1

Muslims during challenging times:-Challenges and the way out according to

Qur’aan and Sunnah
I. Current Situation/condition
Muslim Indians are more likely than the country's Hindus and members of all other religions -
including those who don't belong to a religious group - to be "suffering." One-third (32%) of the
country's Muslims are suffering.
Suffering: 32%
Struggling: 62%
Thriving: 6%
[Gallup, the world's leading public opinion research firm, Abu Dhabi Gallup Center (ADGC)
2010-2011]
Islaam is all about positivity

Positivity is what our religion teaches. Positivity is what our deen emphasizes. On the Day of
Judgment, Allaah (SWT) will find a speck of good in a person and then use it as an excuse to
forgive that person. This is Allaah picking the positive.

Many surahs in AlQuran revealed to help muslims deal with difficult times. Allaah Himself
reveals the therapy: how to mentally, physically, spiritually prepare ourselves for these difficult
times.
One of them is Surah Ibrahim (14th surah) which belongs to group of Surahs makkiyah,
but very late Makkan when the mission of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w has become extremely
difficult, i.e:
• Disbelievers not only reject Islam, but also insulting it
• starting to physically attack sahabah/Prophet ()
• Unjustified murder already taken place
• Muslims already prepared that they can’t survive in Makkah, Allaah will soon open the door
to Madinah - but before that difficult time of Taif will come.

Surah Ibrahim begins reminding muslims why they are in this trouble to begin with –
why even bother with all these difficulties?

َ ۡ َ َ ۡ َ ۡ ُ َ َٰ َ ُ ُ َ َ َ َ ۡ ُ َ ۡ َ ُ َ ۡ َ َ ٌ َ ٓ
ۚ‫يز‬ َٰ
ِۚ ‫ۚصر ِطۚٱلع ِز‬ َٰ
ِ ‫ورِۚبِإِذ ِنۚرب ِ ِهمۚإِلى‬
ۚ ‫تۚإِلىۚٱلن‬
ِۚ ‫اسۚمِنۚٱلظلم‬ ۚ ‫الرۚۚكِتَٰبۚأنزلنَٰهۚإِليكۚل ِتخ ِرجۚٱلن‬
ۡ
ِۚ ‫ٱل َح ِمي‬
ۚ ١ۚ‫د‬

Alif-Lam-Ra. (This is) a Book which We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad SAW) in order
that you might lead mankind out of darkness (of disbelief and polytheism) into light (of belief
in the Oneness of Allaah and Islamic Monotheism) by their Lord's Leave to the Path of the All-
Mighty, the Owner of all Praise (Surah Ibrahim:1).
َ َ َٰ َ َ ُ ۡ َ َ ُ َ َٰ َ ُ ُ َ َ َ ۡ َ ۡ ۡ َ ۡ َ ٓ َ َ َ ُ َ ۡ َ َۡ ۡ َََ
ۚ‫ٱلهِۚإِنۚف ِى‬
ۚ ۚ‫ورِۚوذكِرهمۚبِأيى ِم‬
ۚ ‫تۚإِلىۚٱلن‬ِۚ ‫ولق ۚدۚأرسلناۚموس َٰىۚأَ‍ِبتَٰيَٰتِناۚأنۚأِ ِرجۚۡومكۚمِنۚٱلظلم‬
ُ َ َ َ ُ َ َ َ
٥ۚ‫ور‬
ٖۚ ‫ۚصبارٖۚشك‬ ٖ َٰ ‫ذَٰل ِكۚٓأَلتَٰي‬
‫تۚل ِك ِل‬
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And We certainly sent Moses with Our signs, [saying], "Bring out your people from darknesses into the
light and remind them of the days of Allaah." Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and
grateful.." (Surah Ibrahim: 5)

Few Ayat later Allaah tells people: That’s what I told Musa also. This is a case study for us
so that we will know what to do. Allaah then summarising khutbah Musa gave to his people:

َۚ‫ۚس ٓوء‬ ُ َ ُ َُ َ َۡ ۡ
ُ ‫ك ۡم‬ َ ۡ ُ َٰ َ َ ۡ ۡ ُ ۡ َ َ َ َ َ ۡ ُ ُ ۡ ِ ۡ َ َٰ َ ُ َ َ ۡ
‫ٱلِۚعليكمۚإِذۚأنجىكمۚمِنۚءا ِلۚف ِرعونۚيسومون‬ ۚ ۚ‫ِإَوذۚۡالۚموسىۚل ِقومهِۚٱذكرواۚۚن ِعمة‬
ۚ
ٞ َ ۡ ُ َ ٞ ٓ َ َ ُ َٰ َ َ ۡ ُ َ ٓ َ َ ُ ۡ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ ُ َ ٓ َ ۡ َ َ ُ َ ُ َ َ َۡ
ۚ ۚ٦ۚ‫ابۚويذبِحونۚأبناءكمۚويستحيونۚن ِساءك همۚو ِِفۚذل ِكمۚبلاءۚمِنۚربِكمۚع ِظيم‬ ِۚ ‫ٱلعذ‬
And (remember) when Musa said to his people: "Make mention of Allaah's Favour upon you,
when He rescued you from Fir'aun's people who were humiliating you with the worst possible
forms of punishment, and they were slaughtering your sons and letting your women alive, and
in it was a tremendous trial from your Lord." (Surah Ibrahim: 6)

From this Ayat we know that there were a lot of problems upon Musa’s people, including:
Unimaginable trauma: Loss of a child = massive calamity – especially when they are small and
can’t fight back, defenceless, always smiling, only a source of joy. Killed in 100s & 1000s. Not
something you can forget and emotionally scarred – even after crossing water and moving on.
Remember babies face when children murdered before eyes.

