The Divine Assignment to man is based on the following Ayah:
Dear brothers, this is the second lesson of interpreting Surat Al Ankabut.
In a previous lesson I have interpreted the following Ayah:
﴾ ( Alif-Lam-Mim. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.]
Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested) ﴿
[These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.]
The Divine Assignment to man is based on this Ayah.
Man is the first creature who is Divinely honored and assigned. Man is considered the first creature because everything in the heavens and the earth are subjected to him.
﴾ (He it is Who created for you all that is on earth. Then He Istawa (rose over) towards the heaven and made them seven heavens and He is the All-Knower of everything.) ﴿
﴾ (And has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; it is all as a favour and kindness from Him. Verily, in it are signs for a people who think deeply.) ﴿
Man is honored:
﴾ (And indeed We have honoured the Children of Adam, and We have carried them on land and sea, and have provided them with At-Taiyibat (lawful good things), and have preferred them above many of those whom We have created with a marked preference.) ﴿
You are the first creature who is Divinely honored and assigned.
﴾ (Truly, We did offer Al-Amanah (the trust or moral responsibility or honesty and all the duties which Allah has ordained) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it (i.e. afraid of Allah’s Torment). But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of its results).) ﴿
You are assigned to save your own self, to get it to know Allah the Almighty, to exalt it and to deliver happiness to it in this worldly life and in the hereafter.
The proof of that is in the following Ayah:
﴾ (Indeed he succeeds who purifies his ownself (i.e. obeys and performs all that Allah ordered, by following the true Faith of Islamic Monotheism and by doing righteous good deeds). And indeed he fails who corrupts his ownself (i.e. disobeys what Allah has ordered by rejecting the true Faith of Islamic Monotheism or by following polytheism, etc. or by doing every kind of evil wicked deeds).) ﴿
Allah says:
﴾ (Indeed he succeeds who) ﴿
These are the words of The Creator of this universe, and He says to you:
﴾ (Successful indeed are the believers.) ﴿
﴾ (Indeed he succeeds who purifies his ownself)
﴿
If you purify your soul and get it to know Allah the Almighty, the assignment and the mission you are created for will be fulfilled.
We also deduce from this Ayah:
﴾ (Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested.)
﴿
You are assigned by Allah to get your own self to know Him.
Quran invites man to reflect on the universe and on his own self:
Allah assigned you after He gave you constituents for this assignment, such as subjecting this universe to you and making this universe a manifestation of Allah's Beautiful Names and Exalted Attributes.
When you reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth, you will see the manifestations of Allah's Beautiful Names and Exalted Attributes.
﴾ Say: “Behold all that is in the heavens and the earth,” but neither Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) nor warners benefit those who believe not.﴿
﴾ (And how many a sign in the heavens and the earth they pass by, while they are averse therefrom.) ﴿
This is an open invitation…
﴾ (Then let man look at his food, That We pour forth water in abundance,) ﴿
﴾ (So let man see from what he is created! He is created from a water gushing forth) ﴿
﴾ (And by the sun and its brightness; And by the moon as it follows it (the sun);) ﴿
Constituents of The Divine Assignment:
Allah has spread in this universe countless signs and He refers to them in Quran.
Allah has made these signs as proofs to His Greatness.
When man reflects on the universe, he will be led to knowing Allah the Almighty. Thus the universe is a constituent of man's assignment.
Allah has given you reason. Reason according to scholars is a great advantage Allah has given to man. Due to reason, man is able to get to know Allah the Almighty.
Reason and man's nature are two scales for man, and Allah has made His religion as the scale for both of them.
Namely, when man's reason works according to Allah's commandments and prohibitions, and thus it reaches the results indicated by the religion, then this reason is right and logical.
On the other side, when reason is deviated from that which is brought by the noble Quran, this reason will go astray and will become arrogant..
﴾ (Verily, he thought and plotted; So let him be cursed! How he plotted!) ﴿
[ [Al-Muddathir, 18-19] ]
Hence, amongst the constituents of the Divine assignment are the universe and the reason.
As a constituent of the Divine Assignment, Allah gave man an exalted innate due to which he finds comfort in believing in Allah, in following his path and in offering goodness. On the other hand, due to this innate man falls in misery when he disbelieves in Allah, deviates from His path and does evil deeds. Hence, so far, the first three constituents of the Divine Assignment are the universe, the reason and the innate.
Allah has given man the free will:
﴾ Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned. “Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error, our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us (Jews and Christians); our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us Forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Maula (Patron, Suppor-ter and Protector, etc.) and give us victory over the disbelieving people.” ﴿
When you go to work, you do that by choice, but the ability to do so is from Allah the Almighty.
