Today, 2015 CE, 1436 AH, the Ummah is witnessing a turning point in its history. It is on the verge of a great change, the return of the Khilafah state. Today, this Ummah is in need of Muslim sons and daughters who are ready for supreme levels of sacrifice, to earn the Victory of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. For just as the Ummah senses her own return to Islam, so do her enemies and they are increasing the oppression of the Muslims all over the world.
لاَ تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَلُكُمْ وَلاَ أَوْلَـدُكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ
“Let not your wealth or you children divert you from the remembrance of Allah.”
(Surah Munafiqun 63:9)
Today, 2015 CE, 1436 AH, the Ummah is witnessing a turning point in its history. It is on the verge of a great change, the return of the Khilafah state. Today, this Ummah is in need of Muslim sons and daughters who are ready for supreme levels of sacrifice, to earn the Victory of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. For just as the Ummah senses her own return to Islam, so do her enemies and they are increasing the oppression of the Muslims all over the world.
Regarding the Muslims within the Western lands, the colonialists have created an atmosphere of hatred of Islam within their own society, to prevent their own people from being influenced by the Muslims living amongst them. Thus, the mosque in Scandinavia is burned down under the nose of the government, the German media spews venomous lies regarding Islam, the young Muslim children in Britain’s schools are scrutinized for Islamic tendencies, the headscarf is outlawed in China and the Muslim Dawah Carrier is imprisoned in Russia.
As for the Muslims within the Muslim Lands, within which the Khilafah will arise soon inshaaAllah, the colonialists have mobilized their agents to persecute those Muslims who are actively working for Islam. In addition, the agents mobilize to spread fear amongst those who are considering to share in the great reward of the establishment of the Khilafah. At the behest of their Western masters, the rulers of Pakistan have implemented new laws to prosecute and try Muslims who call for Jihad against the American occupation of Afghanistan. Noble Dawah Carriers in Sudan are beaten and threatened with death by the evil thugs of the regime. Bold Dawah Carriers in Bangladesh are rounded up and thrown into jails. The jails of Turkey are occupied by the pure Dawah Carriers, who are denied fair trials. The Muslims of Syria stand firm on the project of the Khilafah, despite the brutal efforts of America, Russia and agents in the Muslim lands, committing terrible crimes against them, crimes that even beasts of the jungle would shy away from.
Such worsening oppression is both a sign of impending victory and a reminder for the Muslims. It is a sign of victory, for it was seen in the era of RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم that the Quraysh increased their brutality when they sensed the establishment of Islam as a state in Madinah was nearing. It is a reminder for the believers, a wake up call. For such oppression is a great test, a fierce fire which forges the steel of Emaan. Such a situation demands that each of us, whether we are in the front row of the Dawah, or in the rows behind it, strengthen ourselves in order to be honored by the Help and Victory of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. This great demand is upon the Dawah Carrier who stands publicly in front of the people, risking arrest or abduction. It is upon those who support the Dawah in whatever capacity they can, whilst facing threats. It is upon the people of influence who raise their voice in the important circles in the country, facing the threat of being ostracized or losing status. It is upon the people of Nussrah who must practically end the Kufr rule and secure the establishment of Islam.
In whatever capacity we face the oppressor, great or little, it is the loss of our wealth and the company of our loved ones that are amongst the foremost factors in weakening our resolve. Indeed the tyrants and those who assist them exploit this fear as much as they can. Thus, they threaten the Dawah Carrier regarding his means of earning. They harass his employers, urging them to fire him, or the customers in his business, compelling them to turn away from him. They threaten to confiscate his belongings. They threaten to seize him and separate him from his loved ones. They even threaten the abduction of one’s children. In prison, whilst torturing, they offer to end the suffering and return the Dawah Carrier to his family and the comforts of his home, should he submit to the tyrants and renounce his firm stance. They even approach the families and ask them to appeal to the Dawah Carrier to desist.
However, this Deen has persevered and prevailed over many a tyrant since the time of RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم and will always do so inshaaAllah. This Deen is a Revelation from the One سبحانه وتعالى who created man, as well as his desire for wealth and family. Only Allah سبحانه وتعالى can address these cherished matters in a way which brings energy to the tired limbs, firms up the faltering and wavering soul and obliterates fear of the oppressor.
Thus, the sincere Dawah Carrier reflects seriously upon the speech of Allah سبحانه وتعالى when He says,
يأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لاَ تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَلُكُمْ وَلاَ أَوْلَـدُكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْخَـسِرُونَ
“O you who believe! Let not your wealth or you children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whosoever does that then they are the losers.”
