Abdullah ibn Adam
In the name of Allah, to whom belongs the dominions, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
All praise is for Allah, the Most High, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace & Blessings be upon the Prophets of Allah, especially our Holy Prophet, Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa aalihi wa as-haabihi wa sallam).
Consider not that Allah is unaware of that which the Zalimoon do, but He gives them respite up to a Day when the eyes will stare in horror. (They will be) hastening forward with necks outstretched, their heads raised up (towards the sky), their gaze returning not towards them and their hearts empty (from thinking because of extreme fear).” [Ibrahim – 14:42-43].
“…The life of this world is nothing but an illusion.” [al-Hadeed – 57:20]
“With firm words, Allah makes the believers steadfast in
the life of this world and in the hereafter;
and Allah lets the wrongdoers go astray.
Allah does what He pleases.” [Ibrahim – 14:27]
Assalamu ‘alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,
A person deeply involved in this worldly life puts his faith on the apparent meanings. A man might think that wealth makes him strong, gives him status and adorns him. We think that the medicines we eat cure us. We think the food we eat keeps us alive otherwise we will die. Our deep involvement in this Dunya forces us to believe that those who have the material support are more successful than the others. However, if one were to explore the domains of destiny, one would experience the reality that these ideas are nothing but illusions. Allahu Ta’ala says in the Quran that the life of this world is nothing but an illusion of materials (wama al-hayatud-dunya illa mata’ul-ghuroor).
“Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, a show and boasting among yourselves, a quest for greater riches and more children. Its similitude is that of vegetation that flourish after rain: the growth of which delights the tillers, then it withers and you see it turn yellow, soon it becomes dry and crumbles away. In the hereafter there will be either severe punishment or forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure. The life of this world is nothing but an illusion.” Al-Quran [al-Hadiid – 57:20]
Man wastes his lifetime running after something which has no effect on anything except that he ruins his hereafter. A believer is he who believes that nothing can happen without the Will of Allahu ta’ala. Therefore, his objective becomes to gain Allah’s pleasure and not to run after this Dunya (World). No material possession can benefit or harm anyone if it is not desired by Allah. The principles say: Fire does not burn if Allah’s Will is there. Cure comes from Allah, not from the doctor or the medicines. Nor does anyone die without His Will. Therefore, a Believer’s trust should be on nothing and nothing but Allah alone, consequently Allah says: “..Allah is all sufficient for the person who puts his trust in Him…” [at-Talaaq – 65:3].
Prophet Dawud (‘alaihi salam) was among the army of Talut (‘alaihi salam). Recalling what Dawud (‘alaihi salam) said to Jalut (Goliath): “You may have armor, shield, and sword, but I face you in the name of Allah, the Lord of the Israelites, Whose laws you have mocked. Today you will see that it is not the sword that kills but the will and power of Allah!”. Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (‘alaihi salato was-salam) had a great degree of faith.
The Sahabah say to the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam): “By Allah, if you were to ask us to cross this sea and you plunged into it, we would plunge into it with you; not a man would stay behind”. It is with this faith that these men were prepared to do anything for Allah’s Deen, without worrying about the effects of any physical law. Because they know the reality which we find difficult to accept. Ayaat of the Qur’an contain reality & wisdom in them. Allah says: “Wainnahu lahaqqu al-yaqeen” “And Verily, it (this Quran) is an absolute truth with certainty.” [al-Haqqah – 69:51]. The laws contained in this Qur’an are valid for all times to come, therefore we should never let any doubt find way into our hearts. Observe the following.
“But those who knew with certainty that they were to meet their Lord, said:
‘How often a small group overcame a mighty host by Allahs Leave?’
And Allah is with As-Sabirin (the patient ones)” [al-Baqarah – 2:249]
“…And there is no victory except from Allah.
Verily, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.”
