Purification of the Soul

'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him (d. 32H)

"Be content with what you have,
"Be satisfied with your dwelling place to accommodate your enterprise,
"Restrain your tongue,
"And shed tears of regret regarding past sins you committed knowingly, and those you do not recognize. "

'Umar ibn 'Abdul-'Aziz (d. 101H)

• According to 'Abdullah ibn Bakr ibn Habib al-Sahmi: We were told by a man in the mosque of Al-Junabidh that 'Umar ibn 'Abdul-'Aziz delivered a sermon to the people in Khunasirah in which he said, "O people, you were not created in vain, nor will you be left to yourselves. {qluetip title=[1]}See Al-Qur'an 75:36{/qluetip} Rather, you will return to a place in which Allah will descend in order to judge among you and distinguish between you. Destitute and lost are those who forsake the all- encompassing mercy of Allah, and they will be excluded from Paradise, the borders of which are as wide as the heavens and the earth. Don't you know that protection, tomorrow, will be limited to those who feared Allah [today], and to those who sold something ephemeral for something permanent, something small for something great, and fear for protection? Don't you realize that you are the descendants of those who have perished, that those who remain will take their place after you, and that this will continue until you are all returned to Allah? Every day you dispatch to Allah, at all times of the day, someone who has died, his term having come to an end. You bury him in a crack in the earth and then leave him without a pillow or a bed. He has parted from his loved ones, severed his connections with the living, and taken up residence in the earth, whereupon he comes face to face with the accounting. He is mortgaged to his deeds: He needs his accomplishments, but not the material things he left on earth. Therefore, fear Allah before death descends and its appointed times expire. I swear by Allah that I say those words to you knowing that I myself have committed more sins than any of you; I therefore ask Allah for forgiveness and I repent. Whenever we learn that one of you needs something, I try to satisfy his need to the extent that I am able. Whenever I can provide satisfaction to one of you out of my possessions, I seek to treat him as my equal and my relative, so that my life and his life are of equal value. I swear by Allah that had I wanted something else, namely, affluence, then it would have been easy for me to utter the word, aware as I am of the means for obtaining this. But Allah has issued in an eloquent Book and a just example (sunnah) by means of which He guides us to obedience and proscribes disobedience." He lifted up the edge of his robe and began to cry and sob, causing the people around him to break into tears. Then he stepped down. That was the last sermon he gave before he died, may Allah have mercy on him.{qluetip title=[2]}For variant versions of this sermon, see Ibn 'Abdul-Hakam, Sirah 43-45, 132-33; Ibn Kathir, Bidayah, IX, 199; This translation was taken from The History of Al-Tabari, Vol XXIV, by D.S.Powers{/qluetip}
• 'Umar ibn 'Abdul-'Aziz (rahimahullah) used to say, "None can reach the station of taqwa until he possesses neither action nor words that can be exposed to his embarrassment either in this world or the Hereafter." He was once asked, "When does the worshipper reach the peak of taqwa?" He replied, "If he put all his thoughts and desires in his heart on a plate and then wandered around in the market, he should not feel ashamed of anything there."

Al-Hasan al-Basri (d. 110H)

• "I have known people and kept company with groups who neither rejoiced when the things of this world came to them, nor grieved when they lost anything in this world. The life of this world was more insignificant to them than dust. One of them might live for a year or for sixty years without ever having a garment that would entirely cover him, and without ever having anything that would come between him and the ground, and without ever having any food that he could ask to be prepared for him in his own home. When night came, they would be on their feet, with their foreheads flat against the earth, tears rolling down their cheeks, secretly calling on Allah to save them on the Day of Judgement. If they did something good, they never stopped being grateful for it, and they were always asking Allah to forgive them for it. By Allah, they were not safe from wrong actions, and were saved only by their constant turning in repentance. May Allah be pleased with them and grant them His mercy ... "
• "Do not sit idle, for indeed Death is seeking you!"
• When Al-Hasan finished his hadith, he would say, "O Allah, you see our hearts full of idolatry, pride, hypocrisy, showing-off, reputation, doubt and uncertainty in your din. O Turner of hearts, make our hearts firm in Your din and make our din Straight Islam!"
• 'Umara ibn Mihran said that Al-Hasan was asked, "Why do you not visit the rulers and command them to the correct and forbid them the incorrect?" He replied, "'The believer should not waste himself. Their swords precede our tongues when we speak. They speak thus with their swords." And he made a striking gesture with his hand.
• "When a young man is devout, we do not recognise him by his speech. We recognise him by his actions. That is beneficial knowledge."
• It is related that when Al-Hasan saw a funeral, he would say, "Praise belongs to Allah who has not made me part of that which is snatched away." He would not relate anything that day.

Ibn Al-Mubarak (d. 181H)

• "When the night is completely dark,
  "It finds them staying up in the night,
  "Fear has chased away their sleep,
  "So they stay up,
  "While those who feel secure in this life,
  "Quietly sleep on."
• "O! Worshipper of Haramayn (two holy mosques) if you were to see us,
  "you will know that you are playing with your worship.
  "For the one who dyes his face with his tears,
  "then our necks are dyed with our blood."

Al-Ghazali (d. 505H)

"Life is nothing but an accumulation of many breaths. So every breath is just a precious diamond which cannot be purchased with anything in the world. It is a priceless jewel which has got no substitute in value. So in movements and talks, and in sorrows and happiness, such a priceless breath should not be spent in vain. To destroy it is to court destruction. An intelligent man cannot lose it. When a man gets up at dawn, he should enter into an agreement with himself just as a tradesman contracts with his partner. At that time, he should address his mind thus: O mind, you have been given no other property as precious as life. When it will end, the principal will end and despondency will come in seeking profit in business. Today is a new day. Allah has given you time, that is, He has delayed your death. He has bestowed upon you innumerable gifts. Think that you are already dead. So don't waste time. Every breath is a precious jewel. Man has got for each day and night twenty-four treasure houses in twenty-four hours. Fill up these then find them filled up with divine sights in the world next. If they are not filled up with good works, they will be filled up with intense darkness wherefrom a bad stench will come out and envelop them all around. Another treasure house will neither give him happiness nor sorrow. That is an hour in which he slept, or was careless, or was engaged in any lawful work of this world. He will feel grieved for its remaining vacant." {qluetip title=[3]}Taken from Al-Ghazali: Meditation and Introspection, The Book of Constructive Virtues, Ihya Ulum ud-Din{/qluetip}

Ibn Al-Jawzi (d. 597H)

" ... Have you seen anyone that has not been affected by the pitfalls of this world? And have you seen anyone that has not fallen sick? Have you seen any life that has not ended with death? The world beguiles and impedes, it is happiness leading to evil: it ruins those who crave for it and it harms those who benefit from it. Its seeker who laughs it will make cry and those who rejoice with its peace it will destroy. They will regret their slips when they strive to achieve it. They will remain hostage to its fears and apprehensions. They will wish to live just an hour longer ..."

An-Nawawi (d. 676H)

"So the first thing which he should begin with is the memorization of the mighty Qur'an, which is the most important of the branches of knowledge. And the Salaf did not used to teach hadith or fiqh, except to one who had memorized the Qur'an. So when he has memorized it, then let him beware of pre-occupying himself from it with hadith, or fiqh, or other things, to the extent that it leads him to forget anything from the Qur'an, or makes that likely." {qluetip title=[4]}Al-Majmu' Sharh al-Muhadhdhab (1/38){/qluetip}

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (d. 751H)

• "O people who take pleasure in a life that will vanish, falling in love with a faded shadow is sheer stupidity!" {qluetip title=[5]}Purification of the Soul, p.147{/qluetip}
• "If you were to see a repenting person, you would see weary eyelids early in the morning asking for forgiveness and listening to Allah's command: 'Repent to Allah with a sincere repentance'. You would see that his diet is light and his grief heavy; his body weakened by fasting and his feet tired from prayers. He would be exausted both physically and spiritually." {qluetip title=[6]}Sincere Repentance, p.12{/qluetip}
• "The servitude in repentance is the most noble and beloved form of servitude in the Eyes of Allah. He loves those who repent and it is because of His love for His creation that He tests them with sins so that He may shower His Blessings and Favours upon them after they repent." {qluetip title=[7]}Sincere Repentance, p.13{/qluetip}
• Love of Allah, found in Al-Wala wa'l-Bara of M S al-Qahtani:

"The love of the Beloved
must be unconditionally returned.

If you claim love
yet oppose the Beloved,
then your love is but a pretence.
You love the enemies of your Beloved
and still seek love in return.

You fight the beloved of your Beloved.
Is this Love or the following of shaytan?
True devotion is nothing
but total submission
of body and soul
to One Love.

We have seen humans claim to submit,
yet their loyalties are many.

They put their trust here, and their hope there,
and their love is without consequence."

In numerous places in the Qur'an, Allah praises and shows His pleasure for the Companions of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and also for those who follow in their footsteps. For example, Allah says:

"And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun and the Ansar and also those who followed them exactly (in faith)! Allah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success." [Al-Qur'an 9:100]

Furthermore, the following verse of the Qur'an was first and foremost directed to the Companions of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam):

"You are the best of peoples ever raised for mankind, you enjoin good and forbid evil, and you believe in Allah." [Al-Qur'an 3:110]

In addition there are numerous ahadith in which the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) told us about the special place and superiority of his Companions, and also of those who came after them. Imran ibn Husayn narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:

"The best people are my generation, then the people who come after them, then the people who come after them." [Al-Bukhari, and Muslim]

In another very important hadith, the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:

"The tribes of Israel broke up into seventy-two sects. My ummah shall break up into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in the Fire except for one: [That group] which follows what I and my Companions are following." [At-Tirmidhi]

The behaviour and actions of the Companions of the Prophet were witnessed by the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) himself and approved by him. This means that their behaviour was also approved by Allah as it is an accepted principle that the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) is not allowed to approve of something which is essentially wrong.

These verses and these hadith - as well as many others - demonstrate to us that the Companions were on the Straight Path. This is, in fact, the only true path as the hadith concerning the dividing into sects demonstrates. Indeed, Allah makes it clear that the path to Him is only one when He says:

"And verily this is My Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not other paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become pious." [Al-Qur'an 6:153]

Ibn Mas'ud stated that the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) drew a straight line with other lines to the left and right of it. He stated that the straight line was the Straight Path and upon all other lines were Satans calling the people to those paths. Then he recited the above verse from Surah al-An'am.

Therefore, we should look to the Companions and the others of the first three generations - those who followed in their footsteps and who learned directly from them -- and we should try to emulate them as we know that their lives were pleasing to Allah.

However, in what matters should we emulate them? In matters of the din, in matters related to following the Straight Path. And what is the din? It is one's matters of belief, one's matter of law, one's matter of behaviour and ethics -- all of these form part of the din and all are essential aspects of the din.

We should look to the Companions and try to learn from them and be like them. But not just with respect to matters of 'aqidah or beliefs - as some people today seem to think. It is true that 'aqidah or faith is the foundation of life - but there is no such thing as 'aqidah by itself without it being translated into actions and behaviour.

There are many people nowadays who are stressing that we have to follow the way of the pious forefathers or the salaf in Islam. They talk, in particular, about matters of 'aqidah. However, following in their footsteps is not simply a matter of believing some articles of faith and being able to repeat them like a parrot! So many people can rattle off the principles related to the names and attributes of Allah but that does not necessarily make them true followers of the way of our pious forefathers.

