A presentation of the myriad of teachings
contained in the Noble Quran could most likely fill up countless volumes of
manuscripts. Quran is the speech of Allah SWT, for which He testifies: Say, "If the sea were ink for [writing] the words of
my Lord, the sea would be exhausted before the words of my Lord were exhausted,
even if We brought the like of it as a supplement.
"(Quran 18:109) So,
What are the teachings of the Quran?
Every single Quranic teaching
incorporates a moral lesson that has the inherent potential to change
lives and stir souls. Even the hardest of hearts have been moved by God’s
personal message to mankind. This is an attempt to present five unique teachings of the Noble Quran. Some of the choicest lessons have been
carefully selected to inspire readers. For perhaps they may reconsider their
priorities and objectives in life.
A Categorical Rejection of all Religions except for Islam
"And whoever desires other than Islam as religion - never
will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the
losers." (Quran 3:85)
This introductory teaching
presents an authoritative verse informing mankind of Allah’s decisive
preference for Islam. It renders null and void, all other past religions.
Although it is clearly a dire warning to people who opt for different paths.
Within it, is also found, a subtle reminder to those Muslims who take
their religion lightly.
Islam is a divinely ordained
way of life, which is meant to be lived on Allah’s terms. The Muslim label
is not just a sticker we put on a car or a badge that we wear for
identification. It is, instead, a call to action! Merely calling ourselves
Muslims and professing faith in Islam, without acting according to its beautiful
and beneficial teachings, is like having a mind but refusing to think.
Of what good then is a dormant
and unproductive faith? One that, while testifying to God’s existence, hopelessly
fails to acknowledge His Omnipotence through servitude, clearly lacking the
constant desire to please the Almighty, through obedience and submission
to His beautiful & wise commands.
Such faith is rather, a
languishing one that only serves to distance man from his beloved Creator. In
light of the moral lesson in this poignant verse, it is inevitable that we ask
ourselves: “When Allah has promised to derail all other rejected paths in the
Afterlife, in which direction are we headed?”
Man’s Superiority is only by Virtue of Righteousness (Taqwa)
“O
mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples
and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the noblest of you in the
sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and
Acquainted.” (Quran 49:13)
What we look like, our gender,
and which family we are born into, is solely in accordance with Allah's choice
and decision. We have no say in the matter. This is also why Allah SWT will not
judge us for our appearance or possessions. He has, however, granted each of us
a free-will to obey or disobey Him.
Owing to which, He will rightfully judge
our actions and intentions. This was further endorsed by Allah's Messenger
(PBUH): Verily Allah does not look to your faces
and your wealth, but He looks to your heart and your deeds. (Muslim 2564)
A Muslim’s righteousness is
declared the only accurate measure of his superiority over anyone else. We
should, therefore, strive to be someone first in Allah's Eyes. To be this best
version of ourselves, we must be Muslims in both word and deed. This Quranic
teaching is central to man’s understanding of himself.
In Response to the Myth that ‘Islam Endorses Terrorism’
"...that
if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread
mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone
saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind..."
(Quran 5:32)
The teaching in this verse
debunks the popular world-view of Islam being terrorism-friendly. For a
religion that forbids the harming of an innocent, that is quite a farfetched accusation.
The following rules for
warfare set by the Prophet (PBUH), further confirm this: "Go out in the name of God and do not kill any old man,
infant, child or woman. Spread goodness and do good for God loves the doers of
good."
Is it
possible for a religion in which a prostitute was promised Paradise for
quenching a dog’s thirst, to be a promoter of violence? On the contrary,
Islamic compassion considers something as trivial as removing a stone from
someone’s path, a charitable act.
Even a fleeting
look at the benevolent life of the Prophet (PBUH), is enough to dispel such
bigoted claims. The man sent as ‘mercy to all mankind’ could never have propagated,
enacted or approved of violent faith. The central teaching of this very telling
Quranic verse is indeed a slap in the face of Islam’s vilest foes.
Quranic Teachings on the Status of Women
"And
whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer –
those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged (even as much as) the speck
on a date seed." (Quran 4:124)
What does the Quran teach
about the treatment of women? The answer to this may surprise many. The
teaching found in the verse itself demonstrates flawless equity displayed by a
Just God.
It must be said here that in
the Pre-Islamic era, the Arabs (and the rest of the world) used to treat their
women-folk as property. Unwanted and easily dispensable. Baby girls would be
buried alive. Women could be bought and sold. In more explicit terms, women
were treated like cattle.
Islamic teachings addressed this injustice to perfection:
It was declared that a mother's
right to be loved, served, and honored by her children, is three times greater
than the father's. It was also made abundantly clear that Paradise lay beneath
her feet. A coveted place earned by cherishing her. Children were instructed not
to utter even an 'Uff' to either parent.
Wives were granted complete freedom
from material responsibility. Husbands would be their protectors and providers.
No marriage contract would be written without the woman’s consent. And once
married, it was her right to be clothed and fed by her husband, with kindness.
Her wealth, on the other hand, was forbidden to him.
Islamic Shariah derived from
the Quran and Sunnah dictated: that every sister, niece, or aunt, is to be
looked after by the men of her household. Even the right to inherit was granted
to Muslim women almost 1500 years ago. Unsurprisingly, it was allowed to women
in the West and elsewhere, many centuries later. The Quran teaching highlighted
by this verse concurs with the equitable treatment of women.
A Reminder that it is Impossible for Man, to Enumerate Allah’s Bounties
"If you
were to count God's favors, you would not be able to number them; most surely,
humanity is very unjust, very ungrateful." (Quran 14:34)
The beautiful Quranic teaching
of this verse reminds every heedless man of the countless blessings that he
receives but fails to acknowledge. Allah is not a partisan God, so when it
comes to giving, not even a disbeliever is denied them.
From the mansions, limousines,
and bulging bank accounts, to the needle and the shoelaces that man may
possess, he owes thanks to Allah SWT. Hearing, sight, intellect, and free-will
that he savors are also from amongst God’s continual bounties.
