All praise be to Allah, the Most High. Peace & Blessings be upon the Prophets of Allah, especially, upon our Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa aalihi wasallam).
"Al-Muqarrabeen"
'The nearest ones to Allah'
"and foremost shall be the foremost.
They will be nearest to Allah, in the gardens of bliss."
[al-Waaqi'ah - 56:9-11]
"He grants wisdom to whom He pleases;
and whoever is granted wisdom is indeed given a great wealth.."
[al-Baqarah - 2:269]
Assalamu 'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,
People will be saying "Muslims are doomed because of their religion!". There is no doubt in our miserable situation today. We have come down to this situation not because of Islam but because of being neglectful of the teachings of Islam. Islam is free from error and it will always remain pure. In fact, it is the same Islam that had predicted our current situation over 1400 years ago. It turns out that Islam was true and the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) told the truth. The Ahadeeth are true. But there is another side to it. If our Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) had told us of the worst time, he has also told us the finest of time that will come after the terrible time.
The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) has told us the truth. The way we see; we see Islam illuminating the whole world by bringing justice and eradicating injustice and corruption. Things will now move towards recovery. But beware that this is not the worst time yet. The worst is yet to come. All false (batil) systems are yet to be collapsed and it will bring chaos. People will not be able to mange their affairs when their own man-made systems will collapse, plus the torments from the heaven will make things even worst. We are saying this because we need to prepare for the worst. When Prophet Yusuf ('alaihi salam) became aware of the draught in Egypt, seven years before its advent, he started to plan for it by building large storage rooms to preserve food in them. He could have supplicated to Allah to avert that draught, but it had become clear to him that what Allah has decided to bring, it is going to come: it is inevitable. We need to plan and be prepared for the worst. True believers are not afraid of tough times. Their hearts are strong and hold the torch of hope, believing in the Mercy of Allah. They will sell their hearts and souls to Him in Love and in Devotion, while their stomach will be empty, their mouth dry, and their eyes sunken.
"And of mankind is he who would sell himself, seeking the Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is full of Kindness to (His) slaves." [al-Baqarah - 2:207]
Translit: "Wamina alnnasi man yashree nafsahu ibtighaa mardati Allahi waAllahu raoofun bialAAibadi ¤"
-=[ Al-Muqarrabeen ]=-
Far above the levels of Islam and Iman, there is a stage of Ma'rifah (cognition of the Divine Excellence), which ultimately leads to 'Ishq (immense Divine Love). People of this level are referred in the Quran as Al-Muqarrabeen (the nearest ones to Allah). These are those people whose hearts are filled with the Love of Allahu ta'ala ('Ishq), as Allah has said "Wal-latheena amanoo ashaddu hubban lillahi" (And those who believe, they have deeply profound love for Allah) [al-Baqarah - 2:165]. And because of this 'Ishq, they are prepared to do anything for Him. But it does not go one-way. Allah also Loves them and He is also prepared to do anything for them. Even on the day of judgment, Al-Muqarrabeen will stand very close to Allah, and distinctly away from two huge populations of General Muslims and Non-Muslims [al-Waaqi'ah - 56:7-57]. They will be closer to Allah than anyone else. What do these people do to reach to this level? Can we really imagine the excellence of being nearest to Allah?
"And (all of) you shall be divided into three groups: ¤
1) those on the right hand - how blessed shall be the people of the right hand; ¤
2) those on the left hand - how damned shall be the people of the left hand; ¤
3) and foremost (al-sabiqoon) shall be the foremost. These will be those nearest to Allah (al-Muqarraboon), ¤ in the gardens of bliss." ¤ [al-Waaqi'ah - 56:7-12]
Translit: Wakuntum azwajan thalathatan: ¤
1) Faashabu almaymanati ma ashabu almaymanati ¤
2) Waashabu almashamati ma ashabu almashamati ¤
3) Waalssabiqoona alssabiqoona ¤ Olaika almuqarraboona ¤ Fee jannati alnnaAAeemi ¤
The three levels listed above are based on the degree of faith, sincerity and devotion. The non-believers will be the unfortunate ones because of having no faith. Whereas, the first and the third group (i.e. As'habul maymanah and al-Muqarrabeen) will be of Muslims and they will both enter paradise. But al-Muqarraboon being the foremost (al-sabiqeen) will be on much higher ranks than the general Muslims. Being the foremost implies that they used to excel (surpass, race) in sincerity and in devotion of Allahu ta'ala.
