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

Key Points

Surah Al-Ma'idah

Secrets Of Revelation

To avoid failure in the Hereafter purity is imperative. Disbelief is synonymous to the impurity of the heart. Each wrong act pollutes the heart until it stretches to disbelief. Now to keep the heart clean and free of impurities it is essential to keep the body also clean and to establish a relationship with Allaah^-SWT through worship, under all circumstances. To ignore the obligatory worship is like inviting death, rather it should be supplemented with voluntary worship and Zikr according to one's capacity. For the obligatory worship the body must be clean, and the ablution must be performed. When the time for Salat commences it becomes obligatory and so do the means and sources for its completion, for example, ablution, clean clothes, the place, the direction of the K'abah etc.

The ablution comprises washing the face and the hands upto the elbows, moving wet hands over the head and washing feet upto the ankles. These four are the obligatory elements of ablution, rest are either Sunnah or preferable. If a person is in the state of pollution, which demands the purification of the entire body, a bath must be taken. However, if one is travelling and there is no facility to take a bath or perform ablution, or is suffering from an illness which may be aggravated by the use of water, then Tayemmum is to be done. This is performed by touching clean dust with both palms, and then rubbing tangibly on the face, and repeating the action on both arms upto the elbows, starting from the right. This will act as the substitute for a bath or an ablution, as long as the afore mentioned pretexts prevail.

Allaah^-SWT does not wish to create difficulties for people, but the real aim is to purify the body. When people will worship Allaah^-SWT after cleaning themselves, they would attain the purification of the heart. This will enable them to absorb the Divine Lights and Refulgence. When the sun rises to spread light, stones are least affected, but as soon as a mirror is placed before it, it shines like a mini sun. Therefore, people must purify their hearts and adorn their breasts with mirrors, not stones, so that He may complete His favours upon them and they are able to thank Him. The capacity to thank Allaah^-SWT is by itself His reward. So people should always remember His favours and the pledge they have made with Him by embracing Islam. Once a person enters Islam, he in fact promises to obey and worship Allaah^-SWT, to listen to and execute His Commands with his heart and soul. The relationship with Allaah^-SWT must be very strong, and must stand above all other relations, as Allaah^-SWT knows the hidden secrets of the hearts.

In fact the entire structure of reformation is based on the protection of rights and the discharge of duties, the former being more important. But again it depends on the fulfillment of a duty called Shahadah or testimony. This demands an honest conveyance of the facts to the concerned authorities who largely depend on this information for arriving at the correct judgement. The testimony must be treated as a sacred trust, and must be passed on with honesty. The fear of annoying a person or a community should not deter anyone from being fair and just. Islam provides justice to enemies and friends alike. The Divine Command enjoins that even if one has to testify against one's own relatives, or even if the testimony goes against one's own self, the truth must be told. It has also been enjoined that no one, out of personal grudge or grievances, should testify against a person in a manner that may damage his rights by denying him justice. There have always been two barriers to justice. It is either the affiliations to or hatred for someone, which compel a person to give biased testimonies, whereas a believer must be above this. He should let his faith rule his emotions. Whatever he says should be only for the Pleasure of Allaah^-SWT, rising above personal prejudices. Scholars have included all forms of testimony under Shahadah such as a School Certificate testifying the qualification of a person, a doctor's Medical Certificate about the illness of someone and many similar matters in which decisions are based on testimony. A vote is also a form of testimony, whereby the voter endorses the suitability of the candidate for holding a public office. It is also a recommendation that he will discharge his duties honestly and faithfully and guard the rights of the citizens.

Now if a candidate proves worthy of his office and works honestly, each voter shall be a party to his noble deeds. On the contrary, every voter will have to share the consequences of the candidate's wrong doings if he is a corrupt person and unless Allaah^-SWT forgives us, we cannot escape it. We must repent and for the sake of our country and the welfare of our future generations, must always testify truthfully. Allaah^-SWT Commands us to do justice and not to lose hold, as it is closest to Taqwa. It means that the instant and the very first effect of Taqwa is justice and fair play. We must adopt Taqwa, as it is the desired goal of life. Our relationship with Allaah^-SWT must be strong enough to compel us to obey Him, and refrain from annoying Him. Remember that Allaah^-SWT is well Aware of our condition and none of our actions are concealed from Him. Those who accepted Islam, that is, corrected their beliefs and practices and adopted the path of righteousness, have been promised forgiveness and rewards by Allaah^-SWT. Their responsibility is to act in accordance with His Commands and the teachings of the Holy Prophet^-SW and to strive in His Cause. The fruits of these efforts are purely a gift from Allaah^-SWT, and it is His Promise that He will compensate for any human errors or short falls, as human beings are not perfect. Allaah^-SWT shall forgive their mistakes and shall shower them with His bounties beyond all proportions to their deeds. On the contrary, if, after the revelation of the Divine Book and raising of the Holy Prophet^-SW, someone opts for the wrong path and denies the Divine Ayat, he will be condemned to Hell.

O' Muslims! You must constantly remind yourselves of the favours Allaah^-SWT has done to you, for you were weak and oppressed by the Quraish, the infidels and the Jews. They had left no stone unturned to destroy you, but it was a Divine Favour that they were all disappointed and you were gifted with power, glory, and the rule over on empire. Now it does not befit you to be unjust and allow any greed or fear cause any hindrance to justice. Have faith in Allaah^-SWT, Who has protected you earlier. It is Him that believers must always rely upon.