. J (cont.)

The result is that one praises and thanks Allah for His decree that He will not commit any form of zulm. This should make Allah even more beloved in the hearts of His servants. Allah knows best. Another Related Point Some commentators point out that what this portion of the hadith implies is that one cannot pray to Allah for help in committing any form of wrongdoing or oppression. For example, when in an dispute with another, one can only pray to Allah to bring about what is true and correct, and not zulm. This is because Allah has forbidden zulm for Himself. He would not wrong any of His servants. Therefore, how could He be expected to help one person wrong another?9 1 Al-Haitami, Fath, p. 191. 2 Al-Nawawi, Sharh sahih, vol. 5, p . 439. 3 Al-Ubayy, vol. 7, p. 28. 4 Al-Azhari, p. 49. 5 Al-Bugha and Mistu, p. 1 73. 6 Taataay, p. 1 85. 7 Al-Baitaar, p. 148. 8 See al-Harbi, vol. I , pp. 137ff. 9 Cf., ibn Daqeeq al-Eid, Sharh, p. 65. Hadith #24: "O My Servants, I have Forbidden Wrongdoing . . . " "and I have made it ' forbidden for you" lbn Taimiya states that this statement covers all of the religion. Everything that Allah has forbidden is, in one way or another, a type of zulm, while everything that He has ordered is a form of adl or justice. 2 In fact, Allah has said, J ;:ii ""' .,, ,.,, ,,.. .,, ,.,, J ., .... ., ""' .... ., ,,, .. .. ifUI r 01I\j JI K 8j;ij ,- 1/·:1L LL.M GLji :UJ / / .... ,;_ J.J. .,, .,. ., .... .!.. ., X d\ R1::j ЎЏ t-·/·:j -4N Džt/ ૂ {|\ Gj;ij ТУ r. ., .... Y._j ts.,J b\ 01 4-:-:1ૃ Jd...Mj JT::.a·; / / / "Indeed, We have sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance Uustice) that mankind may establish justice. And We brought forth iron wherein is mighty power as well as many benefits for mankind, that Allah may test those who will help Him and His messengers, while unseen. Verily, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty" (al-Hadeed 25). So the messengers were sent, books revealed and the balance made so that mankind may establish and live by justice. Furthermore, iron has been created so that it may be used for the sake of truth and justice. The book guides to justice and the sword and iron assists it. 3 The Companions understood well that the establishment of justice was one of the key goals of the religion of Islam. When asked by the Emperor of Persia what brought the Muslims to their lands, two different Companions answered in similar terms: "Allah has sent us to take whoever wishes from the servitude of mankind to the servitude of Allah, and from the tightness of this world to its expanse, and from the injustice of the ways oflife [in this world] to the justice of Islam. ,,,i The point is that mankind must establish justice. However, justice is only established by following what Allah has revealed. The polytheists established some of their own practices and forbid many things without any authority from Allah. Allah revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) to tell them that such are not the just matters that Allah has ordered him to do. Instead, Allah says, 1 The Arabic word translated here as, "made it" isjal (Ą). This word is used in a legal sense, as is the case here, to mean "order something". It can also be used in a cosmic or creational sense, meaning that Allah created or made something in a specific way. In the Quran, al-Naba 10-1 1 is an example of the word used in a cosmic sense. In al-Maaidah 103, the word is used in its legal sense. Cf., ibn Uthaimeen, Sharh Riyaadh, vol. 3, pp. 139-140. 2 lbn Taimiya, Majmoo, vol. 1 8, p. 166. . 3 lbn Taimiya, Majmoo, vol. 1 8, p. 1 58. 4 Ismaaeel ibn Katheer, Al-Bidaaya wa al-Nihaaya (Beirut: Daar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyya, 1 985), vol. 7, pp. 39-40. Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi "Say: My Lord has commanded me justice and that you should face Him alone in every place of worship, and invoke Him alone, making your faith sincere for Him" (al-Araaf 29). The greatest justice is tauheed and the greatest injustice is shirk (associating partners with Allah). The Prophet (peace be upon him) was once asked what is the greatest sin. He answered, "It is that you associate a partner with Allah while He created you." (Recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim.) Allah is the only One with attributes that make Him worthy of worship. Allah also created every human and bestowed upon each numerous bounties. For humans to then tum to others and worship others alongside Allah is the greatest form of injustice. Allah bestows on them bounties and then they worship and thank others.