RELIGIOUS OBLIGATIONS TAKE PREFERENCE OVER COMMERCE AND AMUSEMEN
(Surat as-Saff; 2-3)
"You were bandying it about on your tongues, your mouths uttering something about which you had no knowledge. You considered it to be a trivial matter, but, in Allah's Sight, it is immense."
(Surat an-Nur; 15)
RELIGIOUS OBLIGATIONS TAKE PREFERENCE OVER
COMMERCE AND AMUSEMENT
"But when they see a chance of trade or entertainment they scatter off to it and leave you standing there. Say: ‘What is with Allah is better than trade or entertainment. Allah is the Best of Providers.' " ( Surat al-Jumu‘a ; 11)
In this verse, Allah refers to an incident that occurred at the time of the Prophet (saas), when some people neglected a religious obligation for mundane interests. Today, similarly, there are some common reasons why members of ignorant societies avoid living by the Qur'an. Here Allah draws attention to two of them: commerce and entertainment.
The reason why Allah mentions a transaction in particular is that material interests are one of man's major weaknesses. Indeed, some people disregard religious duties in favor of their material pursuits. Neglect may involve an act of worship such as regular prayers, a moral obligation, or other divine commandments. The unfounded belief that wealth has the power to solve any problem on Earth underlies man's ambition to amass more and more of it. Some people tend to believe that anything they long for (peace of mind, happiness, security) is attainable through wealth. Interestingly enough, they maintain that they can even avoid death and achieve immortality through wealth. With such pursuits in mind, some people passionately concentrate most of their efforts and time on business.
But wealth will not bring the desired result, nor does it prevent a man from growing older and dying. That is because Allah, alone, is the real owner of wealth and of the person. Leading a conscientious life is the sole prerequisite for attaining happiness and security, and this life is the way of life set out in the Qur'an.
In the aforementioned verse, Allah mentions "amusement" as the second factor that leads one to disregard rulings of the religion. Because people consider entertainment as a salvation and escape from some bitter realities, it becomes a great passion for some people. Traveling from one country to another or meeting different people, they believe, brings relief for the inner distress and spiritual void that pangs of conscience inflict upon their souls.
The fact is, however, that the realization of those goals man tries to attain through commerce and entertainment can come only through the method prescribed in the Qur'an:
Those who believe and whose hearts find peace in the remembrance of Allah. Only in the remembrance of Allah can the heart find peace. (Surat ar-Ra‘d; 28)
Hearts are in Allah's hands alone, and He promises peace of mind only to those who live by the principles of His religion.
Yet another important point is made in the quoted verse: Allah's reward is far better than any sort of entertainment or commerce. Anything one can possibly experience in this world is innately imperfect and flawed. The most stately mansions, ostentatious houses, glorious landscapes, beautiful clothes, pieces of art or jewelry remain primitive and simple compared to those in the Paradise. The real abode of entertainment, joy and bliss is Paradise, which Allah describes as a place of hospitality.
That being the case, Muslims should never disregard or postpone any order given in the Qur'an for the sake of amusement or commerce. Allah describes an attribute of true believers as follows:
There are men who proclaim His glory morning and evening, not distracted by trade or commerce from the remembrance of Allah and the performance of prayer and the giving of the alms; fearing a day when all hearts and eyes will be in turmoil. . . (Surat an-Nur; 36-37)
ONE SHOULD NOT REMAIN BEHIND WITHOUT EXCUSE
Those believers who stay behind—other than those forced to by necessity—are not the same as those who strive in the Way of Allah, sacrificing their wealth and themselves. Allah has given those who strive with their wealth and themselves a higher rank than those who stay behind. Allah has promised the best to both, but Allah has preferred those who strive over those who stay behind by an immense reward." (Surat an-Nisa'; 95)
In this verse, Allah explains the situation of those Muslims who do not feel and display the zeal becoming to a believer. That is why they cannot be given much responsibility and are left to their own devices. Avoiding due effort for the cause of Islam without suffering any guilt is a moral weakness. Such believers are stated to be lower in rank compared to those who make a strenuous effort for the cause of Islam and risk their lives and possessions to earn the good pleasure of Allah. The words, "Allah has preferred those who strive over those who stay behind by an immense reward" in the verse above implies the vastness of the difference between the two parties. Thus, it is most unwise to risk noble rank in the Hereafter for a minor benefit in the life of this world.
BEING SINCERE AND TRUTHFUL
Making false promises is a common practice of people who do not live by Qur'anic principles and values.
These people pretend to engage in deeds only to present themselves as important and superior. In order not to lose prestige, they promise things they never intend to do. Interestingly, this insincere attitude has gained an overall acceptance in society, although it is displeasing to Allah:
You who believe! Why do you say what you do not do? It is deeply abhorrent to Allah that you should say what you do not do. (Surat as-Saff; 2-3)
This attitude leads to such characteristics as hypocrisy, deception and insincerity which Allah condemns. Believers who make it their goal to live by the moral virtues described in the Qur'an will surely avoid this dishonest behavior.
MODERATION IN JOY AND GRIEF
Muslims' commitment to Allah and His religion entails an unconditional loyalty. For this reason, fluctuating conditions and circumstances never change believers' zeal, enthusiasm and determination to live by the Qur'an. Allah mentions two basic reactions shown by a believer. First, hardship or severe conditions never daunt him. Second, he never exults or feels pride because of what he obtains in this world. Allah states:
That is so that you will not be grieved about the things that pass you by or exult about the things that come to you. Allah does not love any vain or boastful man. (Surat al-Hadid; 23)
Man is always vulnerable, since he has no idea about what awaits him in life. A young person may suddenly be seized by a serious disease or become bedridden because of an accident. Anyone may lose all his wealth in a day or encounter events he never anticipated. In such a situation, those of weak faith will despair or feel rebellious. Forgetting all the blessings of Allah in an instant, they may even lose their love for and trust in Him.
This is the value of true Muslims, for faith in Allah does not depend on particular circumstances. Aware that there is a divine purpose and good in every event that Allah creates, believers merely persevere in the face of unexpected events and trust firmly in Allah's wisdom, compassion and justice. Whatever their loss, they do not consider it a misfortune and do not grieve over it.
Besides, in the Qur'an it is revealed that Muslims will experience unpredictable events throughout life and often face difficulties. While advocating truth and siding with the righteous, a Muslim will certainly encounter the opposition of those who would like to safeguard their own well-being and suppress the truth. There will always be those who consider the moral excellence to which Muslims summon people as a threat to their own interests and thus are against the spread of Islam. These individuals, then, by their words and deeds, will want to prevent Muslims from living their religion and from calling others to practice the morality of the Qur'an. Meanwhile, believers may sometimes experience loss of material wealth, have to risk their lives or abandon their homes. Yet all such seemingly adverse occasions will bring great reward, joy and glory in the Hereafter. For this reason, true Muslims accept all that happens to them.
As well as unexpected losses, people may also experience unexpected gains. Allah opens His infinite dominion to whom He wills and grants success, authority and power. But He warns Muslims against exulting in pride since any person receiving a great possession, authority or benefit becomes only a trustee, while it is Allah Who is the real possessor of everything. A person attains material wealth or comfort only because Allah wills it, and not because he has any power of his own. Aware of this fact, believers never forget their own weakness and do not become arrogant even when they enjoy great blessings and wealth. They feel only a deep gratitude to Allah, and they strive to use their blessings for His cause in the best way possible.
