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The current discussion among some Muslims about Ath’thaqafah

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

Some very important points not to overlook in discussions among some Muslims about Ath’thaqafah (culture and cultural reformation) in Africa and other places

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, said that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “The most hated people to Allah are three: a person who deviates from right conduct [i.e. an evil doer] in the Haram [sanctuaries of Makkah and Madinah]; a person who seeks that the traditions of the pre-Islamic era Period of Ignorance should remain in Islam and a person who seeks to shed somebody’s blood without any right”.

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

These three deeds are from the major sins. The first major sin is Al-Ilhad Fil Haram [i.e. deviating from right conduct in the sanctuaries of Makkah and Madinah]. Ilhad means to deviate from the truth [and enter into] falsehood, and supporting falsehood in order to obliterate the truth. Allah [The Mighty and Majestic] censured the Mulhideen Fil Haram [i.e. those who deviate from right conduction in the sanctuaries of Makkah and Madinah], saying: [وَمَن يُرِدۡ فِيهِ بِإِلۡحَادِۭ بِظُلۡمٍ۬ نُّذِقۡهُ مِنۡ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ۬ – And whoever intends evil actions therein or to do wrong (i.e. practice polytheism and leave Islamic Monotheism), We shall make him taste a painful torment]. [Surah Al-Hajj. 25]

Allah promised them [a severe punishment] due to the mere fact they intend evil actions therein [i.e. in the sanctuaries of Makkah and Madinah], then how about perpetrating such deed! Indeed that would be a more severe sin, a more frightening state and a more severe punishment. This is a proof regarding the virtue of the sanctuaries of the Haram- that it is a sacred land chosen by Allah and He made it a place where virtuous acts of worship are performed, [such as] the Hajj which is one of the pillars of Islam. Allah gave this place virtues that cannot be enumerated, such as the increased reward attached to good deeds [performed in Makkah and Madinah] and gave this land virtue over all other lands of the earth.

The second major sin is committed by the person who wants that the pre-Islamic traditions should remain in Islam, as if he gives precedence to the pre-Islamic traditions – the evil customs that were followed during that period and the misguided deeds- over the Islamic practices, Iman, Ihsan, their virtue and virtue of the Sunnah. He is guilty of committing a major sin, and this includes giving precedence to Bidah over [the authentic] Sunnah that guides to the straight path.

The third major sin is to seek to shed somebody’s blood without any right – meaning: seeking to shed the blood of a Muslim without right and doing so based on oppression and animosity. Shedding the blood of a Muslim is a great crime, just as the Prophet said, “The extinction of the whole world is less significant to Allah than killing a Muslim [i.e. unlawfully]”. And he, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, stated regarding the rights of the Ka’bah, “How great you are and how great is your sanctity! But the sanctity of a believer is greater than yours in the sight of Allah”. It is not permissible to transgress against the Muslims and the believers – males and females- in the sanctuaries of [Makkah and Madinah] or in other places due to the great sin and punishment which results from that. [1]

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

Indeed, (acts and beliefs) that are tantamount to ascribing partners to Allah have become rife in this Ummah due to the people being distanced from the Qur’an and the Sunnah, blindly following their forefathers without guidance, exaggerating the status of the dead people (i.e. either pious people or those whom they consider being pious), building (shrines and tombs over their) graves, and being ignorant of the (true) Islam which Allah commanded His Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] to convey, as Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Verily, the (firm) foundations of Islam will be destroyed one after the other when there arises in Islam a people who do not know what Jahiliyyah is [i.e. the acts and beliefs that were prevalent during the pre-Islamic era]; and due to the spread of Shubhah [doubts that are made to resemble the truth but are falsehood in reality] and stories that have misguided the majority of the people. One of these [Shubhah- doubts made to resemble the truth but are falsehood in reality] is what the people of Shirk of the past and those in this Ummah – at present – utilise as proof that they follow the path of their fathers and ancestors, and that they inherited this creed [i.e. polytheistic beliefs and practices] from them, as Allah [The Exalted] said:

وَكَذَٲلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ۬ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَ

And similarly, We sent not a warner before you (O Muhammad) to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: “We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps”. [Az-Zukhruf Ayah 23]

Everyone unable to establish proof for his claim returns to this proof, even though it is useless proof that does not carry any weight in (sound) discussion because those ancestors they blindly follow were not upon (upright) guidance. Therefore, whoever (follows this path), it is not permissible to follow and take him as an example. Allah [The Most High] said: [أَوَلَوۡ كَانَ ءَابَآؤُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَلَا يَہۡتَدُونَ – Even though their fathers had no knowledge whatsoever and no guidance]. [Al-Ma’idah. 104]

Allah [The Exalted] said: [أَوَلَوۡ كَانَ ءَابَآؤُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡقِلُونَ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَلَا يَهۡتَدُونَ – Even though their fathers did not understand anything nor were they guided?] [Al-Baqarah. 170]

Following ancestors is only praiseworthy if they were upon the truth. Allah [The Most High] said that Yusuf, peace be upon him, said:

وَٱتَّبَعۡتُ مِلَّةَ ءَابَآءِىٓ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ وَإِسۡحَـٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوبَ‌ۚ مَا كَانَ لَنَآ أَن نُّشۡرِكَ بِٱللَّهِ مِن شَىۡءٍ۬‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ مِن فَضۡلِ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡنَا وَعَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَشۡكُرُونَ

And I have followed the religion of my fathers, – Ibrahim (Abraham), Ishaque (Isaac), and Ya’qub (Jacob), and never could we attribute any partners whatsoever to Allah. This is from the Grace of Allah to us and to mankind, but most men thank not (i.e. they neither believe in Allah nor worship Him). [Surah Yusuf’ Ayah 38]

Allah [The Most High] said: [وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱتَّبَعَتۡہُمۡ ذُرِّيَّتُہُم بِإِيمَـٰنٍ أَلۡحَقۡنَا بِہِمۡ – And those who believe and whose offspring follow them in Faith, to them shall We join their offspring [i.e. in paradise]. [Al-Tur. 21] [2]

Imam Ash-Shatibee, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated that customs are many different types- some are good and others are corrupt. The good customs are those that neither oppose the Shariah texts nor lead to losing an affair deemed to be beneficial by the Shariah, nor lead to an affair that the Shariah deems to be corrupt. As for the corrupt customs, they are those that oppose the evidence in the Shariah or some of the principles of the Shariah, such as some of the customary dealings in usury and those deeds deemed to be evil by the Shariah which the people engage in during occasions of happiness (or rejoicing, etc). [3]

Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: It is obligated on every Muslim that he does not depend on custom; rather he presents it to the pure Islamic legislation [to be judged], so whatever the Islamic legislation affirms is permissible and whatever it does not affirm is impermissible. The customs of the people are not proof to determine the lawfulness of anything. All the customs of the people in their countries or tribes must be presented to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] for judgment, so whatever Allah and His Messenger made permissible is permissible, and whatever they forbid, then it is obligatory to abandon it even if it is the custom of the people. [4]

Imam Muhammad Bin Salih Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: The customs cannot make something that is not legislated (in the divine revelation) as something legislated, because of Allah’s statement:

[وَلَيۡسَ ٱلۡبِرُّ بِأَن تَأۡتُواْ ٱلۡبُيُوتَ مِن ظُهُورِهَا – It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, etc.) that you enter the houses from the back] [Surah Al-Baqarah. Ayah 189], even though it was something they took as their custom and considered it to be an act of righteousness. Whoever takes something as a custom and believes that it is an act of righteousness, then it should be presented to Allah’s divine legislation. [5]

Imam Muhammad Bin Salih Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, also said: Extremism about customs is stringent adherence to old customs and not diverting to what is better than them. If the customs are equal in benefit [i.e. the ones judged to be permissible by the divine legislation], then a person remaining upon what he is upon would be better than going along with the new (or emerging) customs. [6]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: Hardship is only encountered by the one who abandons the Ma’loofaat and Awaa’id [i.e. those habitual things, deeds, practices, customs etc] for other than the sake of Allah. As for the one who abandons them truthfully and sincerely from the bottom of his heart- for the sake of Allah alone- then indeed he does not encounter any difficulty due to abandoning them except in the beginning, in order that he is tested as to whether he is truthful or untruthful in abandoning them? If he exercises a little bit of patience, its [i.e. that abandonment] will alternate into pleasure. Ibn Seereen said that he heard Shurayh swearing by Allah that “A servant does not abandon anything for the sake of Allah and finds a loss in that.” And their statement [i.e. the people of knowledge] that ‘whoever abandons something for the Sake of Allah, Allah will replace it with what is better.” This is true. This compensation is of different types and the best of that which a person is compensated with is: the desire and yearning to get close to Allah, seeking after Allah’s pleasure, love of Allah, and the heart granted-by way of it- tranquility, strength, enthusiasm, happiness and being pleased with its Lord [The Most High]. [7]

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

I have left you with two matters; you will not go astray as long as you hold fast to them: the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet. [Al-Muwatta 2/899]

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

The devil has despaired of being worshipped in your land (i.e. The Arabian Peninsula); however, he is content to be obeyed in other matters that you may consider trivial in your actions. Therefore, be cautious. I have left witrh you that which, if you hold fast to it, you will never go astray: the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet”. [Sahih at-Targhib 40]

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

Whoever ponders upon the state of affairs of the world will find that every affair of rectification is due to Tawheed, singling out Allah in worship and obedience to His Messenger (Muhammad). And every evil in the world, trial, affliction, scarcity (in livelihood), being overpowered by an enemy and other than that is due to (our) opposition to the Messenger and the call to other than (the way of) Allah and His Messenger. Whoever truly ponders upon this and examines the state of affairs of the world- since its beginning and until the time Allah will take it away and those upon it- he will realise this affair regarding himself and others, in general and specific (circumstances). And there is no Might or Power except with Allah –The Most High, The Most Great. [Badaa’i Al-Fawa’id 3/525-526]

Imam Al-Lalaka’ee, may Allah have mercy upon him said:

Indeed, the most obligated matter to a person is to understand the creed of the religion and that which Allah has imposed on His servants regarding the comprehension of His oneness and attributes; the affirmation of (belief) in His Messengers (and what they have conveyed) through evidence and certainty, the means to access its paths and using them for proofs and evidences. The mightiest of statements and the clearest evidence is the Book of Allah, the unequivocal truth, followed by the sayings of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his righteous companions, then that which the pious predecessors agreed upon (consensus) and then adherence to all of them until the Day of Judgment, while avoiding Bidah and not lending an ear to it, which has been initiated by the misguided ones.

These inherited and followed advices- preserved and transmitted narrations (on creed, worship, methodology, manners, dealings etc) established paths of truth, well-known and evident proofs, and compelling arguments that were acted upon by the companions and their successors, as well as by both the distinguished men of piety and their folk among the Muslims, were held as belief by them- as proof between them and Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Furthermore, those who emulate them among the guided Imams and those adherents who followed in their footsteps, striving to follow the path of the pious, are counted among those who are truly righteous and the good doers. Those who embark on such a path and consistently adhere to these proofs in accordance with the path of the Shariah will find security in their religion in both this life and the hereafter, and will hold firmly to the trustworthy handhold -(none has the right to be worshipped except Allah) – that will never break. [8]

Imam Al-Hasan al-Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

I swear by the One (Allah) besides whom there is no deity worthy of worship but Him! The Sunnah is between the extremes of those who are excessive and those who are neglectful. Therefore, be patient upon it (the Sunnah) – may Allah have mercy on you- for the people of the Sunnah were the fewest among the people in the past, and they remained the fewest among those who remained. Neither did they go along with the excessive ones in their excesses nor with the proponents of Bidah in their Bidah, while remaining steadfast in their adherence to the Sunnah until they met their Lord. Thus, if Allah wills, let it be the same for you. [9]

Imam Muhammad Ibn Sirin, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

They (the pious predecessors) held as their belief that the right path is what is based on the authentic narrations of the Prophet and his companions. [10]

Imam Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz, may Allah have mercy on him, stated:

Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and the leaders who succeeded him (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali) established matters based on the pure revelation; adhering to them is an affirmation of Allah’s Book (the Qur’an), complete obedience to Allah, and strength in the religion ordained by Allah. No one has the authority to alter or change these practices, nor substitute them in opposition. Whoever follows these practices is rightly guided, and he who seeks assistance will be assisted (through them). Whoever opposes them and pursues a path other than that of the believers (the companions of the Prophet), Allah will leave him to what he has chosen and cast him into Hell, and what an evil destination. [11]

Imam Az-Zuhri, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

Those who preceded us among our scholars used to say: “Adhering to the Sunnah is salvation and that knowledge is rapidly taken away. The presence of knowledge is the stability of both the religion and worldly affairs, and with the loss of knowledge follows the loss of all of that (i.e. the emergence of corruption).” [12]

Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Whoever introduces a bidah in Islam and considers it to be good, he has implied that Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has betrayed his mission. This is because Allah says:[اليوم أكملت لكم دينكم – “This day I have perfected your religion for you]. Therefore, anything that was not part of the religion at that time cannot be considered part of the religion today. [13]

Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Whoever becomes acquainted with the path of truth, it has been made easy for him to follow. And there is no proof for adhering to the path of Allah except through emulating the Messenger, peace be upon him, in his conduct, statements, and deeds.” [14]

Ibn Ataa, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Whoever commits himself to the etiquettes of the Sunnah, Allah will illuminate their heart with the light of knowledge, and there is no status more noble than following the beloved (Prophet) in His commands, actions, and manners.” [15]

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

Acts of worship are to be based on the authentic Sunnah, neither vain desires nor Bidah”. [16]

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

Whoever adheres to the Book and the Sunnah, distancing himself from his vain desires and that of others, and turns to Allah with his heart, he is truthful and upon what is correct”. [17]

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Whoever abandons the evidence will stray from the path, and there is no evidence except that which has been brought forth by the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him”. [18]

Saudi King Abdul Azeez Bin Abdir-Rahman, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

The foundation of the Islamic Creed is the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] and that which the Sahabah were upon; then the pious predecessors after them, and then after them the four Imams of the Muslims- Imam Malik, Imam Shafi’i, Imam Ahmad and Imam Abu Hanifah. The creed of these people is one in the foundation of the religion and that is the three categories of Tawheed- the Oneness of Allah in His Lordship, the Oneness of Allah in that He (alone) has the right to be worshipped and His Oneness in His Names and Attributes”.

It is obligatory that we adhere to the Rope of Allah  [i.e. the Qur’an, Sunnah etc] and that which the Salafus Saaleh [pious predecessors] were upon. If we adhere to this, we will be callers to Allah  [i.e. Callers to Tawheed, the Sunnah and everything Allah has commanded], establish our affairs based on what Allah has revealed, speak and establish our economic affairs based on Taqwaa [i.e. fear of Allah by fulfilling everything Allah has commanded and keeping away from everything Allah has forbidden], so that Allah may show us kindness. However, if we do not do so and we are abandoned to our own selves, then we might become like what Ali  [may Allah be pleased with him] that Allah said: [نَسُوا اللَّهَ فَنَسِيَهُمْ – They have forgotten Allah, so He has forgotten them]”. [Al-Anfal. 67]

O Muslims! It is obligatory that we hold onto the Rope of Allah (i.e. the Qur’an), follow the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him], follow the guidance of the Messenger, act on Allah’s orders and keep away from what Allah has forbidden. Indeed, every speech that is not followed by action is false. There can be no rectification for the Muslims except through their unity upon singling out their Lord in [His Lordship, Names and Attributes and worshipping Him alone and associate none to Him as a partner in Worship]. And during every differing that leads to splitting and division, the Religion commands us to hold onto Allah’s Shariah, enjoin one another with the truth and patience, just as Allah [The Most High] commanded us in the Qur’an. We should be truly acquainted with our Lord and seek His Aid and Assistance. We do not fear except the (consequences of) our sins and it is obligated on the Muslims to follow Allah’s Religion and obey all that Allah has ordered, practically. In this is the (means of) rectifying their worldly affairs and the upright establishment of all their (other) affairs”.

