Al-Nur, in particular, has established the means by which illicit sexual activity, promiscuity, and loose moral behavior are to be curtailed and prohibited in Muslim society. It hits hard at those who wish to undermine the moral fabric of society, saying:
And they say: We believe in Allah and the messenger, and we obey; then after that a faction of them turn away. Such are not believers. (47) And when they appeal unto Allah and His messenger to judge between them, lo! a faction of them are averse; (48)
It is curious to note that those who refuse God's teachings and the leadership of the Prophets in political, legal, and economic matters are usually non-practising Muslims who do not observe their basic Islamic obligations. Yet it is the same people who are most adamant in opposing Islam and undermining the very foundation of Muslim society and civilization. No wonder that the surah goes on to say:
The saying of (all true) believers when they are called unto Allah and His messenger to judge between them is only that they say: We hear and we obey. And such are the successful. (51) He who obeyeth Allah and His messenger, and feareth Allah, and keepeth duty (unto Him): such indeed are the victorious. (52)
This is yet another form of the perennial conflict between those who reject religion in its totality and champion every possible cause to destroy it, and those who defend religion and devote their energies to bringing people closer to God and to the way of life HE has ordained for humankind.
Muslims today are dispirited, divided, and weak. But this surah brings them hope:
Allah hath promised such of you as believe and do good work that He will surely make them to succeed (the present rulers) in the earth even as He caused those who were before them to succeed (others); and that He will surely establish for them their religion which He hath approved for them, and will give them in exchange safety after their fear. They serve Me. They ascribe no thing as partner unto Me. Those who disbelieve henceforth, they are the miscreants. (55)
This victory, however, does not come easily. It has to be earned with hard work, sacrifice, and devotion. Muslims today will have to learn from example of the Prophet and his Companions. They spent almost a quarter century fighting paganism and polytheism before they were able to establish Islam a sthe dominant force in Arabia. From there, and within phenomenally short period of time, they emerged to take on the Roman and the Persian empires and it was not very long afterwards that the Muslims came to be the most powerful and dominant force in the world. Within thirty years of the first words of the Qur'an being revealed to Muhammad, a single man from a poor family in the heart of Arabia, a powerful nation brought was established with influence extending to all corners of the globe: a nation brought up under the watchful eyes of God to uphold HIS laws and establish HIS way of life on earth.
But what are the conditions that the Muslims must satisfy to assume the leadership of the world again? The surah replies: "....They serve Me. They ascribe no thing as partner unto Me...."(55), and " Establish worship and pay the poor-due and obey the messenger, that haply ye may find mercy. "(56)
Cynics and unbelievers will say that this naive and idealistic, pie -in-the sky thinking, but God says: "Think not that the disbelievers can escape in the land. Fire will be their home - a hapless journey's end!" (57)
It is not surprising that skeptics and doubters are unable to understand this rationale or appreciate its gravity. They would rather dismiss the whole argument. To the believers, however, it is a certainty that stems from the unshakable faith and trust in God Almighty.
" A Thematic Commentary On The Qur'an "
Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali
[ 1917 - 1996 ]
Commentary and insight from Imam Zia,
Session 8.1 :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ_jBR6GVIs
Session 8.2 :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubhz7HQ14fY
Session 8.3 :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUNeTuEElzs
Session 8.4 :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8tzsQSfqxs
Final Session Part 1 :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gz8wyQCzgs
Final Session Part 2 ;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVbuPfomBKQ
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