| The
Straight Path (Islam)- The Way of God:Ibn
Kathir, (Vol-I, pp.83-84), quoting At-Tabari (1-170), and
Ahmad (4-182), gives following explaination of ‘Siraat’:
"As for the meaning of As-Siraat Al-Mustaqiim, Imam Abu
Jafar At-Tabri said: ‘The Ummah agreed that Siraat Al-Mustaqiim,
is the clear path without branches, according to the language
of the Arabs. For instance, Jafar bin A’tiyah Al-Khatafi
said in a poem: ‘The Leader of the faithful is on a
path that will remain straight even though the other paths
are crooked…’ The Arabs use the term, Siraat in
reference to every deed and statement whether righteous or
wicked. Hence the Arabs would describe the honest person as
being straight and the wicked person as being crooked. The
Straight Path mentioned in the Quran refers to Islam. (Here
it has been qualified with ‘Mustaqiim’, and further
defined positively and negatively, both, in the examples of
the successful and the failure, respectively, 1-6 &7.)..
Imam Ahmad recorded in his Musnad that An-Nawwas bin Saman
said that the Prophet said :
‘Allah has set an example: ‘a Siraat
( Straight Path ) that is surrounded by two walls on both
sides, with several open doors within the walls covered with
curtains. There is a caller on the gate of the Siraat who
heralds: ‘O people! Stay on the Path and do not deviate
from it.’ Meanwhile, a caller from above the Path is
also warning any person who wants to open any of these doors:
‘Woe unto you! Do not open it, for if you open it you
will pass through.’ The Straight Path is Islam, the
two walls are Allah’s set limits, while the doors resemble
what Allah has prohibited. The caller on the gate of the Siraat
is the Book of Allah, while the caller above the Siraat is
Allah’s admonishment in the heart of every Muslim.”
It is the line of conduct agreeable to human nature.
And there is no change in the course set by nature. This nature-compatible
conduct is basically demonstrated in the ‘surrender’
and ‘conformity’ to the laws of life set by God.
(30- 29 & 30)
The
Term ‘Path':The term Path has some clear
connotations:
(i) It is a functional and dynamic course, (ii)
It is transitory in character, (iii) It has a destination
or an end, (iv) It has signs, milestones and indicators, (v)
The route is clearly marked, (vi) The journey would be easy
if the experience of the successful is traced, (vii) It is
not endless, and (viii) At the end there is going to be accountability
of the steps taken on the way.
Standard
of Righteous Deeds:The standard of righteous
deeds must meet following two requirements: (i) Good intentions
must be only for the sake of Allah without show off, gaining
fame or praise, and (ii) Good deeds have to be in accordance
with Ad-diin al-Islam (Quran and Sunnah).
‘Ad-diin al-Islam’ based on the Divine
Revelation teaches to get rid of all aberrations and get on
the guided path of obedience to God and righteous
living. The Guidance on this path has continuously
been delivered through out the ages. Everything else, as man-made
‘religion', is mere conjecture and groupism, (3-19).
Inorder to sustain everything in the universe, a law for all
action has been prescribed to be obeyed as programmed, (3-
83). It is the only acceptable conduct, (3-85). It has been
prescribed to follow the Right Path in unison and part not
ways, (3-103, 3-105, 6-153).
Finding
and Following the Straight Path:One needs
to have faith in tools and technology, before everything else,
to be guided in the prescribed manner and method (right way)
of their application. The Quran identifies certain simple
but necessary steps in this direction.
Turning
to Allah, listen and follow that is the best:
“Those who shun false god, and fall not
into its worship,
And turn to Allah, for them is good news.
So announce good news to My servants.
Those who listen well to what is said, and follow
the best of it.
They are the ones whom Allah has guided, and they
are the people of intelligence.” 39-17 & 18.
Believe
with certainty and submit in humility.
“And so that those who have been given knowledge
will know,
it is the truth from their Lord-Master-Owner-Sustainer,
and believe in it,
and their hearts will be humbled to Him.
Verily, Allah is the Guide to those, who believe,
to Straight Path.”22-54
Institutionalise
and Universalise Complete Submission and Make No Divisions.
“Establish the Religion (Diin ),
and do not make divisions in it.” 42-13
Follow
the Advice
“..But if they had done, what they were
urged to do,
it would have been better for them, and far more
strengthening.
In that case, We (Allah) would have given them
an immense reward from Us, and
We would have guided them on a straight path.”
4-66 to 68.
Hold
Fast unto Allah
“Whoever holds fast unto Allah, has been guided to a
Straight Path.” 3-101
Ma’ruuf
and Munkar
In this Surah is the supplication for seeking
guidance on the ‘right path'. It is the course which
prescribes ‘Ma'ruuf' i.e., to act and universally enjoin
what is right and refrain from and prohibit what is wrong.
As a response the Quran clearly and categorically enjoins
and lays down parameters of ‘Ma’ruuf' (what is
well known) and forbids ‘Munkar' (that which can not
be accepted on all hands). Whatever differences among mankind,
but there are certain things which are ‘recognized on
all hands’ to be good and there are others which are
not accepted as good, e.g., all agree that honesty and truth
are virtues whereas falsehood and dishonesty are vices. Abu
Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) in his address on assumption
of office of Caliph, said: "O people, now I am elevated
as ruler over you, though not the best among you. If I do
good, support me; if I err, then set me right. To tell the
truth to the person commissioned to rule is faithful allegiance;
to conceal truth and to tell a lie is treason. In my sight
the powerful and the weak are alike. By Allah, he that is
weaker among you, shall be strongest in my sight, until I
have redressed his wrong; and he who is strong, shall be weakest
in my sight until he conforms to law and I have taken back
from him that which he has forcefully usurped." (Ibn
Ishaq)
The dos and don’ts (Ma’ruuf and Munkar)
have been clearly identified for which Criterion has been
provided for self analysis and understanding for safe and
successful journey.
“Say (O Muhammad): Come, I will recite what
your Lord-Sustainer has prohibited you from:
Join not anything in worship with Him;
Be good and dutiful to your parents;
Kill not your children because of poverty –
We (Allah) provide sustenance for you and for
them;
Come not near to shameful sins, whether committed
openly or secretly,
And kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden,
except for a just cause.
This, He has commanded you, that you may understand.
And come not near to the orphan’s property,
except to improve it,
until he (or she) attains the age of full strength;
And give full measure and full weight with justice.
We burden not any person, but that which he can
bear.
And whenever you give your word
(i.e. judge between men or give evidence, etc)
say the truth even if a near relative is concerned,and
fulfill the Covenant of Allah.
This, He commands you, that you may remember.
And verily, this is My Straight Path,
So, follow it,
And follow not (other) paths,
For, they will separate you away from His Path.
This, He has ordained for you,
that you may become Al-Muttaquun (the pious).”
6-151 to 153 ).
Ibn
Masud (May Allah be pleased with him) said:‘Whoever
wishes to ascertain the very will of Prophet Muhammad (Peace
be upon him), on which the Prophet (Peace be upon him) has
put his seal, let him read the Statement of Allah… (in)
6- 151 to 153’.” It has further been clarified
in examples of different people to remain obedient and steadfast
on the Right Path which is the only sure way to follow and
succeed, e.g.: 7-59, 2-131 & 132, 10-84, 3-51, 6-161 to
163. The Quran has clearly highlighted as to what are right
and wrong acts and behaviours. Requisite faculties and Criterion
have also been granted to facilitate recognition and differentiation
of these and conduct on the Right Path, with the promise for
expiation and forgiveness for those who fear and opt for and
act on the right ,e.g.: 2-256, 90-10, 8-29.
The
Right Choice:Consequences of both, good and
bad, are quite obvious to those who understand at least basic
things of nature. Incentives in the shape of rewards for making
right choice for righteous deeds and disincentives for disintegrative
and disruptive actions have been clearly presented in very
graphical accounts, in the Quran (the Diin).
Term is fixed for man on earth. It is no more
than a period of probation and trial which logically entails
‘accounting' for that period. If there was no ‘accounting'
of the allotted time and space, then ‘situationing',
‘positioning’ and ‘placing' of man and his
abode, habitat and resources (i.e. the planet itself) would
have been altogether in a different plane of existence scientifically
i.e., under different laws, physical and meta-physical arrangements.
But in reality, we live in a finite world. In its physical
frame, it is the world of cause and effect, each of which
has a proportion and measure.
Neither time, nor space, nor matter are unlimited,
independent and absolute co-ordinates of physical universe
in which we exist. Is it time which constitutes constraints
or limitations? But what counts time? Is it the beat of the
heart, the pulsating vein, the distance traversed in the space,
or matter and resources consumed, converted or utilized? Or
is it all these and many other factors, all together? It may
perhaps not be just one factor or it may completely be a different
‘control factor or central point’. Whatever the
exact answer, but the truth is that neither physical existence
nor resources are unlimited. Same may be explained for time,
as the created coordinate or quantity. Science is yet seized
with puzzling questions like, if or any,
‘time’ at the point of Big Bang. Anyhow, coming
back to the ‘allotted time or term fixed’ for
man on the planet, intellect and reasoning demand that there
should be the most optimal application of all that has been
provided for sustaining existence. It therefore demands right
choice and right action, otherwise the outcome will not be
optimal or the best. In the contrary situation it could be
minimal or even total failure.
There are many variables to deal with, innumerable
turns to negotiate and interactive forces with disruptive
dynamics. The choice is further constrained by limited capacity
of human mind and limited maneuverability of his physical
frame. The only and the best choice, therefore, is to get
on the already chosen and directed path, which can safely
and successfully ensure a ‘guided’ journey to
the destination. All forces which cause deviations, divisions,
breaks or breaches in the path are not safe to play with.
They are forces of disintegration and disruption. Only those
forces, that can converge and bring together dispersed humankind
on to a point, should be directed along the straight line
- it is obviously and scientifically the only logical and
reasonable choice. Allah has ordained the Straight Path: 6-153.