(Surah Munafiqun 63:9)
So, the Dawah Carrier refrains from being distracted from his Duty to Allah سبحانه وتعالى by his wealth and children. He is aware that those who completely consume their time in this life, its delights and luxuries, neglecting the obedience of Allah, for which they were created, are in fact amongst the losers. The wise Dawah Carrier thus fears to lose himself and his family on the Day of Resurrection, for the sake of the short span of the life in this Dunya and its fleeting pleasures. Moreover, the Dawah Carrier’s eyes fill with tears of happiness when he remembers that it is the promise of Allah سبحانه وتعالى that the good will be brought together with their families, not for the short span of this life, but forever in Jannah, a blessed reunion with no end. Allah سبحانه وتعالى said,
جَنَّـتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا وَمَنْ صَلَحَ مِنْ ءَابَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ
“Gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter there, as well as the righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their offspring.”
(Surah ar-Ra’d: 23)
The Dawah Carrier’s resolve is further strengthened when he is struck by the truth of the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى,
وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّمَآ أَمْوَلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَـدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ عِندَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ
“And know that your possessions and your children are but a trial and that surely, with Allah is a mighty reward.”
(Surah Anfaal 8:28)
The Dawah Carrier is mindful that Allah’s granting of favors is part of the trial. The trial is so that He knows which of us will be grateful and obedient to Him, or become busy with and dedicated to them instead of Him. Indeed, how many have lost their wealth and children, whilst deep in disobedience of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. So, why would the one who bore great losses seeking the pleasure of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, regret and despair?
The Dawah Carrier is ever mindful that loving Allah سبحانه وتعالى and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم is to obey them and to accept what Allah سبحانه وتعالى has commanded and the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم has brought. He is fully aware that this noble loving comes before loving children, wealth and oneself. RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
«وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى أَكُونَ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ وَأَهْلِهِ وَمَالِهِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِين»
“By He in Whose Hand is my soul! None of you will have faith unless I become dearer to him than himself, his family, his wealth and all people.” [Bukhari]
The Dawah Carrier is wary upon reading the warning from Allah سبحانه وتعالى when He said,
يأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ إِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَجِكُمْ وَأَوْلـدِكُمْ عَدُوّاً لَّكُمْ فَاحْذَرُوهُمْ
“Verily, among your wives and your children there are enemies for you”
(Surah Taghabun 64:14)
(rh) declared that, “They might direct the man to sever his relation or disobey his Lord. The man, who loves his wives and children, might obey them in this case.”
Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn ‘Abbas (ra) said to a man who asked him about this ayah, “There were men who embraced Islam in Makkah and wanted to migrate to Allah’s Messenger. However, their wives and children refused to allow them. Later when they joined Allah’s Messenger, they found that those who were with him (the Companions) have gained knowledge in the religion, so they were about to punish their wives and children. Allah the Exalted sent down this Ayah,
وَإِن تَعْفُواْ وَتَصْفَحُواْ وَتَغْفِرُواْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“But if you pardon (them) and overlook, and forgive, then verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
Indeed, the Dawah Carrier is deeply fearful of Allah’s Wrath should he put his worldly possessions before Islam, at a time of weakness, even if it were for a short while. Allah سبحانه وتعالى said,
قُلْ إِن كَانَ ءَابَاؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَنُكُمْ وَأَزْوَجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَلٌ اقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَـرَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَـكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَآ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُمْ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَجِهَادٍ فِي سَبِيلِهِ فَتَرَبَّصُواْ حَتَّى يَأْتِىَ اللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِ وَاللَّهُ لاَ يَهْدِى الْقَوْمَ الْفَـسِقِينَ
“Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your spouses, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His cause, then wait until Allah brings about His decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are rebellious.”
(Surah At-Tawba 9:24)
Hence, the Dawah Carrier is affirmed with conviction that the duty of our time is not to fear the oppressor, nor fear the loss that he might impose. Indeed, the duty of our time is to fear the affliction upon us, incurred for not seizing the oppressor. Allah سبحانه وتعالى said,
وَاتَّقُواْ فِتْنَةً لاَّ تُصِيبَنَّ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنكُمْ خَآصَّةً وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
“And fear the Fitnah (affliction and trial) which affects not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong, and know that Allah is severe in punishment.”
This matter moves all the Muslims to play their part, small or great, including the men of Nussrah whose might and strength is enough to stop the oppressors in their tracks. Imam Ahmad recorded that Jareer (ra) said that the Messenger of Allah said,
«مَا مِنْ قَوْمٍ يُعْمَلُ فِيهِمْ بِالْمَعَاصِي هُمْ أَعَزُّ وَأَكْثَرُ مِمَّنْ يَعْمَلُونَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يُغَيِّرُوهُ إِلَّا عَمَّهُمُ اللهُ بِعِقَاب»
“There is no people among whom sins are openly committed, while they are mightier and more numerous than those who commit these sins, and they do nothing to stop them, except that Allah encompasses them all with punishment.”
Thus, the march of Islam will continue and will reach its destination soon inshaaAllah, despite the oppression of the tyrants. A glorious march led by men and women who fear no loss but the loss of the pleasure of Allah سبحانه وتعالى.
Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Musab Ibn Umair – Pakistan