Hawzah News Agency - God Almighty has entrusted humanity with spiritual trusts in this world so that they may use them to achieve divine objectives. If not used correctly, these trusts will one day testify against them.

One of the key teachings of Islam is the emphasis on trust and trustworthiness. The holy Qur'an states:

«إِنَّ اللَّهَ یَأْمُرُکُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَیٰ أَهْلِهَا.»

"Indeed Allah commands you to deliver the trusts to their [rightful] owners." (Chapter Nisa', Verse no. 58)

Explanation:

The concept of trust can be examined from two perspectives:

1. Worldly trusts: These are possessions and responsibilities that people entrust to one another.
2. Spiritual trusts: These are divine blessings that God has bestowed upon humans.

Both types of trust hold significant importance in Islam.

Spiritual Trusts:

«إِنَّا عَرَضْنَا الْأَمَانَةَ عَلَی السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَالْجِبَالِ فَأَبَیْنَ أَنْ یَحْمِلْنَهَا وَأَشْفَقْنَ مِنْهَا وَحَمَلَهَا الْإِنْسَانُ إِنَّهُ کَانَ ظَلُومًا جَهُولًا.»

"Indeed We presented the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to undertake it and were apprehensive of it; but man undertook it. Indeed he is most unjust and ignorant." (Chapter Ahzab, Verse no. 72)

This verse perhaps conveys realities about humans that are still beyond the comprehension of human intellect. However, what is clear from the verse is that God has granted humans unique qualities and privileges that no other beings in the heavens or the earth possess. These privileges are divine trusts and come with responsibilities. Unfortunately, many people betray these trusts by using them contrary to God's will. For example, intellect and free will, which are meant to help recognize and choose truth and thereby lead to human growth and perfection, are often misused for false purposes.

Various interpretations have been provided for the "trust" mentioned in this verse, including intellect, natural predisposition (Fiṭrah), bodily faculties, free will, the blessing of divine guardianship (Wilayah), the role of vicegerency, guidance by prophets, divine obligations, the creed of "There is no god but Allah," divine secrets, and more.

In this discussion, we focus on one of these divine trusts mentioned in interpretations: bodily faculties.

Humans must use their bodily faculties in accordance with God's commands, as these trusts, according to the verse mentioned earlier (Chapter Nisa'), must be returned to God.

Testimony of Bodily Faculties on the Day of Judgment

What makes the trustworthiness of human faculties even more significant is the fact that these very organs and limbs are destined to testify against a person on the Day of Judgment. (1) As the holy Qur'an states:

«یَوْمَ تَشْهَدُ عَلَیْهِمْ أَلْسِنَتُهُمْ وَأَیْدِیهِمْ وَأَرْجُلُهُمْ بِمَا کَانُوا یَعْمَلُونَ.»

"On that Day, their tongues, hands, and feet will testify against them regarding what they used to do." (Chapter Noor, Verse no. 24)

A person will even turn to their organs and ask them: "Why they are testifying?"

«حَتَّیٰ إِذَا مَا جَاءُوهَا شَهِدَ عَلَیْهِمْ سَمْعُهُمْ وَأَبْصَارُهُمْ وَجُلُودُهُمْ بِمَا کَانُوا یَعْمَلُونَ. وَقَالُوا لِجُلُودِهِمْ لِمَ شَهِدْتُمْ عَلَیْنَا قَالُوا أَنْطَقَنَا اللَّهُ الَّذِی أَنْطَقَ کُلَّ شَیْءٍ.»

"when they come to it, their hearing, their eyes and their skins will bear witness against them concerning what they used to do. They will say to their skins, ‘Why did you bear witness against us?’ They will say, ‘We were given speech by Allah, who gave speech to all things." (Chapter Fussilat, Verses no. 20-21)

Imagine this; the very skin we caress, protect from heat and cold, and adorn with creams and cosmetics will testify against us! And where will this happen? In the Court of Divine Justice.

Thus, in this fleeting world, the hands, feet, tongue, and other bodily parts are trusts given to us. If not used correctly, they will speak out in the Divine Court, causing humiliation and shame before God.

What makes this discussion even more interesting and thought-provoking is the following question: When we say "I," isn’t this "I" composed of the same organs and limbs? So how is it that (as the Qur'an describes) we address our own limbs and ask them why they are testifying?!

Perhaps the answer lies in the understanding that the true essence of "self" is the soul. The organs and limbs are merely tools at the disposal of this soul. In other words, and in a more refined sense, what I see in the mirror is not truly "me". Everything I see in the mirror—my organs and limbs—will eventually testify against me.

What we see in the mirror is, in fact, our worldly vehicle (Markab) that has been entrusted to us for a few days. We must use this trust in the best possible way to achieve divine objectives. Otherwise, it will testify against us and lead to our disgrace before our Creator.

Footnote:

(1). The testimony of bodily organs on the Day of Judgment is always against the individual and never in their favor. (In the Qur'an, whenever organ testimony is mentioned, it is in the context of sins.)" - Tafsir Noor

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