Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Fear of God and Command about Fasting

Fear of God and Command about Fasting

Surah ‘Al-Baqarah (The Cow) – Chapter – 2)
Stage – 1, Verses – 181 to 183 of 286, Sections –22 & 23 of 40 (Part - 2)


BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim
In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

181.  Then whoso changeth (the will) after he hath heard it-the sin thereof is only upon those who change it. Lo! Allah is Hearer, Knower.

182.  But he who feareth from a testator some unjust or sinful clause, and maketh peace between the parties, (it shall be) no sin for him. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 
181.  Famam-baddalahuu  ba’-da  maa  sami-‘ahuu  fa-‘innamaaa  ‘is-muhuu  ‘alallaziina  yubad-diluunah.  ‘InnAllaaha  Samii-‘un  ‘Aliim.

182.  Faman khaafa  mim-muusin-janafan  ‘aw  ‘isman-  fa-‘as-laha  baynahum  falaaa ‘isma  ‘alayh.  ‘InnAllaaha Gafuurur-Rahiim.


Lesson

In this verse, those people have been warned who were present near the individual who was going to die at the time of bequeath, that if they will make any changes in the Will of the individual, who has died, then its sin will be upon them. It is possible that some people may try to make changes in the Will for their own benefits and then producing the changed Will may fulfill their wishes. The ignorant people, who don’t know the facts will apparently consider it error of the individual who has bequeathed or the person who commanded decision on the Will that he has disinherited to a rightful person. This verse has cleared the compulsion of the both persons i.e. the individual who has bequeathed or the individual who commanded decision on the Will. And it has been told that the real guilty are those persons who have given false evidence and wrong testimony, and changed the Will, gave wrong statements and provided false proofs.

To change the Will, there is only one form mentioned lawful according to this verse that, if any individual feels that the testator has disinherited someone unjust or sinfully, and the bequest has been distributed unlawfully, guided against the Law of Lord Almighty or bequeathed with sin and unjust, for instance; he has bequeathed to spend the property for the purpose, which is legally forbidden, now in these forms, the witness and the judge are allowed to advice the heirs correctly, make peace among the parties, and get the Will be changed.
It shall not be sin for them. So it is found that the real thing is; the righteousness and the act of sincerity.

183.  O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that ye may ward off (evil)- 
183.  Yaaa-‘ayyu-hallaziina  ‘aamanuu  kutiba  ‘alay-kumus-Siyaamu  kamaa kutiba  ‘alallaziina  min-qablikum  la-‘alla-kum  tatta-quun. 

Lesson

‘As-Siyaamu – (act of Fasting, abstaining from eating and drinking for a particular time), this word is plural of Sawm (Fast). As per Divine’s law of the religion, act of Fasting means to abstain from drinking, eating and sexual friendship or enjoyment with effect from the dawn to sunset.

Fasting is prescribed for the Muslims during the month of Rama-dhaan. In the Sayings of the last Messenger of God Almighty (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) it has been emphasized again and again to be saved from the sins at the time; one is fasting, that is to say, back-biting, indecent talks, shamelessness, bad tempering etc.

It has been described in the physiology that the best treatment to remove the physical diseases is Fasting. In addition to it, self-control and military life grows in the human being. As though, the Fasting is spiritual remedy on one side, and to correct the physical powers and to cure the diseases on the other side. 

‘Alallaziina  min-qablikum – (the people before you), the Fasting has been found in every religion and nation of the world in any form. It had very special importance in the Divine’s law of the religions of Prophets Abraham, Moses, Jesus and other prophets (peace be upon them). So indicating towards the ancestors, God Almighty commanded that ‘Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you’. Intention is that the individual, who keeps Fasting, should abstain from fulfilling his lawful and physical wishes till a particular time.

La-‘alla-kum  tatta-quun – (so that you may ward off evil). God Almighty has commanded also even about the purpose of the Fasting, that is to say; the Fasting is hence prescribed, so that the filth and dirt of the spirit may be removed, the fear of God and the abstinence is grown. As physical health becomes fit due to abstinence from the use of harmful things, likewise; the spiritual ability of the human being develops due to abstinence from the entire injurious to spirit and morality habits. This characteristic is called ‘Fear of God’ and piety. Second purpose of the Fasting as mentioned in this Section is gratefulness, which will be discussed later in the forthcoming verses.

The Fasting is the best useful recipe for health and spirit, individually as well as collectively. We should perform this duty extremely with honor and punctuality. Apparently, there is much labor and difficulty in Fasting but if we see its advantages, we shall feel that these difficulties have no position comparing to its benefits.      

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)

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