al-Kashani on ‘Even If It Is Against Yourselves’ – Abdur Rahman’s Corner

Peace, one and all…

Recently (first, second), we have explored the following ayah of the Quran:

‘You who believe, uphold justice and bear witness to God, even if it is against yourselves (anfussikum), your parents, or your close relatives. Whether the person is rich or poor, God can best take care of both. Refrain from following your own desire (al-hawa), so that you can act justly- if you distort or neglect justice, God is fully aware of what you do’ (Quran 4:135)

I wanted to share the reflections of al-Kashani on this seminal text. His insights bring out the inner dimensions of the pursuit of justice very clearly. As this one reads it, we are called to embody these traits within ourselves, to actually become just rather than merely imitating them. This necessitates a complete transformation of our inner world, and requires consciously willed intention.

May the hearts of the lovers be opened

‘O you who believe, with the affirmation of the Oneness  through knowledge and by the desire for the reward of both abodes, be, firmly established at the station of justness, which is the noblest of virtues, upright, in fulfilling its duties such that it becomes a deeply-rooted trait in you alongside which no injustice or tyranny can issue from you in any matter nor the manifestation of a soul-attribute as a result of the
pursuit of some whim in order to draw some worldly profit or to ward off some harm’
Tafsir al-Kashani 4:135