By: Mohamad Sharis Abdul Karim
Dear brothers, one question that may arise in our mind is why are
these calamities, and destructions happenning to muslims. Yes, indeed
the opressosrs are the wrong doers. They make destruction and kill
muslims and steal their properties. On the other side, it is worth for
us to look on ourselves so that we can improve our weaknesses. I would
like to recite one hadith…and I don't intend to elaborate on it. Let
us hear and we judge it ourselves.
The companion 'Abdullaah Ibn 'Abbaas r.a., narrated that the Prophet
sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "Five matters result when five
things happen: If people break their covenant with Allaah,He will send
an enemy against them; If they rule by other than the Law of Allaah,
poverty will spread among them; If they become deceptive in
trade,Allaah will deprive them ofcrops and they will be struck with
famine; And if they withhold the payment of Zakaah, they will be
struck with drought." [At- Tabaraani]
In another narration he sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "If they
break the covenant of Allaah andHis Messenger, Allaah will send an
external enemy against them who will seize some of their possessions;
If they do not rule by the Book of Allaah, nor attempt to implement
everything in it, Allaah willspread enmity among them."
Conversely, obeying Allaahand His Messenger sallallaahu 'alaihi wa
sallam is the source of victory. Allaah says "O you who have believed,
if you support Allaah, He will support you [by giving you victory]."
[Surah Muhammad Ayah 7]
Indeed, Allah give victory to those who deserve it. And most of the
times defeat comes from ourselves.
One night, Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, was
checking on his army during the battle of Qaadisiyyah. He passed by
the tent of one group of soldiers at night and foundthe men inside
praying Qiyaam, or voluntary night-prayer, and remarked: 'Victory
comes from such a tent' then he passed by another tent and found the
men inside sleeping and remarked: 'Defeat comes from such a tent.'
This was despite the fact that the men who were sleeping only missed a
recommended prayer and not an obligatory one;yet Sa'd considered
missing this recommendedact to be a reason for defeat.
Let us avoid destructions, disasters and humiliation. Muslims have
experienced to many appalling tragedyin their own land, It was Bosnia,
and now Palestine,and tomorrow we never know whose turn.
The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam was once asked: "Would we be
punished by disasters which befall us while we have righteous people
amongst us?' he sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam replied: "Yes, if evil
becomes widespread." Allaah says clearly on this issue in al Quraan:
"And fear the Fitnah (affliction and trial, etc.) which affects not in
particular (only) those of you who do wrong (but it may afflict all
the goodand the bad people), andknow that Allâh is Severein
punishment" . [Surah Al-Anfaal Ayah 25]
Therefore, if Muslims truly wish for safety from destruction and given
victory, then they must change and improve what is in themselves as
Allaah says that which translates as:
"For each (person), there are angels in succession, before and behind
him. They guard him by the Command of Allâh. Verily! Allâh will not
change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change
their state of goodness themselves. But when Allâh wills a people's
punishment, there can be no turning back of it, and they will find
besides Him no protector." [Surah Ar-Ra'd Ayah 11]
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