Concept Of Religion And Mankind (Part 1)
All mankind descended from Adam (AS), and Adam has a position of honor with Allah. All mankind is created to worship Him and Him alone. Being slaves of Allah constitutes the essence of mankind. Man cannot therefore attain to his true humanity and acquire peace of mind unless he realizes this aim for which he was created. From the beginning, when Allah created the heavens and the earth as well as Jinns and human beings, he clarified the wisdom of this creation by saying: ‘And I (Allah) created not the Jinns and the men except they should worship Me (Alone)’. (Surat Adh Dhatyat: 56)
Then Allah illustrated that whoever follows this Guidance shall never fear nor shall grieve, and whoever disobeys His commands indeed will be astray. Thus, when the first human being to be created (Adam: AS) disobeyed the commands of Allah, he was sent down from Paradise to earth. Adam (AS) asked Allah for forgiveness, and Allah forgave him. Therefore, Allah set man on earth and provided him with guidance as to how to live. The religion, which Allah has commanded mankind to follow, consists only of His words and the sayings of His Messenger Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Allah said, “Say (O Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam)): ‘Obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam)). “But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbelievers. (Surah Al-Imran: 32)
It has been narrated on the authority of Umar (radi Allahu anhu): “One day, while we were sitting with Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam), there came a man wearing a very white dress and having very black hair, without any signs of journey upon him. And none of us knew him. He approached until he sat before the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) with his knees touching the Prophet’s knees, and he placed his hands on his thighs and said, “O Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam), inform me about Islam. “Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) replied. ‘Islam is to bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah Alone and none else, and that Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is the Messenger of Allah, to offer As Salah, to pay the Ay Zakah, to observe Saum (Fasting) during the month of Ramadan, and to perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah for the one who can afford it.’ The man said, “You spoke the truth.” We were surprised at his asking and confirming at the same time. Then he further asked, “Inform me about Iman (Faith).” Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) replied, ‘Iman is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, Day of Judgement, and Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments, i.e., whatever Allah has ordained must come to pass) of all that is good and evil. He again said, “You spoke the truth.” Then he further asked, “Inform me about Ihsan (perfection).? ‘Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) replied. To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion, then you must consider that He surely sees you.” “He said, ‘Inform me about the Hour,'” he (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said. ‘The one asked has no more knowledge of it than the questioner.” He said, “Inform me about its signs.” He said, “(Its signs are): the slave girl will give birth to her mistress, and you will see the barefoot, naked, impoverished sheepherders competing with each other in tall buildings.” Then the stranger left. The Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) remained seated for quite a while, then he asked me, “O Umar, do you know who the questioner was?’ I said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, ‘That was Gabriel; he came to teach you your religion.” (Muslim)
Based on the above Hadith, the concept of religion can be classified into three fundamental aspects: Islam, Iman, and Ihsan. The meaning of each has also been fully defined through the questions of the angel Gabriel and the answers of the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam). In a similar context, the Holy Qur’an has categorized mankind into three classes. This is signified in Allah’s words:
‘Then we gave the Book (the Qur’an) for inheritance to such of our slaves (the followers of Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam)) whom we chose. Then of them are some who wrong their own selves, and of them are some who follow a middle course, and of them are some who are, by Allah’s leave, foremost in good deeds. That (the inheritance of the Qur’an)—that is indeed a great grace. (Surah Farir: Ayat 32)
Thus, the followers of Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) were chosen for the Book (the Qur’an). They were charged with obeying it and preserving and propagating its rules and regulations. However, it does not follow that they are all true and faithful to their charge, as indeed we see too painfully around us today. Hence, the Qur’an in the above Ayat classifies people of Islam into three main categories:
1. Some fall into evil, even though they are in the House of Islam. They fail to follow the Light given to them and thus wrong their own souls. This category, which is called the ‘Zalim,’ refers to the Muslims who do not fulfill the duties of faith.
2. Some follow a middle course. They perform all types of good deeds that Allah has ordained and abstain from all types of evil acts that Allah has forbidden. Their intentions and conduct are sound. However, they have much to do and much to learn about Islam and its virtues. This classification, called the Muqtasid, are the companions of the right hand (the Mu’minun).
3. The third class (the Muhsinun) is the foremost in faith. They worship Allah as if they see Him. They have reached the highest degree in spiritual understanding, such as the great prophets, teachers of religion, etc. Those who are the first in time, the quickest and readiest to accept Allah’s Message. Those who perform good deeds totally for Allah’s sake only, without any show-off, and they do them in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of Allah’s Messenger (SAW). They form an example to mankind, as they have reached the highest achievement: salvation. This class will be of those who are nearest to Allah.