Ma'rifah is the cognition of the Divine Excellences (Attributes) of Allah. All Muslims say "Allahu Akabr" (Allah is the greatest) everyday. But do we really know the meaning of "Allahu Akbar", apart from its literal meaning? "Akbar", Consider how big the universe is. The universe consisting of over 100 billion galaxies. Each galaxy containing over 100 billion stars. Each star containing several planets. Clusters of galaxies then clusters of stars! Trillions of trillions of planetary systems. Allah is greater than all this. Allah is managing the variations, the movements taking place every moment in these systems. For billions of years, new stars are being born and old stars dying out. Now consider that there are six more Heavens above this universe, each detailing the constituents of this universe in much more detail. Allah is greater than all this. When we have understood the meaning of 'Allahu akbar', utterance of 'Allahu akbar' just once will be enough to shake a huge mountain. Shaking of a mountain is not a metaphor, it is real. The angels know more about the greatness and excellence of Allah (Ma'rifah) than most of us. And it is this knowledge that makes them excel in the devotion of Allahu ta'ala. But human beings are capable of knowing more about Him than the angels can. And hence human beings can excel even more than the angels in devotion and in praising of Allahu ta'ala.
"They have not recognized the Greatness of Allah as His greatness should be recognized. And on the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be grasped by His Hand and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified is He, and High is He above all that they associate as partners with Him! " [al-Zumar - 39:67]
Translit: "Wama qadaroo Allaha haqqa qadrihi waalardu jameeAAan qabdatuhu yawma alqiyamati waalssamawatu matwiyyatun biyameenihi subhanahu wataAAala AAamma yushrikoona ¤ "
When Allah wanted to bring human beings on Earth, the angels said to Him: "Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, - while we glorify You with praises and thanks and sanctify You". Allah said: "I know that which you do not know" [al-Baqarah 2:30]. Allah knew well what He was going to create and why. The human beings were to experience temptations and the true devotees were to give up their desires for His sake. The angles said "We glorify You...", while there were to come human beings who were to praise Allah like no one else. They would praise and glorify Allah in the depths of the nights like the praise that will be hard for even the angles to grasp. Ibn 'Umar (radhiAllah 'anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) told them: "A servant of Allah said: 'ya rabbi laka al-hamdu kama yanbaghi li jalali wajhika wa li 'azimi sultanik (My Lord! All praise belongs to You as much as befits Your Glory and Sublime Majesty)'. This was too much for the two angels to record. They did not know how to record it. So they soared to the heaven and said: 'Our Lord! Your servant has said something which we don't know how to record'. Allah asked them -- and, of course, He knew what the servant had said: 'What did My servant say?' They said: 'He said: My Lord! All praise belongs to You as much as befits Your Glory and Sublime Majesty'. Allah said to them: 'Write it down as My servant has said until he should meet Me and I reward him for it.'" (Narrated by Ibn Majah).
The superiority of Prophet Adam ('alahi salam) over the angles was based on the knowledge given to him. "And He taught Adam the names of all things" [al-Baqarah 2:31]. What was the nature of this knowledge that gave Adam ('alahi salam) authority and preference over the angles and other creations? The 'knowledge of the names of all things' refers to 'the knowledge of each and every concept'. This covers concepts such as hunger, thirst, happiness, sorrow, food, drink, justice, corruption, etc. If hunger and thirst were to come in embodied forms, and the angles, who don't eat and drink, were to describe these two objects, they will not be able to call/describe them. Since Adam ('alahi salam) was to become the Caliph (Khalifah) on earth, he had to know all these concepts to be able to understand the needs of each and every creation. There is a lot more in 'the names of all things' than just the knowledge of all concepts.
How do we come to know more about the knowledge given to Adam ('alahi salam)? But is it even important for us to know about that knowledge, anyway? What does Islam say?
"And He has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; it is all as a favour and kindness from Him. Verily, in it are signs for a people who think deeply. ¤" [al-Jathiya - 45:13]
Translit: "Wasakhkhara lakum ma fee alssamawati wama fee alardi jameeAAan minhu inna fee thalika laayatin liqawmin yatafakkaroona ¤"
According to the above ayah, all and everything in the universe including this world has been subjected to human beings. In other words, human beings can exercise their influence anywhere in the universe. But sadly human beings are unaware of this huge bounty and honour from Allah. They can explore the corners of this universe and witness the Supreme Majesty of Allah. This is possible by remembering the knowledge that Allah Himself taught to our father Adam ('alahi salam). And do not consider that the Final Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) has not taught this knowledge to this Ummah. Let's see what Allah has said in the Quran:-
When Prophet Ibrahim ('alaihi salam) and Prophet Ismael ('alahi salam) were building the ka'bah, they made the following Du'a (prayer):
"Our Lord, appoint from among them (i.e. people of Makkah) a Messenger who shall recite to them Your Revelations and teach them the Book and the Wisdom and purify them; surely, You are the All-Mighty, the Wise." [al-Baqarah - 2:129]
Translit: "Rabbana waibAAath feehim rasoolan minhum yatloo AAalayhim ayatika wayuAAallimuhumu alkitaba waalhikmata wayuzakkeehim innaka anta alAAazeezu alhakeemu"
Then Allah responded to their prayer by sending Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) to teach people the Quran, the way to purification, the knowledge of the Book, and the Wisdom (2:151, 62:2).
"Just as We bestowed Our favor upon you when We sent among you a Messenger of your own who:
1) recites to you Our revelations,
2) purifies you,
3) teaches you the Book and
4) wisdom, and teaches you that which you did not know." [al-Baqarah - 2:151]
Translit: "Kama arsalna feekum rasoolan minkum yatloo AAalaykum ayatina wayuzakkeekum wayuAAallimukumu alkitaba waalhikmata wayuAAallimukum ma lam takoonoo taAAlamoona ¤"
There are two kinds of knowledge taught by the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam). One is related to the matters of this world, which people call religion or shari'ah, and the other is related to the knowledge taught to Adam ('alaihi salam). Each of these two knowledge has two sides to it. Thus, there are four sides or four levels of knowledge given by the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam). Now let's take a brief look at these four knowledge or four degrees of realisation of the Excellence of Allah.
-=[ 1 - Recitation of Ayaat ]=-
Recitation of Ayaat - This refers to the Arabic form of the Quran. The manuscript of the Quran that we have today is what Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) used to recite to his people. This knowledge actually refers to the religious commandments, or the Shari'ah. The majority of Muslims knows this knowledge that we can also call the knowledge of Islam.
-=[ 2 - Purification ]=-
Purification (Tazkiya) - This is related to sincerity and devotion. A person may be following a few religious commandments while at the same time he may be busy in forbidden acts. A hypocrite may be doing all the acts of Islam; but the deeds of hypocrites lack in sincerity and purity of intention. Purification is what makes a Muslim (follower) a Mo'min (believer). When our intention is clean and our objectives are clear, then we are sincere.
"O believers enter into Islam completely and do not follow the footsteps of Satan, surely he is your clear-cut enemy." [al-Baqarah - 2:208]
Translit: "Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo odkhuloo fee alssilmi kaffatan wala tattabiAAoo khutuwati alshshaytani innahu lakum AAaduwwun mubeenun ¤"
Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) did not just simply tell people what is Halal (allowed) and what is haram (forbidden) but he (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) has actually presented that inspiration, the spirit of Islam, that takes people away from the interests of this world and onto the Saff of devotion. And at the top of this devotion is when our salah, our efforts, our happiness and considerations, our living and dying is only for Allah. It is then that our hearts have been purified.
"Declare: 'Surely my Salah, my devotion, my life, and my death are all for Allah the Lord of the Worlds.'" [al-An'aam - 6:162]
Translit: "Qul inna salatee wanusukee wamahyaya wamamatee lillahi rabbi alAAalameena ¤"
Hunafaa lillahi (22:31). Turning towards Allah and away from the world of desires. We are only purified if our self (nafs) is saved from the wants and the charms (money, power, fame, women, etc) of this world. We do not prefer these things over our duties.
"And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be the successful." [al-Hashr - 59:9]
Translit: "waman yooqa shuhha nafsihi faolaika humu almuflihoona ¤"
"Indeed whosoever purifies himself shall achieve success," [al-A'laa - 87:14]
Translit: "Qad aflaha man tazakka ¤"
-=[ 3 - Al-Kitab (The Book) ]=-
Regarding al-Kitab, Allah says in the Quran:
"Nay! This is a Glorious Quran,
(Inscribed) in Lawhin Mahfoozh (The Preserved Tablet)! " [al-Burooj - 85:21-22]
Translit: "Bal huwa quranun majeedun ¤ Fee lawhin mahfoothin"
And:
"that this is indeed a Glorious Qur'an,
inscribed in a well-guarded Book (kitabin maknoon),
which none can touch except the purified:
a revelation from the Lord of the worlds." [al-Waaqi'ah - 56:77-80]
Translit: "Innahu laquranun kareemun ¤ Fee kitabin maknoonin ¤ La yamassuhu illa almutahharoona ¤ Tanzeelun min rabbi alAAalameena"
When a believing Muslim has been purified and counted among the Mukhlaseen, he is now in the position to learn and explore The Book (Al-Kitab). 'Ilm-ul-kitab (knowledge of the Book) is the knowledge of the Preserved Tablet (Lowh Mahfoozh), from which the Quran was revealed. 'Ilm-ul-kitab and al-Hikmah are both related to the knowledge that was given to Adam ('alaihi salam). As we have said in the beginning that the 'knowledge of the names' given to Adam ('alaihi salam) refers to the knowledge of each and every concept that Allah has brought into existence. The sun we see in the afternoon is made up of a collection of concepts that we call light, heat/radiation, huge mass of hydrogen, ... and so on. When someone says 'sun' or 'shams' or refers to the sun in any other language, the speaker and the audience both refer to 'that thing/object in the sky' which is made up of a collection of concepts (radiation, light, etc.). The knowledge given to Adam ('alaihi salam) contains the knowledge of the intrinsic properties (or nature) of every possible form/thing brought into existence. Anything that we see in this world is actually comprehensively defined in Lowh Mahfoozh. Nothing can exist in this world that is not found in that Book. The nature of an atom, or of the cat or lion, or jinn and man, or sun, earth, planet, everything is fully detailed in that book. The knowledge of the Book contains all this knowledge in the form of a Command. The angels use this knowledge and the inscriptions in that Book (Commands) to exercise their duties. Al-mukhlaseen (i.e. those who have been devoted to Allah and taken under His care), they also use this knowledge and implement the Command of Allah on Earth.
The Disciple of Prophet Sulayman ('alaihi salam) was also given the knowledge of the Book. And with this knowledge, the knowledge that contains the secrets of Time and Space, that man was able to bring the throne of Queen Saba in the twinkling of an eye. Allah says:
"One person who had knowledge of the Book ('Ilm-ul-kitab) said: 'I can bring it to you in the twinkling of an eye.' As soon as Solomon saw the throne placed before him, he exclaimed: 'This is by the grace of my Lord to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful. Any who is grateful, surely his gratitude is a gain for his own soul, and any who is ungrateful should know that surely my Lord is Self-Sufficient, Self- Exalted.'" [al-Naml - 27:40]
Translit: "Qala allathee AAindahu AAilmun mina alkitabi ana ateeka bihi qabla an yartadda ilayka tarfuka falamma raahu mustaqirran AAindahu qala hatha min fadli rabbee liyabluwanee aashkuru am akfuru waman shakara fainnama yashkuru linafsihi waman kafara fainna rabbee ghaniyyun kareemun ¤"
The knowledge of the Book ('Ilm-ul-kitab) is related to the world of Souls (incl. angels). It is the world of light (noor), where everything is found in profound detail and in the form of a Command. Minerals, plants, animals, and most of humans and jinns are unaware of how they and other creatures have come into being. But the Knowledge of the book is that knowledge that tells humans how Allah has brought them into existence, how Allah has created the sun, the moon, the universe. This stage is the realization of the reality (al-Haqiqah), where the possessor of this knowledge sees himself, or another person, or anything as inscribed in the Book of Command, the Book of Destiny, or Lawh-Mahfoozh. One has to be fully purified or fully devoted to Allah before he could have access to this knowledge.
