The Quran about passion

In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful

The theme of human passions and desires is well revealed in the Quran. The Arabic word “hauan” gives meanings – love, passion, hobby, whim. Every person is free to accept any idea, point of view or opinion on his own. The decision of people is mainly influenced by their spiritual state. If the person is internally guided mainly by his desires, then the acceptance of the truth, uncomfortable to him, is hampered by his passion. But, objectively looking at this behaviour, you can understand that it cannot lead to a harmony, both in the spiritual state and in the state of society.

But if the Truth had followed their passions, the heavens and the earth and whoever is in them would have been ruined. Rather, We have brought them the reminder, but they, from the reminder, are turning away! (23:71)

 

Despite the messengers’ coming with the truth from God to people, the fundamental principles of monotheism, justice, morality and so on were violated. The main reason for what is happening is the following one’s desire expressed in his or her belief. An example is the attitude of the people of the Prescription towards the truth.

And We did certainly give Musa (Moses) the Prescription and followed up after him with messengers. And We gave Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), clear proofs and supported him with the Pure Spirit. But is it [not] that every time a messenger came to you with what yourselves did not desire, you were arrogant? And a party [of messengers] you denied and another party you killed. (2:87)

Indeed, We had already taken the covenant from the children of Israel and had sent to them messengers. Whenever there came to them a messenger with what they did not desire, a party of them they called liars, and another party they killed. (5:70)

Say, “O holders of the Prescription! Do not exceed limits in your duty beyond the truth and do not follow the passions of a people who had gone astray before and misled many and have strayed from the soundness of the way!” (5:77)

 

By itself, the truth from God is impartial and requires the same attitude toward itself. After all, even the very desire to win over the opponent, taking the side of his world view, can lead to a departure from the task set by God.

And the Jews or the Christians will never be pleased with you until you follow their community. Say, “Indeed, the guidance of God is the Guidance.” If you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against God no patron or helper. (2:120)

And if you brought to those who were given the Prescription every sign, they would not follow your direction. Nor will you be a follower of their direction. Nor would they be followers of one another’s direction. So if you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, indeed, you would then be among the obscurantists. (2:145)

 

Any sane person understands that an opinion based on a whim does not worth close attention. Therefore, the Almighty in the Prescription stressed that the words coming from the mouth of the messenger were not spoken by his passion.

Nor does he speak from passion. (53:3)

 

In the same vein, the usage of and obedience to the Lord’s prescriptions must take place. After all, even the Divine command can be used to justify the actions, pre-distorting the meaning or tearing out the passage of the context of the Book of the Almighty. Therefore, it is very important to rely on the decision of the Divine guidance, not bowing to either side.

And We have revealed to you, the Prescription in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Prescription and as a guardian. So judge between them by what God has revealed and do not follow their passions away from what has come to you of the truth.

To each of you We prescribed straight direction and a method. Had God willed, He would have set you on one basis. But to test you in what He has given you; so race to good. To God is your return all together, and He will inform you concerning that over which you used to differ!

And judge between them by what God has revealed and do not follow their desires and beware of them, lest they tempt you away from some of what God has revealed to you. And if they turn away – then know that God only intends to afflict them with some of their trespasses. And indeed, many among the people are apostates! (5:48-49)

Say, “Indeed, I have been forbidden to serve those you invoke besides God.” Say, “I will not follow your passions, for I would then have gone astray, and I would not be of the [rightly] guided.” (6:56)

 

Often people make a decision based on the conjecture of society, politics, situation, at the same time “slightly” deviating from the things prescribed by God. This desire is based on pure human perception of the moment. We, considering our personal conclusion to be correct, sometimes act contrary to the prescribed, considering it insignificant in comparison with the main (in our opinion). However, such decisions are condemned and punished by God.

When you received it with your tongues and said with your mouths that of which you had no knowledge and thought it was insignificant while it was, in the sight of God, tremendous. (24:15)

Indeed, those who reverted back after guidance had become clear to them – the disobedient enticed them and imposed his will. That is because they said to those who disliked what God sent down, “We will obey you in part of the matter.” And God knows what they conceal.

Then how [will it be] when the maintainers take them in death, striking their faces and their backs? That is because they followed what angered God and disliked His contentment, so He rendered worthless their deeds. (47:25-28)

 

Because the messenger is described by God as a simple man like the others, he, as well as everyone was warned about the consequences of wrong behaviour.

Say, “Bring forward your witnesses who will testify that God has prohibited this!” And if they testify, do not testify with them. And do not follow the desires of those who deny Our signs and those who do not believe in the hereafter, while they equate others with their Lord! (6:150)

And thus We have revealed it as an Arabic judgement. And if you should follow their passions after what has come to you of knowledge, you would not have against God any helper or any guardian! (13:37)

And keep yourself patient with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance! And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is immoderate. (18:28)

So do not let one avert you from it who does not believe in it and follows his desire, for you [then] would perish. (20:16)

So to that invite, and remain on a right course as you are commanded and do not follow their passions.

Say, “I have believed in what God has revealed of the Quran, and I have been commanded to do justice among you. God is our Lord and your Lord. For us are our deeds, and for you your deeds. There is no [need for] argument between us and you. God will bring us together, and to Him is return!” (42:15)

Then We put you on an ordained way concerning the matter! So follow it and do not follow the passions of those who do not know! (45:18)

 

Such a warning is directed to ordinary believers as well. After all, the bearers of the truth before the Day of Debt are the adherents of the Quran, and it would be very important for them to be guided by the Book of God impartially.

O you who have believed! Be persistently firm in balance witnesses for God, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, God is more worthy of both. So follow not passions, lest you not be just. And if you distort or refuse then indeed God is ever, with what you do, Acquainted. (4:135)

And why should you not eat of that upon which the name of God has been mentioned while He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled. And indeed do many lead [others] astray through their [own] passions without knowledge. Indeed, your Lord – He is most knowing of the transgressors. (6:119)

 

Unfortunately, at some point, people who practice Islam began to act in the same way as those who are blamed by the Lord in the Prescription.

But if they do not respond to you – then know that they only follow their [own] passions.

And who is more astray than one who follows his passion without guidance from God? Indeed, God does not guide the obscurant people! (28:50)

But those who obscurant follow their [own] passions without knowledge. Then who can guide one whom God has sent astray? And for them there are no helpers. (30:29)

So is he who is on clear evidence from his Lord like him to whom the evil of his work has been beautified? They followed their passions! (47:14)

And among them are those who listen to you, until when they depart from you, they say to those who were given knowledge, “What has he said just now?” Those are the ones of whom God has sealed over their hearts and who have followed their [own] passions! (47:16)

They are not but [mere] names you have named them – you and your forefathers – for which God has sent down no authority. They follow not except assumption and what [their] personality desire, and there has already come to them from their Lord guidance. (53:23)

And they denied and followed their passions. But for every matter is a settlement! (54:3)

 

And there is nothing surprising in this. After all, earlier many of the holders of the Prescription have gone astray in the same way. What is the reason? The reason is that passion becomes an idol, an object of worship, of following.

And [recall] when We took your covenant and raised over you the mount, [saying], “Take what We have given you with determination and listen.” They said, “We hear and disobey.” And their hearts absorbed “the calf of closed nature”.

Say, “How wretched is that which your faith enjoins upon you, if you should be believers!” (2:93)

 

In the same way, many Muslims succumbed to their desires. And in the end, for today, we are in a depressing state. The reason is known – idolatry (shirk).

Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own passions? Then would you be responsible for him? (25:43)

Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] passion, and God has sent him astray due to knowledge and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after God? Then will you not be reminded? (45:23)