The Language of Attraction and Perfect Kindness in the Testament

The prophets and divine guardians recommended the upright religion and nation that was the cause of Prophet Abraham’s selection to others as well, so that each person may become chosen by God according to their level of religiosity.

The language of recommendation is one of attraction and drawing in. Therefore, in verses of the Qur’an that express recommendations, although they command the establishment of religion, following the straight path, and observing piety, and prohibit discord, deviation, and recklessness, these commands and prohibitions are referred to as “testament” (waṣiyyat). Recommendation is also the same as enjoining good and forbidding evil, but in a gentler manner, because a recommendation from someone in a position of authority and superiority reminds of their perfect care and kindness, attracting the executor and addressee to themselves. In the verse under discussion, the language of divine propagation and enjoining good is the language of recommendation.

In the title “testament” (waṣiyyat), apart from the form of kindness, another matter is embedded, which is the fear of loss. Loss is sometimes in regard to the testator, sometimes in regard to the executor, and sometimes in regard to both. The known testaments are in regard to the fear of loss of the testator: “It is prescribed for you, when death approaches any of you, if he leaves wealth, that he make a bequest…”(313). Some who have not seized the opportunity reach a moment when they have neither the power to return nor the chance to make a testament: “So they will not be able to make a bequest, nor will they return to their people”(314). God’s recommendation is in regard to the fear of loss of the executor, for whom the possibility of death is present at every moment. What has been narrated from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) that he would make recommendations at the time of travel(315) is due to the loss of presence, because during the travel of the testator or the executor, presence is negated, and someone who had a short or long absence from the presence of the Prophet would try to benefit from his testament.