-=[ 4 - Al-Hikmah (The Wisdom) ]=-
A-Hikmah (Wisdom) is the highest form of knowledge that is above and beyond the knowledge of Lawh-Mahfoozh. The Knowledge of the Book ('Ilm-ul kitab) we just mentioned is actually the knowledge of the Commands issued by Allahu ta'ala. Whereas, al-Hikmah (The Wisdom) refers to the Wisdom behind these Commands.
Angels are associated with the Book of the Commands (Lawh-Mahfoozh). This is their limit and they do not necessarily come to know the Wisdom behind these Commands of Allah. When Allah said to the Angels that He is going to create a Khalifa on Earth, they said "Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood..". And thus the Angels did not know the Wisdom (Hikmah) behind creating a man made of clay as a Khalifa on Earth. Then Allah replied to the angels: "I know that which you do not know". Man being the Khalifah of Allah can have access to the Wisdom, and it is this knowledge that gives Man the preference and authority from Allah over all other creation. A man called al-Khizr ('alaihi salam), who is mentioned in Surah al-Kahf (18:66-), when he was given the Orders from Allah, he was not only given the details of Command but was also given the Wisdom (ta'weel) behind those Orders. Which he later related to Prophet Musa ('alaihi salam) (i.e. why he made a hole in the boat, why he exterminated the boy, why he built the wall,... and all this was by the Command of Allah).
It is the saying of Allah that when He decides to do something, He just commands "Be" and it comes [2:117, 16:40, 36:82, 40:68]. Here, the Command of Allah when He says "Be" is studied through the Knowledge of the Book ('Ilm-ul-Kitab) and the Purpose for the Command is understood through the knowledge of Wisdom ('Ilm ul Hikmah). 'Ilm ul Qalam is another name for this knowledge (The Wisdom). Ta'weel-ul-ahadeeth also refers to this knowledge (wisdom), where 'Ta'weel' means interpretation and 'al-ahadeeth' are the sayings of Allah, the Commands issued by Allah in Lawh Mahfoozh. Al-Quran is also called the Hadith (saying) of Allah [39:23]. Ta'weel-ul-ahadeeth (the wisdom) was the knowledge given to Prophet Yusuf ('alaihi salam) [12:6, 12:21, 12:101]. It is naive to say that 'Ta'weel-ul-ahadeeth' refers to the interpretation of dreams. Knowledge of the interpretation of dreams is relatively nothing when compared with the knowledge of the Wisdom that we just discussed. The knowledge of the book ('Ilm-ul kitab) will be more than enough for a person to interpret dreams. But the knowledge of Wisdom is amazingly superior to any other knowledge and we believe it was this knowledge (the wisdom) that Allah taught to Prophet Yusuf ('alaihi salam) and to all other prophets of Allah. The knowledge of Wisdom opens the doors to the reality of the realities (Haqiqahtul haqaaiq). This knowledge is related to the 'Sunnah of Allah'.
"Such has been the Sunnah of Allah (practice/way of Allah) in the past; and you shall find no change in the Sunnah (practice/way) of Allah." [al-Fath - 48:23]
Translit: "Sunnata Allahi allatee qad khalat min qablu walan tajida lisunnati Allahi tabdeelan ¤"
The Sunnah of Allah refers to the habits and customs of Allah, where there is no change ever possible. This refers to the Tajalliat (beatific visions) of Allah, where there is no change ever possible. We have previously said that the knowledge of the Book ('Ilm-ul-kitab) is the knowledge of the World of Noor (light). Whereas, the knowledge of Wisdom (al-Hikmah) is the knowledge of the Tajalliat (beatific visions) of Allah. This is such a realm where the roots of the universe, the secrets of the secrets, the purposes of the Commands of Allah are revealed. Anyone who has gained this knowledge, there is nothing else that he will ever want again, except to stay there forever. It is that knowledge about which Rahman has said:
"He grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and whoever is granted wisdom is indeed given a great wealth, yet none except people of understanding learn a lesson from it." [al-Baqarah - 2:269]
Translit: "Yutee alhikmata man yashao waman yuta alhikmata faqad ootiya khayran katheeran wama yaththakkaru illa oloo alalbabi"
This is how close al-Muqarraboon get to Allah. They witness the High Majesty, the Benevolence, the Excellence of Allah beyond what the words describe of Him. "Allahu Akbar!", "Inna Allaha ala kulli shain qadeer", "al-Rahman", "Rabbul 'arshil 'atheemi"... can we really understand all this using words?
