Muslims, are you worthy of victory?
Time is one of the greatest creations of Allah. Iqbal started one of his greatest poems, “Masjid-e Qurt̤ubah”; by explaining the nature of time, as it appears to us in a cyclical and unending series of days and nights and he describes time as a two-colored silk thread.
Within these two colored silk threads, events unfold, and all of them are bound by chains of days and nights or life and death. and within these inter-twinness God is showing its creativity and music of its possibilities.
In this twiness; it's a test for me and it's a test for you. And what if we fall short of the desired goal; death is unto me and death is on unto you.
Time is also eroding anything in its ways; the flow of time has drowned the greatest tyrants like Pharoh in the river of nothingness and destroyed the kingdom of Sodom and Gomorrah into a bin of dust.
So if one feels abjected by pain and suffering today, do not feel hopeless as time will also erode them and will return them to the throne of one God.
Everything that man creates is thus transient or ephemeral, and the final result is annihilation; except only an act done with Passion and Love that can transcend death.
And reminiscence of that action could be felt across the fabric of time. Also, God allows the beholder of these acts of passion to change the flow of time in their favor and be a part of God's creativity.
So Iqbal symbolizes the mosque as something created out of Love; and so it still stands tall today, though lots of days and nights have passed over it and the same can be said for the words of Iqbal.
Promise on Time and Humanity's failure.
God also promised; on the time that is passing by (showing its importance) when he revealed it in the Quran.
By the ˹passage of˺ time! Surely humanity is in ˹grave˺ loss, except those who have faith, do good, and urge each other to the truth, and urge each other to perseverance.
Scholars have the opinion if this is the only surah revealed in the Quran; it will also have to suffice, here God defines the baseline for success where everyone is on the losing side (hereafter) except for those humans who can achieve faith, and based on it do good deeds and stop wrong being committed around them; and when they call out the humanity toward truth they will be oppressed ( or face resistance) and under those circumstances, stay strong and preserve; only those are the one that stand a chance to be successful.
It is also possible; that only one person be able to avoid the predestination every human is moving toward in society.
Are Muslims able to meet the baseline? or are they mostly satisfied by the fact that they can say two lines that make them Muslim, and then able to follow the basic tenets of Islam; while going through their life in a secular manner?
What happens if the believer does not perform its duty?
“Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He [i.e. Allah] may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [i.e. refrain].” [Al-Qur’an 30:41]
We live in a world; where if someone puts their head on the ground and looks at the world it would seem alright; everything has been made upside down. We have become depressed and dehumanized and Injustice has filled the world where Inequality is the order of the day and humans are in a rat race to produce the next billionaire while arguing about the sanctity of a human life.
It's not that there existed Evil personalities and empires in the past in the past; Satan has been living for eternity but there are always pious and strong believers who love God more than their desire and are willing to stand firm against a tyrant and battles have been won which are not mathematically possible.
We can see it in
David vs Goliath
Moses vs the Pharaoh
and Muslim armies at the time of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, who defeated the giant of the Persian and Roman empires at their time.
So where are those believers today?
God's Principle of Help
God is always willing to help — Verily, the help of Allah is (always) near!) ; but God does not change the condition of a people [for the worse] unless they change what is in themselves (13:11)
why? Because they have to make themselves worthy of victory else if they are not ready and given authority they will become the tyrant themselves ( .. you would then spread corruption throughout the land and sever your ties of kinship! 47:22)
Now the question is; When will we produce those hearts, characters, courage, and sincerity that love Allah and its Messanger more than themselves?
Balancing Act of the Believer
This world has been made attracted and glorified materially (by design); to test the believer; if despite all its glittering, the believer returns with patience and stands on a straight path or chooses this temporary life abode over the eternal hereafter.
Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “If your parents and children and siblings and spouses and extended family and the wealth you have acquired and the trade you fear will decline and the homes you cherish — if all these˺ are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and struggling in His Way, then wait until Allah brings about His Will. Allah does not guide the rebellious people.” 9:24
If the believer does not fulfill the love of his obligation; corruption and injustice will rule the world; in the name of progress and deception; devouring people of their rights; the nature of its beauty and making a human slave to another human.
and you cannot blame God for what transpires; it is what the human hand has earned and will be responsible for the burnt it produces; don't think you can run away from it, and hide in a Cave; God will keep reminding you by sending trials until you hold on the message send by its beloved PBUH.
To Allah alone belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And to Allah, all matters will be returned for judgment.