Deeds that are in opposition to the Shariah can never be beneficial for anyone and all harm (is found) in following other than the foundation brought by our Prophet Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him].

Indeed, the progress and advancement of the Muslims is among those affairs we (pursue) – we call to it by the will of Allah. (However), there cannot be advancement for the Muslims without a return to their religion, adherence to their sound creed and holding onto the Rope of Allah (i.e. the Qur’an and the Sunnah). The path towards this is clear and provided for the one who wants to follow it, and that is to single out Allah in worship – to be free from shirk and bidah- and act on that which the religion has commanded us, for indeed there is no benefit in speech if not (accompanied) by action. [19]

Saudi Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allah have mercy upon him] said:

The latter part of this Muslim nation will not be rectified except through that which rectified its early part”, just as the people of knowledge and sound faith have stated. This is a statement of Imam Malik [may Allah have mercy upon him]- the well-known scholar of sound understanding and piety. Many other people of knowledge reported this statement during and after his era and they all agreed that the latter part of this Muslim nation will not be rectified except by way of that which rectified its earlier part. This means that the path followed by its earlier generations -the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His noble Messenger – is what will rectify its future generations until the Day of Judgement. The one who wishes to rectify an Islamic society or any other society in this worldly life through other than the path and practical steps that rectified those who have preceded, then such a person is mistaken and has spoken untruth. There is no path other than the path (of the Messenger and his companions). The only path of rectification and uprightness is the one that was followed by our Prophet and his noble companions, and then those who follow them exactly in righteousness till this era of ours. And this necessitates:

-To give close attention to the Great Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger and convey them to the people.

-To acquire understanding of the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah and convey both of them with knowledge and clear-sightedness.

-To clarify the rulings found in the Qur’an and the Sunnah, including – first and foremost – the sound creed and the views that must be accepted by the Islamic society. On the other hand, one should clarify the forbidden creeds and views that are to be avoided.

-To clarify the boundaries of Halaal and Haraam that have been legislated by Allah and His Messenger, so that they are not violated. Allah [The Mighty and Majestic] said: [تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُوهَا – These are the limits (set) by Allah, so approach them not] [Al-Baqarah. 187]

These limits are the unlawful deeds forbidden by Allah because they lead to sins. And just as Allah forbade mankind from going beyond the boundaries of Halaal and Haraam, He also legislated acts of worship and rulings in the religion. [20]

Imam Abu Shamah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “When the command to adhere to the Jamaa’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 Jamaa’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”. [21]

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 Allaah has forbidden, even if the people do it, for indeed the truth is more worthy of being followed, just as Allaah [The Most High] said:

[وَإِنْ تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّه ِ -And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah’s Path. [Surah Al An-aam Ayah 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] [22]

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 Munaafiqoon that they have tongues that utter beautiful speech. Allah said: [وَإِن يَقُولُواْ تَسۡمَعۡ لِقَوۡلِهِمۡ – And when they speak, you listen to their words]. [Al-Munaafiqoon. 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. [23]

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

A large number of people around a person is not proof that such a person is virtuous because some of the Prophets were only followed by a few people. “A Prophet will come on the day of judgment with a few followers and a Prophet will come with no followers”. [Bukhaari 5705]. Therefore, does this mean that such a Prophet is not virtuous? Absolutely not! A person does not look at the large number of people who are present because the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said to Ali, “If Allah gives guidance to a single man through you, it is better for you than possessing red camels”. [Bukhaari 3009]

The Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, also stated, “Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’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 Jamaa’ah. The Jamaa’ah does not necessitate great numbers; rather the Jamaa’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”. [24]

Al-Allamah Ahmad Bin Yahyah An-Najmi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Know that the truth is that what (has been revealed by) Allah and (given to) His Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him in the Book and the Sunnah, even if its adherents and those who embrace it are few. What is conveyed in the Islamic legislation is the truth one is commanded to follow, even if the majority of the people free themselves from it and those who follow it are few. Allah stated:

ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاكَ عَلَىٰ شَرِيعَةٍ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ فَاتَّبِعْهَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
إِنَّهُمْ لَنْ يُغْنُوا عَنْكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا ۚ وَإِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۖ وَاللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ

Then We have put you (O Muhammad) on a plain way of (Our) commandment [like the one which We commanded Our Messengers before you (i.e. legal ways and laws of the Islamic Monotheism)]. So follow you that (Islamic Monotheism and its laws), and follow not the desires of those who know not. Verily, they can avail you nothing against Allah (if He wants to punish you). Verily, the Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, etc.) are Auliya’ (protectors, helpers, etc.) to one another, but Allah is the Wali (Helper, Protector, etc.) of the Muttaqun (pious). [Al-Jaathiya. 18-19]

Therefore, O slave of Allah! Be eager to follow the truth, follow the straight path and the path of early pious predecessors- the companions of the Messenger, and do not feel lonely due to the small numbers of those who follow it and the large numbers of those who oppose it, for indeed Ibrahim, peace be upon him, was an Imaam on his own and with Allah lies all success. [25]

Read article by Shaikh Abu Khadeejah, may Allah preserve him:

The State of the Ummah: Causes that led to its Weakness and the Means of Rectification (eBook)

We ask Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الثَّبَاتَ فِي الْأَمْرِ، وَالْعَزِيمَةَ عَلَى الرُّشْدِ

O Allah! Indeed, I ask You for steadfastness in this affair (regarding sound adherence to the religion) and firm resolve to adhere to the path of guidance. [26]

اللّهُـمَّ رَبَّ جِـبْرائيل ، وَميكـائيل ، وَإِسْـرافيل، فاطِـرَ السَّمواتِ وَالأَرْض ، عالـِمَ الغَيْـبِ وَالشَّهـادَةِ أَنْـتَ تَحْـكمُ بَيْـنَ عِبـادِكَ فيـما كانوا فيهِ يَخْتَلِفـون. اهدِنـي لِمـا اخْتُـلِفَ فيـهِ مِنَ الْحَـقِّ بِإِذْنِك ، إِنَّـكَ تَهْـدي مَنْ تَشـاءُ إِلى صِراطٍ مُسْتَقـيم

O Allah! Lord of Jibraa’eel, Meekaa’eel, and Israafeel, Creator of the heavens and the Earth, The Knower of the seen and the unseen. You judge between Your slaves regarding in that which they differ. Guide me to the truth regarding that in which there is differing, by Your Will. Verily, You guide whomever you will to the straight path. [27]

اللَّهُمَّ بِعِلْمِكَ الْغَيْبَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَى الْخَلْقِ أَحْيِنِي مَا عَلِمْتَ الْحَيَاةَ خَيْراً لِي وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا عَلِمْتَ الْوَفَاةَ خَيْراً لِي، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَشْيَتَكَ فِي الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ كَلِمَةَ الْحَقِّ فِي الرِّضَا وَالْغَضَبِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الْقَصْدَ فِي الْغِنَى وَالْفَقْرِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ نَعِيماً لَا يَنْفَذُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَا تَنْقَطِعُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الرِّضِا بَعْدَ الْقَضَاءِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ بَرْدَ الْعَيْشِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ لَذَّةَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى وَجْهِكَ وَالشَّوْقَ إِلَى لِقَائِكَ فِي غَيْرِ ضَرَّاءَ مُضِرَّةٍ وَلَا فِتْنَةٍ مُضِلَّةٍ، اللَّهُمَّ زَيِّنَّا بِزِينَةِ الْإِيمَانِ
وَاجْعَلْنَا هُدَاةً مُهْتَدِينَ

O Allah! By Your Knowledge of the unseen and by Your Power over creation, let me live if life is good for me, and let me die if death is good for me; O Allah! I ask You to grant me (the blessing of having) fear of You in private and public, and I ask You (to make me utter) a statement of truth in times of contentment and anger, and I ask You for moderation when in a state of wealth and poverty, and I ask you for blessings that never ceases, and I ask You for the coolness of my eye that never ends, and I ask You (to make me pleased) after (Your) decree; and I ask You for a life of (ease, comfort, tranquillity, etc) after death; I ask You for the delight of looking at Your Face (i.e. in the Hereafter) and yearning to meet You without any harm and misleading trials (coming upon me). O Allah! Adorn us with the adornment of Iman, and make us (from those who are) guided and guiding (others). [29]

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي
وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ
وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

O Allah! Rectify my religion for me, which is the safeguard of my affairs; rectify my worldly [affairs], wherein is my livelihood; and rectify my Afterlife to which is my return; and make life for me [as a means of] increase in every good and make death for me as a rest from every evil. [29]


[ 1]: at-Taleeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah. 1/429-430

[2] Muhaadaraat Fil Aqeedah Wad-Da’wah’ page 18-20

[3]Al-Muwaafaqaat 2/283

[4]Majmoo Al-Fataawas 6/510

[5]Tafseer Surah Al-Baqarah 2/299

[6]Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 7/7

[7] Al-Fawaa’id page 166

[8] Sharh Usul Al-Ittiqad Ahl As-Sunnah Wal Jama’ah 1/7

[9] Ighatha Al-Lahfan 1/70

[10] Sunan Ad-Darimi 1/66

[11] Ighatha Al-Lahfan 1/159

[12] Al-Darimi 1/5

[13] Al-I’tisam 1/28

[14] Madarij As-Salikin 2/486

[15] Madarij As-Salikin 2/486

[16] Majmoo Al-Fatawa 4/170 (Ibn Taymiyyah)

[17] Madarij As-Salikin 2/487

[18] Miftah Dar As-Sa’adah 1/85

[19] An Excerpt from  “Haqeeqah Manhaj Al-Mamlakah Al-Arabiyyah As-Su’oodiyyah”. Pages 26-33]

[20] An Excerpt from ‘Awaamil Islaah Al-Mujtama’ah pages 1-2]

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

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

[23] قم المعاند – 2/547

[24] An Excerpt from ( لمحة عن الفرق الضالة )– pages 14 -15

[25] An Excerpt from Irshaad As-Saaree Fee Sharh Sunnah Lil-Barbahaaree page: 47

[26] Irwaa al-Ghaleel 1/115

[27] Saheeh Muslim 770

[28] As-Saheehah Number 1301

[29] Sahih Muslim. 2720]

Contextual Integrity at Risk

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ‌ۚ إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah; even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do. [An-Nisaa. 135]

[وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا – and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do]- meaning, Allah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] mentions two reasons that will inevitably lead to concealment of truth then He warned against them and issued a threat: the first of them is distortion and the second is to turn away from giving truthful witness. That is because when a proof that supports the truth is manifested and the one who wants to repel it finds no way of doing so, he refrains from mentioning it and thus becomes a silent devil, and sometimes he distorts it. Distortion is of two types -distorting words and meanings. Distorting words occur when one utters a word in a context in which it does not establish the truth – either adding to the word, omitting something from it, or substituting it with something else to the extent that the listener is made to believe something, whilst something else is intended, just as the Yahood [i.e. those Yahood who disbelieved in the Prophet and hated him in Madeenah] used to distort words when giving Salaam to the Prophet [i.e. saying As-Saamu Alayka (death be upon you), instead of saying Assalaamu alaykum)]. This is one type of distortion. The second type of distortion is related to meanings – distorting the wording, giving it an interpretation that is not intended by the one who uttered it and pretending not to know its unintended meaning; or dropping other meanings intended by it. Allah [The Exalted] said: [وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا – and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do] [1]

Beware of kadhib, as it corrupts one’s ability to teach people as well as one ability to illustrate information based on how it should actually be. The liar presents what is present as something non-existent and what is non-existent as something present; misrepresents the truth as being something false and falsehood as being something true; misrepresents the good and the evil, so he corrupts his conception and knowledge, which subsequently results in his punishment. Then he portrays what is not true to the one who has been duped by him – the one who is drawn to him – and therefore corrupts his conception and knowledge.

The soul of the liar turns away from existing reality, preferring the non-existent, and falsehood. And when his conception and knowledge is corrupted, which is the basis of every wilfully chosen deed, his deeds become corrupt and marked by lies, so those deeds would emanate from him just as lies emanate from the tongue- neither benefits from his tongue nor his deeds (i.e. in relation to the specific affair). Because of this, lying serves as the foundation of immorality, as the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “Indeed, lies lead to immorality (or wickedness), and indeed, immorality (or wickedness) leads to the fire.” [Bukhaari 2606/2607]

Lies first emerge from the heart and then on the tongue, corrupting it; then they transfer to the limbs and corrupt their deeds, just as they corrupt statements of the tongue. As a result, lying prevails over his utterances, deeds, and state of affairs; corruption gets deeply ingrained in him, and its disease leads to destruction if Allah does not grant him recovery with the medication of truthfulness, which uproots the source (or basis) of the lies. This is why the basis of all deeds of the heart is truthfulness, and the basis of their opposites is lies, such as boasting, self-amazement, pride, being glad (with ungratefulness to Allah’s Favours), conceitedness, boastfulness, insolence, weakness, laziness, cowardice, disgrace, and others.

Every righteous deed, whether done privately or publicly, is founded on truthfulness. And the source of every corrupt deed, whether private or public, is lies. Allah punishes the liar by preventing him (i.e. due to his own chosen evil) from those things that will bring him well-being and benefit, while He rewards the truthful one by granting him the ability to attain the beneficial things of the worldly life and Afterlife. There is nothing comparable to truthfulness in terms of how it brings about the affairs of well-being in this life and the next, and there is nothing comparable to lying in terms of how it corrupts and harms one’s worldly and Afterlife affairs.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ

O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds) [9:119]

هَٰذَا يَوْمُ يَنْفَعُ الصَّادِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ ۚ

This is a Day on which the truthful will profit from their truth. [5:119]

فَإِذَا عَزَمَ الْأَمْرُ فَلَوْ صَدَقُوا اللَّهَ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُمْ

And when the matter (preparation for Jihad) is resolved on, then if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them. [47:21] [2]

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

It is incumbent that the expression conveys the intended meaning through the appropriate terminology. Should the term be explicit or evident, the objective is achieved. However, if the term possesses dual interpretations—one valid and the other erroneous—the intended meaning must be clarified. In instances where the term suggests a flawed interpretation, it should only be employed with an explanation that mitigates any potential misunderstanding. Furthermore, if the term may mislead certain listeners into grasping an incorrect meaning, it should not be used if it is known to carry such implications, as the primary aim of communication is clarity and understanding. Conversely, if the term accurately reflects the intended meaning but some individuals remain unaware of its significance without any negligence on the speaker’s part, the responsibility lies with the listener, not the speaker”. [3]

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

The basis of Banee Adam’s misguidance stems from ‘General Terms’ and ‘Ambiguous Meanings’ (terms, meanings, statements) that can be interpreted as either truth or falsehood when not clearly defined). This issue is exacerbated when they interact with a confused mind, particularly when coupled with misguided desires and enthusiasm. Thus, seek the guidance of the One who stabilises hearts, asking Allah to strengthen your heart in His Religion and protect you from falling into this darkness”. [4]

He, may Allah have mercy upon him, also said:

“If the speaker falls short in his clarification and addresses the listener with vague terms that may encompass various interpretations, and the listener remains uncertain of the intended meaning; if this arises from the speaker’s inability, the listener is given from the speaker’s inability rather than his intent. If the speaker possesses the ability and he does not do so while it is obligated to him to do so, he gives the listener from his evil intent”. [5] [end of quotes]

The violations of the aforementioned clarifications is evidently observable on social media. Certain deceivers on social media have persistently endeavored not only to detach the context of statements but also to isolate the circumstances surrounding incidents, thereby misleading both the inattentive observer and those who have not witnessed prior events that would enable them to identify and compare with current occurrences. Indeed, one must not be oblivious of the fact that context is of paramount importance in our statements and stances, which encompass the necessity of elucidating meanings, defining word connotations, providing specificity, dispelling misconceptions, rectifying erroneous interpretations, and avoiding contrived ambiguities and psychological projections. Rather than adhering to honesty, which is typically characteristic of a believer, some individuals deliberately resort to a form of communication that initially lacks clarity and necessitates further explanation. This approach misleads numerous readers, leaving them to navigate aimlessly in their quest for contextual hints to discern the intended message. Consequently, they deliberately aim to make an individual unable to determine whether the truth resides at the beginning, middle, or end of the discourse. This situation often neglects the essential function of context.

