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What is Iman-e-Kaamil?

All praise is to Allah, the Lord Of The Creation. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Owner of the Day of Recompense. Who blessed us being the Ummah of His Beloved Rasool Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam. Who sanctified our hearts with the Love and Affection towards His Beloved Rasool Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam. Who blessed us with the most precious treasure of Iman (Faith). Countless Salutations, Peace, and Blessings be upon the Cream of the Creation… Mercy for all Worlds… Seal of the Prophets Sayyiduna wa Maulana MuHammadur Rasool ALLAH Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam, His Blessed Parents, His entire Family, His Progeny, His Companions and all those who follow Him!!

In the present era, It is really being felt that people must get aware of the Value of Iman and to know what Iman really is? Especially when the Thieves and Robbers of Iman are everywhere putting the garb (attire) of the Scholars of Islam, Aalim, Mufti, Hafiz, Teacher, Imam, Doctor, Professor etc. Who are continuously cropping the deviations and confusions in the minds of a common Muslims who in their ignorance get deceived by the Insolent and Corrupt Creeds. May ALLAH guide us on the Straight Path!

Following are Golden Words by the Great Mujaddid AlaHadrat Ash-Shah Imam Ahmad Rida Khan al-Qadiri that will surely help us to understand the true meaning of Iman insha ALLAH!

What is Imaan?
Iman is to accept every word of Sayyiduna Rasool Allah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam as absolute and nothing else but truth and to testify whole-heartedly the reality and truth of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam.

One who observes the above would be called a Muslim, that is, if any of his words, actions or conditions does not reject, insult or falsify Almighty Allah and His Rasool SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam. His relationship with Almighty Allah and His Rasool SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam must be above all other relationships. He must love and respect all those who are the beloved of Almighty Allah and His Rasool SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam even though that person may be his enemy. He must disrespect and hate all those who disrespect and hate Almighty Allah and His Rasool SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam even if that person may be his beloved son. Whatever he gives should be for Almighty Allah and whatever he abstains from must be for Almighty Allah. Such a person Iman is known as “Kamil” or “Complete”.

Sayyiduna RasoolAllah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam states:
“One who loves for Allah hates anyone because of Allah, spends for Allah, and holds back for Allah, then, indeed, he has completed his Iman.” [Sunan Abi Dawood, Vol 2, Page 632 – Hadith 4681]

The Value of Iman
Until such a time a person does not love and respect the exalted Nabi SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam, even though that person worships all his life, his worship is fruitless and rejected. Numerous Jogees, Monks and Hermits take to seclusion and spend their lives in the Remembrance of Almighty Allah. Some of them even indulge in the Zikr of “La ilaha illal lah” (There is no god but Allah), but they do not respect and love Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam. What benefit is such Ibadah? Almighty Allah states in the Holy Quran:

“And We turned all the deeds they had performed into scattered floating specks of dust.” [Furqan 25:23]

In another verse concerning such worshipers, Almighty Allah states:

“Laboring, striving hard. (Yet) Going into the blazing fire.” [Ghashiyah 88:3/4]

Say, O Muslims! Does the dependence of Iman, serenity, survival, and acceptance of deeds depends on the love and respect for the glorious Prophet of Allah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam or not? Say “YES” and certainly, YES!

The Validity of Iman on Two Important Points
(A) Respect for Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam, and
(B) To love him above all creation within the universe.

The correct method to put this to test is to see that all those whom you love and respect, for example, Father, Teacher, Children, Brother, Murshid, Molvi, Mufti, Hafiz, Lecturer, Imam, or Friends, etc., if they at any time show the slightest disrespect for the Station of Sayyiduna Muhammadur Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam, then there must not remain an atom of love and respect for that person in your heart. Such an insolent person should be totally severed from family and community. His name should cause great discomfort to you. His knowledge or status should be absolutely rejected and discarded. After all, your respect and connection with him were due to his respect for Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam. Now that he insults the very reason for respect what more is left to have any reason to respect such an audacious person.

On the other hand, if you accepted or observed silence to his insult to Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam, kept good friends with him, did not regard him as wretched, shameless and mean-spirited and liked his condemnation, the, by Allah, with great justice, analyze where do you stand in the test of Iman!

Dear Muslims! Is it possible that the heart that contains the love and honor of the master of the universe, Sayyiduna Muhammad SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam, could ever tolerate insults to him, though it may be his Ustaz, Murshid or father? Would the heart that extremely loves the Holy Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam above all creation, ever respect or love one who belittles the unique and faultless Prophet of Allah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam, even though it may be his own child or intimate friend?

Brothers and Sisters in Islam! The reason for showing respect to a learned scholar or Alim is that he is a Waris (Inheritor) to the Knowledge of Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam. Is that person the Waris of Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam or is that person a Shaitan who goes astray from the path of righteousness? In the former, his respect was the respect of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam, and, in the latter, his respect was for Shaitan. This is the case when an alim goes astray, like the Ulema of un-Islamic belief. Then, what can be said about that person who commits Kufr? To regard such a person as Alim-e-Deen is Kufr itself!

A million regrets on him who claims to be a Muslim but respects and regards his Ustaz greater than Almighty Allah and His Rasool SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam. O Allah! With the true respect and mercy of your beloved Habeeb SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam, grant us true Iman. Ameen!

Steadfastness in Belief
Salvation depends on the fact that every single belief of the Ahle Sunnah Wa Jamah be so firm that one will remain firm even is the sky and the earth vanishes. One must have great fear for his belief at all times. The Ulama of Islam state that:

“One who does not fear that his Iman may be taken away would be stripped of his Iman at the time of death.”

Sayyiduna Umar Faruq (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) states:
“If a voice calls out from the sky that all the people of the earth are forgiven but one, I would fear that the one would be me, and if the voice calls out that all the people on earth are dwellers of Hell but one, I will hope that the one is me.”

The status of “Khouf” (Fear) and “Raja” (Hope) must have a balance as displayed by Sayyiduna Umar Faruq (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu).

– – –
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. May we live in this World with extreme protection of Iman and leave this world having our Iman safe and sound. May ALLAH keep us away from the tricks and hypocrisy of hypocrites; May ALLAH guides us to the path of those whom HE has favored. Keep us safe and away from those who have earned HIS anger and of those who have gone astray… Aameen!!

by AlaHadrat Ash-Shah Imam Ahmad Rida Khan Qadiri al-Baraylawi Alaihir raHmah

Is Your Home An Islamic Home?

“And Allah has made for you in your homes a place of rest…”[An-Nahl:80]

This may seem like an unusual question and your automatic response may be “Why, of course, my home is an Islamic Home!! My family is Muslim and that makes our home a Muslim one!!”

Go through this short checklist to determine if your response should really be in the affirmative.

I Have Chosen a Good Spouse
There are several ahadith that highlight the importance of choosing a righteous and pious spouse. The wisdom of this is obvious: a pious spouse is more likely to bring happiness and contentment to the other spouse and the couple together will be more able to build a righteous family and home life. This is the foundation of the home.

I Help Guide My Spouse
This begins with each spouse fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of their roles and treating each other with kindness and compassion. It then goes beyond this to include guidance in other spiritual matters such as striving to strengthen Imaan; paying attention to worship and correcting it when needed; encouraging the reading of Qur’an, praying at night, giving charity, and reading books on Islam; helping to choose pious friends; enjoining goodness and forbidding evil. Emaan is something that may increase or decrease so it is necessary to continually focus on increasing our own and that of our spouse.

Our Home is a Place for Remembrance of Allah
Remembrance can be in many forms: with the heart, with the tongue, through prayer, recitation of Qur’an, memorizing adhkaar and using them, discussing Islamic issues, or reading Islamic material.

These are things that should occur on a consistent basis so that the angels will come to the home and bring Allah’s blessings. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: “The example of a home in which Allah is remembered and the example of a home in which Allah is not remembered, is like comparing the living and the dead.” (Muslim).

Our Home is a Place of Worship
This means that salah is established within the home at its required time and that members of the family pray in the congregation when several are present. The family may also designate a specific area for prayer and maintain its uniqueness and cleanliness.

For women, it is better to pray each prayer within the home. For men, it is recommended to pray voluntary prayers at home after having prayed obligatory prayers in the masjid. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: “The voluntary prayer in the home is better than the voluntary prayer with the people. It is like the obligatory prayer of the man in the congregation is better than praying the obligatory by himself.” (Sahih al-Jaami). This is to ensure that homes are made places of worship just as the masjids.

