Page 39 - The Basic Concepts in the Qur’an

people “who truly adopt the moral framework the Qur’an presents man with.” Unbelievers, on
the other hand, live according to their whims and desires. In this sense, they follow the path of
Satan. Hence, it is impossible for believers to feel close to them. Unbelievers, on the other
hand, are inclined to have affection for people or objects individually. They assume everything
to have an existence independent of Allah. In the Qur’an, this is called “associating partners
with Allah”, or in other words, paganism.
In the Qur’an, non-emotive behaviours demonstrated by believers is not limited only to
love. There are many other rational kinds of behaviours recounted in the Qur’an. The following
are all examples to such kinds of behaviours ; the mother of Moses left her baby floating in the
river without any hesitation when she received inspiration from Allah (Al-Qasas, 7); the
believers restrain their anger and pardon men (Al-Imran, 134); and do not despair over matters
that pass them by (Al-Hadid, 23); and spend from what they most dearly love.(Al-Imran, 92).
However, one point needs further clarification here: not being sentimental does not in any
way mean being insensitive. On the contrary, believers are tender-hearted people. The
attributes of the Prophet Abraham are related in the Qur’an: “Abraham was most tender-
hearted, and forbearing.” (At-Tawba, 114). What is criticized about sentimentalism here is its
negative aspect prevalent in the culture of an ignorant society. In a sentimental way of thinking,
emotions completely cloud the faculty of judgment and make one develop unsound reasoning
contrary to the principles of the Qur’an. In this culture, not the spirit but the negative side of the
soul stirs up these emotions.
In a community, various examples of such an attitude can be observed: sentimentalism
displayed by young girls is a typical example. Being under the influence of emotions, a young
girl loves the image of a man rather than his character and spirit. This is no doubt due to the
mentality indoctrinated in her by the society. However, lessons drawn from experience lead
eventually to wisdom. Mostly after spending only a short time with him, the young girl realizes
the negative, or inhumane side of the man she loves.