Who is the righteous
World religions place special emphasis on morality. The laws of moral behavior are preached and indicated in the holy books of different faiths. Moral perfection is the ideal and goal for every believer. It is righteousness, which is achieved by the will of a person, his feat, his own effort.
In religions, people who live by such principles are opposed to sinners. It should be noted that, often, a complete absence of sins is not required for recognition of merit. The cumulative result of life decisions and achievements is taken into account.
Origin of the word
The word itself originates as a translation from the Hebrew saddiq (straight, right, fair).
In Greek, this word corresponds to dikaiousyne (justice, legality, justice). This is what the Greeks called everything that corresponded to the norms of society and laws.
These words were used to denote sinlessness in the Old and New Testaments.
Meaning of the concept
According to modern explanatory dictionaries of the Russian language, the meaning of the word righteous is understood as:
- in a general sense, this is a person who does not sin in any way against the rules of morality;
- in a religious sense, a person who strictly adheres to the commandments and moral precepts of any religion.
This concept is most often used in Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
Mention in the Bible
The manifestations of righteousness and the depth of its definition are mentioned numerous times in the Bible as a contrast to sinners and sinful deeds, which are described in Scripture.
The Old Testament often emphasizes the justice and infallibility of God. He acts as an example to follow in his virtue.
In the New Testament, significant attention is paid to Jesus, who also, through his actions, words, and intentions, shows the possibility of sinlessness. However, this reveals the full complexity of the concept and the need for humility, since true infallibility is inaccessible to earthly people.
Basic qualities
Righteousness, first of all, is observance of the canons of faith, strict and comprehensive.
This is sincerity in one's thoughts, i.e. truthfulness to oneself and others in one's words and actions. Both in Islam and Christianity this is noted in the holy books many times.
In addition, the righteous means the humble, the one who accepts his fate destined for him by God and realizes his original sinfulness.
Modesty should also be a distinctive feature - doing good deeds not for show, but solely because of the inability to do otherwise.
As well as other virtues arising from the laws of a particular religion.
Knowledge
Knowledge is necessary for a righteous life. Every person may not be destined to know the secrets of the Universe, but everyone should know the basics of a right life. For a happy life, you don’t need to know much, just what you need is enough. And here it is even more about putting into practice the acquired knowledge, as well as their deep understanding. Superficial and rote knowledge, without true understanding, deprives a person of the opportunity to see everything in its true light.
Having knowledge is a great gift, but it still needs to be earned. And sometimes a person, in order to prove the sincerity of his intentions, has to experience the most painful situations for him. However, only after going through the storm can a person truly deeply comprehend the knowledge that he needed to understand, only in this way could it be assimilated. It is in the most difficult situations that it is tested how correctly a person has understood certain things, and it is in these situations that the complete picture is revealed to a person.
Having knowledge gives a person peace of the greatest order.
“A man who is full of faith, who has controlled his senses and who inquisitively seeks spiritual knowledge is worthy to receive it, and when he finds it, the highest peace immediately comes to him.”
Bhagavad Gita.
It should be understood that in order to gain true knowledge, one has to make sacrifices. But any sincere sacrifice along this path will be rewarded many times over. A person should put a lot of effort and be persistent on the path of acquiring knowledge.
Meaning in religion
Observance of moral standards and their connection with religions cannot be overestimated. Faith cannot exist without works, and works determine faith. Good deeds, respect for other people, creativity are the basis of a full-fledged society that can develop, improve and exist for a long time. Neglect of moral standards leads to irreparable consequences.
Faith is the engine of dissemination and regulation of moral principles of behavior. She monitors their observance, encourages and condemns those who have backslid, and helps those who have backslid to return to the right decisions.
Even atheists unwittingly use in their daily lives the principles nurtured by religion over centuries, and passed down to them through generations by the elders in their families.
Christianity
Let us note the care with which the moral component of faith in Christianity is approached. This is also indicated by the number of people noted by clergy who meet the high requirements of religious morality.
In Orthodoxy, the following concepts, similar in meaning, can be classified as righteous people:
- The blessed one is a sinless holy ruler (king, prince, emperor, etc., although there are also warriors).
- The saint has the episcopal rank, is not only infallible in everyday life, but also zealous in church life.
- Reverend - a monk ranked among the ranks of saints.
Saints with a narrower meaning are also used in the Christian religion: Equal-to-the-Apostles, martyrs, passion-bearers, who can also be clearly considered righteous and deserve special recognition.
Islam
In Islam, the sinless person is called the Arabic word salih. Literally, Salih means righteous, virtuous. A righteous Muslim does not attach much importance to the values of earthly life and strives to earn the love of Allah.