Many times when it comes to behaviour and ethics, the same people who are "calling to the way of the Salaf" seem to forget that we have to follow their example in these areas as well. It does not make any sense - in fact, it is not possible - that we have the same beliefs as our Salaf but our actions are quite to the contrary. This means that we don't have their beliefs at all. If we had their beliefs, they would be represented in our actions. It is inconceivable that we call ourselves followers of those pious people yet our behaviour is not like their behaviour whatsoever. How can we truly call ourselves their followers when we lie, cheat, don't mind to live off of other people, spread false rumours about each other, are not willing to sacrifice for the sake of Allah, and so forth. Indeed, some who claim to be following those pious individuals are actually the furthest away in their behaviour from the pattern and example that those pious souls set.

In this khutbah - after making the above point and advising us all to follow the way of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and his Companions in order to be among the saved sect - I would like to remind us of some of the behaviours and characteristics of those early generations. In this way, we can take a good look at their lives and we can also look at our own lives and behaviour, and truly ask ourselves if we are actually following their example and having their din which was so pleasing to Allah.

One of their characteristics that we can note in their speech and action is that they would weight every action according to the scales of the shari'ah.

We can see clear examples of how Abu Bakr and 'Umar would not take any action until they were certain that such an action was correct according to the Shari'ah. We must be cautious and not tread into doubtful matters - which was another one of the beautiful and noble characteristics. Many times we do things without first asking or searching to make sure those things are lawful and pleasing to Allah. After we actually engage in the act, we may then ask, "Is this act halal or haram?" It is one of the characteristics of the Salaf that they would ask this question before acting.

Second, they used to remember and think a lot about death. This remembrance of death would have a strong effect on their actions and their attachment to this world. The Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) advised them to remember death often -- the thing that brings an end to the pleasures of this world. They implemented this teaching of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam).

Thabit once said, "Whenever we attended a funeral, we would be crying." We can see from other reports of the same nature that they were not actually crying for the deceased. Instead, they were crying for themselves. They realized that they would also have to face that same day in which their deeds would come to an end. They would think to themselves: Are we prepared for that day when the two angels will come and question us? Are we prepared for that day when our deeds will come to an end and there will be no more opportunity to repent from our sins??

How often do we who claim to be following in their footsteps remember death. Do we every cry when thinking about that day in which our deeds will be sealed and the angels will come to question us? If we are truly following their way, we must remember death often and this remembrance should have a profound effect on us. This is all part of following the way of the Companions.

A third characteristic that we find about them is that they were very forgiving to those who did them wrong in any way. They implemented Allah's description:

"[Those] who repress anger and who pardon men, verily Allah loves the good-doers." [Al-Qur'an 3:134]

They would forgive people in hopes that Allah would forgive them. Recompense comes in a form similar to the deed that is being recompensed. Hence, those who are forgiving to others for the sake of Allah, Allah willing, may look forward to Allah treating them in the same way. How many of us today possess that characteristic? On the other hand, how many of us hold a grudge forever and are never willing to forgive some wrong that may have been done to us many years ago?

Another important characteristic was the great respect that they had for the honour of other Muslims and how they always desired good for their brethren Muslim. The Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) explicitly told them:

"Every Muslim is inviolable to another Muslim - his blood, his wealth and his honour"

Abu Bakr once said, "Do not belittle any Muslim for the most insignificant Muslim is great in the eyes of Allah." 'Umar ibn al-Khattab declared that to save a life of a Muslim was more important to him than all of the lands of Iraq. In fact, the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:

"The killing of a believer is greater in Allah's sight than the perishing of this world." [An-Nasa'i, Sahih, Al-Albani in Sahih al-Jami' as-Saghir, vol. 2, p. 804, hadith no. 4361]

That has happened to this beautiful characteristic of our Salaf. Do we treat each other with the respect and honour that they used to treat each other? Nowadays it is not uncommon to see Muslims cheating other Muslims. It is not uncommon to see Muslims breaking their promises to other Muslims. Indeed we can even see Muslims killing one another.

In fact, nowadays, it is not uncommon to see Muslims treat, honour and respect non-Muslims in a much better fashion that they treat their own brethren Muslims. As long as we behave in this manner, we cannot possibly claim to be following in the footsteps of our pious predecessors.

Another very important aspect of their lives was their continued performance of the late night prayers, known as the tahajjud prayers. We know the place of those prayers in the Qur'an. For example, Allah says:

"Verily, the pious will be in the midst of Gardens and Springs (in Paradise), taking joy in the things which their Lord has given them. Verily, there were before this doers of good. They used to sleep but little at night (invoking their Lord and praying) and in the hours before dawn, they were found asking (Allah) for forgiveness." [Al-Qur'an 51:15-18]

The Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) also said about the late-night prayers:

"Stick to the late-night prayers for it [their performance] was the custom of the pious people before you; it is also a means of getting closer to your Lord; it wipes away your evil deeds; and it keeps one from committing sins." [Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, Al-Hakim and others, Sahih, see Sahih al-Jami' as-Saghir, vol. 2, p. 752, hadith no. 4079]

The performance of this prayer was something very dear to our pious predecessors. They would not be happy when they missed its performance. In addition, they understood the cause of their missing it. Al-Hasan al-Basri said, "No one leaves the night prayer except due to a sin that he performed." On another occasion he said, "The late night prayer is only heavy upon a person who is weighed down by sins."

In our desire to be their true followers, we have to revive this sunnah and important practice. In this day and age we find many excuses not to perform this very important act. However, we must struggle and overcome those excuses and do our best to have this characteristic that was so common and so important to those whom we wish to emulate.

One thing that comes out very clearly in the different statements of the Muslims of the early generations is their attitude toward this world. They always put the Hereafter first. They preferred the deeds that would benefit them in the Hereafter over those deeds that would merely benefit them in this world. In fact, this world meant very little to them except as a means of attaining salvation in the Hereafter.

Allah makes it very clear in the Qur'an that if someone desires this world, Allah will give it to him. This is very easy for Allah and the things of this world are not that important to Allah, so He will even give its pleasure to the disbelievers. Allah says in the Qur'an:

"Whoever wishes for the quick-passing [transitory enjoyment of this world], We readily grant him what We will for whom We will. Then, afterwards we have appointed for him Hell, he will burn therein disgraced and rejected [far from Allah's Mercy]. And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it, with the necessary effort due it, while he is a believer, then such are the ones who striving shall be appreciated, thanked and rewarded [by Allah]." [Al-Qur'an 17:18-19)

A true believer should be "above" this world. His aspirations and goals are not of this world. He should not be spending all of his time just for the sake of this dunya. As I stated, this characteristic was very clear in those people whom Allah has stated that He is pleased with.

One of those early pious souls, Malik ibn Dinar, once said, "Whoever proposes to this world, it will seek from him his entire religion as its dower and it will not be pleased with anything other than that."

There is no question that chasing after this world is one of the greatest trials that Muslims are afflicted with today. Many who have education or wealth are chasing after more and more wealth. Many of our youth do not know and understand anything except getting the latest clothing, best pair of sneakers and so forth. We have lost that proper balance in our lives between this life and the Hereafer. The proper balance is wherein the Hereafter comes first in our lives and this world is only a stepping stone to Allah's Forgiveness in the Hereafter. That was the understanding of our Salaf and that is the understanding we must have if we are truly following in their footsteps.

Another aspect that we can see in some of their statements is that they realised that they had never given Allah even the smallest amount of thanks. In fact, to them, the act of thanking Allah was yet another blessing that Allah had guided them to, such that Allah was once again deserving of thanks for guiding them to thanking Him. The only result is to realise all of the great blessings that Allah has given you and to realise that all of your praises of Allah, thankfulness to Allah, sacrifices for Allah's sake are actually nothing compared to all that Allah has so graciously done for you.

Another characteristic we find among them is that they were more concerned with their own shortcomings than with the shortcomings of others. It is reported that 'Umar once said, "May Allah have mercy on the one who points out my shortcomings." In fact finding the faults of others will not be of much avail to you in the Hereafter. Instead, recognising your own faults and changing them, this will be of great benefit to you in both this life and the Hereafter. We should be very concerned with correcting our own faults. In fact, we should be happy when other people point out our shortcomings so that we may realise them and correct them. This was the way of our pious Forefathers and this must be our way too.

The Salaf would also remain away from sinful people and their gatherings. Indeed, as we find in the example of 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, even if they were invited to a wedding feast, they would leave that feast if they found something forbidden therein. They would stay away from the people of sin and innovations. In this way, their hearts would remain pure and clean. They would not be infected or infiltrated by the doubts and desirs of such evil people. By mixing only with good people and attending only settings in which the forbidden aspects are absent, they were able to increase their faith and keep their faith strong.

Nowadays, we find our situation many times to be quite different. We might take as friends not the pious but the people who commit many sins. We take them as friends for very inconsequential reasons, such as we like their sense of humour or they have the same nationality that we have and so forth. We fail to realise how much harm they may be causing our own religion. We fail to realise that by mixing with them and being in places in which Allah's law is being transgressed, we are harming ourselves and we are clearly straying from the way and practice of those first generations whom the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) described as the best generations.

There is one final characteristic of our noble forefathers that I would like to mention. However, this is one of the most important of their characteristics. This is the attending the daily prayers in congregation in the masjid. During the time of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) this was one of the signs that differentiated a true Muslim from a hypocrite. 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud once said, "Whoever wishes to meet Allah tomorrow as a Muslim should guard the prayers whenever he is called to them. The Messenger of Allah taught us the sunnah of guidance. Part of this sunnah is to perform the prayer in the masjid in which the call to prayer in given. If you pray in your houses, like those people who stayed behind and prayed in their houses, you have left the sunnah of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam). If you leave the sunnah of your Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam), you'll be misguided ... in our view, no one would no attend the prayers accept for someone who was well known for his hypocrisy." [Muslim]

In our society here, it is sometimes difficult to make it to the prayers. However, we have to do our best. We have to sacrifice for the sake of the prayers. We have to arrange our time in such a way that we can make it to the prayers. If we do so, we will be actually following in the footsteps of the Companions of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam), who were from the best generation ever raised for mankind.

These are just some of the important characteristics of our pious forefathers. When w recognise that their path is the correct path - the path of the Saved Sect - we must realise that we are not simply talking about believing in some doctrines that we can rattle off with our tongues. Instead, we are talking about their din - and deen encompasses every aspect of our lives. If we are truly their followers, this must be exhibited by our behaviour, our actions, our ethics, our worship and obviously, our beliefs. However, if we drop any of those aspects, then we are not truly following their path, no matter how much we may claim to with our tongues.

(s) The Friday Prayer: Part III, IANA

Many years ago in Uzbekistan, a baby boy was born blind. His Mother, the strong Mu'minah that she was, did not lose sight of He who had the Power to cure him. She prayed and prayed for her sons sight. And within a few years the boy regained his eyes.

She was widowed, the boy an orphan. She traveled with him to Makkah so that he could receive an Islamic Education. She arranged that he attend the circles of the scholars, and in those circles, he began excelling in the science of Hadith. He traveled to distant villages in search of the most authentic sayings of Rasulallah (peace be upon him). He would pray two raka'at before accepting a Hadith. His mother named him: Muhammad ibn Isma'il. And many of us know him today by the book he compiled, the book that stands after the Qur'an in authenticity: Sahih al-Imam al-Bukhari!

In another land, in another time, chilly Baghdad winds would wake up another boy. Much before Fajr, his mother would bundle him in warm shawls and escort him through the darkness, making sure he reached the Masjid safely. After Fajr, she would wait for him as he read Hadith to the biggest scholars of the land. Then, long after the sun had come up, she would meet him outside and together they would walk home. She was a strong mother indeed, for her son grew up to become an Imam of the Muslim Ummah, an Imam by the name of Ahmad ibn Hanbal. [Manaqib Ahmad, by Ibn al-Jawzi)

Imam Suyuti authored his first book, Tafsir Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim, when he was in grade 2!

Dear brothers and sisters, why should we try to follow in the footsteps of these many other stars of Islam? The information that we shall insha'Allah learn is not like anything else. This knowledge is the law of Allah and the inheritance of the Prophets. It is our duty to preserve and protect the estate of Rasulallah (peace be upon him), something that cannot happen without there being serious and sincere brothers and sisters spending long days and nights reading, reflecting, and teaching others.

Every Islamic revival that takes place is built on something. Some revivals are built on emotions, others on politics. Do you know which shall remain firm when the wind of woe blows? It shall be the one that was built on sound knowledge of the words of Allah and the Sunnah of Rasulallah.

A sincere man once stood on the beach shore watching, to his dismay, the waves thrashing a fish up and down, left and right. The man concluded that he must save the fish. He thrashed into the water and grabbed the fish by the tail. He then thrashed back to shore and threw the fish on the beach, satisfied that he had saved it from the water!

Dear brothers and sisters, when we work for the sake of Allah without knowledge of what the path of Allah is, many times we do as that young man did.

We are living in an age of information. We have lights in every corner of the house when only yesterday our ancestors read by the light of the moon. We have publishing houses when only yesterday our ancestors wrote the books they owned with their own hands. We have CD's to search the Hadith archives when our scholars spent days upon days searching for proof and evidence in their libraries. Shouldn't the knowledge increase with all this ease? It should. But it has not.

Dear brothers and sisters, we know that when a prize is great, the responsibility, and the work required for that prize shall also be great. And because of this, we see the enormous reward promised to those scholars and students of Islam due to the heavy work required.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever seeks out a path to acquire knowledge (of the din), Allah makes easy a path for them to Jannah!" [Muslim]

Shaykh 'Abdur-Rahman as-Sa'di said, "Thus any path a person takes, whether physical or otherwise, something that will help them in acquiring knowledge of the Din, they enter in the words of the Prophet, 'Whoever seeks out a path to acquire knowledge (of the din), Allah makes easy a path for them to Jannah.'"

Rasulallah told us that when a person seeks out a path to learn about Islam, this is a sign that Allah loves them and that He wants good for them in this life and the next.

From Mu'awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever Allah wishes good for, he grants them Fiqh (understading) of the Din."

And Rasulallah told us that the sincere scholars have a place with Allah that no one else can reach, and that they are the inheritors of the Prophet's estate in passing it on to the world.

Rasulallah said, "The virtue of the scholar to a worshipper (abid) is similar to the virtue of the moon when it is full to the rest of the stars. And verily the scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets. Verily the Prophets did not leave behind dirhams and dinars, but rather they left behind knowledge. Thus whoever takes it, takes it as a bountiful share." [Authentic, narrated by Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah]

The position of the people of Islamic knowledge reached such a level that Allah (Jalla Thana'uhu wa taqaddasat Asma'uhu) and the Angels pray for them!

From Abu Umamah: Rasulallah said, "Verily Allah and His angels, even the ant in its hole and the fish in the sea, verily (they all) pray for he who teaches people good." [Authentic, narrated by Tabarani]

Rasulallah prayed for them also. He said, as narrated by Zayd ibn Thabit, "May Allah grant light (and happiness and beauty in the face) of someone who hears a hadith from us and memorizes it until he passes it on to others!" [Authentic, narrated by Tirmidhi]

One of the Hadith scholars that Imam Bukhari took from, Hisham ibn Ammar narrates a story that happened to him when he was 8 years old. He says, "My father sold a house of his for 20 Dinar so that I could go for Hajj (and study Islam). When I arrived in Madinah, I went to the circle of Imam Malik. He was sitting amongst his students like a king. People would ask him questions and he would answer. When I entered the crowd and my turn came up I said, 'Haddithni (recite to me)!' He said, 'Rather you read.' I said, 'No, you haddithni!' Imam Malik said, 'No you read!' When I talked back and argued, he got angry and said to another student, go with this boy outside and smack him 15 times!' That student took me outside and smacked me 15 times with a stick and then brought me back to Imam Malik. I said, 'You have Dhulm (wronged) me! My father sold his house so that I could come to you and be honored by listening to your teaching and seek knowledge from you. And you smacked me 15 times without any crime on my part, I shall not forgive you!' Imam Malik then said, 'What is the expiation for this Dhulm (wronging)?' I said, 'You have to recite 15 Ahadith to me, that is the expiation.' So Imam Malik began reciting the Ahadith to me until he completed 15. When he ended I told him, 'Beat me more and read more Hadith to me." Imam Maalik laughed and said, "Be off." [From the book Ma'rifat al-Qura' al-Kibar by Imam Adh-Dhahabi]

From the beginning of time, there has been a race between the doers of good and the doers of evil. Adam and Iblis, Musa and Fir'awn, Muhammad and Abu Jahl. Today that race has not ended. Think: How hard are the doers of evil working and how hard are we?

'Umar once said, "I seek Allah's protection from Jalad (the strength and enthusiasm) of the sinner, and the laziness of the God-fearer." Subhanallah, it is as if he is contemplating the time that we are now living in.

How can one of us be too lazy to pray 2 raka'at at night, when the people of the Dunya spend the entire night watching movies, some of which they have to read the translation on the bottom of the screen? How can we be too lazy to read for 2 hours, when the people of the Dunya - those who just want more money to continue their sin - spend days upon days of all-nighters studying for their exams? Why do we cringe at paying 6 dollars for an Islamic book, when the people of the Dunya spend hundreds, rather thousands in pursuit of their sin?

What's wrong? What has happened to us?

Listen to those who came before us. Some Fuqaha' said, "For years I desired to eat Harisah (a sweet dish) and I wasn't able to because it was only sold during class time."

Imam Su'bah said, "If I ever saw someone running in the streets of the village I would only think one of two things: He was either crazy or a student of Hadith!"

And Ibn al-Jawzi said, "I haven't seen a flaw more sad in the community than those who stop working even though they have the ability to continue."

How do we correct the situation dear brothers and sisters? Let us reflect on the following:

Firstly: We must be sincere in our desire to learn Islam. We are learning this Din to rid ourselves, firstly, of ignorance and then to help others to rid themselves of ignorance.

Do you know the first Hadith in Sahih Bukhari, and in many many other Hadith books? It is not a coincidence that the first Hadith is: "Verily Actions are (judged) by their intentions." The scholars are reminding us from the very beginning of our path to learning, from page one, that it must be for the sake of Allah.

Allah ordered us to be sincere to Him in what we do: "And they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true (in faith)." [Al-Qur'an 98:5]

Rasulallah said, "Whoever studies that which is meant for the sake of Allah, desiring only a piece of the Dunya, he shall not smell the frangrance of Jannah on the Day of Judgement." [Authentic, narrated by Ahmad, and Tirmidhi]

Ibn Abbas said, "Verily a man shall be protected (by Allah) in proportion to his niyyah (intention for doing what it is he is doing)."

And this issue of intention is not an easy matter. Sufyan ath-Thawri said, "I have never nursed something more rebellious than my intentions." [From the book, Al-Ja'mi' li Akhlaq ar-Rawi, by Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi]

Listen to the advice of Imam Ibn Jama'ah if you want to know what it takes to correct your intention, "A proper and sincere intention when studying Islam is to intend to win the pleasure of Allah by what you are doing. You should intend to practice what you learn, to resurrect the Shari'ah, hoping that this knowledge will shine light on your heart, cleanse your soul, and bring you closer to Allah on the day of Judgement. Your intention for studying Islam should not be to win any worldly commodity, like leadership or fame or riches. It should not be learnt so that you can show off to your colleagues or so that people will revere you and sit you in a chief position in their gatherings, and so on." [From Imam Ibn Jama'ah's book, Tadhkirat as-Sami' wa'l-Mutakallim]

Secondly: We should understand that we are in a continuous war with Shaytan, and he does not want us to succeed in this studying. Allah ta'ala says, "When thou does read the Qur'an, seek Allah's protection from Satan the Rejected One." [Al-Qur'an 16:98]

The Shaytan shall sit in the face of every good thing that you try to do. Rasulallah told us, "The Shaytan sits in the path (of every goodness) that the son of Adam (may try to take). He sat in front of him when he took the path to Islam and told him, 'how could you leave the religion of your fathers and your fore-fathers?' But he disobeyed him and became Muslim. Then Shaytan sat in front of him in his path to Hijrah and said, 'How could you leave your land and your sky?' But he disobeyed him and migrated (from Makkah). Then he sat in front of him in his path of Jihad and said, 'Why should you do Jihad? It will only exhaust your wealth and body. You'll be killed, your wife will marry someone else, and your wealth will be divided (to others).' But he disobeyed him and went for Jihad." Rasulallah then said, "Whoever does this, it is a duty upon Allah that He shall enter him into Jannah!"

How will the Shaytan sit in your face:

• He will tell you to study tomorrow, and when tomorrow comes, study tomorrow. Procrastination is from the Shaytan!
• Shaytan will tell you that you are busy now and that later in your life you shall take the time out to study Islam. After marriage, after graduation, after you get a job. Life shall pass and the 'after' shall live forever.
• Shaytan will tell you that the situation of the Ummah is lost and that you studying will not help anything, so don't waste your time. Combat this with what you've seen from the Jihad of knowledge and teaching that Rasulallah and those that came before us did.
• Shaytan will tell you that there are enough scholars, they don't need you. Combat this with the fact that scholars shall die, and if the knowledge is not passed on to the next generation, it shall die in the community. There are 1.4 billion Muslims and the problem that always comes up is that there are not enough teachers and scholars. Everyone is a shepherd and everyone shall be responsible for his or her flock!

Thirdly: We should never forget to pray to Allah to bless us with His Mercy in succeeding in our intentions to learn Islam for His sake.

Allah ta'ala says "When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me." [Al-Qur'an 2:186]

Let us pray to Allah now to make this effort we are doing to learn His Din, to learn His Shari'ah, sincere for His sake. And that He blesses us by His Mercy to succeed in what we intend. Verily, he has the Power to do anything.

Amin.

