Du'as against Injustice & Oppression

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Du'as against Injustice & Oppression

Compiled by Mutmainaa
www.geocities.com/mutmainaa

Whenever the Prophet Muhammad was worried or concerned, he would pray
[narrated by Ahmad ibn Hanbal, abu Dawud]

We have been taught by our beloved Muhammad that the line of prayer and supplication (du'a) is one that we must pursue and have no doubt of its worthiness and great influence. Nothing can avert the qadr (destiny) except du'a. There are deep sighs of remorse and sorrow echoed from every corner of the World. Everyday, people around the world face great hardship, are wounded and killed; facing constant barages of war and violence by merciless oppressors and murderers. Du'a is certainly the most lethal weapon we have and no crisis or catastrophe should deter us a single degree from this course. Please remember to keep those people in such dire situations in your prayers and supplications (du'a). They are most certainly, in need of it.

اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّىْ اَسْىَلُكَ الْفَوْزَ فِى الْقَضَآءِ وَ نُزُلَالشُّهَدَآءِ وَعَيْشَ السُّعَدَآءِ وَ مُرَافَقَةَ الاَنْبِيآءِ وَ النَّصْرَ عَلَى الاَعْدَآءِ اِنَّكَ سَمِيْعَ الدُّعَآءِ

Allahumma inni as'alukal fauza fil qadaai', wa nuzul-ash-shuhadaai', wa aiyshaslua'daa'i, wa murafaqatal-ambiyaai', wannasara alalaadaai', innaka sammaiiud'dua

O Allah! I ask You for success concerning my destiny, and feast with the martyr, and enjoyment with fortunate people, and the companionship of Apostles, and victory over my enemies; for it is You who listens to the Prayer

الَّهُمَّ اسْتُرْ عاوْرَتِىْ وَ امِنْ رَوْعَتْىْ

Allahummastur 'auraati wa aamin ru'aati

O Allah! Cover up my defects, and change my fear into peace

حَسْبِى اللَّهُ لِمَا اَهَمَّنِىْ, حَسْبِىْ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ بَغى عَلَىَّ , حَسْبِىْ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَسَدَنِىْ, حَسْبِىْ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ كَادَنِىْ بِسُؤءٍ , حَسْبِىْ اللَّهُ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ

Allahumma hasbi-Allahu liman hamani, hasbi-Allahu liman bagha 'alyya, hasbi-Allahu liman hasadani, hasbi-Allahu liman kaadani bisuu'in, hasbi-Allahu liman 'indal-mauti

O Allah! Suffice me in my wishes and inclinations. O Allah! suffice me against anyone who oppresses me. O Allah! suffice me against those who envy me. O Allah! suffice me against those who wish to harm me. O Allah! suffice me in the last moments of death

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْلَنَا وَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنتَ وَ اَصْلِحْهُمْ وَ اَصْلِحْذَاتْ بَيْنِهِمْ وَ اَلِّفْ بَيْنَ قُلُوْبِهِمْ وَ اجْعَلْ فِىْ قُلُوْبِهِمُ الاِيْمَانَ وَ الْحِكْمَةَ وَ انْصُرْهِمْ عَلى عَدُوِّكَ وَ عَدُوِّهِمْ

Allahumma aghfir lana, wa lil mu'miniia, wal-mu'minaati, wa aslih-hum, wa salih dhati bayynihim, wa allif baina quluubihim, waj'al fi quluubi-himul imaana wal hikmata, wa-nsurhum 'ala' 'aduw-wika wa 'aduwwihim

O Allah! Forgive us, and the believing men and women, and remove their faults, and cause peace and love among their hearts, and infuse into their hearts a firm faith and wisdom, and let them be victorious over Your enemies and their enemies.

اللَّهُمَّ اِنَّا نَعُوْذُبِكَ مِنْ اَنْنَّزِلَّ اَوْنُزِلَّ اَوْنُضِلَّ اَوْ نَظْلِمَ اَوْ يُظْلَمَ عَلَيْنََآ اَوْ نَجْهَلَ اَوْ يُجْهَلَ عَلَينَآ اَوْ ضِلَّ اَوْ اُضَلَّ

Allahumma inna na'udhubika min an nazillaaw nuzilla, aw nadhilla aw nadhlima, aw yudhlama 'alaina, aw najhala aw yujhala alaina, aw aDhilla aw uDhala

O Allah! I seek refuge in You from being over-powered by others, or that I would over-power others (unjustly), or that I should seduce or tyrannize others, or be oppressed by them; or that I be shown ignorance and vulgarity by others, or I be vulgar to them; or from going astray myself, or be mislead by others

اللَّهُمَّ عَذِّبِ الْكَفَرَةَ وَ اَلْقِ فِىْ قُلُوْبِهِمُ الرُّعْبَ وَ خَالِفَ بَيْنَ كَلِمَتِهِمْ وَ اَنْزِلْ عَلَيْهِمْ رِجْزَكَ وَ عَذَ ابَكَ

Allahumma adh-dhibil-Kafarata wa alqi fi qulubihim-urr-'uba wa khalfi baina kalimatihi wa anzil 'alaiyhim rijzaka wa adhabak

O Allah! Punish the kafirs, and cause in their hearts terror (about the true believers) and cause friction among them, and send down Your wrath and punishment on them.

رَبَّنَا لا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلْقَوْمِ الظَّلَمِنَ وَ نَجِّنَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الْكَفِرِيْنَ

Rabbana la taj'alna fitnatan-llil qaumidh-dhalimeen, wa najjinna bi-rahmatika minal-qawmil-Kafireen

O My Lord! Do not make me a trial for the wrongdoing people, and deliver me by Your Mercy from the (subjection of) disbelieving people.

اِنِّىْ مَغْلُوْبٌ فَانْتَصِرْ

Inni maghlubun fan-tassir

O Allah! I am oppressed, therefore come to my help.

اللَّهُمَّ اِلهَ جِبْرَآئِيْلَ وَ مَيْكَائِيْلَ وَ اِسْرَافِيْلَ وَ اِلهَ اِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَاِسْمَعِيْلَ وَ اِسْحَقَ عَافِنِىْ وَ لَا تُسَلِّطَنَّ اَحَدٍ مِّنْ خَلْقِكَ عَلَىَّ بِشَئٍ لا طَاقَةَ لِىْبِه

Allahumma ilaha Jibriila, wa Mika'ila, wa Israfiila, wa ilaha Ibrahima wa Isma'ila wa Ishaqa, afini wa la tusalliTanna ahadan min khalqika 'alayya bi-shayy'in la Taqata libih

O Allah! God of Jibraeil, Makaiil and Israfil, and the God of Ibrahim, and Ismail and Ishaq, Grant me peace and security, and do not let anyone of Your creatures overcome me, with anything which I have no power to forbear.
[hisn Hasin]

رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ

Rabbana afrigh alayina sabran wa thabbit aqdamana wansurna ala alqaumil-kafiriin

Our Lord! Pour out constancy on us and make our steps firm: Help us against those that reject faith
[surah al-Baqarah; 2: 250]

رَبَّنَا لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِنْ نَسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لاَ طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا أَنْتَ مَوْلاَنَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ

Rabbana la tu·akhidhna in nasina aw akhtaana, rabbana wala tahmil alaiyna isran kama hamaltahu ala alladhina min qablina, rabbana wala tuhammilna ma la þaqata lana bihi wa'fu anna waghfir lana warhamna anta maulana fa'nsurna ala alqaumil-kafiriin

Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith
[surah al-Baqarah; 2: 286]

رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِي أَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ

Rabbana aghfir lana Dhunuubana wa·israfana fi amrina wathabbit aqdamana wansurna ala alqaumil-kafiriin

Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and anything We may have done that transgressed our duty: Establish our feet firmly, and help us against those that reject Faith
[surah ali-Imran; 3: 147]

When meeting an adversary of a powerful leader

اللَّهُمَّ اِنَّا نَجْعَلُكَ فِي نُحُورِهِمْ وَ نَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ شُرُورِهِمْ

Allahumma inna naj'aluka fi nuhuurihim wa na'udhubika min shuruurihim

O Allah! We ask You to restrain them by their necks and we seek refuge in You from their evil
[abu Dawud; 2:89, al-Hakim]

اللَّهُ اَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ اعَزُّ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ جَمِيعًا، اللَّهُ اَعَزُّ مِمَّا اَخَافُ وَ اَحْذَرُ، اَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي لا اِلَهَ اِلَّا هُوَ، الْمُمْسِكِ السَّموَاتِ السَّبْعِ اَنْ يَقَعْنَ عَلَى الاَرْضِ اِلَّا بِاِذْنِهِ، مِنْ شَرَّ عَبْدِكَ [....] ، وَ جُنُودِهِ وَ اَتْبَاعِهِ وَ اَشْيَاعِهِ، مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَ الِانْسِ، اللَّهُمَّ كُنْ لِي جَارًا مِنْ شَرِّهِمْ، جَلَّ ثَنَاؤُكَ وَ عَزَّ جَارُكَ، وَ تَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَ لا اِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
(٣ مَرَّاتٍ)

Allahu Akbar, Allahu a'azzu min khalqihi jammii'an. Allahu a'azzu mimma akhaafu wa ahdharu, a'udhu billahil-ladhi la illaha illa Huwa, al-Mumsik is-samaawaatis sab'i-an an yaqa'na alal-ardhi illa bi'ithnihi, min sharri 'abdika [name of the person], wa junoodihi wa atbaa'ihi wa ashaa'ihi, minal-jinni wal-insi. Allahumma kun li jaaran min sharrihim, jalla thanaa'uka wa 'azza jarruka, wa tabaarakasmuka, wa la illaha ghairuka

Allah is Great, Mightier than all His Creation. He is Mightier than what I fear and dread. I seek refuge in Allah, Who there is none worthy of Worship but Him. He is the One Who Holds the seven heavens from falling upon the earth except by His Command. [I seek refuge in You Allah] from the evil of Your slave [name of the person], and his helpers, his followers and his supporters from among the jinn and mankind. O Allah! be my support against their evil. Glorious are Your Praises and Mighty is Your Patronage. Blessed is Your Name, there is no God but You (recite 3 times)
[Sahih al-Bukhari; al-Adab al-Mufrad, 708]

Against an enemy

اللَّهُمَّ مُنْزِلَ الْكِتَابِ، سَرِيعَ الْحِسَابِ، اهْزِمِ الاَحْزَابَ، اللَّهُمَّ مْهُمْ وَ زَلْزِلْهُمْ

Allahumma munzilal kitabi, warii'al-hisaabi, ihzimil-ahzaaba. Allahumma ihzimhum wa zalzilhum

O Allah! Revealer of the book, Swift to account, defeat the groups (of those who reject faith). O Allah! defeat them and shake them
[Muslim; 3:1362]

رَبَّنَا لاَ تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِلْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ

Rabbana la tajal-na fitnatan-lil qawmi-dhalimeen

Our Lord! make us not a trial for those who practise oppression
[surah Yunus; 10: 85]

رَبِّ انصُرْنِي عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْمُفْسِدِينَ

Rabbi annsurni alal qawmil mufsideen

My Lord! Help me against people who practise corruption and spread disorder.
[surah al-Ankabut; 29: 30]

General Comprehensive Du'as
اللهُمَ أنْصُرْ الاسْلَمُ وَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

Allahumma ansur al-Islamu wal-muslimeen

O Allah! Help Islam and the Muslims

اللهُمَ أنْصُرْ إخْوَانَنا المُجاهِدِينَ فيِ سَبِيلِكَ فِي كُلِّ مكانٍ، أللهم أنْصُرْهُمْ على عَدُوِّك و عَدُوِّهِمْ.

Allahumma ansur ikhwaanan al-mujahideena fi sabilika fi kulli makaan. Allahumma ansur 'ala 'aduwwika wa 'aduwwihim.

O Allah! Help our brothers the Mujahideen everywhere to gain victory over Your enemy and theirs

اللهُمَ أنْصُرْ إخْوَانَنا المُجاهِدِينَ فيِ فلسطين وَ الشّيشان وَ كشمير وَ العراق وَ وَ الهند وَ أفغانستان وَ الفلبّين وَ باكستان وَ فِي كُلِّ مكانٍ

Allahumma ansur ikhwaanan al-mujahideena fil falasteen, wa fi cheechan, wa fi Kashmir, wa fil Iraq, wa fil Hind, wa fil Afghanistan, wa fil Filibeen, wa fil Bakistan wa fi kulli makaan

O Allah! Help our brothers the Mujahideen in Filasteen, and in cheechan, and in Kashmir, and in Iraq, and in Hind, and in Afghanistan, and in the Philippines, and in Bakistan and in all Places.

اللهُمَ أنْصُرْ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فيِ فلسطين وَ فيِ الشّيشان وَ فيِ كشمير وَ فيِ العراق وَ وَ فيِ الهند وَ فيِ أفغانستان وَ فيِ الفلبّين وَ فيِ باكستان وَ فِي كُلِّ مكانٍ

Allahumma ansur al-muslimeena fil falasteen, wa fi cheechan, wa fi Kashmir, wa fil Iraq, wa fil Hind, wa fil Afghanistan, wa fil Filibeen, wa fil Bakistan wa fi kulli makaan

O Allah! Help the Muslims in Palestine, and in Chechnya, and in Kashmir, and in Iraq, and in India, and in Afghanistan, and in the Philippines, and in Pakistan and in all Places.

اللهُمَ أعزَّ الاسْلَمُ وَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ و اجعل هذا البلد آمِناً مُطْمَئِناً رَخاءً و سائِر بلاد المُسْلمين، بِرحْمتِكَ يا أرْحمَ الرّحِمِين

Allahumma, a'izzal Islaama wal Muslimeena, waj'al hadhal balada 'aaminan mutma'innan rakhaa'n wa saa'ira bilaadil Muslimeen. Bi Rahmatika Ya 'Arhamar Rahimeen

O Allah! Raise the standing of Islam and Muslims, and let our country and all the Muslim countries be peaceful and prosperous. By Your Mercy, O The Most Merciful.

اللهُمَّ أَعِزَّ الإِسْلامَ وَالمُسْلِمِينَ، اللهُمَّ أَعِزَّ الإِسْلامَ وَالمُسْلِمِينَ، وَأَذِلَّ الشِّرْكَ وَالمُشْرِكِينَ وَدَمِّرْ أَعْدآءَ الدِّينِ وَاحْمِ حَوْزَةَ الإسْلامِ يَا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ

Allahumma aizzal-Islama wal-Muslimeen, Allahumma aizzal-Islama wal-Muslimeen, wa adhillash-shirka wal-Mushrikeen, wa dammir adaa'ad-deen, wahmi hawzatal-Islami Ya rabbal Alameen.

O Allah! Raise the standing of Islam and the Muslims, O Allah raise the standing and the Muslims, and degrade the standing of Kufr and the Kaafireen, and Shirk and the Mushrikeen. Destroy the enemies of the Deen, and protect the lands of Islam, O Lord of the Worlds.

اللهُمَّ انْصُرْ دِينَكَ وَكِتَابَكَ وَسُنَّةَ نَبِيِّكَ وَعِبادَكَ المُوَحِّدينَ

Allahummansur deenaka wa kitabaka wa sunnahta nabiyyika wa ibadakal-Muwahhideen.

O Allah! Grant Victory to Your religion, Your book, and the Sunnah of Your prophet, and Your monotheist slaves.

اللهُمَّ فُكَّ قَيْدَ أَسْرَانَا وَأَسْرىَ المُسْلِمِِِينَ، اللهُمَّ فُكَّ قَيْدَ أَسْرَانَا وَأَسْرَى المُسْلِمِِِينَ، اللهُمَّ فُكَّ قَيْدَ أَسْرَانَا وَأَسْرَى المُسْلِمِِِينَ، وَرُدَّهُمْ إِلُى أَهْلِهِمْ سَالِمِينَ،

Allahumma fukka qayda asraana wa asral-muslimeen, Allahumma fukka qayda asraana wa asral-muslimeen, Allahumma fukka qayda asraana wa asral-muslimeen, wa ruddahum ila ahlihim salimeen.

O Allah! break free the shackles of our prisoners and the prisoners of the Muslims, O Allah, break free the shackles of our prisoners and the prisoners of the Muslims, O Allah, break free the shackles of our prisoners and the prisoners of the Muslims, and return them safely to their families.

اللهم اهدنا فِيمن هدَيْت، و عافِنا فِيْمنْ عافَيت، و تَوَلَّنَا فِيْمَنْ تَوَلَّيت، و بارك لَناَ فِيْما أعطَيْت، و قِنَا و اصْرِفْ عنّا شَرَّ ما قَضَيْت، فَإنَّك تُقْضِى عَلَيْك، إنّهُ لا يذ~لُ مَنْ ولَيْتَ و لا يَعِزُ مَنْ عادَيْت، تبارَكْتَ رَبّنا و تَعالَيْت، لك الشُكْرُ عَلَى ما أعْطَيْت، نَسْتَغْفِرُك اللهُم مِنْ جَمِيْعِ الذُنُوبِ و الخَطايا و نَتُوبُ إلَيْك

Allahumma ahdina fiman hadait, wa 'afina fiman 'afait, wa tawallana fiman tawallait, wa barik lana fima a'tait, wa qina wasrif 'anna sharra ma qadait, fainnak taqdi wa la yuqda 'alaik. Innahu la yadhillu ma walait wa la ya'izzu man 'aadait , tabarakta Rabbana wa ta'alait, lakal-hamdu 'ala ma qadait, wa laka shukru 'ala ma a'tait, mas-taghfiruka. Allahumma min jamee'i dhunubi wal khataaya, wa natubu ilaik

