Be Patient, O’ Muslims, for You are being Tested
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Be Patient, O’ Muslims, for You are being Tested
All praise is due to Allaah and to Allaah alone. We praise Him, we seek His aid and we seek His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evils of our souls and from the evils of our actions. Indeed, whosoever Allaah guides, there is none who can misguide him. And whosoever Allaah leaves to go astray, there is none to guide. I bear witness that there is none worthy of being worshipped except Allaah, having no partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad – peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him – is the slave and the seal of the Prophets and Messengers. May Allaah send peace upon him, his family, his companions and upon all those who follow his way.
To proceed,
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh
I pray you all receive this message in the best of health, the highest of eemaan, with your sins expiated, seeking reward from Allaah, awaiting the blessed ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, Aameen.
O my dear respected brothers and sisters in Islaam, we should know – and may Allaah have mercy on us all, Aameen – that the believer strives to worship His Lord, doing everything he can to attain Allaah’s pleasure and increase his rank in virtue. This is the essence of life, the purpose of our being, the reason why Allaah has created us. Allaah says:
“I have not created jinn and man except to worship Me.”
[Surah Zariyaat 51:56]
From amongst the conditions of true worship of Allaah, is to submit oneself to the decree of Allaah and affirm that everything happens for a greater and blessed reason. At first, this reason may not be known to man, but is indeed known to Allaah, as He knows, created, willed and decreed all that could possibly happen, all that has happened, and all that could have happened which He, the Exalted has prevented from happening. It is Allaah who plots and plans, and provides provisions for all His creation, no matter how small or large, how weak or strong, how distant or near they be. It is Allaah that provides for the birds who leave their nests early in the morning with empty stomachs and then return in the evening satisfied. It is Allaah that provides for the black ant walking under a black rock, in the depths of the dark ocean, during the late hours of the black night. It is Allaah that provides provisions for all His creation, especially those who fear Allaah. Allaah says:
“And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allaah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allaah has set a measure for all things.”
[Surah Talaq 65:2-3]
The attacks on the Muslims from City University on Monday the 2nd of November and Thursday the 5th of November, were undoubtedly a savage, cowardly Islamophobic driven attack on innocent people. Our dear brothers – may Allaah shower His mercy upon them, Aameen – were injured and hurt physically and emotionally. Three of our brothers were stabbed, three others received severe injuries to their heads, with one losing some of his memory and two others receiving bruising to their brains, whereas dozens of others received bodily and facial injuries. Both of these two incidents were unprovoked, since the Muslims were set upon by a large group of youths, who hurled various missiles at them, including bricks, metal poles, fireworks along with carrying knives and other sharp objects, as they left the prayer room to go home after their prayers. These vicious and inhumane attacks led to students being hospitalised on both days, with some still recovering two weeks after the attacks.
Although painful and stressing this may be, the Muslim must know and affirm, that this was the decree of Allaah. As Muslims we must believe that no matter what, this incident would have befallen us, for the decree of Allaah is always executed. Even though the police and university security did not increase the protection for their Muslim students during the attacks, although they were asked on a number of occasions to do so, the decree and will of Allaah is final, and cannot be altered. This decree was written fifty-thousand years before creation, when the pen was ordered to write. Allaah knew, had willed, had ordered the pen to write, decreed and permitted these attacks on His slaves, and if He wanted, Allaah would have prevented it, for Allaah says:
“If your Lord had so willed, they would not have done it”
[Surah al-An’aam 6:112]
However, Allaah willed these attacks, and specifically chose us, the Muslims of City University to face this trial, wanting thereby to test us with something that He tested the previous nations with. Allaah says:
“Many similar ways (and mishaps of life) were faced by nations that have passed away before you, so travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who disbelieved. This (the Qur’aan) is a plain statement for mankind, a guidance and instruction to those who are Al-Muttaqoon.”
[Surah Imraan 3:137-138]
Every nation, every community, every locality faced a similar test to that of ours, except ours was only a dip in the ocean compared to theirs. The people of Musa - peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him - were tied to trees, with their arms and legs cut off. Nuh - peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him - was severely beaten up, wrapped in a garment and attacked until he was covered in blood. Some Prophets were murdered, sliced into two. Some nations received more painful tests than others.
The Messenger of Allaah - peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him - was stoned by the children of Taif, he broke his tooth in the Battle of Uhud and his companions - may Allaah be pleased with them - were killed, tortured, humiliated and mocked. It is reported that Khabbab Ibn al-Aratt said: “We said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah! Why do you not invoke Allaah to support us? Why do you not supplicate to Allaah for us?’ He said:
“Among the people who came before you, there was a man who was taken and put into a hole dug for him in the earth, then a saw was put on his head and he was cut into two pieces, and an iron comb was used to tear the flesh from his bones, but this still did not turn him away from his religion.”
[Reported by al-Bukhaaree]He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) then said:
“By Allaah! This matter (religion) will spread (or expand) by Allaah until the traveler leaves San’aa to Hadramat fearing nothing except Allaah and the wolf that may attack his sheep.”
