Life-Lessons: Juz 5

Bounties in the Obedience of Messenger of Allah 

Juz 5- Surah An-Nisa – Verse 65-70

An-Nisa is the Arabic word that means ‘The women’. Though the central theme of this surah is about relationships on humanity level and immediate kinship, it has many rulings and Islamic laws as well on social and domestic issues such as dowry, marriage, divorce, issues of inheritance, spouses, children, orphans, distant cousins, etc. that also involves rights of people, especially women.

For today, we have picked the following verses and will inshaAllah connect the message with our lives.

فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا

But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muḥammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission. (Surah An-Nisa: 65)

Allah SWT swears in this ayah that the faith of a person is incomplete until one makes Prophet ﷺ their judge/decision-maker. There are people who deny the validity of sunnah and that it is not binding. This ayah is so severe that Allah SWT took the oath “وَرَبِّكَ…By your Lord”, which endorses the sunnah as a condition to be a believer. Now put yourself here, and analyze your condition that whenever any issue comes up, do you look for a solution in the life of the Prophet ﷺ, or his sahaba? Then, do you agree with the verdict he ﷺ passed? Or you find them difficult to follow.

وَلَوْ أَنَّا كَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَنِ ٱقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ أَوِ ٱخْرُجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِكُم مَّا فَعَلُوهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ مِّنْهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ فَعَلُوا۟ مَا يُوعَظُونَ بِهِۦ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ وَأَشَدَّ تَثْبِيتًا

And if We had decreed upon them, “Kill yourselves” or “Leave your homes,” they would not have done it, except for a few of them. But if they had done what they were instructed, it would have been better for them and a firmer position [for them in faith] (An-Nisa: 66)

This ayah is a challenge to our Iman. Allah SWT said, if it is asked to you to stab yourselves or become homeless, many of the people would not do it. Many would say it is irrational to do. In other words, deniers will judge the ruling of Allah on basis of their intellectual. However, there are those believers who never question the commands of Allah whether they comprehend the wisdom in it or not. They pass the test by showing their unconditional reliance on Him. Just like the Muslims who migrated from Makkah to Madina and left behind their houses. Even, some of them had to leave their families. Whereas when Bani Israel was ordered to leave Egypt and follow Moses A.S, they were skeptical to follow, their reluctance was based upon the weakness in their faith.

وَإِذًا لَّـَٔاتَيْنَـٰهُم مِّن لَّدُنَّآ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

And then We would have given them from Us a great reward. (Surah An-Nisa: 67)

This ayah connects the obedience of Allah with Ajar-Azeem. A big reward in dunya and akhirah is for those who without any doubt choose the command of Allah and his messenger over their aqal (rational) and shahawat (desires). The biggest ajar or azeem ajar is in the form of guidance on the straight path – Sirat mustaqeem. 

وَلَهَدَيْنَـٰهُمْ صِرَٰطًا مُّسْتَقِيمًا

And We would have guided them to a straight path. (Surah An-Nisa: 68)

In Surah Fatiha, we asked for the guidance and the path of those on whom Allah bestowed His favors (Surah Fatiha: 6-7) and in the explanation of the next ayah, we learn how to be on the path of those who were guided and blessed with the favors of Allah.

وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَٱلصِّدِّيقِينَ وَٱلشُّهَدَآءِ وَٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ ۚ وَحَسُنَ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ رَفِيقًا

And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger – those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs, and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions. (Surah An-Nisa: 69)

Another reward in the obedience of Allah and His messenger is having the company of the best of the best people. There is a hierarchy in the ayah 69. Prophets are at the top level because they were tested with the most difficult circumstances, then comes Sideeqeen who accept the truth against all pressures, and after that are Shuhada who sacrifice their life for the commitment of the truth, and last not least Saleheen, the righteous ones. Notice a common quality in all of them, is obedience to Allah and His messenger. How many of us are craving for the company of such good friends, and life partners? Such awesome people are the source of comfort and their friendship provides peace and tranquility. All of these can be your rafiq if you submit yourself to the obedience of Allah SWT.

ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَضْلُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ عَلِيمًا

That is the bounty from Allah, and sufficient is Allah as Knower. (Surah An-Nisa: 70)

Imagine the company of the righteous, having a meeting with Prophets, what it would be like to enjoy their conversations, how serene the experience would be? The critical principle is to obey the path of the Prophet ﷺ in this journey of life, to attain the companionship of all these best people in the hereafter, it is beyond imagination. May He SWT grant all of us this companionship Ameen!

Life-Lessons

Islam revealed the laws of social justice and the rights of people. It is, therefore, built on sustainable changes in society and individuals. Look at the rulings in this surah alone. Unfortunately, many Muslim societies are not following Islam in totality. The majority is either concerned with the long beards, and veils of women, or focusing alone on the dress code. It is not deniable that these practices should be exercised but Islamic law requires implementation of them in totality in all aspects of life.

Furthermore, if Allah instructs something which doesn’t comprehend by our intelligence, we shouldn’t deny it. In reality commands of Allah are very wise and logical but regardless, those who have a deviation in their hearts, disobey and they try to find loopholes in the laws of Islam. When one chooses to disobey, it leads to sins one after the other. Don’t try to make something lawful that your heart desires. Reality will not change, unlawful will remain unlawful. For instance, a house bought from Riba (interest), shall remain unlawful and over that, if one is giving a home-warming party, subhanAllah it’s a celebration of the sin!!

Remember that twilling with legal principles is a matter of nifaq, hypocrisy. And munafiq lives in doubt, they are never able to choose one side. Whereas obedience increases the eman, an increase in eman makes it easy to follow the path of guidance. Sometimes we hinder ourselves by overlooking the underlined idea. At least give it a try, Allah knows what challenges you are facing. So, trust Him and take your first step. But don’t forget to cooperate with others on this path of obedience in doing good, inshaAllah help of Allah will be on your side!

Juz 1 – Evils of Pride  | Juz 2 – He is really near, Call upon Him | Juz 3 – Purity of Intentions

Juz 4 – The Burdens of Sins | Juz 5 – Bounties in the Obedience of Prophet ﷺ | Juz 6 – Be Just |

Juz 7- Beware of Shaitan’s Plan | Juz 8 – Heart Epicenter of Eman | Juz 9 – Dunya over Deen?? |

Juz 10 – Strive in the way of Allah | Juz 11 – Allah is All-Powerful | Juz 12 – Fruits of Patience |

Juz 13 – Peace in Remembrance of Allah | Juz 14 – Don’t be Distressed… |

Juz 15 – Being good to your Parents |Juz 16 – Acceptable Deeds | Juz 17 – Hold on to the Hope |

Juz 18 – Do not Waste your Time | Juz 19 – Family is our Comfort Zone | Juz 20 – Do all Duas get Accepted |

Juz 21 – Sabr | Juz 22 – Rizq | Juz 23 – Transformation | Juz 24 – Humans are Selfish |

Juz 25 – What Am I leaving Behind | Juz 26 – Evil Characteristics | Juz 27 – Racing Extra Milestones

Juz 28 – Best Gift | Juz 29 – Raghbah | Juz 30 – Criteria of Nobility