Some of the discussions prevalent on social media, along with the diverse agendas of those disseminating tweets, are so concerning that they necessitate a cautious approach, urging individuals to avoid jargon and only share tweets and retweets that they can comprehensively understand within their context. Due to deceptions and ambiguity prevalent on social media, one must engage with clarity, while consciously avoiding ambiguity and assumptions, as well as ensuring that the person’s words are timely if the topic is very controversial. Therefore, one should not allow themselves to be swayed by the ornate rhetoric of any orator to the point of overlooking the discrepancies between the discourse and its surrounding context, especially when the speaker neglects to offer concrete evidence.

We encounter individuals who tackle contentious matters regarding others, yet intentionally neglect to weave in crucial aspects such as situational nuances or contextual elements, alongside other influences like historical background when appropriate. The orator is aware that his apparent eloquence or compelling rhetoric falls short of effectively communicating the desired message, having omitted the external contexts of the dialogue and all active participants in the communicative exchange; yet, he fixates solely on the favorable assumptions held about him by the audience, even as he deceives them.

Therefore, it is crucial to acknowledge that the importance of discourse is intricately tied to the context in which it takes place. Upon encountering individuals who intentionally disregard the etiquettes of honest dialogue, we commit ourselves to disregard the utterances of anyone engaging in a controversial discussion who subsequently attributes statements to others without credible evidence. Thus, one should not permit himself to be misled or influenced by interpretations that lack context, whether through the construction of speech or the arrangement of words, unless they are substantiated by contextual evidence and the assertions or viewpoints of the individual being referenced or critiqued. In the realm of social media, the absence of context renders it impossible to elucidate ambiguities while revealing the intended meaning of statements and claims whose implications remain unclear and can only be understood through context.

Furthermore, neglecting to consider context and isolating an individual’s true circumstances invariably leads to misinterpretations of the entire discourse or its elements. This behavior has led some to deliberately sever the original meaning at the time of its inception from the meaning derived from interpretation. The quantity of retweets, the accompanying comments, or the status of the statement’s author is, in our perspective, a mere illusion when it contravenes the principles of honest discourse. No amount of propaganda, fervent appeals on behalf of their statements, or the most robust support received will blind us to the reality that the speaker has deceived, concealed, misrepresented, lied, and waged war against the accurate context.

Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Indeed, I am only a human being and you people come to me with your disputes. And it may be that one of you can present his case more eloquently than the other and I consider him truthful, and judge in his favour. So if I ever judge and give the right of a brother to his brother, then it is a piece of hellfire and let him not take it”.

Some Benefits Derived From This Hadeeth:

The Ummah [i.e. the scholars and judges] have been commissioned to judge based on what is apparent, but the (mere) judgement of a judge cannot prohibit the lawful and allow the unlawful [i.e. because it cannot be taken if proven erroneous].

This Hadeeth contains a refutation against those who say that the Messengers possess knowledge of the unseen. This hadeeth also shows that speech can be seen to be true based on what is apparent, but it is truly falsehood concerning what is hidden within it.

This hadeeth shows that the one who receives a judgement in his favour is more aware than every other person as to whether he is entitled to it or whether he is a falsifier. So, he takes it if he is entitled to it or leaves it if he is a falsifier because, in reality, a judgement cannot change an affair from what it was in origin [i.e. the original truth in the affair before its distortion or concealment].

This hadeeth shows the sinfulness of the one who argues based on falsehood until he receives what he wants publicly, whilst he is upon falsehood.

In this hadeeth is proof that a scholar can make a mistake and it is a refutation against those who say that every Mujtahid is correct. This hadeeth shows us that the Mujtahid is forgiven (when he makes a mistake).[6]

And Allah knows best.


[1] An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim. 1/300-303

[2] Al-Fawaa’id’ pages 202-203

[3] Ar-Radd Alaa Al-Bakri 702-703

[4] As-Sawaa’iq Al-Mursalah 3/927

[5] As-Sawaa’iq Al-Mussalah 2/503

[6] Saheeh Al-Bukhaari -Kitaab Al-Ahkaam (Book of Judgements): Chapter 29: Hadeeth Number: 7181 with Fat’hul Baari]

The Development of Christian Zionism in America Since the Puritan Settlement

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

Allah [The Exalted] said:

وَإِذَا قُلۡتُمۡ فَٱعۡدِلُواْ وَلَوۡ ڪَانَ ذَا قُرۡبَىٰ‌ۖ

And when you testify, be just, even if (it concerns) a near relative.

When you testify by way of a statement to judge between people, differentiate between them in a discourse, and speak regarding matters and circumstances, be just in your speech, adhere to truthfulness regarding those you love and those you hate, be fair and do not conceal what needs to be made clear because it is forbidden and tantamount to injustice to divert (from justice and fairness) when speaking against the one you hate. [Tafsir  as-Sadi]

Therefore, we remind ourselves of the fact that not all Jews are engaged in the actions of the Zionists, as Shaikh Abu Iyaad [may Allah preserve him] stated, “It is important to note that not all Jews are involved in these intrigues and the Jews as a population have, throughout history, been subject to the whims and desires of their religious and political leaders, and have been made to undergo much persecution as a result”. Must read below:

https://abuiyaad.com/w/king-faisal-zionism?s=35

Christian Zionism moved from its beginnings to the United States of America

The Puritans were the first to arrive in America with Zionism, rather they were the founders and initiators of its first ideas, and they worked hard to bring about changes in all fields in favour of their Zionist calls in the senior positions of power and the official administrative departments. They established the settlement of Massachusetts in the year 1630, and during the following decade, more than twenty thousand Puritans migrated to this place. They brought the Hebrew language to the settlement, printed the books of the Old Testament, and translated it into Latin. Perhaps the most important thing they practiced in their new settlement was the establishment of the idea of ​​a “covenant” or contract similar to the “covenant between Prophet Musa [peace be upon him] and Jehovah”, or between “the Lord and Prophet Ibrahim [peace be upon him]”, as they claimed. In the same way that the Jews left Egypt and went to a new land that the Lord promised them, as stated in the books of the Old Testament, the “Puritans” of Christian Zionism saw themselves as the new chosen people and the new world as the new Israel. As a result, they made an imaginary covenant with the Lord, saying, “If the Lord secures our departure to the new world, we will establish a society governed by divine laws”. John Winchester, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, likened the colony to a city “on the hill,” that is, a virtuous city and an example to be emulated by the world.

The imaginary covenant between the early Puritan Christian Zionists and God had a significant political, religious, and social impact on American thought. As a result, Americans believed that they had been bestowed with a specific mission from God, to be an example to be emulated in all regions of the world, and from this thought arose another concept known as the principle of “Manifest Destiny”, meaning that America’s destiny, which God has destined, is to prepare the world, and the principle of “Progressive Imperialism”, meaning the colonisation of other peoples to bring progress to them, and the spread of Christian Zionism among them, and the principle of “Liberal Internationalism”, which is referred to as President Wilson’s fourteen points, and the principle of “Improving the World”, as are the claims of “Kennedy” and “Johnson”, or the principle of “Human Rights” as it is claimed by Carter and Clinton.

(First), the idea of the “Covenant with God” influenced the political structure of the United States of America, therefore when the first founders prepared the “Declaration of Independence”, the concept of the contract was an important concept. The theological covenant evolved into civil social contracts, as defined by John Locke, in which individuals enter into a contract with the government, agreeing to submit to its rule in exchange for the preservation of their established rights. It should be noted that Covenant theology predated the work of John Locke and Rhema, and it may have influenced his thinking about the social contract between citizens and government. There is no doubt that covenant theology has prepared people to think about the social contract, that is, it has prepared them to think that obedience to obligations related to God and the members of society are matched by benefits that accrue to everyone in society. The social contract changed the Puritan theological covenant from one between God and people to one between individuals and the government, and therefore the idea of the Puritan religious era was represented in the democracy of the American political system. The first Puritans were “Congregationalists,” and “bishops” who chose their pastor, and all parishes were linked to an ecclesiastical organisation in which each “diocese” enjoys autonomy and makes decisions in the future. Parishes had specific practices that were democratically established by church members, and thus all “Diocese” later influenced notions of American democracy. According to the Puritan “Zionist Christian” covenant, church members elected the government, and those who were allowed full membership in the church and had a say in the civil government were: the civil government that had authority over all members of society, but it was regulated by only those who could prove their spiritual superiority and supervised by those who were full members of the church.

(Second), the belief of Christian Zionism (Puritanism) in the duality of human nature, that is, spiritual transcendence on the one hand and inferiority (since the first sin) on the other, had an impact on the principle of separation of powers, as well as the idea of control and balance between Congress and the presidency in order to prevent corruption of the political system. Humanity (in their view) is susceptible to corruption, and absolute authority corrupts it completely, thus each authority must be checked and balanced by the other authority. This negative view of human nature, the first sin, and human corruption as a reality of life found its way into American political thinking; therefore, the first founders developed the American Constitution based on this vision, when they preferred a government bound by restrictions, controls, and separation of powers.

The Christian Zionists (Puritans) arose in the new world and believed to be God’s chosen people with a specific mission – the new world represented by the new Israel, whereas the old world is represented by ancient Egypt. They believed that the covenant with God, which they had concluded, would serve as the foundation for constructing a divine society (a city above The Hill) that would be the centre of the world’s attention, and that the covenant with God would take on a secular, civil character, transforming into a social contract between individuals and the government. Because they were Congregationalists who held that the government is chosen democratically by the holy members of the Church, and because they were Puritans, they cemented a negative view of human nature in American political thinking which imposed the choice of a government bound by restrictions, controls, and the separation of powers.

Since its establishment, Christian Zionism attempted to meddle in decision-making channels and influence elections in the United States of America, so that the candidate would be loyal to it and defend its principles and ideas; rather, they sought to ensure that the presidential candidate was an evangelical fundamentalist who embraced and supported Christian Zionism’s ideals. The Christian Zionist inclination can be found in several of America’s first presidents and examples of this can be found in their words and actions, such as:

[I] George Washington, the first American president, whose presidency was from the year 1789 to 1797 AD, was deeply religious, of course, based on distorted Christianity. He declared his sanctification for Jewish rites and rituals, and the sacred history “contained in the Old Testament”, and this appears in many of His speeches, including that he sent two letters to two Jewish leaders in his country, following his assumption of office of President, in which he expressed his hope that the Lord, the miracle worker, who saved the Hebrews in ancient times from the oppression of their Egyptian oppressors, and planted them in the Promised Land, would continue to water them from the shade of heaven.

[II] John Adams, who assumed the American presidency from 1797 to 1801 AD, was clearly pro-Zionist. A complete century before Herzl, he expressed the sincere desire for the Jews to return to the land of Judah (Palestine), as an independent nation. In a letter sent to the president who succeeded him as president of America, Jefferson, he said, “Even if I were an atheist, and believed blindly in fate that is eternally dispose of based on human activity, I would be free to believe that fate decreed that the Jews would be the agent – the greatest and most effective essential, in making the nations of the world civilized nations”. He expressed “Jefferson’s proposal that the official emblem of America be a drawing of the image of the children of Israel, emerging from Egypt, under the leadership of Prophet Musa [peace be upon him] with the Lord Jehovah leading them in the form of Two pillars, a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire”.

[III] Thomas Jefferson assumed the American presidency from the year 1801 to 1809 AD, and he was the third American president. This president submitted a proposal to Congress proposing that the symbol of America be represented in the form of the children of Israel, led by a cloud during the day, and at night a pillar of fire instead of an eagle, and this is consistent with the text From the Old Testament, as follows, “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to guide them on the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they might walk day and night”.

[IV] James Madison: He served as president from 1809 to 1817 and was the first American president to appoint a Jew to a diplomatic position. He appointed the active Jew Mordechai Noah, Consul General in Tunisia. Madison was deeply religious, fluent in the Hebrew language and the writings of the priests and the Jewish rabbis.

[V] Stephen Grover Cleveland: he assumed the presidency from 1885 to 1889 AD, and from 1893 to 1898. He was the last American president to assume the presidency before the establishment of the Jewish Zionist Organization. When he assumed the presidency, he sent a letter to the Jewish Masonic organization, called “B’nai B’rith”, which means “Children of the Covenant”, supported the Jews in his letter, expressed his support and closeness to them, and appointed them to important political positions at home and abroad.

Following the failure of Jewish Zionism supporters in Europe to establish a Jewish state in Palestine, they tried to establish a temporary state in the United States of America at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Mordechai Noah, a politician, journalist, and writer who served as the United States of America’s consul in Tunisia, made a valiant effort, so on his route to Tunisia, he stopped in Paris in 1815 CE, where he met Abgar Yejuwar, who informed him of the failure of the Jews in France in organising a state for themselves in Palestine with Napoleon Bonaparte. He (Mordecai Noah) was also distressed by the circumstances of Jews in Tunisia, and when he returned to the United States of America, he declared himself the chief judge of Israel and called for the establishment of a Jewish state on “Grand Island” on the Niagara River and “Buffalo” in New York, and asked Jews in Europe, particularly in France, to assist him in gaining legitimacy for his Jewish state. He also intended to seek a statute establishing the Jewish state under the name “Ararat” from the New York State Legislative Council. The State Legislative Council reassured him that state law protects the rights of Jews wishing to live on the Island. He stated that his goal was not to establish a Jewish state on Grand Island but rather to gather Jews from all over the world in preparation for their migration to Palestine when the time was right because Palestine at the time was under the preservation and care of the Islamic Ottoman empire, which the Jews did not have access to.

A great celebration was held in Buffalo to temporarily lay the foundation stone of the Jewish state, but it fell and did not succeed because this (initiative by Mordechai) was in contrast to many European Jews’ belief who held that Ararat was an American idea, and that when the Messiah arrives, he would be able to construct the Jewish state, and that establishing a Jewish state prior to the arrival of the Messiah was impossible. This idea persisted in their midst, even among staunch proponents of the construction of a Jewish state, particularly after the emergence of the Jewish Zionist concept at the end of the nineteenth century.

The main thought that stimulated culture and politics in the United States of America, especially in its belief in the necessity of establishing a Jewish state on the Land of Israel in Palestine, nurturing that state, and protecting it as a religious and cultural adherence through politics, was the “Puritan” Christian Zionism and the millenarian doctrine it carries, and the like. Warder Cresson, the first American consul to Jerusalem in 1844, declared that he sought to do the Lord’s work by establishing a national homeland for Jews in the Promised Land through his work in Palestine. He wrote some letters to Washington officials and even made contact with officials in the Ottoman Empire, but his efforts were futile, so he relocated to Palestine. He encouraged American Christian Zionists to follow in his footsteps, and this is exactly what transpired. In 1850, a group of American Zionists led by Zionist Clorinda Minor went to Israel to await the arrival of Christ the Saviour, but they waited for a long time and returned to their homeland after seven years. In the year 1866, 150 American Christian Zionists attempted to establish themselves in Palestine in order to await the arrival of Christ the Saviour. When Christ did not appear, they rationalised their failure by claiming that Christ had been delayed because the chosen people had not all gathered in the “Promised Land.”

William Blackstone, a Christian Zionist, was one of America’s wealthy missionaries. He wrote extensively and advocated work for the return of Christ and the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine. As a result, his call influenced numerous politicians, including rulers, States, and representatives in Congress. In 1888, he travelled to Palestine and was dismayed by what he viewed as “the anomaly that Palestine was thus left as land without a people, instead of giving it to a people without a land.”

In 1891, he petitioned US President Benjamin Harrison, requesting that America act to return Jews to Palestine. The petition was signed by 413 prominent American Christians, including John Rockefeller, patriarch of the Rockefeller family and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, a large number of Senators, and a number of editors-in-chief of major newspapers. He stated in his petition, “In accordance with the Lord’s distribution of his land to the nations, Palestine remains the homeland of the Jews and their inalienable property. They were evicted by force, so why don’t the great powers, who handed Bulgaria to the Bulgarians and Serbia to the Serbs respond by giving Palestine to the Jews?” In his petition, he quoted an Old Testament text about the Persian “Cyrus,” who (according to him) was anointed by the Lord Jehovah in the Book of Isaiah. He said that Cyrus’ Christianity was blessed by the Lord Jehovah, who held Cyrus’ hand and trampled over kingdoms and rulers before him. He smashed and opened the gates in front of him, and he made the doors not close….” Blackstone hoped to persuade President Harrison to be the Lord’s anointed one, who would, like Cyrus, return the Jews to Palestine. He focused on the necessity of sending Jews to Palestine for two reasons: The first reason was to practise the millenarian doctrine and prepare for the coming of Christ the Saviour. The second reason was the fear that Jews would flock to America, just as they had done in Russia in 1881. As a result, he was to achieve the desired result, which is that guaranteeing the establishment of the State of Israel would secure America’s power and greatness, which the Lord would bless if he assisted, protected, and stood by the Jews. These two reasons, particularly the first theological doctrinal one, motivated America to work hard to assist Jews and establish a state for them in Palestine. This is why Christian Zionism has been and continues to be more forceful in this affair. And this is why Theodor Herzl, the founder of Jewish Zionism, did not object to the British government when it proposed to him the establishment of a Jewish state in Al-Arish, on the Egyptian border, and then suggested that it be established in Cyprus, then in Uganda, and he did not object. The Zionist Christians, on the other hand, criticised Herzl for not protesting and emphasised the importance of establishing it in Palestine rather than elsewhere. He sent a letter to Herzl blaming him for this and attempted to persuade him that the chosen homeland belongs to the chosen people.

When the British Foreign Secretary issued the Balfour Declaration to the Jews in 1917, American President Woodrow Wilson ratified the promise in a letter to the American Jewish Zionist leader Rabbi Stevie Wise, saying: “I have observed with sincere and profound interest Weizmann’s constructive work in Palestine at the request of the British Government, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my satisfaction with the progress of the Zionist movement in the United States of America and the allied countries, since Mr. Balfour’s announcement in the name of his government in agreement to establish a national homeland for Jews in Palestine, and promised that the British government would make every effort to facilitate the fulfilment of this goal”.

It is important to note that President Wilson descends from parents who belonged to the Christian Church, Christian Zionism, and was raised on Protestant teachings, from which Christian Zionism emerged, and he declared that his religious feelings were the motivation for him to work to help return the sacred Land to its people. The fact that Congress endorsed the Balfour Declaration, as several American writers have pointed out, illustrates the penetration of Christian Zionism into decision-making channels in America- amazingly, with Zionist and Hebrew themes. They quote as an example of Congressional Zionism the words of Indiana Representative William A. Cox, who said, “Just as Moses delivered the Israelites from slavery, the Allies are now delivering the Jews from the clutches of the ugly Turks, which is the appropriate conclusion to this world war. Judea must rise up as a nation, independent, with the power to govern itself, advance, and achieve its ideals in life. I feel that I am expressing the thoughts of the American people, and certainly the thoughts of those with whom I discussed this issue. That is, the government of the United States of America must exercise its appropriate powers to see this Jewish state established, and formed to spread the ideas and traditions of ancient Judea”.

In 1922, Henry Cabot Lodge, Chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, said in Boston, “It seems to me appropriate and laudable that the Jewish people, in all parts of the world, should desire that members of their own race should have the right to return to their lands, which was their cradle, and in which they lived and struggled for thousands of years. Indeed, I can never bear the thought of Jerusalem and Palestine falling under the control of the Mohammedans; that Jerusalem and Palestine, sacred to the Jews and the relatively sacred land of all the great Christian nations of the West, would remain in the hands of the Turks had seemed to me for years like a stain on civilization’s forehead that must be removed”.

In June 1922, the Senate approved the Balfour Declaration, deciding that the United States of America supported the establishment of a national homeland for the Jewish people in Palestine, in accordance with the conditions included in the British government’s November 1917 promise, known as the Balfour Declaration. Then the House of Representatives authorised a more Zionist formulation in the same month, as indicated in its decision made on June 30, 1922, the text of which is as follows: “Whereas the Jewish people have been looking forward for many centuries and longing to rebuild their ancient homeland, the Jewish people must be able to re-establish and organise a national homeland, in the land of its forefathers, thus providing the House of Israel with the opportunity that it has been denied for so long -the restoration of Jewish life and culture in the ancient Jewish homeland.”

After US President Woodrow Wilson signed the Balfour Declaration, his successors committed to working to fulfil that promise, and showed active sympathy for Jewish Zionism, in order to establish a Jewish state in Palestine, and then American Zionist presidents committed to protecting and defending that state after it occupied Muslim countries (i.e. Palestine, Golan Heights).

Following Wilson, President Warren Harding stated unequivocally on June 1, 1921, “It is impossible for those who serve the Jewish people not to believe that they will one day be returned to their historic national homeland where they will begin a new phase, but rather a phase greater than their contribution to the progress of humanity”, and he declared his support for the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine. Then came President Calvin Coolidge after him, who declared his belief in a national Jewish homeland in Palestine in 1924, his support for its establishment, his admiration for the Zionist movement, and its efforts to make Palestine accept Jewish immigrants. Next in line was President Herbert Hoover, who conveyed his satisfaction with the progress made by the Jewish community in Palestine. In 1928, he commended the Jewish Zionist Organisation for their “great achievement in Palestine” and emphasised the need to continue working towards the realisation of the concept of Jewish re-emergence in Palestine. Then there was President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served from 1933 to 1945. During his rule, the Jewish Zionist star, also known as the Star of David and Solomon, was adopted and given an official emblem for mail departments, helmets used by soldiers in the Sixth Division, and American Navy seals, on the print of the new dollar, the Presidential Medal, the police guards in Chicago, and the chest badge worn by the mayor in many areas. He declared at the beginning of his presidency that he was a pragmatist working for America’s interests with the Arab countries, but in reality, he submitted to Zionist influence, both Jewish and Christian. During his presidency, the Zionists were incredibly active, with their activity centred on creating a Jewish majority in Palestine in preparation for the foundation of an independent Jewish state there.

In 1939, Britain passed a resolution known as the “White Paper” that specified immigration to Palestine. In the same year, America announced its rejection of the White Paper, putting pressure on Britain to remove it, and launching Jewish immigration under the control of the Jewish Zionist Agency. Zionist, Jewish, and Christian pressure on President Roosevelt mounted, particularly following the formation of the American Palestinian Committee, which included 200 members of the House of Representatives and 68 members of the Senate. The committee aimed to support the Baltimore Conference’s 1942 program of establishing a Jewish-Palestinian Commonwealth. As a result, Roosevelt declared in his presidential campaign program in 1944 that he supported opening the gates of Palestine to unrestricted Jewish immigration and settlement, as well as any strategy that would lead to the development of a commonwealth – “a free Jewish democracy, and that he is certain that the American people will support this goal, and if he is re-elected, he will help achieve this goal”. However, Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, and President Harry S. Truman succeeded him. His presidency lasted from 1945 to 1953, and he sought to meet the Zionists’ aspirations. As soon as he took office, he released a statement saying, “The official American view regarding Palestine is to allow the largest number of Jews into it as much as possible,” including the potential of establishing a Jewish state there. In 1947, Truman also announced his endorsement of the partition decision and even requested that other governments put pressure on those who were hesitant and stopped voting on the partition. On May 14, 1948, he announced his recognition of the newly constituted Jewish state in Palestine in his name and in the name of the United States of America and took the initiative to assist it and provide loans. He gave it a loan of one hundred million dollars, followed by subsequent loans, including a loan of 35 million dollars in 1950. There is no doubt that Truman “belonged to and worked for Christian Zionist doctrine, and this is what prompted him to hasten to announce America’s recognition of the Jewish state,” in addition to Christian Zionists’ penetration of government councils and international organisations. President Truman belonged to the conservative Baptist faith, which believes in the literal interpretation of the Bible and believes that the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine is clear evidence of the fulfilment of biblical prophecies. Clark Clifford, advisor to President Truman and then Secretary of Defence during the John F. Kennedy administration, stated at the White House that Truman studied the Torah himself, and as a student of the Torah, he believed in the historical justification for a Jewish national homeland and was convinced that the Balfour Declaration of 1917 fulfilled the ancient hopes and dreams of the Jewish people. He frequently quoted Old Testament passages about the Jewish desire for Zion and said that the Talmud was his favourite book. Moshe Davis mentions in his book “America and the Holy Land” that when Truman was presented in a Jewish theological temple to those present as the man who helped create the State of Israel, Truman responded, saying, “I am Cyrus… I am Cyrus, and who is that?” Who forgets that Cyrus was the one who returned the Jews from their exile in Babylon to Jerusalem.

It must be emphasised that American President Truman had a significant influence on the events that culminated in the foundation of the Jewish state in occupied Palestine. He was the one who demanded that the British government allow 100,000 Jewish immigrants to enter Palestine promptly during its mandate for Palestine. Additionally, he exerted pressure on the UN to decide to partition the nation, and he was also the one to recognise the Jewish state as soon as it declared its independence, just minutes after it was established at midnight on May 15, 1948, and he worked on the call in international forums to defend and protect it. Then, from 1953 to 1961, Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, and he had close ties with Zionist preacher Billy Graham, leader of the Christian Zionist “Youth of Christ” organisation. He also maintained a close relationship with some Jewish Masonic organisations, and he asserted that America’s interests are inextricably connected to Israel’s. Christian Zionism became a valuable asset for the state more than before at the start of the twentieth century when the “Christian Right” led a campaign against communism. This paved the way for Christian Zionists to rise to power and precise political practices that served the interests of their doctrine.

When the United States held presidential elections following Eisenhower’s presidency in 1960, one of the candidates was the Catholic John F. Kennedy. The Christian Zionists became angry at the possibility of his victory, and the fanatical Zionist supporter Billy Graham sent a letter to Richard Nixon, the Vice President, warning against the Catholics nominating the Catholic Democrat, and suggesting that the Republican Party nominate a popular Protestant figure for the presidency, namely Waltergood, a member of Congress, who worked as a missionary in China before entering Congress, especially since he was one who shared Nixon’s hostility to communism. When Catholic candidate John F. Kennedy saw that the Protestants were abandoning him, he declared in his program that he was committed to the separation of church and state, opposed government funding for religious schools, and would not send an American diplomatic mission to the Vatican. This drew Protestants and liberal Jews to his side. However, at a conference in Washington in 1960, the National Union of Evangelicals, the Christian Zionists, led a campaign against Kennedy, emphasising that Kennedy’s nomination “represents a dangerous interference by the Vatican in American politics” and that if he wins the presidency, he will become a “puppet” of the Catholic Church. He did, however, start to emphasise the need to safeguard, defend, and assist Israel. He said, “America has made explicit commitments to protect Israel, and it is in our interest, as Americans, to implement what we have committed to”. He stated before the Zionist Organisation of America, after speaking about the founding of the State of Israel, “It was not born to disappear; Truman was the first to recognize Israel, and I will continue on this route.” Then he reiterated on several occasions that “the Lord Jehovah” is the one who protects and secures the United States of America. Following that, Kennedy was elected President of the United States of America from 1960 to 1963, and immediately after taking office, he worked to allay the fears of Protestants, so he and a number of his White House aides attended the annual breakfast prayer with the Evangelical Protestants in greater numbers than former President Eisenhower, and before his trip to Latin America in 1962, he invited the Protestant pastor, Billy Graham, to the White House, and told him, “I will be your Apostle John”, he joked.

In 1962, the Evangelical Protestants launched the first voting project for the Christian Right, under the name “The Christian Citizen,” with the goal of training Evangelical Christian Zionists in electoral campaigns, and they were able to recruit two thousand members of an organisation to study electoral commissions in 17 American states. In 1963, the Christian Zionist Lyndon B. Johnson assumed the presidency of the United States, and during his reign, America became embroiled in the Vietnam quagmire, and the focus returned to Anti-communism. Johnson often said that his Christian religion was derived from the Jewish religion, therefore, it cannot be separated from them. One of the key reasons for Johnson’s great support for the Jewish state of “Israel” was his Christian faith in God’s plan and control over the entire existence and humanity. He articulated these views numerous times in a period of seven years. In a book titled “My Brother Lyndon,” released in 1970, his brother, Sam Houston Johnson, stated, “Lyndon’s aunt was always giving him religious advice.” In a letter to Sam, the aunt once said, “I want you to tell Lyndon something more about me. Inform him that since Jews are God’s chosen people, you should always stand by them and never do anything to harm them. You should never doubt what the Bible itself says about it, as you are aware. Establishing the state was the greatest accomplishment of Harry Truman’s life. When Israel embarked on that work, it guaranteed certain success next elections”.

As for Richard Nixon, he was one of the deepest in his thoughts and theorists of Zionism among American politicians, and he was an evangelical Zionist. He used to say, “I gave the order to begin a massive airlift of supplies and equipment during the 1973 war, which allowed Israel to halt Syria’s and Egypt’s assault on two fronts. Our commitment to the survival of Israel is a deep commitment. We are not official allies, but something binds us together stronger than any piece of paper. It is a moral commitment. It is a commitment that no president in the past has ever broken, and every president in the future will faithfully fulfill. America will never allow Israel’s enemies to harm it by achieving their goal of destroying it”.

Many social and political developments have occurred, resulting in a watershed moment in the formation of the Christian right. The civil rights movement and the Vietnam War created a schism in American society, as well as a deeper schism among Christian Zionism and its trends. The liberals focused on sit-ins and other forms of protest, whilst the conservatives focused on religious influence on individual conscience. Overall, these social developments in America resulted in a Christian Protestant renaissance in response to societal issues such as women’s equality with men, sexual freedom, abortion rights, homosexuality, and so on. As a result, in the face of political and social transformations, the “Christian Right” turned to political activity more than ever before, resulting in its ascent as a powerful phenomenon to political influence in the 1970s and beyond.

President Jimmy Carter, who belonged to the Evangelical Zionist Christian Sect, declared in 1976 that his slogan was “belief in the doctrine of being born again.” In March 1979, he told the Israeli Knesset, “Seven American presidents believed, and embodied this belief, that the United States of America’s relationship with Israel is more than a special relationship, but rather a unique relationship because the idea that Israel and the United States of America were founded by pioneer immigrants and that we share the Torah’s legacy is ingrained in the conscience, morals, religion, and beliefs of the American people themselves. Brzezinski, his national security advisor, affirmed that American-Israeli relations are personal and rooted in history, both historical and spiritual. Many newspapers referred to 1976 as “the year of fundamentalist evangelicals,” and it began with strong, supportive political and popular enthusiasm for the sake of Christian Zionism. It is worth mentioning that in his election statement, President Carter stated that “the establishment of modern Israel is the fulfilment of Biblical prophecy”. The fervent Zionist, Billy Graham, said about him, “The president goes to church every Sunday, and he and his wife read passages from the Torah before going to sleep, and he does not drink alcohol in the white house.”

During his presidency from 1976 to 1980, he accomplished much for the benefit of the Jews in Palestine and the Zionist organisation in general, and his stances were founded on a theological belief in the Jewish state and a commitment to protect and support it forever. His accomplishments in the interests of the Jewish state were numerous, the most significant of which were the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel in 1978, and his provision of military and economic aid to Israel, more than any previous American president. During his presidency, Israel received $10 billion in aid, and he was the first American president to establish a presidential commission in 1978 on the subject of the “Holocaust,” or the burning of Jews during the Nazi era, as well as the first American president to push for an American anti-boycott law to deal with Arab countries’ boycott of Israel in 1977. He declared that anyone who accused Jews of murdering Christ was guilty of “anti-Semitism.” The director of religious affairs at the Zionist organisation known as the “American Jewish Committee” then stated, “For the first time in American presidential history, an American president issued a direct announcement about an unfair issue against Jews with traditional historical religious roots.”

