Do judge me!

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

In many different situations when we get into conversations, discussions and even argues, we often use cliche arguments in order to defend ourselves. Many of these arguments are merely based on deeper levels of our consciousness of feeling exposed.

One of these arguments, which we often hear people say, is: ‘Hey don’t judge me‘ or ‘You are not allowed to judge, Only God can judge me‘.
It is, in general, a very common statement, even used by believers.

We should bear in mind that the ultimate Judgement will be done by the Best Judge: the Master of the Day of Judgment.

6:62 Then everyone is returned to God, their rightful Lord, and Master. Absolutely, He is the ultimate judge; He is the most accurate reckoner.

But we should also bear in mind that God has sent down the scriptures to prophets throughout all times, in order to judge among the people in this world.

Each prophet confirming the previous existing scripture and bringing a new revelation.
Since the revelation of the last and final scripture; the Quran, we have access to study and acknowledge the truth of all existing scriptures.

2:213 The people used to be one community when God sent the prophets as bearers of good news, as well as warners. He sent down with them the scripture, bearing the truth, to judge among the people in their disputes. Ironically, those who received the scripture were the ones who rejected any new scripture, despite clear proofs given to them. This is due to jealousy on their part. God guides those who believe to the truth that is disputed by all others, in accordance with His will. God guides whoever wills in a straight path.

2:136 Say, “We believe in God, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs; and in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and all the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters.”

We ought to use all existing scriptures to seek for the best path while bearing in mind that the Quran (being purified from all devil interference) is superseding the previous, and is therefore used as the ultimate guideline at all times.

5:44 We have sent down the Torah, containing guidance and light. Ruling in accordance with it were the Jewish prophets, as well as the rabbis and the priests, as dictated to them in God’s scripture, and as witnessed by them. Therefore, do not reverence human beings; you shall reverence Me instead. And do not trade away My revelations for a cheap price. Those who do not rule in accordance with God’s revelations are the disbelievers.

5:45 And we decreed for them in it that: the life for the life, the eye for the eye, the nose for the nose, the ear for the ear, the tooth for the tooth, and an equivalent injury for any injury. If one forfeits what is due to him as a charity, it will atone for his sins. Those who do not rule in accordance with God’s revelations are the unjust.

5:46 Subsequent to them, we sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the previous scripture, the Torah. We gave him the Gospel, containing guidance and light, and confirming the previous scriptures, the Torah, and augmenting its guidance and light, and to enlighten the righteous.

5:47 The people of the Gospel shall rule in accordance with God’s revelations therein. Those who do not rule in accordance with God’s revelations are the wicked.

5:48 Then we revealed to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous scriptures, and superseding them. You shall rule among them in accordance with God’s revelations, and do not follow their wishes if they differ from the truth that came to you. For each of you, we have decreed laws and different rites. Had God willed, He could have made you one congregation. But He thus puts you to the test through the revelations He has given each of you. You shall compete in righteousness. To God is your final destiny – all of you – then He will inform you of everything you had disputed.

5:49 You shall rule among them in accordance with God’s revelations to you. Do not follow their wishes, and beware lest they divert you from some of God’s revelations to you. If they turn away, then know that God wills to punish them for some of their sins. Indeed, many people are wicked.

4:105 We have sent down to you the scripture, truthfully, in order to judge among the people in accordance with what God has shown you. You shall not side with the betrayers.

One may say that God has chosen prophets and messengers to be the ones to rule and judge among the people. And this is indeed true, however, it is also made clear that the believers should follow the messenger(s) to be on the certain outlined straight path. And that these messengers are an example of how believers should be submitting to God alone.

42:13 He decreed for you the same religion decreed for Noah, and what we inspired to you, and what we decreed for Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: “You shall uphold this one religion, and do not divide it.” The idol worshipers will greatly resent what you invite them to do. God redeems to Himself whomever He wills; He guides to Himself only those who totally submit.

3:19 The only religion approved by God is “Submission.” Ironically, those who have received the scripture are the ones who dispute this fact, despite the knowledge they have received, due to jealousy. For such rejectors of God’s revelations, God is most strict in reckoning.

Thus, it is mentioned that messengers are witnesses among the people, and the people are also witnesses among themselves.

22:78 You shall strive for the cause of God as you should strive for His cause. He has chosen you and has placed no hardship on you in practicing your religion – the religion of your father Abraham. He is the one who named you “Submitters” originally. Thus, the messenger shall serve as a witness among you, and you shall serve as witnesses among the people. Therefore, you shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and hold fast to God; He is your Lord, the best Lord and the best Supporter.

4:135 O you who believe, you shall be absolutely equitable, and observe God, when you serve as witnesses, even against yourselves, or your parents, or your relatives. Whether the accused is rich or poor, God takes care of both. Therefore, do not be biased by your personal wishes. If you deviate or disregard (this commandment), then God is fully Cognizant of everything you do.

And that in times when people are not able to find solutions to their disputes among themselves, that they are commanded to refer it to God’s messenger.

4:65 Never indeed, by your Lord; they are not believers unless they come to you to judge in their disputes, then find no hesitation in their hearts whatsoever in accepting your judgment. They must submit a total submission.

We know that God’s prophets and messengers would never speak out of personal desire. They only preach God’s revelations.

