GUIDANCE FROM TAUBAH

Pay Attention And Reflect!

Allah Guides You At Every Step

Reject Him And You’ll Be Rejected By The World

Lessons From Surah Taubah or Al-Tawba (Repentance)

(By: M. Javed Naseem)

To err is Human, and to forgive is Godly. God is Perfect and Man is not. That separates the Creator from the Creation.

Russia and America have worked out an agreement on Syria. Huh! They already had a secret agreement between them on how to protect each other’s interests in the region.

Use of chemical weapons by Syria is just an excuse, a pretext to invasion/direct attack. There is no proof that Assad used such weapons and not the West-supported and sponsored ‘opposition’ militia. This agreement – rather arrangement – wins Russia some of its lost credibility in the international arena. It does not help the Syrian cause nor does it stop America from attacking Syria. It just delays the action. The war would be imposed on Syria sooner or later.

The West is pushing hard for immediate military solution (use of force) of the conflict and to eliminate any chances of further armed resistance by Assad regime, they want to destroy Assad’s defense capability. Russia is only helping America in this respect (because they get money – aid – from America). ‘Chemical-weapons’ is a trump card they want to use just like they used it against Saddam in Iraq.

In Palestine (Gaza), the use of chemical weapons was confirmed by many independent sources and even the UN, but neither America (and the EU) nor Russia, nor even the UN, demanded Israel what they are demanding from Syria today. Despite thousands of violations, they never asked Israel to disclose weapons locations and destroy them. On the contrary, they supported Israel. Double standard? Of course, as usual!

Deception is the best weapon that ‘Triangle of Evil’ uses against small and less powerful countries.

We haven’t learnt any lessons from any such agreements or treaties in the past (Palestine, Iraq, Somalia, Pakistan, Sudan, Libya, Egypt and Syria!). To most people of the world, it’s not ‘their’ problem, therefore, they don’t care. But those who are concerned, they should not be talking about ‘chemical’ or ‘non-chemical’ weapons. They should be worried about the invasion of the world, and hegemony of the world, by countries with tarnished colonial past and deplorable human-rights record.

The real victims in this conflict are the Muslims, not the political groups siding with the West or Iran or Russia. Pity that even so called ‘Muslims’ are not true Muslims to benefit from Allah’s promised help! They are being fooled by world leaders. And they trust these leaders more than they trust Allah.

كَيْفَ وَإِن يَظْهَرُوا عَلَيْكُمْ لاَ يَرْقُبُواْ فِيكُمْ إِلاًّ وَلاَ ذِمَّةً

يُرْضُونَكُم بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَتَأْبَىٰ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ
“How (can there be such a treaty), seeing that if

they get an advantage over you, they respect not

in you the ties either of kinship or of covenant?

With (fair words from) their mouths they entice you,

but their hearts are averse from you; and most of

them are rebellious and wicked.”

(al-Quran 9:8)

Most of the Muslims of the world know that these so-called ‘world leaders’, or even their own heads of states in that matter, cannot be trusted. They have been lying to people and constantly deceiving them.

لاَ يَرْقُبُونَ فِى مُؤْمِنٍ إِلاًّ وَلاَ ذِمَّةً وَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُعْتَدُونَ
“In a Believer they respect not the ties either of kinship or

of covenant! It is they who have transgressed all bounds.”

(al-Quran 9:10)

The forces of evil (or the Evil Empire) don’t respect any laws or rules. They commit acts of aggression and violate the rights of other nations whenever it suits their interests. They believe in “might is right” and they show it too.

وَإِن نَّكَثُوۤاْ أَيْمَانَهُم مِّن بَعْدِ عَهْدِهِمْ وَطَعَنُواْ فِى

دِينِكُمْ فَقَاتِلُوۤاْ أَئِمَّةَ ٱلْكُفْرِ إِنَّهُمْ لاَ أَيْمَانَ لَهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَنتَهُونَ

“And if they break their pledges after their treaty (has

been made with you) and assail your religion, then fight

the heads of disbelief!  Lo! They have no binding oaths –

in order that they may desist.”

(al-Quran 9:12)

What should one do when he/she becomes a victim of aggression? Fight it back! There is no other way to get rid of aggression or persecution. Mutual negotiations never work because of the imbalance between the parties. Palestinians have been negotiating for half-a-century now and they have been losing more land every year. Where are the ‘world leaders’ and what are they (or the UN) doing to bring justice to the Palestinians? At the same time they are more concerned about Assad killing his own people and want to intervene militarily!

أَلاَ تُقَاتِلُونَ قَوْماً نَّكَثُوۤاْ أَيْمَانَهُمْ وَهَمُّواْ بِإِخْرَاجِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَهُم بَدَءُوكُمْ

أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ أَتَخْشَوْنَهُمْ فَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخْشَوْهُ إِن كُنتُمْ مُّؤُمِنِينَ
“Will you not fight people who violated their oaths,

plotted to expel the Messenger, and took the aggressive

by being the first (to assault) you? Do you fear them?

Nay, it is Allah Whom you should more justly fear,

if you believe!”

(al-Quran 9:13)

Yes! ‘If you believe’! That’s the yard-stick. Be a believer first to merit Allah’s help! And it will come. Remember the Battle of Badr? That was the ‘war of faith’ and the faithful believers were honored against all odds.

قَاتِلُوهُمْ يُعَذِّبْهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ وَيُخْزِهِمْ

وَيَنْصُرْكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَيَشْفِ صُدُورَ قَوْمٍ مُّؤْمِنِينَ 
“Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands,

cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them,

and heal the breasts of Believers.”

(al-Quran 9:14)

MOSQUES BEING USED:

In 2012, I visited Pakistan and offered Friday prayer at a mosque in Lahore Cantt. After 2-Rakaats of Fardh (‘Farz’) prayer, the Imam was in a hurry to make an announcement, even before raising his hands for ‘dua’. He said: “I just heard big noise of ‘Ameen, Ameen’ after I recited Surah al-Fatiha. In this mosque, we don’t say ‘Ameen’ in a loud voice. Please make sure not to do that here again”.

As a matter of fact, there were just a couple of people who said ‘Ameen’ in an audible voice (not too loud or noisy). I was so disappointed by the stupid remarks of the Imam, based completely on ignorance (‘Jahaalat’). These are the kind of people who spread sectarianism, religious disunity and hatred towards other believers. It also shows their own limited and little knowledge about Islam. They are definitely not fit for the job of an Imam of a mosque.

During the period of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), some Muslims used to say ‘Ameen’ after Surah al-Fatiha in an audible voice (but not too loud, as they do these days in an over-stretched melodious singing way). Some used to whisper it while others used to say it with their lips without making any sound. It was never an issue nor a problem. Why make it ‘disputable’ after 1400 years? There are so many ‘little’ things in the prayer (‘Salaat’) that Muslims are fighting over. This is because of ignorance. Prayer is a matter between a believer and his Allah. On the Day of Judgment nobody will be asked about the prayers or actions of others. Everybody has to carry his/her own load – plus the load of misguiding others! Allah says in the Quran:

لاَ إِكْرَاهَ فِى ٱلدِّينِ

“There is no compulsion in ‘Deen’ (religion)”.

(al-Quran 2-256)

It is the responsibility of every Muslim to find out (do the research, consult scholars and ask people of knowledge) what’s right and what’s wrong. And then follow the path his heart tells him to follow. There is no disputing (or fighting) with others. We are all responsible for our own actions. In the past, mosques were used for not only prayers but also for education, emancipation, awareness, resolving social, cultural and family issues. Today, it’s different story. Mosques are used for obligatory (’Fardh’) prayers and soon after they are locked, and people expelled. In most countries, Imams are provided by the governments who read out the ‘Khutba’ during Friday prayer. The ‘Khutba’ is also supplied by the governments and the Imams praise the kings/rulers and their families during that “ready-made” Khutba. The mosque is used today as a political instrument to consolidate the governments. Here’s the command of Allah regarding mosques:  

إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسَاجِدَ ٱللَّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلآخِرِ

وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلاَةَ وَآتَىٰ ٱلزَّكَواةَ وَلَمْ يَخْشَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهَ

فَعَسَىٰ أُوْلَـٰئِكَ أَن يَكُونُواْ مِنَ ٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ
“The mosques of Allah shall be visited and maintained

by such as believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish

regular prayers, and practice regular charity, and fear

none (at all) except Allah. It is they who are expected

to be on true guidance.”

(al-Quran 9:18)

Collecting money in the name of ‘building a mosque’ is a very common scene in our towns and villages. Even when there exist two mosques in a neighborhood, they’ll start collecting money for the third one. Eventually, they become the owner or patron of the mosque (a permanent source of big income), owner of the piece of land and the house on it (for the Imam). There is no accountability. In addition to that, the mosque becomes a centre for creating disunity (sectarianism) and disruption among Muslims.

وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مَسْجِداً ضِرَاراً وَكُفْراً وَتَفْرِيقاً بَيْنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

وَإِرْصَاداً لِّمَنْ حَارَبَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَيَحْلِفُنَّ

إِنْ أَرَدْنَا إِلاَّ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ وَٱللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ
“And there are those who put up a mosque by way of

mischief and infidelity - to disunite the Believers - and

in preparation for one who warred against Allah and

His Messenger aforetime. They will indeed swear

that their intention is nothing but good; But Allah

does declare that they are certainly liars.”

