A125
Surah: 004 - Ayah: 125
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4:125
Aslama (He submitted, he became obedient)
Islam primarily means: "to submit to someone". The religion of Islam is so called because of the fact that whoever accepts it, surrenders himself to God and obeys His commands. So to say that Islam is the name of obedience to God is correct. (Qamus, p. 56). For instance, aslama wajhahu li'llahi (He submitted his (spiritual) face to God, 4:125). Indeed, this act is in the sense of annihilation and monoreality, as explained in the following:
Aslama (He submitted, he became obedient)
In verse (4:125) God says: "And who is better in religion than he who has submitted his (spiritual) face to God, and is righteous and follows the way of Ibrahim, the hanif (one who scorns the false creeds surrounding him and professes the true religion). And God took Ibrahim for (His chosen) friend."
Thus, the greatest secret of the religion of Islam is in submitting one’s (spiritual) face to God, the example of which is in fana' fi'llah (annihilation in God) and baqa' bi'llah (survival in God) or monoreality. For instance, God creates Hazrat Adam in His Image (surat-i Rahman). This Image belonged to Him, but He granted it to Hazrat Adam as well. Hazrat Adam submitted it to God. That is, he merged in his origin (asl se wasil). It is this act of submission which is the religion of Islam for everyone.
Surah (Form, image)
It is said in verse (4:125): "And who is better in religion than he who has submitted his (spiritual) face to God, and is righteous, and follows the path of Ibrahim who used to walk avoiding falsehood? And God took Ibrahim for a special friend." This is the description of every carif whose spiritual face has become surat-i Rahman
In verse (4:125), it is said: "And who is better in religion than he who submits his (inner) face to God, and is righteous, and follows the way of Ibrahim who was avoiding falsehood and walk ...". To submit the inner face to God means that a salik should reach the destination of annihilation and annihilate his inner face in the Image of the Compassionate. It is not possible to attain this great bounty without the spiritual journey.
Khalilu’llah cAli (peace be upon him):
Root: kha, lam, lam. Khalil means needy, poor, indigent; a sincere and intimate friend. Khalilu’llah means needy (faqir) of God, that is someone whom God has made needy for His special favours, the sincere and intimate friend of God, the appellation of Hadrat Ibrahim.
Khalilu’llah cAli: cAli who was needy of God and his sincere friend. Every Imam is needy of the luminous gifts of God and His sincere friend, as it is said about Hadrat Ibrahim: “Allah chose Ibrahim for a needy (or a friend)” (4:125). And it is said about Hadrat Musa: “(And Musa prayed:) My Lord! I am needy of whatever good You send down for me” (28:24). Thus the meanings of the needy (faqir) of God are in accordance with this level.
Q113 What is the ta’wili wisdom of verse (4:125): “And who is better in religion than one who submits his face to God and he is also a doer of good”?
A113 The ta’wili wisdom of this verse is that he who submitted his spiritual face to God, merged himself in surat-i Rahman. This is the following of the religion of Abraham(c), who had said: “I have set my face to God” (6:80), i.e. I merged myself in the surat-i Rahman. In verse (31:22) God says: “And he who submits his (spiritual) face to God and is also a doer of good, has got hold of the most firm handle.” It is also said about the holy Prophet: “So if they dispute with you, say: I have submitted my [spiritual] face to God and so have those who follow me.” (3:20)
Q336 What is the greatest wisdom of verse (4:125): “And who is better in religion than he who submits his face to Allah, being a doer of good and who follows the [pure] religion of Abraham, the upright? And Allah did take Abraham for a friend.”
A336
- Whose religion can be better than the one who submits his spiritual face to Allah, being a doer of good and who follows the [pure] religion of Abraham(c), the upright? And Allah chose Abraham(c) for His friendship.
- The one who together with knowledge and good deeds is doing abundant giryah-u zari with intense and ardent heavenly love and prostrates abundantly, submits his intellectual and spiritual face to Allah. To him Allah grants eternal life in the surat-i Rahman like Hazrat Adam(c).
This verse has been referred 8 times.