Verse 256, Al Baqarah 2, The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an)
“Revile not those unto whom they pray beside Allah lest they wrongfully revile Allah through ignorance. Thus unto every nation have We made their deed seem fair. Then unto their Lord is their return, and He will tell them what they used to do.” (Verse 108, Al-An’am 6, The Meanings of the Glorious Quran)
“Revile not ye/Those whom they call upon/Besides God, lest/They out of spite/Revile God/In their ignorance./Thus have We made/Alluring to each people/Its own doings./In the end will they/Return to their Lord/And we shall then/Tell them the truth/Of all that they did.” (Verse 108, Al-An’am 6, The Holy Quran Translation and Commentary)
Yusuf Ali comments :
“A man’s actual personal religion depends upon many things,-his personal psychology, the background of his life, his hidden or repressed feelings, tendencies, or history (which psycho-analysis tries to unravel), his hereditary dispositions or antipathies, and all the subtle influences of his education and his environment. The task before the man of God is : (1) to use any of these which can subserve the higher ends, (2) to purify such as have been misused, (3) to introduce new ideas and modes of looking at things, and (4) to combat what is wrong and cannot be mended : all for the purpose of leading to the truth and gradually letting in spiritual light where there was darkness before. If that is not done with discretion and the skill of a spiritual Teacher, there may be not only a reaction of obstinacy, but an unseemly show of dishonour to the true God and His Truth, and doubts would spread among the weaker brethren whose faith is shallow and infirm. What happens to individuals is true collectively of nations or groups of people. They think in their self-obsession that their own ideas are right. God in His infinite compassion bears with them, and asks those who have purer ideas of faith not to vilify the weakness of their neighbours, lest the neighbours in their turn vilify the real truth and make matters even worse than before. In so far as there are mistakes, God will forgive and send His grace for helping ignorance and folly. In so far as there is active evil, He will deal with it in His own way. Of course the righteous man must not hide his light under a bushel, or compromise with evil, or refuse to establish right living where he has the power to do so.” (P.321)
“Let there be no compulsion/ In religion : Truth stands out/Clear from Error : whoever/Rejects Evil and believes/In God hath grasped/The most trustworthy/Hand-hold, that never breaks./And God heareth and knoweth all things.” (Verse 256, Al Baqarah 2, The Holy Qur’an Translation and Commentary)
Allama Yusuf Ali comments : “Compulsion is incompatible in religion ; because (1) religion depends upon faith and will, and these would be meaningless if induced by force ; (2) Truth and Error have been so clearly shown up by the mercy of God that there should be no doubt in the minds of any person of good-will as to the fundamentals of faith. (3) God’s protection is continuous, and His Plan is always to lead us from the depths of darkness into the clearest light.” (P. 103)
“Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion.” (Verse 6, Al Kafirun 109 , The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an)
“To you be your Way, /and to me mine.”, (Verse 6, Al-Kafirun 109, The Holy Quran Translation and Commentary)
These verses ordain us the responsibility of behaving well with the members of other communities. This is the principle of coexistence to create a peaceful human society.
Rasulullah (Sm) said, “All creatuers of Allah form the family of Allah and he/she is the best loved by Allah who loves best His creatures.” He also said, “O Lord! I affirm that all human beings are brothers unto one another.”
Ramzan imbibes us to prepare for our ordained responsibility to forge Muslim unity as well as to contribute for the integrity and solidarity of mankind.
In this context, it should be transparent that the concept of ‘Jihad’ is not against the concept of universal brotherhood of humanity. ‘Jihad’ teaches the Muslims to fight against inhuman aggressors and oppressors to protect peace-loving people.
1.
The purpose of creation of this universe, particularly human beings, is the behind all worships. So our a worships, need to be discussed in the context of the Will of Allah -The Creator.
The Holy Quran reveals : “And when thy Lord said unto the angels : Lo! I am about to place a viceroy in the earth, they said: Wilt thou place therein one who will do harm therein and will shed blood, while we, we hymn Thy praise and sanctify Thee? He said: Surely I know that which ye know not.” (Verse 30, Al-Baqarah 2, The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall)
“Behold, thy Lord said to the angels : I will create/A vicegerent on earth They said:/Wilt thou place therein one who will make/Mischief therein and shed blood?-/Whilst we do celebrate Thy praises/And glorify Thy holy (name)./He said : I know what ye know not.” (Verse 30, Al-Baqarah 2, The Holy Qur’an Translation and Commentary by A. Yusuf Ali)
We quote here the meaning of the word ‘vicegerent’ “….. The vicegerent is he who has the power of initiative himself, but whose independent action always reflects perfectly the will of his Principal : …..”.
According to the Will of Allah, thus human being was created to be His vicegerent to reflect His Will.
The purpose of the creation of Jinn and human being as revealed in the Holy Quran ” I created the Jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me.” (Verse 56, Az-Zariat 51, The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall)
“I have only created/Jinns and men, that/They may serve Me”. ( Verse 56, Az-Zariat 51, The Holy Qur’an Translation and Commentary by A. Yusuf Ali )
The comment of Allama Yusuf Ali : “God is the source and centre of all power and all goodness, and our progesss depends upon our putting ourselves into accord with His Will. This is His service. It is not of any benefit to Him : see the next two verses : it is for our own benefit.”
The next two verses are:
“I seek no livehihood from them, nor do I ask that they should feed me.” “Lo! Allah ! He it is Who giveth livelihood, the Lord of unbreakable might.” (Verse 57-58, Az-Zariat 51, The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an)
“No sustenance do I require/Of them, nor do I/Require that they should/ Feed Me.” “For God is He Who/Gives (all) Sustenance, – / Lord of Power, – / Steadfast (for ever).” (Verse 57-58, Az-Zariat 51, The Holy Qur’an Translation and Commentary)
Allah is not dependant on human being and does not require anything from him/her. The thought of dependance is completely absurd.
Now, verse negating thought of creation as ‘(idle) sport.’ The Verse also stresses on the great purpose of creation:
“We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in play.” (Verse 16, Al-Anbiya 21, the Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an)
“Not for (idle) sport did We/Create the heavens and the earth/And all that is between !” (Verse 16, Al-Anbiya 21, The Holy Qur’an Translation and Commentary)
‘The comment on this verse is : ” …..He does not jest nor play with His creatures.”
The verses 60, 61 of Sura Ya-Sin are also being quoted here. These verses command to get rid of Satan and to worship Allah :
“Did I not charge you, O ye sons of Adam, that ye worship not the devil ? Lo! He is your open foe!”
“But that ye worship Me. That was the right path.” (Verse 60-61, Ya-Sin 36, The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an)
“Did I not enjoin/On you, O ye children/Of Adam, that ye/Should not worship Satan ;/For that he was to you/An enemy avowed? -”
“And that ye should/Worship Me (for that) this /Was the straight Way ?” (Verse 60-61, Ya-Sin 36, The Holy Qur’an Translation and Commentary)
The comment in connection with the verse 61 runs : “Thirdly, besides the negative warning, a positive Way was shown to them- the Straight Way, the Way of those who receive God’s Grace and attain to Bliss, the Rope which would save them from shipwreck, the Shield which would save them from assault, the Key to the door of proximity to God.”
2.
Islam calls for the unity of Muslim Ummah. But it does not confine itself in the unity of the Muslims only. It also calls for the fraternity and solidarity of mankind. Unity of Muslims is a step towards the integrity and solidarity of mankind.
Mis-interpretation, mis-presentation and vilification of the sublime image of universal Islam has done much harm. These have gone against the cherished goal of the solidarity and peace of entire mankind.
The Holy Quran reveals : “Mankind were one community, …..” (Verse 213, Al-Baqarah 2, The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an) “Mankind was one single nation, ….”( Verse 213, Al- Baqarah 2 , The Holy Quran Translation and Commentary)
“Mankind were but one community ; then they differed ; ….” (Verse 19, Yunus 10, The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an) “Mankind was but one nation,/ But differed (Iater…).” (Verse 19, Yunus 10, The Holy Qur’an Translation and Commentary)
A. Yusuf Ali comments : “All mankind was created one, and God’s Message to mankind is in essence one, the Message of Unity and Truth. But as selfishness and egotism got hold of man, certain differences sprang up between individuals, races, and nations, and in His infinite Mercy, He sent them messengers and messages to suit their varying mentality to test them by His gifts, and stir them up to emulation in virtue and piety.”