Every Tajalli (beatific vision) of Allah is mingled with two attributes: the attributes of His Mercy and His Omnipotencey. It means that the Mercy of Allah is enveloping/covering everything (warahmatee wasi'at kulla shayin [7:156]), and His Omnipotencey (Qudrah) is also over everything (inna Allaha 'ala kulli shai'n qadeer). It is because of this that the Prophets of Allah, especially Prophet Ibrahim ('alaihi salam) and the prophets after him, they used to refer to Allah as Al-Rahmaan, out of their love and affection with Him. Who is Rahmaan? There is extreme hope/beauty (jamal) and extreme fear (jalal) in this name. There is hope because Allah is Arhamul Rahimeen [12:92], that is: He is the Most Merciful of those who show Mercy (i.e. more Merciful than a mother, a father, a teacher, a prophet). He shows His Mercy on 'whomever' He wills, even if the person is the most corrupt man on earth. Now the fear is that He will punish people because of 'His Will'. Nobody can say 'O Allah why are you punishing me when I used to give charity?'. Allah might say 'You used to give charity to take people's attention or for fame...". So, Rahmaan will forgive and show His Mercy on whomever He wills, and He will punish whomever He wills. There is no law or rule bounding Him to decide a matter, it is merely 'His Will' that will decide the matter. For us, the weak Muslims, we seek Allah's Mercy and forgiveness without looking at our loads of loads of sins, and we should never boast over any good deed that may be rejected any time by Him.
"He punishes whom He wills and shows mercy to whom He pleases, and to Him you shall be turned back." [al-ankaboot - 29:21]
Translit: "YuAAaththibu man yashao wayarhamu man yashao wailayhi tuqlaboona"
These are the four knowledge that Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) has delivered to this Ummah. If we reflect on the Quran and the Ahadeeth, we will find all these four knowledge in comprehensive detail. If we adopt the way of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) with sincerity, we will develop such a way of thinking that these four knowledge will automatically start to reveal to us. If our thinking approach is that of the Prophet's (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam), we will have sincerity, devotion and the urge to get closer to Allah out of the immense Love for Him.
Everyone can claim that he loves Allah. But surprisingly there will be only a handful of people prepared to sacrifice for Him. 'Ishq (True Love) without sacrifice..., is it even possible? Look at the sacrifice of your father Ibrahim (abeekum ibraheem al-Hajj-22:78), when Sayyidina Ibrahim ('alaihi salam) recognised Allah, Allah became so dear to him that Ibrahim ('alaihi salam) sacrificed his life for Him and destroyed the idols. His people wanted to punish him but Rahmaan saved him from the fire. Then there came another time, when Al-Khalil sacrificed his only son at that time (Ismail 'alaihi salam), Rahmaan again accepted his sacrifice and He saved his son. When we are in the position to sacrifice our life, our wealth, our customs, our time for Him, it is then that we can claim that we love Allah. Allah says:
"Surely, the nearest of people to Ibrahim are those who followed him and this Prophet and those who believe and Allah is the guardian of the believers." [aal-e-Imran - 3:68]
Translit: "Inna awla alnnasi biibraheema lallatheena ittabaAAoohu wahatha alnnabiyyu waallatheena amanoo waAllahu waliyyu almumineena"
Only Muslims are the ones who can claim that they are the followers of Sayyidina Ibrahim ('alaihi salam). Neither Jews nor Christians know what Ibrahim ('alaihi salam) used to follow. Ibrahim ('alaihi salam) is the father of all Muslims (abeekum ibraheem 22:78). But sadly we too have neglected the teachings of Ibrahim ('alaihi salam) and of our own Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam). We are only following our desires, our silly customs. Allah says:
"But the generations who succeeded them (the Prophets) abandoned the Salah and started following their lusts; so they will soon face the consequences of their deviation. Except those who repent and believe, and work righteousness. Such will enter Paradise and they will not be wronged in aught. " [Maryam - 19:59-60]
Translit: "Fakhalafa min baAAdihim khalfun adaAAoo alssalata waittabaAAoo alshshahawati fasawfa yalqawna ghayyan ¤ Illa man taba waamana waAAamila salihan faolaika yadkhuloona aljannata wala yuthlamoona shayan"
Today, Muslims have neglected Islam and are unaware of the values of this Deen. We call our countries 'Islamic', but an Islamic nation is that where there is Justice, Equity, Compassion for the poor and Punishment for the criminals. Where there is peace and modesty. Where the Book of Allah is upheld and no compromise for the Deen is ever acceptable. Is there any 'Islamic' nation that fits into this model?
