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Kitaab At-Tawheed, Chapter: 54

Nothing But Paradise Should Be Asked For by Allah's Countenance

Allah , says:

" After distress, He sent down calm on a group of you overcome with slumber, while another group was stirred to anxiety by their own feelings, moved by wrong thoughts about Allah - thoughts which belonged to the Jahiliyyah: They said: "Is this matter anything to do with us?" Say to them: "Verily, the matter is for Allah." They hide within themselves what they would never reveal to you: They say: "If the matter had been left to us, none of us would have been killed here." Say: "Even if you had remained in your homes, those for whom death was written would have gone forth to their deaths." But [all this was] that Allah might test what is in your hearts and purge what is in your hearts, for Allah knows well the secrets of your hearts" (Qur'an 3:154)

Allah , Most Glorified, Most High, informs us in this verse about the Believers upon whom He sent the blessing of slumber after they had been distressed and worried, in order that they might be invigorated and refreshed. Then He , Most High, tells us that among them were a number of hypocrites who did not share their faith and whose sole concern was for their own safety. This is why they asked of the Prophet (may Peace Be Upon Him) in tones of criticism and rebuke why they should risk their lives in that battle. But Allah commanded the Prophet (may Peace Be Upon Him) to inform them that the matter was for Allah to decide, not for him, but that Allah aids whom He wills.

Finally, Allah reveals their hypocrisy, saying that their faith in His Promise and that of His Messenger (may Peace Be Upon Him) was not genuine, for were it so, they would not have feared to go out and fight and they would have realized that if death is written for someone, he cannot avoid it, no matter whether he go forth in battle or stay at home, and that all of this was no more than a test of their faith and sincerity to reveal their true nature.

Benefits Derived From This Verse

1. That good and evil are ordained by Allah, Almighty, All-powerful.

2. That adversity often reveals a person's true nature.

3. That rejection of Allah's Qadr is a sign of hypocrisy in belief.

4. That taking precautions against any eventuality will not prevent what Allah has decreed from taking place.

5. Confirmation of Allah's Divine Attribute of possessing a Face.

Relevance of This Verse to the Subject of the Chapter

That it proves that it is forbidden to reject Allah's Qadr.

Relevance of This Verse to the Subject of Tawheed

That the verse proves the obligation to submit to Allah's Qadr, because this is true Tawheed.

..ooOOoo..

Allah , says:

" Those who said about their brethren, while they, themselves sat at home: "If only they had obeyed us, they would not have been killed." Say: "Avert death from your ownselves, if you speak the truth!"" (Qur'an 3:168)

Allah , Most High, informs us in this verse about what took place in a heated debate between the Believers who had fought valiantly in Allah's cause, and the hypocrites, who had stayed away from the battle and sat at home: The hypocrites belittled the sacrifice made by the Believers who had died on the battlefield of Uhud due to the express command of the Prophet (may Peace Be Upon Him) being ignored, saying that if only they had followed the example of the hypocrites and stayed at home, they would now be alive. But Allah , Most High, in response, challenged them that if they spoke the truth, then let them save themselves from death, for no warning can avert what Allah has ordained.

Benefits Derived From This Verse

1. The lawfulness of struggle (jihaad) in Allah's cause.

2. The danger of the hypocrites to the Muslim Ummah.

3. That warnings can not avert Allah's Qadr.

Relevance of This Verse to the Subject of the Chapter

That the verse proves the prohibition of rejecting Allah's Qadr.

Relevance of This Verse to the Subject of Tawheed

That it proves the obligation to accept Allah's Qadr, for this is an essential part of Tawheed.

..ooOOoo..

It is authentically reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (may Peace Be Upon Him) said: "Seek what benefits you, and seek help only from Allah and do not lose heart. If any adversity comes to you, do not say: "If I had only acted in such-and-such a way, it would have been such-and-such;" but instead, say: "Allah has decreed (it) and what He willed, He has done," for verily, (the word) (if) opens the way for the work of Satan." 1

Because Islam calls mankind to that which leads to success, prosperity and betterment of society, Allah's Messenger (may Peace Be Upon Him) commanded the Muslims to take part in jihad in Allah's cause; and in order that they might attain the aforementioned blessings - in this life and the Hereafter – he ordered them to accept calamities - which are all from Allah's Qadr - with equanimity, and not to become depressed or open the door to regret or blame by saying: "If only I had done such-and-such a thing, I might have avoided this outcome;" for to do so will lead to anger and despair, and these are the works of the devil. Instead he guided them to that which is better and more worthy, which is to say: "Allah has decreed (it) and what He willed He has done."

Benefits Derived From This Hadith

1. That undertaking the necessary precautions in order to achieve one's objectives does not conflict with Tawheed.

2. That man has a measure of free will and is not driven helplessly by events.

3. That despair conflicts with seeking help from Allah .

4. The forbiddance of seeking help from other than Allah in those matters over which they have no control.

5. That Islam encourages the Muslim to work and be productive.

6. The prohibition of rejecting Allah's Qadr.

7. That good and evil are ordained by Allah .

8. Confirmation of Allah's Divine Attribute of Will in a manner befitting His Majesty.

9. Confirmation of Allah's Divine Attribute of Action.

10. That belief in Allah's Qadr is a cure for what ails the heart and leads to mental peace and stability.

Relevance of This Hadith to the Subject of the Chapter

That the Hadith proves the forbiddance of rejecting Allah's Qadr.

Relevance of This Hadith to the Subject of Tawheed

That the Hadith proves the obligation to accept and submit to Allah's Qadr because this is an essential part of Tawheed.

Footnotes

1. Narrated by Muslim.

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