People in their daily lives, find difficult to decide
whether to proceed or not in any of the
matters undertaken; in such dilemma, two
methods prescribed
1) Consultation
2) Seeking guidance of the creator
When Abraham (PBUH) was ordered by his Lord to slaughter
Ishmael (PBUH) in his dreams, Quran interprets the consultation of Abraham
(PBUH) with Ishmael (PBUH)
يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي
أَرَى فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانْظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَى قَالَ يَا
أَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا
تُؤْمَرُ سَتَجِدُنِي إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ
"O my son, indeed I
have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think."
He said, "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah
wills, of the steadfast." (Quran 37:102).
The rest is history, as
God saved Ishmael (PBUH) by sending a goat to slaughter. This is to test their
belief & patience in which they won.
God mentions about the importance of Consultation behind the success of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)
actions
. وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْرَ
Allah ordains Mohammad (SAW) to consult or seek advice
from them (his companions) for all the matters
Quran mentions about the
Safa Princess consultation with her ministers about Solomon (PBUH)
"يَا أَيُّهَا الْمَلَأُ أَفْتُونِي فِي أَمْرِي مَا كُنْتُ قَاطِعَةً
أَمْراً حَتَّى تَشْهَدُونِ"
She said, "O eminent
ones, advise me in my affair. I would not decide a matter until you witness
[for] me." (Quran 27:32)
The ministers replied to
her the following –
"قَالُوا نَحْنُ أُولُو قُوَّةٍ وَأُولُو بَأْسٍ شَدِيدٍ وَالْأَمْرُ
إِلَيْكِ فَانْظُرِي مَاذَا تَأْمُرِينَ"
They said, "We are
men of strength and of great military might, but the command is yours, so see
what you will command." (Quran 27:33)
When the counsel didn’t
make her happy, said the following –
"قَالَتْ إِنَّ
الْمُلُوكَ إِذَا دَخَلُوا قَرْيَةً أَفْسَدُوهَا وَجَعَلُوا أَعِزَّةَ أَهْلِهَا
أَذِلَّةً وَكَذَلِكَ يَفْعَلُونَ"
She said, "Indeed
kings - when they enter a city, they ruin it and render the honored of its
people humbled. And thus do they do.” (Quran 27:34)
Consultation or seeking counsel
is one form of uniqueness in Islam. The difference between Democracy and Islamic
way of electing a government is this consultation.
Whereas in democracy, the
first preference given to the Majority. Whereas in consultation or seeking
expert advice, knowledge stands first
Characteristics of consultation:
1) The first aspect of consultation
or seeking advice is that it should be with subject matter experts. Consult
about medical with a doctor and religion with a religious scholar.
The
person with whom we consult should be qualified to give advice
2) For the matters those are mandatory
(in which there aren’t any second thought), then those need not have to be consulted.
Like those of obeying parents, worshipping the creator etc.,
3) The person with whom we consult,
should be a reliable source. The discussed matters are a form of trust, so it
shouldn’t be disclosed to others
4) The person should give right
guidance, keeping in mind the goodness of the other
5) For seeking guidance or advise,
age or knowledge shouldn’t restrict anyone
6) Its upto that particular person,
to take a decision based on the suggestions received. He shouldn’t be compelled
to choose any particular opinion provided
In addition to consulting
with others, one who seeks
guidance from his Lord through prayers, will never
end on
the losing side;
Arabic Translation Centre (ATC)