Scholars said: Allah has not installed auto power in things, but rather He related this power with His Decree. Thu,s Allah has given you the freedom of earning.
Lusts are installed in man in order to evaluate his/her acts.
Accordingly, when someone leaves something he longs to for the sake of Allah, this will exalt him in Allah's Sight. Allah says:
﴾ (But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires, and lusts. Verily, Paradise will be his abode.) ﴿
These are the constituents of the Divine Assignment.
Man is tested in order to show his reality:
When man uses these constituents and gets to know Allah the Almighty, trials are unavoidable because man will be subject to reckoning and asking.
It is like building a great university that has halls, auditoriums, library, gardens, playgrounds, restaurant, laboratories and students' dorms without examining its students, is that acceptable?
﴾ (Does man think that he will be left Suda [neglected without being punished or rewarded for the obligatory duties enjoined by his Lord (Allah) on him]?) ﴿
Is it acceptable that man is left without being reckoned? There are other Ayaat like this one:
﴾ (“Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?”) ﴿
This Ayah (and the likes of it) indicates that man is Divinely assigned and the proof of this fact is that man shall be put to the test…
﴾ (Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested.) ﴿
It is not enough for a student at university to say: "I have studied this subject and I mastered it" and they will let him pass. Is this acceptable?
Will a student graduate a major without exams?
Will he be accepted in this major in the first place without graduating high school?
Is studying a subject enough for passing it without exams?
This is ridiculous and no university will accept that.
Students should go through exams to pass any subject.
This is exactly the meaning of the following Ayah:
﴾ Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” ﴿
When you say that you believe, your belief should be put to the test in order to verify your faith.
The believer's faith, patience and knowledge shall be tested in order to reveal the weakness in his faith. Thus, he who pretends to love Allah shall be put to the test.
You disobey Allah pretending that you love Him
This is really something Awful to be said
If you truly love Him then you should obey Him
As lovers obey that whom they love
There is annulment to every claim:
Claiming to love Allah the Almighty is a claim that is refuted by committing sins.
Claiming to long to meet Allah is a claim that is refuted by hating death.
Claiming not to care about people's blame for the sake of Allah is a claim that could be refuted when man suffers a little pressure.
Claiming to endure Allah's order is a claim that is refuted by backsliding due to slight temptation.
Backsliding due to a temptation, a pressure, and overtaking lust or a mundane whim means that man has failed Allah's test.
Hence we are in an ongoing chain of tests.
I mentioned last lecture that man can say anything he wants, but he will be put into certain complicated circumstances in order to test his claims and in order to reveal his reality and whether he is good or bad.
Each one claims Laila’s love
And Lailah does not admit her love to anyone
Audai bin Hatem in the hospitality of the prophet PBUH:
Audai was a king in his people, so when he came to the prophet PBUH he was welcomed, and the prophet PBUH took him to his house out of honoring him.
On their way, an old weak woman stopped the prophet PBUH and told him her complain, so the prophet PBUH took the time to listen to her. Audai said to himself: "This person is not a king"
Upon entering the prophet's house, the prophet PBUH threw a cushion stuffed with the fiber of palm tree and he asked Audai to sit on it. Audai said: "No you should sit on it" The prophet PBUH said: "No you should sit on it". So Audai sat on the cushion while the prophet PBUH sat on the floor.
The prophet PBUH then said to Audai: "Are you not a Rukusi?" (The person who followed a religion with mixed beliefs and rituals of Sabiens and Christianity) Audai said, “Yes”.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) further asked, “Do you not take one-fourth of the earnings of your people?” Audai said, “yes". The prophet said: "This is not permissible for you according to your religion." After hearing this, Audai realized that he was a true Prophet (of Allah).
The prophet then said: “Perhaps, O Audai, the only thing that prevents you from accepting this religion is that you see Muslims in the state of destitution and poverty."
The prophet was referring to the poverty the companions were in.
Hence, poverty is a test.
It is a test for the poor person when he sees the wealth of a rich man is increasing though he is deviating more and more from Allah's path, while this poor man is getting poorer as he adheres more to Allah's Orders.
Relief comes after showing patience:
Always remember what the prophet's companions said in the Battle of the trench:
﴾ (There, the believers were tried and shaken with a mighty shaking. And when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease (of doubts) said: “Allah and His Messenger promised us nothing but delusions!”) ﴿
In the battle of trench when the polytheists were about to win; someone said: does your companion really promise us that the country of Caesar and Kesra would be opened to us while none of us is able to answer natures call?
