WHO DO YOU OBEY?

 FAJR REMINDER: WHO DO YOU OBEY?

By: Umm Affān

Dhū al-Qa'dah 16, 1447 (4-May-2026)

Some people will find themselves entering Hell later because they chose to obey others instead of obeying Allāh. They elevate their chiefs and leaders to a level of unquestioned authority—listening to them and following their commands even when they are misguided and leading others astray. Allāh says: “On the Day when their faces will be turned over in the Fire, they will say: ‘Oh, would that we had obeyed Allāh and obeyed the Messenger (Muḥmmad ﷺ).’ And they will say: ‘Our Lord! Verily, we obeyed our chiefs and our great ones, and they misled us from the (Right) Way. Our Lord! Give them double torment and curse them with a mighty curse!’” [Sūrah Al-Aḥzāb (33): 66-68]

Anyone you follow into disobedience to Allāh will not stand by you on the Day of Judgment. In fact, they will wish to have nothing to do with you. Think carefully—are there people in your life, even parents, a spouse, or children, whose approval you prioritize over obedience to Allāh? Love for them may make you reluctant to displease them, but that bond will not avail you on that Day. Allāh says: “That Day shall a man flee from his brother, And his mother and his father, And from his wife and his children, Everyman, that Day, will have enough to make him careless of others.” [Sūrah ‘Abasa (80): 34-37]

Likewise, those close companions with whom one may share sinful acts will not offer any help when it truly matters. Their friendship will turn into enmity. Allāh says: “Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except Al-Muttaqun.” [Sūrah Az-Zukhruf (43): 67]

So be mindful of who you choose to listen to and obey. In the end, every soul will stand alone and be accountable for its own deeds. No Shaykh or scholar will be able to answer on your behalf. Therefore, let every act of obedience you offer to others be within the bounds of obedience to Allāh.

I beseech Allāh to protect us from self-destruction. Aameen.