The Good Life
The Shari‘ah
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THE SHARI‘AH
The Lord has enjoined you to worship none but
Him, and to show kindness to parents. If either or
both of them reach old age with you, show them no
sign of impatience, nor rebuke them; but speak
kindly to them. Treat them with humility and
tenderness and say: “Lord, be merciful to them even
as they cherished and reared me when I was an
infant.” Your Lord knows best what is in your
hearts; He knows if you are righteous. He is
Forgiving to those who turn to Him again and
again. Give to the near of kin their due, and also to
the destitute and to the wayfarers. Do not squander
your substance wastefully, for the wasteful are
Satan’s brothers; and Satan is ever ungrateful to his
Lord. But if, while waiting for your Lord’s bounty,
you lack the means to assist them then at least
speak to them kindly. Be neither miserly or
prodigal, for then you should either be reproached
or reduced to penury. Your Lord gives abundantly
to whom He wills and sparingly to whom He
pleases. He knows and observes His servants. You
shall not slay your children for fear of want. We will
provide for them and for you. To kill them is a great
