Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
In the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), during the beginning days of Islam, there were just a few people who embraced Islam. At that time, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) had to undergo a lot of hardships and difficulties for deen. However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was a mountain of steadfastness, and being divinely guided by Allah Ta‘ala, he remained firm and continued inviting people towards Islam.
Whenever Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) found an opportunity to invite people to Islam, he would seize the opportunity. During the months of haj, people would travel from far and wide, from different parts of the globe, to come to Makkah Mukarramah for haj. Thus, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) considered the occasion of haj to be a golden opportunity to go to the different tribes who were in Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafah and invite them to Islam.
Abdullah bin Waabisah Al-Absi mentions an incident which he heard from his grandfather who was an eyewitness to the incident. His grandfather, at that time, was not a Muslim, but later on, Allah Ta‘ala granted him hidaayat and he embraced Islam. His grandfather explains how Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) invited the people to deen in Mina during the days of haj. He says:
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) rode on a camel, and behind him, seated on the camel, was Hazrat Zaid bin Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the freed slave of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) went to the different tribes in Mina and invited them to deen, but the people did not pay any attention to him. Whichever tribe he went to, and whichever people he invited – they did not show any interest towards his message. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was alone with Hazrat Zaid (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), moving from tent-to-tent and tribe-to-tribe.
This continued until Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came to a certain tribe and began to invite them to Islam. The people of this tribe also did not show any interest to what Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was saying. However, among them was a man by the name of Maysarah bin Masrooq. He began to pay attention and showed some interest in the message of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). While everyone else was turning away, disinclined and not showing any interest, he paid attention and came close to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to hear what he had to say. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thus felt hope that he might perhaps embrace Islam.
The deep love in the heart of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) for every ummati is more than the love of any mother for her child. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) wished to see how every person could be saved from the blazing fire of Jahannum.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) therefore continued inviting Maysarah to Islam, until Maysarah said to him, “How beautiful are the words that you are imparting and this message that you are giving me!” He turned to his people as well and told them that they should all embrace Islam. However, his people were not interested, and also discouraged him from embracing Islam.
Maysarah said to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “Really, I have the desire to accept the message that you are giving, but my people are not interested, and a man is indeed dependent on his clan and tribesmen. If I follow you, then my people will ostracize me and cut off ties with me.” Hearing this, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) left him and moved on.
Deep down in his heart, Maysarah knew that this religion of Islam, which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was inviting towards, was the true religion. It was just due to these obstacles on his path, of his tribe opposing him, that he did not accept.
As the days of haj passed, and the day came for them to return to their hometown, they passed by the land of Fadak. Maysarah said to his people, “There are Jews who reside here, in this land of Fadak. Let us stop, on our way, meet these Jews, and since they have the past scriptures, we will ask them regarding this man who is claiming nubuwwah to find out whether there is any mention of him in their past scriptures.”
His people agreed and they stopped in Fadak. They came to the Jewish rabbi and told him how they had met a man in Mina who invited them to Islam, claiming to be the final prophet of Allah Ta‘ala. They asked him whether any mention is made of this person claiming prophethood in their scriptures.
The Jewish rabbi took out their scriptures and began to recite from the Towraah, and in the Towraah, mention was made of the coming of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) – the final Nabi of Allah Ta‘ala. The physical description of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and his message – all was clearly recorded in the Towraah.
It was mentioned in the Towraah that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) will be the unlettered Nabi – unable to read and write. He will be sent to the land of Arabia (i.e. Makkah Mukarramah). He will ride the camel, and will suffice on a few pieces of bread as his food. He will neither be very tall nor very short, but rather of average height. His hair will neither be straight nor curly. He will have a tinge of redness in the white of his eyes.
In other words, the entire description of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was given which indicated that he will be the one divinely appointed by Allah Ta‘ala and sent to the world as the final Nabi.
After giving all the descriptions of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned in the Towraah, the Jewish rabbi said, “If the person who invited you to Islam fits this description, then you must know that he is the final Nabi.”
