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CommandsmentsfortheFormationofMuslim
Society
ByBrigGulzarAhmed

Introduction.
HejrahofMuhammadRasulullah(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)TheProphetofIslam,hasaunique
placeinthehistoryofIslam.TheMuslimCalenderstartsfromHejrahandisnamedaccordingly.Butfor
Hejrahthe"ConstructionofIslamicSociety",mayhavetakenadifferentandnotsospeedya
illuminatingprespectiveofHejrahwehavetogobacktoPreHejrahMakkanperiodduringwhichthe
Prophet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)andhiscompanionhadbeenreceivingveryhardandharsh
treatmentattheHandsofUnbelievingQuraysh,theleadingTribeofMakkah.Thiswasinspiteofthefact
thattheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)himselfbelongedtoarespectedhouseofthetribe.Wewill,
trytopresentabriefsummaryofthebackgroundtoHejrah.TheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)
hadangeredtheQurayshbecausehehaddeclaredthattheywereonthewrongpathforworshipingidols.
Mattershadreachedastagewhereabout72ofhiscompanionshadtomigratetoHabsha.IbneIshaq,one
oftheearliesthistoriansoftheperiodsays,"WhentheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)sawthe
afflictionofhiscompanionsandthoughheescapedbecauseofhisstandingwithAllahandhisuncleAbu
Talib,hecouldnotprotectthem,hesaidtothem,'IfyouweretogotoAbyssinia(itwouldbebetterfor
you)forthekingwillnottolerateinjusticeanditisafriendlycountry,untilsuchtimeasAllahshall
relieveyoufromyourdistrees'."
AlthoughtheMakkanspresecutedtheMuslims,theywouldallowthemnottoleaveMakkah,for
fearthatiftheysucceededinestablishingthemselvesabroadtheirwayofLife,ReligionofIslamwill
flourish,and"theirnumberswouldsogrowthattheywoulddestroytheauthorityofQurayshaltogether."
sotheytriedtobringthembackfromHabshabutthekingrefusedtohandtheMuslimrefugeesoverto
theMakkandelegation.WheneventuallytheHejrahtoMadinawasstartedtheMakkanstriedtostop
peoplefromimmigrating.
WhentheyfeltthattheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)mayalsomigratetoMadinathey
hatchedaplottokillhimwhenhecameoutofhishouseonthenextmorning.AllfamiliesofQuraysh
weretosendonevolunteerwhowouldstandguardoutsidetheProphet'(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)
(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)houseandthenonhisemergingfromthehousetheyallwouldshower
blowsfromtheirswords,simultaneously,sothatthemurderwouldbecommittedbytheQurayshasa
tribe.TheincidentisreferredtoinQuraninaVerseandinIbneIshaqonpage223.TheProphet(Sallala
oAlaiheWasallam)andhisclosestfriendAbuBakrleftthehousemiraculouslyinthatthemenguarding
thehousedidnotrealise.
Whenthenewsofhissafearrival,inspiteoftheirsearchingforhimenroute,reachedMakkah,they
wrotealettertoMadina.TheletterwasaddressedtoAbdullahbinUbbay,tellinghimeithertoexpelthe
immigrantsortokillthem.Iftheydidnotdosothey,theQuraysh,wouldattackMadina.Thisamounted
todeclarationofwar.AbdullahbinUbbaywasinclinedtoturnMuslimmigrantsoutofMadina,byforce
ofarms.TheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)approachedhimandexplainedtohimthatifhedidso
thebloodofhistribewillflowfrombothsides,because,Muslimmembersofhistribe,whowerequitea
few,willfightalongsidetheirMuhajirbrothers.Thetwonationstheoryhadcomeintoexistence.The
MuslimsconstitutedONEUMMAandtherestofhumanitytheotherUmmah.
AbdullahbinUbbaymusthaveaskedastowhowilldefendMadina,intheeventofMakkanattack.
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TheProphetmusthavereplied,"WetheMuslimswilldefendMadina."Asaresultofthisdiscussiona
meetingofentireMadinawasheldinwhichtheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)dictatedthe
documentknowninhistory,asMeethaqueMadina.Thishistoricaldocumentiscalled"Covenantwiththe
JewsandmenofMadina."TheheadingoftheDocumentisinthesewords.
"ThisisaDocumentfromMuhammadtheProphet(governingtherelations)betweenthebelievers,
MuslimsofQurayshandYathribandthosewhofollowedthemandjoinedthemandlabouredwiththem
6."whichwhenseeninthetechnicalmeaningof"JahaduMaahuu"meansthosewhofoughtJehad
withthem.TheJewsneverfollowedthemorlabouredwiththem.NeitherdidtheyjointheMuslimsin
Jehad.ThedocumentisthusnotatreatybutAcharter.7Itwould,therefore,becorrecttomaintain,that
theHejrah,resultedinthesettingupofafreeandsovereignState,knownastheStateofMadina,witha
properlyawardedConstitutionalCharter.TheotherresultofHejrahwastheestablishmentofasociety
knownasIslamicorMuslimSociety.Someoftheoriginalmembers,aminority,tobemoreparticular
hadmigratedfromMakkaandhadbeentrainedbyMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)withgreat
carebuttheywereforthefirstfewmonths,lessthanfiftyinnumber.Theestablishmentofthestatehad
comeaboutthroughtheacceptancebyall,includingtheJewsandtheMushriqeen(disbelievers)of
Madina.TheaffairsoftheStatewerepresidedoverbytheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)
personally.HisCabinetconsistedoftheCompanionsreferredtoinQuranasAhlalAmr(Menwith
authority)8.
