Surah 1-2 - YasSarNal QuR'aN

Al-Baqarah (The Cow) | WORSE THAN MURDERothers. The best charity is that made when one’s own needs have been fulfilled.”[Related by Abū Dāwūd]God also knows that human beings favour their immediate family and relatives,their parents and children, and so He urges them to give willingly to these relatives,thereby satisfying a natural human tendency, which is both legitimate and sensible,while benefitting a section of the community. For, unless these relatives are helpedthey would continue to be a burden on the rest of society, and it is far more dignifiedfor them to be cared for by members of their own family. This is bound to bringpeople closer together and spread love and harmony within immediate and extendedfamilies, the vital nucleus of the larger human society.Beyond that, man is required to show generosity towards a whole range of otherhuman groups such as young orphans and those members of society who arehelpless but are too sensitive to ask for help. Another group are those strandedtravellers or immigrants, some of whom may be well-off but for reasons beyond theircontrol are unable to have access to their money. The first Muslim community inMadinah had a sizeable section of such people, most of whom were migrants fromMakkah who had left all their belongings behind.All these are members of the Muslim community and Islam urges the well-off toact charitably towards them. It encourages people’s natural kindness and good-willto purify the hearts and souls of the donors, who give generously and willingly, andto ensure the welfare of those in need, thereby achieving greater cohesion andsolidarity among the community in a smooth, fair and equitable manner.The verse goes on to link such commendable charity with God Almighty, saying:“God is well aware of whatever good you do.” (Verse 215) God is aware of the deed aswell as of the intention behind it. Thus, it will not go to waste. He has taken note of itand, being just, He will give a suitable reward for it.This educational approach directs man’s heart and soul towards God Almightywith ease and deliberation. It picks man up from wherever he is and takes him to farwider horizons of civility and humanity which he would never reach without God’sguidance and grace.What Things We May LoveThe next verse deals with the duty of taking up arms for a legitimate cause:“Fighting is ordained for you, even though it is hateful to you. But it may well be that youhate a thing while it is good for you, and it may well be that you love a thing while it is badfor you. God knows, whereas you do not know.” (Verse 216)To take up arms in support of a cause blessed by God is a demanding duty, but is274