﷽
*AR-RAHĪQ AL-MAKHTOUM (The Pure Nectar). A Treaties On Prophet Muhammad's Biography.*
*Part 57*
*FACTORS OF PATIENCE AND STEADFASTNESS continues*
*6. GOOD TIDINGS OF SUCCESS:* Muslims were certain since the first moment they suffered for the sake of truth that conversion to Islam never meant bringing calamities and danger upon themselves. On the contrary, the calling of Islam aims to put an end to brutal paganism and its unjust system from the beginning. One of its results was to impose its authority on the earth and have control over the global political situation to lead entire humanity to the pleasure of Allāh and get them out of worshiping individuals to the worship of Allāh.
The Glorious Qur-ān was giving such glad tidings obviously in some cases and equivocally in others. In the course of these hard times when Muslims were being persecuted, some Qur-ānic verses were revealed to highlight the stories of the previous Prophets and their people who disbelieved them. Further, these verses mention the conditions that coincide with those of the Muslims and unbelievers of Mecca. Then the Qur-ānic verses refer to the consequences of these conditions, that is, the destruction of unbelievers and wrong-doers and the survival of the good people who inherit the earth and habitations. These stories prophesied the failure of Pagan Meccans and the final success of both Muslims and the vocation of Islam. In these hard conditions, the Qur-ān was giving glad tidings that believers would triumph as Allāh says:
Surah As-Saaffat, Verse 171-177:
وَلَقَدْ سَبَقَتْ كَلِمَتُنَا لِعِبَادِنَا الْمُرْسَلِينَ
And, verily, Our Word has gone forth of old for Our slaves, the Messengers,
إِنَّهُمْ لَهُمُ الْمَنصُورُونَ
That they verily would be made triumphant.
وَإِنَّ جُندَنَا لَهُمُ الْغَالِبُونَ
And that Our hosts, they verily would be the victors.
فَتَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ حَتَّىٰ حِينٍ
So turn away (O Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]) from them for a while,
وَأَبْصِرْهُمْ فَسَوْفَ يُبْصِرُونَ
And watch them and they shall see (the punishment)!
أَفَبِعَذَابِنَا يَسْتَعْجِلُونَ
Do they seek to hasten on Our Torment?
فَإِذَا نَزَلَ بِسَاحَتِهِمْ فَسَاءَ صَبَاحُ الْمُنذَرِينَ
Then, when it descends into their courtyard (i.e. near to them), evil will be the morning for those who had been warned!
Allāh says:
Surah Al-Qamar, Verse 45:
سَيُهْزَمُ الْجَمْعُ وَيُوَلُّونَ الدُّبُرَ
Their multitude will be put to flight, and they will show their backs.
Surah Sad, verse 11
جُندٌ مَّا هُنَالِكَ مَهْزُومٌ مِّنَ الْأَحْزَابِ
(As they denied Allāh's Message) they will be a defeated host like the confederates of the old times (who were defeated).
Surah An-Nahl, Verse 41:
وَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا فِي اللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَلَأَجْرُ الْآخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ
And as for those who emigrated for the Cause of Allāh, after suffering oppression, We will certainly give them goodly residence in this world, but indeed the reward of the Hereafter will be greater, if they but knew!
When Meccans asked the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) about the story of Joseph, Allāh said:
Surah Yusuf, Verse 7:
لَّقَدْ كَانَ فِي يُوسُفَ وَإِخْوَتِهِ آيَاتٌ لِّلسَّائِلِينَ
Verily, in Yusuf (Joseph) and his brethren, there were Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) for those who ask.
that is, Meccans will fail and surrender as the brothers of Joseph did. Allāh says about previously Messengers:
Surah Ibrahim, Verse 13-14:
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِرُسُلِهِمْ لَنُخْرِجَنَّكُم مِّنْ أَرْضِنَا أَوْ لَتَعُودُنَّ فِي مِلَّتِنَا فَأَوْحَىٰ إِلَيْهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ لَنُهْلِكَنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ
And those who disbelieved, said to their Messengers: "Surely, we shall drive you out of our land, or you shall return to our religion." So their Lord inspired them: "Truly, We shall destroy the Zalimun (polytheists, disbelievers and wrong-doers.).
