10-07-2004, 03:16 AM
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Author: Shaikh Ali Hasan al-Halabi
Source: Tasfiyah wat-Tarbiyah
Article ID : CAF020003
The Ways in which Creation Operates
Jubayr ibn Nufayr said: Once, when Cyprus was conquered and its people
were divided and they used to cry to each other, I saw Abud-Dardaa
sitting alone crying. So I said: O Abud- Dardaa! What makes you cry on
this day in which Allaah has strengthened Islaam and its people? So he
said: "Woe be to you O Jubayr. How insignificant the creation is to
Allaah when they abandon His commands. Between us is a nation, who
were evidently strong and had dominion, they abandoned the commands of
Allaah, so see what has become of them!"[2]
So this is a clear and indisputable evidence that cultivation and
education upon the commands of Allaah - with the beneficial knowledge
and righteous actions - is the basis for achieving the help of Allaah;
whilst abandoning this is the cause for defeat. "Indeed, Allaah - the
One free from all defects, the Most High - has established certain
Sunan (ways and causes) upon His creation, whosoever fulfills them
will achieve success and felicity, but whosoever turns away from them
has indeed gone astray. Allaah the Most High - explains this Sunan
with regards to those who disbelieve: "Similar Sunan were faced by
people before you, so travel through the earth and see what was the
end of those who disbelieved."[3]
And He - the Most Perfect - says:
"Such was the Sunnah (way) of Allaah with those who lived before.
Indeed, in the Sunnah of Allaah you will find no change."[5]
This established Sunan, or way in which Allaah's creation operates, is
not only for one particular nation to the exclusion of others, nor for
any one particular era to the exclusion of others. Rather, this matter
was practically taught to even the first of the Muslims, the Sahaabah
- may Allaah be pleased with them all - as in the battle of Uhud, when
the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam commanded the
archers to remain in their positions, yet they disobeyed his order;
which resulted in their defeat:
Lessons from the Battle of Uhud
Al-Baraa' ibn 'Aazib radiallaahu 'anhu said:
We encountered the pagans on that day [of Uhud] and the Prophet
sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam positioned a group of archers and
appointed 'Abdullaah ibn Jubair to be in command of them and said: "Do
not leave this position, if you should see us conquer them, do not
leave this position; and if you should see them conquer us, then do
not come to our aid." However, when we met the enemy they fled on
their heels, until I saw their women running towards the mountain,
lifting their dresses from their legs, thus exposing their
ankle-bracelets. Some people started saying: The booty, the booty! So
'Abdullaah ibn Jubair said: The Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam
has taken a promise from me not to abandon this position. However, his
companions refused to stay. So when they refused, Allaah confused
them, such that they did not know where to go; due to which they then
suffered seventy deaths...."[6]
Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim (d 751H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"This calamity which struck them was caused by their own actions. So
our Lord said: "When a single disaster struck you, whereas you struck
them with a disaster twice as great, do you then say: from where did
this come? Say: It is from your own selves! Indeed, Allaah has power
over everything."[7]
And He mentioned this itself; in that which is more general than this
in the Makkan soorahs. He said:
"Whatever misfortune befalls you is because of what your own hands
have done, yet for many He grants forgiveness."[8]
"Whatever of good comes to you, it is from Allaah; and whatever
misfortunes befall you, it is from your ownselves."[9]
So the good and the bad here are blessings and misfortunes. So the
blessings of Allaah are something which He has favoured you with,
whilst the misfortunes have sprung from your own selves and your
actions. So the first is from His grace and the second is from His
justice. And the servant is always between His grace and His justice;
His grace is upon him, His judgment in him and whatever He decrees is
just. And Allaah concluded the first Aayah with His saying:
"Indeed Allaah has power over all things." After His saying: "Say: It
is from your own selves!" Thus indicating to them about the generality
of His Power along with His Justice - and He is the Most Just, the
All-Powerful."[l0]
Disobedience Results in Defeat
And the story of this battle of Uhud must give us the du'aat
(callers), an important lesson by which we benefit in our lives, which
is that: "When the Muslims suffer defeat in jihaad or in da'wah, then
they should blame themselves and straighten their course; and they
should weigh their actions with the true scales. Since Allaah - the
Mighty and Majestic - has informed the Muslims that the reason for
their defeat in the battle of Uhud was themselves, and this was the
same reason on the day of Hunayn. And it is from the Sunan of Allaah
that He does not remove a blessing from a people which has been given
to them, unless they change what He has given them of eemaan (faith),
guidance and good. Allaah says:
"That is because Allaah will never change the favour which He bestows
upon a people, until they change themselves."[11]
And this verse shows us the history of our Islaamic Ummah in the best
way. So our Salafus-Saalih (Pious Predecessors) clung to the blessings
of Allaah upon them, and the most important of these blessings is the
correct 'aqeedah (beliefs) and noble manners; and they kept away from
disunity and splitting. They took hold of those prescribed reasons
which made them the best of nations ever raised for mankind, and
thereby deserved through this, the victory of Allaah, establishment
upon the earth and the various tribes and nations being made
subservient to them.
After them came a people who changed that which the Messenger of
Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam and his Companions were upon, in
'aqeedah and methodology, with their own customs, ways and manners.
They split into groups and parties and raised up the banner of
jaahiliyyah (pre-Islaamic ignorance), so Allaah made them despicable,
causing the lowly nations to dominate over them. So the best of them
were attacked and the minds of the children were brainwashed, and they
became scum, like the scum upon the waves.
So if the Muslims desire good, unity and establishment upon the earth,
then they should make their manners and behaviour like that of the
Salaf of this Ummah and begin by ch angingthemselves.However,hewho
is unable to change even himself, will not be able to change his
family, not to mention changing the Ummah.
And then this aayah comes between two aayaat, which informs us about
the people of Fir'awn - and those nations and tribes which preceded
them - who disbelieved in Allaah and His Signs. There was much
oppression and sin committed amongst them, so Allaah destroyed them.
So take heed - O people of understanding and hearts - and beware of
the punishment and the power of Allaah! And know that change begins
with the soul and is not achieved through having many helpers, nor
strength of information, nor the clamor of those who clap and shout,
nor by the arenas and streets being filled with huge crowds.
Indeed, the leaders of our Ummah - those through whom Allaah gave
honour and might to His Deen - when the conquest of a city was delayed
for them, then they gathered the army and asked them two questions,
for which there was no third: What are the Sunnahs that you have
fallen short in complying with? [ii] What are the sins you have
committed?![12]
Therefore, they used to take account of themselves, and they used to
fear the spread of sins amongst themselves. The leader used to be a
good example for his army, with regards obedience to Allaah and fear
of Him. However, as regards us today, then we read the previous aayah
and we read other aayaat which are like it, such as the saying of
Allaah - the Most High:
"Never does Allaah change the condition of a people, until they change
themselves. But when Allaah wills punishment for a people, then there
can be no turning it back, nor will they find besides Him any helper."[l3]
However, along with this, these sublime aayaat do not deeply enter
into our hearts. We accuse the east and the west, but we do not accuse
ourselves and we take a very precise account of other people - such
that it contains no pity, nor mercy - but we do not take account of
our ownselves."[l4]
From Where Will the Help Come?
Due to all this, Allaah attached His help and assistance for His
servants, to the servants aiding Him, and this does not come about
except with true tarbiyah (cultivation and education) and sincerely
clinging to the truth. So He - the Most Perfect - says:
"Indeed Allaah will help those who help His (cause). Indeed Allaah is
Exalted in Might, all-Powerful."[15]
'Urwah ibn az-Zubayr (d.94H) - rahimahullaah - said: When the people
were equipped and ready to proceed to Mu'tah, he said to the Muslims:
"May Allaah accompany you and defend you. " .... Then they went on
until they reached the land of Shaam (Syria, Jordan and Palestine),
where they were informed that Heraclius had arrived at al-Balqaa with
one- hundred thousand Romans, and added to them - from the Arab tribes
of al-Hazm, Jadhaam, Balqeen and Bahraa - another one-hundred thousand
men. So the Muslims waited for two nights, considering what to do. So
they said: We will write to the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu
'alayhi wa sallam and inform him about the number of the enemy. He
said: But 'Abdullaah ibn Rawaahah encouraged the people to bravery and
said: "By Allaah, O people! That which you hate is what you had come
out for. You seek martyrdom. We do not fight the enemy merely with
what we have prepared, nor with strength, nor with large numbers. We
do not fight them except with this Deen that Allaah has blessed us
with. So go forth, because it is only one of two good things: either
victory, or martyrdom. He said: So the people said: By Allaah! Ibn
Rawaahah has spoken the truth. So the people continued." [16]
The Mufassir and Imaam, ash-Shanqeetee (d.1393H) said:
"Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic - explains in the above noble aayah
that He has sworn to help and give victory to those who help Him. It
is known that the help and victory of Allaah comes by following what
He has prescribed, obeying His command, avoiding His prohibitions, by
helping His Messengers and their followers, aiding His Deen and
fighting against His enemies and overpowering them - until the word of