﴾ (There, the believers were) ﴿
However…
﴾ (Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah [i.e. they have gone out for Jihad (holy fighting), and showed not their backs to the disbelievers], of them some have fulfilled their obligations (i.e. have been martyred), and some of them are still waiting, but they have never changed [i.e.they never proved treacherous to their covenant which they concluded with Allah] in the least.) ﴿
Being poor although you are following Allah's Path, while another person is rich although he is sinning, wronging and oppressing is a substantial test. Are you certain of your creed? Are you certain that your sustenance is in the Hand of Allah the Almighty? Are you certain that all matters are managed by Allah? Are you certain that this worldly life is worthless and that it doesn't even equal a mosquito's wing in the Sight of Allah? Or you are not?
Claim whatever you want. You are tested in poverty though you follow Allah's path, while others are in prosperity despite their deviation.
A teacher might test his student's confidence by asking him a question, and upon answering the right answer, the teacher will say: "no this is a wrong answer".
If this student is not confident of his answer, he will stop and might change his answer. On the other hand, if the student is confident of his answer, he will say to the teacher: "This is the right answer."
Hence, as a believer you might be tested if you believe or not, but sometimes your certainty of your creed will be tested as well. What is the thing that will save you on the Day of Resurrection? Being on the right Path of Allah will save you.
What is the highest rank man can get on earth? It is to attain Allah's pleasure.
﴾ (Indeed, Allah was pleased with the believers.) ﴿
The believer will never regret losing worldly life if he attains Allah's pleasure.
Abu Bakr Assideeq had never been reported regretting missing anything from this world.
When the believer obeys the commands of Allah and His messenger, he has indeed accomplished a great achievement.
﴾ He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be saved from the Hell-fire and made to enter Paradise). ﴿
If you read the Ayah, you might understand it yet you might not be up to it.
Namely, if you feel deprived although you obey Allah and His messenger, then you didn't level with this Ayah. This means that you don't really believe that obeying Allah is enough, and you are not sure that faith is everything, and this is a test.
Back again to Audai bin Hatem:
The prophet PBUH said to Audai: “Perhaps, O Audai, the only thing that prevents you from accepting this religion is that you see Muslims in the state of destitution and poverty. By Allah, the time is near when wealth would flow amongst them until no one could be found (in need) to take it. Or perhaps what prevents you from accepting this religion is that (right now) you see that sovereignty and power rest in the hands of those who are not Muslims.”
This is another test.
You may get to know Allah and follow His path, but everyone is against you, so this is a test.
A corrupted person will not be pleased to see a relative of his following Allah's path. He wishes this relative to be like him.
This is why when someone turns to Allah with sincere repentance, all people around him will oppose him even his close family and friends. This is his test, and he will succeed when he stays steadfast and endures this objection.
﴾ Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested. ﴿
Another person in this position might not endure this objection and he might forsake his path and might say: "It will be less trouble if I stay away from religion".
This person has failed the test because his faith was weak, unlike the first person who adheres more to Allah in spite of being opposed by those around him, and this person has indeed passed the test.
Again, it is easy to claim anything like saying: "I am a Muslim", "I am a believer" "I will never disobey Allah the Almighty". However, facing pressure or temptation would show the reality of his claims.
﴾ Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested. ﴿
The prophet PBUH said to Audai:
(( "Perhaps what prevents you from accepting this religion is that (right now) you see that sovereignty and power rest in the hands of those who are not Muslims.” ))
You should take the side of Al Haqq (the truth) not the side of the majority…
﴾ And most of them follow nothing but conjecture. Certainly, conjecture can be of no avail against the truth. Surely, Allah is All-Aware of what they do. ﴿
Ali said: "Verily, Al Haqq (the truth) is not known by the statures of men. Know the truth and you will recognize its people".
Al Haqq is what counts. Having so many people following falsehood, their numbers should mean nothing to you, for you should follow Al Haqq even though its people are few.
Feeling estranged is a test so pay heed:
Feeling estranged is another test.
If you are a merchant who has known Allah and followed His Path, and you know very well that the way of selling and buying which most merchants follow is Haram, and thus you don't follow their way, this will make you feel estranged.
Lowering your gaze from looking at Haram will make you feel estranged nowadays, because others are feasting their eyes on women's beauty while you are not.
If you refuse to take money from suspicious source you will be accused of foolishness, and thus you will feel estranged.
Feeling estranged is a test.
The test sometimes tries your knowledge, and in other times it tries your confidence in the knowledge you have.