[Reported by al-Bukhaaree]
Therefore, the Muslim should know that what happened is from the wisdom of Allaah, that He puts His slaves in hardship, that He tests us, trialling us by means of things that harm and hurt us. Allaah says:
“And We will surely test you with some fear, hunger and shortages of property, people and produce. But give good tidings to the steadfast. Those who, when a calamity befalls them say: “We belong to Allaah and to Him we return.” Upon these are prayers from their Lord and mercy and these are the rightly-guided ones.”
[Surah al-Baqarah 2:155-157]
Such tests are the sunnah of Allaah upon His slaves and thus brings about many great benefits.
The First Benefit
It is that Allaah tests us with regards to our faith, to see whether our faith is sincere or shaky. The believer whose faith is sincere will patiently accept the will and decree of Allaah, and will seek reward from Him from such trials and tests, for such tests bring about great reward and expiation of sins.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“No misfortune or disease befalls a Muslim, no worry or grief or harm or distress – not even a thorn that pricks him – but Allaah will expiate for some of his sins because of that.”
[Agreed upon. Reported by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]
The Muslim should now rest in contentment, knowing that this is a matter that has become bearable for him. A matter which elevates his status, envelopes him in mercy and enables him to be mentioned in the same breath as those who were tested with similar tests before him.
Not only that, but the Muslim complains not of his wounds and thanks Allaah for His blessings.
It was narrated that one of the female worshippers of Allaah suffered a cut or wound in her finger, but she did not complain about the pain or show any sign of distress. She was asked about that and she said:
“The sweetness of its reward makes me forget the bitterness of bearing it.”
SubhaanaAllaah – all Glory be to Allaah, this is how the believer seeks reward from Allaah and submits to Him completely. No wound or injury is inflicted upon a Muslim except that he is honoured by it, his rewards multiply and his sins are expiated. This is one benefit.
The Second Benefit
It is that Allaah highly praises those who are patient and says that He is with them and that He will give them reward without measure. Patience is a high status which can only be attained by those who are tested with things that they bear patiently. If he bears them patiently, he attains this high status which brings great reward. Allaah says:
“Surely, Allaah is with those who are patient.”
[Surah Anfaal 6:46]
The Messenger of Allaah – peace and blessings of Allaah be upon – said:
“When Allaah loves a people, he tests them with trials, if they are content, they will achieve contentment, if they get enraged, they only reap rage.”
[Reported by al-Bukhaaree]
Therefore, when Allaah tests the believers with things that hurt them, this is so that they may attain the status of those who are patient. Hence the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), who was the greatest of all people in faith, piety and fear of Allaah, suffered twice the pain of an ordinary man when he fell sick, and he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) suffered greatly at the time of death, so that he might fully attain the status of one who is patient, for he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was the most patient of those who are patient. Hence the wisdom behind Allaah’s testing of the believer with such calamities becomes clear.
The Third Benefit
It is that Allaah wants to give His Ummah power and mould and develop them to become leaders by making them face a trial.
Ash-Shaafi’ee was asked as to which is better: to give a man power or to put him to trial. He answered,
“It is not possible for man to have power if he has not been put to trial.”
Ibn al-Qayyim said, “I heard Shaykul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah say:
“It is through patience and certainty of faith that leadership in religion is attained, for Allaah says: “And We made from among them (Children of Israel), leaders, giving guidance under Our Command, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.).””
[Surah As-Sajdah 32:24]
It is no coincidence that the first three people attacked were the Ameer of the Islamic Society, the Ameer of Charity Week and the Vice-Ameer of Charity Week. Indeed, the wisdom behind Allaah’s decree is immense and truly beautiful, for He intended to mould and develop His slaves to become people of power and leadership by trialling us with tests of pain and difficulty.
Know, O dear brother and sister in Islaam – may Allaah make us of those who pass our tests, Aameen – that Allaah tests all His slaves, and we are no different. The brothers and sisters from Queen Mary University are being tested by the loss of their prayer room, other Islamic Societies are being tested with difficulties and hardships enforced upon them by their Student Unions, whilst others face trials from within. And then we find the Muslims of City University, Allaah testing us with something more dear to Him than anything, something that raises the honour and status of a man, something that the righteous and pious compete and strive for, a path and road decorated and adorned with reward, one which expiates sins and enables the believer to truly love and have hope in Allaah; the test of defending oneself, ones honour and the honours of one’s brothers.
The Muslim is obliged to defend himself and his family from any aggressor, be they strong, great in number or even armed with weapons. He should ward him off and the aggressor is threatened with Hell, whereas the victim of aggression is rewarded with great bounties, and if he is killed, is a martyr inshaAllaah.
It was narrated that Sa’eed ibn Zayd (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“The one who is killed defending his wealth is a martyr, the one who is killed defending his family is a martyr, the one who is killed defending his religion is a martyr, and the one who is killed defending his life is a martyr.”
[Reported by al-Tirmidhee, al-Nasaa’ee, Abu Dawood; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani]
This is what Allaah is testing us with, defending ourselves, our brothers and our sisters for the sake of Allaah. What greater and more blessed test is there? Which other trial can achieve so much reward? Why do we feel sad when are sins are being expiated? Which person does not want his status and rank to be increased? Had we not dreamed of following the footsteps of ‘Umar bin al-Khattab, Khaled bin Waleed and Salahaddeen Ayyubi? Then why complain? Why feel sorrow? Why hurt?
