منهج القرآن الكريم في توجيه الصحابة = The Methodology of the Holy Qur'an in Guiding and Conducting the Companions of the Prophet PBUH

Abstract

This paper, entitled "The Methodology of the Holy Qur'an in Guiding and Conducting the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH), " deals with goodness all round. The Holy Qur'an is the ultimate book of guidance and enlightenment, an ever-renewing source of knowledge and an inexhaustible well of wisdom; and the blessed Companions of the Prophet (pbuh) are the vanguard pioneers of the Islamic nation and the jewels in its crown. I have endeavoured to discover the very special position allocated to these blessed Companions by decoding and delineating the Qur'anic methodology in nurturing and cultivating them. Above all else, I wanted to examine the end product of the Qur'anic education, manifest in them and in fellow Muslims who follow their good example. The study falls into three comprehensive sections. The first, "The Holy Qur'an's Interest in the Prophet's Companions, " deals with the explicit references to the sublime status accorded to them in the Holy Qur'an, God's own commendation of the Companions and His command to the Prophet (pbuh) to care for and look after them. This section also hints at the generic and specific instructions and guidelines given to the Companions in various verses of the Holy Qur'an. The second section, "The Most Important Qur'anic Guidelines to the Companions, " details the ideological, fikhi, legislative, social, ethical, political and military directives given to them by God almighty. Finally, the third section, entitled "The Qur'anic Ways and Means of Guiding the Companions, " exemplifies these methodologies in instructing them and pointing out their errors, admonishing them, promoting and encouraging their good doing, making the evil doing of the unbelievers and the hypocrites detestable and loathsome in their eyes, and addressing both the Companions' minds and feelings. The conclusion includes a summary of my views on the subject and the most important findings I have reached- namely: 1. The overriding significance of honouring, revering and defending the venerable Companions (Gbt) of the Prophet (pbuh). The Divine Guidance had turned them into towering figures and firm believers who bravely carried out the Islamic mission and upheld the Islamic Faith entrusted to them then adeptly and honestly conveyed them to others. After the Prophet (pbuh), thanks are first and foremost due to them in furthering the cause of Islam. 2. The need to highlight and embrace the specific Divine guidelines given the Companions, precisely because they had positively affected them and will consequently have the same, or at least similar, effects on every believer who cares to follow their good example. 3. The Divine guidelines to the Companions make us amply aware of man's erring nature. Although the Companions themselves were not infallible, however, they carried out the Islamic Faith and Sharia fully and dutifully, even after the death of the Prophet (pbuh), and especially during the Rightly Guided Caliphate. Beyond a shadow of doubt, this proves that a thorough and complete application of the Islamic Sharia is possible when enough will, determination and good guidance are at hand. After all, this is one aspect of the miraculous applicability of the Islamic Sharia everywhere and at all times.