ADDRESSING RELATIONSHIPS IN TRUTH AND FORGIVENESS
by: Faisal Burhan*
Upon examination of some wonderful verses from Surah Al-Hijr, one can sense an answer to the cure of many of the social and relational problems Muslims suffer from.
The key to logic problem-solving resides in the ordained Haqq or the ordained rule of the creation of the heavens and earth and all that is in between them.
The Arabic word al Haqq is explained as relational virtuous duties and rights as well as rightful justified truth as ordained by God and His wisdom.
Accountability in relationships and the forgiveness of people make a sound and beautiful argument that are certain to eliminate many of man’s relational problems.
Addressing Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the relational and virtuous focused verses are in essence addressing all Muslims:
وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ ۗ وَإِنَّ السَّاعَةَ لَآتِيَةٌ ۖ فَاصْفَحِ الصَّفْحَ الْجَمِيلَ
And We did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them two but in truth; and the hour is most surely coming, so turn away with kindly forgiveness. (QS:Al-Hijr : 85)
All Creations Will be Judged on the Bases of Al-Haqq
Verse 85 above is a striking and concluding verse with deep meaning that should indeed be pondered upon. It states that God created all the worlds and all that is in between them by Al-Haqq.
The word Al- Haqq is not just truth, as most Quranic translations indicate. Al- Haqq carries the meaning of relational virtuous duties and rights as well as rightful justified truth. This definition applies to any matter whether it is a man, an element, an entity, a function or process.
For example, it is Al- Haqq to state that the survival of people requires water. This is a true statement, but the truth lies in the fact that the human body is composed of about 70 percent water; hence, water is essential for its survival. Thus, al Haqqhere represents a deeper truth justified by natural, factual and accurate phenomena.
Al- Haqq can be said about a purpose, process, and component and the way they all function individually or altogether. An example of this would be water as it is made out of oxygen and hydrogen particles and another example would be a car. It is made of many systems and parts for the purpose of moving and travel.
What Prophet Muhammad speaks is truth. The companion of the Prophet, Abdul Allah ibn Umar said:
“I used to write down everything I heard from the Messenger of Allah to easily memorize, until Quraysh (members of the Quraysh tribe) said to me: Do you write everything you hear from a human being who speaks in anger and pleasant times? So I stopped writing. But when I mentioned my story to the Messenger of Allah, he pointed with his finger to his mouth and said:
“Write, for He Whose soul is in His hand, nothing comes out from it except Haqq.”
All types of words with a variety of topics were spoken by the Prophet with his family, wives, companions, enemies, his instructions, plans and management, his prophecies and advices and all other statements, are Haqq (rightful, virtuous and justified truth.)
Al-Haqq embodies accountability in relationship duties and therefore the cause and effect rule holds. Expanding on verses 85 and 86 that says:
(Remember,)We have not created the heavens and earth and all that is in between them (including man) without al Haqq,” relational virtuous duties and rights as well as rightful justified truth. “Behold,} God underscores, (the Hour is surely coming,) (where no one with wrong actions pass without accountability as in satisfaction of the cause and effect rule, (so (Muhammad) forgive graciously) since those who harmed you have no escape from God for their evil work.
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ الْخَلَّاقُ الْعَلِيمُ
(For verily it is your Lord who is al khallaq, the Master Creator (not just the Creator, as in al khaliqq), Knowing all things.) (QS: Al- Hijr :86)
As if God is assuring those who have been wronged by others, in the physical, mental, moral or emotional sense, that God is not only a Creator, but also the Master Creator, who creates and recreates as He pleases to insure that no one provoke troubles or abuse the rights of others, will ever get away with what they did, no matter how shrewd or what the situations are.
Aisha reported that the Prophet said:
“With Allah, the books of record (to be given to people in the Day of Judgment) are three (types). One [book], Allah is not too concerned with, one [book] Allah will not leave an item in it without full accountability, and one (book) cannot be forgiven. The one (book) that cannot be forgiven is the record of associating gods with God; the carrier of this book is prohibited from entering Paradise.
The one (book) that Allah is not so much concerned with is the private record of deeds between the person and God, where one did injustice to him or herself by not fasting a day or leaving out a prayer, Allah will forgive all that and beyond. And the one (book) that Allah does not leave an item of it without accountability are the injustices of people to one another, here each person must pay for his or her injustices accordingly.” (Ahmad)
On the Day of Judgment, a person who failed the book of relational deeds and accountability must face God for everything he did, and God makes him pay from his own account of good deeds in return for wronging others and or be given the bad deeds of those he wronged.
Compromising and Forgiveness
One of the attributes of God is Al Haqq. This word and its derivatives are mentioned in the Quran over two hundred and eighty times. A wide array of usage of al Haqq covers many of man’s relational duties, relational rights, and relational accountabilities.
It is crucial for people to understand that rigidity and being unapproachable in relational matters worsens situations and opposes Al Haqq. Other attributes of God are mercy and compassion, which demand Muslims to compromise, to have forgiving and merciful hearts and act rationally. This mannerism and approach will indeed melt and resolve the majority of the problems.
God swears by the phenomenon of time that people will lose except those who persevere and stand for Al -Haqq.
وَالْعَصْرِ By time(QS:AL-Ashr: 1) إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ mankind is in loss (QS:Al-Ashr : 2) إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ Except those who believe and do good, and enjoin on each other truth, and enjoin on each other patience. (QS:Al-Ashr :3)
An antonym of Al- Haqq is al Batel, wrongdoing, groundless and unfounded accusations and falsehood. Making a passenger car seem like a dump truck or a metallic plate seem like a piece wood, is abusing God’s creational rights. Harming nature or causing harm, making the right seem wrong and the wrong seem right are all acts defying the real sense of al Haqq.
Those who perform these wrongdoing matters will have no escape from God in the Day of Judgment.
Mercy and forgiveness are believers’ traits. Being stubborn, unreasonable and difficult are not characteristics of the believing men and women. Being kind and merciful are healings to the social and political problems and to the irrationally shattered families and societies.
As people practice flexibility, tenderness, understanding and learn to forget and forgive, God’s mercy and favors come upon them. The Prophet said:
وعن جرير بن عبد الله رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم “ من لا يرحم الناس لا يرحمه الله ” ((متفق عليه)) .
“He who will not have mercy on others, Allah will not have mercy on him.” ( H.R. Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Many of the inner and outer family problems vanish when members of the family forgive, overlook and compromise. Wars and destruction of societies are often the results of uncompromising and hardheadedness. The near destruction of Syria today is an example of this inflexibility. People must rationalize, listen to one another, compromise and negotiate to resolve differences.
According to the scholars of the Quran, God endorsed Prophet Muhammad’s negotiation and reconciliation with the Pagans of Quraysh. The result of this negotiation was the Treaty of Hudaybiyah, after which God revealed the Surah Al-Fath (the opening of the gates of victory).
Indeed, history clearly shows that Muslims benefited after the treaty was made with floods of favorable measures and marked victories. The Prophet’s negotiation with the Pagans and the signing of the treaty marked the turning point at which the scale of Muslim strength began to climb significantly.
Regrettably, Muslims who refuse to negotiate and compromise with their opponents in the Syrian conflict today have not yet understood the core value and spirit of their own faith.
All faction leaders and representatives and concern sides in the Syrian conflict must work together to save Syria. By conferencing, negotiating, rationalizing and compromising there is a better chance of success. Otherwise, the greater loss is Syria and its people and no one will be a winner.
Great Rewards for those Who Forgive
With forgiveness comes greater harmony and peace within the family structure. Passion and mercy diminish enmity and hostility and endorse affection and goodness. Muslim scholars identified “Religion” as: “The way you treat others (al deen al Mu’amalah).” Allah says:
وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ
And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel (evil) by that (deed) which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity (will become) as though he was a devoted friend. (QS:Fushilat : 34)
Favors of Allah is Reason for Satisfaction
Upon asking His Prophet Muhammad to forgive considerably, God supported His Prophet’s action of forgiving by showing him some of the favors God bestowed upon him.
وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَاكَ سَبْعًا مِنَ الْمَثَانِي وَالْقُرْآنَ الْعَظِيمَ
And We have certainly given you, [O Muammad], seven of the most repeated([verses) (Al- Fatihah) and the great Quran.} (QS: AL-Hijr :87)
The Quran and Surah Al- Fatihah, which were given to the Prophet, are indeed unmatched in value. No one could ever visualize the amount of goodness acquired by the millions as a result of the Quran and al Fatihah’s teachings and inspirations.
Can anyone imagine the amount of rewards that would reach the Prophet Muhammad for enhancing the lives of billions every single day from the time the Quran and al Fatihah were revealed until the Day of Judgment?
No imagination can ever encompass the numerous benefits the Quran has made on mankind and other creations of God. So why shouldn’t the Prophet and the Muslims thereafter not forget and forgive graciously?