After SUCH problems; Musa reminded them: “remember Allaah’s favour upon you!’’ But,
his people sitting there and said: “We’re stuck in the desert about to starve, before that we lived
humiliating lives, children slaughtered”. Musa giving khutbah to broken hearts, and in middle
of it comes one of the most remarkable ayat on having positive attitude.

Actually, these verses are not only about the history of Musa, but also a lesson from Allaah
about how to deal with difficulties. So, when the prophet of Muhammad s.a.w recited this ayat,
sahabah who listened to this; they were not only learning history, but also learning about
themselves: the difficulties that they faced on.

Narrated Khabbab bin Al-Arat:

We complained to Allaah's Messenger (‫( )ﷺ‬of the persecution inflicted on us by the infidels) while
he was sitting in the shade of the Ka`ba, leaning over his Burd (i.e. covering sheet). We said to
him, "Would you seek help for us? Would you pray to Allaah for us?"

Indeed by this reply Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬wanted to teach Khabbab ibn al-Aratt and people in the
condition of Khabbab, and the entire ummah like me and you, he wanted to teach something
very important, he gets angry

He(‫ )ﷺ‬said, "Among the nations before you a (believing) man would be put in a ditch that
was dug for him, and a saw would be put over his head and he would be cut into two pieces;
yet that (torture) would not make him give up his religion. His body would be combed with
iron combs that would remove his flesh from the bones and nerves, yet that would not make
him abandon his religion. By Allaah, this religion (i.e. Islam) will prevail till a traveler from
Sana (in Yemen) to Hadrarmaut will fear none but Allaah, or a wolf as regards his sheep, but
you (people) are hasty. [Bukhaaree 3612]
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This hadith is part of the great hadith of Khabbaab ibn Arat, in which he says during the time of
oppression and persecution and torcher upon the followers of the Prophet Muhammad () at
makkah, at the beginning of advent of Islaam, or beginning of the call of the Prophet ().

Thats why the Prophet () says:

َ ُ َ َ ُ َ ََ
ۚ ‫جل‬
‫ون‬ ِ ‫ولكِنكمۚتستع‬
you are people who are always haste and rush, you are the people who always wants things so
quick, you want to give so so so little to Allaah and you want Allaah azzawajal to give you
everything you want.

Its very clear from the Qur’aan and Sunnah that whenever the believer transgresses limits of
Allaah, then Allaah punishes them until they get back to the right track.
The daughter of Hulagu Khan and a scholar

The daughter of Hulagu Khan, the #Mongol general who raided Baghdad, was once walking
the streets of #Baghdad when she noticed a crowd gathering around a man. She asked who he
was and was told that he was a #Muslim scholar. So she asked him to be summoned before her.

When he arrived, she asked him, “Are you not the ones who believe in Allaah?” He replied, “Of
course.”

She said, “Do you not claim that Allaah supports and grants victory to whom He wills?” He
replied, “Of course.”

She said, “Has Allaah not granted us victory over you?” He said, “Yes.”

She said, “Does that not mean that we are more beloved to Allaah than you?” He said, “No.”

She asked, “Why?”

He said, “Do you not know of the shepherd?” She replied, “Of course.”

He said, “Aren’t there some dogs with his flock (of sheep)?” She said, “Yes.”

He said, “What does the #shepherd do when some of his flock wander off and leave his
authority?” She said, “He sends his #dogs to bring them back under his authority.”

He said, “For how long do the dogs continue to chase after the sheep?” She replied, “As long as
they remain #astray.”

So he said, “O Tartars, you are the dogs of Allaah on His earth, and as long as we Muslims
remain astray from the path and obedience of #Allaah, you will remain behind us until we
return to Him!”

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in
every difficulty
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II. Reason for weakness

Today Muslims are weaker in every position. And the question comes in the mind, Why we are
not getting Allaah’s help?

Similar situation Allaah tells us in the Qur’aan, as a guidance for this ummah. During the battle
of Uhud, the set back Muslims faced at the hands of the Quraish, the Companions were baffled
why they didn’t receive the help of Allaah as they received during battle of Badr, while they
were more weaker in position compared to the Quraish.

This caused confusion to the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger while he () was still alive in
their midst so Allaah Himself gave a heavenly verdict in His Book that removed this confusion.