(al-Quran 9:107)

لاَ تَقُمْ فِيهِ أَبَداً لَّمَسْجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ

أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِ فِيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُواْ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُطَّهِّرِينَ
“Never stand you forth (for prayer) therein. There is a

mosque whose foundation was laid from the first day

on piety; it is more worthy of the standing forth (for

prayer) therein. In it, are men who love to be purified;

and Allah loves those who make themselves pure.”

(al-Quran 9:108)

The irony is that you cannot challenge the merits of any such project. There would be a war, bloodshed and demonstrations. One man’s ambition or idea is projected as the idea of Islam and Muslim Ummah.

أَفَمَنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَانَهُ عَلَىٰ تَقْوَىٰ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانٍ خَيْرٌ

أَم مَّنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَانَهُ عَلَىٰ شَفَا جُرُفٍ هَارٍ فَٱنْهَارَ بِهِ

فِى نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ وَٱللَّهُ لاَ يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّالِمِينَ

“Is he who founded his building upon duty to Allah

and His good pleasure better; or he who founded his

building on the brink of a crumbling, overhanging

precipice so that it toppled with him into the fire of hell?

Allah guides not wrong-doing folk.”

(al-Quran 9:109)

RELATIONS ARE BASED ON FAITH:

Family ties and relationships are maintained through contact and visits. People give a lot of importance to ‘blood’ relations whereas for Muslims, Islam is the criterion, the litmus paper and the measuring scale. Faith (Islam) and righteousness make the basis of family ties or relationships. It is also the line to separate the true believers from non-believers. If two people don’t believe in Islam, there are no family ties between them. Actually, they are no more family (despite blood relations)!

Remember Abraham (begging for Lord’s mercy for his father); Noah (asking for Allah’s mercy for his son); Lot (his disbelieving wife and son were destroyed); and Prophet Muhammad, s.a.w., (praying for Allah’s mercy for his uncle Abu Talib at his death bed)? Allah made it clear to all those prophets that their relatives/families were no more theirs because they believed not what they (prophets) believed!

وَمَا كَانَ ٱسْتِغْفَارُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لِـأَبِيهِ إِلاَّ عَن مَّوْعِدَةٍ وَعَدَهَآ إِيَّاهُ

فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ أَنَّهُ عَدُوٌّ لِّلَّهِ تَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُ إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لَـأَوَّاهٌ حَلِيمٌ
“And Abraham prayed for his father's forgiveness

only because of a promise he had made to him. But

when it became clear to him that he was an enemy to

Allah, he dissociated himself from him; for Abraham

was most tender-hearted, forbearing.”

(al-Quran 9:114)

وَنَادَى نُوحٌ رَّبَّهُ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنَّ ٱبُنِى مِنْ أَهْلِى

 وَإِنَّ وَعْدَكَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَأَنتَ أَحْكَمُ ٱلْحَاكِمِينَ
“And Noah called upon his Lord, and said:

"O my Lord! Surely my son is of my family! And your

promise is true, and you are the Most Just of Judges!" 

(al-Quran 11:45)

قَالَ يٰنُوحُ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ إِنَّهُ عَمَلٌ غَيْرُ صَالِحٍ فَلاَ تَسْأَلْنِـى

 مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ إِنِّيۤ أَعِظُكَ أَن تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْجَاهِلِينَ
“He said: "O Noah! He is not of your family. For his

conduct is unrighteous. So ask not of Me that

of which you have no knowledge! I give you

counsel, lest you act like the ignorant!" 

(al-Quran 11:46)

Even the prophets are not allowed to intercede for such relatives who are not Muslims. You cannot pray for forgiveness for some family member who is not a Muslim. He/she has to do it himself/herself, and then it’s between him/her and Allah.

مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِىِّ وَٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوۤاْ أَن يَسْتَغْفِرُواْ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَلَوْ كَانُوۤاْ

أُوْلِى قُرْبَىٰ مِن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَابُ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
”It is not fitting, for the Prophet and those who believe,

that they should pray for forgiveness for Pagans, even

though they be of kin, after it is clear to them that they

are companions of the Fire.”

(al-Quran 9:113)

At the time of Hijrah, many families were separated because they did not accept Islam or they turned against Islam. They did not belong to the same Faith (Islam). For married couples, that was also an automatic divorce – change of religion. If you belong to Islam, you belong to one family (‘Ummah’). Allah has made it very clear in the Holy Quran:

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تَتَّخِذُوۤاْ آبَآءَكُمْ وَإِخْوَانَكُمْ أَوْلِيَآءَ إِنِ ٱسْتَحَبُّواْ

ٱلْكُفْرَ عَلَى ٱلإِيمَانِ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُمْ مِّنكُمْ فَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّالِمُونَ
“O you who believe! Take not for protectors your

fathers and your brothers if they love infidelity above

Faith. If any of you do so, they do wrong.”

