Part 3: Right knowledge should be transferred into right action
to produce the right result
IV. ACTION
Next to
knowledge comes action. Right knowledge should be transferred into right action
to produce the right result. Again and again no less than fifty times, the
Qur’aan insists upon the knowledge to be followed by action. Vide 9 : 5, 97 :
16, 21 : 45, 31 : 53, 19 : 46.
In brief, spiritual connections with the Supreme Being have to be
realized both inside the self and in the world outside. 52:41. The Supreme
Being is a permanent companion, and a sure help in emergency, if approached
aright. But men often mistake His help for apparent causes. “He is with you,
wherever you may be; and Allah sees what you do.” 7,4: 57, 3:6, 186:2, 49: 39,
33: 30.(verse: Surah)
There is a living relation
of love and liking between man and the Supreme Being, “Allah loves those who
turn much (to Him). Allah loves those who are careful (of their duty)”. 222: 2,
4: 9, 158:3, 145: 3. “Say (O Muhammad), If you love Allah, then follow me;
Allah will love you, and forgive you your faults; and Allah is Forgiving and
Merciful.” 30: 3. It would appear from this that Islam, despite its strict
discipline, is really a religion of love and mercy. In brief, one should
enquire and seek the company of those who are devoted to Allah; Beneficent is
most helpful even in this line. 59: 25, 28: 18, 69: 29. There is no place for
Mysticism in the teachings of Islam. The right word is ‘Sidq’ or Qur’aanic Truth
and the Associates are called Siddiiqiin
or Truthful.
Every action, however insignificant, produces a lasting effect, which is
somehow recorded somewhere. 10 : 82. “So who has done an atom’s weight of good
will see it, and who has done an atom’s weight of evil will see it.” 7 : 99.
Islam, being a positive and practical religion, makes due allowance for human
weakness, and is prepared to forgive the slips of weak moments, provided there
is no deliberate commission of serious offence. Moreover the formation of his
character begins at much earlier stages of creation. 32 : 53 “Allah does not
impose upon any soul duties and responsibilities beyond its ability to bear
them.” 286 : 2. Faults of action may be mended with the aid of knowledge. 54 :
6. but if a man positively rejects Truth and acts in his own way, without the
proper guidance of knowledge, his actions lead him to no satisfaction,
ultimately he is likely to be lost in bewilderment-a realistic description of
human floundering in ignorance. Vide 39 & 40 : 24.
V. ASSOCIATION
Islam aims to prepare man for a life of manifold association, and deprecates
the life of seclusion and isolation. It calls upon man not only to do his duty,
but to enjoy his rights as well; to live a social life, both responsible and
enjoyable. Islamic life is not idealistic at the expense of realism, nor is it
realistic to the detriment of idealism; but a happy blending of both, so as to
correspond to all the grades of human nature, and provide full scope for self
expression. With due regards to his extreme limitations, it chalks out the path
of eternal progress, from knowledge to action and from action to satisfaction.
Vide 1 : 95. Broadly speaking, the associations of man are four fold, A. with
the Supreme Being, B. with Nature, C. with Spirits and D. with Mankind; and the
Qur’aan has a definite code of guidance for each sphere of life.
1. A. WITH THE SUPREME BEING
First
human association with the Supreme Being is to be realized in actual life, and
not merely to be perceived in a world of contemplation. The associations should
be as realistic as those with our parents in general. “He gives me to eat, and
gives me to drink, and when I am sick, then He restores me to health”77 to
83;26, 200;2, 28:13. “And whoever turns away from My remembrance, his shall
surely be a straitened life.” 124:20. This is a deep psychological hint to all
thinkers, regarding the present paradox, dissatisfaction and dejection
prevailing in the very midst of riches and prosperity in the modern world. The
solution too is provided in the preceding quotation. We may also be attracted
to Him through our inner perception, which is either a gift or an Acquisition
vide 13:42, 20:51.
Copied by Muhammad Sharif from the HOLY QUR’AN transliterated in roman script with English translation by Marmaduke Pickthal, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar Lahore Pakistan
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