Tafsîr of Sûrah Al-Hujarât: Verses 6-7

by

 

Brother Yahya Adel Ibrahîm

 

 

VERSE 6

"O you who believe! If an unrighteous person comes to you with information, you should verify it or else you might inflict harm on a people in ignorance and then end up regretting what you have done."

Narrated Ibn Abbas (radhi Allâh u anhu) that ".Prophet (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam) sent al-Walîd ibn Uqbah (radhi Allâh u anhu) as a messenger to collect Zakâh from the Muslims (of Mustaliq tribe). However, on his way al-Walîd heard that a group from Banu Mustaliq had set out and he became afraid. He returned to the Prophet (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam) and told him that al-Hârith (former king of Banu Mustaliq) refused to pay the Zakâh and threatened his life.

The Prophet (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam) became angry and sent a group of companions (radhi Allâh u anhu) to deal with him. The two groups met and returned to the Prophet (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam). He (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam) questioned al-Hârith: "Why did you refuse to pay Zakâh and tried to kill my messenger?" Al-Harith replied: "By Allâh , Who sent you with the truth. I did not see him, nor did he come to me, and the only reason I came because I feared that your reason for not contacting me was due to Allâh 's displeasure with us. " Thus, Allâh revealed this verse confirming the statement of al-Hârith.

Verification before Action

This verse designates the rule of verifying any information received through people of less certainty and doubtful character. Because instant and impulsive judgments might harm or grieve someone and such unintentional accusations cannot be erased even with great apology (sorrow). Thus, great care must be taken to verify such information.

Based on this ruling scholars have taken great pains in verifying any religious information, including the ahâdîth, by means of attesting the chain of narrators, their good character and righteousness. Thus, preserving the authenticity of the Sunnah.

VERSE 7

"And you should realize that Allâh 's Messenger (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam) is amongst you. If he were to obey you in many of your affairs, you would be in difficulty. But Allâh has endeared Îman (faith) to you, beautified it in your hearts and made Kufr (disbelief), sin and disobedience hateful to you. Those are the rightly guided. A favor and a blessing from Allâh and Allâh is all-Knowing, all Wise."

Excellent example for Humanity

Prophet Muhammad (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam) - The life of Allâh 's Messenger (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam) is the living example of the Qur'ân, since his speech and actions are divinely guided:

"And surely there is for you in Allâh 's Messenger an excellent example." [(33): 21]

And with his (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam) death the divine revelation ceased whilst completing the ultimate guide for a successful Islamic life, Allâh said:

"This Day I have perfected your religion for you, completed my Favor upon you and chosen for you Islâm as the religion." [Sûrah al-Maidah (5): 3]

Thus, Allâh ordered the believers to hold Prophet Muhammad (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam) in high regards and submit to his way saying:

"And whatsoever the Messenger gives you take it and whatsoever he forbids refrain from it." [(59): 7]

Then Allâh mentioned the aims and benefits of adhering to the guidance of Messenger (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam); that he (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam) is divinely guided and more knowledgeable of Allâh and His religion than the believer. Moreover, He explains that if the Messenger was to follow man's desire then it would result in great difficulty, as He said in another verse:

".if the truth had been in accordance with their desires, verily the heavens and the earth and whosoever is therein would have been corrupted!" [Sûrah al-Mu'minun (23): 71]

Thus, any religious act through which people seek closeness to Allâh or a reward from Him should carry the approval of Allâh 's Messenger (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam). Otherwise, it should be rejected. Because one who introduces new practices in the religion either claims to have more knowledge than the Prophet (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam), or the guidance of Allâh 's Messenger is not complete. And the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam) said:

"Whosoever introduces in the religion of ours that which is not a part of it then it must be rejected." [Musnad Ahmad]

After calling the believers to the obedience of Allâh 's Messenger (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam), Allâh informs that the believers are protected from the grave sin of Kufr, through establishing in them love for true Faith and hatred for disbelief.

The Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam) said:

"There are three qualities for which who is characterized with them will have experienced the sweetness of faith; he who loves a human being for Allâh 's sake alone and he who has a great hatred of returning to disbelief (Kufr) after Allâh has rescued him from it as he has of being cast into the fire." [Sahîh al-Bukharî and Sahîh Muslim]

Love for Faith and hatred for disbelief is revealed through one's actions: the submission and obedience to Allâh and His Messenger (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam). And as Allâh said:

"Say (O Muhammad (sallAllâh u alaihi wasallam): If you love Allâh then follow me and Allâh will love you." [Sûrah al-Imrân (3): 31]

This verse explains that love for Faith and hatred for Kufr, mentioned in the previous verse, is a Favor and Blessing from Allâh , the Exalted. And He closes the verse with two great Attributes of Allâh ; the All-Knowing and All-Wise.

 

Source: http://www.islaam.net/main/display.php?id=833&category=50

 

 

 

 

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