Parables of two men: the slave with the freedman; the useless and dumb with one who is guided and command justice....

وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمۡ ثُمَّ يَتَوَفَّٮٰكُمۡ‌ۚ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰٓ أَرۡذَلِ ٱلۡعُمُرِ

لِكَىۡ لَا يَعۡلَمَ بَعۡدَ عِلۡمٍ۬ شَيۡـًٔا‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ۬ قَدِيرٌ۬

وَٱللَّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعۡضَكُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ۬ فِى ٱلرِّزۡقِ‌ۚ

فَمَا ٱلَّذِينَ فُضِّلُواْ بِرَآدِّى رِزۡقِهِمۡ عَلَىٰ مَا مَلَڪَتۡ أَيۡمَـٰنُہُمۡ

فَهُمۡ فِيهِ سَوَآءٌ‌ۚ أَفَبِنِعۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِ يَجۡحَدُونَ

وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنۡ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَزۡوَٲجً۬ا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنۡ

أَزۡوَٲجِڪُم بَنِينَ وَحَفَدَةً۬ وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ‌ۚ

أَفَبِٱلۡبَـٰطِلِ يُؤۡمِنُونَ وَبِنِعۡمَتِ ٱللَّهِ هُمۡ يَكۡفُرُونَ

وَيَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَمۡلِكُ لَهُمۡ رِزۡقً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ

وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَلَا يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ

فَلَا تَضۡرِبُواْ لِلَّهِ ٱلۡأَمۡثَالَ‌ۚ

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ وَأَنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ

ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلاً عَبۡدً۬ا مَّمۡلُوكً۬ا لَّا يَقۡدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬

وَمَن رَّزَقۡنَـٰهُ مِنَّا رِزۡقًا حَسَنً۬ا فَهُوَ يُنفِقُ مِنۡهُ سِرًّ۬ا وَجَهۡرًا‌ۖ

هَلۡ يَسۡتَوُ ۥنَ‌ۚ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ‌ۚ بَلۡ أَڪۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ

وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلاً۬ رَّجُلَيۡنِ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَبۡڪَمُ لَا يَقۡدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬

وَهُوَ ڪَلٌّ عَلَىٰ مَوۡلَٮٰهُ أَيۡنَمَا يُوَجِّههُّ لَا يَأۡتِ بِخَيۡرٍ‌ۖ

هَلۡ يَسۡتَوِى هُوَ وَمَن يَأۡمُرُ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ‌ۙ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬

وَلِلَّهِ غَيۡبُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ وَمَآ أَمۡرُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ إِلَّا

كَلَمۡحِ ٱلۡبَصَرِ أَوۡ هُوَ أَقۡرَبُ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ ڪُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ قَدِيرٌ۬

It is Allah who creates you and takes your souls at death; and of you there are some who are sent back to a feeble age, so that they know nothing after having known (much): for Allah is All-Knowing, All-Powerful.

Allah has bestowed His gifts of sustenance more freely on some of you than on others; those more favoured are not going to throw back their gifts to those whom their right hands possess, so as to be equal in that respect. Will they then deny the favours of Allah?

And Allah has made for you mates (and companions) of your own nature. And made for you out of them, sons and daughters and grandchildren, and provided for you sustenance of the best: will they then believe in vain things, and be ungrateful for Allah's favours?―

And worship others than Allah such as have no power of providing them, for sustenance, with anything in heavens or earth, and cannot possibly have such power?

Invent not similitudes for Allah: for Allah knoweth, and ye know not.

Allah sets forth the Parable (of two men: one) a slave under the dominion of another; he has no power of any sort; and (the other) a man on whom We have bestowed goodly favours from ourselves, and he spends thereof, (freely), privately and publicly: are the two equal? (By no means); praise be to Allah. But most of them understand not.

Allah sets forth (another) Parable of two men: one of them dumb, with no power of any sort; a wearisome burden is he to his master; whichever way he directs him, he brings no good: is such a man equal with one who commands justice, and is on a straight way?

To Allah belongeth the Mystery of the heavens and the earth. And the matter of the Hour (of Judgment) is as the twinkling of an eye, or even quicker: for Allah hath power over all things.

(Qur'an: An-Nahl: 16:70-77)

REFLECTION

SubHaanAllaah! In this reflection, the first verse strikes to the core of the issue regarding our life, our very existence which we take for granted thinking presumptuously that it is exclusively ours and that we are not dependent on any one for it.

We easily forget that ‘life’ is conferred upon us and we become heedless of this reality. It is ‘life’ that is sustaining us, not that we are sustaining this life. But because Allah s.w.t. confers it without our asking for it, we take it for granted. We allow ourselves to ignore this generosity, drifting into a state of being ungrateful – whereas Allah s.w.t. our Creator and Sustainer has been most kind and merciful for keeping us alive; ensuring all our bodily functions, atmosphere and surrounding, sustenance and many other things needed for our survival - for to Him belongs all power. We forget the obvious that we are alive not because we deserve it, but rather only because of Allah’s generosity. And because Allah is the bestower of our life, our soul, and it is He Who can cause us to die in accordance to His own determination (decree):

وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمۡ ثُمَّ يَتَوَفَّٮٰكُمۡ‌ۚ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰٓ أَرۡذَلِ ٱلۡعُمُرِ لِكَىۡ لَا يَعۡلَمَ بَعۡدَ عِلۡمٍ۬ شَيۡـًٔا‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ۬ قَدِيرٌ۬

"It is Allah who creates you and takes your souls at death; and of you there are some who are sent back to a feeble age, so that they know nothing after having known (much): for Allah is All-Knowing, All-Powerful."

MaasyaAllah! Those amongst us who has been favoured with long life should be forewarned that in extending our life, it is also a sign from Allah to teach us of our utter weakness and helplessness. As we aged, we are drained of our strength which we used to possess, becoming feeble and loosing much of what we use to know – all this is to inculcate in us that all power (strength) and all knowledge only belongs to Allah s.w.t. So, shed all those egotistical pride, all those boasting and arrogance; and submit in humility before Allah s.w.t., the One to Whom belongs all the Glory and worthy of all Praises.

IMPERATIVE TO BE GRATEFUL!

It is most obvious that some people in this life have been given more in sustenance than others. Often this has been used by some people to question the ‘justice’ of God, whereas we are forgetful of His Wisdom. The ‘justice’ we demand from Allah, is in fact emanates from our arrogance (and ignorance), trying to impose our ‘standards’ upon Allah just because we do not understand. Rather, we should humbly reflect that, because there is disparity in His gift of Sustenance to people, that we can learn and appreciate the value of things. When gifts are given equally to all, like the air we breathe, inadvertently we tend to take them for granted, and our appreciation for it’s value tend to diminish. Whereas, when the gifts are rare, it enhances in our perception of its value. Regarding things perceived as valuable, instinctively man is prone to being selfish inclining to possessiveness:

وَٱللَّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعۡضَكُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ۬ فِى ٱلرِّزۡقِ‌ۚ فَمَا ٱلَّذِينَ فُضِّلُواْ بِرَآدِّى رِزۡقِهِمۡ عَلَىٰ مَا مَلَڪَتۡ أَيۡمَـٰنُہُمۡ فَهُمۡ فِيهِ سَوَآءٌ‌ۚ أَفَبِنِعۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِ يَجۡحَدُونَ

"Allah has bestowed His gifts of sustenance more freely on some of you than on others; those more favoured are not going to throw back their gifts to those whom their right hands possess, so as to be equal in that respect. Will they then deny the favours of Allah?"

وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنۡ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَزۡوَٲجً۬ا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنۡ أَزۡوَٲجِڪُم بَنِينَ وَحَفَدَةً۬ وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ‌ۚ أَفَبِٱلۡبَـٰطِلِ يُؤۡمِنُونَ وَبِنِعۡمَتِ ٱللَّهِ هُمۡ يَكۡفُرُونَ

"And Allah has made for you mates (and companions) of your own nature. And made for you out of them, sons and daughters and grandchildren, and provided for you sustenance of the best: will they then believe in vain things, and be ungrateful for Allah's favours?―"

Yet, our noble human disposition acknowledges that to reciprocate for the things which we have received through acts of charity and assistance towards other with these bestowals is appropriate and good, despite our inclination to being possessive. To do this, as enjoined by the bestower i.e. Allah s.w.t., can be regarded as acts of gratefulness. This tension, between selfish concern and altruism, will determine ones standing in this test of life.

Consider these gifts and bestowals.

Reflect upon the value of what you have been given, then. It is when we know value of things given that we can display appreciation and gratefulness (shakur). Only by being appreciative and grateful that one can be cajoled into reciprocating ones state of good-fortune with acts of kindness towards others, as this is expected of us from Allah s.w.t. Who has favoured us, so as to test who amongst us are true and who are false in being faithful to Him. Alas, act of kindness towards others may be motivated by other primary factor other than as reciprocation towards the true Bestower (i.e. Allah s.w.t.). Therefore, acknowledging Allah s.w.t. Who Alone is God – “there is no other god except Allah” – is absolutely vital. Allah sarcastically rebukes the mushrikeen (polytheist & unbelievers):

وَيَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَمۡلِكُ لَهُمۡ رِزۡقً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَلَا يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ

And worship others than Allah such as have no power of providing them, for sustenance, with anything in heavens or earth, and cannot possibly have such power?

‘SHIRK’ : IS THE GREATEST SIN & EXTREME FORM OF UNGRATEFULNESS

Thus it is that Tauhiid –acknowledging and attesting to the Oneness of God i.e. that there is no other god deserving of worship except Allah, the Absolute One God, admitting no partner nor associate to His Lordship (Rubuubiyyah), Divinity (Uluuhiyyah) and to Him alone we direct our worship and servitude (‘Ubudiyyah). Our knowledge of Allah’s names (Asma) and attributes (wa-Sifat) must be based upon revelations from Allah Himself; glorifying Him in accordance with His exaltedness which we do not admit to be capable of encompassing, whereas it is Allah alone Who encompasses all:

فَلَا تَضۡرِبُواْ لِلَّهِ ٱلۡأَمۡثَالَ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ وَأَنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ

"Invent not similitude for Allah: for Allah knoweth, and ye know not."

PARABLES

When men regard others to have similar attributes or likeness to Allah s.w.t., imagining things in creation as sharing in Allah’s Lordship and Divinity, then they would be guilty of the gravest sin of Shirk (association). Such a notion is preposterous that Allah sets forth a parable:

ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلاً عَبۡدً۬ا مَّمۡلُوكً۬ا لَّا يَقۡدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬ وَمَن رَّزَقۡنَـٰهُ مِنَّا رِزۡقًا حَسَنً۬ا فَهُوَ يُنفِقُ مِنۡهُ سِرًّ۬ا وَجَهۡرًا‌ۖ هَلۡ يَسۡتَوُ ۥنَ‌ۚ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ‌ۚ بَلۡ أَڪۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ

"Allah sets forth the Parable (of two men: one) a slave under the dominion of another; he has no power of any sort; and (the other) a man on whom We have bestowed goodly favours from ourselves, and he spends thereof, (freely), privately and publicly: are the two equal? (By no means); praise be to Allah. But most of them understand not."

In human terms, can a slave who is subjugated under the power of other and powerless, be compared to another man, who is independent, wealthy and generous? Can they be equal? Surely, not! If this is still not clear, then Allah gives another example:

وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلاً۬ رَّجُلَيۡنِ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَبۡڪَمُ لَا يَقۡدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬ وَهُوَ ڪَلٌّ عَلَىٰ مَوۡلَٮٰهُ أَيۡنَمَا يُوَجِّههُّ لَا يَأۡتِ بِخَيۡرٍ‌ۖ هَلۡ يَسۡتَوِى هُوَ وَمَن يَأۡمُرُ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ‌ۙ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬

"Allah sets forth (another) Parable of two men: one of them dumb, with no power of any sort; a wearisome burden is he to his master; whichever way he directs him, he brings no good: is such a man equal with one who commands justice, and is on a straight way?"

Such is the similitude when people take others in this creation to be regarded as the Creator or sharing in the exclusive attributes of God, things that have no power of its own but is itself dependent upon the Lord and Sustainer, Allah s.w.t. How can it guides, when it itself stand in need of the guidance? Only your Lord, Allah Who commands justice, and is on a straight way, that can be relied upon for Justice and Guidance. So, remove all forms of association (shirk) and hold firm to Tauhid and put your trust in Allah (Tawakkul) – the best to rely upon:

وَلِلَّهِ غَيۡبُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ وَمَآ أَمۡرُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ إِلَّا كَلَمۡحِ ٱلۡبَصَرِ أَوۡ هُوَ أَقۡرَبُ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ ڪُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ قَدِيرٌ۬

"To Allah belongeth the Mystery of the heavens and the earth. And the matter of the Hour (of Judgment) is as the twinkling of an eye, or even quicker: for Allah hath power over all things."

SubHaanAllah! No one knows nor can claim ownership of every mystery of the heavens and the earth except Allah. Remember all things will be made to return to Allah, for mankind we are to be prepared for judgement day. It may be a folly, a terrible foolishness to think Day of judgement is still far away. It is sooner than we may think – remember it is Allah Who decides when the time for us to ‘cross over’. Thus we must repent, adhere to sincere faith in the Absolute Oneness of Allah, submit and seek His Mercy and Acceptance!

LAA-HAWLA-WA-LAA QUW-WATA IL-LA BIL-LA-HIL ‘ALIY-YIL ‘AZEEM!

WaAllaahu a'lam

Similitude of a Hypocrite: that of a man who kindled a fire

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَبِٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ

يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَمَا يَخۡدَعُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَمَا يَشۡعُرُونَ

فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ۬ فَزَادَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مَرَضً۬ا‌ۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمُۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡذِبُونَ

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمۡ لَا تُفۡسِدُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا نَحۡنُ مُصۡلِحُونَ

أَلَآ إِنَّهُمۡ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدُونَ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا يَشۡعُرُونَ

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمۡ ءَامِنُواْ كَمَآ ءَامَنَ ٱلنَّاسُ قَالُوٓاْ أَنُؤۡمِنُ كَمَآ ءَامَنَ ٱلسُّفَهَآءُ‌ۗ

أَلَآ إِنَّهُمۡ هُمُ ٱلسُّفَهَآءُ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا يَعۡلَمُونَ

وَإِذَا لَقُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ قَالُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ شَيَـٰطِينِهِمۡ

قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا مَعَكُمۡ إِنَّمَا نَحۡنُ مُسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ

ٱللَّهُ يَسۡتَہۡزِئُ بِہِمۡ وَيَمُدُّهُمۡ فِى طُغۡيَـٰنِهِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ

أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱشۡتَرَوُاْ ٱلضَّلَـٰلَةَ بِٱلۡهُدَىٰ فَمَا رَبِحَت تِّجَـٰرَتُهُمۡ

وَمَا كَانُواْ مُهۡتَدِينَ

مَثَلُهُمۡ كَمَثَلِ ٱلَّذِى ٱسۡتَوۡقَدَ نَارً۬ا فَلَمَّآ أَضَآءَتۡ مَا حَوۡلَهُ ۥ

ذَهَبَ ٱللَّهُ بِنُورِهِمۡ وَتَرَكَهُمۡ فِى ظُلُمَـٰتٍ۬ لَّا يُبۡصِرُونَ

صُمُّۢ بُكۡمٌ عُمۡىٌ۬ فَهُمۡ لَا يَرۡجِعُونَ

أَوۡ كَصَيِّبٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فِيهِ ظُلُمَـٰتٌ۬ وَرَعۡدٌ۬ وَبَرۡقٌ۬

يَجۡعَلُونَ أَصَـٰبِعَهُمۡ فِىٓ ءَاذَانِہِم مِّنَ ٱلصَّوَٲعِقِ حَذَرَ ٱلۡمَوۡتِ‌ۚ

وَٱللَّهُ مُحِيطُۢ بِٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ

يَكَادُ ٱلۡبَرۡقُ يَخۡطَفُ أَبۡصَـٰرَهُمۡ‌ۖ كُلَّمَآ أَضَآءَ لَهُم مَّشَوۡاْ فِيهِ

وَإِذَآ أَظۡلَمَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ قَامُواْ‌ۚ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَذَهَبَ بِسَمۡعِهِمۡ

وَأَبۡصَـٰرِهِمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ قَدِيرٌ۬

Of the people there are some who say: "We believe in Allah and the Last Day" but they do not (really) believe.

Fain would they deceive Allah and those who believe, but they only
deceive themselves, and realize (it) not!

In their hearts is a disease; and Allah has increased their disease and grievous is the penalty they (incur), because they are false (to themselves).

When it is said to them: "Make not mischief on the earth", they say: "Why, we only want to make peace!"

Of a surety, they are the ones who make mischief, but they realize (it) not.

When it is said to them: "Believe as the others believe" they say: "Shall we believe as the fools believe?" Nay, of a surety they are the fools, buy they do not know.

When they meet those who believe, they say: "We believe" but when they are alone with their evil ones they say: "We are really with you; we (were) only jesting.

Allah will throw back their mockery on them and give them rope in their trespasses; so they will wander like blind ones (to and fro).

These are they who have bartered guidance for error: but their traffic is profitless, and they have lost true direction.

Their similitude is that of a man who kindled a fire; when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in utter darkness so they could not see.

Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return (to the path).

Or (another similitude) is that of a rain-laden cloud from the sky; in it are zones of darkness, and thunder and lightning they press their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunder-clap, the while they are in terror of death. But Allah is ever round the rejecters of Faith! The lightning all but snatches away their sight; every time the light (helps) them, they walk therein and when the darkness grows on them, they stand still. And if Allah willed, He could take away their faculty of hearing and seeing; for Allah hath power over all things.

(Qur’an: Baqarah: 2: 8-20)

REFLECTION

Meaning of 'Nifaaq' (hypocrisy)

'Nifaaq' means to show conformity - or agreement - and to conceal evil.
Nifaaq has several types:
Nifaq in the creed that causes its people to reside in Hell for eternity, and
Nifaq in deed, which is one of the major sins.
Ibn Jurayj said of the hypocrite that, "His actual deeds are different from what he publicizes, what he conceals is different from what he utters, his entrance and presence are not the same as his exit and absence.''

Allah s.w.t. singled out this ‘Nifaaq’ as a type of ‘unbelief’ (Allah likens it as a disease) which may afflict Muslims. Outwardly, for all intents and purpose, a person is identified and regards himself as a Muslim, yet he is afflicted by a dangerous spiritual malady termed as ‘nifaaq’ (hypocrisy) – an attitude of unbelief; harbouring hatefulness of Islam and towards everything which it teaches, even mocking the true believers. They would undermine the teaching of Islam by instigating or planting doubts in Muslims, favouring un-Islamic ways rather than obeying the teachings of Islam – the Islam established and perfected by Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

This group has been causing much confusion today, especially when some of them clamour for ‘change’ in the manner of how Islam should be – where they unashamedly suggests that Muslim embrace liberalism, secularism, nationalism and various other “ism” which they fancy through their modern education. They seemed overawed by the ways of the unbelievers and in-fact preferred these over that of Islam (perhaps, being ignorant or unaware of what Islam has to offer). Being influenced by non-Muslim academician (orientalists) they echo the call towards ‘reformation’ (aping that, which had happened to Christianity) and offer various types of Islam ‘manufactured’ in the Universities and in the so-called Islamic Research Centres that proliferate in the West. One tell-tale sign is their ‘pathological’ hatred towards Muslim adhering to any Islamic tradition, labelling them all as outdated and archaic. Granted there may be Muslims who abuse the religion for their own ends, but we need to be careful not to spew hatred upon the religion rather than these abuses which is unIslamic. Failure of a Muslim to distinguish the difference between abuse and genuine teaching of Islam may breed hypocrisy in his heart. And because we still regard them as fellow Muslims, we have to tolerate them and yet their ilks continue to cause much irritation or even become the obstacles to many genuine Islamic programs being implemented. This group i.e. the hypocrites are condemned by Allah s.w.t. when He warns:

إِنَّ ٱلۡمُنَـٰفِقِينَ فِى ٱلدَّرۡكِ ٱلۡأَسۡفَلِ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمۡ نَصِيرًا

The Hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Hell-Fire: no helper wilt thou find for them.― (Qur’an: an-Nisa: 4: 145)

Note from Tafsir Ibn Katsir: Allah begins to describe the hypocrites who show belief and hide disbelief. Since the matter of the hypocrites is vague and many people do not realize their true reality, Allah mentioned their description in detail. Each of the characteristics that Allah used to described them with is a type of hypocrisy itself. Allah revealed Surat Bara'ah (chapter 9) and Surat Al-Munafiqun (chapter 63) about the hypocrites. He also mentioned the hypocrites in Surat An-Nur (24) and other Surahs, so that their description would be known and their ways and errors could be avoided.

They entertain a delusion

Allah s.w.t. describes some of their attitudes, or more accurately, their delusion.

يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَمَا يَخۡدَعُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَمَا يَشۡعُرُونَ

فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ۬ فَزَادَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مَرَضً۬ا‌ۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمُۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡذِبُونَ

“Fain would they deceive Allah and those who believe, but they only deceive themselves, and realize (it) not! In their hearts is a disease; and Allah has increased their disease and grievous is the penalty they (incur), because they are false (to themselves).”

These hypocrites, they are usually arrogant in holding to their opinion about Islam. They may even consider themselves to be ‘smart’ in hiding their hypocrisy, trying to deceive Allah s.w.t. and the rest of the Muslims. Yet, they are in fact deceiving themselves.

Hypocrisy – a spiritual malady, a disease.

It is interesting when Allah s.w.t. regards hypocrisy as a disease, a disease that can be increased in terms of it affliction, which inevitably be spiritually fatal. For this teaches us that:

[a] Muslim must constantly strive to become Mu’meen (believers). This progression must be pursued through correct learning of Islam; removing every doubt, ambiguity and uncertainty with correct knowledge and proper learning (with Adab) from Islamic teachers including inculcation of noble disposition (akhlaq al-kareema).

[b] Those who neglect to progress in this, would harbour doubts and ambiguity about Islam, which may fester into cynicism. Compounded with their lack of Adab (entertaining conceit and arrogance) they would not admit that they do not as yet know; but yet they would rely on their ignorance of Islam as basis to judge Islam. Thus, the beginning of their hate is only because they do not know, but instead of humbly learning, they are too quick to judge.

[c] Their cure is through proper learning of Islam (traditional Islamic education – ta’dibiyyah) and to work upon building of Faith (iiman) rather than aggravating their self-conceit through feeding their ego merely in intellectual discourses. Their method of learning, using the Western paradigm – had produced people who may be well-informed about Islam but who still harbour doubts and are inimical towards Islam. Surely, we must review how we are learning Islam. It is no coincidence today that many Muslims who show streaks of hypocrisy happens to be from those ‘well educated,’ seemingly well-read but without proper learning from Islamic teachers. How could they benefit learning from traditional teachers, when they usually have negative opinions of these Islamic scholars? They would rather prefer the professors and lecturers with Phd.’s even though many of these people are non-Muslims. Can the unbeliever inculcate belief in their hearts? Remember:

يَـأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لاَ تَتَّخِذُواْ الْكَـفِرِينَ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَتُرِيدُونَ أَن تَجْعَلُواْ للَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ سُلْطَاناً مُّبِيناً

“O you who believe! Do not take disbelievers as Awliya' (protectors or helpers or intimate friends) instead of believers. Do you wish to offer Allah a manifest proof against yourselves?”

(Qur’an: An-Nisa’: 4: 144).

Arrogance and creating mischief

Usually, such people when given the opportunity would take the administrative leadership, they would not hesitate to innovate or offer their own interpretations on Islam without recourse to accepted Islamic principles and methodology. Some even would experiment with the most controversial approaches, imitating non-Muslims or echoing the Orientalists’ suggestion to reinterpret Islam. When cautioned that their ways may create mischief e.g. opening floodgate of dissent, they will insist that they only meant well:

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمۡ لَا تُفۡسِدُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا نَحۡنُ مُصۡلِحُونَ أَلَآ إِنَّهُمۡ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدُونَ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا يَشۡعُرُونَ

“When it is said to them: ‘Make not mischief on the earth’, they say: ‘Why, we only want to make peace!’ Of a surety, they are the ones who make mischief, but they realize (it) not.”

Indeed, their recklessness in introducing ‘novel’ approaches without conforming to Islamic principles and norms, totally disregarding the caution from ulama’, may have caused further confusion and incite rebelliousness in the general Muslims. In fact they are being presumptuous in assuming they are qualified to assume the authority to meddle in Islam’s affair. Are they, really? They just could not differentiate between administrative leadership and religious leadership. They may not even be aware of the Prophet’s warning s.a.w:

‏ ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏عائشة ‏ ‏قالت
‏قال رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏من ‏ ‏أحدث ‏ ‏في
أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو ‏ ‏رد

'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: “He who innovates things in these affairs of ours for which there is no valid (reason), his innovations are to be rejected.”

[Hadith reported by Muslim]

They regard believing Muslims who are not like them, as fools

When the malady takes hold in them, their arrogance and condescending attitude towards other Muslims would become apparent, especially when they and those with the same thinking form into group. They would become bold and further deluded to claim exclusivity for themselves and their group. When advised to follow or believe as the other believers, their lack of humility would cause them to regard those unlike them to be conservative, traditionalist, uneducated, or ignorant or even fools. Sometimes, they even go to the extent to condemn or criticise traditional Islamic scholars who were beyond their league – parroting their Orientalists ‘professors’ from whom they picked their so-called methodology, calling it ‘objective higher criticism’ or hermeneutics re-interpretation of works by classical Islamic scholars etc.

