﷽
*AR-RAHĪQ AL-MAKHTOUM (The Pure Nectar). A Treaties On Prophet Muhammad's Biography.*
*Part 56*
*FACTORS OF PATIENCE AND STEADFASTNESS continues*
3. SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY: The Prophet's Companions sensed their grand and considerable responsibility they shouldered towards humanity. They also perceived that they could not swerve from it in any way. As the consequences of deviating from it would be more pernicious and disastrous than the persecution and assaults they suffered. Moreover, straying from this responsibility would result in an irreparable loss for them and all mankind.
4. BELIEF IN THE AFTERLIFE
Muslims' belief in the Hereafter strengthened their sense of responsibility. They believed decisively that Allāh will resurrect and hold them answerable for all doings. And then they will go to either eternal bliss in Paradise or undying torment in Hell. So they spent their lives dreading Allāh's chastisement and hoping for His mercy. They were:
Surah Al-Mumenoon, Verse 60:
وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْتُونَ مَا آتَوا وَّقُلُوبُهُمْ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ رَاجِعُونَ
And those who give that (their charity) which they give (and also do other good deeds) with their hearts full of fear (whether their alms and charities, etc., have been accepted or not), because they are sure to return to their Lord (for reckoning).
They realised that the pleasures and discomforts of this material life were as worthless as a mosquito's wing. This unchanged realisation mitigated their difficulties and agonies to the point that they were indifferent to them.
5. THE GLORIOUS QUR-ĀN
In these difficult and gloomy times the Qur-ānic chapters and verses were being revealed to prevent various and irrefutable arguments and proofs that give credence to the principles of Islam (which the religion revolves around in a convincing and riveting way. They aim to guide Muslims to the foundations on which Allāh decreed to base the greatest human society (Muslim community) in the world and arouse their feelings and dispositions so as to exercise patience and perseverance. The Qur-ān always sets for them impressive and significant examples such as the verses:
Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 214:
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلِكُم مَّسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, "When (will come) the Help of Allāh?" Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allāh is near!
Surah Al-Ankaboot, Verse 1-3:
الم
Alif-Lam-Mim. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur-ān, and none but Allāh (Alone) knows their meanings.]
أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ
Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested.
وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ
And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allāh 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 Allāh knows all that before putting them to test).
On the other hand, the Qur-ānic verses respond to the doubts and allegations of the unbelievers and self-opinionated people in a conclusive and uncontroversial manner. They also warn them against the bad consequences of their denial and obstinacy very clearly, giving historical evidence that indicate Allāh's unchangeable laws in His creatures, believers and unbelievers. In other cases they address them gently giving them all opportunities to understand and receive the meaningful directives and divine guidance to abandon their blatant aberrations.
The Glorious Qur-ān also draws Muslims' attention to another world and enlightens them on the manifestations of the universe, the beauty of Lordship and the perfection of Godhood, signs of mercy and satisfaction. The Qur-ānic verses embody directives aimed at Muslims such as the verse that reads:
Surah At-Taubah, Verse 21:
يُبَشِّرُهُمْ رَبُّهُم بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنْهُ وَرِضْوَانٍ وَجَنَّاتٍ لَّهُمْ فِيهَا نَعِيمٌ مُّقِيمٌ
Their Lord gives them glad tidings of a Mercy from Him, and that He is pleased (with them), and of Gardens (Paradise) for them wherein are everlasting delights.
Or describe their enemies of oppressive unbelievers when they are brought to account and receive their punishments:
Surah Al-Qamar, Verse 48:
يَوْمَ يُسْحَبُونَ فِي النَّارِ عَلَىٰ وُجُوهِهِمْ ذُوقُوا مَسَّ سَقَرَ
The Day they will be dragged in the Fire on their faces (it will be said to them): "Taste you the touch of Hell!"
*{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 56*
*FACTORS OF PATIENCE AND STEADFASTNESS continues*
3. SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY: The Prophet's Companions sensed their grand and considerable responsibility they shouldered towards humanity. They also perceived that they could not swerve from it in any way. As the consequences of deviating from it would be more pernicious and disastrous than the persecution and assaults they suffered. Moreover, straying from this responsibility would result in an irreparable loss for them and all mankind.
4. BELIEF IN THE AFTERLIFE
Muslims' belief in the Hereafter strengthened their sense of responsibility. They believed decisively that Allāh will resurrect and hold them answerable for all doings. And then they will go to either eternal bliss in Paradise or undying torment in Hell. So they spent their lives dreading Allāh's chastisement and hoping for His mercy. They were:
Surah Al-Mumenoon, Verse 60:
وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْتُونَ مَا آتَوا وَّقُلُوبُهُمْ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ رَاجِعُونَ
And those who give that (their charity) which they give (and also do other good deeds) with their hearts full of fear (whether their alms and charities, etc., have been accepted or not), because they are sure to return to their Lord (for reckoning).
They realised that the pleasures and discomforts of this material life were as worthless as a mosquito's wing. This unchanged realisation mitigated their difficulties and agonies to the point that they were indifferent to them.
5. THE GLORIOUS QUR-ĀN
In these difficult and gloomy times the Qur-ānic chapters and verses were being revealed to prevent various and irrefutable arguments and proofs that give credence to the principles of Islam (which the religion revolves around in a convincing and riveting way. They aim to guide Muslims to the foundations on which Allāh decreed to base the greatest human society (Muslim community) in the world and arouse their feelings and dispositions so as to exercise patience and perseverance. The Qur-ān always sets for them impressive and significant examples such as the verses:
Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 214:
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلِكُم مَّسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, "When (will come) the Help of Allāh?" Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allāh is near!
Surah Al-Ankaboot, Verse 1-3:
الم
Alif-Lam-Mim. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur-ān, and none but Allāh (Alone) knows their meanings.]
أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ
Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested.
وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ
And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allāh 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 Allāh knows all that before putting them to test).
On the other hand, the Qur-ānic verses respond to the doubts and allegations of the unbelievers and self-opinionated people in a conclusive and uncontroversial manner. They also warn them against the bad consequences of their denial and obstinacy very clearly, giving historical evidence that indicate Allāh's unchangeable laws in His creatures, believers and unbelievers. In other cases they address them gently giving them all opportunities to understand and receive the meaningful directives and divine guidance to abandon their blatant aberrations.
The Glorious Qur-ān also draws Muslims' attention to another world and enlightens them on the manifestations of the universe, the beauty of Lordship and the perfection of Godhood, signs of mercy and satisfaction. The Qur-ānic verses embody directives aimed at Muslims such as the verse that reads:
Surah At-Taubah, Verse 21:
يُبَشِّرُهُمْ رَبُّهُم بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنْهُ وَرِضْوَانٍ وَجَنَّاتٍ لَّهُمْ فِيهَا نَعِيمٌ مُّقِيمٌ
Their Lord gives them glad tidings of a Mercy from Him, and that He is pleased (with them), and of Gardens (Paradise) for them wherein are everlasting delights.
Or describe their enemies of oppressive unbelievers when they are brought to account and receive their punishments:
Surah Al-Qamar, Verse 48:
يَوْمَ يُسْحَبُونَ فِي النَّارِ عَلَىٰ وُجُوهِهِمْ ذُوقُوا مَسَّ سَقَرَ
The Day they will be dragged in the Fire on their faces (it will be said to them): "Taste you the touch of Hell!"
*{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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