Surah Al-Hajj 22:67

Every Nation has its Religious Ceremonies

Allah tells us that He has made Mansak for every nation. Ibn Jarir said, "This means that there are Mansak for every Prophet's nation." He said, "The origin of the word Mansik in Arabic means the place to which a person returns repeatedly, for good or evil purposes. So the Manasik (rites) of Hajj are so called because the people return to them and adhere to them." If the phrase "For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies" means that every Prophet's nation has its religious ceremonies as ordained by Allah, then the phrase "So let them (the pagans) not dispute with you on the matter" refers to the idolators. If the phrase "For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies" means that it is the matter of Qadar (divine decree), as in the Ayah,

(For each nation there is a direction to which they face)2:148 Allah says here:

(which they Nasikuh) meaning, which they must act upon. The pronoun here refers back to those who have these religious ceremonies and ways, i.e., they do this by the will and decree of Allah, so do not let their dispute with you over that divert you from following the truth. Allah says:

(but invite them to your Lord. Verily, you indeed are on the straight guidance.) i.e., a clear and straight path which will lead you to the desired end. This is like the Ayah:

(And let them not turn you away from the Ayat of Allah after they have been sent down to you: and invite to your Lord) 28:87

(And if they argue with you, say: "Allah knows best what you do.") This is like the Ayah:

(And if they belie you, say: "For me are my deeds and for you are your deeds! You are innocent of what I do, and I am innocent of what you do!") 10:41

(Allah knows best of what you do.) This is a stern warning and definite threat, as in the Ayah:

(He knows best of what you say among yourselves concerning it! Sufficient is He as a witness between me and you!)46: 8. Allah says here:

(Allah will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection about that wherein you used to differ.) This is like the Ayah:

(So unto this then invite, and stand firm as you are commanded, and follow not their desires but say: "I believe in whatsoever Allah has sent down of the Book.") 42:15

Allah telah mengutus para rasul kepada tiap-tiap umat sampai kepada masa Nabi Muhammad saw. Tiap-tiap rasul membawa syariat yang berbeda dengan syariat rasul yang lain, sesuai dengan keadaan, tempat dan masa dimana umat itu berada sehingga syariat itu dapat mereka lakukan dengan baik dan sesuai dengan kesanggupan, kemanfaatan dan kebutuhan hidup mereka.

Kitab Taurat diturunkan kepada Musa as, yang akan disampaikan kepada Bani Israil. Bani Israil di waktu itu sedang terjangkit paham materialisme dan kehidupan yang materialistis. Hidupnya didasarkan kepada kebendaan. Baginya hidup ini adalah serba benda. Bani Israil tatkala ditinggalkan Nabi Musa yaitu dikala beliau naik ke bukit Tursina untuk menerima Taurat, mereka membuat patung anak sapi dari emas untuk disembah. Isi Taurat banyak memberi petunjuk kepada manusia tentang cara-cara membina diri dan umat agar terhindar dari paham materialisme dan kehidupan yang materialistis itu. Demikian pula Injil diturunkan kepada Nabi Isa as, banyak memberi petunjuk cara-cara pembinaan kejiwaan, rohani, sesuai pula dengan keadaan orang Yahudi di waktu itu.

Pada akhirnya Al-Qur'an diturunkan kepada Nabi Muhammad saw. Syariat yang dikandung Al-Qur'an itu adalah syariat untuk seluruh umat manusia sampai akhir zaman. Di dalam Al-Qur'an banyak ayat-ayat yang memberi petunjuk kepada manusia agar mereka di samping memikirkan kehidupan rohani juga memikirkan kehidupan duniawi, kehidupan duniawi merupakan persiapan kehidupan akhirat.

Demikianlah ketetapan Allah yang berlaku bagi seluruh umat manusia sejak dahulu sampai sekarang. Maka seharusnya orang-orang kafir itu tidak menentang seruan Nabi Muhammad yang disampaikan kepada mereka. Karena itu Allah memperingatkan kepada Nabi Muhammad dan umatnya agar jangan terpengaruh oleh tantangan dan pembangkangan orang-orang kafir. Tetaplah melakukan dakwah, menyeru mereka dengan hikmat dan kebijaksanaan, mengajak mereka kepada ketauhidan, yang menunjukkan kepada kebahagiaan hidup di dunia dan di akhirat.