Keeping Together What is to be Joined

Ruby’s comments – These verses that addressed the issue from positive side that is righteous keep together that are to remain joined, the Quran also address it from negative side that is how heinous sin it as associating with dreadful punishments for severing that are supposed to be together or joined. The subject is extremely important in Islam and it is nebulous. The injunction touches a person’s all aspects of life and living: family relations, relations with friends, neighbors, relatives and kith and kin, all social and political affairs one stubbles into. Causing dissension and division in an organization, or in a group one belongs, any action that destabilizes an organization or institution including but not limited to governmental, social, religious may fall into this serious violation of moral code. From the positive side, in essence, any activity or behavior that contribute towards or promotes justice, stability and peace may very well belong to the domain of this critical injunction of the Quran.

Sura Ra’d [Medina 96]

Asad’s version

13:19 CAN, THEN, he who knows that whatever has been bestowed from on high upon thee by thy Sustainer is the truth be deemed equal to one who is blind? Only they who are endowed with insight keep this in mind:

(13:20) they who are true to their bond with God and never break

their covenant; 42

(13:21) and who keep together what God has bidden to be joined," and stand in awe of their Sustainer and fear the most evil reckoning [which awaits such as do not respond to Him];

(13:22) and who are patient in adversity out of a longing for their Sustainer's countenance, and are constant in prayer, and spend on others, secretly and openly, out of what We provide for them as sustenance, and [who] repel evil with good. 44

It is these that shall find their fulfilment in the hereafter: 45 (13:23) gardens of perpetual bliss, which they shall enter together with the righteous from among their parents, their spouses, and their offspring; 46 and the angels will come unto them from every gate [and will say]:

(13:24) "Peace be upon you, because you have persevered!" How excellent, then, this fulfilment in the hereafter!

13: 21

Yusuf Ali Those who join together those things which Allah hath commanded to be joined hold their Lord in awe and fear the terrible reckoning;

Pickthall Such as unite that which Allah hath commanded should be joined, and fear their Lord, and dread a woeful reckoning.

Transliteration Wallazina yasilu_na ma_ amaralla_hu bihi ay yu_sala wa yakhsyauna rabbahum wa yakha_fu_na su_'al hisa_b(i).

[ Asad note 43: This refers to all ties arising from human relationships – e.g., the bonds of family, responsibility for orphans and the poor, the mutual rights and duties of neighbors – as well as the spiritual and practical bonds which ought to exist between all who belong to the brotherhood of Islam……..according to Razi – man’s moral duty to treat all living beings with love and compassion. ]

[ Ali’s note 1835 : That is, join faith with practice, love of God with love of man, and respect for all Prophets alike, i.e., follow the right Religion, and not odd bits of it. (13.21) ]