Theestablishmentofsocietyproceededgradually,ItsauthoritywastheRevealedWordofAllah.
TheQuranandtheinstructiongivenbyMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)knownasAhadith.His
actions,thewayandmannerofdoingthingsishisSeerah,basedonQuran.TheformationofMuslim
Societytooktime,throughouttheperiodofhisstayinMadina.ItendedwithDivineWords:
ThisdayhaveIperfectedyourDeen(WayofLife)foryouAndhavechosenforyou
AsDeen(ReligionWayofLifeAlISLAM).
(AlMaeda5:3)
AlIslam.TheWayofLife,chosenbyAllahfortheMuslimscoverseveryaspectoftheirlives.Itis
thesumtotalofDirectives,CommandmentsandInstructionfromtheHighestAuthorityintheUniverse
TheCreator,ThesustainerandTheMasteroftheSayofResurrection.Hiscommandsarefinal.They
cannotbeabrogatedbecausethereisnoauthorityhigherthanHim.Theymakethesumtotalofthe
CommandswhichadduptothebringingaboutofindividualcharacterandcharacteristicsofMuslim
membersofAnIslamicSociety.
TheseCommandscovertheBehaviorofindividualMuslimswithoneanotherandtowardsthe
societyitself.TheycoverthebehaviourandconductofMuslims,withothers.Theyincludethesubjects
likepromises,factsandtreaties,thesaleandpurchaseofcommodities,theaffairsofmembersofa
family,thetreatmentofparentsbytheirchildrenandrelationsbetweenspouses.Theyareobeyed
becausetheyemanatefromthehighestauthoritytheCreatorofmankindtowhomweallareanswerable
forouractions.ThesystemoperatesorotherwiseontheFaith(Eiman)ofindividualmembersandtheir
AhlalalAmr,(MenwithAuthority),invarioussocietiesofMuslimsspreadoutalongthesurfaceofthe
Globe.WegivebelowasummaryofCommandmentsofAllahwhichadduptotheFormationofa
MuslimSociety.

MuslimSociety
MuslimSocietyiscomposedofindividualwhobelieveintheUnityofAllahasthesoleCreatorand
sustaineroftheworldsandpossessoroftheonlysovereignWillintheentireUniverse,Whoalonewill
holdauthorityontheDayofResurrectionandeverafter.
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Say:HeisAllahtheOne!
Allahtheeternally
Besoughtofall!
Hebegetethnot
NorwasHebegotten
AndthereisnonecomparabletoHim.
(AlAkhlas112:14)
IfthereweremorethanONEgodstherewouldcertainlyhavebeendisorder.Religionswhich
believeinmorethanonegodsarefullofstoriesofbattlesbetweenthem.Allahsays.
IftherewerethereinGodbesideAllah
Thenverilyboth(theheavensandtheearth)
HadbeendisorderedGlorifiesbeAllah.
TheLordoftheThrone,
Fromallthattheyascribe(LHim.)
(AlAmbia21:22)
HealoneistheCreatorandHecanbringaboutanythingatanytime.
AndHeitisWhocreated
Theheavensandtheearthintruth(withapurpose)
AndintheDaywhenHesaith:
Be!Itis(73)
HisWordisthetruth,AndHiswillbetheSovereignty
OntheDaywhenthetrumpetisblown
Knoweroftheinvisible.
Andthevisible.
HeistheWise,theAware.
(AlAlnaem6:7374)
Andthereisapurposeinthiscreation
Andhathmadeofserviceuntoyou
Whatsoeverisintheheavens
Andwhatsoeverisintheearth
ItisallfromHim.
Lo!HereinverilyareProtentsforpeoplewhoreflect.
(AlJathia45:12)
Thereisapurposebehindallthiscreation.Hegavetomantheknowledgeintheshapeofnamesand
propertiesofallthings:
AndHetaughtAdamAllthenames,
(AlBaqarah2:31)
And:
HeuntoWhombelongeth
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hesovereigntyoftheheavensandtheearth,
Hehathchosennoson
NorHathHeanypartner
Inthesovereignty.
Hehathcreatedeverything
Andhathmetedforitameasure
(qualities,charateristics,usesetc)
(AlFurqan25:2)
Andexpectsmantomakeuseofitbyfindingout"thismeasure"(HerekeepinmindVerse45:12)
AllahistheholderofultimatepowerintheUniverse.
All(power,command,decision)restswithAllahalone
HehasCommandedyouToworshipnoneexceptHim.
Thisisthefirmreligion,
Butmostpeopledonotrealise.
(Yusuf12:40)
AsocietycomposedofindividualswhosecenterofmentalandspiritualconcentrationisOneand
onlyOnebeingwhichisnotlikeanyotherhumanlyimaginablesubstance,arebynaturesocongenialto
oneanotherthattheycanbetermedassomanysoulsbutoneONEbody.Heis:
TheCreatoroftheheavensandtheearth
HehathmadeforyoupairsofyourselvesAndofthecattlealsopairs
WherebyHeMultipliethyou
NaughtisasHislikeness
AndHeistheHearer,theseer.
(AlShura.42:11)
Thedivisionofmankindintopairs,thenthefamily,thetribeandnationsaremeredistinctionsfor
knowingoneanother.Thecriteriaofexcellenceintheeyesofthecreatorisgooddeedsinaccordance
withHisCommandment.
Omankind!
Wehavecreatedyoumaleandfemale,
Andhavemadeyounationsandtribes
Thatyoumayknowoneanother,
Lo!Thenoblistofyou.
Inthebestinconduct.Lo!AllahisknowerAware.
(AlHajaraat49:13)
Therefore,ifyoubelongtopowerfultribeorastrongnation,donotbecarriedawaywithafalse
senseofpower.Manyanationappearedonthescene,gainedstrength,prosperedandthendisappeared.
Andhowmanyatownship
Storngerthanthytownship,
(Muhammad)
Whichhascasttheeout,
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HaveWedestroyed,
Andtheyhadnohelper.
(Muhammad47:13)
Andmoreoftenthannotthesetownshipsdestroythemselvesthroughtheirmisdeedsandrefusalto
liveaccordingtoAllah'(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)commandments,regardingahealthySociety.Allah
wouldhavepardonedthemiftheyhadrepentedevenatthelastminute.
Allahiskind,Merciful,ForgivingandMostBenevolent.DonotgiveupHopeinHim.
Say:OMyslaves
Whohavebeenprodigaltotheirownhurt:
DespairnotoftheMercyofAllah
Whoforgivethallsens.
Lo!Heistheforgiving,theMerciful
(AlZaman39:53)
HehasOrderedgoodnessandtruth.AddressingtheBelievers,inHim.HehasCommanded:
OYewhobelieve!
BeyestaunchinJustice,
WitnessforAllah
Eventhoughagainstyourself
Or(your)parents
Or(your)kindred
Whether(theaffectedisrichorpoor
ForAllahisneareruntoboththen(thanyouare)
Sofollownotpassion
Lestyoulapse(fromTruth)
Anifyelapseorfallaway,
ThenLo!
Allahiseverinformedofwhatyedo.
(AlNisa4:135)
Societiesdistintegrateoncejusticebecomesextinct.OnceJusticedisappearssocietyceasestoexist.
WhenawholecommunitybelievinginONEALLAHandobeyingHiminmattersofjusticeamongtheir
neighbours,whetherbelievingorunbelievingareboundtobringaboutanexemplarysocietyinall
respect.TothemQuranisFundamentalLawandtheycannotfloutLawOrdainedbyHimWhomthey
worship.AndmindyouthereisnothingunusualornewinQuran.ItcontainsinitwhatwasRevealedto
earlierprophetbuthadbeenforgottenormixedwithhearsay.AllahAddressingMuhammad(Sallalao
AlaiheWasallam)says:
Naughtissaiduntothee(Muhammad)
Savewhatwassaid
Untothemessengersbeforethee.
Lo!ThyLordisownerofForgivenessand(Heisowneralso)ofdirepunishment.
(HameenAllSajda41:43)
AndHeiskind,Benevolentandmerciful,Hedoesnotinflictpunishmentwherenot
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deserved
Whosodothright
Itisforhisownself
Andwhosodothwrong
Itisagainsthim.
AndthyLordisnotatallatyrant
ForHisslaves.
(HameenAlSajda41:46)
CrueltyisforeigntoIslam.Evencruelmenaretobeavoidedandshunned.HowcanaMuslimthink
ofhisLordbeinginclinedtocruelty.AdevoteealwayswishestobelikethePowerbeworship.A
believersinAllahwishestobecomeaxoacstlyasheimaginesHimtobe.
Thosewhodisbelive
Anddocruel(deeds)
Andhinderothersfrom
TheWayofAllah.
Theyverilyhavewanderedastray.
(AlNisa4:138)
Allahisfarfromcruel.ThosewhobelieveinHimshuncruelty.Itisonlythedisbelieverswhotendtobe
cruel.Thecruelhavenoshareinthefuturelife.TheyhaveerredagainstAllah'screation,menand
womenandtheywillbepunishedfortheirilldeeds.
Lo!Thosewhodisbelieve
Andarecruel
Allahwillneverforgivethem
NeitherwillHeguidethemontoaroad.
(AlNisa4:168)
Crueltyintheworldcanbedecreasedorcontrolledifnotcompletelyeliminatedifthosedesiring
loveandgoodnesstoprevail,remainofonevoice,irrespectiveofhowgreatstresshasbeenlaidonunity
andpeacefulrelationsamongMuslims.
Lo,keepyourdutytoAllah
Andadjustthemattersofdifference
AndobeyAllahandHismessenger
Ifyouarebelievers
(AlAnfal8:1)
Onlybyremainingunitedcantheybringoutahealthysociety.Withoutunitythereisnoforceeven
thoughthecallmaybeforthemostpiouspurpose.ThisVersehasbeenordainedforMuslimgroups
morethanforindividuals.Itwill,therefore,bebroughtunderdiscussionwhencollectiveaffairsof
Muslimsarebeingstudied,inalaterpublication.However,suchimportantaspectsoflifecannotbe
ignored.WehavebeenOrdainedtokeepremindingoneanotherofthesematters.
Andwarm(remind)
Forwarning
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(reminding)profitethbelievers.
(AlZariyat51:55)
ItwillbenoticedthatforcenturiesaffairsofMuslimgrouphavebeenignoredeitherwillfullyordue
tounwelcomesituations.Itistimethatcollectiveproblemsarenowbroughtforwardfordiscussions.We
inviteviewsonthissubject.
Oneofthecommonpracticesofinjusticeisregardingtheorphans.Allahenjoinsonbringingthem
upproperlyandwhentheycomeofagetheirshareofinheritanceshouldbehandedovertothem.
Withoutstrictobservanceofsuchpracticesfuturegenerationswillgrowupasdisgruntledcitizenandbe
thecauseofdisruptioninsociety.Ahealthysocietycanemergeonlywhenallsectionofpopulationfeel
thattheyreceivetheirdueshareinequitablemanner.
Keeptheorphansengaged(inwalksoflife)
Untiltheyreachageofmarriage(puberty)
Thenifyoufindthemofsoundjudgement
Deliveruntothemtheir(shareofthe)property
Anddevouritnotbysquandering(Anddonot)spenditinhaste(fearing)
Thattheymaynotgrowupquickly
Whoso(oftheguardians)isrich
Lethimabstaingenerously(fromtakingexpensesincurred)
Andwhosoispoor
Lethimtakewithinreasons(forguardianship)
Andwhenyoudeliveruptheirfortune
Haveit(thetransactionwitnessed
Intheirpresence.
AllahisenoughasaReckoner.
(AlNisa4:6)
Lookingafterandbringinguporphansisthetestofthesoundnessorotherwiseofasociety.Those
whobelieveinAlmightyAllahandfeartheDayofReckoninghaveitingrainedinthemtoshowextra
benevolencetoorphansandtheneedyandactaccordingtotheDictatesofAllah.
Andapproachnowealthoftheorphans
Exceptthatwhichisbetter
Tillhereachmaturity.
(Alinaam6:153)
ThisOrderisrepeatedinanotherAyahandinadditiononeisremindedofthefactthatwhena
personundertakestolookafteranorphanhedoesitunderanexpresswordoffaithandfulfillmentof
promisessoimportantforthehealthyupholdingofasocietyinwhichitsmembercantrustandplanon
thefulfillmentofpromises.ThisOrderisrepeatedinclearestpossibleword:
Approachnotthewealthoftheorphan
Exceptwiththatwhichisbetter
Tillhereachmaturity
Andkeepthecovenant
Lo!Ofthecovenantitwillbeasked.
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(AlAsraa17:34)
Imagineasocietyinwhichapromisedoesnotmatter.Howcantheaffairsofsuchagroupofperson
arrivefinalisation.Theaffairsofdaytoday,nayaffairsofmomenttomomentwillnotreachfinalisation
ifpeopleofthatgroupdonotabidebywhattheypromiseandarenotcertainthatpromisesbeingmadeto
themwillbefulfilled.Therearegravematters,andhavetobeapproachedassuch.
Nay,but(thechosenofAllahie)hewhofilfileth
Thepledgehehathmade
Andwardethoff(evil)
ForLo!Allahlovesthosewhowardoff(evil)
(AaleImran3:76)
AndagainHeCommandstoHisservants:
Oyewhobelieve
Fulfilyourundertakings.
(AlMaeda5:1)
Anidealsocietycanonlybecreatedwhenitsindividualstandbytheirwordasamatterofhonour
andlifeanddeath.Manisremindedthatinthelongrunewhofulfilshispromisesistheonewhoiswise.
Heestablishesareputationofbeingabovepettybehaviourandcanberelieduponatalltimestostandby
hisword
Onlymenofunderstandingheed.(19)
Sucharethepeople
WhofulfilthePacewithAllah
Anddonotbreakthecovenant.(20)
Allahcertifiesthatwhatevermanhasbeensayingwillbefulfilled.Upholdingofapromiseisa
Characteristicofthehonourable.PromisemadebyHimwillsurelybefulfilled.Hisservantsareexpected
tostandbytheirpromises.
Surelythatwhichyearepromised
Willbefall.
(AlMurselat77:7)
Oneformofpromisesiswhensaleandpurchasetakesplace.Thesellerundertakestosellacertain
weightorlengthofanitem,inreturnforacertainamountofmoneyinexchange.Ifheunderweighsheis
breakinghispromise.Wearetoldthatsocietiesinbygonedaysdisappearedbecausetheydidnotgive
properweightsandmeasures.AllahhasOrdainedinclearWordsofHis:
Andobservethemeasurestrictly
Neverfallshortthereoff.
(AlRehman55:9)
Andnevergiveshortmeasure,andshortweights
Iseeyouwelltodo(flourishing)
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Andlo!Ifearforyou(thewelltodoareapttogoastray)
ThedoomofabesettingDay.(84)
Omypeople!
Givefullmeasureandfullweightinjustice
Andwrongnotpeopleinrespectoftheirgoods.
Anddonotdoevilintheearth,
Causingcorruption.
(Hood11:84:85)
Ifwecorruptthesocietyitwillrepurcatebackonusinsomeformorother.Howshortsightedman
is.Hcheat'stobecheatedbyothersinreturn.HoweasyandsimpleisthePathofAllah.Ithasnoblind
corners.Itdoesnotleadtopetsandthornypaths.ItislightedbytheCountenanceofAllahHimselfif
onlywedecidetobeguidedbytheinnerlightlightbestowedbyAllahhimself
ButtoreachthestraightPathweneedBeliefinAllahthatHealoneisSovereignPowerinthe
universe,thatHisLawsalonebeobeyed,thatHisLawsaloneareeternalandthatHewellbetheMaster
oftheDayofReckoningwhichhastocome.Withoutbeliefmanisanemptyshell.
