The Negative Qualities of Mankind in the Holy Qur’an (3/5)
Sheikh Abdullah Muhammad Al-Mo’taz
Forgetfulness
Allah the Exalted says: “And when some hurt touches man, he cries to his Lord (Allah Alone), turning to Him in repentance. But when He bestows a favour upon him from Himself, he forgets that for which he cried for before, and he sets up rivals to Allah, in order to mislead others from His Path. Say: “Take pleasure in your disbelief for a while: surely, you are (one) of the dwellers of the Fire!”” (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:8)
And says: “When harm touches man, he calls Us (for help); then when We have (rescued him from that harm and) changed it into a favour from Us, he says: “Only because of knowledge (that I possess) I obtained it.” Nay, it is only a trial, but most of them know not!” (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:49)
And says: “And indeed We made a covenant with Adam before, but he forgot, and We found on his part no firm will power.” (Surah Ta-Ha, 20:115)
Man was created as forgetful so that he can forget the sufferings and troubles he may encounter in his life. Otherwise life could be intolerable. But if one forgets his commitment to Allah, to worship Him in the best manner, it is then a disaster. Allah ordained that he should be worshipped by people and the Jinns, without any partner to Him. Allah also took the covenant of the people of the scripture to teach one another such a duty toward Allah. Man forgets suffering by the Mercy of Allah, but one should not forget the responsibility to worship Allah and thank Him for every good event or grace. One should not forget resorting to Allah at disasters as one should thank Allah for any grace. Though, it is man’s nature to forget, intended forgetfulness is not a quality of the pious people.
Allah the Exalted says: “And (remember) when your Lord brought forth from the Children of Adam, from their loins, their seed (or from Adam’s loin his offspring) and made them testify as to themselves (saying): “Am I not your Lord?” They said: “Yes! We testify,” lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection: “Verily, we have been unaware of this.” (Surah Al-A'raf, 7:172)
And says: “(And remember) when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) to make it (the news of the coming of Prophet Muhammad salla Allah alayhi wa sallam and the religious knowledge) known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it, but they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gain! And indeed worst is that which they bought.” (Surah Ale-Imran, 3:187)
Whoever thinks that he gains graces by his own attempts and knowledge is wrong, one should not forget Allah in any grace or pleasure he realizes. Gratitude is due to only Allah. The more graces Allah bestows upon one, the more forgetful one becomes to thank Allah. One cannot avoid forgetfulness altogether, and a little forgetfulness is allowed as Adam alayhi al salam our father forgot and had been forgiven. So limited forgetfulness is inevitable and therefore forgiven but total or intended forgetfulness is not allowed. Though, Allah forgives if one repents.
Irritability and Discontent
The human being is both irritable and discontent by nature, equally in cases of good happenings or disasters. But if one is not a believer and lacks faith these instincts become very intense in him. When one feels discontented by a calamity he feels that it will never be over. Allah’s role is very often forgotten in such cases unless one is a real or true believer. On the same analogy, when one is rich and happy he may forget others and be miserly and more cautious. But only faith is the remedy is such cases. Faith that teaches him how to remember Allah and how to seek His help.
Allah the Exalted exempted the believers from these un-remembering people. He the Exalted says: “Verily, man (disbeliever) was created very impatient; Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; And niggardly when good touches him. Except those who are devoted to Salat (prayers).” (Surah Al-Ma'arij, 70:19-22)
“And those in whose wealth there is a recognised right. For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened). And those who believe in the Day of Recompense. And those who fear the torment of their Lord. Verily, the torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure. And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). Except with their wives and the (women slaves) whom their right hands possess, for (then) they are not blameworthy. But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. And those who keep their trusts and covenants. And those who stand firm in their testimonies. And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well.” (Surah Al-Ma'arij, 70:24-34)
One without faith is like a feather in a wind that blows it anywhere. He soon becomes irritable for an easy event, and takes to fear and exultance. A faithful man on the contrary would remain in a better position at disasters and would be patient because he believes that relief follows distress, and that Allah would reward him after any disaster if he became patient, even if he was affected by a thorn in his skin. A faithful man would also feel no pride if he is graced because he will soon remember Allah and show gratitude. A believer is always easy at heart, happy and mentally peaceful.
Faith is the key to any happiness in this world and the Hereafter. Disbelief is, on the contrary, is the key to every sadness in this world and the Hereafter.
The prayers the believer performs every day is a relation between the slave and the Rubb, it causes him peace of mind and self- satisfaction, strength and being steadfast in his faith. The continuous this relation is, continuous is the happiness and consequently the results go on, as “the best worship act before Allah is the one that is continued even if a little.”
In the wealth of the believer there is the right of charity which is due to the poor and others, so the believer does not feel happy unless he pays it off. He will feel contented and happy upon paying it because he will do it for the sake of Allah. By doing so, he will also feel happy when he makes the poor happy and will further continue doing good deeds.
Belief in the Hereafter makes one satisfied to do good deeds for the day of reward and abandon bad deeds not to be punished later. In this way he will be satisfied and content. Everyone who expects reward and fears punishment will be alert and cautious whenever he talks or acts or deals and will always follow the Scripture; the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah to get Allah’s reward.
A believer who commits himself to only his wife for sexual pleasure will be pure and healthy and no sins will be his as he will stop every violation in his *** relations. Such a believer will be happy and have a happy family compared to disbelievers who face problems and gain nothing, but sins, and diseases.
Allah the Exalted says: “And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect.” (Surah Ar-Rum, 30:21)
The affection and mercy found in such contented believer families makes them the ones who have the best manners and morals, they worship Allah and respect their marital and other relations such as those of their relatives and even servants. They even preserve their senses of hearing and sight and others, because sins can take away such graces as some sort of penalty. Believers who are contented are trusted for money, honour and dignity. Who betrays, even if trusted will not enjoy the ease and mental peace pious people enjoy. Who preserves such trust or grace will also enjoy reward later, and happiness in this world. If one is asked to give a testimony he should be honest enough to enjoy peace with his ownself.
Allah the Exalted says: “And those who stand firm in their testimonies.” (Surah Al-Ma'arij, 70:33)
And says: “And establish the testimony for Allah.” (Surah At-Talaaq, 65:2)
Who changes what he really saw when he becomes a witness in a case in court, will be sinful and cause corruption and unhappiness upon earth.
Penalties cannot be applied without fair witnesses and unfair testimony may affect justice adversely. As a result, social deterioration will take place. On the contrary, fair witnesses will facilitate justice. Pious people are the good members of society who perform the prayers having believed in the Oneness of Allah. Conserving the matters of faith will conserve every other duty, too. Who is not pious; having neglected Allah’s right will consequently be more apt to neglect his own rights and those of his relatives and society members.
Allah the Exalted says: “Who shall inherit the Firdaus (Paradise). They shall dwell therein forever.” (Surah Al-Mu'minun, 23:11)
(Continued)