Some unashamedly consider themselves competent to introduce labels for what they purport as types of Islam e.g. like calling it as 'liberal Islam’, ‘progressive Islam’, ‘reformist’, ‘moderate’, ‘inclusivist’, ‘modern’ etc. which imply difference or opposed to those other whom they labelled as 'traditionalists’, ‘old-fashioned’, ‘absolutist’, ‘conservative’ etc. whom they hold to be less learned than them – nay, they regard as fools. But Allah s.w.t. knows that they are the fools, but their arrogance make them deluded. Just one consideration for them to ponder: Can true learning of Islam, especially inculcation of “iiman, ‘amal and ihsan”, be possible by learning or be tutored by non-Muslims? Who are the heirs of the Prophet s.a.w.?

Dazzling speech: led by arrogance

Whenever they are reminded to fear Allah s.w.t., and to comply with Islamic teachings, their reaction to it may be revealing. Thus, although a person may display eloquence and has produced outstanding research papers and other intellectual discourses, Allah s.w.t. warns us to be careful of such person when he reveals:

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُعۡجِبُكَ قَوۡلُهُ ۥ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَيُشۡهِدُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا فِى قَلۡبِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَلَدُّ ٱلۡخِصَامِ وَإِذَا تَوَلَّىٰ

سَعَىٰ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ لِيُفۡسِدَ فِيهَا وَيُهۡلِكَ ٱلۡحَرۡثَ وَٱلنَّسۡلَ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡفَسَادَ وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُ ٱتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ أَخَذَتۡهُ ٱلۡعِزَّةُ

بِٱلۡإِثۡمِ‌ۚ فَحَسۡبُهُ ۥ جَهَنَّمُ‌ۚ وَلَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمِهَادُ

“There is the type of man whose speech about this world's life may dazzle thee and he calls Allah to witness about what is in his heart; yet is he the most contentious of enemies. When he turns his back his aim everywhere is to spread mischief through the earth and destroy crops and cattle. But Allah loveth not mischief. When it is said to him "Fear Allah", he is led by arrogance to (more) crime. Enough for him is Hell;―an evil bed indeed (to lie on)!

(Qur’an: Baqarah: 2: 204-206)

Their behaviour and seeming compliance with similar belief as with the general Muslims may just be for show, whereas within their own circle – where their exclusive and elitist group culture prevails, they would display their true colour. They seem to nurture resentment towards Islam and the general Muslims, so whenever they meet in private they would assure each other that they were simply jesting or play acting in public. And Allah s.w.t. responds towards them with this:

ٱللَّهُ يَسۡتَہۡزِئُ بِہِمۡ وَيَمُدُّهُمۡ فِى طُغۡيَـٰنِهِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱشۡتَرَوُاْ ٱلضَّلَـٰلَةَ بِٱلۡهُدَىٰ فَمَا رَبِحَت تِّجَـٰرَتُهُمۡ وَمَا

كَانُواْ مُهۡتَدِينَ

“Allah will throw back their mockery on them and give them rope in their trespasses; so they will wander like blind ones (to and fro). These are they who have bartered guidance for error: but their traffic is profitless, and they have lost true direction. “

O How foolish for them to reject the guidance of Islam, replacing it with error stemming from their ignorance compounded by arrogance. They indeed, have lost their way.

Similitude is that of a man who kindled a fire

مَثَلُهُمۡ كَمَثَلِ ٱلَّذِى ٱسۡتَوۡقَدَ نَارً۬ا فَلَمَّآ أَضَآءَتۡ مَا حَوۡلَهُ ۥ ذَهَبَ ٱللَّهُ بِنُورِهِمۡ وَتَرَكَهُمۡ فِى ظُلُمَـٰتٍ۬ لَّا يُبۡصِرُونَ صُمُّۢ

بُكۡمٌ عُمۡىٌ۬ فَهُمۡ لَا يَرۡجِعُونَ

“Their similitude is that of a man who kindled a fire; when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in utter darkness so they could not see. Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return (to the path).”

SubHaanAllaah! O How true this is of the plight of these hypocrites. Being accepted by other Muslims and living in their midst may occasionally assist them to get glimpses of light and illumination, yet because of their hypocrisy, that light is then taken away from them and they would be left in total darkness. To be unable to hear, to speak and blind surely is a dreadful condition – most apt description of hopelessness in being astray, with no possibility from ever returning to the path.

Another similitude: a frightened man in the rain; in zones of darkness, and thunder and lightning

أَوۡ كَصَيِّبٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فِيهِ ظُلُمَـٰتٌ۬ وَرَعۡدٌ۬ وَبَرۡقٌ۬ يَجۡعَلُونَ أَصَـٰبِعَهُمۡ فِىٓ ءَاذَانِہِم مِّنَ ٱلصَّوَٲعِقِ حَذَرَ ٱلۡمَوۡتِ‌ۚ وَٱللَّهُ

مُحِيطُۢ بِٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ يَكَادُ ٱلۡبَرۡقُ يَخۡطَفُ أَبۡصَـٰرَهُمۡ‌ۖ كُلَّمَآ أَضَآءَ لَهُم مَّشَوۡاْ فِيهِ وَإِذَآ أَظۡلَمَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ قَامُواْ‌ۚ

“Or (another similitude) is that of a rain-laden cloud from the sky; in it are zones of darkness, and thunder and lightning they press their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunder-clap, the while they are in terror of death. But Allah is ever round the rejecters of Faith!”

The lightning all but snatches away their sight; every time the light (helps) them, they walk therein and when the darkness grows on them, they stand still.”

SubHaanAllaah! Allah reveals the inner state of the hypocrites; they are indeed frightened by the teaching of Islam. Just like a person walking in total darkness during a thunderstorm. Whenever the lightning lights up, they are able to see and proceed to walking, and yet they are fearful of being struck by that lightning; and so afraid are they of the ensuing thunderclap that they press their ears as though to keep it out. Although frightened, yet they are dependent upon the occasional lightning that flashes to show them a glimpse of the darken pathway. It is no wonder that hypocrites dread anyone quoting the Qur’an and Sunnah, and any reference to the Hereafter especially warnings of punishment for unbelievers. For they know that Allah s.w.t. is aware of their hypocrisy, for Allah’s knowledge and power encompasses all.

WaAllaahu a’lam

The parable: like the Spider's flimsiest house ........

مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡلِيَآءَ كَمَثَلِ

ٱلۡعَنڪَبُوتِ ٱتَّخَذَتۡ بَيۡتً۬ا‌ۖ وَإِنَّ أَوۡهَنَ ٱلۡبُيُوتِ

لَبَيۡتُ ٱلۡعَنڪَبُوتِ‌ۖ لَوۡ ڪَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ مَا يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ

مِن شَىۡءٍ۬‌ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَڪِيمُ

"The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of the Spider, who builds (to itself) a house; but truly the flimsiest of houses― is the Spider's house if they but knew.

Verily Allah doth know of (everything) whatever that they call upon besides Him: and He is Exalted (in power), Wise.

And such are the Parables We set forth for mankind, but only those understand them who have Knowledge."

(Qur'an: Ankabut: 29: 41-42)

REFLECTION

"Tauhiid" - attestation to the Oneness of God, being the most important message of Islam primarily invites all to the Truth : "That there is no god (i.e. none to be regarded as divine to be worshipped) except Allah, Alone". Allah, the Unseen Creator & Sustainer of the worlds, Who sees all, Who alone is God, Unique, without partners or associate. Thus, a Muslim's assertion of God's Oneness (Tauhiid)requires him to deny and reject every notion of associations that people may ascribe to God - this is called Shirk (lit. 'associating' god with another, setting up partners or rival to Allah). Sometimes we use the term 'idolatory' (worshipping of idols) for shirk - even for those who claimed to be atheists (they deny God's existence), because these atheists, in fact, have taken their desires (as their idols) as object of worship, like God.

Many people in other Faith, do acknowledge instinctively in their innate pure nature (fitrah sa-lee-ma), that there is the One God - the Creator & Sustainer of the worlds. Yet, they still turn to things in creations and regard them as god or gods - following blindly the dictates of their religious leaders, or relying upon ancient practices of their fore-fathers before them, even though they know how absurd these teachings are. Yet they would place hope, reliance and dependence upon these idols to fulfill their needs.

Parable: Likening the gods of the idolators to the House of a Spider

مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡلِيَآءَ كَمَثَلِ ٱلۡعَنڪَبُوتِ ٱتَّخَذَتۡ بَيۡتً۬ا‌ۖ وَإِنَّ أَوۡهَنَ ٱلۡبُيُوتِ لَبَيۡتُ ٱلۡعَنڪَبُوتِ‌ۖ لَوۡ

ڪَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ

"The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of the Spider, who builds (to itself) a house; but truly the flimsiest of houses― is the Spider's house if they but knew."

This is how Allah s.w.t. described the idolators in their reverence of gods besides Him, hoping that these dieties would help them and provide for them, and turning to them in times of difficulties. In this regard, they were like the house of a spider, which is so weak and frail, because by clinging to these gods they were like a person who holds on to a spider's web, who does not gain any benefit from that. If they knew this, they would not take any protectors besides Allah.

Reflecting upon the similitude

Apart from the obvious flimsiness, fragility of a spiders house (web), it (the web) is self-produced, spunned from a spinnerate gland in the spider itself. During the process of making a web, the spider will use its own body for measurements, a very practical and ergonomic design feature of any web.

Similarly, the idolators (mushrikin), invents or concocts from their own imaginations - gods, dieties, idols, images, doctrines etc. One characteristic of this innovation in their theology can be described with the term 'anthropomorphism' - to conceive God in human form or puerly human perspective. Thus, they 'measure' God in accordance with their own measurement - e.g. having physical forms, begetting sons & families, wives & consorts, enemies & advisers, having feuds, having similar needs as humans, etc.

This is unlike the Muslim believer, whose concept of God is based upon revelation. That Islam rejects the nonsensical 'anthropomorphic' idea is summed up profoundly in:

قُلۡ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ لَمۡ يَلِدۡ وَلَمۡ يُولَدۡ وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُ ۥ ڪُفُوًا أَحَدُۢ

"Say: He is Allah, the One! Allah, the eternally Besought of all! He begetteth not nor was begotten. And there is none comparable unto Him."

(Qur'an: al-Ikhlas: 112: 1-4)

لَّا تُدۡرِڪُهُ ٱلۡأَبۡصَـٰرُ وَهُوَ يُدۡرِكُ ٱلۡأَبۡصَـٰرَ‌ۖ وَهُوَ ٱللَّطِيفُ ٱلۡخَبِيرُ

"Vision comprehendeth Him not, but He (Allah) comprehendeth (all) vision. For He (Alone) is the Subtle (the Unfathomable), the Aware."

(Qur'an: An'am: 6: 103)

Note: The use of pronoun 'He' does not imply male gender for God, only that our human language has limitations, thus we cannot help but to apply this pronoun for second person when referring to God. To use 'she' or 'it' would be worse. Similarly, when Allah uses of 'We' is not plural of numbers but plural of respect - for Allah is the Absolute One God, without partners.

Trap of entanglement

Another aspect of a spiders house is that it was built to also trap & ensnare other insects, whereupon the spider then feed upon them. Religion that has deviated from Tauhiid (Belief in the Oneness of God, the essence of all revealed religion since Prophet Adam a.s.) into polytheism & idolatory will become a trap for unsuspecting people. Their leaders, idealogue, clergy or religious elites would occasionally strengthen and manage their dogmatic teachings by adding/innovating, like a spider repairing the web and ensuring those insects already trapped are kept secure with further entaglement. And usually they do this as matter of their survival (for material gains) to maintain a cult-following. The allegory of web also reflect how such organization gathers following through networks of families & acquaintances, spreading like cob-web in homes that has been left unmanaged. Muslim society that neglects Da'wah (amr' al-ma'-ruf, nahyu 'anil-munkar), is like that proverbial home left unmanaged and not kept free from cob-webs.

TAUHIID: THE FIRMEST HANDHOLD

The Muslim heart is devoted to Allah, yet he still does righteous deeds and follows the Laws of Allah, for he has grasped the most trustworthy handle that will never break because it is so strong and firm. Its theology is so clear, yet profound. It rejects myth, superstition, conjecture, surmise, etc, and insists that man uses every God-given faculty to check & confirm truth, never to accept anything blindly:

وَلَا تَقۡفُ مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٌ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡبَصَرَ وَٱلۡفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ كَانَ عَنۡهُ مَسۡـُٔولاً۬

"And pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning)." (Qur'an: al-Isra': 17: 36)

Then Allah warns those who worship others besides Him and associate others with Him that He knows what they do and the rivals they associate with Him. He warns that He will punish them for their attribution, for He is All-Wise and All-Knowing. Then He says:

وَتِلْكَ الاٌّمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ وَمَا يَعْقِلُهَآ إِلاَّ الْعَـلِمُونَ

"And these are the examples We give for mankind; but none will understand them except those who have knowledge."

