Dealing with the Enemies of Islaam

By the Noble Scholar, Shaikh Saalih Ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan


The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) said, “Give glad-tidings to this Ummah of honour, establishment upon the earth, help and victory, and preeminence of the Religion. Whosoever does an action of the Hereafter for a worldly motive, will have no portion of the Hereafter.” [1]

[Q]: ‘As regards the dangers that the Ummah of Islaam faces from every direction, then what are the greatest of these dangers and what is the path to be taken in order to prevent these dangers?’

[A]: ‘‘The greatest danger that faces the Ummah of Islaam is their being far away from the Book of Allaah and the Sunna of His Messenger (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam); and replacing them with man-made laws and deviated ideologies. Likewise, the greatest danger that faces the Ummah of Islaam is the misguidance and deviation concerning the creed (`aqeedah) and the infiltration of concepts of unbelief (kufr), shirk and innovations into it from the grave-worshippers and the Soofees. Similarly, from the greatest danger that faces the Ummah of Islaam is their splitting-up and enmity between themselves. The cure for this is to return back to the Book and the Sunna; learning them, teaching them, judging by them between people and adopting what they require of morals, manners and character.’’ [2]

Shaikh Saaleeh al-Fawzaan – hafidhahullaah – also said, ‘‘The most prominent issues which require the Muslims to take a stance on in these times are: the ignorance concerning the creed (`aqeedah) of Tawheed which many of those who ascribe to Islaam have; adherence to those ideologies and ways that oppose Islaam; and the ideological attack (al-ghazwatul-fikree) that comes from the lands of the unbelievers and is directed at the Islaamic lands. Each of these issues requires a firm stance and a powerful refutation. [3] This is done by explaining the correct Islaam; along with its creed and its wisely prescribed Laws, and by warning against all that opposes it - from defective teaching methods - as well as utilizing the media and by spreading beneficial books.’’ [4]

[Q]: ‘Indeed the enemies of the Religion have embarked upon a well-calculated project, such that one of their senior devils said that by the year 2000CE all of Africa will be beaming with Christianity! So why don’t the Muslims undertake a similar sort of project?’

[A]: ‘‘Allaah the Mighty and Majestic said,

‘‘It will not be in accordance with your wishful thinking, nor the wishful thinking of the People of the Book; whoever works evil will have the recompense thereof, and he will not find any protector or helper besides Allaah.’’ [Soorah An-Nisaa` 4:123]

Thus when the People of the Book say: We will achieve such and such, or we will be victors over such and such of mankind, then this does not harm us, nor do we despair, nor do we become inactive. Rather, this spurs us on and motivates us to act, persist and strive hard in calling (da`wah) to Allaah the Most Perfect, the Most High. Allaah said,

‘‘If you patiently persevere and have piety [i.e. by doing what is commanded and keeping away from what is prohibited], not the least harm will their schemes and plots be to you.’’ [Soorah Ai-`Imraan 3:120]

And they say things greater than this! They say,

‘‘None shall enter Paradise except if he be a Jew or a Christian. This is their own wishful thinking. Say: Produce your proof if you are truthful.’’ [Soorah Al-Baqarah 2:111]

So now (they make) Paradise inaccessible! Is this the saying of a sensible person? Indeed, Allaah the Mighty and Majestic refutes them in His saying,

‘‘Indeed, whoever submits himself to Allaah and does good deeds (purely for Allaah), upon such there will be no fear, nor shall they grieve.’’ [Soorah Al-Baqarah 2:112]

And Allaah the Exalted said,

‘‘It will not be in accordance with your wishful thinking, nor the wishful thinking of the People of the Book; whoever works evil will have the recompense thereof, and he will not find any protector or helper besides Allaah.’’ [Soorah An-Nisaa` 4:123]

And they say things even greater than that! They said to Moses,

‘‘And show us Allaah in public!’’ [Soorah An-Nisaa` 4:153]

So they say this, and they say that. They have claims and sayings - and Allaah’s aid is sought from being intimidated. However, all of it is thrown back upon their faces and it will not harm the people who have faith at all, as long as the people of faith remain firm, prepare, and not give up at this crucial time. At present we see the Christians spending their wealth, building buildings and schools, and sending troops and followers, but they triumph over a small number of people. Whereas we see many people accepting Islaam without a single person doing da`wah to them without anything. They become Muslims either by seeing the teachings of Islaam, or merely hearing the Qur`aan when it is recited, or by merely reading about Islaam. This is the case despite the fact that the Muslims are lazy. [5] Where is Islaam to be seen upon them. So how would it be if the Muslims were to strive hard in calling people to Allaah, and manifesting the goodness of Islaam - beginning with oneself first, becoming an example for others, and painting a correct picture of Islaam. Some of the Christians say: We spend so many millions, but they gain only one follower, whereas thousands accept Islaam without the Muslims spending even a single penny. So the truth is clear, and all praise is for Allaah. However, the truth requires people to carry it. Indeed, the truth is like a sword; if a courageous man carries it correctly, he will not be stopped, even in the face of the enemy. But a sword, if there is no hand to wield it, then it will not be of any benefit.’’ [6]

Footnotes:

[1] Sahih: Related by al-Haakim (4/311) from `Ubayy Ibn Ka`b (radiyallaahu `anhu). It was declared to be sahih by the muhaddith of this age, Shaikh Muhammad Naasirud-Deen al-Albaanee, in Saheehul-Jaami` (no.2825).

[2] Muntaqaa min Fataawaa (1/417, no.249)

[3] Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen – hafidhahullaah – said, ‘‘As I have said, there must be an understanding of the present state of affairs, each individual according to his level. The level of the young is not like that of the elders, since the young may behave rashly and their strength and enthusiasm is something that may not be safe, or properly channeled. But there must be an understanding of the situation. What is wrong, however, is that fiqhul-waaqi` (understanding the current state of affairs) is given precedence over gaining fiqh (understanding) of knowledge; this is what is meant. Thus, if the youths turned towards attaining knowledge and gaining fiqh of Allaah’s Religion - such as explanation (tafseer) of Allaah’s Speech, explanation of the ahadeeth of the Messenger (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam), and an understanding of the words of the scholars in elucidation of them - then this would be good.’’

[4] Muntaqaa min Fataawaa (1/416-417, no.248)

[5] Shaikh Muhammad al-Ameen ash-Shanqeetee (d.1393H) – rahimahullaah – said in his valuable commentary to the `Qur`aan, Adwaa`ul-Bayaan (3/72-73), “Allaah the Exalted explains in this noble `aayaah that He never changes the blessings and well-being of a people unless they change themselves by turning away from the obedience of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. So the meaning of the `aayah is, that the blessings which a nation receives will not be removed from them unless they change what they are upon with regards to obedience and righteous action. This meaning has been explained at another place; such as His saying,

“This is because Allaah will never change the favour which He has bestowed upon a people until they change themselves.” [Soorah Al-Anfaal 8:53]

And His saying,

“And whatever of misfortunes befalls you, it is because of what your own hands have earned. Yet Allaah pardons much.” [Soorah Ash-Shoora 42:30]

So in the noble `aayaah, “until they change themselves,” there is an affirmation that if only some people were to change themselves; as occurred on the day of the battle of Uhud, when the archers changed themselves - then because of it, all of them could be struck with a calamity.’’

[6] Muntaqaa min Fataawaa (1/419; no.252); This necessitates cultivating and being cultivated upon the whole of the Religion, not just some parts of it to the exclusion of others. Shaikh `Abdul-`Azeez Ibn Baaz (d.1420H) – rahimahullaah - said in Majmoo`ul-Fataawaa wa Maqaalaatul-Mutanawwi`ah (1/346),

‘‘It is upon you to adopt the whole of Islaam, not just to adopt one part and leave the other. Do not adopt the beliefs (`aqeedah) but leave the rulings (ahkaam). Do not adopt the rulings, but leave the beliefs. Rather, take the whole of Islaam; take the `aqeedah, the rulings, the worship, the jihaad, the social matters, the politics, the economics, and all the rest. Accept it all, as Allaah the Most Perfect said,

‘‘O you who Believe! Enter into Islaam completely, and do not follow the footsteps of Shaitaan, because he is to you a clear enemy.’’ [Soorah Al-Baqarah 2:203].’’ And Shaikhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) – rahimahullaah – said in Majmoo`ul-Fataawaa (3/421), ‘‘Whenever people abandon a part of what Allaah has commanded them with, this causes enmity and hatred to arise between them.’’