A Clarification Regarding Luqman 31: 18, 19
I was hoping that you could provide me with the contextual background to the following verses taken from verses 18 and 19 in Surah Luqman:
"Turn not thy cheek in scorn toward folk, nor walk with pertness the land. Lo! Allah loveth not each braggart boaster. Be modest in thy bearing and subdue thy voice. Lo! in harshest of all voices is the voice of the ass."
I had thought that it might be connected to the reprimanding of individuals who used to bother the Prophet when knocking on his door and speaking loudly.
Adnan, USA
Reply
The verse that you have referred to is a part of Luqman’s advice to his son. This advice, as is quite clear from its contents, covers a number of the very basic moral duties of man toward his Creator and toward other fellow humans. These points of advice clearly follow the sequence of priority.
The first advice in this respect is to refrain from associating partners with the Creator. Associating partners with the Creator and sharing the reverence that is the right solely of the Creator, with such false partners is an obvious injustice.
The second advice is to deal with one’s parents in the best of manners and yet not surrender to their will if they want a person to hold partners with Allah.
The third advice is to follow the path of those who are repentant of their mistakes. Those who sincerely turn toward their Lord, asking for His forgiveness.
The fourth advice is to constantly remind ourselves that nothing in this universe is hidden from our Lord. Whatever we do, whether it is done in the light of the day in front of everyone else or in the darkness of the night, hidden from everyone else, our Lord is fully aware of it. And because He is fully aware of it, He shall definitely separate the reward of the good and the evil deeds. It should be remembered that a living awareness of the Omniscience of Allah, is the most effective way of fighting against the attractions of the evil forces in the world.
The fifth advice is to offer regular prayer to offer our thanks for the blessings of our Lord and to keep ourselves mindful of our commitment to follow the path of His liking. To promote all that is good and to dissuade our brethren from all that is evil and to stay steadfast [on the right path] in the face of the difficulties that come our way during the life of this world.
The sixth advice, the one that you have quoted, is to avoid haughtiness and an arrogance. All such behavior that is an evidence of arrogance should be shunned and refrained from. In this respect, some of the common behavioral patterns, which evidence arrogance in a personality are advised to be avoided. The mentioned behavioral patterns include, sulkiness, walking with pride and talking to others in a high tone.
In view of the above explanation, it is obvious that your referred verses are a narrative of the advice of Luqman to his son. the narration of this advice, as the context of the referred verses as well the placement of Surah Luqman shows, was to inform the people of Mecca that the attitude they have adopted toward the message of the Prophet (pbuh) is despicable and does not meet any ethical and moral values. The correct attitude would have been the one that Luqman advised his son to adopt. It should be kept in mind that Luqman and his teachings were quite well known and a highly respected in the Arab tradition.
I hope this helps. In case any aspect of my answer needs further clarification, please feel free to write back to me, at your convenience.
Regards
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