The Holy Quran, akin to a luminous beacon, reveals the path to felicity and guidance for mankind. Among its chapters, Surah Al-Maidah, with a monotheistic and ethical discourse, explicates the rulings and obligations of faith. Verse 89 of this Surah, which forms the focal point of this treatise, emphatically underscores the necessity of adherence to faithful covenants and the expiation for their breach with a clear and resolute language. This verse, resembling a mirror, reflects the relationship between man and his Lord in the light of monotheism and responsibility. The present work endeavours, through contemplative reflection on this verse and its profound analyses, to present its exalted concepts to readers in an eloquent and dignified manner.
لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ اللَّهُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِي أَيْمَانِكُمْ وَلَكِنْ يُؤَاخِذُكُمْ بِمَا عَقَّدْتُمُ الْأَيْمَانَ ۖ فَكَفَّارَتُهُ إِطْعَامُ عَشَرَةِ مَسَاكِينَ مِنْ أَوْسَطِ مَا تُطْعِمُونَ أَهْلِيكُمْ أَوْ كِسْوَتُهُمْ أَوْ تَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ ۖ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ كَفَّارَةُ أَيْمَانِكُمْ إِذَا حَلَفْتُمْ ۚ وَاحْفَظُوا أَيْمَانَكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
Allah does not take you to task for the unintentional in your oaths, but He does take you to task for what you have deliberately sworn. The expiation thereof is feeding ten indigent persons with the average of what you feed your own families, or clothing them, or the freeing of a slave. But whoever is unable, then let him fast three days. This is the expiation for your oaths when you have sworn. And guard your oaths. Thus Allah makes His signs clear to you, that you may be grateful.
Verse 89 of Surah Al-Maidah follows the discourse of this Surah regarding the believers, Jews, and Christians, addressing the topic of faithful commitments and the rulings of atonement for oaths. This verse serves as a bridge linking beliefs to actions and emphasises the importance of adherence to heartfelt covenants. Surah Al-Maidah, with its comprehensiveness, encompasses practical rulings as well as ethical matters; this verse, focusing on oaths as a manifestation of faith commitment, holds a distinctive position within this discourse.
The verse explicitly states that Allah does not hold accountable vain (idle) oaths. Such oaths, uttered in everyday speech without serious intent, fall outside the scope of religious responsibility. This divine mercy acts like a breeze relieving believers of the heavy burden of inadvertent mistakes. Conversely, serious oaths, sworn with heartfelt intent and conscious will, are subject to accountability. This distinction serves as a boundary line delineating ordinary speech from faithful commitment.
In the event of breach of serious oaths, Allah prescribes a threefold expiation: feeding ten poor individuals with food of average quality comparable to what one feeds ones own family, clothing them, or freeing a slave. These rulings serve as a ladder guiding man from transgression towards compensation. Should none of these options be feasible, fasting for three days is prescribed. This flexibility reflects divine wisdom taking into account the varied circumstances of the servants.
Ordinary commitments, such as everyday promises, are recommended (mustahabb) in Islamic jurisprudence and their breach is not sinful. However, faithful commitments, established through belief in God and the Messenger, are obligatory. This distinction is akin to separating a gem from a stone; faithful commitments shine like a jewel in the believers heart and their breach incurs divine accountability.
The Holy Quran recognises oaths as valid only when sworn by the Divine Essence. Swearing by others, such as the Prophet, Imams, or the Quran itself, lacks juridical validity. This emphasis acts like a banner raising monotheism in the arena of oaths. Although swearing by the Quran or the saints may be customary as a symbol of respect in some communities, it carries no legal standing and entails no expiation.
The culture of exaggeration, which emerged during the Safavid period in certain Shiite communities, led to beliefs such as swearing by entities other than God or making vows to saints independently of God. This deviation is like a dust settling on the mirror of monotheism, obscuring the truth of faith. Vows and oaths must be dedicated solely to God, with saints considered only as intermediaries for nearness to God.
The Prophet and Imams are righteous servants of God, whose value lies in servitude and obedience to the Lord. They shine like stars in the firmament of guidance, showing the way to God, but are nothing independent of Him. This viewpoint, like a pure stream, pours the truth of monotheism into the believers heart.
Seeking intercession through saints or even objects, if with the intention of drawing near to God, is permissible. Yet, absent God, no creation possesses intrinsic value. This principle acts as a root establishing the tree of faith firmly. The believer must, like a faithful spouse, bind their heart solely to God and direct all actions in accordance with monotheism.
Formalistic actions, such as participation in religious ceremonies for material gain, lack spiritual value. These deeds are akin to hollow shells devoid of the spirit of faith. A true believer, with sincerity and monotheism, pursues righteous deeds and avoids any form of ostentation and hypocrisy.
Service to Gods servants, owing to their relationship with the Lord, holds high value. This service functions as a bridge leading man to God. The believer, by aiding the needy, effectively seeks nearness to God.
Allah, through clear exposition of the verses, shows the path of guidance to the servants. This elucidation acts like a lamp dispelling the darkness of ignorance and illuminating the way of piety. Verse 89 of Surah Al-Maidah, with simple yet profound language, presents the rulings of oaths and their expiation so that believers may be guided towards righteous deeds.
The purpose of elucidating the verses is to foster gratitude and adherence to the rulings. Gratitude is like a flower blooming in the garden of faith, whose fruit is attainment of the Lord. The believer, by adhering to covenants and compensating for faults, attains eternal felicity.
For those weak in resolve, oaths act as a support urging them towards righteous deeds. This educational tool strengthens commitment, enabling man to remain steadfast on the path of piety.
Verse 89 of Surah Al-Maidah, by clarifying the rulings of oaths and expiation, emphasises the importance of adherence to faithful covenants and the preservation of monotheism in all aspects of life. This verse, like a mirror, places responsibility, sincerity, and monotheism before the believers eyes. The critique of exaggeration culture, the emphasis on exclusive oaths to God, and the recognition of the role of saints as righteous servants all contribute to the revival of a monotheistic life. This treatise, by articulating these concepts in an eloquent and dignified manner, strives to provide a clear path for understanding and practising this exalted verse.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
