What Is The Purpose of Jizya?

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AskQuestion: The purpose of the Prophet hood of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) was to guide the people and show them the right path which is connected to spiritualism, whereas on the other side we see in the Islamic laws that it is not according to the real purpose of Islam (to guide the people on the right path) as it is revealed:

“If Christians and Jews are ready to pay the Jizya, then free them”. Whereas Jizya itself is diverting towards materialism.

Why does Islam give such a permission that they remain on their false religion?

Answer: From the things of pride for Islam is that it doesn’t force anyone to accept this religion without having liking and half-heartedness, As Qur’an says:

There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error;1

The philosophy of this great verse is also clear. As Islam has invited towards itself through logic and proof and it is war against foolish and superstitious things, its only weapon is to explain the truth and express in a general way. Why after having such a strong weapon, which can attract an open mind and logical people, it should force the people?

Basically for real faith some special things are required if a person doesn’t acquire them through perception and far sightedness, then it is difficult for them give it a place in the heart and if forcibly faith is thrust upon them. So it is limited to the tongue and would not have taken them with their heart and whenever factors of enforcement are not there, a person may revert to his earlier condition.

Such type of faith is not profitable to Islam. Islam wants to give such training to the people that they should remain attached to the principles of Islam until their death and should not be strayed for a moment also, and such type of faith cannot be achieved without logic, proof and open mindedness.

The purpose of Jihad in Islam defense from enemies is itself a topic, which should be discussed separately, whereas Jizya was a fixed tax was paid by the People of the Book (Ahlul Kitab ) every year to the government. The reason to levy this tax was, as the administration was under the Muslims and the unbelievers were in minority the Islamic government was forced to take care of their protection, their administration and safety.

It was necessary for those who had not accepted Islam, to take a justified tax from them and spend it on their life and safety of their wealth. To protect the life and wealth of people the Islamic government was forced to keep the army on strategic points, which accrued huge expenses. To meet this expense the only way was to acquire money from the people and spend it for their own welfare. Especially when there was war against the enemies, the non-Muslims did not send their men.

We have many historical facts, from which we come to know that this tax, which is generally less, was not to put pressure on the non-Muslims, but its purpose was to give peace and for safety measures. We give some examples for it:

When Ibada bin Samat invited the commanders of Egypt towards Islam, he said to them:

(1)    It depends upon your wish that after studying and pondering accept Islam and if you don’t want to become Muslim then give the Jizya and live under the protection of the Muslim government. Till we are there and you are there, we will behave with you in such a way that each other will be happy. We promise you that we will protect your lives, wealth, property and land and whoever will cross the border, we will fight against them.

(2) When the Muslims were victorious over the Romans and many parts of Shamat came under their control, the people of Hamas accepted to pay the Jizya. Afterwards, the Muslims due to some reasons the treaty, which was signed between them and Christians of Hams after the agreeing of both the sides, cancelled it.

That is why one of the elder people of Muslims addressed the people of Hams in this way: “Whatever we had taken from you, you take it back from us and whatever agreement we had made, make us free from it.” The people of Hams answered: “We will never separate from you. Your way and style is much better than the Romans. (If you accept) we will fight against the Roman army by joining the Islamic army.

(3) The quantity of Jizya applied by the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) for the Christians of Najran clarify our stand, because it was decided that they will give yearly three thousand Hilla (the price of each Hilla was forty dirhams), to be paid in two installments. Two thousand Hilla in the month of Safar and one thousand Hilla in the month of Rajab. In the same way the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) had a treaty with the people of Izrah on the condition that they will pay one hundred Dinars every year.

For the safety of the life, wealth and property of the enemies, this tax was nothing for them.

  • 1. Surah Baqarah 2:256

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

Why An Unbeliever Is Impure?

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asksQuestion: What is the logic behind the Islamic point of view that followers of other religions and in short the Kuffar are impure and they cannot keep social contacts with Muslims although in cleanliness they are ahead of some Muslims?

Apparently it is wrong to reply that mixing with disbelievers might misguide a Muslim and with their discussion and sayings they might deviate the Muslims and boycotting them would bring them towards Islam. This should be removed as Islam is the religion of broad-minded, it is a religion in which eyes and ears are closed.

Answer: Firstly it is true that Islam is broad-minded faith and not of where eyes and ears are closed, but if the purpose is that Islam belongs to only one group, then naturally it is not so because Islam is the religion of the whole mankind and if the purpose is that broad minded and intellectuals are more acquainted with Islam, then it is true. But this cannot become its proof that Islam turns a nelson’s eye towards people with less knowledge or educated people and should not consider their state.

Now we are coming towards the real question. As it has been pointed unbelievers are unclean by a type of spiritual impurity, whose body is also unclean and they are impure, it is to protect the beliefs of people, who very soon accept the effects of others and get strayed and this is not something new. Preachers have always recommended to the common people to keep away from polluted and strayed people and after all Islam has announced that unbelievers are impure.

We do consider that Islam under certain conditions gives the permission for economic, business relations but has not given the permission for eating together or in other words Islam wants that Muslims may keep relations with them and make profit and side by side remain protected from their beliefs and ethics, which can reach to the people while intermingling with them.

Here it should be not misunderstood. We are not saying this that broad minded and educated people, who do not fear that by socializing with the unbelievers there will be no danger of going astray, or spoil their ethics, they can stay with them completely and are exempted from the above rule. No, it is not like that.

The orders of Islam do not have any special angle for anyone and to be sure that the limits of Shari’ah are protected. It is necessary that for the generalization of this order be maintained, because if it is not like that, then every person will assume himself to be educated and maintain relations with unbelievers and the laws and orders of the Shari’ah will be subverted. (Think for a while.)

Many unbelievers do not refrain from impure things like blood, pork and alcoholic drinks; and naturally their whole life is unclean. To remain keep from those impurities Islam has announced that they are najis, so that those Muslims who by intermingling with them have the possibility of becoming impure may remain safe.

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

The Harmful Effects of Pork on the Health of a Person

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pork-belly-_slicingQuestion: What is the harm in eating pork, that Islam has prohibited it, whereas Christians consume it with delight?

Answer: The present age has realized that pork has many unimaginable dangerous effects. One who eats pork is affected in a dangerous way. It is also bad from the ethical point of view, which comes into existence with the Hormones, and also many more health matters. Here we will point to one harm, a disease called Trichinosis; whose cure has not been found and it is interesting to know that whatever you are going to read below is an article from an American research center which was sent to us through Dr. Muhammad Gufrani.

A dangerous disease caused by pork

The doctors of Health centers have received reports from patients who have trichinosis and now this report shows that this disease has spread a great deal and the incidence of this in the society is much more than it was thought.

Trichinosis is a common disease caused due to a small hair-like worm, which itself is a type of earthworm. This worm lives in pigs and other animals. It is possible that those who give milk to their young ones, by eating pork may contract this disease. But in this case human beings are more prone to this disease. For example bear by eating the intestine of the pig gets this disease and hunters who use the meat of bear also get this disease.

Generally when a person eats meat that is not cooked properly he gets infected by this disease. No one can say surely that pork used by him was properly cooked as now also we see the incidence of those who are using it. Before consuming pork, it was prepared with some ingredients to remain safe from the worms, the writer of the article has pointed towards it in the end.

From the above said article we come to know that more than twenty millions of people are ingesting these worms into their body. Only one group from them has been diagnosed, but there are thousands of incidences, which are not known to the doctors. It is expected that more than twenty millions of people are infected with this disease and 16,000 have publicly announced their illness, from which 5% have died due to the severity.

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

Why Illegitimate Children Are Kept Away From Some Posts?

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girl, barrier, prohibition, shutout, distinctness, otherness, problem

Question: Whereas we know that the children born due to illegal relations have no role in their illegitimacy and have not committed any sins, then also according to Islamic traditions they are not treated fairly. And they are not allowed to take the important posts like that of a judge, Imam-e-Jamat and Maraja etc.

Why a person who has not committed any sin, just because the fault of his parents, should be ill-treated and kept away from important posts in the society?

Some people also say that such children will neither go to Paradise nor see any goodness. Is it right? Whereas we also know that Allah will not write one person’s sin in another person’s account?

And no soul earns (evil) but against itself, and no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another…1

Answer: Before we give the answer it is necessary to discuss the following points which are the basis of this topic and then we can conclude from it.

(1)    Due to illegal relationship, the relation between father and son is finished from the point of view of law and economics and thus it cuts off the family relationship and sentiments, which is the basis of a society. Sometimes the female doesn’t know that from the sperm of which man she had become pregnant.

In this way a child does not know his father, grandfather, grandmother and relatives. And generally many ethical, psychological, social, training, family, financially and sentimental defects come into existence because of it. This is the reason that the Holy Prophets (s.a.w.a.) and laws makers of the society prohibited things, which are against sanctity; the Shari’ah also prohibits the illegal relationship.

(2) In every community there are rules of marriage; that is why to establish illegal relationships is against the law. This is the reason that the person doing this type of deed feels guilty due to this, which stems from the sinful soul and has bad results, which arise from this type of deed.

And when a person repeats this deed or due to other factors the guilt of the person becomes less or if the fornicator does not have the feeling of guilt, then also there is a thief present in his inner self, and he become ill mannered, breaks the law, and deviates.

(3) According to the law of inheritance, like the other physical effects, inner qualities and thinking of the mother and father is also transferred to the children. In the same way the special traits of the parents are transferred to children like the color of eyes, hair, shape of the eyebrows etc.

In reality inheritance is the base for a person’s future and makes the personality of an individual and prepares the ground for them for their good or bad fortune.

From these points we can derive the following results:

Illegitimate children inherit bad manners, breaking of laws and sins from their parents. For them the ground for sins and crime is more feasible. As compared to others they are more prepared for sins and if they personally get wrong training or if the environment is not good, then it is enough for them that their polluted soul, like sparks beneath the ash become fire and burn their good fortune.

As for the question about social posts for illegitimate persons, it is a logical precaution for the protection of social good on the basis of whatever is said above about their psychological state.

Islam gives much importance to persons who are supposed to take these social posts, for acquiring the confidence of the people. Therefore those families which have some defects or whose past is not praiseworthy have been deprived of posts that require spiritual purity.

But we should not be that a person of illegitimate birth has the license to commit all sins and go against the Shari’ah, and that he be deprived of true Islamic teachings and training, and he by following the right principles cannot be fortunate – No, it is not like that.

Illegitimate children also like natural and lawful children are free to choose the right or wrong path. They also with their intentions and powers can choose the path of righteousness and goodness and acquire salvation and be one of the Heavenly people. It is not that they are born criminals and at any cost cannot be freed from the web of crimes and sins, but as Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) has said:

When an illegitimate child is prepared to perform his duties and able to do work of training, if his deeds are good he will get rewards for it and if he does bad he will be punished.

Although the rebellious nature of illegitimate children (which have more interest and are more inclined to break the laws and commit sins) makes it difficult for them to avoid sin, and it is also difficult for them to perform their duties, but if they go against their desires and follow the orders of Almighty and right principles they will be given the best of the rewards.

That is why Islam reproaches illegitimate children. It is so, to make them aware that they are facing a dangerous situation; they should fulfill their duties, remain away from sins and take precautions. It doesn’t mean that knowledge and training has no effect on them and they will certainly go to Hell.

In other words those children who are illegitimately born are like those children who are born to the parents having diseases (T.B, and sexual disorders). These children have more chances of contracting these diseases and if they are not cured as early as possible they are more likely to get these diseases. This is the reason that to protect the interest of the people, those children who are possible to contract the disease of T.B. should not be given whatever food and other things are available.

Like the ill parents, illegitimate children are also prepared to break the laws and fall into crime if their training and studies are not provided in the right environment and healthy intentions. It is possible they may fall into a great depth and ally with the criminals. For those reasons, in order to protect the social cause, precautions should be taken that they remain away from some posts.

Although it is wrong as some people think that illegitimate children will never be happy, lucky and acquire salvation. They can also be fortunate and happy like other people, but as we have told earlier their inner self in comparison to others is not favorable for this; that is why they should be stricter and take more precautions.

