Nafsiya Reflections: A Relationship with the Quran

Assalaam u alaykum

Welcome to today’s episode- a relationship with the Quran.

Muslims worldwide have a deep attachment and love of the Quran. It is a source of strength for many who recite it regularly and an aspect of the Muslim’s identity, as most children are taught to recite it from a young age.

However the recitation and application is more often than not limited to certain events. Around funerals its recitation is plentiful, and in some financial transactions such as an individuals’ ‘will’, the more observant Muslims may intend to distribute property “as per Shariah”.

However it is clear that generally speaking, the purpose of this revelation is still misunderstood, because emphasis is mainly placed on the lessons and knowledge for an ‘individual’ to gain and benefit from..or for one’s ‘own personal’ development or to increase in knowledge.. and literally for the enjoyment of its melodious recitation.

So much emphasis is given to upholding the obviously beneficial and enjoyable aspects of Islam like close knit family ties based on the Quran, and hospitality, congregational prayer and even memorising the Quran - whilst blatantly neglecting other actions and laws, like covering the awrah, segregation, and upholding the mindset of one Ummah over preference of nationality or secularism!

This picking and choosing based on an emotional connection to the Quran, may not even positively impact those closest to us, let alone solve the many problems the Quran is meant for. Every society upholds a collective set of thoughts, emotions and values... which are greater than any individual and his own effort.

This shared viewpoint is epitomised by a belief system or ideology, which oversees the populous by addressing the practical realities and scenarios that citizens live through, by way of laws and common values.

Today, Capitalism is the dominant ideology, it governs our lives, so, as Muslims it’s vital we understand Capitalism. Capitalism is a secular creed. It separates man’s practical life from being ruled by the Creator, and in doing so it makes man the sole legislator and sovereign through the system of Democracy. This means Man decides what is right and wrong.

Democracy enables secular rule to replace all Islamic laws, principles and values in the non Muslim and Muslim lands... Because societies are not simply a collection of individuals. Rather every society is based on common thoughts and emotions... and the specific laws and rules that govern any society are based on these shared ideals and values.

In the Muslim lands the love for Islam has been antagonised by the Capitalist system and Democracy, which is re-shaping the national identity. As is in the West, laws are now being derived in parliaments, and are based on western freedoms, which encourage individualism ...all so distant and opposed to the pure mentality of collective unity and obedience to Allah (swt) that we seek in all aspects of our lives.

The Quran is the speech of Allah, transmitted through the angel Jibril to Muhammed saws... Allah swt calls it a ‘dhikr’ and says

(اِنَّا نَحۡنُ نَزَّلۡنَا الذِّكۡرَ وَاِنَّا لَهٗ لَحٰـفِظُوۡنَ)

“We have guarded it from corruption” in Surah Al Hijr Aya 9.

It is a book to be recited and pondered upon, Tadab’bur causes the heart to reflect on its beautiful and miraculous language and lessons... with regular recitation the Quran gives joy to the heart and reveals its secrets and wisdoms to the worshipper who sincerely seeks to embody its rules. This embodiment cannot stop at the individual.

The true Muslim seeks to live by the Quran in his everyday life, be ruled by its divine laws and abide by its principles and values throughout his life.

The true Muslim seeks to make the Quran the arbiter in all his affairs, and seeks to solve the problems and issues his society and ummah faces, through its application.

As Muslims we cannot accept a partial love of Allah swt or His divine system - so we embrace the holistic implementation of the Quran, the Shariah laws, in the manner of implementation set out by the Sunnah of our master, Muhammed (saws).

The reality of living in a secular society, has affected the way we view the Quran. Rather than call upon it as a source of law, as exemplified by the mission of Muhammed (saws) and his companions in Madinah, when it was the source of all laws in society. This was from the time they entered the city, until the decline of the Uthmani era.

Today, the whole world is in a dire situation unlike any other time witnessed before. Whilst we have rhetoric and fiercy speeches by some Muslim rulers using references from the Quran, or their recitation of the Quran at events, they too fail to establish the real relationship the Quran demands.

Poverty, corruption, a lack of basic human rights, the foreign policies of every global player that are cruel and motivated by greed. These are very real problems that affect us all, and only when we recognise the Quran for the true purpose for which it was revealed, will we be able to change our situations, and tackle problems with divine solutions - which is guidance sent by the Creator.

In Surah Ibrahim verse 1 Allah swt tells us bismillah ir rahman nir raheem

(كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ لِتُخْرِجَ النَّاسَ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَمِيدِ)

“[This is] a Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that you might bring mankind out of darknesses into the light by permission of their Lord - to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy”

The Sahabah (ra) are our role models, and regarding the Quran it was their biggest source of joy. As is mentioned about Uthmaan bin Affan (RA), for surah al Baqarah, he read it, memorised it, acted upon it and implemented it, and taught it, over years.

Such sincere and meticulous study strengthened their relationship with Allah SWT and made the Sahabah the most outstanding personalities who didn’t separate the recitation from application. Just like the Sahabah understood the message of the Quran, we too must elevate our thinking, taking it further than the feel good factor.

The Quran being correctly understood means we should have a firm stance against secularism in the Muslim lands, and we should be clear about the dangers of Freedom,Democracy and Liberalism being exported to the Muslim lands by agent rulers, NGO’S and the global institutions, these ideas completely contradict the message of the Quran, with Allah as the sole legislator.

The correct relationship with the Quran is when the message of the Quran is used as THE only source of guidance and laws for our entire lives, whether personal or societal. We should all yearn for its implementation and strive for this reality. InshaAllah.

JazakumAllah Khairan for joining us..

wa’alaikumassalaamwrwb...