In The Name of Allah ..:: Commentary on the verse from Sura Al-Anaam ::..
قُلْ إِنِّي أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّي عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ Say: Surely I fear, if I disobey my Lord, the chastisement of a grievous day. (6:15) By Fatima Arooj Quran and Etrat Internet University Islamic Ethics Course Abstract: The article below describes a detailed look into the ayah displayed above. It was an attempt to understand the definition of fear as it was presented in the ayah, as well as to understand how can the Infallibles (PBUT) fear punishment if they did not commit any sins? We understood after performing such research that fear is not only a negative response, but one that can save mankind from various imperfections. Fear in a human being is indeed a self-building technique, and a method of Divine Guidance. Keywords: Fear, ayah, chastisement, Judgement Day, self building, disobey, Iman, Yaqeen. Introduction: The ayat presented above has many aspects, but the main theme presented in this article is fear of Allah. As human beings we respond through fear to many things, which can be seen in many examples. A child may show fear when he or she commits something wrong, and is confronting the parent. Sometimes we show fear towards signs of danger, sometimes when we get hurt physically, or even when we feel worried about an event in life for which we feel uncertainty. However, the Prophets (PBUT) and the Ahlul Bayt (PBUT) have also introduced a very different form and degree of fear to humanity, perhaps the kind of fear that the souls of humans always recognize, but when we are too involved in the materialistic realm, we are unable to understand this fear within us. That is the fear of Allah and His Punishment. One way that this form is present in our lives is through our very souls. We can call this fear the instinctive cry of our conscience. The Holy Quran states: “Then He inspired it to understand what is right and wrong for it.” (91:8) And also that: "Surely We have shown him the way: he may be thankful or unthankful." (76:3) Even before committing an action, we are given the ability to feel a sort of fear against any wrong or sin, and we at times do not understand what exactly is creating that fear, but it prevents us from taking an action. Sometimes it may be knowledge about a harm that might take place upon doing it, and at other times just an instinct telling us that this is something wrong. When we still commit an act, we harm that soul or conscience within us which was there to guide us away from the error. This example describes to us that fear is not always negative, and does not always have to occur when one commits some form of wrongful act. In fact, the Islamic System has guided us to a different form of fear that would instead protect us before we even go towards a sin. By understanding the above ayah, and the character of the Infallibles (PBUT), we can understand how to incorporate a positive aspect of this fear in our daily lives. Brief description of Shan e Nazool: This Surah was revealed in Mecca. At the time this Ayah and the surrounding Ayahs were revealed, some of the mushrikeen of Arab came to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and began to say: “O Mohammad, You have left the religion of Your nation, and we know that the cause of this is nothing but poverty. So we are present today so we can share our wealth with you, and make you very wealthy so that you show acceptance to our gods, and return to the true religion”. [Tafseer e Namoona, volume 5] At this time, the above Ayah, and the surrounding Ayahs were revealed: “Say: Shall I take a guardian besides Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth, and He feeds (others) and is not (Himself) fed. Say: I am commanded to be the first who submits himself, and you should not be of the polytheists. Say: Surely I fear, if I disobey my Lord, the chastisement of a grievous day. He from whom it is averted on that day, Allah indeed has shown mercy to him; and this is a manifest achievement.” [The Holy Quran, 6:14-16] First, the Prophet (PBUH) mentions to them the basic concepts of Tawheed. He (PBUH) states, how can I believe in your false gods, whereas My One Lord is the Originator of the heavens and the earth? All of us are dependent upon Allah, so how can you expect me to leave that for something that cannot help even itself. Afterwards, He (PBUH) reminds them that He (PBUH) was the first amongst all creation who submitted himself towards Allah. Then The Holy Prophet (PBUH) warns them about the day of Judgement, by mentioning that if I were to do that and become like you, then the punishment on that day will be severe. Infallibles (PBUT) were more fearful: The above ayats point to a very important fact and that is that the Infallibles (PBUT), The Prophets (PBUT) and the Imams (PBUT) all feared Divine Punishment more than