Righteousness
Continued from page 2
Obviously, maintaining one’s chastity is easier if the bosoms—not
the faces—are covered. In addition, God also commands the
believing women to lengthen their garments (33:59). and to maintain
modesty in general (24:60). However, the essence of discussion about
the “best garment,” as in the prohibitions, goes beyond
the mundane dress code:
O children of Adam, we have provided you with garments
to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment
is the garment of righteousness. These are some of God’s signs,
that they may take heed. (7:26)
As we learn from the Quran, Satan does not have any power over
God’s servants, those who worship God alone (38:83). The garment
of righteousness protects God’s servants from Satan’s
influence. Breaking God’s commandment results in removal of
one’s garment of righteousness, and the person falls prey
to Satan’s ever-eager hands. This is explained in the verse
immediately after Verse 7:26 quoted above:
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O children of Adam, do not let the devil dupe you
as he did when he caused the eviction of your parents from Paradise,
and the removal of their garments to expose their bodies. He and
his tribe see you, while you do not see them. We appoint the devils
as companions of those who do not believe. (7:27)
With all the above perspectives on righteousness,
it would be nice to know its clear description. As it turns out,
righteousness is a whole set of moral standards, as the Most Gracious
has defined in the following verse:
Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the
east or the west. Righteous are those who believe in God, the Last
Day, the angels, the scripture, and the prophets; and they give
the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy,
the traveling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves; and they
observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity
(Zakat); and they keep their word whenever they make a promise;
and they steadfastly persevere in the face of persecution, hardship,
and war. These are the truthful; these are the righteous. (2:177)
Dr. Gatut Adisoma
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