of the
Authorized
English translation of the Quran by
Dr.
Rashad Khalifa
What Price A
Great Nation
If the people of the scripture (Jews, Christians, and Muslims) believe and
maintain a righteous life, we will remit their sins and admit them into the
blissful Heaven. Had they observed the Torah, the Gospel, and what is revealed
herein from their Lord, they would have enjoyed provisions from above them, and
from beneath their feet. Some of them righteous, but most of them are evil
doers. [5:65]
If only the people of the various communities believed and maintained a
righteous life, we would have showered them with blessings from the heaven and
the earth. [ 7:96
]
God is the One who controls your happiness, or misery. God is the One who
makes you rich or poor.[ 53:43]
A nation that upholds God's laws
is guaranteed prominence among the nations of the world, victory, prosperity,
and happiness
(10:62-64,
16:97,
24:55,
41:30-31).
On the other hand, a nation that
violates God's laws incurs a miserable life
(20:124).
A nation that upholds God's laws
is guaranteed to be a great nation. This is not a mere idealistic dream;
since God is in full control
(10:61), His
guarantees and promises are done. A nation that upholds God's laws is
characterized by:
1. Maximum freedom for the people
- freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom to travel, and freedom
of economy
(2:256,
10:99,
88:21-22).
2. Guaranteed human rights for
all the people, regardless of their race, color, creed, social status, financial
situation, or political affiliation
(5:8,
49:13).
3. Prosperity for all the people.
God's economic system is based on constant circulation of wealth, no usury,
and productive investment. Non-productive economy such as gambling, lottery,
and high interest loans are not permitted
(2:275-7,
59:7).
4. Social justice for all. Because
of the obligatory charity (Zakat), no one will go hungry or -sheltered
(2:215,
70:24-25,
107:1-7).
5. A political system that is
based on unanimous consensus. Through mutual consultation and freedom of
expression, one side of any given issue convinces all participants in the
discussion. The end result is a unanimous agreement, not the opinion of a
51% majority rammed down the throat of the 49% minority
(42:38).
6. A society that upholds and
maintains the highest standards of moral behavior. There will be a strong
family, no alcoholism, no illicit drugs, no illegitimate pregnancies, no
abortions, and practically no divorce.
7. Maximum regard for people's
lives and properties. Therefore, there will be no crime against the people's
lives or properties.
8. Prevalence of love, courtesy,
peace, and mutual respect among the people, and between this nation and other
world communities
(3:110,
60:8-9).
9. Environmental protection is
guaranteed through conservation and prohibition of wasteful practices
(30:41).
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