CALAMITIES FROM A SHARI'AH
PERSPECTIVE (BRIEF)
ASSEMBLED BY
MALLAM ABBA ABANA, KUBWA, ABUJA, NIGERIA
http://variousislamicdawadocuments.blogspot.com
https://web.facebook.com/abba.abana
emails:gonidamgamiri@yahoo.com;
abba.abana@gmail.com
To be delivered on
Saturday, 13th May 2017 CE and 15h Shabaan 1438 AH
Bismillah
Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah. As-Salaam Alaikum
Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu. Amma Ba’d.
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
(Sal Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) is His slave and Messenger.
1.0 THE THREE DANGERS OF LOSING FAITH
IN ISLAM[1]
a)
Losing perspective of reality; to see that what we have is everything,
material wealth is the be all and end all of life and not realizes that this is
only a brief moment in history.
b)
Loss of morality; as characterized by individualism; this is placing the
human being at the center stage of everything when people feel there is no need
for empathy, kindness, forgiveness and patience, a liberal attitude to human
behavior.
c)
Blind faith in science and technology; this is the notion that science and
technology will eventually solve and cure all human problems.
Science is
rediscovering some of the realities and facts that the Muslims have always been
familiar with since the middle ages. Similarly the Social sciences and
humanities are rediscovering some of the perennial truths that the Quran has
taught for 1400 years.
2.0 THREE GIFTS FOR OUR TIMES THAT WILL
SAVE US FROM LOSING FAITH IN ISLAM
1)
Spiritual discipline not a quick fix
The world of fast food, fast cars,
flickering screens and self-gratification at our fingertips is a hallmark of
our age. It is important to help young people to see beyond this and develop
spiritual discipline. This is a long process. It takes time and begins with
learning and spending time in the mosque with the right company and staying away from all the distractions but
somebody has to do this and provide this.
2)
Relationships and mentoring
Ours is a society that is mentor
hungry, people are hungry of authentic, significant and mature relationships.
We must help people to relate lovingly to one another through God.
3)
Putting faith in Islam
How do you view the current financial
problems? The world is driven by greed, by this notion that you can be a master
of the universe since you know how to shift few numbers and to sell toxic
products and the borrower can the fooled to buy more toxic products. It’s a
chain of greed. It’s astonishing because people are suffering and those that
are were never at the high table in the first place. They were not responsible
for constructing these bizarre deals some of which are mind blowing. All are
being dragged down by it and that is utterly tragic. The financial devastation
caused by the European technocrats. This is mind numbing crass materialism. So
don’t be greedy!
A story’s told of
a dog walking across a bridge with a bone in his mouth. When he looked down
into the river and saw his reflection, he thought it was another dog with a
bigger bone. So he jumped in to get it-and drowned. Human greed destroys
dignity and sanity, making us miserly and selfish.
May Allah protect
us from the evil around us and give us the ability to stand up against it.
3.0 CALAMITIES ACCORDING TO SHARI'AH[2]
Calamities are not
an evil omen as some perceive; rather a person may be tested with good things.
Allah (says: Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you
with evil and with good. And to Us you will be returned. (Holy Quran Chapter 21:35)
As for the type
mentioned in the above verse…the trial of evil; Allah would test His slave to
see if he bears patiently or not. Allah says: And certainly, We shall test you
with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad
tidings to the patient.( Holy Quran
Chapter 2:155).
As for the second
type, the trial of good; Allah would test His slave to see if he is grateful or
not. Allah, the Exalted, relates to us the story of Prophet Sulaiman (Alaihi
Salam): One with whom was the knowledge of the Scripture said: 'I will bring it
to you within the twinkling of an eye!' Then when he saw it placed before him,
he said: 'This is by the Grace of my Rubb to test me whether I am grateful or
ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for the good of his
ownself; and whoever is ungrateful. Certainly my Rubb is rich and bountiful. (Holy Quran Chapter 27:40).
A person should
understand that if he is tested with good things it is not a sign that Allah
loves him and is pleased with him. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) says about
Qaroon: Verily, Qaroon was of Musa's people, but he behaved arrogantly towards
them. And We gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been
a burden to a body of strong men. Remember when his people said to him: 'Do not
exult with riches, being ungrateful to Allah. Verily, Allah likes not those who
exult. But seek, with that wealth which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of
the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of lawful enjoyment in this world;
and do good as Allah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land.
Verily, Allah likes not those who commit great crimes and are corruptors. He
said: 'This has been given to me only because of the knowledge I possess.' Did
he not know that Allah had destroyed before him generations; men who were
stronger than him in might and greater in the amount of riches they had
collected? But the criminals will not be questioned of their sins because Allah
knows them well, so they will be punished without being called to account. So
he went forth before his people in his pomp. Those who were desirous of the
life of the world, said: 'Ah, would that we had the like of what Qaroon has
been given!
Verily, he is the
owner of a great fortune.' But those who had been given knowledge said: 'Woe to
you! The reward of Allah in the Hereafter is better for those who believe and
do righteous good deeds, and this no one shall attain except those who are
patient. So We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling place. Then he
had no group or party to help him against Allah, nor was he one of those who
could save themselves.'(Holy Quran
Chapter 28:76-81)
Sahl b. Sa'd (RA)
said that the Messenger of Allah (Sal’lal’laaho a’laihi wa sal’lam) passed by
Dhul-Hulaifah and saw a decaying bloated sheep whose leg was raised, and he
said: 'Is this sheep worthless to its master?' the Companions said: 'yes!' He (Sal’lal’laaho
a’laihi wa sal’lam) then said: 'By the One in Whose hands is my life, this
world is more worthless to Allah than this animal to its master! Were the life
of this world to equal even the wing of a fly, He would not have given the
disbeliever even a drink of water.' (Haakim).
Allah (Subhanahu
Wa Taala) gives worldly riches to those whom He loves and to those whom He does
not; whereas the success in the Hereafter is only granted to him whom Allah
(Subhanahu Wa Taala) loves.
Furthermore, if a
person is struck with a calamity, it does not mean that Allah (Subhanahu Wa
Taala) hates that person. Allah, the Exalted relates to us in the Qur'an the
story of Prophet Ayoub (Alaihi Salam) saying: And Ayoub, when he called to his
Rubb: 'Indeed adversity has touched me, and You are the most merciful of the
merciful. So We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity.
And We gave him [back] his family and the like thereof with them as mercy from
Us and a reminder for the worshippers.(
Holy Quran Chapter 21:83-84)
Mus'ab b. Sa'd b.
Malik (RA) narrated that his father said: "O Messenger of Allah (Sal’lal’laaho
a’laihi wa sal’lam), who are the most tested and tried people in this world? He
answered: 'The Prophets, and then who are similar to them (i.e. the god-fearing
and pious). A man would be tested and tried according to his piety and Deen. If
the individual has strong faith, he would be tested and tried in a severer
manner; similarly, if the man's Deen is weak, he would be tested accordingly. A
person would be struck by a calamity until he would be sin-free." (Ibn
Hibban #2901).
Abdullah b.
Mughaf'fal (RA) said that a man fondled with a woman who was known to be a
harlot during the Days of Ignorance as he walked past her. She exclaimed in
disapproval: 'Leave me alone! Allah has cleansed us from Shirk (polytheism) and
honored us with Islam!' He left her alone, but turned his head to look at her,
(and while he was doing this) he smashed into a wall and cut his face. He then
went to the Prophet (Sal’lal’laaho a’laihi wa sal’lam) and he said: "Allah wants good for you,
for if Allah wants good for a slave, he would punish him in this life for the
sins that he committed. But if he wants evil for a slave, he would delay the
punishment of his sins till the Hereafter." (Hakim #8133).
The Prophet (Sal’lal’laaho
a’laihi wa sal’lam) said: 'A person would be afflicted and tried in his health, offspring and
wealth until he would meet Allah (on the Day of Resurrection) sin-free.' (Ibn
Hib'ban #2924).
The reward that
Allah has promised for those who bear patiently would only be for the patient
believer!
Imam Ibn
al-Qayyim, May Allah have mercy on him, said (Fawaa'id pg. 32): 'A person would
be considered from a category of six categories, if he dislikes something which
is preordained for him.
1)
1st Category: Pure Tawheed, such that a person would say, 'Allah has
predestined, preordained, created, and what He wills shall come to pass.'
2)
2nd Category: Justice, such that a person would say, 'Allah is just,
whatever He ordains is just.'
3)
3rd Category: Mercy, such that a person would say, 'Allah's mercy surpasses
His anger.'
4)
4th Category: Wisdom, such that a person would say, 'Allah is all-Wise, and
He has ordained that this will come to pass, therefore there must be a divine
wisdom behind it which we may or may not perceive.'
5)
5th Category: Gratefulness, such that a person would say, 'All the praise
belongs to Allah, alone.'
6)
6th Category: Complete Submission to Allah, such that a person would
realize that he is a slave, and that whatever his Master ordains and wills
shall come to pass.
4.0 REASONS CALAMITIES BEFALL ON MAN
4.1 COMMITTING SINS
Committing sins.
Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) says: (And whatever
strikes you of disaster – it is for what your hands have earned; but He pardons
much. (Holy Quran Chapter 42:30)
A’ishah (RA) said
that the Messenger of Allah e said: ‘Towards
the end of time some lands would disappear, strong winds would strike (and
earthquakes would occur).’(‘and earthquakes would occur’ is taken from the
narration of Abu Dawood.) She said: ‘O Messenger of Allah (Sal’lal’laaho
a’laihi wa sal’lam)! Would we be destroyed, and among us are the pious?’ He
said: ‘Yes, if evil becomes widespread.’ (Tirmidthi).
Abu Musa (RA) said
that the Messenger of Allah (Sal’lal’laaho a’laihi wa sal’lam) said: ‘Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) would give the oppressor many chances to
stop his oppression; but when He punishes him [for his oppression] He (Subhanahu
Wa Taala) would not waive it. The Messenger of Allah (Sal’lal’laaho a’laihi wa
sal’lam) then recited: (Such is the
chastisement of your Rubb when He chastises communities in the midst of their
wrong: grievous, indeed, and severe is His chastisement.(Bukhari).
Ali (RA) said:
‘Every affliction which befalls (the Ummah) is due to a sin, and it would not
be waived unless (people) repent (to Allah).’
The Poet said:
Sins make one heedless, and if one continuously sins; he would be humiliated.
When one abandons
sins, his heart would revive, and it is better for him to disagree with his
whims.
4.2 LOVE AND DESIRE OF THIS LIFE AND
HEEDLESSNESS OF THE HEREAFTER
Love of this life
and desiring it above everything else; heedlessness of the Hereafter, and not
preparing for it.
The Prophet (Sal'lal'laaho a'laihi wa
sal'lam) said: ‘Whoever desires and seeks the adornment of
the Hereafter, Allah would suffice him with what he has, and gather for him his
affairs, and whatever Allah has willed for him of this Dunya (worldly matters)
he would attain in an easy manner. Whoever desires and seeks the adornments of
this life, Allah would make him in need of it, and would not gather for him his
affairs, and he would only attain of this Dunya what Allah has ordained.'
(Tirmidthi).
4.3 DEVOURING RIBA (USURY) OR INTERESTS
Devouring Riba
(usury), and facilitating it. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) says: (O you who believe, fear Allah and give
up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers. And if
you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His
Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal – [thus] you do no
wrong, nor are you wronged.( Holy Quran
Chapter 2:278-279)
Devouring Riba
would wipe out the goodness of the wealth. The Prophet said: 'No one devours
Riba, except that he would become needy.' (Ibn Majah).
The one who
devours Riba, would be cast away from the mercy of Allah. Jabir said that the
Messenger of Allah said: 'Allah curses the one who takes Riba, and the one who
gives it, and the one who writes (the contract) and the two witnesses who
attest to it.' (Muslim).
Another proof
which proves its evil is the words of the Prophet (Sal’lal’laaho a’laihi wa
sal’lam):
'Riba has seventy
three levels, the least of which is similar to fornicating with one’s [own]
mother; and the gravest is [to invade] a Believer’s [protected privacy].'
(Hakim).
4.4 SINNING IN OPEN PUBLIC AND HOPING
IT WOULD SPREAD AMONG THE PEOPLE.
Sinning in public,
beautifying it and hoping that it would spread among the people. Allah
(Subhanahu Wa Taala) says: (Indeed, those who
like that immorality should be spread [or publicized] among those who have
believed will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And
Allah knows and you do not know.( Holy
Quran Chapter 24:19)
The Prophet (Sal’lal’laaho
a’laihi wa sal’lam) said: 'All of my Ummah (nation) would be safeguarded except those who
openly display sinful acts.
Announcing the
sins that a person did during the night, while Allah had screened (others from
knowing what he had done) is also considered as openly displaying sinful acts.
The person would say: 'I did this and this last night'…he went to sleep while
Allah had screened him and he uncovered it himself.' (Bukhari).
Abdullah b. Umar
(RA) said that the Messenger of Allah (Sal’lal’laaho a’laihi wa sal’lam) said to them:
'O Muhaajireen, I
seek refuge with Allah that you be afflicted with five things or that you
witness them.
Fornication would
not become apparent amongst a people until plague, and diseases which were not
known previously would become widespread. People would not cheat in weight and
measure, except that they would be struck with famine and insufficient
supplies, and a ruler who wrongs them. They would not prevent Zakah, except
that they would be prevented the rain, and had it not been for the animals,
they would not receive rain. They would not break the pledge of Allah and His
Messenger except that their enemy (from outside) would gain the upper-hand over
them, and they would take some of their possessions. Their rulers would not
rule by the Book of Allah, except that civil strife would break out amongst
them.' (Hakim).
4.5 FORSAKING THE GOOD
Forsaking and
abandoning ordering with the good and forbidding the evil. This indeed would
safeguard the Ummah. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) says:
(Cursed were those who disbelieved among
the Children of Israel by the tongue of David and of Jesus, the son of Mary.
That was because they disobeyed and [habitually] transgressed. They used not to
prevent one another from wrongdoing that they did. How wretched was that which
they were doing. You see many of them becoming allies of those who
disbelieved…How wretched is that which
they have put
forth for themselves in that Allah has become angry with them, and in the
punishment they will abide eternally. And if they had believed in Allah and the
Prophet and in what was revealed to him, they would not have taken them as
allies; but many of them are defiantly disobedient.( Holy Quran Chapter 5:78-81)
Abu Bakr (RA)
said: 'O people you read this verse: (O you who believe, upon you is
[responsibility for] yourselves. Those who have gone astray will not harm you
when you have been guided.) and I have heard
the Messenger of Allah e say: 'If people
see the oppressor oppressing others, and do not stop him, the punishment of
Allah would encompass him.' (Tirmidthi).
4.6 SHOWING LOVE TO SINNERS WHO ARE
DISOBEDIENT TO ALLAH
Showing love to
sinners (i.e. disobedient to Allah), aligning himself with them, and exerting
one's effort to support them. Abdullah b. Masood (RA) said that the Messenger
of Allah (Sal’lal’laaho a’laihi wa sal’lam) said:
'One of the first
sins [of the] Children of Israel, was that a person would meet a person and he
would say: 'O so and so, fear Allah and stop doing whatever you are doing! For
it is not lawful for you.' He would then meet him the next day, and [the fact
that he was sinning the previous day would not prevent him from] eating,
drinking and sitting with him. When they did this Allah hardened their hearts
(those who sinned and those who did not). He then recited:
(Cursed were those who disbelieved among
the Children of Israel by the tongue of David and of Jesus, the son of Mary.
That was because they disobeyed and [habitually] transgressed. They used not to
prevent one another from wrongdoing that they did. How wretched was that which
they were doing You see many of them becoming allies of those who disbelieved.
How wretched is that which they have put forth for themselves in that Allah has
become angry with them, and in the punishment they will abide eternally. And if
they had believed in Allah and the Prophet and in what was revealed to him,
they would not have taken them as allies; but many of them are defiantly
disobedient.
He then said:
'Nay, by Allah you will order with the good and forbid the evil and prevent the
oppressor from his oppression and make him abide by the truth.' (Abu Dawood)
4.7 RIDICULING THE BELIEVERS
Ridiculing the
believers, spreading animosity against them, particularly the pious among them.
Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) says:
(Indeed Allah defends those who have
believed. Indeed, Allah does not like the treacherous and ungrateful. (Holy Quran Chapter 22:38).
Abu Hurairah (RA)
said that the Messenger of Allah said that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) says:
'Whoever harms a
wali (pious man) of mine, I have declared war against him.' (Bukhari)
Ridiculing
believers, would possibly lead one to ridiculing the Deen of Allah, which would
cast a person out of the folds of Islam. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) says:
(And if you ask them, they will surely
say, 'We were only conversing and playing.' Say, 'Is it Allah and His verses
and His Messenger that you were mocking? Make no excuse; you have disbelieved
[i.e. rejected faith] after your belief. If We pardon one faction of you – We
will punish another faction because they were criminals.( Holy Quran Chapter 9:65-66).
4.8 SHOWING CONTEMPT, BELITTLING AND
MOCKING PEOPLE
Showing contempt
to people, belittling and mocking them. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) says:
(Those who defame the believers who give
charity (in Allah's cause) voluntarily, and such who could not find to give
charity (in Allah's cause) except what is available to them – so they mock at
them (believers); Allah shall requite them for their mockery, and for them is a
grievous punishment.( Holy Quran Chapter 9:79).
The Messenger of
Allah (Sal’lal’laaho a’laihi wa sal’lam)
said: 'Do not show contempt to your brother, for Allah may have mercy on
him, and afflict you.' (Tirmidhi).
4.9 PLOTTING AGAINST THE SLAVES OF
ALLAH AND TRICKING THEM
Plotting against
the slaves of Allah, by tricking them or behaving treacherously towards them.
Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) says: (But the evil plot
encompasses only him who makes it.(
Holy Quran Chapter 35:43)
The Messenger of
Allah (Sal’lal’laaho a’laihi wa sal’lam) said that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala)
says:
"I have
created some among men whose speech is sweeter than honey, and hearts are
bitterer than Saber (the bitterest plant). I swear by Myself, I will afflict
them with an affliction which makes the most patient person of them puzzled…Do
they think they can befool Me? Or, do they think they can transgress My
limits?" (Tirmidhi).
4.10 ENJOYING THE BOUNTIES OF ALLAH AND
SHOWING GRATITUDE TO OTHER THAN ALLAH
Enjoying the
bounties of Allah, and not showing any gratitude to Him, or showing gratitude
to other than Him on account of that. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) says: see
(Holy Quran Chapter 28:79-81) details as per section three above.
Allah (Subhanahu
Wa Taala) says: So which of the favors
of your Rubb would you deny? (Holy Quran
Chapter 55:25).
The exegete
Abdurrahmaan as-Sa'di, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 'So which of the
religious or worldly favors of Allah do you deny?' and how excellent is the
answer of the Jinn when he recited to them So which of the favors of your Rubb
would you deny? They said: 'O our Rubb, we do not deny any of your favors, and
to you belongs all the praise.'
And Allah Knows Best.
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