Allaah is made uppermost, whilst the word of His enemies is debased
and made low. Then Allaah - the Most High, the Most Magnificent -
explains the characteristics of those whom He has promised would
receive His help and victory, distinguishing them from others. So He
said, whilst explaining those to whom He swore He would aid and give
victory to - because He is the one to aid and give victory:
"Those who, if We establish them in the earth, establish the prayer,
give the zakaah, enjoin the good and forbid the evil."[l7]
And that which this noble aayah indicates is that whosoever aids
Allaah, then Allaah will aid Him. This is clearly explained in other
than this place, such as His - the Most High's - sayings:
"O you who Believe. If you help Allaah, Allaah will help you; and
establish your feet firmly. But those who disbelieve, for them is
destruction and Allaah will make their deeds vain."[l8]
"Indeed, Our Word has gone forth of old for our slaves, the
Messengers, that they will certainly be victorious; and that Our
forces will certainly be triumphant."[19]
"Allaah has Decreed: It is My Messenger and I who will prevail."[20]
"Allaah has promised to those amongst you who believe and do righteous
actions that He will grant you the Khilaafah in the land."[21]
And in His - the Most High's - saying:
"Those who, if We establish them in the earth, establish the Prayer,
give the Zakaah, enjoin the good and forbid the evil."[22]
In it is a proof that there is no promise from Allaah of His help,
except by establishing the Salaah, paying the Zakaah, enjoining what
is good and forbidding what is evil. So it is these whom Allaah will
establish upon the earth and will strengthen His Word through them.
However, those who do not establish the Salaah, nor pay the Zakaah,
nor enjoin the good or forbid the evil, then there is no promise for
them from Allaah that He will aid and grant them victory. They are not
from His party, nor are they his friends - those who have the promise
of His help and victory. Rather, they are the party of Shaytaan and
his friends. So if they were to expect the help of Allaah and the
fulfillment of His promise upon them, then their example is like that
of a hired worker who refuses to do the job that he was hired for, yet
he expects to be rewarded. So whosoever is like this, then he has no
intellect![23]
The Fruits of Disagreement
There is here, an important point that must be mentioned, which is
that disagreement, opposing views and mutual disregard is one of the
greatest causes of defeat. This - in reality - is due to a deficiency
in tarbiyah (education and cultivation) and therefore it is one of
those matters which prevents victory.
Imaam ash-Sha'bee (d.104H) said: "No nation differed after its
Prophet, except that the people of falsehood from it, gained
ascendancy over its people of truth."[24]
And this - as has preceded - is precisely what happened to the
Sahaabah (Companions), those who were educated and cultivated under
the shade of Revelation, with their Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa
sallam. So what is the case of those who come after them?!
Indeed: "Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic - explained that one of the
greatest causes for the loss suffered by the Muslims at the battle of
Uhud was the differing and ikhtilaaf (disagreement) of the archers,
and that some of them disobeyed the order of the Messenger of Allaah
sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. About this Allaah - the Most High - said:
"Indeed, Allaah did fulfill His Promise to you when you were killing
them by His Permission; until you lost your courage and began
disputing about the command, and disobeyed, after He showed you that
which you love. Amongst you are some that desire this world and some
that desire the Hereafter. Then He made you flee from them, that He
may test you. But He forgave you, and Allaah is Most Gracious to the
Believers."[25]
So in all the battles of the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi
wa sallam, the Muslims were a single rank and a single jamaaah '
(united body), taking orders from a single leader. Allaah - the Most
High - said:
"O you who Believe! When you meet an enemy, be firm against them and
remember Allaah a lot so that you may be successful. And obey Allaah
and His Messenger, and do not dispute less you lose courage and your
strength departs. And have sabr (patient perseverance), indeed Allaah
is with the patient ones."[26]
So obedience to Allaah and His Messenger means being free from defect
and blemish in both 'aqeedah (beliefs) and manhaj (methodology), just
as it means agreement in direction and where instructions are taken
from. However, defeat is the result of disunity and disagreement
between the hearts, and in having many leaders and many jamaa'ahs
(groups and parties).