God further instructs Prophet Muhammad not to worry about certain things and be soft with the believers and to proclaim his basic function as a warner:
لَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِنْهُمْ وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَاخْفِضْ جَنَاحَكَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Do not strain your eyes after what We have given certain classes of them to enjoy, and do not grieve for them, and make yourself gentle to the believers. (QS: Al-Hijr : 88)
وَقُلْ إِنِّي أَنَا النَّذِيرُ الْمُبِينُ
And say: Surely I am the plain warner. (QS: Al-Hijr : 89)
No Justification for Taking One Portion of the Quran Alone
God warns Muslims about not considering the whole Quran altogether for guidance. His wrath shall be upon those who concern themselves with one part of the Quran and leave out other parts, He said:
كَمَا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَى الْمُقْتَسِمِينَ Just as We had revealed (scriptures) to the separators(QS:Al-Hijr: 90) الَّذِينَ جَعَلُوا الْقُرْآنَ عِضِينَ Those who made the Quran into shreds. (QS: Al-Hijr :91) فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسْأَلَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ So, by your Lord, We would most certainly question them all (QS:Al- Hijr : 92 ) عَمَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ As to what they did. (QS: Al- Hijr :93)
It is vital that every Muslim understands the downside of deliberating parts of the Quran and deserting or negating other parts. The significance of this vitality clearly shows as God swears by His own, that He Himself will be questioning those who practice certain portions of the Quran only. Such ill practice of Islam deeply damages the Faith and falsely suggests that the Quran is insufficient, incapable and unadaptable to practical life.
Take politics as an example of how some Muslims take the Quran as a political system. For personal or political gain, they politicize the meanings of its verses and interpret much of its aspects in terms of politics, governance, statehood and statesman character.
Some Muslims turn every minute of their life into political matters such as winning or losing a particular election, whether or not the statehood is Islamic or not; whether or not the Shariah is applied, whether or not the present statesman is akafir (infidel), a tyrant; should he/she be assassinated, what can be done to oust his/her government; who can or cannot be an alliance to their party; should or should not an actual war against the governing system be waged, and the list continues.
These are only a few examples of a much wider picture of a typical political situation dominating the entire life of certain Muslims, individuals or groups.
The Quran encompasses all aspects of life; politics is only one facet of a Muslim’s life. When a Muslim turns the whole Quran along with the Sunnah of the Prophet into a world of political matter and uses every minute of his/her life to fulfill that purpose, he or she incurs the wrath of God.
Reason being, they are presenting an erroneous image of Islam. This false image turns many Muslims and non-Muslims away from Islam and involuntarily sends terrifying messages of fear to the nations of the world for possible takeover of their own countries.
Today, this fear is very real and obvious in Europe and the West. These are some of the dangers of partitioning the Quran. The various Quranic and Islamic systems and subsystems work correctly when they are arranged to work together with each having its own weight and proportion.
Islam is said to be the middle of the road religion. Muslims, therefore, must be balanced, rational and reasonable individuals, with balanced, rational and reasonable approaches.
Overlook People’s Faults and Look Back no More
Endorsing His Prophet’s move in forgiveness, God tells him to go about doing his business of Da’wah without hesitation. “Oh Prophet, declare what you were ordered to declare and pay no attention to the idolaters who mock you.”
فَاصْدَعْ بِمَا تُؤْمَرُ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْمُشْرِكِينَ Therefore declare openly what you are bidden and turn aside from the polytheists. (QS: Al-Hijr : 94), إِنَّا كَفَيْنَاكَ الْمُسْتَهْزِئِينَ Surely We will suffice you against the scoffers. (QS: Al-Hijr : 95), الَّذِينَ يَجْعَلُونَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا آخَرَ ۚ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ Those who set up another god with Allah; so they shall soon know. (QS: Al-Hijr : 96), وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ يَضِيقُ صَدْرُكَ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ And surely We know that your breast straitens at what they say. (QS: Al-Hijr : 97), فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُنْ مِنَ السَّاجِدِينَ Therefore celebrate the praise of your Lord, and be of those who make obeisance. (QS: Al-Hijr : 98), وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَكَ الْيَقِينُ And serve your Lord until there comes to you that which is certain. (QS: Al-Hijr : 99).
What kind of recourse did God instruct His Prophet Muhammad to take against the Idolaters who ridiculed him, accused him of being a magician, a story teller and insulted and abused him? Did God say despise them for the rest of your life? Declare war against them? Destroy their lives and business? Terrorize their towns and homes and kill innocent people?
The answer is no.
Simply, he was instructed to pay no attention to any of what was done to him and continue in glorifying the Lord, prostrating to His Majesty; endure the duty of His obedience until the heart is content and gratified of His Praise, until you die.
Abolishing hatred and enmity amongst people is a graceful and exalted act in the sight of God because it is central to the building of successful and cohesive societies.
The vast majority of the problems amongst Muslims in the world today can simply vanish if Muslims take into heart the beautiful and merciful guidance put forth for them in these verses of Surah Al-hijr.
After all, forgiveness, peace and mercy virtues are what Islam is all about. God tells us that He sent Prophet Muhammad as mercy for all people and worlds.
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ
And We have not sent you, (O Muhammad), except as a mercy to the worlds.(QS: Al-Anbiyaa : 107)
The same arguments made for Muslim problems and solutions can be true for the people of the world suffering from similar problems or concerns. (T/Imt/R04)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