Meaning, no one understands them or ponders them except those who are possessed of deep knowledge. It is most unfortunate that in spite of the tremendous achievement in science, the unbelievers & idolators just would not apply knowledge when in comes to religion & religious beliefs. We Muslims who are given this parable, must understand the profound message and convey & invite others to this correct path, with genuine concern for their salvation. This Deen of Al-Islam is meant to guide everyone. Allah s.w.t. says:

فَمَن يَكۡفُرۡ بِٱلطَّـٰغُوتِ وَيُؤۡمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱسۡتَمۡسَكَ بِٱلۡعُرۡوَةِ ٱلۡوُثۡقَىٰ لَا ٱنفِصَامَ لَهَا‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ٱللَّهُ وَلِىُّ

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ يُخۡرِجُهُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ‌ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ أَوۡلِيَآؤُهُمُ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتُ يُخۡرِجُونَهُم مِّنَ ٱلنُّورِ إِلَى

ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ‌ۗ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ‌ۖ هُمۡ فِيہَا خَـٰلِدُونَ

"whoever rejects Evil (falsehood) and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things. Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness, He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith the patrons are the Evil Ones: from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. They will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein (for ever)."

(Qur'an: Baqarah : 2: 256-257)

OUR DO'A

سَمِعۡنَا وَأَطَعۡنَا‌ۖ غُفۡرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيۡكَ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذۡنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوۡ أَخۡطَأۡنَا‌ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحۡمِلۡ عَلَيۡنَآ إِصۡرً۬ا

كَمَا حَمَلۡتَهُ ۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِنَا‌ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلۡنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ‌ۖ وَٱعۡفُ عَنَّا وَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَآ‌ۚ أَنتَ

مَوۡلَٮٰنَا فَٱنصُرۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِينَ

"We hear and we obey; (We seek) Thy forgiveness, Our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys.

Our Lord! condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; help us against those who stand against faith.

O Allah! Shower Blessings & Peace upon our Leader, our beloved Prophet, Muhammad ibn 'Abdillah, and upon his Family and Companions, and those who follow them and assisted them in truth & benevolence, striving to uphold this Deen from time to time till the Hereafter - and make us to be gathered with him in Your Merciful Embrace in the Abode of Peace - Aamin!

WaAllaahu a'lam

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

the similitude of the life of this world .....................

وَٱضۡرِبۡ لَهُم مَّثَلَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ

مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَٱخۡتَلَطَ بِهِۦ نَبَاتُ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَأَصۡبَحَ

هَشِيمً۬ا تَذۡرُوهُ ٱلرِّيَـٰحُ‌ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬

مُّقۡتَدِرًا ٱلۡمَالُ وَٱلۡبَنُونَ زِينَةُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۖ

وَٱلۡبَـٰقِيَـٰتُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتُ خَيۡرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابً۬ا

وَخَيۡرٌ أَمَلاً۬ وَيَوۡمَ نُسَيِّرُ ٱلۡجِبَالَ وَتَرَى ٱلۡأَرۡضَ

بَارِزَةً۬ وَحَشَرۡنَـٰهُمۡ فَلَمۡ نُغَادِرۡ مِنۡہُمۡ أَحَدً۬ا



وَعُرِضُواْ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ صَفًّ۬ا لَّقَدۡ جِئۡتُمُونَا كَمَا

خَلَقۡنَـٰكُمۡ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةِۭ‌ۚ بَلۡ زَعَمۡتُمۡ أَلَّن نَّجۡعَلَ لَكُم

مَّوۡعِدً۬ا وَوُضِعَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبُ فَتَرَى ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ

مُشۡفِقِينَ مِمَّا فِيهِ وَيَقُولُونَ يَـٰوَيۡلَتَنَا مَالِ

هَـٰذَا ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ لَا يُغَادِرُ صَغِيرَةً۬ وَلَا كَبِيرَةً

إِلَّآ أَحۡصَٮٰهَا‌ۚ وَوَجَدُواْ مَا عَمِلُواْ حَاضِرً۬ا‌ۗ

وَلَا يَظۡلِمُ رَبُّكَ أَحَدً۬ا

"Set forth to them the similitude of the life of this world: it is like the rain which We send down from the skies: the earth's vegetation absorbs it, But soon it becomes dry stubble, which the winds do scatter: it is (only) Allah Who prevails over all things.

Wealth and sons are allurements of the life of this world: but the things that endure, Good Deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best as (the foundation for) hopes.

One Day We shall remove the mountains, and thou wilt see the earth as a level stretch, and We shall gather them, all together, nor shall We leave out any one of them.

And they will be marshalled before thy Lord in ranks (with the announcement), "Now have ye come to Us (bare) as We created you first: aye, ye thought We shall not fulfil the appointment made to you to meet (Us)!":

And the Book (of Deeds) will be placed (before you); and thou wilt see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein; they will say "Ah! woe to us! what a book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!" They will find all that they did, placed before them: and not one will thy Lord treat with injustice."

(Qur'an: Kahfi: 18: 45-49)

REFLECTION

One of cornerstone of the tenets of Islam is the believe in 'Al-aakhirah' - life in the Hereafter. Yet, the inculcation of conviction to this Reality (Haqiqah) in our life, such that it truly sink in and serves as our touchstone in shaping our values, our perspective and our worldview - is sorely deficient (lacking) or even missing. There are significant difference between receiving mere information from attaining to knowledge; and having knowledge from that of attaining to conviction (yaqeen); and the various levels (degrees) of convictions ('ilm, 'ain & haqq : al-yaqeen). Not that we lack the opportunity to be educated or be guided towards attaining conviction, rather it is the gross lack of attentiveness on our part, not applying in our daily life what we have been taught, through dzikr (remembrance) and fikr (deep reflection). The real lesson is actually in the 'classroom of life'. The subject on the Hereafter is there. Apart from perhaps casually mentioning of it, or merely hearing passing remarks concerning it or perhaps life occurances (birth. sickness, death etc.) that serve to remind us of 'al-aakhirah' - yet these pass us by, without we gaining any increase in conviction of it. Why? Notwithstanding that the blame is upon us, but the distraction is without doubt also due to the allurement of ad-Dunya(life of this world), which cast its hypnotic spell on everyone.

WHAT IS LIFE OF THIS WORLD?

Allah s.w.t. set forth a parable:

وَٱضۡرِبۡ لَهُم مَّثَلَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَٱخۡتَلَطَ بِهِۦ نَبَاتُ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَأَصۡبَحَ هَشِيمً۬ا تَذۡرُوهُ ٱلرِّيَـٰحُ‌ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ مُّقۡتَدِرًا

" Set forth to them the similitude of the life of this world: it is like the rain which We send down from the skies: the earth's vegetation absorbs it, But soon it becomes dry stubble, which the winds do scatter: it is (only) Allah Who prevails over all things. "

O! What a transitory existence, growing with bestowals from Allah, only to be reduced to stubble and decay. Yet, we place so much emphasis upon such things, which we know will disappear - forgetting that our hope is in seeking the countenance of Allah s.w.t. Who will prevail over all things. Look beyond this world, which is merely a sign, and remember and glorify the Creator. Do not be bedazzled by the creation for they are there only to remind us of Him, so that we may be grateful and glorify Him, not the world. Do not loose sight that you are the slave of Allah, do not let the world enslave you. Hereafter is better! Thus Allah lovingly guides and warns us :

وَذَكَرَ ٱسۡمَ رَبِّهِۦ فَصَلَّىٰ بَلۡ تُؤۡثِرُونَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ خَيۡرٌ۬ وَأَبۡقَىٰٓ

"And glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord, and (lift their hearts) in Prayer. Nay (behold), ye prefer the life of this world; But the Hereafter is better and more enduring."

(Qur'an: al-A'la: 87: 15-17)

REMEMBER: Things that Endure (GOOD DEEDS) .... our best hope

What are we preoccupied in? Day in and day out, what really keeps us going? What is our motivation, our driver? What really matter in our life? The world (ad-dunya) beckons us with its glitters; abetted by the materialists who tempt our desires with their ever alluring products, bombarding us with advertisements that subtly impose values to replace our set of standards which must constantly be anchored upon our religious Faith (arkaan al-iiman) which favours more the concern for the eternal Hereafter. When this Faith is weak; its nurturing neglected and excerbated by life-style which emphasise more on worldly vanity; competing in amassing wealth and children, the outcome of this push-pull tension between ad-dunya (this world) and al-Aakhirah (Hereafter), will determine the kind of activity most favoured by the person. Nay, Allah s.w.t. knows and gives us this advice:

ٱلۡمَالُ وَٱلۡبَنُونَ زِينَةُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۖ وَٱلۡبَـٰقِيَـٰتُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتُ خَيۡرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابً۬ا وَخَيۡرٌ أَمَلاً۬

"Wealth and sons are allurements of the life of this world: but the things that endure, Good Deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best as (the foundation for) hopes."

BE VERY CAREFUL: AL-AKHIRAH BECKONS US

The temporary nature of this world seems obvious to us, yet why are there no urgency for us to prepare for the Hereafter? The end of times is sure to come. Even today, signs of instability of our planet are most apparrent with many natural disasters occuring world-wide. Yet, still no urgency! Remember, we may not be able to meet that Last Day, but most certainly our day on this earth will last with our death. This too is most certain, and it may be sooner than we hope & imagine. Yet, still no urgency?! Some, are beginning to have doubt, being influenced by ahli-dunya (the secularists) who persistently mock at our religious belief. Leave them with their heedlessness. On that terrible day not a single mountain will ever remain. flatten and each and every mankind shall be raised to gather before Allah to be judged. And on this Day Allah, after resurrecting us naked and bare, He will mock at them who denied this Day of Judgement:

وَعُرِضُواْ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ صَفًّ۬ا لَّقَدۡ جِئۡتُمُونَا كَمَا خَلَقۡنَـٰكُمۡ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةِۭ‌ۚ بَلۡ زَعَمۡتُمۡ أَلَّن نَّجۡعَلَ لَكُم مَّوۡعِدً۬ا

And they will be marshalled before thy Lord in ranks (with the announcement),"Now have ye come to Us (bare) as We created you first: aye, ye thought We shall not fulfil the appointment made to you to meet (Us)!":

O! This will be the Day of much regret, especially for those who do not take seriously what has been taught in our Aqidah regarding the Hereafter. Those who did not heed the advice to hasten to doing good Deeds while we can in this world. all those wealth and children, and the allurement of the world are of no use - only record of Good Deeds accepted by Allah will stand as testimony that can assist us. What matters most here will be our own Book of record - laid bare to the minutest detail - big or small, we shall have to account for them. Allah's justice will be fully manifested. Fortunate would be those who are covered by Allah's Mercy:

وَوُضِعَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبُ فَتَرَى ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ مُشۡفِقِينَ مِمَّا فِيهِ وَيَقُولُونَ يَـٰوَيۡلَتَنَا مَالِ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ لَا يُغَادِرُ صَغِيرَةً۬ وَلَا كَبِيرَةً إِلَّآ أَحۡصَٮٰهَا‌ۚ وَوَجَدُواْ مَا عَمِلُواْ حَاضِرً۬ا‌ۗ وَلَا يَظۡلِمُ رَبُّكَ أَحَدً۬ا

And the Book (of Deeds) will be placed (before you); and thou wilt see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein; they will say "Ah! woe to us! what a book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!" They will find all that they did, placed before them: and not one will thy Lord treat with injustice.

OUR PRAYER

رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغۡ قُلُوبَنَا بَعۡدَ إِذۡ هَدَيۡتَنَا وَهَبۡ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحۡمَةً‌ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡوَهَّابُ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ ٱلنَّاسِ لِيَوۡمٍ۬ لَّا رَيۡبَ فِيهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُخۡلِفُ ٱلۡمِيعَادَ

رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا بِمَآ أَنزَلۡتَ وَٱتَّبَعۡنَا ٱلرَّسُولَ فَٱڪۡتُبۡنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ

"Our Lord! let not our hearts deviate now after Thou hast guided us, but grant us mercy from Thee: for Thou art the Grantor of bounties without measure. Our Lord! Thou art He that will gather mankind together against a day about which there is no doubt: for Allah never fails in His promise.
Our Lord! we believe in what thou hast revealed, and we follow the Messenger; then write us down among those who bear witness."

O Allah! Your Salutations of Peace and blessings be upon our Leader, Your Beloved Messenger Muhammad, and his purified family, all his righteous companions and all those who follow them in righteousness and benevolence, aiding his cause from time to time till the Hereafter - Aa-min

Wa-allaahu a'lam

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------