Some who don’t fight fear men more than they fear Allah. Death can overtake anyone anywhere, even in a high fortress. Standing firm against injustice is better.
Bismillah al-Rahman al-Raheem.
This juz’ (4:24–4:147) begins in Surah al-Nisa, which was sent down to the Beloved Messenger (SAW – sallalahu alayhi wasalaam) to guide the Muslims after a relatively large number of the Sahabah (RA – radiallahu anhum) were martyred in battle. As some of the best of our Brothers were lying dead, widows and orphans were everywhere, grief gripped the hearts of the Ummah, and the enemies of Islam gloated.
Rasulullah (SAW) told our Brothers and Sisters at that time, in the year 3 A.H., 1442 years ago, things that resonate throughout the souls of millions of Muslims, individually and collectively, today. These ayat, like every other ayat in al-Qur’an, transcend race, nationality, and all other divisions. These ayat unite us, all Muslims, in every space we stand for Allah because even alone, we are together.
We strive, wherever we are, everyday, for the Pleasure of Allah. We want to please Him, to serve Him, to love Him. We want to be protected by Allah from the harshness of the ugly, permeating rays of this Dunya, to find small moments of respite in His shade while we struggle here until we get home to Jannah, inshaAllah.
In this juz’, regarding battles to come, Rasulullah (SAW) told the Muslims that very few would leave their homes upon the command to fight in the cause of Allah, to go forth in parties or all together while taking precautions when the Ummah calls, “Save us from our oppressors.” He (SAW) said that going forth to war strengthens iman, those who fight in the cause of Allah exchange the life of this world for the hereafter, and whether they are killed or they return victorious, they are rewarded.
He (SAW) said that those who believe fight in the cause of Allah against the friends of shaytan, and incite others to fight as well because maybe Allah will restrain the disbelievers.
He also revealed at that time, after 70 of the best of the Sahabah (RA) were martyred in that battle, that those who sit out, who do not fight in the cause of Allah, are not equal to those who fight with their wealth, and with their lives. He (SAW) revealed that Allahu Ta’ala favors those who fight and that they receive higher grades of forgiveness and mercy.
Some who don’t fight fear men more than they fear Allah. Death can overtake anyone anywhere, even in a high fortress. Standing firm against injustice is better.
We are angry today. We are hurt right now. Tens of thousands lay martyred by the bombs of shayatin, graves are desecrated, our Brothers and Sisters are starving to death. We are tempted to wonder why everyone hasn’t rushed to the aid of our Brothers and Sisters these past 75 years.
The aftermath of the Battle of Uhud, from which Allah blessed His Ummah with these ayat, is different from the major current battle in many ways. The most heart-wrenching difference is that the enemies of Islam martyred men back then, not infants and their mothers. Allah Ta’ala sent these ayat to help the widowed women and orphans left behind by the courageous men who were martyred. The enemies of Islam today prefer to martyr women and children.
But regardless of the changes in the faces of the enemy, Allah knows our enemies, those who have purchased the wrong path and mock Islam. Even though they claim sanctity and claim to be better guarded, they are cursed by Allah. They envy Muslims; even though Allah sent them a Book before, they wish for us to leave Islam and join them in Jahannam. Allah (SAW) records their plots, and they can hide nothing from Him.
They are cursed. They martyr tens of thousands from the skies, scared to face the Brothers on the ground. Allah says their faces will be effaced, and He will make their faces like the backs of necks, having no mouth, no nose, no eyes.
They are cursed and will be turned hindwards.
They are cursed; after their skin roasts in hellfire, Allah will re-skin them so they can roast again.
Rasulullah (SAW) spoke words of comfort from Allah Ta’ala in this juz’, letting us know that Allah Ta’ala wants to make guidance clear for us. Allah Ta’ala wants us to obey His Messenger (SAW) in total submission. Allah (SAW) made Muhammad (SAW) the judge of all disputes. To obey Muhammad (SAW) is to obey Allah Ta’ala.
We seek a Noble Entrance into Jannah. We believe in Allah Ta’ala and the Last Day. We spend of what Allah Ta’ala has provided. We turn aside from the hypocrites, and we do not punish them, but we speak to them a compelling word, they can still repent inshaAllah, and Allah can forgive whoever He wills.
We are angry today. We are hurt right now. Tens of thousands lay martyred by the bombs of shayatin, graves are desecrated, our Brothers and Sisters are starving to death. We are tempted to wonder why everyone hasn’t rushed to the aid of our Brothers and Sisters these past 75 years. We don’t have to understand the Decree of Allah to trust Him.
Islam prevailed after the Battle of Uhud. Islam will prevail after the Battle of Filisteen, inshaAllah.
Rasulullah (SAW) said that we do not take disbelievers for awliyah (friends). We cringe as the wicked join hands. It is the grace of Allah that keeps us from following shaytaan, there is no helper, there is no protector, except Allah.
Then and now, we Muslims seek the Pleasure of Allah. We rejoice that our dead are martyrs who will be in the company of the obedient, in the presence of the Prophets alayhumus salaam, among the other martyrs, the righteous, in the shades, wide and ever deepening.
May Allah strengthen our iman and make us from the patient. Ameen.
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Sister Angela, (Muslim name: Shajiyah Iman) is an articulate Muslim female author incarcerated in state prison. She strongly advocated for her right to wear hijab, won her case, and now assists other sisters in her facility in their journey to learn Islam and Arabic. She’s a dedicated student of Tayba Foundation and is a protective older sister to the younger Muslim sisters in her facility.
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