Surah Al-Ma'idah, like a radiant jewel among the chapters of the Holy Qur'an, encompasses a collection of divine rulings and knowledge, each verse illuminating the path to human felicity like a guiding light. Verses 106 and 107 of this surah, with a focus on the rulings of testament and testimony, provide precise and profound injunctions concerning trustworthiness, honesty, and abstention from injustice and falsehood. This writing, relying on the lectures of a learned scholar, elucidates these verses and, with a profound perspective, explores their jurisprudential, ethical, and social dimensions. The objective is to present a text that, like a clear mirror, reflects the sublime Quranic meanings and, with a lucid and dignified language, guides seekers of truth.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا شَهَادَةُ بَيْنِكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ حِينَ الْوَصِيَّةِ اثْنَانِ ذَوَا عَدْلٍ مِنْكُمْ أَوْ آخَرَانِ مِنْ غَيْرِكُمْ إِنْ أَنْتُمْ ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَأَصَابَتْكُمْ مُصِيبَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۚ تَحْبِسُونَهُمَا مِنْ بَعْدِ الصَّلَاةِ فَيُقْسِمَانِ بِاللَّهِ إِنِ ارْتَبْتُمْ لَا نَشْتَرِي بِهِ ثَمَنًا وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰ ۙ وَلَا نَكْتُمُ شَهَادَةَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا إِذًا لَمِنَ الْآثِمِينَ
Translation: O you who have believed, testimony between you, when death approaches one of you at the time of bequest, should be two just men from among you or two others from outside if you are travelling through the land and the calamity of death befalls you. You shall detain them after the prayer and let them both swear by God if you doubt [their testimony], that we will not sell the testimony for any price, even if it be for a near relative, nor will we withhold the testimony of God; indeed, then we would be among the sinful.
Surah Al-Ma'idah, like a comprehensive book, presents doctrinal and practical rulings in a continuous manner, each verse connected to the next as a link in the chain of guidance. The verses under discussion, focusing on testament and testimony, emphasize the necessity of trustworthiness and justice in social relations. This continuity evidences the comprehensiveness of Islamic jurisprudence, which presents rulings within a coherent framework.
Human beings, whether believers or non-believers, due to their inclination towards personal interests, are sometimes led to falsehood and concealment of truth. This weakness, like a shadow over human nature, regards misplaced trust as ignorance. The Holy Qur'an, aware of this fragility, has legislated the rules of testimony to preserve trust and justice.
The verse begins with the address "O you who have believed," calling the believers to uphold justice in testimony. This address, like a divine summons, emphasises the believer's responsibility to execute rulings precisely. Faith is the key that opens the door to righteous deeds.
The verse mandates the presence of two just witnesses from among the believers for testament. The justice of the witnesses, like a firm pillar, guarantees the validity and trustworthiness of the testimony. This condition prevents distortion and misuse, keeping the testament on the path of truth.
In the absence of believers during travel, the verse permits the use of two others from outside the community as witnesses. This flexibility acts as a bridge overcoming geographical obstacles and making the execution of testament possible under all circumstances.
Death is described as "the calamity of death," a storm disrupting the order of life. Testament, like a shield, prevents the turmoil resulting from death and safeguards the rights of survivors.
If there is doubt about the sincerity of the non-believing witnesses, an oath after prayer is prescribed. This sacred time, like a sanctuary, strengthens the sincerity in the hearts of the witnesses and guarantees trustworthiness.
Witnesses must swear not to distort the testimony even if it concerns relatives and not to conceal God's testimony. This condition acts as a guardian protecting justice from the harm of personal interests.
Verse 106, with its complex structure and rulings, is like a puzzle requiring careful application. This complexity indicates the depth of its jurisprudence, considering various conditions and providing appropriate rulings.
فَإِنْ عُثِرَ عَلَىٰ أَنَّهُمَا اسْتَحَقَّا إِثْمًا فَآخَرَانِ يَقُومَانِ مَقَامَهُمَا مِنَ الَّذِينَ اسْتَحَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَوْلَيَانِ فَيُقْسِمَانِ بِاللَّهِ لَشَهَادَتُنَا أَحَقُّ مِنْ شَهَادَتِهِمَا وَمَا اعْتَدَيْنَا إِنَّا إِذًا لَمِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
Translation: So if it is found that they have incurred sin, then two others stand in their place from those who have suffered harm because of them, and they swear by God that our testimony is truer than their testimony and that we have not exceeded [our duty]; indeed, then we would be among the wrongdoers.
Verse 107, anticipating the possibility of sin on the part of the witnesses, like a just court, provides a mechanism for replacing sinful witnesses. This ruling preserves justice in testament and prevents the continuation of injustice.
The new witnesses must swear that their testimony is more accurate. This oath acts like a light dispelling the darkness of falsehood and restoring justice in testimony.
Falsehood, whether in believers or non-believers, is like a disease threatening human nature. This weakness highlights the necessity of caution in the selection of witnesses and the use of oath.
Personal interests, like a poisonous wind, drive humans toward falsehood and concealment of truth. The oath is instituted as a spiritual tool to combat this corruption.
Injustice and falsehood, like two ominous wings, are the primary roots of sins. Falsehood itself is a form of injustice that undermines justice in society. Avoidance of these two is like the key that opens the door to paradise.
Even injustice to small creatures such as ants and mosquitoes is reprehensible. This mercy, like a clear stream, demonstrates the greatness of Islamic ethics which respects all creation.
Efforts to exterminate mosquitoes using various tools is a sign of intolerance and is subject to criticism. The mosquito, with its brief lifespan, is like a guest deserving mercy, not wrath.
In the past, Gods saints sought refuge in mountains to avoid falsehood. This seclusion acted as a shield protecting them from sin.
Today, seclusion to avoid falsehood is difficult, as even in mountains misunderstandings may arise. This challenge, like a high wall, makes avoidance of sin more difficult.
The narrator recounts childhood experiences of eating grass and sleeping on trees or the ground. This simplicity, like a mirror, reflects the human connection with nature and critiques modern lifestyles.
Natural nutrition acts like a healing medicine preventing digestive ailments. Animals, relying on grass, are immune to such pains, whereas humans, with unhealthy foods, inflict suffering upon themselves.
The narrator, upon discovering a pin in food, emphasises the necessity of vigilance in daily life. This caution acts like a lamp safeguarding humans from hidden harms.
Making testament while in good health is like planning for an eternal journey, preventing reliance on witnesses at the moment of death. This independence frees a person from dependence on others.
Death, as an inevitable destination, removes human choice. Preparedness for it through righteous deeds is like a reserve ensuring success in the hereafter.
The prayer O God, purify me and lay me in the earth is like a cry from the depths of faith, reflecting the request for purity and readiness for death. This prayer guides humans on the path to felicity.
Formal testimonies in legal documents, like a plague, undermine trustworthiness. This act is a betrayal of divine rulings that mocks justice.
Verses 106 and 107 of Surah Al-Ma'idah, like two shining stars, expound the rulings of testament and testimony with unparalleled precision. These verses, emphasising justice, trustworthiness, and avoidance of falsehood and injustice, offer guidance for a faithful life. Critique of human weaknesses, advice for early testament, and attention to lifes details are among the key lessons of these verses. The narrators memories, with wise humour, stress simplicity and connection with nature, while critiquing the complexities of modern life. This interpretation, like a pure stream, presents Quranic knowledge to seekers of truth.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
