The verse “Lakum deenukum wa liya Deen” is being misinterpreted by liberals. To liberals, this verse which English translation is “Your religion to you, my religion to me” means compromise whereas it is the other way around.
Instead of compromise, the verse teaches respecting other people’s religion/theological beliefs not joining them in their acts of worship.
Then, we come to the issue of unity. There is no good being united upon falsehood. Unity on falsehood is nothing but hypocrisy, a denial or compromise of the truth for whatever benefit expected from it.
If then knowledge of the truth has come to us, how then do we treat those we think are not on the truth? Allah says in Qur’an 5:48,
وَأَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَمُهَيْمِنًا عَلَيْهِۖ فَٱحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ عَمَّا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّۚ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًاۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِى مَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْۖ فَٱسْتَبِقُوا ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِۚ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ
And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.
Commentating on this verse,
وَلَوْ شَاء اللّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَـكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَأ اتَاكُم
Ibn kathir says,
If Allah willed, He would have made you one nation, but that (He) may test you in what He has given you.
This Ayah means, Allah has instituted different laws to test His servants’ obedience to what He legislates for them, thus, He rewards or punishes them according to their actions and what they intend.
He commented on the verse below;
فَيُنَبِّيُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ
then He will inform you about that in which you used to differ.
Allah will inform you about the truth in which you used to differ and will reward the sincere, as compensation for their sincerity, and will punish the disbelieving, rebellious people who rejected the truth and deviated from it to other paths, without proof or evidence to justify their actions. Rather, they have rejected the clear evidences, unequivocal proofs and established signs.
Indeed, had Allah willed, we would have no cause to differ. Had He would, we would have been on the right path. Did Allah not say,
Al-Layl 92:12
إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا لَلْهُدَىٰ
Indeed, [incumbent] upon Us (Allah) is guidance.
Allah also says,
“Say: ‘With Allah is the perfect proof and argument, (i.e. the Oneness of Allah, the sending of His Messengers and His Holy Books, to mankind); had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all.’’
[al-An’am 6:149 – interpretation of the meaning]
Coupled with similar verses in the Qur’an, we can look above hating one another, direct or indirect name calling, cutting the ties of brotherhood when we have a reason to differ. If our admonition does not profit the admonished, shall we then acquire sins while giving admonition?
Once I asked, “If Islam wants Muslims to kill people to propagate Islam, who then would practice Islam, ghosts? If Da’wah comes with tantrums and insults, of what benefit is it? Does a Da’wah without wisdom/manners benefit? How many are left further astray by a Da’wah that relegates, attempt to impose and void of manners.
We need to stop acting like we hold the keys to guidance, paradise and hell. Imagine..
He graduated from not believing in God,
He is not in the company of those who disbelieve in prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
He is save from the evil of being a Quraniyyun
Save from the evil of Shrik
He is of those who believe say, “We believe in Allah and His messenger”, is he not deserving of compassion and good admonition worthy to note that no one is worthy of evil words except those Allah had cursed.
Oh Allah! Forgive me my sins and bless Sirnucy Lafiagi for calling my attention. Few days after Ramadan, good deeds are being wasted!
I wrote an article, people tagged others for different intentions. Some tag others to spite them with the intention of “you are busted”.
An Ustadh made a comment and I replied. We talked inbox and behold, we were on the same page. “JazakumLlahu khayr Ustadh”, “Ameen, Wa Iyyaka”, thus we concluded. On the other hand, some “supporters” had taken sides, he was rude, no, the other was rude. How many incure sins on what does not concern them.
Oh Allah, my sins are enough for me, do not call me into account for their sins.
There is so much wisdom in being silent if we cannot utter that which is good. Finally, Allah says,
Surah Al-Bayyina, Verse 7:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمْ خَيْرُ الْبَرِيَّةِ
(As for) those who believe and do good, surely they are the -best of men.
May Allah make us true believers
May HE save us from the evil if misreading, misunderstanding, misinterpretation, mindset, self-desires.
May Allah guide us to the right path and bestow upon us His mercy. Without the mercy of Allah of Allah, can one make paradise?
Oh Allah! Take us not till you are pleased with us. Ameen.
Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman @knowislam.com.ng
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