Volume 8 Surah 9 - Enjoy Islam

Al-Tawbah (The Repentance) | THE EARTH’S SUFFOCATING EXPANSEme. But I shall withdraw from you all and from whatever you invoke instead of God, and Ishall pray to my Lord alone. Perhaps, by my prayer to my Lord I shall not be unblest.” (19:47-48) When his father died an unbeliever and Abraham realized that he was anenemy of God, he disowned him and severed all relations with him.“Abraham was most tender-hearted, most clement.” (Verse 114) He used to pray toGod very often and with great sincerity. He was also clement and he would forgivethose who treated him badly. His father ill-treated him but he was forbearing. Yetonly when he realized that there was no hope that he would ever believe in God, didhe give up on him.It has been reported that when these verses were revealed those believers whowere in the habit of praying for the forgiveness of their relatives feared that theymight have gone far astray because their action was against God’s law. The followingverse was then revealed to reassure them that no punishment could be incurred priorto a clear definition of error: “Never will God let people go astray after He has given themguidance until He has made plain to them all that they should avoid. God has perfectknowledge of all things.” (Verse 115)God does not hold against people anything He has not made clear that theyshould avoid. He does not let them go astray because of certain actions unless theseare of a type which He has clearly forbidden them in advance. Human knowledge islimited and it is God alone who has perfect knowledge of all things. God has madethis religion easy to follow, explaining what should be done and what should beavoided with all clarity. He has left certain things without giving a clear verdict onthem. This is done on purpose to make things easier for people. He has made it clearthat we need not ask about those matters where a clear verdict has not been given,lest such questioning should lead to more restrictions. Hence no one may forbidwhat God has not clearly forbidden.At the end of this passage, in an atmosphere which calls for abandoning blood tiesand being ready to sacrifice one’s life and property, the sūrah makes a clear statementthat it is God alone who protects and supports the believers. He is the One who hassovereignty over the heavens and the earth and it is He who controls life and death:“To God belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; He alone gives life and causesdeath. Besides God, you have none to protect or support you.” (Verse 116) All property, allhuman beings and all creation, the heavens and the earth, life and death, support andprotection are all in God’s hands. To maintain a strong tie with Him is sufficient foranyone.These categorical statements concerning blood relations indicate the hesitationthat some people might have shown and their leaning at one time to such ties and atanother to their bond of faith. It is fitting that this final definition is made in this sūrah220