The Holy Quran is a pure spring of guidance and a light that illuminates the path of believers towards spiritual transcendence. The luminous verses of Srah al-Anfl, by elucidating the attributes of true believers, offer a comprehensive blueprint for the life of faith. This discourse, through reflection on verses two to four of Srah al-Anfl, delves into the profound meanings of faith, worship, and spending.
In this endeavour, inspired by the lectures of religious scholars, an attempt has been made to clarify the Quranic concepts in a lucid and dignified language, while employing literary allusions and suggestions to portray the depth and beauty of these verses. The objective is to provide a holistic perspective on the traits of true believers who, not only in worship but also in spending from lawful provision, present a model for the good life.
إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ *
الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنْفِقُونَ *
أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقًّا ۚ لَهُمْ دَرَجَاتٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ
Translation: The believers are only those who, when God is mentioned, their hearts tremble, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely. Those who establish prayer and spend from what We have provided them. Those are the true believers; for them are degrees with their Lord, and forgiveness, and noble provision.
These verses, like a radiant lamp, illuminate the characteristics of true believers and open a path towards spiritual perfection for the servants. Subsequently, each of these characteristics is examined with profound and detailed scrutiny.
The noble verse begins with the phrase: Indeed, the believers are those who, when God is mentioned, their hearts tremble.
Heartfelt reverence is like a wave arising from the ocean of divine cognition, causing the believers heart to quiver. This trembling is not an ordinary fear, but originates from the comprehension of the grandeur and majesty of the Lord. The true believer, upon remembrance of God, experiences a profound sense of humility before His boundless greatness, and their heart becomes filled with awe and reverence.
Heartfelt reverence is an indication of profound knowledge of God that prevents negligence and guides the believer towards spiritual transcendence.
This reverence acts as a key that unlocks the locks of heedlessness and directs the believer towards a deeper connection with the Lord. This attribute is not merely an internal state but shapes all the believers deeds and behaviours.
The verse continues: And when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith.
The recitation of the Holy Qurn is like rain that irrigates the barren soil of the believers heart, causing their faith to flourish. This increase in faith is manifested not only in heartfelt belief but also in practical adherence to divine commandments and the deepening of religious knowledge.
Continuous recitation and contemplation of the verses serve as a mirror reflecting the truth of human existence and propel the believer towards spiritual growth. This feature emphasises the indispensable role of the Holy Qurn in strengthening the foundations of faith and invites the believer to reflection and meditation on the divine word.
The verse states: And upon their Lord they rely.
Tawakkul is like a firm support that the believer seeks refuge in during the storms of life. This trait signifies a heartfelt assurance in divine wisdom and power that liberates the believer from anxiety and dependence on anything other than God.
Tawakkul is a tranquillity arising from complete trust in divine providence, guiding the believer to live under the benevolence of the Lord.
The true believer, by placing reliance on God, entrusts all their affairs to Him and attaches their heart to no other plan except the divine will amid life's adversities.
The noble verse says: Those who establish prayer.
The establishment of prayer is like a pillar upon which the edifice of the believers faith stands firm. The word yuqmn emphasises the precise, continuous, and attentive performance of the prayer. This establishment is not merely the fulfilment of the ritual duty but its full observance with all associated etiquettes and conditions.
Prayer is like a bridge connecting the believer to their Lord, guiding them away from worldly heedlessness towards spiritual awareness and awakening. This attribute indicates the believers commitment to a continuous and loving relationship with God.
The verse states: And spend from what We have provided them.
Spending is like a branch of the tree of faith that bears fruit through generosity and service to Gods creation. The emphasis on from what We have provided indicates that spending must come from lawful provision sustenance granted by God and purified from any doubt of prohibition.
Spending from lawful provision is a sign of generosity and commitment to service, guiding the believer towards spiritual purity and divine blessing.
Spending not only meets material needs but also liberates the believers soul from stinginess and selfishness, propelling them towards spiritual elevation.