We Regularly Recite Surat Al-Baqarah and Ayatul Kursi to Keep Satan Away
The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: “Recite Surat Al-Baqarah in your houses, for the Satan does not enter a house in which Surat Al-Baqarah is recited.” (Sahih al-Jaami).

He also said: “When you go to your bed, recite Ayatul Kursi: ‘Allah! There is no god but Him, the Ever-Living, the One Who Sustains and Protects all that exists’, to the end, for then there will remain over you a guardian from Allah, and Satan will not come near you until morning.” (Bukhari).

Teaching and Learning are Ongoing Activities in Our Home
This is primarily the responsibility of the head of die household who must ensure that he is guiding his family to the correct path, enjoining them to do good, and forbidding them from evil. Attaining knowledge is incumbent upon all members of the family and is the basis upon which Emaan will flourish, A study circle should be established in the home that covers the various areas in Islam and from which all family members will benefit. Children should especially be encouraged to participate since this will establish a pattern for them that will be carried throughout their lifetimes.

We Have an Islamic Library in Our Home
This may include such things as books, and DVDs. It is important to choose accurate and reliable material that will benefit the members of the family. There should be a variety of materials to cover all age levels and language needs of those in the home. Arabic material is definitely a must since everyone in the family should either know or be learning to read the language of the Qur’an. Books should cover a variety of topics, be properly organized, and be easily accessible. Audiotapes and CDs may include Qur’an recitation, lectures, khutbahs, tapes for children containing supplications, reminders of Islamic manners, and nasheeds (religious songs with no musical instruments). Family members should encourage one another to use these materials on a regular basis and should be shared with other Muslim families who may be in need of them.

We Try to Have Morals and Manners Like Prophet Muhammad
The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said; “When Allah wills some good towards the people of a household. He introduces kindness among them.” (Ahmad, Sahih al-Jaami).

He also said: “Allah loves kindness and rewards it in such a way the He does not reward for harshness or for anything else.” (Muslim).

There are many examples of the Prophet’s kindness and good treatment toward his family that we should try to emulate. He was affectionate and playful with his wives and children and would help with household chores to case the burden for his wives. Following his example will bring tranquility to the home and help to truly make it an abode of rest.

We Know the Islamic Rulings That Pertain to Houses
Such as guarding the secrets of the home, seeking permission to enter, not looking into other people’s homes, not allowing children to enter the parent’s bedroom during certain times of the day, and not staying alone overnight. This last one is interesting to consider since some husbands travel for their business or work. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wasallam, actually discouraged this. Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet forbade being alone and said that a man should not stay overnight alone or travel alone (Ahmad). Not only will he be alone, but his wife and children are likely to be left alone in the home without any protection or companionship.

We Invite Righteous and Knowledgeable People to Our Home
“My Lord! Forgive me, and my parents, and him who enters my home as a believer, and all the believing men and women.” [71:28].

Righteous people who enter your home will bring many benefits due to their presence and conversations with them. They are more likely to discuss useful topics and may be excellent sources of information and knowledge. We should always make du’aa that Allah will bless us with righteous friends since they can have such positive effects on us. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: “Keep company with a believer only, and let your food be eaten only by the righteous.” (Abu Dawud, Tirmithi).

There are No Evils Within Our Home
Television and unlawful music are not allowed in the house; pictures on the wall do not contain animate beings; there are no statues or anything that resembles statues; dogs are not present in the house; smoking is not allowed; decorations are kept simple to avoid excessiveness; the telephone is used for beneficial purposes and not harmful ones (such as gossiping or backbiting); when people come to visit, the men and women sit separately. The effects of these evils on the sanctity of the home should be obvious. For example, the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: “Angels do not enter a house which has either a dog or a picture in it.” (Bukhari).

The Physical Aspects of the Home are Conducive to Fulfilling Religious Obligations
It is best for the home to be close to a mosque so that it will be easier for men to attend the prayers in congregation and for all family members to visit the mosque for lectures, study groups, and social gatherings. It is also advisable to find an area where other Muslims live to obtain the benefits of the community. One should definitely be careful about close neighbors and avoid those who are obviously immoral. When choosing a house, consideration should be made regarding the availability of separate sitting areas for men and women. The house should be spacious and fulfill safety and health requirements. The WC in the toilet should not be in the direction of “the Qibla”.

Some Of The Symptoms, Avoidance And Cures Of Sins

Narrated by Abu Huraira, The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said “Avoid the seven great destructive sins” the people asked O Allah Messenger ! what are they? He said, “To join others in worship along with Allah, to practice sorcery, to kill the life which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause, to eat up Riba (usury, interest), to eat up an orphan’s wealth, to show one’s back to the enemy and fleeing from the battlefield at the time of fighting and to accuse chaste women, who never even think of anything touching their chastity and are true believers”.[19]

Narrated by Abdullah bin Amr that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said “Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up.

1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays (proves dishonest).
2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.
3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous.
4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil, and insulting manner.” [20]

Narrated by ‘Aishah that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said “The most hated person to Allah is the one who is most quarrelsome of the opponents” [21]

Narrated by Abu Huraira that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said “Part of a man’s good observance of Islam is that he leaves the things which do not concern him” ( i.e. avoiding interference with other’s matters).[22]

Narrated by Ibn Abbas that Allah Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) passed by two graves and said “Both of them are being tortured, and they are not being tortured for a major sin. This one used not to save himself from being soiled with his urine, and the other used to go about with calumnies” [23]

The Qur’an: Narrated by Uthman, The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: “The best among you (Muslims) are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it (to others).” [24]

Ibn Masood reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) once said: “Whoever reads a single letter from Allah’s Book will receive a blessing and each blessing is worth ten times its value.”[25] Abu Umaamah reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said “Recite the Qur’an for verily on the Day of Resurrection it will act as an intercessor for its companions (those who read it often).[26]

Prayer ( Salat ) [27] To offer salat at its appointed time as narrated by Abdullah ibn Masud ‘I asked the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) Which deed is the dearest to Allah? He said, “To performs-Salat at their early fixed times……. “[28] Bearing in mind salat is to performed as the prophet ordered us to pray “Perform your salat the way you see me performing them” [29]

Fasting (Saum) and Charity (Sadaqah)[30] Mu’adh bin Jabal narrates: “The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said to him “May I show you the gates of goodness? (They are) Fasting is a screen from hell, As-Sadaqah extinguishes the sins as the water extinguishes the fire, Standing in prayer by a slave of Allah during the last third part (Tahajjud) of a night” Then the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) recited (V.32:16) “Their sides forsake their beds”.[31]

Abu Huraira narrates that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said “Every day two angels come down from heaven and one of them says ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in your cause,’ and the other (angel) says, ‘O Allah! Destroy every miser.'” [32]

Seeking Knowledge
Reported by Anas “Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim” [33]

Reported by Abu ad-Dardaa that he heard the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) say “If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, Allah will cause him to travel on one of the roads of paradise. The angels will lower their wings because of their pleasure with one who seeks knowledge, and forgiveness will be asked for him by the inhabitants of the heavens and earth and the fish in the depth of the oceans…” [34]

Adhering to the Sunnah
Reported by Abu Huraira that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said “I have left with you two things, if you hold on firmly to them, you will never go astray; Allah’s Book and my Sunnah.” [35] Abu Huraira narrates that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said, “All my Ummah will enter paradise except those who refuse” They asked O Allah’s Messenger! who will refuse? He Said “Whoever obeys me will enter paradise, and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter paradise)” [36]

Avoiding Bidah (Innovation)
Abdullah ibn Masoud relates that Allah’s Messenger (Pubh) drew a line for them one day and then Said “This is Allah’s path”, then he drew several lines (branching off) to the right and to the left and said, “These are the paths (of Misguidance) on each of which is a devil inviting people to follow it” and then he recited (the verse) “Verily this is my path, leading straight, so follow it. And do not follow the (other) paths for they will scatter you about from (Allah’s) path. This is His Command to you in order that you may be conscious of Allah.[37]”[38]

Aisha reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said “Whoever introduces something new into this religion of ours which does not belong in it will have it rejected” [39] (i.e., it will not be accepted by Allah.

Imitating the Kufaar
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) has warned us in regards to imitating the Kufaar, Abu Saeed al-Khudree reported that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: “You will follow the practices of your predecessors, inch by inch and yard by yard, so much so that if they were to enter a lizard’s hole you would also follow them.” He then asked if he meant the Jews and the Christians and He replied “Who Else?” [40] The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) also warned us saying: “Whoever resembles a people, he is one of them” [41] The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) also cursed men who tried to resemble woman and women who tried to resemble men.[42]

We ask Allah, the Highest, that He turns the misguided of this Ummah back to the guidance, and that he makes us all support one another and aid one another in carrying out good and righteousness until we return to this Ummah its lost glory and honor, Indeed He is fully able and have the power to do that.

Emotional And Physical Abuse In Marriage

In Islam, the marriage of a man and a woman is not just a financial and physical arrangement of living together but a sacred contract, a gift of Allah, to lead a happy, enjoyable life and continue the lineage. The main goal of marriage in Islam is the realization of tranquility and compassion between the spouses.

The relationship between the spouses should be based on tranquility, love, and mercy. These three summarize the ideals of Islamic marriage. It is the duty of the husband and wife to see that they are a source of comfort and tranquility for each other.

While the meaning of physical abuse is rather obvious, the meaning of emotional abuse might not be, and the abuse itself may be more insidious. Emotional abuse includes name-calling, belittling, using the threat of divorce as a weapon to manipulate the other, threatening with a real weapon (even with no intention to use it). There may be other elements such as not allowing the wife to visit or contact family or friends. Even frequent teasing, though it starts in fun, may become a type of abuse if it takes the form of sarcasm or demeaning remarks.

It is common for some people when they are angry to call others names or belittle them. If one gets angry quickly and easily with one’s spouse, it could lead to emotional abuse. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) advised us to control our anger, not to call each other names, not to use vulgar language, and not to point a weapon at another person. This advice was general for all, but it should be taken even more seriously within a marriage.

These general guidelines are established by the Qur’an in the following verses: “O ye who believe! Let not a folk deride (ridicule) a folk who may be better than they (are), nor let women (deride) women who may be better than they are; neither defame one another nor insult one another by nicknames. Bad is the name of lewdness after faith. And whoso turneth not in repentance, such are evil-doers. O ye who believe! Shun much suspicion; for lo! some suspicion is a crime. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Ye abhor that (so abhor the other)! And keep your duty (to Allah). Lo! Allah is Relenting, Merciful.” (Al-Hujurat: 11-12)

Moreover, Prophet Mohammad (SallAllaho Alaihi Wasallam – may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ?It is not lawful for a Muslim to scare his fellow Muslim.? (Reported by Ahmad & Abu Dawud)

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi Wasallam) also said: ?None of you should point his weapon at his brother, as Satan may provoke him (to hurt his brother) and as a result, he would fall into a pit of Fire.? (Reported by al-Bukhari) In another version: ?He who (even) points at his brother with a piece of iron is cursed by the angels until he puts it down, even if the other was his blood brother.? (Reported by Muslim)

“Emotional abuse truly damages and hurts as much as physical abuse does. In Islam, there is a special consideration of the relationship between the spouses. Allah says, “And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.” (Ar-Rum 21)

It is shown that the basis of the relationship between husband and wife is affection and mercy. In many Hadiths, the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi Wasallam) mentioned that if a husband looks at his wife with kindness and mercy, Allah Almighty looks at them with His mercy, and if they shake hands all their sins vanish. So, we have to study very well how the Prophet (peace SallAllaho Alaihi Wasallam) dealt with his wives. In fact, he was very merciful, kind, and loveable, bearing in mind that there were some problems that they faced in their marital life but they dealt with these problems with extreme wisdom and kindness. The Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi Wasallam) never abused his wives either physically or emotionally.

Therefore, neither of the spouses is allowed to abuse the other emotionally. This is prohibited in Islam. If either does so, Almighty Allah will hold him or her accountable for that, and they should repent to Allah for this. It is clear now that the best guide to us to live a very successful marital life is to follow the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi Wasallam).”

God’s Grace And Man’s Life

In the name of God, the Lord of Grace, the Most Merciful

It is God who sends forth the winds so that they raise clouds, whereupon He spreads them as He wills across the skies and causes them to break up so that you can see the rain issuing from within it. As soon as He causes it to fall upon whomever He wills of His servants, they rejoice, even though a short while ago, before it was sent down upon them, they had abandoned all hope. Behold, then, the effects of God’s grace: how He gives life to the earth after it had been lifeless! It is indeed He, the One who can bring the dead back to life; for He has power over all things. If We send a (scorching) wind and they see it turning yellow, they begin after that to deny the truth.

