The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 4) — Page 925
PT. 25 ASH-SHŪRĀ CH. 42 الصَّلوةَ وَاَمْرُهُمْ شُوا بَيْنَهُمُ and whose affairs are decided وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنُهُمْ يُنْفِقُونَ ® by mutual consultation, and who spend out of what We have provided for them, 3629 وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَهُمُ الْبَغْهُمْ يَنْتَصِرُو And those who, when a. 40 wrong is done to them, defend themselves. 41. And the recompense of an injury is an injury the like وَجَزْؤُا سَيِّئَةِ سَيِّئَةٌ مِثْلُهَا ۚ فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللهِ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ thereof; but whoso forgives and الظَّلِمِينَ thereby brings about an improvement, his reward is with Allah. Surely, He loves not the wrongdoers. 3630 3629. Commentary: a3:160. 2:195; 10:28; 16:127. The verse lays down (mutual consultation) as the basic principle which should guide Muslims in the transaction of their national affairs. This simple word contains the nucleus of a representative form of government of which the west is so proud. The Khalifah or Head of an Islamic State is bound to take counsel with the representatives of the people when he is to take a decision of vital national importance. See also 4:59. Incidentally, the verse implies a prophecy that the harassed and persecuted followers of the Holy Prophet would soon be entrusted with the great responsibility of conducting the affairs of a great State. The Surah was revealed at Mecca very early in the Holy Prophet's ministry when the very fate of Islam was hanging in the balance and the then poor and helpless Muslims did not even know where to lay their heads. The following verses also point to the great responsibilities of Muslims when vast political power would fall into their hands. 3630. Commentary: 2839 The verse forms the basis of the penal laws of Islam. The real object underlying the awarding of punishment to the guilty person, according to Islamic teaching, is his moral reformation. If forgiveness is calculated to do him some moral good, he should be forgiven. He should be punished, if punishment is likely to lead to his reformation; but the punishment should in no case be disproportionate to the offence committed. Islam does not believe in the monastic teaching of turning the left cheek when the right is smitten nor in the Jewish doctrine of "an eye