You are the best community ever raised for humanity — you encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in Allah. Had the People of the Book believed, it would have been better for them. Some of them are faithful, but most are rebellious. 3:110
So if the Muslim community does not do its work; and wants to remain on the fringes of its teachings; then they will suffer in this world as well punishment awaits them — Do you believe in some part of the Scripture and reject the rest? Is there any reward for those who do so among you other than disgrace in this worldly life and being subjected to the harshest punishment on the Day of Judgment? For Allah is never unaware of what you do. 2:85
The Perfect Role Model
We have a perfect role model in the dynamism of Prophet Muhammad PBUH; though an unlettered Prophet he has shown how to be a leader, a politician, a warrior, a good husband, a father, a messenger, and a praiseworthy one to his creator.
As Iqbal famously said ( on the ascension of the Prophet Muhammad into heaven)
Sabaq Mila Hai Ye Miraaj-E-Mustafa (S.A.W.) Se Mujhe
Ke Alam-e-Bashriyat Ki Zad Mein Hai Gardoon
By Holy Prophet's (PBUH)’s Ascent this truth to me was taught,
Within the reach of man high heavens can be brought.
That Prophet's ascent has taught me what a Man can achieve and all the universe and its bounties are waiting for it to be discovered.
This is the potential of a believer because it is free of all the man-made chains of materialism; for him, things of the world exist to make use of it and to provide to those who are missing those; and not to become dependent on them but it's just to be used to sustain life on earth.
As a Muslim community, do we look towards the Prophet's PBUH life by coming up with mechanisms and guidance on how to solve the crises at hand? He was the only one in history who brought about a revolution in 23 years that changed the whole of Arabia.
Muslims have a solution
Muslim has a solution, between the two hardcovers; which the world needs right now, renaissance has caused a spark in terms of removing the orthodoxy but it can carry humanity so far, now they are stuck in the same old questions and missing the balance — should not be hard for anyone to observe and every other secular intellect is predicting a sad demise of the coming time and wars; we have become stuck in certain narrative and progress is failing.
While, we continue to be ruled by certain capitalistic elites who play us into daydreaming and keep us numb with necessary entertainment, drugs, and the idea of scarcity.
Quran has the necessary balance that it can create between man and woman, human and nature, provide purpose and meaning, connect us with history, and make us responsible for this world, and to our community, our elders, and our children.
At the same time, it allows us to make sure we can see truth as truth, and not fall into the trap the devil spins into taking the substances and sins that distract us from reality.
“O you who have believed, shall I guide you to a transaction that will save you from a painful punishment? [It is that] you believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That is best for you, if you should know. He will forgive for you your sins and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence. That is the great attainment. And [you will obtain] another [favour] that you love — victory from Allah and an imminent conquest; and give good tidings to the believers.” [Al-Qur’an 61:10–13]
Patience is the Key
Patience is not only important when calamity strikes, but has a positive side to it; to keep doing what you are doing once you have achieved the truth and not let society derail you or influence you from doing the next good deed.
While you are on that path God might give you more to test if you become ungrateful and attribute the blessing toward yourself and become egoistic, or it's also possible God will reduce your sustenance and test your patience and resolve.
So a true believer, do not get affected by material providence in their life.
Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Know that there is much good in being patient with what you detest, victory will come with patience, relief will come with affliction, and ‘with the hardship will come an ease.’” (94:5)
Source: Musnad Aḥmad 2803
Al-Saboor is an Attribute of Allah (SwT) linguistically derived from the noun Sabr صبر, which means withholding one’s self from expressing overwhelming grief.
Every Prophet went through trials and tribulations, where their people mocked and punished them, but they stood firmly on the ground till Allah's help arrived. If those beloved by the Lord were tried and tested then who are we to complain?
“Or do you think that you shall enter the Garden (of bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: “When (will come) the help of Allah.” Ah! Verily, the help of Allah is (always) near!” (2: 214).
“Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, “We believe”, and that they will not be tested? We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false.” (29:2–3).
Definition of Righteousness
It is no virtue. That you turn your faces towards the east or the west, but virtue is that one should sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and the Book and the Prophets and, out of His love, spend of one’s choice wealth for relatives and orphans, for the needy and the wayfarer, for beggars and for the ransom of slaves, and establish the Salat and pay the Zakat. And the virtuous are those who keep their pledges when they make them and show fortitude in hardships and adversity and in the struggle between the Truth and falsehood; such are the truthful people and such are the pious. Qran: 2:177
Believers do not have to come up with a definition of morality from rationality; it is provided to them; one needs to be conscious of the fact that what it is following is not its desires but is in reflection in the light of the above verses.
