HOLD FAST TO THE ROPE OF ALLAH

"O you who have Imaan! Fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims. And hold fast onto the rope of Allah Ta'ala all of you together and do not separate..." (3:102-103)

To better understand these two verses, it is first necessary to know in what contexts these verses were revealed. In fact, there were people, criminals who sought to harm Muslim society at all costs. And Allah Ta'ala, in His Wisdom and Foresight, warns us against these evildoers. He commands that we strengthen ourselves against these evil ones by developing the two factors that are essential to the force of any people, namely (1) Taqwa and (2) Unity.

THE MEANINGS OF TAQWA

Taqwa literally means to abstain, avoid, or spare oneself from anything forbidden or doubtful for fear of being punished by Allah Ta'ala.

THE 3 DEGREES OF TAQWA

The first degree of Taqwa: It encourages everyone to stay away from Shirk and Kufr. In this sense, every Muslim is a Muttaqi (one who possesses a degree of Taqwa).
The second degree of Taqwa: It is abstaining from the things that are not appreciated by Allah Ta'ala and his Rasul (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam). The virtues, merits, and rewards mentioned in the Qur'an and the Ahaadith are specifically addressed to this category.
The third Degree of Taqwa: This is the highest degree of Taqwa. It is that of the Prophets, the Ambiya and the Auliya whose hearts are free of Ghairullah and are embellished only by the thought of Allah (Zikr of Allah).

O YOU WHO BELIEVE! FEAR ALLAH AS HE OUGHT TO BE FEARED.

To submit to Allah with sincerity without any disobedience, to have an unfailing and infallible thought of Allah Ta'ala and also to have gratitude where ingratitude does not figure. The same interpretation is given by other scholars of Islam in different ways. To explain one thing without the fact varying, a scholar said: Obedience to Allah Ta'ala without worrying about criticism, insults and blame from people, does not prevent the Muslim from being righteous and from remaining in it even to the detriment of his own person and his family.

Another scholar argues that strict control over the language is essential to meet the requirements of this verse.

FEAR ALLAH ACCORDING TO YOUR ABILITY.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas (Radiyallahu anhuma) is of the opinion that there is no contradiction between "Fear Allah as He ought to be feared" and "Fear Allah according to your ability", because according to him, the last verse is in fact a complement to the first verse quoted. So if a person, having drawn from all his physical and moral capacities for the sole purpose of distancing himself from all sin, happens to commit a sin, then he has not broken the stipulation "as He ought to be feared" in the least.

Let us take the example of some Sahaabah who, having taken the necessary and desired precautions, slightly slipped. Far from it, they did not attach themselves to the law formulated "as He ought to be feared". Otherwise, Allah Ta'ala would never have proclaimed His satisfaction in their favour.

AND DO NOT DIE WITHOUT SUBMITTING TO HIS WILL

It is only possible to die as a Muslim by strict observance of Islamic principles throughout one's life. It is said in a Hadith that a man will die in the state in which he leads his life. So, this verse teaches us to remain vigilant to Islamic principles throughout one's life in order to taste an end worthy of a Muslim.

HOLD FAST TO THE ROPE OF ALLAH AND DO NOT BE DIVIDED

A second factor in which we find the strength of a people is unity. This is an essential factor. First of all, Allah shows us the way and the means to build this Unity: the development of Taqwa (Piety). Then He commands us to unite to find that strength.

THE UNITY

This is an undeniable fact. Everyone, irrespective of distinction of race, colour, religion, homeland, ideology, is unanimous in praising the positive and beneficial aspect of Unity. Yet no one would advocate the idea of disunity, enmity, war and disagreement among the components of society. We are witnessing, in fact, a real cry coming from all sides for the delivery of this unit. However, it can only be seen at the level of dialogue, because we are witnessing the almost permanent tearing apart of society to such an extent that unity, its subdivisions, or the hope of this unity has become a fable, a pipe dream.

LET'S REFLECT ON THE REASONS FOR THE LACK OF UNITY

Very often, some group, party or individual with its own program or idea, thinks about how to unite but stumbles over ideological questions. If he can come to an agreement as to what concessions and sacrifices the one or the other would have done. Obviously, problems will then arise among them and it will be inevitable that discord, enmity, and disunity will take place in this so-called union, leaving behind them a hateful and bitter taste.

Al Qur'an does not only invite people towards unity. It shows them the means to make it a reality and the application of just and harmonious principles to maintain in this society. So, by following these principles scrupulously, no divergence will surface among people, individuals or groups.

THE PRINCIPLES

Al-Qur'an teaches us not to rely on the system, plan or program that is written by man, but recommends that we live on an exemplary and infallible program, a plan, a way of life, the drafting of which has been meticulously designed by the One, the Eternal and Supreme who is Allah Ta'ala. The achievement of unity requires that we devote ourselves to living under the law of Allah Ta'ala and the principles of Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam).

THE PRINCIPLES AND LAW OF ALLAH TA'ALA

The law is found in the Qur'an E Karim. Similarly, Muslim Unity is found by inviting people to cling to the laws of Qur'an E Karim, the last message of Allah Ta'ala, revealed on the last Prophet Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam). It is then that we will understand the explanation of "hold fast onto to the rope of Allah".

EXPLANATIONS

Several explanations are given for the word 'Habl'. According to Hadhrat Zaid bin Arqam (Radiyallahu anhu) and Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas'ud (Radiyallahu anhuma), this word means rope and refers here to the Qur'an E Karim. Other scholars define the word 'Habl' as 'Deen' Islam (Religion) or as the Sunnah of Nabi E Karim (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam). All three explanations or definitions refer to the same thing in different or varied formulas.

Allah uses the word 'Habl' to demonstrate that Islam, Qur'an, the principles of Nabi-e-Karim (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) are a rope that binds the servant to His Creator. It is really a strong bond that can withstand any test (storm, war, disagreement, etc.).

THE CONCEPTION OF UNITY ACCORDING TO THE QUR'AN

Allah clearly shows the fundamental contrast between two groups. One of them wants to unite at all costs on a common platform against the backdrop of differences in thought, program, and ideology, and the other group whose conception of unity is essentially based on the divine principles and laws. The action of the first group is definitively doomed to failure because it is not enough to live on the same platform but to have the same thought, the same ideology in the image of these two Muslims. One lives in the East and the other in the West, but they are united in thought, ideology, way of life, way of prostrating themselves and invoking the same and only Creator. Whatever may happen to them, their friendship will not be affected in the slightest. It is unity in its true sense of the word. Each of them cares about how to tie themselves to the rope of Allah. By wanting to follow the precepts of Allah, example by following the example of the Sunnah of Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam), they are certainly guided by Allah who inspires into their hearts, love, friendship and happiness.

The following verse gives a clearer explanation of this friendship:

YES, THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND DO GOOD WORKS, THE MOST MERCIFUL ASSIGNS LOVE TO THEM

In the light of this verse, to develop this love or friendship, we must put into practice the divine laws in all aspects of our lives, and subsequently bring about the strengthening of our Imaan (faith). Only Al Qur'an, The Guide par excellence, can help us.

It is then that the true union of all the scattered forces will be born.

Allah reminds us that unity is a favour emanating from His powers, while discord is a destructive element or even a calamity. It is Allah, Himself, who inculcates friendship in the heart of every person. And it was through this friendship that a African named Hadhrat Bilal (Radiyallahu anhu) was called by Hadhrat Umar (Radiyallahu anhu) by the term 'Oh Our Leader'. What a great example! Allah Ta'ala demonstrates that disunity is a way to drag people to the abyss of hell.

Friendship is a blessing from Allah. And in order to be able to enjoy and taste the fruits of this friendship, it is to submit oneself totally to Allah by living according to the way of life which is established by Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam).

Living in disobedience to Allah Ta'ala brings about enmity, hatred, instability and degradation of morals.

The world should not neglect holding fast onto the rope of Allah because any delay would be harmful.

[English version of "Attachez-vous à la corde d'Allah" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 2]