Prepared by: Mona SalemHalaqa date: May 30, 2013

Sources: Tafseer Ibn Katheer &

“In the Shade of the Quran” by Sayyid Qutb

Tafseer: Aya tul Birr

The Verse of Piety

Suratul Baqara – v. 177“It is not Piety (righteousness) that you turn your faces towards east and (or) west; but Pious is the one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, The Book, the Prophets and gives his wealth in spite of love for it, to the kinsfolk, to the orphans, and to the poor, and to the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and sets servants free, establishes regular prayer, and gives the zakah, and who fulfills their promise when they make it, and who is patient in extreme poverty and illness and at the time of fighting battles. Such are the people of the truth and they are the righteous.”

Background of Revelation Did you know?

The direction of Qibla (prayer) in the early days of Islam was originally set to Jerusalem, not Mecca!

This brought the approval and satisfaction of Jews & Christian groups living in Arabia at the time

The Muslims had also become accustomed and used to this direction of prayer

Allah (SWT) changed the direction in Suratul Baqara (verses 148-150) – and instructed His Prophet (sws) to pray towards the Ka’ba in Mecca

This upset the Arabs and People of the Book and some of them complained to the Prophet (sws) and even questioned his Prophethood!

How Should We Define piety?“It is not Piety (righteousness) that you turn your faces towards east and (or) west; but Pious is the one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, The Book, the Prophets…”

Allah (SWT) tells us here to not argue about the direction of prayer, as Islam and being a righteous Muslim are not about performing empty rituals

Instead they have to do with belief and obedience to Allah (SWT) – to be grateful for His favor and worship Him as He instructs

The articles of Islamic faith are 6 – 5 of them are mentioned here

Belief Before Good Deeds Allah (SWT) mentions belief first when defining piety… so

before our deeds can be accepted by Allah, we must first complete our beliefs

Belief in Allah His 99 names and qualities His Oneness, He does not share in His decision or wisdom His Supreme authority over our lives & all Creation

The Last Day Belief in the Resurrection, The Scales, The Intercession Heaven, Hell & Accountability to Allah for all our actions

Prophets All peoples were sent a prophet and 25 of them were

mentioned in the Quran They all were sent with the same message, to worship One

Allah – “Tawheed”

Belief - Continued The Angels

That the angels are only the agents of Allah (SWT) and that they are a creation made before mankind, made of light

The angels are deprived of free will and can only obey and serve Allah (SWT) as He commands

The Arabs used to say that the angels were the daughters of Allah – Exalted He is Above such a thing! Allah is the One who has no parents or children, and has no beginning or end

There is an Unseen world and we must have faith it and believe in it without seeing it – “A’lim ul Ghayb”

The Book Belief in all of Allah’s revelations, and that the Quran is

the Revelation which supersedes all others, and that it is the final , complete & universal message to all Mankind

And that the Quran is a miracle – whether linguistically, scientifically, in its content, wisdom, teachings, or style – It is the miraculous, exact word of the One True God

Define True & Pure Generosity Allah (SWT) defines it as “and gives his wealth,

in spite of love for it…” And Allah says in Suratul Insan, verses 8-9:

“And they give food, in spite of their love for it, to the poor, the orphan, and the captive (saying): ‘We feed you seeking Allah’s face only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you.’”

To further explain, the Prophet (sws) said: “The best charity is when you give it while still healthy and thrifty, hoping to get rich, and fearing poverty.”

The Hierarchy of Generosity Allah (SWT) spells out for us here who has the most rights:

The Kinsfolk – our direct family has the most rights on our money, stretching to our distant relations

The Prophet (sws) said: “Charity given to the poor is a charity, while charity given to relatives is both charity and nurturing of relations, for they are the most deserving of your kindness and generosity.” The Orphans – those who are missing a father and are too

young to generate their own income The Poor – those who have insufficient food, clothing or

dwelling. The Wayfarer – the traveler. During the time of the Arabs the

wayfarer had nowhere to go and would rely upon the generosity of others.

Those who Ask – lastly the person who asks for help. Even those who don’t appear to need anything.

Other Actions of Piety Sets servants free

They cannot afford to buy their freedom So help them to become self-sufficient and be

freed Performs regular salah (prayer)

Establishes 5-times daily prayer and frequent remembrance of Allah (SWT)

Is careful of the time of prayer, prioritizes it above other activities, and prays with attention, concentration & humility to Allah (SWT)

Gives Zakah – Is careful to execute this amount on time, and calculate it accurately

Piety is Honoring Trusts & Promises“Fulfilling of covenants” – not taking his/her promises lightly

The Prophet (sws) said: “The signs of a hypocrite are three: if he speaks, he lies; if he promises, he breaks it; and if he is entrusted, he breaches the trust.” related by Imam Muslim.

In another narration he (sws) said: “If he speaks, he lies; if he vows, he breaks his vow, and if he disputes, he is lewd.”

Piety is Patience at HardshipExamples of Hardship Allah (SWT) mentions:

Extreme Poverty I.e. when financial hardship befalls you, as it

inevitably does to most people Illness, Sickness, Ailment

Physical or emotional weakness or disease At times of battle/fighting

When you or your loved ones are defending the cause of Islam, there is fear of death and injury and potentially loss of life

Just a Few Words on Patience Allah (SWT) said in Sura Al-Hajj, verse 11: “And among mankind is he

who worships Allâh as it were, upon the very edge; if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a hardship befalls him and he is put to the test what happens?! He flips upon his face. (And so) he loses both this world and the Hereafter. There is no doubt that this is the clear loss."

The Prophet (sws): “All of the affairs of a Believer are good. If something favorable happens, then he thanks Allah and this is good for him. And if some hardship befalls him, he is patient and that is good for him. No o ne else's situation is totally good except the believer.”

And Allah (SWT) said in Suratul Baqara: "We will test you with something of fear, and hunger, and loss of wealth, and loss of souls (life) and crops. And give glad tidings to those who have patience. Those who if in any difficulty they say: 'Verily We are from Allah and to Allah we return.' They are those who will receive prayers from their Lord and Mercy, and it is those who are guided.“

The Prophet (sws) said: “No pain, sickness, grief, or worry affects a believer except that Allah removes from that person a sin because of it.”

Such People are the Righteous! Allah (SWT) recaps by reminding us here that piety

and righteousness are not empty rituals, motions, and actions that are not based upon: Belief Sincerity of Intention The Purpose of pleasing Allah alone (not to please or

impress people) – story of donkey Instead, righteous actions are those for which the

performance of ritual brings about: Stronger, more complete belief & submission The desire to fulfill our duty to Allah & care for

mankind The desire to be regular in worship of Allah (SWT) Good character and exemplary moral behavior