Derived from the Lecture Series of Nokounam, (Session 1607)
The Holy Quran, like a guiding beacon, illuminates the paths of salvation and felicity for humankind, introducing concepts such as domination and the united ummah as two wings that enable flight towards justice and equity. Domination, understood as unlawful control and transgression over the rights of others, stands opposed to the united ummah, which symbolises unity, equality, and coherence. These two concepts, akin to two sides of a scale, steer the Islamic system from oppression and injustice towards fairness and restitution. In this treatise, relying on the verses of the Holy Quran, we examine these two fundamental concepts, exploring their diverse dimensions through a profound and structured lens rooted in Quranic teachings. The aim is to provide a precise and methodical elucidation of these notions, paving the way for a novel intellectual understanding of the Islamic social order.
The term 'Bughya' in the Holy Quran signifies unlawful transgression and domination over others. This concept, rooted in the desire for more than ones rightful due, manifests in individual, social, and systemic dimensions. Bughya, like a sinister shadow, overcomes justice and equality and diverts society from the path of fairness. The Holy Quran, emphasising the struggle against this phenomenon, provides strategies to prevent domination.
51 Surat Ash-Shura:
"Indeed, one of the two parties was about to wrong the other, so fight against the one that transgresses until it returns to the command of Allah."
This verse explicitly underscores the necessity of confronting the group that seeks domination and oppression. The preposition 'ala (upon) in this verse signifies supremacy and control over others, which in the divine order is condemned and prohibited. Here, bughya is likened to a blade that severs social bonds and leads society to destruction. Confronting this group is essential not only for preserving justice but also for restoring divine order to society.
87 Surat Yusuf:
"They said, 'O our father, what need would we have to take (anything) when it has already been returned to us? This is our merchandise returned to us.'"
This verse beautifully portrays the negation of any desire for domination in social relations. The sons of Jacob, emphasising ma nabgh (we do not desire), indicate that they have no intention to transgress the rights of others and seek only their legitimate due. This principle, like a star in the sky of Islamic ethics, stresses the importance of respecting divine limits in human interactions. The faithful society is one where each individual is content with their rights and refrains from dominating others.
17 Surat Al-Jathiya:
"Those who hinder from the way of Allah and seek to make it crooked while they are disbelievers in the Hereafter."
This verse associates domination with misguidance. Those who, through bughya and transgression, distort the path of truth are indeed turning away from the way of Allah. The phrase 'yabghunaha iwajan (they seek it crookedly) acts as a mirror reflecting efforts to distort truth and deviate from the system of justice. This deviation may appear as economic, political, or social corruption, leading society away from fairness and restitution. The Holy Quran labels such groups as misguided, whose denial of the Hereafter marks their path towards perdition.
44 Surat Al-Ma'arij:
"Indeed, many among the associates (khulata') wrong each other, except those who have believed and done righteous deeds."
The term 'khulata' in this verse refers to elites, aristocrats, or those close to power. If this group lacks faith and righteous deeds, they incline towards domination and oppression of others. This verse serves as a warning, presenting faith and righteous action as a shield against domination. A society whose elites pursue control over others rather than service deviates from justice and heads toward ruin.
88 Surat Al-Hijr:
"You have no authority over them except those who follow you of the deviators."
This verse, addressed to Satan, stresses the absence of unlawful domination in the divine order. Even the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) holds no dominion over the believers but is merely a guide. This principle, like a radiant torch, negates all forms of unlawful domination in the Islamic society and emphasises acting according to duty and principle. The prophetic system is one in which even the Messenger is tasked solely with guidance, not domination over others.
The verses of the Holy Quran portray domination as a plague threatening justice and fairness in society. Bughya, as unlawful control over others, manifests in various formsindividual, social, and systemicand leads society away from truth and justice. Verses such as 51 from Surat Ash-Shura, 87 from Surat Yusuf, 17 from Surat Al-Jathiya, 44 from Surat Al-Ma'arij, and 88 from Surat Al-Hijr underline the necessity to avoid domination and combat it. These verses serve as divine guidance, steering the Islamic community toward a just and transgression-free system.
The united ummah, like a garden blossoming with uniformly hued flowers, symbolizes unity, equality, and cohesion in the Islamic community. This concept, appearing in numerous Quranic verses, emphasises the absence of distinctions among individuals regarding rights and responsibilities. The united ummah is a society in which men and women, the poor and the rich, the learned and the common, all gather under the shade of monotheism and justice.
13 Surat Ash-Shura:
"Thus We have made you a just community that you will be witnesses over the people."
The concept of ummah wasat (a just or middle community) in this verse refers to a society that operates based on moderation, justice, and equality. This community acts like a mirror, serving as a model for other societies and overseeing the implementation of justice and equity. The just community, through unity and cohesion, paves the way for the establishment of a just system.
92 Surat Al-Anbiya:
"Indeed, this is your ummah, one ummah, and I am your Lord, so worship Me."
This verse portrays the unity of the Islamic ummah under the umbrella of monotheism and worship of God. The united ummah is like a river whose all branches flow from a single source. This unity provides the foundation for realising justice and equity and protects society from division and domination.
59 Surat Al-Imran:
"And let there be among you a group who call to goodness, enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong."
This verse emphasises the necessity of establishing a group within the Islamic community tasked with inviting to good, enjoining right conduct, and forbidding wrongdoing. This group acts as the firm pillars of a magnificent edifice, responsible for constructing just systems and preventing domination. Religious knowledge, as the guide for this group, must design frameworks such as fiscal, supervisory, and disclosure systems to curb corruption and transgression.
The achievement of the united ummah requires a system in which no individual benefits from illegitimate privileges due to connections or nepotism. A society where vast wealth is concealed in the hands of a select few and lacks supervisory mechanisms distances itself from the united ummah. This challenge, like a thorn in the foot of the Islamic community, hinders progress toward justice and equality. Religious knowledge must address these obstacles through the formulation of transparent and equitable structures.
The united ummah, as a divine ideal, delineates a society wherein equality and justice prevail