In wandering and taking wrong turns one always wastes resources
and energy and may not make any progress or even lose the
way or the destination altogether. Therefore, for all sure
progress and development, it is necessary to make the right
choice of the right way, in the right direction to the destination.
For
One’s Own Self and For One’s Own Sake
The Quran invites to do righteous good deeds
and abstain from evil for man's own happiness and salvation.
"He who doth right - it is for himself ;
and he who doth evil- it is for himself;
and thy Lord will not deal unfairly with his
servants. " 41-46
A Tradition
of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) states that:
"God says: ‘O My servants! ‘If
all those who are already born or will be born, and if all
humanbeings and all jinns should be as good as the most righteous
among you, their behaviour will not add a whit to My Sovereignty
over the world.
‘O My people! ‘In like manner, if
all those who have gone before, and those who will come after,
and all humanbeings and jinns should be as wicked as the most
wicked among you, their behaviour will not detract a whit
from My Sovereignty.
‘O My people! ‘If all those who have
gone before and all those who may come after you should assemble
at a place and each one of them should ask of Me a gift and
I grant the prayer of each, it will not lessen My store-house
of Mercy and Benevolence even to the extent of a single drop
taken out of an ocean.
‘O My people! ‘Remember it is your
own deeds over which, for your sake, I exercise control that
are returned to you. So whoever gets a pleasing requital for
his action, let him offer his thanks to God; and whosoever
receives an unpleasant requital for his action, let him blame
himself for it, and none else." (Muslim, Abi-zar).
Faith
and Effort
Although verse 1-6 is in form of a supplication,
but in fact, in the over all context, there is an ordinance
in the Quran to follow the Straight Path - as the only right
course, e.g.
“Verily, this is My (Allah’s) Way,
Leading Straight,
Follow it, Follow not (other)
paths:
they will scatter you about, from His Path.
Thus doth He command you, that
you may be righteous. “ 6-153
It also implies
beseeching for capability of understanding the right course
to the destination, necessary help to make it easy and support,
all along, to remain constant, with Mercy from Allah. It is
very important to note that instead of asking straight away
for the Paradise or any such thing, a request is made for
guidance and convenience in the affair. Usually out of ignorance
people pray in such a way that God may do everything for them
without their own effort or any endeavour. They should rather,
ask for help of Allah and His blessings in the course of their
affair and their outcome. This supplication in fact highlights
significance of endeavour in the course of life, importance
of life itself and its vitality, and above all, faith in and
hope with the Creator-Sustainer Himself.
"Say:
‘O my servants who have transgressed against their souls!
Despair not of the Mercy of Allah; for, Allah
forgives all sins.
For, He is Oft-Forgiving, Ever All-Merciful."
39-53
Such and many
other verses indicate that the Quran does not only rely on
punishment and warnings but instead basically on Allah's Municence
and Mercy. When the Quran reminds about retribution and requital
of wrongs committed, it is by no means a message of despair
undermining importance of hope for Allah's Mercy and Blessings,
which form foundation and basis of all existence. Hope and
contentment flow from firm faith in Allah.
Before one can take a practical step on the Right
Path, supplication in this Surah reflects his thinking and
desire for such a step. This is amply clear from this supplication,
that one desires and intends to initiate a course for which
he needs support and strength from Allah. Seriousness and
sincerity with the cause depends upon involvement in the spirit
and the very sense of the supplication, itself:
"Lo, Allah does not change the condition
of a people, until they change that which is in their
‘selves’" 13-11
This supplication,
particularly verse 1-6, is the first step to change one’s
condition of mind and be firm about the desire and intent
for changing other conditions, e.g., socio-politico-economic,
etc at individual and collective levels. The desired change
of condition depends upon the first change in thinking (thought
process) which further forms perceptions, outlooks, attitudes,
and behaviours. Looking at the rich content of Al-Faatihah,
it is quite sure to say that it prepares for a complete overhaul
and orientation of mind and mental makeup.
Constancy
On The Straight Path Needs Effort and Allah's Help
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:
"Istaqiimuu Walan Tuhsuu": “Be
constant. And you can't fully guard it".
It means we can't fully guard ourselves against
the rebellious forces without guidance and help of Allah.
The fact is that it is difficult to keep constant on the straight
path, all by oneself, as there are always and all the time
temptations, challenges, threats, attacks and fears from within
and outside. Therefore, one has to remain all the time on
guard while seeking guidance, protection and support of Allah
in his course of life. Constancy is the condition to remain
steadfast on the Straight Path. It is reported (Hadiith) that
Prophet (Peace be upon him) had said that Surah Huud (Surah-11)
and the like, demanded (commanded) more steadfast effort,
which had hastened the process of his aging. It is understood
that this refers to the command in verse 112 of Surah Huud
(Surah-11).
"So stand
you firm and straight, as you are commanded,
and those who turn in repentance with you, and
transgress not.
Verily, He (Allah) is Ever All-Seer of what you
do." 11-112.
(Mufridatul Quran, Imam
Raghib Isfahani).
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