O Allah! Guide me among those You guide. Grant me health and pardon among those You grant health and pardon, look after e among those You look after, grant me grace in what have given me, and protect me from the evilof what you have ordained; for You decree and none decrees against You, and none is abased whom You befriend. And none is exalted whom You are at enmity with. O our Lord, who is above all things sacred and exalted, all praise is Yours for what you decree. I ask Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance
[Also known as the Qunut al-Nazila; if a major disaster or difficulty befalls on the ummah, this du'a is recommeded to be recited. [recorded in ahadith -- it is the Qunut du'a]]

اللّـهُمَّ يا خَاِلقَ السمواتِ والأرضْ يا حَامي ، يا حَافِظ اِحمِ أهلَنا في العِراقْ وَ فلسطين وَ الشّيشان وَ كشمير وَ أفغانستان . اِحمِ حبَّةَ عينِنا العراقْ وَ فلسطين وَ الشّيشان وَ كشمير وَ أفغانستان. اللّـهُمَّ واحْفظهُمْ من كُلِّ شرٍّ وسُوءْ اللّـهُمَّ أُنْصرْهم في كُلِّ مكانْ اللّـهُمَّ آميـــــــــــــــــــن اللّـهُمَّ آميـــــــــــــــــــن اللّـهُمَّ آميـــــــــــــــــــن

Allahumma Ya Khaliq as-Samawati wal ard, Ya Hammi, Ya Hafidh, Ihhmi Ahlanna Fil Iraq, wa Filasteen, wa Sheeshaan, wa Kashmeer, wa Afghanistan. Ihhmi Habbatta Ayninna Al Iraq, wa Filasteen, wa Sheeshaan, wa Kashmeer, wa Afghanistan. Allahumma wahf-dhahum Min Kulli Sharrin Wasu'. Allahumma unsurrhum Fi Kulli Makkan. Allahumma Ameen. Allahumma Ameen. Allahumma Ameen.

O Allah! Creator of the Heavens and Earth, O Protector! O Sustainer! Protect our people in Iraq, and Filastine, and Sheeshan, and Kashmir and Afghanistan. O Allah! Protect our precious Iraq, and Filastine, and Sheeshan, and Kashmir and Afghanistan. O Allah! Protect them from all that is evil and bad. O Allah! Grant victory to the Muslims all over your Land. Ameen O Allah! Ameen O Allah! Ameen O Allah!

Source: Mutmainaa.com

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:
"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:
Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,
Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."
[Ahmad]

Video: Open War on Lebanon

Contains graphic images.

(Also has music, so if you don't listen to it, put volume down)

Make dua for our brothers and sisters.

O Allah, by the Truth of Kaaaf Ha Ya Ayiiin Swaad
Save us from preoccupation with enemies
Perish them and cause them all to pay dearly
And inflict upon them speedy revenge
Today and tomorrow

O Allah, scatter their unity
O Allah, disperse their gathering
O Allah, lessen their numbers
O Allah, blunt their edge
O Allah, encircle them
O Allah, send wrath upon them
O Allah, banish them from the circle of clemency
And deprive them of the reinforcement of respite
And snare their hands and feet
And tie up their hearts
And do not let them attain their goals.

Hizb al Nasr : By Shaykh Abu Hassan As-Shadhuli

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:
"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:
Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,
Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."
[Ahmad]

Importance of Enlightened Thinking not Blind Faith

Importance of Enlightened Thinking not Blind Faith

"Since arriving at an age of discretion, the beauty and the simple purity of Islam have always appealed to me. I could never, though born and brought up as a Christian, believe in the dogmatic aspect of the Church, and have always placed reason and commonsense above blind faith." Sir Abdullah Archibald Hamilton Bart

Sir Abdullah Archibald Hamilton Bart, formerly Sir Charles Edward Archibald Watkins Hamilton, embraced Islam on 20th December 1923. A well-known English statesman, fifth baronet of the first (1770) and third baronet of the second creation (1819) Sir Abdullah was born on 10th December 1876. He was a Lieutinent in the Royal Defence Corp. and was also the President of the Selsy Conservative Association.

Introduction

Mankind progresses through thought. The most important factor affecting our actions in life is the thoughts we believe in and carry. Without thought man drifts aimlessly from situation to situation, waiting for things to happen, rather than initiating action and progressing.

Man needs to take a comprehensive view of what we are, and how we should fit into the scheme of life in its entirety. Man not only is interested in finding a solution to these basic questions, but needs to take a view in order to have a reference point for all problems he faces. In short man needs an ideology or complete way of life to believe in and to regulate his affairs.

There are answers available to these most fundamental of questions of who we are, why we are here and how do we relate to life not only now but life before us and life in the future. The challenge facing us is to exercise our minds to their full capability in finding the correct solution, a solution that can be tested against reality, and ration, and will be comprehensive for all circumstances.

Only in the adoption of a comprehensive thought and ideology will mankind both individually and collectively have peace of mind and a solid foundation upon which he is freed up to truly progress. Society needs a way of life to which all problems can be referred and solutions readily given. It is not acceptable to let life pass, without contemplating and deciding the basis upon which life itself is built and organised.

The Thinking Person

As our thoughts greatly dominate or decide our actions we should be aware of how the process of thought works. Through our five senses of Sight, Touch, Hearing, Smell and Taste man is able to receive information. The mind once it has received the reality or information can then distinguish it, provided it has previous information about it to link with what it has received. So four elements are required for thought:

1. The reality (word, information, etc)

2. The sensing or feeling transmitted to the mind

3. A distinguishing mind

4. Previous information about the reality to link with the other three.

So a person may come across a plant which he recognises as a plant from his previous information about what plants look like. Through sight, touch and smell he will perceive the reality of the plant, but without previous information about the type of plant he cannot decide if it is poisonous or edible. We should always keep these elements in mind when thinking, as without correct previous information we cannot make correct informed decisions. Just receiving information is not enough, people receiving information become educated not thinkers, the process of linking to previous information and distinguishing it is the process of thought. The search for comprehensive and truthful previous information to relate to todays reality is critical to man's success.

The Importance of Enlightened Thought

Just as the need for thought is important, the way one undertakes thought has an affect upon the quality of our problem solving and behaviour. Mankind has certain instincts and organic needs, and is constantly striving to satisfy these needs. Man will die if the organic need for food and water is not satisfied, and non satisfaction of the instincts of survival or procreation leads to misery.

Animals too have instincts and organic needs, but what differentiates man from the animal is the ability to think, man progresses and satisfies his needs after thought. Society implements rules, so we see that the survival instinct should not be satisfied by stealing from others, or that the sexual desire cannot be satisfied in any way we wish.

The way man approaches thought differs, thought can be relatively superficial, deep, or enlightened. The superficial thinker tends to judge based upon a brief look and makes decisions without understanding. Deep thought, on the other hand, examines the reality in great detail; once it is understood it is then judged. Through enlightened thought man not only understands the reality, but also all that relates to it, and only then does he judge it. So the person that buys the first colourful table that appeals to his sense of fashion is thinking superficially, whereas the man that studies the type of wood, veneer and construction of the table thinks deeply. It is only the man that takes into account these factors and his use of the table, the size of room it will fit, and his budget that uses enlightened thought.

Man will satisfy his needs and instincts through use of any of the three types of thought, but it is use of enlightened thought that takes into account the reality, previous information and all that relate to them that holds the future success for us. The view that any man holds all answers and can decide all for himself is shallow in that it does not recognise man's limitations, or does not take into account all in man's environment or links with the past and future. Similarly to look deeply and categorise man merely as flesh and bone and observe how the environment or nature has changed does not address the beginning of man, and his relationship to the rest of life. Only enlightened thought can provide a comprehensive answer and we should spare nothing in looking for the answers we need.

The Bridge from Thought to Action

When we become convinced of the correctness of a thought, that thought or idea becomes a concept which we carry, and as such it affects our behaviour. If we carry a concept of dislike about a person, that will affect our behaviour towards that person. If we feel responsible towards our husband/wife or family that will motivate us to support them. Concepts are important in that they can be changed to change degenerative behaviour.

Man should constantly challenge the concepts that he carries. Any error in accepting the truth of an idea which is wrong has a serious implication not only for the individual, but also for society, especially if the false ideas are carried widely.

Man cannot progress at all unless he carries a comprehensive concept which explains fully our situation. Such a concept must explain the relationship between man, life and the universe, and all that was before this and all that is after it. Without previous knowledge covering this most important question and enlightened thought we are in no position to deal with the questions and challenges we constantly face in life. The man that does not know who he is, where he is from and where he is going is in a sorry state.

