This 11th month of the Hijri Calendar is Dhul Qadah. The following month is the month of Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca.
Many use this month to renew their commitment to the covenant. Either Muslims plan a trip to Hajj, or they review their obligations and what God will require of them on the Day of Judgment.
It is also a reminder that justice is hard. It is not complex or rocket science. However, we all are experts at demanding justice yet struggle to be just with others. Hence, this renewal reminds us of the Day of Judgment, when we will stand to account for any transgressions against others.
“And call in remembrance the favour of Allah unto you, and His covenant, which He ratified with you, when ye said: ‘We hear and we obey’: And fear Allah, for Allah knoweth well the secrets of your hearts.
O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.
To those who believe and do deeds of righteousness hath Allah promised forgiveness and a great reward.”
Quran 5:7-9
Need for security
I mentioned numerously now that our greatest need is security, be it food security or security from danger.
Reflect on the following verses regarding this need:
“For the covenants (of security and safeguard enjoyed) by the Quraish, Their covenants (covering) journeys by winter and summer,- Let them adore the Lord of this House, Who provides them with food against hunger, and with security against fear (of danger).”
Quran 106:1-4
If you cannot find a commentary on the Quran, there are quite a few, and you can use this one:
I would recommend purchasing a few scholarly commentaries as well. Try to read the Quran and focus on the covenant and our need for security.
Why the need to remember?
As humans, we go on auto-pilot and need to be reminded, lest we forget or become distracted. When believers remind others of the covenant, it is embedded already in our souls and heart. It is not something new we are learning. The guide makes us aware of this embedded knowledge within and mindful of it.
“When thy Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam – from their loins – their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves, (saying): ‘Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?’- They said: ‘Yea! We do testify!’ (This), lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment: ‘Of this, we were never mindful’:”
Quran 7:172
Have you ever read the Quran and felt this Deja Vu feeling?
For example, when Moses, upon him peace, was told to go to the Pharaoh, God did not command him to teach the Pharaoh a whole new religion and give him a presentation on this new religion. Instead, to guide him to become aware and remember the covenant.
“and say [unto him], ‘Art thou desirous of attaining to purity? [If so,] then I shall guide thee towards [a cognition of] thy Sustainer, so that [henceforth] thou wilt stand in awe [of Him].'”
Quran 79:18-19
In my book, God Intervenes Between A Person and Their Heart, I discussed rejection, the resolute Prophets, and persuasion versus manipulation. Islam encourages its followers to holistically gain knowledge of the message and communicate it to people without manipulation.
The soul knows of the covenant.
From the outside, we cannot judge what is in people’s hearts and souls when the message reaches them. God can and does. Our concern should be with ourselves and if we conveyed the message according to the ethics and principles of Islam or not.
If we seek results, favorable opinions from the crowd, or people to like us, we risk compromising and polluting the message with our desires or the crowd’s desires.
As mentioned before, we are to direct the message of Islam to the speaker’s soul, not the ego. The soul bore witness and testified in the pre-eternal realm to the covenant. When we obsess with the image of Islam, we aim the message at people’s egos, not their souls.
But when Our Signs came to them, that should have opened their eyes, they said: “This is sorcery manifest!”
And they rejected those Signs in iniquity and arrogance, though their souls were convinced thereof: so see what was the end of those who acted corruptly!
Quran 27:13-14
Do you have a sound argument?
The ethics and principles of Islam are evident. Know what an argument is, what makes it a sound argument, the sources devoid of bias and prejudice, the methodology, etc.
“Or, Who originates creation, then repeats it, and who gives you sustenance from heaven and earth? (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Say, ‘Bring forth your argument, if ye are telling the truth!'”
Quran 27:64
Shame, slander, mockery, disinformation, misinformation, etc., is not an argument. It is a sin for Muslims to resort to such means to engage others. Likewise, those who disagree with Islamic teachings cannot engage in verbal abuse and claim the free speech card. Such behavior lacks ethics, principles, and a lack of conviction in one’s beliefs. If you don’t have a sound argument, listen to those who do or research on your own.
Some will disagree and insist on the right to offend. That is usually the response of people who will never admit that they do not have a sound argument. They hide behind slander and mockery to appear powerful, pious, and intelligent in the name of free speech or religion. The responsibility not to spread misinformation and disinformation out of spite and malice is a far more advanced thinking and engagement that the Quran calls us to.
“Revile not ye those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance. Thus have We made alluring to each people its own doings. In the end will they return to their Lord, and We shall then tell them the truth of all that they did.”
Quran 6:108
Exalt the name of your Lord
The following video reflects on the commentary by the scholar Shaykh Sharaawi and the analysis of Ramadan Al Bouti. May God reward them for their works and teachings. Before Moses, upon him peace, showed the Pharaoh his signs, he called him to two realities: purification of the soul and awe of God. I will discuss purification next. Listen to this video on Subhan Allah or Exalt the name of your Lord.
This post will be updated with the FaceBook posts regarding this theme in the coming days.
Fadwa Wazwaz
| Fəd-wə Wəz-wəz is a Palestinian-American born in Jerusalem, Palestine and raised in the US. Currently, she lives in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. She is an author of God Intervenes Between A Person And Their Heart: Key Lessons From The Prophets. Follow on Social Media