The Gulf Crisis and New World Order — Page 126
Seventh Friday Sen,ion Nov 23, 1990 an agreement with another that if any enemy attacks us then you will come to our defence. Such covenants sometimes save nations from a great deal of hann. On this basis, "hablen mi11allah" (covenant with Allah) and "hablen minan11as" (covenant with men) signify that the basic meaning of "habl" is, a covenant. The second occupance of the word "habl" in the Holy Quran is in the expression: "hablel wareed" (50: 16). The jugular vein is referred to as "hablel wareed ". This is the "rope" which connects the heart and brain to the rest of the body. If this rope is cut then the connection of the body with both the heart and the brain is severed - another name for which is death. In the verse the word "habl" is in fact used in both these meanings. That is to say, that you must maintain a strong relationship with Allah, which is the guarantee for your survival. If this relationship is harmed then, to that extent, you will become deprived of life. The second meaning of "habl" also fits the context and further expounds the first meaning that the Holy Quran has bonded all believers on the basis of a covenant with His Prophets and Shariah (Divine law). And this covenant, or commitment, of Allah the Exalted has been taken with all the nations since the beginning of mankind to this day. Thus every law-bearing Prophet and his law becomes practically the rope of Allah because the believers become bound to both of these by means of the covenant with Allah. Thus obedience to the law and to the bearer of this law (the Prophet) becomes essential. If this is the real meaning of "hablellah" (rope of Allah), then if a law-bearing Prophet presents a law (Shariah) and then dies, could it be claimed by all the believers that as a result of the "rope of Allah" we have established a link with the law-bearing Prophet and since we are sincere in our covenant of allegiance with the Prophet and his law, therefore we do not require anything else? That is to say that their "submission to His will" (religion of Islam) is perfected because they have accepted a law bearing Prophet and have established a relationship of obedience with his law? This question does arise but this very verse gives the answer to this question that Islam does not mean that one may individually establish a link with the law and the law-bearing Prophet. Rather "hablellah" means that a collective link should be developed. Your apparent link with the law-bearing Prophet may remain intact but as soon as you become fragmented and disunited, you will toss yourself out of the state of submission(Islam). Thus, just holding on 126