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--- Issue: "410" Section: ID: "4" SName: "General" url: "general" SOrder: "1" Content: "\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n
Living \r\n the Quran

Az-Zukhruf \r\n (Ornaments)
\r\n Chapter 43: Verse 84

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God's \r\n Sovereignty
\r\n \"He alone is the Sovereign \r\n of the Heavens and the Earth; ; and He is Full of Wisdom and Knowledge.\"

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Once people set themselves free from the influence of false \r\n gods, a huge amount of energy becomes available for constructive work. \r\n Islam then channels this energy towards \r\n accomplishing its goal in society, ie. Establishment of \r\n Allah's Sovereignty in social life and the state. Islam stresses that \r\n Sovereignty, that is the absolute power \r\n to command, to define beliefs, laws, rights and wrongs, belongs only to \r\n Allah.

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Social and Political Implications

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This verse sets parameters for the use of power in society. \r\n It calls for the dethroning of all false gods in society - strips them \r\n of their sovereignty, so that all power is submitted to the All-Powerful \r\n God. Islam emphasises that no one can be \r\n above the law or allowed to abuse power and authority in any way. \r\n However, political sovereignty - a limited, relative sovereignty (mulk), \r\n or the power to enforce the law, can be vested in an Islamic government, \r\n which has to rule in accordance with Divine guidance.

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Only way to Justice

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Islam emphasises that the establishment of God's Sovereignty \r\n can alone ensure justice to all people. God and His guidance is free from \r\n human weaknesses. Since His Mercy extends to all of His creation, He \r\n does not tolerate any form of injustice or oppression. \r\n Allah's guidance, thus, provides a moral, legal and an equitable framework \r\n to guide all decisions and social policies.

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Compiled From:
\r\n \"Building a New Society\" - Zahid Parvez, pp. 128-130

\r\n Understanding the Prophet's Life
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The Scholar, The Soldier, The Rich

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Since there are two ingredients essential to all good things: that \r\n they should be intended for God's sake, and that they should conform \r\n to the Sacred Law, this must apply equally in speech and action, to \r\n good words and good works, to matters of knowledge and to matters of \r\n worship.

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It is confirmed in an authentic narration that the Prophet, on him \r\n be peace, said:
\r\n \"The first of three to fuel the fire \r\n of Hell is a man who studies and teaches and reads the Quran and has \r\n it read, but all so that people will say: 'He is a scholar and a Quran \r\n reader.' Then a man who fights and struggles so that people will say: \r\n 'He is courageous and brave.' Then a man who gives alms and gifts so \r\n that people will say: 'He is generous and openhanded.'\" \r\n

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Compiled From:
\r\n \"Public Duties in Islam\" - Ibn Taymiya, p. 117

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Blindspot
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Al-Yusra: The Easy and \r\n Natural Way

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One of the terms used by the Qur'an during the early \r\n Makkan period to describe Islam was al-Yusraa, or 'The Easy \r\n Way' [65:4]. This is simply because Islam was, and is, the natural \r\n way of life and hence causes human beings to gravitate towards it \r\n easily. Islam consequently brings harmony, peace and tranquillity \r\n to their lives.

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What Makes Islam Simple to Understand \r\n & Practice?

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FIRSTLY, the basic beliefs of Islam are not \r\n shrouded in mystery and hence forever beyond human comprehension. \r\n Every tenet in Islam can be analyzed and inquired about, by young \r\n children or seasoned philosophers. Moreover, Islam does not present \r\n concepts which the intellect cannot grasp (e.g. the \"Trinity\"). \r\n It is therefore not surprising that its beliefs are universal.

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SECONDLY, the most important and stringent \r\n obligations ordained by Allah upon Muslims are easy to undertake \r\n and graded according to effort. It is the wisdom of Allah that \r\n the greater the importance He has attached to any act, the easier \r\n it is for everyone to accomplish it. Thus, the example of the five \r\n daily Salah (Prayers) and Sawm (fasting) as compulsory \r\n upon everyone, but Zakah (almsgiving) and Hajj (pilgrimage), \r\n though fundamental pillars of Islam, only compulsory on those with \r\n the means.

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THIRDLY, Islamic law offers provisions, concessions \r\n and dispensations when it is genuinely not possible for someone \r\n to fulfil an obligation. For instance, if a person is genuinely \r\n unable to stand up and pray, then he or she is permitted to sit \r\n down or even lie down and pray. Similarly, if there is no water \r\n available to perform the Wudu (ablution) before prayer, then \r\n one can make Tayammum.

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No Excuses

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Hence, for the Muslim who sincerely wants to come \r\n closer to Allah, he and she will find many doors open for them \r\n in God's religion to facilitate their growth and cover their weaknesses. \r\n For them is the Easy Way.

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But for the Muslim who is looking for an excuse of \r\n difficulty or incapacity, they will only frustrate themselves further \r\n in looking for external causes for their state.

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Compiled From:
\r\n \"Islam: The Easy Way\" - Khurram Murad

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