Unity in Diversity
Promoting Enduring Respect and Universal Fraternal Bond
by Shaukat A. Ali
Chapter 3: Spreading the Teachings of the Holy Quran
3.1. In the 6,236 verses of the Holy Quran our Creator has established the laws and principles pertaining to everything that transpired previously or is happening currently or what will emerge in the future.
لَقَدۡ کَانَ فِيۡ قَصَصِہِمۡ عِبۡرَةٌ لِّاُولِي الۡاَلۡبَابِ ؕ مَا کَانَ حَدِيۡثًا يُّفۡتَرٰي وَ لٰکِنۡ تَصۡدِيۡقَ الَّذِيۡ بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡہِ وَ تَفۡصِيۡلَ کُلِّ شَيۡءٍ وَّ ہُدًي وَّ رَحۡمَةً لِّقَوۡمٍ يُّؤۡمِنُوۡنَ ﴿۱۱۱﴾٪
In their histories there is certainly a lesson for those who have understanding. It is not a narrative which could be forged, but a verification of what is before it, and a distinct explanation of all things, and a guide and a mercy to a people who believe (12:111).
اِنَّمَاۤ اِلٰـہُکُمُ اللّٰہُ الَّذِيۡ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ؕ وَسِعَ کُلَّ شَيۡءٍ عِلۡمًا ﴿۹۸﴾ کَذٰلِکَ نَقُصُّ عَلَيۡکَ مِنۡ اَنۡۢبَآءِ مَا قَدۡ سَبَقَ ۚ وَ قَدۡ اٰتَيۡنٰکَ مِنۡ لَّدُنَّا ذِکۡرًا ﴿ۖۚ۹۹﴾
Your Lord is only Allah, there is no God but He. He comprehends all things in (His) knowledge. Thus, We relate to you some news of what has happened before. And indeed, We have given you a Reminder from Ourselves (20:98–99).
3.2. In their histories may not necessarily refer to followers of previous scriptures or previous generations, in a broader sense it could also apply to the current situations in different regions of the world or even our own neighbourhood.
3.3. In this article there are references to previous Scriptures as evidence of what transpired earlier and to verify the authenticity of what’s being written. It is therefore essential to study the verses of the Holy Quran judiciously and delve deeper into their essence and nuances to decipher the current interpretations and obtain the best solution to any issue that arises as the Maker has assured us:
وَ لَا يَاۡتُوۡنَکَ بِمَثَلٍ اِلَّا جِئۡنٰکَ بِالۡحَقِّ وَ اَحۡسَنَ تَفۡسِيۡرًا ﴿ؕ۳۳﴾
They cannot bring you a question, but We have brought you the truth and the best explanation (25:33).
وَ لَقَدۡ صَرَّفۡنَا فِيۡ ہٰذَا الۡقُرۡاٰنِ لِلنَّاسِ مِنۡ کُلِّ مَثَلٍ
Certainly, We have made distinct in this Quran for mankind every kind of description (18:54, 17:89 and 30:58).
Seeking answers in the last revealed Book is therefore crucial as the Holy Quran states:
مَا فَرَّطۡنَا فِي الۡکِتٰبِ مِنۡ شَيۡءٍ
We have not neglected anything in the Book (Holy Quran) (6:38).
3.4. Some of the principles pertaining to propagation of Islam are explained very clearly in the verses which are cited as examples in the “Introduction” and “Section 1”. The above verses also assure us that the answers to questions are available in the Holy Quran for those who consciously study, explore and search for them.
3.5. Regrettably, it’s apparent that Muslims in general have forgotten the tangible and endearing approach to the basics of propagation, as per example of the Holy Prophet [Muhammad (pbuh)]. As a result, the beatific face of Islam is being tarnished in practice by the ignorant Muslim masses primarily because they are being misinformed and misguided by their imams and leaders who base their khutba (sermon) and lectures on fake or weak hadith and hearsay.
وَ مِنۡہُمۡ اُمِّيُّوۡنَ لَا يَعۡلَمُوۡنَ الۡکِتٰبَ اِلَّاۤ اَمَانِيَّ وَ اِنۡ ہُمۡ اِلَّا يَظُنُّوۡنَ ﴿۷۸﴾
Some of them are illiterate; they do not know the Book except (from) hearsay, and they only conjecture (2:78).
رَبَّنَاۤ اَفۡرِغۡ عَلَيۡنَا صَبۡرًا وَّ ثَبِّتۡ اَقۡدَامَنَا وَ انۡصُرۡنَا عَلَي الۡقَوۡمِ الۡکٰفِرِيۡنَ ﴿۲۵۰﴾ؕ
Our Lord, pour out patience on us and make our steps firm and help us against the disbelieving people (2:250).
3.6. Muslims have generally adopted the opposite of what Almighty Allah had stipulated in the Holy Book, as a result of which, they are missing the opportunity to propagate the true teachings of Islam. Unfortunately, the Religion of Peace is now being portrayed as a religion of hostility and intolerance and forced conversions by those who are not guided by the Holy Book and do not possess adequate knowledge, nor do they have in practice humility and patience. The controversy is being exacerbated by the leaders who have ignored the pure and pristine teachings of the Holy Book and are basing their arguments on mistaken beliefs, with few exceptions.
اِلَّا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ وَ تَوَاصَوۡا بِالۡحَقِّ ۬ۙ وَ تَوَاصَوۡا بِالصَّبۡرِ ٪﴿۳﴾
Except those who believe and do good, and exhort one another to Truth, and exhort one another to patience (103:1–3).