Provision is a divine blessing bestowed upon the servant through the wisdom and decree of the Lord. This provision is wealth acquired through lawful means and legitimate endeavour. In contrast, income may include unlawful wealth, such as bribery or theft, which lacks divine blessing.
The Holy Qurn, by emphasising from what We have provided, restricts spending to lawful provision. This distinction draws a clear line between financial purity and impurity, guiding the believer towards earning lawful sustenance.
Spending from unlawful wealth is akin to pouring filth into a pure vessel, which not only lacks value but also contaminates the recipient spiritually. Such spending will result in a severe complaint on the Day of Resurrection, as it places the recipient in a state of spiritual impurity.
Spending from unlawful wealth is not only worthless but also defiles the recipient and imposes heavy accountability on the spender in the hereafter.
The true believer, aware of this reality, refrains from spending unlawful wealth and only gives from lawful provision to others.
Unlawful wealth is like a poison that must be removed from society. It should either be returned to its rightful owner or discarded, not given to others. This act is not considered extravagance, since unlawful wealth lacks spiritual value.
Eliminating unlawful wealth is like cleansing the body of toxins, preserving the community from spiritual contamination and freeing the believer from eschatological responsibility.
The concluding verse says: For them are degrees with their Lord, and forgiveness, and noble provision.
Generous provision is a precious gem granted by God to true believers. This provision is not only lawful but accompanied by spiritual blessing and sweetness.
Generous provision is a blessing bestowed with ease and delight upon the believer, guiding them towards spiritual transcendence and the perception of unseen realities.
Generous provision envelops the believers soul like silk, elevating them from ordinary sustenance towards a sublime blessing.
Consuming generous provision is like a key that opens the doors of the unseen to the believer. This provision cleanses the heart and soul from material defilements and directs them towards receiving divine knowledge and perceiving unseen truths, such as witnessing angels and prophets.
This effect is like a light that dispels the darkness of the heart and guides the believer towards spiritual awakening.
In the lecture, a particular experience is mentioned wherein spending wealth on the needy led to the blessing of generous provision. In this experience, the mother of a late religious scholar was seen in a spiritual vision, adorned in silk garments within a sacred atmosphere, indicating the effect of spending from lawful provision in elevating spiritual rank.
This example serves as a mirror reflecting the impact of lawful spending in generating blessing and spiritual transcendence. Spending from lawful provision not only fulfils material needs but also guides the souls of both the giver and receiver towards perfection.
In public culture, spending from unlawful wealth, especially in gatherings and ceremonies, has become common. Foods prepared with unlawful wealth are like poisoned fruit leading to spiritual impurity. Such spending lacks value and contaminates the recipient.
This critique serves as a warning calling the Islamic community towards financial purity and spending from lawful provision.
If the recipient is aware of the unlawfulness of the wealth, they must not consume it. If unaware, no obligation rests upon them, although the effects of unlawful wealth may impact them. This point draws a clear boundary for ethical and legal responsibility in financial interactions.
The Holy Qurn is like a compass indicating the path of guidance. Although some religious sources are valuable, they may deviate from the Quranic principle at times. The emphasis on from what We have provided is an invitation to return to the Holy Qurn as the principal criterion in explicating provision and spending.
The Holy Qurn is the ultimate standard of guidance, and all religious knowledge sources must be interpreted in its light to prevent deviation.
This return is like a pure stream cleansing the believers heart from intellectual and practical impurities.
Verses two to four of Srah al-Anfl delineate a comprehensive map outlining the characteristics of true believers. Heartfelt reverence, increase of faith through the recitation of verses, reliance on God, establishment of prayer, and spending from lawful provision constitute the fundamental pillars of faithful belief. These verses invite the believer towards a life wherein worship and spending are intertwined, both emanating from purity and piety.
Generous provision is a divine promise granted to true believers, guiding them towards perceiving unseen realities and spiritual transcendence. Returning to the Holy Qurn as the primary source of guidance is the pathway to liberation from deviations and attainment of the good life.