Just as it is not necessary that consumptive person’s son should also be consumptive; maybe he follows the rules of health becomes stronger than other people and may remain away from the diseases. The result is that the ground for sins is not necessarily proof for doing them but with strong intentions and good training it can be avoided.

It is important to mention that such illegitimate children if they remain staunch on the good path can acquire higher positions and a better life because they have practiced more self control.

  • 1. Surah Anam 6:164

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

What Is The Philosophy of Bathing The Dead Body And Bath For Touching The Dead Body?

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Bathing The Dead BodyQuestion: What is the philosophy behind bathing the dead body and the bath for one who has touched the dead body? What is the reason that when a person dies he should be given a bath in a special way and before being bathed if a person touches the dead body he also has to take a ritual bath (Ghusl)?

Answer: As we have told many times the logics behind some laws are not clear to us, but due to the passage of time and due to intellectual advance of mankind and progress of knowledge some logics are cleared to us and it is possible that in future as knowledge increases the Islamic laws will become clearer to us.

As for the point raised in this question: We can say that the necessity of ritual bath to the dead body, one of its reasons could be that as all communities respect the living people the same respect is accorded to their dead.

Although Islam has removed all superstitions about the dead from the past people and Ummah, it accords respect to the dead by bathing, shrouding and burial. In this way bathing the dead body is a kind of respect.

In other words Islam gives importance to the extraordinary value of a person and it has doubled the value of the person due to its different resources and sayings, and this status remains for a person after his death also and according to Islam no one can insult the dead body of a Muslim, so much so that no one should even insult the grave of a Muslim.

To give bath, shrouding and burying a dead body is the sign of a respect for him, such a respect in which there is no superstition.

According to Islamic point of view, death is not the complete end of the life of a person but it is a new world, new life, and it is one of the doors to reach the merciful Allah’s. That is why He orders to clean the dead body and make him wear a simple and clean cloth and bury him under the Earth, so that this action becomes the sign of the eternity of the real life and a sign of continuity. This is the philosophy of the ritual bath (Ghusl al-Mayyit).

Now the bath of a person who touches the dead body: Before we give its real answer, it is necessary to mention some points:

(1)    When a person dies, there is sadness and depression in the near and dear ones and they cannot see their relations cut off from them suddenly. The relatives who have love and attachment to the dead person, after his death also they like to kiss him and take him on their lap.

(2)    This point is also clear that due to illness or due to the end of defensive power, different types of poison are released, generally the dead body is mixed with different types of bacteria and to go near the dead body has some effects on the health of a person.

(3)    Islam has never waged a war against emotions and feelings of a person and never turned a nelson’s eye to a person’s natural movements. Islam has guided towards a special way.

After pondering on the above points we can conclude the following:

To save all the people especially all the relatives from different types of bacteria and diseases, which can penetrate to the people from the dead body and side by side if Islam prohibits to touch the dead body, it will hurt the feelings of the relatives, Islam has put a condition on them, it means that those who come in contact of a dead body, should take a bath.

There is no doubt that this condition restricts the living to come in direct contact of the dead body, at the same time it is not hurting the sentiments of the people. And due to this religious condition, if people touch the dead body then perform the bath by which the possible bacteria will be removed, which is a simple and best way.

It is possible that some people may object that due to the touching of the body, Ghusl becomes wajib and its purpose is to stop diseases and impurities, then why after giving the Ghusl to the dead body, Ghusl mas-e-mayyat, doesn’t become wajib?

But this objection seem to be very baseless and its answer is crystal clear, because the dead body is given bath with water mixed with berry leaves and then with water mixed with camphor and finally with plain water, it’s a way to clean the dead body from its contagious effects and due to this the dangers which were there before giving the bath are not present any more. After sometime the dead body is buried and there is no possibility of new bacteria coming into existence and penetrating into the human body.

Whatever is said about the bath to the dead body and bath for touching the dead body is one side of the philosophy. It is possible there may be other points also, which at present are invisible to us.

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

What Is The Difference Between Perspiration And Urine?

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question7Question: Urine and perspiration, both are released from the body which is in excess, then why one of it is najis and the other pure? Whereas, it is said that both have similar chemical composition?

