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Healing And Mercy For The Believers

[10. Surah Yunus: Ayah 57] “O men! there has come to you indeed an admonition from your Lord and a healing for what is in the breasts and a guidance and a mercy for the believers.”

[10. Surah Yunus: Ayah 58] “Say: In the grace of Allah and in His mercy– in that they should rejoice; it is better than that which they gather.”

[17. Surah Bani Israel: Ayah 82] “And We reveal of the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to the believers, and it adds only to the perdition of the unjust.”

[41. Surah Ha-mim Sajda: Ayah 44] “It is to those who believe a guidance and a healing; and (as for) those who do not believe, there is a heaviness in their ears, and it is obscure to them; these shall be called to from a far-off place.”

Take Not Unbelievers As Friends Allies Or Helpers

[1] “Let not believers take disbelievers as allies rather than believers. And whoever [of you] does that has nothing with Allah, except when taking precaution against them in prudence. And Allah warns you of Himself, and to Allah is the [final] destination.” [3:28]

[2] “Those who take infidels for friends, instead of the believers. Seek they honor with them verily then honor is Allah’s altogether.” [4:139]

[3] “O you who believe, do not take the disbelievers for friends instead of the believers. Do you want to produce before Allah a clear evidence against yourselves?” [4:144]

[4] “O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.” [5:51]

[5] “O you who believe! do not take for guardians those who take your religion for a mockery and a joke, from among those who were given the Book before you and the unbelievers; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah if you are believers.” [5:57]

[6] “Thou seest many of them turning in friendship to the Unbelievers. Evil indeed is (the works) which their souls have sent forward before them (with the result), that Allah’s wrath is on them, and in torment will they abide.”
[5:80]

[7] “If they were indeed faithful to Allah and to the Prophet Muhammad and gave credence to the Quran sent to him, they would not have sought the infidels’ tutelage, but many of them are indeed wicked.” [5:81]

[8] “Those who disbelieve – they are friends and protectors of one another (especially against you). Unless you do it also (i.e. maintain solidarity among the believers) there will be unrest on the earth and great corruption.” [8:73]

[9] “O ye who believe! Take not my enemies and yours as friends (or protectors),- offering them (your) love, even though they have rejected the Truth that has come to you, and have (on the contrary) driven out the Prophet and yourselves (from your homes), (simply) because ye believe in Allah your Lord! If ye have come out to strive in My Way and to seek My Good Pleasure, (take them not as friends), holding secret converse of love (and friendship) with them: for I know full well all that ye conceal and all that ye reveal. And any of you that does this has strayed from the Straight Path.” [60:1]

[10] “O you who believe! do not make friends with people who have incurred the displeasure of Allah. They are indeed despaired of the Hereafter (since they have no faith in it), just as the disbelievers are despaired of those who are in the graves (as they do not believe that the dead will ever come to life again).” [60:13]

In Allah Alone, Should The Believers Put Their Trust

[ALLAH’S Quran – 14:11] “Their Messengers (of God) said to them, It is true we are nothing but human beings like yourselves but Allah shows (His) favors (by sending revelations and prophethood) to such of His servants as He will. It is not (possible) for us to bring you authority except by the leave of Allah. (We put our trust in Him) and in Allah (alone) should the believers put their trust.”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said: [Muslim, Book #004, Hadith #1691] “Ibn Abbas reported that when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) got up during the night to pray, he used to say: O Allah, to Thee, be the praise Thou art the light of the heavens and the earth. To Thee be the praise; Thou art the Supporter of the heavens and the earth. To Thee be the praise; Thou art the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is therein. Thou art the Truth; Thy promise is True, the meeting with Thee is True. Paradise is true, Hell is true, the Hour is true. O Allah, I submit to Thee; affirm my faith in Thee; repose my trust in Thee, and I return to Thee for repentance; by Thy help, I have disputed; and to Thee, I have come for decision, so forgive me my earlier and later sins, the sins that I committed in secret and openly. Thou art my God. There is no god but Thee.”

Shaytaan Is A Strong External Reason Which Causes Iman To Decrease

He is held to be a strong external reason, which causes Iman to decrease. Shaytaan is a vehement enemy of the believers. He awaits calamities to afflict them. He has no desire or goal other than to jolt the Iman in the hearts of the believers and to weaken and corrupt it. Whoever submits to the whisperings of Shaytaan, complies with his notions, and does not retreat to Allah for refuge from him, his iman weakens and decreases. Indeed, it may disappear in its entirety depending on the Muslim’s response to such whisperings and notions.

It is for this reason that Allah has warned us of Shaytaan in the sternest sense and He has clarified his dangers, the detrimental consequences of following him as well as the fact that he is an enemy to the believers. Allah ordered the believers to take him as an enemy and therefore deliver themselves from him and his whisperings.

Allaah says: “O you who believe! Do not follow the footsteps of Shaytaan, and whosoever follows the footsteps of Shaytaan, then, verily he (i.e., Shaytaan) commands Fahshaa’ (i.e., to commit indecency and lewdness, etc.) and al-Munkar (i.e., disbelief, shirk, to do evil and wicked deeds, to speak or to do what is forbidden in Islam, etc.)…” [Soorah an-Noor (24):21]

Allah also says: “Surely, Shaytaan is an enemy to you, so treat him as an enemy. He only invites his hizb (followers) that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire.” [Soorah Faatir (35):6]

Allah says: “Verily! Shaytaan is to man an open enemy!” [Soorah Yoosuf (12):5]

Allah also says: “Shaytaan has taken hold of them. So he has made them forget the remembrance of Allah. They are the party of Shaytaan. Verily, it is the party of Shaytaan that will be the losers!” [Soorah al-Mujaadilah (58): 19]

Ibn al-Jawzee says: “Hence it is an obligation upon the sane person to be on his guard against this enemy, who has manifested his enmity since the time of Adam. He has sacrificed his life and self in corrupting the circumstances of the children of Adam and Allah has ordered one to be cautious of him…” He then mentioned a number of such texts and then said: “The like of this in the Qur’an is abundant.” [Talbees Iblees, pg. 23]

Aboo Muhammad al-Maqdasee says in the introduction of his book Dhamm al-Waswaas: “To proceed, Allah has indeed made Shaytaan an enemy to man. He sits in wait against him along the straight path and comes to him from every direction and way, as Allah has related from him that he said: “Surely I will sit in wait against them on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them as being grateful ones (i.e., they will not be dutiful to You).” [Soorah al-A’raaf (7):16-17]

Further, Allah has warned us against following him and commanded us to possess animosity towards him and to oppose him, He said: “Verily! Shaytaan is to man an open enemy!” [Soorah Yoosuf (12):5]

He also said: “O Children of Adam! Do not let Shaytaan deceive you, as when he brought your parents (i.e., Aadam and Hawwaa’) out of Paradise…” [Soorah al-A’raaf (7):27]

Allah informed us of what he did with our parents as a way of cautioning us from obeying him and also to cut short any excuse for having followed him and Allah commanded us to follow the straight path …” [Dhamm al-Waswaas, pg.46. Also refer to Ibn al-Qayyim’s introduction of his own book Ighaathah al-Lahfaan, 1/10]

Thus, Shaytaan is an enemy of man. His desire is to corrupt the beliefs and to wreak havoc on one’s Iman. Whoever does not fortify himself from him through remembrance of Allah, resorting back to Allah and seeking refuge with Him, will become a breeding ground for Shaytaan, who will lure him to actions of disobedience, entice him to perpetrate prohibited matters, and push him to embark upon lewd sins. What a parish of his religion and what a corruption of his Iman will it be if man submits to him!

Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, says: “Beware of enabling Shaytaan to establish himself in the very home of your thoughts and intentions, as he will corrupt them in such a manner that will make difficult its correction thereafter. He will cast all sorts of whisperings and harmful thoughts at you and he will prevent you from thinking about what may benefit you and it is you who have aided him against yourself by empowering him over your heart and thoughts and he then placed you in the possession of such thoughts.” [Al-Fawaa’id, pg. 309]

He, may Allah have mercy upon him, put forward an excellent similitude in this regard, which lies in total agreement. He says in another excerpt from his book:

“If you would like a consistent example for this, then his parable is that of a dog that is extremely famished; between you and the dog is a piece of meat or bread. He looks attentively at you and sees you not opposing him and he is so close to you. You drive him away and yell out at him and yet the dog refuses but to hover around you in circles and to try to deceive you with regard to what you possess in your hand.” [At-Tibyaan fee Aqsaam al-Qur’aan, pg. 419]

His intention, may Allah have mercy upon him, behind this parable is to demonstrate the scope of Shaytaan’s danger to a man if he does not seek refuge with Allah from him and fails to retreat back to Allah for refuge from his evil, through beneficial words of supplication and blessed forms of remembrance.

However, whoever turns away and is instead averse to that, Shaytaan will cling to him in this way in which he will tempt and dictate to him until he eradicates his Iman. Allah says:

“And whosoever turns away (blinds himself) from the remembrance of the Most Beneficent (i.e., this Qur’an and worship of Allah), We appoint for him a shaytaan to be a Qareen (i.e., an intimate companion) to him. And verily, they (i.e., shaytaans) hinder them from the Path (of Allah), whilst they think that they are guided aright! Till, when (such a) one comes to Us, he says (to his qareen), ‘Would that between me and you were the distance of the two Easts (or the East and West), a worst (type of) companion (you are indeed)!”[Soorah az-Zukhruf (43):36-38]

Posted from the Book: Causes Behind the Increase and Decrease of Eemaan, by Shaykh ‘Abdur-Razzaak al-‘Abbaad. Translated by Abu Safwan Farid ibn Abdulwahid Haibatan

What Are Your Subhan Allah Moments?

I don’t know about you, but life can be a real roller coaster. Some days, I wake up and think, “This is going to be a good day, Insha Allah.” The kids are listening without talking back, the food tastes particularly good, people seem unusually positive and supportive, time for worship is plentiful and beneficial, and life is good. Then, the downward spiral of the roller coaster begins. Suddenly the storm clouds come out and crisis sets in.

Allah challenges the believers in the Qur’an, asking: Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe,” without being put to the test? No, we have tested those before them… (Qur’an, 29:2-3)

Indeed, Allah has decreed for mankind a life of hardships and struggles, tests of one’s true faith and resolve. Each person feels their individual trial as intensely as the next person, and life can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Perhaps the test is in your relationship with your spouse, or even finding a spouse. Maybe obeying your parents or taking care of them in their old age brings on hardship. Of course, there can be problems at work, difficulty in finding work, financial instability, trials with parenthood, academic struggles, and health problems; the list of possibilities goes on and on. Sometimes, the trial is long and your patience grows thin. You begin to believe the trial will never end, that this will become your permanent living situation.

It is during these times that one most needs a “Subhan Allah” moment, a remembrance of purpose, and a refuge in the beauty of creation.

I wanted to share with you some of my “Subhan Allah” moments. These are moments I return to when I am feeling most distressed that help brings back balance and perspective to my situation. I encourage you to try to slowly read each of the following moments out loud, one by one, allowing each to enter your ears and travel to your heart. Close your eyes after each one and experience the sights, smells, and feelings of each moment until your tongue responds with the Dhikr of Allah.

  • Embracing my child as he sits in my lap and softly explores my face with his tiny, roaming fingers.
  • Listening to a new Muslim nervously struggling through their Shahadah for the first time in front of the entire mosque.
  • Finally pondering a Qur’anic verse I have skimmed over numerous times and understanding it to the extent it brings tears to my eyes.
  • Inhaling the wonderfully intense smell of brewing coffee on a cold winter day.
  • Passing a grave site and thinking of the possible torture of its inhabitants.
  • Feeling the first drops of water roll down my parched throat and fill my belly with cool relief after a long summer day of fasting.
  • Reading a Hadith about the Prophet (peace be upon him) that exemplifies the beauty and compassion of Islamic manners, comforting me when I am feeling tested by the outside world.
  • Listening to the Imam struggle through his recitation as his voice weighs heavy with tears and fear of the Hellfire.
  • Finally getting confirmation of the first day of Ramadan, and anxiously calling my phone tree to spread the good news to friends and family.
  • Being humbled by a new Muslim’s sincerity and struggle for the Religion that I take for granted.
  • Staring at the dark night sky as a million stars dance around the crescent moon.
  • Standing at Arafat during Haj with millions of believers from all over the world, mutually grieving from the fear of the Day of Judgment.
  • Realizing the weight and immensity of Allah’s favor upon me when He guided me to the Truth.

The next time we are driven to the brink of insanity from the so-called realities of life, let’s seek refuge in the true realities, and say, Subhan Allah!

Muslimmatters

Who Are Believers According To Quran

[9. Surah At-Tawba: Ayah 112] “They who turn (to Allah), who serve (Him), who praise (Him), who fast, who bow down, who prostrate themselves, who enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil, and who keep the limits of Allah; and give good news to the believers.”

[23. Surah Al-Muminun: Ayah 1-11] “Successful indeed are the believers, Who are humble in their prayers, And who keep aloof from what is vain, And who are givers of poor-rate, And who guard their private parts, Except before their mates or those whom their right hands possess, for they surely are not blamable, But whoever seeks to go beyond that, these are they that exceed the limits; And those who are keepers of their trusts and their covenant, And those who keep a guard on their prayers; These are they who are the heirs, Who shall inherit the Paradise; they shall abide therein.”

[42. Surah Ash-Shura: Ayah 36-38] “So whatever thing you are given, that is only a provision of this world’s life, and what is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who believe and rely on their Lord. And those who. shun the great sins and indecencies, and whenever they are angry they forgive. And those who respond to their Lord and keep up prayer, and their rule is to take counsel among themselves, and who spend out of what We have given them. ”

[24. Surah An-Nur: Ayah 30-31] “Say to the believing men that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts; that is purer for them; surely Allah is Aware of what they do. And say to the believing women that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts and do not display their ornaments except what appears thereof, and let them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms, and not display their ornaments except to their husbands or their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands, or their sons, or the sons of their husbands, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or those whom their right hands possess, or the male servants not having need (of women), or the children who have not attained knowledge of what is hidden of women; and let them not strike their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may be known; and turn to Allah all of you, O believers! so that you may be successful.”

Our Lord! grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire.

In Allah, Do Believers Put Their Trust

[ALLAH’S Quran – 33:3 – And put your trust in Allah. Allah is sufficient as a Disposer of affairs.”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said :
[Bukhari, Book #37, Hadith #488h] “Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “An Israeli man asked another Israeli to lend him one thousand Dinars. The second man required witnesses. The former replied, ‘ALLAH is sufficient as a witness.’ The second said, ‘I want a surety.’ The former replied, ‘ALLAH is sufficient as a surety.’ The second said, ‘You are right,’ and lent him the money for a certain period. The debtor went across the sea. When he finished his job, he searched for a conveyance so that he might reach in time for the repayment of the debt, but he could not find any. So, he took a piece of wood and made a hole in it, inserted in it one thousand Dinars and a letter to the lender, and then closed (i.e. sealed) the hole tightly. He took the piece of wood to the sea and said. ‘O ALLAH! You know well that I borrowed one thousand Dinars from so-and-so. He demanded a surety from me but I told him that ALLAH’s Guarantee was sufficient and he accepted Your guarantee. He then asked for a witness and I told him that ALLAH was sufficient as a Witness, and he accepted You as a Witness. No doubt, I tried hard to find a conveyance so that I could pay his money but could not find it, so I handed over this money to You.’ Saying that he threw the piece of wood into the sea till it went out far into it, and then he went away. Meanwhile, he started searching for a conveyance in order to reach the creditor’s country. One day the lender came out of his house to see whether a ship had arrived bringing his money, and all of a sudden he saw the piece of wood in which his money had been deposited. He took it home to use for fire. When he saw it, he found his money and the letter inside it. Shortly after that, the debtor came bringing one thousand Dinars to him and said, ‘By ALLAH, I had been trying hard to get a boat so that I could bring you your money, but failed to get one before the one I have come by.’ The lender asked, ‘Have you sent something to me?’ The debtor replied, ‘I have told you I could not get a boat other than the one I have come by.’ The lender said, ‘ALLAH has delivered the money you sent in the piece of wood on your behalf. So, you may keep your one thousand Dinars and depart guided on the right path..’ ”

[Bukhari, Book #60, Hadith #86] “Narrated Ibn Abbas: ‘Allah is Sufficient for us and He Is the Best Disposer of affairs,” was said by Abraham when he was thrown into the fire; and it was said by Muhammad when they (i.e. hypocrites) said, “A great army is gathering against you, therefore, fear them,” but it only increased their faith and they said: “Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer (of affairs, for us).” (3.173)

Benifits Of Fasting

Ramadan is derived from ramdaa which means ” sun-baked,” perhaps a reference to the pangs of fasting. Almighty Allah says in the Quran “O believers! fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for the people before you so that you may become pious.” {Qur’an chapter 2: verse 183}

Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam. It has been an integral part of all major religions. Its mentioned in (Matthew 4:2) that the prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) fasted for forty days before he was called to prophethood and its mentioned in (exodus 24:18) that prophet Moses (peace be upon him) fasted for forty days and nights before he was given the law.

Fasting in Ramadan is a part of the broader program that Islam prescribes for man to fulfill his moral and spiritual destiny in this world and in the hereafter.

It is the special worship designed to develop in man the ability to exercise self-restraint and patience for the pleasure of Allah, man’s creator, lord, and nourisher.

Its objective is to give man the power to keep in check his unruly desires and tendencies that make him prone to greed, revenge, anger, provocation, and fear; that makes him commit various sins, acts of aggression, cruelty, and oppression.

It seeks to free the human soul and lends it the moral and spiritual strength to promote beauty, harmony, kindness, peace, compassion, and justice. the Quran says: ” we sent our messengers with clear signs and sent down with them the Book and the balance (of right and wrong ), that men may stand forth in justice.” (chapter 57:verse 25)

Ultimate Victory Will Be For The Believers But Only After Succeeding In Trials

Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you?” [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 214]

Every believer will have to go through the tests of Eeman in order to attain victory in this world and Paradise in the Hereafter.

Allah will test every believing slave according to his level of faith

Allah said: “Alif-Laam-Meem. Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We believe,’ and will not be tested?” [Soorah al-Ankaboot (29): 1-3] This is an admonition in the form of a question, meaning that Allah will inevitably test His believing servants according to their level of faith, as it is recorded in the authentic Hadeeth. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The people most severely tested are the Prophets, then the righteous, then the next best and the next best. A man will be tested in accordance with the degree of his religious commitment; the stronger his religious commitment, the stronger his test.” [Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi (7:78)]
But those who are not believers will not escape such trials and tests for ahead of them lies a severe punishment as Allah says: “Or think those who do evil deeds that they can outstrip (escape) Us? Evil is that which they judge!” [Soorah al-Ankaboot (29): 4]

“Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now until He distinguished the wicked from the good.” [Soorah al-Imran (3): 179] Allah allows a calamity to happen, and during this calamity, His friends become known and His enemies exposed, the patient believer recognized and the sinful hypocrite revealed. “Nor will Allah disclose to you the secrets of the Unseen.” [Soorah al-Imran (3): 179] meaning you do not have access to Allah’s Knowledge of His creation so that you can distinguish between the believer and the hypocrite, except by signs that Allah uncovers.

Even Previous Nations were tried and tested with calamities and oppression from the Kuffar but the Final Victory is always for the believers

In an authentic Hadeeth, it is reported that Khabbab Ibn al-Aratt said: “We said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Why do you not invoke Allah to support us? Why do you not supplicate to Allah for us?’ He said: “Among the people who came before you, there was a man who was taken and put into a hole dug for him in the earth, then a saw was put on his head and he was cut into two pieces, and an iron comb was used to tear the flesh from his bones, but this still did not turn him away from his religion.” [Reported by al-Bukharee, see Fath al-Baaree, (12/315)] He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) then said: “By Allah! This matter (religion) will spread (or expand) by Allah until the traveler leaves San’aa to Hadramat fearing nothing except Allah and the wolf that may attack his sheep.” [See Fath al-Baree (7/165)]

Allah says: “Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said: ‘When (will come) the help of Allah?’ Yes! Certainly, the help of Allah is near!” [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 214] Meaning that you will be tested like the nations before you were tested and tried with illness, pain, disasters, and hardships so much that they pleaded (to Allah) for victory against the enemies and invoked Him for aid and deliverance from their hardships and trials.

Allah says in Soorah al-Imran, “Many similar ways (and mishaps of life) were faced [by nations (by believers and disbelievers) that have passed away] before you, so travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied. This is a plain statement for mankind, a guidance, and instruction for the Muttaqun. So do not become weak, nor be sad, and you will be triumphant if you are indeed believers. If a wound has touched you, be sure a similar wound has touched the others. And so are the days, that We give to men by turns, that Allah may know (test) those who believe, and that He may take martyrs from among you. And Allah likes not the wrongdoers. And that Allah may test those who believe and destroy the disbelievers. Do you think that you will enter Paradise without Allah knowing those of you who fought (in His cause) and knowing those who are the patient?” [Soorah al-Imran (3): 142]

These verses were revealed after the defeat of Muslims in the battle of Uhud. Allah states to His believing servants who suffered losses in the battle of Uhud that similar mishaps were faced by the previous nations who followed the Prophet, they too suffered losses. However, the good end was theirs and the ultimate defeat was for the disbelievers. This is why Allah said: “so travel through the earth and see what was the end of those who denied. This is a plain statement for mankind.” The Qur’an contains the news of the past, it explains the true reality of things and narrates how the previous nations suffered at the hands of their enemies.

Then Allah comforts the believers saying, “So do not become weak,” because of what you suffered for surely the ultimate victory and triumph will be yours, O believers. If you suffered injuries and some of you were killed, then your enemies also suffered injuries and fatalities.

And at times, out of His Wisdom, Allah allows the enemy to overcome you, although the final good end will be for the believers so that those who are patient and those who gladly offer their lives seeking Allah’s Pleasure may be known. Allah’s statement, “and destroy the disbelievers” testifies that the disbelievers who transgress and commit aggression will be led to ultimate destruction, extermination, perishing, and dying out.

Then Allah says, “Do you think that you will enter Paradise without Allah knowing those of you who fought (in His cause) and knowing those who are the patient?” meaning you will not earn Paradise until you are tested with such hardships.

When the Emperor of Rome asked Abu Sufyan, “Did you fight him (Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi was-sallam)?” He said: “Yes,” Heracles said: “What was the outcome of the warfare between you?” Abu Sufyan replied: “Sometimes we lose and sometimes he loses.” He said: “Such is the case with Prophets, they are tested, but the final victory is theirs.” [Fath al-Baree (9: 25)]

See how Allah consolidates His Prophet during his (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) trials, when the Quraysh disbelieved in his Message, mocked, and gathered together against him. Allah explained: “And how many a Prophet have We sent among the men of old. And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him. Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these and the example of the ancients has passed away.” [Soorah az-Zukhruf (43): 6-8] meaning ‘We destroyed those who disbelieved in the Messengers, and they were stronger in power than those who disbelieve in you, O Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam). And We made them a lesson for those disbelievers who came after them, that they would suffer the same end as them, as also in the verse, “And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations.” [Soorah az-Zukhruf (43): 56]

Allah also explained in Soorah Ghafir that it is His Sunnah to humiliate and destroy the disbelievers at the hands of believers, even if the disbelievers were more in number and strength and the believers only a handful. “Have they not traveled through the earth and seen what was the end of those before them? They were more in number than them and mightier in strength and in the traces in the land; yet all they used to earn availed them not. Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge (of worldly things). And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them. So when they saw Our punishment, they said: ‘We believe in Allah and reject (all) that we used to associate with Him as (His) partners.’ Then their faith could not avail them when they saw Our punishment. (Like) This has been the way of Allah in dealing with His servants. And there the disbelievers lost utterly.” [Soorah Ghafir (40): 85]

A good example can be given of Musa (alaihi as-salaam) and his enemy; Firawn, who had much more strength and men than Musa (alaihi as-salaam). But Allah destroyed his army and drowned them all, and Firawn said as he was drowning, “I believe that none has the right to be worshiped but He Whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am one of the Muslims.” [Soorah an-Anfal (10): 90] but Allah said: “Now (you believe) while you refused to believe before, and you were one of the corrupters.” [Soorah an-Anfal (10): 91]

Thus, “That was the way of Allah in the case of those who passed away of old, and you will not find any change in the way of Allah.” [Soorah Ahzab (33): 62] Therefore, the believers are required to trust Allah and His Promise that He will surely humiliate and destroy the disbelievers who commit oppression against the believers. But until then, the believers should persevere with patience in their trials because victory will only come after succeeding in these trials.

The Sahabah (radhi allahu anhum) were severely tortured by the disbelievers. They were forced to migrate leaving behind their family members and relatives and all their wealth and belongings. But they persisted in their Faith bore the oppression of the Kuffar in Makkah for ten years and then the hardships of migration to al-Medina, after which, Allah compensated them with the better in this world; He made them victorious, gave them power throughout the land and caused them to rule over the people who had forced them to migrate – they became governors and rulers, and each of them became a leader of the pious.

Allah tells us that His reward for the Muhajirin (migrants) in the Hereafter is greater than which He gave them in this world. He said: “and as for those who emigrated for the Cause of Allah, after suffering oppression, We will certainly give them goodly residence in this world, but indeed the reward of the Hereafter will be greater if they but knew! (They are) those who remained patient (in this world for Allah’s sake) and put their trust in their Lord” [Soorah an-Nahl (16): 41-42]

Conclusion: Every person who claims to be a true Muslim will be tested and tried by Allah. These trials can be in the form of starvation, famine, or oppression from the disbelievers. When these trials take place, the believer is expected to succeed in these tests by practicing Sabr (patience), Tawakkul (trust in Allah that He will help him and support the religion), and with Istiqama (steadfastness) on his Deen because Allah does not grant Paradise or victory without Sabr, Tawakkul and Istiqama on the part of the believers.

One should also not deem that those who do not accept Islam will be saved from all afflictions and calamities because the respite given to them in this world will lead them to eternal destruction in Hell-Fire! Whereas the believers who are tested with calamities that are very insignificant compared to the punishment of the Hereafter will be granted eternal pleasure in Paradise where there will be no trace of any hardship or suffering

From As-Sunnah Bi-Monthly Newsletter (19)
Compiled by Shawana A. Aziz

Ahadith Qudsi – Superiority Of Monotheism

1: Narrated Abu Dhar (R.A) Allah’s Messenger Sallallahu ‘alayihi wasallam said that Allah Assawajall said: He who comes with a good deed, its reward will be ten like that or even more. And he who comes with vice, his reward will be only one like that, or I can forgive him. He who draws close to Me a hand’s span, I will draw close to him an arm’s length. And whoever draws near Me an arm’s length, I will draw near him a fathom’s length. And whoever comes to Me walking, I will go to him running. And whoever faces Me with sins nearly as great as the earth, I will meet him with forgiveness nearly as great as that, provided he does not worship something with me.
This Hadith is sound and reported by Muslim, Ibn Majah and Ahmad in his Musnad

Another prophetic tradition says: (He who met Allah associating anything with Him, will enter Hell) (Muslim)

2. Narrated Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (r.a.): Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said: None of you will have argued for his right in the world more vehemently than the believers who will do with their Lord about their brethren who were admitted into Hell. The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) added: they will say: O Lord! Our brethren used to offer prayers with us observe fast with us and perform pilgrimage (Hajj) with us. But You cast them into the fire. The Prophet (s.a.w.s) further said: Allah will say: Go and bring out whoever you know from among them. The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: The believers will come to them and recognize them by face. Some of them will be those the fire would have seized up to half of their shanks and some of them up to their ankles. They will bring them and say: O Lord! We have taken out those for whom you gave us order. Then the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: Allah will say: Bring out whoever has in his heart any belief weighing a Dinar (a coin). Then He will say: Take out whoever has in his heart the belief weighing half a Dinar until He will say: Take out whoever has in his heart the belief that equals the weight of an atom. (This Hadith is sound and reported by Nasa’i and Ibn Majah). After narrating this Hadith, Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (r.a.): He who does not accept it as true should read this verse:

“Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He please, and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin”. (4:48)