Quranic Foundations And Structure Of Muslim Society
Part 2. DUTIES AS PHYSICAL BEING
Exposition
1. Duties of Omission (or, Duties of Respect for the Self ).
END: Natural Self-Preservation ─ as the Holy Qur’an commands:
“… and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction …” (2:195).
(1) All things which harm physical health, prohibited:
“O mankind! eat of whatsoever is on the earth, lawful and wholesome, and follow not the footsteps of Satan (by using unlawfully-acquired and unclean and unwholesome foods). Lo! he is to you an avowed enemy”. (2:168).
(2) Self-stupefaction, gluttony and intoxication, prohibited:
“O you who believe! Make not unlawful the good things (whether they be foods or drinks or any other lawful pleasures) which Allah has made lawful for you, nor transgress (in respect of your physical, mental, moral, spiritual and social health by making lawful for yourselves harmful foods, drinks, etc.); verily Allah loves not the transgressors.” (5:87).
“… and eat and drink, but be not immoderate and intemperate: verily He loves not those who are immoderate and intemperate.” (7:31).
“Eat of the good things We have provided for your sustenance, but commit no excess therein, lest My wrath should justly descend on you; and those on whom descends My wrath do perish indeed.” (20:81).
“O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and divination by arrows, (all these) are an abomination, —of Satan’s handiwork: shun such (abomination), therefore, that you may prosper.” (5:93).
(3) Considering lawful pleasures relating to natural appetites as illegitimate, prohibited:
“O you who believe! Make not unlawful (for yourselves) the good things (relating to lawful pleasures) which Allah has made lawful for you …” (5:87).
(4) Abusing or damaging any limb of one’s body, including Castration, prohibited:
The Holy Qur’an says: “… and defraud not your trust…” (8:27).
The various limbs of the body, and the talents of a Muslim, are the “property” of God and he possesses them in “trust” for Him. A Muslim should not, therefore, abuse or damage any limb of his body.
(5) Committing suicide prohibited:
“And kill not (or, destroy not) yourselves; verily Allah is unto you ever Merciful.” (4:29).
(2) Duties of Commission: (or, Duties of Love for the Self).
END: Happiness of the moral agent through the maintenance and promotion of his physical well-being:
(1) Proper satisfaction of natural appetites enjoined:
(a) Satisfaction of Hunger and Thirst:
“… and eat and drink, but be not immoderate and intemperate…” (7:31).
“They ask you (O Muhammad!) what is lawful to them (as food). Say: Lawful unto you are all things good and pure.” (5:5).
(b) Satisfaction of sexual appetite: Satisfaction of sexual appetite has been permitted by the Holy Qur’an through lawful marriage only, and marriage has been enjoined:
“Marry those among you who are single.” (24:32).
A very important point should be noted here. Although the union of man and woman in marriage involves the satisfaction of sexual appetite, it is not, in the view of the Qur’an, the end of marriage,—the end being spiritual companionship and mutual love, to which the sexual union itself should contribute, but which is marked off distinctly from mere sexual pleasure. The Holy Qur’an says
“And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from yourselves, that you might obtain tranquility and solace in them, and He has ordained between you love and mercy. Verily in that are signs for those who reflect.” (30:21).
(c) Rest and sleep
“It is of His Mercy that He has made for you Night and Day, that therein (i.e., in the night) you may enjoy rest, and that you may seek of His Grace (during the day);—and in order that you may be grateful (to Him).” (38:73).
(2) Physical cleanliness enjoined:
“… then purify (yourselves) (with physical cleanliness)…”(5:6).
“Allah intends not to lay upon you a hardship, but intends to purify you (with physical cleanliness) and to complete His favor to you, that you may be grateful (for His bounties).” (5:6).
“… and He sent down water upon you from heaven that He might cleanse you thereby and remove from you the stain of Satan (—dirt being physically a symbol of evil)…” (8:11).
“Verily Allah loves those who turn to him constantly, and He loves those who practice cleanliness (in body, mind and spirit).’’ (2:222).
“And Allah loves those who always keep themselves clean.” (9:108).
(3) Physical development enjoined:
“Against them (i.e., the enemies of Islam, or, the forces of evil) prepare your Power (as individuals and as a community) to the utmost of your capacity…” (8:60).
Development of power by an individual includes the building up of a powerful physique. Hence, the command for the physical development of the individual is contained in the above comprehensive verse. This fact is corroborated by a Hadith of the Holy Prophet (Peace be on him), reported by Muslim in his sahih in the following words:
to be continued . . . . .
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