(al-Quran 9:23)

And that was the reason that during the battle of Badr and war of Uhad, the Muslims had to take up arms against their Quraishi or other family members. Only Faith (Islam) had separated the two. Love of Allah is a lot stronger than love of the family.

قُلْ إِن كَانَ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَانُكُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ

وَأَمْوَالٌ ٱقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَارَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَاكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَآ

أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُمْ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَجِهَادٍ فِى سَبِيلِهِ فَتَرَبَّصُواْ

حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِ وَٱللَّهُ لاَ يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَاسِقِينَ
“Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers,

your mates, or your kindred; the wealth that you have

gained; the commerce in which you fear a decline: or

the dwellings in which you delight - are dearer to you

than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause;

then wait until Allah brings about His decision.

And Allah guides not the rebellious.”

(al-Quran 9:24)

MAKING MONEY IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,

HIS PROPHETS, AND ISLAM:

The life of this world is very tempting and makes us forget about the Hereafter. Then there are so called ‘scholars’ or ‘Ulema’ who misinterpret the verses of the Quran and Ahadith of the Prophet (s.a.w.) to their advantage and make some easy money from the ignorant people. They buy ‘douniya’ (this world) at the expense of ‘aakhirah’ (the Hereafter). What a terrible bargain!

ٱشْتَرَوْاْ بِآيَاتِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَناً قَلِيلاً فَصَدُّواْ

عَن سَبِيلِهِ إِنَّهُمْ سَآءَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ 
“The signs of Allah have they sold for a miserable

price, and (many) have they hindered from His way.

Evil indeed are the deeds they have done.”

(al-Quran 9:9)

Muslims accuse the Jews and the Christians that they changed the ‘Word of God’ and they deviated from the straight path. But many of them (Muslims) are doing the same thing. Out of respect coupled with ignorance, they have raised the status of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) to the level of Allah ignoring all the warnings in the Quran from the Almighty. Christians did the same thing to Jesus and they are called the ‘Kaafireen’. There are plenty of ‘Mushrikeen’ or ‘Munafiqeen’ among today’s Muslims. The only remedial cure to this disease is the Quran. That’s the real guidance from Allah.

وَقَالَتِ ٱلْيَهُودُ عُزَيْرٌ ٱبْنُ ٱللَّهِ وَقَالَتِ ٱلنَّصَارَى ٱلْمَسِيحُ ٱبْنُ ٱللَّهِ

ذٰلِكَ قَوْلُهُم بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ يُضَاهِئُونَ قَوْلَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ

مِن قَبْلُ قَاتَلَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ
“The Jews call Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians

call Jesus the son of Allah. That is a saying from their

mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers

of old used to say. Allah's curse be on them!

How they are deluded away from the Truth!”

(al-Quran 9:30)

And there are some ‘Muslims’ who say that Allah and Muhammad (s.a.w.) are ‘one and the same’ – just like the Christians, Jews or earlier nations. This is ‘kufr’ and ‘shirk’ and it nullifies their Faith (Islam). Islam is: ‘La ilaha illa-Allah’ – ‘there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah’. All those figures were human beings and faithful servants of Allah, and they themselves worshiped Allah. They cannot be considered ‘equal’ to Allah or possessing the powers of Allah.

ٱتَّخَذُوۤاْ أَحْبَارَهُمْ وَرُهْبَانَهُمْ أَرْبَاباً مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمَسِيحَ ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ

وَمَآ أُمِرُوۤاْ إِلاَّ لِيَعْبُدُوۤاْ إِلَـٰهاً وَاحِداً لاَّ إِلَـٰهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ سُبْحَانَهُ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ 
“They take their Rabbis and their Priests to be their

lords in derogation of Allah, and (they take as their

Lord) Christ the son of Mary; yet they were commanded

to worship but One Allah. There is no god but He.

Praise and glory to Him. (Far is He) from having the

partners they associate (with Him).”