We often feel wanting, to solve a problem quickly, or to take shortcuts; but we forget we have a creator who is in control of everything. Our task is to stick to the path and take guidance from the book and Prophet tradition. And our success will be based on it.
Believer always succeed
Suhaib reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has to feel delighted, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it.
How beautiful the right path of a true believer is decorated with; as its heart feels content when its beloved God is pleased by the acts and worship it performs. And when the believer feels pain and still thanks its creator rewards are written in its book.
A God who is always listening, available, and approachable. The reward is always written for its deeds unconditionally; either for its gratefulness or for being patient.
Muslim responsibility
The Muslim has to feel responsible for his Ummah and obligated towards other Muslim brothers and sisters. As God has designated it to be its vicegerent and allowed it to change the course of history by its free will, and make this world and its content so it could be habituated.
A Muslim cannot just become a consumer of this world, and throw the commandment on it back. The companions of the Prophet felt this huge responsibility after the death of the Prophet peace be upon him. If Allah had not implanted this deep feeling of responsibility in the companions’ hearts, the light of this religion would have never reached us. If we don’t have the same feeling, this religion is not going to reach our children and this will leave an open ground for Satan and its party to disunite people and spread more corruption in the land.
If Muslims do not follow their allegiance, then Allah will replace us with people whom he loves, and in turn, they love their creator. This is very easy for God ( and Mongols are a real example of it, how they settled in Muslim land and then decades later converted to Islam).
“O ye who believe! If any from among you turn back from his Faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him,- lowly with the believers, mighty against the rejecters, fighting in the way of Allah, and never afraid of the reproaches of such as find fault. That is the grace of Allah, which He will bestow on whom He pleaseth. And Allah encompasseth all, and He knoweth all things.” (5:54)
The consequences of fleeing the responsibility are more dangerous and harder than any torture or threats. Running away from this task carries a loss for all humanity.
It is one of the main reasons, the Quran describes the stories of Bani Israel and Moses in great detail; so a believers of today do not commit to same wrongdoing they did and become ungrateful, arrogant, and deniers of the many Prophets sent towards them.
Uncommon Knowledge
We started the article by stating that true love and passion never die; on the same note Prophet's love and dreams still need to be materialized and fulfilled. as the Quran states.
He is the One Who has sent His Messenger with right guidance and the religion of truth, making it prevail over all others. And sufficient is Allah as a Witness. (Quran 48:28)
Allah has destined the blessed awakening of Islam. But it's not before we become forgetful as Bani Israel did, as our Prophet peace be upon him said.
“Islam began as something strange and will go back to being strange, so glad tidings to the strangers”.
It's quite evident that a believer is truly a stranger today; we are a population of more than billions and half while very few exist who are holding on to the rope of Allah, praising and glorifying it as it ought to be glorified and fulfilling all the four commitments of Surah Asar.
Islam always emphasizes quality vs quantity, believers who can hold on to their end of the bargain; like Abraham who went through trials and tests and finally, when able to persevere through all of them God selected him to be its honourable friend.
The same cycle is repeating today, so God can distinguish who are its righteous people, who stand deeply rooted in its commandments while the whole world calls them crazy and backward. It's time for those who claim their love to show, how true they are in their resolve. One God tests them enough and makes them into strong bricks; then it will raise its building using those solid bricks.
Surely Allah loves those who fight in His cause in ˹solid˺ ranks as if they were one concrete structure. Quran 61:4
Muslim tradition is full of brave men and women; we have Khalid; we have Saladin; we have Tariq who conquered Spain; and Qutuz who was finally able to stop the barbarism of the Mongols.
And we never stop producing those people and still have those people among us in Gaza; but are we ready to reflect and take guidance from them?
Void of strength, your hearts have gone astray
The Muslim race is a blot on the Prophet’s face
The loss and gain for your race is but one
There is one Prophet for you all, one faith for everyone
One Kaaba one God, and one Quran too
What a sight it would have been if you were one too
[Iqbal — Jawab-e Shikwa]
The brave ones do not wait for someone to provide them the opportunity, training, a platform, all those who stood up in the past, stood up because they thought it was their responsibility as a believer and as vicegerent of the Almighty to leave this world in a better spot.
Evil thinks it's strong but in reality, it's fearful and weak and it does not stand on strong ground unlike a believer; so if are you ready to own the duty that lay in front and willing to put your heart and soul, and preserve, then do not worry Allah victory will arrive.
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