THE PRINCIPLE OF LOVE & DESIRE: Enjoyment is not Only for the Disbelievers & Sinners
I will mention here a beneficial point: People see and hear of many of the disasters that befall the people of iman and Islam in the dunya, and they see and hear of the power and wealth attained by many of the disbelievers and evildoers in the dunya, and they conclude from that that pleasure and enjoyment in the dunya is restricted to the disbelievers and evildoers alone, and that the believers may only receive a small amount of enjoyment from this life. Likewise, they may believe that the strength and the support reside with the disbe- lievers and hypocrites over the believers.
Disbelievers will never succeed
Those who believe this hear the verses from the Qur'an that the power and might are for Allah, His Messenger, and the believers, and that the end result is for those who are pious, and Allah's saying:
وَ اِنَّ جُنۡدَنَا لَهُمُ الۡغٰلِبُوۡنَ ﴿۱۷۳
And indeed, Our soldiers will be the victors. [Surah as-Saffat 37:173]
And they believe in the Qur'an, so they interpret these verses to mean in the Hereafter; but as for the dunya, then they say, "We only see the disbelievers and the hypocrites succeeding and overtak- ing the believers. They have the power and the aid, and the Qur'an does not oppose reality." They base this on the fact that they see their enemies to be disbelievers, hypocrites, or oppressors, while they see themselves as people of iman and taqwa, so it seems to them that the person of falsehood is triumphant over the people of truth. They say, "I am upon truth, yet I am oppressed!" If you ask them, "What about Allah's promise that the believers will receive a good outcome?" they say, "This is in the Hereafter only," and if you say, "What does Allah do for His allies in these kinds of situations?" they say, "He does what He wills"; maybe they say it out loud or just think it to themselves, or maybe they think of the saying of some of them that "There is nothing more harmful to the creation than the Creator," but instead they simply say, "Allah does as He wills." If you mention to them Allah's mercy and wisdom, they just say, "He does what He wills," and so they do not believe that the person of truth and piety is helped and aided; rather, they just believe that Allah does as He wills.
These statements are based on two assumptions:
1) The first is that they assume the best of their own religion in terms of type or character and believe that they perform what is obligatory for them and keep away from what is forbidden by the true religion, and they believe the opposite for their adversary or counterpart. They believe that their religion is false either due to the type of religion or due to the individual's practice of it, because they neglect the commandments and perform the prohibitions.
2) The second assumption is that Allah may not support and aid the person of truth, and perhaps not make his outcome positive in the dunya, so it is not befitting to be complacent with this.
It is known that the slave seeks a good outcome in the dunya, even though he believes in (the reward of) the Hereafter. He seeks what is necessary to repel harm and attain benefits for himself, and he may seek an increase in benefits and a reduction in harms, as much as he deems permissible.
However, if he believes that the true religion negates that, then his heart could turn away from the completeness of the true religion, and then reject the status of the sabiqin (foremost) and the mugar- rabin (those who draw close). They may even shun the muqtaşidin (people of moderation), the People of the Right, and so become one of the wrongdoers; they may even disbelieve and become one of the hypocritical apostates or open disbelievers. Even if this disbe- lief is not in the foundations of Islam, it is in many of its principles and doctrines*1, as the Prophet said:
يصبح الرجل مؤمنا ويمسي كافراً ويمسي مؤمنا ويصبح كافراً، يبيع دينه بعرض من الدنيا
A man would be a believer in the morning and turn to disbelief in the evening, or he would be a believer in the evening and turn disbeliever in the morning, and he would sell his faith for worldly goods. *2
Fitnah of Bani Adam
This only results from the belief that the religion will only gain one loss in the dunya, and because of that he is pleased when he is afflicted by harm and hopes for the reward of losing the benefits that he will inevitably lose.
This is the fitnah (tribulation) that blocks many of Bani Ādam from realization of the religion, and the basis of it is ignorance of the reality of the religion and the reality of enjoyment, which is sought at all times, since we mentioned that every action is caused by a desire to attain pleasure. Therefore, a man should know the action that he is performing and the pleasure that he is seeking (from that action).
Then if he knows these two foundations, he must have a decisive desire to perform that action; otherwise, the knowledge of that which is sought and its method will not be enough to attain what is sought without decisive desire. Decisive desire must be accompa- nied with patience; because of this, He said:
وَ الۡعَصۡرِ ۙ﴿۱ اِنَّ الۡاِنۡسَانَ لَفِیۡ خُسۡرٍ ۙ﴿۲ اِلَّا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ وَ تَوَاصَوۡا بِالۡحَقِّ ۬ۙ وَ تَوَاصَوۡا بِالصَّبۡرِ ﴿۳
By al-'aşr (the time). Verily! Man is in loss. Except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth, and recom- mend one another to patience. [Surah al-'Aşr 103:1-3]
And He, the Most High, said:
وَ جَعَلۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ اَئِمَّۃً یَّهۡدُوۡنَ بِاَمۡرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوۡا ۟ؕ وَ کَانُوۡا بِاٰیٰتِنَا یُوۡقِنُوۡنَ ﴿۲۴
And We made from among them (Children of Israel) leaders, giving guidance under Our command, when they were patient and used to believe with yaqin (certainty) in Our ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). [Surah as-Sajdah 32:24]
Yaqin is enduring, firm knowledge, and patience is necessary to realize decisive desires.
The two assumptions that this affliction is built upon are based on ignorance of Allah's commands and His prohibitions, and ignorance of His promise and His threat. The person who is ignorant of these two things may think that he establishes the true religion, performs the obligations, and avoids the prohibitions, but he actually does the opposite of that, and this is due to his ignorance of the true religion.
If anyone believes that the person upon the truth is not aided in the dunya and that the outcome will be in favor of the disbelievers over the believers, and in favor of the sinners over the pious, then this shows a person's ignorance of Allah's promise.
As for the first assumption, then how many people abandon the obligations because they do not know that they are obligatory, and how many people perform prohibited actions not knowing that they are prohibited? In fact, how many people worship Allah with what is forbidden while abandoning what is enjoined upon them? Likewise, how many people believe themselves to be the innocent, oppressed party in every aspect, while believing their adversary to be the guilty oppressor in every aspect, but the situation is differ- ent? Rather, with him is an aspect of falsehood and wrongdoing, while his adversary has with him an aspect of truth and justice.
One's love for something makes him deaf and blind, and mankind is naturally disposed to love themselves, so they only see the good in themselves and the bad in their adversaries. This ignorance is often paired with desire and oppression, because mankind is naturally oppressive and ignorant.
