Quran Garden

Today, we bring you words that will uplift your spirit and fill your heart with hope.  Here is a brief example: The Messenger of Allah was asked, "What is the most essential matter that guarantees faith?  In other words, what must one do to truly be a believer?" He, peace be upon him, replied, "Whoever says, 'There is no god but Allah' will enter Paradise."

Session 632

Chapter 4

Verse 48

Surely, God does not forgive that a partner be associated with Him, but He forgives everything short of it to whomsoever He wills.  Whoever associates any partner with God has indeed concocted a most heinous sin. (Chapter 4:Verse 48)

This is one of the most hope-inspiring verses in the Quran.  Uthm?n, may God be pleased with him, narrates that our beloved Muhammad said: "Whoever dies knowing that there is no god but Allah will enter Paradise."

On the other hand, a person who associates partners with God commits the greatest betrayal; high treason.  We take this term from man-made laws of almost every country on earth, even though the purpose of such laws is not to affirm religious matters.  Yet, when wise leaders want to run a country properly, they often end up with laws that align with Divine law.  For example, in a ruling political party, if an official uses his position for personal benefit, taking bribes and getting his kids into the best schools, he may lose his position, get punished, or be sent to prison.  On the other hand, if a party official tries to overthrow the leadership, he will be charged with high treason and would most likely receive the death penalty.  Why is treason treated differently from any other crime?  Because rebelling against authority can tear the country apart, compromise sovereignty, create division, and lead to civil war and chaos, spliting people into warring factions.  Nations understand that treason undermines the very foundation of civility.  In the same way, associating partners with God is the ultimate offense against Divine authority and a threat to peace on earth. 

Thus, the foundation of faith is believing that He alone is God, with no partner or equals beside Him. When a person sincerely says, "There is no god but Allah," he or she enters the fortress of safety and protection.  He or she may still be punished for sins and mistakes, but not for high treason.  Prophet Muhammad said, "I bear witness that there is no god but God and that I am the Messenger of Allah.  No servant meets God holding firmly to these words, without doubting them, except that he enters Paradise." The Shahada testimony is the foundation upon which salvation rests.

While the companions were discussing this Aya, Abu Dharr al-Ghifari heard Prophet Muhammad say, "No servant says, 'There is no god but Allah,' and dies upon that belief, except that he will enter Paradise." Abu Dharr asked, "Even if he committed adultery and stole?" The Prophet replied, "Even if he committed adultery and stole." Abu Dharr repeated, "Even if he committed adultery and stole!?" Again, he, peace be upon him, said, "Even if he committed adultery and stole." He repeated it a third time, and on the fourth, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Yes!  Despite the objections of Abu Dharr."

Abu Dharr cared deeply about guarding Allah's boundaries and commands.  So when our beloved Prophet Muhammad said, "Yes!  Despite Abu Dharr's objections," did Abu Dharr become upset?  No.  In fact, he was pleased because the statement showed the believers just how wide God's mercy truly is.  After all, there has to be a difference between a sinner who sincerely believes in God's oneness and the sinner who rejects it.  Faith must carry weight and meaning. 

This, however, does not mean that Islam treats sins lightly.  Sins, crimes, and punishments are real; Allah has forbidden wrongdoing and established consequences for it.  Listen to the following Aya,

Cut off the hands of thieves, whether they are a man or a woman, as punishment for what they have done- a deterrent from God: God is almighty and wise.  (5:38)

The rulings in this verse are addressed to Muslims, not disbelievers.  It means that a believer could fall into sins like stealing or adultery during moments of weakness.  Allah, the Most Merciful, set limits and forbade wrongdoing, but He also gave believers many ways to seek forgiveness and return to Him.  From one prayer to the next is expiation for the sins committed between them.  From one Friday prayer to the next is expiation.  From one Ramadan to the next is expiation.  Hajj and many other means through which Allah wipes away your sins and showers you with mercy.  Prophet Muhammad said, "The five daily prayers and one Friday to the next Friday are expiation for what is between them, so long as major sins are avoided." The doors of our Lord remain open before you day and night.  Are you taking advantage?

Here is a critical point to understand:  Many atheists who criticize religion, Islam in particular, hear verses such as, "Surely, God does not forgive that a partner be associated with Him, but He forgives everything short of it to whomsoever He wills," then arrogantly say, "This is all about God's ego.  A selfish being who wants us to worship him.  I am a free person and do not need to cater to anyone." May God protect us from such ignorance.  We answer, Allah is far exalted above all that.  Do you really think this matter is for His benefit?  Can you benefit or harm God in any way?  "Surely, God does not forgive that a partner be associated with Him" is our gain, and ours alone. 

Let me explain.  Faith gives you dignity and honor.  Instead of lowering yourself before other people, trends, communism, capitalism, and ever-changing man-made systems, which eventually fail, you bow before the One who created the entire universe, the One who has absolute power, wisdom, and authority.  God is protecting you from the burden and toil of serving many masters or submitting to whoever happens to be stronger than you at the time.  He relieved you of all this and made clear: Submit to Me alone, and I will elevate you and suffice you from everyone else.  Now, you have one Lord, one guide, one set of rules; all are constant and will never change.  Isn't that the most comforting assurance in life?

When Allah created Adam, He did not gain any attribute that was not already His.  Did you add any attribute to God?  No.  Can you?  Never.  To the contrary, Allah, with His attributes of perfection, brought you into existence, and with His attributes of perfection, He sustains you.  You did not add or take anything from Him, regardless of your actions and beliefs.  Thus, when you bear witness that there is no god but Allah, what benefit does it hold for Allah?  None.  The benefit is only yours, so you can live in peace and tranquility and face all the challenges life throws at you with certainty in your heart. 

"Surely, God does not forgive that a partner be associated with Him," because if He forgave treason, partners and false Gods would multiply on earth.  Each god would command followers, and corruption would spread.  Imagine a company with six bosses!  God says,

If there had been in the heavens or earth any gods but Him, both heavens and earth would be in ruins: God, Lord of the Throne, is far above the things they say.  (21:22)

Remember that the Shahada testimony of faith is not meant to remain hidden within your heart, but to be displayed publicly.  That is why Allah commands Muslims to gather every Friday for Jumu'ah prayer.  You may pray the daily prayers alone at home, work, or a farm, but Friday prayer is to be performed together as a community.  Why?  Because you may humble yourself to Allah privately, then act arrogantly elsewhere.  But God wants the matter of submission and humility to be displayed before people, so that no one, especially people in authority, would dare act arrogantly.  When everyone stands, bows, and prostrates together, they see clearly that the highest authority belongs only to Allah and that all people are equal before Him.  The same lesson is found in Hajj.  During pilgrimage, kings, wealthy people, and ordinary people all wear simple garments and perform the same acts of worship together.  It reminds us that everyone is equal in servitude to Allah.  No one stands above others, and no one should be humiliated before others.  We are all servants of the same Lord.  That is the true benefit of:

Surely, God does not forgive that a partner be associated with Him, but He forgives everything short of it to whomsoever He wills.  Whoever associates any partner with God has indeed concocted a most heinous sin. (Chapter 4:Verse 48)

Before you go, we have one small favor.  If something here resonated with you, share it with one person you care about.  A simple conversation can carry this message further than you might expect.  Thank you for helping the Quran reach someone who may need it.