(al-Quran 9:31)

كَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ كَانُواْ أَشَدَّ مِنكُمْ قُوَّةً وَأَكْثَرَ أَمْوَالاً وَأَوْلاَداً

 فَٱسْتَمْتَعُواْ بِخَلاقِهِمْ فَاسْتَمْتَعْتُمْ بِخَلاَقِكُمْ كَمَا اسْتَمْتَعَ الَّذِينَ

 مِن قَبْلِكُمْ بِخَلاَقِهِمْ وَخُضْتُمْ كَٱلَّذِى خَاضُوۤاْ أُوْلَـٰئِكَ حَبِطَتْ

 أَعْمَالُهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلآخِرَةِ وَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَاسِرُونَ
“As in the case of those before you, they were

mightier than you in power, and more flourishing in

wealth and children. They had their enjoyment of their

portion: and you have of yours, as did those before you;

and you indulge in idle talk as they did. They! Their

works are fruitless in this world and in the Hereafter;

and they will lose (all spiritual good).”

(al-Quran 9:69)

In India and Pakistan, ignorance prevails in the affairs of 'Deen'. People pay less or no attention to the Quran and they follow weak, unauthentic or fake Ahadith. I came across many such people who, during the course of discussion, ignored or contradicted my reference from the Quran (verses) and supported their argument with a fake Hadith. I always tell such people that the Quran is the Word of Allah whereas Hadith is the word of a man. Can’t you make a reasonable and logical judgment?

People ignorantly follow their favorite ‘scholar’ or ‘Peer-o-Murshed’ (spiritual teacher) and don’t feel like doing any research themselves. They believe whatever ‘Peer-o-Murshed’ tells them. And most of these ‘Peers & Mursheds’ are in money-making business. Women are their favorite clients. They are buying expensive properties, celebrating anniversaries (‘urs’) of certain ‘Baba-ji’ by spending millions, and traveling overseas with other people’s (‘Mureed’s) money.

The business is booming despite the fact that some of these ‘Peers’ or ‘Baba-jis’ were caught and charged by the police for rape, adultery and making others’ women pregnant. That’s not Islam! When will we wake up?

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ إِنَّ كَثِيراً مِّنَ ٱلأَحْبَارِ وَٱلرُّهْبَانِ لَيَأْكُلُونَ

أَمْوَالَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْبَاطِلِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَكْنِزُونَ

ٱلذَّهَبَ وَٱلْفِضَّةَ وَلاَ يُنفِقُونَهَا فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَبَشِّرْهُمْ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ

“O you who believe! Lo! Many of the (Jewish) rabbis and

the (Christian) monks devour the wealth of mankind wantonly

and debar (men) from the way of Allah. They, who hoard up

gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah, unto

them give tidings (O Muhammad) of a painful doom.”

(al-Quran 9:34)

It is very easy to spend other people’s money and have good time at the expense of others. But at the same time, it is like digging your own grave. We always see people donating thousands for some Peer’s function/charity or celebration of ‘urs’. But we never see these ‘Peers’ donating thousands (even from other people’s money) to a charitable cause, to the flood/earthquake victims, to the war-victims, to refugees, or bringing food to the hungry or giving shelter/food to the orphans! What kind of Islam do they practice and what do they preach?

يَوْمَ يُحْمَىٰ عَلَيْهَا فِى نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ فَتُكْوَىٰ بِهَا جِبَاهُهُمْ وَجُنوبُهُمْ

وَظُهُورُهُمْ هَـٰذَا مَاكَنَزْتُمْ لِـأَنْفُسِكُمْ فَذُوقُواْ مَاكُنتُمْ تَكْنِزُونَ

“On the day when it will (all) be heated in the fire of hell,

and their foreheads and their flanks and their backs will be

branded therewith (and it will be said unto them): Here is

that which you hoarded for yourselves.

Now taste of what you used to hoard.”

(al-Quran 9:35)

FIGHT IN THE WAY OF ALLAH:

When Allah commands us to ‘fight in the way of Allah’, it does not always mean that we should pick up a sword or a gun and start killing unbelievers. Muslims are allowed to take up arms only in self-defense or to stop aggression and persecution. In most cases ‘fighting in the way of Allah’ means that we should strive to enforce the system of life prescribed by Allah, live by it, promote it by example and educate the masses about it. This system is based on believing and worshiping One God, paying poor-due, enforcing social justice, fair-play, equal rights, peaceful co-existence, honesty, spreading good and forbidding evil.

Going to the war against the forces that commit aggression against Muslim Ummah is also a (difficult) part of this system and is an obligation. But those who love the material life of this world, would like to avoid it with one excuse or another. But Allah knows well what is in our hearts.

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ مَا لَكُمْ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ ٱنفِرُواْ فِى   سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ

ٱثَّاقَلْتُمْ إِلَى ٱلأَرْضِ أَرَضِيتُمْ بِٱلْحَيَاةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا مِنَ ٱلآخِرَةِ

فَمَا مَتَاعُ ٱلْحَيَاةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا فِى ٱلآخِرَةِ إِلاَّ قَلِيلٌ
“O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that

when you are asked to go forth in the cause of Allah,

you cling heavily to the earth? Do you prefer the life

of this world to the Hereafter? But little is the comfort

of this life, as compared with the Hereafter.”

