Duties of Love with reference to God

 

 Quranic Foundations And Structure Of Muslim Society

(2) DUTIES OF LOVE

 (a) Duties of Commission:

(1)  Seeking in all actions the Pleasure of God, Who is the Moral Sovereign of the Universe, enjoined:

“And of mankind is he (i.e., the true Muslim) who would sell (even) his life to earn the Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is full of kindness to His devotees.” (2:207).

Nay: a true Muslim, in his highest spiritual effort, goes even beyond, and seeks God Himself:

“… and (the righteous) have in their minds no favor from anyone for which a reward is expected in return, but only the yearning to seek the Countenance of their Lord Most High.” (92:19-20).

(2)          Cultivation of Gratefulness to God enjoined:

“… and express gratefulness to Allah, if it is (indeed) He Whom you worship.” (2:172).

“… and be grateful for the favor of Allah …” (16:114).

(3)          Cultivation of sincere devotion to God enjoined:

“… so serve Allah offering Him sincere devotion;…” (39:2).

(4)          Steadfastness in devotion to God enjoined:

“… and hold fast by Allah (without swerving)! He is your Patron: an excellent Patron and an excellent Helper.” (22:78).

“… Your God is One God: so stand true to Him…” (41:6).

“Verily those who say: ‘Our Lord is Allah’, and remain steadfast thereto, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (46:13).

(5)          Seeking nearness to God, the Source of all Goodness and Holiness, enjoined:

(a)        through turning penitently unto Him:

“And turn penitently unto your Lord and submit unto Him before there comes unto you the torment, and then you shall not be succored.” (39:54).

(b)       through seeking ardently the means of approach:

“O you who believe! fear Allah and seek the means of approach unto Him and strive with might and main in His cause: that you may prosper.”⁴¹ (5:38).

(c)        through detaching from worldly things and engaging in remembrance of and communion with Him:

“And remember the name of your Lord, and devote yourself to Him with an exclusive devotion. Lord of the East and the West! No God is there but He. Take Him therefore for (your) Disposer of Affairs.” (73:8-9).

“Therefore remember Me, I will remember you …” (2:152). 

“O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance and glorify Him early and late.” (33:41-42).  

“… and celebrate His praise.” (25:58).

“And remember your Lord in your (very) soul, with humility and in reverence, without loudness in word, in the mornings and evenings; and be not of those who are neglectful (of Allah’s remembrance).” (7:205).

This remembrance should take the form of regular prayers also:

“Verily I! I am Allah! no God there is but I; so worship Me and establish regular prayer for My remembrance.” (20:14).

These regular, or, obligatory, prayers should be performed punctually at the appointed times:

“Verily regular prayers are enjoined on the Believers at fixed times.” (4:103).

The regular prayers are to be followed (and preceded) by as much remembrance of God as possible and practicable:

“Then when you have finished the prayer, remember Allah, standing and sitting and lying on your sides …” (4:103).

Also, besides the regular and repeated daily communion and constant remembrance of Allah during the normal waking hours of the day and the night, devoted Muslims should sacrifice their comfort during the sleeping hours of the night, according to their individual capacity, for communion with their Lord:

“Only those believe in Our revelations who, when they (i.e. the revelations) are recited to them, fall down in adoration and celebrate the praises of their Lord, and they are not puffed up with pride. Their limbs do forsake their beds of sleep (while yet there is night), the while they call on their Lord, in Fear and Hope, and of that wherewith We have provided them they spend (for the welfare of others).”  (32:15-16).

Indeed, the ‘Servants of God’ are:

“… those who spend the night in adoration of their Lord, prostrate and standing …” (25:64). 

        (6)     Cultivation of Love for God enjoined:

Allah is the Loving One (al-Wadud) and the cultivation of, and absorption in, His love forms the highest pursuit of a Muslim. The Holy Qur’an speaks of the true Believers as “a people whom Allah loves and they love Him.” (5:54).

It is a relationship which is cultivated through right belief and right conduct:

“Verily those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, for them (Allah) Most Gracious will appoint (in this world as well as in the next) Love (i.e., His own love and the love of fellow creatures).” (19:96).

This relationship is consciously and assiduously cultivated at a level where it surpasses a Muslim’s love for everything else:

“… but the Believers are strongest in love for Allah.” (2:165).

It forms the highest achievement for a Muslim, gives the direction to his will, and functions as the motivating force—equally with ‘fear of God’—for all the actions of his life. 

 

(b) Duties of Omission

(1)          Following lusts of the heart, thereby incurring God’s Displeasure, prohibited:

“… and follow not the lusts (of your heart) that it beguile you from the Way of Allah. Lo! those who wander from the Way of Allah have an awful doom, for as much as they forgot the Day of Reckoning.” (38:26).

(2)          Ungratefulness to God, prohibited:

“… and unto Me give thanks, and be not ungrateful to Me.” (2:152).

 (3)          Behaving disloyally (as opposed to, sincere devotion) to God, prohibited:

“O you who believe! be not disloyal to (or, betray not the trust of) Allah …” (8:27).

