October 1998: Page 1, 2, 3, 4

Submitters Perspective

Page 3

Righteousness

Continued from page 2

Obviously, maintaining one’s chastity is easier if the bosoms—not the faces—are covered. In addition, God also commands the believing women to lengthen their garments (33:59). and to maintain modesty in general (24:60). However, the essence of discussion about the “best garment,” as in the prohibitions, goes beyond the mundane dress code:

O children of Adam, we have provided you with garments to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment is the garment of righteousness. These are some of God’s signs, that they may take heed. (7:26)

As we learn from the Quran, Satan does not have any power over God’s servants, those who worship God alone (38:83). The garment of righteousness protects God’s servants from Satan’s influence. Breaking God’s commandment results in removal of one’s garment of righteousness, and the person falls prey to Satan’s ever-eager hands. This is explained in the verse immediately after Verse 7:26 quoted above:

 

O children of Adam, do not let the devil dupe you as he did when he caused the eviction of your parents from Paradise, and the removal of their garments to expose their bodies. He and his tribe see you, while you do not see them. We appoint the devils as companions of those who do not believe. (7:27)

With all the above perspectives on righteousness, it would be nice to know its clear description. As it turns out, righteousness is a whole set of moral standards, as the Most Gracious has defined in the following verse:

Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or the west. Righteous are those who believe in God, the Last Day, the angels, the scripture, and the prophets; and they give the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves; and they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat); and they keep their word whenever they make a promise; and they steadfastly persevere in the face of persecution, hardship, and war. These are the truthful; these are the righteous. (2:177)

Dr. Gatut Adisoma


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