anyone else. This is due to the fact that They had more knowledge of the Divine Punishment, as well as more marefat and nearness towards Allah (swt), due to which they were unwilling to go against any Divine Commands. Below are some examples of how and when the Infallibles (PBUT) expressed their fear. “O God, surely Thou wouldst seek me if I flee and catch me if I run. So here I am before Thee, abject, lowly, abased. If Thou chastisest me, I am worthy of that, and it would be, my Lord, an act of justice from Thee. But if Thou pardonest me, anciently has Thy pardon enfolded me and Thy well-being garmented me!” (Sahifa e Sajjadiya, His Supplication in Fear, Supplication 50) Let us examine what Imam Sajjad (PBUH) is stating here, and what message this gives to those seeking help through Him (PBUH) from Allah. Imam (PBUH) mentions that no matter what I do, I am in front of you Oh Allah, and if I sin, you would see it, and I would never be able to escape. I have no other means of protection, except from Allah. This is the state of a believer when he worships and fears Allah. He sees himself as being in front of His Creator. The more the Infallibles (PBUT) recognized the Greatness of their Lord, the more they began to debase themselves in front of the Lord. When they supplicated, it was a supplication filled with overflowing emotions of fear , love, and hope. In another supplication, Imam (PBUH) begins supplicating in the following manner: “O My Allah: Do not discipline me by means of Your punishment, And do not subject me to Your planned strategy.” (Dua Abu Hamza Thumali (ra), given by Imam Sajjad (PBUH) to one of his companions named Abu Hamza Thumali (ra)) He goes towards Allah in a state of fear asking for protection against immediate punishment upon sins (which no man can handle), as well as from carelessness resulting in punishment in the Hereafter. He (PBUH) described it in such a way that when a believer reads just this first sentence with marefat, their eyes become filled with tears. Similar was the condition of Ameer ul Momineen Imam Ali (PBUH), when he mentioned the following: “Lord! Thou art aware of my weakness to bear even a minor affliction of this world and its consequence and adversity affecting the denizen of this earth, although such afflictions are momentary, short-lived and transient How then can I bear the retributions and the punishments of the hereafter which are enormous and of intensive sufferings, of prolonged period and perpetual duration, and which shall never be alleviated for those who deserve the same as those retributions will be the result of Thy wrath; and Thy punishment which neither the heavens nor the earth can withstand and bear! My Lord! How can I, a weak, insignificant, humble, poor and destitute creature of Thine be able to bear them?” (Dua Kumail) Again Imam (PBUH) describes to us the seriousness of the punishment, and in that state of fear seeks protection of Allah. We know that the Infallibles never committed any sins, and yet they were so fearful of Allah’s Wrath that they stood awake in nights and wept in supplication. Then what should be our state, when we are sinful? Why are we not in that state of fear, whereas the Infallibles (PBUT) who are free from errors that fearful? The reason and basis of fear: Yaqeen 1. Understanding of Punishments The Infallables (PBUT) understood the punishments more than anyone else. I will quote a Hadith to provide one small example of the tremendous knowledge They (PBUT) held: "On the night of ascension (Meraj) when I was taken to the skies I decried a group of people whose bellies were being stuffed with fire. And the fire was spilling from their anal openings. I asked Jibraeel, who they are? Jibraeel replied, 'They are those who used to usurp the property of the orphans unjustly'." [Greater Sins, Ayatullah Dastaghaib, Chapter 8.] In this Hadith, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) clearly mentions his knowledge of the Divine Punishment of those who usurp the property of the orphans unjustly. He (PBUH) mentioned that He (PBUH) had seen them as they were facing the punishment. If we see a person involved in a calamity such as a traffic accident leading to someone’s death, it becomes something we will remember for the rest of our life, causing us to be careful in driving. Often times, we even hear about events in the television or news, and begin to take precaution about them. It is not us that are directly involved in something, but we may fear it due to our knowledge of the consequences. But the knowledge of the Infallibles (PBUT) was very extensive. They could see the punishments people of the past, present, and future would be involved in. Due to this, they safeguarded themselves, and also struggled hard to warn the Muslim Ummah from such actions that would lead to that punishment and calamity. 