Spiritually among Muslims there are:
- Muslim - Muslim;
- muhsin - a Muslim who does good deeds;
- mumin - true believer;
- salih - righteous.
In this hierarchy, the Salih stands above the rest and is revered more than others.
Other
Other world religions also support the importance of observing moral principles based on the difference between good and evil, understanding the need for the predominance of good intentions, words and deeds in the life of anyone. Descriptions of the most successful people in achieving the ideal of morality exist in Buddhism, Hinduism and others.
However, it is not only in various religions that one can find references to the concepts of righteousness.
“Righteous Among the Nations” - this honorary title is awarded by the Israeli Institute of Disaster and Heroism of the national memorial of Catastrophe and Heroism “Yad Vashem” to people who saved Jews during the Nazi occupation of Europe (people of other nationalities who risked their lives in doing so). This title has been awarded to more than 26 thousand people from 51 countries. Their names are immortalized on the Mount of Remembrance in Jerusalem at Yad Vashem.
Close in meaning is the title “Righteous of Babi Yar”. It was assigned to people who sheltered Jews during the occupation of Kyiv.
Integrity
Principles are a whole set of qualities, rules, and regulations that guide a person along his life path. Integrity is what distinguishes a low person from a real person. Few people are capable of being truly principled, because principles glorify a person, but on the other hand, they make him somewhat dependent on them. We know great people, and those we admire have always been motivated by principles. Some were fundamentally magnanimous, some generous, some stubborn, and this gave them victory.
The set of principles has existed for a very long time and is directly related to the moral qualities of a person. And the two most important sets of principles in human society were the principles of the warrior and the principles of the sage. If the principles of a warrior were heroism, determination, generosity and magnanimity, then the principles of a sage were peace, self-control, purity, wisdom and knowledge. The real principles of real warriors and sages were always unshakable and could not be bribed by fame, honor or wealth.
By following the principles, one achieves the opportunity to enjoy a pure life. Correctly set and implemented principles deprive a person of many negative aspects of life. The one who follows the principles will not regret the past, because he did not do anything reprehensible, he will not be afraid, will not be sad, doubt, get lost, because he has a guideline that does not allow him to get lost.
Integrity gives a person freedom, gives him the ability to say “no” in those moments when others grudgingly agree. Principles give freedom to a person, freedom from fear, from the pursuit of illusions, freedom from attachment and from doubt. Principles give freedom in all areas in which other people are enslaved.
Famous righteous men and women
It is impossible to list here all the saints and revered ones. However, the biography of some can give a general idea of the characteristics of such people.
Sergei Radonezhsky
The Monk Sergius (born Bartholomew) was born in 1314 near Rostov. Since childhood, he was patient and hardworking. From an early age he was familiar with the Holy Scriptures and attended church. In 1330, his family moved to the city of Radonezh.
After the death of his parents, he and his older brother Stefan moved to live in the desert several kilometers from the city into the forest, first building a cell and then a small church. This church was illuminated in the name of the Holy Trinity.
And in 1337 he took monastic vows with the name of the martyr Sergius. The monastery built by Sergius attracted followers from the surrounding area. This prompted the formation of the Trinity Monastery, which is currently called the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius.
In 1354 he was persuaded to accept the abbess. Later he founded a monastery in honor of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Particularly noted is the support of St. Sergius of Radonezh for Russian troops during the Battle of Kulikovo.
Matrona of Moscow
Matrona was born in 1881, blind, into a peasant family. From the age of eight, she gained faith so strong that it helped her heal people.
By the age of 17, her legs were paralyzed.
Together with the daughter of a local landowner, Lydia Yankova, she traveled a lot in her youth. They made pilgrimages to famous churches and holy places in Russia.
After the revolution, Matrona and her friend moved to the city, driven by hunger. Since 1925, she began to live in Moscow. She lived wherever she had to (with acquaintances, friends, distant relatives).
According to the descriptions, Matrona received people during the day who thirsted for healing and asked her advice. At night she prayed. She was very devout all her life and regularly observed all church rituals.
She died in 1952. There were a lot of people at the funeral. To this day, her grave is a place of pilgrimage.
Lukman
You can also find references to those revered for their infallibility in the Koran.
Among them we can name Luqman. The 31st sura of the Koran is named after this ancient sage and Islamic sinner.
Tradition says that he was an Ethiopian slave who was freed by his Israeli master. Others say that he was a Sudanese carpenter or tailor.
There are many sayings and wise sayings in Islamic literature that are attributed to the sage Luqman.
There is a version that Luqman lived during the time of the Prophet Dawood, and not only knew him, but also studied with him and was even appointed by him as a judge.
A Muslim who strives for an ideal tries to observe the precepts of Luqman.