Since 1980, the alliance between the Christian Right and the New Right has emerged as the most powerful force on the American political scene, as the Christian Right entered the Republican Party and allied with the political right. This relationship, which established an active political Zionist movement for the American presidency, was intensified and became visible following Ronald Reagan’s nomination for the American presidency in 1980. In a statement he delivered at a clergy meeting following his nomination conference, he declared his support for the beliefs and ethics of the Christian right. Consequently, the Moral Majority Organisation was established “With intense activities in favour of Reagan’s candidacy. This Zionist organisation, which symbolises the core of the Christian Right, mobilised three million voters in the presidential and legislative elections, and thus the Christian Right became an influential force in Reagan’s victory”. Since the Christian Right had grown to be a powerful force in the Senate and House of Representatives, several members of the Zionist and Christian right ascended to prominent political roles.

Reagan was an avid Zionist in the service of international Zionism, and he was greatly affected by his mother, who believed in salvation and read the Bible frequently. Her kid son grew up going to churches and was raised on the Bible, which he learned at Sunday schools, as Reagan used to say. Similarly, he would sit with his Dispensational Zionist pals, particularly the fanatical Billy Graham, with whom he would frequently discuss the theory of the second coming of Christ and salvation, as well as other Christian Zionist principles. During Reagan’s campaign for a second term as governor of California in 1970, the Zionist Reverend George Otis paid him a visit and they discussed – with those present – the biblical prophecies and the possibility of their fulfilment for America during Reagan’s presidency, which Otis had prophesied to him. Either way, Reagan visited and engaged with Christian Zionists on a regular basis until he embraced the principles of Christian Zionism and worked for them. Rather, he frequently used those concepts as evidence with Old Testament texts, predicting the Battle of Armageddon and the Second Coming of Christ during his administration, or its close appearance. In an interview with the Zionist pastor Jerry Falwell in 1981, he stated that President Reagan informed him that “the destruction of the world could happen soon. He asserted that Russia was Gog and Magog and that it would be the one that would invade Israel, then the nuclear battle of Armageddon would occur”. He addressed the United Nations three times (1982, 1983, and 1984). Religious broadcasters confirmed his conviction about the nearness of Armageddon and the second coming of Christ according to the Lord’s will, as described in Bible predictions, he said. He predicted in 1986 that the Land of Israel would be besieged by armies of infidel nations, with Libya among them, and that Armageddon was not far away.

Pat Robertson, an advocate of Zionism, declared in 1988 that he would run for president from the Republican Party; however, he was not successful in winning the nomination. Consequently, he established the “Christian Coalition” organisation, which served as the foundation for the Christian right and played a significant role in the victories of George W. Bush, several members of Congress, and state governors in the 1988 elections, then expanded at the state level through city councils and school boards. Christian Zionist and Republican Ralph Reed, who also served as the director of the Christian Coalition, stated, “We feel that the Christian community has lost its way in a number of ways by concentrating only on the White House and Congress when most issues that affect evangelical Protestants and conservative Catholics are decided in state legislatures, school boards, and local councils.

Following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, Christian Zionists disseminated propaganda claiming that Saddam Hussain was the Antichrist and that the Russians would back him in the war against Israel. This set the stage for the Armageddon conflict between the forces of good, led by America, Israel, and their allies, and the forces of evil, represented by the Arabs and Russians, which would culminate in the return of Christ and the end of the world.  In 1982, some Arab newspapers, citing the Israeli periodical “Kivunim” published a report from the World Zionist Organisation in Jerusalem under the title “Israel’s Plan in the Eighties,” and it was stated in the report, “As for Iraq, it is rich in oil and prone to internal conflicts, and dismantling it will be more important for us than dismantling Syria because Iraq represents the most dangerous threat to Israel in the short term, and a Syrian-Iraqi war will help destroy Iraq internally before it is able to help in the Arab disintegration.” [Footnote a]

US President George H. W. Bush had close ties with Christian Zionist organisations. He also had a close acquaintance with the evangelical Zionist priest Billy Graham, president of the Southern Baptist Convention and the most powerful Zionist priest in American and international public opinion. The other fanatical Zionist priest, Jerry Falwell, campaigned for the election of George Bush senior to the presidency, and therefore some writers have stated that Jerry Falwell’s support and that of his followers was the main reason for George Bush winning the presidency. Also, during the war on Iraq, this president used to sit with Christian Zionist clerics, and he incurred huge sums for settling Soviet Jews in Palestine, as well as committed criminal acts during the Gulf War. Christian Zionism grew into a political force. In America, white Protestant evangelicals accounted for 25% of registered voters, ten times the votes of Jews, four times the votes of non-religious people, and three times the votes of African Americans. Christians, who are the most educated, wealthy, and employed among Americans, controlled 31 of the Republican Party’s congressional seats in 1994.

During the election campaign for US President Bill Clinton, he sent a message to voters asking for their support and swore to them, saying: “If I am elected president, I will never disappoint Israel”. John Duke, head of the National Council on Arab-American Relations, said about him, “55% of his advisors are Jews, and the first advisors in the White House were Australian-Israelis”. During his presidency, he was close to the Jews, to the point that the National Security Council had seven of them. The Jews included eleven members, in addition to other positions allocated to the Jews. As for George Bush Jr, he – as analysts wrote about him – has a Christian-Zionist culture from which his actions and statements emerge. He made numerous statements indicating this, including – for example – that during the presidential election campaign, in which Vice President Al Gore and Texas Governor George Bush were competing, the two candidates appeared in a debate on a television program on 10/11/2000, and one of the questions they were asked, regarding foreign policy, was a question about their position on the Middle East conflict. Al-Gore stated, “Syria must release the three Israeli prisoners, Arafat must issue orders to stop the violence, and Iraq remains a threat.” He added, “Israel must feel secure at all times. Our relationship with Israel is one of the two countries’ strongest ties. Our relationship with Israel is contractual and deep, and it is not transitory and changes in response to changing situations”. George Bush Jr said, “Israel will always be our ally, and we will always stand by Israel,” George Bush stated. Arafat must issue orders to put an end to the violence”. Then, he declared that if he won, he would begin to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and he would not send the American military to any war unless America’s essential interests were jeopardised. Then he added, “Israel’s security is America’s vital interest”.

Zionist lobby: Paul Findley worked as a member of the US Congress for 22 years and left it in 1982. He was opposed to the Zionist lobby on American policy and wrote two books on the subject of Zionist pressure means controlling American decisions. The two books are, “They Dare to Speak Out” and “Deliberate Deceptions”, translated into Arabic, and he established the National Interest Council for the same purpose. The two books provide an in-depth study of Zionist lobbying in politics and American society.

The Christian-Zionist lobby, or influential pressure from Christian Zionists, appeared in the United States of America before the Jewish-Zionist lobby, and it became increasingly influential in the nineteenth century CE because it infiltrated the Republican Party, which has controlled the House of Representatives since 1994. There is no doubt that the Christian Zionist lobby plays a powerful and significant role in the American political system and political processes by attempting to influence decision-makers in the political system. These organisations use various means, including pressure, to carry out their activities. “Lobby” means the dissemination of information with the goal of persuading and influencing the decisions of others, especially in the two institutions, legislative and executive, as well as influencing the masses through their influence on the individual’s direction, opinion, and political positions, as well as on other collective organisations, and influence to support the election victory of candidates. These forceful Christian Zionist organisations began gradually in America many years ago, penetrating the decision-making spheres, until they attained their goal in the last few years. The Jewish Zionist lobby consists primarily of the “American Israel Public Affairs Committee – AIPAC,” which was founded in 1959, and the Conference of “Heads of Jewish Organisations,” which was also founded in 1959, as well as political action committees, the most important of which is the “National Committee for Political Action,” in which 300 Jewish organisations are active, and was established in 1982, and there are many more in this field in the United States of America. It’s important to note that Christian Zionism did not stop at influencing and permeating the ideas of American presidents; rather, it spread to numerous influential political forums, including the Senate and the House of Representatives, which influenced American policy. An illustration of this was the formation of the “American Palestinian Committee,” a group of non-Jewish politicians in America, in May 1932. In addition to numerous government officials in the Council of Ministers, ten members of the House of Representatives and eighteen members of the Senate were among its founders. This committee’s objectives were to coordinate Christian Zionists’ efforts to collaborate on Jewish issues and the formation of public opinion in the USA among non-Jews about the objectives, accomplishments, and activities of Zionists in Palestine. In 1941, it announced its main principles, which included the following: “The American Palestine Committee is dedicated to upholding the values outlined in the Balfour Declaration, which have been reaffirmed by the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the statements made by the President of the Republic. We believe that the Jewish national homeland in Palestine will play a significant and vital role in the universal system, which must ultimately result in victory”. Along with being among the first to ratify the Balfour Declaration, the American Federal Labour Federation likewise acknowledged the “legitimate demands of the Jewish people” based on the right to self-government.

An Excerpt from “As-Sahyuniyyah An-Nasraaniyyah, Diraasah Fee Daw’i Al-Aqeedah Al-islaamiyyah”. pages pages 298-330

(2) Whoever harms (others without right), Allah will harm him

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ وَإِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍ سُوءًا فَلَا مَرَدَّ لَهُ وَمَا لَهُمْ مِنْ دُونِهِ مِنْ وَالٍ

Verily! Allah will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves. (13:11)

“Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people” with regards to well-being, blessing being removed and destroying them, “as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves” through some of them oppressing others, and some transgressing against others, thus, His punishment and change of their circumstances befalls them”. (1)

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

Indeed, Allah, The Most High, has made the deeds of the righteous and the  wicked to beget their consequences in this world. He has made the withholding of kindness, Zakat and Sadaqah a cause for the withholding of rain from the sky, and for drought and barrenness.

And He has made the oppression of the weak, cheating in measures and weights, and the transgression of the strong against the weak a cause for the tyranny of kings and rulers who neither show mercy when asked to show mercy show nor compassion when asked to show compassion.

In reality, they are the deeds of the subjects manifested in the images of their rulers! For indeed, Allah, Glorified be He, free from all imperfections, by His wisdom and justice, manifests to the people their deeds in the appearances and images that correspond to them; sometimes through drought and barrenness, sometimes through an enemy, sometimes through tyrannical rulers, sometimes through widespread diseases, sometimes through distress, pains, and sorrows that stays in their hearts and not leaving them, sometimes through being deprived of the blessings of the heavens and the earth, and sometimes through being overpowered by the devils who incite them toward the causes of punishment, thus the decree becomes fulfilled and each person ends up to that which he was created to be.

The sensible person allows his insight to travel through the regions of the world, witnessing (or observing), and seeing the manifestations of Allah’s justice and wisdom, thus, it becomes clear to him that the Messengers and their followers in particular are upon the path of salvation, while the rest of creation are upon the path of destruction, heading toward the abode of ruin. Allah is the One who brings His command to completion, none can reverse His judgment, nor repel His decree. And with Allah (alone) is the facilitation of success. (2)

The Imam, may Allah have mercy upon him, also said:

Whoever ponders upon the state of affairs of the world will find that every affair of rectification is due to Tawheed, singling out Allah in worship and obedience to His Messenger (Muhammad). And every evil in the world, trial, affliction, scarcity (in livelihood), being overpowered by an enemy and other than that is due to (our) opposition to the Messenger and the call to other than (the way of) Allaah and His Messenger. Whoever truly ponders upon this and examines the state of affairs of the world- since its beginning and until the time Allaah will take it away and those upon it- he will realise this affair regarding himself and others, in general and specific (circumstances). And there is no Might or Power except with Allaah –The Most High, The Most Great. (3) (End of quotes)

والله المستعان

We ask Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ بِعِلْمِكَ الْغَيْبَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَى الْخَلْقِ أَحْيِنِي مَا عَلِمْتَ الْحَيَاةَ خَيْراً لِي وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا عَلِمْتَ الْوَفَاةَ خَيْراً لِي، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَشْيَتَكَ فِي الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ كَلِمَةَ الْحَقِّ فِي الرِّضَا وَالْغَضَبِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الْقَصْدَ فِي الْغِنَى وَالْفَقْرِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ نَعِيماً لَا يَنْفَذُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَا تَنْقَطِعُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الرِّضِا بَعْدَ الْقَضَاءِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ بَرْدَ الْعَيْشِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ لَذَّةَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى وَجْهِكَ وَالشَّوْقَ إِلَى لِقَائِكَ فِي غَيْرِ ضَرَّاءَ مُضِرَّةٍ وَلَا فِتْنَةٍ مُضِلَّةٍ، اللَّهُمَّ زَيِّنَّا بِزِينَةِ الْإِيمَانِ
وَاجْعَلْنَا هُدَاةً مُهْتَدِينَ

O Allah! By Your Knowledge of the unseen and by Your Power over creation, let me live if life is good for me, and let me die if death is good for me; O Allah! I ask You to grant me (the blessing of having) fear of You in private and public, and I ask You (to make me utter) a statement of truth in times of contentment and anger, and I ask You for moderation when in a state of wealth and poverty, and I ask you for blessings that never ceases, and I ask You for the coolness of my eye that never ends, and I ask You (to make me pleased) after (Your) decree; and I ask You for a life of (ease, comfort, tranquillity, etc) after death; I ask You for the delight of looking at Your Face (i.e. in the Hereafter) and yearning to meet You without any harm and misleading trials (coming upon me). O Allah! Adorn us with the adornment of Iman, and make us (from those who are) guided and guiding (others). (4)


(1) Tafseer at-Ṭabari 13/471

(2) Zad al-Ma’ad 4/333–334

(3) Badaa’i Al-Fawaa’id 3/525-526

(4)https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2021/01/01/o-allaah-let-me-live-if-life-is-good-for-me-and-let-me-die-if-death-is-good-for-me/

Flee From Mutual Rivalry and Banners of Spin Doctors

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

Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Two hungry wolves let loose among sheep are not more harmful than a person’s craving after wealth and status is to his Religion.” [1]

Imam Muhamad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “Two hungry wolves let loose on a flock! Then what will remain from the flock?! Even when a single wolf stops eating because its stomach is full, it still kills the rest of the flock, then what about two hungry wolves let loose on a flock!! Not a single will remain. Likewise, a person who craves for wealth or status will corrupt the religion. Because of this, it is obligated to a person that his intention is far removed from this- far removed from craving for wealth and status in the religion. We ask Allah to aid us to accomplish this”. [2]

The seeker of leadership – even through falsehood- is pleased with a statement that contains an exaltation of him, even if it is falsehood. He becomes angered by a statement that contains a rebuke against him, even if it is truth. The (true) believer is pleased with a statement of truth whether it is for or against him and he is angered by a statement of falsehood whether it is for or against him. This is because Allah, The Most High, loves truth, truthfulness and justice, and He hates lies and oppression. [3]

Imam Ibn Qudamah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Envy usually occurs between contemporaries, peers, brothers, and cousins due to everyone’s competing aspirations, which causes strife and animosity. As a result, you will find that a scholar would envy another scholar but not a worshipper, a worshipper would envy another worshipper but not a scholar, a trader would envy another trader and a cobbler would envy another cobbler. The love of material things, which are limited for those who compete for them, is the root cause of this affair”. [4]

The Imam also stated:

As for the afterlife, there are no restrictions because the one who loves knowledge and awareness of Allah, knowledge, and awareness of Allah’s angels, Allah’s Prophets, and Allah’s Mighty Dominion over the heavens and the earth, will not envy others after becoming acquainted with these affairs because they are not restricted by one another; rather, one particular individual (upright) scholar is known by thousands of (upright) scholars, and they rejoice because of the understanding he possesses. This is why there is no envy among (upright) scholars since their goal is to gain knowledge and awareness of Allah [Glorified be He and free from all imperfections], which is a vast affair. Their goal is to attain a high status in the Sight of Allah, and that which Allah has kept in the afterlife is unlimited because Allah’s loftiest blessing is the pleasure of meeting Him, which cannot be prevented or restricted, nor can some competitors in the affair make it restricted for others; instead harmony is enhanced as the competitors increase; but if wealth and status become the scholars’ goal, they will envy one another.

The difference between knowledge and wealth is that wealth does not remain in the hands of a single person, whereas knowledge settles in the heart of a scholar and the heart of the one taught by the scholar while remaining in the heart of the scholar. As a result, whoever contemplates the Greatness of Allah and His Mighty Dominion [i.e. pondering upon what Allah has created and upon the divine revelation], it will become the greatest delight for him than any other blessing, because he cannot be prevented or restricted from doing so. He will not be envious of anyone because even if others were aware of what he is aware of, it would not diminish his pleasure in the affair. You do not find people overcrowded to view the beauty of the sky because it is vast and unrestricted.

Therefore, if you are merciful to yourself, then it is obligated that you seek the bliss in which there is no hindrance and pleasure that never ceases. And the only way to find this in the life of this world is to become familiar with knowledge and awareness of Allah and the magnificent essence of His Dominion (over everything). However, if your desire is weak and you do not yearn to acquaint yourself with the knowledge and awareness of Allah, you will not find or experience its pleasure. As a result, you’re not man enough because this is a man’s affair, and yearning for something occurs after experiencing it. The one who has not tasted will not know, the one who does not know will not yearn, the one who does not yearn will not seek, the one who does not seek will not find (anything), and the one who does not find (anything) will be among the deprived. [5]

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih, may Allah have mercy upon them, said:

O student of knowledge! It is obligated to you to abandon (blameworthy) debate and argumentation because debate and argumentation is a means to cutting off the path to what is correct, makes a person speak to give the upper hand to himself. Even if the truth is made clear to him, you will find him either rejecting it or misconstruing the truth -out of disliking it- to give himself the upper hand and compel his opponent to accept his statement. Therefore, if you notice (blameworthy) debate and argumentation from your brother when the truth is very clear, but he does not follow it, flee from him like you would flee from a lion, and say, “I do not have anything other than the truth I have mentioned to you”. (6)

Stay out of it!

The goal is to leave this world free from Fitan!

We also ask Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ بِعِلْمِكَ الْغَيْبَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَى الْخَلْقِ أَحْيِنِي مَا عَلِمْتَ الْحَيَاةَ خَيْراً لِي وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا عَلِمْتَ الْوَفَاةَ خَيْراً لِي، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَشْيَتَكَ فِي الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ كَلِمَةَ الْحَقِّ فِي الرِّضَا وَالْغَضَبِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الْقَصْدَ فِي الْغِنَى وَالْفَقْرِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ نَعِيماً لَا يَنْفَذُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَا تَنْقَطِعُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الرِّضِا بَعْدَ الْقَضَاءِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ بَرْدَ الْعَيْشِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ لَذَّةَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى وَجْهِكَ وَالشَّوْقَ إِلَى لِقَائِكَ فِي غَيْرِ ضَرَّاءَ مُضِرَّةٍ وَلَا فِتْنَةٍ مُضِلَّةٍ، اللَّهُمَّ زَيِّنَّا بِزِينَةِ الْإِيمَانِ
وَاجْعَلْنَا هُدَاةً مُهْتَدِينَ

O Allah! By Your Knowledge of the unseen and by Your Power over creation, let me live if life is good for me, and let me die if death is good for me; O Allah! I ask You to grant me (the blessing of having) fear of You in private and public, and I ask You (to make me utter) a statement of truth in times of contentment and anger, and I ask You for moderation when in a state of wealth and poverty, and I ask you for blessings that never ceases, and I ask You for the coolness of my eye that never ends, and I ask You (to make me pleased) after (Your) decree; and I ask You for a life of (ease, comfort, tranquillity, etc) after death; I ask You for the delight of looking at Your Face (i.e. in the Hereafter) and yearning to meet You without any harm and misleading trials (coming upon me). O Allah! Adorn us with the adornment of Iman, and make us (from those who are) guided and guiding (others).

O Allaah! Let Me Live If Life is Good For Me And Let Me Die if Death is Good For Me

O Allah! Rectify my religion for me: https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2021/01/01/o-allaah-let-me-live-if-life-is-good-for-me-and-let-me-die-if-death-is-good-for-me/


[1] Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmidhee 2376

[2] An Excerpt from at-Taleeq Alaa Siyaasah Shar’iyyah. pages 454-455

[3]Majmu Al-Fatawa. 10/600

[4] An Excerpt from ‘Mukhtasar Minhaj Al Qasidin’ page: 199-201

[5] An Excerpt from ‘Mukhtasar Minhaj Al Qasidin’ page: 199-20

[6] An Excerpt from Sharh Hilyah Talib Al-Ilm page 246

The Dam and The Rats

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

لَقَدۡ كَانَ لِسَبَإٍ۬ فِى مَسۡكَنِهِمۡ ءَايَةٌ۬ ۖ جَنَّتَانِ عَن يَمِينٍ۬ وَشِمَالٍ۬ۖ كُلُواْ مِن رِّزۡقِ رَبِّكُمۡ وَٱشۡكُرُواْ لَهُۚ ۥ بَلۡدَةٌ۬ طَيِّبَةٌ۬ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ۬
فَأَعۡرَضُواْ فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمۡ سَيۡلَ ٱلۡعَرِمِ وَبَدَّلۡنَـٰهُم بِجَنَّتَيۡہِمۡ جَنَّتَيۡنِ ذَوَاتَىۡ أُڪُلٍ خَمۡطٍ۬ وَأَثۡلٍ۬ وَشَىۡءٍ۬ مِّن سِدۡرٍ۬ قَلِيلٍ۬
ذَٲلِكَ جَزَيۡنَـٰهُم بِمَا كَفَرُواْۖ وَهَلۡ نُجَـٰزِىٓ إِلَّا ٱلۡكَفُورَ
وَجَعَلۡنَا بَيۡنَہُمۡ وَبَيۡنَ ٱلۡقُرَى ٱلَّتِى بَـٰرَڪۡنَا فِيہَا قُرً۬ى ظَـٰهِرَةً۬ وَقَدَّرۡنَا فِيہَا ٱلسَّيۡرَۖ سِيرُواْ فِيہَا لَيَالِىَ وَأَيَّامًا ءَامِنِينَ
فَقَالُواْ رَبَّنَا بَـٰعِدۡ بَيۡنَ أَسۡفَارِنَا وَظَلَمُوٓاْ أَنفُسَہُمۡ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَحَادِيثَ وَمَزَّقۡنَـٰهُمۡ كُلَّ مُمَزَّقٍۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ۬ شَكُورٍ۬

Indeed there was for Saba’ a sign in their dwelling place, – two gardens on the right hand and on the left (and it was said to them) “Eat of the provision of your Lord, and be grateful to Him, a fair land and an Oft-Forgiving Lord. But they turned away (from the obedience of Allah), so We sent against them Sail Al-‘Arim (flood released from the dam), and We converted their two gardens into gardens producing bitter bad fruit, and tamarisks, and some few lote-trees. Like this We requited them because they were ungrateful disbelievers. And never do We requite in such a way except those who are ungrateful, (disbelievers). And We placed between them and the towns which We had blessed, towns easy to be seen, and We made the stages (of journey) between them easy (saying): “Travel in them safely both by night and day.” But they said: “Our Lord! Make the stages between our journey longer,” and they wronged themselves, so We made them as tales (in the land), and We dispersed them all, totally. Verily, in this are indeed signs for every steadfast grateful (person).

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Saba was a well-known tribe close to Yemen and their dwelling place was a township called Ma’rib. And one of blessings Allaah has bestowed upon the people – in general- and His kindness to them, and to the Arabs in particular, is that Allaah narrated – in the Qur’aan – the news regarding those who were destroyed and punished, who lived close to the Arabs and they saw its Aathaar [i.e. the signs left behind in the land to indicate their evil end]; and the people transmitted its news, so that it became easier to [believe and affirm] its truthfulness and closer [to the hearts and minds] as an admonition.

Allaah said: [لَقَدۡ كَانَ لِسَبَإٍ۬ فِى مَسۡكَنِهِمۡ ءَايَةٌ۬ – Indeed there was for Saba’ a sign in their dwelling place]- Meaning: The place they lived. [The term  ‘Sign’ in this statement] are the blessings Allah bestowed upon them and averted calamities from them, which necessitated that they worship Allah alone and thank Him. Then Allaah [clarified and explained what] this sign was, saying: [جَنَّتَانِ عَن يَمِينٍ۬ وَشِمَالٍ۬ – two gardens on the right hand and on the left]- Meaning: They used to have a huge valley to which came abundant rainfall. They built a robust dam that gathered the water and the rainfall used to come to it. It gathered abundant water over there, so they distributed it to their orchards, which were situated on the right and left of that valley. The two big gardens brought forth for them Thimaar [i.e. fruits and other produce from trees, plants] that was sufficient for them, which brought about – for them- a state of bliss and happiness. So, Allaah commanded them to thank Him for bestowing upon them His blessings which He facilitated for them in numerous ways as follows:

The two gardens from which came most of their nourishments.

Allah made their dwelling place good- its air was good, it had very little pollution and the land brought provision continuously.

Allaah promised them that if they are grateful to Him, He will forgive them and show them mercy, and this is why Allaah said: [بَلۡدَةٌ۬ طَيِّبَةٌ۬ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ۬ – a fair land and an Oft-Forgiving Lord].

Due to the fact that Allah knew their need for trade and earnings in the blessed land- and what is apparent is that it was the surrounding towns of Sanaa [i.e. in Yemen] as stated by more than one of the Salaf, and it was stated that the blessed land was Shaam [syria]-, therefore, Allaah facilitated for them the means through which they got there with great ease, safely and without fear, and the adjacent towns between them and that blessed land; so that they encountered no difficulty in carrying provisions and merchandise. And due to this Allaah said: [وَجَعَلۡنَا بَيۡنَہُمۡ وَبَيۡنَ ٱلۡقُرَى ٱلَّتِى بَـٰرَڪۡنَا فِيہَا قُرً۬ى ظَـٰهِرَةً۬ وَقَدَّرۡنَا فِيہَا ٱلسَّيۡرَۖ –  And We placed between them and the towns which We had blessed, towns easy to be seen, and We made the stages (of journey) between them easy]- Meaning: Distances they were acquainted with and make [good plans for their journeys], so that they did not get lost on their way. [سِيرُواْ فِيہَا لَيَالِىَ وَأَيَّامًا ءَامِنِينَ – Travel in them safely both by night and day]- Meaning: With tranquillity during those nights and days, without fear. This was one of Allaah’s perfect blessings which He bestowed upon them by saving them from fear.

However, they turned away from the One [i.e. their Lord Allaah] Who bestowed those blessings upon them- turned away from worshipping Him alone, thankless for the blessings bestowed upon them and became unconcerned about them, until they asked and wished that the distance of their journeys between those towns [which was very easy] should be longer.

[وَظَلَمُوٓاْ أَنفُسَہُمۡ – And they wronged themselves]- Meaning: Due to their disbelief in Allaah and being ungrateful to Him for the blessings He bestowed on them, Allaah punished  them as a result of their transgression, took it away from them [i.e. the blessings] and sent them Sail Al-Arim  [a wild flood], which destroyed their dam, destroyed their gardens and orchards. So, those gardens that had amazing verdant plots and trees that bore fruits were substituted with trees that had no benefit.

And due to this Allah said: [وَبَدَّلۡنَـٰهُم بِجَنَّتَيۡہِمۡ جَنَّتَيۡنِ ذَوَاتَىۡ أُڪُلٍ خَمۡطٍ۬ وَأَثۡلٍ۬ وَشَىۡءٍ۬ مِّن سِدۡرٍ۬ قَلِيلٍ۬  – and We converted their two gardens into gardens producing bitter bad fruit, and tamarisks, and some few lote-trees]- Meaning: Brought little food that was not enough to suffice them. All these trees are well known and was a just recompense for their evil deeds. (1)

Story of The Dam of Ma’rib: The story of the dam is about the water which used to come to them from between two mountains, combined with water from rain falls and their valleys. Their kings built a huge, strong dam and the water reached a high level between the two mountains. Then they planted trees and got the best fruits that could ever be harvested, plentiful and beautiful. A number of the Salaf, including Qataadah [rahimahumullaah] mentioned that a woman would walk beneath the trees, carrying a basket or vessel – such as is used to gather fruit – on her head, and that fruit would fall from the trees and fill the basket without any need for her to make the effort to pick the fruit, because it was so plentiful and ripe. This was the dam of Marib, a land between which and San’a was a journey of three days. Others said that in their land there were no flies, mosquitos or fleas, or any kind of vermin. This was because the weather was good and the people were healthy, and Allaah took care of them so they that they worship Him alone.

Some including Ibn Abbaas [may Allaah be pleased with him and his father], Wahb Bin Munabbih, Qataadah and Ad-Dahhaak [may Allaah have mercy upon them] said that when Allaah wanted to punish them by sending the flood upon them,  he sent animals from the earth to the dam, large rats which made a hole in it. (2) Wahb Bin Munabbih said, “They found written in their scriptures that the dam would be destroyed because of these large rats. So they brought cats for a while, but when the decree came to pass, the rats overran the cats and went into the dam, making a hole in it, and it collapsed”. (3) Qataadah and others said, “The large rat is the desert rat. They gnawed at the bottom of the dam until it became weak, then the time of the floods came and the waters rushed through the bottom of the valley and destroyed everything in their path- buildings, trees etc!” (4)

And just as they substituted beautiful thankfulness with that ugly ingratitude, those blessings were substituted with the things that have been mentioned. And due to this Allaah said: [ذَٲلِكَ جَزَيۡنَـٰهُم بِمَا كَفَرُواْۖ وَهَلۡ نُجَـٰزِىٓ إِلَّا ٱلۡكَفُورَ- Like this We requited them because they were ungrateful disbelievers. And never do We requite in such a way except those who are ungrateful, (disbelievers)]- Meaning: We do not recompense with this punishment, except to those who disbelieve in Allaah and are thankless for His blessings.

After that which befell them befell them, they scattered and split, even though aforetime they were together. Allah made them a story by way of which others spoke about them – stories people narrated at night, and people used to mention them in the parable [i.e. when talking about others], “They scattered like Saba”. Everyone used to speak about that which happened to them.

However, none learns a lesson regarding their affair, except those about whom Allaah said: [إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ۬ شَكُورٍ۬  – Verily, in this are indeed signs for every steadfast grateful (person)]- Meaning: Those who are patient when facing hardship and extreme difficulties, who persevere for the Sake of Allaah, grateful to Allaah for His blessings, affirm and acknowledge such blessings, praise the One who bestowed it upon them [i.e. Allaah] and utilise them in obedience to Allaah. When this type of person hears their story [i.e. the people of Sabah]- their behaviour and what happened to them, he knows that the punishment was a recompense for their ungratefulness, and that whoever commits the likes of that which they did will be treated in the same way. And that being grateful to Allaah for His blessings is a safeguard for those blessing and repels punishment; and that Allaah’s Messengers spoke the truth regarding that which they informed the people and that recompense is true, as its examples are seen in this worldly abode. (5)

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: It [i.e. Saba] was an Arab tribe named after a grandfather of theirs – a man with many children. It has been reported in a hadeeth that his children were ten in number- six stayed in Yemen and four in Shaam [Syria]. Then they spread in the earth and became numerous.

[لَقَدۡ كَانَ لِسَبَإٍ۬ فِى مَسۡكَنِهِمۡ ءَايَةٌ۬  – Indeed there was for Saba’ a sign in their dwelling place]: [مَسۡكَنِ – Maskan- is that which a person lives in and lives there with tranquillity, such as houses, groves, orchards etc]. [ءَايَةٌ۬ – Aayah]- is a sign that shows something. The sign [i.e. the one mentioned in this Aayah] shows Allaah’s All-Encompassing Power, His blessings and [Perfect] Wisdom.