Thesearethepeople
WhoseHeartsfear
WhenAllahismentioned
Andwhateverbefallsthem
Theybearitwithpatience
Andwhoestablishprayer
Andwhospendofthat
Wehavebestowedonthem
(AlHajj22:35)
AndwhentheyspendofwhatAllahhasbestowedonthemtheydonotdiscardthevaluelessitems
butselectofwhattheylikebestinthenameofAllahbecauseAllahisMostbeautifulandgivestomanof
Hisbest.
Yewillnotattaintopiety
Untilyespendofthatw
Whichyelove
Andwhatsoeveryespend
Allahisawarethereof
(AaleImran3:92)
InanotherplaceHesays:
Andbebenevolent
Allahloveththebeeficent
(AlBabrah2:195)
BecauseHeisMostBeneficentHimself.AllahwillshowHisBlessingsonasocietyofbenevolent
menandwomen.
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Muslimshavebeentoldtowishoneanotherpeacewhentheyenterahouse.Itcreatesfriendly
feelingtowardsoneanother,Particularlybecauseitis"agreetingfromAllahblessedandsweet."
Whenyeenterhouses,
Saluteoneanother
WithagreetingfromAllah
Blessedandsweet.
ThusAllahmakesHisrevelationforyou,
Thathaplyyoumayunderstand.
(AlNoor24:61)
Whenoutofthehousetheyareequallyniceandfriendlytooneanother.Menandwomenalike.
Theyarepeoplewhodonotstareatpassersbywhethermaleorfemaleandtheywalkwitheyescast
down.Theyareadvisedtolookaftertheireyes,thewindowsofthesoul.
Tellthebelievingmentolomentogaze
Andbemodest.
Thatispurerforthem.
Lo!Allahisawareofwhattheydo.(30)
Andtellthebelievingwomentolowertheirgaze
Andbemodest
Andtodisplayoftheirornaments
Onlythatwhichisapparent
Andtodrawtheirveilovertheirbosom
(AlShoora24:3031)
ThecompleteAyahneedsattentiononthissubjectbothbytheholdersofconservativeviewsand
thoseholdingviewsotherwise.Itishoweverimportanttoseethatdifferenceofviewsistoleratedandin
discussionthedirectionscontainedinQuranareobservedsincerely.
CalluntothewayofthyLord
Withwisdomandfairexaltation
Andreasonwiththeminthebetterway
Lo!ThyLordisbestawareofhim
WhostrayethfromHisway.
AndHeisbestAwareofthosewhogoastray
(AlNahal16:125)
Humanbeingsareweak.Manhasgreatcapabilitiesbutattimesheshowsweakness.Hisweakness
mustbekeptinmind
Allahdesirestolightenyourburden
Formanwascreatedweak.
(AlNisa4:28)
Thereforemanhastoberemindedagainandagain.KeeppeopleawareoftheirdutiestoAllahand
tofellowmenandwomenbecauseafterbeliefitisactionsthatcount.
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Andwarn(remind)
Forwarning(remindingprofitsbelievers
(AlZariat51:55)
Theprophet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)wastoldthathisdutywastoconveytheMessageandno
moreHewasnottobeheldresponsibleforthemisdeedofpeople.
Thineisbutconveyance(ofthemessage)
Oursthereckoning.
(AlRaad13:40)
Dowerealisetheextentofreckoningawaitingus.
Allahdesirestheformationofawellknitandhappysocietynotthroughspeechbutthroughaction
HehaswarnedthatmereverbalacceptanceofIslamisnotenough.Hehasemphasizedactionas
"Righteousaction".Itisactionwhichwillcountatthetimeofreckoningandmerewordswillnotcount
unlesstheyhaveresultedingoodandrighteousactiononsomebodiespart.
Oyewhobelieve!
Whysayyethingswhichyedonot
(AlSaff61:2)
Thesocietyrevolvesonthepivotalpositionheldbyahousehold.Parentsarethevocalpointofa
family.Greatstresshasbeenlaidonduerespecttobeofferedtothem.Theemphasisonrespectof
parentscanbejudgedwithitsfrequenciesandthefarmingofthecommandment.Forinstanceitsays:
AndLordhasdecreed
ThatyeworshipnonesaveHim
And(thatyeshow)kindnesstoparents
Ifoneofthemorbothattaintooldagewiththee
Saynot"fie"untothem,
Norrepulsethem,
Butspeakuntothemagraciousword.(24)
Andloweruntothemthewingofsubmission
Throughmercy
Andsay,MyLord!
Havemercyonthemboth
AstheydidcareformewhenIwaslittle
(AlAsraa17:2324)
TheseinstructionsmusthavebeencontainedinearlierCodesofLawaswellbecausewithloveand
respectforparentsnosocietycancontinuehealthyandrobuststructure.Ifmankindhasdeviatedfrom
thisbasicprincipleitwillfindthatitisunhappytothatextent.Allahremindsinthesewords:
AndWeenjoineduponmankind
Concerninghisparents
Hismotherbearethhiminweaknessuponweakness
Andhisweaningfortwoyears
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GivethanksUntomeanduntothyparents
Untomeisthejorneying.