There has - in this present age - been no battle in which we have
participated, except that in it we were differing and disputing
parties, having differing leaderships and having mutual hatred. So how
is it possible to achieve victory and establishment?! Indeed, everyone
talks about bringing about unity, and writes about it and looks
forward to it. However, the results are sorrowful and destroy and
frustrate the hopes. After every attempt it becomes clear that every
group strove to cause difficulties for the others; and to plot against
them; and to make conditions upon them which conflict with the goals
of unity and harmony. So the attempt that will be effective and
successful must have as its goal, corrections for the ailments of the
hearts and souls..... So when the souls are changed and the hearts are
filled with taqwaa (piety, fear and obedience to Allaah), then
everything in our lives will be changed."[27]
Lessons from the Battle of Hunayn
Thus the cause for the defeat has been very clearly manifested, and it
is a deficiency in the tarbiyah (education and cultivation). Another
clear manifestation of this also, is what happened in the battle of
Hunayn, about which Allaah - the Most High - said:
"And on the day of Hunayn, when you rejoiced at your great number, but
it availed you nothing; and the earth vast as it is - was straightened
for you, then you turned back in flight."[28]
Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim said:
"So from the wisdom of Allaah, He first gave them a taste of the
bitterness of defeat and of being overcome - despite their large
number, preparation and strength - in order that heads which had been
raised up due to the conquest of Makkah, should be lowered. For they
did not enter His land and His Sacred Precinct (i.e. Makkah) in the
way the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam entered it;
lowering his head with humility, upon his horse - to the extent that
his chin nearly touched the saddle - out of humility before His Lord,
humbling himself before His Greatness and submitting to His Might.
This was due to the fact that Allaah had made lawful His Sacred
Precinct and His Land for him, and He had not made it lawful to anyone
before him or after him. All of this occurred so that he should make
clear to those who said: "We will not be defeated today because of our
numbers!!" Explaining to them that the victory comes only from Him and
that whomsoever He aids, then none can overcome him; and whomsoever He
forsakes, then there is none to grant victory to him, besides Allaah.
And that He - the Most Perfect - took it upon Himself to aid and grant
victory to His Messenger and His Deen - not due to their large numbers
which they (falsely) delighted in, since that was of no avail to them.
Rather, they fled, turning their backs. So when their hearts had
become downcast, Allaah sent them the removal of their distress and a
prior taste of victory, by sending down His tranquility upon His
Messenger and upon the Believers and by sending down the unseen forces
(i.e. the Angels). So from His wisdom - the Most Perfect - was that he
only granted victory and its gifts to them when their hearts had
become downcast and saddened:
"And We desired to favour those who were weak in the land and to make
them leaders and make them the inheritors, and to establish them in
the land. And We let Fir'awn and Haamaan and their hosts receive from
them that which they feared."[29]"[30]
Impatience: An Obstacle against Tarbiyah
From that which negates tarbiyah and prevents its completion is: being
hasty and having lack of sabr (patient perseverance). This produces a
negative result, the least of which is a delay in the victory. Our
Lord - the Most Perfect - said:
"And what made you hasten from your people, O Moosaa? He replied: They
are close on my footsteps, and I hasten to you - O my Lord - that you
might be pleased. " [31]
A clear goal and a clear intention: I have hastened to you - O my Lord
- to please you. So Allaah said:
"Indeed We have put your people to fitnah (trial and tribulation) in
your absence. And indeed as-Saamiree has led them astray."[32]
So this is Moosaa 'alayhis-salaam, and he was one of the Oolul-'Azm
(foremost in resolve) from the Messengers, yet he sought to hasten the
affair. So when he sought to hasten the affair, fitnah (trial and
discord) occurred amongst his people which was that they began
worshipping others besides Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic. Allaah -
the Most High - said:
"So patiently persevere, and let not those who have no yaqeen
(certainty of faith) discourage you from conveying Allaah's Message."[33]
Imaam al-Baghawee (d.555H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"Meaning: do not let those who have no certain faith lead you into
ignorance and into following them upon misguidance."[34]
Ibn al-Qayyim - rahimahullaah - said:
"Whosoever considers the trials and discords that have come upon
Islaam - the small and the great of them - will realise that they were
due to abandoning this principle of not being hasty, and of having
sabr upon that which is harmful, and seeking to remove the harm in a
hasty manner. This in turn produces that which is greater and worse
than the initial harm."[35]
So this is a word from a Scholar who has carefully and thoroughly
examined the Book and the Sunnah, and has likewise carefully examined
the condition of the Muslims, and therefore said what he said - may
Allaah have mercy upon him.
