Being strong
Sh. Kifah Mustapha
Muslims are living now with a feeling of desperation that is affecting their lives on all levels. The feeling of failure to be strong as an Ummah or as individuals has paralyzed our ability to function normally in positive ways to enhance our status in life as well respected Muslims. When we see how Muslims are divided, our lands are under occupation, and how we are treated with suspicion in airports around the world (which are just some examples); such status leaves Muslims questioning the ability to come back strong and leaves little hope for ever gaining respect from other individuals, nations and countries around the globe.
When we add to that the misunderstanding of some verses and Hadiths by people lacking knowledge or wisdom, it contributes to such a sense of despair and minimizes the chance for regaining strength. For example, when the prophet (pbuh) spoke about the division of this Ummah into 73 sects, all would be in Hell but only one in Heaven (Hadith narrated by Abu Daoud); people felt an impending doom and weakness rather than taking the lessons learned from this Hadith! The lesson is that even in these divisions, the truth is still there and people can still hold on to it! So act on it, seek the truth and implement it in your life for there is one group holding onto the truth. Another example is the Hadith of the prophet (pbuh) when he spoke about nations coming to attack the Muslim Ummah like a group of people approaching a plate of food. (Hadith narrated by Abu Daoud and Ibn Asaker); Muslims declared defeat without even trying to face such challenges! The lesson is that the prophet (pbuh) warned of the disease behind such a status (love of life and hatred of death) so that Muslims could be aware and avoid falling into it!
People are different in their definition of power or strength.
1. Some define power through how life treats them. If all the matters are fine for someone then he is strong, Allah said describing these people: {Now, as for man, whenever his lord tries him, such that He gives generously to him and blesses him, he says ”exultantly”: my lord has honored me!} 89:15. Now if none of that is happening to him then he is a loser! Allah said: {yet, as to whenever He tries him, such that He restricts for him his provision, he says “despondently”: My lord has disgraced me!} 89:16.
2. Some define power through control, compulsion and force. Allah spoke about Pharaoh declaring himself a god deceived by his claimed power. Allah said: {But “in obstinate arrogance” he belied it and disobeyed “god”, then turned away in “all” haste. Then he assembled “his people”. Thus he called out “before them”, whereupon he said: I am your lord, the most high! So god seized him, suddenly, and made an example of him-for the last “life” as well as the first.} 79: (21-25).
3. Some define power through having wealth and money. Allah gave the example of Korah (Qaroon). {Now, Korah was, indeed, from Moses’ people. But he committed injustice against them “with insolence and arrogance” – though we had given him such treasure-troves that their keys “alone” would weigh down a band “of men” endowed with might. Behold! “Some of” his people said to him: Do not exult “in the wealth of the world”! Indeed, god does not love those who are exultant}. 28:76.
Islam teaches us that strength or weakness is within the person’s self or entity. Money, wealth, force and other means are nothing but tools which if used wisely reflect a strong person but if used poorly reflect a weak person. The prophet (pbuh) said: (He is not strong, the one who wrestles, indeed the strong is the one who controls himself when angry) Hadith narrated by Bukhari. This is the power that a person should acquire first, the power within.
Islam teaches us that strength is in the truth. The truth stands strong by itself without need for anything to prove it, it is there. When a philosopher shared his thoughts with an illiterate old lady about a book he wrote showing 1000 evidences to prove that God existed, she said: “My son, if there weren’t 1000 doubts in your mind, you would not need 1000 proofs!” He said: “O Allah; grant me faith like the one of this lady.”
The term (Al Haqq) or the truth was used to describe every fact that existed. Allah named Himself Al Haqq: {this, then, is God, your Lord, the “eternal” Truth. So after the truth, what is there but error?}. 10:32. Allah called Islam the truth: {O prophet, indeed we have sent you with the truth, as a bearer of glad tidings and “as” a forewarner} 2:119. Heavens and earth are made in truth: {And He “alone” is the One who created the heavens and the earth with “the very essence of” truth} 6:73. Being honest or innocent is strength in itself even if the entire world claimed your guilt. Aisha (RAA), found strength when accused of adultery, in two things; the truth in the fact that she did not do it and in the Dua to Allah to clear her name. Allah indeed answered her prayers and exonerated her by bringing the truth of her innocence in a verse of the Quran recited till the Day of Judgment.
Because our faith in Allah is the truth, it brings power to us at all times and during all types of hardships. It helps us feel the guardianship of Allah, and this reflects power and strength in us. Allah is the (Walii) the patron and the guardian of believers. Allah said: {God is the Patron of those who believe. He brings them out from the veils of darkness into the light} 2:257. Allah reminded us also of the fact that He is the One in charge of everything and His power overrules all things. Allah said: {God has inscribed “in the preserved book of heaven”: I shall, most surely, triumph- I and My messengers. Indeed, God is all-powerful, overpowering} 58:21. Such faith brought tranquility to the heart of Mohammad (pbuh) calming Abu Bakr in the cave of Thawr. He said to him: {Allah is with us} 9:40. Bilal saw himself powerful when his masters failed to force him into Kufr. Allah reminded Muslims of their power in faith even after the loss of the battle of Uhud. {So do not grow feeble “in spirit, O believers”, nor grieve “over losses”. For you shall be uppermost, if, indeed, you are believers. If “painful” injury has touched you, then “know that” similar injury has certainly touched the people “opposing you”. And such are the days “of Life. By turns” do We alternate them among humankind}. 3:139-140. Imam Ahmad saw himself strong when he held onto the truth that the Quran is the word of Allah even when tortured and put in jail. The magicians, after believing in God by witnessing the miracle given to Moses, felt the strength and went against Pharaoh after they had been defending him! {So decree whatever “punishment” you will decree, you but decree “in” the life of this world} 20:72.
Words of truth are power. The prophet (pbuh) said: (the best Jihad is a just word by an unjust sultan) Hadith narrated by Abu Daoud. Ibrahim (pbuh) brought silence to the unjust king when he failed to respond to the truth of the actions only done by God! Allah said: {then, indeed, it is God who brings the sun from the east; so you bring it from the west! Thus he who disbelieved was confounded} 2:258.
Ethics and morals are power because they are the truth. Morals can turn enemies into friends; {for not equal are the good deed and the evil deed. “So” repel “their evildoing” with that which is the best “in the sight of God”. Then, behold! The one who had enmity for you, and for whom you had enmity, may become like a most intimate friend} 41:34. Just remember how the forgiveness from the prophet (pbuh) to the people of Makkah for all their atrocities against the Muslims brought them into brothers and sisters in Islam, after the Muslims returned to conquer Makkah.
Every Muslim should be strong, insha Allah, because of his truth, the truth that he is a Muslim, a believer in the truth, one who submits himself to Allah. This strength goes up and down depending on how much this fact rests in his/her heart. Here are some words of advice to help you see the truth in yourself:
1. Please Allah and his prophet before anyone else. Let nothing prevent you from doing that, for Allah is the ultimate Truth and no one should be pleased before Him. {If your fathers and your children and your brothers and your wives and your kinsfolk, and the wealth which you have acquired, and the commerce that you fear mat stagnate, and the dwelling with which you are well pleased are more beloved to you than God and his messenger and striving in his path, then wait until God brings his command “to punish the godless wrongdoers} 9:24.
2. Patience is your bridge to strength. The truth is there and only patience is needed to reach it and enjoy it. That is power. Allah reminded his prophet that: {therefore; be patient, “O prophet” indeed, the promise of God is “ever” true} 40:55.
3. Understand God’s divine judgment in life. Work through this system set by Allah and depend on Him for there are reasons behind everything. Allah said: { For had it not been that Allâh checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the Name of Allâh is mentioned much would surely have been pulled down. Verily, Allâh will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allâh is All-Strong, All-Mighty} 22:40.
I hope that we can see into our strength the way power is meant to be seen; to hold onto the truth in everything.
Sh. Kifah Mustapha