Asiya bint Muzahim
Among the women, mention can be made of Asiya bint Muzahim. She was the wife of Firwan, who ruled during the time of the prophet Musa. It is said that the Prophet Muhammad considered Asia to be one of the four greatest women.
Asia was not only a very beautiful woman, she had wealth and unlimited power due to her social status. However, she gave up all this for the sake of faithful service to Allah.
There is a legend according to which one day the maids of Asia saw a box floating along the Nile. Having taken it out, they brought it to the owner. Asia saw a child in the box. She kept him with her and loved him as her son, despite the fact that Pharaoh wanted to kill the boy first. This child was the prophet Musa.
After some time, the pharaoh learned about his wife's piety. On his orders, Asia was tortured so that she would renounce her faith. But she didn't.
Righteousness Righteous
Righteousness as a personal quality is the ability to love God, be guided by His laws, and demonstrate pious, virtuous qualities specified by God.
The disciples were surprised that the Teacher, who lives emphatically modestly, did not condemn his rich followers in the least. “Not many people succeed, but righteousness and wealth can be combined,” he once said. - How? - the students were perplexed. - If money affects the soul no more than the shadow of that bamboo affects the yard. The disciples turned and saw the shadow of the bamboo sweeping the courtyard without stirring up a single speck of dust.
Righteousness is living truthfully. Righteousness is the triumph of piety. Righteousness is looking at your actions through God's eyes.
The Almighty has spoken very clearly about righteousness:
— The Almighty said: A soul with a righteous and God-loving disposition can be distinguished by such qualities as fearlessness, generosity, understanding of one’s true nature, mercy, the ability to control feelings, sacrifice, knowledge of the sacred scriptures, honesty, non-attachment in everyday life, the ability not to hurt others , not attachment to the worldly and vain, balance, self-control, the ability not to get angry and not to look for faults in others, compassion, generosity, gentleness in communication, modesty, the ability not to succumb to temptations, steadfastness in achieving the intended goal, the ability to forgive, patience, purity, lack of envy and high self-esteem.
Those who have a vicious disposition are merciless, easily angry, prone to reckless actions, greedy and arrogant. Righteous qualities lead to freedom, and vicious ones lead to slavery... This world is inhabited by two types of creatures - righteous and vicious. I have described to you the qualities of the righteous, now I will tell you in more detail about the wicked. In everyday life they are not guided by the laws of the Almighty. They are not characterized by purity, decency and truthfulness. They say that the universe arose from nothing, that it has no conscious cause, and that life comes into being through copulation.
By holding these views, vicious and godless beings deprive themselves of the opportunity to see things in their true light and do not understand that they are particles of the eternal consciousness. Their goal is to take over the ghostly world, but in an effort to gain power over it, they destroy everything around them. By committing disgusting acts, they go to destruction. Indulging in insatiable lust, in pursuit of bodily pleasures, atheists lead a disgusting life. At the same time, they are proud of themselves and set themselves as an example to others. Confident that the goal of life is to get as much pleasure as possible, they are tormented by fears and anxieties until their last breath. Insatiable in lust, they try to increase their wealth by any means, and when they do not get what they want, they become angry.
For the sake of bodily pleasures, they are ready to commit the most disgusting acts. People who are godless by nature reason: Today I achieved what I wanted and tomorrow I will achieve what I want. All this is my wealth and there will be even more in the future. Today I destroyed this enemy, and tomorrow I will destroy the rest. I will take everything from life. The world is created for my pleasure, and I will achieve everything I want. I am the most powerful and I am happy about it. No one can compare with me in wealth and grandeur. I will donate part of my property to the poor, help those in need, and this will make me feel even better.
In ignorance, the wicked are tempted by mortal things and suffer when they lose mortal things. In pursuit of momentary pleasures, they pave their way to hell. Self-satisfied and confident in their impunity, blinded by luxury and power, the atheists want to show others their piety and perform sacrifices that are not mentioned in the scriptures. In pursuit of power, they fall into madness and cause suffering to others. In love with themselves, seized either by lust or by anger, they come to the point where they despise the Almighty, who lives within them, and revile the saints, who are very dear to the Almighty.
Because the atheists are envious, cruel and hurt others, I cast them into disgusting forms of life where they have the opportunity to forget about Me. So they sink lower and lower, to a primitive existence. Only one who is freed from greed, lust and anger is able to understand what the scriptures say, based on this knowledge, act for his own benefit and achieve the goal of life. But the choice is always yours - to follow the commandments or not. If you decide to follow, know that the main commandment is to surrender to the will of the Almighty. Once you understand this, you will understand the meaning of any creed and will be able to follow it.
Petr Kovalev Other articles by the author: https://www.podskazki.info/karta-statej/
