Training and self-purification means knowledge and action

1) Training: Training denotes the missionary programme sent by Allah and related to Him. “and teaches them the Book and the Wisdom.” This portion of the ayat shows that training is related to two things, “Book” and “Wisdom” actually both are one and the same. “Book” means the knowledge of the Holy Quran. And wisdom denotes the secret of the creation of the Universe. In other words “Book” is the codification of religious law and the truths connected with the creation of the universe is related obligation. For example the almighty has created the universe. Now this fact is not a religious command. Therefore, one who intends to acquire perfection and righteousness must strive for Quranic knowledge. One should study it and act upon it. The verses regarding the oneness of Allah, His names attributes and Divine acts must be studided with concentration and though this exercise we must strengthen our basic beliefs. We must also pay attention to the laws of shariat. We must perform wajib acts and shun haraam ones. We must also ponder on the verses with regard to Qiyamat. Through these verses each one of us must create a longing for paradise and a fear of Hell. In this way a man is gradually persuaded to perform good deeds and distants himself from evil deeds.

There are many ayats of the Quran concerning wisdom and which cannot be understood by the five senses of man. A study of these verses indeed tells man regarding his origin and his destination. What is the aim behind the creation of man and other creatures? And why they subsequently leave the world. What is the purpose of designing and devising the long caravan of creatures and created things? The reply to the questions is the foundation of Quran.

Knowledge sans actions or a fruitless Branch

2) Purification: The second aspect or component of the mission of the Prophets is to purify men from evil behaviour and spiritual defects. In other words, results have to be achieved both in the matter of belief as well as deeds. Knowledge and belief and good deeds together make the soul pure of bad morals and evil. They purify the soul. Faith is a field and action is the seed. Even if the best quality seeds are sowed in a barren land and watered too, there will be no results. Not only this, even the seeds will be wasted. The soil and the seeds must be compatible for maximum benefit. Similarly if the soil is fertile but it is not sowed with seeds, it will not be able to put forth any vegetation or fruits. The fruit of knowledge and deeds is the reform of soul and purification of soul from dirt. The actual aim of knowledge and deed is purification of soul.

If the causes of disease are not removed from the body the disease will worsen instead of being cured. This the actual import of the Quranic ayats. Regarding the hypocrites, it says:

فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ فَزَادَهُمُ اللّهُ مَرَضاً وَلَهُم عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْذِبُونَ

“There is a disease in their hearts, so Allah added to their disease and they shall have a painful chastisement because they lied.”

(Surah Baqarah 2:10)

In the same way Allah says,

وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاء وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلاَ يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إَلاَّ خَسَارًا

“And We reveal of the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to the believers, and it adds only to the perdition of the unjust.”

(Surah Bani Israel 17:82)

Body and Soul

Thus we come to know that the teaching of Quran is related to two things, wisdom and self-purification. And wisdom denotes the secrets of creation and belief of the affairs related to the hereafter. In other words wisdom is the recognition of truth and self-purification is related to halaal and haraam. Beliefs and actions both are the result of Quranic teachings. And the combined result of both of them is self-purification. Self-purification also has two stages. The first stage is outward and apparent purification and the second is internal and hidden purification. In order to purify the soul and to obtain the proper results of beliefs and actions, it is necessary to remove the obstacles. All those things that nullify the effects of beliefs and actions must be cleared. The apparent self-purification is achieved through cleansing the organs and limbs and by worship and obedience. That is, the physical body is involved in this stage. And the internal purification is related to the absolute cleansing of the soul.

Sins related to the body and soul

Self-purification through organs and limbs denotes keeping away from Greater sins. Unless and until one avoids the Greater sins one should not have the assurance that his deeds will be accepted.

The Holy Quran has clearly mentioned.

إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللّهُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

“Allah only accepts from those who guard (against evil).”

(Surah Maidah 5:27)

Also, the Almighty Allah has made self-purification the path for achieving guidance and righteousness. Allah says,

الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَلَمْ يَلْبِسُواْ إِيمَانَهُم بِظُلْمٍ أُوْلَـئِكَ لَهُمُ الأَمْنُ وَهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ

“Those who believe and do not mix up their faith with iniquity, those are they who shall have the security and they are those who go aright.”

(Surah Anam 6:82)

Anything that is beyond the limits of injustice and away from the straight path is injustice. Thus no one must have any trait that is evil according to reason or that which the shariah prohibits. If one is apparently a “believer” but has one of those evil traits his “belief” will not serve any purpose. Because he  mixed up his faith with some sort of injustice.

At another place, Allah says,

وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

“And whoever is preserved from the niggardliness of his soul, these it is that are the successful ones.”

(Surah Hashr 59:9)

Thus it means that if someone is, God forbid, a miser, he is away from salvation even though he might be a believer. This very fact has been mentioned in the traditional reports: “A miserly believer is nearer to the fire of hell than a generous infidel.” This tells us that till the time we remove each and every evil trait from our character we cannot become perfect human beings and would not be able to achieve real salvation.