Muslim ibn Bashir says that during his last illness Abu Hurayrah began weeping bitterly. He was asked the reason of his weeping. At this he said, "I am weeping because I have a long journey to cover and have the least provisions with me. In the morning I have found myself at a hillock which leads to both paradise and to hell, and I know not wither I would be made to go." {qluetip title=[1]}Ibn Sa'ad, vol. IV p. 62 and Al-Hilyah, vol. I, p. 383{/qluetip}

'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud says that the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked him to recite the Qur'an for him. He said to the Prophet, "Should I recite the Qur'an before you whereas it has been revealed unto you?" At this the Prophet said, "I love it more to hear the Qur'an from someone else." Then 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud recited the chapter of 'An-Nisa'. When he recited the verse, "How will it be them, when We shall bring out of each community, a witness, and We shall bring thee against these as witnesses ... " [Al-Qur'an 4:41], the Prophet said, "This is enough." When Ibn Mas'ud saw the face of the Prophet, he saw tears rolling down both his eyes. {qluetip title=[2]}Bayhaqi, Al-Bidayah, vol. VI, p. 59{/qluetip}

Abu Raja said that the cheeks of Ibn Abbas were just like a spring (from which gushed forth tears constantly). {qluetip title=[3]}Al-Hilyah, vol. I, p. 329{/qluetip}

'Uthman ibn Abu Sudah says that he saw 'Ubadah ibn Samit near the parapet (the rampart towards the valley known as the valley of Hell) with his chest resting on the rampant, and he was weeping. He said to him, "O Abu Walid! What makes you weep?" At this he said, "This is the very spot from where, as he was told by the Prophet, had seen the Hell." {qluetip title=[4]}Al-Hilyah, vol. VI, p. 110{/qluetip}

Abu Hurayrah says when the verse "At this discourse then marvel ye? And laugh and weep not? And ye are behaving proudly." [Al-Qur'an 53:59-61], were revealed, the fellows of the Suffah wept so much that their beards got wet and tears trickled down their cheeks. When the Prophet heard their weeping and wailing, he too joined them in their weeping, and we too followed him. Then the Prophet said, "The man who has wept on account of fear of Allah shall not enter the Hell. If you do not commit sins, then Allah will raise amongst you a people who will be buried in sins and Allah will forgive them." {qluetip title=[5]}Bayhaqi and Targhib, vol. V, p. 190{/qluetip}

Anas says that the Prophet recited the verse, " ... then dread the fire, the fuel whereof is men and stones, gotten ready for the infidels." [Al-Qur'an 2:24] Then he said, "The Fire in Hell was kept burning for one thousand years and it turned red. Again it was kept burning for one thousand years and it got white in colour. Again it was kept burning for one thousand years and it turned black. So now it is black and its flames are not extinguishable." The narrator says that in front of the Prophet sat a black Abyssinian and on hearing this he began weeping. In the mean time Jibril came and asked about that man. The Prophet told him that the man was an Ethiopian and also told him about his virtuous deeds. At this Jibril said that verily Allah is saying, "By My Honour, by My Majesty! By My Exalted Throne! Whenever the eyes of any of My bondsmen weep because of My fear, I will cause him to laugh the utmost in Paradise." {qluetip title=[6]}Targhib, vol. V, p. 194, Bayhaqi and Isfahani{/qluetip}

Qays ibn Hazim says that he came to the Prophet and found Abu Bakr standing at his place. He praised Allah too much and wept bitterly. {qluetip title=[7]}'Abdur-Razzaq and it is in Muntakhab, vol. V, p. 260{/qluetip}

Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn Alf ibn Abi Talib says that while delivering the Juma'ah sermon, 'Umar recited the chapter of 'takwir', when he recited the verse, "Then every soul shall know that which it hath presented." [Al-Qur'an 81:14], his voice got choked (on account of fear of Allah) and he could not recite any more. {qluetip title=[8]}Shafi'i{/qluetip}

Hasan says that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab recited the verses, "Verily the torment of thy Lord is sure to befall: Of it there is no averter." [Al-Qur'an 52:7-8] On reciting this he became so much out of breath that the people had to make enquiries about his health for twenty days. {qluetip title=[9]}Abu 'Ubaydah{/qluetip}

'Ubayd ibn Umayr says that once 'Umar led the congregational prayer of Fajr and began reciting the chapter of 'Yusuf'. When he recited the verse, "And he turned away from them, and said: O my grief for Yusuf! And his eyes whitened with grief, while he was filled with suppressed sorrow ... " [Al-Qur'an 12:84], he burst weeping. He stopped there and soon went into kneeling. {qluetip title=[10]}Abu 'Ubaydah{/qluetip}

Hisham ibn Hasan says that while reciting the Qur'an, 'Umar would burst into weeping and he would fall down. He was carried to his house, where he lay for many days and the people thought he had fallen ill. {qluetip title=[11]}Al-Hilyah, vol. I, p. 51{/qluetip}

Hani, the freed slave of 'Uthman ibn Affan, said that whenever 'Uthman stood near a grave he used to weep so much that his beard got wet. Someone said to him, "When the torment in the hell is mentioned, you weep not and when the torment inside the grave is mentioned you weep too much. What is the reason for this?" At this 'Uthman said, "I have heard the Prophet saying thus: the first stage among the different stages of the hereafter is in the grave. Whoever so passes this stage safely, for him is ease, and whosoever fails at this stage, for him is much rigour ahead." He said that he had heard the Prophet saying, "I never saw a scene more mortifying and more awful or dreadful than the scene inside the grave." Hani says that whenever 'Uthman saw a grave he used to recite this couplet: "O Self! If thou attainest salvation or ease at this stage, thou attainest salvation and freedom from something very heavy or dreadful. Otherwise, as I think, thou shalt never attain salvation at all." {qluetip title=[12]}Ibn Rizin and Targhib, vol. V, p. 322{/qluetip}

Ibn 'Umar says that once 'Umar passed by Mu'adh ibn Jabal and found him weeping. He asked him the reason thereof. At this Mu'adh said, "I have heard the Prophet saying that hypocrisy, the least of it, was polytheism and the dearest to Allah from amongst His bondsmen is one who conceals himself so much that nobody searches for him when he disappears from amongst them, and none recognises him when he is amongst them. These men are the leaders of guidance and the lamps of knowledge." {qluetip title=[13]}Al-Hilyah, vol. I, p. 61, Hakim, vol. III, p. 270{/qluetip}

Migration of the Heart

The caravan departs, and the traveller enters into a foreign land. He becomes separated from the habits and customs associated with his homeland. This allows him to ponder carefully over his situation. He seeks the most important thing that helps in his journey to Allah, and that deserves his life's pursuance.

The One in whose Hand is the guidance guides him to this most important thing that he seeks: "Migration to Allah and His Messenger". This migration is a fard (mandatory Islamic duty) on everyone at all times - it is the thing that Allah ta'ala requires from His 'ibad (slaves).

Migration is of two types:

1. Migration of the body from one land to another. The legislation regarding this type of migration is well known, and it is not our intention to discuss them here.
2. The second type is the migration of the heart to Allah ta'ala and His Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam. This is the only true hijrah; it must precede the bodily hijrah, which is its natural outcome.

Fleeing unto Allah

This hijrah requires an origin and a goal. A person migrates with his heart:

• From loving other than Allah > loving Him;
• From fearing and hoping and relying on other than Him > fearing and hoping and relying on Him;
• From calling upon, asking, surrendering to, and humbling oneself before other than Him > calling upon, asking, surrendering to, and humbling oneself before Him.

This is precisely the meaning of "fleeing unto Allah", as He ta'ala says:

" ... flee unto Allah ... " [Al-Qur'an 51:50]

And indeed, the tawhid{qluetip title=[1]}Tawhid: Accepting and believing in the oneness. In reference to Allah ta'ala, it means to believe in:(a) His existence and ownership of the creation, which is sometimes referred to as the Tawhid of Rububiyyah (state of being the only True Lord or Rabb).(b) His possession of the highest attributes and most excellent names, which is sometimes referred to as the Tawhid of Names and Attributes.(c) Him as being solely worthy of worship and full obedience, which is sometimes referred to as the Tawhid of Ubudiyyah or Ibadah (worship), or of Ilahiyyah or Uluhiyyah (state of being the only True God or Ilah). In reference to the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, it is to believe in the uniqueness of his Message and in the obligation to follow him exclusively. This is sometimes referred to as the Tawhid of Ittiba' (adherence).{/qluetip} required from a person is to flee from Allah unto Him! Under this heading of "from" and "to" falls a great reality of tawhid.

Fleeing unto Allah ta'ala includes turning to Him only for asking or worship or anything which proceeds from that. Thus, it includes the tawhid of Ilahiyyah which was the common point in the messages of all the messengers, may Allah bestows His praise and peace upon all of them.

On the other hand, fleeing from Allah (unto Him) includes the tawhid of Rububiyyah and the belief in the Qadr (Allah's Divine Measure & Decree). It is the belief that whatever one hates or fears or flees from in the universe takes place by the Will of Allah alone. What He ta'ala wills will surely happen, and what He does not will never be and is impossible to happen.

Thus when a person flees unto Allah, he would be fleeing unto him from a thing that occurred by His Will. In other words, he would be fleeing from Him unto Him!

One who understands this well can then understand the meaning of the Messenger's sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam words:

" ... I seek refuge from You in You ... " {qluetip title=[2]}This is a part from a hadith recorded by Muslim and narrated by 'A'ishah, radhiallahu 'anha, who said, "I missed Allah's Messenger one night. Then [after some search] my hand hit the soles of his feet in the Masjid. He had them erected [in sujud (prostration)] and was saying: 'O Allah! I seek refuge from Your wrath in Your acceptance, from Your punishment in Your pardon, and from You In You!' "{/qluetip}

And:

" ... There is no shelter or escape from You except in You ... " {qluetip title=[3]}This is a part of a hadith recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim and narrated by Al-Bara' ibn 'Azib who said that the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam instructed a man to say when he goes to bed: "O Allah! I submit myself to You, and turn my face unto You, and support my back unto You, and rely in my affairs on You, hoping in You and fearing You; there is no shelter or escape from You except In You! I believe in the Book that You have revealed and in the Messenger that You have sent." Then he sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "Whoever says this and dies, he would die according to the Fitrah (pure nature)."{/qluetip}

There is nothing in the universe that one would flee or seek protection from but is created and originated by Allah ta'ala. Hence, one would flee from that which emanates from Allah's decree, will, and creation, to that which emanates from His mercy, goodness, kindness, and bounty. One is, therefore, fleeing from Allah unto Him, and seeking refuge in Him from Him!

Understanding these two matters causes one's heart to stop being attached to other than Allah in fear, hope or love. He would then know that all that he flees from exists by the Allah's will, power and creation. This would not leave in his heart any fear of other than his Creator and Maker. This in turn causes him to turn to Allah alone in fear, love and hope.

Had it been that what one flees from were not under Allah's Will and Power, one would then be excused to fear that thing instead of Allah. This would be like running away from a creature to a more powerful one, without being totally confident that the second creature is powerful enough to protect him from the first one.

This is quite different from the case of a person who knows that the One to whom he is running is the same as the One who decreed, willed, and created that from which he is fleeing. In the latter case, no interest in seeking other protectors should remain in the heart.

So, understand well this important meaning in the Prophet's words above. People have explained them in many different ways, yet very few have realized this meaning which is their core and moral. This facilitation [in understanding] is indeed from Allah.

Thus the whole matter resolves to fleeing from Allah unto Him. This is the meaning of the hijrah to Allah ta'ala. This further explains why the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said:

"A true migrator is one who abandons what Allah has prohibited." {qluetip title=[4]}This is a part of a hadith recorded by Al-Bukhari and narrated by 'Abdullah ibn Amr that the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "A Muslim is one whom other Muslims are safe of his tongue and hand; and a migrator is one who deserts what Allah has prohibited."{/qluetip}

This is also why Allah ta'ala mentions Iman and hijrah together in several places [e.g. Al-Anfal 8:72,74,75 & At-Tawba 9:20] - the two being closely linked, and each of them requiring the other.

The Importance of Migrating to Allah

In conclusion, the hijrah to Allah includes abandoning what He hates and doing what He loves and accepts. The hijrah originates from feelings of love and hatred. The migrator from one place to another must have more love for the place to which he migrated than that from which he migrated, and these feelings are what led him to prefer one of the two places.

One's nafs (self, soul), his whims and his devil keep calling him to that which is against what he loves and is satisfied with. One continues to be tested by these three things, calling him to avenues that displease his Lord.

At the same time, the call of Iman will continue to direct him to what pleases his Lord. Thus one should keep migrating to Allah at all times, and should not abandon this hijrah until death.

This hijrah becomes strong or weak [in the heart] depending on the state of the Iman. The stronger and more complete that the Iman is, the more perfect the hijrah. And if the Iman weakens, the hijrah weakens too, until one becomes unable to detect its presence or have the readiness to be moved by it.