InboththeseCommandmenttheparentshavebeenmentionedalongwithprayerstoAllah.How
highthepositionandstatureofparentinasocietybasedonobeyiencetoAllahandrespectfullovefor
one'sparents.EvenifparentshavenotembracedIslam,duerespecthastobegiventothem.
ParentsholdaspeciallyreveredpositioninthefamilyandIslamordersMuslimstocontinuegiving
therespect,honourandlovewhichmankindhasrenderedthroughtheagesandrejectthefreeforalland
shortsightedungodlyphilosophiesofmodernage.
IslamwhichexpectsMuslimstopaybackevilwithkindnessandgoodcouldnothaveignored
advising,andinfact,orderingMuslimstoshowkindnesstoparentseventhoughtheymaynothave
acceptedIslam.
Repelevilwiththat
Whichisbetter.
Wearebestawarewhichtheyallege.(96)
Andsay:MyLord!
IseekrefugeinTheeFromsuggestionsoftheevilones
(AlMoemenoon23:9697)
Allahcommandsthatifyourenemiesdesistfrommischieftheyshouldbepardonedexcepthewar
mongerswhowereguiltyofcruelacts.
Iftheydesist
Thenlettherebenorevenge
Exceptagainstguiltyofcruelty.
(AlBaqarah2:193)
Inotherplace,addressingMuhammad,theProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)Allahhas
Commanded:
Andlo!Thehourissurelycoming,
Soforgive,OMuhammad
Withgraciousforgiveness.
(AlHajar15:85)
TheMuslimshavetoobeysuchanorderevenwithgreatercarethanifitwasgivenasageneral
orderandMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)wasnotdirectlyspecified.Andweknowthathe
forgavehisenemiesagainandagain.ThisthemeisthedominantthemeofQuran.AllahCommandsin
anotherplaceasunder:
Keeptoforgiveness(OMuhammad)
Andenjoinkindness,
Andturnawayfromtheignorant.
(AlAaraf7:199)
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Itclearlydenotesthatunkindness,mischiefandcrueltyaretheresultofignorance.Thedistinctive
characteristicofaMuslimsocietyshouldbelove,kindnessandforgiveness.Thesequalities,intheend
makeasocietywellknit,strongandleadingahappylife,andnotthelifeofignorance.
Thesearedirectionsfortheestablishmentofawellknit,friendlyandlovingsocietyformedby
uprightselfrespectingindividualswhoshuneviltopleasetheirLordandinreturnaregivencontented
happinessinthedaytodaylifeofthismundaleworld.Theinternalsmoothandpeacefulmorallifeofa
Muslimsocietyissoimportantthatitsindividualsareadvisedtoavoidgivingnamestooneanother
whichmayhurtthemintheslightest.
Oyewhobelieve
Letnotafolkdiride
Whomaybebetterthanthey.
(AlHajarat49:11)
Asocietywhichrelaxesitsholdonbehaviourofindividualsbecomesapreytosuspicionsresulting
inpettyquarrelsleadingtobloodshedandeventualdisruption.Itis,therefore,Commanded:
Oyewhobelieve!
Shunmuchsuspicion
Forsomesuspicionsisacrime.
Andspynot
Neitherbackbiteoneanother.
Wouldoneofyou
Lovetoeatthefleshofhisdeadbrother?
Andkeepyourduty(toAllah)
Lo!AllahisRelenting,Merciful.
(AlHajarat49:12)
Selfishnessandprideleadtosuchbasecharacteristics.Bothhavetobeavoidedifahappyand
contentedsocialstructureistoemerge.Highideals,freeofpettymindednessalonecanbuildaviableand
lastingsocialstructure.
ThefollowingVerseneedstobekeptinmindatalltime.
Omankind!
Lo!ThepromiseofAllahistrue
Soletnotthelifeoftheworldbeguileyou
Andletnotthe(avowed)beguiler
BuguileyouwithregardtoAllah.
(Fatir.35:5)
Because:
Everysoulwilltasteofdeath
AndyewillbepaidontheDayofResurrection
Onlythatwhichyehavefairlyearned
Whosoisremovedfromthefire
AndismadetoenterParadise,
Heindeedistriumphant.
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Thelifeofthisworldisbutcomfortofillusion.
QAaleImran3:185
Theevilspirit,Satanistheretomisleadonly.
AndSatanpromiseththemonlytobeguile.
(AlNisa4:120)
Manwillearntherewardofhisdeeds.Thereisnodoubtaboutit.Hemayhavebeenmadeoutof
clay,nodoubt,butthisisnottheendofhislife.Thesecondphase,themoreimportantwhenhetakes
positionbehindthecurtainofdeath.His"fairearnings",intheshapeofhowhehelpedingivingpeace
andhappinesstothesocietyinwhichhewasplaced.Thiswillbethecriteriaofjudginghisactions.Man
isexpectedbyAllahto:
Establishprayer,
AndpayZakat
Andwhateverofgoodyesendbefore(you)
Foryoursouls,
YewillfinditwithAllah
Lo!AllahisSeerofwhatyedo
(AlBakaral2:110)
Aquestionisoftenaskedastohowmuchdistributionofwealthmustbeundertaken.Aprinciplehas
beenestablishedthatwhathasnotbeenusedorconsumedforayearmustbesubjecttoZakat,whichis2
1/2%.Thismeansthatanomamentofgoldorsilverifretainedfor40yearsmustbesubjecttoitsequal
valuethroughZakat.Relicsofgrandmothersmusthavepaidmanytimestheirvaluewhenretainedfor
twoorthreegenerations.Similarlyquestionsareaskedastohowmuchshouldbespentforgooddeeds.
