So last night I got unfriended by a well known member of society for commenting on a status that I thought was absolutely ridiculous. The status said that the next time you walk past a Jewish store in Sandton and at ORTIA, you should scream out loud " Heil Hitler" How can any Muslim person on a public platform utter such nonsense and incite hate and animosity between people.Take note that whilst this person is calling out for Muslims in this country to behave like a bunch of idiots, this same person is well connected in Saudi Arabia. The question I posted was this," Why are you not gunning down the Saudi regime for they are the biggest supporters of Zionism being the strongest ally to the USA. Why haven't you called for the Arab nations to send in their troops into Gaza to defend the Palestinians." The person got offended and unfriended me. See the worry in my eyes.
Alhamdulilla here in South Africa we have religious tolerance. We allowed to practice our religions freely. What will you achieve by calling on the public to behave like hooligans. What is happening in Palestine is wrong and unacceptable, but it is equally wrong to display appalling behaviour towards another nation. The Prophet (saw) displayed exemplary behaviour in front of his enemies. You do not win a nation over by hate and slander. You win a nation over by intellect and knowledge. By displaying good character based on the sunnah. I have said this before and I will say it again Muslims will never achieve victory unless we sincerely follow the ways of the Quraan and the sunnah.
Sheikh Abu Muawiya Ismail Kamdar acknowledges this point quite correctly based on the verses of the Quraan.
Theme of Juz Eighteen – The True Believers
The 18th Juz begins with Surah Al-Muminoon, a Makkan Surah detailing the qualities of a true believer. It then shifts to a Madinan Surah, Surah An-Noor which focusing on the laws related to morality, chastity and its link to true faith, and the Juz ends in the middle of Surah Al-Furqaan, a Makkan Surah which focuses on the correct beliefs and ends with the qualities of the true servant of Allah.
In Islam, claiming that you have a pure heart and that you believe is not enough. True faith is coupled with righteous deeds and these lead to victory for the ummah. The current state of the ummah is primarily a result of our lack of morality and righteousness.
In Surah An-Noor, after listing all these important rules and qualities, Allah has promised the following:
“Allah promises those among you who truly believe and do righteous deeds that He will make them the successors (Caliphs) of the earth, like how He made those before them successors (Caliphs), and He will establish for them the religion which they are pleased with, and He will change their state, after one of fear, into one of safety. So worship Me, do not ascribe anyone as partners to Me! And whoever disbelieves after this, they are truly rebellious,” (24:55)
The promise of Allah is true, and this is the only road to victory for the ummah, a return to true faith and its practice.
Surah Al-Muminoon lists the following qualities for the true believers: (23:1-9)
1. Concentration in their Salah
2. Abstaining from things that waste their time
3. Fulfilling their Zakah and social responsibilities
4. Guarding their chastity and honour through marriage
5. Fulfilling their trusts and promises
6. Praying all five Salahs on time properly
Surah An-Noor discusses the following important laws of Islam, the fulfilment of which are necessary for the ummah to attain victory:
1. Avoiding all forms of immorality, be it fornication, adultery or anything that leads to these sins
2. Guarding the honour of others by abstaining from gossip and slander
3. Lowering the gaze and observing the Hijab
4. Observing the etiquettes of privacy in Islam, within one’s own home and when dealing with the homes and lives of others
Surah Al-Furqaan lists the following qualities of the true servants of Ar-Rahmaan: (25:63-76 – 19th Juz)
1. Avoid disputes and maintaining a peaceful demeanour
2. Making Qiyam Al-Layl a habit and a means of connecting with Allah
3. Thinking about the Afterlife and asking for protection from the Hellfire
4. Spending in the way of Allah with moderation
5. Avoid the major sins (Shirk, Zina and Murder) and repenting if already committed in the past
6. Avoiding things that waste one’s time
7. Heeding the reminders of Allah and the message of the Qur’an
8. Praying for the guidance of our families and working towards it
We complain so often about the state of the ummah, but let us introspect and be honest about how many of the above qualities describe who we really are. It is no coincidence that the ummah is in its current state of weakness and fear, at a time when the majority of Muslims have no interest in observing the laws of Allah. Change starts with us, in our own lives and our own homes and it grows from there.
The theme of this Juz is simple: victory and Caliphate will only be given to a generation of true believers and these are the qualities that a true believer needs in order to earn the Help of Allah.