(4)          Worshipping false gods, whether those of the polytheists and idol-worshippers or those that reside within the human self, prohibited:

“And assuredly We sent among every people a Messenger (with the Command:) ‘Serve God, and eschew Evil and shun false gods’.” (16:36).   

(5)          Fickle-mindedness in respect of faith in God’s Goodness, condemned: hence to abstain from it is duty:

“And of mankind is he who worships Allah, as it were, on the verge: if there befalleth him good, he is contented therewith; but if there befalls him a trial, he turns round on his face; he loses the world and the Hereafter: that indeed is a loss manifest.” (22:11).

(6)          Allowing pre-occupation with and engrossment in worldly things to stand in the way of God’s remembrance, prohibited:

“O you who believe! let not your riches or your children—the two worldly things having a wide range of engrossment—divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whosoever does that, the loss is their own”. (63:9).

(7)          Lack of earnestness in prayers and in the remembrance of God in general, condemned as the way of the Hypocrites, hence abstinence from it is duty:

“… (The Hypocrites) when they stand up in prayer, stand without earnestness, making a show to the people, and they remember not Allah but little.” (4:142).

(8)          Befriending the forces of evil, thereby violating our duty of love for God, condemned:

“Whosoever befriends Satan (who represents all the forces of evil), instead of Allah, has of a surety suffered a loss that is manifest.” (4:119).

This is so because:

“… Satan’s wish is to lead them astray far away (from the Right).” (4:60).

(9)          Loving any object of worldly life in preference to love for God, severely condemned: hence abstinence from it is duty:

“Say (O Muhammad! to the Muslims): If your fathers, and your sons, and your brothers, and your mates, and your kindred, and the wealth you have acquired, and the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight—(these) are dearer to you than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause: then wait until Allah brings about His decision: and Allah guides not the rebellious.” (9:24).

Source

to be continued . . . . . 

Quranic Foundation & Structure Of Muslim Society In The End Times

 

Duties of Respect with reference to God

 

 Quranic Foundations And Structure Of Muslim Society

PART 1. DUTIES AS SPIRITUAL BEING

 Chapter 1.

Duties with reference to god

 

1.       Duties of Respect;  

2.       Duties of Love.

ENDS:

(a)   Objective:

Maintenance of a constant attitude of Respect  and Love towards God for acquiring the Blessings of Divine Pleasure (Ridwan Allah) and Divine Love (Hubb Allah), As it has been said in the Holy Qur’an:

“… seeking Grace from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure …” (48:29).

Also:

“… whom He will love, and they will love Him …” (5:57).

(b)  Subjective:

Creating in the moral agent:

1.       Purity of will, leading to possible ‘holiness’ in the measure it may relate to human personality, as it has been said:

“And whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart (aright).” (64:11).

2.       Stability in, and enthusiasm for, the pursuit of moral struggle, as we are told:

“… And he who rejects false deities and believes in Allah has grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower.” (2:256).

 

 

(l) DUTIES OF RESPECT 

(a) Duties of Commission

(1)          Cultivation of genuine and complete Faith in God and its inner realisation enjoined:

“O you who believe! Believe (with all the richness of belief) in Allah and His Messenger, and the Scripture which He has sent to His Messenger and the Scripture which He sent to those before (him). Any who denies Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers and the Day of Judgment, has gone far far astray.” (4:136).

(2)      Faith in the Unity of God—perfect monotheism—implying indivisible loyalty to Him, enjoined:

“That is Allah, your Lord! There is no God but He, the Creator of all things: then worship Him (alone).” (6:102).

“… and your God is One God, so unto Him submit (wholly and solely).” (22:34).

(3)          Maintenance of the attitude of respect for God enjoined:

“Verily those who believe and work righteousness, and humble themselves before their Lord, they will be Companions of the Garden, to dwell therein for ever.” (11:23).

(4)          Cultivation of the fear of Displeasure of God and of the Final Accountability by Him, enjoined:

“O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not save as those who have surrendered (unto Him).”(3:102). 

“It is only the devil that suggests to you the fear of his votaries: Be not afraid of them, but fear Me, if you have faith.” (3:175).

“… except those that are bent on wickedness; so fear them not, but fear Me…” (2:150).    

“And for such as had entertained the fear of standing before their Lord’s (tribunal) (on the Day of Judgment) and had restrained (their) souls from lower Desires, their Abode will be the Garden.” (79:40-41).

        (5)    Cultivation of Obedience to God enjoined:

“O you who believe! Obey Allah…” (4:59).

“O you who believe! Give your response to (i.e., obey) Allah and His Messenger, when He calls you to that which will give you life;… ” (8:24).

“… and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind).”  (2:238).                     

“Turn unto your Lord repentant, and surrender unto Him, before there comes unto you the torment, and then you shall not be helped.” (39:54).

“O mankind! worship your Lord, Who has created you and those before you, so that you may ward off (evil).” (2:21).

(6)     Cultivation of trust in God’s goodness, mercy and help enjoined:

“Is one who worships devoutly during the hours of night prostrating himself or standing (in adoration), who takes heed of the Hereafter, and who places his hope in the Mercy of his Lord—(like one who does not)? Say: ‘Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition.” (39:9).

