Covenant (Mīs̤āq)
Definition, Etymology, and Significance in Islam
Etymology and Translations
- Arabic: ميثاق (Mīs̤āq)
- Turkish: Ahit
The term “Covenant” in the Islamic context refers to the solemn agreement between God and His people. The Arabic word for this divine covenant is ميثاق (Mīs̤āq), derived from the root “و ث ق” which implies binding firmly. In Turkish, it is translated as “Ahit.”
The Concept of Covenant in Islam
In Islamic theology, the concept of the Covenant (Mīs̤āq) is fundamentally an agreement established between God and humanity. According to Islamic sources, God gathered all the souls of humanity before their physical creation and solicited a promise (waʿdah) and a covenant (mīs̤āq) from them, affirming His Lordship.
The Qur’anic Account
The Qur’an mentions this primordial event in Sūrah Al-A’raf (7:171):
“Thy Lord brought forth their descendants from the reins of the sons of Adam and took them to witness against themselves, ‘Am I not your Lord?’ They said, ‘Yes, we witness it.’ Lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection, ‘Truly, of this we were heedless because we were uninformed.’ Or lest you say, ‘Our fathers, indeed, aforetime joined other gods with our God, and we are their seed after them: will you destroy us for the doings of vain men?’”
Accounts in Hadith
The Traditions narrate the event with more vivid detail. According to a Hadith related by Ubai ibn Kaʿb, God created the spirits of the sons of Adam, gathered them, made them of different tribes, and endowed them with speech. Then, God extracted a promise and a covenant from them, reaffirming His sole divinity and their exclusive worship. This narrative is notably recorded in the Mishkāt al-Masābīḥ in the section on destiny (Bābu’l-Qadr).
Ubai ibn Kaʿb’s account continues with a description of how God distinguishes His prophets with unique covenants of prophethood (nabūwah) and apostleship (rasālah).
Theological Implications
The covenant underscores the inherent acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty by all human souls, which plays a central role in Islamic theological understanding of human responsibility and divine justice. This pre-temporal covenant asserts that humanity cannot claim ignorance of God’s sovereignty on the Day of Judgment.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad with the Christians of the World” by John Andrew Morrow
- “God’s Covenant and Ours: Exploring Our Relationship with God” by A.K. Brotman
- “The Book of Covenant: Islamic and Biblical Conceptions” by Abdullah Ismaili
Takeaways
- Mīs̤āq: The term for God’s covenant in Arabic is ميثاق, denoting a firm, binding agreement.
- Primordial Covenant: According to Islamic belief, all human souls acknowledged God’s sovereignty before their earthly creation.
- Qur’anic and Hadith Sources: Both the Qur’an and the Hadith elaborate on the covenant, highlighting its theological importance.
- Human Responsibility: The covenant emphasizes human accountability in recognizing and worshiping God alone.
Conclusion
The concept of the Covenant (Mīs̤āq) in Islam is pivotal in understanding the intrinsic recognition of God’s sole sovereignty by humanity. It underscores a primordial pledge that establishes the foundation for human responsibility and divine justice in Islamic theology.
For more insights and detailed theological discussions, consider exploring the suggested books.