وَلَنُسْكِنَنَّكُمُ الْأَرْضَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنْ خَافَ مَقَامِي وَخَافَ وَعِيدِ
"And indeed, We shall make you dwell in the land after them. This is for him who fears standing before Me (on the Day of Resurrection or fears My Punishment) and also fears My Threat."
When Persians were at war with Romans, unbelievers (because of their polytheism) hoped for the victory of Persians who indeed defeated Romans. But Muslims (owing to their belief in Allāh, Messenger, revelation, scriptures and the Doomsday) hoped that Romans would triumph over Persians. So Allāh said in the Qur-ān that Romans would defeat Persians in a few years. Allāh not only mentions this glad tidings, but He also refers directly to the victory which believers will win. He says:
Surah Ar-Room, Verse 4-5:
فِي بِضْعِ سِنِينَ لِلَّهِ الْأَمْرُ مِن قَبْلُ وَمِن بَعْدُ وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
Within three to nine years. The decision of the matter, before and after (these events) is only with Allah, (before the defeat of Romans by the Persians, and after, i.e. the defeat of the Persians by the Romans). And on that Day, the believers (i.e. Muslims) will rejoice (at the victory given by Allah to the Romans against the Persians),
بِنَصْرِ اللَّهِ يَنصُرُ مَن يَشَاءُ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الرَّحِيمُ
With the help of Allah, He helps whom He wills, and He is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.
As for the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him), he himself was sometimes giving such good tidings. Whenever the season of hajj came and he preached people in markets, he not only gave them glad tidings that they would enter Paradise but also he said to them clearly: "O people! Say, 'there is no god but Allāh' to prosper and have control over Arabs and non-Arabs. Even when you die, you will occupy your own positions in Paradise." We talked previously about the Prophet's reply to 'Utba Ibn Rabī'ah when he negotiated with him on some worldly pleasures and what 'Utba himself conceived and hoped in case the Prophet's Message scored victory.
We also shouldn't forget the Prophet's response to the last delegation that went to Abu Tālib. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) made it clear that he wished them to say a single word by which Arabs and non-Arabs would yield to them.
Imām Al-Bukhāry narrated on the authority of Khabāb Ibn Al-Aratt that he said: "I came to the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) while he was using a cloak as a cushion in the shadow of the Ka'abah. We then suffered grievous persecution at the hands of polytheists. So I said: "O Messenger of Allāh! Will you invoke Allāh for our sake? The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) sat blushing. Then he said: "There were people before you, who were cut off by saws made of iron. They had their flesh and nerves removed from bones. But this never made them abandon their religion. Allāh will accomplish and complete this faith (Islam) till riders (travellers) proceed forth from Sanaa to Hadhramaut fearing nothing but Allāh and wolves lest they devour their sheep. But you are impatient."
These glad tidings were not hidden or unknown. They were known to Muslims and unbelievers alike. Whenever Al-Aswad Ibn 'Abdul-Mutallib saw the Prophet's followers, he abused them and said: "The kings of the earth who will inherit the dominion of Khosrau and Caesar came to you." Then they clapped and whistled.
Because of the glad tidings of a promising and glorious future in this world, Muslims viewed the persecutions and ordeals that besieged them as a cloud that appeared in summer and would vanish rapidly.
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) continued to nurture his followers' souls with the delightful impact of belief, purify their spirits with wisdom and the Qur-ān, bring them up so finely and profoundly, lead them to moral elevation, purity of heart, good manners, emancipate them from the influence of material, teach them to resist sensual pleasures and show entire submission to the Lord of heavens and earth, get them out of dark to light and exhort them to enduring harms, forgiving others and showing self-restraint.
Muslims owing to the Prophet's directives, adhered to the religion more tenaciously, abstained from the physical pleasures, showed unrivalled devotion to Allāh, yearned for Paradise, persisted in pursuing knowledge, comprehending religion and self-reckoning, composure, patience and sobriety.
