Divine Commands and Moral Exhortations in the Quran Need No Interpretation or Distortion
The Arab thinker, Ali Mohammed Al-Shorafa Al-Hammadi, states that returning to Allah signifies returning to truth, virtue, mercy, justice, and benevolence. This involves avoiding the violation of people’s lives and sanctities, and adhering to Allah’s call for cooperation and mutual support, contrary to the distortions made by jurists and books of narratives. Divine commands, moral exhortations, and adherence to virtuous ethics and Quranic values in the Quran require no interpretation or distortion. The words of Allah are clear, entirely calling for the benefit, stability, and security of humankind so they may live a dignified life in safety and peace. This is the return to Allah, and this is the meaning of His words: “Follow what has been sent down to you by your Lord, and follow no masters other than Him. How seldom do you remember!” (Al-A’raf: 3).
Additionally, His words: “And verily We make them taste the lower punishment before the greater, that haply they may return.” (As-Sajda: 21) signify returning to Allah.
**Returning to Allah through Commitment to Worship**
Ali Mohammed Al-Shorafa Al-Hammadi further explains that there should be no tyranny, injustice, aggression, or arrogance towards people. Believers should commit to acts of worship such as prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage to the House of Allah. They should give their charities and alms to the poor and needy, sharing profits with the wealthy at a rate of twenty percent. They should work for the common good, showing compassion towards each other, assisting every needy person, respecting the sacred right to life for every human being, and upholding freedom of belief without any guardianship over people. They do not follow any jurist or sheikh, as all are susceptible to whims and the self-commanding evil. Instead, they follow the Book of Allah, which He revealed in clear Arabic, devoid of puzzles requiring interpretation. Interpretations and narratives were employed to distance people from the Book of Allah, resulting in seditions, the destruction of cities, and division into sects fighting each other. Strife has spread among them for fourteen centuries to this day because they disobeyed Allah’s commands, as He says: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.” (Al-Imran: 103).
**A Warning from Allah**
Ali Mohammed Al-Shorafa Al-Hammadi further warns that they ignored His command: “And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart.” (Al-Anfal: 46). Consequently, He sent upon them those who would inflict severe punishment, occupy their lands, plunder their wealth, and enslave their offspring. So, return to Allah, that He may have mercy on His servants, repent for the crimes committed against humanity, and come to your senses. How many previous nations did Allah punish? Because they were unjust and arrogant on earth, their strength deluded them, and they lorded over people with their wealth. Allah’s command came upon them from where they did not expect.
When the Quran mentions divine punishment on oppressive nations, it is to remind people that Allah’s power surpasses theirs, and His punishment spares no oppressor. As He says: “And those cities – We destroyed them when they wronged, and We made for their destruction an appointed time.” (Al-Kahf: 59). Allah grants His servants respite so that they may return, avoid His punishment, and seek His forgiveness, so that He may relent towards them and lift His wrath from them, for He has warned and forewarned.