What is surprising is that you might find a man talking at great length and going into very fine details regarding the [physical] hijrah from the land of disbelief (Dar al-Kufr) to the land of Islam (Dar al-Islam), and regarding the hijrah which ended with conquering Makkah, even though this type of hijrah is incidental, and he may never have to do a thing with it in his whole life.{qluetip title=[5]}This applies mostly to a person who is already in a land of Islam, and who does not need to undertake this kind of physical hijrah.{/qluetip}

But as for the hijrah of the heart, which continues to be required from him as long as he breathes, you find that he does not seek any knowledge regarding it, nor does he develop any intention to undertake it! Thus he turns away from that for which he has been created, and which - alone - can save him, and involves himself in that which, of itself, cannot save him. This is the situation of those whose vision has been blinded, and whose knowledge is weak regarding the priorities of knowledge and action.

Indeed, Allah is the One from Whom we seek help, and He alone does facilitate our matters. There is no god except Him and no Lord other than Him.

Description of a Migrator to the Messenger

Migration to the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam is a knowledge that has been [mostly] lost [from among people]; only its name continues to exist. It is a practice that has been abandoned; only its outline remains. It is a road whose milestones have been obliterated by wild animals, and whose water sources have been dried up by the enemies.

Thus the person who takes this road is a stranger among people, unique in his surroundings, distant [from others] despite his physical closeness, lonely despite numerous neighbours. He is unhappy with what pleases [the common] people, and [often] satisfied with what depresses them. He resides when they travel, and travels when they reside. He is alone in the Way that he chose for seeking his goal, feeling no satisfaction until he achieves it. He is with the people in his body, but away from them by virtue of his goal. Their eyes sleep indifferently, neglecting to seek the Guidance; but he spends his nights awake. They are too lazy for migration to the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, while he is totally engrossed in its pursuit. They scorn his indifference to their ideas; and they blame him for criticizing their ignorance and inconsistencies. They cast their doubts on him, and they keep close watch over him.

They wait hopefully for death to rid them of him. He responds to them with what Allah says:

"Say [Muhammad]: "Do you await for us anything except one of the two best things (martyrdom or victory), while we await for you that Allah will afflict you with a punishment from Himself or at our hands. So wait, we too are waiting with you." [Al-Qur'an 9:52]

And:

"He (Muhammad) said: "My Lord! Judge You in truth! Our Lord is Ar-Rahman (the Most Merciful), whose help is to be sought against that which you attribute unto Him [of falsehoods]." [Al-Qur'an 21:112]

He further reminds them [with what an Arab poet once said]:

"Both we and you will die, And the true loser at the time of reckoning is he who will then feel sorry."

Definition of Migration to the Messenger

Migration to the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam is a most important matter. It is a long and difficult way for those who are not prepared for it, as a poet once said:

"It is far for him who is lazy or who tires easily, But as for the one who has the longing, It is smooth and easy for him."

By Allah's Life, this migration is but a shining light to illuminate your darkness. It is a full moon lighting the earth from east to west and capable of lighting your gloom. It is a clear sweet stream of water capable of washing away the stains of your heart. It is the beginning of a great bounty of which you could be unaware.

Listen now to the importance of this migration and to the evidence pointing to it. Be a judge of yourself before Allah: Are you among those who run away from it or among those who run toward it?

The definition of this migration is: the soul's journey, in all matters of belief, in all desires of the heart, and in all legislative matters, to the origin of Guidance and the source of Light. This Guidance and Light came from the mouth of the truthful and trustworthy, Muhammad sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, whom Allah ta'ala describes as:

"Your companion (Muhammad) is neither astray nor being misled. Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only the Revelation with which he is inspired." [Al-Qur'an 53:2-4]

A matter is acceptable only if the light of his Message shone over it; otherwise, it deserves to be thrown into the seas of darkness. A witness is acceptable only if he is recommended by this praised one sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam; otherwise, you can consider him among the doubtful and accused.

How then could a man who is enslaved by his base instincts and worldly habits undertake this migration? A man who does not want to part with the place where he was born and raised? A man who says: "We only follow our fathers' ways, hold to their traditions, and trace their footsteps." How could he undertake it when his ancestors were incapable of doing so, and yet he relies totally on them to determine his way for success and salvation, claiming that their opinions should be better and sounder than his?

If you investigate the reason for saying this you find it a combination of laziness and indifference.

The Obligation of Migrating to the Messenger

This migration [to the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam] is required from every Muslim. It follows directly from the [second part of the] Shahadah (the testimony proclaimed by every Muslim):

"Muhammad sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam is Allah's Messenger."

Just as the first type of migration [to Allah] follows from the [first part of the same] Shahadah, that:

"There is no true god except Allah."

Every human being will be asked about these two manners of migration, both in the barzakh{qluetip title=[6]}Barzakh: The period of death between the first life and the Resurrection.{/qluetip} and on the Day of Resurrection. Qatadah (one of the Tabi'in{qluetip title=[7]}Tabi'un or tabi'in: Plural of tabi' or tabi'i (follower), which normally refers to a disciple of the Sahabah (Companions of the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam).{/qluetip}) said:

"The earlier and the later people will be asked two questions [on the Day of Judgement]: What did you worship, and what was your response to the messengers."{qluetip title=[8]}Ibn al-Qayyim also attributed these words to Qatadah in Ighathat al-Lahfan. But he attributed them in Madarij as-Salikin to Abu'l-'Aliyah. Ibn Jarir at-Tabari also attributed them to Abu'l-'Aliyah, as is mentioned by Ibn Kathir in his Tafsir. This derives from what Allah ta'ala said in His Book (review Al-Qasas 28:62-74).{/qluetip}

These two matters are the content of the two parts of the Shahadah.

A Great Oath

Allah ta'ala said:

"But no, by your Lord, they can have no Iman until they set you (Muhammad) judge in any disputes that arise among them, and then find in their souls no resistance against your decisions but accept them with the fullest submission." [Al-Qur'an 4:65]

Here Allah the Exalted makes the greatest oath - by His own Self, Glory be to Him, that the Iman is not confirmed for a person, and he is not one of its People, until he accepts the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam as the judge in all matters of dispute and in all aspects of the Din.

Using the term "any disputes" in this ayah absolutely negates the presence of Iman unless the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam is made the judge in all disputes. In addition, Allah ta'ala has required satisfaction of the heart with the Messenger's judgment so that one would find no resistance in his soul. One should accept his judgment with satisfaction and submission. Taking the judgment with dissatisfaction, or following it in spite of oneself is contrary to the meaning of Iman. So, the Messenger's judgment should be accepted with satisfaction and pleasure of the heart.

Once a person knows this, he should always examine himself and look into his heart [to see how true is his submission to the Messenger's judgements]. He should do this whenever a judgment comes from the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, in a major or a minor matter, conflicting with his desire or differing from the way of his ancestors. Allah ta'ala says:

"Nay, man will be evidence against himself, even though he were to put up excuses." [Al-Qur'an 75:14-15]

Glory be to Allah! In how many instances have people hated quotations [from the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam] and wished that they were never said! What hatred in their hearts and what dryness in their throats did some of the texts leave! Their secret thoughts will be revealed to them, causing them pain and humiliation on that Day:

"The Day when all the secrets [of hearts and intentions] will be uncovered and tested." [Al-Qur'an 86:9]

Furthermore, Allah ta'ala concludes the above ayah by requiring the fullest submission to [the judgements and commands of] the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam.

Loving the Messenger and Submitting to Him

This submission is not that of a defeated fighter who is forced to surrender to his enemy.

Rather, it is the submission of an obedient subordinate to his master who is dearer to him than any other creature, when he realizes that only through this submission will he achieve happiness and success.

It is the submission of one who realizes that, compared to his own self, this master has more concern and compassion for him, and is a better counsellor who is more knowledgeable about what benefits him, and therefore more capable of saving him.

When a person realizes these meanings{qluetip title=[9]}When applied to the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, these meanings must be understood within the boundaries of Islam. They should not be influenced by extreme tendencies like the sufis who glorify him beyond his honourable human status, bestowing on him some divine attributes, and believing that he can answer the supplications and help and protect people while he is in his grave. Thus he sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam should be (next to Allah) dearer to a person than his own self; to submit to him means to submit to his Sunnah; his mercy and compassion and ability to counsel and save the people are by virtue of what Allah ta'ala has taught him, and, after his death, this takes place through his Sunnah and teachings.{/qluetip} with respect to the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, he will surely submit himself to him sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and surrender every desire in his heart in obedience to him. He will then comprehend that he cannot attain happiness except through this submission and obedience.

This matter is not easy to express in words. The heart needs to open up for it to allow it to sink down to its depths. It cannot be attained by mere claims or wishes. A poet once said:

"Everyone claims to be the lover of Layla, But Layla does not commit to any of them."

There is a great difference between knowing the meaning of love and being truly in love. People frequently confuse between knowledge and experience.

Similar to this is the example of a sick man who is under the influence of a disease; he knows the meaning of health and well-being; however, his knowledge does not make him experience what a healthy man enjoys of good health, even if the latter cannot describe his healthy status in an expressive way.

Another example is that of two persons, one of them knowing the meaning of fear, and the- other is subjected to it and is really experiencing it.

Methods of Emphasis in this Ayah

In the above ayah (An-Nisa' 65), notice how Allah ta'ala emphasizes the obligation of obeying the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam in several ways:

1. Starting with a Negation

First, He precedes the oath with the negation, "But no, by your Lord ... "

This style of starting a sentence with a negation when making an oath concerning a negated matter (in this case, their Iman is what is being negated) common in the language of the Arabs. For instance As-Siddiq [Abu Bakr] said:

"No, by Allah! He shall not turn around to one of Allah's lions, who fought for Allah and His Messenger, and give you his booty." {qluetip title=[10]}The occasion for saying this is the following: Qatadah narrated that he was with Allah's Messenger in the battle of Hunayn. When the Muslims approached victory, he saw a man of the disbelievers about to kill a Muslim. He ran to him from behind and hit him with the sword between the shoulders. The disbeliever turned around to Qatadah, held him, and squeezed him so hard that he felt he was about to die. But then, death came to him (because of Qatadah's hit), and he let go of him. After the battle was over, the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said three times, "Whoever kills an enemy and has a proof of it then he has the right to his booty." Qatadah asked if anyone would testify before the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam that he killed that man. A man then stood up and said, "He is saying the truth, O Messenger of Allah; and I have taken his booty; so give him something to satisfy him instead." Then Abu Bakr said, "No, by Allah! He shall not turn around to one of Allah's lions, who fought for Allah and His Messenger, and give you his booty." The Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam responded by saying, "He is right! So give him [his booty]." And he gave it to him. [Recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]{/qluetip}

Examples of this style are very numerous in the Arabic poetry as in the following two example:

"No, by your father{qluetip title=[11]}As explained in a footnote below, swearing by the fathers is prohibited in Islam.{/qluetip}, O daughter of the one from the tribe of 'Amir, People cannot claim that I ever run away (in the battlefield)."

"No, by Allah! One cannot find for what ails me, Or what ails them - ever - a cure."