*{To be continued In-sha-Allāh (If Allāh Wills)...}*
*"And keep reminding, because reminding benefits the believers."* (Qur'an 51:55)
*AR-RAHĪQ AL-MAKHTOUM (The Pure Nectar). A Treaties On Prophet Muhammad's Biography.*
*Part 57*
*FACTORS OF PATIENCE AND STEADFASTNESS continues*
*6. GOOD TIDINGS OF SUCCESS:* Muslims were certain since the first moment they suffered for the sake of truth that conversion to Islam never meant bringing calamities and danger upon themselves. On the contrary, the calling of Islam aims to put an end to brutal paganism and its unjust system from the beginning. One of its results was to impose its authority on the earth and have control over the global political situation to lead entire humanity to the pleasure of Allāh and get them out of worshiping individuals to the worship of Allāh.
The Glorious Qur-ān was giving such glad tidings obviously in some cases and equivocally in others. In the course of these hard times when Muslims were being persecuted, some Qur-ānic verses were revealed to highlight the stories of the previous Prophets and their people who disbelieved them. Further, these verses mention the conditions that coincide with those of the Muslims and unbelievers of Mecca. Then the Qur-ānic verses refer to the consequences of these conditions, that is, the destruction of unbelievers and wrong-doers and the survival of the good people who inherit the earth and habitations. These stories prophesied the failure of Pagan Meccans and the final success of both Muslims and the vocation of Islam. In these hard conditions, the Qur-ān was giving glad tidings that believers would triumph as Allāh says:
Surah As-Saaffat, Verse 171-177:
وَلَقَدْ سَبَقَتْ كَلِمَتُنَا لِعِبَادِنَا الْمُرْسَلِينَ
And, verily, Our Word has gone forth of old for Our slaves, the Messengers,
إِنَّهُمْ لَهُمُ الْمَنصُورُونَ
That they verily would be made triumphant.
وَإِنَّ جُندَنَا لَهُمُ الْغَالِبُونَ
And that Our hosts, they verily would be the victors.
فَتَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ حَتَّىٰ حِينٍ
So turn away (O Muhammad [Blessings and Peace be upon him]) from them for a while,
وَأَبْصِرْهُمْ فَسَوْفَ يُبْصِرُونَ
And watch them and they shall see (the punishment)!
أَفَبِعَذَابِنَا يَسْتَعْجِلُونَ
Do they seek to hasten on Our Torment?
فَإِذَا نَزَلَ بِسَاحَتِهِمْ فَسَاءَ صَبَاحُ الْمُنذَرِينَ
Then, when it descends into their courtyard (i.e. near to them), evil will be the morning for those who had been warned!
Allāh says:
Surah Al-Qamar, Verse 45:
سَيُهْزَمُ الْجَمْعُ وَيُوَلُّونَ الدُّبُرَ
Their multitude will be put to flight, and they will show their backs.
Surah Sad, verse 11
جُندٌ مَّا هُنَالِكَ مَهْزُومٌ مِّنَ الْأَحْزَابِ
(As they denied Allāh's Message) they will be a defeated host like the confederates of the old times (who were defeated).
Surah An-Nahl, Verse 41:
وَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا فِي اللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَلَأَجْرُ الْآخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ
And as for those who emigrated for the Cause of Allāh, after suffering oppression, We will certainly give them goodly residence in this world, but indeed the reward of the Hereafter will be greater, if they but knew!
When Meccans asked the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) about the story of Joseph, Allāh said:
Surah Yusuf, Verse 7:
لَّقَدْ كَانَ فِي يُوسُفَ وَإِخْوَتِهِ آيَاتٌ لِّلسَّائِلِينَ
Verily, in Yusuf (Joseph) and his brethren, there were Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) for those who ask.
that is, Meccans will fail and surrender as the brothers of Joseph did. Allāh says about previously Messengers:
Surah Ibrahim, Verse 13-14:
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِرُسُلِهِمْ لَنُخْرِجَنَّكُم مِّنْ أَرْضِنَا أَوْ لَتَعُودُنَّ فِي مِلَّتِنَا فَأَوْحَىٰ إِلَيْهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ لَنُهْلِكَنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ
And those who disbelieved, said to their Messengers: "Surely, we shall drive you out of our land, or you shall return to our religion." So their Lord inspired them: "Truly, We shall destroy the Zalimun (polytheists, disbelievers and wrong-doers.).
وَلَنُسْكِنَنَّكُمُ الْأَرْضَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنْ خَافَ مَقَامِي وَخَافَ وَعِيدِ
"And indeed, We shall make you dwell in the land after them. This is for him who fears standing before Me (on the Day of Resurrection or fears My Punishment) and also fears My Threat."
When Persians were at war with Romans, unbelievers (because of their polytheism) hoped for the victory of Persians who indeed defeated Romans. But Muslims (owing to their belief in Allāh, Messenger, revelation, scriptures and the Doomsday) hoped that Romans would triumph over Persians. So Allāh said in the Qur-ān that Romans would defeat Persians in a few years. Allāh not only mentions this glad tidings, but He also refers directly to the victory which believers will win. He says:
Surah Ar-Room, Verse 4-5:
فِي بِضْعِ سِنِينَ لِلَّهِ الْأَمْرُ مِن قَبْلُ وَمِن بَعْدُ وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
Within three to nine years. The decision of the matter, before and after (these events) is only with Allah, (before the defeat of Romans by the Persians, and after, i.e. the defeat of the Persians by the Romans). And on that Day, the believers (i.e. Muslims) will rejoice (at the victory given by Allah to the Romans against the Persians),
بِنَصْرِ اللَّهِ يَنصُرُ مَن يَشَاءُ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الرَّحِيمُ
With the help of Allah, He helps whom He wills, and He is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.
As for the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him), he himself was sometimes giving such good tidings. Whenever the season of hajj came and he preached people in markets, he not only gave them glad tidings that they would enter Paradise but also he said to them clearly: "O people! Say, 'there is no god but Allāh' to prosper and have control over Arabs and non-Arabs. Even when you die, you will occupy your own positions in Paradise." We talked previously about the Prophet's reply to 'Utba Ibn Rabī'ah when he negotiated with him on some worldly pleasures and what 'Utba himself conceived and hoped in case the Prophet's Message scored victory.
We also shouldn't forget the Prophet's response to the last delegation that went to Abu Tālib. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) made it clear that he wished them to say a single word by which Arabs and non-Arabs would yield to them.
Imām Al-Bukhāry narrated on the authority of Khabāb Ibn Al-Aratt that he said: "I came to the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) while he was using a cloak as a cushion in the shadow of the Ka'abah. We then suffered grievous persecution at the hands of polytheists. So I said: "O Messenger of Allāh! Will you invoke Allāh for our sake? The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) sat blushing. Then he said: "There were people before you, who were cut off by saws made of iron. They had their flesh and nerves removed from bones. But this never made them abandon their religion. Allāh will accomplish and complete this faith (Islam) till riders (travellers) proceed forth from Sanaa to Hadhramaut fearing nothing but Allāh and wolves lest they devour their sheep. But you are impatient."
These glad tidings were not hidden or unknown. They were known to Muslims and unbelievers alike. Whenever Al-Aswad Ibn 'Abdul-Mutallib saw the Prophet's followers, he abused them and said: "The kings of the earth who will inherit the dominion of Khosrau and Caesar came to you." Then they clapped and whistled.
Because of the glad tidings of a promising and glorious future in this world, Muslims viewed the persecutions and ordeals that besieged them as a cloud that appeared in summer and would vanish rapidly.
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) continued to nurture his followers' souls with the delightful impact of belief, purify their spirits with wisdom and the Qur-ān, bring them up so finely and profoundly, lead them to moral elevation, purity of heart, good manners, emancipate them from the influence of material, teach them to resist sensual pleasures and show entire submission to the Lord of heavens and earth, get them out of dark to light and exhort them to enduring harms, forgiving others and showing self-restraint.
Muslims owing to the Prophet's directives, adhered to the religion more tenaciously, abstained from the physical pleasures, showed unrivalled devotion to Allāh, yearned for Paradise, persisted in pursuing knowledge, comprehending religion and self-reckoning, composure, patience and sobriety.
*{To be continued In-sha-Allāh (If Allāh Wills)...}*
*"And keep reminding, because reminding benefits the believers."* (Qur'an 51:55)
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