The prophet PBUH said to Audai: "Perhaps, O Audai, the only thing that prevents you from accepting this religion is that you see Muslims in smaller numbers as compared to their enemies in larger numbers. By Allah, the time is near when you would hear of the woman setting out from Qadisiyyah (Yemen) on her camel alone until she reaches Makkah, not fearing anyone except Allah. Or perhaps what prevents you from accepting this religion is that (right now) you see that sovereignty and power rest in the hands of those who are not Muslims.”
When you observe the companions and how vulnerable and weak they were, and when you realize that they were outnumbered by those who have the power and thus they left Mecca and migrated to Al Habashah (Abyssinia), and after this observation you don't take the side of Al Haqq but rather you take the side of the powerful people, you failed the test.
Claiming something without being put to the test is impossible.
Let me remind you of the example of the great university. If a student in this university says: "I have studied this subject very well" Will this be enough without taking an exam? It is not enough and the exam will prove this student right or wrong.
The prophet PBUH then said to Audai: "By Allah, you would soon hear of the white palaces of the land of Babylon opening up for them (Muslims)"
Audai had lived long enough to see that happening.
Take the side of Al Haqq (The Truth) in everything and always:
The prophet PBUH gave us a kind of a guideline through this story, and due to this guideline you decide which side you take: Is it the side of Al Haqq although its people are weak and poor and are facing hostility from their enemies, or the other side?
Abu Ja'far Al Mansour was an Abbasid Caliph, and once Abu Hanifa, May Allah have mercy on his soul, was in his assembly, and in that assembly there was a judge who was a sworn enemy to Abu Hanifah.
In front of the Caliph, this judge addressed Abu Hanifah saying: "O Abu Hanifah, if the Caliph ordered me to kill someone, should I kill him right away or should I delay killing him until I investigate lest he is innocent?"
He asked a critical question.
Abu Hanifah said: "Is the Caliph right in his decision or is he unjustly asking you to kill this man?"
Abu Hanifah returned the ball to the judge's court.
The judge said: "The Caliph is just and he follows Al Haqq."
Abu Hanifah then said: "Then take the side of Al Haqq."
When Abu Hanifah left the assembly he said: "This judge intended to shackle me so I tied him up."
I have mentioned this story to tell you that you should take the side of Al Haqq.
Will you take the side of Al Haqq or the side of the powerful?
Will you take the side of Al Haqq or you will follow your desires?
Sometimes your desire obliges you to defend mingling between men and women; in this case you are not taking the side of Al Haqq but rather you are taking the side of your desires.
You might defend a way of selling and buying for your own interest although this way is doubted of being usury; in this case you are following your interest and not Al Haqq.
Whenever you claim to take the side of Al Haqq, you will be put in a very complicated situation that will verify your claim.
Hence, you'd better deal with Allah Almighty honestly and sincerely.
Man's life, since he is divinely assigned till he dies, is a chain of tests:
The west lives a perfect life, they have security, luxury life style and peaceful countries, although they are enemies of the religion, they exclude the religion from their lives and they fulfill their lusts, this is but a test to the believers. If the believer's faith is weak, he will have doubts and he will say: "Look how respectful the person is in these countries, for all his needs are met and everything is available although they are sinning every day in their houses, streets, clubs and swimming pools, namely sinning is everywhere yet these countries have the power and the prosperity.
This is a test for the believer. Pay attention to this Ayah:
﴾ So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they had been reminded, We opened to them the gates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them to punishment, and lo! They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows. ﴿
Allah doesn't open one gate for them, but rather He opens the gates of every pleasant thing…
﴾ (Until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them to punishment, and lo! They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows.) ﴿
This is a test.
You should believe beyond doubt that your life since you became an adult until you die is a chain of tests.
Man is tested in all aspects of life:
As I have mentioned previously last lecture, your marriage is a test, your job is a test, your illness is a test, your health is a test, your leisure is a test and your business is a test. Some businesses make you forget obeying Allah Almighty, therefore you failed the test.
Leisure in some cases makes you forget Allah Almighty, therefore you failed the test.
Your wife might make you trespass Allah's rulings seeking her pleasure by disobeying Allah, therefore you failed the test.
Before your marriage your faith was perfect, but after marriage it becomes weak.
When your income was low, you were very pious, but after moving to commerce you follow what other traders are doing and you use your children as an excuse, thus you failed the test.
Everything in your life is a test, and the life is but a chain of tests.
﴾ Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested. ﴿
Your own claims shall be tested and as long as you are Divinely assigned, you shall be tested.
The student should take exams in his school.
Trials, calamities and conflicts are among the ways of Allah Almighty.
﴾ And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah 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 Allah knows all that before putting them to test). ﴿
﴾ (And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true) ﴿
Allah knows what people shall do, but when they do what they do, they give a proof of His Knowledge, and they will be held responsible for their deeds not for what Allah knows.
This is but Divine Mercy.
﴾ And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah 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 Allah knows all that before putting them to test). ﴿
The different types of honesty:
As I have mentioned last lecture, honesty is of two types, either one's words accords with his deeds, or one's deeds accords with his words.
The second type is so important on the way towards Allah Almighty.
Claims of that magnitude if accompanied with little deeds it would indicate that this person's honesty is low.
He might claim to love Allah, which is a substantial claim, but if he is put to the test, he proves that his love for Allah is at its minimum level.
He might claim that he is pious and fears Allah, but if he is put to the test regarding money, he shows very little piousness.
Thus, honesty is all about deeds that accord with words…
﴾ (O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds) .) ﴿
True believers are those who have been true to their covenant with Allah as Allah Almighty says.
The meaning of the Ayah: " Or those who do evil deeds think that they can outstrip Us (i.e. escape Our Punishment)"
1- Every human being is in the Grip of Allah:
The third Ayah is:
﴾ (Or those who do evil deeds think that they can outstrip Us (i.e. escape Our Punishment)? Evil is that which they judge!) ﴿
Our Lord says:
﴾ (Or those who do evil deeds think) ﴿
"Think" here means assume.
This means that those, who do evil deeds, are the ones among people who disobey Allah mostly whether they are polytheists or not.
﴾ (Or those who do evil deeds think that they can outstrip Us (i.e. escape Our Punishment)?) ﴿
What does this mean? It means that you might think that the one who does evil deed does that by choice, is self-powered and that he creates his own deeds as if he outstrips Allah Almighty and that Allah has nothing to do with this deed.
This kind of thought is a type of Shirk.
You should know beyond doubt that nothing in this universe happens away from Allah's Power and Knowledge. Had you ascribed any deed to its doer only assuming that he created his own deeds, you would have been in great error as if you are saying that Allah has nothing to do with this, however Allah says:
﴾ (It is He (Allah) Who is the only Ilah (God to be worshipped) in the heaven and the only Ilah (God to be worshipped) on the earth. And He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower.) ﴿
﴾ Verily, those who give Bai’a (pledge) to you (O Muhammad ) they are giving Bai’a (pledge) to Allah. The Hand of Allah is over their hands. Then whosoever breaks his pledge, breaks only to his own harm, and whosoever fulfills what he has covenanted with Allah, He will bestow on him a great reward. ﴿
﴾ (You killed them not, but Allah killed them. And you (Muhammad) threw not when you did throw but Allah threw, that He might test the believers by a fair trial from Him. Verily, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.) ﴿
[Al-Anfal, 17]
There are more than 40 or 50 Ayaat stress that everything is in Allah's Hand…
﴾ And to Allah belongs the Ghaib (unseen) of the heavens and the earth, and to Him return all affairs (for decision). So worship Him (O Muhammad) and put your trust in Him. And your Lord is not unaware of what you (people) do.” ﴿
Accordingly, the following Ayah means:
﴾ (Or those who do evil deeds think that they can outstrip Us (i.e. escape Our Punishment)?) ﴿
It means that those, who do evil deeds, are doing them due to Allah's Power and Knowledge and that they are part of Allah's Plan.
They have never outstripped Allah, but rather they did what they did by the permission of Allah and due to a profound wisdom, given the oppressor is Allah's whip which He uses to discipline people and then He will avenge that oppressor.
﴾ And thus We do make the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.) Auliya’ (supporters and helpers) one to another (in committing crimes etc.), because of that which they used to earn. ﴿
When you feel that all deeds are in the Hand of Allah, you will have comfort and your heart will be at ease, secured and in serenity.
On the other hand, if you believe that man is the creator of his own deeds and that he might do something against Allah's Will, you should know that whatever takes place it happens due to Allah's Decree, but why Allah decreed that?
It is Allah's Decree simply because it took place. Had Allah never decreed for that to happen, it would have never happened.
Thus, everything that takes place is decreed by Allah, and everything decreed by Allah shall take place.
Bear in mind that Allah's Decree is related to wisdom which is related to the absolute goodness, and this is the core of Tawheed (monotheism).
When man determines to do something, he will be given the power from Allah to do it, namely this power is the Act of Allah Almighty, while man's determination is his own hand's earning.