Indeed you cannot make the dead hear; and you cannot make the deaf hear your call when they turn their backs and go away. Nor can you lead the blind out of their error. You can only get those who believe in Our signs to listen; and they will then submit themselves (to God). (The Byzantines, Al-Room: 30: 48-53)

The surah now refers to various aspects of God’s grace that have telling effect on man’s life: “It is God who sends forth the winds,” in accordance with the law He has set in operation to regulate the universe and its affairs. “So that they raise clouds,” by the vapor they carry from the surface of water bodies on earth. “Whereupon He spreads them as He wills across the skies and causes them to break up,” allowing its pieces to gather and condense, accumulate in layers, or collide with one another, or send an electrical charge from one layer or piece to another. “So that you can see the rain issuing from within it,” when such clouds are heavy with rain. “As soon as He causes it to fall upon whomever He wills of His servants, they rejoice.” (Verse 48) No one knows the extent of such rejoicing better than the people for whom rain means survival. The Arabs were the first people to realize the importance of this statement because their lives depended on rain. Their poetry and folk stories mention it with hope and endearment.

“Even though a short while ago, before it was sent down upon them, they had abandoned all hope.” (Verse 49) This describes their condition before the rain. In fact, the rain changes their condition completely, from despair to hope and rejoicing. “Behold, then, the effects of God’s grace.” You see these effects in people’s faces as they brighten up after being gloomy with despair, in the quickening earth, and in the liveliness affecting all.

“Behold, then, the effects of God’s grace: how He gives life to the earth after it had been lifeless!” (Verse 50) This is a fact that needs no more than that we look and reflect. It is given here as evidence confirming the resurrection when people are brought back to life. This is consistent in the Qur’anic argument where universal images and facts of life are given as substantial evidence: “It is indeed He the One who can bring the dead back to life; for He has power over all things. (Verse 50) We need only to look at the effects of God’s grace on the earth to be certain of the truth of this eventuality and the fulfillment of this promise.

The surah then describes the feelings of those very people who are happy at seeing the wind carrying water and who rejoice as they see rain bringing God’s grace. What would they feel, however, if they saw the winds as yellowish in color carrying dust and sand? Such winds destroy fields and livestock, or cause plants to dry and wither: “If We send a (scorching) wind and they see it turning yellow, they begin after that to deny the truth.” (Verse 51) Rather than submitting to God’s will and praying to Him earnestly to remove their affliction, they deny the truth out of frustration and despair. This is the status of people who do not believe in God or His will, of people who cannot discern God’s wisdom in what He decides, and cannot appreciate that it is God’s hand that determines everything in the universe, ensuring harmony between all its events and situations.

Thus the surah describes the fluctuation of people’s desires, their inability to benefit by God’s signs that they see in the universe around them, and their failure to recognize God’s wisdom behind life’s events. It then addresses the Prophet consoling him for not being able to persuade many of them to follow divine guidance. It tells him that this is due to their nature and blindness, which he can never cure.

“Indeed you cannot make the dead hear; and you cannot make the deaf hear your call when they turn their backs and go away. Nor can you lead the blind out of their error. You can only get those who believe in Our signs to listen; and they will then submit themselves (to God).”

The surah shows them to be lifeless, deaf, and blind, devoid of motion, hearing, and sight. They have isolated themselves from the world around them and thus they are unable to understand the universal laws affecting it. Hence, they have no more than animal life, or even less. An animal is guided by its nature, which rarely lets it down. By contrast, a person who does not respond to God’s revelations despite its powerful effect on hearts and minds is deaf even though he may have ears that hear. Similarly, the one who does not see God’s signs placed everywhere in the world around him is blind, even though he may have functioning eyes.

“You can only get those who believe in Our signs to listen; and they will then submit themselves (to God).” These are the ones who listen to the divine message because they have active minds and hearts, as well as sound understanding. When they listen to the divine message, they realize that it is the truth and they declare their submission to Him. They only need their nature be alerted, and they respond.