O Believers, do not be hasty and forward in Allaah and His Messenger’s
presence but instead fear Allaah; for verily, Allaah is Hearer and Knower. [Soorah al-Hujurat (49):1]
This Soorah opens with Allaah’s command to the Believers not to interrupt the
Prophet’s (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) conversations or obstinately
contradict him. Instead, they are advised to fear Allaah by being patient and to obey the
Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) by following him in all their affairs.
Respect for the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) and what he had to say is
portrayed as an expression of the fear of Allaah because the Prophet (sallallaahu
`alayhi wa sallam) did not speak of his own accord. He was guided by Allaah, the Most
High; therefore, his statements and actions should be looked at as divine guidance from
Allaah. The Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) was the means by which
Allaah chose to convey His last message to mankind. This vital point was emphasized and
immortalized by Allaah in the following verse, "And, he (the Prophet) does not
speak from his desires; verily, what he says is revelation from (God)" [Soorah
an-Najm (53):3] We are required to revere the Qur'aan and quietly listen to its message
based on Allaah's statement "When the Qur’aan is being
recited, listen to it attentively and be quiet." [Soorah al-A'raaf (7):204]
We are also required to revere the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam)
and listen attentively to his pronouncements. Ibn 'Abbaas, the greatest Qur'anic
commentator among the Sahaba, added another dimension to the meaning of this verse and
similar verses by interpreting it to mean that the Believers should not say anything which
goes against the Qur'aan and Sunnah [Quoted by lbn Katheer in Tafseer
al-Qur'aan, al-'AdHeem, vol. 4, p. 315]. Figuratively speaking, one is in
Allaah’s presence when he or she reads the Qur'aan, and likewise when the Hadeeths
which describe the Prophet's Sunnah [the sayings and actions of the Prophet (sallallaahu
`alayhi wa sallam) intended as law for all Muslims] are studied, one also enters into the
presence of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam). Hence "Allaah and
His Prophet's presence" can be said to refer today to the Qur’aan and
Sunnah. Forwardness and haste in Allaah’s and His Prophet's presence could
then be interpreted to mean the making of snap judgements based on superficial reading or
making unauthorized and unfounded interpretations of the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. Giving
one’s personal opinions or cultural habits precedence over the divine commands of the
Qur'aan and Sunnah also represents another aspect of forwardness in Allaah's and
His Prophet's presence. Great care has to be taken when explaining the principles of
Islaam in order that no statements contrary to those of Allaah and His Apostle are
inadvertently made which may consequently lead people astray. If at any time ideas in
opposition to the Qur'aan and the Sunnah are held and clear proofs of their
inaccuracy are later presented, a true Believer is required to immediately give up his or
her mistaken concepts and submit to the authentic commands of Allaah and His Messenger. If
one does otherwise, claiming his ideas and practices were that of his forefathers, he
would be, in fact, no better than the pagans of Makkah who replied to the Prophet's call
to one God by saying "Verily, we found our forefathers on this path and we
Intend to follow their steps." [Soorah az-Zukhruf (13):22] He would also be guilty of the crime of "believing in a
part of the Book and disbelieving in a part' [Soorah al-Baqarah (2):85]; a
crime for which Allaah cursed the Jews. Instead, one should "Obey Allaah and obey
the Messenger" [Soorah Aal-'Imraan (3):32] without the least hesitation otherwise
one's lslaam, which itself means submission to Allaah and His Apostle, would be in
question.
Allaah then closes the verse with a reminder to fear Him at all times, for
it is only the consciousness of Allaah, a longing for His pleasure and a fear of His
displeasure, which can create a real and lasting improvement of human habits. The verse is
then sealed with two of Allaah's qualities both of which produce a state of real God
consciousness in all who comprehend their implications. Allaah is the Hearer of all
statements, plans or plots and He is the Knower of the secret intentions behind all deeds.
His knowledge knows no bounds of time and space. Hence, any disrespect to Allaah and his
Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam), His Qur'aan, and the Sunnah is
known to Allaah; and those who dare to commit such acts will be held to account for them.
