Islamic Studies

The Message Of The Qur'an

The True Essence of Righteousness

The Jews considered facing the west, and the Christians facing the east, during worship as a means of salvation. They did not regard faith in the Prophet ﷺ, along with righteous deeds and noble character, as essential for success.

Therefore, they were advised that merely turning one’s face toward the east or west is not sufficient. Rather, true righteousness consists of these essential and fundamental acts:

* To believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, all the divinely revealed books, and the prophets.
* Then, in accordance with the demands of faith and seeking the pleasure of Allah, to spend wealth on relatives, orphans, the needy, travelers, and those who ask.
* To establish prayer (Ṣalāh) and give charity (Zakāh) consistently.
* To fulfill one’s promises and commitments.
* And to show patience and steadfastness in financial hardship, physical suffering, and in striving in the path of Allah against opposition.

Only by acting upon all these aspects of righteousness can a person truly become among the truthful and the righteous (Al-Muttaqūn).

(Surah al-Baqarah, 2:177)