Tarbiyah and Sabr: the Key to Victory
The teacher, Muhammad Qutb (one of the heads of innovation) - may
Allaah forgive him - said in his book: Waaqi'unal-Ma'aasir, and he was
speaking about the Islaamic Movements of Egypt, internally and
externally, he said: "So with regards to within the country, then
there occurred from them hastiness in showing the strength of the
jamaa'ah ' (i.e. the Muslims) - whether in making themselves manifest,
or in demonstrations, protest marches, entering into political affairs
of the time - such as fighting the communists; and supporting the
affairs of the country in the security council, and other than that.
It is as if the jamaa'ah - each and every time - wanted to say: we are
here, and we are able to do such and such.... Leaving aside the
matters of the day, then was this something which was permissible for
the Muslim jamaa'ah to enter into? Or was its obligation to call to
the correction of the fundamental manhaj (methodology) of living, to
the establishment of the firm pillars and to the perfection of the
desired tarbiyah. However, seeking to hasten the movement before its
time, then produced an effect upon the overall direction."[36]
I say: What will very clearly demonstrate the matter of hastiness and
its many negative effects is the saying of Allaah - the Most Perfect,
Most High - when He said:
"Have you not seen those who were told to hold back their hand from
fighting, and offer Salaah (Prayer) and give the Zakaah. But when
fighting was prescribed for them, behold! a section of them fear men
as they fear Allaah, or even more. They say: Our Lord! Why have you
prescribed fighting for us. Would that you had granted us respite for
a short period."[37]
"So those who were resolved upon Jihaad and loved it, when they were
tested with it, they were averse to it and fled from it."[38]
And they were from the Companions of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi
wa sallam - those who received tarbiyah (cultivation and education)
beneath the shade of Revelation and who were guided by the Sharee'ah.
So how about those after them - the greatest of whom cannot even reach
a handful, or even half a handful, of their calibre?!
And only Allaah guides to the Path that is straight.
NOTES
[2]. Related by Imaam Ahmad in az-Zuhd (2/63) and Abu Nu'aym in
Hilyatul-Awliyaa (l/216-217).
[3]. Soorah Aal-'lmraan 3: 137
[4]. Soorah al-Ahzaab 33:62
[5]. Qul Huwa Min 'Indee Anfusakum (p.58) of Muhammad Suroor.
[6]. Related by al-Bukhaaree (no.4043).
[7]. Soorah Aal-lmraan 3:165
[8]. Sooratush-Shooraa 42:30
[9]. Sooratun-Nisaa 4:79
[10]. Zaadul-Ma'aad ( 3/238).
[11]. Sooratul-Anfaal 8:53
[12]. Such as the advice given by Umar ibn al-Khattaab to Sa'd ibn
Abee Waqqaas and his army - radiallaahu 'anhumaa - as occurs in
'Iqdul-Fareed (1/40).
[13]. Sooratur-Ra'dd 13:11
[14]. Qul Huwa Min 'Indee Anfusakum (pp.59-62).
[15]. Soorah Hajj 22:40
[16]. Related by Abu Nu'aym in Hilyatul-Awliyaa (1/119).
[17]. Soorah al-Hajj 22:41
[18]. Soorah Muhammad 47:7
[19]. Sooratus-Saaffaat 37:171-173
[20]. Soorah al-Mujaadalah 58:21
[21]. Sooratun Noor 24:55
[22]. Soorah al-Hajj 22:41
[23]. Adwaa'ul-Bayaan (5/703-704) of 'Allaamah ash- Shanqeetee.
[24]. Related by Abu Nu'aym in al-Hilyah (4/313) and adh- Dhahabee in
Siyar A'laamun - Nubalaa (4/311).
[25]. Soorah Aal-'lmraan 3:152
[26]. Sooratul Anfaal 8:45-46
[27]. Qul Huwa Min 'Indee Anfusakum (pp. 93-94)
[28]. Qul Huwa Min 'Indee Anfusakum (pp. 93-94)
[29]. Soorah al Qasas 28:5-6
[30]. Zaadul-Ma'aad (3/477-478) of Ibn al-Qayyim.
[31]. Soorah TaaHaa 20:83-84
[32]. Soorah TaaHaa 20:85
[33]. Soorah ar-Room 30:60
[34]. Ma 'aalimut-Tanzeel (6/279) of al-Baghawee.
[35]. A'laamul-Muwaqqi'een (3/4) of lbn al-Qayyim.
[36]. Quoted in Mawqiful-Mu'min minal-Fitnah (pp. 28-29) by Shaykh
'Abdullaah al-'Ubaylaan - may Allaah protect him.
[37]. Soorah an-Nisaa 4:77
[38]. Majmoo'ul-Fataawaa (10/690) of Shaykhul-lslaam lbn Taymiyyah.