[جَنَّتَانِ عَن يَمِينٍ۬ وَشِمَالٍ۬  – two gardens on the right hand and on the left]- Meaning: Gardens filled with trees. And if situated on the right and the left, it will possess a marvellous and attractive sight. They were a chain of gardens on the right and left. [كُلُواْ مِن رِّزۡقِ رَبِّكُمۡ وَٱشۡكُرُواْ لَهُۚ  – (and it was said to them) “Eat of the provision of your Lord, and be grateful to Him]- Meaning: That which Allah has provided for you in the land of Saba.

Allaah placed numerous good in these two gardens and benefiting from them was very easy. [وَٱشۡكُرُواْ لَهُۚ-And thank Him (i.e. Allaah)]- Meaning: This is what was sought from them [i.e. to be thankful], and thankfulness is connected to the heart, the tongue and the limbs- to acknowledge that those blessings are from Allaah, praise Allaah for them and perform acts of obedience with your limbs, until you fulfil the obligation of thankfulness in the manner sought from you.

Thank Allaah for the blessings He has bestowed on you in the land of Saba. [بَلۡدَةٌ۬ طَيِّبَةٌ۬ – a fair land (i.e. Saba)]. This land had no predators, mosquitoes, flies, fleas, scorpions and snakes. A stranger would go pass the land and the lice on his clothes will die due to the good air [or weather condition]. [وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ۬  – an Oft-Forgiving Lord]- Meaning: Allaah is the Forgiving Lord – the forgiver of sins. Allaah granted them these two blessings: the blessing of a good dwelling place, and the blessing of forgiveness, safety from sins and its punishment in the afterlife; and the good land is a means of safety against evils in the worldly life.

This great Aayah shows Allaah’s All-Encompassing Power and His Perfect Wisdom in relation to the story of Saba in general, that they were blessed in their dwelling places, orchards, castles and other than that. But when they turned away, the situation changed. In this is a lesson and a sign from many different angles – a sign that shows Allaah’s All-Encompassing Power to the one who disobeys Allaah, a lesson for one who obeys Allaah and a sign that shows Allaah’s [Perfect] Wisdom.

Contemplate on this Aayah and you’ll find the different and various signs in it! It is a sign that shows Allaah’s All-Encompassing Power because He created for them those mighty orchards, and then substituted it with something else that was not equal to them in anything.

This shows the [Perfect] Wisdom of Allaah when He bestowed that good upon them- when they were [obedient, submissive etc] to Him, and then took it away from them when they turned away – turned away from worshipping Him due to pride. This is a sign to take a lesson from by the people who disobey Allaah, because in it is a warning that the cessation of Allaah’s blessings is due to their sins. It is a sign for those who obey Allaah when they take a lesson from it, that as long as they obey Allaah, then Allah’s blessings will be sent to them.

Those gardens brought forth its food in abundance and many other ways, because Allaah said to them [i.e. the people of Saba]: [كُلُواْ مِن رِّزۡقِ رَبِّكُمۡ – Eat of the provision of your Lord].

It is obligatory to be grateful to Allaah because Allaah said [وَٱشۡكُرُواْ لَهُۚ – and be grateful to Him]. Sound intellect obligates gratitude just as it is obligated by the divine revelation. As for its obligation in the Sharee’ah, then the Aayaat of the Qur’aan commanding it are numerous. As for its obligation as [dictated or recognised] by sound intellect, then that is because sound intellect necessitates that whoever does good for you, then you should thank him. The one who is not thankful to Allaah will not be thankful to the people – Meaning: Everyone sees that it is wrong when a person does good to you, but you shun him and you do not thank him. All of us know that this is wrong and it is obligatory that you are thankful.

Also this shows that the lands are divided into two- good and bad, because Allaah said: [بَلۡدَةٌ۬ طَيِّبَةٌ۬ – a fair land]. And what type of good is in this land – is it the terrain [i.e. physical features], its air [or weather, climate] or its fruits? Answer: It includes all these three affairs.

Allaah said:[وَٱلۡبَلَدُ ٱلطَّيِّبُ يَخۡرُجُ نَبَاتُهُ ۥ بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهِۦ‌ۖ وَٱلَّذِى خَبُثَ لَا يَخۡرُجُ إِلَّا نَكِدً۬ا‌ۚ ڪَذَٲلِكَ نُصَرِّفُ ٱلۡأَيَـٰتِ لِقَوۡمٍ۬ يَشۡكُرُونَ- The vegetation of a good land comes forth (easily) by the Permission of its Lord, and that which is bad, brings forth nothing but a little with difficulty. Thus do We explain variously the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) for a people who give thanks]. [Surah Al-A’raaf. Aayah 58]

Affirmation of Allah’s Lordship and His forgiveness, which is found in the statement: [وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ۬ – an Oft-Forgiving Lord].

[فَأَعۡرَضُواْ فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمۡ سَيۡلَ ٱلۡعَرِمِ وَبَدَّلۡنَـٰهُم بِجَنَّتَيۡہِمۡ جَنَّتَيۡنِ ذَوَاتَىۡ أُڪُلٍ خَمۡطٍ۬ وَأَثۡلٍ۬ وَشَىۡءٍ۬ مِّن سِدۡرٍ۬ قَلِيلٍ۬ – But they turned away, so We sent against them Sail Al-‘Arim (flood released from the dam), and We converted their two gardens into gardens producing bitter bad fruit, and tamarisks, and some few lote-trees]. [Surah Saba. Aayah 16]

[فَأَعۡرَضُواْ – But they turned away]- Meaning: They turned away and disbelieved.

[فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمۡ سَيۡلَ ٱلۡعَرِمِ – so We sent against them Sail Al-‘Arim (flood released from the dam)]- Meaning: Because they turned away, We sent them the flood. This flood drowned their gardens and their wealth. This is Allaah’s way in dealing with His creation [i.e. the disobedient ones amongst mankind and jinn], just as Allaah [The Exalted] said [in another Aayah]:

وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلاً۬ قَرۡيَةً۬ ڪَانَتۡ ءَامِنَةً۬ مُّطۡمَٮِٕنَّةً۬ يَأۡتِيهَا رِزۡقُهَا رَغَدً۬ا مِّن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ۬ فَڪَفَرَتۡ بِأَنۡعُمِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَذَٲقَهَا ٱللَّهُ لِبَاسَ ٱلۡجُوعِ وَٱلۡخَوۡفِ بِمَا ڪَانُواْ يَصۡنَعُونَ

And Allah puts forward the example of a township (Makkah), that dwelt secure and well content; its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the Favours of Allah (with ungratefulness). So Allah made it taste the extreme of hunger (famine) and fear, because of that (evil, i.e. denying Prophet Muhammad) which they (its people) used to do. [Surah An-Nahl. Aayah 112]

[وَبَدَّلۡنَـٰهُم بِجَنَّتَيۡہِمۡ جَنَّتَيۡنِ ذَوَاتَىۡ أُڪُلٍ خَمۡطٍ۬ وَأَثۡلٍ۬ وَشَىۡءٍ۬ مِّن سِدۡرٍ۬ قَلِيلٍ۬ – and We converted their two gardens into gardens producing bitter bad fruit, and tamarisks, and some few lote-trees]- Meaning: The two previous gardens that had good fruits from which they ate and benefited through trade and other than that.

In summary: When these people turned away and were not thankful to Allaah, He sent the flood and thus their wealth was drowned and their buildings destroyed. Their two gardens were replaced with two other gardens that were neither equal nor could they be compared to that which they had before.

Benefits Derived From This Noble Aayah:

– A clarification of the situation of these people- that they replaced the blessings of Allaah with disbelief, even though it was incumbent upon them to be thankful to Allah and obey Him after they were given those blessings, but they turned away.

-Punishment against those who turn away [from obedience to Allaah] is based on that which Allaah’s Perfect Wisdom necessitates. And indeed Allaah has stated in another Aayah: [فَكُلاًّ أَخَذۡنَا بِذَنۢبِهِ- So We punished each (of them) for his sins]. Punishment is always given in a manner that fits the deed [i.e. the crime]. Thus, when these people became ungrateful and disbelieved due to those gardens [given to them], they were replaced with bad gardens.

– An affirmation of the ‘Reason or Cause’ which can be taken from the Aayah: [فَأَعۡرَضُواْ فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا – But they turned away, so We sent against them (i.e. the flood released from the dam)]. So, Allaah sent them [the flood] due to their turning away.

– Sins are a reason for the cessation of blessings, because Allaah said: [فَأَعۡرَضُواْ فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا – But they turned away, so We sent against them (i.e. the flood released from the dam)]. They were in a state of bliss prior to that, but when they turned away Allaah sent them this destructive flood. This has many other testimonies in the Qur’aan, and from them is the statement of Allaah:

[وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلاً۬ قَرۡيَةً۬ ڪَانَتۡ ءَامِنَةً۬ مُّطۡمَٮِٕنَّةً۬ يَأۡتِيهَا رِزۡقُهَا رَغَدً۬ا مِّن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ۬ فَڪَفَرَتۡ بِأَنۡعُمِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَذَٲقَهَا ٱللَّهُ لِبَاسَ ٱلۡجُوعِ وَٱلۡخَوۡفِ بِمَا ڪَانُواْ يَصۡنَعُونَ – And Allah puts forward the example of a township (Makkah), that dwelt secure and well content; its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the Favours of Allah (with ungratefulness). So Allah made it taste the extreme of hunger (famine) and fear, because of that (evil, i.e. denying Prophet Muhammad) which they (its people) used to do]. [Surah An-Nahl. Aayah 112]

Allaah said:

وَلَوۡ أَنَّ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱتَّقَوۡاْ لَفَتَحۡنَا عَلَيۡہِم بَرَكَـٰتٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَـٰكِن كَذَّبُواْ فَأَخَذۡنَـٰهُم بِمَا ڪَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ
أَفَأَمِنَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ أَن يَأۡتِيَہُم بَأۡسُنَا بَيَـٰتً۬ا وَهُمۡ نَآٮِٕمُونَ
أَوَأَمِنَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ أَن يَأۡتِيَهُم بَأۡسُنَا ضُحً۬ى وَهُمۡ يَلۡعَبُونَ
أَفَأَمِنُواْ مَڪۡرَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ فَلَا يَأۡمَنُ مَڪۡرَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلۡقَوۡمُ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرُونَ

And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwa (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes, etc.). Did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our Punishment by night while they are asleep? Or, did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our Punishment in the forenoon while they play? Did they then feel secure against the Plan of Allah. None feels secure from the Plan of Allah except the people who are the losers. [Surah Al-A’raaf. Aayaat 96-99]

– Rain is blessing and mercy, but it can be a source of vengeance and punishment, because Allaah said: [سَيۡلَ ٱلۡعَرِمِ – Flood released from the dam]. Sail in origin is the gathering of rainwater until it begins to flow. Its origin is good, just as Allaah said: [أَوَلَمۡ يَرَوۡاْ أَنَّا نَسُوقُ ٱلۡمَآءَ إِلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ ٱلۡجُرُزِ فَنُخۡرِجُ بِهِۦ زَرۡعً۬ا تَأۡڪُلُ مِنۡهُ أَنۡعَـٰمُهُمۡ وَأَنفُسُہُمۡ‌ۖ أَفَلَا يُبۡصِرُونَ  – Have they not seen how We drive water (rain clouds) to the dry land without any vegetation, and therewith bring forth crops providing food for their cattle and themselves? Will they not then see?] [Surah As-Sajdah. Aayah 27]. This [i.e. rainwater] is good, but sometimes it is a means of punishment.

– A clarification of the misguidance of those people who when afflicted with the likes of these calamities, such as floods and its like, it does not have an effect on them and they would say, “This is something that occurs naturally [i.e. it has no connection to the decree of a Creator nor is it due to sins etc]”. Indeed, these floods that cause destruction are nothing else but punishment from Allaah by way of which those punished are put to trial and those upon their way are deterred.

–  A clarification of Allaah’s All-Encompassing Power, because He sent them those floods which drowned their fruits and vegetation. And after [the destruction of those fruits and vegetation], bitter bad fruit, tamarisks and some few lote-trees grew [to replace them]. It was not lote-trees [i.e. in their abundance], rather it was few lote-trees, and their gigantic gardens were replaced with it.

– The Perfect Wisdom of Allaah in that He replaced those two gardens with another two gardens, because obedience to Allaah is light [i.e. guidance], uprightness and success, and it is appropriately recompensed with Allaah’s [Favours, Blessings etc]. Sinning is darkness [i.e. misguidance] and corruption, so it is appropriately connected to that bad replacement [i.e. the gigantic gardens that produced abundant good fruits were replaced with gardens that bore few fruits and were bitter].

[ذَٲلِكَ جَزَيۡنَـٰهُم بِمَا كَفَرُواْۖ وَهَلۡ نُجَـٰزِىٓ إِلَّا ٱلۡكَفُورَ – Like this We requited them (i.e. the people of Saba) due to their disbelief. And never do We requite in such a way except those who are ungrateful, (disbelievers)].

[ذَٲلِكَ جَزَيۡنَـٰهُم بِمَا كَفَرُواْۖ  – Like this We requited them due to their disbelief]- Meaning: Due to their disbelief, We recompense them with this recompense by drowning their wealth, destroyed their buildings and replaced their two gardens [i.e. the two gigantic, amazing and fruitful gardens] with two other gardens [i.e. the ones that produce bitter fruits]. [وَهَلۡ نُجَـٰزِىٓ إِلَّا ٱلۡكَفُورَ – And never do We requite in such a way except those who are ungrateful, (disbelievers)]

From The Benefits of This Aayah:

– Proof [to show that] Allaah does not recompense anyone with punishment except due to his deeds, as Allaah said: [بِمَا كَفَرُواْۖ  – Due to their disbelief]

– An establishment of the Asbaab [Cause or Reason behind this punishment] because the Baa in this statement is Sababiyyah [i.e. the Baa attached to a word to show us the reason or cause behind something]

– The difference between the words [يَجْزِى  -Yaj’zee and [يُجَازِى  – Yu’jaa’zee. In this Aayah Allaah said: [وَهَلۡ نُجَـٰزِىٓ إِلَّا ٱلۡكَفُورَ- Like this We requited them due to their disbelief]. [نَجْزِى ] refers to good recompense and [ نُجَازِى  ]- refers to punishment, and this is what some of the scholars say [may Allaah have mercy upon them]. So, when referring to good, we say [جَزَى ] and when referring to evil. we say [جَازَى ] (6)


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

[Ref 2: At-tabari 20/378-380]

[Ref 3: At-tabari 20/381].

[Ref 4: At-tabari 20/381]

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

[Ref 6: An Excerpt from Tafseer Surah Saba. Pages 126-137]

The old man with the garden and his weak children

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

Allah [The Exalted] said:

أَيَوَدُّ أَحَدُڪُمۡ أَن تَكُونَ لَهُ ۥ جَنَّةٌ۬ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ۬ وَأَعۡنَابٍ۬ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ لَهُ ۥ فِيهَا مِن ڪُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ وَأَصَابَهُ ٱلۡكِبَرُ وَلَهُ ۥ ذُرِّيَّةٌ۬ ضُعَفَآءُ فَأَصَابَهَآ إِعۡصَارٌ۬ فِيهِ نَارٌ۬ فَٱحۡتَرَقَتۡ‌ۗ كَذَٲلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَڪُمُ ٱلۡأَيَـٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ

Would any of you love to have a garden with date-palms and vines, with rivers flowing underneath, and all kinds of fruits for him therein, while he is stricken with old age, and his children are weak (not able to look after themselves), then it is struck with a fiery whirlwind, so that it is burnt? Thus does Allah make clear His Aayaat (proofs, evidences, verses) to you that you may give thought. [Al-Baqarah. 266]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said that Imam Al-Hasan Al-Basri, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “By Allah! Very few amongst the people understand this parable. A very old man whose body is weak and his children are many would be very much in need of his garden. By Allaah! One of you would be more in need of his deeds when he is cut off from this worldly life [i.e. through death]”.