If you examine the sentences in the Qur'an which include oaths, and which start with negation articles, you will find in most of them that the thing about which the oath is made is itself negated as well. This general rule is not revoked by Allah's saying:

"But no! I swear by the setting of the stars - and verily, that is indeed a great oath, if you but know - that this is indeed a most honourable Qur'an, in a Book well guarded (with Allah)." [Al-Qur'an 57:75-78]

The intention in these ayat is to first negate the fallacies of the disbelievers regarding the Qur'an: that it is poetry, magic, or fables of the past. Then they confirm the opposite. Thus they tell them, "But no! It is not what you claim, but is rather an honourable Qur'an." In other places, Allah ta'ala explicitly mentions both the negation (underlined) and the affirmation (italics). For example, He ta'ala says:

"But no! I swear by the planets that disappear during the day, running in their courses in secret, and the night as it departs, and the dawn as it brightens. Verily this (the Qur'an) the words (brought) by a honourable messenger (Jibril), endowed with power and with rank before the Lord of the Throne (Allah), obeyed (by the Angels), trustworthy therein (in the heavens). People! Your companion (Muhammad) is not a madman; indeed he saw him (Jibril) in the clear horizon; and he does not withhold (from you) a knowledge of the ghayb{qluetip title=[12]}Ghayb: Domains beyond the human senses. This is commonly and erroneously translated as "the Unseen". It is used in the Qur'an to denote all those sectors or phrases of reality which lie beyond the range of human perception: as, for instance, Allah's existence, His attributes, the Hereafter, the angels, and unrecorded events of the remote past or future.{/qluetip} and it (the Qur'an) is not the word of an outcast devil." [Al-Qur'an 81:15-25]

And:

"But no! I do swear by the Day of Resurrection, and I swear by the self-reproaching soul (of a believer). Does the human being think that We shall not assemble his bones? Yes, We are Able to put together in perfect order the tips of his fingers." [Al-Qur'an 75:1-4]

Therefore, opening the oath with articles of negation emphasizes the matter being discussed, and confirms the absence of false claims or erroneous beliefs regarding it.

2. Using an Oath

The second method of emphasis is that Allah ta'ala used an oath [to negate Iman from those who do not fulfill the conditions of submitting to the Prophet's judgment as set forth in the rest of the ayah].

3. Swearing by Himself

The third method is that Allah ta'ala chose to swear by Himself and not by any of His creatures, which He does on some occasions.{qluetip title=[13]}People, however, may only swear by Allah ta'ala, His Names, or His Attributes. The Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam instructed that anyone who wants to make an oath, should either make it by Allah ta'ala or remain silent. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]{/qluetip}

4. Requiring the Absence of any Resistance

The fourth method of emphasis is that Allah ta'ala requires submission to the Messenger's judgment, such that no resistance to it remains in the souls.

5. Complete Submission

And the fifth method of emphasis is in repeating the verb "submit" in the abstract form. Literally, this would be stated as: " ... and submit a submission." In Arabic, this reflects the meaning: " ... and submit completely or fully".

The Prophet's Claim on the Believers

The eloquent methods of emphasis applied here, and the great care taken to confirm this in the souls of the worshipers, are because of the great need of this important matter. Allah ta'ala said:

"The Prophet has a higher claim{qluetip title=[14]}The Arabic word used here is Awla which means that he sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam has more right and claim on a person. It also caries the meaning of closeness, ie. that he sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam must be closer to a person that his own self. Some translations use this latter meaning and we use it sometimes in this text.{/qluetip} on the believers than [they have on] their own selves." [Al-Qur'an 33:6]

Some people think that the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam cannot have more claim on them than their own selves. This ayah indicates that anyone who thinks like this is not one of the believers.

This Prophet's claim on the believers involves the following two important matters:

1. Dearer than One's Self

The Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam should be more beloved than one's own self. This is so because the Prophet's claim on a believer is based on love; and a person usually loves himself more than others; yet the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam should have more claim on him, and be dearer to him than himself. A person who fulfils this acquires the quality of Iman.

Once a person submits to the Prophet's claim on him and loves him more than any other creature, then there follows full compliance, obedience, and all the other consequences of love, such as satisfaction with his judgment, submission to his orders, and favouring him over anyone else.

2. The Ruler Over One's Self

A person should not have an independent rule over himself; this authority is the right of the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam. His rule is superior to a master's rule over his slave or a father's over his son. Thus, a person has no right of disposal over himself except in accordance with what the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam disposes, for he sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam has more claim on him than himself.

Deviation from True Love

How then could such a closeness (to the Messenger) ever be attained by a person who isolates the Messenger's message from the position of authority [over himself and his life], who is more satisfied and pleased with someone else's judgment, who claims that the guidance is not acquired from him sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam but from the dictates of the minds, and who claims that the Messenger's message does not offer full certainty? These and other similar views reflect a deviation from him sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam and from his Message, and that indeed is the worst misguidance.

There is no way to establish the closeness to the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam except by isolating oneself from all but him, following him in everything, and checking what anyone else says against that with which he sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam came. So, if the Messenger's testimony supports it, it is accepted, and if it invalidates it, it is rejected; and if it were unclear whether his testimony is for or against it then it is treated as the talk of the People of the Scripture, and no decision is made concerning it until he is sure which of the two judgments is closer to it.

The one who follows this method will have his journey of hijrah straightforward, his knowledge and deeds will be upright, and the people will aspire to him from every direction.

One of the greatest forms of mutual help in righteousness and piety is to help one another in the journey of migration to Allah and His Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam. This help should be done by hands, tongues and hearts - through teaching, advising, educating, guiding, and caring.

If a person has this attitude toward Allah's creatures, prosperity will rush to him from all directions, Allah will move His creatures' hearts toward him, will open the gates of knowledge for his heart, and will facilitate the path of bliss for him.

Conversely, one with an opposite attitude will receive opposite consequences.

One might then ask, "You have described a very great journey and a very important matter; but what provisions should be taken along? Which way to follow? And what are the means to use for transportation?" The answer to this is provided in the following sections.

The Trip's Provisions

The provisions for this journey are the knowledge inherited from the Seal of Prophets sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam - there are no other provisions.

Let anyone not prepared with these provisions stay in his home and sit with those who lag behind. He would then find multitudes of other laggers to accompany. Let him follow their example; but let him know that this company will not avail him anything on the Day of Distress. Allah ta'ala said:

"On that Day, it will avail you nothing that, since you have done wrong [together], you shall be partners in punishment [as well]." [Al-Qur'an 43:39]

Thus Allah ta'ala assures that the wrongdoers' association in punishment will not profit them. In this life, people find comfort in sharing disasters, as Al-Khansa (an Arab poetess) said:

"If it were not for the abundance of people wailing around me, Because of the loss of their brethren, I would have killed myself. And even though none of them wails the like of my brother, yet, I comfort myself in that we all share similar disasters."

However, this kind of consolation will not exist among those sharing the punishment on the Day of Resurrection.

The Way

The way to accomplish this journey is through exerting at full capacity and striving to the extreme. It can neither be accomplished by wishes, nor attained through loitering. It is only as a poet once said:

"Dive into the darkness of death, and rise to eminence, Thus will you earn a distinguished and lasting honour. No good is in a soul that fears death, Nor in a willpower that worries about the reproachers' criticism."

It is not possible for a person to take this way unless one satisfies two matters:

First, as long as one is following the right way, one should never be concerned about the reproaches of those who like to find faults. Some types of reproach can hit even a strong knight so hard as to cause him to drop from his horse to the ground dead.

Second, one's soul should be so worthless to him, for Allah's sake, that he would rush forward, fearless of any perils. The moment the soul becomes frightened, it retreats and turns away from facing dangers, preferring the lowliness of the earth.

These two matters cannot be further fulfilled without patience. One who exercises patience for just a short while will find dangers turn into a smooth breeze which can carry him where he wishes. Thus the danger that he feared suddenly changes to become his best helper and assistant. This is a matter that cannot be comprehended well except by those who have tried it.

The Means of Transportation

The means of transportation in this journey [of migration] is to take refuge in Allah ta'ala, and to turn to Him with one's whole being. It is to exhibit, by all means, full reliance on Him and true confidence in Him. It is to lie down before Him like a subdued and defeated person who possesses nothing - a person who looks up to his Master for dignity and security and for attaining some of His bounty, hoping that He would shelter him.

Such is the one whom, it is hoped, Allah will guide and show what has been concealed from others concerning the way of this hijrah and its ranks.

Contemplating Allah's Ayat

The pinnacle of the whole affair [of performing a successful journey] and its central pillar is the continued contemplation on Allah's ayat - to such an extent that these ayat would overpower the person's thoughts and fascinate his heart.

Once the meanings of the Qur'an replace the passing thoughts of the heart - once the Qur'an masters the person and controls his heart until he becomes its sole obeyed leader, then his journey goes smooth, and his course becomes manifest; and even when it appears to people that he is standing still, he would, in fact, be moving ahead so fast as to race with wind. [As Allah ta'ala said:]

"You see the mountains and think them firmly fixed. But they pass away as the clouds pass away. [Such is] the mastery of Allah who disposes of all things in perfect order. Indeed, He is well acquainted with all that you do." [Al-Qur'an 27:88]

One might ask, "You have pointed to a great aspiration. Would you disclose the door which opens into it; and would you raise the curtain that conceals it? Would you reveal how to understand thoroughly the meanings of the Qur'an, and how to reflect upon its extraordinary delights and treasures? We have in our hands the books of tafsir{qluetip title=[15]}Tafsir: Explanation or interpretation. It frequently refers to volumes which include explanations and commentary of the Qur'an.{/qluetip} of various Imams; are there any additional interpretations to be offered beyond what they have already done?"

I shall then present (in the next chapter) some examples that may be followed and taken as guide in this endeavour.

Establishing Justice

It is surprising to find someone claiming closeness to the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam and complete love for him while he strives to follow and establish someone else's opinions. He bases his anger, love, and satisfaction on such opinions; he referees them; and he compares the Messenger's statements to them - if they agree with those opinions then he accepts them, otherwise he applies all sorts of tricks and takes all measures to reject them and to turn away from them.

Allah ta'ala said:

"Believers! Stand out firmly for fair dealings, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin; be he rich or poor, Allah can best protect both. So follow not the lusts [of your hearts] lest you may avoid justice. If you distort your testimony or refuse to provide it, verily, Allah is ever Well-Acquainted with what you do." [Al-Qur'an 4:135]

This ayah carries great meanings that should be emphasized because of people's dire need for them.

Allah ta'ala commands the believers to establish equity and justice. It should be rendered toward everyone, whether enemy or friend.

It is even more important to establish justice in matters of ideas, opinions, and beliefs, because they relate to Allah's commands and teachings. Allowing whims and disobedience to influence one's opinions and beliefs conflicts with Allah's commands and with His Messenger's Message.

Establishing justice in ideas, opinions and beliefs is the mission of the successors to the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam in his Ummah (nation) - those who are worthy of carrying the trust among his followers. No one deserves such description of honesty except those who establish absolute justice in this, as an advice for Allah, His Book, His Messenger, and His worshipers. These are indeed the true inheritors [of the glorious Message].

Thus a person is not worthy of this description if he takes his company, ways, and opinions as measures and indicators of the truth - loathing or befriending people because of them.

How far is such a person from establishing the justice that Allah mandated on everyone, especially in these matters of belief where the obligation is higher!

Fair Testimonies

The above ayah has, " ... as witnesses to Allah ... ". A witness is a reporter. If he reports truthfully then he is acceptable and just; if he reports falsehoods then he is a false witness.

In addition to establishing justice, Allah requires one to be a witness for Him alone. Thus the testimony should be: with justice and for Allah alone. In another ayah Allah ta'ala said:

"Believers! Stand out firmly for Allih as witnesses to fair dealing." [Al-Qur'an 5:8]

Together, these two ayat require four things: establishing justice, doing it for Allah, maintaining truthful testimonies, and doing this for Allah as well.

The ayah in Surah an-Nisa' emphasizes fairness and maintaining the testimonies for Allah, while that of Surah al-Ma'idah emphasizes standing out firmly for Allah and maintaining fair testimonies. This difference (between the two ayat) has an important reason that cannot be dealt with here.

The Test of Fairness

The above ayah (An-Nisa' 135) then says, " ... even if it be against your own selves, your parents or your kin ... ".

Allah ta'ala commands to establish justice and to maintain fair testimony against everyone, including the most beloved ones. One is required to be fair against himself, his parents who are his roots, and his relatives who are usually closer and better supporters for him than other people.

A person's love for himself, his parents, and his kin, tends to prevent him from establishing the right and justice against them, especially when the right is for someone whom he hates and loathes. Thus, it is obvious that no one will establish this justice except he to whom Allah ta'ala and His Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam are more beloved than anything else.

One can use this to test the strength of Iman in his heart, and his status of Iman.

On the other end, one should be just toward his enemies and those whom he dislikes. His hatred should not cause him to be unjust to them, just as his love for himself and his kin should not prevent him from establishing justice against them. This hatred should not make him do wrong, just as that love should not stop him from doing right. One of the salaf{qluetip title=[16]}Salaf: The early pious Muslims of the Sahabah (companions) and their true followers.{/qluetip} said:

"A just person is one whose anger does not cause him to do wrong, and whose pleasure does not prevent him from doing right."

Thus these two ayat (of An-Nisa' and Al-Ma'idah) together require two things: establishing justice, and maintaining fair testimony with friends and enemies.

Wealth-Based Bias

The above ayah (An-Nisa' 135) then says, " ... be he rich or poor, Allah is closer to both of them ... ".

[The meaning of this is that,] "Allah is the Lord and Master of both the rich and the poor; they are His 'abid (subjects), just as you are his 'abd. So, do not be prejudiced toward a rich man because of his wealth, nor toward a poor man because of his poverty; Allah ta'ala is closer than you to both of them."

A possibly better interpretation of this is the following: "People may be reluctant to establish justice and to testify against the rich or the poor; as for the rich, they fear to cause him a loss in wealth; and as for the poor, they tend to take the matter lightly with him because of his poverty and that he possesses nothing. So they are told, 'Allah is closer than you to both the rich and the poor; He is more knowledgeable of, and more merciful toward both; thus do not stop establishing truthful testimony against either of them.' "

Two Motivations for Hiding the Truth

The next portion of the above ayah (An-Nisa' 135) says, " ... So do not follow the lusts, lest you may be reluctant to establish justice ... "

Another possible (but not as strong) interpretation of this ayah says, " ... lest you may be unjust ... "

This ayah (An-Nisa' 135) continues, " ... if you distort your testimony, or refuse to provide it, verily, Allah is ever Well-Acquainted with what you do."

Allah ta'ala mentions here the two incentives for hiding the truth, warning against committing either of them. These are: distorting the testimony and refusing to provide it.

When the truth becomes clear and evident, a person who likes to hide it does so in one of two ways: he either turns away from it and abstains from mentioning it, acting by this as a mute devil, or he changes and distorts it.

The distortion of truth is either in words or in meaning. Distorting the words is done by adding, dropping, or replacing them with other words. It can also be done by uttering other words in such a way as to make the listener think that he heard something different from what was actually meant. This is similar to what the Jews did in greeting the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam or on some other occasions.{qluetip title=[17]}When greeting the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, some Jews used to fake "As-Salamu 'Alaykum" (Peace be on you) by saying "As-Sammu 'Alaykum" (Death be to you) instead [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Also, review Al-Mujadalah 58:8.{/qluetip}

Distorting the meaning is done by interpreting the words differently from what the speaker intended, introducing that which he did not mean, dropping some of what he meant, and so on.

Summary

Thus Allah ta'ala warns against all kinds of distortion in the testimony. A witness is required to provide a precise testimony, without hiding or distorting it.

Just contemplate then on the great amount of wisdom and knowledge contained in this ayah.

In summary, Iman is not complete, or not even present in a person, unless he submits the Texts [of the Qur'an and Sunnah] with acceptance and pleasure, proclaims them, and invites people to them. He should never respond to them with rejection or distortion.

Decisions of Allah and His Messenger

Allah ta'ala said:

"It is not befitting for a believing man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger, to have any option about their decision." [Al-Qur'an 33:36]

This ayah indicates that when it is confirmed that Allah ta'ala or His Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam have made a decision or have informed about a particular matter, then no believer, male or female, may choose differently. Any opposing choice would contradict Iman.

Ash-Shafi'i reported a consensus among the scholars of the Sahabah, the Tabi'in, and their followers, that:

"If a sunnah of Allah's Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam becomes manifest to a person, he does not have any choice but to follow it, regardless of what other people say."

No Muslim scholar disputes or doubts the truth of this statement. The only evidence that people are required to follow [besides Allah's Book] is the words of the Infallible (Muhammad sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) "who does not say anything out of (his own) desire" [Al-Qur'an 53:3].

Other people's talks could, at best, be acceptable to follow. But in no way may they oppose or outweigh the Texts (of the Qur'an and Sunnah). We ask Allah ta'ala to protect us from the failure [incurred on those who do not abide by this].

The Guidance is in Obeying the Messenger

Also, Allah ta'ala said:

"Say: Obey Allah and obey the Messenger: but if you turn away then he (the Messenger) is only responsible for the duty placed on him, and you for that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on right guidance. The Messenger's duty is only clear deliverance [of the Message]." [Al-Qur'an 24:54]

Note that repeating the verb 'obey' here has an important significance that will be discussed below.

Here Allah ta'ala makes obeying the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam a condition for guidance; guidance cannot be acquired without this obedience. The duty of the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam is to deliver the Message; and people's duty is to follow, obey, and submit to him. Al-Bukhari reported that Az-Zuhri{qluetip title=[18]}One of the Tabi'in. He is a famous scholar of Hadith and one of the important teachers of Al-Bukhari.{/qluetip} said:

"From Allah [comes] the knowledge; from the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam [comes] the deliverance [of the knowledge]; and from us [comes] the submission [to the Message]."

Thus if people neglect their duty of belief and obedience, they would harm themselves not him; his responsibility is not to make them believe, but only to deliver the Message to them; it is not required from him that people be guided and successful.

Addressing the Believers

And Allah ta'ala said:

"Believers! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger and those charged with authority among you; if you differ in anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger (for judgment) if you (truly) believe in Allah and the Last Day: that is best, and most suitable for final determination." [Al-Qur'an 4:59]

Allah ta'ala is requiring obedience to Him and to His Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam. He starts the ayah with an address to the "believers", hinting that what is required thereafter is a consequence of that name with which they are addressed.

This is similar to saying, "You whom Allah has favoured and enriched with His bounties, be good to others as Allah has been good to you." And like, "Learned man, teach people what would benefit them." And, "Ruler, rule with justice." And so on.

For this reason, legislative matters in the Qur'an are frequently addressed to the believers, starting the address with "Believers". For example Allah says:

"Believers, fasting is prescribed for you ... " [Al-Qur'an 2:183]

And He says:

"Believer, when the call is proclaimed for prayer on Friday, hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah ... " [Al-Qur'an 62:9]

And He says:

"Believers, fulfill the contracts ... " [Al-Qur'an 5:1]

Addressing the believers like this carries the implication that: "If you are true believers, you should perform the following action, because it is a requirement for the integrity and sincerity of Iman."

To Obey the Messenger is to Obey Allah

In the above ayah (An-Nisa' 59), Allah demands obedience to Him, the Messenger, and those of authority. The verb 'obey' is applied only once in regard to the Messenger and those of authority. One might expect the opposite - [that it would be applied only once in regard to both Allah and the Messenger] because:

"He who obeys the Messenger obeys Allah indeed." [Al-Qur'an 4:80]

However, this usage here has a subtle meaning. It implies that the Messenger must be obeyed in all that he commands, even if it were not something specifically required in Qur'an.

Let one then not imagine that the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam should only be obeyed when his commands confirm the Qur'an, otherwise he need not be obeyed. [In refutation of such fallacy,] Al-Miqdam ibn Ma'di Yakrib narrated that he sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said:

"There will be a man with full stomach, reclining on his pillow, who will hear a command from me and say, 'Let the judge between us (in this matter) be Allah's Book: we obey whatever we find in it.' [Know that] indeed, I have been given the Book and, with it, that which is similar to it (the Sunnah)."{qluetip title=[19]}Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and others; judged authentic by Al-Albani (Sahih al-Jami' no. 2640).{/qluetip}

However, obeying the people of authority is not required independently, but as part of obeying the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam. This fact is confirmed by the hadith (narrated by Ibn 'Umar):

"One should listen and obey (those charged with authority) whether it were something he liked or hated, as long as he is not commanded to disobey Allah ta'ala. If he is commanded to disobey Allah, he should neither listen nor obey."{qluetip title=[20]}Recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.{/qluetip}

Toward the end of this ayah (An-Nisa' 59), Allah emphasizes obeying the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam by saying (what means), " ... refer it to Allah and the Messenger ... " rather than saying, " ... and to the Messenger ... ". Referring matters to the Qur'an is equivalent to referring them to Allah and the Messenger. Also, Allah's judgement is the same as His Messenger's; and the Messenger's judgment is the same as Allah's.

Thus if you refer your disputes to Allah, i.e. to His Book, then you refer to His Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam as well. And if you refer to His Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, then you refer to Allah as well. This is one of the subtleties of the Qur'an.

The People of Authority

Two views have been expressed by the Sahabah and the 'ulama (scholars) as to who are the ones "charged with authority". The first is that they are the 'ulama and the other is that they are the rulers.

In reality, it applies to both groups, because both the 'ulama and the rulers are in charge of the affairs concerning which Allah has sent His Messenger.

As for the 'ulama, they are charged with protecting the Din, explaining it, teaching it, and refuting those who deviate from it or try to alter it. Allah ta'ala gave them this charge, as He said:

"These [prophets] were the men to whom We granted the Book and Judgement and Prophethood; if these people [of the Scripture] reject them, behold! We shall entrust their charge to a new people who do not reject them ... " [Al-Qur'an 6:89]

This is indeed a great assignment to the 'ulama that requires from people to obey and follow them.

And as for the rulers, they are charged with establishing the Din, safeguarding it, compelling people to adhere to it, and punishing those who deviate from it.

Thus these two groups are in charge of the affairs of people, and other people are their followers and subjects.

Matters of Dispute

Furthermore, there is in the above ayah (An-Nisa' 59) a clear evidence that all matters of disagreement, in all aspects of the Din, should be referred to Allah and His Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam - and to no one else.

Anyone referring disputes to other than Allah and His Messenger opposes this command by Allah. And anyone who calls to other than Allah's and His Messenger's judgment to resolve disagreements, calls indeed with the call of Jahiliyyah{qluetip title=[21]}Jahiliyyah: The state of ignorance and disbelief which prevailed in the Arab Peninsula before Islam.{/qluetip}.

One does not truly enter the realm of Iman until he refers all differences arising among people to Allah and His Messenger. For this reason, this ayah continues as, " ... if you believe in Allah and the Last Day ... ".

Thus if this condition (of referring disputes to Allah and His Messenger) is not satisfied by a person, this implies the absence of Iman in him.

This ayah should be a sufficient clarification and guidance in this matter (of obeying the Messenger). It constitutes a protection and a support for those who abide by it; and it is a powerful refutation and attack against those who deny it, as Allah ta'ala said:

" ... That he who would perish might perish in clear evidence [of the truth], and that he who would remain alive might live in clear evidence [of the truth]. And verily Allah is All-Hearing, All Knowing ... " [Al-Qur'an 8:42]

The earlier and later Muslims agreed that referring matters to Allah means referring them to His Book, and referring matters to the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam means referring them to him personally during his life, and to his Sunnah after his death.

The Excellence of Obeying the Messenger

The above ayah (An-Nisa' 59) ends with, " ... that is best, and most suitable for final determination... ". This means, "That with which I commanded you (to obey Me and obey My Messenger and the people of authority, and to refer disputes to Me and My Messenger) is better for you in this life and in the Hereafter; it leads to your happiness in both lives. Therefore, it is best and most rewarding for you."

This indicates that obeying Allah ta'ala and His Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and taking them as the referees, is the means to immediate and continued happiness.

Anyone who examines closely the evils of the world will find that each of them is caused by disobeying the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam. Similarly, every good in the world results from obeying him. Furthermore, all the evils and pains in the Hereafter result from disobeying him sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam.

Thus, all the evils in both lives are caused by disobeying the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam and by its consequences. If people obeyed him sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam properly, there would be no evil on earth. This applies equally to the general natural catastrophes and calamities, and to the personal evils, pains, and sorrow that occur to people.

In obeying him sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam is a refuge and a protection for those who want to prosper and be happy. And this prosperity and happiness cannot be achieved until one strives first to learn what the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam taught, and then confirm it with true actions.

The Human Excellence

There are two additional actions which complete the happiness arising from truly obeying the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam. The first is to invite people to obey him sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and the second is to have patience and perseverance in fulfilling this mission.

Thus the human excellence is confined to four matters:

1. Knowing the Message of Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam.
2. Acting in accordance with this knowledge.
3. Spreading this knowledge among people and inviting them to it.
4. Persevering and striving in accomplishing all this.

One who seeks to learn how the Sahabah lived and who want to follow them should know that this was indeed their way [so let him follow it). A poet once said:

"If you want to reach those folk, follow their way: It is quite manifest for those who aspire to it."

Deviating from the Messenger

Allah ta'ala said addressing His Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam:

"Say, 'Were I to go astray, I would only stray to the hurt of myself; but if I am guided, it is because of what my Lord reveals unto me; He is indeed All-Hearing, Ever-Near.' " [Al-Qur'an 34:50]

This carries a clear evidence that the Messenger's guidance occurs only through the wahy{qluetip title=[22]}Wahy: The revelation.{/qluetip}. How surprising it is then to find men with confused minds and conflicting opinions claim to be guided! How does this guidance reach them? Indeed, "He whom Allah guides is rightly guided; but as for him whom He leaves to stray, you will find no protector to lead him." [Al-Qur'an 18:17]

What misguidance is worse than that of one who claims that guidance does not occur through the wahy! He would rather refer matters to the opinions of this and that person! Great indeed is Allah's bounty toward one whom He guarded from such a serious deviation and a great disaster. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the peoples.

Following Falsehoods

Also, Allah ta'ala said:

"A Book has been revealed unto you, so let there be no tightness in your chest about it - that you might warn [people] with it, and remind the Believers. Follow [people] what has been sent down to you from your Lord, and do not follow other than Him - as allies or protectors. How seldom do you remember [the admonition]." [Al-Qur'an 7:2-3]

Here, Allah ta'ala commands people to follow what He revealed to His Messenger, and He forbids following others. One can either follow the Revelation or follow others - as allies; Allah does not give other than these two alternatives. Thus, anyone not following the wahy is indeed following falsehoods and other allies instead of Allah. By Allah's Grace, this should be clear and obvious.

The Confidants

And Allah ta'ala said:

"On the Day when the wrong-doer will bite his hands [in despair], saying, 'Oh! Would that I had followed the path shown to me by the Messenger! Ah! Woe is me! Would that I had never taken so- and-so for a confidant! Indeed, he lead me astray from the Message (of Allah) after it had come to me! Ah! Satan is ever a betrayer of man.' " [Al-Qur'an 25:27-29]

Anyone who follows a person other than the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, abandoning his guidance for the sake of that person's words or opinions, will surely say these same words. This is why Allah refers here to the confidant as 'so-and-so', which is a generic term that could apply to any person taken as a confidant instead of Allah.

This applies then to confidants whose friendship is based on anything other than obeying the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam: their friendship will eventually turn to enmity and accusations, as Allah ta'ala said:

"The confidants on that Day will be foes unto one another - except the pious." [Al-Qur'an 43:67]

The Followers and the Followed

Allah ta'ala describes the plight of the followers and of those whom they followed in several places of His Book; He says for instance:

"On the Day when their faces will be tossed about in the Fire, they will say, 'Woe to us! Would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger!' And they will say, 'Our Lord! We obeyed our chiefs and our great men, and they lead us astray from the right path. Our Lord! Give them double suffering, and banish them utterly from Your Grace!' " [Al-Qur'an 33:66-68]

Those people will wish that they had obeyed Allah ta'ala and His Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam. But they will do it at a time when wishes avail them nothing. They will confess that they had obeyed their chiefs and leaders and disobeyed the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, acknowledging that they had no excuse for doing so. This realization will lead them to request doubling the punishment and curses for those leaders.

This carries an important lesson and a useful admonition for a man of reason, Indeed, assistance [in seeing the truth] is from Allah ta'ala only.

Partners in Deviation

Allah ta'ala said,

"Who could be more unjust than one who devises lies against Allah or rejects His messages? For such, their appointed portion must reach them from the Book [of Decrees] until, when Our messengers [of death] arrive to take their souls, they say, 'Where are the things that you used to invoke besides Allah?' They will reply, 'They have forsaken us!' And thus they will testify against themselves that they had been denying the truth (kuffar).

"He (Allah) will say, 'Join those peoples who have preceded you, of men and jinn{qluetip title=[23]}Jinn: An invisible creation that Allah ta'ala made from fire and smoke. Like human beings, jinn have a choice of action, and are accountable for their deeds. Satan is one of the jinn.{/qluetip}, in the Fire.' Every time a new people enters, it curses its sister people [that went before].

"Once they have all joined each other in it, the last of them will say about the first, 'Our Lord! It is these who have misled us, so give them a double suffering in the Fire.' He will reply, 'Every one of you will have a double suffering, but this you do not understand.'

"Then the first of them will say to the last, 'See then! You have no advantage over us, so taste of the suffering for all that you did!' " [Al-Qur'an 7:37-39]

A sensible person should reflect on these ayat, and on the lessons they carry. The first ayah (Al-A'raf 37) mentions the two classes of evildoers:

1. Those who start fallacies, establish injustice, and call people to it. Thus they distort the truth and initiate falsehood.
2. Those who reject or deny the truth.

Every evildoer belongs to one of these two classes. If, in addition, he invites people to his evil and drives them away from the truth, then he deserves a double penalty because of his disbelief and evil. For this reason Allah ta'ala says:

"Those who disbelieve and hinder people from the Path of Allah, for them will We add penalty to penalty because of the mischief that they used to spread." [Al-Qur'an 16:88]

They deserve a double punishment because of their double evil. But as for those who commit kufr (disbelief) without coaxing others toward it, Allah ta'ala does not threaten them with a doubled suffering:

"For those who disbelieve, there is a grievous punishment ... " [Al-Qur'an 58:4]

In the above ayat (7:37-39), Allah ta'ala informs that what had been decreed for the evildoers in their first life reaches them, such as their life span, sustenance, etc.

Then, when death comes to them, they part with their old claims, acknowledge their falsehood, and become witnesses against themselves.

Allah ta'ala commands them to enter into the Fire where many previous peoples have preceded them. Every time a new people enters, its members curse their ancestors who preceded them into the Fire. When they are all in it, the later nations request doubled penalties for the previous ones because they led them astray and drove them away from obeying Allah's messengers.

Allah ta'ala replies that the punishment will be doubled for both the "followers" and the "followed", in accordance with their deviation and disbelief, and that a generation does not know what doubled suffering other generations deserve.

The former generation then tells the later, "You do not possess any advantage over us. You had your own messengers who showed you the truth, warned you against our deviation, and forbade you from following or imitating us. Yet you rejected them and insisted on following and imitating us, and on forsaking the guidance of the messengers. Thus what advantage do you have over us, when you strayed just as we did, and when you gave up the truth just like us? You strayed because of us, just as we strayed because of other people. You can claim no advantage over us, and thus you should taste the suffering because of what you earned yourselves."

By Allah, this is indeed a strong admonition and an eloquent advice for any living heart! These, and similar ayat would awaken the hearts of those who migrate to Allah ta'ala. But as for the lazy people, they have no effect on them.

Untrue Followers

The above discussion deals with the followers who share in the deviation with those whom they follow.

Another case is that of the followers who turn away from whom they claim to follow, taking a different course than theirs, while maintaining false claims of true compliance with them. Allah ta'ala mentions such people in the following:

"Then would those who had been followed disown their followers; they (the followers) would see the suffering [awaiting them], and all relations between them would be cut off. And then those followers would say: 'If we can only have one more chance: we would disown them as they have disowned us.' Thus will Allah show them the fruits of their deeds as nothing but bitter regrets. Nor will there be a way for them out of the Fire." [Al-Qur'an 2:166-167]

The followed ones are truly guided. Their "followers" claim to adhere to them when, in reality, they follow a different way and guidance. They claim to love them, presuming that this love would benefit them despite their deviation. But they will discover on the Day of Judgement that they will be disowned by them. They take them as allies instead of Allah, imagining this to benefit them!

Great indeed is the deviation of a person who takes other than Allah ta'ala and His Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam for allies and confidants, making peace or hostility for their sake, and getting satisfied or infuriated for their cause. Regardless of how numerous his deeds are, or how much effort and toil he puts into them, they will be futile on the Day of Judgement, and will only add to his misery and regret.

His allegiance and enmity, love and hatred, satisfaction and anger, and so on, are not sincerely maintained for Allah and His Messenger; because of this, Allah will shatter his deeds and sever his connections.

The Only Unsevered Tie

Thus, on the Day of Resurrection, all connections and allegiances that had not been for Allah will be severed, leaving only one tie: that which connects an 'abd to his Lord.

This tie is maintained by:

• Continued migration to Allah and to His Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam.
• Continuously purifying one's acts of worship to Allah ta'ala. This includes love, hatred, giving, preventing, taking as allies or enemies, and the like.
• Continuously purifying one's adherence to the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam. This includes abandoning others' opinions for what he says, discarding anything that disagrees with his guidance, and associating none with him in this adherence.

This is the only tie that will not be severed. It is the true relationship between an 'abd and his Lord: the relationship of pure 'ubudiyyah. It is the only thing that he continues to long for, no matter how far he departs from it. It is as a poet once said:

Let your heart wander in love affairs as you wish:

True love will only be for the first lover.

How many houses does a man habituate!

But he will always long for his first home.

This relationship [with Allah] is the only one that profits man. Nothing else will profit him in any of his three lives: the first, the intermediate (barzakh), and the final eternal life. He cannot endure or live or be happy and successful without this relationship. A poet once said:

When ties (of communion) will be severed (between lovers),

The bond of the true lovers [of Allah] will not be possible to sever,

And when their unity shatters,

The unity of the true lovers [of Allah] will be impossible to splinter.

Conclusion

In conclusion, on the Day of Judgement Allah will sever all connections and ties that are among people in this life, sparing only the ties between them and Him - the ties that reflect pure 'ubudiyyah (servitude),which can only be accomplished through true adherence to the messengers. Allah ta'ala said:

"And We shall turn to whatever deeds they did (in the first life), and We shall make such deeds as floating dust scattered about." [Al-Qur'an 26:23]

So all the deeds of the first life conflicting with the way and guidance of Allah's messengers, and with which was sought anything other than Allah's Countenance, will be turned by Allah (on the Day of Judgement) into scattered dust, availing their owners nothing.

This is indeed one of the greatest miseries on the Day of Judgement: for one to find all he did completely lost and worthless, at a time when one will be in the greatest need for every good deed.

(s) The Magnificent Journey, QSS