Page 68 - Commonly Disregarded Qur'anic Rulings

66 COMMONLY DISREGARDED QURANIC RULINGS

that unbelievers feel becomes so severe that, in time, it per-
meates all their opinions and actions, so they become repre-
sentatives of satan. Allah advises believers to seek refuge in
Him when faced with the evil of those who envy:

Say: ‘I seek refuge with the Lord of Daybreak...’
(Surat al-Falaq; 1)
‘And from the evil of an envier when he envies.’
(Surat al-Falaq; 5)

RETURNING A GREETING
Greeting is an expression of good wishes. At the gates of
Paradise, believers will be greeted with the greeting of peace.
It is obligatory for a believer to return a greeting with a
better greeting or a similar one:

When you are greeted with a greeting, return the
greeting or improve on it. Allah takes account of
everything. (Surat an-Nisa’; 86)
According to the mentality of ignorant people, not return-
ing a greeting or pretending not to hear it is considered a
mark of superiority. Underlying such conduct are wicked atti-
tudes. In Islam, such an attitude is detested. Returning a greet-
ing is a command of Allah for all believers.

GREETING WHEN ONE ENTERS A HOUSE
In the Qur’an, Allah describes a concept of faith that
entails constant remembrance of Allah at every moment.
Remembering Allah and the Hereafter only when one
encounters an extraordinary event, while remaining thought-