Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford

what can be translated as, “And every man We have imposed on him his bird (of
augury) upon his neck, and “We will bring out for him, on the Day of the
Resurrection, a Book (that) he will meet with, spread open. Read your Book!
Your self suffices you this day as a constant-reckoner against you” (TMQ, 17:13–
14).
The Book is a major issue in the life of Muslims for if they do not read it, understand
its essence, and apply it to their lives, what would they do with the Book of the
afterlife
The commandments of the Book
As of the second quarter, the surah deals with the greatness of the Book, as it orders
us to do what is necessitated by pure human intuition. Any man of sound judgment
and pure nature, cannot, upon reciting the Qur'an, but admit its greatness. Among
such commandments are:
- Being dutiful to one’s parents; Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as,
“And your Lord has decreed that you should not worship any except Him
(only) and (to show) fairest companionship to parents; in case ever one or
both of them reaches old age (Literally: being great “in years”) in your
presence, do not say to them, “Fie!” nor scold them; and speak to them
respectful words (Literally: say to them an honorable saying). And lower
to them the wing of humbleness out of mercy and say, “Lord! Have mercy
on them, as they reared me (when I was) small” (TMQ, 17:23–24).
- Using money for the common good; Allah says what can be translated as, “And
bring to a near kinsman his true (right) and (to) the indigent and the
wayfarer; and do not squander wantonly (Literally: in “wanton”
squandering). Surely the squanderers have been brethren of Ash-
Shayâtîn (The all-vicious ones, i.e., the devils), and Ash-Shaytan has ever
been ever-disbelieving to his Lord” (TMQ, 17:26–27).
- Balancing miserliness and squandering; Allah (SWT) says what can be
translated as, “And do not set up your hand shackled to your neck, (i.e., Do
not be niggardly) nor outspread it widespread altogether, (Literally:
outspread it all outspreading, i.e., do not be a spendthrift) for then you
will sit blamed and regretfully rejected” (TMQ, 17:29).
The call of intuition
All of those are commandments that address a sound mind and a pure nature and no
body can possibly disregard or desert them, especially that they are well-devised to
serve the common good. Thus, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as,
- “And do not kill your children in apprehension of want; We provide
for them and for you (too); surely the killing of them has been a great
sinning” (TMQ, 17: 31).