Oh Believing Brother, we have reached the ninth lesson in Surat Al-Imran, in the twentieth verse. Allah Almighty says:

{So if they dispute with you (Muhammad SAW) say: "I have submitted myself to Allâh (in Islâm), and (so have) those who follow me."}

1- The Face of Allah

(My face) means ‘me, myself’. Some scholars have indicated this from the following verse, in which Allah Almighty says:

{Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will abide forever.}

[Soura al-Rahman]

‘Face of your Lord’ means ‘Allah Himself, the Majestic. And among the most beautiful things which some scholars have said while interpreting the verse:

{Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will abide forever.}

[Soura al-Rahman]

Any deed done by the son of Adam will perish except one deed which he did seeking Allah’s Face (the sake of Allah). This is what stays forever, and this gives him pleasure forever, and this is the deed that he will be rewarded for on the Day of Judgment.
Therefore:

{So if they dispute with you}

2_ So if they dispute with you}

A man uses his wisdom to cover up his crookedness

Man is taught to argue, because he has a mind which Allah created for him so it could be a tool for his learning. However, man could also use it for purposes other than what Allah created it for. Man can use his mind to cover up his sins; this is why it is abhorred that someone argues about the Quran or the Sunnah. It is upon the authority of abi Umamah that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)said:

‘any nation that has gone astray after they had been rightly guided, was because of their arguing,

and the Messenger of Allah reauthord the following verse:

{They did not present the comparison except for [mere] argument. But, [in fact], they are a people prone to dispute}

[Al-Tirmithi, Bin Majah, and Ahmad]

When man thinks to justify his corrupt behavior, and to find reasons for that, it means that he is using his intellect for something other than what it was created for. This is why, when a young man came to me once and said: “I’m an atheist.” I said: “By Allah, if your atheism is due to a personal gain, then I will not sit with you not even for a minute. However, if you are an atheist because of your innocent conviction of the matter, then I am prepared to sit with you and discuss.” He swore to me that he was convinced of his disbelief and not because of some worldly gain. The one who is gaining from his disbelief will never change and become a believer.
I used to give an example that may be amusing, that a man had a donkey which he used for work, so when it died, he built a structure on it and gave it a name of a holy man, which he made up. People would come with gifts and money. So he lived comfortably after that due to the money he was receiving. Is there any power on earth that would convince him that it was a donkey which he buried? Never! Although he buried it with his own hands, his conviction that what is buried is a donkey is stronger than the conviction of anyone he is disputing with. However, because of his large income which he got through his crookedness, he would never admit the truth, because when anyone benefits from a lie which he told, or a hypocrisy, or if he has a personal gain, then there is no use arguing with him. It is better not to discuss with him at all, because you will lose the battle without knowing. Therefore, it is better that you should not discuss with anyone who finds benefit and gain from his disbelief, neither with anyone who gains from his hypocrisy, because you would be ignorant.
That is why whenever the word ‘Argue’ is mentioned in the Holy Qoran, it is never mentioned as a praise or good quality, it is always a bad quality.
The Prophet Peace be upon him said:

“there has never been a nation who have gone astray after they were guided, except because of their arguing.”

[Al-Tirmithi, bin Majah, and Ahmad]

When the Muslims abandoned the practice of what Allah imposed on them, they deviated and went astray. They started arguing. They would argue about small details in the Islamic practice and they would expand it and claim that it was the basics of Islam, and they would dispute with anyone who did not agree with them. This is also a result of liking this worldly life. Allah Almighty says:

{So if they dispute with you (Muhammad) say: "I have submitted myself to Allâh (in Islâm), and (so have) those who follow me }

3 – { say: "I have submitted myself to Allâh (in Islâm)}

The truth about our religion is that you obey Allah. The truth about this religion is that it is practical, so the religious trait is practical and not theoretical as they say. There are many people who are religious, and have cultural views, they argue, they discuss, they are inclined to dispute, and they commit sins at times just to prove their point and their beliefs. Allah Almighty says:

{So if they dispute with you (Muhammad) say: "I have submitted myself to Allâh (in Islâm),}

I have submitted myself to Him, surrendered to His Orders, and obeyed His commands and I will practice what He has commanded: Allah Almighty says:

{ and (so have) those who follow me }

4- { and (so have) those who follow me }

So how was the Prophet and his Companions? It has been narrated in the Hadiths, that Abdullah bin Amro, said:

“There will come to my nation what came to the sons of Israel, to the extent that one of them will have relations with his mother openly and the will be among my nation those who will also do that. And, the sons of Israel have divided among themselves into seventy two different sects, and my nation will divide into seventy three sects. All of them will be in Hell-Fire except for one sect. They asked: ‘Which one O Messenger of Allah?’ He said: ‘That one which follows me and my Companions’.))

[al-Tirmithi]

Therefore, the biggest accusation which is directed at the infidels and the ones who deviated from the straight path, is to say to them: “You are not following what the Prophet and his Companions’ taught.”
In the first sermon which Abu Bakr al-Siddik preached, he said: “ I am a follower and not an innovator, so obey me as long as I obey Allah, and if I disobey Him, then do not obey me.” And the Prophet (Peace be upon him) who is in the highest rank of ascension says:

{"I only follow whatever is being revealed to me”}

[Al-Aaraf Verse:203]

There are three pieces of advice that you should carve on stone: follow the guidance and do not innovate; be humble and do not be haughty, because there is no room for haughtiness with piety; spend with moderation and do not be spend-thrifty, because the ones who were given luxuries in this life are the disbelievers as mentioned in eight verses in the holy Quran.

{and to whom We had given the luxuries and comforts of this life}

[Al-Muminoun: 33]

Therefore, follow and do no innovate, be modest not haughty: piety has no room for the haughty. If there is a illogical discussion, then turn to Allah’s Book (the Quran) and the Sunnah (teachings of the Messenger of Allah, Mohammad (PBUH) )
Dear Brother, I repeat this: there is a sound mind which is the tool by which one knows Allah, and there is a mind that makes justifications which in turn is a tool to cover up one’s perversion. Not every mind which you read about is a sound mind; it could be a mind that makes excuses to justify one’s actions, or one which conceals a person’s extreme perversion and deviation. Man is reasonable by nature, so even if he commits crimes, he will justify philosophically those crimes and find a good reason for committing them. If he takes money from people unjustly, he will find a justification for that. If he was a philanderer, he would find the right words to say. Therefore, the straight path is the Revelation, because there are endless views and endless statements and arguments, and endless opinions on all matters. You should select from all the above only that which was inspired to our Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) as it is from Allah, and he does not speak except what was revealed to him. This is the fixed foundation which does not move nor change: Allah’s Book (the Quran) and the Sunnah (what the prophet Mohammad, (PBUH)) has brought. Once you hold fast to those you will never go astray. The Quran and the Sunnah of His Messenger Mohammad (PBUH). This is the methodology, the straight path, and it is Allah’s strong rope, and the way of all the Prophets. Therefore, if you get caught up in an argument, or a foolish dialogue, and if there is an illogical discussion, then say:

{ "I have submitted myself to Allâh (in Islâm), and (so have) those who follow me."}

We have something that we have inherited, and that is the true religion. We also have a mind, and our mind is responsible for making sure that what we have received is accurate. That is, before we read what has been passed on to us, and after we read, our mind is responsible for understanding. However, our brain should not be a judge of the information we have received, because our brain may be mistaken, and it may be correct, it may exaggerate, and it may make a connection or relation with a certain circumstance. It is just as if our ancestors were to get out of their graves and see the present achievements of mankind, they would not believe it, because their minds are connected to a different era. However, when they see that what was impossible has become a reality, and if they denied it, they would then be wrong. Therefore, we say that the mind is connected to a specific time (reality), whereas what has been passed on to us is connected to the Creator of this universe somehow or another. Allah Almighty says:

{And say to those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and to those who are illiterates (Arab pagans). And say to those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and to those who are illiterates }

“The Illiterates” are the Arab pagans who have no faith, and their beliefs are primitive and very natural. Allah Almighty says, describing them:

{"We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allâh."}

[Az-Zumar verse 3]

So in the Arab peninsula there were disbelievers as well as people who were given the scriptures, {And say to those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and to those who are illiterates (Arab pagans) "Do you (also) submit yourselves (to Allâh in Islâm)?"}

The meaning of: Did you not Submit (To Allah)

The first meaning:

Dear brother: “Did you not submit?” means ‘submit.’ It means: “Why did you not submit yet, you should do so, what are you waiting for?”

The second meaning:

It is a warning, “Did you or did you not submit to Allah in Islam?”
Therefore, the first meaning is a statement, a command. “Haven’t you submitted yet?” And, it is a request, meaning “submit”. The second is a threat: “Did you not yet submit?”
Allah Almighty says:

{And say to those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and to those who are illiterates (Arab pagans): "Do you (also) submit yourselves (to Allâh in Islâm)?" If they do, they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the Message}

If they do, they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the Message;

1 – The Prophets’ assignment is to inform and to set an example:

Man is given a choice, and the Prophets’ assignment is just to pass the message. Likewise, there are two main big responsibilities which are assigned to the noble Prophet (Mohammad), one of which is to inform, and the second which is to set an example. Man has been given a mind, and a memory, and wisdom; however, what is really touching is that someone comes along and convinces you, and another makes you take a certain stand. The one who convinces you is a knowledgeable scholar whereas the one who convinces you to make a positive step towards faith and religion is an exemplar. This is why we are in real need of a virtuous leader.
It has been said that the Prophet Mohammad peace be upon him, is a Quran that walks. Therefore, we are in need of a Muslim who walks ahead of us, who is honest, trustworthy, pure, fair, humble, and merciful. As I used to always say: seeing one person among one thousand is more effective than what one thousand men say to one man, because one thousand men’s speech may not have any effect on one man, whereas one man who is loyal and faithful may have an effect on one thousand. Allah Almighty says:

{And say to those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and to those who are illiterates (Arab pagans): "Do you (also) submit yourselves (to Allâh in Islâm)?" If they do, they are rightly guided;}

Therefore, not every smart man is sensible; you may be smart and have a very rare specialization, and in turn that specialization could bring in a lot of money. However, to Allah you are not knowledgeable. And you are not sensible. So who is sensible? The one who knows the great signs, the one who knows Allah Almighty, and knows the truth of this universe, the truth of life, the reality of man, what man’s assignment on earth is, and the secret of his existence. So, if he knows that, then he applies what he has learned and then becomes wise, and he who has been given wisdom, then knows, and should apply what he has learned. He then would be given much good.

{If they do, they are rightly guided;}

2 – Either guidance or perdition

There are no other choices than these two. The truth is one and only one, so if you are not on the right path- may Allah forbid – then you are on the road of falsehood, and if you do not submit to Allah, then you are following your temptation. You have a clear brain which commands you to believe in Allah and to obey Him, and you have your lusts and your temptations, which in command you to fulfill them in any way you can. So, if you are not on the right path, you could only be on the wrong path. There is no third option, there is no third path, only these two paths. You can follow the right path, and the followers of the right path are people who like each other, and give advice to each other. As the Prophet (PBUH) said:

((Believers are friends to one another. They give each other sound advice even if they are far apart, whereas the hypocrites are envious of one another, and they cheat each other, even if they live close to each other.))

[Al-Baihaki in the volume about faith]

The Prophet Peace be upon him said:

“By Him, in Whose Hand is Mohammad’s soul, for any two people who are joined by friendship, the only reason they can get are separated is due to an evil act that one of them performs.))

[Ibn Amr reported by Ahmad]

If everyone was right, there would have been friendship and love that could not be described, and that is how the Companions of the Prophet (Allah’s pleasure be on them all) were. They were friends amongst each other, and their only issues were concerning outside parties. However, when the Muslims started sinning and performing evil acts, they all started having issues with each other, and they started arguing about religion.
Islam is a simple religion, and we have to keep it simple. It is the air which we breathe. Our need for this religion is similar to our need for air. Breathing the air is not a complicated process; there is no fee, no meter running. Wherever you go there is air to breathe. Therefore, our need for religion is exactly the same. It is very essential. Man was created weak, irritable, and impatient. What is it that will remove his weakness? His connection with Allah will make him strong. Allah Almighty says:

{Verily, man (disbeliever) was created very impatient; Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; And niggardly when good touches him;- Except those devoted to Salât (prayers)}

[Al-Maareg ]

So what is it that would eliminate your weakness? That you ask Allah for help.
You are strong when you are with Allah, you are knowledgeable when you are with Allah, you are wise when you are with Allah, and you are rich when you are with Allah.

So if they dispute with you (Muhammad SAW) say: "I have submitted myself to Allâh (in Islâm), and (so have) those who follow me."

3 – Among the signs of Submission is to submit to all of Allah’s commands without any argument:

It is nice that you justify, that you clarify, that you show, but it is even better if you submit and follow. The real believer does not make his adherence to any of Allah’s commands dependant on his understanding of that command, or on the reason for that command. He would not be worshipping Allah, rather he would be worshipping himself. When does someone really worship Allah? When he is certain that the command has come from Allah, and so he performs it and applies it instantly, whether he understands it or not, whether he is convinced of it or not, and whether he likes it or not, because he believes that an order is an order.
I was sitting one time with people and there was an argument that started about polygamy and monogamy. The person who was defending polygamy, had himself married several women and so said that this was the real religion. As for the one who had only one wife, he defended his case of taking one wife..and so they disputed. I offered my view on it and said: I once heard a question that was directed to a university professor in Egypt about this topic and she replied, (I have never seen such clarity) “How can I give my view about this matter? If Allah Almighty has permitted it, then there is no use of my pointing out my opinion on it.”
Man has to accept anything that is a command from Allah and that is final. There should not be any dispute or argument regarding a Divine Command, nor to think about it in a logical manner to try and find the advantage behind and reason for it, or to lay it down for research and therefore either to accept or reject it. Allah forbid that. In that case, this person is not a true believer.

{It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allâh and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision}.

[Al-Ahzab Verse: 36]

4 – Obeying Allah’s Commands should be only to gain His Satisfaction.

By the way, there is a fine meaning to this. If you were to discover that a command from Allah is also in your favor, and you therefore do it, then the rank of your worship in that is not high. On the other hand, if you find that it contradicts with you, yet you perform it in spite of that, and you do it hoping to gain Allah’s pleasure, the rank of your worship is higher. Therefore, the level of your act of worship increases and decreases based on the benefit that you will gain from doing it or not. So if a person brushes his teeth before going to bed, does he feel that he gave something up to gain Allah’s pleasure? Definitely not. He brushes his teeth to protect them, and it is for his own good. Therefore, when someone brushes his teeth, he does not feel like he is performing an act of worship, although cleaning one’s teeth was mentioned in the Sunnah. However, it is not an act of devotion, as the personal gain is higher. Now when a noble prophet who is the father of all the prophets receives a command, ‘slaughter your son’, knowing that his son is a prophet like him who had grown into a young man - and no one knows the meaning of a son except a father - Allah Almighty orders him to kill his son and the son replies:

{He said: "O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Inshâ' Allâh (if Allâh will), you shall find me of As-Sâbirin (the patient ones, etc.)."}

[As-Safat verse: 102]

Here there is no gain, and there is no logic behind it, yet when you perform an order which contradicts with your personal gain, then you have put obedience to Allah before your benefit. You will have risen to the highest level of submission to Allah, and when you do that in obedience to Allah, without knowing the logic or reason behind it, then Allah will reward you for your obedience, and for that devotion by letting you know the logic and wisdom behind that command. You will have joined the level of knowledge with the high level of devotion. A true believer does not make the implementation of a Divine Command dependant on his understanding of that command, nor does he allow his lack of knowledge of the rational, nor his lack of understanding of that command an obstacle before him. Allah Almighty says:

{It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allâh and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision}.

[Al-Ahzab Verse: 36]

However, Allah will uncover that knowledge for you. It has been said: Whomsoever does what he has knowledge about, Allah will give him the knowledge of what he does not know. And Allah will allow him to know the rationale for it, therefore he becomes a religious scholar at the same time.
However, I do not accept that you place the Divine command on the table for discussion, so that if your mind accepts it, you will apply and if not, you will say, “I am not convinced of this command.” This should not be the behavior of a Muslim. Allah Almighty says:

{It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allâh and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision}.

[Al-Ahzab Verse: 36]

A doctor, who is a human as yourself but is more knowledgeable than you in medicine, tells you that you must decrease your intake of salt. You don’t need to ask him: “Why?” You will say: “That’s what the doctor told me.” It’s the same with the experts you hire to benefit from their expertise; you implement their recommendations in an astonishing manner to the very minute detail. However, how is it with regards to the greatest expert with the most knowledge? Allah Almighty says:

{And none can inform you (O Muhammad) like Him Who is the All¬Knower (of each and everything}

[Fatir Verse:14]

Today in the Friday sermon, I mentioned the Prophet Mohammad’s words: (“A look (between man and woman) is similar to one of the devil’s poisoned arrows, therefore he who casts down his glance, Allah will give him the sweetness, in his heart till the day he meets his Lord.”)
The Prophet Peace be upon him said: (one of the devil’s poisoned arrows), and any person may think that this will affect his social life as well as his psychological life; however, it has been proven through research that continued for twenty years in an Arab and Muslim countries, that when a person casts his glance and follows it with another glance, the sexual hormones flow in the blood. This causes a change in the heart beat, and change in the blood pressure, and change in the prostate, so that the middle and small arteries contract, and the outer veins expand. The blood chemistry changes, and there are endless effects to the digestive system, to the heart and the blood circulation, and to the skin. Also, the fat and the sweat glands open, and all this long research resulted from that the glance at a woman who is not permissible to him. So, if he casts another glance, it becomes as if there is poison in your blood without you knowing it, and will affect you heart, the arteries, the skin, the glands and other things. These are the words of the Prophet that he did not speak on his own: Allah Almighty says:

{Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only an Inspiration that is inspired.}

[An-Najm verses: 3,4]

{So if they dispute with you (Muhammad SAW) say: "I have submitted myself to Allâh (in Islâm), and (so have) those who follow me." And say to those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and to those who are illiterates (Arab pagans): "Do you (also) submit yourselves (to Allâh in Islâm)?" If they do, they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the Message; and Allâh is All-Seer of (His ) slaves}

So you Mohammad, should just convey the Message, and Allah will care of the rest. So, if you delivered the Message you would have done what you are responsible for. Allah Almighty further says:

{Verily! Those who disbelieve in the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh and kill the Prophets without right}

{Verily! Those who disbelieve in the Ayât of Allâh}

1- The meaning of: {and kill the Prophets without right}

There is an argumentative question: if they had killed the prophets with good reason, would that have been an offense? Of course the question is rejected, because it is a descriptive precaution, and any killing of a prophet is considered unjustified.

{Verily! Those who disbelieve in the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)}

2- Disbelief in Allah’s signs and proofs in the universe, the creation and the Quran

As you know, Allah Almighty’s signs in the universe are proof of His Majesty, the Quranic signs are proof of His Knowledge, and the dynamic signs are a proof of His wisdom. So, when a person disbelieves in them and does not take heed, and does not take these signs to know Allah Almighty, and in turn does not heed what Allah has commanded him and prevented him from - and it is He who gave him the guidelines to live by - so he thinks that these guidelines will restrict his movement and his freedom. It is like this person, as Allah Almighty says, he disbelieves in the signs from Allah, and kills the prophets with right. Allah Almighty says:

{and kill those men who order just dealings, … announce to them a painful torment }

There is no one who is more miserable than he who stands against the Truth:
I do not see anyone on earth who is more miserable than the one who stands in the way of righteousness, and who stands against the people who promote righteousness. He who is in a different opposing moat than that of the Believers is the most miserable of people ever. He who stands against the truth and the people who promote it, to be an enemy to the Believers, to be an enemy to the revelation from the sky, those are the most miserable people, and remember Allah Almighty says:

{If you two (wives of the Prophet, namely 'Aishah and Hafsah) turn in repentance to Allâh, (it will be better for you), your hearts are indeed so inclined (to oppose what the Prophet likes), but if you help one another against him (Muhammad), then verily, Allâh is his Maula (Lord, or Master, or Protector, etc.), and Jibrael (Gabriel), and the righteous among the believers, and furthermore, the angels are his helpers}

[Al-Tahrim Verse:4]

They were two women, Hafsah, and Aishah, and they had an issue with the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him). So the reply from Allah Almighty is:

{verily, Allâh is his Maula (Lord, or Master, or Protector, etc.), and Jibrael (Gabriel), and the righteous among the believers, and furthermore, the angels are his helpers}

If we take an example in our life on earth, if two women criticized the political regime, would the whole army be put on alert, as well as the air force, the sea forces, the land forces, and all the soldiers? This is not possible. Then what does the verse mean? Allah Almighty says: if you want to be an enemy to what is right, then you should know that the opposing party is Allah, His Messenger, Gabriel, the angels and all the believers.
Therefore the most wretched person is he who opposes what is right and all the people believing in it. He who is an enemy to Allah and His Messenger, he who harms the believers, he who builds his success on their ruins, he is the most wretched person. Allah Almighty says:

{Verily! Those who disbelieve in the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh and kill the Prophets without right, and kill those men who order just dealings, … announce to them a painful torment}

The Prophet (PBUH) said:

( Wretched are the people who kill the ones that rule justly; wretched are the people who do not order people to do good nor do they prevent people from doing evil; wretched are the people amongst who the believer walks in fear.))

These are the worst of people, those whom the believer fears and fears to announce his faith to; those who kill the believers, and kill the ones who order people to do good, and prevent them from doing evil.

{They are those whose works will be lost in this world and in the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers.}

1- The Muslim is measured by his good deeds:

Who are you? You are as good as your good deeds. With your good deeds you will be saved, you will be happy, you will prosper. However if your deeds are evil, then you will be the most miserable of people. Allah Almighty says:

{They are those whose works will be lost in this world}

2- This is how the deeds are aborted

It means their deeds have become evil, or their deeds are accepted however their intentions are evil and not pure. You may do something which in appearance may be accepted, but the deed was intended to serve this life, or for a lust, or worldly gain. So, when the intentions are evil, then the works will be lost in this world; or when the deed is evil, then the intention behind it is not worth anything. So there are two conditions for a deed to be accepted, both are inseparable and both are required. The deed has to be good and according to the guidelines of the Messenger of Allah Mohammad (PBUH), and it has to be intended for Allah’s pleasure alone. So, if you do those, Allah will be your Helper.

{They are those whose works will be lost in this world}

Thawban narrated that the Prophet Peace be upon him said: ((I know there will be people from my nation who come on the Judgment day with good deeds as high as the mountains of Tihama, and Allah makes them just as scattered dust. Thawban said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, please describe these people to us, for fear that we may be of them while we don’t know.’ He said: ‘

They are your brethren and are of the same skin color, and they perform their worship at night as you do; however, they are people who if they are alone, they would violate what Allah has forbidden.’))

[Ibn Majah]

3- The most dangerous thing is for you to find out that youlost in this life and the Hereafter:

The most dangerous thing is for you to find out that you were not successful in this life and the Hereafter. Life will end, death puts an end to everything; it will end the strength of the strong, the wealth of the rich, the beauty of the handsome ones, the health of the healthy, and the illness of the sick. Good deeds that are done for the good pleasure of Allah, is the price for the Afterlife; therefore if the deeds are not purely for the sake of Allah, then they are unfruitful and of no avail. And if the deeds, may Allah forbid, are evil, they are worthless even if the intention is a good one. Therefore do not forget this reality: the deed has to be done with a pure intention, and it should be good. Pure intention for the sake of Allah’s pleasure, and good that it is according to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).
It has been narrated that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

“Whomsoever commands people to do good and prevents them from doing evil will be Allah’s successor on earth, and the successor of Allah’s Messenger, and the successor for His Holy Book (the Quran).

One of his companions of the Prophet (PBUH) asked him: (“Oh Messenger of Allah, who are the best of people? He replied: ‘

The ones who are best in enjoining on the people to do good, the ones who most forbid people from all that is forbidden, the most pious, and the ones that most join the relation ties.”)

Allah Almighty says:

{The hypocrites, men and women, are from one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief and polytheism of all kinds and all that Islâm has forbidden), and forbid (people) from Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do),}

[At-Taubah Verse: 67]

and He says:

{The believers, men and women, are Auliyâ' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden);}

[At-Taubah Verse: 71]

Dear Brother, in Allah Almighty’s words:

{Verily! Those who disbelieve in the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh and kill the Prophets without right, and kill those men who order just dealings, … announce to them a painful torment. (21) They are those whose works will be lost in this world and in the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers.}

4 – Therefore one should change the Munkar

There is a fact which should be clear to you; when you see a Munkar (something wrong which Islam has forbidden) then you should correct it: with your hands if you are a ruler, with your words (mouth) if you are a scholar, and with your heart if you are weak. Therefore, the reform by one’s hands is the characteristic of a ruler, reform by words is the characteristic of scholar, and in one’s heart is that of the weak ones.
If you are able to change something with your hand, then it will not be accepted that you try to change it with your tongue; similarly, if you are able to correct it with your tongue, then doing so with your heart is not acceptable. This is the meaning of Allah Almighty’s words:

{And fear the Fitnah (affliction and trial, etc.) which affects not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong (but it may afflict all the good and the bad people), and know that Allâh is Severe in punishment.}

[al-Anfal Verse: 25]

Allah Almighty did not destroy the towns because of the perversity of its people. Allah Almighty mentioned the reformer, and He did not say, ‘Good’ because the good person who does not enjoin sh3er or prevent them will be ruined; however, the reformer is the one who will escape Allah’s punishment. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

(It is not permissible for a Believer to humiliate himself. They said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allah, and how does one humiliate himself?’ He said: “He exposes himself to what he cannot tolerate.”)

[Abu Huraira narrated]

So you are not entrusted in commanding people to do good (ma’arouf) nor to prevent them from doing evil (munkar). If you do and you get harmed in the process in a way that you cannot handle, this is what faith has entrusted you with, so if you are enjoining people in doing good, and preventing them from doing evil, and the harm is worse than the evil you are trying to prevent, the scholars have agreed that you should not prevent that act, because you may be able to tolerate the consequence of that.

((If there appears in your days what appeared in the days of the nations before you. We said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what happened to the previous nations?’ He said: ‘The young ruled, the old were committing indecencies, and the knowledge was transferred to the vile.))

When the depraved become the ones who have the knowledge, and similar to those who obtain higher degrees, but he is depraved, then it will be as the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him said):

((however, enjoin people and yourselves to do good deeds, and prevent yourselves and sh3er from doing evil, as there will come a time when you find that the miserly are being obeyed, and people are following their temptations, and the world’s temptation are dominant in people’s lives, and everyone is so delighted with his own views, then you should keep to yourself and look after yourself, and do not follow the ignorant people, because there will come days when one’s holding one’s patience and steadfastness will be as painful as grabbing a piece of live coal. The one who strives will have the reward of fifty men who do like you do.))

[ At-Tirmithi ]

Therefore, in your enjoining people in doing good, and preventing them from doing evil, if the affliction is worse than the evil you are trying to prevent, then Allah only charges one in doing what is in your ability to do.
It has been narrated by Abi Huraira that the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said:

(If the noble people are ruling you, and the rich people are the generous ones who give, and all your matters are carried out by consultation amongst you, then to be living on the face of this earth is best for you. However, if your rulers are the worst of people and the wealthy are the miserly amongst you, and your matters are ruled by the women, then to be buried underneath the earth is a better place than to be living on it.))

[At-Tirmithi – Abu Huraira]

Among the signs of the end of this World are that the men are no longer bold, and shame is removed from women, and mercy is removed from the hearts of the rulers (leaders), therefore there will be no mercy in the hearts of leaders, no shame in the faces of women, and no boldness in the men’s mind). Then Allah Almighty says:

{Have you not seen those who have been given a portion of the Scripture? They are being invited to the Book of Allâh to settle their dispute, then a party of them turn away, and they are averse.}

{Have you not seen those who have been given a portion of the Scripture?}

1- The reason for revealing this verse:

The incident which led to revealing this verse was when the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), entered the house of Midras, and there were a number of Jews sitting, so he called them to Islam. Naeem bin Amro said:
“O Mohammad, what is your religion?”
The Prophet replied: “I follow the religion of Abraham.”
They said: “Abraham was a Jew.”
So the Prophet Peace be upon him said: “Let’s read the Torah, for this will be the judge between you and I.”
So they denied him that, and then Allah Almighty revealed this verse:

{Have you not seen those who have been given a portion of the Scripture? They are being invited to the Book of Allâh to settle their dispute, then a party of them turn away, and they are averse.}

It was the Jews who were given a portion of the Scripture, and they refused to use that as a judge between them, so what was it that led them to do so? Allah Almighty says:

{This is because they say: "The Fire shall not touch us but for a number of days."}

2 – The similarity of the Jews and the Muslims in some of what they say and do,

It is them (the Muslims) who said that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) will intervene for us on Judgment day, even after doing what we did. This is the real ailment, because you should either grab onto real facts, or your hopes. Allah Almighty says:

{ It will not be in accordance with your desires (Muslims), nor those of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), whosoever works evil, will have the recompense thereof,}

[an-Nisaa Verse: 123]

Therefore the Jews said:

{"The Fire shall not touch us but for a number of days."}

And the Muslims said: We are the blessed nation of Mohammad, therefore do what you want. This is a fabricated lie which Allah has not sent down. This is something we say, however Allah Almighty says:

{Is, then one against whom the Word of punishment justified (equal to the one who avoids evil). Will you (O Muhammad ) rescue him who is in the Fire?}

[Az-Zummar Verse:19]

Abu Huraira narrated: when this verse which Allah Almighty revealed:

{ And warn [whomever thou canst reach, beginning with] thy kinsfolk}

[Ash-Shuara 116]

the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) called the people of Quraish, and when they gathered around him, he addressed everyone in general. Then he was more specific and called out the names of some tribes, he said:

(( O Bani Ka’ab bin Loai! save yourselves from Hell-Fire, O Bani Murrat bin Kaab, save yourselves from Hell-Fire, O Bani abd al-Shams! save yourselves from Hell-Fire, o Bani abd al-Munaf! save yourselves from Hell-Fire, O Bani Hashem! save yourselves from Hell-Fire, O Bani abd al-Muttaleb! save yourselves from Hell-Fire. O Fatima! save yourself from Hell-Fire. For I cannot prevent from you anything which Allah has prescribed for you, but that you have a relation …

[Muslim]

{This is because they say: "The Fire shall not touch us but for a number of days." And that which they used to invent regarding their religion has deceived them.}

{This is because they say: "The Fire shall not touch us but for a number of days."

1) They invent fake beliefs and later they believe them:

They invent lies and then they believe them. This is really funny. When a man invents something, then he believes it, it is he who invented these false evil beliefs. Then he believes them and uses them as his proof and justification, and he is confident about his future with these lies he believes in.
I will give an example: If a lazy student tells his friend that the teacher will give the questions to the exam a few days before the exam in return for a gift, the student will believe and relax. He hasn’t studied the material the whole year, and now he is hoping that he will go to the teacher a few days before the exam, present him with a gift in return for the exam questions. Why was he confident and expecting that from the teacher? Because of what his lazy friend told him. Later when he goes to his teacher, he realizes that the teacher has integrity and he asks him to leave the house. He is at loss; he has wasted the whole year.
This is but a small example and if we want to expand it to a larger scale, let’s say that someone tells you that Allah is Oft-Forgiving and Merciful. He will not judge you for the small details. Allah is Oft Forging and Merciful, all of Prophet Mohammad’s nation (the Muslims) will be forgiven, put your head along with everyone else, and say: “Nothing will happen, you have to believe me!” This is all common talk. What will happen to you when you are faced with the fact that you will be judged for each and everything? For each smile, for each penny you took without a right for it, for each lie you told, for each action you took which you did not intend for the sake of Allah? Allah Almighty says:

{ So, by your Lord (O Muhammad), We shall certainly call all of them to account(92) For all that they used to do}

[Al-Hijr Verses: 92,93]

What would you do with Allah Almighty’s words:

{So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it.}

[Al-Zalzala Verse: 8]

And what would you do with Allah Almighty’s words:

{And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And Sufficient are We as Reckoners.}

[Al-Anbiya Verse: 47]

2 - What is haughtiness?

Dear Brother, what is haughtiness? To believe in things about Allah which are not true. Allah Almighty says:

{How (will it be) when We gather them together on the Day about which there is no doubt (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). And each person will be paid in full what he has earned? And they will not be dealt with unjustly}

Where are your hopes? Your dreams? Your illusions?

{How (will it be) when We gather them together on the Day about which there is no doubt (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). And each person will be paid in full what he has earned? And they will not be dealt with unjustly}

Therefore the meaning of Allah Almighty’s Words:

{This is because they say: "The Fire shall not touch us but for a number of days." And that which they used to invent regarding their religion has deceived them.}

3 – Correct your belief if it is not already correct:

Dear Brother, dear believers, erase all that you believed in, and go back to review your beliefs, get a fresh start. Leave out any belief that does not agree with the Quran or the Sunnah of the Prophet, because it is destructive, and any incorrect belief will reflect on one’s behavior. You should review all what you have accumulated throughout these years. Are there any false beliefs? Is there any false hopes in Allah? Is there any false Hadith which you thought was true? Is there any illusion you thought was real? Because if there is, then there is a problem. Allah Almighty says:

{So leave them alone till they meet their Day, in which they will sink into a fainting (with horror).}

[At-Tur Verse: 45]

They were shocked as they had believed that:

{This is because they say: "The Fire shall not touch us but for a number of days." And that which they used to invent regarding their religion has deceived them.(24)How (will it be) when We gather them together on the Day about which there is no doubt (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). And each person will be paid in full what he has earned? And they will not be dealt with unjustly.}

And Allah Almighty says:

{How (will it be) when We gather them together on the Day about which there is no doubt (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). And each person will be paid in full what he has earned? And they will not be dealt with unjustly.}

So how will they be then? And what will they do when they are all gathered together on Judgment day, and all the false beliefs which they had in the worldly life will fade away? And they will earn what they deserve for their disbelief and their fabricating lies about Allah Almighty, for a day --

{about which there is no doubt (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). And each person will be paid in full what he has earned? And they will not be dealt with unjustly}

Leave this world with a clean slate, owing no one any money, and having not hurt anyone nor killed anyone. This is the real truth, so look for it. Leave your illusion and your comfort zone about the falsehoods you believe in, about the judgment on small issues, and believe that Allah is Fair:
Narrated Salama bin Al-Akwa:

Once, while we were sitting in the company of Prophet, a dead man was brought. The Prophet was requested to lead the funeral prayer for the deceased. He said, "Is he in debt?" The people replied in the negative. He said, "Has he left any wealth?" They said, "No." So, he led his funeral prayer. Another dead man was brought and the people said, "O Allah's Apostle! Lead his funeral prayer." The Prophet said, "Is he in debt?" They said, "Yes." He said, "Has he left any wealth?" They said, ''Three Dinars." So, he led the prayer. Then a third dead man was brought and the people said (to the Prophet ), “Please lead his funeral prayer." He said, "Has he left any wealth?" They said, "No." He asked, "Is he in debt?" They said, ("Yes! He has to pay) three Diners.' He (refused to pray and) said, "Then pray for your (dead) companion." Abu Qatada said, "O Allah's Apostle! Lead his funeral prayer, and I will pay his debt." So, he led the prayer.

[al-Bukhari, an-Nisa’i, and Ahmad]

The martyr is forgiven for all his sins except his debts, Now you may tell me: “I will perform Hajj (Pilgrimage) and therefore all sins will be forgiven and I will be just as the day my mother gave birth to me (free from sins).” I tell you that this is a very naive understanding and it is not true. While performing Hajj only the sins which are between you and Allah are forgiven; however, any dispute between you and other people is not forgiven unless that person forgives you. If you tell me that you will observe fast in Ramadan in faith and hope for Allah’s pleasure and reward, I tell you that your fasting in Ramadan will only forgive what’s between you and Allah. However, what is between you and other people is not forgiven unless they forgive you, and so on. Therefore, people’s rights are built on arguments whilst Allah’s right are built on forgiveness.