^{Surah Name:} Al-Ma'idah ^Meaning: The Women

Key Points

Surah Al-Ma'idah

Secrets Of Revelation

Questions are asked in pursuit of knowledge, a pre-requisite for action, and to acquire knowledge one has to ask those who know. But useless probing and irrelevant questions are incorrect, particularly in a situation when the Qura'an is being revealed. Whatever be the question, an answer will certainly be given, and it is quite possible that the answering revelation may not be according to the desire of and as such not liked by the seeker. So it is better to ask only relevant questions which are necessary for guidance. Besides, the revelation of the Qura'an is confined to a specific period, which indicates that, after this, the Chain of Divine Revelation will discontinue, as the process of answering here has been specifically associated with revelation of the Qura'an. Once it is completed, though asking useless questions would still be undesirable, there will be no answers revealed any longer. This proves that after the Holy Prophet^-SW, whoever claims that he receives revelations shall be an imposter.

Now whatever has happened in the past must be forgotten as Allaah^-SWT is Forgiving, Clement. He is very Tolerant and none save Him could have had the patience to tolerate this creation, especially the people of today. The preceding nations also tried to probe aimlessly and ended up in disbelief by practising what Allaah^-SWT did not reveal, pretending as if it was from Him . He did not make any Bahirah, Sa'ibah, Wasilah and Ham etc. nor did He allow the practices associated with them.     

It is important to mention here that it is not wise to split hair with the Shaikh too, and whatever is advised must be practised in its simple meanings. Unnecessary probing may result in restrictions. For example, a Shaikh advises a seeker to recite Darud Sharif; so one must simply recite any Darud Sharif, as much as one can easily do. Probes like when, which one and how much will surely entail restrictions. Now if he does not abide by them it will not benefit him, rather he might go astray, like these polytheists who fabricate their own beliefs and act accordingly.

Bahirah was the mammal whose milk would be dedicated to the idols. Sa'ibah was animal let free in the Name of Allaah^-SWT, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Ham was a stallion camel who had mated with a certain number of female camels, and was also dedicated to idols. Wasilah was a dromedary, which had delivered continuously female offspring and never a male. The infidels were the fabricators of all such absurdities. Inviting restrictions through irrelevant questions, inventing rituals and then taking them as good, were certainly evil practices. The problem with the non-believers is that to prove the truth of their religion they often lie over Allaah^-SWT and it is indeed stupid. Wasn't their disbelief enough to invoke the doom that they went on to lie over Allaah^-SWT?

And when they are invited to the Din of Allaah^-SWT, asked to practise what is revealed in the Qura'an and follow the Holy Prophet^-SW, they say that they cannot possibly abandon the customs of their fore-fathers. For if they did, it would mean that their ancestors were ignorant and stupid. They may be asked whether their ancestors had a Divine Book or the teachings of a Prophet^-AS? And if they had, did they abide by those teachings? Two conditions have been laid down here for following somebody in belief and practice. It is surely not wise to follow every other person, nor is it justified to follow someone just because others are doing so. The first thing to do is to determine one's own aim and the destination. Once this is done, one should look for someone with the knowledge of the path leading to that destination. When this is assured, it must then be seen whether his destination is also the same as of the seeker. If so, there is no harm in following him. This is called "conformity" (Taqlid) or following in the footsteps of someone.

Those noble and pious souls who, within themselves, were institutions of knowledge and were on the most elevated level of practice; who took guidance from the Holy Prophet^-SW before taking each and every step; following them in pursuit of Allaah^-SWT's Pleasure is indeed conformity with Ai'mah. This is the criterion for leadership set by the Qura'an unlike the prevalent leadership which has contributed nothing save destruction, deceit, frauds and oppression to the nation. It is indeed a grave misdeed to elect ignorant and non practicing persons as the leaders of the nation; whereas the Qura'an declares uprightness, both in knowledge and in practice, to be the basic quality for leadership.

 It is obligatory for every Muslim to strive to his level best. After having put in his best efforts he should be at peace. If others still do not follow the right path, it is their decision. But the one engaged in this effort must himself remain steadfast and should continue to exert fully to be a source of guidance for others. If people do not listen to the truth, it is up to them, as everyone will indeed return to Allaah^-SWT for direct reckoning.

Life and death are closely inter-linked. If one approaches death he should bequeath in the presence of two responsible and honest Muslims, failing which, well reputed persons from other communities may also be taken as witnesses. Especially if one is afflicted with a terminal illness while on a journey he can make someone as his executor, preferably a Muslim. However, a non-Muslim can also be appointed and requested to convey his belongings to his heirs, who may distribute them in accordance with Shari’ah.

Now if a conflict arises amongst the heirs, they must produce witnesses who must be detained till Salat to take an oath after it or the claimant must testify. If the plaintiff is identified as heir in the light of Shari’ah, his due right should be given, he must take an oath. If he refuses to take an oath, the case may be decided against him. Or else the court may also decide to have on oath by the defendant. The oath must be made as fervent and impacting as possible. This fervour or intensity can be added to the situation by a choice of the place and timings. For example, he may be asked to take an oath after Salat, in ablution inside a masjid, failing which he will lose the case.

In short, two important matters discussed here are (1) that a Muslim who is about to die must, if possible, appoint an executor, upon such wealth or property which is not known to the heirs. This executor may be a non-believer, who is to deliver it to the heirs. If the executors are more than one it is still better. And (2); if the heirs have a dispute they must produce witnesses, failing which they must take an oath with full fervour as explained above. And always fear Allaah^-SWT, and do not forget that He does not allow the wrongdoers to receive guidance unless they renounce their misconduct. Unless one repents and mends his ways Allaah^-SWT does not force him into piety. In fact some of the sins are so grave that as a punishment, the sinner is deprived of repentance.