[al-Anfaal – 8:10]
“O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allah,
He will help you, and make your foothold firm.” [Muhammad – 47:7]
Whenever Muslims placed their Trust in Allah, Allah helped them. And whenever they relied on the worldly materials and numbers, they were deprived of Allah’s help. Muslims lacked every material resource at Badr, but they were helped by Allah because of their Faith in Allah. But in Hunayn Muslims were well equipped in everything, however many of them relied on these resources until the earth became tight for them and they realised that it is not the material things that profit but it is the help of Allah that gives success. Therefore, a believer does not rely on the material resources, even if the resources are in abundance.
“Allah has indeed helped you in many battlefields and on the day of Hunayn: when you were proud of your great numbers, but the numbers availed you nothing. The earth, with all its vastness, seemed to close in upon you, and you turned your backs and fled.. But Allah sent down His Sakeenah (peace and tranquility) upon His Messenger and the believers and sent down to your aid those forces which you could not see, and punished the unbelievers. Thus was the recompense for the unbelievers.” [at-Taubah – 9:25-26]
This world is made deceptive in such a way where the food obtained with illegal money tastes same as the food obtained with legal money. Similarly the criminals think there will be no recompense for their mischief. After all who would dare to stand against someone with the superpower? What superpower? Who is going to save them if Allah sends heavy stones or fireballs from the sky? Sayyidina Ibrahim (‘alaihi salato was-salam) says: “why should I fear when the wrongdoers don’t fear Allah?”. Why fear from the criminals when they don’t fear the Lord of the heavens and earth?
“[Ibrahim says:] Why should I fear your idols,
when you are not afraid of your actions of making them partners with Allah,
for which He has not given you any sanction?
Which one from the two parties of us deserves to feel secure?
Tell me, if you know the truth.” [al-An’aam – 6:81]
How nice is the case of those who struggle for their rights; strive for the rights of others; struggle to defend the land of the Prophets; or defend the Deen of Allah!
How nice is the case of those who struggle without any weapon! How about the example of Prophet Zakariyah (Zechariah, ‘alaihi salam) who was slaughtered because he was upholding the Deen of Allah. How about Sayyidina Yahya (John, ‘alaihi salam), who also lost his neck for upholding the Book of Allah. They also plotted against Sayyidina Isa (Jesus, ‘alaihi salam) but he was saved by the Will of Allahu ta’ala. Every soul has to return one day, but the successful will be those who return with His pleasure and with the fear of nothing but His alone. We should hope to join these people too (insha’Allah).
Allah was watching those people before us. He is watching us too. Allah says: “Consider not that Allah is unaware of that which the Zalimoon do, but He gives them respite up to a Day when the eyes will stare in horror. (They will be) hastening forward with necks outstretched, their heads raised up (towards the sky), their gaze returning not towards them and their hearts empty (from thinking because of extreme fear).” [Ibrahim – 14:42-43].
“So think not that Allah will fail to keep His Promise to His Messengers.
Certainly, Allah is All-Mighty, – All-Able of Retribution.” [Ibrahim – 14:47]
If we could have even a glimpse of the Majesty of Rahmaan, we would start to run over the oceans. If we could even recognise the beauty of our souls as being His beautiful gifts, we would not hesitate to move the high mountains. And if we could even understand that His Word, the Qur’an is the Absolute Truth, we would start to see the huge mountains moving aside from our path.
Now, lets learn from the instructions of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) given to Abdullah Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ” Boy, I would like to teach you something. Be careful and follow Allah’s commands perseveringly. Allah will protect you. You should safeguard His rights, and you will always find Him with you; if you need something, ask Allah, and when you need help, solicit Allah alone for the same. Bear it in mind that if all the people combined together to grant you some benefit, they would not be able to do so except that which Allah has determined for you and that if all of them were combined together to do you harm, they would not be able to do so except that which Allah has determined for you. The pens have been set aside and the writings of the book of fate have become dry.” [ Tirmidhi]
“Glory be to your Lord, the Lord of Honor, He is free from what they ascribe to Him!
Peace be on the Messengers, and praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.” Al-Quran [37:180-182]
wa Assalamu ‘alaikum wa Rahmatullah,
– Zazaakallaah khairan to Nazia Farheen