Human Rights

Cont'd from page 2

Rights of slaves: Slavery was one of the worst happenings in history. Slaves were treated inhumanely and without any respect. It was a fact of life at the time of Quranic revelation. Hence the Quranic response was just the reverse of other civilisations. The freeing of slaves by one’s own will was the atonement of sins.

[4:92] No believer shall kill another believer, unless it is an accident. If one kills a believer by accident, he shall atone by freeing a believing slave…. [90:12] Which one is the difficult path? [90:13] The freeing of slaves.

Our potential can only be realised in a Divinely-ordained benevolent society. Ultimately, we are all responsible and answerable to God for our actions. We are directed to speak the truth and also to practice it. This way no one’s rights are dishonored.

The concept of human rights in Submission is so unique that it surpasses all geographical and racial boundaries and condemns all discrimination on the grounds of colour, caste, creed, region etc. Quranic laws have no parallel in human history as God’s grace and mercy clarifies our rights and obligations. These have been conveyed to humankind ever since the dawn of time.

Alim

Accountability

A few weeks ago, I realized my car needed new brakes and wiper blades.  By God’s will, it turned out that I had more money than I thought that month.  This reminded me of the verse which says [42:27] If GOD increased the provision for His servants, they would transgress on earth. This is why He sends it precisely measured to whomever He wills. He is fully Cognizant and Seer of His servants.

Thank God, I didn’t go on a large shopping spree; otherwise I would never be able to buy brand new brakes!  I realized the money wasn’t just there randomly; it had a purpose, and was perfectly measured for that purpose, a future payment.

It made me wonder, what are we paying for right now with the time, money, and energy that God gave us?  How badly do we need every second, dollar, and energy to be invested in the Hereafter? Does this mean we are responsible right now? By God’s Grace, of course, from the moment we wake up, we are “on the clock,” and there’s no getting it (all) back.

[56:86-87] If it is true that you do not owe any accounting— why do you not restore (your soul), if you are truthful?

We can ask ourselves:

Is my present buying my future (i.e., am I using every second wisely, remembering God)?

Is my energy invested in the right activities (i.e., are my priorities righteous)?

Am I using the money given to me by God’s Grace to seek the Mercy of the Hereafter?

In fact, we are all responsible for what we earn, and will be called to account at a predetermined time. 

[55:31] We will call you to account, O humans and jinns.

Every second we are given has its purpose, like the money I had to buy my car brakes. It is meant to buy something in the future.  For example, the time is meant to work righteousness to earn credits for the future,

or be worthy of God’s Mercy through Zakat, God willing. We will need all these deposits and investments in the Hereafter. 

[48:1-2] We have bestowed upon you (O Messenger) a great victory. Whereby GOD forgives your past sins, as well as future sins, and perfects His blessings upon you, and guides you in a straight path.

[36:45] …"Learn from your past, to work righteousness for your future, that you may attain mercy,"

[35:29] Surely, those who recite the book of GOD, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and from our provisions to them they spend—secretly and publicly—are engaged in an investment that never loses.

It starts the moment we wake up, we are on the clock, and it’s a countdown till the end of the day.  How many seconds have gone into remembering God, and how many were wasted?  How much energy did I spend worrying about worldly affairs, and how much did I spend on the real self?  How much money did I invest for my soul, and how much was wasted?

Knowing that every second, dollar, and ounce of energy is counted makes us realize that we need to invest EVERYTHING we are given in righteous works because time, money, and energy are limited.

[14:31] Exhort My servants who believed to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and to give (to charity) from our provisions to them, secretly and publicly, before a day comes where there is neither trade, nor nepotism.

[2:254] O you who believe, you shall give to charity from the provisions we have given to you, before a day comes where there is no trade, no nepotism, and no intercession…..

[42:47] You shall respond to your Lord before a day comes which is decreed inevitable by GOD. There will be no refuge for you on that day, nor an advocate.

May God keep us all cognizant of Him and constantly accountable to Him.

Abeer