Those Who are True Believers Mufti Minhajuddin Ahmed

Opening

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْحَمْدُ لِلهِ وَكَفَى وَسَلَامٌ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَى، أَمَّا بَعْد

أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ، بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Allah has spoken the truth. My dear respected brothers and sisters in Islam, respected elders and dear students, As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

Promises and Warnings in the Qur'an

Allah in the Qur'anul Kareem has made many promises, and Allah has also given many warnings. This is a style that Allah has adopted in the Qur'an. And this is the title also of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

O Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, we have sent you as a testifier — as a shahidan, the one who testifies to the oneness of Allah — wa mubashshiran wa nathira, and a bringer of glad tidings and a warner. So Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam brought glad tidings, and Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam also brought warnings.

And Allah revealed in the Qur'an as well. So we find in the hadith of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, promises and glad tidings and basharat, and at the same time we find warnings — likewise we find in the Qur'an. And the reason is that as human beings, we have within us this nature that Allah has created within us: that we run towards that which is good, which is beneficial, and we also have within us a nature that we try to protect ourselves from that which is harmful.

This is known as jalbul manfa'ah and daf'ul madharrah. The nature of human beings is that what is beneficial for us, we like to strive to acquire that, and that which is harmful and will hurt us, we try to protect ourselves from that. So Allah, knowing our nature, He mentions both targheeb and tarheeb.

The knowledge that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was given: targheeb and tarheeb — such things which will encourage us and others that will warn us. And if you look amongst the promises of Allah that are in the Qur'an — the basharat, the glad tidings — then the scholars say that all of the promises of Allah, whether they pertain to this life, whether they pertain to the barzakh (the life before the next life, the intermediary life), or the Day of Judgment, or the Hereafter — at every single stage, the promises of Allah for success at every single stage, they all revolve around two conditions.

The Two Conditions

When Allah is giving any glad tidings, any good news, He always mentions two conditions. If these two conditions are met, then the promise of Allah is there with you. What are those two conditions? Number one is iman, and the second is al-amal al-salih — belief in Allah and righteous deeds. If we start from the beginning till the end, through our life, all the various stages that we pass through, we will find these same two conditions repeatedly coming, one after the other.

1. A Beautiful Life in This World — Surah an-Nahl (16:97)

For example, the ayah that I began with — Allah says in Surah an-Nahl, ayah number 97:

Whoever does righteous deeds — so amal al-salih is mentioned. And then Allah says that this promise is not only for men, only for women. This promise from Allah is general, it's open for both men and women. There's no bias from Allah towards any gender over the other gender. So man 'amila salihan min dhakarin aw untha — whether male or female — falanuhiyannahu hayatun tayyibah — We shall surely grant them a beautiful life, a bountiful life.

Hayatan tayyibah — which is the actual objective of all mankind. All the efforts that we are undergoing, and all mankind are undergoing, are of various different natures, but the objective is the same. Allah says:

The different efforts you are engaged in are of various different natures, but the objective is the same. Everyone is trying to achieve that hayatan tayyibah — the beautiful life. So Allah has promised this. Whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, wa huwa mu'min — provided they have iman. This is a condition. All the good deeds in the world, all the social work, and all the kindness and generosity — without iman, unfortunately does not have value in the court of Allah. Iman and belief in Allah is a condition for the acceptance of good works.

Whoever has amal salihah and iman, falanuhiyannahu — and Allah uses ta'kid and emphasis, and says: most definitely, most surely We shall grant them a beautiful life. And this hayatan tayyibah — sometimes we might misinterpret it. There would be a possibility we would regard this to be in the Hereafter. That this hayatan tayyibah is in Jannatul Firdaus, or this is in Jannatul 'Adn, in the Hereafter. Allah wanted to clarify that — No, I'm not talking about hayatan tayyibah in Jannah. That's why after this Allah says, walanajziyannahum ajrahum bi ahsani ma kanu ya'maloon — and beyond this hayatan tayyibah which We granted in this world, I will give them even better reward for what they used to do in the Hereafter. So the hayatan tayyibah starts right here in this world.

2. Love in the Hearts of People — Surah Maryam (19:96)

Likewise, Allah says:

Those who have iman and do righteous deeds — sayyaj'alu lahumur Rahmanu wudda. Allah — one of His names is Al-Wadud, the Loving. Wud means love. Allah says that the Rahman — in this ayah Allah chose from amongst His names the name Rahman — as a mercy from Allah, one of the manifestations of His Rahman is that those who have iman and do righteous deeds, Allah will spread in the creation their love. That they will be beloved of the people of the earth. People's hearts will incline towards them.

