Preface
The Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path to human felicity and, through its eloquent verses, guides communities towards perfection and well-being. This treatise, reflecting upon the exalted Quranic conceptsparticularly those found in Surah l Imrn and other relevant chaptersexamines the notion of a positive society as opposed to a negative one. The core of this analysis lies in explicating purity, wholeness, legitimate joy, and the role of religious knowledge in directing society towards righteous action. The present work, with a profound view of the Divine verses and the traditions of the Infallibles (peace be upon them), endeavours to portray the true spirit of Islam in the form of a society abundant in love, cognition, and chastity. This piece, with an organised structure and eloquent language, elucidates key concepts such as purity and wholeness, critiques the culture of curse-centricity, elucidates Quranic joy, emphasises the necessity of dynamic fatwas, appropriate preaching, and the preservation of privacy, and proposes solutions for the reform of religious culture.
A positive society, like a verdant garden, flourishes with spiritual and moral purity and wholeness. This society, rooted in the teachings of the Holy Quran, is founded upon love, cognition, and righteous deeds and distances itself from suspicion, curses, and delusion. The Holy Quran repeatedly underscores the importance of Divine assistance and reliance upon God, praising a society in which hearts are illumined by the light of love and purity.
And victory is from Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (Surah l Imrn: 126)
This verse, like a star in the firmament of knowledge, emphasises reliance on God in the path to triumph and felicity. A positive society is one that, relying upon Divine aid, eschews hatred and suspicion, and advances towards perfection through love and cognition. In such a society, sending blessings upon Muhammad and his Pure Household (peace be upon them) acts as a healing remedy, curing spiritual and psychological ailments and bestowing vitality and legitimate joy.
Within Islamic culture, blessings (salawat) resemble a refreshing breeze that soothes hearts and eradicates spiritual maladies. This practice, described in the traditions as the supreme spiritual antibiotic, not only reinforces vitality and joy but also leads to social unity and the avoidance of discord. A society that, instead of cursing and invective, places blessings at its core preserves its spiritual life like a pure spring.
Summary of Part One
The positive society, relying on purity and wholeness, steers clear of suspicion and curses, advancing towards felicity through love and cognition. This society, rooted in the verses of the Holy Quran, is introduced as a model for a sublime life by promoting blessings and legitimate joy.
The negative culture, like a heavy shadow, weighs upon the spirit of society and, by promoting curses and invective, engenders division rather than unity. This culture, sometimes propagated in the name of religion, is incompatible with the spirit of the Holy Quran and facilitates the exploitation of the Islamic community by its enemies.
And do not insult those they invoke besides Allah, lest they insult Allah in enmity without knowledge. (Surah Al-Anm: 108)
This verse, like a clear mirror, forbids cursing and invective even towards non-believers. The culture of curse-centricity, prevalent at times in certain religious ceremonies, not only conflicts with the spirit of Quranic purity and wholeness but also leads to division and enemy exploitation. Rooted in suspicion and delusion, this culture pushes society towards conflict and fragmentation instead of unity.
The negative culture, intertwined with suspicion, delusion, and invective, originates from deviation from the true teachings of Islam. Sometimes reinforced by exaggeration in mourning and gloom-centricity, it contradicts legitimate joy and blessing-centredness. Religious knowledge, relying on the verses and traditions, must reform this culture and guide society towards love and unity.
Summary of Part Two
The culture of curse-centricity, which fosters division rather than unity, is at odds with the spirit of the Holy Quran. Religious knowledge should, by promoting blessings and legitimate joy, reform this culture and guide society towards purity and wholeness.
Quranic joy, like a blossoming flower in the garden of faith, is intertwined with chastity and cognition and is distinct from uncontrolled laughter or excessive gloom. This joy, rooted in Divine grace and mercy, leads to tranquility and human perfection.
Say, [In] the bounty of Allah and in His mercy - in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate. (Surah Ynus: 58)
This verse, like a clear spring, links joy to Divine grace and mercy, distinguishing it from material indulgence and licentiousness. A Quranic positive society promotes legitimate joy through smiling, blessings, and love towards Gods servants, leading to peace and perfection.
Quranic joy is neither like the unbridled laughter of non-Islamic societies devoid of chastity and cognition, nor like the extreme gloom prevalent in some communities, intertwined with delusion and suspicion. This joy, like a gentle light, brightens hearts and, with blessings and love, culminates in unity and tranquillity.
Summary of Part Three
Quranic joy, accompanied by chastity and cognition, guides a positive society towards perfection and tranquillity. Religious knowledge must promote this joy and prevent extremes of gloom or unrestrained indulgence.
Religious knowledge, like a steadfast bridge, must respond with dynamic and codified fatwas to the new needs of society. The absence of precise fatwas on novel matters leads to confusion and arbitrariness within the community.
And when there comes to them information about [public] security or fear, they spread it around. But if they had referred it back to the Messenger or to those of authority among them, then the ones who draw correct conclusions from it would have known about it. (Surah An-Nis: 83)
This verse, like a shining torch, highlights the importance of jurisprudential deduction by scholars. Religious knowledge must provide codified fatwas addressing new social, economic, and security issues to prevent arbitrariness and confusion.
The absence of codified fatwas on novel issues creates a vacuum within the Islamic societys structure, leading to arbitrariness and exploitation. Religious knowledge must,
