Page 22 - Commonly Disregarded Qur'anic Rulings

20 COMMONLY DISREGARDED QURANIC RULINGS

another, lest your actions should come to nothing
without your realizing it.” (Surat al-Hujurat; 2)

Allah reminded believers not to speak loudly to the
Messenger of Allah (saas) as they did to one another. The
matter that deserves attention here is that beyond being good
manners, it is a commandment of Allah. Indeed, the mention
of a contrary attitude that would nullify good deeds marks the
importance of this issue. It is incorrect to think of this com-
mandment as ordinary encouragement of good manners,
rather than an absolute command. The same mistake is often
made with other Qur’anic rulings, as well.
The fact is that honoring Allah’s messenger is actually hon-
oring Allah. Similarly, an adverse attitude toward the
Messenger (saas) reflects one toward Allah, and deliberately
lacking in respect for His Messenger (saas) is most displeasing
to Allah. However, it is essential for anyone, even if he is a
believer, who raises his voice in the presence of the messen-
ger with no such deliberate intent, out of ignorance or
thoughtlessness or a mistaken conception of honesty, to

immediately abandon that error and display the kind of behav-
ior that will most nobly and politely express his profound
respect for and devotion to the messenger.
The significance of this topic is revealed by Allah in the fol-
lowing verse:
Those who lower their voices when they are with the
Messenger of Allah are people whose hearts Allah
has tested for heedfulness. They will have forgive-
ness and an immense reward. (Surat al-Hujurat; 3)