Month: January 2020

 

LAST DAY MEANS LAST AGE

The term ‘Last Day’ in reality stands for the ‘Last Age’, or the age which would culminate in the end of history—when the true Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary (not son of God), would return to rule the world from Jerusalem with justice and ‘eternal’ rule. It would be ‘eternal’ in the sense that history would end with that event. Life on earth beyond that event, and after Jesus dies a human death and is buried next to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon them both) in Madinah, would not qualify as history. This would be so since the modern secular rope would have reached its predictable end in total godlessness, and with such a consequent collapse of morals, and of moral consciousness, that people would forget their human status and “would engage in sexual intercourse in public like donkeys”. Already it is quite clear (particularly at the time of Trinidad’s Carnival) that we are quite close to the fulfillment of that ominous prophecy made by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

So much so then, for the spurious claims of the one-eyed Judeo-Christian western civilization and its ‘colored house slaves’ around the world. They claim that mankind is witnessing unprecedented progress, that the present is the best of all ages, that the world keeps on growing better and better, and that modern western civilization has rendered all previous civilizations, including Islam, moribund and obsolete! 

So much so, then, for the local one-eyed ‘house slave’ here in my native island of Trinidad who insists that Muslims must remain a part of ‘mainstream society’ -even when that mainstream is heading for the hell-fire.

When a ship is sinking and you cannot prevent it from sinking, you have to get off that ship, and urge others as well to do so. The ship of the world is now sinking! The evidence is all around us as plainly visible as daylight! But those who are blind cannot see that the ship is sinking. They use their checkbooks, or the barrels of their guns, to impose themselves around the world as leaders. The blind then lead the blind until all are lost and will be drowned like the people of Noah (peace be upon him).

Prophet Muhammad prophesied many more signs of the Last Day other than public ‘donkey sex’. Most of these are known as the ‘minor’ signs. Let us describe some of them (randomly selected) before we turn to the ten ‘major’ signs in which we venture to include the major underwater earthquake and resultant Tsunami in South East Asia that occurred in late December 2004.

MINOR SIGNS
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him) prophesied of the Last Age that:

• “People would follow a way of life other than mine, and give guidance other than mine”…“I fear for my people only the leaders who lead men astray”…“Before the Last Hour there will be great liars, so beware of them”…“When the most wicked member of a tribe becomes its ruler, and the most worthless member of a community becomes its leader, and a man is respected through fear of the evil he may do, and leadership is given to people who are unworthy of it, expect the Last Hour”. All of these warnings have already been dramatically and ominously fulfilled. Around the world today, with but few exceptions, and even here in my native Caribbean island of Trinidad, people, including Muslims, now have the worst leaders. This ominous sign of the Last Day has come to pass, yet there are so many who do not, or cannot see, and they blindly rush as dumb cattle to endorse or to follow such leaders for personal gain, or fear, or due to sheer ignorance; • “Women would arrange their hair to look like the hump of a camel”, and this sign has already occurred, we see it everyday;
• “Women would dress like men”, and we already see them today with trousers, jacket and, perhaps, a tie; and “women would be dressed and yet be naked”, and this prophecy, also, is now fulfilled. When women parade in public “dressed, yet naked”, as they do today, and when Muslims cannot prevent such, they should then seek to flee from such mainstream society rather than to remain a part of it until the women are fully naked and “donkey-like” sexual intercourse is on public display. If they foolishly choose to remain a part of such corrupt and decadent society then they or their children would eventually be ruined by such a society.

• “Men would dress like women”, and already this sign also has come to pass. Almost no one can tell that ‘she’, the so-called ‘crossdresser’, is really a man;

• Homosexuality (and lesbianism) would become commonplace, and that is now happening before our very eyes. Social acceptance and legal protection for this abominable sexual perversion is gaining ground. Indeed those who hold fast to the divine prohibition of such sexual perversion are now demonized as a people who suffer from a disease called ‘homophobia’;

• Children born outside of marriage would become commonplace, in fact marriage itself now seems destined to become obsolete;

• Fornication and adultery would become commonplace, that, also, appears to have already been fulfilled in a modern world in which virginity and marital fidelity are becoming old-fashioned;

• Disproportion in balance of men and women to such an extent that “one man would have to maintain (not marry) fifty women”, that is yet to occur but could be linked to the impact on male sperm production of such things as environmental pollution and genetically modified food;

• Universal consumption of alcoholic beverages, this “mother of all evils” has already become a horrendous plague in which no one is safe from the drunk driver; the unborn baby drinks when his mother drinks and suffers unimaginably for such; people, including Prime Ministers, drink and become drunk, and then behave in public like asses;

• “Religious knowledge would disappear”, since the rightly-guided scholars of Islam are demonized, marginalized, “banned”, or declared to be “great security risks”. Only those scholars who can skillfully skip and dance to the tunes of those who control power are allowed the unfettered freedom to preach a sanitized cosmetic version of Islam acceptable to the godless rulers of the world. Institutions of Islamic learning are forced to submit to the control of those waging war on Islam. If they do not submit, they are shut down. Foreign students are prohibited from studying Islam in certain so-called Islamic Republics;

• “Time would move swiftly—a year passing like a month—a month like a week—a week like a day” etc., and already the perception of swiftly moving time is a universal experience;

• Such prevalence of random killing, murder and violence that “a killer would not know why he is killing and the one who is killed would not know why he is being killed”, and “every age is followed by one which would be worse”—already around the world senseless random killing has arrived and is constantly escalating;

• “Nothing would remain of Islam but the name, and nothing would remain of the Qur’an but the traces (of its writing) (i.e., the Qur’an would not be studied, no one would follow its guidance, it would be recited mechanically etc.); the Masajid (mosques) would be grand structures but would be devoid of guidance; and the Ulama (religious scholars of Islam who represent such people) would be the worst people beneath the sky. From them would emerge Fitnah (trials) and they would be the centers of Fitnah (since they betray Islam)” — there are many distinguished scholars of Islam who declare that this prophesy, also, has today found fulfillment. The evidence of such is overwhelming. The Islamic Khilafah (Caliphate) has been long destroyed, Zakat is no longer collected and distributed by the state, money itself is now corrupted, the universal Shirk of the modern state has corrupted all of mankind, Riba is universally prevalent, the Hajj would probably soon be abandoned;

• Universal consumption of Riba (i.e, money lent on interest, and transactions which ‘rip off’ people through deception in business, etc.) Around the world today Riba in modern banking and insurance, as well as in the monetary system, has already taken total control over the market and over economic life. There are some minor signs which have been couched inenigmatic language such as,

• “A slave woman would give birth to her mistress”, made possible through a combination of Riba and the modern feminist revolution, and; • “Naked barefooted shepherds would vie with one another in the construction of high-rise buildings”. This is already being fulfilled when wealth is wasted in grandiose and expensive public relations construction projects commissioned by people who hanker for visible symbols of status in a modern world which recognizes the rich as a ‘somebody’ and the poor as a ‘nobody’ (see story of the rich man and the poor man in Surah al-Kahf of the Qur’an).

And then there are minor signs which have not as yet occurred such as:

• “The Last Hour would not come until there issues from the land of the Hejaz (which is in Saudi Arabia) a fire which will illuminate the backs of the camels in Busra”. But for the exchange of Basra for Hejaz, this prophecy perhaps, anticipates a nuclear attack in or around Iran which would formally launch Israel into the club of nuclear powers. So many of these minor Signs of the Last Day, and so many more not here mentioned, have already occurred, that we can now turn to the major Signs with a clear recognition that we are already living in that Last Age.

MAJOR SIGNS
Hudhayfah ibn Usayd Ghifari, the companion of the Prophet, said,

“Allah’s Messenger came to us all of a sudden as we were (busy in a discussion). He asked: What are you discussing? (The Companions) replied: We are discussing (the subject of) the Last Hour. Thereupon he said: It will not come until you see ten signs. And (in this connection) he made a mention of the ‘smoke’, ‘Dajjal’, the ‘beast’, the ‘rising of the sun from the west’, the ‘descent of Jesus son of Mary’, ‘Gog and Magog’, ‘sinkings of the earth in three places, one in the east, one in the west and one in Arabia’ at the end of which ‘fire would burn forth from Yemen, and would drive people to the place of their assembly’ (i.e., the place where mankind will be assembled for judgment).”
(Sahih Muslim)

Here, then, are the ten major Signs of the Last Day as prophesied by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him):

• Dajjal — the false Messiah or Anti-Christ,
• Gog and Magog,
• Smoke,
• The beast of the earth or land (most likely the holy land),
• The sun would rise from the west,
• Three sinkings of the earth
• one in the east
• One in the west
• and One in Arabia,
• A fire would come out of Yemen and would drive people to their place of assembly (for judgement),
• The son of Mary would descend. Although these signs were not given by the blessed Prophet (peace and blessings of

Allah Most High be upon him) in their chronological order of occurrence I have made an effort to put them in that order, with the ones that have not as yet occurred at the bottom of the list. How did I arrive at the above order? We know from the prophecies of the blessed Prophet that the third major ‘sinking of the earth’, i.e., the one that would occur in Arabia, would swallow an army that would be heading south to Makkah. That army would be on its way to attack Imam al-Mahdi, the descendent of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him). It was prophesied that he would restore the Islamic Caliphate (or Islamic model of a state) in the Arabian peninsula. It is after that sign has occurred (i.e., the third major earthquake) that the son of Mary would descend from the sky with his hands resting on the wings of two angels, and would kill Dajjal the False Messiah or Anti-Christ. The Qur’an itself has described Jesus (i.e., the return of Jesus) as the ‘ilm (which here means the very key to the subject) of the Last Hour:

“And he (i.e., Jesus) shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgment): therefore have no doubt about the (Hour), but follow Me: this is a Straight Way.”
(Qur’an, Zukhruf, 43:61)

It follows that his return must come chronologically at the end of the list. We also know that the ‘fire’ from Yemen would follow the third earthquake. And so now that it appears that the major earthquake in the East has occurred, we await four more major signs that still remain to occur. When did the first six ‘major’ signs occur?

DAJJAL
I have argued in my book, ‘Jerusalem in the Qur’an – An Islamic View of the Destiny of Jerusalem’, that Dajjal the False Messiah or Antichrist was released into the world in the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him). He has already completed the first stage of his mission that lasted for “a day like a year”, and is about to complete the second stage that lasts for “a day like a month”. The third and last stage of his mission (of impersonation of the true Messiah) that would last for just “a day like a week” would, I believe, commence when Israel replaces USA as the ruling state of the world. And that would occur when Israel wages a big war that would result in dramatic territorial expansion “from the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates”. Israel would then seize control of the Suez Canal and all the oil of the Arabian Gulf.

By the end of that third stage, Dajjal the false Messiah or Antichrist would have been born into the world of Jewish parents, would have risen to become ruler of Israel and, hence, would have completed his mission to rule the world from Jerusalem. And Allah Knows best!

An entire chapter of the book is devoted to explaining the subject of Dajjal. I am now writing a quartet of books on Surah al-Kahf of the Qur’an, and one of the four books would be entirely devoted to a comprehensive explanation of the subject of Dajjal, the false Messiah or Anti-Christ in Islam Insha Allah.

GOG AND MAGOG
I have also argued in my book that Gog and Magog were released into the world in the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him). The Qur’an itself has made mention (Qur’an, al-Anbiyah, 21:94-5) of a ‘town’ which was destroyed by Allah Most High, and the people of the town expelled, and then banned from returning to reclaim their town until Gog and Magog were not only released but, also, had spread out (around the world) in all directions.

“But there is a ban on a town which We have destroyed: that they (the people of the town) shall not return (to reclaim that town as their own); until Gog and Magog are let through (their barrier), and they swiftly spread out in every direction (replicating themselves amongst all the peoples of the world).”
(Qur’an, al-Anbiyah, 21:95-96)

I identified that ‘town’ to be Jerusalem. And since the Jews have already returned to Jerusalem to reclaim it as their own, it follows that Gog and Magog, like Dajjal, are also close to the end of their mission. And Allah Knows best!

Another entire chapter of ‘Jerusalem in the Qur’an’ is devoted to explaining the subject of Gog and Magog. In addition, the fourth of the quartet of books on Surah al-Kahf will be devoted to a comprehensive explanation of this subject Insha Allah.

DUKHAN (SMOKE)
This appears to be totality of environmental pollution (not just smog and haze) that is already wreaking havoc on the earth itself and is bringing about global warming with the consequent impact of earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding etc. The modern industrial economy that Dajjal has authored, appears to be the greatest culprit of environmental pollution in the world today. In other words, we have been tricked into causing Dukhan (smoke) which in turn spawns global warming and eventual climatic disaster. And Allah Knows best! However, it is important that we note that there are several Ahadith in Sahih Bukhari that declare the sign of Dukhan (smoke) already appeared in the lifetime of the blessed Prophet.

D’ABBATUL ARD (THE BEAST OF THE LAND OR EARTH)
I have argued in ‘Jerusalem in the Qur’an’ that the beast of the earth’ is, in fact, the imposter State of Israel that now occupies the Holy Land. The learned Shaikh, Safar al-Hawali, holds the view that the ‘beast’ is the Zionist Movement. And Allah Knows best!

THE SUN WOULD RISE FROM THE WEST
Those who interpret this sign literally assume that the order of nature would be reversed despite the Qur’anic declaration that there can be no change in Allah’s creation (of that natural order):

“So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the faith: (establish) Allah’s handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (can there be) in Allah’s creation: that is the standard religion: but most among mankind understand not.”
(Qur’an, al-Rum, 30:30)

They also do so despite the specific declaration of Prophet Abraham (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him) that his Lord-God causes the sun to rise from the East. Abraham then proceeded to challenge the King to cause the sun to rise from the West if he possessed power greater than Allah’s:

Hast thou not turned thy vision to one who disputed with Abraham about his Lord, because Allah had granted him power? Abraham said:

“My Lord is He Who giveth life and death.” He said: “I give life and death.” Said Abraham: “But it is Allah that causeth the sun to rise from the East do thou then cause it to rise from the West!” Thus was he confounded who (in arrogance) rejected Faith. Nor doth Allah give guidance to a people unjust.
(Qur’an, al-Baqarah, 2:258)

And so they wait for that western sunrise as an event that would literally occur, while ignoring the basic rule that no Hadith can contradict the Qur’an.

But this sign has provoked numerous other non-literal interpretations, all of which agree that it has already occurred. Our view is that the rising of the sun from the West symbolizes an upside– down world in which mankind is led by their noses to a way of life which would be the very opposite of that natural way ordained by Allah. Natural money, for example, so identified in the Qur’an, is derived from precious metals. When such money is in short supply in a market such as Madina’s, then a substitute in the form of commodities such as wheat, barley, dates, salt, etc., can temporarily take its place. Around the world today that natural money with intrinsic value has been displaced by artificial money with no intrinsic value and it is used as an instrument of oppression. That upside-down unnatural way of life has already been accepted by most of mankind. In this sense, therefore, the sun is already rising from the West. And Allah Knows best!

THREE SINKINGS OF THE EARTH
Many terrible earthquakes have already occurred in history. They have no relevance to our subject. We are concerned with three major ‘sinkings of the earth’ that would occur at a specific moment in history, i.e., they would occur at a time that would herald the return of Jesus, the Messiah, the son of Mary, and Messenger of Allah Most High. One would occur in the East, the second in the West, and the third in Arabia. When the third one takes place, the world of Islam would suddenly and dazzlingly reenter the affairs of the Arabian peninsular, as well as of the world, in the same revolutionary way that it did in the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him). This appears to be the meaning of the last of the major signs (prior to the return of Jesus) mentioned by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him), i.e., that a fire would come out of Yemen and drive people to their place of assembly (i.e., for judgment) which is Arafat in Arabia.

THE EARTHQUAKE IN THE EAST
I believe that the recent massive earthquake and resultant Tsunami in South East Asia which has claimed many more than 100,000 lives, is the earthquake of the East mentioned by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him) in the ten major Signs of the Last Day. It could thus be the first of three such earthquakes heralding the return of Jesus (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him). I came to this conclusion because of the following reasons:

Firstly, the prophecy of the blessed Prophet is that a ‘khasf’ would occur in the East, i.e., the earth sinks down or caves in. A ‘Tsunami’ is defined as a sea wave of local or distant origin that results from large-scale seafloor displacements associated with large earthquakes, major submarine slides, or exploding volcanic islands. When this recent displacement of the earth occurred under the sea, and consequently resulted in the massive Tsunami, it ensured that those who have maliciously concealed the Truth time and again in history could not conceal this major Sign of the Last Day. The magnitude of the event, i.e., the severity of the earthquake (9 on the Richter scale) and, more importantly, the massive damage already done and still unfolding, makes it absolutely unique for mankind today.

Secondly, I am impressed by the location of the event – it occurred in that East which is clearly east of Madinah.

Thirdly, and most important of all, I would like to direct attention to the time that it occurred. This was after the liberation of the Holy Land (1917), and return of the Jews to reclaim the Holy Land as their own (1918-1948). It was also after the restoration of a State of Israel in the Holy Land (1948) and the growth of Israel to become a superpower in the world (i.e., the present). Finally it occurred at precisely that time when Israel is about to wage her big war of massive territorial expansion after which Israel would replace USA as the ruling state in the world. Jesus cannot return until all these things have occurred. It has also occurred at that time when the prophecy of the Prophet concerning the abandonment of the Hajj seems about to be fulfilled. The Hajj would pose a gigantic security threat to the present Saudi ruling elite whenever Israel wages its big war and assumes rule over the world. And it has occurred at just that time when the US dollar has begun its perhaps irreversible decline that might culminate in its collapse. Such a collapse would also bring down all the paper-money in the world and electronic money, controlled by the Jewish-controlled banking system, would then control all the money in the money-system of the world.

This momentous Sign in the East that occurred at the end of December 2004 appears, therefore, to be a sign to mankind warning that dangerous change in the world will soon take place.

It appears to be the first of the three major earthquakes, or ‘sinkings of the earth’, as prophesied by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him), which would herald the return of the true Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah Most High. If we are correct, and Allah Knows best, then the world has to await only two more such major events before the son of Mary returns to liberate us from the oppressors who now rule the world.

THE SECOND EARTHQUAKE IN THE WEST
When a second massive earthquake (with a sinking down, caving in, or displacement of the earth) eventually occurs in the west, after the recent one in the east, that would further confirm the analysis presented in this essay. All that would then remain to occur for Jesus to descend from the clouds would be the third earthquake in Arabia that would swallow an entire army, and the fire that would come out of Yemen. We are so close to that event that we can already feel the heat of that fire. Although what appears to be the first of the three major earthquakes occurred underwater and resulted in the massive Tsunami in South East Asia, it is not necessary that the second that would occur in the west would be similar. After all, we know that the third and last major earthquake would have its epicenter on land just north of Makkah in Arabia. But it would seem that the mid-Atlantic (rather than the Pacific) may be the location of the major earthquake of the west that is to come. In case the second major earthqake occurs in the mid-Atlantic, the islands of the Caribbean and the eastern coast of USA and Canada as well as South America would be likely to be affected. It could also be a big earthquake in California along the fault.

THE THIRD EARTHQUAKE IN ARABIA
Narrated Aisha: Allah’s Apostle said, “An army would invade the Ka’aba and when the invaders reach Al-Baida’, all the ground would sink and swallow the whole army.” I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! How would they sink into the ground while amongst them would be their markets (the people who worked in business and not invaders) and the people not belonging to them?” The Prophet replied, “All of those people would sink but they would be resurrected and judged according to their intentions.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu’minin: The Prophet said: “Disagreement will occur at the death of a Caliph and a man of the people of Madina would come flying forth to Makkah. Some of the people of Makkah would come to him, bring him out against his will, and swear allegiance to him between the Corner and the Maqam. An expeditionary force would then be sent against him from Syria but would be swallowed up in the desert between Makkah and Madina.”
(Sunan Abu Daud)

It is quite clear from the above prophecy of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him) that the third earthquake would take place at the time of the advent of Imam al-Mahdi. But the Imam cannot emerge to liberate the Arabian heartland of Islam until Israel has become the ruling state in the world. And Allah knows best!

THE RETURN OF THE TRUE MESSIAH, JESUS, THE SON OF MARY
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him) has spoken extensively and in minute details about the event of the return of Jesus (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him). But that event is so rich and complex that it lies beyond the scope of this paper. However, my book, ‘Jerusalem in the Qur’an’ has dealt with the subject in some detail, and it is to that book that I now refer the gentle reader.

ONE FINAL WORD
The destiny of Jerusalem is such as to give to Muslims the greatest confidence and hope that Truth will triumph over falsehood and oppression. ‘Jerusalem in the Qur’an’ was written for precisely this purpose — i.e., to explain to Muslims the strange world in which we live today. It is a world in which the cause of Islam appears to be a lost cause. But having read the book the reader would know, if he or she had not already known it, that the reality is quite different. When they know for certain that it is the destiny of Jerusalem to give a spectacular validation of Islam’s claim to truth, Muslims should be able to summon the strength to resist the present war on Islam in which the godless world is making the greatest possible effort to destroy their faith in Allah Most High.

This is a stern Reminder from Quran for all of us . This Ayah brings me to shiver every time I read it . May Allah save us from becoming negligent  and save us from greed , selfishness and  avarice . May Allah protect us from the traps of Shaitan and keep guiding us .

Allah says in Quran:(7:175-7:176)

THE UNITY OF ALLAH 
 

The Being of the Almighty Allah Y is indeed One. It is only those who are ignorant and persist in being ignorant need an explanation on how Almighty Allah Y is One and is actually Present. Those who are Allah-conscious do not desire an explanation on this subject of Tauheed and Shirk. They in fact accept without questioning. There is a famous proverb in the Arabic language, which is as follows:

“Objects are indeed understood by its opposites.”

For example, peace can only be understood and appreciated by that person who has felt and experienced anxiety. That person though who has not felt anxiety, cannot appreciate peace. In the same manner, Day cannot be understood if a person has not experienced the Night. Likewise, if a person has not comprehended misguidance how is it possible for him to understand guidance? Using this very principle, we may ask, if a person has not understood “Shirk” or Polytheism, how is it possible for him to appreciate or comprehend “Tauheed” or Monotheism? It is, therefore, only logical that after we have understood Shirk can we then understand Tauheed.

The Almighty Allah Y has in fact very clearly explained the action Shirk and Tauheed, thereby completely eradicating the concept of non-religion. It is very surprising that after explaining the differences in the concept of Tauheed and Shirk so clearly, there are still doubts in the minds of those whose sole duty it is to destroy the concept or fundamentals of unity found in Islam.

THE MEANING OF TAUHEED
 

The meaning of “Tauheed” is to believe that there is no Partner to Allah Y in His Being and in His Attributes. In other words, how Almighty Allah Y is, we do not believe that there is another being like Him Y. If any person believes on the contrary, then his belief would constitute Shirk. We should remember that the attributes of Allah Y, among others, include the act of Listening, Seeing and Possessing Knowledge. If any individual believes that another possesses these Attributes, he will be guilty of Shirk.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TAUHEED AND SHIRK
 

After we have understood the meaning of Tauheed, the natural question that arises is, if knowledge, which is one of the Attributes of Allah Y, is ascribed for another individual, will this really mean that we are guilty of Shirk? We know that Listening and Seeing are also among the Attributes of Allah Y. If we prove these very attributes for another individual, will we be guilty of Shirk? In the very same manner, the Attributes of Living is also among the Attributes of Allah Y. If we ascribe this attribute for another individual will we again be guilty of Shirk?

THE DIFFERENCE
 

No! Dear Muslim Brothers and Sisters, do not be deceived by those who hope to mislead you. You should remember that indeed Almighty Allah Y possesses the Attribute of “Living”, yet He Y has, also through His Mercy, bestowed upon His creation this very quality. The attribute of living though, which we relate to ourselves, is not the same Attribute of Living as we relate to Allah Y. The difference is that His Attribute of Living is non-bestowed, while the attribute of living which we posses is one which we have been bestowed with by Allah Y. The attribute of living which He has bestowed upon us is temporary and non-eternal, while His Y Attribute of Living is Eternal and non-bestowed.

If this principle and law is applied to all qualities and attributes, then the question of Shirk will never arise. It is simple, yet, as we have mentioned earlier, those Muslims whose sole aim is to deprive Islam of its unity, peace and harmony, intentionally make it difficult so that the simple-minded Muslims become confused and misguided.

HAS THE ALMIGHTY ALLAH Y GIVEN MAN
POWER AND AUTHORITY?
 

The answer to this is quite simple. If man has not been given power and authority, then what indeed is the difference between him and stone? We know that the Almighty Allah Y possesses Power and Authority. We also know that He Y has created these attributes within man. You may well ask, if both possess power and authority, then what is the difference? The answer to this is quite simple. If one applies the above law and principle, there is no doubt that the Almighty Allah Y possesses Power and Authority, yet, although possessing these Attributes, He Y is not subservient to anyone, neither have these Attributes been given to Him Y by anyone. His Y slave, man, on the other hand, possesses these attributes of power and authority, yet, he is still subservient to the Almighty Allah Y, and these attributes are not his, rather they have been bestowed upon him by the Almighty Allah Y.

THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE ALMIGHTY ALLAH Y
AND HIS SLAVE
 

This very same principle as explained above, can be applicable to the question of Knowledge, Seeing, Listening, and other Attributes. The Almighty Allah Y possesses these Attributes and so does the slave. No one has given these Qualities to Allah Y, whilst the slave, on the other hand, has been accorded these attributes by Almighty Allah Y. This is, in fact, one of the clear differences between the Almighty Allah Y and His slave.

We understand that if the Almighty AllahY has bestowed an attribute, which is conferred to any slave, upon the slave, then this belief cannot be labelled as Shirk. For example, if we relate the quality of “hearing” to a slave, we must therefore believe that the Grace of Allah Y has bestowed this attribute of “hearing” upon the slave, then this belief cannot be termed Shirk.

At this point an important question arises. Applying the above principle, we ask, why is it that we condemn the Idol worshippers who also believe that their Idols have been given these amazing powers by Allah Y. Are they not using the very same principle, which we are applying?

The answer to this question is quite clear and simple. When the Idol worshipper believed that their Idols were a creation of Allah Y, they also should have believed that the slave is indebtedly in bondage to the Creator Y. Without the Creator Y, the creation cannot come into being. They also should have believed and accepted that, as in life or in death, the slave is in need of the Creator Y. But, they refused to believe and accept this principle, that is, Allah’s Y Authority.

They began to believe that although their Idols were a creation, Almighty Allah Y had given the Idols Divinity and total “God-head”. They believed that after creating their Idols, there was now no need for submission towards Almighty Allah Y to complete (Allah forbid!) because their Idols could do whatever it wished, even if Almighty Allah Y had not commanded it to do a certain thing. The Idol worshippers could not understand this very simple principle, that is, that the creation can never to totally independent of Almighty Allah Y.

DIVINITY CANNOT BE GIVEN
 

Indeed, Almighty Allah Y, through His Mercy, may bestow upon His slave whatever powers He wishes, yet He Y would not bestow Divinity, which is Permanent and Independent, the attributes given to His slave are not permanent or even independent. The Idol worshippers believed that because of the tremendous worship performed by the Idols, “Laat” and “Manaat”, Almighty Allah Y set them free to do as they pleased. Based on this belief, the Idol worshippers believed that their Idols have been given Divinity and God-head. Any person who believes that Almighty Allah Y has given His certain slave God-head and Divinity has committed Shirk. There is no doubt in this. This is another difference between the Muslim and the Idol worshipper. The Muslim believes that the servant of Allah Y will always remain a servant and can never become one possessing God-head and Divinity.

DEEDS PERFORMED BY THE SLAVE THROUGH

THE PERMISSION OF ALLAH Y CAN NEVER

BE TERMED SHIRK

The Almighty Allah  states in the Holy Quran:

“Who is it that can intercede with Him, except with His
permission.” (Sura Baqara: 255)

From this Quranic injunction, an important fact is becoming apparent to us. Almighty Allah Y is quite clearly stating to us that not everyone will be given permission to intercede except those to whom He Y has given permission. It is also a warning to the Idol worshippers, in that they should not believe and hold high esteem of their Idols considering that their Idols have never been given permission to intercede for their worshippers. This clearly proves that their Idols are totally useless.

The beloved slaves of Allah Y, on the other hand, have been given permission to intercede. The first to intercede will be the Prophet Muhammad r as proven by many authentic sources. Thereafter, the other Prophets u, the Martyrs (Shuhada t), the Saints t, etc. Another important fact we must always bear in mind is that if an individual performs a duty without the Permission of Allah Y, then this would be considered Shirk, whereas if a duty has been allocated, as will be discussed shortly, then this cannot be considered Shirk.

The Holy Quran is evidence of Hazrat ‘Isa  u explaining to his nation some of his amazing miracles. This serves as a reminder to all, of the power and authority bestowed by Allah Y upon His beloved servants. He states:

“I heal those who are born blind and the leper and I raise

the dead by Allah’s permission.” (Sura Ale Imraan: 49)

We know that to perform amazing duties as explained by Hazrat ‘Isa u is indeed the Grace of the Almighty Allah, yet this great Prophet u is actually stating that he can perform them. Is he guilty (Allah forbid!) of committing Shirk? No, for he has clearly proven by one verse the difference between Shirk and Tauheed.

When he has said, “these duties are performed through the permission of Allah”, immediately, the question of Shirk is dismissed and the entire concept becomes one of Tauheed. Keeping this in mind, when Muslims state that great Prophets u and Saints t can perform miracles and do so with the Permission of Allah Y, how can any sensible person call this action as being Shirk. This belief is purely Tauheed.

If one questions this and states that a Muslim cannot perform these amazing duties (of miracles and interceding) then he is contradicting numerous Quranic verses and Ahadith wherein amazing qualities and attributes of the special servants of Allah Y are explained.

THE REASON FOR THE CREATION OF MAN
 

Every creation of the Almighty Allah Y has been created for some specific reason and purpose, namely, the sun, the trees, water, the wind. Explaining the purpose for the creation of Man, the Almighty Allah Y states:

“I have not created Man and Jinn, but that they
worship Me.” (Ad Dhaariyat: 56)

Worship can only be performed if there is recognition. In other words, mankind and Jinn have been created to recognize the Almighty Allah Y. The question that arises is, what is the outcome of this recognition? It means that the more we recognize Allah Y, the more we worship Him Y.

From the above discussion we come to realize that mankind has been created to recognize Allah Y, and by doing so we become closer. In other words, closeness to Allah Y is the pinnacle of glory in the life of mankind.

By understanding this, we must examine it’s connotation, it’s results and it’s meaning in the light of Islamic Law.

There is a Hadith-e-Qudsi found in the Sahih Bukhari explaining this: The Prophet r has explained that the Almighty Allah Y has stated: “He who has caused enmity with My Wali (Friend), I give him declaration of war. Among those acts through which My slave achieves My closeness, the most beloved are the Fardh (Compulsory) acts. My slave also achieves My closeness through the Nafil (Optional) deeds, till I make him into My beloved. When he becomes My beloved, I become his ears through which he listens, his eyes through which he sees, his hands by which he holds, his feet by which he walks. When he pleads to Me for anything I definitely bestow it on him. When he seeks refuge in Me from any bad deed, then I definitely save him from it.”

Some individuals state that only after achieving this status does the slave refrain from all bad deeds. This thought is a flagrant misinterpretation of the Tradition, for any person possessing a little common sense will tell you that after refraining from all bad deeds, does the slave achieve this status. In other words, after he has adopted piety and abstinence, does he stand any chance of becoming the beloved.

In the following verse, Almighty Allah Y is explaining how we can achieve His Y closeness. He states:

“Say (O Muhammad to them), if you love Allah follow me,

Allah will love you.” (Sura Ale Imraan: 31)

In other words, after we have adopted piety and abstinence in following the Holy Prophet r, will we have any chance of becoming a beloved? The slave first refrains from bad deeds and actions. He then performs the Fardh and Nafil acts continuously. Then only does he become the beloved. It is not possible for him to continue performing evil deeds and still feels he can become the beloved servant of Allah Y.

Imam Fakhrudeen Raazi t in his “Tafseer Kabeer”, explains the above Hadith: “In the same manner, if the slave continuously adopts good deeds, then he indeed reaches that stage of which the Almighty Allah Y states that He becomes the slaves eye and ear. When the Magnificent Noor (Light) of AllahY becomes the eye of the slave, then the slave perceives things near and distant. When this Light becomes the hand of the slave, then he, the slave, is then able to dispense with things easy and difficult, near and far.”

We also come to realize from this explanation that the beloved slaves of Allah Y have been given the power to help and assist. Once we have proved this, how can we call it Shirk if we implore them for assistance? It can never be Shirk, for although the slave and the Creator Y can help and assist, remember that the Creator Y possesses this Attribute without it being given to Him by anyone. The slave, on the other hand, possesses these attributes after Almighty Allah Y has given it to him, and we still believe that the slave is the servant of Allah Y and is still subservient to Him Y. This is the belief of all Muslims.

When we have understood and accepted this, the difference between Tauheed and Shirk becomes quite clear, yet, unfortunately, there are certain individuals who state that they believe in Allah Y, yet consider asking His beloved slaves for assistance as Shirk. If this indeed be their faith, then what, we ask of you, is Kufr?

It also seems to be the habit of these “believers” to relate verses meant for the Kufaar towards Muslims, perhaps they are merely following the habit of their forefathers. It is recorded in the Sahih Bukhari, that Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Omar t used to despise the Khaariji sect the most. Why? Let us see. He considered them the worst of creation. He use to say that “these people have made it a practice of theirs, that whatever verse has been revealed against the idol worshippers, they relate these verses towards the Muslims.”

  

IMPORTANT QUESTION
 

Some individual has asked this question, and we feel that it should be answered. The question is this: we accept that the beloved slave of Allah Y possesses all these magnificent attributes. We accept that he can assist and help. Yet, are not all these attributes only prevalent in him when he is in this world, for when he dies, will not his body become a heap of sand and rubble? When it does become a heap of sand, will not all the attributes found in him be immediately nullified?

ANSWER
 

This doubt, in fact, has only been created, for we have merely considered Man to be a combination of flesh and bones. This manner of thinking is indeed incorrect for the essence of man is not flesh and bones, rather it is the soul. The soul, unlike the flesh and bones, never dies. If we accept that his soul will die, then how will he experience the punishment and reward within the grave? Describing the condition within the grave, the Prophet r has stated that the grave is sometimes a Garden of Paradise and sometimes a Pit of Hell.

We, therefore, logically ask: for who is this grave sometimes a Pit of Hell or sometimes a Garden of Paradise? It is, without doubt, for the soul, which is still alive. The soul always has a connection with the body even if the body, described as the rays of the sun, even though it may manifest itself on a heap of sand, on a tree or on the roof of a house, it still has a relationship with the sun.

So we judge from this that the essence of man is the soul, it is this which enables him to assist us in times of need and anxiety.

Another query that seems to confuse people is: how is it that we cannot see the punishment or reward experienced by the body or the soul? The answer to this is simple. The happenings of the grave are being experienced within the Aalam-e-Barzakh, a world in itself which means, “The Screened World.” A logical explanation of this would be that if a person complains about a headache and although the pain he is experiencing is an absolute reality, we cannot perceive it or even comprehend it simply because the pain is screened from our eyes. Similarly, punishment and reward is experienced within the grave.

Another example would be of a person dreaming. Although he is seeing himself burning, we cannot see him burning or receiving a gift, for the simple reason is that his life in that context is screened from our eyes.

THE SQUEEZING OF THE GRAVE
 

It is reported in the Ahaadith that when the person is placed within the grave, the grave squeezes him, be he Muslim or non-Muslim. The earth could be described as “the mother”, for man has been created from sand. Therefore, it stands to reason that all will return to her. Some of her children who have adopted piety and abstinence, they she will be welcomed and agreeably received. Those, on the other hand, who have adopted disgraceful behaviour and dishonour, she will receive them, not welcome them, but rather to punish them. This example clearly describes how a Muslim and non-Muslim will be treated in the grave. It will welcome the Muslim as a mother caressing her child, while she will squeeze the disbeliever till his ribs appear on opposite sides. This illustrates that the soul never dies and that the reward or punishment within the grave is a reality.

Let us return to the discussion describing the magnificent attributes possessed by the beloved slaves of Allah Y. Having proven that his soul and body still possesses these attributes, it means that he can still assist us, traverse miles on end, listen and see things far and near. When he can still do these things with the Permission of Allah Y, then how can any sane person term it as being as Shirk if we ask them to assist us?

In the Tirmidhi Shareef, Hadrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas t narrates that a Sahaba t once pitched his tent on a plot of ground without realizing that he was doing so over a grave. After a while, he realized that his tent was over a grave for he could hear the recital of the Sura Mulk. He related the entire episode to the Prophet r, who replied that the recital of Sura Mulk indeed assists the person within the grave and protects him from pain and punishment.

From this episode, we see that the beloved servants of Allah Y are still alive within their graves, or else the Prophet r would have merely disregarded the entire incident. But he did not do so. Rather, he commented on the excellences of the Sura Mulk, which means that he also accepted that the beloved servants of Allah Y are still alive within their graves.

Let us relate another incident from the period of the companions. It is recorded that in the period of Hadrat Mu’awwiya t a canal was dug between Mecca and Medina. Co-incidentally, the canal passed through that plot of land where the Shuhada t (Martyrs) of Uhud lay buried. A person while digging accidentally cut the foot of a Shaheed t with a spade. As a result of this, blood began to flow from the blessed foot. We learn from this incident that aside from their souls, even the bodies of these great and beloved servants of Allah Y are alive. This incident is narrated in “Jazbul Quloob” by Sheikh Muhaddith Delwi t and “Sharahus Sudur” by Imam Jallaludeen Suyutwi t.

Let us now quote another example from the period of the Taabe’ins. Imam Abu Na’eem t in his book, “Hilyatul Awliya”, narrates from Hadrat Sa’eed t. The great Saint states, “By Allah, Hameed Taweel t and myself were burying Hadrat Thaabit Nibhaani t. As we were setting the final rocks, one rock accidentally fell into the grave. As I peeped into the grave, I saw that Hadrat Thaabit Nibhaanit was about to perform the Salaah and he was imploring Allah Y in the following manner, ‘O Allah, You have given certain of Your creation the Permission to perform their Salaah within the grave, give me also the same permission’. It was indeed beyond the Mercy of Allah Y to refuse him.”

N.B.: Hadrat Thaabit bin Aslam Nibhaani Basri t was a Taabi’in. He has narrated Ahaadith from Hadrat Anas t and various other Companions. Shuba t states that he used to complete the recitation of the Holy Quran in one day and night. He also used to fast during the day. Abu Bakr Al Muzni t states that he had not seen a more pious person than Thaabit bin Aslam t. (“Kashfun Noor”, Imam Abdul Gani Naablisi t, pg. 9)

Imam Baihaqi t narrates from Qazi Nishapuri Ebrahim t who states that, “A pious woman passed away. Among those that were present for her Janaaza was a coffin thief, who attended only with the intention of noticing where she was being buried. As darkness set in, he dug the grave and was about to steal the coffin when the pious lady exclaimed, ‘By Allah, how strange that a dweller of Paradise is stealing the coffin of another dweller of Paradise’. She explained that whosoever took part in her Janaaza, Allah would forgive them, and that the coffin thief took part in the Janaaza. The thief immediately covered the grave and repented with a true heart.” Indeed this is the greatness of the beloved servants of Allah, that one goes to them as a thief and returns as a Saint himself.

It is reported in the Hadith-e-Qudsi that the Almighty Allah Y has stated: “When My slave, becomes My beloved, then his words and attributes become the mirror of My Words and Attributes. Whatever he pleads for, I bestow it upon him. If he seeks refuge in Me, I protect him.”

As we have seen, all these gifts are still found in the beloved servants of Allah Y even after they have departed from this world. It is due solely to this that the believing Muslims visit the graves of the Saints t for they are indeed people who have been promised the Mercy and Assistance of Allah Y. We derive from these proofs, that if an individual goes to the Mazaar of a great Saint t and implores to him in this manner, “O beloved servant of Allah Y, you are indeed the beloved slave of Allah. Please ask the Almighty on my behalf,” how, we ask of you, can this be termed Shirk, when the Almighty Allah Y Himself has promised them all these gifts?

After considering these facts, if any person feels that he cannot achieve any help and assistance by visiting a Mazaar of a great Saint, then he has not in any way insulted the Saint, rather he has doubted the promise of Allah Y whereas Allah Y has promised his slaves His assistance.

Till now, we have proved that help and assistance that can be rendered by the beloved slaves of Allah Y in this world and in the Aalam-e-Barzakh, the question is: will they be able to assist us in the Hereafter?

This answer has already been given by the Holy Prophet r. He has stated: “The Ulama, the Hufaaz, and the Shohadah of my followers will indeed intercede on the Day of Judgement. Even the infant whose parents are Muslims will intercede.” If, as some misled individuals say, that it is Shirk to ask the creation for assistance, then how will these above mentioned beloved slaves help us on the Day of Judgment. This again is proof that it is not Shirk to ask them in this world either!

The events that will take place on the Day of Judgment are clear to all. We know that mankind will go to each Prophet u seeking assistance, when finally they reach the Holy Prophet r, he will say, “I am for it (that is, I am that person who will intercede for you).”

He will then go into prostration and Praise the Almighty Allah Y, after which the Almighty Allah Y will say, “O Muhammad r! Raise your head. Speak you shall be listened to. Ask, it shall be given to you. Intercede, your intercession will be accepted.”

The Prophet r will then intercede. After him, the great Prophets u and Saints t. If it is Shirk to ask the beloved servants of Allah Y for assistance, how will it be permissible on the Day of Judgment? We suggest to those who consider this action as Shirk to voice their opinion on the Day of Judgment, perhaps they will be amply “rewarded” for their folly.

May the Almighty Allah Y bestow upon people the Imaan to differentiate correctly between Shirk and Tauheed. Aameen!