Permanent Values
This
essay is about four permanent values of the Quran, preservation and development
of nafs, dignity of mankind, equality of humanity and justice. The Wahi in the Quran
gives permanent values for humanity. These values are like perennial flowers
that bloom in every soil and season. These principles revolve around the
concept of Deen; a life lived under their guidance makes our present and future
lives successful.
The Prophet Mammad received the wahi of the
Quran for 23 years, which started at night. The Quran refers to it as the night
of permanent values. Before it, the world was deprived of Allah’s guidance; this
night brought new measures and values, creating a new realm of light and hope.
With time, as humanity gradually recognizes its merit and worth and implements
it in our lives, it will usher in an era of tranquility and peace rather than wars
and bloodshed.
The change that distinguishes humans
from animals occurred when Allah infused Adam with a spark of divine energy,
transforming him into a being of a different kind. “We developed it into a
distinct creation,” (23 15). This change aims to give Adam a chance to develop
his nafs, or psyche, which is given to him in an undeveloped state.
A life lived under the guidance of permanent values strengthen the nafs and protect it from disintegration. Allah imparts His knowledge through wahi and prophets to human beings. In the Quran, He says about human beings, “We have indeed honored the children of Adam” (17-71).
Every action performed leaves a print on
the nafs, and the performer is answerable for it. A dictator who invades a weak
country on false pretenses is not conscious that his actions are leaving a
harmful effect on his nafs. The wahi warns that every human shall have to face
the consequences of their actions in the present life or the life to come. All
human beings are equal, irrespective of their color, race, gender, ethnicity, or
social status, and superiority due to some connection with famous heroes in history,
because the nafs given to every human child is the same. Although equal dignity
is given to all human children at the time of birth, the place in society is
determined by their actions. “And for all, there will be ranks based on what
they do, (46-49).
Justice is a particularly important
value. All human beings are equal at birth, and opportunities for development must
be provided to all according to their talents and capacities for work; all due
must be fully paid for the work. The same law, without discrimination, must be
followed to establish a meritocratic society in which an evaluative standard of
personal abilities serves as a yardstick, without intervention. The standard by
which a judgment or decision is made should not be based on money and superior
connections.
All is not fair in love and war, “Allah
enjoins you to do justice, (16-90). Justice is a particularly important value;
it is indispensable in all events of life. “Let not a nation’s enmity towards you
incite you to act contrary to justice; be always just, that is closer to righteousness,
(5-8). Justice must be dispensed to friends, enemies, men, women, rich, poor, yellow,
brown, black, and white people without any discrimination. Their status in
society shall be determined by how responsibly they do their duties, and not by
acquiring money or power. “They shall all be requited fully according to the
quality of their conduct, (46-19).
Knowing the law and breaking it is a crime
in a society based on justice. It is an obligatory duty of the state to pursue
criminals and punish them. This procedure is known as the law of Qisas. “There
is safeguarding of life for you in the law of retribution. O men of understanding,
that you may follow the law judiciously, (2-179).