﴾ (Or those who do evil deeds think that they can outstrip Us (i.e. escape Our Punishment)?) ﴿
This is the first meaning.
Every man, regardless his power or importance is in the Hand of Allah Almighty.
If you move, Allah knows and if you take an action, it is due to Allah's Decree and Knowledge.
Whoever does something, forsakes something, invades, oppresses, gives, takes, maintains ties or breaks ties, his actions are known by Allah before hand and these acts are never done by self initiation, and thus, this person has never outstripped Allah's order.
﴾ (Or those who do evil deeds think that they can outstrip Us (i.e. escape Our Punishment)?) ﴿
2- The delusion of escaping Allah's punishment by those who commit sins:
The second meaning: those who commit sins assume that they can get away without being punished, and thus they outstrip Allah Almighty. One of them would say: "Nothing wrong with me" while his money is Haram, his food is from Haram sources and so is his drink.
Allah Almighty will loosen up his leash, until he wrongly thinks that Allah overlooks him, Allah will not reckon him and that he escaped Allah's torment, and thus he assumes that he outstripped Allah Almighty.
He committed sins, despoiled people's money and oppressed them while he is powerful. He would say to you: "Where is Allah?" I did whatever I liked and nothing happened.
Allah Almighty says:
﴾ (Or those who do evil deeds think that they can outstrip Us (i.e. escape Our Punishment)?) ﴿
In another Ayah Allah says:
﴾ (Say to them (O Muhammad) “Travel in the land and see how has been the end of the criminals (those who denied Allah’s Messengers and disobeyed Allah).” ﴿
"And see" means that one of the actions comes after the other. Allah says:
﴾ (Say (O Muhammad): “Travel in the land and see what was the end of those who rejected truth.”) ﴿
The punishment comes after sinning.
One might make a false oath, and thus he might be run over by a car 15 minutes afterwards.
In other cases, one might commit sins, yet days, weeks and even years might pass and he is still powerful and in good health. Thus he would say to you: "Nothing happened to me".
Remember, you are in Allah's Grip, and that He has loosened your leash. Bear in mind that this is gradual destruction and that you have never outstripped Allah Almighty. At any moment, Allah will pull the leash, and you will be punished with sever torment.
It is a test for man to see people doing all sorts of sins and yet they get healthier, stronger, richer and mightier.
Poor judgment will backfire on man and will bring about destruction:
﴾ (Or those who do evil deeds think that they can outstrip Us (i.e. escape Our Punishment)? Evil is that which they judge!) ﴿
This is but poor judgment from their side.
Assuming that you outstripped Allah Almighty by committing sins, that you have escaped His punishment or that you did all that due to self-controlled power, is absolutely a poor judgment, given the Might is All to Allah Alone.
(Evil is that which they judge!)
These kinds of assumptions increase their oppression.
When man knows that he will be reckoned for every evil deed he does, he is considered in a good status although the act itself is bad, but as you see there is a room for repentance, remorse, seeking forgiveness, forsaking the sin and turning back to Allah.
Believing that doing evil acts entails reckoning is something good because it will lead to repentance.
On the other side, assuming that one can commit sins and escape Allah's punishment, will lead to a dead lock. Allah says:
﴾ (Evil is that which they judge!) ﴿
This poor judgment will bring about destruction and demise.
A man has heard from his Shaikh that every sin but should be followed by punishment.
Once he committed a sin, and thus he assumed that Allah Almighty will punish him. So he waited for an illness, an accident, a domestic trouble or a problem at work. He waited two or three weeks, until he secretly talked to Allah saying: O lord, I disobeyed You but You didn't punish me."
The Divine answer was revealed to his heart as follows: "O My Slave, I have punished you but you didn't realize it, did not I deprive you from the pleasure of talking to Me secretly?"
Believing that there is no deity worth worshiping save Allah is the most transcendent creed:
Man sometimes gets the wisdom behind whatever occurs to him and he says: "I comprehend what Allah wants from me." If this person has got graces, he will know the secret behind Allah's Generosity, and if he is in hardship, he will understand the secret behind it as well.
Imam Al Sha'rani said: "I know my rank in the Sight of Allah from my wife's attitude."
Man might suffer from his wife's attitude. However, Allah makes her attitude bad as a reminder to the husband.
When man reaches the rank of understanding what Allah wants from him, he will be able to know the wisdom behind everything occurs to him.
Accordingly, this will make man believe that all the Actions of Allah are wise, merciful, just and kind, and as a result Allah's predestination and preordination will bring comfort to him.
