Recitation surah al-Qasas by Shaykh Saad al-Ghamdi , [ part 3 ]
The surah then introduces more scenes from the Day of Judgement , emphasizing the fact that God has created people with different capabilities and aptitudes, and that it is He who decides the fate appropriate for everyone. It says: "Thy Lord createth what He willeth and chooseth. They have never any choice. Glorified be Allah and exalted above all that they associate (with Him)! "(68)
The surah then briefly draws our attention to God's power as manifested in the natural world. " Say: Have ye thought, if Allah made night everlasting for you till the Day of Resurrection, who is a God beside Allah who could bring you light? Will ye not then hear? "(71) God has made light and darkness for a purpose, and every human being, rich or poor, master or slave, who has ever lived shall be accountable for his or her life in this earth. From political tyranny, the surah goes on to deal with economic oppression, making it clear that every human society should be free from both these evils
The following passage recounts the story of Qarun, a contemporary of Moses who was an extremely wealthy man. But wealth in itself is neither good nor bad. It is simply a means to an end and can be beneficially used or abused. Qarun is described as owning treasure chests stacked with gold and silver, but he was warned to " Exult not; lo! Allah loveth not the exultant; (76) But seek the abode of the Hereafter in that which Allah hath given thee and neglect not thy portion of the world, and be thou kind even as Allah hath been kind to thee, and seek not corruption in the earth; lo! Allah loveth not corrupters," (77)
The generousity of some rich people knows no bounds and they seek to help others in every possible way, without flaunting their wealth or being ostentatious. They would give before they are asked and acknowledge God's kindness towards them by not using their wealth to abuse or exploit others. But as we see in this surah, Qarun decided that he had earned his wealth by sheer genius and personal hard work alone, and that he was therefore justified in doing with it as he please. "He said: I have been given it only on account of knowledge I possess." Knew he not that Allah had destroyed already of the generations before him men who were mightier than him in strength and greater in respect of following? The guilty are not questioned of their sins. '(78)
The temptation of wealth has been a crucial test in every human civilization, including the contemporary one. Whole whole political, economic, and social systems have been based on class and discrimination between the rich and poor and have brought nothing but injustice and misery to the world. Differences in wealth and fortune are natural and necessary in human society. Even prophets enjoyed different fortunes: some were well off whilst others lived on the edge of poverty; some were kings in their own right and had great wealth under their control whilst others had next to nothing. However, the ones who were poor never despaired or complained of their situation and the ones who were rich never abused their wealth for personal enjoyment or used it to gain power illegally over others.
Islam strikes a balance and regulates the earning and spending of wealth in such a way that benefit society as a whole. The key principle is expressed in the surah thus:
As for that Abode of the Hereafter We assign it unto those who seek not oppression in the earth, nor yet corruption. The sequel is for those who ward off (evil). (83) Whoso bringeth a good deed, he will have better than the same; while as for him who bringeth an ill-deed, those who do ill-deeds will be requited only what they did. (84)
Society cannot be organized properly without authentic religious guidance. Man-made laws and regulation can never ensure justice and equal opportunity for all, or prepare people well enough for accountability before God in the hereafter. Passive religious belief, or lip-service to Islam, is of no consequence. It is not enough to believe and keep one's faith to oneself. Islam is not a philosophical idea or an intellectual concept, but it is a holistic and comprehensive system covering every aspect of human life.
The surah closes with a few strong words addressed to Prophet Muhammad himself. They stress the weight of his responsibility and point him in the right direction to help him succeed in shouldering it. It says:
And let them not divert thee from the revelations of Allah after they have been sent down unto thee; but call (mankind) unto thy Lord, and be not of those who ascribe partners (unto Him). (87) And cry not unto any other god along with Allah. There is no God save Him. Everything will perish save His countenance. His is the command, and unto Him ye will be brought back. (88)
Theoretical knowledge and scientific information by themselves are not sufficient to guarantee order and justice in society. Satan was fully cognizant of God, but still refused to submit to Him and obey His commands, leading him to be condemned and damned forever. A truly Islamic society must nurture among its members a deep and enlightened faith in God as well as the will and the desire to act according to the imperatives of the faith, and to prepare for the life hereafter.
" A Thematic Commentary On The Qur'an "
Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali
[ 1917 - 1998 ]
Reflection and commentary by Shaykh Ninowy on " Dinousaur and the present day Muslims :
[ He is currently an Imam in the USA, a retired Prof in Anatomy and Physiology at Univ of Georgia ]
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