Most of mankind's religions are only customs and traditions of beliefs and disbeliefs, love and hate, and allegiance and enmities taken from their fathers and predecessors. Just as He, the Most High, said:
وَ اِذَا قِیۡلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوۡا مَاۤ اَنۡزَلَ اللّٰهُ قَالُوۡا بَلۡ نَتَّبِعُ مَا وَجَدۡنَا عَلَیۡهِ اٰبَآءَنَا ؕ اَوَ لَوۡ کَانَ الشَّیۡطٰنُ یَدۡعُوۡهُمۡ اِلٰی عَذَابِ السَّعِیۡرِ ﴿۲۱
And when it is said to them, "Follow that which Allah has sent down," they say, "Nay, we shall follow that which we found our fathers (following)." (Would they do so) even if the Shaytan invites them to the torment of the Fire? [Surah Luqman 31:21]
He, the Most High, said:
یَوۡمَ تُقَلَّبُ وُجُوۡهُهُمۡ فِی النَّارِ یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ یٰلَیۡتَنَاۤ اَطَعۡنَا اللّٰهَ وَ اَطَعۡنَا الرَّسُوۡلَا ﴿۶۶ وَ قَالُوۡا رَبَّنَاۤ اِنَّاۤ اَطَعۡنَا سَادَتَنَا وَ کُبَرَآءَنَا فَاَضَلُّوۡنَا السَّبِیۡلَا ﴿۶۷
On the Day when their faces will be turned over in the Fire, they will say, "Oh, would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger (Muhammad)." And they will say, "Our Lord! Verily, we obeyed our chiefs and our elders, and they misled us from the (right) way." [Surah al-Ahzab 33:66-67]
And He, the Most High, said:
وَ مَا تَفَرَّقُوۡۤا اِلَّا مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ الۡعِلۡمُ بَغۡیًۢا بَیۡنَهُمۡ ؕ وَ لَوۡ لَا کَلِمَۃٌ سَبَقَتۡ مِنۡ رَّبِّکَ اِلٰۤی اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّی لَّقُضِیَ بَیۡنَهُمۡ ؕ وَ اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ اُوۡرِثُوا الۡکِتٰبَ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ لَفِیۡ شَکٍّ مِّنۡهُ مُرِیۡبٍ ﴿۱۴
And they divided not till after knowledge had come to them, through selfish transgression between themselves. And had it not been for a word that went forth before from your Lord for an appointed term, the matter would have been settled between them. And verily, those who were made to inherit the scripture after them (i.e., Jews and Christians) are in grave doubt concerning it. [Surah ash-Shura 42:14]
As for the second assumption, then how many think that the people of the true religion are humiliated and punished in the dunya, as opposed to those who differ from them regarding to whom they are obedient and who reject Allah's promise and support?
Allah, the Glorified, clarified both assumptions in His Book:
اِنَّا لَنَنۡصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا فِی الۡحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنۡیَا وَ یَوۡمَ یَقُوۡمُ الۡاَشۡهَادُ ﴿ۙ۵۱
Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our messen- gers and those who believe in this world's life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth (i.e., the Day of Resurrection) [Surah Ghafir 40:51]
And He, the Most High, said in His Book:
وَ لَقَدۡ سَبَقَتۡ کَلِمَتُنَا لِعِبَادِنَا الۡمُرۡسَلِیۡنَ ﴿۱۷۱ اِنَّهُمۡ لَهُمُ الۡمَنۡصُوۡرُوۡنَ ﴿۱۷۲ وَ اِنَّ جُنۡدَنَا لَهُمُ الۡغٰلِبُوۡنَ ﴿۱۷۳
And, verily, Our word has gone forth of old for Our slaves, the messengers, that they verily would be made triumphant. [Surah as-Saffat 37:171-173]
And He, the Most High, said:
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ یُحَآدُّوۡنَ اللّٰهَ وَ رَسُوۡلَهٗ کُبِتُوۡا کَمَا کُبِتَ الَّذِیۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِهِمۡ وَ قَدۡ اَنۡزَلۡنَاۤ اٰیٰتٍۭ بَیِّنٰتٍ ؕ وَ لِلۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ عَذَابٌ مُّهِیۡنٌ ۚ﴿۵
Verily, those who oppose Allah and His Messenger will be disgraced, as those before them (among the past nations) were disgraced. And We have sent down clear ayat (signs and verses). And for the disbelievers is a disgracing torment. [Surah al-Mujadilah 58:5]
And He, the Most High, said:
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ یُحَآدُّوۡنَ اللّٰهَ وَ رَسُوۡلَهٗۤ اُولٰٓئِکَ فِی الۡاَذَلِّیۡنَ ﴿۲۰ ১ کَتَبَ اللّٰهُ لَاَغۡلِبَنَّ اَنَا وَ رُسُلِیۡ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ قَوِیٌّ عَزِیۡزٌ ﴿۲۱
Those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, they will be among the lowest (most humiliated). Allah has written: "Verily! It is I and My messen- gers who shall be the victorious." Verily, Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty.[Surah al-Mujadilah 58:20-21]
And He, the Most High, said:
اِنَّمَا وَلِیُّکُمُ اللّٰهُ وَ رَسُوۡلُهٗ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوا الَّذِیۡنَ یُقِیۡمُوۡنَ الصَّلٰوۃَ وَ یُؤۡتُوۡنَ الزَّکٰوۃَ وَ هُمۡ رٰکِعُوۡنَ ﴿۵۵ وَ مَنۡ یَّتَوَلَّ اللّٰهَ وَ رَسُوۡلَهٗ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا فَاِنَّ حِزۡبَ اللّٰهِ هُمُ الۡغٰلِبُوۡنَ ﴿۵۶
