Wednesday 28 December 2016

BEWARE OF THE SUPPLICATION OF THE OPPRESSED


BEWARE OF THE SUPPLICATION OF THE OPPRESSED

MASJID PLOT 94, ODUDUWA CRESCENT, PHASE 2 SITE 2, KUBWA, ABUJA

Assembled by Mallam Abba Abana, Kubwa, Abuja, Nigeria

http://variousislamicdawadocuments.blogspot.com

Emails:gonidamgamiri@yahoo.com; mallam.abana@yahoo.com

 

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah. As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu

Praise be to Allaah; we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Islam was revealed to protect the natural rights of all human beings, their inalienable rights to life, property, and freedom. Violating these rights for any reason without a just cause is a major sin and it is a betrayal of Islam if Muslims claim such injustice is legislated by the Quran and Sunnah.

One reason we should be fearful of committing oppression is that Allah will always answer the supplication of an oppressed person.

1.0 Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah

Mu’adh ibn Jabal reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah. Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4090, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

The supplications of three persons are never turned away: a fasting person until he breaks his fast, a just ruler, and the supplication of the oppressed which is raised by Allah above the clouds, the gates of heaven are opened for it, and the Lord says: By my might, I will help you in due time. Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3598, Grade: Sahih

Ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for it ascends to Allah as if it were a flare. Source: al-Mustadrak 118, Grade: Sahih

Umar ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said: Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for the supplication of the oppressed is answered. Source: al-Muwaṭṭa 1890

If we commit an act of oppression against someone, that person has a free supplication they can use against us. Will they ask Allah to punish us? Will they supplicate for evil against us? When we oppress them, we are actually turning ourselves over to their mercy, and oppressed people are not often interested in compassion or forgiveness for their oppressors.

On the other hand, if we ourselves are the victims of injustice, we can take comfort in the fact that we have a supplication that is guaranteed to be answered. We should use it to supplicate for goodness, rather than wasting it on vengeance.

The supplication of an oppressed person is always answered even if that person is an unbeliever or a sinner. Justice and the fulfillment of human rights are to be enjoyed by all people regardless of their religion.

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, even if he is an unbeliever, for there is no barrier between it and Allah. Source: Musnad Aḥmad 12140, Grade: Sahih

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: The supplication of the oppressed is answered, even if he is wicked for his wickedness is only against himself. Source: Musnad Aḥmad 8577, Grade: Sahih

A person’s religion, then, is absolutely no excuse to harm them in any way. Islam exalts justice as a universal value through which human beings must relate to one another and forbids the oppression of all people.

Allah said: Verily, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and he forbids immorality and bad conduct and transgression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded. Surat An-Nahl 16:90

And Allah said: O you who believe, be persistently standing firm for Allah as witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just, for that is nearer to righteousness. Fear Allah, for Allah is aware of what you do. Surat Al-Ma’idah 5:8

Al-Qurtubi comments on this verse, saying: This verse shows that the unbelief of the unbeliever does not prevent him from enjoying justice. Source: Tafsīr al-Qurṭubī 5:8

Abu Dharr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Allah the Exalted said: O my servants, I have forbidden oppression for myself and I have made it forbidden among you, so do not oppress one another. Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2577, Grade: Sahih

Jabir ibn Abdullah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Beware of committing oppression, for oppression will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection. Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2578, Grade: Sahih

The strength of the Muslim community is in its care for the natural rights of everyone including the weak, the wicked, and the hated. Justice is the true metric by which Allah supports or rejects a community. If our community is weak, then we must critically examine our failure to fulfill justice.

Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said: Allah will support the just state even if it is led by unbelievers, but Allah will not support the oppressive state even if it is led by believers. Source: Majmū’ Fatāwá 28/63

In sum, Allah will always answer the supplication of the oppressed even if the oppressed person is an unbeliever or sinner. Justice is a universal right for all people in Islam. People have the right to be protected in their lives, wealth, and freedom. If we fail to fulfill their rights, then we have surrendered our fate to their supplication.

QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION

2.0  Does the fact that Allah answers the prayers of the disbelievers indicate that what they believe is true?


Question

I am a Muslim convert, Alhamdulillah. I was raised a misguided Christian kaafir, and then Allah guided me to Islam and the Sunnah. However, I then adopted Shiite beliefs and did many horrible sins like insulting the Sahaba of the Prophet : such as Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Lady Aisha, etc (May Allah Bless Them All). I have just repented and returned to the Sunnah and I am a Sunni Muslim insha'Allah and Alhamdulillah! I'm crying in repentance, may Allah accept it. What should I do with Shi'ite books I have since they have the name of Allah written in them should I put them away somewhere or throw them out?
Also I suffer from terrible waswas (likely from the sins of cursing the sahaba, and lying against Allah with blasphemies like comparing his creation to him with the Shi'ites so-called "12 Imams" which are all scholars of Ahl al-Sunnha like Ali ibn Abi Talib RA, etc. and the Mahdi will be born later at the end of time when the Muslim Prophet Isa AS returns). I don't even want to speak of them, as I know the hadith says not to talk or act upon the waswas one hears. But I feel as if the shaytan is giving me horrific waswas to try to scare me about whether the Deen I know is true really is true Allah FORGIVE ME (I'm nearly crying as I write this)!!! The shaytan's waswas tells me "are you sure about Allah" and then shaytan scares me with thoughts that other accursed kuffar pagan religions allegedly are "appealing" I know the hadith tells us that at the time of death these fears can occur http://islam-qa.com/en/ref/60191/death%20jew%20christian And you said this the greatest trial. I know that Allah is the truth and Islam is the only salvation from the accursed hellfire Allah Protect me. Allah is One and Prophet Muhammad ibn Abdullah is his slave and final Messenger. And all the Prophets AS throughout history were Muslims as well.
Also how do we answer claims of the kuffar (like Christians, Jews, etc) who claim that their kuffar false "prayers" allegedly produced them "miracles" we know that Allah will answer the person who calls upon him and that this world is a test. I found this link interesting http://www.onislam.net/english/ask-about-islam/faith-and-worship/heart-and-soul/166077-does-allah-answer-the-prayers-of-non-muslims.html?Soul=
"But what about those millions of people around the world who will tell you that Jesus or such-and-such saint or anyone else answered their prayers? What they got in response was no more than what was already written for them. Even if they hadn’t prayed, they would have got that thing. Nothing happens by coincidence or chance in the meaning that it was unplanned by Allah. Only sincere supplication to God (Allah) alone can change what is written.
So, Allah (God) does answer non-Muslims when they ask Him for something. Anything else they get is only what was already written for them."
Also it makes me feel good to read about the stories of the miracles Allah bestowed on the Prophet and upon the righteous Muslims today like being cured of diseases like cancer see one example an American Muslim convert woman named Aminah Assilmi.

Answer

Praise be to Allah Who has guided you to Islam and given you the blessing of Tawheed (belief in His Oneness), and has brought you back to the truth by His grace, kindness and blessing. We ask Allah to make you steadfast in adhering to the truth and to guide you to true guidance and goodness, and to help you to fear Him in word and deed. You have done well by wishing to learn and in your eagerness to find out the truth. We ask Allah to bless you with understanding of Islam. 

If you know of some daa‘iyahs (callers to Islam) and seekers of knowledge who are trustworthy in terms of their knowledge and methodology, who need such books in order to refute the Shi‘ah and point out how they are misguided, you could give these books to them, so long as they are safe from their evil and can make use of them in calling people to the right way. 

If you are not able to do that, then you can destroy them by burning them, burying them or cutting them up in such a way as to obscure verses of the Qur’aan and names of Allah, and if some words remain visible that does not matter. You could use a paper shredder for this purpose. 

What you are facing of waswaas (whispers from the Shaytaan) is something ordinary that happens to believers; you should not be worried or distracted by it, but you have to try to get rid of it by doing the following: 

1.     Seeking refuge with Allah and seeking His help

2.     Remembering Allah and trying to control your thoughts so that you can put a stop to these whispers

3.     Focusing strongly on worship and following the commands of Allah, seeking His pleasure thereby. When you focus completely on worship in a serious and real manner, you will forget about the distraction of these whispers, in sha Allah.

4.     Turning to Allah a great deal and calling upon Him in du‘aa’, asking Him to heal you from this problem. 

Du‘aa’ (supplication) is of two types:  

1.     Du‘aa’ in the sense of worship. What is meant is that a person worships Allah, may He be exalted, persistently with any kind of worship, in the heart, by physical actions or in financial terms.

2.     Du‘aa’ in the sense of asking, which is asking to be given that which is of benefit or for that which is harmful to be warded off. In other words it is asking Allah, may He be exalted, for that which will benefit one in this world and in the Hereafter, and to ward off that which will harm him in this world and in the Hereafter. 

This is something that believers and non-believers have in common. 

The supplication of the disbelievers, if it is a supplication to someone other than Allah, such as the supplication of the Christians to their object of worship the Messiah (peace be upon him) or to the Virgin Mary, or the supplication of idol worshippers to their idols, is a supplication based on misguidance that will not bring any benefit; rather it will be a cause of punishment for them in the Hereafter, because it is associating others with Allah, may He be exalted. 

Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “For Him (Alone) is the Word of Truth (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but He). And those whom they (polytheists and disbelievers) invoke, answer them no more than one who stretches forth his hand (at the edge of a deep well) for water to reach his mouth, but it reaches him not, and the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but an error (i.e. of no use)” [ar-Ra ‘d 13:14]

Ibn Katheer (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his Tafseer (2/785): What is meant is that just as the one who stretches forth his hand to the water, either to take some of it from a distance will not benefit from the water that does not reach his mouth, similarly these mushrikeen who worship another god alongside Allah will never benefit from that in this world or in the Hereafter. End quote. 

The supplication of the disbelievers to Allah may be answered sometimes, for reasons such as establishing proof against the disbelievers or to prove their disbelief, denial and stubbornness; or to restore justice to those among them who have been wronged, because Allah enjoins justice and forbids injustice; or because He has guaranteed to provide for them in this world, so if they ask Him for provision He grants it to them; or to manifest His kindness, generosity and blessing to all people. 

Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “And when harm touches you upon the sea, those that you call upon besides Him vanish from you except Him (Allah Alone). But when He brings you safely to land, you turn away (from Him). And man is ever ungrateful”[al-Isra’ 17:67]

“Say (O Muhammad SAW): Who rescues you from the darkness of the land and the sea (dangers like storms), when you call upon Him in humility and in secret (saying): If He (Allah) only saves us from this (danger), we shall truly be grateful.

Say (O Muhammad SAW): Allah rescues you from it and from all (other) distresses, and yet you worship others besides Allah”[al-An‘aam 6: 63-64] 

“Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations. Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? Little is that you remember!”[an-Naml 27:62] 

“And He gave you of all that you asked for, and if you count the Blessings of Allah, never will you be able to count them. Verily! Man is indeed an extreme wrong-doer, - a disbeliever (an extreme ingrate, denies Allah’s Blessings by disbelief, and by worshipping others besides Allah, and by disobeying Allah and His Prophet Muhammad SAW)”[Ibraaheem 14:34]

The apparent meaning of these verses indicates that the fact that Allah answers some of the prayers of the disbelievers is to prove their disbelief and denial, and to establish proof against them, or to manifest His mercy, grace and kindness by helping those who are in desperate need and saving those who are in distress. 

The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Fear the prayer of the oppressed, even if he is a disbeliever, for there is no barrier (between it and Allah).” 

Narrated by Ahmad, 12140; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Targheeb wa’t-Tarheeb, 2231

This indicates that Allah responds to the prayer of the disbeliever who is wronged, because Allah enjoins justice and forbids injustice, and He restores justice to those who are wronged even if they are disbelievers, because His justice is perfect. 

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said in Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 1/206: All of mankind, both believers and disbelievers, ask of Allah and Allah may answer the supplication of the disbeliever. If the disbelievers ask Allah for provision, He grants them provision and water. If harm touches them at sea, they will turn to no one except Him. Then when He brings them safely to land, they turn away and man is ever ungrateful. End quote. 

He also said in Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 1/233: With regard to answering the prayers of those who ask, in general terms Allah answers the supplication of the one who is in distress and of the one who is wronged, even if he is a disbeliever. End quote. 

The fact that Allah answers the supplication of the disbelievers does not imply that He loves them or that He supports or honours them, or that He is pleased with their religion and beliefs. Rather that might be part of letting them get carried away (in their misguidance) and hastening good things for them in this world so that they may taste the punishment in the Hereafter. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, does not love the disbelievers and is not pleased with them or their disbelief. 

Ibn al-Qayyim said in Ighaathat al-Lahfaan, 1/13: Not everyone whose supplication Allah answers has attained His pleasure or love, nor is He pleased with his actions. He may answer the prayers of the righteous and evildoers, believers and disbelievers. 

Many people offer supplication in which they overstep the mark, or stipulate conditions, or ask for things for which it is not permissible to ask. Then they get that or some of it, and they think that their actions are righteous and pleasing to Allah, but they are in the same position as one who is given abundant wealth and children so that he might get carried away (in his misguidance), whilst he thinks that Allah is hastening to give him all good things. But Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they had been reminded, We opened to them the gates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them to punishment, and lo! They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows.”[al-An‘aam 6:44]

Supplication may be an act of worship for which the one who does it will be rewarded, or it may be asking to have one’s needs met but that may be harmful to the individual: either he will be punished as a result of what he gets or he will be lowered in status, so he gets his needs met but is punished for neglecting his duties or overstepping the mark. End quote. 

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said in Iqtida’ as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem, p. 89 

Not everyone to whom Allah grants provision and help, whether in response to his supplication or otherwise, is among those whom Allah loves and helps; rather He, may He be glorified, grants provision to believers and disbelievers, righteous and evildoers. He may answer their supplication to give them what they ask for in this world, but they have no share of the hereafter. 

The scholars stated that some disbelievers who were Christians besieged a Muslim city and their water ran out, so they asked the Muslims to give them some fresh water and they would lift the siege from them. The Muslim leaders discussed the matter and said, rather we should leave them until thirst has weakened them, then we can defeat them. Then the Christians prayed for rain and asked Allah to give them water, and He answered their prayer. Some of the common people were confused, so the king said to one of the scholars: Say something to explain the situation to the people. So he issued instructions that a minbar be set up for him and he said: O Allah, we know that these are among those whose provision You have guaranteed, as You say (interpretation of the meaning): “And no (moving) living creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah” [Hood 11:6]. They called upon You in distress, and You answer the one who is in distress when he calls upon You. You granted them rain, because You have guaranteed their provision and because they called upon You in distress, not because You love them or because You love their religion. Now we want to see a sign that will make faith steadfast in the hearts of Your believing slaves. So Allah sent against them (the enemy) a wind that destroyed them, and so on. 

Under this heading also comes one who may offer supplication but overstep the mark in doing so, either by asking for that which is not appropriate or by offering supplication in which there is disobedience towards Allah, whether it be by associating others with Him (shirk) or otherwise. Then if he gets some of what he wanted, he think that this is an indication that his deed was righteous. He is like the one who is given abundant wealth and sons so that might get carried away (in his misguidance), so he thinks that good things have been hastened for him. But Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “Do they think that We enlarge them in wealth and children, We hasten unto them with good things (in this worldly life so that they will have no share of good things in the Hereafter)? Nay, but they perceive not”[al-Mu’minoon 23:55]

When Allah answers some of the supplications of the disbelievers, it takes the form of fulfilling some of their wishes with regard to worldly matters. 

But when Allah answers the supplication of the Muslim, one of three things happen: either he is given what he asked for, or an equivalent evil is diverted from him, or it (the reward for the supplication) is stored up for him in the Hereafter. 

The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “There is no Muslim who offers supplication in which there is no sin or severing of ties of kinship, but Allah will give him one of three things in return for it: either what he asked for will be hastened for him, or (reward) will be stored up for him in the Hereafter or an equivalent evil will be diverted from him.” 

Narrated by Ahmad, 10749; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 2199 

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said in Fath al-Baari, 11/95: Everyone who offers supplication receives a response, but the response may vary. Sometimes he will get exactly what he asked for, and sometimes he will be compensated (with something equivalent). There are saheeh hadeeths which speak of that. End quote. 

3.0 SUPPLICATION OF SOMEONE WHO IS OPPRESSED IS ANSWERED

Question: I read in the Sunnah that the supplication of someone who is oppressed is answered. Does this mean that when we are wronged by someone else, we are encouraged to beseech Allah's wrath against that person?

Answered by:


The Fatwa Department Research Committee - chaired by Sheikh `Abd al-Wahhâb al-Turayrî

Among the things that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Mu`âdh when he dispatched him to govern over Yemen was: “And be wary of the supplication of the oppressed, for between it and Allah there is no barrier.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (1496, 2448) and Sahîh Muslim (19)]
This is understood to mean that the supplication of the oppressed against his oppressor is answered.
It is clear from the context that this is a strong warning against oppressing others. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was warning Mu`âdh to be wary of wronging the people under his authority.
It should not be regarded as an encouragement to invoke supplications against other people every time they do something wrong to you. It is better to pray for their forgiveness and to bear their misdeeds with patience.
At the same time, supplication is the refuge of the truly oppressed and downtrodden. When oppression and weakness strips a person of all practical hope and leaves that person with no one to give support against those who oppress him, that person raises his or her hands to the sky and sets forth his or her complaint before the Lord, the Almighty. Allah strengthens that oppressed person and brings relief, and He lets His wrath fall upon those who oppress.
We see that Noah (peace be upon him) supplicated against his people when they oppressed him, spurned him, and rejected his call.
Also, when Moses (peace be upon him) beseeched Allah in supplication against Pharaoh after he had transgressed, oppressed, and tyrannized Moses's people, Allah answered his supplication. The oppressor’s lot is disgrace in this world and a painful chastisement in the Hereafter.
`Umar said, when he appointed Hunayy to manage the affairs of an area: “Restrain your hands from wronging the Muslims and be wary of the supplication of the oppressed, for indeed the supplication of the oppressed is answered.” [
Sahîh al-Bukhârî (3059)]
What we must do is take heed of these warnings and refrain from wronging others.
And Allah knows best.

SOURCES


https://islamqa.info/en/153316

https://islamqa.info/en/113177 

https://islamqa.info/en/12315 

https://islamqa.info/en/5390 

dailyhadith.abuaminaelias.com/2013/01/22/hadith-on-oppression-fear...

abuaminaelias.com/beware-the-supplication-of-the-oppressed

www.islamweb.net/en/article/142451

www.quran-al-mubeen.com/2762-beware-of-the-supplication-of-the...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3Vdig0TKzw

www.salafi-dawah.com/beware-of-the-supplication-of-the-oppressed-o...

en.islamtoday.net/quesshow-175-3613.htm

english.islammessage.com/articledetails.aspx?articleId=5141

www.oneummah.net/articles/beware_prayer.htm

imamreza.net/eng/imamreza.php?id=11601

 

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