Nothing to worry. Allah has His own plans. If people don't care about Islam and abandon it, then no problem: Allah will destroy us and He will bring new people to establish His Deen. And these people will in no be like us.
"...and if you turn back, He will bring in your place another people, then they will not be like you." [Muhammad - 47:38]
Translit: "...wain tatawallaw yastabdil qawman ghayrakum thumma la yakoonoo amthalakum"
Today we see Muslims turning their backs from Islam. We are not speaking of individual Muslims, these are the whole nations of Muslims. Now wait until the earth starts to shake frequently, wait and see how Allah will ruin the criminals.
Allah is soon bringing His new people. These people will Love Allah and Allah will Love them. They will be hard against the criminals and soft for the followers. They will not care about their opposition, even if the whole earth goes against them. Allah says:
"O believers! Whoever among you renounce Islam, let them do so; soon Allah will replace them with others whom He will love and they will love Him, who will be humble towards the believers, mighty against the unbelievers, striving hard in the way of Allah, and will have no fear of reproach from any critic. Now this is the grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He pleases. Allah has boundless knowledge." [aal-e-Imran - 3:68]
Translit: "Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo man yartadda minkum AAan deenihi fasawfa yatee Allahu biqawmin yuhibbuhum wayuhibboonahu athillatin AAala almumineena aAAizzatin AAala alkafireena yujahidoona fee sabeeli Allahi wala yakhafoona lawmata laimin thalika fadlu Allahi yuteehi man yashao waAllahu wasiAAun AAaleemun"
Their example can be seen in the story of Zulqarnain ('alaihi salam), who said:
"He (Zulqarnain) said: 'Anyone Who will do wrong shall be punished; then will he return to his Lord and be sternly punished by Him. As for him who believes and does good deeds, he will have a good reward and will be assigned an easy task by our command.'" [Kahf- 18:87-88]
Translit: "Qala amma man thalama fasawfa nuAAaththibuhu thumma yuraddu ila rabbihi fayuAAaththibuhu AAathaban nukran ¤ Waamma man amana waAAamila salihan falahu jazaan alhusna wasanaqoolu lahu min amrina yusran"
They will come and bring the light of Islam. They will eradicate injustice and oppression. Among them will be the Abdaal, Abrar, Qalander, Siddiqeen and Shuhada. Allah and His angels will be supporting them. Who will be able to oppose such a party then? They will come even if the earth has to wait another century. They will come even if the criminals dislike it most. We may not live long enough to be able to witness all this but what Allah has promised, it is inevitable. If it was not for Allah to prove the supremacy of Islam through the Quran, He would had brought the Day of Judgment right after the departure of the Last Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam). Allah will prove the truthfulness of His Qalam (Quran) and it will be through this Quran that Allah will destroy corrupt nations, and build better nations. So stick to this book during the many hours of the day and many hours of the nights.
"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 wa Barakatuhu,
Abdullah ibn Adam
For mass distribution.
1th Sep 2010
Trying To Build Society based on Peace and Justice
The one who love Imam e zaman(a.t.f.s) must be prepared to struggle and
labour his self, his pen and his wealth in the way of Imam e
zaman(a.t.f.s)
I remember the words of Imam (a.s), that we are responsible for the
duty, and not for the result. A warm smile washes away the tension of
confusion, as I thank Allah for the presence of my friend, whom Allah
may protect, and guide
IMAM E ZAMANA (a.f.t.s) Bless you And All Your Family those help others
and learn islam.
Syed Mohamad Masoom Abidi
No comments:
Post a Comment