True path of the Qur’an

Q: What does the statement the Qur’an guides people to the truest path mean?

The Qur’an guides people to the truest path and to the most suitable attitudes. The following verse explains this as: “This Qur’an surely guides (in all matters) to that which is most just and right and gives the believers who do good, righteous deeds the glad tidings that for them there is a great reward” (Isra 17:9).

The Qur’an is a book that always orientates, without any limitations in time or geographical location, all nations and generations to the truest of all things. This guidance has in itself every kind of goodness, righteousness, and prosperity in both worlds. The Qur’an guides human beings to the highest level of harmony between body and soul and to the best modes of behavior by maintaining balanced relations between their beliefs and actions and between their emotions, perceptions, and attitudes. The Qur’an is also a book which shows humanity the truest of inter-human relations. It bases all relations among individuals, spouses, governments, states and races on fixed and firm foundations. These firm foundations cannot be shaken by differences of opinion or fancies or eliminated by human sentiments. Personal interests and selfish tendencies cannot deviate them from their targets, for the All-Knowing God has established them for His obedient servants. He knows best His servants’ situation and can best decide what is good for them, no matter the place or the time. The Qur’an has an open method that covers all aspects of human worldly life. It is such an authentic method that there has never been anything similar to it in the past; this is a system that has brought rewards to humankind unlike that of any other system, materially or spiritually. A Prophet or Messenger was sent to every nation, but this ended with the advent of Prophet Muhammad, the last link in the chain of Prophets; the Qur’an was revealed to him as the culmination of a series of divine messages. Thus, the guidance it provides was of a universal nature.

We can observe the perfect principles that have been laid down by the final revelation of the Qur’an in the following categories:

1. Interpersonal relations: The Qur’an introduced brother/sisterhood and peaceful relations with others to all humanity. In this respect it emphasizes the fact that human beings were created of various nations so that they would recognize one another, not to fight with each other and it states that all of humanity share common ancestors:

O humankind! Surely We have created you from a single (pair of) male and female, and made you into tribes and families so that you may know one another (and so build mutuality and co-operative relationships, not so that you may take pride in your differences of race or social rank, and breed enmities). Surely the noblest, most honorable of you in God’s sight is the one best in piety, righteousness, and reverence for God. Surely God is All-Knowing, All-Aware. (Hujurat 49:13)

The Qur’an states that believers are nothing less than brothers and sisters who should fulfill their filial duties to one another:

The believers are but brothers, so make peace between your brothers and keep from disobedience to God in reverence for Him and piety (particularly in your duties toward one another as brothers), so that you may be shown mercy (granted a good, virtuous life in the world as individuals and as a community, and eternal happiness in the Hereafter). (Hujurat 49:10) The Qur’an states that sincere believers are those who treat each other with mercy and compassion; it is emphasized that believers should deal with each other on the basis of mutual respect and that God’s mercy and help is with a community that has good social relations.

1. Relations with one’s own family: God regards the family as one of His signs and draws our attention to this:

And among His signs is that He has created for you, from your selves, mates, that you may incline towards them and find rest in them, and He has engendered love and tenderness between you. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect. (Rum 30:21) The importance of harmonious marital relations between the spouses, the kind treatment of children and parental responsibilities are stressed in the Qur’an.

1. Relations with one’s own society: The Qur’an also lays down certain irrevocable principles

concerning the relations of the individual with society. In this respect, the Qur’an emphasizes some

important aspects of human rights, even ordering that the needs of kin and the poor should be met by

stressing that these people are entitled to a certain portion of the possessions of the rich. The Qur’an also commands such steps as seeking permission to enter the house of another and greeting people when

entering their houses to prevent any possible deterioration in relations among members of society and thus guides us to the best direction, always and everywhere.

 

 

Akgul, Muhittin (2009). The Quran in 99 Questions (Abdullah Erdemli Trans.). New Jersey: Tughra Books. (Originally published in Turkish as Kur’an İklimine Seyahat)