Interpretation of Surah al-Ma'arij (The Ways of Ascent) - Part 8
This difference may give the meaning that the obligatory namaz must be performed punctually at its fixed time. But the meaning of continuation of namaz is suited to the supererogatory namaz نوافل as the man can pray them and sometimes can leave them too.
Any way after referring about the namaz which is the excellent deed and the state of the believers, turned towards their second pursuit and mentioned it: Those people out of their earnings and wealth leaves a part of income to meet the means of definite right.
وَالَّذِينَ فِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ حَقٌّ مَّعْلُومٌ
(70:24
For the deprived and those who ask for the fulfillment of their requirements.
لِّلسَّائِلِ وَالْمَحْرُومِ
(70:25
Like this manner they saved their relationship with the Compassionate God and their link with the people of Benevolent God.
1. Some of the interpreters believe that by the term حَقٌّ مَّعْلُومٌ means the accurate right here it means زكات zakath that is the exact quantity. And the expenditure upon deprived and those who ask for the help to accomplish their needs. We know that this Sura e Maarij is Meccan and the duty of zakat is not descended in Mecca. Hence some others believe that by the definite right حَقٌّ مَّعْلُومٌ it gives the meaning other than zakat and it is to help the needful people. The witness of this definition is the narration, quoted by imam Sadiq alaihis salam (6th imam) when for the interpretation of this ayat, he was asked: Is this declaration is other than zakat? Sadiq alaihis salam replied: Yea, it is about the person to whom the GenerousGod bestowed prosperity and wealth from which he separated the amount of 1000, 2000, 3000 more or less and with that money solves the problem of his relatives that is called صله رحم si’le rehem. And provides for them relief from hardships.
The difference between the سائل and محروم is: One who asks somebody for the fulfillment of his requirements is called سائل and the محروم is the one who feels shy to ask someone for the fulfill of his needs.
In a narration from the imam Sadiq alaihis salam it is mentioned: محروم is one who works hard for his earnings but his life gets complicated because of his meager income.
محروم is the one who leaves an effect upon the morals of others and washes of their greed, miserliness and love towards the materialistic life.
The next ayat pointed towards their third characteristic and added: They are those who have faith in the judgement day.
وَالَّذِينَ يُصَدِّقُونَ بِيَوْمِ الدِّينِ
(70:26
And in their 4th feature it is said: They are those who fear God’ punishment.
وَالَّذِينَ هُم مِّنْ عَذَابِ رَبِّهِم مُّشْفِقُونَ
(70:27
As nobody finds himself secure from the torment of God. From one side they have faith in the judgment day as the word يُصَدِّقُونَ indicates and proves the continuation of the act and they are always careful about their accounts, books, rewards and punishments of their deeds. And practice upon the duties and stay away from the illegal acts always feels dutiful.
In a narration from the commander of the faithful Ali alaihis salam who gave advice to his son and said: Be fearful to the God in such a way that if you bring before Him even all the good deeds still you presume that He may not accept it. And be hopeful in him in such a way that if you possess all the sins of the people of earth still he will forgive you.
Even the prophet Muhammad sallallaho alaihi va ala alehi said: No body enters the heaven by his acts. They asked him: Not even you O prophet of Allah? He replied: Yea even me but by the kindness of Merciful God.
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَافِظُونَ(70:29)
70:29
And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts).
إِلَّا عَلَى أَزْوَاجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ(70:30)
70:30
Except with their wives and the (women slaves and captives) whom their right hands possess, for (then) they are not to be blamed,
فَمَنِ ابْتَغَى وَرَاء ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْعَادُونَ(70:31)
70:31
But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَانَاتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَاعُونَ(70:32)
70:32
And who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges -
وَالَّذِينَ هُم بِشَهَادَاتِهِمْ قَائِمُونَ(70:33)
70:33
and who stand firm whenever they bear witness;
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَى صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ(70:34)
70:34
And who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent].
أُوْلَئِكَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ مُّكْرَمُونَ(70:35)
70:35
These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured!
The next part of the specific qualities of the heavenly people
In the above ayath four qualities of the true believers are mentioned that they are those who on the judgment day are the heavenly people.
70:22
1-Except those devoted to Salat (prayers)
70:24
2-Those who are share within their wealth is a known right;70:25 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened);
70:26
3 -and who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment;
4-And fearful of the punishment of their Lord -
The next ayat described the other five virtues, altogether becomes 9 virtues. First it indicated: They are those who protect their private parts from the unchaste acts
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَافِظُونَ
(70:29
But from the wives and the female slaves they have no regrets and reproach to take satisfaction.
إِلَّا عَلَى أَزْوَاجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ
(70:30