State of Ummah: Why the Muslims are Weak today

[Falafel Eater]

:sl: Here are three very good articles that you should take your time and read through inshaAllah:

Indeed, all praise is for Allaah subhaanahu wa ta'ala. We praise Him, we seek His help, we seek His forgiveness, and we seek refuge in Allaah from the evils of our souls and our evil actions. Whosoever Allaah guides then none can misguide and whosoever Allaah misguides then none can guide aright. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone, having no partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam is His servant and Messenger.

My dear brothers & sisters in Islam, no doubt, it will not have escaped your attention that once again this summer a conference was convened by a group of misguided brothers to discuss, once again, the current political climate in the Middle East, Israel, and the Muslim world as a whole. Declarations were set to be made regarding the leaders of our nations, and the causes of our downfall. Yet although the event was cancelled at the last minute, the misguided understanding and false notions that groups such as these maintain, hold many dangers for our communities. It is especially dangerous for the young and enthusiastic ones from amongst us, who, although sincere are open to be deceived by the people of empty speech, empty slogans, and little understanding of the Qur aan and Sunnah. Thus, while most of us have heard their rantings about our current political situation, let us consider this small excerpt from our esteemed Shaykh, 'Alee Hasan al-Halabee concerning this subject:

" And it is obligatory to know an unchanging Sharee'ah principle which will produce a certainty that will open up our intellects and awaken us to the true realities of the state of our affairs, and it is this that whatever calamities have befallen us, or that now befall us, or will befall us, then it is because of what our own hands have earned: and because of our falling short with regards to fulfilling the obligations of our Deen. As Allaah subhaanahu wa ta'ala says in the Qur aan:

"Whatever calamity and misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your own hands have earned" (Soorah ash-Shooraa 42:30) and

"Whatever evil befalls you, it is from your own self" (Soorah an-Nisaa 4:79)

Unfortunately, some of the du'aat (callers) have become accustomed to blaming the enemies for any and every misfortune and subjection which the Muslims face. Yet this not only contradicts the Divine manhaj and clear Prophetic guidance, but it also contains grave and evil consequences and results in a number of negative attitudes, and from them:

(i) It contradicts the Book and the Sunnah in its analysis of the present state of affairs, since Allaah subhaanahu wa ta'ala placed the blame of the defeat at the battles of Uhud and Hunayn upon the Muslims themselves, even though it was the kaafirs (disbelievers) who did what they did: "Indeed Allaah did fulfil His Promise to you, when you were killing your enemies by His permission; until you lost your courage, disagreed over what was commanded, and disobeyed" (Soorah al-'Imraan 3:152), and "On the day of Hunayn, when you rejoiced at your great numbers, it availed you nothing" (Soorah at-Tawbah 9:25).

(ii) It contains an over-estimation of the power of the kaafirs in the soul of the Muslims - which only further increases the Muslims in their weakness.

(iii) It contains a declaration of the purity of ones own soul, since it implies that we have fulfilled the conditions for victory to be granted to us, and deserve to be given establishment upon the earth - even though the kaafirs still have the upper hand over us. With such a negative attitude we will neglect to cultivate our souls and neglect to take account of our own selves, just as it will lead to another grave and serious attitude, which is:

(iv) A suspicion that Allaah subhaanahu wa ta'ala has not kept His Promise to grant victory to the Muslims, and that the kaafirs have managed to overcome the order of Allaah. And concerning this, Allaah subhaanahu wa ta'ala tells us: "The promise of Allaah is true. And who is more truthful in speech than Allaah" (Soorah an-Nisaa 4:122).

(v) This matter sprouts from weakness of Yaqeen (certainty of faith) in Allaah subhaanahu wa ta'aala and a weakness of ones tawakkul (reliance) upon Him. And the fact that the blame for what has befallen the Muslims lies upon themselves does not mean that we free the kaafir from any blame in what they do to the Muslims, since this is one thing and that is another. This is proved by the fact that when we were informed by Allaah subhaanahu wa ta'aala about the causes for the defeat at Uhud, this did not imply that Allaah freed them from any blame for what they did to the Muslims.

So the true understanding of siyaasah (politics, as defined by the Sharee'ah) is to recognise your own condition, and that you look after the affairs of the Ummah: and that you truly understand your state of affairs - calling the people and those near to you. Anything other than this is lies, nonsense, hollow speech and the following of desires, since it is in contradiction to the Guidance laid down by the Lord of the Heavens, and a deviation from the Manhaj of the Prophets, and far removed from the path taken by the callers who are upon the ways of guidance. However, as regards to those who gasp and pant after hollow politics and scurry behind the current affairs - which are both empty and repetitive - then it is precisely this which is plotted for us by the enemies of this Ummah so that they can divert the Muslim youth away from their true position, and turn them away from their principle obligation, and distance them away from their primary goal, which is the worship of Allaah, subhaanahu wa ta'aala.

Indeed, our Shaykh, the scholar of fiqh Nasiruddin al-Albani, has said: " The best way to change the evil is for Muslims to repent to their Lord, correct their beliefs, and nurture themselves and their families according to the correct Islam, as Allaah says " Verily, Allaah does not change : people's condition unless they change what is in themselves." (Soorah ar-Ra'd 13:11). And the way to salvation is not, as some people imagine, to rise up with arms against the rulers, and to conduct military coups. In addition to being among the contemporary bid'ahs (innovations), such actions disregard the texts of Islam, among which is the command to change ourselves. Furthermore, it is imperative to establish the foundation upon which the building will stand: " Verily, Allaah will Most certainly support him who supports His cause; verily, Allaah is Most Powerful and Almighty." (surah al-Hajj 22:40). This is the methodical and orderly approach, and the correct practice based upon the Qur'aan and Sunnah that the Ummah must agree upon, enjoin and call to.

Shaykh Ali al Halabi

[Falafel Eater]

IMPORTANCE OF TAWHEED
Shaikh Saalih Ibn Fawzaan Ibn 'Abdillaah Al-Fawzaan

Source: His book "Duroos min al-Qur'aan-il-Kareem" [Lessons from the Noble Qur'aan]

Lesson One: Tawheed in the Noble Qur'aan
Part One - The Importance of Tawheed & the Evil Result of Neglecting it

[In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon His final Messenger Muhammad, to proceed]

Someone might say, and it has actually been said, "What is it with you that you always focus on Tawheed and you talk so much about it?! And you don't take into consideration the condition of the Muslims in our day and time, those who are being killed and caused to flee all over the earth, those being persecuted by the empires of disbelief in every place?!"

So we say, and with Allaah lies success:

Tawheed is the foundation upon which this upright religion has been built, so focusing on it means to focus on the very core itself. For if we were to reflect over the Noble Qur'aan we would find that it expounds on issues of Tawheed repetitively, so much so that there does not exist a single soorah in the Qur'aan that does not mention Tawheed, clarifying it and prohibiting what opposes it. It was Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim who pointed out that the entire Qur'aan is about Tawheed, since it is only made up of the following:

* Information about Allaah and His Names and Attributes - This is the Tawheed that we are to have knowledge of, called Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyyah.

* Commands to worship Allaah alone with no partners and prohibitions of worshipping other than Him - This is the Tawheed that we must put into action, called Tawheed al-Uloohiyyah.

* Commands to obey Allaah and His Messenger (saws) and prohibitions of disobeying Allaah and His Messenger (saws) - these are the ways that Tawheed is actualized and completed.

* Information about what Allaah has prepared for the people of Tawheed, the delights, success, salvation, and triumphs in this life and the Next, and the punishments that are in store for the people of shirk in this life, and the eternal torture prepared for them upon their one-way entrance into the Hellfire - the first is for those who actualize Tawheed, the latter is for those who do not. [1]

Therefore the entire Qur'aan is centered around Tawheed. If you were to think about the soorahs revealed in Makkah, you would find that most of them focus entirely on Tawheed.

That is because the Prophet (saws) stayed in Makkah for 13 years calling to Tawheed and warning against shirk. The vast majority of the religious obligations like zakaah, fasting, Hajj, the affairs of halaal and haraam, business transactions, etc. were not revealed until after the Hijrah to Al-Madeenah. The legislation of the prayer is an exception to this, as it was made an obligation while the Prophet (saws) was still in Makkah on the Night of Al-Mi'raaj, when he (saws) was taken by night (to Jerusalem) [2], but that was only a short time before the Hijrah.

So the majority of the soorahs revealed before the Prophet (saws) made hijrah were focused entirely on Tawheed, thus showing how truly important the subject is. Furthermore, the religious obligations were not revealed until Tawheed was presented and established within the souls of the people, and the proper 'aqeedah had taken root. For verily actions can not be correct except with Tawheed, nor can they have other than Tawheed as their foundation.

