Author: Rahmatullah Rahmani
Fulfilling The Promise (Part Three)
Loyalty:
«وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَى ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ» Translation: “But you should know that the garment of piety and fear of Allah is the best garment, which adorns the human heart and frees one from the punishment of the Hereafter. This (creation of outer and inner garments) is one of the signs of Allah’s grace and mercy to the servants. Remember Allah’s blessings.”
«كَذَلِكَ تُخْرِجُ الْمَوْتَى لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ» Translation: “And just as We bring forth the dead from the earth and give life again, think about these parables, which illustrate the resurrection in this world, so that you may remember and take heed.”
Constant conscious reminder is necessary for loyalty and action. How can someone who has forgotten a covenant fulfill it?! Therefore, it is essential to constantly remind oneself. The verses related to covenants and agreements contain the element of reminder.
«وَبِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ أَوْفُوا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُم بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ» Translation: “And fulfill the covenant of Allah, which He has taken from you to fulfill your duties and the covenants between you regarding legitimate matters and interests. These are the things that Allah advises you to observe, so that you may remember and be admonished.”
Whenever a person remembers this promise and covenant that is being questioned, they should attach to it a serious determination and decision to implement it. Such determination and will are essential for humbling rebellious moods and making temporary problems lighter and easier to bear. A will that is decisive and victorious in the path of keeping one’s promise is not afraid of any difficulties and sacrifices that may arise. Herein lies the true value of individuals, as sometimes a heavy price must be paid for loyalty. This price may manifest as spending money, sacrificing one’s life, or giving up friendships. These responsibilities reflect the desired nobility in this world and the Hereafter, as expressed in the words of the poet:
لولا المُشَقَّةُ سادَ الناس كُلُّهُمُ، الجُودُ يُفْقِرُ و الإقدام قتال
Translation: “If the price of greatness and sovereignty were not heavy, all people would be great. The price of greatness and sovereignty is generosity, forgiveness, courage, and bravery. Generosity and forgiveness bring poverty, and courage and bravery also bring death, which not everyone can afford.”
The Holy Quran has indeed regarded the actions of those who believe that greatness can be attained easily, along with rewards that come from minimal effort, as unbecoming! «أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلِكُمْ مَّسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّى يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَى نَصْرُ اللَّهِ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ» Translation: “Have you thought that you will enter Paradise without facing what happened to those who died before you? (You who have not yet experienced such sufferings and pains, should look forward to enduring bitter and unfortunate events in the path of righteousness and know: first suffering, then treasure. Financial and human losses, as well as hardships, have surrounded previous nations. They were struck and disturbed so much that the Prophet and those who believed in him cried out in unison: Where is the help of Allah?! But Allah has never forgotten the believers, and after teaching them self-sacrifice and tempering them—this is the secret of perfection—He fulfilled His promise and assured that Allah’s help is near.”
Whenever a person combines a conscious mind with a big heart, they become worthy of loyalty.
The promises and agreements related to Muslims have different degrees. The greatest, most exalted, and most sacred covenant is the significant agreement between Allah and His servant. Indeed, Allah created man with His power, raised him with His grace, and commanded him to acknowledge this truth. He cautioned against allowing misguidance to keep one from recognizing this truth and denying it.
«أَلَمْ أَعْهَدُ إلَيْكُمْ يَا بَنِي آدَمَ أَن لَّا تَعْبُدُوا الشَّيْطَانَ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ * وَأَنِ اعْبُدُونِي هَذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ» Translation: “O mankind, did I not command you and order you not to worship the devil, for he is your clear enemy? Did I not command you to worship Me, and that is the right path?”
When some people do not listen to the prophets or adhere to their teachings, they undeniably possess a nature that draws them to their Lord. They can still recognize their Creator, even when surrounded by corruption, depravity, and superstition. This reflects the covenant Allah has taken from all humankind, which is fundamentally rooted in human nature.
«وَإِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِن بَنِي آدَمَ مِن ظُهُورِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَأَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ أَلَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ قَالُوا بَلَى شَهِدْنَا أَن تَقُولُوا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّا كُنَّا عَنْ هَذَا غَافِلِينَ أَوْ تَقُولُوا إِنَّمَا أَشْرَكَ آبَاؤُنَا مِن قَبْلُ وَكُنَّا ذُرِّيَّةً مِّن بَعْدِهِمْ أَفَتُهْلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ الْمُبْطِلُونَ» Translation: “When your Lord took from the children of Adam, from their backs, their descendants, and made them testify against themselves, saying, ‘Am I not your Lord?’ They said, ‘Yes, we bear witness.’ This is so you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection, ‘Indeed, we were unaware of this.’ Or so you do not say, ‘Our forefathers associated partners with Allah, and we were merely their descendants. Will You destroy us for what false people have done?'” Such are the verses of the Book, explained clearly so they may return to the truth.
Of course, there was no conversation, as can be understood from the phrases, but rather these verses depict the attitude and attention of healthy natures toward Allah. They demonstrate familiarity with Allah and the utilization of evidence scattered throughout the universe to promote monotheism and glorification of Allah, as well as a rejection of foolish customs and traditions that lead one away from Allah or cause them to associate partners with Him. This method is common in the Arabic language, which the Arabs understand well. An example is a famous proverb: «قال الجدار للوتد: لِمَ تَشُقُنِي؟ قال: سَلْ مَنْ يَدُ قُنِّي! فَإِنَّ الذي ورايي ما خلانی و رأیی!» Translation: “The wall said to the peg: Why do you pierce me? The peg replied: Ask the one who strikes me! Indeed, what is behind me does not allow me my freedom.”
Continues…
[1] ـ سوره اعراف، آیه:۲۶.
[2] ـ سوره اعراف، آیه:۵۷.
[3] ـ سوره انعام، ۱۵۲.
[4] ـ سوره بقره، ۲۱۴.
[5] ـ سوره یس، ۶۰ ـ ۶۱.
[6] ـ سوره اعراف، ۱۷۴ ـ ۱۷۲.