(al-Quran 9:38)

إِلاَّ تَنفِرُواْ يُعَذِّبْكُمْ عَذَاباً أَلِيماً وَيَسْتَبْدِلْ قَوْماً غَيْرَكُمْ

وَلاَ تَضُرُّوهُ شَيْئاً وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
“Unless you go forth, He will punish you with a

grievous penalty, and put others in your place; but

Him you would not harm in the least. For Allah

has power over all things.”

(al-Quran 9:39)

ٱنْفِرُواْ خِفَافاً وَثِقَالاً وَجَاهِدُواْ بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَأَنْفُسِكُمْ

فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ذٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

“Go forth, light-armed and heavy-armed, and

strive with your wealth and your lives in the way

of Allah! That is best for you if you but knew.”

(al-Quran 9:41)

A Muslim is not supposed to fear anyone except Allah. When you believe in Truth, follow the Truth and strive for Truth, you have no fear at all. And on top of it, Allah assures the believers that the final victory will be theirs, and the forces of evil will face a humiliating defeat. They are destined for Hell.

أَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوۤاْ أَنَّهُ مَن يُحَادِدِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَأَنَّ لَهُ

نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِداً فِيهَا ذٰلِكَ ٱلْخِزْىُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
“Know they not that for those who oppose Allah

and His Messenger, is the Fire of Hell wherein they

shall dwell? That is the supreme disgrace.”

(al-Quran 9:63)

Islam draws the line between ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. Everything becomes clear in black and white, leaving no grey area. Those who choose ‘grey’ area, are not honest and cannot be trusted. They are hypocrites (‘Munafiqeen’). They claim something else and always do something else. Allah has cursed them.

ٱلْمُنَافِقُونَ وَٱلْمُنَافِقَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ مِّن بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِٱلْمُنكَرِ

وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَقْبِضُونَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ نَسُواْ ٱللَّهَ فَنَسِيَهُمْ

إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَافِقِينَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ
“The hypocrites, men and women, (have an

understanding) with each other: They enjoin evil,

and forbid what is just, and are close with their hands.

They have forgotten Allah; so He has forgotten them.

Verily, the hypocrites are rebellious and perverse.”

(al-Quran 9:67)

وَعَدَ الله الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَٱلْمُنَافِقَاتِ وَٱلْكُفَّارَ نَارَجَهَنَّمَ

خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا هِىَ حَسْبُهُمْ وَلَعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ
“Allah has promised the hypocrites, men and women,

and the rejecters of Faith, the fire of Hell. Therein shall

they dwell. Sufficient is it for them. For them is the curse

of Allah, and an enduring punishment.”

(al-Quran 9:68)

It’s strange that man never learns lessons from the history of mankind. And if he learns anything, it is the more crooked and corrupt ways of how to benefit!

أَلَمْ يَأْتِهِمْ نَبَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ قَوْمِ نُوحٍ وَعَادٍ وَثَمُودَ وَقَوْمِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ

وِأَصْحَابِ مَدْيَنَ وَٱلْمُؤْتَفِكَاتِ أَتَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ بِٱلْبَيِّنَاتِ

فَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُوۤاْ أَنْفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ
”Has not the story reached them of those before them?

The People of Noah, and Aad, and Thamud; the People

of Abraham; the men of Midian; and the cities overthrown.

To them came their messengers with clear signs. It is not

Allah Who wrongs them, but they wrong their own souls.”

(al-Quran 9:70)

Man is responsible for his own demise. He’ll go any length for personal and material gains taking advantage of others. He uses others but does not want to do anything for others. Islam has brought discipline in human life. Believers are obligated to take care of each other. And they are rewarded for that too.

وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ

وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنْكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلواَةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَواةَ

وَيُطِيعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ أُوْلَـٰئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
“The Believers, men and women, are protectors of one

another. They enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil;

they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity,

and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah

pour His mercy, for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.”

(al-Quran 9:71)

وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلأَنْهَارُ

خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَمَسَاكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِى جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ

ذٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
“Allah has promised to believers, men and women,

gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein,

and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss.

But the greatest bliss is the good pleasure of Allah.

That is the supreme felicity!”

(al-Quran 9:72)

THE BEST BARGAIN:

A believer is a faithful servant of Allah who has pledged himself to his Creator. To please the Almighty becomes the main purpose of his life. He reaps the unlimited amount of interest on his capital of Faith.

