The Moral Values of The Qur'an
(01 - 04)
1. Just Estimation of Allah
The Qur’an informs us of the true attributes of Allah:
“Allah! There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permits? He knows what (appears to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He wills. His Throne does extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).” (Surat al-Baqara, 2:255)
“Allah is He Who created seven heavens, and of the earth the like of them; the decree continues to descend among them, that you may know that Allah has power over all things and that Allah indeed encompasses all things in (His) knowledge.” (Surat at-Talaq, 65:12)
However, most people not perceiving Allah as He is described in the above verses, cannot comprehend His eternal power and greatness. They believe in superstitions that they have made up themselves, and think that Allah is somewhere far off in the universe, and rarely interferes in “earthly matters”. The limited understanding of these people is mentioned in the Qur’an, in (Surat al-Hajj, 22:74). “No just estimate have they made of Allah: for Allah is He Who is strong and able to Carry out His Will.”
Having a thorough grasp of the extent of Allah’s power is the first link in the chain of belief. True believers leave behind them the distorted vision of Allah prevailing in their community, and deny these perverted beliefs by saying: “There were some foolish ones among us, who used to utter extravagant lies against Allah.” (Surat al-Jinn, 72:4)
The faithful believe in Allah in the way the Qur’an describes. They examine the signs of Allah in both external and internal worlds, and thus begin to understand the great art and power of Allah.
But if the believers happen to overlook Allah and fail to ponder deeply on Him and on His Creation, they may start to be influenced by immoral beliefs particularly at times of difficulty. Allah mentions this as a potential risk in the verse of (Surat Aal-e-Imran, 3:154), about the believers who gave up during the war, and “who were anxious on their own account, thought wrongly of Allah, the thought of ignorance. ”
A believer would never like to make such a mistake, therefore he should free his heart from everything that appertains to the beliefs of the ignorant, and accept this real faith with all his heart in the way the Qur’an describes.
2. Fearing Allah as much as One Can
To fear Allah is the beginning of all. The more one fears Allah, the more superior does one become in the presence of Allah. The Qur’an gives the examples of the prophets, with whom the believers can compare themselves so that they may understand that they really can increase their fear of Allah.
Allah wants people to fear Him to the greatest possible extent. Various ways of showing reverence for the Almighty can be found, for example; spending in Allah’s way, doing good deeds, taking the prophet as an example, obeying him, being attentive to the rules of Allah etc.
“So fear Allah as much as you can; listen and obey and spend in charity for the benefit of your own soul. Those saved from the covetousness of their own souls, are the ones that achieve prosperity.” (Surat at-Taghabun, 64:16)
“O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.” (Surat Aal-e-Imran, 3:102)
3. Destiny
Nothing in the universe is accidental. As it is stated in the Qur’an: “He regulates all affairs” (Surat ar-Ra’d, 13:2). In another verse it is said: “Not a leaf falls but with His knowledge.” (Surat al-Anam, 6:59). It is Allah Who creates and directs all the events; how they will begin and how they will end. It is again Allah Who determines every movement of every star in the universe, every state of every living thing on Earth, the way one will live, what one will say, what one will encounter, as expressed in the verses:
“Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainments of all things before their creation)” (Surat al-Qamar, 54:49)
“No misfortune befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees, before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah.“ (Surat al-Hadid, 57:22)
The believers should be aware of this great reality,and in consequence, should never act ignorantly as those who deny it. Having understood that life is just “following destiny”, they never become disappointed or feel afraid of anything. They become confident and firm as the Prophet Muhammad, who told his companion, “Be not sad, surely Allah is with us.” (Surat at-Tawba, 9:40) when the latter was apprehensive about being found in the cave by the idolaters who wanted to kill them.
4. Putting Trust in Allah
Since Allah is the only decision-maker, every happening is in favor of the believers: everything has been planned for the benefit of religion and for the believers' life in the hereafter. Believers can refer to their past experience to see that there is a good for them at the end of every event. For that reason, believers put their entire trust in Allah. He is the one and only Protector. What a believer should do is to behave as Allah wants him to: fulfilling his responsibilities but depending on Allah for the outcomes. The following verses express this mystery, which is unknown to unbelievers.
“... for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out. And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. Verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.” (Surat at-Talaq, 65:2-3)
“Say: ‘Nothing will happen to us except what Allah hasdecreed for us: He is our Protector: and in Allah let the believers put their trust.’” (Surat at-Tawba, 9:51)
What the believers should say to the unbelievers is also stated in the Qur’an:
“And why should we not put our trust in Allah while He indeed has guided us our ways. And we shall certainly bear with patience all the hurt you may cause us, and in Allah (alone) let those who trust, put their trust. (Surah Ibrahim, 14:12)
In another verse, it is said:
“If Allah helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in Allah (alone) let believers put their trust.” (Surat Al-e-Imran, 3:160)
