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(Surely this Qur'an shows
the way to that which is most upright.)
(Al-Israa' 17:9)
This is a general statement
applicable to all those who are guided by the
Qur'an and the goals to which it guides. Thus,
guidance that is restricted by neither time
nor place is given to people. And the
superiority of its guidance applies to all
that they may attain when they follow any
method or approach. It is also superior to
every good thing to which people may be guided
at any time or place.
The Qur'an guides to that
which is "most upright" in relation
to people's inner feelings and thoughts,
outlining a clear faith, free of complication
and ambiguity. Its guidance frees the human
spirit of the burden of myth and superstition,
and it releases human energy so that it is
constructive, bringing benefit, providing a
harmonious link between the laws that govern
the universe and those governing human nature.
The Qur'an also ensures
harmony between a person's outward and inward
existence, feelings and behavior, faith and
action. In all this, it shows the way to what
is "most upright," linking all these
aspects to the true and inseverable bond that
exists between people and God. This enables
people to look up to a higher horizon while
they are still on earth. Thus, what people do
in their daily life becomes an act of worship,
provided that they do so seeking God's
acceptance. This is true even when the action
itself provides them with pure enjoyment of
what is available in this life.
In the field of worship
also, the Qur'an establishes a perfect balance
between duties and abilities. This ensures
that duties are not seen as too hard so as to
constitute a heavy burden or induce despair of
ever fulfilling one's obligations. Maintaining
this balance ensures that a person neither
takes matters too lightly or complacently on
the one hand, nor exceeds the limits of what
is reasonable and perfectly bearable on the
other. Thus we can say without fear of
contradiction that in worship, the Qur'an
shows the way to that which is most upright.
The same applies to human
interaction whether between individuals and
couples, governments and peoples, or states
and races. Relations between all these groups
are established on a firm basis, influenced
neither by personal prejudice and interest,
nor by feelings of love and hatred. This firm
foundation in human relations is chosen by
God, the Creator Who knows His creation and
what is certain to promote goodness in their
lives. The Qur'an shows the way that gives the
best course of action in the fields of
politics and finance, as well as in those of
social and international relations.
The Qur'an also endorses
all divine religions, establishing a firm link
between them, honoring all that is sacred in
them, and protecting all that they hold in
reverence. This ensures that humanity, with
all its divine faiths, lives in peace. In
this, again, the Qur'an provides its perfect
guidance. This is all summed up in the verse
that reads: (Surely this Qur'an shows the way
to that which is most upright) (Al-Israa' 17:
9).
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