Episode 11

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah. Dear brothers, in the previous episodes, we reviewed nine of the Ten Commandments that our Lord, the Almighty, has commanded us with. Notice, my brothers, that Allah, the Almighty, concluded the first five commandments with His saying: ((That is what your Lord has commanded you so that you may understand)). While He concluded the four commandments that follow with His saying: ((That is what your Lord has commanded you so that you may remember)). Some scholars interpreted this beautifully, saying that the commandments in the first verse are suitable for the mind. For He said in it: (Do not associate anything with Him), and the mind testifies that the Creator has no partner, and the mind also calls for honoring parents, and forbids the mind from killing and committing lewd acts. So it is fitting that these commandments are concluded with His saying: ((Perhaps you will understand)). While the commandments in the second verse require remembrance: ((And do not approach the orphan's property except in the best way)) as if He, the Almighty, is saying: Remember, if you die and your child becomes an orphan, and likewise, fulfilling the measure and justice in speech and fulfilling the covenant. Remember that you do not like to be betrayed, so do not betray others, and treat people as you would like to be treated. It was fitting for these commands to say after them: ((That is what your Lord has commanded you so that you may remember)).

Then the Lord of Might concluded with the tenth commandment, which is His saying, may He be glorified: ((And that this is My straight path, so follow it, and do not follow the ways that will cause you to deviate from His path. That is what your Lord has commanded you so that you may be righteous (153) )) ((And that this)) this, meaning Islam in general and what preceded of commandments in the previous two verses. ((And that this is My straight path)) meaning the one that leads to Me and to My pleasure. This is the straight path ((What is after the truth except error)). This is the unique, singular path with no other path. ((Straight)) And it is known that the straight line is the shortest and easiest of paths, and in our case, it is also the only path. Thus is the religion of Allah, with no crookedness or deviation: ((Praise be to Allah, who has sent down upon His servant the Book and has not made therein any crookedness)). ((So follow it)) to attain victory and prosperity, and to achieve your hopes in the abode of joy.

After this command comes a prohibition. After the command to follow the path of Allah comes an important prohibition. What does our Lord, the Almighty, prohibit us from? We need a separate episode for that next time, God willing. And peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.