Answer: We should keep in mind that though both urine and perspiration similar in chemical composition in some aspects, they are also different in some aspects and it is possible that due to their difference in some chemicals two different commands are given about them. Because as we shall see there is a poisonous substance in urine which is absent in perspiration. We shall explain it as follows:

The following things are present in Urine:

Urea                           Calcium
Uric acid                    Potassium
Creatinine                Phosphate
Ammonia                  Sulphates
Sodium Chloride

Whereas the components of perspiration are much less:

Incidentally perspiration that comes out from the pores of the skin soon evaporates, and this evaporation stops the growth of bacteria on the skin, whereas it is very much possible that different types of bacteria remain in urine. On this basis it is understood why Islam has considered perspiration pure and urine impure. Its reasons are as follows:

(1)    The colored matter which is present in the chemical composition of urine, in it the poison is much more than in perspiration and such a substance is not present in perspiration.

(2)    The urea in urine, which has poison in it, is much more than urea in perspiration.

(3)    As perspiration evaporates from the skin, it doesn’t leave any scope for growth of bacteria.

(4)    From many aspects the density of urine is more than that of perspiration. It may be ten times denser than perspiration. That is the reason that one is harmful and the other harmless.

It is very difficult to avoid perspiration and it will create a lot of difficulties, whereas it is not difficult to control urinating, and this itself is a difference between them.

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

Why Are Alcoholic Drinks Impure?

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Question: Why have the Ulamah (learned) declared that alcoholic drinks are najis, whereas it cleans many things from the effects of contagious disease and kills many bacteria then what is the reason of it being impure?

Answer: Basically those things in Islam which are declared as najis have different reasons:

From them some are najis due to their ingredients and because of them many disease take place (for example Urine and Blood) that is why Islam has considered them najis and instructed to refrain from them.

In the other sphere come those things, which are not apparently bad but are inertly bad and that is why Islam has stated them to be impure. For e.g. infidels – it is possible that a Kafir may be clean and tidy, as it is told in the answer of the seventeenth question that they are deviated according to faith; that is why he is impure on a spiritual basis, which cannot be removed by apparent cleanliness.

To safeguard the beliefs of Muslims, Islam has stated the infidels to be impure, that Muslims can be stopped from intermingling with them and save their spiritual cleanliness. If the infidels were not considered impure and it was allowed to intermingle with them it was possible that many people who do not have strong faith would have been impressed from their sayings and thinking.1

Free intermingling with infidels would result in their penetrating into Islamic societies so restricting intercourse with them would protect the Muslims from any possible danger from them.

Thirdly are those things in which the above impurity is not there, but they are source to many social and personal problems for e.g. the alcoholic drinks.

It is correct that alcoholic drinks clean the contagious effect, but alcoholic drinks cause many evils. To stop those evils Islam has declared it impure. People would thus remain away from it, because it is natural that by not using something made from alcohol will creates hate towards it and this itself is war against alcoholic drinks.2

  • 1. Very soon we will discuss about the impurity of infidels
  • 2. Whatever is said above is about alcoholic drinks, but as regards artificial alcohol being impure there is discussion between the scholars and Jurisprudents, because this type of alcohol is not generally meant for drinking, rather it is considered to be a poisonous substance.

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

Why Should Women Cover Themselves In Prayers?

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Question: When Allah is aware of all the hidden and apparent things, why it is necessary for women to cover themselves during Prayers?

Answer: There is no doubt that Allah is aware of everything and all conditions and hidden and apparent are not applicable to him. He is not a stranger to His servants. We human beings while worshipping feel that we are in the presence of God; we talk to Him, and supplicate Him.

The person should wear the most appropriate clothes and it is obvious that the appropriate and perfect dress for women is what befits their chastity and which gives the best reflection of themselves.

During worship such type of clothes are best suited. Also the men cannot pray naked, it makes the prayer invalid and is against the spirit of worship and respect of Allah, but it is better that along with necessary clothes we should pray with clothes that show respect, for example it is not good to pray just with an undergarment. One should also wear shirt etc. over it.

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

What is The Purpose of Prayers of Ayaat?

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Question: Why should one perform Prayers of ayaat at during lunar and solar eclipse, earthquake, storms or thunder?

Answer: Performing Prayers of ayaat during lunar and solar eclipse is due to two main reasons:

(1) Usually the Sun, Moon and their working is astonishing for man. The shining (golden) rays of the sun give life to all the animals and plants. The moon moves according to its accurate and disciplined way and with its first ray reduces the darkness on the Earth and brightens it for us.

These great and surprising things had a great effect on the past people and a belief was created in their mind that apparently if these (Sun and moon) have power on animals, plants and trees they also affect the destiny of people and they are their creators; and from that time worship of Sun and Moon came into existence and people started having faith in them. They accorded divinity to the Sun and the Moon while it belongs only to the Lord Who actually is the absolute Creator of this whole Universe.

The greatest blow dealt by Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) on these false beliefs was that all the planets and heavenly bodies were subservient to the law and system of the universe.1

The setting of those shining bodies and their going away in darkness is the biggest proof of their limitations; and when a thing itself is limited and subservient to other things and does not have the power to continuously give light to the Earth it proves that it is not God and it is itself a creature.

The eclipse of Sun and Moon is a sign that they are creatures and to be limited in front of the Creator is itself a proof and from this we come to know that these planets that give light to other creatures, do not have much power. That is the reason that sometimes some things come and stand in front of them and stops them from performing their duties.

That is why the Solar and Lunar eclipse is the best proof of their being creatures and being limited before the Almighty Allah.

When we see the Solar and Lunar eclipse (an incident which shows that these bodies are under a strong and supernatural power, such an incident creates faith about the real Creator in our hearts, in Whose power the Sun and the Moon and the whole Universe is under Him) so it is necessary for us at that time to convert this faith into practice and by praying the ayaat prayers put our forehead in the holy court and show our inner beliefs.

That is why Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) on the setting of those luminary bodies concluded what we conclude from the solar and lunar eclipse, and promptly said:

“Surely I have turned myself, being upright wholly to Him who originated the heavens and the earth, and I am not of the polytheists.2

(2) Whenever there are some heavenly phenomena and extraordinary things occur, many people try to find refuge and to remove the effects of these incidents, think some way out.

Islam has made it compulsory to perform the ayaat prayers during Solar and Lunar eclipse so that people may remain away from superstitions and divert their attention and intelligence towards the fact that He is the source of all the phenomena in the Universe. This Prayer gives one peace of mind against such incidents.

  • 1. Surah Anam 6:76-78
  • 2. Surah Anam 6:80

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani

How Does Prayers Keep a Person Away From Sin?

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Question: According to Qur’an’s point of view one of the effects of Prayers is that it keeps one away from sins and unlawful things. Because Qur’an says:

And keep up prayer; surely prayer keeps (one) away from indecency and evil…1

Then also we see that many people who pray commit sins and evil deeds and there is no effect of prayers on their words and deeds. Then what is the meaning of the above-mentioned ayah?

Answer: First of all one should remember that for a person to remain away from sins, the primary thing is remembrance of Allah and Faith. One, who forgets Allah, doesn’t think about his actions and character and to fulfill his desire never thinks of any limit. The opposite of this is that the remembrance of Allah keeps us away from sensual desires. The remembrance of that God who is All-aware of our small and big deeds and whatever we think, He is all knowing.

To control unlawful desires, the natural and straight way is to remember God, to know the status of godly people, to remember the punishment meant for sinners and to remember the rewards for those who follow the divine commandments.

The holy Qur’an describes the godly people in this way:

Men whom neither merchandise nor selling diverts from the remembrance of Allah and the keeping up of prayer and the giving of poor-rate…2

Amir al-Mu’mineen Ali (a.s.) gave special importance to the remembrance of Allah and says as follows:

“Allah the most High has created lights in the hearts of his servants, due to that shining their ears start listening and eyes start seeing and they leave enmity and mischievousness and obey His commands.”3

Imam Ali (a.s.) in these sentences said that ‘forgetfulness’ is the disease of the heart and deafness and blindness, which make the human beings rebellious, quarrelsome and inimical from the true and right path. In comparison to this your property is the remembrance of Allah, through which your heart listens and enlightens, which bring the sensual desires under the control.

