As we mark the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, we begin a series of blogs on the various hierarchical jewels associated with Jubilees and their symbolic meaning in relation to the invaluable principles given in the Holy Qur’an.
Iffat Mirza, Raynes Park
Living in today’s day and age, there is a lot of emphasis on love. Whether that be a romantic love, love between friends, parental love, or even self-love, there seems to be a lot of it at every twist and turn. We also like to think of all of these as the potential of being eternal. But how can it be? When neither we nor the object of our love is eternal, can the love that exists between us be eternal?
As we celebrate the auspicious event of the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, it is worth considering that the symbolism of platinum is that of eternal and sincere love. Where do we find eternal love? Is 70 years sufficient to define as an eternal love? While it may well be a long time, does it hold a candle to the timeline of human civilisation? Or even that of Creation?
This may be a grand challenge to pose – there is no mortal love which existed since the dawn of creation. But Divine Love?
One aspect of Islam which is, in many ways, unique, is that of a personal love between a believer and God. It is very comforting to know that God reveals Himself in many ways and in the Holy Qur’an has referred to Himself by many beautiful Attributes, one which, amongst the rest, endlessly fascinates me is Al Wali – the Friend.
In Chapter 2 verse 258 of the Holy Qur’an it is written:
Allah is the friend of those who believe: He brings them out of every kind of darkness into light. And those who disbelieve, their friends are the transgressors who bring them out of light into every kind of darkness.[1]
Again, the only word I can use to describe this love is that one of comfort. The promise of ‘Light’ after ‘every kind of darkness’ is extraordinary given that in our lowest moments we are able to convince ourselves of the absolute uniqueness of our suffering. We think of our pain as one of a kind – and in many ways it may well be, for we are each individuals with unique reactions and responses. So, to know that there is Light after ‘every kind of darkness’ reminds us of the true benevolence that God possesses for His Creation. There is no pain that He will not make better. The Five-Volume Commentary of the Holy Qur’an reminds us that this Light has a two-fold meaning. To bring to the Light is “to lead to success and happiness not only in the spiritual but also in the physical sense.” And in this Quranic promise which shall affect both our worldly life as well as the afterlife, the will of God to bring about such Light after the darkness is not associated with His Power, though He is All-Powerful, nor with His Knowledge, though He is All-Knowing, nor any other attribute, but that of a ‘Friend.’ It is His love which brings us into the Light.
In a Friday Sermon in 2009, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community stated about this verse, “those who seek this through abiding by God’s commandments, God truly becomes their Friend and no opposition, no force on this earth can destroy them.”[2]
When thinking of what ‘platinum’ can represent during these days of the Jubilee, it is worth considering what is truly an eternal and sincere love. It would be that which is not susceptible to any sort of attack. We often talk about friendships and other relationships making it ‘through thick and thin.’ God’s love and friendship, if honoured by us, is one that is guaranteed to not only ‘make it through thick and thin’ but to simply override all opposition or force which may seek to destroy it.
[1] The Holy Qur’an Chapter 2 Verse 258, Translated by Maulwi Sher Ali Sahib (ra)
Voice of British Muslim Women 
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