Commands of Allah That Are Applicable In Every Era And Place

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah [The Most High] says:

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنكُمْ وَأَنتُم مُّعْرِضُونَ

And [remember] when We took a covenant from Bani Israa’eel, [saying]: ”Worship none but Allah [Alone] and be dutiful to parents, kindred, and to orphans and to the Al-Masaakeen [the poor], and speak good to people, and perform As-Salaat, and give Zakat. Then you slid back, except a few of you, while you are backsliders”. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Ayah: 83]

These commands are fundamental aspects of the religion that Allah has ordained in all divine laws (revealed to the Prophets and Messengers before Muhammad) as they bring about universal benefits in every time and place. Consequently, they are unabrogated, much like the foundations of the religion. Hence, Allah enjoined us in Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 36 to adhere to them.

Allah [The Most High] says:

 وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالْجَنبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالًا فَخُورًا

Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin [the poor], the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer [you meet], and those [slaves] whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allaah does not like such as being proud and boastful.[Surah An-Nisaa. Ayah 36]

[وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ – And (remember) when We took a covenant from the children of Israel]: Their stubbornness was the cause of this, as they refused to obey any command unless it was accompanied by a solemn oath and a firm covenant.

[لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ– Worship none but Allah (alone)]:  This is a command to worship Allah [exclusively] and refrain from associating any partners with Him. Deeds will not be deemed acceptable unless they are [established] upon this foundation.

Then Allah says: [وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا – And be dutiful to parents]: Meaning, be dutiful to parents by being kind to them through both our speech and actions. This command means that we are not allowed to disobey our parents [i.e. when they ask us to do something that is not against the command of Allah and His Messenger] and it is forbidden to mistreat them. Lack of kindness towards them can manifest in two ways: through evil behaviour, which is a greater crime, or without evil behaviour, but it is forbidden. [Additionally], relatives, orphans, and the poor should be treated kindly.

Then Allah commanded Bani Israa’eel to be kind towards mankind in general, saying: [وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا -And speak good to people]: Meaning: utter good speech, enjoin righteousness, forbid evil, impart knowledge to people, and greet them with Salaams. Furthermore, when it is a fact that a person is unable to provide material wealth to everyone, Allah has commanded us to treat everyone through speech, which every individual is capable of fulfilling. Allah says: [وَلَا تُجَادِلُوا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ – And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner)].

One of the virtues that Allah has commanded a person to uphold is to maintain uprightness in speech and deeds, refraining from using vulgar or harmful language. One should neither curse nor become argumentative; instead, one should demonstrate good manners, patience, and courtesy towards everyone and exercise much patience when harmed by people, (all) in obedience to Allah’s command and hoping for His reward.

Allah commanded Bani Israa’eel to establish the prayer and pay the Zakat because the prayer necessitates sincerity to The Only True Object of worship [Allah] and Zakat necessitates kind treatment towards the servants of [Allah]. However, after they were commanded to fulfil these good and appropriate commandments, they wilfully turned away from it, except a few of them.

[An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan. Slightly paraphrased]