The Holy Quran reveals : “And they have broken their religion (into fragments) among them, (yet) all are returning unto Us.” (Verse 93, Al-Anbiya 21, The Meanings of the Glorious Quran)
“But (later generations) cut off/ Their affair (of unity),/One from another: (yet)/ Will they all return to Us.” (Verse 93, Al-Anbiya 21, The Holy Qur’an Translation and Commentary)
A. Yusuf Ali comments : “God’s Message was and ever is one; and His Messengers treated it as one. It is people of narrower views who come later and trade on the earlier names, that break up the Message and the Brotherhood into jarring camps and sects.” (P. 843)
So, there should not be any conflicting distinction and discrimination among ‘one nation’ of humanity, proclaimed by the Quran.
Division and conflict in the human race in any name is categorically condemned, rejected and forbidden by the Quran.
The Holy Quran says, “There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error… And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower.” : (Verse 256, Al Baqarah 2, The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an)
“Revile not those unto whom they pray beside Allah lest they wrongfully revile Allah through ignorance. Thus unto every nation have We made their deed seem fair. Then unto their Lord is their return, and He will tell them what they used to do.” (Verse 108, Al-An’am 6, The Meanings of the Glorious Quran)
“Revile not ye/Those whom they call upon/Besides God, lest/They out of spite/Revile God/In their ignorance./Thus have We made/Alluring to each people/Its own doings./In the end will they/Return to their Lord/And we shall then/Tell them the truth/Of all that they did.” (Verse 108, Al-An’am 6, The Holy Quran Translation and Commentary)
Yusuf Ali comments :
“A man’s actual personal religion depends upon many things,-his personal psychology, the background of his life, his hidden or repressed feelings, tendencies, or history (which psycho-analysis tries to unravel), his hereditary dispositions or antipathies, and all the subtle influences of his education and his environment. The task before the man of God is : (1) to use any of these which can subserve the higher ends, (2) to purify such as have been misused, (3) to introduce new ideas and modes of looking at things, and (4) to combat what is wrong and cannot be mended : all for the purpose of leading to the truth and gradually letting in spiritual light where there was darkness before. If that is not done with discretion and the skill of a spiritual Teacher, there may be not only a reaction of obstinacy, but an unseemly show of dishonour to the true God and His Truth, and doubts would spread among the weaker brethren whose faith is shallow and infirm. What happens to individuals is true collectively of nations or groups of people. They think in their self-obsession that their own ideas are right. God in His infinite compassion bears with them, and asks those who have purer ideas of faith not to vilify the weakness of their neighbours, lest the neighbours in their turn vilify the real truth and make matters even worse than before. In so far as there are mistakes, God will forgive and send His grace for helping ignorance and folly. In so far as there is active evil, He will deal with it in His own way. Of course the righteous man must not hide his light under a bushel, or compromise with evil, or refuse to establish right living where he has the power to do so.” (P.321)
“Let there be no compulsion/ In religion : Truth stands out/Clear from Error : whoever/Rejects Evil and believes/In God hath grasped/The most trustworthy/Hand-hold, that never breaks./And God heareth and knoweth all things.” (Verse 256, Al Baqarah 2, The Holy Qur’an Translation and Commentary)
Allama Yusuf Ali comments : “Compulsion is incompatible in religion ; because (1) religion depends upon faith and will, and these would be meaningless if induced by force ; (2) Truth and Error have been so clearly shown up by the mercy of God that there should be no doubt in the minds of any person of good-will as to the fundamentals of faith. (3) God’s protection is continuous, and His Plan is always to lead us from the depths of darkness into the clearest light.” (P. 103)
“Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion.” (Verse 6, Al Kafirun 109 , The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an)
“To you be your Way, /and to me mine.”, (Verse 6, Al-Kafirun 109, The Holy Quran Translation and Commentary)
These verses ordain us the responsibility of behaving well with the members of other communities. This is the principle of coexistence to create a peaceful human society.
Rasulullah (Sm) said, “All creatuers of Allah form the family of Allah and he/she is the best loved by Allah who loves best His creatures.” He also said, “O Lord! I affirm that all human beings are brothers unto one another.”
Ramzan imbibes us to prepare for our ordained responsibility to forge Muslim unity as well as to contribute for the integrity and solidarity of mankind.
In this context, it should be transparent that the concept of ‘Jihad’ is not against the concept of universal brotherhood of humanity. ‘Jihad’ teaches the Muslims to fight against inhuman aggressors and oppressors to protect peace-loving people.
