Serving the religion
Since 2012-12-22
Serving the religion is the responsibility of everybody.
Serving the religion is the responsibility of everybody
All praise is due to Allah; and prayers and peace of Allah be upon the Messenger of Allah.
A seeker of knowledge said that he was sent in a religious mission; to call people in the remote lands of Africa to the way of Allah Almighty. He tolerated hardships and difficulties till he reached these very hot lands that have no luxury. He got rest in his first night thinking that he did great effort. In the morning, when he got out being familiar with the country, he saw a woman seems to be a European woman. He was astonished by her existence in a place like that, that does not resemble her lands nor has any kind of luxury or any sign of civilization. When he asked about her, it was said to him: “She is here, from eight years ago, calling the people of this country to Christianity.” Therefore, he belittled his own efforts.
A student, was sent to study in Europe, mentioned that a woman knocked his door at some morning and asked him to give her a few minutes to preach him in the name of the Christ. He apologized and told her that his religion is against hers. However, she insisted that he must give her a few minutes in the name of the Christ. When he refused and closed the door; she stood in front of the door talking about what she wants to say, in a loud voice, for about half an hour.
When Dr. O-Saher, who is called ‘The father of the Japanese engines’, was sent to Germany to have the PhD, he used to study hard. Despite his German teachers presented the books to him, he said: “If I had followed the advice of my German teachers, I would have gained nothing.”
Actually, he went to the factories of iron and copper and put on the workers’ uniform to take knowledge from them. Furthermore; he used to serve the workers, even at the time of food or drink. Although he is descended from a samurai family, he said: “I was serving Japan, and everything is easy as long as it is for Japan!” Finally, he made the first Japanese engine.
These are examples of the efforts of the people of untrue with their beliefs. So, where are my efforts and your efforts for the religion of Allah Almighty?!
Where are our efforts for the cause of Allah Almighty?!
O-Saher said ‘I was serving Japan;’ so, where is our service to Islam?!
And he said ‘everything is easy as long as it is for Japan;’ so, does everybody among us does his best and says ‘everything is easy as long as it is for Islam.’
Actually; exerting efforts for the religion’s sake, spending for the cause of Allah, raising Islam’s flag, exerting efforts for making Islam superior than any other religion, restoring the caliphate regime, enabling this nation to turn back to leading the worldly affairs by the religion of Allah (the Exalted the Glorious), and making the people servants for the Lord of people only are not the responsibility of specific person or authority; rather they are the responsibility of every Muslim person, according to his own power, ability and capability.
In fact; it is us who need this good work and this effort, to gain safety and happiness in the worldly life and hereafter too. Indeed, our religion does not need this, because Islam is strong in itself; it is the truth and everything else is false. And that is why Islam gets spread worldwide and gains hundreds of people, even thousands, daily; although the Muslims are weak and helpless.
Let us consider this great scene of Ya’qûb Jacob (peace be upon him) when he gathered his children at the last moments of his life, to be assured about the issue that he lived for and spent everything he had for its sake; the issue of religion: {Or were you witnesses when death approached Ya’qûb (Jacob)? When he said unto his sons, “What will you worship after me?” They said, “We shall worship your Ilâh (God - Allâh), the Ilâh (God) of your fathers, Ibrâhîm (Abraham), Ismâ’îl (Ishmael), Ishâq (Isaac), One Ilâh (God), and to Him we submit (in Islâm).”} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:133]
{أَمْ كُنْتُمْ شُهَدَاءَ إِذْ حَضَرَ يَعْقُوبَ الْمَوْتُ إِذْ قَالَ لِبَنِيهِ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ بَعْدِي قَالُوا نَعْبُدُ إِلَهَكَ وَإِلَهَ آبَائِكَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ إِلَهًا وَاحِدًا وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ} البقرة:133
Transliteration: ‘Am Kuntum Shuhadā’a ‘Idh Ĥađara Ya`qūba Al-Mawtu ‘Idh Qāla Libanīhi Mā Ta`budūna Min Ba`dī Qālū Na`budu ‘Ilahaka Wa ‘Ilaha ‘Ābā’ika ‘Ibrāhīma Wa ‘Ismā`īla Wa ‘Isĥāqa ‘Ilahāan Wāĥidāan Wa Naĥnu Lahu Muslimūna
He was not satisfied by just dying as believer; rather he wanted to be assured about the future of his children and people, concerning their obedience and worship to Allah.
The same happened with his grandfather, Ibrâhîm (peace be upon him): {And this (submission to Allâh, Islâm) was enjoined by Ibrâhîm (Abraham) upon his sons and by Ya’qûb (Jacob) (saying), “O my sons! Allâh has chosen for you the (true) religion, then die not except in the Faith of Islâm (as Muslims - Islâmic Monotheism).”} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:132]
{وَوَصَّى بِهَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بَنِيهِ وَيَعْقُوبُ يَا بَنِيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَى لَكُمُ الدِّينَ فَلا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ} البقرة:132
Transliteration: Wa Waşşa Bihā ‘Ibrāhīmu Banīhi Wa Ya`qūbu Yā Banīya ‘Inna Al-Laha Aşţafa Lakumu Ad-Dīna Falā Tamūtunna ‘Illā Wa ‘Antum Muslimūna
Also; Yusuf Joseph, the grandson (peace be upon him), was not distracted by the prison and its injustice and pain from the major issue that he lived for, working for the religion and calling people to the way of Allah Almighty. When the two men came to him, asking the interpretation of their dreams, he firstly called them to Allah Almighty: {“O two companions of the prison! Are many different lords (gods) better or Allâh, the One, the Irresistible? (39) You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named (forged) - you and your fathers - for which Allâh has sent down no authority. The command (or the judgement) is for none but Allâh. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism); that is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not.} [Surat Yusuf 12:39-40]
{يَا صَاحِبَيِ السِّجْنِ أَأَرْبَابٌ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيْرٌ أَمِ اللَّـهُ الْوَاحِدُ الْقَهَّارُ ﴿٣٩﴾ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِ إِلَّا أَسْمَاءً سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُم مَّا أَنزَلَ اللَّـهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَانٍۚ إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّـهِۚ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ} يوسف: 39-40
Transliteration: Yā Şāĥibayi As-Sijni ‘A’arbābun Mutafarriqūna Khayrun ‘Ami Al-Lahu Al-Wāĥidu Al-Qahhāru (39) Mā Ta`budūna Min Dūnihi ‘Illā ‘Asmā’an Sammaytumūhā ‘Antum Wa ‘Ābā’uukum Mā ‘Anzala Al-Lahu Bihā Min Sulţānin‘Ini Al-Ĥukmu ‘Illā Lillahi‘Amara ‘Allā Ta`budū ‘Illā ‘ĪyāhuDhālika Ad-Dīnu Al-Qayyimu Wa Lakinna ‘Akthara An-Nāsi Lā Ya`lamūna
Furthermore; when he gained the authority, he was not distracted by it from his case as mentioned by the believer man among the people of Pharaoh who came many years after him; in the time of Musa Moses (peace be upon him): {And indeed Yûsuf (Joseph) did come to you, in times gone by, with clear signs, but you ceased not to doubt in that which he did bring to you: till when he died you said: “No Messenger will Allâh send after him.” Thus Allâh leaves astray him who is a Musrif (a polytheist, an oppressor, a criminal, sinner who commit great sins) and a Murtâb (one who doubts Allâh’s Warning and His Oneness).} [Surat Ghâfir 40:34]
{وَلَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ يُوسُفُ مِن قَبْلُ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَمَا زِلْتُمْ فِي شَكٍّ مِّمَّا جَاءَكُم بِهِۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا هَلَكَ قُلْتُمْ لَن يَبْعَثَ اللَّـهُ مِن بَعْدِهِ رَسُولًاۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ اللَّـهُ مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ مُّرْتَابٌ} غافر:34
Transliteration: Wa Laqad Jā’akum Yūsufu Min Qablu Bil-Bayyināti Famā Ziltum Fī Shakkin Mimmā Jā’akum Bihi Ĥatta ‘Idhā Halaka Qultum Lan Yab`atha Al-Lahu Min Ba`dihi RasūlāanKadhālika Yuđillu Al-Lahu Man Huwa Musrifun Murtābun
And Nûh Noah (peace be upon him) stayed among his people 950 years inviting them to believe in the Oneness of Allah; but they met his invitation with stubbornness and disbelief: {And verily, every time I called unto them that You might forgive them, they thrust their fingers into their ears, covered themselves up with their garments, and persisted (in their refusal), and magnified themselves in pride} [Surat Nuh 71:7]
{وَإِنِّي كُلَّمَا دَعَوْتُهُمْ لِتَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ جَعَلُوا أَصَابِعَهُمْ فِي آذَانِهِمْ وَاسْتَغْشَوْا ثِيَابَهُمْ وَأَصَرُّوا وَاسْتَكْبَرُوا اسْتِكْبَارًا} نوح: 7
Transliteration: Wa ‘Innī Kullamā Da`awtuhum Litaghfira Lahum Ja`alū ‘Aşābi`ahum Fī ‘Ādhānihim Wa Astaghshaw Thiyābahum Wa ‘Aşarrū Wa Astakbarū Astikbārāan
