The 66th Call: The Obligation of Fearing Allah and Saying Just Words

Almighty Allah says (what can be translated as): “O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice. He will [then] amend for you your deeds and forgive your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.” (Al-Ahzab: 70-71)

Believers, fear Allah, do not disobey Him and speak words of justice. Do not abandon righteousness. Whoever believes in Allah, fears Him and says the words of justice and righteousness, Allah will grant him goodness, lead him to the best of deeds, bless him with success and forgive his sins. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, commits to Allah’s commandments and abandons Allah’s prohibitions then he shall win honor and dignity on the Day of Judgment “…has certainly attained a great attainment.”

The surah directs the believers to say only what is just, true and accurate. They should make sure of what they say and its effects, before they accept what the hypocrites and spreaders of lies say, and before they pay attention to any wild accusation or evil fabrication against the Prophet, their leader and guide. It directs them to say right words leading to right action. Allah takes care of those who make sure of saying what is right, proper and accurate, guiding their footsteps and making their deeds sound, producing good results. Allah also forgives the sins of those who say what is right and do righteous deeds, for even they are not immune to slips and errors. They are all human, and by nature humans err and need Allah’s forgiveness.

“And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.”

To obey Allah and His Messenger is, in itself, a great triumph, because it means consciously following the way Allah has marked out. It gives comfort and reassurance. To be sure that one is following the right way gives happiness, even if it does not earn any reward. A person who follows a direct, easy way that is full of light and who finds that all Allah’s creatures respond to him and help him has totally different prospects from one who follows a blocked, rough way that is covered in darkness with all Allah’s creatures emitting hostility towards him. Obedience to Allah and His Messenger brings its own immediate reward. Moreover, it achieves a great triumph now, before the Day of Judgment and entry into heaven. Enjoying bliss in the life to come is an act of grace which is over and above the reward for such obedience. It is a grace bestowed by Allah freely, without anything being asked in return.