When what happened to the Muslims happened on the day of Uhud it confused them. So they
said: How can the polytheism gain the advantage over us and be caused to dominate over us
while we are upon the truth and they are upon falsehood?

Allaah gave them a verdict regarding that by saying:

َ َٰ َ َ َ ۡ ُ ۡ ُ َ ۡ َ ۡ ُ ۡ َ َ ۡ َ ٞ َ ُ ُ ۡ َ َٰ َ َ ٓ َ َ َ َ
ۚ ۚۖ‫صيبةۚۡدۚأصبتمۚمِثليهاۚۡلتمۚأن َٰىۚهذا‬ ِ ‫أولمۚاۚأصبتكمۚم‬
Why [is it that] when a [single] disaster struck you [on the day of Uhud], although you had
struck [the enemy in the battle of Badr] with one twice as great, you said, "From where is
this?"

ۡ ُ ُ َ ُ ُۡ
ۚ ۚۡۗ‫سكم‬ ِ ‫ۡلۚه َوۚم ِۡنۚعِن ِدۚأنف‬
Say, "It is from yourselves." [3:165]

Was clarified exactly by His saying:

ۡ َۡ ۡ ُ ۡ َ َٰ َ َ َ ۡ ُ ۡ َ َ َٰٓ َ َ ۡ ُ َ ُ ُ َ ۡ ُٓ َ ۡ َ َُ ُ ُ َ َ َ ۡ َََ
ۚ‫شلتمۚوتنزعتمۚف ِىۚٱلأم ِۚر‬ ِ ‫لۚوعد ۚه ۚۥۚإِذۚتحسونهمۚبِإِذن ِ ۚهِۖ ۚۦۚحتىۚإِذاۚف‬ ۚ ‫ولق ۚدۚصدۡكمۚٱ‬
َ ُ
ُۚ‫مۚمنۚيُريد‬ َ َ ُۡ ُ ُ َ ُ َ ُ ُ َ ُ َٰ َ َ ٓ َ ۡ َ ۢ ُ ‫َو َع َص ۡي‬
ِ ‫ِنك‬ ‫م‬ ‫و‬ ۚ ‫ا‬‫ي‬ ‫ن‬‫لد‬ ‫ٱ‬ ۚ‫يد‬ ‫ر‬
ِ ‫نۚي‬ ‫مۚم‬ ‫ِنك‬ ‫م‬ۚ ‫ون‬
‫ه‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ح‬
ِ ‫اۚت‬‫مۚم‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ۚأ‬‫ا‬‫ۚم‬ ‫د‬
ِ ‫ع‬‫ۚب‬‫ن‬ ِ
‫مۚم‬‫ت‬
ُ َۡ ُ َ َ َُ ََ
ۚۖ‫ۚص َرفك ۡمۚعن ُه ۡمۚل َِي ۚبۡ َتل ِ َيك ۡم‬ ‫ِرۚة هۚثم‬
ِ ‫ٱٓأۡل‬
And Allaah had certainly fulfilled His promise to you when you were killing the enemy by His
permission until [the time] when you lost courage and fell to disputing about the order [given
by the Prophet] and disobeyed after He had shown you that which you love. Among you are
some who desire this world, and among you are some who desire the Hereafter. Then he turned
you back from them [defeated] that He might test you. [3:152]

So in this heavenly verdict, He clarified that the reason the disbelievers were unleashed against
them came from the direction of their own selves and that it was their failure, differing about
the matter and due to some of them disobeying the Messenger and aspiring for the world.

This happened when the archers. Who were at the base of the mountain repelling the
disbelievers from approaching the Muslims from behind, became anticipant of getting war
 5

spoils as soon as they could once the disbelievers were seemingly defeated. So they abandoned
the order of the Prophet due to their ambition to attain a portion of worldly possession.
Three mistakes highlighted in this aayah:

1. Differing regarding the commands of the Prophet ()

2. Love for materialistic things
3. Disobeying the command of the Messenger ()

III. The Way Out

1. Sincerity & Eemaan

Allaah has explained its cure in His Book. He explained that when He knows there is
appropriate sincerity in the hearts of His slaves that from the results of such sincerity is that
they will be dominant and overcome those who are more powerful than them.

Accordingly when he knew of appropriate sincerity from the participants of the pledge of
ridhwan, as He alluded by saying:

ۡۚ‫ۚماۚف ِىُۚۡلُوبهم‬ َ َ ۡ َ َ َ ُ َُ ۡ َ ۡ ُۡ َ َُ
َ ‫لش َج َرۚة ِۚ َف َعل ِ َم‬ َ َ ۡ ََ
ِِ ۚ ِ ‫لۚع ِنۚٱلمؤ ِمن‬
‫ينۚإِذۚيبايِعونكۚتحتۚٱ‬ ۚ ‫ضىۚٱ‬ِ ‫ ۞لقدۚر‬.2
...
Certainly was Allaah pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you, [O
Muhammad], under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, [48:18]

Allaah explained that resulting from such sincerity; Allaah enabled them to do what they
previously could not.

ٗ َ ۡ َ ُ َٰ َ َ ُ َ َ َ َ َ ُ َ َ َ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ َ َ ُ ۡ َ ۡ َ َٰ َ ۡ ُ َ
١١ۚ‫لۚعلىۚك ِلۚشىءٖۚۡ ِديرا‬
ۚ ‫لۚبِها هۚوَكنۚٱ‬
ۚ ‫ىۚلمۚتق ِدرواۚعليهاۚۡدۚأحاطۚٱ‬
ۚ ‫وأِر‬ .3

And [He promises] other [victories] that you were [so far] unable to [realize] which
Allaah has already encompassed. And ever is Allaah , over all things, competent. [48:21]

He explicitly stated that they were unable to do it and that He had fully encompassed it, so he
enabled them upon it and made it as war booty for them due to what He knew of their
sincerity.

As such, when the disbelievers besieged the Muslims, with a tremendous military siege, during
the battle of the confederates, as mentioned in His statement:

ُۚ‫وب‬ُ ُۡ َ َ َ َ ُ َٰ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ ۡ ُ ََ َۡ ۡ َ ۡ ُ َۡ ُ ُٓ َ ۡ
ۚ ‫تۚٱلقل‬ ِ ‫غ‬ ‫ل‬‫ب‬ ‫و‬ۚ ۚ
‫ر‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ب‬‫أ‬ ‫ل‬‫ٱ‬ ۚ ‫ت‬ِ ‫اغ‬‫ۚز‬ ‫ِۚإَوذ‬ ‫م‬‫ِنك‬ ‫م‬ ۚ‫ل‬ ‫ف‬ ‫س‬ ‫ۚأ‬ ‫ِن‬
‫م‬ ‫ۚو‬ ‫م‬‫ِك‬ ۡ‫و‬‫ِنۚف‬
‫مۚم‬‫وك‬ ‫ إ ِ ۚذۚجاء‬.4
َ ُ ُ َ َ ُ ََُ َ ََ ۡ
ۚ ١١ۚۚ‫ل ِۚٱلظنونا‬ ۚ ‫ج ۚرۚوتظنونۚۚب ِٱ‬ِ ‫ٱلحنا‬
[Remember] when they came at you from above you and from below you, and when eyes
shifted [in fear], and hearts reached the throats and you assumed about Allaah [various]
assumptions. [33:10]

ٗ َ ٗ ۡ ُ ۡ َ ُ ۡ ُۡ َ ُۡ َ َُ
ۚ ۚ١١ۚ‫ونۚ َو ُزل ِزلواۚزِل َزالاۚش ِديدا‬
ۚ ‫ىۚٱلمؤمِن‬
ۚ ِ ‫ِكۚٱبتل‬
ۚ ‫هنال‬
 6

There the believers were tested and shaken with a severe shaking. [33:11]

The cure for this weakness and military siege was sincerity for Allaah and strong faith in Him.

ُ ُ ُ َ َ ُ َ َ َ َ َ ُ ُ ُ َ َ ُ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َٰ َ ُ َ َ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ ُ ۡ ُ ۡ َ َ َ َ َ
ۚ‫لۚورسول ۚه ه ۚۥ‬ ۚ ‫لۚورسول ۚهۥۚوصدقۚٱ‬ ۚ ‫ابۚۡالواۚهذاۚماۚوعدناۚٱ‬ ۚ ‫ونۚٱل ۚأحز‬
ۚ ‫ولماۚرءاۚٱلمؤمِن‬
ٗ ۡ َ َ ٗ َٰ َ ٓ َ ۡ ُ َ َ َ َ
ۚ ۚ١١ۚ‫وماۚزادهمۚإِلاۚإِيمناۚوتسلِيما‬
And when the believers saw the companies, they said, "This is what Allaah and His
Messenger had promised us, and Allaah and His Messenger spoke the truth." And it
increased them only in faith and acceptance. [33:22]

So from the results of that sincerity is what Allaah mentioned by saying:

ُۚ‫ل‬َ َ ََ َ َ ۡ َ ۡ ُۡ َُ َ ََ ٗۡ َ ُ ََ َۡ ۡ َۡ ُ َ َ َ َ َُ َ َ َ
ۚ ‫ال هۚو َۚكنۚٱ‬ ۚ ِ ‫لۚٱلمؤ ِمن‬
ۚ ‫ينۚٱلقِت‬ ۚ ‫ينۚكفرواۚبِغي ِظ ِهمۚلمۚينالواِۚير هاۚوك ۚفىۚٱ‬
ۚ ‫لۚٱل ِذ‬
ۚ ‫ور ۚدۚٱ‬
َ ًّ َ
ٗ ‫اۚعز‬
ۚ١٥ۚ‫يزا‬ ِ ‫ۡوِي‬
And Allaah repelled those who disbelieved, in their rage, not having obtained any good.
And sufficient was Allaah for the believers in battle, and ever is Allaah Powerful and
Exalted in Might.

َۚ‫ب‬ ۡ ُ ُ ُُ َ َََ ۡ َ َ َٰ َ ۡ ۡ َ ۡ ُ ُ َ َٰ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ
ۚ ‫اصي ِهمۚوۡذفۚف ِىۚۡلوب ِ ِهمۚٱلرع‬ ِ ‫بۚمِنۚصي‬ ِۚ ‫ينۚظهروهمۚمِنۚأه ِلۚٱلكِت‬
ۚ ‫وأنز ۚلۚٱل ِذ‬
ٗ َ َ ُ َۡ َ َ ُُ َۡ ٗ َ
ۚ ۚ١٦ۚ‫ف ِريقاۚتقتلونۚوتأ ِسرونۚفرِيقا‬
And He brought down those who supported them among the People of the Scripture from
their fortresses and cast terror into their hearts [so that] a party you killed, and you

َ ٗ ََ ۡ َُ َ ََۡ ۡ ُ َ َ َ ۡ ُ َ َ ۡ ُ َ َ ََۡ
took captive a party.
َ ُ َ َ ُ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ ۡ
5. ٖۚ‫لۚعل َٰىۚك ِلۚش ۡىء‬ ۚ ‫وأورثك ۚمۚأۡرضهمۚودِتَٰيَٰرهمۚوأموَٰلهمۚوأۡرضاۚلمۚت‬
ۚ ‫طوها هۚوَكنۚٱ‬
َ
ۚٗ ‫ۡ ِد‬
‫يرا‬
And He caused you to inherit their land and their homes and their properties and a land
which you have not trodden. And ever is Allaah , over all things, competent. [33:25-27]

Allaah promises Allaah will defend the believers

The believers are those Allaah promised to aid and those whose qualities He explained and
distinguished from anyone else:

ٓ ُ َ َ َ َ َ ُ َُ ََ َ
ۚ ‫لۚيدَٰف ِعۚع ِنۚٱل ِذ‬
...ۚ‫ينۚءامن ۗۡوا‬ ۚ ‫۞إِنۚٱ‬
Indeed, Allaah defends those who have believed. [22:38]

َ ٌ ََ ََ َ ُُٓ ُ َ َ َُ َ َ ُ َََ
ٌ ‫ۚعز‬
٠١ۚ‫يز‬ِ ‫لۚلقوِي‬
ۚ ‫لۚمنۚينصرۚه ه ۚۥۚإِنۚٱ‬
ۚ ‫نۚٱ‬
ۚ ‫ۚولينصر‬...
 7

And Allaah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allaah is Powerful and
Exalted in Might. [22:40]
How to support Allaah?- Enjoining good and forbidding the evil
ۡ ۡ َ َ َ َ َٰ َ َٰ َ ُ َ َ َُ َ َ َ َ ُ َ َ َٰ َ ۡ َ ۡ
ۚ‫ق‬ َ
ِۚ ‫تۚوتواصواۚۚب ِٱلح‬
ِۚ ‫ينۚءامنواۚوع ِملواۚٱلصلِح‬ ۚ ‫ۚۚإِنۚٱلإِنس‬١ۚ‫َۚوٱل َع ۡص ِۚر‬
ۚ ‫ۚۚإ ِۚلاۚٱل ِذ‬١ۚ‫نۚل ِفىِۚ ۡس ٍر‬
َ َ ‫َوتَ َو‬
ۚ ٣ۚ‫اص ۡواۚۚب ِٱلص ۡب ِۚر‬
By time, Indeed, mankind is in loss, except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and
recommend one another to the truth, and recommend one another to patience. [103:1-3]

Imam Muslim – may Allaah be pleased with him – in his Sahih records that the Prophet () has
stated that, “One group of my Ummah will always remain firm on the Divine Command of
Almighty Allaah. No harm will come to them. Whoever leaves them or goes against them
until the Divine Command of Almighty Allaah appears and it will be such that they (will
always be dominant) over people.” [Saheeh Muslim]

The Islamic revival must be accompanied by wisdom because whoever is deprived of wisdom
is deprived of much good and blessing and whoever is given wisdom has been given much
good and blessing.

Da'wah is religious duty tor Muslims: Muslims enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong:
َ َ ُ ُۡ َ َ ُۡ َ َ ۡ ََۡ َ ُ ۡ َ ۡ َ ُ َُۡ َ ۡ َ ۡ ُ َُ ََۡ ُۡ ُ
ِۡۗ‫ل‬
ۚ ‫وفۚوتنهونۚع ِنۚٱلمنك ۚرِۚوتؤمِنونۚۚب ِٱ‬ ِ ‫كنت ۚمِۚي ۚرۚأم ٍةۚأِ ِرجتۚل ِلن‬
ۚ ِ ‫اسۚتأمرونۚۚب ِٱلمعر‬
You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and
forbid what is wrong and believe in Allaah. [3:110]

Abdullah bin Arnr. narrated that the Prophet () said: Convey (my teachings) to the people
even if it were a single sentence. (Bukhari).

Abu Said Al-Khudri • narrated: I heard Allaah's Messenger SallAllaahu Alaihi Wasallam as
saying: He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with his hand;
and if he has not enough strength to do it, then he should do it with his tongue; and if he has
not enough strength to do it, then he should abhor it from his heart and that is the least of
faith. (Muslim).

Ibn Umar reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The most beloved
people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to the people. The most beloved deed to
Allah is to make a Muslim happy, or to remove one of his troubles, or to forgive his debt, or
to feed his hunger. That I walk with a brother regarding a need is more beloved to me than
that I seclude myself in this mosque in Medina for a month. Whoever swallows his anger,
then Allah will conceal his faults. Whoever suppresses his rage, even though he could fulfill
his anger if he wished, then Allah will secure his heart on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever
walks with his brother regarding a need until he secures it for him, then Allah the Exalted
will make his footing firm across the bridge on the day when the footings are shaken.”
[Source: al-Muʻjam al-Awsaṭ 6192 Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani]
 8

What though, is the wisdom that the person inviting to Allaah must follow?

1. Knowledge
The first is that the person inviting to Allaah has knowledge about what he is preaching and so
I believe that seeking knowledge should precede the act of inviting to Allaah.
َ َ َ َٰ َ ۡ ُ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ ٓ ُ َۡ ٓ َ
َۚ‫لِۚ َو َمآۚأنَاۚ ِۚمن‬ ِ ‫لهِۚعل َٰىۚب‬
ۚ ‫صير ٍةۚأناۚوم ِنۚٱتبعنِىۚۚوسبحنۚٱ‬
َ ُۡ
ۚ ‫لۚهَٰ ِذ ۚه ِۦۚسبِيلِىۚأدعواۚإِلىۚٱ‬ۚۡ
َۚ‫ِين‬ ۡ ُۡ
ۚ ‫ٱلمش ِرك‬
Say, "This is my way; I invite to Allaah with insight, I and those who follow me. [12:108]

The one who calls to Allaah with knowledge and proof is able to both defend and criticize. He
can defend his religion to which he is inviting, by refuting any specious proofs and arguments
that he is confronted by. He can also criticize other false ideologies/philosophies by
demonstrating the falsity of them, and by highlighting the errors and distortions therein that
contradict man’s nature and are not accepted by the intellect.

However, when tis said that a person must first study and learn before he invites to Allaah, that
does not mean that he should not invite while he is learning. Rather, he should study and learn
while at the same time calling to and teaching an issue that he has learnt well and perfected.

2. Acting upon that knowledge

The second condition is that the one propagating Islaam acts upon his knowledge because
deeds are words translated. The outcome of nearly all speech that is not translated into action is
failure and disappointment.

َ َُ َۡ َ َ ُ َُ َ َ َ ًّ َۡ ََُ
٣ۚ‫لِۚأنۚتقولواۚماۚلاۚتفعلون‬
ۚ ‫كب ۚرۚمقتاۚعِندۚٱ‬
Great is hatred in the sight of Allaah that you say what you do not do.[61:3]

Therefore, it is very important that the person propagating Islaam acts according to what he has
learnt and according to what he is calling others.

It was for this reason that the one of the qualities of Muhammad () was that he would not
order that anything be done except that he was the first to do it and he would not order that any
action be abandoned, except that he was the first to abandon it. This quality is also a part of
inviting to Allaah with wisdom because people are not only influenced by the words of a
person inviting to Islaam but influenced by his actions as well.

3. Deals with appropriate way-understanding the circumstances and

condition of the people
The third condition for the person propagating Islaam is that he deals with matters in an
appropriate way. For every time and place there is a suitable thing to say, and each person has
his own particular state and condition.
 9

People are not the same and nor are the various situations where inviting to Allaah occurs. The
learning and tendencies of the soul vary from person to person and so you find that Allaah, the
Wise, the All-Knowing educates and trains people about activities people are immersed in but
which earns His displeasure. He urges them to truth step by step, such as in the issue of
alcoholic drinks. Alcohol is a social problem and at the time of the revelation, people were
habituated to drinking it night and day, morning and evening. To extricate people from this
noxious habit would not be an easy matter if it were done in one go. However, Allaah the
Almighty, in His Wisdom and Knowledge, or rather in His Wisdom and Mercy, urged people
to give it up in a way that was acceptable to them. Refer Glorious Qur’aan 2:219; 4:43; 5:90-91

ُ َ ۡ ََٓ ُُۡ َ ُ َٰ َ َ َ ٞ َ ٞ ۡ ٓ َ ُۡ ۡ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ َ َ ُ َۡ
ِ ‫س ِۚرۚۡلۚفِي ِهماۚإِثمۚكبِيرۚومنفِعۚل ِلن‬
ۚ‫اسِۚإَوثمهماۚأكبرۚمِن‬ ِ ‫سلونكۚع ِنۚٱلخم ِۚرۚ ۚوٱلمي‬
ۚ ‫۞ي‬
َۡ
ۡۗ‫نفعِ ِه َمۚا‬
They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, "In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for
people. But their sin is greater than their benefit." [2:219]

َ ُ ُ َ َ ُ َ ۡ َ َٰ َ َ َٰ َ َٰ َ ُ ۡ ُ َ َ َ َٰ َ َ ُ َ ۡ َ َ ُ َ َ َ َ َ ُ َ َٓ
ۚ ‫ينۚءامنواۚلاۚتقربواۚٱلصلوۚةۚوأنتمۚسكرىۚحتىۚتعلمواۚماۚتقول‬
‫ون‬ ۚ ‫يأيهاۚٱل ِذ‬
َٰ
O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know
what you are saying [4:43]

َ ۡ َ َ َ ۡ ٞ ۡ ُ َ ۡ َۡ َ ُ َ َۡ َ
ُ ۡ َ ۡ َ ُ ۡ َ ۡ َ َ ٓ ُ َ َ َ َ َ ُ َ َٓ
ِۚ َٰ‫ابۚ ۚوٱلأزل َٰ ۚمۚرِجسۚمِنۚعم ِلۚٱلشيط‬
ۚ‫ن‬ ۚ ‫س ۚرۚ ۚوٱلأنص‬
ِ ‫ينۚءامنواۚإِنماۚٱلخم ۚرۚ ۚوٱلمي‬ۚ ‫يأيهاۚٱل ِذ‬
َٰ
َ ُ ُۡ ۡ ُ َََ ُ ُ َۡ َ
ۚ ۚ٠١ۚ‫وهۚلع ۚلكمۚتفلِحون‬ ۚ ‫ۚفٱجتنِب‬
O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other
than Allaah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that
you may be successful. [5:90]

With the revelation of this verse, alcoholic drink was completely prohibited at all times and
under all circumstances.

This is one example of a prohibition being implemented in stages, while the fast of Ramadhan is
an example of a command being implemented in stages. When Allaah ordained fasting, He
made it optional. If someone wanted to fast then he did so but if he preferred, he fed a poor
person for everyday that he chose not to fast. And then made it obligatory.

It is therefore, possible for us to deal with someone in stages.

First of all, we invite him to Allaah by beginng with belief in the Oneness and Unity of Allaah.
Then, if he responds favorably, we continue with the command to pray, then with Zakaat,
fasting and Hajj.

In a hadeeth related by Imaam al-Bukhaaree and narrated by ibn Abbaas, may Allaah be
pleased with him, the Prophet () sent Mu’aadh (r.a.) to Yemen. He () ordered him to call
them to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah and that the Muhammad
() is the Messenger of Allaah and in another narration: to call them to believe in the Oneness
of Allaah.
 10

He () said: “If they respond to this, then teach them that Allaah has prescribed for them five
prayers to be prayed every day and night. If they respond to this, then teach them that Allaah
has prescribed for them the giving of charity from their wealth, to be taken from the rich and
given to the poor.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]

It is therefore, a part of wisdom that we invite someone according to his state and condition and
according to how open and able he is to accept our invitation.

We should not drive him away by saying, for example: ‘You are misguided, you are from the
people of the Fire, you are damned,’ because no good will be achieved by this. Rather, it causes
alienation and repulsion from the religion of Islaam.
ۡ ۡ َ َۢ ۡ َ َ َ ُ ُ َ َ َ ُ َ ُ َۡ َ َ ُ َُ ََ
ٖۚ ‫لۚعدواۚبِغيرِۚعِل‬
‫م‬ ۚ ‫ل ِۚفيسبواۚٱ‬
ۚ ‫ونۚٱ‬
ِ ‫ينۚيدعونۚمِنۚد‬
ۚ ‫ولاۚتسبواۚٱل ِذ‬
And do not insult those they invoke other than Allaah , lest they insult Allaah in enmity
without knowledge. [6:108]

From this noble verse, the scholars have derived an important rule, which is that the averting
and avoidance of the causes of corruption has priority over the achieving of benefit, when the
two are equal or nearly equal. And this too, is also a part of wisdom when inviting to Allaah.

4. Unity amongst the Muslims

Fourthly, another aspect of wisdom is that we, the Muslims, unite our ranks. I mean by
Muslims, those who follow the way of our righteous predecessors, the companions, their
followers and the followers of the followers—the pre-eminent first three generations, because
they are the people who truly represent Islaam and fulfill the conditions of true faith.

To follow their way—this si Islaam and true faith and whatever is not in accordance with it
contains error and transgression to the extent that it contradicts that way.

