Qur’anic Covenants: An Introduction (A Believer’s Perspective)

Rana Rizwan Hussain*

The book Qur’anic Covenants: An Introduction (A Believer’s Perspective) by Mr Ahmer Bilal Soofi is a remarkable piece of writing that introduces its readers to a distinct approach towards the Holy Qur’an. It elucidates that right from birth, humans as creatures are bound into several Covenants with Allah Almighty and fulfilment of each one of them entitles the human being to great rewards by Allah. Whereas, the breach of those Covenants exposes them to severe consequences, unless the mercy of Allah is invoked through supplications. Some of those Covenants are unilateral whereas other require express consent (by way of saying ‘Kalma Tayyaba’) to become applicable. Those which require express consent by humans are paired with Allah’s guidance and directions in the Holy Qur’an that those Covenants must be consented upon for the sake of salvation in this world and the hereafter. Failure to provide that consent by any class of people renders them to infidelity entitling them to Allah’s wrath. In this way both types of Covenants i.e., those which require consent and those which do not, become binding on the human being for the sake of attaining salvation and avoiding Allah’s wrath.

The author has divided the aforementioned Covenants into six categories which are explained separately in six different chapters. Those covenants are: Covenants Authorized under the Qur’an; Covenants of Allah with Believers; Covenants between Allah and Non-believers; Social Covenants; Overarching Covenants; and Qur’anic Covenants: Further Discussion. Each type of Covenant creates a different type of bond between the people and Allah Almighty. We shall try to briefly shed light on them.

Covenants Authorized under the Qur’an: - This chapter deals with the concept that every contract entered into between individuals is supervised by Allah directly. It is because Allah in Qur’an has directed human beings to fulfil their commitments to each other. In this way, every bilateral contract becomes a trilateral one wherein Allah as a Supervisor of that contract becomes a Party. This chapter also quotes the precious words by Mr. A. K. Brohi, a renowned law expert of his era, who said:

“Every contract between two parties is actually a trilateral contract – Allah being a third Party in each”.

In this way, every agreement which we enter into, in our personal capacity or as custodians of public authority, is observed and supervised by Allah Almighty till the discharge of it. 

Covenants of Allah with Believers: - This is a detailed chapter which deals with those Covenants which Allah Almighty has entered into with Muslims as believers e.g., promise of Muslims to have faith in the oneness of God, to whom the sovereignty for the entire universe belongs. This Covenant automatically puts Muslims in another Covenant with Allah that whenever and wherever Muslims may come across troubles in life, they would seek Allah’s help and in return, they would be guarded by the Almighty. This bilateral contract between every Muslim and Allah comes into being right at the moment when Muslims declare through express words that there is no God but One. Likewise, this chapter also addresses that wherever a Muslim falls short of his commitments, he must pray for Allah’s forgiveness and when a Muslim seeks Allah’s pardon from the core of his heart, Allah has made a Covenant to grant it. Likewise, when a Muslim gives alms to the poor with the intention to invoke Allah’s blessings, he is rewarded manifold in return. This chapter also sheds light on a very important aspect of life of a believer where it quotes Surah e Tauba and says that Allah has purchased the lives of the believers against enormous returns in the life hereafter. It points out that where a believer sells his life to Allah, thereafter, he loses all his rights over that life but to spend it in consonance to Allah’s directions. Thus, in the course of life that is spent in the way of Allah, the difficulties, troubles, and problems faced do attract the hefty rewards from Allah. The believer only has to stay convinced that his/her life has been purchased by the Master of the Universe.

Covenant between Allah and Non-believers: - Allah being the Creator and Sovereign of this universe has the authority to enter into unilateral contracts too with its creatures. In exercise of that authority Allah has warned the non-believers to mend their ways and follow the path which has been paved for the believers. The nature of this warning is similar to a legal notice which is served upon a party who is required to either act or avoid acting in any particular manner to prevent the detrimental legal effects of his own deeds.  In this chapter, the author has dealt with those unilateral Covenants which Allah has laid down for the non-believers by first instructing them to join into the circle of Islam and then warning them of consequences of disobedience. 

Social Covenants: This chapter deals with those Covenants which relate to the social obligations of the members of a society. One such obligation which this book talks about is loyalty towards the state. It is incumbent upon every citizen of the society to honour that trust which the state has reposed on him/her. Likewise, citizens of a society being directly beneficiaries of social arrangements within that society are liable to act for the betterment and development of that society. At a broader canvas, the author in this chapter also highlights that humans as inhabitants of this plant are benefitting from all its natural resources, including light, water, air, energy, reservoirs of metals and stones, etc. It makes them liable to play their role for the progression of this planet and not for the destruction of it. Those who play this social role are promised an enormous reward by Allah.

Overarching Covenants: - This chapter includes discussion on few such Covenants which are very broad in their implication e.g., the Covenant of Allah Almighty to let this world continue for a fixed term, enabling mankind to perform its duty as Allah’s vicegerent; the Covenant of Allah with Satan to live till the end of this world; Covenant of Allah to enrich the earth with enough resources for the mankind to use them till the end of it; Covenant of Allah to punish those who tend to disrespect His messengers; and Covenant of Allah to must convene the day of judgment when the entire mankind shall appear before Allah Almighty and shall be held answerable for their deeds on this planet.

Qur’anic Covenants: Further Discussion: - In this chapter the author broadens the scope of discussion entailed into the previous chapters by explaining that apart from Qur’an, there are also many other embodiments which can be read either in aid or in furtherance to the Covenants which are contained in the Holy Qur’an. He terms them as annexures or exhibits which constitute to be integral parts of the main contract. Though, the author has left this discussion open for future, however, one can understand that by those supplementary materials the author refers to Hadith and Sunnah of Holy Prophet (PBUH) which go side by side with the teachings of the Holy Qur’an. 

The book is a mesmerising read for all those hearts and minds who give importance to their relationship with Allah and is a must read for them. The book rightly deserves to be made part of the compulsory syllabus at university level in all disciplines for the aspiring professionals to know that what should be their prime motto in life, while endeavouring to become outstanding professionals.

*Author is a Lahore based practising lawyer, lecturer of law and an author in the field of law and social sciences.