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Liars in the Time of Tribulation: Those Who Appeared, Those Who Remain, and Those Yet to Come

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah, Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Basics, Bid'ah (Innovation), Contemporary Issues, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Fitnah, History of Islam, Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Khawaarij, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Refutations, Sahaabah, Shi'a, Sufis.

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Madkhali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Amongst the different types of liars are the Dajajilah [i.e. those whose lies are accompanied with deception, beatification of the lies and tricks to convince the people], whom the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, spoke about, and the reality testifies to the truthfulness of that which this noble Messenger stated, because he never speaks out of his own desire. He, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“The hour will not be established until two big groups fight each other whereupon there will be a great number of casualties on both sides and they will be following one and the same religious doctrine, and until about thirty Dajjals and liars appear, and each one of them will claim that he is Allah’s Messenger, and until sound religious knowledge is taken away [i.e. due to death of rightly guided scholars], earthquakes will increase in number and time will pass quickly”. [Al-Bukhari]

The testimony in this hadith is the statement of the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, “Until about thirty Dajjals and liars appear, and each one of them will claim that he is Allah’s Messenger”. The Messenger said: “During the close approach of the hour there will be liars, so beware of them”.

Unfortunately, many people do not take this Prophetic advice in order to be cautious of the liars. There is a long hadith narrated by Thawban, may Allah be pleased with him, from Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who said: “What I fear for you the most is the leaders of misguidance” until he said, “Indeed, there will be thirty liars in my Ummah and each of them will claim that he is a Prophet, but I am the seal of the Prophets and there no Prophet after me”.

The greatest trial will be that of the greatest Dajjaj whom all the Prophets warned against, and the one who warned against him the most was our Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. The narrations regarding this are Mutawatir and its affair is well-known amongst the Muslims, but despite this, Allah’s Messenger stated that there is one more dangerous for the Ummah than Dajjaj. Sam’an, may Allah be pleased with him, said: One morning, Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, mentioned Dajjal as something despised but also alarming, until we thought that he was in the stand of date-palm trees. When we came to Allah’s Messenger in the evening, he saw that (fear) in us, and said: “What is the matter with you?” We said: “O Messenger of Allah! You mentioned Dajjal this morning, and you spoke of him as something despised but also alarming, until we thought that he was in the stand of date-palm trees”. He said: “There are things that I fear more for you than the Dajjal. If he appears while I am among you, I will contend with him on your behalf, and if he appears when I am not among you, then each man must fend for himself, and Allah will take care of every Muslim on my behalf”. [Sahih Muslim 2933]

Amongst these Dajjals whom Allah’s Messenger warned against was Musaylimah – the Liar at Yamaamah – and Al-Aswad Al-Unsee who claimed prophethood, and as a result many Arabs left Islam. Allah destroyed them and others were destroyed, and their trial was ended by way of the swords of the companions of Allah’s Messenger. And amongst the liars who claimed prophethood was Mukhtar Bin Abee Ubayd Ath-Thaqafee, the liar about whom the Messenger said: “A liar will appear from Thaqeef a blood shedder”. [Sahih Muslim 2545] The liar was Al-Mukhtar and the blood shedder was al-Hajjaj. And from those who claimed prophethood was Al-Harith – the liar, and Ghulam Ahmad Al-Qadiyaanee Al-Hindee who has followers dispersed in the world and they claim that Prophethood is still ongoing. Every liar has other wicked liars connected to him – those similar to their Shaikh.

And from these liars in general was the Yahudi, the wicked Abdullah Ibn Saba, who falsely claimed to be Muslim and incited many of the rabble against the Rightly Guided Khalifah Uthmaan Bin Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, until he was martyred in that trial. He is the founder of the doctrine of the Rafidah (Shiites) and its filthy principles, and exaggeration regarding the status of the Prophet’s family until they deified them. Many of them declare Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, an object of worship and many of them say that Ali is the one whom the Prophet gave the authority of rulership after him. This is one of their lies! And that Ali will return to do such and such, meaning, he will kill AbuBakr and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, and the five-hundred Khulafa of Banee Umayyyah and Banee Abbas. This wicked one [i.e. Ibn Saba] initiated the act of revilement against the companions of the Prophet and other matters related to the trial he initiated which the heretics promote and are firmly established upon, as well as the figureheads of the Rafidah- the liars. Thus, they fill the world with lies and slanders. Their religion is established on lies and misguidance.

And from those Dajjals (liars) are the figureheads of bidah and misguidance, such as Jahm Bin Safwan, the figureheads of the Khawarij, the Mutazilah, the Hululi Sufis and grave worshippers, such as Nidham Al-Mutazilee, Hallaj, the heretic, Ibn Arabi, the heretic, Ibn Sab’in, At-Tilimsaanee and other than them amongst the heretics – liars who hid within Islam, infiltrators within the ranks of the people of Tasawwuf. (This is) because the people of Tasawwuf were a fertile ground for these types of people amongst the heretics, just as the Rafidah are a spacious room for the heretics. Read below:

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2019/04/a-brief-acquaintance-with-some-of-the-early-heretics-who-sought-to-corrupt-the-deen-and-failed-abdullah-bin-sabah-al-faraabee-ibn-sinaa-naseer-attoosee-and-others/

Amongst the liars in this era are the figureheads of the political groups, such as the secularists and Bathists (Arab Nationalists), and many of the people who carry alluring slogans in the name of Islam, such as Islamic socialism, Islamic democracy, the call to unity of religions and many other misguided claims made in the name of Islam. This takes place amongst groups that claim to elevate Islam very high and that they are established to return the Islamic Ummah to its past glory; however they increase the people in misguidance and darkness, and Allah’s Refuge is sought. This poses a more severe danger to the people and the youth, therefore it is obligated to the Muslims and the students of knowledge to be extremely cautious of all these types of people, warn the Muslims against their plots and plans, and unveil their secrets. [1]

Read detail article by Shaikh Abu Iyaad and Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allah preserve them]:

Rafidi Shi’ah, Qadiani, and Sufi Propaganda Concerning the Arrival of the Mahdi, the Dajjaal and Eesa Ibn Maryam: http://www.dajjaal.com/liar/articles/kfqlm-rafidi-shiah-qadiani-and-sufi-propaganda-concerning-the-arrival-of-the-mahdi-the-dajjaal-and-eesa-ibn-maryam.cfm

The Anti-Christ DAJJĀL, the Return of the Messiah, JESUS Son of Mary and the Unleashing of Gog and Magog: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/dajjal-false-messiah-jesus-gog-magog/

Interpreting Current Events with Respect to the Signs of the Hour is the Task of Living Salafi Scholars – Not Social Media Influencers

[1]https://rabee.net/audio/%D8%AE%D8%B7%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B0%D8%A8-%D9%88%D8%A2%D8%AB%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A6%D8%A9-%D9%88%D9%85%D9%88%D9%82%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B3%D9%84/

Reality of the Rafidah – By Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan and Al-Allamah Rabee

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah, Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Featured, Fitnah, History of Islam, Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Refutations, Scholars of Islam, Shi'a, Shirk, Sin.

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, was asked:

Is it correct that the first to innovate the path of the Raafidah was Abdullah Ibn Saba – a Yahudi?

Response:

Yes, without a doubt. The Rafidah or the Shiites in general are of two types: The Shiites from the fire worshipers and the Shiites from the Yahud. They hide behind Islam to corrupt it. The Yahud plotted through Abdullah Ibn Sabah and the first thing he began with was to ignite fitnah against Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him. Listen below:

https://safeshare.tv/x/krhxTksllR

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Madkhali, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked:

Our Shaikh, may Allah preserve you. The questioner says: What is the ruling on the common people of the Rawafid and how do we deal with them?

Answer:

The questioner differentiates between the common people and other than them. This is a good approach. The common people who neither speak ill of the wives of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, nor do they declare the companions to be disbelievers, nor do they believe that the Qur’an is distorted; however, they have some Rafd [i.e. beliefs of the rafidah] and some hatred for the companions without declaring them disbelievers and what is similar to (these deeds), these ones are misguided innovators in religious matters and we do not declare them disbelievers. (But) whoever joins their heretics in declaring the companions of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to be disbelievers, speaking ill of the wives of Allah’s Messenger, and the filthy belief that the Qur’an has been distorted, and that there is an addition and deficiency in it, this (person) is a disbeliever similar to the disbelievers of the Yahud and Nasara. There is no distinction between their common people and their scholars (in this affair).

Question: How do we deal with them?

Answer: If dealing with them is with regards to a worldly affair—business transactions and what is similar to that— it is permissible to trade with a Yahudi, a Nasrani and a Rafidi. However, as for co-operating with them in issues of religion, no.

وَلَا تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡعُدۡوَٲنِ‌ۚ

Do not help one another in sin and transgression. [5:2]

Rather their scholars and callers are boycotted and they are warned against.

An Excerpt from Adh-Dhari’ah ilaa Bayan Maqasid Kitab Ash-Shariah 3/595

This Zionist once made a very strange excuse

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Fitnah, History of Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Prophets, Purification of The Soul, Refutations, Scholars of Islam, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

It used to be said:

لِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ وَارِث وَلِكُلِّ أَرْضٍ حَارِث وَلِكُلِّ ضَرٍّ هَالِك

For every people there is an inheritor, every land has a cultivator and every evil has one destroyed by it.

When some non-combantant Palestinians were arrested and stripped to their underwear, a member of Netanyahu’s Zionist/far-right army gave a very strange excuse for subjecting those civilians to such humiliation. He was asked:

“Dozens of men, some bound and blindfolded, stripped to their underwear, and we believe some of that was filmed by IDF members, what was the purpose of the exercise that was going on at that point in that part of Gaza?”

He replied: “First of all remember it’s the Middle East and it’s warmer here, especially during the day when it is sunny. To be honest, to take off your shirt might not be pleasant, but it’s not the end of the world”. Listen below:

Where did he inherit this evil behaviour?

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Bani Israel [i.e. the impious among them] used to take bath naked (all together) looking at each other. The Prophet Musa, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to take a bath alone”. They said, “By Allah! Nothing prevents Musa from taking a bath with us except that he has a scrotal hernia”. So once Musa went out to take a bath and put his clothes over a stone and then that stone ran away with his clothes. Musa followed that stone saying, “My clothes, O stone! My clothes, O stone, until the Bani Israel saw him and said, “By Allah, Musa has got no defect in his body”. Musa took his clothes and began to beat the stone. Abu Huraira added, “By Allah! There are still six or seven marks present on the stone from that excessive beating.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 278]

Musa, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was a very shy man and used to cover his body completely. No part of his skin was seen due to shyness. So, he was hurt by those amongst the children of Israel who said, “He covers his body in this way only because of some defect in his skin- either leprosy or scrotal hernia, or he has some other defect”. Allah wished to free Musa from that which they said about him, so one day whilst he was in seclusion, he took off his clothes and put them on a stone, and started taking a bath. When he finished the bath, he moved towards his clothes to take them, but the stone fled with his clothes. Musa picked up his stick and ran after the stone saying, “O stone! My clothes” until he reached a group of the children of Israel who saw him without (clothes), and found him the best of that which Allaah had created, and Allah freed him from what they had accused him of. They said, “By Allaah! Nothing is wrong with Musa”. The stone stopped there, so Musa took his clothes and wore them, and thereafter started hitting the stone with his stick. By Allah, the stone still has some traces of the hitting- three, four, or five marks. This was what Allah referred to in His statement:

 يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَكُونُواْ كَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاذَوۡاْ مُوسَىٰ فَبَرَّأَهُ ٱللَّهُ مِمَّا قَالُواْۚ وَكَانَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَجِيہً۬ا

O you who believe! Be not like those who annoyed Musa (Moses), but Allah cleared him of that which they alleged, and he was honourable in the sight of Allaah].[Al-Ahzaab. 69]

Al-Allamah Zayd Bin Hadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

This hadith (contains) one of the most amazing stories – a story through which Allah raised the status of Musa, peace be upon him. In this hadith, there is a clarification regarding the fact that the Messengers and the Prophets were put to trial at the hands of the evil ones in their nations, so they exercised patience whilst facing harm, received abundant reward from Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, and carried on propagating Allah’s message.

Indeed, the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, informed us that Musa, peace be upon him, was harmed by Bani Israa’eel (i.e. the disobedient among them) but he exercised patience. In this hadith, there is proof to show that the miracles of the Messengers and Prophets are affirmed. With regards to this particular miracle, the stone- an inanimate object – moved and fled with the thobe; then Musa, peace be upon him, was finally able to catch up with it. He hit it several times and left a mark on it. This is the great miracle that has been mentioned in this hadeeth. [1]

NB: This wicked deed can only be blamed on those who permitted it, those who executed it, and those who justified it. Thus, anyone who condemned or opposed it should not be held responsible, nor should this be used as a way to blame all individuals who identify as Jewish. Allah said:

أَلَّا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ

That no bearer will bear the burden (of the crime and sin) of another. [2]

[1] An Excerpt from at-Taliqat Al-Malihah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahadith As-Sahihah. 1/135]

[2]https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/53_38

[46b] Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, History of Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Salafi Mosques & Centres.

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

After Sultan Abdul Hamid discovered that the Young Ottomans, led by Mehmed Pasha, were exerting continuous pressure on him to accept their deas, which compelled him to enter the Ottoman-Russian War, he took measures to disperse the members of this organisation by exiling its leader, the Grand Vizier Mehmed Pasha. Straight away after this, there were two coup attempts against the Sultan orchestrated by Ali Sawi, a member of this organisation, and the other was a Masonic plot orchestrated by the Cleanthi Scalieri Society.

The two plots were supported by England. They both failed, and it made the Sultan increase his scrutiny of foreign ideas and those influenced by them. During this period, a secret cell was established by students from the military school in Istanbul, who held new ideological views, with the aim of resisting the rule of Sultan Abdul Hamid. One member of the Cleanthi Scalieri Masonic organisation called Ali Shafqati Bey managed to escape to Naples and then to Geneva, where he published, between the years 1879 and 1881, a newspaper opposing the Ottoman rule, titled Al-Istiqbal, which means “The Future”.

In 1889, a student organisation was established at the military medical school in Istanbul, where some professors encouraged students, in one way or another, to oppose the state and spread the ideas of the Young Ottomans among the students. The founder of this organisation was Ibrahim Temo, a Romanian who was influenced by Italian Masonic lodges. He named this organisation the Ottoman Union and chose the hundredth anniversary of the French Revolution as the date for its establishment. Their goals included apposing the rule of Sultan Abdul Hamid and creating a state that aligned with contemporary political ideas, using Western countries such as England, France, and Germany as models, while calling for freedom, democracy and a constitution.

From the military medical school, the ideas of the Ottoman Union Organisation spread to various other higher educational institutions- its cells operating secretly in a manner similar to the Italian Carbonari Society. The organisation was not in a hurry to promote its ideas or in taking action against the sultan. In fact, Ahmad Rida Bey reached the position of Director of Education in the Bursa region and traveled to Paris in 1889 under the guise of attending the International Paris Exhibition. After his arrival, he announced that he would not be returning to his homeland and then stayed in France for nearly six years. During this period, he did not engage in any active opposition until he published his newspaper, (Mushurat), in 1895. The founder of the Union Organisation Ibrahim Temo, stated that he spent his time abroad until 1895 to recruit new members, aiming to do so gradually. He held secret meetings and read literary works authored by members of the Young Ottoman Organisation, such as Namik Kemal and Ziya Pasha, as well as publications by Ali Shafqati Bey, a member of the Masonic Clan, who was in exile in Europe.

Due to the confidential communications among the members of the secret Ottoman Union Organisation – both at home and abroad, an agreement was reached to unify military and civilian efforts against the Sultan. In addition, the title (Union and Progress Organisation) was initiated for the opposing factions, military and civilian, that operated within the structure of the organisation. Ahmad Riza Bey, who represented the civilian wing, was influenced by the ideas of the philosopher Immanuel Kant, whose doctrine emphasised “order and progress.” He adopted the term “progress” inspired by Kant’s principles, while the military members retained the designation “Union,” leading them all to agree on naming their organisation “Union and Progress.”

The cells of this Union infiltrated the army and government employees – bringing them together after an agreement between their military and civilian wings in Paris, to take action against Sultan Abdul Hamid, thus, the organisation was able to compel the Sultan on July 24, 1908, to announce the constitution that he previously ordered to be suspended in 1877.

The political ideology of the “Union and Progress” organisation emphasised Turanian concepts both at home and abroad. The term ‘Turanian’ refers to the original homeland of the Turks, associated with Mount Turan located in the northeastern region of Iran. Within the Union and Progress movement, there was a strong inclination towards advocating that Turks are among the oldest and most illustrious nations on Earth, and pioneers of civilisation. They believed that Turks and the Mongolian race share a common ancestry and should reunite, a concept they called “Turanian Unity”, and this idea was not restricted to Turks living in Siberia, Turkestan, China, Persia, the Caucasus, Anatolia, and Russia. Their slogan was to disregard religious affiliations and to neglect Islamic unity unless it benefitted the purpose of Turanian nationalism, in which case it would be a means rather than an end – demonstrating that this movement advocated for the revival of traits of pre-Islamic beliefs of the Turks, exaggerating their efforts to establish a sense of ethnic identity in replacement of Islamic affinity. The influence of (certain) Jews on Turanism was apparent, and in this regard, Niyazi Berkes states in his book (Contemporary Turkey):

“Jewish scholars in the West, such as Lumali David, Leon Cahoon, and Arminius Vambéry, contributed to the discourse on the origins of Turanic nationalism. Also, (some) local Jews in the Ottoman Empire, including Kraswa (Qarasu), Moïse Cohen, and Abraham Galanti, were involved in the organisation of “Union and Progress”. Once this organisation was successful in overthrowing Abdul Hamid’s rule and seizing power, (certain) Zionists approached the Unionists and made known their desire for the organisation to recognise Palestine as a national homeland for the Jews”.

Niyazi Berks mentioned in his previous book the name of the Jewish figure Moïz Cohen, who was described by René Bello as follows:

“Cohen is one of the founders of Turanian nationalist thought in the Ottoman Empire. – Moïz Cohen’s book is considered the sacred text of Turanian politics”.

Moïz Cohen was highly active in promoting the Young Turk movement in European newspapers, as he was proficient in several European languages in addition to Hebrew and Turkish. This began with an article in French titled: (The Turks are Searching for a National Spirit). Moïz Cohen contributed to the planning of the racist Turanian policy adopted by the Committee of Union and Progress, a policy that alienated the peoples of the Ottoman Empire and fostered enmity and hatred among them. He was relentless in promoting Turkish nationalism to cause division within the Ottoman Empire, authoring three books that were used by the organisation of “Union and Progress”, namely: (What Can Turks Gain from This War), (Turan), and (Turkification Policy). He also contributed to Kemalist thought with his book: (Kemalism) and his work: (The Turkish Spirit).

The Union was established to arouse nationalistic sentiments among the Turks, under the dream of Turanism, advocating for new concepts such as: homeland, constitution, and freedom, which were alien to the Ottomans. It included a group of educated Turkish youth, along with the Donmeh Jews, whose goal was to overthrow the rule of Abdul Hamid II.

Source: An Excerpt from “Ad-Dawla Al-Uthmaniyyah Awamil An-Nuhood Wa Asbaab As-Suqoot 6/502-506

NB: The author of this article (Abdullah Jallow) extracted from the Arabic source to demonstrate how foreign ideas undermined or destabilised Muslim societies. However, this does not mean that the source quoted from has covered every aspect of those events – for or against the Ottomans. In this regard, this post is based on research by the original Arabic author and bearing in mind that besides the final infallible divine revelation – The Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah, there exists no other information that is entirely free from errors, shortcomings etc. Anyone who disputes the information presented in this article is more than entitled to conduct further research on this particular topic concerning the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire, and I am certain that they will discover additional insights on the matter. And Allah knows best. Finally, it must be made absolutely clear that the mention of Jewish individuals is not aimed at collective blame, rather, the majority those involved during those events were ascribed to Islam, even though it is absolutely clear that they were Muslims distanced from the sound understanding conveyed in the Qur’an and Sunnah as understood and practiced by the companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Had they understood and acted upon the Qur’an and Sunnah when dealing with the Muslim rulers, they would not have either initiated these organisations to oppose the ruler nor embraced foreign ideas that opposed the correct Islamic methodolgy to be followed when dealing with rulers, whether they are pious or impious. Read:

Is the Tyranny of the Rulers a Reason for Rebellion? The Duty of a Muslim Towards the Muslim Leaders in Light of the Qur’ān, Sunnah and the Scholars of the Salaf.

Believer’s Bahaviour Towards Muslim Rulers – [Supplicates For Them….]

Verse 188 Surah Aal Imran

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in History of Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, stated:

لَا تَحۡسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفۡرَحُونَ بِمَآ أَتَواْ وَّيُحِبُّونَ أَن يُحۡمَدُواْ بِمَا لَمۡ يَفۡعَلُواْ فَلَا تَحۡسَبَنَّہُم بِمَفَازَةٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡعَذَابِ‌ۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ۬

Think not that those who rejoice in what they have done (or brought about), and love to be praised for what they have not done,- think not you that they are rescued from the torment, and for them is a painful torment. [Aal Imran. 188]

لَا تَحۡسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفۡرَحُونَ بِمَآ أَتَواْ

Think not that those who rejoice in what they have done (or brought about).

Meaning, the rejoicing (accompanied) with insolence and boasting, thinking that they have done a favour to Allah and Allah’s Messenger.

[بِمَآ أَتَواْ – what they have done (or brought about)]- Meaning, the deeds by way of which they seek to get close to Allaah as they claim.

وَّيُحِبُّونَ أَن يُحۡمَدُواْ بِمَا لَمۡ يَفۡعَلُواْ

And love to be praised for what they have not done.

Meaning, they want people to praise them for what they have done, such as feigning righteousness to the people in order to be praised, even if they have not performed an act of righteousness- similar to what the people of the Scripture did, (who) concealed the characteristics of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and did not make it known, and then said, “Now we have overcome Muhammad when we say that he is not the Mubash’shar bihee “the Messenger whom Prophet Isa mentioned as the good tidings.

This verse includes two types of people: The people of the Scripture who rejoiced in what they did by concealing the characteristics of the Prophet and not believing in him, and loved to be praised for what they have not done when they pretended to the people that if the Messenger – who is mentioned as good tidings (by Eesaa)- is sent, “We will believe in him”.

The second group are the hypocrites. This is because the hypocrites rejoice in what they do and say, “We have submitted in Islam” in the presence of Muhammad and his companions, whilet their situation is the opposite of that, and they loved to be praised for what they have not done with regards to sincerity, love for Allah and His Messenger, and obedience to Allah’s Messenger.

Source: Tafsir Surah Aal Imran by Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin – may Allah have mercy upon him

The Most Dangerous Traitors and Infiltrators Within The Ummah

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah, Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Bid'ah (Innovation), Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Deviated Callers & Individuals, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Fitnah, History of Islam, Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Refutations, Scholars of Islam, Shirk, Sin.

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

The Most Dangerous Liars in Society- The Munafiqun

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Madkhali, may Allah preserve him, stated:

Among the categories of the liars are the Munafiqun and they are more dangerous for the society, especially the Islamic society. Due to this, Allah spoke about them a lot, warned against them a lot and made known their characteristics in chapters of the Qur’an; rather there is a specific chapter of the Qur’an called Surah Al- Munafiqin. Allah, The Blessed and Most High, exposed them – unveiled their hypocrisy and lies. And from that which Allah stated about them is:

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَبِٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ

And of mankind, there are some (hypocrites) who say: “We believe in Allah and the Last Day” while in fact they believe not. Meaning, they are liars.

يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَمَا يَخۡدَعُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَمَا يَشۡعُرُونَ
فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ۬ فَزَادَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مَرَضً۬ا‌ۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمُۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡذِبُونَ
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمۡ لَا تُفۡسِدُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا نَحۡنُ مُصۡلِحُونَ

They (think to) deceive Allah and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not! In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allah has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies. And when it is said to them: “Make not mischief on the earth,” they say: “We are only peacemakers.” Look at this big claim! Rather:

أَلَآ إِنَّهُمۡ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدُونَ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا يَشۡعُرُونَ

Verily! They are the ones who make mischief, but they perceive not.

Every liar and corrupt person in the earth does not tell the people that he is a corrupt person; instead he says, “I am one who rectifies the affairs” and claims that he leads the Ummah to righteousness.

In summary, indeed Allah made known their lies and deception, and that this lie increases them in sickness – and Allah’s Refuge is sought. They are from the people of hypocrisy, and they are increased in hypocrisy. Allah said:

أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوۡاْ قَوۡمًا غَضِبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡہِم مَّا هُم مِّنكُمۡ وَلَا مِنۡہُمۡ وَيَحۡلِفُونَ عَلَى ٱلۡكَذِبِ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ

Have you (O Muhammad) not seen those (hypocrites) who take for friends a people upon whom is the Wrath of Allah? They are neither of you (Muslims) nor of them (Jews), and they swear to a lie while they know. [Al-Mujaadilah. 14]

They made an oath to the believers that they are indeed believers, while they are Munaafiqoon, liars and allies of the Yahud [i.e. those Yahud who abandoned the path of Musa and rejected Muhammad].

أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمۡ عَذَابً۬ا شَدِيدًا‌ۖ إِنَّهُمۡ سَآءَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ

Allah has prepared for them a severe torment. Evil indeed is that which they used to do.

يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَمَا يَخۡدَعُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَمَا يَشۡعُرُونَ
فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ۬ فَزَادَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مَرَضً۬ا‌ۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمُۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡذِبُونَ
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمۡ لَا تُفۡسِدُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا نَحۡنُ مُصۡلِحُونَ

They (think to) deceive Allah and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not! In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allah has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies. And when it is said to them: “Make not mischief on the earth,” they say: “We are only peacemakers.”

Allah said:

أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوۡاْ قَوۡمًا غَضِبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡہِم مَّا هُم مِّنكُمۡ وَلَا مِنۡہُمۡ وَيَحۡلِفُونَ عَلَى ٱلۡكَذِبِ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ

Have you (O Muhammad) not seen those (hypocrites) who take for friends a people upon whom is the Wrath of Allah (i.e. Jews)? They are neither of you (Muslims) nor of them (Jews), and they swear to a lie while they know. [Al-Mujaadilah. 14]

They swore to the believers that they are indeed believers, while they are Munaafiqoon, liars and allies of the Yahud.

أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمۡ عَذَابً۬ا شَدِيدًا‌ۖ إِنَّهُمۡ سَآءَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ

Allah has prepared for them a severe torment. Evil indeed is that which they used to do.

ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ أَيۡمَـٰنَہُمۡ جُنَّةً۬

They have made their oaths a screen. Meaning, for their lies;

فَصَدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ۬ مُّهِينٌ۬
لَّن تُغۡنِىَ عَنۡہُمۡ أَمۡوَٲلُهُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَـٰدُهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيۡـًٔا‌ۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ‌ۖ هُمۡ فِيہَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
يَوۡمَ يَبۡعَثُہُمُ ٱللَّهُ جَمِيعً۬ا فَيَحۡلِفُونَ لَهُ ۥ كَمَا يَحۡلِفُونَ لَكُمۡ‌ۖ وَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّہُمۡ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ‌ۚ أَلَآ إِنَّہُمۡ هُمُ ٱلۡكَـٰذِبُونَ
ٱسۡتَحۡوَذَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ فَأَنسَٮٰهُمۡ ذِكۡرَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ حِزۡبُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِ‌ۚ أَلَآ إِنَّ حِزۡبَ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِ هُمُ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرُونَ
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُحَآدُّونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥۤ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ فِى ٱلۡأَذَلِّينَ
ڪَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَأَغۡلِبَنَّ أَنَا۟ وَرُسُلِىٓ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ۬

Thus they hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, so they shall have a humiliating torment. Their children and their wealth will avail them nothing against Allah. They will be (the) dwellers of the Fire, to dwell therein forever. On the Day when Allah will resurrect them all together (for their account), then they will swear to Him as they swear to you (O Muslims). And they think that they have something (to stand upon). Verily, they are liars! Shaitan (Satan) has overtaken them. So he has made them forget the remembrance of Allah. They are the party of Shaitan (Satan). Verily, it is the party of Shaitan (Satan) that will be the losers! Those who oppose Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), they will be among the lowest (most humiliated). Allah has decreed: “Verily! It is I and My Messengers who shall be the victorious.” Verily, Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty. [al-Mujadilah. 15-21]

Allah made known the state of these people, exposed them, made it known that they are liars and described their actions to be evil. Due to their state of loss, they took these oaths and swearing by Allaah as a screen. Allah said:

إذا جاءك المنافقون قالوا نشهد إنك لرسول الله والله يعلم إنك لرسوله والله يشهد إن المنافقين لكاذبون ـ اتخذوا أيمانهم جُنة فصدوا عن سبيل الله إنهم ساء ما كانوا يعملون ـ ذلك بأنهم ءامنوا ثم كفروا فطُبع على قلوبهم فهم لا يفقهون ـ وإذا رأيتهم تعجبك أجسامهم وإن يقولوا تسمع لقولهم كأنهم خشب مسنّدة يحسبون كل صيحة عليهم هم العدو فاحذرهم قاتلهم الله أنى يؤفكون ـ وإذا قيل لهم تعالوا يستغفر لكم رسول الله لووا رءوسهم ورأيتهم يصدون وهم مستكبرون ـ سواء عليهم أستغفرت لهم أم لم تستغفر لهم لن يغفر الله لهم إن الله لا يهدي القوم الفاسقين

When the hypocrites come to you (O Muhammad), they say: “We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.” Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars indeed. They have made their oaths a screen (for their hypocrisy). Thus they hinder (men) from the Path of Allah. Verily, evil is what they used to do. That is because they believed, then disbelieved, therefore their hearts are sealed, so they understand not. And when you look at them, their bodies please you; and when they speak, you listen to their words. They are as blocks of wood propped up. They think that every cry is against them. They are the enemies, so beware of them. May Allah curse them! How are they denying (or deviating from) the Right Path.

And when it is said to them: “Come, so that the Messenger of Allah may ask forgiveness from Allah for you”, they turn aside their heads, and you would see them turning away their faces in pride. It is equal to them whether you (Muhammad) ask forgiveness or ask not forgiveness for them. Verily, Allah guides not the people who are the Fasiqin (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). [Al-Munaafiqoon. Verses 1-6]

Allah testified that they are liars; even if they testified to the Messengership of Muhammad and that Allah alone has the right to be worshipped, they are still liars and do not believe in that. Allah exposed them because He knows their reality- the disbelief and hypocrisy they hide in their hearts. Allah made it known that they disbelieved and believed thereafter, then they disbelieved finally; and Allah made it known that they do not understand and that even if Allah’s Messenger – the most virtuous amongst the creation – sought forgiveness for them, they will not be forgiven and Allah will not guide them to Iman and the truth due to their [wilful] wickedness and evil.

There maybe hypocrites in the Ummah who have these characteristics, thus receive this recompense from Allah. Sadly, some people think that hypocrisy has ended, while in reality it is something that will continue. Hudhaifah, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

“The hypocrites at present are more evil than the hypocrites during the era of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him”. Then he was asked about this, so he said, “Indeed, the hypocrites used to hide their hypocrisy and these people at present make it manifest”.

Whenever time elapses, they become many amongst the groups of ahlul bidah, burden Islam and the Muslims with their evil, plots and hypocrisy; and all of that is done under the guise of Islam and in the name of Islam. Many of ahlul bidah or many Mubtadi’ah– in the past and thereafter – in belief and matters related to shirk are from their plots and cunning ways. Therefore, let the Muslims be careful of these hypocrites and infiltrators within the innovated groups. [1]

Shaikh Shamsuddeen Al-Afghaani, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Allah, The Most High, guided mankind through Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and the clear manifest evidences given to him, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him – a guidance that could not be described by those who were well versed in the art of descriptions and (a guidance) that surpassed the knowledge of those with great perception. And through this guidance, Allah opened the eyes of the blind ones, the ears of the deaf ones and the hearts of the heedless ones. Allah, The Most High, united them on one religion-(the religion of pure Islamic monotheism) – and prior to that they were in complete disunity, enmity towards one another and followed corrupt creeds.

Allah united their hearts, thus they became true brothers in Islam through this great blessing. Thereafter, everything worshipped besides Allah, such as graves, trees, stones and idols ceased to exist and all worship was devoted to Allah alone. People followed the true Religion of Islamic monotheism and worshipped Allah alone, except those whom Allah willed that they were to remain as people of polytheism, hypocrisy and followers of the altered and distorted previous scriptures. The darkness of polytheism was dispelled and the banner of Tawheed was raised in the lands amongst the Arabs and non-Arabs.

Allah’s Messenger passed away, while Islam was established and in authority-superseding all other ways of life and creeds. Then the rightly guided khulafaa of the Messenger [Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali continued to adhere to the path of the Messenger until the two powerful and great nations at the time-Rome and Persia-ended up in humiliation, degradation and in a state of fear after they had been in a state of security, and thus Caesar was restricted and besieged, and khosrau [or Chosroes] was subdued and destroyed.

When the enemies of Islaam saw that they were unable to do away with this religion, they implanted their disbelieving agents within it – those who pretended to be Muslims in order to kindle confusion, trials and tribulations, and spread polytheism by exaggerating the status of the pious people and exalting their graves through [beliefs and practices] that were not ordained by Allah. So, the Ummah [Islamic Nation] was put to trial through the plots of the [atheist, heretic and hypocrite] Abdullah Bin Saba, who claimed Uloohiyyah for Ali Ibn Abee Talib [i.e. that Ali (the cousin of the Prophet) had the right to be worshipped besides Allah.]

Abdullah Bin As- Sabah’s followers were known as the Saba’iyyah and later on they were known as the Rawaafid (shiites), the ismaaliyyah (shittes), the nusayriyah (shiites) and other than them amongst the Baatiniyyah. They worshipped the graves and its inhabitants, and built places of worship and shrines upon those graves. So, through these practices, they revived the (corrupt ancient practices) of those Jews, Christians and the idol worshippers (who deviated from the straight path of the Prophets and Messengers of Allah). This is how the practices of the worshippers of graves in this Muslim Nation manifested itself through the practices initiated by the rawaafid (shiites). [NB: The majority of the rawaafid Shiites presently live in Iran & Iraq, and their leader is khamanei]

Secondly: The books of Greek philosophy that propagated the ideas of grave and idol worship were translated into Arabic, so many of those who attributed themselves to Islam busied themselves with these books, such as the likes of Al-Faraabee (a) Ibn Sinaa Al-Hanafi (b) Naseer At’Toosee –an advocate of disbelief and polytheism (c) and other than them amongst those who played tricks with Islaam, just as Paul played tricks with Christianity. They were influenced by the ideas of the Greek Philosophers, so they became callers to grave worship through Greek Philosophy. The practices of these people was rife within the ranks of the people of rhetoric amongst the Hanafi Maatooreediyyah (d) and the Ash-ariyyah Kullaabiyyah due to busying themselves with the Books of the Philosophers. They became callers to grave worship and callers to the creed of the Jahmiyyah at the same time, such as the likes of Taftaazaanee Al-Hanafi [The Philosopher of the Maatooreediyyah and Grave worshipers] and Jurjaanee Al-Hanafi [a caller to superstition]

Thirdly: A people who were more dangerous and misguided than the aforementioned groups emerged amongst the Muslims with a manifestation of asceticism. They appeared in the garb of righteousness – with tearful eyes, long flowing beards, elevated turbans, carrying large rosary beads and pretended to be calling to the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, while they secretly practised the disgraceful acts inherited from false religions. They attempted to mix blatant lies with the Qur’aan and the authentic narrations in order to corrupt the clear evidences found in the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. These deviant heretics are known as the Hulooliyyah, Ittihaadiyyah Grave Worshipers (e), such as the likes of Hallaaj (309AH), Ibnul Faarid (632AH) Ibn Arabi (638AH), Ibn Sab’een (669AH) etc [2]