It has been reported in Sahih Al-Bukhari that one day Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said to the companions, “What do you think about this verse [أَيَوَدُّ أَحَدُڪُمۡ أَن تَكُونَ لَهُ ۥ جَنَّةٌ۬ – Would any of you love to have a garden]?” They replied, “Allah knows best”. Umar became angry and said, “Either say that you know or say that you do not know”. Then Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father] said, ‘O chief of the believers! I have something in my mind to say about it’. Umar said, ‘O son of my brother! Say, and do not underestimate yourself’. Ibn Abbas said, “In this verse there has been put forward a parable for deeds”. Umar said, “What kind of deeds?” Ibn Abbas said, “For deeds”. Umar said, “This is an example for a wealthy man who does good deeds out of obedience to Allah and then Allah sends him Satan whereupon he commits sins till all his good deeds are lost”. (a)

This narration shows Ibn Abbas’s strong understanding and the precedence Umar gave him even when he was young. This hadeeth also shows a scholar motivating his student to speak in the presence of those older than him if he knows that the young one is worthy of it, in order to encourage him, broaden himself (in understanding) and make him desirous of knowledge. (b) “Umar stated that Allah sent this wealthy person a shaytan and he lost all his good deeds”.

Question: Why does this occur? Answer: It occurs based on Allah’s Perfect and Just Decree, as recompense for one’s wickedness (c); due to a hidden plot in one’s heart (d), due one turning away from guidance and behaving as if he does not know Allah’s guidance (e); turning away from Allah’s reminder, which he revealed to his Messenger, turning away from understanding it and pondering upon it, and that which Allah intends by way of it, so Allah leaves such a person with his devil as a punishment – the devil that follows him. So, this devil becomes his ally (f); because none submits to Allaah sincerely and truthfully, and performs the deeds of the people of Jannah, except that Allaah will never abandon him. (g). Such a person was not compelled to go astray, rather he made a choice, but his choice is under the Will of Allaah. We do not know what was in the hearts of those who deviated, so Allah deviated their hearts; but we know – with absolute certainty – that Allah passes Just Judgments and He does not do injustice to anything; rather it is the people who wrong themselves. (h)

So Allah said: [أَيَوَدُّ أَحَدُڪُمۡ – Would one of you love]; This statement is more profound than a negation and prohibition, just as when you see someone committing a repugnant deed, so you say to him, “A sensible person would not do this! Would someone who fears Allah and the Hereafter do this?!”. [أَيَوَدُّ أَحَدُڪُمۡ – Would one of you love] is more profound [or intense] in showing one’s rejection than saying, “Would you want”, because love and wish in this situation is more repugnant and evil than just wanting.

[أَيَوَدُّ أَحَدُڪُمۡ أَن تَكُونَ لَهُ ۥ جَنَّةٌ۬ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ۬ وَأَعۡنَابٍ۬ – Would any of you love to have a garden with date-palms and vines]; These two [fruits] have been specifically mentioned because they are the most valuable and they contain more benefit, for indeed they are a source of food, nourishment, medicine, drink and fruitage – whether sweet or sour, and are eaten when moist or dry. Their benefits are numerous indeed. The people differ regarding which of the two is better and more beneficial. Some say the date palm and others say the vine, and each group provided proofs to establish their statement, and we have mentioned this in another place [i.e. in another book]. In summary: This affair differs based on different countries, for indeed Allaah made it a common affair in a way that one of them does not dismiss the authority of the other. The date palm – when in its most favourable land and place- is better and more beneficial than the vine in that place; and the vine – in its suitable land and habitat – is better than the date palm in there. And Allaah knows best.

The intent is that these two types of fruits are the noblest and the best of fruits, so a garden that has both of them would be the best of gardens. In addition to this, rivers flow under this garden, which makes it more perfect and greater in status. And in addition to this, there’s no absence of other types of fruits in this garden which one desires; rather there are all types of fruits therein; however most of its produce and its main purpose is for the date palm and vines. Allaah said: [ۥ فِيهَا مِن ڪُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ – and all kinds of fruits for him therein]. And similar to this statement is also the statement of Allaah: [وَٱضۡرِبۡ لَهُم مَّثَلاً۬ رَّجُلَيۡنِ جَعَلۡنَا لِأَحَدِهِمَا جَنَّتَيۡنِ مِنۡ أَعۡنَـٰبٍ۬ وَحَفَفۡنَـٰهُمَا بِنَخۡلٍ۬ وَجَعَلۡنَا بَيۡنَہُمَا زَرۡعً۬ا – And put forward to them the example of two men; unto one of them We had given two gardens of grapes, and We had surrounded both with date-palms; and had put between them green crops (cultivated fields)]. [ كِلۡتَا ٱلۡجَنَّتَيۡنِ ءَاتَتۡ أُكُلَهَا وَلَمۡ تَظۡلِم مِّنۡهُ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا‌ۚ وَفَجَّرۡنَا خِلَـٰلَهُمَا نَہَرً۬ا – Each of those two gardens brought forth its produce, and failed not in the least therein, and We caused a river to gush forth in the midst of them]. [وَكَانَ لَهُ ۥ ثَمَرٌ۬ – And he had property (or fruit)… ][Surah Al-Kahf. Aayaat 32-34]

Then Allah said about this garden [i.e. the one mentioned in Baqarah 266]: [فَأَصَابَهَآ إِعۡصَارٌ۬ فِيهِ نَارٌ۬ فَٱحۡتَرَقَتۡ‌ۗ – then it is struck with a fiery whirlwind, so that it is burnt]. Al-Kahf 42] [وَأُحِيطَ بِثَمَرِهِۦ فَأَصۡبَحَ يُقَلِّبُ كَفَّيۡهِ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَنفَقَ فِيہَا وَهِىَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِہَا – So his fruits were encircled (with ruin). And he remained clapping his hands with sorrow over what he had spent upon it, while it was all destroyed on its trellises].

Then Allaah said: [وَأَصَابَهُ ٱلۡكِبَرُ – while he is stricken with old age]. This shows his great need of this garden, and his heart’s attachment to it can be seen in various ways (as follows): Indeed, he has reached very old age and cannot earn or engage in trade, the son of Adam increases in eagerness for things when he gets older, he has children, so he is eager that his garden should remain because both him and his children are in need of it, his children are weak and they are a burden on him – neither do they benefit him with their strength nor their deeds, and he is responsible for their livelihood because they are weak and incapable [of doing anything]. This is the great extent to which his heart is attached to this garden and the great need him and his children have of it. So, when you truly perceive this situation and this need, then what will be the calamity if his garden is stricken by a fiery whirlwind and burns it. By Allaah! Indeed, Al-Hasan Al-Basri spoke the truth (when he said), “Very few amongst the people understand this parable”. And due to this, Allaah notified us regarding the greatness of this parable and prompted the hearts to reflect upon it due to their great need of it. Allah said: [كَذَٲلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَڪُمُ ٱلۡأَيَـٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ – Thus does Allah make clear His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses) to you that you may give thought].

If a truly sensible person was to ponder upon this parable and took it as a guide for his heart, it would suffice and heal it. So, if a person was to perform deeds of obedience to Allah, but then followed it with that which nullified it due to disobedience to Allah, it would be like the fiery whirlwind that burnt the garden. [An Excerpt from Tareequl Hijratayn pages 456-458. Slightly paraphrased. Publisher Daar Ibn Rajab 2nd edition 1421AH (2001)]

The Balance Between Fear and Hope

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated: Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “It is obligated on a person that his fear and hope are the same because if one of them is more than the other he is destroyed”. Amongst the scholars are those who say that if you desire to perform an act of obedience, you should have more hope that Allah will accept it, raise your status by way of it and strengthen you. And if you desire to commit an act of disobedience, you should have more fear so that you do not fall into it. And amongst the scholars are those who say that fear and hope should be based on the circumstances of a person; if one is in a state of poor health, he should have more hope because the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “None of you should die except whilst having good thoughts about Allah”. This is because if one has overwhelming fear whilst he is in a state of poor health, it may lead him to despair of Allah’s Mercy. As for when one is in a state of good health, he should have more fear because a state of good health is a reason for corruption [i.e. it corrupts some people because they take it for granted and are ungrateful etc]. The best position – in my view – regarding this dangerous subject matter is that a person (approaches the affair) based on his circumstances and the position that is more precise is that a person should have more hope when he performs a good deed, and when he desires an evil deed, he should have more fear. [Sharh Hilyatil Taaluibal Ilm. Page 35-36]


[a] Sahih Al-Bukhari. 4538
[b] Fat’hul Bari Sharh Sahih Al-Bukhari. 8/254
[c] Tafsir As-Sadi, Surah Israa. 5
[d] Sharh Arba’een page 87-88. 1st edition. 1424 (2003)- Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin)]
[e] Zaad Al-Maseer. Tafseer Surah Az-Zukhruf Averse 36
[f] Al-Jawaab Al-Kaafee 136-137
[g] Sharh Arba’een page 88. 1st edition. 1424 (2003)
[h] Sharh Al-Arba’een pages 55-56- 1st edition 1428 (2007)-by Al-Allamah Salih Aala Ash-Shaikh

Insights From a Famous Hadith of Hudaifah – By Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan

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

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

All praise and thanks be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his companions.  To proceed: Indeed, the hadith that will be addressed – in this lecture – is the hadith of Hudhaifah Bin Al-Yaman, may Allah be pleased with him. He said: 

People used to ask Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, about the good times, but I used to ask him about bad times fearing lest they overtake me.  I said, “O Messenger of Allah! We were in a state of pre-Islamic ignorance and evil, and then Allah brought us this good (time through Islam), is there any evil time after this good one?” He said, “Yes” I asked, “Will there be a good time again after that evil?” He said, “Yes, but therein will be a hidden evil”. I asked, “What will be the evil hidden therein?” He said, “People who will follow ways other than mine and seek guidance other than mine. You will know (their) good points as well as (their) bad points”. I asked, “Will there be an evil time after this good one?” He said, “Yes, when there will be people standing and inviting at the gates of Hell. Whosoever responds to their call they will throw them into the fire”. I said, “O Messenger of Allah! Describe them for us”. He said, “They will be a people having the same complexion as ours and speaking our language”. I said, “O Messenger of Allah! What would you suggest if I happened to live in that time?” He said, “You should stick to the main body of the Muslims and their leader”. I said, “If they have no main body and no leader?” He said, “Separate yourself from all these factions, though you may have to eat the roots of trees (in a jungle) until death comes to you and you are in this state”. [Bukhari and Muslim…. The wording of the above is that of Imam Muslim]

PDF Link

Lesson_From_a_Famous_Hadith of Hudaifah_By Mufti_Al_Allamah_Salih Al_Fawzan

 

An Example of Tale-Carrying That Led to Severe Consequences For The Perpetrator

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

Abdur-Raḥmān ibn Yazīd ibn Jābir said: Once we were with Rajāʾ ibn Ḥaywah, then we began reminding one another about showing gratitude for (Allah’s) blessings, so he said: ‘There is no one who can truly fulfill gratitude (to Allah) due to blessings’. And behind us there was a man with a cloak over his head, who said: ‘Not even the Amīr al-Muʾminīn)?’ We said: ‘We said: ‘The Amīr al-Muʾminīn has not been mentioned (specifically) here, rather, we are speaking in general — about any person!’ He (Abdur Rahman) said: ‘Our attention was diverted from him, then Rajā turned to notice his presence but could not see him, so he said, ‘The one who was wearing the cloak came to you. If you are called to swear by Allah, swear by Allah (truthfully)’.

He (Abdur Rahman) said: ‘It was not long before a guard of his (i.e. the Amīr al-Muʾminīn) approached him’. He (the Amīr al-Muʾminīn) said: ‘O Rajā! The Amīr al-Muʾminīn is mentioned, and you did not defend him (or support him)?’ He (Rajā) said: ‘O Amīr al-Muʾminīn! What is the matter about?’ He said: ‘You mentioned showing gratitude for (Allah’s) blessings and said: ‘: ‘There is no one who can truly fulfill gratitude (to Allah) due to blessings’ and it was said to you, ‘Not even the Amīr al-Muʾminīn?’ And you said: ‘Amīr al-Muʾminīn is just a man like others!’ Rajāʾ replied: ‘That did not happen'(i.e. you were not specified as the one intended regarding this discussion). He said, ‘By Allah'(i.e. you did not mean this?)

Rajāʾ said: ‘By Allah’. So, he (Amīr al-Muʾminīn) commanded that the man who transmitted the (rumour) be whipped seventy lashes. Then I exited and the man was covered in his own blood. Then he said: ‘You are Rajā ibn Ḥaywah and this happens because of you?!’ He (Rajā) said: ‘Seventy lashes on your back are better than (spilling) a believer’s blood’. Ibn Jābir said: ‘Thereafter, whenever Rajā sat in a gathering, he would say while looking around, ‘Beware of the man who wore the cloak'”. [1] [end of quote]

We all know that this type of behaviour leads to evil consequences- deception among the people, rancour, conflict and animosity, or even transgression. It is an extremely harmful behaviour that destroys the genuine trust, love, compassion and affection between people. Therefore, regardless of a person’s calm demeanor, gentle speech, and soft approach, do not rush to confide in anyone unless you are absolutely certain, as well as the fact that what you are discussing is truth, and not lies, slander, rumour or speculation.

One of the most dangerous people are those who, after knowing that two parties hold strong differing personal opinions, approach both sides under the guise of a sincere or truthful adviser. So, do not involve everyone who approaches as an adviser, for there are people who inquire about one party’s view on a matter and clearly show agreement during conversations, then they approach the other party and transmit speech to them in a manner that would be perceived as an attack.

Therefore, be selective who you involve in your personal disagreements because there are people whose lack of courage and honesty prevents them from speaking the truth and being frank, so they hide their views and go between two people to create conflict while portraying themselves neutral, even if they have already made known their views to the first party, but transmit such a view to the second party solely as the view of the first party, thus, the two parties may harbour suspicion and strong disagreement towards one another, while the transmitter portrays himself or herself as neutral. Therefore, it is important to be cautious regarding whom you speak to, whom you confide in, whom you involve in your personal disagreements, as not everyone who appears righteous is either truly a good adviser, one who truly desires rectification or someone who will stand up for the truth when the going gets tough. You reserve the right to take your time to trust people with regards to your personal affairs regardless of the status of the individual you want to deal with.


[1] Siyar Aʿlām al-Nubalāʾ. 4/561

Admonition to Those—Wherever They May Be—Who Carry Tales to Ruin Relationships

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

Asma Bint Yazid, may Allah be pleased with her, said: The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Shall I not tell you about the best of you?” They said, “Certainly”. The Prophet said, “Those who, if they are seen, they remind you of Allah. Shall I not tell you about the worst of you?” They said, “Certainly”. The Prophet said, “Those who carry tales and ruin relations between those who loved one another, seeking misery for the innocent.” [1]

“Those who carry tales”. 

Their habit – constantly and always – is to embark upon transmitting corrupt speech.

They do this to sow corruption (or ruin the good relationships between people).

You find two people – two people upon brotherhood and friendship, however due to the endevour of a tale-carrier, he (the tale-carrier) does not cease transmitting speech from this one to that one until an incident occurs between them…[2] [End of quote]

One of the bad behaviours of some people during our teenager years was that they would feign agreement to gain your trust and then transmit your disagreements to someone else whom they knew strongly disagrees with you. This was nothing but treachery regardless of the good character put on by the perpetrator.


[1] al-Adab al-Mufrad 323
[2] https://www.alathar.net/home/esound/index.php?op=codevi&coid=258598 a paraphrased excerpt from a statement of Imam Al-Albani, may Allah have mercy upon him.