2. Understanding of realities of sin Not only were the Infallibles (PBUT) aware of the punishments, but also could see the reality of sins. A common example I have heard from a knowledgeable person in relation to this is that if a person knew that the drink they held was poison, would that person even attempt to taste it? Often times we see that we enter the door of sin by committing one small mistake or taking one small experiment of taste, which can afterwards prove to be deadly. It can also be understood that They (PBUT) understood exactly how disgusting and harmful a sin actually is. Again I will present one example from the Holy Quran and one from the traditions, which will clarify this concept. Imam (PBUT) says, "If drums and cymbals are played at one's house for forty days, Allah will impose a satan by the name of 'faqandir'. The satans will infiltrate into every cell of the person's body. With the spread of this evil, the person loses all sense of dignity and self-esteem. He will then not care as to what he says or what is said about him. Then, this satan blows into this person. As a result, he becomes utterly shameless. So mush so that he is not concerned or affected even if his women are dishonoured." (Wasaelush Shia) [Ibid, Chapter 15] Surely, listening to ghina music has negative effects on a person. Recently, even scientific research has shown that music can be destructive for the human nervous system. The Infallibles (PBUT) knew the hidden effects of music, and the way it will lead society towards corruption from the beginning. The knowledge of something infiltrating harm can create a sort of positive fear that prevents one from going towards the harmful things, which is why our Imam (PBUH) warned us to be alert in avoiding such sins. The Holy Quran also gives an example of those that do not believe, and mentions, “They are as cattle, nay, they are in worse errors; these are the heedless ones.” [The Holy Quran (7:179)] The worst form of sin is when we make sin into a habit, because when this happens we become heedless and no longer fear the effects of sins. The Quran clearly tells us not to enter such a stage, because if we enter it we would become like animals which are not always aware of the surroundings, and perhaps some of us may become worse than beasts. When we know about the effects of sin, we become disgusted by it and begin to fear making a mistake that would lead us away from the Mercy of Allah. Therefore, we remain away from sin. 3. Trust in Allah It was not just fear that prevented the Infallibles (PBUT) from committing sins. It was also the trust and nearness to Allah. As the ayats just before the one in the main topic mention, they understood that Allah was the Creator of everything in the earth and heavens, and was the only protection for them. How could they after knowing that seek to disobey their only true Protector? It is fully illogical, but unfortunately most of us fail to understand this as we commit mistakes and sins. The Infallibles, however, were the true believers who had sincerity of faith as well as strength in belief. Their love towards Allah was so real that it allowed them to see the things hidden from the rest of creation. Conclusions: Their (PBUT) fear as guidance for the rest: As a final point, I would like to comment that the fear present in the Infallibles (PBUT) towards Divine Punishment, and the way it was presented was not just a fear for themselves. It is not possible that personalities like The Holy Prophet (PBUH) and His Pure Progeny commit sin, so how can it be possible for them to enter any form of Divine Punishment (Astaghfirullah). Yet when we look towards them, we see such fear that even the surroundings begin to shed tears and tremble in fear. This was yet another method through which Our Lord Most High has guided us. Since we are too errorful to understand the essence of Tawheed to its fullness, Allah (SWT) has allowed us to understand through the Infallibles (PBUT). When we hear Them (PBUT) we should also gain understanding of the depths of belief, the severity of the punishments, the peace in being under the Mercy of Allah. We also begin to shake upon reading simple duas that They (PBUT) have provided us with [Dua e Kumail, Duas in Sahifa e Kamila, etc.]. This in turn helps us to gain nearness to Allah and becomes a method of guidance for us. References: The Holy Quran (91:8) The Holy Quran (76:3) Tafseer e Namoona, volume 5 Sahifa e Sajjadiya, His Supplication in Fear, Supplication 50. Dua Abu Hamza Thumali (ra), given by Imam Sajjad (PBUH) to one of his companions named Abu Hamza Thumali (ra). Dua Kumail Greater Sins, Ayatullah Dastaghaib, Chapter 8. Ibid, Chapter 15 The Holy Quran (7:179) Dua e Kumail, Duas in Sahifa e Kamila, etc. http://university.etrat.net/pdf/signature.png -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "shiagroup" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/shiagroup?hl=en.
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