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱشْتَرَىٰ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُمْ بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلّجَنَّةَ

يُقَاتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَيَقْتُلُونَ وَيُقْتَلُونَ وَعْداً عَلَيْهِ حَقّاً

فِى ٱلتَّوْرَاةِ وَٱلإِنْجِيلِ وَٱلْقُرْآنِ وَمَنْ أَوْفَىٰ بِعَهْدِهِ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ

فَٱسْتَبْشِرُواْ بِبَيْعِكُمُ ٱلَّذِى   بَايَعْتُمْ بِهِ وَذٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
“Allah has purchased of the believers their persons

and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of

Paradise). They fight in His cause, and slay and are

slain; a promise binding on Him in truth, through the

Law, the Gospel, and the Quran; and who is more

faithful to his covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in

the bargain which you have concluded.

That is the achievement supreme.”

(al-Quran 9:111)

THE SUCCESSFUL BELIEVERS:

The recipe to success is very simple (but not easy!). Turn to your Creator in repentance; ask for His forgiveness; and observe the limits set by Allah in everyday life.

ٱلتَّائِبُونَ ٱلْعَابِدُونَ ٱلْحَامِدُونَ ٱلسَّائِحُونَ ٱلرَّاكِعُونَ

ٱلسَّاجِدُونَ ٱلآمِرُونَ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَٱلنَّاهُونَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ

وَٱلْحَافِظُونَ لِحُدُودِ ٱللَّهِ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
“Those that turn (to Allah) in repentance; that serve

Him, and praise Him; that wander in devotion to the

cause of Allah; that bow down and prostrate themselves

in prayer; that enjoin good and forbid evil; and observe

the limit set by Allah (these do rejoice). So,

proclaim the glad tidings to the believers.”

(al-Quran 9:112)

DON’T REJECT ALLAH:

When we reject Allah, Allah rejects us in return. And there is no forgiveness for this arrogance. We forget Allah, then Allah forgets us too. A simple reaction! Forgiveness is for those who seek forgiveness. Rejection or disobedience based on arrogance cannot win forgiveness. Arrogance is hated by Allah.

ٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ أَوْ لاَ تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ إِن تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ

سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً فَلَن يَغْفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمْ ذٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَفَرُواْ بِٱللَّهِ

وَرَسُولِهِ وَٱللَّهُ لاَ يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَاسِقِينَ
“Whether you ask for their forgiveness, or not (their

sin is unforgivable), if you ask seventy times for their

forgiveness, Allah will not forgive them, because

they have rejected Allah and His Messenger. And

Allah guides not those who are perversely rebellious.”

(al-Quran 9:80)

فَلْيَضْحَكُواْ قَلِيلاً وَلْيَبْكُواْ كَثِيراً جَزَآءً بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكْسِبُونَ

“Then let them laugh a little! They will weep much,

as the reward of what they used to earn.”

(al-Quran 9:82)

Disobedience was the principal cause of expulsion of Shaitan (Devil) from the Paradise. There can only be two factors behind it: Arrogance or ignorance. And both these factors lead to the Hellfire.

يَحْلِفُونَ لَكُمْ لِتَرْضَوْاْ عَنْهُمْ فَإِن تَرْضَوْاْ عَنْهُمْ

فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لاَ يَرْضَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْفَاسِقِينَ
“They will swear unto you, that you may be pleased

with them but if you are pleased with them, Allah is

not pleased with those who disobey.”

(al-Quran 9:96)

SOME ARABS:

 Now, this is a very touchy subject. A lot of Arab people would be annoyed if they don’t understand well these verses of the Holy Quran and their background. It refers to the period of ignorance (‘Jaahiliah’).

I am sorry to say that, unfortunately, most of the problems and the crises facing the Muslim Ummah today, stem from the ignorance, corruption, incompetence and mishandling of affairs by the Arab rulers. These rulers don’t live by Islam, therefore, they need foreign forces to protect and support them, otherwise their governments would be toppled. They rule like dictators – contrary to the Commands of Allah and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). They are responsible for the killings of millions of Muslims in those countries (Egypt, Palestine, Afghanistan, Turkey, Libya, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Algeria, Tunis, Kuwait, Yemen, etc.). By their mouths they claim to be Muslims, but their actions they prove otherwise.

ٱلأَعْرَابُ أَشَدُّ كُفْراً وَنِفَاقاً وَأَجْدَرُ أَلاَّ يَعْلَمُواْ

 حُدُودَ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
“The Arabs of the desert are the worst in unbelief

and hypocrisy; and most fitted to be in ignorance

of the command which Allah has sent down to His

Messenger. But Allah is All-knowing, All-Wise.”

(al-Quran 9:97)

وَمِنَ ٱلأَعْرَابِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مَا يُنفِقُ مَغْرَماً وَيَتَرَبَّصُ

بِكُمُ ٱلدَّوَائِرَ عَلَيْهِمْ دَآئِرَةُ ٱلسَّوْءِ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ 
“Some of the desert Arabs look upon their payments

as a fine, and watch for disasters for you. On them

be the disaster of evil, for Allah is He That hears

and knows (all things).”

(al-Quran 9:98)

وَمِمَّنْ حَوْلَكُمْ مِّنَ ٱلأَعْرَابِ مُنَافِقُونَ وَمِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْمَدِينَةِ

مَرَدُواْ عَلَى ٱلنِّفَاقِ لاَ تَعْلَمُهُمْ نَحْنُ نَعْلَمُهُمْ سَنُعَذِّبُهُم

مَّرَّتَيْنِ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَذَابٍ عَظِيمٍ
“Certain of the desert Arabs round about you are

hypocrites, as well as (desert Arabs) among the

Medina folk. They are obstinate in hypocrisy.

You know them not, We know them. Twice shall

We punish them; and in addition shall they be

sent to a grievous penalty.”

(al-Quran 9:101)

What Allah has described in the above-mentioned verses of the Quran, fits best to most of the present-day Arab rulers. But as they say: There’s good and bad in every. There are some good Arab rulers too (please don’t ask me where?). They must exist because Allah has mentioned them in the Holy Quran:

وَمِنَ ٱلأَعْرَابِ مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلآخِرِ وَيَتَّخِذُ

 مَا يُنفِقُ قُرُبَاتٍ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَصَلَوَاتِ ٱلرَّسُولِ أَلاۤ إِنَّهَا

 قُرْبَةٌ لَّهُمْ سَيُدْخِلُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِى رَحْمَتِهِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“But some of the desert Arabs believe in Allah

and the Last Day; and look on their payments as

pious gifts bringing them nearer to Allah and

obtaining the prayers of the Messenger. Aye,

indeed they bring them nearer (to Him). Soon

will Allah admit them to His Mercy, for Allah

is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.”

(al-Quran 9:99)

YOUR ARE TESTED EVERY YEAR:

Tests and trials are a compulsory part of our lives on this planet earth. There is no escape from it. But there is a technique to handle them. If you obey Allah and follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), Allah makes these tests and trials easier for you. The transition is almost smooth. I can guarantee you that from my personal experience. I am not a perfect (not even close) Muslim and I am always struggling against Shaitan. But I always have good intention and support it with sincere (but faulty) effort. And Allah blesses me for that. When I go through these trials of life with very little damage (with Allah’s mercy), I start crying and ask myself: Did I deserve that? Imagine if I was a pious and righteous man!

أَوَلاَ يَرَوْنَ أَنَّهُمْ يُفْتَنُونَ فِى كُلِّ عَامٍ مَّرَّةً

 أَوْ مَرَّتَيْنِ ثُمَّ لاَ يَتُوبُونَ وَلاَ هُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ
“See they not that they are tried every year

once or twice? Yet they turn not in repentance,

and they take no heed.”

(al-Quran 9:126)

NOBODY ELSE BUT ALLAH:

Allah is the most merciful and He loves to shower His mercy on us humans. When you go through a trial period, you realize that there’s nobody to your rescue except Him. He is the only protector, the only helper I’ve got.

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهُ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَاوَاتِ وَٱلأَرْضِ يُحْيِـى

وَيُمِيتُ وَمَا لَكُمْ مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلاَ نَصِيرٍ
“Unto Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens

and the earth. He gives life and He takes it. Except

for Him, you have no protector nor helper.”

(al-Quran 9:116)

At the end of a hard day, when everybody else has turned away, and the darkness starts falling, you feel that He is with you – only He.

فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَقُلْ حَسْبِىَ ٱللَّهُ لاۤ إِلَـٰهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ

عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
“But if they turn away, Say: "Allah suffices me.

There is no god but He. On Him is my trust. He (is)

the Lord of the Throne (of Glory) Supreme!"

(al-Quran 9:129)

ALLAH’S COMMAND:

He is the Almighty! Fear Him the way He should be feared. Obey Him! Obedience can guarantee you His protection. And with His protection, you can fight anybody, anything!

يَـۤأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَكُونُواْ مَعَ ٱلصَّادِقِينَ
“O you who believe! Fear Allah and be with

those who are true (in word and deed).”

(al-Quran 9:119)

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ قَاتِلُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ يَلُونَكُمْ مِّنَ ٱلْكُفَّارِ

وَلِيَجِدُواْ فِيكُمْ غِلْظَةً وَٱعْلَمُوۤاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ
“O you who believe! Fight the unbelievers who gird

you about, and let them find firmness in you; and know

that Allah is with those who fear Him.”

(al-Quran 9:123)

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