Wisdom is a quality that many seek but may fail to grasp. We often hear stories where the protagonist journeys far and wide just to search for a sage, a holy man or even the occasional fairy godmother to guide them.
In Islam, there is an abundance of wisdom in our treasure trove of tradition. The Quran, the Sunnah and the words of those chosen lay the foundation and motivation on how we can go about life. A prominent figure, who is known to be wise, is the pious Luqman.
The following are five pearls of wisdom from Surah Luqman, verse 13 to 19, that serve as guidance to succeed in this world and the hereafter:
1. Do not commit acts of syirik
وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَـٰنُ لِٱبْنِهِۦ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُۥ يَـٰبُنَىَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ
And when Luqmān said to his son while he was advising him, “O my dear son, do not associate (anything) with Allah. Indeed, association (with Him) is great injustice.”
(Surah Luqman 31:13)
The message Luqman wanted to relay was simple yet the most important of all: “do not associate (make syirik of) Allah with another”. It is the act of associating anything with Allah s.w.t. in His Divine essence or attributes or acts. Such as the belief that there is another independent god or the belief of other beings that may share a divine attribute like an autonomous eternality or all-powerful.
Syirik is an act that compromises the identity of a Muslim in having true faith in Allah and in the creed which is the essence of Islam. No matter the age or status of a person, it is always beneficial to remember the dangers of syirik because it is a “great injustice” (as mentioned in the surah) that is done to Allah s.w.t, The One who creates all.
These days, people might commit it without actually knowing that it is syirik. Therefore, in line with what is being said, one should not take it lightly and should always acknowledge Allah’s right by purifying one’s speech and actions from associating another with Allah’s exclusive right for Divinity.
