The term ‘birr’ is
used severally in the Qu’ran to indicate righteous conduct which is linked to
the benefit one gives others. In essence, ‘birr’
is virtue and goodness within a person which impacts other lives positively. The
derivatives of the term ‘birr’ includes:
‘burr’ which refers to ‘wheat’ as bringing
much benefits over all other grains; a person described as ‘barr’ is regarded as dutiful and kind; the one who often fulfils
his promises (to others) is called ‘baarr’.
Allah refers to Angels as ‘bararah’ meaning
righteous (Qur’an 80:16); and one of the characteristics of those who enter
paradise is ‘abrar’ (virtuous, pious)
(Qur’an 83:18,22).
Therefore, ‘birr’ describes
righteous conducts, moral excellence, pious performance, goodness and
perfection expected in a human being. The opposite of ‘birr’ is ‘ithm’ which
means defectiveness, poor conduct and blameworthiness.
Allah defines and lists the traits of ‘birr’ thus: “birr (righteousness) is not in turning your
faces towards the east or the west. Rather, the righteous are those who believe
in God, the Last Day, the angels, the Books, and the prophets; who give charity
out of their cherished wealth to relatives, orphans, the poor, needy
travellers, beggars, and for freeing captives; who establish prayer, pay
alms-tax, and keep the pledges they make; and who are patient in times of suffering,
adversity, and in (the heat of) battle. It is they who are true (in faith), and
it is they who are mindful of God.” (Qur’an 2:177) This verse links
the articles of faith and the pillars of Islam together with patience and keeping
promises all under the umbrella of ‘birr’.
The totality of our is Deen is about our ‘birr’ (righteous
conducts) – viz-a-viz the purity of our soul, the integrity of our hearts and
the exploits of our limbs. In this sense, our ‘birr’ is linked to our
God Consciousness (our ‘taqwah’). Taqwa
is the means and way leading to birr.
In Arabic, the root word for Taqwah means
“protection”. Therefore, practising taqwa protects from the Fire. Protection is
not sought for itself as much as to prevent harm. Consequently, the
relationship between birr and taqwa is similar to that between well-being
(which is a purpose) and medical care (which is a means to attain it).
Ramadan is about perfecting our righteous conducts and conscience
in preparation for the ultimate meeting with our Lord. Ramadan is thus filled
with ‘birr’ and ‘taqwah’. Therefore, when we interact with one another, we are required
to help one another in birr and taqwah. “Each person should help his
companion in this with knowledge and with action. An individual cannot
independently help himself. Allah, in His supreme wisdom, has decreed that
human survival should be through mutual help and support.” (Ibn-ul Qayyim)
- Contributed by Shamsideen AbuSuad, UK. 2021
Email: MuslimMessage@gmail.com
Online: https://ramadanmessage.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment