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[1] Flee to Allah

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah, Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Mental Health, Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Repentance, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

It is You alone (O Allāh) that we worship and it is You alone that we ask for help (in Your obedience and in all of our affairs). [1]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: One of the stations of (the statement) “It is You alone (O Allah) that we worship and it is You alone that we ask for help (in Your obedience and in all of our affairs” is the station of “fleeing to Allah”. Allah [The Exalted] says: [فَفِرُّوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ – So flee to Allah]. [Surah Adh-Dhaariyaat. Ayah 50]
The reality of fleeing is to get away from one thing and to another thing, and it is two types: the escape of the blessed and the escape of the wretched. The escape of the blessed is to flee to Allah [The Mighty and Majestic] and the escape of the wretched is to flee from Allah and not to Him. As for fleeing to Allah, this is the fleeing of his allies (friends). Ibn Abbas [may Allah be pleased with him and his father] said regarding this Ayah [فَفِرُّوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ – So flee to Allah] – Meaning, flee from (Allah’s punishment) and flee to Him (for protection) through obedience. Sahl Bin Abdullah [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: “Flee from other than Allah to Allah”. Others (i.e. the other scholars) said, “Flee from Allah’s punishment (i.e. by keeping away from disobedience) to His reward through (sound) faith and obedience. [2]

[1] https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/sura/1/1

[2] An Excerpt from “Madaarij As-Saalikeen”. 1/383. Publisher: Daar Mannaar 1st Edition. (1424AH- 2003)

 

[2] New Year’s Day celebration -January 1st – is Tantamount to Honouring a Roman Pagan God!

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Bid'ah (Innovation), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Refutations, Scholars of Islam, Shirk, Sin, Uncategorized, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allah [The Most High] says:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ لَن يَخْلُقُوا ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا لَهُ ۖ وَإِن يَسْلُبْهُمُ الذُّبَابُ شَيْئًا لَّا يَسْتَنقِذُوهُ مِنْهُ ۚ ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَالْمَطْلُوبُ
مَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily! Those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatched away a thing from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought. They have not estimated Allah His Rightful Estimate; Verily, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty. [Surah Al-Hajj. Ayaat 73-74]
It is obligated to a servant (of Allah) to pay attention to this parable with his heart and ponder upon it properly because it cuts off the desire for Shirk. The gods worshipped by the idolaters cannot create even a fly, even if they all come to together to create it, then how about what is greater than it?! They are neither able to create a fly which is one of the weakest animals, nor are they able to gain the upper hand against it to recover what it took away from them. There is nothing more disabled and feebler than them, so how can a sensible person deem it good to worship idols (or the other things worshipped by the idolaters).

Shaikh Uways At-Taweel [may Allah preserve him] states:

This verse nullifies shirk and shows the ignorance of its people. It is a testimony that Satan plays about with them more than kids playing with a ball because they assign Godhood to images and statues that are deprived of the ability to create the most insignificant creature of the True God, even if they [i.e. those statues and images] gathered and supported one another to do so, whereas Godhood necessitates having absolute power over all the existence, absolute knowledge of all sources of knowledge, having no need of all the creation, (whilst the creation is completely dependent) upon the Lord for their needs, relief, (to remove their) distress and anxiety and (respond to their) invocations. [1]

Allah [The Exalted] says:

مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡلِيَآءَ كَمَثَلِ ٱلۡعَنڪَبُوتِ ٱتَّخَذَتۡ بَيۡتً۬ا‌ۖ وَإِنَّ أَوۡهَنَ ٱلۡبُيُوتِ لَبَيۡتُ ٱلۡعَنڪَبُوتِ‌ۖ لَوۡ ڪَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ

The likeness of those who take Auliya’ (protectors and helpers) other than Allah is as the likeness of a spider, who builds (for itself) a house, but verily, the frailest (weakest) of houses is the spider’s house, if they but knew. [Surah Al-Ankabut. Ayah 41]

Allah mentioned that they are weak and that those whom they take as protectors and helpers are weaker than them. So concerning their weakness and their goal behind taking others as protectors and helpers besides Allaah, they are similar to a spider that builds a house and it is the frailest of houses. Based on this parable, the idolators become much weaker when they take others as protectors and helpers besides Allah, and they do not benefit from those they take as protectors and helpers besides Allah, just as Allaah stated [in another Ayah]:

وَٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ءَالِهَةً۬ لِّيَكُونُواْ لَهُمۡ عِزًّ۬ا
كَلَّا‌ۚ سَيَكۡفُرُونَ بِعِبَادَتِہِمۡ وَيَكُونُونَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ ضِدًّا

And they have taken (for worship) Aaliha (gods) besides Allah, that they might give them honour, power and glory (and also protect them from Allah’s Punishment etc.). Nay, but they (the so-called gods) will deny their worship of them, and become opponents to them (on the Day of Resurrection). [Surah Maryam. Ayaat 82-83]

Allah [The Most High] says:
وَٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ءَالِهَةً۬ لَّعَلَّهُمۡ يُنصَرُونَ
لَا يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ نَصۡرَهُمۡ وَهُمۡ لَهُمۡ جُندٌ۬ مُّحۡضَرُونَ

And they have taken besides Allaah Aaliha (gods), hoping that they might be helped (by those so-called gods). They cannot help them, but they will be brought forward as a troop against those who worshipped them (at the time of Reckoning). [Surah Yaa Seen. Ayaat 74-75]

After mentioning the destruction of the nations of the idolaters, Allah said:

وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن ظَلَمُوٓاْ أَنفُسَہُمۡ‌ۖ فَمَآ أَغۡنَتۡ عَنۡہُمۡ ءَالِهَتُہُمُ ٱلَّتِى يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىۡءٍ۬ لَّمَّا جَآءَ أَمۡرُ رَبِّكَ‌ۖ وَمَا زَادُوهُمۡ غَيۡرَ تَتۡبِيبٍ۬

We wronged them not, but they wronged themselves. So their Aaliha (gods), other than Allah, whom they invoked, profited them naught when there came the Command of your Lord, nor did they add aught (to their lot) but destruction. [Surah Hud. Verse 101]

These four places in the Qur’an show that the one who takes protectors and helpers besides Allah- through whom he seeks to strengthen himself, behave arrogantly and prevail- will not achieve except the opposite, and there is a lot more about this affair in the Qur’an. This is one of the finest parables and the clearest proofs regarding the falsehood of Shirk and the deprivation of the one who commits it, and that he will achieve the opposite of what he seeks. [2]

Allah gave this similitude regarding those who worship others alongside Him, seeking honour, strength, and benefit by way of it, but Allah says that the affair is the opposite of the goal they seek because their likeness is that of a spider that builds a house to protect itself from the heat, cold and harm; but the frailest and weakest of houses is the spider’s house. The spider is one of those weak animals and its house is one of the weakest of houses, and building its house does not increase it in anything except weakness. Likewise, this is the case regarding those who take protectors and helpers besides Allah; they are in need and incapable in every way when they take protectors and helpers besides Allah to seek honour and help by way of them; so they increase weakness on their weakness, and feebleness on their feebleness because they rely on them in many of their affairs for well-being and entrust it to them, refrain from achieving it themselves and (hoping) that these [so-called] protectors and helpers will fulfill it; but they forsake them- neither receive anything (useful, beneficial, etc) nor the least (gain, benefit, etc) from their help. Had they been acquainted with the reality of knowledge, their situation, and that of those whom they take as protectors and helpers besides Allah, they would not have done so; rather they would have freed themselves from them and taken Allah as Protector and Helper- The Lord Who is able to do all things, The One Who Bestows His Special Mercy to the Believers; Who – when a servant takes Him as a Protector and an Ally, He suffices him, looks after both his religious and worldly affairs, increase him in strength upon strength in his heart [i.e. sound faith], his body [i.e. grant him the ability to seek after what is beneficial, etc], in all his circumstances and deeds. [3]

[1] An Excerpt from ‘Badaa-i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnu Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah: 2/221-222. slightly paraphrased]

[2] An Exceprt from ‘Badaa’i At-tafseer Al-Jaami Lima Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim. Vol 2. Page299-300. Slightly paraphrased]

[3] An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]

[1] New Year’s Day celebration -January 1st – is Tantamount to Honouring a Roman Pagan God!

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Bid'ah (Innovation), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Qur'aan, Refutations, Shirk, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allah [The Exalted] said:

أَمْ اتَّخَذُوا آلِهَةً مِنْ الأَرْضِ هُمْ يُنشِرُونَ

لَوْ كَانَ فِيهِمَا آلِهَةٌ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا فَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ

لاَ يُسْأَلُ عَمَّا يَفْعَلُ وَهُمْ يُسْأَلُونَ

أَمْ اتَّخَذُوا مِنْ دُونِهِ آلِهَةً قُلْ هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ هَذَا ذِكْرُ مَنْ مَعِيَ وَذِكْرُ مَنْ قَبْلِي بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ الْحَقَّ فَهُمْ مُعْرِضُونَ

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَسُول ٍإِلاَّ نُوحِي إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنَا فَاعْبُدُونِ

Or have they taken (for worship) aliha (gods) from the earth who raise the dead? Had there been therein (in the heavens and the earth) gods besides Allah, then verily both would have been ruined. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, (High is He) above what they attribute to Him! He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned. Or have they taken for worship (other) aliha (gods) besides Him? Say: “Bring your proof:” This (the Qur’an) is the Reminder for those with me and the Reminder for those before me. But most of them know not the Truth, so they are averse.  And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad) but We inspired him (saying): La ilaha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allah)], so worship Me (Alone and no one else).” [Surah Al-Anbiyaa. Aayaat 21-25]

Shaikh Uways At-Taweel [may Allah preserve him] states:

Allah [The Exalted] stated His disapproval of the polytheists – those who [worship the things they have taken as] gods in the earth, even though these (so called) gods are absolutely incapacitated and powerless; neither able to bring them back to life nor resurrect them, and this is further explained by the statement of Allah:

 وَاتَّخَذُوا مِنْ دُونِهِ آلِهَةً لاَ يَخْلُقُونَ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ وَلاَ يَمْلِكُونَ ِلأَنفُسِهِمْ ضَرًّا وَلاَ نَفْعًا وَلاَ يَمْلِكُونَ مَوْتًا وَلاَ حَيَاةً وَلاَ نُشُورًا

Yet they have taken besides Him other aliha (gods) that created nothing but are themselves created, and possess neither hurt nor benefit for themselves, and possess no power (of causing) death, nor (of giving) life, nor of raising the dead. [Surah Al-Furqaan. Ayah 3]

Allah [The Exalted] said:

وَاتَّخَذُوا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ آلِهَةً لَعَلَّهُمْ يُنصَرُونَ

لاَ يَسْتَطِيعُونَ نَصْرَهُمْ وَهُمْ لَهُمْ جُندٌ مُحْضَرُونَ

And they have taken besides Allah aliha (gods), hoping that they might be helped (by those so-called gods). They cannot help them, but they will be brought forward as a troop against those who worshipped them (at the time of Reckoning). [Surah Yaaseen. Aayaat 74-75]

A polytheist worships a created thing that can neither benefit nor harm, and he abandons sincere worship to Allah – The One Who is Perfect [i.e. the only possessor of Perfect Names and Attributes; free from all weaknesses, shortcomings and imperfections], and in His Hand is the absolute control over all benefit and harm. This shows that a polytheist [or idolater] is not blessed [with guidance], his ignorance is clearly established as well as the extremity of his unjust behaviour towards Allah because it is only befitting that there is only one [true] deity, just as there cannot be except one [true] Lord. Due to this, Allah [The Exalted] said:

لَوْ كَانَ فِيهِمَا آلِهَةٌ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا فَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ

Had there been therein (in the heavens and the earth) gods besides Allah, then verily both [i.e. the heavens and the earth] would have been ruined. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, (High is He) above what they attribute to Him! [Surah Al-Anbiyaa. Ayah 22]

Meaning: Both the heavens and the earth would have been ruined as well the creation in them. The heavens and the earth – as one can see – are in a perfect state, intact and in perfect order. Neither is there any defect in them and obstacles [to its perfect order] nor conflict in its organisation. Therefore, this shows that the One who controls and regulates its affairs is One- its Lord is one and the deity [under whose control they are maintained] is One. If it were the case that the heavens and the earth has two [deities] that control and regulate its affairs- two lords or more, then its perfect order would have been ruined and its foundations would have been undermined. That is because they would have been obstacles and opponents to one another; so if one of them wishes to plan and administer something and the other one wishes that it should not take place, then it would be impossible for both their wishes to be fulfilled. [On the other hand], the fulfilment of the wishes of one of them would have shown that the other one is weak and unable do whatever he wants; and it is impossible that both of them will agree on everything.  Therefore, the wish of The Irresistible [i.e. Allah- the only True Lord and besides Him every other deity is false]- is what will be fulfilled without anyone being able to prevent or repel it. And this is why Allah [The Exalted] said:

مَا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ مِنْ وَلَدٍ وَمَا كَانَ مَعَهُ مِنْ إِلَهٍ إِذًا لَذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَهٍ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلاَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ

No son (or offspring or children) did Allah beget, nor is there any ilah (god) along with Him; (if there had been many gods), behold, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified be Allah above all that they attribute to Him! [Surah Al-Muminoon. Ayah 91]

[An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]

[10] Abu Makkah – False contextualisation of an Ayah in Surah Hud

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Contemporary Issues, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Refutations, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

False contextualisation of an Ayah in Surah Hud in reference to Shaikh Abu Khadeejah’s critique of Muhammad Abdur Razzaaq

 

Allah [The Exalted] said:

وَلَا تَلْبِسُوا الْحَقَّ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُوا الْحَقَّ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

And mix not truth with falsehood, nor conceal the truth while you know (the truth).
[Surah Al-Baqarah. Ayah 42]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allah have mercy upon him] said:

Allah forbade (us) from mixing truth with falsehood and thus leading to the concealment of the truth. Mixing truth with false is by mixing the two until one of them is confused with the other. This is forgery and deceit by way of which what is made apparent is the opposite of what it is in reality. Likewise, when the truth is confounded with falsehood, the culprit manifests falsehood in the image of truth and speaks with a statement that carries two meanings- a correct meaning and a false meaning, so the listener is under the illusion that the speaker intends the correct meaning, whilst he intends the corrupt meaning. (1)

While attempting to twist reality, mix truth with untruth, and conceal the truth, Abu Makkah [may Allah guide him] employed another false analogy -under the cover of knowledge, proof, and sound extrapolation – to portray Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allah preserve him] as an extreme oppressor!

Abu Makkah stated:

Where is Waheed from the manners of the Noble Prophet Nuh alayhis Salaam:

وَلَآ أَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ تَزۡدَرِىٓ أَعۡيُنُكُمۡ لَن يُؤۡتِيَہُمُ ٱللَّهُ خَيۡرًا‌ۖ ٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ‌ۖ

“nor do I say of those upon whom your eyes look down that Allah will never grant them any good. Allah is most knowing of what is within their souls”.

When extracting benefits from the story of Nuh alayhis Salaam Shaykh as-Sadi states that: Vilifying the hearts of the believers is a trait inherited from the enemies of the Messengers.

Ibn Abdil-Barr mentions in his at-Tamheed, “They have an Ijmaa (consensus) that the rulings of this Dunya is based on the apparent and the hidden affairs is left for Allah”.

Waheed Alam should have shame on himself, pity his own heart, and repent to Allah from such a vile statement”. [End of quote]

 

Response:

In the above quote, Abu Makkah vehemently disputed Shaikh Abu Khadeejah’s assertion that Muhammad Abdur Razzaaq [may Allah guide him] is afflicted with a disease in the heart as a result of his false alliances with the Musaafiqah extremists and ahlul bidah. Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “The diseases of the heart are two types: (I) Shubhah (a false affair that is considered or disguised as truth or reality) and Shak (doubt). (II) Shahwah (vain or unbridled desires) and Ghay (i.e. deviation from the straight path)”. (2)

Indeed, we agree with Abu Makkah that only Allah knows the secrets of the heart; however, he attempted to use this sound belief – in this particular discussion – to confound truth with falsehood, and turned a blind eye to the fact that his companion was judged based on his false alliances with Musaafiqah extremists and ahlul bidah – a classic illustration of what many of us have witnessed over the years from some of those who would affirm a mighty affair related to Aqeedah while – from what is witnessed – manifesting ulterior motives due to co-operating with ahlul bidah or defending oppressors, and thus they deliberately apply what they affirm in the wrong context. Is there any other reason Abu Makkah and Muhammad would have supported Musaafiqah extremists and collaborate with ahlul bidah besides the fact that they are either afflicted with the disease of Shubhah or Shahwa?! The only other reason would be insanity, and if that were the case, we would not have responded to Abu Makkah because the pen has been lifted from the insane. However, neither Abu Makkah nor Muhammad is insane.

According to Abu Makkah, Imaam As-Sadi stated that one of the attributes inherited from the opponents of the Messengers is that they vilify the hearts of the believers! We could not determine whether his quote from Imaam As-Sadi was in reference to the aforementioned Ayah, or if he was quoting the Imaam from elsewhere in his Tafseer, or from another book of the Imaam, or if he was citing from someone else’s annotation of the Imaam’s Tafseer, or whether he was quoting from a different print of the Imaam’s Tafseer. That because we could not find this statement of the Imaam in the explanation of this Ayah (i.e. Ayah 31, Surah Hud). Therefore, we transmit here what is found in the copy that is in our possession as follows:

 وَلَا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ عِندِي خَزَائِنُ اللَّهِ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ وَلَا أَقُولُ إِنِّي مَلَكٌ وَلَا أَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ تَزْدَرِي أَعْيُنُكُمْ لَن يُؤْتِيَهُمُ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا ۖ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ إِنِّي إِذًا لَّمِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

وَلا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ عِنْدِي خَزَائِنُ اللَّهِ وَلا أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ وَلا أَقُولُ إِنِّي مَلَكٌ أي: غايتي أني رسول الله إليكم، أبشركم، وأنذركم، وأما ما عدا ذلك، فليس بيدي من الأمر شيء، فليست خزائن الله عندي، أدبرها أنا، وأعطي من أشاء، وأحرم من أشاء، ( وَلا أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ ) فأخبركم بسرائركم وبواطنكم ( وَلا أَقُولُ إِنِّي مَلَكٌ ) والمعنى: أني لا أدعي رتبة فوق رتبتي، ولا منزلة سوى المنزلة، التي أنزلني الله بها، ولا أحكم على الناس، بظني.

وَلا أَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ تَزْدَرِي أَعْيُنُكُمْ أي: ضعفاء المؤمنين، الذين يحتقرهم الملأ الذين كفروا لَنْ يُؤْتِيَهُمُ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ فإن كانوا صادقين في إيمانهم، فلهم الخير الكثير، وإن كانوا غير ذلك، فحسابهم على الله.

إِنِّي إِذًا أي: إن قلت لكم شيئا مما تقدم لَمِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ وهذا تأييس منه، عليه الصلاة والسلام لقومه، أن ينبذ فقراء المؤمنين, أو يمقتهم، وتقنيع لقومه، بالطرق المقنعة للمنصف

And I do not say to you that with me are the Treasures of Allah, nor that I know the Ghaib (unseen); “nor do I say I am an angel, and I do not say of those whom your eyes look down upon that Allah will not bestow any good on them. Allah knows what is in their inner selves (as regards belief etc). In that case, I should, indeed be one of the Zalimun (wrong-doers, oppressors, etc.).

[وَلَآ أَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ تَزۡدَرِىٓ أَعۡيُنُكُمۡ – nor do I say of those upon whom your eyes look down upon]- Meaning, those believers with a lower status in society about whom the chiefs – who disbelieved – look down upon; [لَن يُؤۡتِيَہُمُ ٱللَّهُ خَيۡرًا‌ۖ ٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ‌ۖ – that Allah will never grant them any good. Allah is most knowing of what is within their souls]- Meaning, if they are sincere in their faith, they will receive abundant good, but if not, then their reckoning is with Allah. [إِنِّىٓ إِذً۬ا – In that case]- Meaning, if I were to say to you any of the things mentioned (i.e. that with me are Allah’s Treasures, I know the unseen, I am an angel, or that those believers you look down upon will not be bestowed any good), [لَّمِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ – I should, indeed be one of the Zalimun (wrong-doers, oppressors, etc.)]. [end of quote]

Observation a: We could not find the statement transmitted by Abu Makkah from Imaam As-Sadi regarding opponents of the Messengers vilifying the hearts of the believers, but maybe it is found elsewhere, and Allah knows best.

Observation b: This Ayah does not support the point Abu Makkah was desperately attempting to make about Shaikh Abu Khadeejah’s criticism of Muhammad Abdur Razzaaq, whether or not he mentioned any references. Imaam Ibn Al-Qaayim [may Allah have mercy upon him] quoted Az-Zujaaj [may Allah have mercy upon him] as follows: [وَلَآ أَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ تَزۡدَرِىٓ أَعۡيُنُكُمۡ لَن يُؤۡتِيَہُمُ ٱللَّهُ خَيۡرًا‌ۖ ٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ‌ۖ – nor do I say of those upon whom your eyes look down upon that Allah will never grant them any good. Allah is most knowing of what is within their souls]- Meaning, “If you claim that they simply follow me without thinking, then I don’t need to observe what’s going on in their hearts. If I observe someone singling out Allah in worship, I will deal with them based on what I see and delegate knowledge of what is in their souls to Allah”. (3)

Indeed, what is absolutely clear from this Ayah is that the poor believers were scorned and their Imaan was vilified when they performed good deeds and obeyed Prophet Nuh [peace be upon him]. As a result, this circumstance cannot be comparable to that of a person who purposefully opposes the Sunnah by collaborating with ahlul bidah and supporting Musaafiqah extremists, implying that such a person is either afflicted with Shubhah or Shahwah- the two diseases of the heart!

Amazing is Abu Makkah’s situation, for he defends someone who does something terribly wrong, but when that person is rebuked and warned of the consequences, he argues that people are vilifying his heart! Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab [may Allah be pleased with him] and will quote it again as follows: “People were (sometimes) judged by the revealing of a Divine revelation during the lifetime of Allah’s Messenger but now there is no longer any more (new revelation). Now we judge you by the deeds you practice publicly, so we will trust and favour the one who does good deeds in front of us, and we will not call him to account about what he is really doing in secret, because Allah will judge him for that; but we will not trust or believe the one who presents to us an evil deed even if he claims that his intentions were good”. [Saheeh Bukhaari. Number 2641]

Indeed, Abu Makkah [may Allah rectify his affair and distance him from deception] uses the Ayah (Hud 31) out of context in reference to Shaikh Abu Khadeejah’s critique of Muhammad Abdur Razzaaq, whose blameworthy and false affiliations are as visible as the midday sun.

To be continued…InShaaAllah

Ref 1: An Excerpt from “Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim. 1/124

Ref 2: An Excerpt from “At-Tib An-Nabawiy” page 3 with comments by Al-Allaamah Muhammad Haamid Al-Faqee (may Allah have mercy upon him)

Ref 3: An Excerpt from “Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim. 2/54

Reflection On Tawheed When Thunder Is Heard

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Shirk, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allah [The Exalted] said:

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُرِيڪُمُ ٱلۡبَرۡقَ خَوۡفً۬ا وَطَمَعً۬ا وَيُنشِئُ ٱلسَّحَابَ ٱلثِّقَالَ
وَيُسَبِّحُ ٱلرَّعۡدُ بِحَمۡدِهِۦ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ مِنۡ خِيفَتِهِۦ وَيُرۡسِلُ ٱلصَّوَٲعِقَ فَيُصِيبُ بِہَا مَن يَشَآءُ وَهُمۡ يُجَـٰدِلُونَ فِى ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡمِحَا

It is He who shows you the lightning, as a fear and as a hope. And it is He Who brings up (or originates) the clouds, heavy (with water). And Ar-Ra’d (thunder) glorifies and praises Him, and so do the angels because of His Awe, He sends the thunderbolts, and therewith He strikes whom He wills, yet they (disbelievers) dispute about Allah. And He is Mighty in strength and Severe in punishment. [Surah Ar-Ra’d. Ayaat 12-13]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “When Abdullah Ibn Az-Zubayr [may Allaah be pleased with him and his father] used to hear thunder, he would stop speaking and then say:

سُبْحانَ الَّذِي يُسَبِّحُ الرَّعْدُ بِحَمْدِهِ، وَالمَلائِكَةُ مِنْ خِيْفَتِهِ

Glorified be One and free is He from all imperfection, Whom the thunder glorifies and praises Him, and so do the angels because of His Awe. [Declared authentic by Imaam Al-Albaanee in Al-Kalim At-Tayyib 157]

Imam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated:

“It is He who shows you the lightning, as fear and as a hope”- Meaning, fear of the thunderbolts, destruction, and various types of harm to the crops and what is similar to them. And hoping for its good and benefits. “And it is He Who brings up (or originates) the clouds”– Meaning, heavy rain that benefits the people and the land. “And Ar-Ra’d (thunder) glorifies and praises Him”- Meaning, the sound that is heard from the clouds which makes the people terrified is under the absolute control of its Lord and glorifies and praises Him. “And so do the angels because of His Awe”- Meaning, they glorify and praise their Lord with a fear that is founded upon knowledge of the greatness of the One whom they fear (i.e. Allaah), and the complete and perfect Sovereignty and Dominion that is His.

And when it is the fact that He alone is the One Who gives rain to the servants and the clouds which is a source of their provision and that He alone is the One in absolute control of everything, and all the mighty creations – which people fear and leaves them in a state of uneasiness – are under His control, and He is the One Mighty in Power, then He alone is the One who has the right to be worshipped without partner. This is why He said in the following verse:

لَهُ ۥ دَعۡوَةُ ٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ لَا يَسۡتَجِيبُونَ لَهُم بِشَىۡءٍ إِلَّا كَبَـٰسِطِ كَفَّيۡهِ إِلَى ٱلۡمَآءِ لِيَبۡلُغَ فَاهُ وَمَا هُوَ بِبَـٰلِغِهِۦ‌ۚ وَمَا دُعَآءُ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬

For Him (Alone) is the Word of Truth (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but He). And those whom they (polytheists and disbelievers) invoke, answer them no more than one who stretches forth his hand (at the edge of a deep well) for water to reach his mouth, but it reaches him not, and the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but an error (i.e. of no use). [Surah Ar-Ra’d. Verse 14]

Allah [The Most High] alone has the right to be worshipped. One’s acts of worship have to be carried out sincerely for the sake of Allah [The Exalted] and likewise, Allah alone has the right to be invoked when one seeks the fulfillment of a specific need. Allah alone has the right to be loved [i.e. the love that necessitates that a person devotes all acts of worship to Allah alone].

Allah alone has the right to be worshipped with Al-Kawf [Fear (1)]; Ar-Rajaa [Hope and longing (2)]; Ar-Raghbah [Fervent Desire (3)]; Ar-Rahbah [Dread (4)] and Al-Inaabah [turning to Allah in repentance (5)]. That is because Allaah alone is the possessor of all the Names and Attributes of perfection – [and free is He from all imperfections, deficiencies, weaknesses, similarities, co-equals, faults, shortcomings etc] – which makes Him the only deity worthy of worship. Any other thing taken as a deity besides Him is false.

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ لَا يَسۡتَجِيبُونَ لَهُم بِشَىۡءٍ

And those whom they (polytheists and disbelievers) invoke cannot respond to them with a thing]- Meaning: The idols and false deities that are associate as partners with Allah in worship cannot respond with a thing to those who invoke and worship them- neither can they respond to their requests in this life nor in the afterlife;

إِلَّا كَبَـٰسِطِ كَفَّيۡهِ إِلَى ٱلۡمَآءِ لِيَبۡلُغَ فَاهُ وَمَا هُوَ بِبَـٰلِغِهِۦ‌

No more than one who stretches forth his hand (at the edge of a deep well) for water to reach his mouth, but it reaches him not.

This is an excellent similitude regarding the invocation of the one who invokes other than Allah, for he is like one who stretches his hand at the edge of a deep well [to get some] water, even though it is impossible to reach it by doing so. This is the case regarding the one who invokes false deities besides Allah because he will not reach his goal. Allaah said in another Ayah:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ عَنۡہَا لَا تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمۡ أَبۡوَٲبُ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَا يَدۡخُلُونَ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ حَتَّىٰ يَلِجَ ٱلۡجَمَلُ فِى سَمِّ ٱلۡخِيَاطِ‌ۚ وَڪَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِى ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ

Verily, those who belie Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and treat them with arrogance, for them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle (which is impossible). Thus do We recompense the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.). [Surah Al-A’raaf. Verse 40]

وَمَا دُعَآءُ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬

And the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but an error (i.e. of no use)]: Meaning: They invoke false deities; therefore their invocation is tantamount to misguidance. As for Allaah, He is the True King of the entire creation and the only deity worthy of worship, therefore, to worship Him alone is the truth and it is what will definitely benefit a person in this life and the next. [Source: An Excerpt from Tayseer al-Kareem Ar-Rahman Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan). slightly paraphrased]

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Footnotes:

Ref 1: Al-Kawf [Fear]: Fear is to be frightened and is a result of expecting something which will bring about destruction, harm or injury, and Allaah, the one free of all imperfections and the Most High, forbade having fear of the allies of the Satan, and He commanded fear of Himself alone. Fear is of three types: (i) Natural fear, such as a person’s fear of predatory animals, fire, or drowning. This is something for which a person is not to be blamed. Allaah, the Most High, said about Moosaa, “So he entered in the morning in Pharaoh’s city in a state of fear, awaiting events.” [Soorah al-Qasas (28): 18] However if this fear is, as mentioned by the author, a cause of his leaving an obligation or doing something forbidden, then it is forbidden. Since whatever causes an obligation to be abandoned, or causes something forbidden to be done is itself forbidden (haraam). The evidence here is the Saying of Allaah, the Most High, “So do not fear them, but fear Me and beware of disobeying Me, if you are truly Believers.” [Soorah Aal-‘Imraan (3):175] Furthermore fear of Allaah, the Most High, is sometimes something praiseworthy, and is sometimes something that is not praiseworthy. It is praiseworthy when it prevents you from being disobedient to Allaah, and causes you to fulfil the obligatory duties and to avoid what is forbidden. So if this goal is reached, then the heart settles and is at peace, and is dominated by joy at the blessings of Allaah and hope for His reward. It is something that is not praiseworthy when it causes a person to despair of Allaah’s Mercy and to give up hope altogether. In such a case the person will give up and may continue in sin due to the fact that he totally gives up hope. (ii) Reverential fear, that he fears something and takes that as his religion. This is to be for Allaah, the Most High, alone. Directing such reverential fear to anyone other than Allaah, the Most High, is major shirk. (iii) Secret supernatural fear, such as fearing someone buried in a grave, or a person thought to be pious, who is far away and cannot affect him, yet still he has secret fear for him. This is also mentioned by the scholars as being a case of shirk. The evidence for hope and longing (ar-rajaa) is the Saying of Allaah the Most High: “So whoever hopes to see His Lord and be rewarded by Him, then let him make his worship correct and make it purely and sincerely for Him; and let him not make any share of it for anyone other than Him” [71] [Soorah al-Kahf (18):110]. [Source: English translation of the ‘Three fundamental principles’ by Abu Talhah (may Allaah have mercy upon him and his wife)]

Ref 2: Ar- Rajaa [Hope and longing] is that a person wishes for something that may be attained and is close, and it may be something that is far off but treated as being something close. This earnest hope which comprises humility and submission may not be directed except to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and directing it to anyone other than Allaah, the Most High, is shirk. This shirk will either be lesser shirk or major shirk depending upon the state of the heart of the person in this case. The author uses as evidence the Saying of Allaah, the Most High, “So whoever hopes to see His Lord and be rewarded by Him, then let him make his worship correct and make it purely and sincerely for Him; and let him not make any share of it for anyone other than Him.” [Soorah al-Kahf (18):11O] ‘Hope’ which is praiseworthy is only that which is found in a person who acts in obedience to Allaah and hopes for reward from Him, or a person who repents from sin and hopes that his repentance is accepted. As for a person who hopes despite the fact that he does not act, then this is delusion and false hopes, and is something blameworthy. [Source: English translation of the ‘Three fundamental principles’ by Abu Talhah (may Allaah have mercy upon him and his wife)]

Ref 3: Ar-Raghbah [Fervent Desire] and Ref 4: Ar-Rahbah [Dread]: Ar-Raghbah is the love and desire to reach that which is beloved. Ar-Rahbah is fear which causes one to flee away from the cause of fear. So it is a fear that is accompanied by action. Allaah [The Most High] said: [إِنَّهُمۡ ڪَانُواْ يُسَـٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلۡخَيۡرَٲتِ وَيَدۡعُونَنَا رَغَبً۬ا وَرَهَبً۬ا‌ۖ وَڪَانُواْ لَنَا خَـٰشِعِينَ – They used to hasten to acts of devotion and obedience to Allaah, and they used to worship Allaah upon love and desire, and upon fear, and were reverent and humble before Allaah] [21:90]

In this noble Ayah, Allaah, the Most High, describes the most loyal and sincere of His servants as worshipping Allaah, the Most High, upon raghbah and rahbah, whist being humble and submissive to Him. The du’aa (invocation) here covers both invoking Allaah through acts of worship, and supplication. So they call upon Allaah out of earnest desire for what is with Him, and hoping for His reward, whilst also fearing His punishment as a result of their sins. So the Believer should hasten to Allaah, the Most High, upon fear and earnest desire; with regard to actions of obedience his hope and earnest desire should predominate, so that he is keen to perform them and hopes that they will be accepted; and with regard to whenever he thinks of committing a sin, then fear should predominate so that he will flee away from doing it and be saved from its consequent punishment. Some scholars say that the aspect of hope should pre-dominate when a person is ill, and the aspect of fear when he is well. They say this since a person who is ill feels subdued and weakened and it may be that his appointed time is near, so that he may die, and he should do so whilst thinking good of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. But when healthy he is energetic and has hope of remaining for a long time, and this may lead him to be exuberant and carefree, so fear should predominate in order to be safe from that. It is also said that the earnest hope and fear should be equal so that his hope does not lead him to feel safe from Allaah, and his fear does not cause him to despair of Allaah’s mercy, since both of these are evil and cause a person’s destruction. [Source: English translation of the ‘Three fundamental principles’ by Abu Talhah (may Allaah have mercy upon him and his wife)]

Ref 4: Ar-Rahbah: [وَإِيَّـٰىَ فَٱرۡهَبُونِ – And have dread of Me]. And it is a type of Khawf (fear). Ar-Rahbah and Al-Khawf have one and the same meaning.

Ref 5: Al-Inaabah [turning to Allaah in repentance]: Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَأَنِيبُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمۡ وَأَسۡلِمُواْ لَهُ – So turn, O you people, repentantly and obediently to your Lord, and submit obediently to Him] [39:54]

Al-Inaabah is to turn to Allaah, the Most High, in obedience, and avoiding disobedience to Him, and its meaning is close to that of repentance (tawbah), except that it is more subtle in meaning, and conveys the sense of dependence upon Allaah and fleeing for refuge to Him, and it cannot be except for Allaah. What is meant by the Saying of Allaah, the Most High, “…submit obediently to Him” is: Islaam as prescribed and required of us in the Sharee’ah and that is to submit to the laws and commandments of Allaah. This is because submission to Allaah, the Most High, is of two types: (i) Submission of all the creation, which is to submit to whatever He has decreed should exist and occur in the creation about which the creation has no choice. So this is general and covers everyone in the heavens and the earth, the Believers and the unbelievers, the righteous and the wicked. No one can possibly disdain and depart from this. The evidence for it is the Saying of Allaah, the Most High, “And to Him everyone in the heavens and the earth submit, willingly or unwillingly, and to Him you will all be returned.” [Soorah Aal-‘Imraan (3):83] (ii) Submission to the laws and prescriptions of Islaam, and this is to submit in obedience. This is particular to those who are obedient to Allaah, the Messengers and those who follow them upon good. The evidences for this in the Qur’aan are many, and from them is the Aayah mentioned by the author [Soorah az-Zumar (39): 5] [Source: English translation of the ‘Three fundamental principles’ by Shaikh Abu Talhah (may Allaah have mercy upon him and his wife)]

[8] Enemies of The Qur’an Seek After The Impossible Through Their Wanton Behaviour

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Mental Health, Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

A Reminder to Those Who Rely On The Protection of Militant Secularists Who Deceive and Shelter Them to Disrespect The Qur’an In The Name of Free Speech

Allah [The Exalted] said:
مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡلِيَآءَ كَمَثَلِ ٱلۡعَنڪَبُوتِ ٱتَّخَذَتۡ بَيۡتً۬ا‌ۖ وَإِنَّ أَوۡهَنَ ٱلۡبُيُوتِ لَبَيۡتُ ٱلۡعَنڪَبُوتِ‌ۖ لَوۡ ڪَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ –

The likeness of those who take Awliya’ (protectors and helpers) other than Allah is as the likeness of a spider, who builds (for itself) a house, but verily, the frailest (weakest) of houses is the spider’s house, if they but knew]. [Surah Al-Ankabut. Verse 41]

Allah stated that they are weak and that those whom they regard as protectors and helpers are weaker than they are. In light of their frailty and their goal behind taking others as protectors and helpers other than Allah, they are similar to a spider who builds a house that is the frailest and weakest of houses. According to this parable, the polytheists become considerably weaker when they accept others as protectors and helpers besides Allah, and they do not gain (anything) from those they take as protectors and helpers besides Allah, just as Allah (stated in another verse):

وَٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ءَالِهَةً۬ لِّيَكُونُواْ لَهُمۡ عِزًّ۬ا
كَلَّا‌ۚ سَيَكۡفُرُونَ بِعِبَادَتِہِمۡ وَيَكُونُونَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ ضِدًّا

And they have taken (for worship) Aaliha (gods) besides Allah, that they might give them honour, power and glory (and also protect them from Allah’s Punishment etc.). Nay, but they (the so-called gods) will deny their worship of them, and become opponents to them (on the Day of Resurrection).

And Allah [The Most High] said:
وَٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ءَالِهَةً۬ لَّعَلَّهُمۡ يُنصَرُونَ
لَا يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ نَصۡرَهُمۡ وَهُمۡ لَهُمۡ جُندٌ۬ مُّحۡضَرُونَ

And they have taken besides Allah Aaliha (gods), hoping that they might be helped (by those so-called gods). They cannot help them, but they will be brought forward as a troop against those who worshipped them (at the time of Reckoning). [Surah Yaa Seen. Verses 74-75]

And after mentioning the destruction of the nations of the Mushrikoon, Allah said:
وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن ظَلَمُوٓاْ أَنفُسَہُمۡ‌ۖ فَمَآ أَغۡنَتۡ عَنۡہُمۡ ءَالِهَتُہُمُ ٱلَّتِى يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىۡءٍ۬ لَّمَّا جَآءَ أَمۡرُ رَبِّكَ‌ۖ وَمَا زَادُوهُمۡ غَيۡرَ تَتۡبِيبٍ۬

We wronged them not, but they wronged themselves. So their Aaliha (gods), other than Allah, whom they invoked, profited them naught when there came the Command of your Lord, nor did they add aught (to their lot) but destruction. [Surah Hud. Verse 101]

These four verses in the Qur’an demonstrate that the one who seeks protectors and helpers other than Allah–through whom he wants to empower himself, act arrogantly, and prevail–will achieve nothing but the contrary, and there is much more regarding this matter throughout the Qur’an. This is one of the finest parables and clearest evidence of the falsity of Shirk and the deprivation of the one who commits Shirk, and that he will achieve the reverse of what he seeks. (1)

Allah gave this similitude about those who worship others besides Him, seeking honour, strength, and benefit by way of that, however, Allah says that the affair is the polar opposite of the goal they desire since they are similar to a spider that constructs a house to shelter itself from the heat, cold, and injury; but the spider’s house is the frailest and weakest of all dwellings. The spider is one of those weak animals, and its house is one of the weakest of homes, and building its house does little to improve its strength beyond that. The same is true for those who take protectors and helpers other than Allah; they are in need and powerless to do anything when they take protectors and helpers other than Allah to seek honour and assistance through them; as a result, they exacerbate their weakness and feebleness by relying on them in many of their affairs related to their well-being and entrusting it to them, however, the (so-called protectors and helpers) desert them, so they do not obtain anything, not even the tiniest benefit. They would not have taken them (as protectors and helps besides Allah) if they had been aware of the reality of knowledge, their situation, and that of those whom they consider to be protectors and helpers besides Allah. Rather, they would have freed themselves from them and taken Allah as their Protector and Helper- the Lord Who is able to do all things, the One Who Bestows His Special Mercy on the Believers; Who – when a servant takes Him as his Protector and an Ally, He suffices him, looks after both his religious and worldly affairs, increases him in strength upon strength in his heart [i.e. Iman], his body [i.e. grant him the ability to seek after what is beneficial] (2)

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-tafseer Al-Jaami Lima Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim. Vol 2. Page299-300. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]

[7] Enemies of The Qur’an Seek After The Impossible Through Their Wanton Behaviour

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Refutations.

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

Allah [The Most High] said:
قَدۡ مَڪَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ فَأَتَى ٱللَّهُ بُنۡيَـٰنَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡقَوَاعِدِ فَخَرَّ عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلسَّقۡفُ مِن فَوۡقِهِمۡ وَأَتَٮٰهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ
ثُمَّ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يُخۡزِيهِمۡ وَيَقُولُ أَيۡنَ شُرَڪَآءِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ كُنتُمۡ تُشَـٰٓقُّونَ فِيہِمۡ‌ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ إِنَّ ٱلۡخِزۡىَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَٱلسُّوٓءَ عَلَى ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِينَ

Those before them indeed plotted, but Allah struck at the foundation of their building, and then the roof fell down upon them, from above them, and the torment overtook them from directions they did not perceive. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them and will say: “Where are My (so-called) ‘partners’ concerning whom you used to disagree and dispute (with the believers, by defying and disobeying Allah)?” Those who have been given the knowledge (about the Torment of Allah for the disbelievers) will say: “Verily! Disgrace this Day and misery are upon the disbelievers. [Surah An-Nahl. Ayaat 26-27]

[قَدۡ مَڪَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ – Those before them indeed plotted]: Meaning, conspired against their Messengers, used various techniques to reject what the messengers conveyed, and initiated robust safeguards (by way of arguments, and opinions) around their plots.

[فَأَتَى ٱللَّهُ بُنۡيَـٰنَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡقَوَاعِدِ – but Allah struck at the foundation of their building]– Meaning, an affair came to them from its basis and foundation; [فَخَرَّ عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلسَّقۡفُ مِن فَوۡقِهِمۡ – and then the roof fell down upon them, from above them] – Meaning, as a result, what they constructed became a form of punishment for them. [وَأَتَٮٰهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ – and the torment overtook them from directions they did not perceive]: Meaning, that is because they thought that such a structure would benefit and protect them from punishment, yet their punishment came as a result of what they built and established.

This is one of the best parables about how Allah foils His enemies’ plots, because they pondered and reflected on what the Messengers brought when they belied them, made up principles and rules for it based on falsehood, and referred back to them to reject what the Messengers brought, utilised tricks to cause discomfort to the Messengers and harm to those who followed them, but their plot became a source of evil against them, so their plan became their destruction, since their plot was evil, as Allah stated: [ وَلَا يَحِيقُ الْمَكْرُ السَّيِّئُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلِهِ – But the evil plot encompasses only him who makes it]. [Surah Faatir: Ayah: 43]

This is in this life, and the punishment in the afterlife would be even more shameful, therefore Allah said: [ثُمَّ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يُخۡزِيهِمۡ – Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them]. (1)

Allah [The Exalted] said: [وَقَدۡ مَكَرُواْ مَڪۡرَهُمۡ – Indeed, they planned their plot, and their plot was with Allah]- Meaning, the nations of old and their schemes that were tantamount to Shirk, or those who plotted to murder the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). [وَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ مَڪۡرُهُمۡ – and their plot was with Allah]– Meaning, their plot has been recorded in order for Allah to punish them. [وَإِن كَانَ مَڪۡرُهُمۡ لِتَزُولَ مِنۡهُ ٱلۡجِبَالُ – though their plot was a great (one, still) it would never be able to remove the mountains]. Az-Zujaaj said, “Even if their plot was so severe that it could move a mountain, they would still be unable to put an end to Islam”. (2) “Even if their plot becomes powerful enough to move a mountain, Allah will nonetheless support the religion He has established”. (3)

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Tafseer as-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: Zaadul Maseer Fee Ilmit Tafseer. By Imaam Ibnul Jawzi]

[Ref 3: Fat-hul Qadeer. 3/160]

 

[5] Enemies of The Qur’an Seek After The Impossible Through Their Wanton Behaviour

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Callers & Individuals, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Refutations, Scholars of Islam.

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

Allah [The Exalted] said:

وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ وَلِتَسْتَبِينَ سَبِيلُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ

And thus do We explain the signs (to you O Muḥammad) in detail, and so that the way of the criminals may become evident (to you)] [Surah Al-An’aam. Aayah 55] (1)

Imam Ibn Katheer [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated regarding this Ayah: “Allah [The Exalted] stated that just as He explained what was previously explained of the arguments and evidence on the path of guidance and sound judgement, and censured argumentation and stubbornness; likewise He explains the signs (proofs, evidences, lessons), which those being addressed are in need of; [ولتستبين سبيل المجرمين – and so that the way of the criminals may become evident (to you)]. Meaning, so that the path of the criminals – those who oppose the Messengers – may become evident”. (2)

Imam At-Tabari [may Allah have mercy upon him] stated regarding the statement of Allah: [وكذلك نفصل الآيات – And thus do We explain the signs (to you O Muḥammad) in detail]- Meaning, O Muhammad! Just as We have detailed for you in this Surah – from its beginning and introduction up to this point – our proofs and evidences against the idolaters and worshippers of images, and distinguished and clarified it for you; likewise, We explain to you our signs and evidences for every truth denied by the people of falsehood, the sects and other than them, until its truth is distinguished from its falsehood, and its right is distinguished from its wrong. (3)

Allah [The Exalted] said:
وَلَا يَأۡتُونَكَ بِمَثَلٍ إِلَّا جِئۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَحۡسَنَ تَفۡسِيرًا

And they bring no (argument or objection by way of a) similitude (to criticise this Qur’ān and oppose your message) except that We bring you the truth and the better explanation thereof (through a similitude that is superior to theirs, provides detail and invalidates their objection). (4)

[وَلَا يَأۡتُونَكَ بِمَثَلٍ – And they bring no (argument or objection by way of a) similitude]- Meaning, by which they (attempt) to oppose and repel the truth as well as your message; [إِلَّا جِئۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَحۡسَنَ تَفۡسِيرًا – except that We bring you the truth and the better explanation thereof (through a similitude that is superior to theirs, provides detail and invalidates their objection)]- Meaning, We sent down to you the Qur’an, which has all truth in its meaning, as well as clear and flawless elucidation of its wordings, because all of its meanings are truth and credibility, not tainted by falsehood or doubt from any angle. (5)

[Ref 1: Translation by Shaikh Abu Iyaad: https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/6_55%5D

[Ref 2: Tafseer ibn Katheer]

[Ref 3: Tafseer at-Tabari]

[Ref 4: https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/25_33 By Shaikh Abu Iyaad (may Allah preserve him)]

[Ref 5: An Excerpt from Tafseer as-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]

[2] Enemies of The Qur’an Seek After The Impossible Through Their Wanton Behaviour

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Callers & Individuals, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, History of Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Refutations, Sin.

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

Allah [The Exalted] said:

ذَرۡنِى وَمَنۡ خَلَقۡتُ وَحِيدً۬ا
وَجَعَلۡتُ لَهُ ۥ مَالاً۬ مَّمۡدُودً۬ا
وَبَنِينَ شُہُودً۬ا
وَمَهَّدتُّ لَهُ ۥ تَمۡهِيدً۬ا
ثُمَّ يَطۡمَعُ أَنۡ أَزِيدَ
كَلَّآ‌ۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ كَانَ لِأَيَـٰتِنَا عَنِيدً۬ا
سَأُرۡهِقُهُ ۥ صَعُودًا
إِنَّهُ ۥ فَكَّرَ وَقَدَّرَ
فَقُتِلَ كَيۡفَ قَدَّرَ
ثُمَّ قُتِلَ كَيۡفَ قَدَّرَ
ثُمَّ نَظَرَ
ثُمَّ عَبَسَ وَبَسَرَ
ثُمَّ أَدۡبَرَ وَٱسۡتَكۡبَرَ
فَقَالَ إِنۡ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحۡرٌ۬ يُؤۡثَرُ
إِنۡ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا قَوۡلُ ٱلۡبَشَرِ
سَأُصۡلِيهِ سَقَرَ
وَمَآ أَدۡرَٮٰكَ مَا سَقَرُ
لَا تُبۡقِى وَلَا تَذَرُ
لَوَّاحَةٌ۬ لِّلۡبَشَرِ
Surah Al-Mud-dath-thir. Ayaat 11-29

[ذَرْنِى وَمَنْ خَلَقْتُ وَحِيدًا – Leave Me with the one I created alone] – Meaning, I created him alone without wealth and family, and without anything else, and I did not cease taking care of him and nurturing him; [وَجَعَلْتُ لَهُۥ مَالًا مَّمْدُودًا – And then granted him resources in abundance]; [وَبَنِينَ شُهُودًا – And children present (with him)]; [وَمَهَّدتُّ لَهُۥ تَمْهِيدًا – And made life smooth and comfortable for him!]- Meaning, I gave him ability in this world and bestowed on him the means of attaining the worldly things, and thus he was able to obtain all that he desired and wanted. [ثُمَّ يَطْمَعُ أَنْ أَزِيدَ – then after all that he desires that I should give more]- Meaning, he desires enjoyment in the Afterlife as he acquired it in the worldly life; [كَلَّآ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ لِءَايَٰتِنَا عَنِيدًا – Nay! Verily, he has been stubborn and opposing Our Signs]- Meaning, the affair will not be as he desires, rather, it is the opposite of his goal and pursuit because he is a wilful opponent who is well acquainted (with his rejection of the truth) – called to the truth, but he did not submit with obedience. And he did not suffice with turning away, rather, he waged war against the truth and strove to nullify it. And because of this Allah said (about him): [إِنَّهُۥ فَكَّرَ وَقَدَّرَ – Verily, he thought and plotted]- Meaning, he thought to himself regarding what to say to nullify the Qur’an. (1)

Then Allah said about him:
فَقُتِلَ كَيْفَ قَدَّرَ
ثُمَّ قُتِلَ كَيْفَ قَدَّرَ

So let him be cursed! How he plotted! And once more let him be cursed, how he plotted!

Then Allah said:
ثُمَّ نَظَرَ
ثُمَّ عَبَسَ وَبَسَرَ
Then he thought (again); then he frowned and he looked in a bad-tempered way;

[ثُمَّ أَدْبَرَ وَٱسْتَكْبَرَ – Then he turned back and was arrogant]- Meaning, turned away and became arrogant due to the efforts he made with regards to his thoughts, statements, and deeds, and then said:

إِنْ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌ يُؤْثَرُ
إِنْ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا قَوْلُ ٱلْبَشَرِ

“This is nothing but magic from that of old. This is nothing but the word of a human being!” Meaning, “this is not Allah’s Speech, rather, it is the speech of a human. Also, it is not the statement of good (or righteous) people, rather, it is the speech of evil-doers and evil people, such as liars and magicians”. So, Allah said about him:

سَأُصْلِيهِ سَقَرَ
وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا سَقَرُ
لَا تُبْقِى وَلَا تَذَرُ
لَوَّاحَةٌ لِّلْبَشَرِ

I will cast him into Hellfire; and what will make you know exactly what Hellfire is? It does not spare (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)! Burning the skins!

[1] An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. slightly paraphrased