Theansweris.
Theyaskthe(OMuhammad)
Whattheyshallspend(Ongooddeeds)
Say:Thatwhichyespendforgood(mustinclude)
Toparentsandnearkindredandorphansandtheneedy
Andthewayfarer.
Andwhatevergoodyoudo
Lo!AllahisAwareofit.
(AlBaqara2:215)
Butyoudonothavetomakepublicknowledgeofthegooddeedsyoudo.Youareatlibertytodoas
youlike.
Ifyoudogoodopenly
Orkeepitsecret
Orforgiveevil,
Lo!AllahisforgivingPowerful.
(AlNisa4:149)
Gooddeedsaretobeencouragedagreatdeal.Asamatteroffact,atrulyMuslimsocietycomesinto
existenceonlyifeveryindividualmakesefforttosupportothersingooddeeds.
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Wealthandchildrenare
Anornamentoflifeoftheworld
Butthegoodswhichendure
Arebetterinthy
Lord'ssightforreward
Andbetterinrespectoflife.
(AlKahaf18:46)
ThetypeofactionsthatareprohibitedinanIslamicsocietyarethosewhichareliabletohurtothers.
Islam,asthenamedevotesmeanssubmissiontotheWillofAllah.AllahDesiresthatHisCreationof
Excellence,shouldliveinpeaceandcontinuetogainknowledge,particularlyknowledgewhichwilllead
tomasteryovermatter.Matter,infact,allmatter,hasbeenplacedathisdisposal.Itisforhimtoattainit.
Thiscanbeattainedonlywhenpeacereigns.
AllahitisWhohathmade
Theseaofservicetoyou
Thattheshipmayrunthereon
ByHiscommand,
AndthatyemayseekofHisbounty,
Andthathaplyyemaybethankful(12)
Andwhatsoeverisintheearth,
ItisallfromHis.
Lo!Hereinareportents
Forpeoplewhoreflect.
(AlJathia45:1213)
Thosewhodonotbelieveinthelifetocomeshouldnotbeignoredbuttheydeserveaprayerto
Allah,toleadthemtotherightpath.
Tellthosewhobelieve
Toforgivethosewhohopenot
ForthedaysofAllah:
InorderthatHemayrequitefolk
Whattheyusedtoearn.
(AlJathia45:14)
Butwhentryingtobringpeopletotherightpath,thosethathavegoneastray,rememberthatinthe
matterofreligion(Deeniewayoflife)nopressureorforcecanbeused.IslamisaWayoflife,complete
initself.Islamhastobelivedandnotmerelyacceptedverbally.Awayoflifewhichhastobeobserved
underallconditionsofwakingperiodofdayandnightcannotbeandshouldnotbeforcedonaself
respectinghumanbeing.WearetoldtoenterIslaminOnecompletewhole.
Oyouwhobelieve!
CameintoIslamcompletely
Andfollownotthefootsteps
OftheSatan
Lo!heisanavowedenemyofyours.
(AlBaqarah2:208)
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Whenentryintothiswayoflifeisacompleteentrythenitshouldavoluntaryentry.Hencethe
Commandment:
Thereisnocompulsioninreligion.
Therightdirectionishenceforthdistinctfromerror
Andhewhorejectethfalsedieties
AndbelievethinAllah
Hathgraspedafirmhandlehold
Whichwillneverbreak.
Allahishearer,Knower.
(AlBaqarah2:256)
AssuchwhatwouldbethebenefitofbringingpeoplebypressureandforceintoIslam.Thedecision
toacceptIslamasaWayofLifefortheremainingperiodofone'(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)existence
onthisplanetcannotbemadeasamatterofjest.Itisaseriousaffairaffectingeverwakingandsleeping
momentofaperson'slife.
Say:Lo!Asforme
MyLordhathguidedme
Untothestraightpath
Arightreligion,(wayofLife)
TheMillah(communitysociety)ofIbrahim(Abraham)
Theupright,whowasnotanidolater.
(AlAnaam6:162)
IneffectitmeansthattheLordhasguidedtheapplicanttothatcommunitywhichbelievesthattheir
LordissoMagnanimousthatforeverygooddeedherepaystenfoldandheissomercifulthatforbad
deedshepunishesonefoldandassuresthesinnerthathewillbewronged.
Whosobringethagooddeed
Willreceivetenfoldthelikethereof,
Whilewhosobringethanilldeed
Willbeawardedbutthelikethereof:
Andtheywillnotbewronged.
(AlAnaam6:161)
AssaidearlierthemanorwomanwhoelectstobeaMuslimsurrenderscompletelytoTheWillof
Allah.EverymomentofhislifeistobecontrolledandguidedbytheQuranicCode.HeisCommanded
tosay:
Say:Lo!myworshipandmysacrifice
Andmy(saytoday)living(theentirelife)
Andmydying(thecauseforwhichIwilllaydownmylife)
Are(all)forAllah,
LordoftheWorlds.
(AlAnaam6:163)
Aperson,whoacceptsIslamunderpressureorthroughfearofdeathwillnotbeabletostandupto
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thehardandrigorouslifeofaMuslimwhohastobeeverreadytomakesacrificesincludingthesacrifice
oflifesmilingly.