On the basis of whatever is said above, one who is unmindful about the rewards and punishment of Allah is like a blind and deaf, who rides an untrained horse. certainly the horse will hit the stones and fall into a pit, but those people who are awakened and their hearts remember the Lord; they closely observe the results of their deeds. They listen to the truth with great attention and keep their sensual desires under control by remembering the Almighty.

Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) addresses one of his friends in this way:

“Always remember Allah, because His remembrance is a hindrance between a person and unlawful deed.”4

Asbagh ibn Nubata says the Amir al-Mu’mineen (a.s.) said:
“Remember Allah on two places, one at the time of distress and when you are about to commit a small sin, and to remember Allah at the time of sin is more important because His remembrance is a hindrance between the person and the sin.”

It is apparent that there are different stages of remembering Allah, and they are never similar. Sometimes he reaches the stage that insures a person against all sins and due to this his involvement in sin naturally becomes impossible. These are people who remember Allah with a peaceful heart, awakened heart, enlightened eyes, hearing ears and obedient soul.

Most of the people remember God in a middle stage. For example there are some people who commit some sins, but in any way they do not shed the blood of others, or usurp the property of orphans, or defame others because they know the punishment for these sins is very severe and their inner soul stops them from these sins.

Sometimes the remembrance of Allah is so less and hazy that it becomes apparent only in leaving of sins. Many times the stronger factors, makes its basis effect less. But if the remembrance of Allah is practiced even if weak and defective, it can protect a person from many sins.

Prayers is the source for the remembrance of Allah

One of the secrets of Prayers is that it inculcates the remembrance of Allah in man and Qur’an itself says that it is one of the purposes of Prayers:

Therefore serve Me and keep up prayer for My remembrance…5

It is apparent that Prayers is worship and it should be performed with the purpose of nearness to Allah, which is why it is naturally the cause for the remembrance of Allah.

The person who is praying expresses those sentences by his tongue which makes him attentive towards Allah and it is the source of His remembrance. For example in the Surah Hamd, which we recite in the Prayers, we praise Allah and His qualities and after this in his holy realm mention the different servants and it also same for other recitations in the Prayers.

The effect of Prayers on our soul is that it makes our spirit stronger and makes us remember Allah, and this remembrance as we have told earlier has different stages. Those people who do not refrain from many sins and are careless and due to sins they do not remember Allah.

In other words, the saying of Qur’an that “Prayers protects the person from sin” doesn’t mean that the person who prays Prayers becomes immune from sins, but it means that it is the cause of remembrance of Allah and it also diverts a person attention towards the Lord and the natural effect of this type of remembrance creates a spirit in the worship and refrains him from sins. But it is also possible that if a person is less attentive towards Allah, the other factors may remove the spiritual effect.

The conclusion of this discussion is that if the Prayer is prayed in its proper way, it will have an effect on the person to make him resist sins. Sometimes this effect is strong and sometimes it is weak and there is variation due to the difference in sins and difference in Prayers. When the Prayers are prayed with humility and perfection, his training and restraint from sins is stronger.

Prayers of those who pray practically stops them from sins and along with this help in refraining from other sins because the worshipper has no option, that for making his Prayers right and acceptable, he should refrain from many sins. For example one of the conditions of Prayers is those things, which are necessary in Prayers should be lawful. This makes the worshipper leave many things, because it is very difficult that a person who prays makes sure that all the things required for Prayers be lawful and in other things is not worried about lawfulness.

From whatever is said above it is proved that those who do not pray, as a result of non performance of Prayers they also fail to perform other worship acts like fasting, Hajj, Khums and Zakat. They do not differentiate between Halaal and Haraam, clean and unclean. While those who at least pray, refrain from some sins and those who perform this worship in a better and perfect way refrain from most of the sins or all the sins.

In brief Prayers have a training effect on the person who prays, whether this effect be comprehensive or weak, it depends on the performance of Prayers and upon its manner and spirit.

  • 1. Surah Ankabut 29:45
  • 2. Surah Nur 24:37
  • 3. Nahjul Balagha, Sermon 222
  • 4. Biharul Anwar, Vol. 1, p. 486
  • 5. Surah Taha 20:14

Philosophy of Islamic Laws:Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatullah Jafar Subhani