The Qur'aan has illustrated that the Messengers ('alayhimus-salaatu was-salaam) all began their missions by inviting the people to tawheed before anything else, as Allaah says:

“And We sent a messenger to every nation (proclaiming): 'Worship Allaah and shun false deities!'” [Surah An-Nahl: 36]

Allaah also says: “And We never sent any messenger before you, except that we revealed to him that 'There is no deity worthy of worship except Me, so worship Me!'” [Surah Al-Anbiyaa: 25]

And every prophet used to say to his people: “O my people - Worship Allaah, as you have no other deity worthy of worship!” [Surah Hood: 50]

So this was the affair of the messengers - they began with Tawheed.

Similarly the callers and revivalists who followed the messengers used to begin by focusing on Tawheed. That is because every single da'wah that is not built upon Tawheed is a fruitless call that does not fulfill its purpose, and there is no positive result to it. Every da'wah that does not focus on Tawheed is a lost call, with regards to its end results. This is something well known and seen all over.

On the other hand, every da'wah centered around Tawheed is a truly successful call, by Allaah's Permission, a call that benefits the society and bears many fruits. History bears witness to this.

So we are not neglecting the issues of the Muslims, rather we are very concerned about them. We are assisting them and trying to prevent every harm from reaching them using all our resources. It is not something light on us that the Muslims are being killed and exiled, but it is not true concern for the situation of the Muslims that we force ourselves to shed tears insincerely, or that we fill the world with speeches and writings, screaming and wailing - for verily this does not accomplish a thing.

Finding the real solution to the Muslims' problems requires us to seek out the reasons that have led to the punishments afflicting the Muslims at the hands of their enemies.

What is causing the enemies of the Muslims to gain and hold authority over them?

When we look to the Muslim world, we do not see any serious commitment to Islaam with most of those who ascribe to it, except the few that Allaah has had Mercy on. What we see are Muslims by name only, the 'aqeedah of most of them is lost. They worship other than Allaah, calling on saints and righteous people, clinging to graves and tombs, not establishing the prayer, not paying zakaah, not fasting, etc. They are not fulfilling the basic obligations

Allaah asked of them, they are not even gathering their strength or preparing physically to fight the disbelievers! This is the case with the majority of those who ascribe themselves to Islaam - they have lost their religion, so Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, caused them to be lost.

The most significant factor that has led them to be subjected to these punishments is their heedlessness regarding affairs of Tawheed and their falling into major shirk, to the point that they do not prohibit each other from it, nor do they even show any contempt for it! Those who do not fall into it themselves still condone it or do not consider it shirk. An explanation of this is forthcoming, in shaa' Allaah. So know that this is the primary reason that the Muslims have been subjected to such punishments.

If they were to hold firmly to their religion, actualizing tawheed and establishing their 'aqeedah upon the Book and the Sunnah, holding together to the Rope of Allaah, shunning division, then verily what has been allowed to befall them will not be allowed to befall them anymore, as Allaah says:

“And verily Allaah will make those who aid His Cause victorious, for verily He is All-Powerful and Mighty. (They are) those who, when given power in the land, establish the prayer, pay zakaah, command what is good, and forbid what is evil, and with Allaah is the end result of all affairs.” [Surah Al-Hajj: 41]

So Allaah has made it clear that victory will not be given to the Muslims unless they focus on what He mentioned - establishing the prayer, paying zakaah, commanding what is good, and forbidding what is evil.

Where are these affairs with the Muslims and their current situations today? Where is the establishment of the prayer by most of the Muslims? Or even more importantly, where is the correct 'aqeedah for most of those who claim Islaam as their religion?!

Allaah says: “Allaah has promised those of you who believe and do righteous deeds that He will cause them to rule the earth just as He caused those who came before them to rule it, and He will grant them the ability to practice their religion, the one He chose for them, and He will change their fears into safety.” [Surah: An-Noor: 55]

But where is the very first condition for this promise? “…(providing) that they worship Me without ascribing a single partner to Me.” [Surah An-Noor: 55]

So He clarified that this gaining of authority and fortification will only come to pass when this condition is fulfilled - that they worship Him alone without any partners, and this is the essence of tawheed. These generously promised things will not be granted except to those who understand and apply tawheed, worshipping Allaah alone with no partners, with acts of worship including prayer, zakaah, Hajj, and all other acts of obedience.

Note that Allaah, Glorified and Exalted, did not say: "they worship Me" only, rather He followed that up with His Statement: “...without ascribing a single partner to Me.”