“Lo! those who believe and those who suffer exile (in defense of Truth) and strive and struggle in the path of Allah, they (i.e., such true Muslims) have hope of Allah’s mercy; and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (2:218).

Then there is the command:

“… and on Allah (i.e., in Allah’s goodness, mercy and help) put your trust if you are believers.” (5:26).

(7)     Affirmation of one’s dependence on God: Prayer to Him, enjoined:

“And your Lord has said: Call on Me, I will answer your prayer. Verily those who are stiff-necked against My worship (i.e., against acknowledging Me as their Lord and Benefactor), will enter hell in humiliation.” (40:60).

“Call on your Lord with humility and in secret: Lo! Allah loves not those who trespass beyond (rational and respectful) limits.” (7:55).

“… and call on Him with fear and longing (in your hearts): for the Mercy of Allah is (always) near to those who do good (to others).” (7:56).

(8) Seeking Help and Grace from God, the Possessor and the Source of all Power, enjoined:

Says the Holy Qur’an: “… seek help from Allah… ” (7:128).

Now, help should be sought basically from God alone. Muslims have been commanded to pray to God in these words:

“You (alone) do we worship, and of You (alone) do we seek help.” (1:4).

Again: “and ask Allah of His Grace … ” (4:32).

And this seeking of Grace from God is a constant attribute of the life of a Muslim:

“You will see them bow and prostrate themselves (in prayer) seeking Grace from Allah and (His) Good pleasure…” (48:29).

(9)          Seeking Guidance from God, the Possessor and Source of all Knowledge, enjoined:

It is a duty of every Muslim to pray to God for guidance in the following words:

“Guide us (O Allah) unto the path straight…” (1:5). 

(10)      Following the Divine Guidance revealed in the Holy Qur’an, enjoined:

“Follow the Revelation given unto you (in the Holy Qur’an) from your Lord …” (7:3).

(11)      Showing respect to God by believing in all the Messengers and all the Scriptures sent by Him for the guidance of man, enjoined:

“So believe in Allah and (all) His Messengers,” (3:179).

“(Muslims are those) who believe in the Revelation sent to you (O Muhammad), and that which was sent before you…” (2:4). 

 

(b) Duties of Omission : 

(1)          Attributing any quality to God which is profane and blasphemous, prohibited:

“The most excellent Names belong to Allah: so call on Him by them; and shun the company (and the blasphemies) of those who use profanity in His names. They will be repaid for what they do.” (7:180). 

(2)          Associating any partner with God and limiting His uniqueness and supremacy in any manner, prohibited:

“And worship Allah and associate not anything with Him (either in His Person or in His Attributes).” (4:36).

“And call not, besides Allah, on another god. There is no god but He …” (28:88).

(3)          Saying anything concerning God without the authority of Revelation, prohibited:

“Say: The things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds, whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason; assigning of partners to Allah, for which you are given no authority; and saying about Allah of which you have no knowledge.” (7:33)

(4)          Disobedience to and arrogance in respect of God, prohibited:

“… and they (i.e., the Believers) are not arrogant (in respect of worshipping Allah).” (32:15).

“But he who is greedy miser and deems himself  free from need (of Allah), and gives the lie to the Best (i.e., dishonors Truth), We will indeed make for him smooth the Path to Misery.” (92:8-10).

Again:

“If anyone disobeys (the Commands of) Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.” (33:36).

(5)          Despairing of the Mercy of God prohibited:

“…and never give up hope of Allah’s Soothing Mercy: truly no one despairs of Allah’s Soothing Mercy except those who have no Faith.” (12:87).

“Say: O My Servants who have transgressed against their souls! despair not of the Mercy of Allah, for Allah forgives all sins: verily He is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.” (39:53).

(6)          Believing in superstitions and seeking help from superstitious objects, thereby indirectly insulting God, prohibited:  

“… so shun the abomination of idols (i.e., evils of  idolatrous practices).”  (22:30). 

“O you who believe! Intoxicants and games of chance (i.e., all forms of gambling), and stone altars and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,—of Satan’s handiwork: shun it therefore, that you may prosper.” (5:93).

“It is not Allah Who has instituted (superstitions like those of) a slit-ear she-camel, or a she-camel let loose for free pasture, or idol sacrifices for twin-births in animals, or stallion-camels freed from work. It was blasphemers who invented a lie against Allah, and most of them lack wisdom.” (5:103).

(7)  Magic, being evil practice and opposed to godliness, condemned: hence to abstain from it is duty:

Speaking of the practice of magic by the Jews, the Holy Qur’an says:

“… and they could harm none thereby (i.e., with their Magic) save by Allah’s Will (i.e., in accordance with His laws). And they (i.e., the Jews) have learnt that which harms them (spiritually and morally), and profits them not; and assuredly they knew (from their Scripture) that the buyers of Magic would have no share in the happiness of the Hereafter.” (2:102).

Source

to be continued . . . . . 

Quranic Foundation & Structure Of Muslim Society In The End Times