Submission to The Almighty

IN the Islamic values system, it is the obligation of every true believer to first declare and affirm his unflinching submission to Allah Almighty, the Lord, Creator and Sovereign of the universe.

His commands and injunctions, and nobody else’s, have to be complied with by the believer in all situations. The believer does not recognise nor pay homage to any other deity. This is called Tawheed or Monotheism in the Islamic terminology. This right to be worshipped and obeyed vests with Allah Almighty and belongs to Him alone.

No religious hierarchy or priesthood

Islam does not recognise any special religious hierarchy or seniority of priesthood, or intermediation between God Almighty and the human being. Whilst messengers/ prophets were commissioned to convey the revelation of The Almighty to humanity, everyone can go and must go directly to the Creator, God Almighty, without any intercession, be it from a prophet, saint, priest, sheikh or religious scholar. Since Islam teaches that Allah Almighty (God) is “closer to you than your jugular vein”, therefore one must firmly believe that He hears every single one who calls upon Him and prays to him with total sincerity and purity, free from polytheism.

The Holy Qur’an bears witness to this - “When my servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close to them, I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me. So let them call out in prayer to me and render firm faith in Me so that they may be guided (onto the right path).” (Holy Qu’ran Ch 2: v 186)

Indeed, the divine messengers and prophets must be respected but not worshipped nor taken as intermediaries for worship and prayers.

Similarly, religious scholars shoulder the burden of conveying the real and authentic teachings of religion to the ordinary masses but do not have right to claim supremacy over others nor should anyone pray to them or through them.

Responsibility in terms of worship

In Islam, the responsibility to fulfil the commands of The Almighty applies equally to all - male and female, leaders and led, wealthy and needy, literate and illiterate, etc. In Islam, all are equal in front of the laws and regulations — what is allowed for all people and what is forbidden as well upon all people.

The obligations are upon everyone, and whoever deserves punishment gets it, regardless. Each one has a personal responsibility for his/her actions and deeds and will be dealt with accordingly by The Almighty: “Whoever practices a good righteous deed so it will be to his own benefit and whoever does wrong/ bad then that will against his own self, and surely your Creator (God Almighty) is in no way unjust towards the worshippers.” (Holy Qur’an Ch 41: v 46).

The Almighty further declares: “Whoever practises righteousness man or woman and has faith, verily to him will give a good life, (that is good and pure) and we will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.” (Holy Qur’an Ch 16: v 97)

General responsibilities in life

Obviously, each one will be responsible in their particular field, profession, business, family etc. according to the circumstances one finds themselves in. Everyone is rewarded for the contribution towards promoting virtue and goodness within community and for contributing towards the positive development of mankind in general. Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) said: “Every one of you has a responsibility and every one of you is accountable for his responsibility.”

Social responsibility towards each other

After duty to the One and only — The Creator, a Muslim must discharge his duty to his fellow human beings. Good social conduct and commendable manners occupy a prominent position in the Islamic values system.

As we have discussed in previous articles, we must pay heed to the duty that we owe to other human beings beginning with parents, relatives, neighbours and going on to the community at large.

In this order of values, Islam requires its adherents to maintain cordial relations with each other and to render all help and support to those who may be in any form of hardship, difficulty or distress. Great reward awaits those who help their fellow humans who are weak, disadvantaged and suffer any hardship. Allah Almighty says: “And do good, that you may prosper”. (Holy Qur’aan Ch 27 : v77).

Selfless service to mankind entails worship to The Creator

Showing a sense of concern for and trying to help those in any difficulty or need is regarded as a form Ibadah (worship) because one will be fulfilling the requirement of The Almighty to show compassion and concern for fellow humans. One will gain great reward in this world as well as in the next and surely this type of behaviour helps remove our problems of this world as well as those of the next. So it is only a true worshipper of The Almighty who will realise the human equality within community and be able to serve others in a selfless manner.

Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) was reported to have explained that one who fulfils the need and removes the difficulty of another, will get the help of The Almighty in time of his own need or difficulty.

Allah Almighty has also declared; “And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw (yourselves) into destruction (by refraining from spending in the cause of Allah). And do good; indeed Allah loves the doers of good.”(Holy Qur’an Ch2: v 195).

This spending is not only referring to material wealth but indeed any and all resources that The Almighty bestows upon a person — wealth, energy, skill, time, etc.

Need to respect fellow humans

Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) taught mankind the golden rules for maintaining peace and goodness within communities when he said: “Do not envy one another, do not harbour malice against one another and do not enter into a commercial transaction when another person has already entered into that (transaction) (i.e. Do not undercut his deal); but be you, Oh slaves of Allah, brothers (to each other).”

For further information on Islam please contact: Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars Publications Department, P. O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare. Tel: 0242614078/ 614004. Fax: 0242-614003. E-mail: majliszw@yahoo.com