[42]. Surah Ash-Shura [The Consultation]: Ayat 038

৩৮. যারা তাদের পালনকর্তার আদেশ মান্য করে, নামায কায়েম করে; পারস্পরিক পরামর্শক্রমে কাজ করে এবং আমি তাদেরকে যে রিযিক দিয়েছি, তা থেকে ব্যয় করে,

 

Ayat 38. And those who answer the Call of their Lord [i.e. to believe that He is the only One Lord (Allah), and to worship none but Him Alone], and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation, and who spend of what We have bestowed on them;

Tafseer of Surah Al Shura (Consultation) Ayat 38. Those who hearken to their Lord, and establish regular Prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance; Continuing the enumeration of the characteristics described above, we have the following further qualities in those who wish to serve Allah. (5) They are ready at all times to hearken to Allah's Signs, or to listen to the admonitions of prophets of Allah, and to follow the true Path, as they understand it: (6) they keep personal contact with Allah, by habits of Prayer and Praise; (7) their conduct in life is open and determined by mutual Consultation between those who are en-tided to a voice, e.g., in private domestic affairs, as between husband and wife, or other responsible members of the household: in affairs of business, as between partners or parties interested: and in State affairs, as between rulers and ruled, or as between different departments of administration, to reserve the unity of administration: (8) they do not forget Charity, or the help due to their weaker brethren, out of the wealth or gifts or talents or opportunities, which Allah had provided for themselves: and (9) when other people use them despitefully, they are not cowed down or terrorized into submission and acceptance of evil, but stand up for their rights within the limits mentioned in verse 40. (R). Consultation. This is the keyword of the Surah, and suggests the ideal way in which a good man should conduct his affairs, so that, on the one hand, he may not become too egotistical, and, on the other, he may not lightly abandon the responsibilities which devolve on him as a Personality whose development counts in the sight of Allah. This principle was applied to its fullest extent by the Prophet in his private and public life, and was fully acted upon by the early rulers of Islam. Modern representative government is an attempt-by no means perfect-to apply this principle in State affairs. See my Religion Polity of Islam.

Hazrat Buraidah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) said, "That which differentiates us from the disbelievers and hypocrites is our performance of Salat. He who abandons it, becomes a disbeliever.''

[At-Tirmidhi Hadith # 2621]

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Ash-Shura Ayat 38. “worship none but Him Alone], and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat)” This Hadith makes the importance of Salat in Islam abundantly clear. The opinion of the Companions of the Prophet  [SAWW](PBUH) was based on the information contained in the Ahadith which have been mentioned above. They did not take the Ahadith which interpreted the leaving of Salat as Kufr mere scolding or reproof. They considered slackness and negligence in Salat as Kufr and apostasy and regarded Salat a symbol of Islam.