Chapter Ma’un – Part 4
107:2 “Such is the one who treats the orphan with harshness”
What is the point of support for an “orphan”? We have expanded the meaning of any being that needs a point of support for its existence. Everything is in need of existence in this universe.
What is the point of support for the existence of anything? None to be found here. However, the universe exists with its order, but how?
Who has the point of support of any of its qualities in this universe? Nothing. Every single atom has no point of support for its existence within this universe. Watch out for their rights!
- Do not transgress the rights of the orphans! They manifest their Creator’s qualities.
Who treats the orphans with harshness?
Orphan, per the whole purpose of Quran is now understood as: where everything is in need of a point of support.
Tree has no importance of its own. Its duty is to manifest the qualities of its Creator which is how the tree gets its rights. Similarly, I just reflected qualities manifested in me by doing a good act, as light reflected in me (the mirror) does not belong to me (the mirror).
- Any attitude which denies the reality (acknowledging that everything is needy of a point of support which gives it existence. All the results and actions are reflections coming from that point of support. I do not own anything, nor can I claim rights on any being) is transgressing the rights of the orphan.
Another word to focus on is the needy (miskeen). The needy has a much larger meaning than just what the culture applies in terms of the needs of the needy folks materially. What am I in need of that I am desperate of?
- Money, food, shelter, clothing:a person wants or needs but does not have the means to acquire it.
- Social support, family support, psychological support which are all in the materialistic culture stays in the material sense.
- The relationship with someone as per the counselor turns into a materialistic solution.
The vocabulary, terminology of the Quran doesn’t have to be unusual words. There were some foreign words in the Qur’an to the culture of the particular prophetic community.
Every society has the understanding of “needy” according to the well-being in society – mostly materialistic understanding of life.
Side note on Usage of word “slave” – to people who speak English, it has a negative meaning in the understanding of this word.
Worshiper (Abd) – usually translated as slave is not helpful in understanding the message of the Quran. It puts the idea of slavery attaching it to the message of the Quran which is exemplary in freeing one from slavery. No one associates the word slave when used in translations as the Quran means it to be which is according to the fundamental teachings of the Quran. When we use the vocabulary according to the materialistic culture which calls to mind the cultural understanding, such vocabulary should be avoided. Prefer a word which is legitimately valid within the general teachings of the Quran. Using the word slave repeatedly legitimizes the meaning within the materialistic world view.
Similarly, the word “needy” should not be understood as it is generally understood in the materialist culture.
Sadaqa – meaning aligned with tasdeeq – meaning confirmation.
Tassadduk – comes from the same root as tasdeeq (confirming the truth.)
Sadakta – you told the truth, same root word
What does “Sadaqa” have to do with giving to charity?
That’s what the Quran introduces the words according to the message of the Quran. That is, a way of expressing your truth, reality is what the “Sadaqa” should be involved with. Is Sadaqa only for materialistic terms, feed someone or give money? Do we think the Quran speaks to satisfy people’s material needs only?
It is already innate in everyone’s physical being. My feelings tell me to help people. Do I need my Creator to tell me that? One can be an atheist and establish the greatest charity organization. They have never heard of the message of the Quran’s charity concept. The feeding and helping in material terms is not excluded in the meaning of charity but these feelings are already within us on which we act.
Has anyone seen any encouragement in the Quran, give to charity to “Muslims” only? No. then, to whom?
Where do we start looking at in the community and see if anyone needs any money? Where do we start? From our family members, friends, neighbors, whatever we are connected to. Does the Quran qualify who the needy/orphan/miskeen are – travelers, homeless, needy of the most important thing that human beings need? Do they have to be Muslims? No such specification.
What do we hear in the community – take care of your Muslim brothers? In terms of needy, there is no specification in terms of Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim. The qualification of Muslim is usually added through the society’s vocabulary of the meaning of such words.
When the word Muslim is used, what does this culture identify it as? Looked at from a demographic sense? Example: Africa, subcontinent Asia, Middle East… It is not associated according to how the Quran identifies Muslim. Similarly when “Muslim brother” is used in the scripture or narrations from the prophet, it is understood within the materialistic, demographic sense.
“Mumin” – those who feel secure in their existence and are at peace with their Lord.
“Salaam”, thus “muslim” means the human spirit feeling serenity, confidence, peace in one’s existence. I have nothing to bother in terms of my existence. I am in peace with my Source of Existence.
The Quran doesn’t teach what is already known to the human nature. For example, when I eat, I feel comfortable, the human feelings are also comfortable.
Revelation is needed by everyone. The revelation says: I am going to teach you what you don’t know. What we don’t know is what goes beyond our material life. However, our human, psychological concerns still illogically relate to this world but not the eternal life.
Rahman – all needs of everyone – everyone is covered
Raheem – adds the eternal side of the matter, infinite.
Human soul can only be satisfied with eternity. We have the desire for eternal satisfaction, but we don’t know how to obtain that. We know how to plant a tree, through my experience I know it. Human beings discover whatever is already existing in this material sense. One doesn’t need guidance from the Creator to make high tech devices.
Who has the technology of Solomon – employing all types of creatures as possible within the order? What is the point for the Qur’an to tell me what Solomon was able to do? Encourage human beings to use their ability to find out all these wonderful acts of creation and admire the Creator better. Without the guidance of the Quran, different technologies could still be uncovered.
When we talk about “good deeds” – all the actions we do in good faith, we should not reduce the meaning of the Quranic vocabulary to the materialistic understanding we find ourselves in.
“Ta’aam” – means the feeding. We are reading a guide which tells us what we don’t know. The humanists also feed the people. So, this word must mean something according to the teachings of the Quran.
- The objective of the Quran would mean getting someone closer to realizing their Lord, allowing for a convincing satisfying state.
- Human concerns bothers everyone and need to be satisfied. For that everyone is needy and wants to be fed in terms of answers.
What should we understand from the “needy”, under the guidance of the Quran?
Security for my existence, not my body only. I am needy for answers to my human questions. I need eternal happiness.
- Can money secure my existence? Can I get security from this universe? What is the cure, healing to secure one’s existence?
Belief is a personal conviction. For that I must realize what I need, otherwise how can I be convinced? We go through this as that is innate in us. We always have options, does this satisfy me/convince me or not. To practice our free will, we always have at least 2 options to choose from. Otherwise how can I practice free will?
If we look at the world and treat it within the context of the material world, then we are ill within ourselves. Trying to satisfy ourselves by doing something with a dead end goal. The satisfaction may be temporary but ends in the grave.
Tags: Al-Maun, Full Satisfaction, Ma'un Series, Miskeen, Needy, Orphans, psychological, Religion, Sadaqa, Security, Source of Existence