However; he continued inviting them and did not despair or say ‘there is no good in them’ or ‘there is no good could come from them;’ rather he called them in private and in public, as individuals and groups, in night and day, and by awakening of desires and by awakening of fears: {“Then verily, I called to them openly (aloud); (8) “Then verily, I proclaimed to them in public, and I have appealed to them in private, (9) “I said (to them): ‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving; (10) ‘He will send rain to you in abundance; (11) ‘And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.” (12) What is the matter with you, [that you fear not Allah (His punishment), and] you hope not for reward (from Allah or you believe not in His Oneness).} [Surat Nûh 71:8-13]
{ثُمَّ إِنِّي دَعَوْتُهُمْ جِهَارًا ﴿٨﴾ ثُمَّ إِنِّي أَعْلَنتُ لَهُمْ وَأَسْرَرْتُ لَهُمْ إِسْرَارًا ﴿٩﴾ فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا ﴿١٠﴾يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا ﴿١١﴾ وَيُمْدِدْكُم بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ أَنْهَارًا ﴿١٢﴾ مَّا لَكُمْ لَا تَرْجُونَ لِلَّـهِ وَقَارًا} نوح: 8-13
Transliteration: Thumma ‘Innī Da`awtuhum Jihārāan (8) Thumma ‘Innī ‘A`lantu Lahum Wa ‘Asrartu Lahum ‘Isrārāan (9) Faqultu Astaghfirū Rabbakum ‘Innahu Kāna Ghaffārāan (10) Yursili As-Samā’a `Alaykum Midrārāan (11) Wa Yumdidkum Bi’amwālin Wa Banīna Wa Yaj`al Lakum Jannātin Wa Yaj`al Lakum ‘Anhārāan (12) Mā Lakum Lā Tarjūna Lillahi Waqārāan
Our Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) stayed in Makkah, inviting people to believe in the Oneness of Allah Almighty and exerting efforts for the cause of Allah. However; when the infidels of Quraish stood against him, because of their stubbornness and unbelief, he went to At-Ta`if to open new scopes for his invitation. Actually, the preacher’s home is where the benefit of his invitation is. Then; he was answered in At-Ta`if by the same response of Quraish, even worse. Then; he left the most desirable city to him and to Allah as well. He left his home land and migrated to Allah Almighty. Furthermore; he fought for the cause of Allah till the last moments of his life. And his care for his nation and its religion and protecting it continued to the last moments of his life; the last words he uttered was: “(Care for) the prayer and the people whom you have authority over them.” [Reported by ibn Majah and declared authentic by Al-Albani]
«كان يقول في مرضه الذي توفي فيه الصلاة وما ملكت أيمانكم» رواه ابن ماجه وصححه الألباني
And he said: “Allah’s curse upon the Jews and the Christians that they have taken the graves of their prophets as Masjids.” He in fact warned (his nation) against what they (the Jews and the Christians) did. [Agreed upon]
«لعنة الله على اليهود والنصارى. اتخذوا قبور أنبيائهم مساجد (يحذر مثل ما صنعوا)» متفق عليه
Actually, the prophets are the models and examples: {They are those whom Allâh had guided. So follow their guidance} [Surat Al-`An’âm 6:90]
{أُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَدَى اللَّهُ فَبِهُدَاهُمُ اقْتَدِهْ} الأنعام: 90
Transliteration: ‘Ūlā’ika Al-Ladhīna Hada Al-Lahu Fabihudāhumu Aqtadihi
Indeed, they are the ushers to the way of Allah in every time and place.
Also, you should consider the story of the boy of the valley. He is a boy had been guided by Allah to faith and continued calling people to it, till the king was informed about him. When the king tried to kill him, he could not do it; then, the boy told him how to kill him. This boy lived for the cause of the religion, and he wanted to send his call to every person in his country; so, he spent his life for this cause, till people believed; although, he died before seeing the fruit of his call.
When Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), the caliphate of the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him), was appointed as caliphate and some Arab apostatized and others hold back the Zakat; he said his well-known saying: “Would the religion get diminish during my life!” meaning that this could never occur, after he spent his life and all his money in fighting for the cause of Allah and devoted his life for the religion.
When At-Tufail ibn ‘Amr Ad-Dawsi (may Allah be pleased with him) embraced Islam, he knew from the first moment of his embrace to Islam that there is a duty for him towards his religion. He said to the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him), after uttering the testimony of Islam: “Verily, the tribe of Daws did not believe in Allah; so, order me to go to it.”
Actually, all the companions of the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him), after twenty-three years of fighting, sacrifice, tolerating the pains and hardships, and leaving the wives, children, homes, spending money along with other things, did not stay to have rest or collect the medals and badges of honor or narrate the stories of their heroic situations. Rather; they continued going in the way of serving the religion and supporting Islam, till they died in various continents.
Also, there were Nur-Addin and Salahuddin (may Allah mercy them) who devoted their lives to Allah, till Allah Almighty enabled Salahuddin to liberate Al-Masjid-al-Aqsâ (i.e. Jerusalem). Indeed, it is they who said the well-known saying: “How could I laugh while Jerusalem is captured?!”
In fact, the lives of our righteous forefathers have uncountable situations about serving the religion, supporting Islam and spending for the cause of Allah. Consider the feelings of our righteous forefathers when one of them said, “When I see an evil doing I cannot change it, I urinate blood!” and when another one said, “I will be pleased if my skin is torn by scissors to make people worship their Lord.”
You may say: “Who am I? Does my work have value?!”
Whereupon we say: Never belittle yourself; Allah may present much good at your hands! Therefore; you should be truthful with Allah and be sincere and exert efforts working hard to gain good by the will of Allah. Actually, every person invites people to the way of Allah will surly find many good fruits; the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “If you are sincere with Allah, He will be sincere with you (affirm your good actions).” [Reported by An-Nasâ`i and authenticated by Al-Albani]
«إن تصدق الله يصدقك» رواه النسائي وصححه الألباني
Also, he said: “Never belittle any of the good deed.” [Reported by Muslim]
«لا تحقرن من المعروف شيئا» رواه مسلم
Allah Almighty asked us to worship Him by acting; He will not ask us about the results. The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “There were brought before me the people and I saw a prophet and a small group (of his followers) along with him, another (prophet) and one or two persons (along with him) and (still another) prophet having no one with him.” [Reported by Muslim]
«عرضت علي الأمم فرأيت النبي ومعه الرهيط، والنبي ومعه الرجل والرجلان، والنبي ليس معه أحد» رواه مسلم
Hence, there would be a prophet that does not have even one person following him; however, he fulfilled his role and accomplished his mission.
Then, you say: “What is my role? What could I do for serving and supporting my religion?”
First: Seek a role for yourself; do not wait somebody to tell you your role. Actually, loving your religion will lead you to finding many roles.
These are keys for roles that benefit you:
1- Adhering to Shari’ah and upbringing your children according to the rules of Islam are among the greatest ways for supporting Islam.
2- Inviting people to the way of Allah Almighty and enjoining the good and forbidding the evil.
3- Learning the religion and teaching it to others; this includes delivering sermons and lessons.
4- Caring for the issues of Muslims worldwide and telling people about the facts of these issues and the deceit of the enemies.
5- Caring for the orphans, poor people and supporting them.
6- Excelling in your studies; for the sake of Muslims’ progress in economy, policy, science and technology.
7- Serving the Muslims in the field of your work and neglecting whatever is forbidden; whether you are an employee, worker, doctor, engineer or whatever.
8- Invoking Allah and supplicating Him to help the Muslims. Actually; it is something everyone can do. The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Do you gain victory and provision but by the weak people among you!” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
«هل تنصرون وترزقون إلا بضعفائكم» رواه البخاري
And in another narration: “Verily, Allah grants victory to this nation because of the weak people in it; by their invocation, prayer and sincerity.” [Reported by An-Nasâ`i and authenticated by Al-Albani]
«إنما ينصر الله هذه الأمة بضعيفها، بدعوتهم، وصلاتهم، وإخلاصهم» رواه النسائي، وصححه الألباني
9- Go to the people of knowledge and those who invite to the way of Allah in your city and area; in order that they may guide you to deeds they need, and you can participate in them, for the sake of Allah.
One scholar said: “They used to say to us; when you hit a nail in the wall to hang a notification for a lesson; you support the religion and participate in returning back the caliphate regime.”
Actually, they told the truth. Never belittle a deed, because Allah measures by the weight of atoms. Verily, a small deed may become great because of the intention while a great deed may become trivial because of the intention.
Also, there is a role for the woman. She has to interact with the issues of her nation; she is not isolated from working for Islam and supporting it. Woman’s roles include;
1- Holding fast to Shari’ah, especially the veil. Furthermore; she should be model in the good manners, etiquettes and shyness.
2- Upbringing her children according to the rulings of Islam.
3- Inciting her husband and children to obey Allah and work for His religion.
4- Making the environment of the house a good environment for the husband and children to work and exert efforts; indeed, the wife of the caller to the way of Allah is the Unknown Soldier.
5- Not to make her husband exhausted by the demands, lest he is distracted from the superior aims.
Finally, I ask Allah to grant honor to Islam and grant victory to Muslims, and I ask him to humiliate the polytheism and polytheists.
And the we end our invocation with: Al-Hamdu Lillâhi Rabb-il-’Alamîn [All the praises and thanks is due to Allâh, the Lord of ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists)]
And prayers and peace of Allah be upon His servant and intimate, Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.
Compiled by: Muhammad Sarhan
www.salafvoice.com
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