Maysarah said, “Yes! All that you mentioned to us exactly fits the description of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)!” The Jewish rabbi said, “If this is the man that you met, then embrace his deen, as it is the true religion. My people, the Jews, will not accept him, as they are too jealous of him on account of the fact that nubuwwah moved from the Banu Ishaaq to the Banu Ismaaeel. We, the Jews, will not accept him. From the Arabs, every person will either follow him or fight against him, so ensure that you are among those who follow him.”
Maysarah immediately said to his people, “Let us return and go to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to embrace Islam.” However, his people said, “No, rather, we will meet him next year when we go for haj, and at that time, we will embrace Islam.”
In this way, they delayed embracing Islam. The following year, they did not go for haj, and something or another kept coming up each year due to which they procrastinated. In this way, many years passed, until the time came when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) migrated from Makkah Mukarramah to Madinah Munawwarah. Thereafter, various battles were fought against the Quraish and other tribes. Then, the time came when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was about to leave the world.
At that time, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) made an announcement to the Sahaabah M, informing them that he is going to perform haj, as Allah Ta‘ala has made haj fardh on this ummat, for those who have the means. All the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) gathered and joined Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) on this journey. Some Ulama mention that the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) were 124 000 in number, while others say that they were 130 000 in number.
During this haj, when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was in Mina, this very same person – Maysarah – came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in order to embrace Islam. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) recognized that he was the same person who Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had met in the beginning of Islam in Mina.
Maysarah said, “O Rasul of Allah! From the day you stopped your conveyance by us and spoke to us, I continued to wish that I could come to you, accept Islam and follow you. However, something always came up, and in this manner, time continued to pass. Hence, as you can see, my embracing Islam has been delayed until now. As for my other clansmen whom you had addressed in Mina, they have all passed away. Tell me, O Nabi of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), where is their abode, in Jannah or Jahannum?
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Any person who does not embrace Islam and accept Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) as the final messenger of Allah, and he passes away in this condition, he will pass away as a disbeliever, upon kufr and shirk. His abode will be the blazing fire of Jahannum, to dwell there forever and ever.” Maysarah exclaimed, “All praise is due to Allah who blessed me with Islam and saved me from the fire of Jahannum.” (Bidaayah wan Nihaayah 4/360-362)
Islam is the Only Path to Jannah
The criteria by Allah Ta‘ala, for acceptance and success, is only imaan and Islam. If a person has this imaan and Islam and comes before Allah Ta‘ala, he will come with the ticket for Jannah, and his abode will be Jannah.
If a person comes on the Day of Qiyaamah, and he does not have imaan and Islam, then even if he has done everything good in the sight of people in this dunya, and was at the forefront of humanitarian works, and distributing hampers and aid, but he did not accept Allah Ta‘ala as his Creator and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) as his Nabi, and did not bring imaan, then he will dwell in hell forever and ever.
In the blessed Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “I take an oath by that Being in whose hand lies the life of Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! There is no person from this ummah who hears of me, whether a Jew or a Christian, and thereafter he dies without bringing imaan in that Deen which I have been sent with, except that he will be from the people of the fire of Jahannum.” (Saheeh Muslim #153)
We should understand how important this deen of Islam is. In the Qur’aan Majeed, Allah Ta‘ala says:
وَ مَنۡ یَّبۡتَغِ غَیۡرَ الۡاِسۡلَامِ دِیۡنًا فَلَنۡ یُّقۡبَلَ مِنۡہُ ۚ وَ ہُوَ فِی الۡاٰخِرَۃِ مِنَ الۡخٰسِرِیۡنَ ﴿۸۵﴾
Whoever seeks (a religion) besides Islam as his deen, then it will never be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter, he will be from the losers. (Surah Aal-e-Imraan v. 85)
The Sad Outcome of Abu Taalib
When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) began the mission of Islam, and people began to accept Islam, then at that time, Abu Taalib, the beloved uncle of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), supported Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) all the way. Throughout the life of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he stood as a pillar of support, and on account of Abu Taalib, the kuffaar could not lay their hands on Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). They could not oppress Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) like how they were oppressing the other Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum). Abu Taalib was that medium Allah Ta‘ala used to make the kuffaar refrain from harming Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), as out of respect for Abu Taalib, they would not harm Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
At every juncture, Abu Taalib was there for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). The father of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) passed away before he was born. Then his mother passed away when he was six years old. He then entered into the care of his grandfather, Abdul Muttalib. When Abdul Muttalib left the world, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was eight years old. He then came into the custody of his uncle, Abu Taalib.
Abu Taalib cared for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) like his own child and loved him dearly. Yet, when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came with the deen of Islam, other people accepted it, but Abu Taalib did not accept it. He supported and assisted the Nabi of Allah Ta‘ala and the deen of Islam, but he did not accept Islam.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) always desired for his uncle to embrace Islam, as Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) knew that the one who embraces Islam, he will be safeguarded and protected eternally from the fire of Jahannum. However, if one does not embrace Islam, then he will dwell in hell forever and will never enter Jannah.
In the 10th year after nubuwwah, about 3 years prior to the hijrah to Madinah Munawwarah, the respected wife of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Hazrat Khadijah J, passed away. She was a pillar of support for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Then, the uncle of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Abu Taalib, also passed away. They passed away about just three days apart. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was greatly grieved and saddened over this. That year was called “عام الحزن” the Year of Grief. It was a time of great difficulty, as the boycott had just taken place as well.
When Abu Taalib was in the throes of death, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was worried and concerned that his uncle must leave this world with imaan. It is mentioned in the narration of Hazrat Sa’eed bin Musayyib (rahimahullah):
لما حضرت أبا طالب الوفاة جاءه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فوجد عنده أبا جهل بن هشام وعبد الله بن أبي أمية بن المغيرة
When Abu Taalib was on his deathbed, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came to him (to invite him to Islam). When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) reached there, he found that Abu Jahl and Abdullah bin Abi Umayyah bin Mugheera (who was another leader of the kaafirs) present there at his side.
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) could not go close to his uncle as these two kaafirs were there. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to him:
يا عم قل لا إله إلا الله، كلمة أحاج لك بها عند الله
O my uncle! Say the kalimah “Laa ilaaha illallah”! Then if you pass away, I will discuss your matter with Allah Ta‘ala (and I will intercede on your behalf)!
At that time, Abu Jahl and Abdullah bin Abi Umayyah both said:
يا أبا طالب أترغب عن ملة عبد المطلب
O Abu Taalib! Are you turning away from the religion of your father, Abdul Muttalib (i.e. do not accept the religion of Muhammed)!
Abu Taalib really loved Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), but this was now the critical moment. In some narrations, it is mentioned that he told Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam):
لولا أن تعيرني بها قريش يقولون ما حمله عليه إلا جزع الموت لأقررت بها عينك
O Muhammed! If it wasn’t for the embarrassment I would have to undergo, that the Quraish will say that out of fear of death, he embraced Islam, I would have pleased you (by embracing Islam).
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) continued to tell him to recite the kalimah, and Abu Jahl and Abdullah bin Abi Umayyah continued to tell him to stay on the religion of Abdul Muttalib, until he said:
على ملة عبد المطلب
I die on the religion of Abdul Muttalib
In this way, he departed from this world. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was very grieved and heartbroken at that time. He mentioned:
والله لأستغفرن لك ما لم أنه عنك
By Allah! I will continue to beg Allah for forgiveness on your behalf (O Abu Taalib,) so long as I am not prevented (i.e. as long as Allah Ta‘ala does not prohibit me).
Allah Ta‘ala then sent down the verses of the Qur’aan Majeed:
مَا کَانَ لِلنَّبِیِّ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اَنۡ یَّسۡتَغۡفِرُوۡا لِلۡمُشۡرِکِیۡنَ وَ لَوۡ کَانُوۡۤا اُولِیۡ قُرۡبٰی مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ مَا تَبَیَّنَ لَہُمۡ اَنَّہُمۡ اَصۡحٰبُ الۡجَحِیۡمِ ﴿۱۱۳﴾
It is not (permissible) for the Nabi and the believers to seek forgiveness for the mushrikeen (polytheists), even if they are family relatives, after it became clear to them that they are the people of hell. (Surah Taubah v. 113)
In other words, it is not permissible for the Nabi and the believers to ask forgiveness on behalf of those who have left this world on kufr and shirk. If they did not embrace Islam, you cannot beg forgiveness for them. They will dwell in hell forever.
On that occasion as well, this verse came down:
اِنَّکَ لَا تَہۡدِیۡ مَنۡ اَحۡبَبۡتَ وَ لٰکِنَّ اللّٰہَ یَہۡدِیۡ مَنۡ یَّشَآءُ ۚ وَ ہُوَ اَعۡلَمُ بِالۡمُہۡتَدِیۡنَ ﴿۵۶﴾
(O Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)!) You cannot give guidance to whomsoever you wish, but Allah gives guidance to whomsoever He wills, and He knows best those who are on the right path. (Surah Qasas v. 56)
Here, we are speaking about the beloved uncle of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Abu Taalib, who stood as a pillar of support for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and assisted the Muslims and Islam, but he did not embrace Islam. Allah Ta‘ala sent Qur’aan Majeed down regarding him and all those who die on kufr that they will dwell in hell forever. (Ibnu Katheer 3/394)
Hazrat Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was the uncle of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the brother of Abu Taalib. Allah Ta‘ala blessed him with imaan and Islam. One day, he said to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “Your uncle, Abu Taalib, did a lot for you. He stood for you and supported you (though he did not embrace Islam). Will he benefit from you in any way in the Hereafter?”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Yes, Allah Ta‘ala will give him the lightest form of punishment in Jahannum because of me. His azaab will be that he will be made to wear shoes of fire. The fire will go through his body until his brains and his entire head will boil.” (Saheeh Muslim #209, 212)
Supporting the Shiahs of Iran
Today, people discuss world events and what’s happening. On one side is Israel, and on the other side is Iran. People say that Iran did good for the Muslims and assisted the Muslims. Understand well that by Allah Ta‘ala, the criteria of judgement is imaan and Islam.
Just as we see the Jews and people of Israel causing so much of harm to Islam and the Muslims, then these people – the Shiahs – are no different. If one has to open the books of history, then one will find that throughout the annals of history, it was the Shiahs, in every era, who caused colossal harm to Islam and the Muslims.
The war in Syria just came to an end – the Shias were responsible for massacring 580 000 Muslims. In the 6th century of Islam, they caused a genocide in the land of Baghdad, causing great amount of bloodshed and killing many Muslims and Ulama. It is reported that they killed more than one and half million people in Baghdad (Tareekh Dawat-wa-Azeemat). Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had prophesized this in his Mubaarak Hadith, as reported in the Hadith of Abu Dawood Shareef.
If both (Iran and Israel) are the enemies of the Muslims, you will not say, “I am on this side or that side.” If there are two dogs which bite you all the time, and now the two dogs fight, and one kills the other, you will say, “At least now there’s only one dog left.” You will be happy, and you will not say, “I am on this side.”
A Glimpse at Some of the Kufr Beliefs of the Shiah
The Qaadiyanis believe that Ghulaam Ahmed Qaadiyani came as a Rasul after Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and through this belief, they are kaafirs, as they reject the clear verse of the Qur’aan Majeed. Allah Ta‘ala says:
مَا کَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ اَبَاۤ اَحَدٍ مِّنۡ رِّجَالِکُمۡ وَ لٰکِنۡ رَّسُوۡلَ اللّٰہِ وَ خَاتَمَ النَّبِیّٖنَ ؕ
Muhammed is not a father of any of your men, but he is a messenger of Allah and the last of the prophets. (Surah Ahzaab v. 40)
In this verse, Allah Ta‘ala clearly mentions that Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is the seal of prophethood. Therefore, through the Qaadiyanis believing that Ghulaam Ahmed Qaadiyani came as a Nabi after Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), they have rejected this verse of the Qur’aan Majeed, and hence they are ruled as kaafirs.
All our Ulama say that these Qaadiyanis are kaafirs as they go against the Qur’aan Majeed. Your belief structure must conform to the belief structure of Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), the Qur’aan and the Sunnah in order for you to be a believer. Hence, the Qaadiyanis are out of the fold of Islam.
Now, if you look at the Shiahs, then they believe that after Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), there is something called the twelve Imaams. They say that these twelve Imaams hold such a high position in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala that no angel and no prophet and Nabi can come close to their rank. (Al-Hukoomatul Islaamiyaah by Khomeini) In other words, these Imaams are even greater than the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam). Through this belief, they are opposing the Qur’aan Majeed and the Mubaarak Ahaadith, and thus, they are out of the fold of Islam.
Then they have a practise called mut’ah. Mut’ah is zina and prostitution, but it is something holy according to them. You can marry a woman for a few hours or a few days. They say that if you do it once, you reach the rank of Hazrat Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). If you do it the second time, you reach the rank of Hazrat Hasan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). If you do it the third time, you reach the rank of Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). The Qur’aan Majeed clearly states that zina is haraam and says “Do not go close to it”, but the Shiahs say that it is holy and part of their religion. (Burhaanul Mut’ah)
Then they have a practise called holy hypocrisy also known as taqiyyah. They believe that to deceive, cheat and harm a Sunni is rewarding and part of their faith. (Usoolul Kaafi)
Then they say that all the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) became kaafir after Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) passed away, besides a few. But, in the Qur’aan Majeed, Allah Ta‘ala declares His divine pleasure for the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum). Allah Ta‘ala says:
رَّضِیَ اللّٰہُ عَنۡہُمۡ وَ رَضُوۡا عَنۡہُ
Allah is pleased with them (the Sahaabah), and they are pleased with Him. (Surah Taubah v. 100)
In this aayat, Allah is declaring His eternal happiness for the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).
We should remember that if two dogs are fighting, we will say, “Let them fight! I’m not on the side of any dog, as these dogs are harming us. We will be happy if one dog dies, as at least our problems will become less.” We turn to Allah Ta‘ala at the time of any hardship and difficulty as Allah Ta‘ala is in control, and if the Muslims become obedient to Allah Ta‘ala, Allah Ta‘ala will rain down His divine assistance upon Islam and the Muslims.
Allah Ta‘ala is there for us at all times. We do not need these people and these superpowers. Imagine if Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was here and we say, “We are with Iran! We are with the Shiah! The Shiahs are our brothers and they are Muslims!” How would the Nabi of Allah Ta‘ala take it? We must understand the limits.
Also, there is always a hidden agenda of the kuffaar which we do not know. Time will unravel the secrets and then we will come to know the reality of the true situation. We did not come to this world for political gains and purposes – we came to please Allah Ta‘ala and prepare our Aakhirah. We should ask ourselves – are we doing what Allah Ta‘ala wants us to do, or are we not doing that?
Allah’s help is with deen. If we leave deen, Allah Ta‘ala with withhold His help. If we want the divine help of Allah Ta‘ala to come down to the Muslims, like how it came down in the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), then we must become like the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), leading our lives in obedience.
But how much of deen do we really have in our lives and our homes? If Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had to come and enter our homes, and Dajjaal had to come and enter, then we should ask ourselves – who would feel more comfortable, with the TV, music, movies and haraam in our homes?
Remember – imaan and Islam are the criteria for success and salvation. We follow Islam and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and we have nothing to do with kufr and the people of kufr.