The Prophet () also described them in the following terms: “My ummah will split into
seventy-three sects, all of whom will be in Hell except one group.” They said: Who are they,
O Messenger of Allaah? He said: “(Those who follow) that which I and my companions
follow.” [hasan- at-Tirmidhi]

It was narrated from Mu’aawiyah ibn Abi Sufyaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) that he
said: The Messenger of Allaah () stood among us and said: “Those who came before you of
the people of the Book split into seventy-two sects, and this ummah will split into seventy-
three: seventy-two in Hell and one in Paradise, and that is the jamaa’ah (main body of
Muslims).” [Saheeh- Abu Dawood]

The small differences of opinion that do not take us from the way of our predecessors should
not become the subject of controversy or contention not should they cause enmity and hatred.
These types of differences existed at the time of the Companions, may Allaah be pleased with
them all, but they did not cause the fragmentation of the Muslim community. They were one
community, both in their goals and in their deeds. This does not, however, necessitate that they
agree upon every issue in matters of faith and religion. Rather, it is inevitable that there will be
differences. However, when we understand that it is obligatory for every Muslim to refer any
dispute back to the Book of Allaah and to the Sunnah of the Prophet(), then it also becomes
incumbent upon whoever is made aware of the truth to acknowledge and affirm it.
 11

ۡ ُ ۡ َ َٰ َ َ َ ۡ ُ ۡ َۡ ُ َ َ ُ َ ُ َ َ َ َ ُ َ ُ َ َ َ َ ُ َ َٓ
ۚ‫ولۚوأو ِِلۚٱلأم ِۚرۚمِنكمۖۚفإِنۚتنزعتمۚف ِى‬ ۚ ‫ينۚ َءامن ٓواۚأ ِطيعواۚٱ‬
ۚ ‫لۚوأ ِطيعواۚٱلرس‬ ۚ ‫يأيهاۚٱل ِذ‬
َٰ
َ ۡ ََ ٞ ۡ َ َ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ َ َ ُ ُۡ ُۡ ُ ُ َ َ َ َ ُ َُُ ۡ َ
ُۚ‫ن‬
ۚ‫س‬ۚ ‫ِ ۚرِۚذل ِكِۚيرۚوأح‬ َٰ ِ ‫لِۚ ۚوٱليو ِۚمۚٱٓأۡل‬ۚ ‫ل ِۚ ۚوٱلرسو ِۚلۚإِنۚكنتمۚتؤمِنونۚۚب ِٱ‬
ۚ ‫شىءٖۚفردوهۚإِلىۚٱ‬
ًّ ۡ َ
ۚ ٥٠ۚ‫تأوِيلا‬
O you who have believed, obey Allaah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among
you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allaah and the Messenger, if you should
believe in Allaah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result. [4:59]

5. To have a community leader/Ameer

Fifthly , there should be some sort authority, such as an ameer or president for the Muslim
minority groups to turn to and consult when necessary. People cannot be put aright and cannot
propsper without a leader and without an authority. It was for this reason that the Prophet()
ordered that whenever there were three or more Muslims that one of them be appointed as
ameer. According to the experts, even the birds in the sky have leaders. They say: “Every group of
birds has a leader to lead and direct them.” And on land, animals such as the gazelle also need
leaders.

Muslim minorities living in non-Muslim lands that do not practice and implement Islaam and
might even actively oppose and wage war against it, must have someone they can consult and
to whom they can turn.

6. Youth must not do any things hasty/rashly

The sixth condition of inviting to Allaah with wisdom is that the Muslim youth doesn’t become
excessive and rash/hasty/impulsive/ impetuous (acting or done quickly and without thought
or care.) in this awakening and revival of Islaam because that can lead to a bad reaction
occurring.

It is true that if a man finds a group who helps and supports him, he becomes more active, alive
and stimulated. However, he must regulate and control his actions and not act rashly and
impetuously and do something that lacks wisdom, thereby transgressing and causing harm.

Rashness, especially in non-Muslim countries might attract people’s attention and put an end to
the propagation of Islaam. It is also unwise and is fraught with dangers. How often have we
seen someone acting rashly and unwisely and how often have we seen the harmful effects of
those rash actions, so much so that the work of inviting to Allaah might even be brought to a
halt together.

7. Principal condition: Ikhlaas

The seventh and principal condition is sincerity to Allaah, the Almighty. The person inviting
must firmly believe that he is inviting to the religion of Allaah and that he is calling Allaah’s
slaves to what will benefit them in both their religious and worldly life. He is inviting them to
what will bring them closer to Allaah, the Almighty, and to His Generous Paradise as well as to
that which leads to a blessed and good life and abundant reward in the Hereafter.
 12

ُ َ ۡ َ ۡ ُ َ َ ۡ َ َ َ ۖ ٗ َ َ ٗ َٰ َ َ ُ َ َ ۡ ُ َ َ ٞ ۡ ُ َ ُ َ َٰ َ ُ ۡ َ َ َ َ َ َ ۡ َ
ۚ‫نۚع ِملۚصَٰل ِ ٗحاۚمِنۚذك ٍرۚأوۚأنثىۚوهوۚمؤمِنۚفلنحيِين ۚهۥۚحيوةۚطيِبةۚولنجزِينهمۚأجرهم‬ ۚ‫م‬
َ ََُۡ ُ َ َ َ ۡ َ
ۚ ٠٩ۚ‫بِأحس ِنۚماۚكانواۚيعملون‬
Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely
cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter]
according to the best of what they used to do. [16:97]