Verily, your Wali (Protector or Helper) is Allah, His Messenger, and the believers-those who perform the prayer and give zakah, and they bow down (submit themselves with obedience to Allah in prayer). And whosoever takes Allah, His Messenger, and those who have believed as protectors, then the party of Allah will be the victorious. [Surah al-Ma'idah 5:55-56]
And He rebukes those who seek help from allegiances with other than the believers:
یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الۡیَهُوۡدَ وَ النَّصٰرٰۤی اَوۡلِیَآءَ ۘؔ بَعۡضُهُمۡ اَوۡلِیَآءُ بَعۡضٍ ؕ وَ مَنۡ یَّتَوَلَّهُمۡ مِّنۡکُمۡ فَاِنَّهٗ مِنۡهُمۡ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا یَهۡدِی الۡقَوۡمَ الظّٰلِمِیۡنَ ﴿۵۱ فَتَرَی الَّذِیۡنَ فِیۡ قُلُوۡبِهِمۡ مَّرَضٌ یُّسَارِعُوۡنَ فِیۡهِمۡ یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ نَخۡشٰۤی اَنۡ تُصِیۡبَنَا دَآئِرَۃٌ ؕ فَعَسَی اللّٰهُ اَنۡ یَّاۡتِیَ بِالۡفَتۡحِ اَوۡ اَمۡرٍ مِّنۡ عِنۡدِهٖ فَیُصۡبِحُوۡا عَلٰی مَاۤ اَسَرُّوۡا فِیۡۤ اَنۡفُسِهِمۡ نٰدِمِیۡنَ ﴿ؕ۵۲ وَ یَقُوۡلُ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اَهٰۤؤُلَآءِ الَّذِیۡنَ اَقۡسَمُوۡا بِاللّٰهِ جَهۡدَ اَیۡمَانِهِمۡ ۙ اِنَّهُمۡ لَمَعَکُمۡ ؕ حَبِطَتۡ اَعۡمَالُهُمۡ فَاَصۡبَحُوۡا خٰسِرِیۡنَ ﴿۵۳
O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as awliya' (friends, protectors, helpers, etc.); they are but awliya' to one another. And if any among you takes them as awliya', then surely he is one of them. Verily, Allah guides not those people who are the wrongdoers. And you see those in whose hearts there is a disease (of hypocrisy), they hurry to them, saying, "We fear lest some misfor- tune of a disaster may befall us." Perhaps Allah may bring a victory or a decision according to His will. Then they will become regretful for what they have been keeping as a secret in themselves. And those who believe will say, "Are these the ones who swore by Allah their strongest oaths that indeed they were with you?" Their deeds have become worthless and they have become losers. [Surah al-Ma'idah 5:51-53]
And He, the Most High, said in His Book:
بَشِّرِ الۡمُنٰفِقِیۡنَ بِاَنَّ لَهُمۡ عَذَابًا اَلِیۡمَۨا ﴿۱۳۸ الَّذِیۡنَ یَتَّخِذُوۡنَ الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ اَوۡلِیَآءَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ؕ اَیَبۡتَغُوۡنَ عِنۡدَهُمُ الۡعِزَّۃَ فَاِنَّ الۡعِزَّۃَ لِلّٰهِ جَمِیۡعًا ﴿۱۳۹
Give to the hypocrites the tidings that there is for them a painful torment. Those who take disbeliev- ers for awliya' (protectors or helpers or friends) instead of believers, do they seek honor, power and glory with them? Verily, then to Allah belongs all honor, power, and glory. And He, the Most High, said: [Surah an-Nisa 4:138-139]
یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ لَئِنۡ رَّجَعۡنَاۤ اِلَی الۡمَدِیۡنَۃِ لَیُخۡرِجَنَّ الۡاَعَزُّ مِنۡهَا الۡاَذَلَّ ؕ وَ لِلّٰهِ الۡعِزَّۃُ وَ لِرَسُوۡلِهٖ وَ لِلۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ وَ لٰکِنَّ الۡمُنٰفِقِیۡنَ لَا یَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿۸
They (the hypocrites) say, "If we return to al-Madinah, indeed the more honorable (Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salül, the chief of hypocrites in al-Madinah) will expel therefrom the meaner (i.e., Allah's Messenger)." But honor, power, and glory belong to Allah, His Messenger (Muhammad ), and the believers, but the hypocrites know not. [Surah al-Munafiqun 63:8]
And He, the Most High, said:
مَنۡ کَانَ یُرِیۡدُ الۡعِزَّۃَ فَلِلّٰهِ الۡعِزَّۃُ جَمِیۡعًا ؕ اِلَیۡهِ یَصۡعَدُ الۡکَلِمُ الطَّیِّبُ وَ الۡعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ یَرۡفَعُهٗ ؕ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ یَمۡکُرُوۡنَ السَّیِّاٰتِ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ شَدِیۡدٌ ؕ وَ مَکۡرُ اُولٰٓئِکَ هُوَ یَبُوۡرُ ﴿۱۰
Whosoever desires honor, power, and glory, then to Allah belong all honor, power, and glory [and one can get honor, power, and glory only by obeying and worshiping Allah (alone)]. To Him ascend (all) the goodly words, and the righteous deeds exalt it (the goodly words, i.e., the goodly words are not accepted by Allah unless and until they are followed by good deeds), but those who plot evils, theirs will be a severe torment. And the plotting of such will perish. [Surah Fatir 35:10]
And He, the Most High, said:
هُوَ الَّذِیۡۤ اَرۡسَلَ رَسُوۡلَهٗ بِالۡهُدٰی وَ دِیۡنِ الۡحَقِّ لِیُظۡهِرَهٗ عَلَی الدِّیۡنِ کُلِّهٖ ؕ وَ کَفٰی بِاللّٰهِ شَهِیۡدًا ﴿ؕ۲۸
He it is Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad )with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam), that He may make it (Islam) superior over all religions. And All-Sufficient is Allah as a witness. [Surah al-Fath 48:28]
And He, the Most High, said:
یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا هَلۡ اَدُلُّکُمۡ عَلٰی تِجَارَۃٍ تُنۡجِیۡکُمۡ مِّنۡ عَذَابٍ اَلِیۡمٍ ﴿۱۰ تُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَ رَسُوۡلِهٖ وَ تُجَاهِدُوۡنَ فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰهِ بِاَمۡوَالِکُمۡ وَ اَنۡفُسِکُمۡ ؕ ذٰلِکُمۡ خَیۡرٌ لَّکُمۡ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿ۙ۱۱ یَغۡفِرۡ لَکُمۡ ذُنُوۡبَکُمۡ وَ یُدۡخِلۡکُمۡ جَنّٰتٍ تَجۡرِیۡ مِنۡ تَحۡتِهَا الۡاَنۡهٰرُ وَ مَسٰکِنَ طَیِّبَۃً فِیۡ جَنّٰتِ عَدۡنٍ ؕ ذٰلِکَ الۡفَوۡزُ الۡعَظِیۡمُ ﴿ۙ۱۲ وَ اُخۡرٰی تُحِبُّوۡنَهَا ؕ نَصۡرٌ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ وَ فَتۡحٌ قَرِیۡبٌ ؕ وَ بَشِّرِ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ﴿۱۳ یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا کُوۡنُوۡۤا اَنۡصَارَ اللّٰهِ کَمَا قَالَ عِیۡسَی ابۡنُ مَرۡیَمَ لِلۡحَوَارِیّٖنَ مَنۡ اَنۡصَارِیۡۤ اِلَی اللّٰهِ ؕ قَالَ الۡحَوَارِیُّوۡنَ نَحۡنُ اَنۡصَارُ اللّٰهِ فَاٰمَنَتۡ طَّآئِفَۃٌ مِّنۡۢ بَنِیۡۤ اِسۡرَآءِیۡلَ وَ کَفَرَتۡ طَّآئِفَۃٌ ۚ فَاَیَّدۡنَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا عَلٰی عَدُوِّهِمۡ فَاَصۡبَحُوۡا ظٰهِرِیۡنَ ﴿۱۴
O you who believe! Shall I guide you to a commerce that will save you from a painful torment? That you believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and that you strive hard and strive for the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives, that will be better for you, if you but know! (If you do so) He will forgive you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow, and pleasant dwelling in Gardens of Eternity; that is indeed the great success. And also (He will give you) another (blessing) which you love, help from Allah (against your enemies) and a near victory. And give glad tidings (O Muhammad) to the believers. O you who believe! Be you helpers (in the cause) of Allah as Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said to al-Hawariyyān (the Disciples): “Who are my helpers (in the cause) of Allah?" Al-Hawariyyun (the Disciples) said, "We are Allah's helpers." Then a group of the Children of Israel believed and a group disbelieved. So We gave power to those who believed against their enemies, and they became the uppermost. [Surah as-Saff 61:10-14]
And He, the Most High, said:
اِذۡ قَالَ اللّٰهُ یٰعِیۡسٰۤی اِنِّیۡ مُتَوَفِّیۡکَ وَ رَافِعُکَ اِلَیَّ وَ مُطَهِّرُکَ مِنَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا وَ جَاعِلُ الَّذِیۡنَ اتَّبَعُوۡکَ فَوۡقَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡۤا اِلٰی یَوۡمِ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ ۚ ثُمَّ اِلَیَّ مَرۡجِعُکُمۡ فَاَحۡکُمُ بَیۡنَکُمۡ فِیۡمَا کُنۡتُمۡ فِیۡهِ تَخۡتَلِفُوۡنَ ﴿۵۵
And (remember) when Allah said, "O 'Ïsă (Jesus)! I will take you and raise you to Myself and clear you (of the forged statement that 'Isa is Allah's son) of those who disbelieve, and I will make those who follow you superior to those who disbelieve till the Day of Resurrection. Then you will return to Me and I will judge between you in the matters in which you used to dispute." [Surah Ali 'Imran 3:55]
And He, the Most High, said:
وَ لَوۡ قٰتَلَکُمُ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا لَوَلَّوُا الۡاَدۡبَارَ ثُمَّ لَا یَجِدُوۡنَ وَلِیًّا وَّ لَا نَصِیۡرًا ﴿۲۲ سُنَّۃَ اللّٰهِ الَّتِیۡ قَدۡ خَلَتۡ مِنۡ قَبۡلُ ۚۖ وَ لَنۡ تَجِدَ لِسُنَّۃِ اللّٰهِ تَبۡدِیۡلًا ﴿۲۳
And if those who disbelieve fight against you, they certainly would have turned their backs; then they would have found neither a wali (protector) nor a helper. That has been the way of Allah already with those who passed away before. And you will not find any change in the way of Allah. [Surah al-Fatl 48:22-23]
And He, the Most High, said:
هُوَ الَّذِیۡۤ اَخۡرَجَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا مِنۡ اَهۡلِ الۡکِتٰبِ مِنۡ دِیَارِهِمۡ لِاَوَّلِ الۡحَشۡرِ ؕؔ مَا ظَنَنۡتُمۡ اَنۡ یَّخۡرُجُوۡا وَ ظَنُّوۡۤا اَنَّهُمۡ مَّانِعَتُهُمۡ حُصُوۡنُهُمۡ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ فَاَتٰىهُمُ اللّٰهُ مِنۡ حَیۡثُ لَمۡ یَحۡتَسِبُوۡا ٭ وَ قَذَفَ فِیۡ قُلُوۡبِهِمُ الرُّعۡبَ یُخۡرِبُوۡنَ بُیُوۡتَهُمۡ بِاَیۡدِیۡهِمۡ وَ اَیۡدِی الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ٭ فَاعۡتَبِرُوۡا یٰۤاُولِی الۡاَبۡصَارِ ﴿۲
He it is Who drove out the disbelievers among the People of the Scripture (i.e., the Jews of the tribe of Banun-Nadir) from their homes at the first gather-ing.[Surah al-Hashr 59:2]
To His saying:
ذٰلِکَ بِاَنَّهُمۡ شَآقُّوا اللّٰهَ وَ رَسُوۡلَهٗ ۚ وَ مَنۡ یُّشَآقِّ اللّٰهَ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ شَدِیۡدُ الۡعِقَابِ ﴿۴
That is because they opposed Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad). And whosoever opposes Allah, then verily, Allah is severe in punish-ment. [Surah al-Hashr 59:4]
And He, the Most High, said:
وَ لَا تَهِنُوۡا وَ لَا تَحۡزَنُوۡا وَ اَنۡتُمُ الۡاَعۡلَوۡنَ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ مُّؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ﴿۱۳۹
So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers. [Surah Ali 'Imran 3:139]
And Allah said in the story of Nüh when He helped him in the dunya:
تِلْكَ مِنْ أَنبَاءِ الْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهَا إِلَيْكَ مَا كُنتَ تَعْلَمُهَا أَنتَ وَلَا قَوْمُكَ مِن قَبْلِ هَذَا فَاصْبِرْ إِنَّ الْعَاقِبَةَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
This is from the news of the unseen which We reveal unto you (O Muhammad); neither you nor your people knew them before this. So be patient. Surely, the (good) end is for the muttaqun (pious). [Surah Hüd 11:49]
And He, the Most High, said:
وَ اۡمُرۡ اَهۡلَکَ بِالصَّلٰوۃِ وَ اصۡطَبِرۡ عَلَیۡهَا ؕ لَا نَسۡـَٔلُکَ رِزۡقًا ؕ نَحۡنُ نَرۡزُقُکَ ؕ وَ الۡعَاقِبَۃُ لِلتَّقۡوٰی ﴿۱۳۲
And enjoin the salah (the prayer) on your family, and be patient in offering them (i.e., the salah). We ask not of you a provision (i.e., to give Allah something, money, etc.); We provide for you. And the good end (i.e., Paradise) is for the muttaqun (pious). [Surah Ta-Ha 20:132]
And He, the Most High, said:
وَ لَا تَهِنُوۡا وَ لَا تَحۡزَنُوۡا وَ اَنۡتُمُ الۡاَعۡلَوۡنَ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ مُّؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ﴿۱۳۹
O you who believe! Take not as (your) bitanah (advisors, consultants, protectors, helpers, friends, etc.) those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. [Surah Ali 'Imran 3:118]
To His saying:
اِنۡ تَمۡسَسۡکُمۡ حَسَنَۃٌ تَسُؤۡهُمۡ ۫ وَ اِنۡ تُصِبۡکُمۡ سَیِّئَۃٌ یَّفۡرَحُوۡا بِهَا ؕ وَ اِنۡ تَصۡبِرُوۡا وَ تَتَّقُوۡا لَا یَضُرُّکُمۡ کَیۡدُهُمۡ شَیۡـًٔا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ بِمَا یَعۡمَلُوۡنَ مُحِیۡطٌ ﴿۱۲۰
But if you remain patient and become al-muttaqin (the pious), not the least harm will their cunning do to you. Surely, Allah surrounds all that they do. [Surah Ali Imran 3:120]
And He, the Most High, said:
بَلٰۤی ۙ اِنۡ تَصۡبِرُوۡا وَ تَتَّقُوۡا وَ یَاۡتُوۡکُمۡ مِّنۡ فَوۡرِهِمۡ هٰذَا یُمۡدِدۡکُمۡ رَبُّکُمۡ بِخَمۡسَۃِ اٰلٰفٍ مِّنَ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃِ مُسَوِّمِیۡنَ ﴿۱۲۵
Yes, if you hold on to patience and piety, and the enemy comes rushing at you, your Lord will help you with five thousand angels having marks (of distinction). [Surah Ali Imran 3:125]
And Yusuf said-and Allah helped him in the dunya-when his brothers came to him:
قَالُوۡۤا ءَاِنَّکَ لَاَنۡتَ یُوۡسُفُ ؕ قَالَ اَنَا یُوۡسُفُ وَ هٰذَاۤ اَخِیۡ ۫ قَدۡ مَنَّ اللّٰهُ عَلَیۡنَا ؕ اِنَّهٗ مَنۡ یَّـتَّقِ وَ یَصۡبِرۡ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا یُضِیۡعُ اَجۡرَ الۡمُحۡسِنِیۡنَ ﴿۹۰
They said, "Are you indeed Yusuf?" He said, "I am Yusuf, and this is my brother (Benjamin). Allah has indeed been gracious to us. Verily, he who fears Allah with obedience to Him (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds, and by performing righteous good deeds) and is patient, then surely, Allah makes not the reward of the muhsinün (good-doers) to be lost." [Surah Yusuf 12:90]
And He, the Most High, said:
فَلَمَّا قَضٰی مُوۡسَی الۡاَجَلَ وَ سَارَ بِاَهۡلِهٖۤ اٰنَسَ مِنۡ جَانِبِ الطُّوۡرِ نَارًا ۚ قَالَ لِاَهۡلِهِ امۡکُثُوۡۤا اِنِّیۡۤ اٰنَسۡتُ نَارًا لَّعَلِّیۡۤ اٰتِیۡکُمۡ مِّنۡهَا بِخَبَرٍ اَوۡ جَذۡوَۃٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تَصۡطَلُوۡنَ ﴿۲۹
O you who believe! If you obey and fear Allah, He will grant you furqan (a criterion to judge between right and wrong or a way for you to get out from every difficulty), and will expiate for you your sins, and forgive you, and Allah is the Owner of the great bounty. [Surah al-Anfal 28:29]
And He, the Most High, said:
فَاِذَا بَلَغۡنَ اَجَلَهُنَّ فَاَمۡسِکُوۡهُنَّ بِمَعۡرُوۡفٍ اَوۡ فَارِقُوۡهُنَّ بِمَعۡرُوۡفٍ وَّ اَشۡهِدُوۡا ذَوَیۡ عَدۡلٍ مِّنۡکُمۡ وَ اَقِیۡمُوا الشَّهَادَۃَ لِلّٰهِ ؕ ذٰلِکُمۡ یُوۡعَظُ بِهٖ مَنۡ کَانَ یُؤۡمِنُ بِاللّٰهِ وَ الۡیَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ ۬ؕ وَ مَنۡ یَّتَّقِ اللّٰهَ یَجۡعَلۡ لَّهٗ مَخۡرَجًا ۙ﴿۲ وَّ یَرۡزُقۡهُ مِنۡ حَیۡثُ لَا یَحۡتَسِبُ ؕ وَ مَنۡ یَّتَوَکَّلۡ عَلَی اللّٰهِ فَهُوَ حَسۡبُهٗ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ بَالِغُ اَمۡرِهٖ ؕ قَدۡ جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ لِکُلِّ شَیۡءٍ قَدۡرًا ﴿۳
And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Indeed, Allah has set a measure for all things. [Surah at-Talaq 65:2-3]
Abu Dharr narrated that the Prophet said:
لو عمل الناس كلهم بهذه الآية لوسعتهم.
If all the people were to act upon this verse, it would be sufficient for them. *3
And He informs us that the calamities faced from the victories of our enemies are due solely to our own sins:
اَوَ لَمَّاۤ اَصَابَتۡکُمۡ مُّصِیۡبَۃٌ قَدۡ اَصَبۡتُمۡ مِّثۡلَیۡهَا ۙ قُلۡتُمۡ اَنّٰی هٰذَا ؕ قُلۡ هُوَ مِنۡ عِنۡدِ اَنۡفُسِکُمۡ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ قَدِیۡرٌ ﴿۱۶۵
(What is the matter with you?) When a single disas- ter smites you, although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great, you say, "From where does this come to us?" Say (to them): "It is from yourselves (because of your bad deeds)." [Surah Ali Imran 3:165]
And He, the Most High, said:
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ تَوَلَّوۡا مِنۡکُمۡ یَوۡمَ الۡتَقَی الۡجَمۡعٰنِ ۙ اِنَّمَا اسۡتَزَلَّهُمُ الشَّیۡطٰنُ بِبَعۡضِ مَا کَسَبُوۡا ۚ وَ لَقَدۡ عَفَا اللّٰهُ عَنۡهُمۡ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوۡرٌ حَلِیۡمٌ ﴿۱۵۵
Those of you who turned back on the day the two hosts met (i.e., the Battle of Uhud), it was the Shaytan who caused them to backslide (run away from the battlefield) because of some (sins) they had earned. But Allah, indeed, has forgiven them. [Surah Ali 'Imran 3:155]
And He, the Most High, said:
وَ مَاۤ اَصَابَکُمۡ مِّنۡ مُّصِیۡبَۃٍ فَبِمَا کَسَبَتۡ اَیۡدِیۡکُمۡ وَ یَعۡفُوۡا عَنۡ کَثِیۡرٍ ﴿ؕ۳۰
And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much. [Surah ash-Shura 42:30]
And He, the Most High, said:
مَاۤ اَصَابَکَ مِنۡ حَسَنَۃٍ فَمِنَ اللّٰهِ ۫ وَ مَاۤ اَصَابَکَ مِنۡ سَیِّئَۃٍ فَمِنۡ نَّفۡسِکَ ؕ وَ اَرۡسَلۡنٰکَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُوۡلًا ؕ وَ کَفٰی بِاللّٰهِ شَهِیۡدًا ﴿۷۹
Whatever of good reaches you is from Allah, but whatever of evil befalls you is from yourself. [Surah an-Nisa 4:79]
And He, the Most High, said:
وَ اِذَاۤ اَذَقۡنَا النَّاسَ رَحۡمَۃً فَرِحُوۡا بِهَا ؕ وَ اِنۡ تُصِبۡهُمۡ سَیِّئَۃٌۢ بِمَا قَدَّمَتۡ اَیۡدِیۡهِمۡ اِذَا هُمۡ یَقۡنَطُوۡنَ ﴿۳۶
But when some evil afflicts them because of what their (own) hands (evil deeds and sins) have sent forth...[Surah ar-Rüm 30:36]
اَوۡ یُوۡبِقۡهُنَّ بِمَا کَسَبُوۡا وَ یَعۡفُ عَنۡ کَثِیۡرٍ ﴿۫۳۴
Or He may destroy them, because of that which they have earned. [Surah ash-Shura 42:34]
He censured in His Book those who do not trust in His promise to His believing slaves, and He mentions that which befalls the messengers and believers:
اذۡ جَآءُوۡکُمۡ مِّنۡ فَوۡقِکُمۡ وَ مِنۡ اَسۡفَلَ مِنۡکُمۡ وَ اِذۡ زَاغَتِ الۡاَبۡصَارُ وَ بَلَغَتِ الۡقُلُوۡبُ الۡحَنَاجِرَ وَ تَظُنُّوۡنَ بِاللّٰهِ الظُّنُوۡنَا ﴿۱۰ هُنَالِکَ ابۡتُلِیَ الۡمُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ وَ زُلۡزِلُوۡا زِلۡزَالًا شَدِیۡدًا ﴿۱۱ وَ اِذۡ یَقُوۡلُ الۡمُنٰفِقُوۡنَ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ فِیۡ قُلُوۡبِهِمۡ مَّرَضٌ مَّا وَعَدَنَا اللّٰهُ وَ رَسُوۡلُهٗۤ اِلَّا غُرُوۡرًا ﴿۱۲ وَ اِذۡ قَالَتۡ طَّآئِفَۃٌ مِّنۡهُمۡ یٰۤاَهۡلَ یَثۡرِبَ لَا مُقَامَ لَکُمۡ فَارۡجِعُوۡا ۚ وَ یَسۡتَاۡذِنُ فَرِیۡقٌ مِّنۡهُمُ النَّبِیَّ یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ اِنَّ بُیُوۡتَنَا عَوۡرَۃٌ ؕۛ وَ مَا هِیَ بِعَوۡرَۃٍ ۚۛ اِنۡ یُّرِیۡدُوۡنَ اِلَّا فِرَارًا ﴿۱۳ وَ لَوۡ دُخِلَتۡ عَلَیۡهِمۡ مِّنۡ اَقۡطَارِهَا ثُمَّ سُئِلُوا الۡفِتۡنَۃَ لَاٰتَوۡهَا وَ مَا تَلَبَّثُوۡا بِهَاۤ اِلَّا یَسِیۡرًا ﴿۱۴
When they came upon you from above you and from below you, and when the eyes grew wild and the hearts reached the throats, and you were harboring doubts about Allah. There, the believers were tried and shaken with a mighty shaking. And when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease (of doubts) said, "Allah and His Messenger promised us nothing but delusions!" And when a party of them said, "O people of Yathrib (al-Madinah)! There is no stand (possible) for you (against the enemy attack!) Therefore, go back!" And a band of them ask for permission of the Prophet, saying, "Truly, our homes lie open (to the enemy)." And they lay not open. They but wished to flee. And if the enemy had entered from all sides (of the city), and they had been exhorted to al-fitnah (i.e., to leave from Islam to polytheism), they would surely have committed it and would have hesitated there- upon except a few. [Surah al-Ahzab 33:10-14]
And He, the Most High, said:
اَمۡ حَسِبۡتُمۡ اَنۡ تَدۡخُلُوا الۡجَنَّۃَ وَ لَمَّا یَاۡتِکُمۡ مَّثَلُ الَّذِیۡنَ خَلَوۡا مِنۡ قَبۡلِکُمۡ ؕ مَسَّتۡهُمُ الۡبَاۡسَآءُ وَ الضَّرَّآءُ وَ زُلۡزِلُوۡا حَتّٰی یَقُوۡلَ الرَّسُوۡلُ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا مَعَهٗ مَتٰی نَصۡرُ اللّٰهِ ؕ اَلَاۤ اِنَّ نَصۡرَ اللّٰهِ قَرِیۡبٌ ﴿۲۱۴
Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, "When (will come) the help of Allah?" Yes! Certainly, the help of Allah is near! [Surah al-Baqarah 2:214]
And He, the Most High, said:
وَ مَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مِنۡ قَبۡلِکَ اِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوۡحِیۡۤ اِلَیۡهِمۡ مِّنۡ اَهۡلِ الۡقُرٰی ؕ اَفَلَمۡ یَسِیۡرُوۡا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ فَیَنۡظُرُوۡا کَیۡفَ کَانَ عَاقِبَۃُ الَّذِیۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِهِمۡ ؕ وَ لَدَارُ الۡاٰخِرَۃِ خَیۡرٌ لِّلَّذِیۡنَ اتَّقَوۡا ؕ اَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُوۡنَ ﴿۱۰۹ حَتّٰۤی اِذَا اسۡتَیۡـَٔسَ الرُّسُلُ وَ ظَنُّوۡۤا اَنَّهُمۡ قَدۡ کُذِبُوۡا جَآءَهُمۡ نَصۡرُنَا ۙ فَنُجِّیَ مَنۡ نَّشَآءُ ؕ وَلَا یُرَدُّ بَاۡسُنَا عَنِ الۡقَوۡمِ الۡمُجۡرِمِیۡنَ ﴿۱۱۰ لَقَدۡ کَانَ فِیۡ قَصَصِهِمۡ عِبۡرَۃٌ لِّاُولِی الۡاَلۡبَابِ ؕ مَا کَانَ حَدِیۡثًا یُّفۡتَرٰی وَ لٰکِنۡ تَصۡدِیۡقَ الَّذِیۡ بَیۡنَ یَدَیۡهِ وَ تَفۡصِیۡلَ کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ وَّ هُدًی وَّ رَحۡمَۃً لِّقَوۡمٍ یُّؤۡمِنُوۡنَ ﴿۱۱۱
And We sent not before you (as messengers) any but men, whom We inspired from among the people of townships. Have they not traveled through the earth and seen what was the end of those who were before them? And verily, the home of the Hereafter is the best for those who fear Allah and obey Him (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds, and by performing righteous good deeds). Do you not then understand? (They were reprieved) until, when the messengers gave up hope and thought that they were denied (by their people), then came to them Our help, and whomsoever We willed was delivered. And Our punishment cannot be warded off from the people who are mujrimün (criminals, those disobe- dient to Allah, sinners, disbelievers, polytheists). Indeed, in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (the Qur'an) is not a forged state- ment but a confirmation of Allah's existing Books [the Tawrah (Torah), the Injil (Gospel), and other scriptures of Allah] and a detailed explanation of everything and a guide and a mercy for the people who believe. [Surah Yusuf 12:109-111]
This is why Allah commanded His messengers and the believ- ers to follow what was sent down as revelation to them, which is obedience to Him (which is the first assumption), and to await His promise (which is the second assumption). He commanded us to seek forgiveness and to be patient, because it is a certainty that they will fall short and commit sins, and seeking forgiveness removes that, and one must have patience while waiting for Allah's promise. Hence, through seeking forgiveness, one completes his obedience, and through patience, one completes his certainty for Allah's promise. And this all enters the definition of obedience and iman. Allah, the Most High, said:
وَ اتَّبِعۡ مَا یُوۡحٰۤی اِلَیۡکَ وَ اصۡبِرۡ حَتّٰی یَحۡکُمَ اللّٰهُ ۚۖ وَ هُوَ خَیۡرُ الۡحٰکِمِیۡنَ ﴿۱۰۹
And (O Muhammad), follow the inspiration sent unto you, and be patient till Allah gives judgment. And He is the best of judges. [Surah Yunus 10:109]
And He, the Most High, said:
وَ لَقَدۡ کُذِّبَتۡ رُسُلٌ مِّنۡ قَبۡلِکَ فَصَبَرُوۡا عَلٰی مَا کُذِّبُوۡا وَ اُوۡذُوۡا حَتّٰۤی اَتٰهُمۡ نَصۡرُنَا ۚ وَ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِکَلِمٰتِ اللّٰهِ ۚ وَ لَقَدۡ جَآءَکَ مِنۡ نَّبَاِی الۡمُرۡسَلِیۡنَ ﴿۳۴
Verily, (many) messengers were denied before you (O Muhammad), but with patience they bore the denial, and they were hurt, till Our help reached them, and none can alter the words (decisions) of Allah. Surely there has reached you the information (news) about the messengers (before you). [Surah al-An'am 6:34]
And He, the Most High, said:
فَاصۡبِرۡ ؕۛ اِنَّ الۡعَاقِبَۃَ لِلۡمُتَّقِیۡنَ ﴿۴۹
Be patient. Surely, the (good) end is for the muttaqin (pious). [Surah Hüd 11:49]
And He commanded them also with patience if they were afflicted by a calamity due to their own sins, such as the appearance of an enemy. As He, the Most High, said regarding the story of Uhud:
وَ لَا تَهِنُوۡا وَ لَا تَحۡزَنُوۡا وَ اَنۡتُمُ الۡاَعۡلَوۡنَ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ مُّؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ﴿۱۳۹ اِنۡ یَّمۡسَسۡکُمۡ قَرۡحٌ فَقَدۡ مَسَّ الۡقَوۡمَ قَرۡحٌ مِّثۡلُهٗ ؕ وَ تِلۡکَ الۡاَیَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا بَیۡنَ النَّاسِ ۚ وَ لِیَعۡلَمَ اللّٰهُ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ یَتَّخِذَ مِنۡکُمۡ شُهَدَآءَ ؕ وَ اللّٰهُ لَا یُحِبُّ الظّٰلِمِیۡنَ ﴿۱۴۰ وَ لِیُمَحِّصَ اللّٰهُ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ یَمۡحَقَ الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ ﴿۱۴۱
So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers. If a wound has touched you, be sure a similar wound has touched the others. And so are the days (good and not so good) We give to men by turns, that Allah may test those who believe, and that He may take martyrs from among you. And Allah likes not the wrongdoers. [Surah Ali Imran 3:139-141]
Allah, the Glorified, also told the stories of how he aided His messengers and believing slaves against the disbelievers in the stories of Nüh, Hüd, Ṣāliḥ, Shu'ayb, Lut, Fir'awn, and others. He, the Most High, said:
لَقَدۡ کَانَ فِیۡ قَصَصِهِمۡ عِبۡرَۃٌ لِّاُولِی الۡاَلۡبَابِ
Indeed, in their stories is a lesson for men of under-standing. [Surah Yusuf 12:111]
And He, the Most High, said:
وَ لَقَدۡ اَنۡزَلۡنَاۤ اِلَیۡکُمۡ اٰیٰتٍ مُّبَیِّنٰتٍ وَّ مَثَلًا مِّنَ الَّذِیۡنَ خَلَوۡا مِنۡ قَبۡلِکُمۡ وَ مَوۡعِظَۃً لِّلۡمُتَّقِیۡنَ ﴿۳۴
And indeed, We have sent down for you ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) that make things plain, and the example of those who passed away before you, and an admonition for those who are al-muttaqin (the pious). [Surah an-Nur 24:34]
Two principles for enjoyment
The first principle is that if a group receives aid and support and other types of enjoyment, this does not remove the possibility of death, injury, or some other harm, because all of creation dies at some point, so death should not be viewed as an unusually harsh calamity.
And He informs us that no slave is safe from Allah, if He intends for him something bad or if He intends for him mercy, and he has no protector or helper besides Allah. Where can we flee to escape Allah's command and judgment? There is no refuge from Him except to Him. Allah, the Most High, said:
فَفِرُّوۡۤا اِلَی اللّٰهِ ؕ اِنِّیۡ لَکُمۡ مِّنۡهُ نَذِیۡرٌ مُّبِیۡنٌ ﴿ۚ۵۰
So flee to Allah (from His torment to His mercy). Indeed, I (Muhammad) am a plain warner to you from Him. [Surah adh-Dhariyat 51:50]
This is something that everyone knows, whether they are pious or sinners, as Abū Hāzim al-Hakim said: "Those who do not fear Allah will not find a cure for the creation better than what the pious person has found from at-taqwa (fearing Allah)."
Allah puts the believer with the most complete iman through the most trials and tribulations, as was said to the Prophet:
الأَنْبِيَاءُ ثُمَّ الأَمْثَلُ فَالْأَمْثَلُ يُبْتَلَى الْعَبْدُ عَلَى حَسَبِ دِينِهِ فَإِنْ كَانَ فِي دِينِهِ صُلْبَا اشْتَدَّ بَلاؤُهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ فِي دِينِهِ رِقَةٌ ابْتُلِيَ عَلَى حَسَبِ دِينِهِ فَمَا يَبْرَحُ الْبَلَاءُ بِالْعَبْدِ حَتَّى يَتْرُكَهُ يَمْشِي عَلَى الْأَرْضِ وَمَا عَلَيْهِ مِنْ خَطِيئَةٍ.
"O Messenger of Allah, which people are most severely tested?" He said, "The prophets, then the next best and the next best. A person is tested according to his religious commitment. If he is steadfast in his religious commitment, he will be tested more severely, and if he is frail in his religious commitment, his test will be according to his commitment. Trials will continue to afflict a person until they leave him walking on the earth with no sin on him."*4
The second principle is that enjoyment is attained either through dunya means or religious means. The dunya means things that are tangible, such as food, drink, sexual relations, clothes, or things related to personal identity, such as status and power. The believer, the disbeliever, and the hypocrite all share in the first type. Then it is known that enjoyment from this type is not one equal reality among Bani Adam; rather, they differ greatly in its amount and description. Some people enjoy types of food and drink that would harm others, either because they are accustomed to it in their country or because their constitution is able to handle it, etc. Some people are attracted to people that others may dislike, such as how many people in the south are attracted to a brown complexion while people in the north tend to be attracted to a white complex- ion. Likewise, clothing and climate, because some people enjoy colder climates that would be harmful to others. The seasons also have an effect because people enjoy the heat during the winter, but look forward to the cold when it is summer.
The principle for this is that enjoyment in the dunya corresponds to the need or the benefit one derives from that thing, so the bigger the need and the greater the benefit, the more complete the enjoyment and pleasure will be, and indeed Allah has permitted the beneficial things for the believers.
Those who are moderate in their consumption of something experi- ence greater enjoyment than those who are excessive. This is because they become addicted and accustomed to that thing, so not much enjoyment remains for them even though they cannot do without it and they are afflicted by many illnesses because of it.
The religion is made up of two things: belief in the message, and obedience to the commandment. It is known that enjoyment of the message is in accordance to its level of nobility and honesty, and the believer has with him the most honest message about Allah and His creation which no one else possesses, so he has the greatest of pleasures, unlike those whose message contains a lot of lies. As for obedience, if what one is commanded with is piety and justice and it is beneficial, then his enjoyment is greater than one who is commanded with other than piety, justice, and that which is benefi- cial.
This is the difference between truth and falsehood. Indeed, Allah, the Most High, said:
اَلَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا وَ صَدُّوۡا عَنۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰهِ اَضَلَّ اَعۡمَالَهُمۡ ﴿۱ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ وَ اٰمَنُوۡا بِمَا نُزِّلَ عَلٰی مُحَمَّدٍ وَّ هُوَ الۡحَقُّ مِنۡ رَّبِّهِمۡ ۙ کَفَّرَ عَنۡهُمۡ سَیِّاٰتِهِمۡ وَ اَصۡلَحَ بَالَهُمۡ ﴿۲ ذٰلِکَ بِاَنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوا اتَّبَعُوا الۡبَاطِلَ وَ اَنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّبَعُوا الۡحَقَّ مِنۡ رَّبِّهِمۡ ؕ کَذٰلِکَ یَضۡرِبُ اللّٰهُ لِلنَّاسِ اَمۡثَالَهُمۡ ﴿۳
Those who disbelieve, and hinder (men) from the path of Allah, He will render their deeds vain. But those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and believe in what is sent down to Muhammad, for it is the truth from their Lord-He will expiate from them their sins and will make good their state. That is because those who disbelieve follow false- hood, while those who believe follow the truth from their Lord. Thus does Allah set forth their parables for mankind. And He, the Most High, said: [Surah Muhammad 47:1-3]
وَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡۤا اَعۡمَالُهُمۡ کَسَرَابٍۭ بِقِیۡعَۃٍ یَّحۡسَبُهُ الظَّمۡاٰنُ مَآءً ؕ حَتّٰۤی اِذَا جَآءَهٗ لَمۡ یَجِدۡهُ شَیۡئًا وَّ وَجَدَ اللّٰهَ عِنۡدَهٗ فَوَفّٰىهُ حِسَابَهٗ ؕ وَ اللّٰهُ سَرِیۡعُ الۡحِسَابِ ﴿ۙ۳۹
As for those who disbelieve, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one thinks it to be water, until he comes up to it-he finds it to be nothing, but he finds Allah with him, Who will pay him his due (Hell). And Allah is swift in taking account. [Surah an-Nür 24:39]
To elaborate: Rights are of two types: existing rights and intended rights, and each one necessitates the other.
Existing rights are established within themselves, so knowledge of them is the truth and the information about them is the truth. Intended rights are the benefits from which, if a person seeks them, he will benefit, and then he will obtain the enjoyment.
*1. I.e., a person with the belief mentioned may not disbelieve to the level that takes a person out of Islam, but he will commit minor disbelief regarding many of Islam's prin- ciples and doctrines.
*2. Reported by Muslim (1/110).
*3. Reported by Ibn Majah (2/1411) and others.
*4. "Reported by at-Tirmidhi (4/28), Ibn Majah (2/1334), and others
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