42:15 This is what you shall preach, and steadfastly maintain what you are commanded to do, and do not follow their wishes. And proclaim: “I believe in all the scriptures sent down by God. I was commanded to judge among you equitably. God is our Lord and your Lord. We have our deeds and you have your deeds. There is no argument between us and you. God will gather us all together; to Him is the ultimate destiny.”

53:3 Nor was he speaking out of a personal desire.
53:4 It was divine inspiration.

And thus, we should never place our own opinion above that of God and His Messengers.

49:1 O you who believe, do not place your opinion above that of God and His messenger. You shall reverence God. God is Hearer, Omniscient.

4:115 As for him who opposes the messenger, after the guidance has been pointed out to him, and follows other than the believers’ way, we will direct him in the direction he has chosen, and commit him to Hell; what a miserable destiny!

And now when we claim to be true believers and submitters, then why are we contradicting the commandments and clear words of God, the Most Wise?

God has given us the Scriptures, provided with knowledge and wisdom to be taught the differences between good and evil in every aspect of life, in every level of perception. It is thus the reason why God tells us to examine everything and everyone, including ourselves, based on God’s enlighting Scriptures, to find a result of having the understanding of the circumstances. This understanding, based on knowledge and wisdom, is the criterium of making a righteous judgment. This criterium is needed for advocating righteousness and forbidding evil.

3:114 They believe in God and the Last Day, they advocate righteousness and forbid evil, and they hasten to do righteous works. These are the righteous.

For true submitters, it is therefore impossible to be pre-judgmental in anything, as we are commanded to fully examine everything. And it is also impossible to be not judgmental, as it only exposes the weak level of sincerity, commitment, truthfulness and submission to God.
Ironically, while every person is telling and even fighting one another not to judge, we see in reality that the majority of people is in fact (pre)judging each other, by following the baseless criterium of their own heart and mind. This kind of judgment leads to the increase of hate towards each other, to discrimination and generalization, to injustice towards people, and to transgression and corruption.

This kind of judgment is not only based on twisted criteria between right and wrong, but it is also done in a baseless manner. From the use of bad language and mockery, and making conspiracies, to being aggressive and violent.

This is thus the reason why we associate a judgment with something negative, confronting and burdening.

45:17 We have given them herein clear commandments. Ironically, they did not dispute this until the knowledge had come to them. This is due to jealousy on their part. Surely, your Lord will judge them on the Day of Resurrection regarding everything they have disputed.

But when we are aware of Our Creator and His Words and when we apply the teachings in our daily life, then making a judgment about others, about ourselves, or being judged by other submitters, it will feel liberating, enlightening, constructive and righteous.

The fact is that the more knowledgeable you become on God’s decreed religion of Submission, the higher you get in rank towards God, by applying that knowledge in your acts and deeds. A righteous judgment is always based on God’s Teachings and therefore is always supported by just arguments.

At all times, we thus seek for God’s approval. We know it takes a lifelong process of doing so.  Knowing this, we understand that everything comes and goes with time and that it takes stage by stage for becoming more knowledgeable and wise, and more righteous, and closer in our level of submission to God.

So instead of getting tormented when somebody judges you according to God’s righteousness, feel blessed and thankful to get a chance to repent and reform yourself.

And when someone judges you, but you find the judgment unjust or incorrect and not being based on the Scriptures, then provide arguments to prove the person wrong. These are the arguments that are based on God’s words, based on the Truth.
It might cause you to get in a debate, but as long as you do it in the best possible manner, then that’s what counts. Cause God knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who are the guided ones.

16:125 You shall invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and kind enlightenment, and debate with them in the best possible manner. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who are the guided ones.

And when you judge someone righteously and it is not appreciated, then don’t lose the taught standards by provoking anger or hate. Disregard the person and trust in God that it happens for a reason.

7:199 You shall resort to pardon, advocate tolerance, and disregard the ignorant.

It may be that the person does not deserve God’s guidance according to God, the Most Wise or it may be that God Wills to redeem the person in a different stage of his/her lifespan.

28:56 You cannot guide the ones you love. God is the only One who guides in accordance with His will, and in accordance with His knowledge of those who deserve the guidance.

9:106 Others are waiting for God’s decision; He may punish them, or He may redeem them. God is Omniscient, Most Wise.

So, instead of pointing the fingers at each other, point your finger to the straight path, outlined by God. Then see for yourself how far you are from that path. That is the best way to judge! As we know that above every knowledgeable one, there is one who is even more knowledgeable. And that makes a clear lesson for the believers, to always stay kind and humble among the people. And to never reject or accept anything, without verifying it by the scriptures.

52:25 They will say, “We used to be kind and humble among our people.

17:36 You shall not accept any information unless you verify it for yourself. I have given you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brain, and you are responsible for using them.

49:6 O you who believe, if a wicked person brings any news to you, you shall first investigate, lest you commit injustice towards some people, out of ignorance, then become sorry and remorseful for what you have done.

12:76 … We exalt whomever we choose to higher ranks. Above every knowledgeable one, there is one who is even more knowledgeable.

The ones who are truthful, sincere and obedient submitters will only understand and heed this concept of judging. And if others decide to turn their backs on this, then remind yourself that it is no one’s responsibility to guide another soul. Everything happens according to God’s Will. Praise be to God.

27:81 Nor can you guide the blind out of their straying. The only ones who will hear you are those who believe in our revelations and decide to be submitters.

So I would like to emphasize that I would appreciate the righteous judgments from all of you. So please do judge me according to God’s Words!

And May God bless us for advocating righteousness and reward us for seeking His approval.