ThatpreciselywouldbethereasonwhytheProphetofAllah(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)agreedto
theclausewhichstipulatedthatifMakkanyouthwenttoMadinaandacceptedIslamwithoutpermission
ofhisguardianhewillnotbereturnedtoMakkahbutifaMuslimyouthofMadinaabrogatedIslamand
wenttoMakkahtojointheQurayshandlivewiththemhewillnotbereturnedtohisguardian.The
philosophybehindthisseeminglyderogatoryclausewasthataMakkanyouthwillremainaMuslimeven
ifhewastakenbacktoMakkahbyhisguardianandunderwentgreathardship.Asforasthecaseofa
MuslimyouthtakingprotectioninMakkawasconsidereditamountedtoacontradictioninterms.No
MuslimyouthwaslikelytoabrogateIslamandnonedidso.ThereforetheClausedidnotproveofany
advantagetotheMakkansandtheythemselvesrequesteditsremovalfromthePeaceTreatyofHudaybia.

Summingup
FormationofIslamicSocietybasedonQuraniccommandmentsofAlmightyAllah,wasundertaken
byMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)afterhemigratedtoMadina.Itisreportedthat,afterthe
conquestofMakkahandtheBattleofHunain,whensomepeoplethoughtthathemaymovetheHead
QuarterofhisStatetoMakka,heallayedtheirfearssayingthatMakkahasitsownimportancebutHijrah
hasspecialsignificanceintheschemeofthings(orwords)tothateffect).Thepointthatneedsbeing
broughtoutisthatinspiteoftheimportanceofMakkahandthefactthatQuranstartedbeingrevealed
whiletheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)stillresidedthereandthefactofconfermentof
Prophethoodinthatcity,thesocietybasedonDivineCommandmentswasestablishedpracticallyin
MadinaEventsofLifeofProphetMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)takeimportanceonlywhen
viewedinthelightofLawRevealedatMadina.IslamicShariahexceptBeliefinOneAllahismainly
confinedtoMadinaperiodandthiswefeelenhancestheimportanceofHijrahintheseerah"Life
History"ofMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam).TheLastProphetwhoputasealtotheCodeof
GuidanceforhumanityfortheperiodoftheirexistenceonEarth.Ifaquestionisaskedastowhatisthe
criteriaofanIslamicSociety,theansweristhatunlessasocietyinitscommunallife,followsthepattern
setbyTheSeerahoftheProphet(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)duringhislifeinMadina,asocietydoes
notqualifytobecalledMuslimsociety.
Itwasthissociety,createdbyMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)atMadina,whichborethe
burdenofalongdrawntotalwaragainstheavyodds.ItwasthemenandwomenofMadina,whoinspite
ofwavererslivingwithinMadinarosetotheoccasionandacceptedthechallengetomeettheQurayshof
Makka,inspiteofinferiorityinnumbersandnoweaponsworththename.
Itwasthemenandwomen,theproductoftheseCommandmentsofAllah,whowithstoodtheentire
ArmedforcesofArabia'sConfederacyandforcedthemtoabandontheirsiegeanddeparttotheirvarious
abodesspreadoutoverentireArabia.
Itwasasocietybroughtintoexistencebypeacefulpersonalexamplewhichborethefinancial
burdenofovernineyearswarandatthesametimecarriedontheburdenofinneradministration
throughoutthisperiodwithoutoneinstanceofcomplainingabouttherigorsofwartimescarcity.
BrothersandsistersthisisbriefsummingupofAllah'sCommandmentswhichwhenfollowedbringinto
existencethemannerofsocietywhichMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)wasabletocreate.We
needtoemulatehismethodsofpreaching,hismannerofapproachtocomplicatedproblemsandhis
lovingformofleadershipofhard,sincereandhonestmenandwomenofboththecityandthedesert.
LifeofMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)duringthetimethathebroughtabouttheIdeal
IslamicSocietyatMadinaisafascinatinglifestoryboundedbyCommandmentofAlmightyAllahboth
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duringpeaceandwar.Itisauniquelife,fulloflessonsfortherulerandtheruled,therichandthepoor,
thefarmerandthemerchantandtheteacherandthetaught.Wehopetobeputtingbeforeourbrothers
andsistersglimpsesofthislifeinourfuturesnumberswiththehopethatgroupsofMillahspreadalong
thesurfaceoftheGlobewilltrytoemulatethislifeofwhichhasbeensaidinQuran:
VerilyintheMessengerofAllahyehaveagoodexample
ForhimwholookethatAllah
AndtheLastDay,
AndrememberethAllahmuch.
(AlAhzab33:21)
NOTES
1. IbneIshaq,TheLifeofMuhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam),EnglishTranslationbyA
Guillaume,OxfordUniversityPress,Karachi,1968,p.146
2. Ibidp.221.
3. Ibidp.152.
4. Ibidp.213.
5. Ibidp.222.
6. Ibidp.231233.
7. ForaFullerdiscussionseeauthorsbook"Muhammad(SallalaoAlaiheWasallam)andhis
ConstituionalCharter".InstituteofIslamicCultureLahoreandPapBoardPrinters(Pvt.)Ltd.,
Rawalpindi.
8. SeeVerses.
9. Thissubjectwillbedealtwithingreaterdetailatanothertime.
IslamOnline!AcomprehensiveguidetoIslamiclearninghttp://www.barkati.net

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