A SERIES OF ISLAMIC COMMANDMENTS

MONOTHEISM AND RESPECT OF PARENTS

      The above verses are a prelude to a series of important Islamic Commandments. It begins with the MONOTHEISM, which is the main source of energy for all sorts of good actions and righteous deeds. It begins thus:ِ

      ``Do not associate with Allah other GOD, and sit down reproached and helpless.''

      The verse implies that associating partners to God, will cause weakness and disgrace. It renders the polytheist blameworthy, and finally the true Lord God will leave his affairs to be disposed by his false gods; and will help him not, in his bad conditions and emergency cases.

      No one is ever worthy of being worshipped except Allah, Who has created the whole universe without any partners. He is the Lord and Cherisher of all the creatures, Who maintains and sustains them all. If we foolishly turn to false objects of worship, we not only will be reproached by our conscience and innerself, but we shall have no support to answer our call in our emergency cases.

      It is the heart and the secrets of our innerself, and our motives by which God will judge us; and not by the words that we have then on the tip of our tongue.

      Then in the second verse (NO.23) we have a very important commandment in which Allah strictly enjoins us to respect our parents, and be kind to them always.

      This is particularly when they attain old age with us. We must be careful not to shout at them. Not even utter a word of disgust such as, ``FIE''. We are enjoined to be humble to them, and pray to God to have His Mercy on them:ِ

      ``And lower the wing of humility out of Mercy and say; My Lord! Have Mercy on them, as they nurtured me when I was small.''

      Father and mother deserve our humble respect and kindness, because they cherished us in childhood, and always loved us tenderly. It is therefore a must, to love them in response.

WORSHIP GOD ALONE, AND RESPECT YOUR PARENT

      (The two commandments that are issued in the above verses (22ِ23), are found among the ten commandments for which our Lord made a convenant at the Mount Sinai, with all the children of Israel:ِ

1- I am YAHOVAH the Lord your God. Worship no god but Me.

5- Respect your Father and Mother.

      It is also written in O.T.DEUTERONOMY 27:16;

      ``God's curse on anyone who dishonours his mother or his father.''

      And in the O.T.EXODUS 21:15 we read;

      ``Whoever hits his mother or his father is to be put to death.''

      It is also written in the N.T.COLOSSIANS 3:20ِ21;

      ``O, children! It is your Christian duty to obey and respect your parent always, for that is what pleases God.''

      So also in N.T.EPHESIANS 6:1ِ4, it is cited;

      ``O, children! It is your duty to obey your parent, for this is the right thing to do. (Respect your father and mother) is the first commandment which has a promise added to it; (so that all may go well with you and you may live long in the land)''

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE)