Our social:

Post from category:

Our Lord! Please Guide Us Onto The Straight PATH

Our LORD! Please Guide us onto The Straight PATH [1:6]

God is reminding us that it is not our deeds alone that bring guidance or forgiveness, but it is something that He bestows upon us as a favor.

{Guide us to the Straight Path. The way of those whom You have bestowed Your Grace. Not of those who earn Your anger, nor of those who go astray.} (Al-Fatihah 1: 6-7)

When we examine these verses, we find that it has some very interesting qualities that make them a unique prayer.

In a short examination of the above verses, especially the section we have highlighted, we will find guidance on:

Having humility as a servant of God in the community
Ascribing success to God and not to oneself
The comprehensiveness of Islam
The social nature of the Islamic message
As we explore chapter Al-Fatihah, we will pick these four lessons.

1. Humility

In this prayer that God revealed to us, it is clear that we are to ask for guidance upon the “Straight Way”. However, the nature of this path, its location, its signs, its characteristics, and its directions are all left out. We are given no indication as to how to get there, or how to find the map for it. Instead, the path is described in one single way: {The Path of Those Whom You Have Favored}.

It is interesting that rather than pointing to concepts or ideas for the individual to discover on one’s own, God pointed to people. He tells us that this path is found with those whom His favor is upon. What is the point of doing this?

It has immediately turned us into students. We are seeking this path and when God points to the people whom He has favored; our minds become fixed on seeking out these people. Who are they? How can we be like them? How can we join their company? Rather than allowing us to feel arrogant that we are on the “Straight Path”, we have been directed toward others who may already be there. But again…who are they?

{All who obey Allah and the Messenger are in the company of those on whom is the Grace of Allah, – of the prophets (who teach), the sincere (lovers of Truth), the witnesses (who testify), and the Righteous (who do good): Ah! what a beautiful fellowship!} (An-Nisa’ 4: 69)

And here we have: How to join this company: To “Obey God and the Messenger”.

The company consists of the Prophets, the Siddiqeen (the truthful sincere servants of God), the Shuhadaa (those who testify to the Truth with their speech, and if needed will defend the Truth and the innocent with their lives), and the Saliheen (those who are righteous in actions).

God then praises this group by calling it a beautiful fellowship.

By naming these four groups of people in the Quran as those whom the Grace of God is upon, He has pointed us not to a set of concepts, but to a community and a set of examples. From the teachings of the Prophets, we take knowledge and the framework of truth for all that follows. From the Siddiqin (the truthful) we derive the lessons and examples of sincere worship. From the Shuhada we see examples of those who act and struggle to testify to Truth. And from the Saliheen we see examples of righteous actions. So the one aiming for the Straight Path should seek out these people, their company, and their examples, and learn from what they have.

Though we can attract His mercy through sincerity, God is reminding us that it is not our deeds alone that bring guidance or forgiveness, …
This teaches the servant that he should think himself self-reliant in his journey towards God’s grace but should remember that there are those in the past and those in the community that he can seek out and be in good company with.

2. Ascribing Success to God

In mentioning the Straight Path, God does not simply provide a list of actions. Instead, He makes it clear that He is the one acting.

The Arabic word “An’amta” means “You bestow (favor) upon” in reference to God. A subtle reminder that we are not the ones who “earn” God’s grace, but that He gives it to us out of His mercy. Though we can attract His mercy through sincerity, God is reminding us that it is not our deeds alone that bring guidance or forgiveness, but it is something that He bestows upon us as a favor. This again reminds the servant to be humble before God.

3. The Comprehensiveness of Islam

Every group, methodology, and ideology will have some method or idea that it sees as the primary driver of Islamic reform for the individual and the community. Some groups oriented around Tasawwuf (self-improvement) will focus on spiritual purification. Others focused on societal change, on activism in the community – both social and political. Other organizations will focus on righteous deeds and worship. Yet others will focus on knowledge.

However, we see that when God describes the people who have His grace, they represent all of these various interests.

The Prophets: The bearers of the Message of God, the deliverers of knowledge from God to humanity, and the providers of the religious foundation for generations to come and all the groups that follow below..

The Sincere and Truthful: Those whose hearts are purified and sincere in their reverence for God and in their actions amongst people. Truthfulness emanates not only in their speech but in their actions, because their intentions are pure and for God alone..

The Witnesses: Those who actively strive to witness the truth under extraordinary circumstances, whether under threat of loss of life or wealth. They testify to Islam and call for goodness and benefit and may eventually find themselves giving all they have in order to defend innocent people and protect the lives of others.

The Righteous: Those who dedicate extraordinary amounts of time to doing good deeds. Prayer, fasting, giving charity, visiting the sick, helping the orphans, remembering the name of God, reciting the Quran, and doing their utmost to have their limbs always in the worship of the Creator and in the service of His Creation.

…. the Quran has pointed us toward a religion that is not individualistic but is based on being part of a community
It is amazing that in describing the people of the “Straight Path”, the Quran mentions all of the various goals and methods – the seeking of knowledge, the purification of the soul, activism, and the doing of good deeds. Yet another testament to the fact that Islam is comprehensive, and calls for balance in the various priorities on the Straight Path.

4. The Social Nature of the Islamic Message

By highlighting a set of people, instead of a list of to-dos, the Quran has pointed us toward a religion that is not individualistic but is based on being part of a community. It is asking us to seek out people from whom we can learn, and good company with whom we can be.

As the Prophet Muhammad said: “A person is upon the religion of his/her friends.” (Abu Dawud) The most intimate companions of a person will often affect his/her faith and influence the direction of his/her life. But if we know that we should seek the knowledge and stay within the framework provided by the Prophet, strive to be with people who show purity and sincerity as best as we can notice, spend time in circles of activism and call to good things, and work hard to do righteous actions and be in groups that do righteous actions, the Quran is telling us that in presence with that company, we are on the “Straight Path”.

By Abdul Sattar Ahmed

Primary Goals Of Dawah

It is necessary that we Muslims have a clear understanding of the primary goals of Da’wah, in order to direct our efforts toward the correct ends and achieve the intended effect.

We must know what specifically we intend to bring about and accomplish by understanding Da’wah. Otherwise, we may not be able in ascertaining the priorities that are necessary for achieving what Allah wants from us by calling people to Him.

A clear formulation of the aims of Da’wah can be summarized is as follows:

1. To guide people to the religion of Allah
2. To establish evidence against those who reject or oppose the religion
3. To discharge the duty enjoined on us, the Muslims, by Allah
4. To exalt the word of Allah on earth

The first objective, of guiding people to Allah’s religion and establishing the worship of Allah Alone, was the primary task of the Prophets and Messengers. The Prophets were calling people to the realization and fulfillment of the purpose of creation, which is to worship their Creator. Worship can be defined as “everything that Allah loves and approves of from the apparent and hidden sayings and deeds.” (Ibn Taymiyah) The Qur’an makes it clear that worship is the specific reason why Allah created all objects that exist, animate or inanimate.

“And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).” (Qur’an, 51:56)

“There is not a thing but glorifies His praise. But you understand not their glorification.” (Qur’an, 17:44)

The aim of Muslims in Da’wah is the same, calling all of mankind to the worship of Allah Alone and submission to Him according to the Religion that He chose for His Prophets to convey. At the same time, it must be realized that the actual results of our efforts in guiding people to Allah’s religion are not in our hands, as it is only Allah who guides. Even the Prophet himself (peace be upon him) was unable to guide his uncle Abu Talib, about which Allah said:

“Verily you (O Muhammad, peace be upon him) guide not whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And he knows best those who are guided.” (Qur’an, 28:56)

Establishing Allah’s proof against the disbelievers and the rebellious is the second goal of Da’wah, and is achieved by our preaching the message in a proper way. Our success in this regard does not depend on whether Allah guides those whom we call or not.

The Prophets themselves were sent as warners to mankind, having as their duty only to convey the message and explain the obligations of the people towards their Creator, and to warn of severe torment for those who rejected the message. Disbelievers are thus left with no excuse that can justify their disobedience to Allah. These concepts are explained in the following Qur’anic verses:

“Messengers are bearers of good news as well as warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allah after the Messengers. And Allah is All-Powerful, All-Wise.” (Qur’an, 4:165)

“Say: Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him (to convey the Message) and you for that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on the right guidance. The Messenger’s duty is only to convey (the Message) in a clear way.” (Qur’an, 24:54)

Calling to Allah will therefore leave those who disbelieve without an excuse before Allah on the Day of Judgment, in case they do not respond to the call of the Messengers. Inviting is our role, and responding is theirs.

“Say (O Muhammad, peace be upon him, to the disbelievers): My Lord pays attention to you only because of your invocation to Him. But now you have indeed denied (Him). So the torment will be yours forever.” (Qur’an, 25:77)

The third goal of Da’wah is to fulfill our duty of calling people to Allah. Our duty is only to convey the message, so our success in realizing this goal is also not dependent on the response of those whom we are calling. Allah says to the Messenger in several places in the Qur’an:

“The Messenger’s duty is but to convey the Message.” (Qur’an, 5:99)

“Whether we show you (O Muhammad) part of what We have promised them or cause you to die, your duty is only to convey (the Message) and unto Us is the reckoning.” (Qur’an, 13:40)

Acquitting ourselves of the duty of Da’wah enjoined upon us by Allah is of particular relevance to those Muslims living in non-Muslim lands, as engaging in Da’wah would Insha Allah justify their stay.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) has also explained that fulfilling our obligations can provide us an excuse before Allah, otherwise, we are bound to perish: “The people will not perish until they have no excuse left for themselves.” (Imam Ahmad in Az-Zuhd, i/86, authentic)

The fourth goal is establishing a Muslim nation and making the word of Allah dominant on earth. Allah explains in the Qur’an: “It is He Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He may make it (Islam) superior over all religions. And All-Sufficient is Allah as a Witness.” (Qur’an, 48:28)

Allah also says in the Qur’an: “He it is Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves, purifying them, and teaching them Book (the Qur’an), and Al-Hikmah (Sunnah). And verily, they had been before in manifest error.” (Qur’an, 62:2)

The Messenger of Allah and the Sahabah established an Islamic society here on earth. Therefore our aim in Da’wah should also be to create a strong Muslim society that would make Allah’s Word uppermost in this world.

This goal, like the first one, is dependent on the response and is therefore in Allah’s Hands. However, Allah has promised Muslims that He will establish them on earth if they believe and do righteous deeds:

“Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practice their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).” (Qur’an, 24:55)

And Celebrate The Praises Of Your Lord

And from among you there should be a party who invite to good and enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong, and these it is that shall be successful.

[Sahih Al-Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 10, Number 547] Narrated Jarir bin ‘Abdullah: We were with the Prophet on a full moon night. He looked at the moon and said, “You will certainly see your Lord as you see this moon, and there will be no trouble in seeing Him. So if you can avoid missing (through sleep, business, etc.) a prayer before the rising of the sun (Fajr) and before its setting (‘Asr) you must do so. He (the Prophet ) then recited the following verse: “And celebrate the praises Of Your Lord before The rising of the sun And before (its) setting.” (50.39)

[20. Surah Tauha: Ayah 130]” And glorify your Lord by the praising of Him before the rising of the sun and before its setting, and during hours of the night do also glorify (Him) and during parts of the day, that you may be well pleased.”

[20. Surah Tauha: Ayah 131] Do not let your eyes crave what We have allowed some of the disbelievers to enjoy; the ˹fleeting˺ splendor of this worldly life, which We test them with. But your Lord’s provision ˹in the Hereafter˺ is far better and more lasting.

[20. Surah Tauha: Ayah 132] Bid your people to pray, and be diligent in ˹observing˺ it. We do not ask you to provide. It is We Who provide for you. And the ultimate outcome is ˹only˺ for ˹the people of˺ righteousness.

My Lord! grant me that I should be grateful for Thy favor which Thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents and that I should do good such as Thou art pleased with, and make me enter, by Thy mercy, into Thy servants, the good ones.

Ahad Ahad: Bilal Radhiyallaho `Anhu

Bilal (Radhiyallaho Anhu) is one of the Best known of the galaxy of ‘Sahabah’ as ‘Moazzin’ of the Prophet (Sallallaho `alaihe wasallam) ‘Masjid’. He was an Abyssinian slave of a disbeliever in Mecca. His conversion to Islam was, naturally, not liked by his master and he was, therefore, persecuted mercilessly.

Ummayah bin Khalaf, who was the worst enemy of Islam, would make him lie down on the burning sand at midday and would place a heavy stone on his breast so that he could not even move a limb…! he would then say to him…
‘Renounce Islam or swelter and die.’

Even under these afflictions, Bilal (Radhiyallaho Anhu) would exclaim…
‘Ahad’  The One Allah! ‘Ahad’ The One  Allah!

He was whipped at night and with the cuts thus received, made to lie on the burning ground during the day to make him either forsake Islam or die a lingering death from wounds. The torturers would get tired and take turns… Abu Jahl, Umayyah, and others would vie with one another in afflicting more and more painful punishments …but Bilal (Radhiyallaho Anhu) would not yield. Subhan Allah!

At last Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho Anhu) bought Bilal’s (R.A.) freedom, and he became a free Muslim…! As Islam taught implicitly the oneness of the Almighty Creator, while the idolaters of Mecca believed in many gods and goddesses with minor godlings, therefore Bilal (Radhiyallaho Anhu) repeated…

‘Ahad (The One), Ahad (The One).’
This shows his love and devotion to Allah. Allah was so dear to him that no amount of persecution could distract him from reciting His Holy name. It is said that the urchins of Mecca would drag him in the streets, with his words ‘Ahad’  ‘Ahad ‘ ringing in their wake.

Look how Allah rewarded his steadfastness…! He was to have the honor of becoming the Prophet (Peace be upon him) Moazzin. He was always to remain with him at home and abroad to call out the Azaan for his ‘Salaat’.
After the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) death it became very hard for him to continue his stay in Madinah where he would miss him at every step and in every corner…He, therefore, left Madinah and decided to pass the rest of his life striving in the path of Allah. Once he beheld the Prophet (Sallallaho `Alaihe Wasallam) in his dream saying to him…

‘O, Bilal! How is it that you never visit me?’

No sooner did he get up than he set out for ‘Madinah’. upon reaching there, Hasan and Husain (Radhiyallaho anhuma) The Prophet’s (Sallallaho `Alaihe Wasallam) grandsons requested him to call out the ‘Azaan’.
he could not refuse them, for they were very dear to him. But as soon as the ‘Azaan’ was called, the people of Madinah cried openly out of their anguish at the memory of the happy old days of the Prophet (Sallallaho `alaihe wasallam) time. Even the women came out of their houses weeping. Bilal (Radhiyallaho Anhu) left Madinah again after a few days and died in Damascus in 20 A..H.

Notes:
The great devotee and Muazzin of PROPHET( SALLALLAHO `Alaihe Wa Sallam) the courageous and beloved Abyssinian by the name of Bilal Habshi (Radhiyallaho Anhu) passed away in the middle of reading ‘Azaan’ in Damascus, Syria between the years 638 and 642 (AD). This was the second time after the death of PROPHET( SALLALLAHO `ALAIHE WASALLAM) that BILAL( Radhiyallaho Anhu) recited the Azaan.

 

Tasbeeh And Takbeer Are Among The Delights Of The People Of Paradise

Paradise is the abode of reward and delight, not of trials and testing. A problem might arise concerning the hadith reported by al-Bukhaari and others from Abu Hurayrah, according to which the Prophet (saw) described the first group to enter Paradise and said, “They will glorify Allah (SWT) morning and evening.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Kitaab Bid’ al-Khalq, Baab maa jaa’a fi Sifaat al-Jannah, Fath al-Baari, 6/318]

But there is nothing problematic in this report, insha’Allah, because, as al-Qurtubee said “This Tasbeeh is not the matter of obligation or imposition.” As was reported by Muslims, Jaabir explained it as follows, “They will be inspired with Tasbeeh and Takbeer as they are inspired with breathing.” The analogy of breathing was used because it is something man does with no conscious effort. Their breathing will become Tasbeeh, and the reason for this is that their hearts will be illuminated with the knowledge of their Rabb, may He be glorified, and filled with love for Him, and whoever loves a thing remembers it frequently.” [Fath al-Baari, 6/326]

Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah stated that this Tasbeeh and Takbeer will be one of the pleasures enjoyed by the people of Paradise. He said, “This is not the kind of obligatory work that is done for the sake of a specific reward. It is the same as the kind of deeds that people do for pleasure and enjoyment.” [Majmu’ Fataawa, 4/330]