The Rectification Programme for Mankind [ وقال الله تعالى{إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَآَّرُونَ} [النحل: ٩٠ Allah has stated in the Holy Qur’an: ‘Allah enjoins upon you Justice, performance of good deeds, the assistance of relatives and those near to you. And Allah forbids for you immodesty, evil actions and oppression. Allah admonishes you, that you may take heed.’ (Surah An-Nahl 16, v90) The above verse of the Qur’an is recited in almost every khuthbah on the day of Jummah. But very few of us understand the true meaning and message of these words that the Imam advises us of. The recitation of these verses in Jummah has been a practice that started from the time of Umar bin Abdul Aziz رحمه الله . This is due to the fact that within these verses there is concise advice which acts as a means of rectification for the entire human race. Sayyidina Abdullah bin Masood stated: ‘These verses of the Qur’an are so complete and concise, they instruct us of the beneficial acts to do (uphold). They also inform us of those evil and detrimental acts that we need to protect ourselves from. When this short verse was revealed, it had a great effect upon the hearts of many whom came to know of it.” (Tafsir Uthmani, Tafsir Qurtubi) Sayyidina Aktham bin Saifi who was the leader of his people, was sent a message from the Prophet inviting him to Islam. Aktham bin Saifi who was not a believer at the time, instructed two of the most intellectual and understanding individuals of his people to go to the Prophet to investigate the matter of Islam. These two representatives arrived in Madinah Munawarrah and asked the Prophet two questions. “(1) Who are you? (2) What are you?” The Prophet replied: “Firstly, I am Muhammad bin Abdullah and secondly I am the slave of Allah and His Messenger.” The Prophet then recited the above verse of the Holy Qur’an in front of them. These two representatives requested the Prophet to recite again for them the above verses of the Qur’an. The Prophet recited the verse numerous times, until they both had memorised it. They then returned to their people and recited the same verse of the Qur’an for Aktham bin Saifi . On hearing this verse, Aktham bin Saifi replied: “From these verses it is understood that this individual (Muhammad ) guides us to a very high level of character and prevents people from bad characteristics. All of our people should immediately enter this religion so that we are well advanced (morally) of other nations.” The means of guidance of Aktham bin Saifi and his entire people was this single verse of the Holy Qur’an. (Maariful Qur’an, Tafsir Ibn Abbas vol 3, p58) Within this verse those characteristics are enjoined, that if one was to act upon them and perfect them. They would be a means of rectifying and perfecting all other characteristics in a human being. By the same token, those evil actions are forbidden, that if one was to shun them this would be a means of ridding human beings from all other evil characteristics. 2 1. JUSTICE:
Posted on: Mon, 05 Aug 2013 17:36:33 +0000
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