It is reported: "Believing in Qadar takes away grief and sadness."
Whatever Allah willed to be shall be and whatever Allah did not will to be shall not be.
Abu Al Darda'a reported that the prophet PBUH said:
(( "There is a truth to every matter, and a slave (of Allah) shall not believe until he knows that what struck him would not have missed him, and that what missed him would not have struck him." ))
Worshipers have never learnt anything more exalted than Tawheed.
The only ideology that brings relief in worldly life and in the hereafter is to believe that there is no god but Allah, that Allah is The Only One worthy of worship, Allah is The only Exalter, Allah is The Only Abaser, Allah is The Only Giver, Allah is The Only Preventer, Allah is The Only Superb Provider, Allah is The Only Expander, Allah is The Only Withholder, Allah is The Only Humiliator and Allah is The Only Bestower of Honor.
"Whoever focuses all his concerns on one thing, the Hereafter, Allah will relieve him of worldly concerns".
"Make your dedication to One Face (i.e. The Face of Allah), and Allah will suffice you all faces.
Worshippers have never learnt anything more exalted than Tawheed.
﴾ (Or those who do evil deeds think that they can outstrip Us (i.e. escape Our Punishment)?) ﴿
Again, this Ayah has two meanings: They think they create their own deeds. They think their deeds have no relation with Allah Almighty.
They think they outstripped Allah Almighty.
These assumptions are mere Shirk and whoever believes so is Mushrik.
Man has control only over what his hands have earned.
﴾ (He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned. ) ﴿
Man's hands' earning comes from determining to do something, but the ability to do it is something provided from Allah, and all matters are managed by Allah. This is the first meaning.
The second meaning: They committed sins and wrongly thought that they escaped Allah's punishment as if they are challenging Allah or outstripping Him.
However, Allah might hasten the punishment for them, or He might delay it.
Allah says:
﴾ (Consider not that Allah is unaware of that which the Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, etc.) do, but He gives them respite up to a Day when the eyes will stare in horror.) ﴿
Allah is indeed the All-Hearer of invocations and The All-Knower of intentions:
﴾ (Whoever hopes for the Meeting with Allah, then Allah’s Term is surely coming. and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.)
﴿
Some scholars interpreted "meeting with Allah, then Allah’s Term is surely coming" as follows: Whoever hopes for paradise, then paradise is certainly coming and true believer will enter it after death..
﴾ (Whoever hopes for the Meeting with Allah, then Allah’s Term is surely coming. and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.) ﴿
Allah hears your invocation and knows your intentions.
Linguistic inimitability of The Noble Quran:
Allah refers to the future by using the past tense.
Linguists said: Allah uses the past tense in order to confirm the occurrence.
Meaning, when Allah promises the believer to enter paradise, then paradise is a true thing.
When Allah says:
﴾ (Have you (O Muhammad) not seen how your Lord dealt with the Owners of the Elephant? [The elephant army which came from Yemen under the command of Abrahah Al-Ashram intending to destroy the Ka’bah at Makkah].) ﴿
This will raise a question: "But we didn't see that happening, did we?
This is an old incident; however, being mentioned in Quran makes it as if we are watching it vividly, because Quran is right. This also goes for the promise of Allah, thus when Allah mentions a promise in Quran, it is as if the promise is already fulfilled.
﴾ (Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). Surely, He will gather you together on the Day of Resurrection about which there is no doubt. And who is truer in statement than Allah?) ﴿
﴾ Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties; for the price that theirs shall be the Paradise. They fight in Allah’s Cause, so they kill (others) and are killed. It is a promise in truth which is binding on Him in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) and the Qur’an. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which you have concluded. That is the supreme success . ﴿
Hence,
﴾ (Whoever hopes for the Meeting with Allah, then Allah’s Term is surely coming) ﴿
In fact, time flies, and man is all about time. Actually, man is nothing but few days, and with everyday passes, part of man passes as well.
Whoever reaches 40 years old usually wonders: How quick those 40 years passed. They passed like a blink of an eye and so does life.
In slang people say: "It is only a matter of a day and a night and life will pass, and you will find yourself standing before Allah to be reckoned for your deeds".
Man certainly shall know the truth when death comes, but the hero is the one who knows the truth before it is too late.
Did not Pharaoh say:
﴾ (“I believe that La ilaha illa (Huwa): (none has the right to be worshipped but) He,” in Whom the Children of Israel believe) ﴿
Allah says:
﴾ ((It will be said to the sinners): “Indeed you were heedless of this, now We have removed your covering, and sharp is your sight this Day!”) ﴿
The truth shall be revealed when death comes, but the believer knows it before death comes so that he uses it and makes the best out of it.
