Obey your Lord, serve your religion, and be positive

[ابوالوليد المسلم]

Obey your Lord, serve your religion, and be positive

Khamis An-Naqib



The dishonesty and corruption of morals, sag in sentiment, vanishing of virtues, spread of vice; usurp of money, violation of honor, fraud in departments and bodies, deception in institutions, hypocrisy in clubs; human populations sink in mud and flounder in darkness, disturbance in the way of life, mastering how to bring destruction and death; people's boasting of constituents of destruction and annihilation, all that happened when positivity retreated and negativity took place. That happened when each person cared for his own interests and his own life away from the interests and benefits of life in general.


Positivity became a rare coin, but it is a crown on the heads of those who link earth with heavens, link the creation by its Creator; they guide the people to their lord, and spread the divine light (the pure nature) into them in order that a soul may come back to the body of the nation which has become a victim of whims, desires, and pleasures, like a person who is beaten by Satan.


Will the nation rise again? Will the Nation of Islam, which owns the divine revelation [the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him)], advance?


Laziness is one of the causes of failure and loss, apathy and lethargy from the causes of fall and extermination, whereas for activity and movement are the ladders of glory and dignity. Active man is like a running water that is pure and can purify others. A Muslim is like a sent wind and cannot lean to rest.


When Moses (peace be upon him) knew of a man who was more knowledgeable than him and wanted to receive knowledge from him, he said to his servant: "And (remember) when Mûsâ (Moses) said to his boy-servant: "I will not give up (travelling) until I reach the junction of the two seas or (until) I spend years and years in travelling."" [Surat Al Kahf: 60].


When he was summoned to meet his Lord, he went right away as Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "And what made you hasten from your people, O Mûsâ (Moses)? " * He said: "They are close on my footsteps: and I hastened to You, O my Lord, that You might be pleased. "" [Surat Taha: 83-84].


Negativity cannot be one of the qualities of the righteous people, and apathy cannot be one of the attributes of reformers. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqûn (the pious). " [Surat Al `Imran: 133]. Allah also says: "Race with one another in hastening towards forgiveness from your Lord (Allâh), and Paradise, the width whereof is as the width of the heaven and the earth, prepared for those who believe in Allâh and His Messengers. That is the Grace of Allâh which He bestows on whom He is pleased with. And Allâh is the Owner of Great Bounty." [Surat Al Hadid: 21]. He also says: "For every nation there is a direction to which they face (in their prayers). So hasten towards all that is good. Wheresoever you may be, Allâh will bring you together (on the Day of Resurrection). Truly, Allâh is Able to do all things." [Surat Al Baqarah: 148].


Muslims live in the fog of religious affairs and worldly matters after they had lost their direction. A neighbor watches his neighbor while stealing, but does not care. A brother sees his brother killing someone, but he does not feel sad for that. A passive Muslim sees his religion insulted, but does not move. As for true Muslims and active servants, they begin their day with this word: "We woke up believing in Islam, the word of monotheism, the religion of Muhammad (peace be upon him), and in the religion of our father Abraham who was not an idolater." [Authentic Hadith, reported by Ahmad].


A Muslim holds the truth by which the heavens and the Earth built, so he does not hear but the call of Allah, does not accompany but the people of the truth, does not subject but to Allah's Judgment, and does not walk but in His Way. A Muslim keeps on this track until he meets Allah to hear from Him this call: "Allâh will say: "This is a Day on which the truthful will profit from their truth: theirs are Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise) - they shall abide therein forever. Allâh is pleased with them and they with Him. That is the great success (Paradise)."" [Surat Al Ma`idah: 119].


Then, positivity is the true life: It is response, initiative to do good, and hasting to it. Muslims answered the call and responded to the caller of the sky. Allah says: "O you who believe! Answer Allâh (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he (peace be upon him) calls you to that which will give you life, and know that Allâh comes in between a person and his heart (i.e., He prevents an evil person to decide anything). And verily, to Him you shall (all) be gathered. " [Surat Al Anfal: 24].


"O our people! Respond (with obedience) to Allâh's Caller (i.e., Allâh's Messenger Muhammad peace be upon him), and believe in him (i.e., believe in that which Muhammad peace be upon him has brought from Allâh and follow him). He (Allâh) will forgive you of your sins, and will save you from a painful torment (i.e., Hell-fire)." [Surat Al Ahqaf: 31].


When thy interacted with these words and others in the Qur'an, the best among them assumed power "And We made them leaders, guiding (mankind) by Our Command, and We revealed to them the doing of good deeds, performing Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and the giving of Zakât and of Us (Alone) they were worshippers." [Surat Al Anbiya: 73].


