Friday Nasiha

General

Translation:

Surah Az-Zukhruf
Chapter 43: Verse 84

"He alone is the Sovereign of the Heavens and the Earth ..."

Commentary

The Goal - Establishment of God's Sovereignty

Once people set themselves free from the influence of false gods, a huge amount of energy becomes available for constructive work. Islam then channels this energy towards accomplishing its goal in society, ie. Establishment of Allah's Sovereignty in social life and the state. Islam stresses that Sovereignty, that is the absolute power to command, to define beliefs, laws, rights and wrongs, belongs only to Allah.

Social and Political Implications

This verse sets parameters for the use of power in society. It calls for the dethroning of all false gods in society - strips them of their sovereignty, so that all power is submitted to the All-Powerful God. Islam emphasises that no one can be above the law or allowed to abuse power and authority in any way. However, political sovereignty - a limited, relative sovereignty (mulk), or the power to enforce the law, can be vested in an Islamic government, which has to rule in accordance with Divine guidance.

Only way to Justice

Islam emphasises that the establishment of God's Sovereignty can alone ensure justice to all people. God and His guidance is free from human weaknesses. Since His Mercy extends to all of His creation, He does not tolerate any form of injustice or oppression. Allah's guidance, thus, provides a moral, legal and an equitable framework to guide all decisions and social policies.

[compiled from "Building a New Society" by Zahid Parvez,
(Revival Publications, UK), pp. 128-130]

After the conquest of Makkah, Umm Hakim bint al-Harith, wife of Ikremah ibn Abu Jahal, accepted Islam. Ikremah was the son of Abu Jahal, who was one of the first and worst persecutors of Muslims in Makkah.

Umm Hakim told the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that her husband fled to Yemen in fear of his life, and she begged the Prophet (peace be upon him) to grant him refuge and immunity in Makkah. The Prophet (peace be upon him), being a forgiving and merciful leader he was, agreed to do so, even though Ikremah was still waging against him and Muslims.

Umm Hakim set off in search for her husband in Yemen. Fortunately, Ikremah had just reached the shores of Tahamah and was about to cross the Red Sea when she caught up with him. She told him that she had just come across the greatest of all men, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

It was not easy to persuade him to return with her, instead of risking his life at sea, but when he heard that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had guaranteed his safety in Makkah, he fell in with her wishes. When the two were approaching Makkah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) informed his Companions that Ikremah was coming to them as an emigrant and a believer. He then advised them in the following words: "Do not speak ill of his (deceased) father, for, although speaking ill of the dead cannot hurt the dead, it hurts (the feelings) of those who are alive."

Note: What a profound and fine sensitivity our Prophet (pbuh) possessed, even towards his enemies or those who had hurt him in the past! What about many of us today, who don't even spare taunting and hurting the feelings of those who are close to them, let alone those who do not share our faith.

[Narrated in Ibn Hisham's "Sirah" of the Prophet (pbuh). Taken from "An Islamic Treasury of Virtues" by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan]