The Good Or The Moral Element (3)

Fasting also had been prescribed to ancient people

“O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become AI-Muttaqûn (the pious).” (II, 183), and pilgrimage by Abraham, “And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj). (XXII, 27). All nations had their sacred rites, “And for every nation We have appointed religious ceremonies, that they may mention the Name of Allâh over the beast of cattle that He has given them for food. And your Ilâh (God) is One Ilâh (God-Allâh), so you must submit to Him Alone (in- Islâm).” (ibid 34),

“For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies [e.g. slaughtering of the cattle during the three days of stay at Mîna (Makkah) during the Hajj (pilgrimage)] which they must follow; so let them (the pagans) not dispute with you on the matter (i.e. to eat of the cattle which you slaughter, and not to eat of the cattle which Allâh kills by its natural death), but invite them to your Lord. Verily you (O Muhammad) indeed are on the (true) straight guidance (i.e. the true religion of Islâmic Monotheism).” (ibid 67).

Materialism, excessive love of worldly life, aggression and corruption were condemned by Hud and Saleh,

“Do you build high places on every high place, while you do not live in them?” (XXVI, 128),

“And follow not the bidding of those who are extravagant,” (XXVI, 152). Lot revolted against his people debauch,

“Go you in unto the males of ‘Alâmîn (mankind)” (ibid 165) and Choaïb against trading fraud, “Give full measure, and cause no loss (to others). * And weigh with the true and straight balance. * And defraud not people by reducing their things, nor do evil, making corruption and mischief in the land.” (ibid 181-3). The wise Luqmân recommended his son to exhort others to do good and prevent them from doing evil,

“O my son! Aqim As-Salât (perform As-Salât), enjoin (on people) Al-Ma‘ruf (Islâmic Monotheism and all that is good), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief in the Oneness of Allâh, polytheism of all kinds and all that is evil and bad), and bear with patience whatever befalls you. Verily, these are some of the important commandments (ordered by Allâh with no exemption). * And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through earth. Verily Allâh likes not any arrogant boaster. * And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is braying of the ass”. (XXXI, 17-19).

It is not by coincidence that Muhammad teaches the same law of his predecessors. Properly speaking to Muslims, the Qur’an says: “God wishes to make clear to you and to show you the way of those before you” (lV, 26).