However, when negativity possessed the hearts of humans, passive people, who do not recognize a god and do not help the truth, possessed their thrones, thus they will not be victorious and the religion shall not benefit from.


The call of Islam does not gain victory by the owners of benefits, people of interests, world seekers, the searchers for light and fame, or those who hinder the call to Allah.

Allah (Glory be to Him) urged His Prophet (peace be upon him) since the first moment to be positive; "O you (Muhammad peace be upon him) enveloped in garments! * Arise and warn!" [Surat Al Muddathir: 1-2], and addressed them before by saying: "O you wrapped in garments (i.e., Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him )! * Stand (to pray) all night, except a little. " [Surat Al Muzzammil: 1-2].


He informed His Prophet (peace be upon him) How to call people to Allah; "Say (to them O Muhammad peace be upon him): "I exhort you to one (thing) only: that you stand up for Allâh's sake in pairs and singly , and reflect (within yourselves the life history of the Prophet peace be upon him): there is no madness in your companion (Muhammad peace be upon him). He is only a warner to you in face of a severe torment. " [Surat Saba': 46].


The Prophet (peace be upon him) addressed his nation to ensure its validity, removes its sins, and releases them from their heavy burdens. Allah Almighty says: "Answer the Call of your Lord (i.e., accept the Islâmic Monotheism, O mankind and jinn) before there comes from Allâh a Day which cannot be averted (i.e., the Day of Resurrection). You will have no refuge on that Day nor there will be for you any denying (of your crimes as they are all recorded in the Book of your deeds)." [Surat Ash-Shura: 47].


To complete and clarify the picture since the first moment, the mother of the Faithful, Khadijah (may Allah bestow mercy on her soul) participated with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in his call to Allah by believing in him when the people disbelieve in him, gives him when the people withheld, and show condolences to him when the people forsook him once he told them the story of Hira cave. She lived with him reassuring and calming him, giving him glad tiding, and pleasing him. "By Allah, Allah shall never disgrace you because you bear burdens, entertain guests, give the needy what they need, and help others in ordeals."


Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) reached the top of positivity and initiation when he brought all his wealth and placed it in the lap of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and when the Prophet asked him: What did you leave for your children? He answered: I left for them Allah and His Messenger.


In the incident of the Night Journey, he was truthful when he believed the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): "I believe him in the news of the sky which comes to him in any hour of day or night." Therefore, Allah Almighty says: "And he (Muhammad peace be upon him) who has brought the truth (this Qur'ân and Islâmic Monotheism) and (those who) believed therein (i.e., the true believers of Islâmic Monotheism), those are Al-Muttaqûn (the pious). " [Surat Al Zumar: 33]. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) died, Abu Bakr assured the shaken and the hesitant souls when he said: "Whoever worships Muhammad, Muhammad had died, and those who worship Allah, Allah is alive and not die", then followed by the words of Allah: "Muhammad (peace be upon him) is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as disbelievers) — And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allâh; and Allâh will give reward to those who are grateful." [Surat Al `Imran: 144].


He was the one who carried on the march of Usamah saying: "In whose hand Abu Bakr is, if I am sure that beasts will take me away, I shall carry on the expedition of Usamah as the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) commanded, even if there is no one left in the villages but me, I shall execute it."


He was the one who fought the apostates and those who withheld Zakah saying: "Will the religion be defected while I am alive? By Allah, if they withheld a rope with which an animal is tied, I would have fought them for it." In the middle of these responsibilities, he did not forget his community of his services. Once, he was with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and some companions, the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked them: "Who among you is fasting today?" Abu Bakr said: I am, O Messenger of Allah. He asked again: "Who of you has followed a funeral today?" Abu Bakr said: I am, O Messenger of Allah. He asked again: "Who of you has visited a patient today?" Abu Bakr said: I am, O Messenger of Allah. "Who of you has fed a poor person today?" Abu Bakr said: I am, O Messenger of Allah. He (peace be upon him) said: "These qualities do not exist in a person but he shall enter Paradise. Positivity associated with Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) everywhere.


`Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: "When `Umar ibn Al Khattab embraced Islam, Quraysh did not know that he became a Muslim. He said: who among the people of Makkah conveys speech? It was said to him: Jamil ibn Mu`ammar Al Jumahy. He went to him and I was with him following his trace and see what will happen. At that time, I was a young boy who understands what was going on. He came to him saying: "O Jamil, I had converted to Islam. By Allah he did not reply with a word but he went away dragging his garment behind. `Umar followed him and I followed my father until he stood at the door of the Masjid and cried with loud voice: "O Quraysh, —while they were sitting in their club at the Ka`bah— `Umar ibn Al Khattab averted your religion. `Umar was saying after him (secretly): You are telling lies because I embraced Islam and bore witness that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger and servant. `Umar jumped at `Utbah ibn Rabi`ah, sat on him, hit him, and inserted his fingers into his eyes, so the people turned away. `Umar went to all places of polytheism which he used to go to declare his faith."


On the Criterion Battle, the day in which both sides met, positivity was at its peak. Sa`d ibn Mu`adh said to his leader and Prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him): "We have believed in you, witnessed to the truthfulness of what you came with, and we gave you our pledge and homage to hear and obey. So, go ahead, O Messenger of Allah to what you want. By Allah, if you want to go in this sea, we shall go in with you and no one will lag behind. Indeed, we are patient in war and truthful in our promises, and perhaps Allah will show to you of us things that make your eyes rejoice, so go ahead by the will of Allah. After they had set out for camels and spoils, they sat with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) who exhorted and advised them by saying: "By Him in whose hand my life is, no one will fight them today and die patiently and facing them but Allah would admit him to paradise." [Biography of Ibn Hisham].


They said: "Take what you want from our money, and leave what you want, for what you are going to take will be more beloved to us than the things you will leave."


Hubab ibn Al Mundhir suggested to cover wells with dust and build a basin and fill it with water so that Muslims could drink water, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) acted according to his advice. Al Miqdad (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "O Messenger of Allah, we shall not say to you as the children of Israel said to Moses: go you and your Lord to fight, for we are sitting here. But we shall say: go you and your Lord to fight, for we will fight with you. Thereupon, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was pleased and his face became bright."


In the Battle of the Trench, Salman Al Farisy suggested to dig a trench which was the reason for the Muslim's victory over the enemy. As a result, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Salman is one of us, O people of Muhammad."


Another incident was the vision which `Abdullah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) saw, and was believed by `Umar ibn Al Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), Bilal ibn Rabah (may Allah be pleased with him) added to it: "Prayer is better than sleep" and approved by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) then was the call for Salah.


In the story of the man who came from the far side of the city walking and said: "O Mûsâ (Moses)! Verily, the chiefs are taking counsel together about you, to kill you, so escape. Truly, I am one of the good advisers to you." [Surat Al Qasas: 20]. How much effort he made, how much price he paid, how far distance he walked to save the bearer of the truth! It is faith and securing its way!


Another positive caller was the believer of the people of Yasin: "And there came a man running from the farthest part of the town. He said: "O my people! Obey the Messengers. * "Obey those who ask no wages of you (for themselves), and who are rightly guided. * "And why should I not worship Him (Allâh Alone) Who has created me and to Whom you shall be returned. * "Shall I take besides Him âlihah (gods)? If the Most Gracious (Allâh) intends me any harm, their intercession will be of no use for me whatsoever, nor can they save me? * "Then verily, I should be in plain error. * Verily, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me!" [Surat Yasin: 20-25].


It is the peak of positivity to the call of truth: A man heard the call and responded to it. When he sensed the truth of faith, his conscience moved. He could not remain silent and could not sit in his house with his faith while seeing that error around him and corruption invade all around, but he went to his people with the truth that settled in his conscious to his people to raise the truth high and take shield under its shade.


After the tyrant Pharaoh had oppressed the children of Israel, he thought to kill Moses and those who were with him, so conferences, debates, and numerous consultations were held to get rid of the truth and its people. While they were consulting, a positive man was concealing his faith in Moses. However, when he saw their plot against Moses, he was filled with anger. "And a believing man of Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) family, who hid his faith said: "Would you kill a man because he says: My Lord is Allâh, and he has come to you with clear signs (proofs) from your Lord? And if he is a liar, upon him will be (the sin of) his lie; but if he is telling the truth, then some of that (calamity) wherewith he threatens you will befall on you. "Verily, Allâh guides not one who is a Musrif (a polytheist, or a murderer who shed blood without a right, or those who commit great sins, oppressor, transgressor), a liar!" [Surat Ghafir: 28].


A positive person calls to goodness, forbids evil, and remembers the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): "By the One in whose hand my life is, you shall command with virtue, forbid evil, otherwise Allah will send upon you a punishment from Him, then you call Him but He does not answer your calls." [Reported by At-Tirmidhy].


In the story of the king, the magician, and the boy, the boy was positive when he said: "By the name of Allah, the Lord of the boy." to invite people to do good, and the result of positivity was that all the people of the village embraced Islam, and adhered to truth and faith against injustice and tyranny.


Solomon inspected birds, then said: "What is the matter that I see not the hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?" [Surat An-Naml: 20].


The hoopoe replied: "I have grasped (the knowledge of a thing) which you have not grasped and I have come to you from Saba '(Sheba) with true news." [Surat An-Naml: 22]. Although the long distance, hoopoe could submit a report to Solomon which was a result of entering the Kingdom of Sheba in the religion of Allah, even the Queen said: "My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, and I submit in Islâm, together with Sulaimân (Solomon) to Allâh, the Lord of the '? Lamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists)." [Surat An-Naml: 44].


The hoopoe was not a tourist which enjoying the sightseeing, but his main interest was the religion and Shari`ah of Allah; and how could it save those people who were worshipping other than Allah. It felt pain for them but what it should do? Should it fears and keeps silence? Should it be satisfied and walk away? Nay, it is a believer. "The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein, glorify Him and there is not a thing but glorifies His Praise. But you understand not their glorification. Truly, He is Ever Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving." [Surat Al Isra: 44]. It saw aberrance from the path of Allah, so it transferred the matter to the one in whose hands are all matters; and that was a great positivity of him. Solomon was in Palestine, whereas the throne of the queen of Sheba and did not command the hoopoe with anything. Now, the problem of the nation is that most people wait until somebody commands them, as if they disabled a great talent and quality which Allah gave them that is positivity and thinking in the fate of the nation.


The positivity of the ant was embodied for its command and prohibition, so it commanded, warned, and excused Solomon and his army for their lack of feeling, and addressed its people rationally "Till, when they came to the valley of the ants, one of the ants said: "O ants ! Enter your dwellings, lest Sulaimân (Solomon) and his hosts should crush you, while they perceive not."" [Surat An-Naml: 18]. Have you ever thought to warn your people against the plots enemies?


It is positivity in its peak and the pride in its broader sense, therefore, the caller of today have to respond to the demands of their religion, feel proud of being Muslims, boast with their faith and call.


`Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was nicknamed by Al Farouk because after he had embraced Islam, he said: O Messenger of Allah, are not we on the true path, whether we are dead or alive? He said: "Yes, by the one in whose hands my life is, you are on the truth path whether you are dead or alive." He said: Why do we hide? By the one who sent you the truth, we shall go for them. The Prophet (peace be upon him) got out in two rows, `Umar was on the head of one and Hamzah was on the top of the other. When Quraysh saw `Umar and Hamzah, they were deeply upset as never before, hence the Prophet (peace be upon him) called him Al Faruq: "And who is better in speech than he who [says: My Lord is Allâh (believes in His Oneness), and then stands firm (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allâh's (Islâmic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims." [Surat Fussilat: 33].


He once said: "Allah has honored us with Islam, but if we sought honor in anything else, Allah would put us into humiliation."


The callers of today are the light of the nation, the pioneers, the light of the truth, and the fountains of mercy in a world that lacks love and certainty. Therefore, it is not permissible for a Muslim to spare his time, effort, or money to get a worldly benefit, marry a woman, or beget a child to be proud of in the future, or to be a righteous call for him after death.


Is there someone like Hubab ibn Al Mundhir, Al Meqdad, or Salman in our time?! Is there someone like the believer of the people of Pharaoh, or the people of Al Yasin?! Is there a boy to be jealous for his religion and faith, his stolen values, and usurped rights, and offers his soul to ****** to oppression, ransom for the faith, a sacrifice for the truth, and a price for a paradise that is as wide as the heavens and the earth?! Is there a child like Mu`awwidh ibn `Afra' or his brother Mu`adh who killed Abu Jahl because they heard that he was insulting the Prophet (peace be upon him)? Is there a hoopoe to call the people to worship Allah?! Is there an ant to warn Muslims against the dangers of the road, the plots of enemies, oppression, and hypocrisy?! He said:" Would that my people knew * "That my Lord (Allâh) has forgiven me, and made me of the honored ones!" " [Surat Yasin: 26-27].


It is the spirit of the believer of the people of Yasin comes back again!


O Allah, grant us faithfulness in words and actions, and do not make the world as our largest concern and not the end of our knowledge.


O Allah, send peace and blessings on Muhammad, his family, and his Companions. Praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds.