”And hold fast to Allah; He is your Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.), what an Excellent Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.) and what an Excellent Helper!” [1]
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:
When you hold fast to Allaah, Allaah will protect you. Allaah will help you against (the evil urges) of your souls and shaytaan. These are two enemies that do not separate themselves from a slave (of Allaah). Their enmity is more harmful than an outside enemy. Therefore being given help against them is the most important thing and a slave (of Allaah) is more in need of this (than other things). And the completeness of this help (against the urge of the evil self and shaytaan is obtained) in accordance with one’s (level) of attachment to Allaah. [2]
It is well known that the Final Tasha-hud is a pillar from the pillars of prayer; and in one of the prayers I did not complete except a little bit of the Tasha-hud, so should I repeat my prayer?
Answer:
It is upon you to complete the Tasha-hud, even if you missed some (of it whilst praying with) your Imaam (i.e. the one leading you in Salaah); because according to the most correct saying (or view) of the scholars the Final Tasha-hud is a pillar (of the prayer), and there is the Salutation upon the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) in it. Therefore, it is obligatory to complete it even after the Imaam’s Salaam (i.e. after he finishes the prayer). And from it (i.e. the Tasha-hud) is seeking Allaah’s protection from the Hell fire, the punishment of the grave and from the trials of life and death, and from the trial of the Dajjaaj; because the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) commanded with seeking (Allaah’s) protection from these four (things) in the Final Tasha-hud, and that is because some of the people of knowledge consider that to be an obligation.
Question to Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him):
‘How do we reconcile the Hadith: ”Whoever is killed while protecting his property, then he is a martyr” (1) and the Hadith: ”You should listen and obey the ruler even if he flogs your back and takes your wealth, then still hear and obey.”(2) Answer:
”You should hear and obey the ruler even if he flogs your back and takes your wealth.” This is with the Muslim Ruler. (i.e. this is the manner the Muslim is expected to behave with the Muslim Ruler). As for protecting one’s wealth (by way of resistance), this is (done) with other than the Muslim Ruler. If an oppressor, or a thief, or a robber, or a highway robber wants to take your wealth, then you defend (i.e. defend yourself) even if you are killed. If killed, you are a martyr. As for the Muslim Ruler, you do not resist. Even if your wealth is taken, you do not resist; rather exercise patience due to the greater evil (i.e. the greater evil that may come about from resisting). So there is differentiation between the Muslim Ruler and someone among the people (i.e. oppression received from someone among the people)
Question:
What do you say to the one who says: ”Indeed the hadith (i.e. the above hadith) nurtures the Muslim upon weakness.”
Answer:
The Hadith nurtures the Muslim upon obedience and strength. This is because obedience to the Muslim Ruler is Strength and not weakness. He leaves this (i.e. this resistance against the Muslim Ruler) for the sake of a universal good and (for the sake of) uniting the word of the Muslims. The people of desires want to do away with the authentic proofs so that they can safeguard their views. This is their intention. They bring doubts in the aayaat and the ahaadith in order to safeguard their deviated views.
So whoever wishes for victory and assistance from Allaah, and to make the word of (Allaah) uppermost, then he should change that which he is upon of disobedience, sins and opposition to the command of Allaah. And your Lord has stated:
‘Allaah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islaam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me.'[24:55]
Allaah (subhaanah) did not say that He has made a promise to those who attribute themselves to the Quraish or the Arabs or those who build castles and excavate petroleum….rather Allaah tied this affair to true Imaan and righteous action-regardless whether they are Arabs or non-Arabs….[Source: Booklet Titled: Your Enemies Are About To Gather Against You: ‘The Causes Of The Weakness Of The Muslims In The Presence Of Their Enemy'(page:29-30)]
”And of them are some who made a covenant with Allah (saying): “If He bestowed on us of His Bounty, we will verily, give Sadaqah (Zakat and voluntary charity in Allah’s Cause) and will be certainly among those who are righteous. Then when He gave them of His Bounty, they became niggardly [refused to pay the Sadaqah (Zakat or voluntary charity)], and turned away, averse. So He punished them by putting hypocrisy into their hearts till the Day whereon they shall meet Him, because they broke that (covenant with Allah) which they had promised Him and because they used to tell lies. [9:75-77]
Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah) mentioned in his Tafseer that Allaah punished the Munaafiqoon by putting hypocrisy in their hearts; because they made a covenant with Allaah that they will spend in charity if given of Allaah’s Blessings, but they became n*gg*rdly and turned away after they were given of His Blessings.
Therefore, the believer is warned against this evil characteristic of the Munaafiqoon, such that he makes a covenant with his Lord to do such and such, but when he reaches his goal he fails to fulfil that; for indeed, it may be that Allaah will punished him by putting hypocrisy in his heart just as he punished the Munaafiqoon.