← Quranic WisdomQuranic Wisdom
Accept, Introspect, Make Amends
English · 2 min read
According to Quranic teaching, the real part of a believer’s life is spirituality, while politics is quite subsidiary. This means that spirituality is required in every situation, at every stage in life, but politics is required only when the situation calls for it. If there is a society that is ready for its affairs to be administered according to Islamic teachings, then believers can go into politics.
In other words, spirituality is a matter for the individual’s choice, while politics comes into the picture only when society is prepared for this, i.e. when society itself wants to be governed according to Islamic teachings.
As far as social or national affairs are concerned, their management or governance must be determined by democratic means, through free and fair elections. Spirituality and politics must both refrain from encroaching upon others’ fields.
The goal of spirituality is to gain a seat in the eternal Paradise, in the world hereafter, while politics is basically a worldly affair. It is for society to adopt a political system by its own decision.
One very important divine principle stated in the Quran is that a bad deed, if temporary in its effects, can be forgiven by God. The best way to make amends is to do a good deed whenever you commit a bad deed. How to proceed is recorded in the chapter Hud (Hud):
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Say your prayers morning and evening, and during parts of the night; surely good removes evil. This is a reminder for people who pay heed. (11:114)
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It is has been rightly said that to err is human. Man, being no angel and being subject to numerous temptations, will quite naturally make mistakes—generally because of making wrong choices. Then, what to do?
The best course is to follow the advice given in the above verse of the Quran. Man should first of all accept his mistakes, then engage in introspection so that he may make amends for them. This will mean that he must try to do a good deed after every bad deed. This practice will save him from the consequences of his error and misdeeds.
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For example, if you flew into a rage and, swayed by your anger, you abused someone, you would have to apologize to him publicly and pray for him. Or, if you harmed someone physically, you would have to try to compensate for the injury by the offer of monetary or other help.