Understanding Qur’an As An Instrument Of Guidance Than An Instrument Of Swearing

Salam everyone,

This is another article written by Hijab al Faisal. She is working at Quranreading.com as a Web Content Writer teaching Quran to students living in the USA, Canada,and the UK. According to Hijab, Quran Reading is the largest Online Quran Academy, where they have taught more than 5000 kids and parents to Read Quran online with Tajweed. 

Masha Allah!

Please visit their website for more details. :)

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The Holy Quran, the final word of Allah, still preserved in its original condition, without traces of a mistake, not even a full stop, serves to be the absolute guidance, not only for Muslims, but for any human being who desires to escape the darkness of negligence and illiteracy

Yunus [10:57].  O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord (i.e. the Qur'an, enjoining all that is good and forbidding all that is evil), and a healing for that (disease of ignorance, doubt, hypocrisy and differences,) Which is in your breasts, - a guidance and a mercy (explaining lawful and unlawful things) for the believers.

This verse not only confirms the fact that Qur’an is the best piece of advice Allah the Almighty ever awarded to human beings, but also points to the fact that Quran does not serve any particular group of people, but instead serves all of the humanity. The usage of the “O mankind” makes this fact very much clear.

Swearing – A Not So Good Societal Norm

A study of history reveals the fact that in every society, there seems to surge some not-so-good societal norms, which pose more harm than good. Swearing is one of them. It is considered to be an oath, mostly in the form of a factual statement or as a promise, usually calling upon an authority much higher in status than the parties involved (usually God), in order to bear witness in favour of the oath maker. In other words, swearing in its usual form, is considered as taking an oath or making a solemn vow.

Islamic Perspective Of Swearing

It is very unfortunate for the Muslim ummah (community) that they resort to the Qur'an not as a source of guidance and knowledge, but only for swearing and taking oaths in its name. Many Muslims are also found swearing in the names of other humans like their fathers, mothers, brothers, and other love ones. This is absolutely wrong practice, which should be abstained from.

For a Muslim taking oath in the name of something other than Allah the Almighty is strictly discouraged. It is quite a serious matter bearing serious consequences. Given below are certain considerations, which need to be followed whwn taking oaths:

Swearing Is Allowed Only In Name Of Allah

Firstly, Muslims should avoid swearing, but if someone has to do so under certain circumstance, they should swear only in the name of Allah and none other. Consider the following hadith in this regard:

Narrated Ibn 'Umar radi Allahu anhu: Allah's Apostle met 'Umar bin Al-Khattab while the latter was going with a group of camel-riders, and he was swearing by his father. The Prophet said, "Lo! Allah forbids you to swear by your fathers, so whoever has to take an oath, he should swear by Allah or keep quiet." (Sahih Bukharee,Volume 8, Book 78, Number 641)

Fulfillment Of The Oath

As mentioned earlier, oaths should be taken seriously and once taken, should be fulfilled.

Narrated Al-Bara: The Prophet ordered us to help others to fulfill the oaths. (Sahih Bukharee,Volume 8, Book 78, Number 648)

This means it is a matter so serious that Allah’s Apostle Muhammad (PBUH) insisted others to help a person fulfill his oath.

Allah’s Mercy In This Regard

Allah the Almighty, the most Merciful and Generous, vows to forgive those who swear unintentionally, accidently, or without true intent The Qur'an teaches in this regard:

Allâh will not call you to account for that which is unintentional in your oaths, but He will call you to account for that which your hearts have earned. And Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Forbearing. (Al-Baqarah 2:225)

Conclusion

As described earlier, Allah bestowed humanity with the gift of Qur'an as a source of guidance and learning rather than a source of swearing. Therefore, we should be focused towards Qur'an learning rather than resorting to it for other purposes. May Allah the Almighty empower us to implement true teachings of Qur'an in our lives.

Posted in: Chief Editor's, Guest Authors, Quran