That is because worship is of no benefit with the presence of shirk. All forms of shirk must be avoided, no matter what shape, form, or name. Shirk simply means to perform an act of worship for other than Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic.

This is what brings about true salvation, safety, victory, and strength in the land - correcting the 'aqeedah and then correcting the deeds. Without this, disasters and punishments will continue to befall whoever does not completely fulfill the condition (for Allaah's Aid). Being conquered by the enemies is only the result of the Muslims not fulfilling this necessary condition, their lack of proper concern for their 'aqeedah and religion, and their contentment with carrying Muslim names and nothing more.

[Falafel Eater]

The Current State of the Muslim World

By Shaykh Saleem bin 'Eid Al-Hilaalee

It has become apparent in our time that the Ummah is suffering from afflictions, which have caused it to lose its balance. These afflictions are:

The State of Weakness: This state has been described to us, and we have been warned about it clearly and explicitly, leaving no excuse for ignorance. Thawban (raa), one of the Prophet's
(saws) servants, stated that the Prophet (saws) said: "Soon the nations will call one another against you, just as people call one another to eat from a platter of food."

A man asked: "Will this be because we will be few in number, O Messenger of Allaah?" He (saws) replied: "No, you will be large in number, but you will be Ghuthaa'a like the froth scum on the surface of a body of water, and Allaah will remove from the
hearts of your enemies their fear of you and shall place in your hearts Wahn." Those present asked: "What is Wahn, O Messenger of Allaah?" He replied: "The love for this worldly life, and hatred of death." [Saheeh hadeeth due to a multitude of routes of narration in the Sunan of Aboo Daawood (4297)]

The following hadeeth clearly explains this condition of wahn:

First: Our enemies, the hosts of Iblees and his servants, have tried to hinder the progress of the ummah and take from its territories when they see that wahn has set in and inflicted us. Ever since the dawn of Islaam until today, the kufaar and mushrikeen from amongst the People of the Book have continued in their endeavour against the Muslims. They have always sought out ways to render our people weak. They have even attempted this in the very city that was established and fostered by the Prophet (saws). This is clearly illustrated in the story of "The Three that were left behind" (see Soorah al-Tawbah: 118). Ka'b bin Maalik (ra) said:

"As I was walking in the market place of Madeenah, I saw a farmer who was a part of a trading caravan from Shaam selling some of the foodstuffs that he had brought with him. He was asking as to where he could find me and was then directed to me. He then handed to me a letter from the (Christian) king of Ghasaan. Being literate, I began reading it. It said: "To proceed: We have received news that your friend (Muhammad (saws)) has spurned you. Allaah does not wish for you to remain in a land of disgrace. Come to us and we shall take care of you." [Agreed upon]

O Muslim, ponder and reflect upon how the people of disbelief, those encircling the territory of the Muslims, receive news of what is occurring within our lands. They sit in wait, seeking an opportunity to unleash their assault. This can be clearly shown in the following examples as well.

Second: The nations of disbelief call one another and gather in alliances in the pursuit of destroying Islaam and that which it calls to, its adherents and their lands. You can see this vividly in the Crusades and the First World War. In the First World War, one of the main objectives was the dismantling of the Khilaafah. To implement their goals of destruction, the nations of disbelief organized themselves first into an association, then into a larger general body, becoming increasingly organized until they established a New World Order.

Third: Verily, the lands of the Muslims are the source of many of the earth's natural resources. Therefore, the nations of disbelief wish to strip us of our lands and control these resources. As such, we see that the Messenger of Allaah (saws) described them as if they call one another to a feast. Each of them seeks a large share of the regale.

Fourth: The nations of disbelief partake in the bounties of our lands, without any fear of complaint or reprisal. These assets are then taken away either 'peacefully' or by force.

Fifth: The nations of disbelief shall see our lands as being soldiers and scattered pieces of land. This is expressed in the hadeeth of the Messenger of Allaah (saws) that is reported by 'Abdullaah bin Hawaalah (raa), who said that the Prophet of Allaah (saws) said: "You shall be regiments and soldiers. A regiment in Shaam (Syria), a regiment in 'Iraaq, a regiment in Yemen." I asked: 'Choose for me which I should join?' He (saws) said: "Go to Shaam. Surely, Allaah 'Azza wa Jall has guaranteed the protection of Shaam and its people." Rabee'ah, one of the sub-narrators, states that he heard Aboo Idrees Al-Khiwalaani report this hadeeth and then say: "What Allaah vows to protect none can destroy." [Saheeh]

This clearly portrays the present situation of the Islamic world. It consists of countries having no control over anything: whether their own internal affairs or those external to them. They gain their freedom, protection and strength from the nations of disbelief.

Sixth: The nations of disbelief are no longer concerned by, let alone in fear of, the Muslims. The fear that was once present in their hearts is no longer present. The terror that previously caused the hearts of the nations of disbelief to shake and tremble is no longer of any significance - if present at all.

Allaah says in the Qur'aan: "We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve, because they joined others in worship with Allaah, for which He had sent no authority." [Surah Aali-'Imraan: 151]

The Messenger of Allaah (saws) says: "I have been given victory due to the fear our enemies have of us, which precedes us the distance of one month's travel." [Al-Bukhaaree (vol. 1, pg. 436 - Fath) and Muslim (#521) from the hadeeth of Jaabir ibn 'Abdullaah]

This is a specific attribute assigned only to this ummah. This is established in the hadeeth of Thawban (raa): "And Allaah will remove from the hearts of your enemies their fear of you."

Seventh: Another important issue is that the ummah is not strengthened by its numbers or by its weapons. The strength of the ummah is in its 'aqeedah and with those who uphold tawheed. Have we not heard the Messenger of Allaah (saws) say: "Verily, you will be many in number" And do we compass the following lesson that will remain relevant in every time, when Allaah said: "And on the Day of Hunain, when you rejoiced at your great number, but it availed you naught." [Surah At-Tawbah: 25]

Eighth: The ummah is not paid any heed to, as the Prophet of Allaah (saaw) said: "You will be ghuthaa'a, like the froth scum on the surface of a body of water."

The proofs and signs that we have just mentioned are significant for the following reasons:

1. The body of water completely controls the ghuthaa'a that is upon its surface. Such is the state of the ummah in these days. It flows along with the nations of disbelief, completely under their influence and control.

2. The ghuthaa'a contains things that are of no importance to mankind. Such is the state of the ummah today. The ummah has abandoned the actions that have always ensured its prosperity, especially enjoining the good and forbidding the evil.

3. The ghuthaa'a passes and leaves no trace. Allaah will always bring forth the good from the evil and raise a people of righteousness whom will be a source of inspiration and goodness to mankind.

4. The ghuthaa'a will constantly carry impurities. Such are the false ideologies that have crept into the philosophies of many Muslims as a result of foreign religious indoctrination.

5. Since the ghuthaa'a is under the complete control of the current, it is not known to where it is being carried. The ummah may not be aware of the plans that have been made for it by its enemies, yet it follows the call of any and all individuals, without assessing the worth of that call.

Ninth: The ummah in this day and age has made this worldly life its primary pursuit and objective. For this reason they have become afraid of death and what it will bring. They love this worldly life they are immersed in, completely forgetting the importance of preparing for the Hereafter. This was one of the things that the Messenger of Allaah (saws) feared for his ummah.

'Abdullaah bin 'Amr bin al-'Aas (raa) narrated that the Prophet (saws) said: "If you conquer Persia and Rome, what type of people will you be?" 'Abdur-Rahmaan bin 'Awf replied: "We will say as Allaah has ordered us." He (saws) replied: "Or other than that. You will compete against one another, then you will envy one another, then you will plot against one another, and then you will hate one another. Following this you will go to the impoverished Muhaajireen and cause them to oppose one another." [Saheeh Muslim: 2962]

For this reason we see that when Persia was conquered, 'Umar bin Al-Khattaab (raa) began to weep and said: "No people were given this except that they began to fight one another."

Tenth: It must be made known that the nations of disbelief will never destroy the Ummah. Even if they were to all come together in that pursuit. In another hadeeth narrated by Thawban (raa), we see that the Messenger of Allaah (saws) said: "Allaah compressed for me the whole of the earth allowing me to see its east and its
west. My ummah shall surely spread throughout the world. I have been given the two treasures, the red and white (gold and silver, the treasures of the Persians and Romans).

I asked my Rabb not to destroy my Ummah with drought. I also asked that He not send an enemy against them from other than their own selves, nor one that will take away their unity and strength. My Rabb said: 'O Muhammad! When I decree an order it cannot be rejected. I have granted you your request on behalf of your Ummah, that they not be in a state of drought. I will not send upon them an enemy from outside them who will take away their unity and strength - even if all the nations came against them. This state (of security) will remain - until they (themselves) begin to destroy one another, and to curse one another.'" [Saheeh Muslim: 2889]