﴾ (Whoever hopes for the Meeting with Allah, then Allah’s Term is surely coming) ﴿
Allah does things for a wise purpose, thus He might grant mercy and might not, He might cast light in your heart and might not and He might inspire you with the right path and might not. As long as you put your trust in Allah, Allah will watch over you, will move you from one status to another, from a rank to another, from a level to another and from a deed to another. Heroism lies in having good intention and Allah will take care of the rest.
﴾ (Nay! But worship Allah (Alone and none else), and be among the grateful.) ﴿
The Divine assignment contradicts man's nature:
﴾ (And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself.) ﴿
For a profound wisdom, Allah has made the Divine Assignment contradicts man's nature and due to that contradiction, man has to strive.
For example, your nature asks you to continue sleeping, but you are divinely assigned to offer Fajr Salah.
Your nature inclines to look at the beauty of women, while the divine assignment orders you to lower your gaze.
Your nature loves money, while the Divine Assignment encourages you to spend it in the cause of Allah
Your nature strongly urges you to gossip people, while the Divine Assignment orders you not to backbite people.
Hence, the Divine Assignment contradicts man's nature so that man may exalt in the Sight of Allah.
Had the Divine Assignment gone along with man's nature, there wouldn't have been a chance to exalt in the Sight of Allah.
Had the Divine Assignment gone along with man's nature, sleeping would have been an act of worship.
Again, the Divine Assignment contradicts man's nature so that we may exalt in The Sight of Allah.
Lusts also are reasons behind exalting in the Sight of Allah. Lowering your gaze without longing to women won't give you any advantage, right?
However, because you long to women and you love them, and because you love money and high positions, you will exalt in Allah's Sight when you strive to resist these temptations.
The Divine Assignment comes with a price to pay upon striving, so you strive when you offer Salah, perform Siyam, perform Hajj, pay Zakat, lower your gaze, mention Allah, enjoin Ma'roof, prevent Munkar or donate money.
It is out of nature for the mother to love her son, and for that reason she is not ordered by Allah to love him.
However, being dutiful son is something that needs striving, and thus Allah orders it:
﴾ (And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. ) ﴿
Anything that belongs to man's nature is never ordered or prevented by Allah.
Man does it spontaneously.
For example, if you eat food, what kind of deed is that? It is out of your nature to eat, so it is not something you should be rewarded for doing or punished for not doing.
However, acting against your nature is something you will be rewarded for by exalting in the Sight of Allah Almighty.
Hence, we shall never be exalted in the Sight of Allah unless we contradict our nature.
The proof is in the following Ayah:
﴾ (But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires, and lusts. Verily, Paradise will be his abode.) ﴿
Understanding Quran, learning it and teaching it is a type of Jihad (Striving in the cause of Allah):
﴾ (And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself.) ﴿
Allah says in another Ayah:
﴾ (So obey not the disbelievers, but strive against them (by preaching) with the utmost endeavour, with it (the Qur’an).) ﴿
"with it" refers to Quran…
﴾ But strive against them (by preaching) with the utmost endeavour, with it (the Qur’an). ﴿
Comprehending Quran, learning it and abiding by it is a type of Jihad (striving)…
(but strive against them (by preaching))
You strive by reciting Quran, comprehending it and abiding by it.
Striving has many types: you strive against your own whims, you strive against disbelievers and you strive to learn and teach.
Whosoever strives, he strives only for himself because Allah dispenses with people:
(And whosoever strives,)
Striving here embraces all types of striving…
(And whosoever strives,)
He strives either by his money, by his time, by using his reason or by using his muscles.
(And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself.)
Man strives in worldly life, but this striving is for his own mundane interests. He puts the efforts to earn a small wealth in order to deposit it in the bank, then he waits for profits in the end of the year and he takes a receipt and he uses transportations and he endures the troublesome procedure. But what did he really do?
He did all that for his own mundane interest.
Much in the same line, when you reflect, believe, follow the right path, lower your gaze, attend religious session, learn, teach, serve people, spend on the poor, and donate, you do all that for your own interest (for the hereafter).
﴾ (And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself. Verily, Allah is free of all wants from the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns, and all that exists).) ﴿
Allah is Al Ghani (The Ever-Affluent), namely He dispenses with His servants.
Allah is Hameed (The Ever-Praiseworthy) because He treats you in a way for which He deserves to be praised.
﴾ (And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself. Verily, Allah is free of all wants from the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns, and all that exists).﴿