Footnotes:

[a] Al-Faraabee: Al-Faraabee said that Philosophy is more perfect than Prophet hood. Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said about him: ‘’Misguided; a disbeliever’’ Ibn Sinaa adopted his books and ideas of disbelief. [For further details concerning Al- Faraabee, See Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 2/67—86] [Dar At-Ta’aarud 1/10] [Ighaathatul Luhfaan 2/372-373]

[b] Ibn Sinaa: Imaam Ibnu Salaah (rahimahullaah) said about him: ‘’He was a devil amongst the human devils.’’ [See Fataawaa Ibn Salaah 1/209] [Also see: ‘Ar-Radd Alal Mantaqiyyeen’ of Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah 278-279] [‘Ighaathatul Luhfaan’ of Imaam Ibnul Qayyim 2/373-380] [Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah’ of Imaam Ibn Katheer 12/43]

[c] Naasir At-Toosee: He was a magician and a minister of the Tartars. He rejected the ‘resurrection’. For further details, see: As-Sawaa-iq Al-Mursalah of Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) 2/790; 3/1077-1078

[d] Followers of the Jahmi Abu Mansoor Al- Maatooreedi Al-Hanafi [For further details, see the Book of Shaikh Shamsud-deen al-Afghaanee titled: ‘Al-Maatooreediyyah’ 1/205—376]

Ibn Sinaa [The Heretic]: Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, was asked: What is your view regarding the one who praises Ibn Sinaa and places him within the ranks of the Muslim scholars?

Answer: Either this person is ignorant and is unaware of Ibn Sinaa’s state of affairs, therefore it is not appropriate that he should speak, rather it is obligated on him to keep quiet; or he is aware of Ibn Sinaa’s state of affairs and disbelief, so he affirms that for Ibn Sinaa and thus the ruling that applies to Ibn Sinaa is applicable to him, and Allaah’s refuge is sough; because he affirms Ibn Sinaa’s disbelief and praises him. This is very dangerous. [NB: [Takfir of an Individual (i.e. rules applied by Scholars before passing the judgement of disbelief against a Muslim – By Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) and translated by Dr. Shaikh Abu Iyaad (may Allaah preserve him).

http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ09&articleID=MNJ090001&articlePages=1

But some people praise Ibn Sinaa only due to the fact that he was a physician – praised due to a worldly science. And amongst the disbelievers, there are those who are more proficient than him in this field. But why do they mention Ibn Sinaa in particular? They say that because he attributes himself to Islaam and this is a credit to the Islaam. Therefore, we say: Islaam is free from Ibn Sinaa and not in need of him. He is not to be praised because he is a Baatini, a philosopher an atheist. [at-Taliqat Al-Mukhtasar Alaa Qasidah An-Nuniyyah 3/1328]

Must Read: Why Ibn Sina, You Exceedingly Shrewd Kafir! Thank You For Supporting Our Aristotelian Metaphysical Creed and Backing Us (Ash’aris) In Our Saying That ‘Allaah Is Not Within the Creation Nor Outside Of It’

http://www.asharis.com/creed/articles/mrsit-why-ibn-sina-you-exceedingly-shrewd-kafir-thank-you-for-supporting-our-aristotel.cfm

[e] Hulooliyyah and Ittihaadiyyah (i.e.Wahdatul Wujood); see link for further details:

http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Fo rum=8&Topic=3528

[1]An Excerpt from the link below

[2] Juhudu Ulamaa Al-Hanafiyyah Fee Ibtaal Aqaa-id Al-Qubooriyyeen’ of Shaikh Shamshud-deen As-Salafi Al-Afghaanee’ Vol 1 page 19-25]

Kufr, Dhulm, and the Illusion of Invincibility: Patterns in the Downfall of Tyrannical Nations and Empires

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah, Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Basics, Contemporary Issues, Featured, Fitnah, History of Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Shirk, Sin.

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, said:

فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا۟ مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَكَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ

As for ‘Ad, they were arrogant in the land without right, and they said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?” See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them. And they used to deny Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.)! [Fussilat 15]

Imam As-Sadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

This is a detailed account of the story of the two nations, Aad and Thamud. As for Aad, they were arrogant in the earth, together with their disbelief in Allah, their denial of His signs, and their rejection of His messengers. They subdued those – the servants of Allah – around them, oppressed them and were self-amazed with their strength.

وَقَالُوا۟ مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً

They said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?”

In response, Allah reminded them of a fundamental truth known to all:

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً

See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them.

If Allah did not create them, they would not have existed. Had they contemplated their situation in a correct manner, they would not have been deceived by their own power, thus, Allah punished them in a manner befitting the strength in which they had placed their misguided trust. [1]

Imam Al-Baghawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

The statement of the Almighty:

فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا۟ مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً

As for Aad, they were arrogant in the land without right, and they said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?”

This was in response to Prophet Hud, peace be upon him, who warned them of impending punishment. They arrogantly claimed that their strength could protect them from such retribution, boasting of their tall and powerful physiques. In response, Allah said to them:

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَكَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ

See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them. And they used to deny Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.)] [2]

Imam Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Allah, The Exalted, said:

فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ

As for Aad, they were arrogant in the land without right.

Meaning, rebellious, insolent and disobedient.

وَقَالُوا۟ مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً

They said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?

Meaning, believing that their physical strength and capabilities would protect them from Allah’s punishment.

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً

See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them.

Meaning, they did not reflect on the fact that Allah, who created them, is indeed stronger than they are! Did they not contemplate the One whom openly declared their enmity against? For indeed, He (Allah) is Al-Adheem (Footnote a) who created all things and endowed them with the strength to exist, and His punishment is indeed severe. [3]

Imam Al-Qurtubi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

The statement of Allah, The Exalted:

فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ

As for Aad, they were arrogant in the land – without right – towards the servants of Allah, (towards) Prophet Hud, peace be upon him, and those who believed in him.

وَقَالُوا۟ مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً

They said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?”

They were deceived by their physical stature when faced with the threat of punishment, saying: “We are able to avert the punishment from ourselves by virtue of our strength”. This was due to their tall and mighty physiques. It has already been stated in the explanation of Surah Al-A’raf” (based on a report) by Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, that the tallest among them was one hundred cubits, while the shortest was sixty cubits. In response, Allah said to them:

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً

“See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them” and in ability, rather, the ability of a person is contingent upon Allah’s power, and indeed, Allah is the most capable. [4]

فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيحًا صَرْصَرًا فِىٓ أَيَّامٍ نَّحِسَاتٍ لِّنُذِيقَهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْخِزْىِ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ أَخْزَىٰ وَهُمْ لَا يُنصَرُونَ

So We sent upon them furious wind in days of evil omen (for them) that We might give them a taste of disgracing torment in this present worldly life, but surely the torment of the Hereafter will be more disgracing, and they will never be helped. [Fussilat 16]

Abu Musa, may Allah be pleased with him, said, Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Verily, Allah will give respite to the oppressor until when He seizes him and he cannot escape”. Then he [i.e. the Messenger] recited the verse:

وَكَذَٲلِكَ أَخۡذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَآ أَخَذَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰ وَهِىَ ظَـٰلِمَةٌ‌ۚ إِنَّ أَخۡذَهُ ۥۤ أَلِيمٌ۬ شَدِيدٌ

Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful, and severe]. [Hud. 102]

Al-Allamah Zaid Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

There is a warning against oppression in this lofty hadith- oppression against oneself through different levels and types of sins. The one whom Allah has given wealth, good health, safety and stability while he persists upon sin, this is Allah’s plan in stages against this sinner because he deserves it;

 وَلَا يَظۡلِمُ رَبُّكَ أَحَدً۬ا

And your Lord treats no one with injustice. [Al-Kahf. 49]

There’s a warning – in this hadith – against oppressing others because the one who oppresses others is called an oppressor and the one who oppresses himself through sins is called an oppressor. Therefore, the one who oppresses himself and the one who oppresses others are (exposed) to great danger in this life, in the grave and in the afterlife. If Allah gives him respite and does not hasten punishment against him, then indeed Allah reserves for him the punishment he deserves due to the statement of Allah:

وَكَذَٲلِكَ أَخۡذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَآ أَخَذَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰ وَهِىَ ظَـٰلِمَةٌ‌ۚ إِنَّ أَخۡذَهُ ۥۤ أَلِيمٌ۬ شَدِيدٌ

Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful, and severe.

This is how the hadith is in agreement with the noble verse, that if Allah gives respite to an oppressor, it is not that Allah has neglected his affair. If Allah delays punishment against him in the worldly life, Allah multiplies it for him in the hereafter, thus, he is recompensed based on what he did and the evil deeds he committed. Allah is the possessor of (perfect) wisdom, because He recompenses a doer based on his deed- good recompense for good deeds and evil recompense for evil deeds. [5]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Everyone with a bit of (sound) intellect knows that the corruption of the world and its ruin occurs due to giving precedence to opinion over the divine revelation and (vain) desires over sound intellect. These two corrupt motives are not entrenched in a heart except that its destruction becomes inevitable nor in a nation except that its affairs are completely corrupted. [6]

The Imam also said:

Whoever contemplates the state of the world will recognise that every instance of rectification stems from Tawhid, singling out Allah in worship and obedience to His Messenger, Muhammad. Conversely, every form of evil, trial, hardship, scarcity in sustenance, and subjugation by adversaries, among other issues, arises from opposing the Messenger and the pursuit of paths other than those prescribed by Allah and His Messenger. Whoever truly  contemplates this matter and examines the world’s conditions from its inception until the time Allah ends it, he will realise this about himself and others, both in general and in specific situations. Indeed, there is no might or power except with Allah – The Most High, The Most Great. [7]

Imam As-Sadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Industrialisation and modern inventions; everyone has participated in it – the righteous, the wicked, the believer and the disbeliever. As for religion and manners in this era, it has greatly declined. When this industrial advancement is devoid of (sound) religion and faith, it became a great harm from two angles: firstly, it beguiled many people, who – due of their ignorance – think that worldly advancement is proof to show that its people are more worthy of achieving every good than others. They are clearly misguided because a person maybe from the most skillful in matters related to the material world, whilst he is one of the most ignorant people in matters related to the (sound) religion, virtuous manners and the (other) beneficial affairs in this life and the next. Secondly, when these inventions are devoid of (sound) religion, its mercy and wisdom, it becomes a great disaster for humankind due to the wars that resulted from them- killing, destruction and other matters related to it. Its overseers and scholars are unable to laydown – for humankind -a stable, just and good life; rather they have not ceased moving from one miserable state to another. This is inevitable and the continuous state of affairs shows this. Therefore, all good is found in the sound religion and all evil is found in rejecting and willfully denying (Allah, His Messengers, His Laws, Guidance, Commands, Prohibitions etc).

Indeed, it is impossible to rectify the souls and acquire virtue solely through the worldly sciences. Experience and clearly witnessed circumstances are the greatest proofs regarding this affair, because despite its advancement and vastness it has been unable to nurture and rectify the souls, which is the determinant of (sound) rectification and success.

The Remedy: What the Religion of Islam propagates is that which is entrusted with this rectification; it is what will guide the thoughts towards the truthful and authentic sources of knowledge, guide the actions of the people towards good and prevent them from evil. Islam is The Rectifier of the Creeds and Manners- the thing that cultivates the thoughts, urges towards virtuousness and prevents from depravity.

The essence of that which the religion calls to – regarding belief in the Unseen, which includes belief in Allah and that which He possesses of Names, Attributes and Actions of perfection; belief in Angels, belief in recompense for one’s good and bad deeds in this life and the next, which cannot be known except through the Messengers, is what acquaints a person with the fact that rectification – in reality – is not possible through other than sound belief and the religion of Islam. Thus, even if the worldly sciences rectify (some) matters based upon that which people know in detail, it will still not be equal to the knowledge of the Messengers- neither will it reach that which is reached through the knowledge of the Messengers nor can it influence the souls in the manner in which the knowledge of the Messengers has done, because indeed the souls do not voluntarily submit except through belief in Allah, belief in His Angels, belief in His Books, belief in His Messengers and belief in the hereafter. And without this, voluntary submission is impossible, as is well known regarding human nature. [8]

The followers of truth will remain until the end of time. The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

A group of people from my Umma will always remain manifest upon the truth. They will not be harmed by those who forsake them until Allah’s Command comes to pass (i.e. the Day of Judgment). [9]

Why Ponder Upon The Story of The Nations of Old?

قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ سُنَنٌ فَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانْظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ

Many similar mishaps [troubles, problems] of life were faced by nations that have passed away before you, so travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who disbelieved]. [Surah Aal Imraan. Verse 137]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Indeed, there were nations like yourselves before you, so look to their evil end. You have to know that the reason behind their evil end was due to their disbelief in the revelations of Allah and disbelief in Allah’s Messengers. They were the forefathers and you are the descendants. The main affair that connects you to each other is your disbelief and the ruling on that disbelief is destruction. [10]

Imam Muhammad Bin Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

If it is said, “What is the benefit in narrating to us the stories of the destroyed nations despite the fact that this Ummah will not be completely destroyed in a manner similar to the destruction of the previous nations before it?”

The Answer: Indeed, this has two benefits: The first benefit is a clarification of Allah’s blessings upon us that the occurrence of a complete destruction is removed from us, and that were it not for Allah’s Benevolence we would have been deserving of it. Second, the likeness of the punishment they received may occur in the hereafter for the one who did what they did, if punishment was not received in the worldly life. And this may be understood from the statement of Allah: “Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the population of towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful and severe. Indeed in that (there) is a sure lesson for those who fear the torment of the Hereafter.” So what is apparent from this Aayah is that what is similar to the punishment they received will happen in the Hereafter, and Allaah knows best. [11]

Footnote a:

Al-Adheem: [The Tremendous One, or The Magnificent. The One Tremendous in Greatness, and The Only One deservingly held in awe and venerated by the creation for His Greatness in every sense]. By Shaikh abu Talhah, may Allah have mercy upon him and his wife.

[1] Tafsir As-Sadi

[2] Tafsir Al-Baghawi

[3] Tafsir Ibn kathir

[4] Tafsir Al-Qurtubi

[5] at-Taleeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaith As-Saheehah. 1/100

[6] I’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 1/67-69

[7] An Excerpt from Bada’i Al-Fawa’id 3/525-526

[8] An Excerpt from “Al-Adilladul Qawaati Wal Baraaheen Fee Ibtaalil Usoolil Mulhideen”. Pages 45-50

[9] Sahih Muslim 1920

[10] I’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 1/181

[11]Al-Muntaqaa Min Fawaa’id Al-Fawaa’id 123-124

[1] Allah Established Order in the Earth and Prohibited Corruption

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Fitnah, History of Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Sin.

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَا وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا ۚ إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, and invoke Him with fear and hope; Surely, Allah’s Mercy is (ever) near unto the good-doers. [Al-A’raf 56]

“And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order”.

That is: do not spread corruption therein through acts of disobedience and calling to other than obedience to Allah, after Allah has set it in order by sending the Messengers, clarifying the divine law, and calling (humankind and jinn) to obey Allah.

This meaning is the statement of al-Hasan, As-Suddiy, Ad-Dahhak, and al-Kalbi. [1] 

Allah, The Most High, said:

قَالُوا يَا ذَا الْقَرْنَيْنِ إِنَّ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ مُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ

 فَهَلْ نَجْعَلُ لَكَ خَرْجًا عَلَىٰ أَن تَجْعَلَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُمْ سَدًّا

قَالَ مَا مَكَّنِّى فِيهِ رَبِّى خَيْرٌ

فَأَعِينُونِى بِقُوَّةٍ أَجْعَلْ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ رَدْمًا

ءَاتُونِى زُبَرَ ٱلْحَدِيدِ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا سَاوَىٰ بَيْنَ ٱلصَّدَفَيْنِ

قَالَ ٱنفُخُوا۟ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَعَلَهُۥ نَارًا قَالَ ءَاتُونِىٓ أُفْرِغْ عَلَيْهِ قِطْرًا

فَمَا ٱسْطَٰعُوٓا۟ أَن يَظْهَرُوهُ وَمَا ٱسْتَطَٰعُوا۟ لَهُۥ نَقْبًا

قَالَ هَٰذَا رَحْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّى

فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعْدُ رَبِّى جَعَلَهُۥ دَكَّآءَ وَكَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّى حَقًّا

They said: “O Dhul-Qarnain! Verily! Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog) are doing great mischief in the land. Shall we then pay you a tribute in order that you might erect a barrier between us and them?”

He said: “That (wealth, authority and power) in which my Lord had established me is better (than your tribute). So help me with strength (of men), I will erect between you and them a barrier.

“Give me pieces (blocks) of iron,” then, when he had filled up the gap between the two mountain-cliffs, he said: “Blow,” till when he had made it (red as) fire, he said: “Bring me molten copper to pour over it.”

So they [Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog)] were made powerless to scale it or dig through it.

Dhul-Qarnain) said: “This is a mercy from my Lord, but when the Promise of my Lord comes, He shall level it down to the ground. And the Promise of my Lord is ever true.” [Al-Kahf 94-98]

إِنَّ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ مُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ

“Verily! Yajuj and Majuj are doing great mischief in the land” – through murder, seizing wealth, and other than that.

“Shall we pay you a tribute” — meaning a payment— “in order that you might erect a barrier between us and them?”

This shows that they were unable to erect the barrier themselves, while they knew Dhul-Qarnain’s ability to do so. Thus, they offered him a payment and mentioned to him the reason for such (request), and that was due to (Yajuj and Majuj) spreading corruption in the land.

But neither was Dhul-Qarnayn one who was covetous, nor desirous of worldly things, nor did he abandon the welfare of the subjects, rather, his intention was rectificatiom. Due to this, he responded to their request because of the welfare therein, and he did not take payment from them, and he thanked his Lord for granting him the empowerment and enablement (to fulfil the task). [2]

[1] Paraphrased

ولا تفسدوا في الأرض بعد إصلاحها ) أي لا تفسدوا فيها بالمعاصي والدعاء إلى غير طاعة الله بعد إصلاح الله إياها ببعث الرسل وبيان الشريعة ، والدعاء إلى طاعة الله ، وهذا معنى قول الحسن والسدي والضحاك والكلبي

Tafsir Al-Baghawi

 

[2] Paraphrased

إِنَّ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ مُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ْ

 بالقتل وأخذ الأموال وغير ذلك.

{ فَهَلْ نَجْعَلُ لَكَ خَرْجًا ْ} أي جعلا { عَلَى أَنْ تَجْعَلَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُمْ سَدًّا ْ} ودل ذلك على عدم اقتدارهم بأنفسهم على بنيان السد، وعرفوا اقتدار ذي القرنين عليه، فبذلوا له أجرة، ليفعل ذلك، وذكروا له السبب الداعي، وهو: إفسادهم في الأرض، فلم يكن ذو القرنين ذا طمع، ولا رغبة في الدنيا، ولا تاركا لإصلاح أحوال الرعية، بل كان قصده الإصلاح، فلذلك أجاب طلبتهم لما فيها من المصلحة، ولم يأخذ منهم أجرة، وشكر ربه على تمكينه واقتداره

Tafsir As-Sadi

 

Strangeness and Resilience in the Face of Misidentification of Error and Popular Opposition

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah, Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Bid'ah (Innovation), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Featured, History of Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him:

“Islam began as a strange (thing) and it will return to be something strange just as it began”. [1]

Yunus Ibn Ubaid, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“How remarkable today are those who call to the Sunnah. Even more remarkable are those who respond and accept the Sunnah”.

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzaan, may Allah preserve him, said: The Sunnah has become strange and those who call to it have become strange, and even stranger are those who act upon it. No doubt there will be times when there will be strangeness with respect to the Sunnah and its people. As time elapses the Sunnah will become strange and Ahlus Sunnah are the strangers; for that reason he, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Islam began as a strange thing and it will return being strange. So Toobaa is for the strangers. They said, ‘Who are the strangers O Messenger of Allah?’ He said, ‘Those who will rectify when the people become corrupt'”. And in another narration: said, “They rectify that which the people have corrupted”.

These are the strangers during the end of time. They hold onto the Sunnah when the people become corrupt. They exercise patience upon that which touches them of harm. They exercise patience upon (this) strangeness amongst the people because those who oppose them are numerous, for they are in strangeness amongst the people. [2]

Imam Al-Awzaa’ee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Indeed, Islam will not vanish, but Ahlus Sunnah will vanish until only one man remains in a land”. This meaning can be found a lot in the speech of the pious predecessors, who praised the Sunnah, described it as strange and described its adherents as few. Al-Hasan, may Allah have mercy on him, used to say to his companions: “O Ahlus Sunnah! Be gentle (to one another), for you are the fewest among the people.”

Yunus Ibn Ubaid, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “There is nothing stranger than the Sunnah, and even stranger is the one who is acquainted with it”.

Sufyan Ath-Thawri, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “Treat the people of the Sunnah with good, for they are indeed strangers”. The intent of these Imams regarding the Sunnah is the path of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, which he and his companions adhered to, free from Shubuhaat (beliefs and views that are made to resemble truth but are falsehood in reality) and Shahawaat (vain desires).

Then, it became a common thing (or understanding) among many later scholars, both from Ahlul Hadith and others, that the term “Sunnah” refers to that which is free from Shubuhaat and Shahawaat in beliefs, particularly concerning matters of belief in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Day of Judgment, and also issues related to Qadr and the virtues of the companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Scholars have written in the knowledge of (this affair) under the title of Sunnah because its danger is great and the one in opposition is at the very edge of destruction.

As for the complete Sunnah, it is the path free from Shubuhaat and Shahawaat, as stated by Al-Hasan, Yunus Ibn Ubaid, Sufyan, Al-Fudayl, and others. Due to this, its adherents are described as strangers during the end of time because of their small number and strangeness (upon the complete Sunnah). Due to this, it has been transmitted in some of the narrations previously mentioned in the explanation of the (word) strangers (that they will be) “A righteous people, small in number among a large number of evil people. Those who disobey them are more numerous than those who obey them”. [Silsilah As-Sahihah. Number 1619]

This demonstrates their small number, the few that will respond and accept them, and the numerous people who will oppose and disobey them. Due to this, commendation has been transmitted in several hadiths regarding the one who adheres to his religion during the end of time that he’ll be like one grasping hot coals; [a] and that the reward for one among them will be equivalent to that of fifty among those before them, as they will not find helpers in goodness (righteousness). These strangers (adhering to the Sunnah and righteousness) are two types of people: the first rectifies himself amidst the corruption of the people, while the second is the one who rectifies what has been corrupted by the people, and of the two, he is loftier and more virtuous in status.

From the speech of Ahmad Ibn Aasim Al-Antakee – a senior figure among those who were devoted to worship, a possessor of knowledge, wisdom, and insight into issues of the religion, who lived in the era Abu Sulayman Ad-Daaraanee – was that he said: “Indeed, I witnessed an era from the eras when Islam returned to being strange as it began and the description of truth during it was strange just as it was at its beginning. If you sought after a scholar, you found him captivated by the love of worldly things, love of exaltation, and leadership. If you turn to one devoted to worship, you found him ignorant in his worship, deceived and ensnared by Iblees, who led him to the pinnacle of worship while he was ignorant of its most fundamental aspects, so how about its loftiest aspect?! The rest were merely the rabble—disorderly and predatory, akin to wolves and ferocious beasts, as well as cunning foxes”. This is the description of the people of your era among those who carry knowledge of the Quran and the callers to wisdom. Abu Nu’aym reported this (statement of Ahmad Ibn Aasim) in Al-Hilyah. This was the description of the people of his era, so how about the calamities and disasters that took place after him which he could not have possibly imagined or conceived?! [3]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

أهل الإسلام في الناس غرباء ، والمؤمنون في أهل الإسلام غرباء،وأهل العلم في المؤمنين غرباء ، وأهل السنة الذين يميزونها من الأهواء والبدع هم غرباء ، والداعون إليها الصابرون على أذى المخالفين هم أشد هؤلاء غربة ولكن هؤلاء هم أهل الله حقا. فلا غربة عليهم وإنما غربتهم بين الأكثرين الذين قال الله عزوجل فيهم : (وإن تُطِع أَكثر مَن في الأرض يُضلّوك عن سبيلِ الله ) ( الأنعام : 116)
فأولئك هم الغرباء من الله ورسوله وغربتهم هي الغربة الموحشة
مدارج السالكين
٣/١٩٥

The people of Islam are strangers among the people, and the believers are strangers among the people of Islam. The (upright) people of knowledge are strangers among the believers, and those who adhere to the Sunnah, distinguishing it from (vain) desires and innovations in religious matters are strangers. The callers to it (the Sunnah), who exercise patience with the harm of those who oppose them, are the strangest of all by far. However, they are – in truth – [أهل الله – the allies of Allah – truly devoted to Allah in righteousness]. Thus, there is no strangeness regarding them (in reality), but rather their strangeness is among the majority about whom Allah, The Most High, said:

وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ

And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah. [Al-An’am: 116]

So, these ones [i.e. the majority upon misguidance referred to in the Ayah] are (in reality) the strangers to Allah and His Messenger, and their strangeness (is one characterised by) alienation. [4]

Imam Abu Shamah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “When the command to adhere to the Jama’ah (the main body) is (mentioned), then the intent behind it is to adhere to the truth, even if those who follow it are few and those who oppose it are numerous. That is because the truth is that which the first Jama’ah was upon- the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his companions, may Allah be pleased with them- and one does not give consideration to the numerous people of falsehood”. [5]

Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Let every Muslim be careful of being deceived by the great numbers [of people upon such and such idea, view, belief, way of life, etc], whilst saying, “Indeed, the people have become such and such, and have become accustomed to such and such, so I am with them”. This is a great calamity, for indeed many people of the past were destroyed due to this [i.e. blindly following the majority]. Therefore, O sensible one! It is obligated on you to examine yourself; take account of yourself and adhere to the truth, even if the people abandon it. Beware of what Allah has forbidden, even if the people do it, for indeed the truth is more worthy of being followed: just as Allah [The Most High] said: “And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah’s Path”. [Al An’am 116]

And Allah, The Most High, said: [وَمَآ أَڪۡثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَوۡ حَرَصۡتَ بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ – And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly]. [Surah Yusuf Ayah 103] [6]

 

Al-Allamah Muqbil Bin Hadi Al-Waadi’ee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

If numbers are the scale by way of which you judge, then the majority are mostly blameworthy; and if persuasive speech and eloquence is the scale by way of which you judge, then indeed Allah described the Munafiqun that they have tongues that utter beautiful speech. Allah said: [وَإِن يَقُولُواْ تَسۡمَعۡ لِقَوۡلِهِمۡ – And when they speak, you listen to their words]. [Al-Munafiqun. 4]

Therefore, what is given consideration is that one knows the people of truth by their characteristics – that they call to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, and companions], and they neither desire reward from the people nor seeking to be thanked. [7]

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, said:

Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah is not harmed by those who oppose them. If you are with them- all praise is due to Allah, they are pleased with this because indeed they want good for the people. If you oppose them, you cannot harm them and due to this the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “There will not cease to be a group of my Ummah who will be manifest upon the truth- not harmed by those who forsake them until the command of Allah comes to pass (i.e. the day of judgment) whilst they are (still) upon that (truth)”. The one in opposition does not harm except himself. What is given consideration is not the great numbers; rather what is given consideration is to agree with the truth, even if a small number of people were upon it. And even if in some eras there is only one person (upon truth), then he is the one upon truth and he is the Jama’ah. The Jama’ah does not necessitate great numbers; rather the Jama’ah is what is in agreement with the truth – in agreement with the Book and the Sunnah, even if those upon it are few. However, if many come together and (upon) truth, then – all praise is due to Allah- this is strength. But if the majority oppose it (i.e. the truth), then we side with the truth even if only a few are upon it”. [8]

 

The Ta’ifah Al-Mansurah – The Aided Group

The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “There will not cease to be a group amongst my Ummah upon the truth; neither will they be harmed by those who betray them nor those who oppose them until the command of Allah arrives [i.e. the day of judgment]”. [Al-Bukhari]

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, stated:

This group will not cease to exist in the Ummah. The Ummah will not be deprived of this Sunni Group. This group can be one group. If it adheres to the Qur’an and the Sunnah, it is the Taa’ifah Al-Mansoorah [The Victorious Group], even if it is only one. The Ummah will not lose this Sunni Group, this good group, and all praise be to Allah – until the command of Allah comes to pass [i.e. the day of judgment]. ‘They will not be harmed by those who forsake them’. Among the people are those who forsake them and those who oppose them, but they will not be harmed. This is from Allah’s Grace upon His servants and He will establish the truth for the one who aids the truth and calls to it, even if evil is rife.

There will be those who adhere to good, call to it, and disseminate it amongst the people. Not all the Ummah will be misguided, but some will remain upon truth, but they might be strangers [i.e. their affair will be strange to the people], just as the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Islam began as something strange and it will return as something strange, and glad tidings to the strangers”, so they said, ‘Who are the strangers O Messenger of Allah? He said, ‘They are those who will be upright when the people become corrupt’.. and in another version of this hadith, “Those who rectify what the people have corrupted’. These are the strangers because the majority of the people oppose them, belittle, forsake, and keep away from what they are upon, but this will not harm them, “They will never be harmed by those who forsake them nor by those who oppose them’. Allah will make them remain so that His Proofs remain amongst the creation until the end of time. This group might be in the East, the West, or the North, etc…

They are not in a specific place, but they are present. Whoever wants will find it. It is present and all praise is due to Allaah. All praises and thanks be to Allah, we – at present – are upon a correct methodology, upon a sound methodology; our methodology is that which the Qur’aan and Sunnah necessitate, our learning is based upon the Qur’an and the Sunnah. We study Tafseer, hadeeth and its explanation, the Aqeedah of the pious predecessors, and that which they were upon. All praises and thanks be to Allah at present we are on the correct path, a sound methodology and a straight path. We ask Allah to keep us firm upon it until we meet him, neither substituting nor changing it. [9]

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

It is obligated to the Ta’ifah Al-Mansurah [i.e. the aided group] – those whom Allah’s Messenger gave glad tidings that they will remain (upon truth) and will be aided; neither harmed by those who betray them nor by those who oppose them till the end of time – to establish brotherhood for the sake of Allah, co-operate upon righteousness and piety, roll up their sleeves and embark upon work, so that this great status is maintained, which is that they will be manifest upon the truth, neither harmed by those who forsake them nor by those who oppose them. And knowing the truth cannot be except through the knowledge inherited from the Prophets and Messengers, peace be upon them, and from the seal of the Prophets [i.e. the Messenger Muhammad]. The scholars are the inheritors of the (knowledge left behind by) the Prophets in calling to the path of Allah, (in propagating) Allah’s Message and in enjoining good and forbidding evil. [10]

The Mujaddidun – The Revivers Every Hundred Years

The Prophet – peace and blessings be upon him- said, “Allah will raise for this Ummah at the end of every hundred years the one who will revive its religion for it”. [11]

“Allah will raise for this Ummah”– Meaning, the Ummah Al-Ijabah (the Muslims). “At the end of every hundred years”– Meaning, at the end of every hundred years when there is little knowledge of the Shariah and the authentic Prophetic Sunnah, while ignorance and innovation in religious matters is rife. “One who will revive its religion for it”– Meaning, a scholar who is alive and well known. He will clarify the authentic Prophetic Sunnah and distinguish it from Bidah. knowledge will be abundant again and its adherents will be aided, and the proponents of Bidah will be overcome and degraded. This reviver is none else but a scholar who has a sound understanding of the religious sciences that deal with acts of worship, the underlying wisdom of the religion, and the texts that deal with beliefs of the heart. [12]

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[a] Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “A time of patience will come to people in which adhering to one’s religion is like grasping a hot coal”. [Sahih Tirmidhee 2260]

[1] Sahih Muslim 145

[2] An Excerpt from It’haaf Al-Qaaree Bitta’liqaat Alaa Sharh As-Sunnah Lil Imam Al-Barbahaaree 2/310-311

[3] An Excerpt from Kash al-Kurbah Fee Wasf Ahl Al-Ghurbah page 6-9

[4] An Excerpt from Madarij As-Salikin 3/195

[5] Al-Baa’ith Alaa Inkaaril Bid’ah Wal-Hawaadith’ page 22

[6] An Excerpt from ‘Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 12/ 412

[7] An Excerpt from Qam Al-Mu’anid 2/547

[8] An Excerpt from ( لمحة عن الفرق الضالة )– pages 14

[9] Paraphrased Excerpt: Listen to the audio here: https://safeyoutube.net/w/TlUI

[10] An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Talib Al-Ilm’ page 200

[11] Saheeh Sunan Abee Dawud. Hadith Number 4291.

[12] An Excerpt from Awnul Ma’bood Sharh Sunan Abee Daawud. 11/259-260

Verse 83 Al-Baqarah and An-Nisaa 36

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah, Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Basics, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, History of Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Prophets, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنكُمْ وَأَنتُم مُّعْرِضُونَ

And [remember] when We took a covenant from Bani Israa’eel, [saying]: ”Worship none but Allah [Alone] and be dutiful to parents, kindred, and to orphans and to the Al-Masaakeen [the poor], and speak good to people, and perform As-Salaat, and give Zakat. Then you slid back, except a few of you, while you are backsliders”. [Al-Baqarah.  83]

These commands are fundamental aspects of the religion that Allah has ordained in all divine laws (revealed to the Prophets and Messengers before Muhammad) as they bring about universal benefits in every time and place. Thus, they are unabrogated, much like the foundations of the religion. Hence, Allah enjoined us in Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 36 to adhere to them.

Allah, The Most High, said:

 وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالْجَنبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالًا فَخُورًا

Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin [the poor], the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer [you meet], and those [slaves] whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allaah does not like such as being proud and boastful.[An-Nisaa. 36]

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ

And (remember) when We took a covenant from the children of Israel.

Imam As-Sadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Their stubbornness was the cause of this, as they refused to obey any command unless it was accompanied by a solemn oath and a firm covenant.

لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ

Worship none but Allah (alone).

This is a command to worship Allah (alone) and refrain from associating any partners with Him. Deeds will not be acceptable unless they are (established) upon this foundation.

Then Allah said:

وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا

And be dutiful to parents.

Meaning: be dutiful to parents by being kind to them through both speech and actions. This command means that we are not allowed to disobey our parents [i.e. when they ask us to do something that is not against the command of Allah and His Messenger] and it is forbidden to mistreat them. Lack of kindness towards them can manifest in two ways: through evil behaviour, which is a greater crime, or without evil behaviour, but it is forbidden. Relatives, orphans, and the poor should be treated kindly.

Then Allah commanded Bani Israa’eel to be kind towards mankind in general, saying:

وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا

And speak good to people.

Meaning: utter good speech, enjoin righteousness, forbid evil, impart knowledge to people, and greet them with Salaams. Furthermore, when it is a fact that a person is unable to provide material wealth to everyone, Allah has commanded us to treat everyone (in a good way) through speech, which every individual is capable of fulfilling. Allah said:

وَلَا تُجَادِلُوا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ

And argue not with the people of the Scripture, unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner).

One of the virtues that Allah has commanded a person to uphold is to maintain uprightness in speech and deeds, refraining from using vulgar or harmful language. One should neither curse nor become argumentative; instead, one should demonstrate good manners, patience, and courtesy towards everyone and exercise much patience when harmed by people, in obedience to Allah’s command and hoping for His reward.

Allah commanded Bani Israa’eel to establish the prayer and pay the Zakat because the prayer necessitates sincerity to The Only True Object of worship [Allah] and Zakat necessitates kind treatment towards the servants of [Allah].

However, after they were commanded to fulfil these good and appropriate commandments, they wilfully turned away, except a few of them.

An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan. Slightly paraphrased