Friday, 11 September 2020

O Muslims - 31

 

In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful


Extract from QUR’AANIC STUDIES – A Modern Tafsir PART I:

35. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo ittaqoo Allaha waibtaghoo ilayhi alwaseelata wajahidoo fee sabeelihi laAAallakum tuflihoona


5:35. O you who believe! Fear Allah and seek means of approach to Him and struggle in His Path, so that you get success.19


19. The Arabic word alwaseelata (means of approach) has been grossly misunderstood by many Muslims of today. They think that in the light of this Verse, they can invoke the good offices of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and other dead pious men, for conferring of worldly benefits to them and for redressal of their worldly woes. Attention of such Muslims is invited to Verses 17:56 and 17:57 wherein the futility of invoking anyone other than Allah, is clarified. And in Verse 35:22, the Qur'aan categorically tells mankind, "And you are in no position to make those to hear who are in the graves." The 'means of approach' to Allah are those means which were employed by those great men themselves. They had persistently struggled in Allah's Path as indicated at the end of this Verse itself. 'Struggling in Allah's Path' is therefore the means. And 'struggling in Allah's Path' does not mean suicide attacks on soft targets as some may mistakenly believe! It is, on the other hand, to "believe, and do righteous deeds, and admonish with the Truth and admonish with Patience" as enunciated in Surah 103. And 'righteous deeds' are deeds that Allah Almighty commands mankind to do through His Message, the Qur'aan.


Mohammad Shafi

Friday, the 11th of September 2020.

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