small kindness

earlier today while reading the quran, i was simply overtaken by the inherent message of surah ma'oun (small kindness, surah 107). just read on and you will discover the beauty of it yourself.

i realized the message of quran is wide and deep, but its our narrow outlook and limited-senses that fails to read beyond the words.

In the name of Allah, the Beneficient, the Merciful!

Have you seen him who denies Our religion?
It is he who harshly repels the orphan
and does not urge others to feed the needy.
Woe to those who pray
but are heedless of their prayers;
who put on a show of piety
but refuse to give even the smallest help to others.

The surah stresses unequivocally that, if the essence of faith does not manifest itself in men's behaviour then there IS no faith.

"Have you seen him who denies Our religion? It is he who harshly repels the orphan and does not urge others to feed the needy."

(One) who harshly repels the orphan and does not urge others to feed the needy is thus identified by the Qur'an as the one who denies the religion of Islam? This definition may sound surprising but in fact, this is the core of the whole matter. For if the truth of Islam has in any degree touched his heart, one could commit no such acts.

True belief in Islam is not a spoken word but an overall change of the individual's heart, motivating him to benevolence and goodwill for all his fellow beings that are in need of his care and protection. Allah does not want mere words from His servants but demands deeds to support the spoken words which, otherwise, are as weightless and valueless as blown ash.

through Islam Allah wishes human life to be elevated, happy, based on pure motives and characterised by mutual compassion, brotherhood and purity of hearts and behaviour.

To where then is humanity driving itself?

Away from this abundance of mercy?

Away from this wonderful and sublime path?

How can mankind debase itself to living in the wilderness of a wretched and gloomy Ignorance when it beholds the sparkling light of faith before its very eyes at the cross-roads where it now stands?

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