Let us look to the Hadeeth of the Messenger of Allaah – peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him – when he said on the authority of Abu Hurayrah – may Allaah be pleased with him:
“Deeds are shown (to Allaah) on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like my deeds to be shown when I am fasting.”
[Reported by al-Tirmidhee classed as saheeh by al-Albaani]
These attacks occurred on Monday and Thursday and not only were the Muslims fasting on these two days, not only had they just completed their prayers in congregation, not only had they remembered Allaah upon the completion of their prayers, but they defended themselves, their brothers and their sisters for the sake of Allaah. Imagine how beautifully, how wonderfully their deeds would have been presented to Allaah; wrapped in garments of bravery, stained in wounds which expiate sin, adorned with pearls of reward for standing firm despite the large numbers of their attackers, and wearing the crown of eemaan, taqwa and tawakkul. SubhaanaAllaah, all Glory and all praise be to Allaah!
I urge you, O my dear brother and sister in Islaam, not to feel sad or have sorrow for us, for Allaah says:
“So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers.”
[Surah Imraan 3:139]
Do not weep or cry for us. For what happened to us was from amongst the greatest of blessings which Allaah could have ever decreed for us. Allaah specifically chose us to test us with what he tested His Prophets, His Messengers and the best of His generations. Our scars and wounds remind us that we will not remain in this world and that this world is only temporary, and thus they have become a cause for a much needed tarbeeyyah. Every time we look into the mirror, our bruises remind us that death is close, and that we must be ready when Allaah chooses to take our souls. Our brotherhood has strengthened beyond measure. Sisters are beginning to head home early and thus spend more time with their families. We have learnt how to defend ourselves and how to stand firm for our brothers and sisters. We have been given the opportunity to implement our knowledge with regards to Allaah, His names and His attributes. Our eemaan and faith in Allaah has increased and strengthened after witnessing the blessings of Allaah and His angels that were sent to protect us. And with regards to our injuries, not only have we all recovered, but we feel better than we ever have; more aware, more grateful, more appreciative of Allaah, the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth, all Glory and all Praise be to Him, the one who is above His Mighty Throne, the Magnificent and Majestic.
Therefore, O my dear brother and sister in Islaam, I ask that you remain patient, steadfast and firm as we are tested by Allaah. Know that Allaah is al-Azeez, to whom belongs all might and power, the power of strength, the power of dominion, the power of invincibility. None of His creatures can harm Him. He has subjugated all that exists, and the whole of creation is under His control and is subject to His might. Know that He is Al-Mu’min (the Guardian of Faith), Who is praised for His own sake by His perfect attributes, and by the perfection of His majesty and beauty. He sent His Messengers and revealed His Books with signs and proofs, and confirmed His Messengers with signs and proofs, to confirm the truth of the message they brought. He protects His religion, He shields His religion and He guards His followers. Know that He is Al-Hafeedh (the Preserver). He is the One Who protects what He has created and encompasses it with His knowledge. He protects His close friends from falling into sin and destruction, and gently protects them when they are active and when they are at rest. Think good of Allaah and Allaah will treat you with good. Know that Allaah will never humiliate or disgrace us, for we are the only people in University that call to His way, establishing His word, and following His guidance. By Allaah, He, the Exalted will protect us, and He will preserve us, and He will guard us, and He will shield us, all Glory and all Praise be to Him, Possessor of Majesty and Honour, the Ever-Living, the Ever-Lasting, the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth.
Allaah says:
“Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We believe,’ and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allaah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allaah knows all that before putting them to test)”
[Surah al-‘Ankaboot 29:2-3]
And may Allaah send peace and blessings upon His slave and the seal of the Prophets and Messengers, Muhammad the son of ‘Abdullaah.
Wassalaamu ‘Alaikum Warahamtullaahi Wabarakaatuh
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SubhanAllah, All glory and praise be to Allah!!! Great Post! Very moving, very true!!! I am blessed to be part of this Ummah! AllahuAkbar!!!
Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
And may Allah [swt] count you, all of you, from amongst the martyrs, even if your soul is taken while you sleep soundly in your beds. Ameen ya Rabb.
SubhanAllaah… JazakAllahu Khairen for posting this, a much needed reminder for us all.
May Allaah swt reward you in abundance and grant you and your family Jannatul-Firdaus, Aameen ya Rabb.
Aameen to the above du’aas. SubhanaAllaah, the heart-warming post has put ase within the heart walhamdulillaahi rabbil alamin.
Is the recording of the khutbah going to be put up?
[JazaakAllaahu khayran for this reminder]
No
SubhanAllah
As salaamu alaykum wr wb
Beautiful naseeha, may Allah reward you all with good for everything you have done here.
When does Dhul-Hijjah begin and end? Jzk
First day of Dhu’l-Hijjah is tomorrow (wednesday) inshaaAllaah and ends after the completion of the month!