There is so much fear nowadays about Islamophobia and what impressions non-Muslims have about Islam as a result of these attacks in Paris. This tragedy that occurred has nothing to do with Islam. And be unequivocally condemned — those attacks and all attacks that are taking place in Syria and Iraq by Muslims, by non-Muslims, against Muslims, against non-Muslims. Zulm and oppression in any form has no religion of course. But recently again this fear is there amongst the Muslims about what will people say about us. And people are going to hate us. And there are fears of revenge attacks. So what is the prescription that we find in the Qur'an that we can remove misconceptions — and not only that people have a good opinion about us, but beyond that they actually will love us. Allah will put love in their hearts for us.

This promise is again only on iman and amal salihah. Inna allatheena aamanu wa 'amilu salihah — truly those who have iman and do righteous deeds. This is Allah speaking. Waman asdaqu minAllahi qeela — who can be more truthful than Allah? Allah's promise is there: if you have righteous deeds and you have iman, then I will put your love in the hearts of people.

There is a hadith of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam that a righteous slave of Allah — Allah announces in the heavens:

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3209; Sahih Muslim, Book 45, Hadith 2637)

"Truly I love such and such slave of Mine, so you also love him." This announcement is made in the seventh sky. So then Allah loves that slave and the dwellers of the seventh sky also begin to love that slave. Then the announcement is made in the sixth sky that truly Allah and the dwellers of the seventh sky love so and so — so dwellers of the sixth sky, you also love him. So the dwellers of the sixth sky begin to love him. Then the announcement is made in the fifth sky that truly Allah and the dwellers of the seventh sky and the sixth sky love so and so — so you love him. So the dwellers of the fifth sky begin to love him. And likewise the announcement is made all the way to the first sky. Then Allah finally, after all the inhabitants of the seven skies begin to love such and such slave of Allah, Allah spreads qubool — meaning acceptance — for that slave in the hearts of the people of the world. So willingly or unwillingly — tawa'an aw karhan — the hearts begin to incline towards the people of Allah.

3. Dominion and Khilafah on Earth — Surah an-Nur (24:55)

Beyond having the love of people, Allah has granted supremacy and actual dominion on this earth. One is that you are not tortured — you are not a victim of Islamophobic attacks, people are letting you live. And then beyond that they might like you, they love you. But it goes beyond that. The promises of Allah extend to beyond just being loved and liked — rather Allah has promised the actual dominion and khilafah of this earth to those who have what? The same two conditions. And Allah uses the verb wa'ada — that this is a promise from Allah. Allah does not ever break His promise.

Truly Allah has promised those who have iman and do righteous deeds — the same words we see. What is the promise? Layastakhlifannahum fil ard — that He will grant them the authority, the khilafah, the dominion, the jurisdiction, the power over the earth. Kamastakhlafallatheena min qablihim — and there is a track record. Allah says just like He has given the dominion and the authority to those prior to them — how He has done in the past. Walayumakkinanna lahum deenahum alladhi irtadhalahum — and Allah will firmly establish that deen which He is pleased for His slaves — meaning the deen of Islam will be firmly established on the earth. Walayubaddilannahum min ba'di khaufihim amna — and Allah will change their conditions so that instead of being afraid for their lives and their safety, Allah will give them peace and aman, security. Ya'budoonani la yushrikoona bi shay' — they are those who worship Me and they do not assign and ascribe any partners unto Me.

So these promises of Allah are not empty promises. They were fulfilled. And the manifestation of the fulfillment of these promises we have witnessed with the Khulafa'ur Rashideen radiAllahu anhum ajma'een — that those who truly worship Allah, Allah did give them the dominion over His earth.

Allah says:

You will remain supreme. You will remain above everyone on this earth as well — if you are true believers.

This is My responsibility — that I will aid those who are believers. And:

There are so many promises of Allah that those who believe in Allah they will be supreme, Allah's help will be with them. They are the successful ones. They are the group of Allah in the dunya.

4. At the Time of Death — Surah Fussilat (41:30)

So this is the worldly life. Then what happens — a person, after passing his years in this life with love, with hayatun tayyibah, with supremacy over the rest of the world and the rest of the creation, then the time draws for him to leave this world. What is his condition?

Those who say "Our Rabb is Allah" — meaning they have iman. Thumma istaqamu — meaning they have amal salihah. So qaloo rabbunAllah is iman, and thumma istaqamu — remain steadfast on that — is amal salihah. The same two conditions of iman and amal salihah.

Allah says that what will be their condition when they have to leave this world — which is an inevitable end for everyone. No one escapes death.

Truly you have to leave this world, O Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and they will also die — the mushrikeen — then you will both be raised in front of Allah and Allah will judge between you and your opponents. If Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has to leave this world, then this mu'min also will leave the world.

But when he leaves this world, Allah says: tatanazzalu alayhimul mala'ikah — Allah will send down not one angel but angels, groups of angels, to give glad tidings and to console this person as he is leaving this world. And they will say: alla takhafu wa la tahzanu — khauf is for the future and huzn is for the past. So do not have fear and apprehension regarding the future stages, and do not have huzn — meaning sadness and grief — over what you are leaving behind or whom you are leaving behind. Khufa 'ala ma sayakoon wa huznan 'ala ma faat — fear for the apprehension for the future and grief over the past. Don't be sad about who you are leaving behind. Don't be afraid of what's going to come next.

Wa abshiru bil jannah allati kuntum tuu'adoon — take the glad tidings of Jannah, the one you had been promised by Allah, promised by the Prophets of Allah. Nahnu awliyaukum fil hayatid dunya wa fil akhirah — We were always with you in the worldly life — you could not see us, but now you can see us, now you can hear us. Now your vision is clear, as Allah says in Surah Qaf:

Now We have removed the covering of your eyes. As long as you were alive, there was a covering over your eyes that you could not see the unseen. Now that covering has been removed and now all the unseen — the ghayb — becomes mushahada. The unseen becomes seen. So now you can hear us — but they will be telling them: guess what, this is not the first time we are coming here. We were always with you. Nahnu awliyaukum — we were with you and supporting you and helping you, unseen. We were your unseen aid and support. Fil hayatid dunya — in your worldly life, which is now ending. Wa fil akhirah — and we will be with you in the Hereafter as well.

Walakum feeha ma tashtahi anfusukum — and in the Hereafter you will receive whatever in the world you may ever desire. Whatever your desire may be — no matter how great the desire may be, how extensive the desire may be — whatever you may desire, whatever your heart may wish, you will be granted. And whatever you are promised by Allah, you will be granted. This is nuzulan min ghafoorin raheem — this is a gift that Allah has prepared — He who is the Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

5. Jannatul Firdaus for Eternity — Surah al-Kahf (18:107–108)

So this is now the condition for those who have iman and amal salihah as they are leaving this world. And when they are in the grave, they will be receiving blessings from Allah. The door of Jannah will be open for them. On the Day of Judgment, they will be in the shade of the Arsh of Allah. And for eternity, they will be granted Jannatul Firdaus — the highest level.

Those who have iman and do righteous deeds — they will enter Jannatul Firdaus, the gardens of Jannah. The Jannatul Firdaus which is the highest level of Jannah — the Jannah that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has taught us:

When you want to seek Jannah from Allah, when you want to ask from Allah for Jannah, ask from Him Jannatul Firdaus. Khalideena feeha — they will remain therein forever. And if somebody would wonder whether they would get tired of Jannah because they are there forever — even the best place, after some time you might get tired of the blessings — Allah says: know that the nature of Jannah and the blessings of Jannah is that they always change, there is always something new. La yabghoona 'anha hiwala — they will never ever desire, the thought will never cross their minds, to come out of Jannah.

Summary of the Two Conditions

So in short, we see — from the beginning stage, from this worldly life, all the way till Eternal Jannah — all the promises of Allah, every single promise at every single stage, revolve around two conditions. That we develop iman — that is the internal belief in Allah kama huwa bi asma'ihi wa sifatihi, the way He is with His names and His attributes — and we accept all His injunctions and we believe in all the articles of faith. Such an iman which does not have any doubt, which does not waver — which is at-tasdiq al-kamil, yaqeen as-sadiq — true conviction and belief. And then that belief is followed up with righteous actions, with amal salihah. This is the key.

The Warning: Surah al-'Asr

Now if all of these promises are not sufficient for us to motivate us towards developing iman and amal salihah, then — in the beginning when I started I mentioned that there are promises and there are also warnings. Allah said Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is shahidan wa mubashshiran wa nathira — bringer of glad tidings and a warner. So if the success and the promise of success in every field of life is not sufficient, then on the other hand we see the warnings as well. That Allah, in very clear, unambiguous terms — taking oath and emphasis upon emphasis and ta'kid upon ta'kid — He mentions what is the outcome without iman and amal salihah.

Taking the oath of time itself — the time bears testimony to this fact, and this is a reality which is borne out by time and can be witnessed by searching the pages of history. Wal 'asr — by time. Innal insana lafi khusr — verily all mankind is headed towards utter loss. So it's not something optional. Okay fine — if I have iman and amal salihah then I will be victorious, I will gain supremacy over the earth, Allah will put my love in the hearts of people, I will be granted hayatun tayyibah, I will have angels coming and giving me glad tidings, I will have Jannatul Firdaus — all these promises if you just went through those ayat. But I'm not interested, I'm fine as I am. No — you will not be fine as you are without iman and amal salihah. Because Allah says: innal insana lafi khusr — verily all mankind is in utter loss. Illal latheena amanu wa amilus salihah — except for those who have iman and amal salihah.

Again the same thing — repeated, repeated. Except for those who have iman and amal salihah. Those who believe and do righteousness — these are the main two primary conditions. And what follows afterwards — they are there to strengthen the first two, they are already included. Bistakhsis ba'da ta'mim — meaning they are specifically mentioned even though they are already included. Wa tawasaw bil haqqi wa tawasaw bis sabr — inviting one another towards patience, to refrain from sin and to do good deeds. Wa tawasaw bil haqq — to invite one another towards haqq, towards the belief — this is to strengthen the iman and amal salihah.

It's already included — because inviting one another towards haqq, tawasaw bil haqq — is that a good deed or a bad deed? Everyone can agree: it's a very simple concept that it is a good deed to invite towards haqq. How about inviting towards patience — tawasaw bis sabr — is it a good deed or a bad deed? Everyone will agree: it's a good deed. So what does that conclude? We conclude that this is already included in the word wa amal saliha. So inviting towards haqq and inviting towards sabr — these two are already included in amal salihah, in doing righteous deeds. They are already included. But they have been specifically mentioned afterwards.

The primary two conditions are: illa allatheena amanu wa amilus salihah — those who have belief and do righteous deeds. Belief in the heart and righteousness to the body.

How to Strengthen Iman and Amal: Tawasi bil Haqq and Tawasi bis Sabr

How will that belief be strengthened? What is the secret to strengthen that belief? It's tawasaw bil haqq. The more we speak about haqq, the more we invite towards haqq — the more we speak about Allah, speak about the angels of Allah, speak about the Prophets of Allah, speak about the Books of Allah, speak about qadr and taqdeer, speak about qiyamah, speak about amantu billahi wa mala'ikatihi — this is all haqq. The more we make tawasaw bil haqq, invite towards haqq, speak about haqq, our iman will be increased, our iman will be strong. That is point number one.

And tawasaw bis sabr — sabr is now that you understand the haqq, you know what the haqq is, but you need that inner strength to be able to follow through with that haqq. Sabr — we always understand it as patience. But sabr is not limited to patience. Sabr al-masa'ib — being patient at the time of difficulty — is only one of the types of sabr. The other two types being sabr al-ta'at and sabr al-ma'asi. Sabr means to go against the nafs — to go against the nafs in obedience of Allah, to go against the nafs in abstaining from the disobedience of Allah. So to be able to perform Fajr requires sabr. To abstain from riba and haram requires sabr. So that effort of sabr is effort of amal salihah.

So we have iman and amal salihah — and tawasaw bil haqq is the effort of iman, and tawasaw bis sabr is the effort of amal. The more we invite towards haqq, our iman will increase. The more we invite towards sabr, we will develop strength to follow through with amal.

The Emphasis of Surah al-'Asr

So to be able to protect ourselves from that loss — such a great emphasis is placed here. One is that Allah could have used a jumlah fi'liyyah, a verbal sentence — khasiral insan. Allah did not use that. He went beyond that, gave emphasis — He used a nominal sentence with a noun first, a jumlah ismiyyah. Then He could have said al-insanu khasira — the insan is lost — or al-insanu khasir. But Allah said inna al-insan — He added inna. And then He said la — He added a lam for ta'kid. Then He added fi khusr. Inna al-insana lafi khusr — so much emphasis. And on top of that, of course, the wal 'asr — the oath. Scholars have counted up to eleven different forms of emphasis in this ayah. Such a great emphasis placed by Allah — which He did not require to. He could have just said it and it would have been enough for us. But He has used all of these different forms of emphasis so that we take heed: that if we do not make effort on iman and amal salihah, then we are definitely headed towards utter loss.

Conclusion: Two Paths, No Third Option

So these are the two possibilities. One side: man 'amila salihan min dhakarin aw untha wa huwa mu'min falanuhiyannahu hayatun tayyibah — those who have iman and amal salihah, for them is a hayatun tayyibah. And the other side is: innal insana lafi khusr. This is the reality of our existence, as set by our Creator — Allah Himself, the Malikul Mulk. There is no third option in the middle. It's not that we can just continue living and it will be fine as it is. We have to make this choice.

There are two ways — either the path of Jannah, the path of the ridwan of Allah, or the path of Jahannam — great loss. And the way of hayatun tayyibah is to have iman and amal salihah. So we have to change our priorities and make this a focus of our lives.

May Allah grant us all the hayatun tayyibah in this dunya, and allow us to be among those who are deserving of His promises in the Hereafter as well.