Mankinds Greatest Question

Where did I come from, and where am I going? is the question on every child's lips at some stage. What is the relationship between man, life and the universe? What is the link between life and what was before life, and what is after life? These are all the most natural of questions which man wants an answer to, and indeed needs an answer to, to form a basis for all actions. Without an answer, we are simply running with a limited view of life, i.e. what is here and now with no regard to the past and future. Such a view of life is comparable to applying for a job without asking the interviewer what the history of the company is, who they will be working for, why the previous person left, what the job is, how the job is likely to develop, what the prospects for promotion are and so on. To simply ask for the job without any reference to the past and the future and how they are related is superficial and naive.

Should a person be drugged and wake up in a darkened room, he will naturally ask:

who put me here ?

why am I here ?

and what will happen next ? (or what is outside the room ?).

Questions of what happens after death evoke in many an uneasy feeling, a feeling that many shy away from if they do not have a convincing answer. If we look upon existence before our birth as unknown, one might say is doesn't concern us, but we all return to a situation of seeming uncertainty after death.

The truth of the matter is that we want and need answers, and we want answers with absolute clarity and certainty.

Solving the Great Question

A comprehensive answer to the question of man, life and the universe and their interrelationships through enlightened thought will provide the solution to all problems. This greater problem will act as a base or point of reference to any matter or problem relating to man and life . This is so because all problems are either partial problems related to the main problem or an outcome of the main problem. Armed with an answer to this most basic question mankind individually and collectively is in a position to progress, freed up from the constant worry of finding a correct reference point for any problem.

We are looking for the basis or creed of the ideology (way of life) for our lives. The basis or comprehensive answer must agree with reality and be categorically proven as correct, otherwise any answer stemming from the basis could be false.

Before solving the question we should set some ground rules.

1. Firstly; any answer should be comprehensive. We must have the answer to the whole question of man, life and the universe. Without this any related questions or problems stemming from life, may be left unanswered.

2. Any answer must agree with the reality and be a verifiable fact, to meet this criteria the answer must agree with man's nature and satisfy our mind or intellect.

3. To answer a question rationally requires that we limit ourselves to what we can perceive and sense. We cannot rationally assess something which is hypothetical or beyond our capacity to perceive it. With these criteria in mind, we can proceed to challenge ourselves in this most important of questions. A challenge which can solve this issue with 100% certainty, or else we remain in the dark, and with the constant inefficiency and worry that doubt brings.

Excerpt from the book "Faith & Progress" by Jamal Harward

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:
"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:
Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,
Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."
[Ahmad]

The most beloved of people according to Allah

.........is he who brings most benefit

"The most beloved of people according to Allah is he who brings most benefit, and the most beloved of deeds according to Allah the Mighty, the Magnificent, is that you bring happiness to a fellow Muslim, or relieve him of distress, or pay off his debt or stave away hunger from him. It is more beloved to me that I walk with my brother Muslim in his time of need than I stay secluded in the mosque for a month. Whoever holds back his anger, Allah will cover his faults and whoever suppresses his fury while being able to execute it, Allah will fill his heart with satisfaction on the Day of Standing. Whoever walks with his brother Muslim in need until he establishes that for him, Allah will establish his feet firmly on the day when all feet shall slip. Indeed, bad character ruins deeds just as vinegar ruins honey."
[Tabarâni, Hasan]

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:
"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:
Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,
Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."
[Ahmad]

The Way to Paradise is Very Hard

The Way to Paradise is Very Hard

Dr. `Umar Al-Ashqar

The Final Day – Paradise and Hell In the Light of the Quran and Sunnah
© 1999 IIPH, Riyadh

Paradise is very high, and ascending to lofty places takes a great deal of effort. The way to Paradise is filled with things that go against human wishes and inclinations. This needs strong determination and willpower. In a hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim from Abu Hurayrah, the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, said: "Hell has been veiled with desires, and Paradise has been veiled with hardships."

The version recorded by Muslim says "surrounded" instead of "veiled." [Jami al-Usul, 10/521, no. 8069]

An-Nisa’i, Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud report from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam said:

"When Allah created Paradise, He told Jibril, ‘Go and look at it.’ So he went and looked at it, then he came back and said: ‘By Your Glory, no one will hear of it but he will enter it." So He surrounded it with hardships and siad, ‘Go and look at it.’ So he went and looked at it, then came back and said: ‘By Your Glory, I fear that noone will enter it." [Jami al-usul, 10/520, no. 8068. Tirmidhi said: It is a gharib sahih hasan hadith]

An-Nawawi commented on the first hadith:

"This is an example of the beautiful, eloquent and concise speech of which the Prophet, sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam, was capable, in which he gives a beautiful analogy. It means that nothing will help you to reach Paradise except going through hardships, and nothing will lead you to Hell but whims and desires. Both are veiled as described, and whoever tears down the veil will reach what was hidden behind it. The veil of Paradise is torn down by going through hardships, and the veil of Hell is torn down by giving in to whims and desires. Hardship includes striving consistently and patiently in worship, restraining one’s anger, forgiving, being patient, giving in charity, being kind to those who mistreat you, resisting physical desires, etc." [Sharh an-Nawawi `ala Muslim, 17/165]

Islaam.com

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:
"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:
Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,
Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."
[Ahmad]

MARCH: [London] Action against State Terrorism Sunday 30th July 2006

MARCH: Calling for action against Israeli State Terrorism

Sunday 30 July 2006. Gathering at 2pm at Marble Arch. March to Regents Park

Sunday 30 July 2006
Gathering at 2pm at Marble Arch
March to Regents Park

Coaches leaving from Birmingham Central Mosque, 10am
for seat reservations
phone Qaisir on 07984 181 850

Coaches leaving from Slough Diamond Road Mosque 12.30pm
Elliman Avenue 12.30pm

Supported by and speakers from

Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, Islamic Human Rights Commission, Stop Political Terror, International Muslims Organisation Lebanese Welfare Organisation Dr Imran Waheed, Taji Mustafa, Hasan al Hasan, Maajid Saleemi, Shaikh Faiz ul-Aqtab Siddiqui (subject to commitments), Shaikh Ismail Haneef Al Hijazi, Brother Raza Kazim, Asim Qureshi and others

The last week has seen the Zionist government of Israel use state terrorism to cause indiscriminate destruction and killing of innocent civilians. The world has witnessed that the US and UK governments, and other G8 leaders. have given the government of Israel a green light to systematically destroy Lebanon and its people. The world has also witnessed the futility of the UN as an institution. The Muslim world has again witnessed the complicity of the leaders of the Muslim countries. Their lack of assistance to the people of Lebanon and their ongoing treaties and policies aid the government of Israel and her allies while the people of Lebanon are murdered by the Israeli war machine.

This problem is not a Lebanese problem it is a problem for all Muslims worldwide. The international community has repeatedly proven that it will never protect Muslims. We must act.

We must put pressure on governments in the region to do the following:

1. The armies of the Muslim countries must be sent to defend the people of Lebanon.
   
   
   
2. Aid must be provided to those that have been displaced or injured and the families of those that have been murdered.
   
   
3. Israel and her allies must be made to feel the diplomatic consequences of their aggression against the people of Lebanon. All diplomatic relations with Israel and her allies must be severed immediately.
   
   
   
4. Israel and her allies must be made to feel the economic consequences of their aggression against the people of Lebanon. Economic sanctions including an oil embargo must be implemented immediately.
   

Hizb ut Tahrir Britain

Make your voice heard. Send a petition statement to the Embassies of the Muslim countries


Source

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:
"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:
Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,
Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."
[Ahmad]

Article: Who are the Ghurabaa' - The Strangers?

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Who are the Ghurabaa' - The Strangers?

Abuz-Zubair

Besides the Hadeeth mentioned in the previous part of the article about the strangers, the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam made mention of these people in various other narrations that help us complete the picture of 'The Strangers'.

al-Firqatun-Naajiyah:

The Prophet SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam described them as “al-Firqatun-Naajiyah”, meaning – The Saved Sect, when he said:

“Indeed before you from the people of the book, they were divided into 72 sects, and that this Ummah will divide into 73 sects. 72 in the Hellfire and one in the Paradise, and that is al-Jamaa’ah (the Group)”
(hadeeth is authentic, see al-Amru bil-Ittibaa’ with the Tahqeeq of Mashhoor Hasan p.47)

In another narration he - SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam - said:

“They are those who are upon what I am upon today and my companions”
(The Hadeeth is Hasan due to many witness, see A’laam as-Sunnah al-Manshoorah by Ta’leeq of ash-Shalabi p.195)

So the Prophet SAW taught us that the group, which will be the 'saved sect' is upon what he SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam is upon and his companions, in belief, speech and actions. Therefore, this must be the first criterion for those who aspire to be from the saved sect, that they should be upon what the first generation was upon in belief and actions, in morals and manners, outwardly and inwardly, in public and private.

Some people claim that since the Prophet SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam used the word “Jamaa’ah” (i.e. the Group, the main body, the community), the saved sect then must be the majority of the Muslims. This belief is incorrect due to various reasons and from them are:

1. It contradicts the Ahadeeth of Ghurbah – the strangeness. Because the reason why the saved sect will be strange is due to lack of its adherents in the first place. As the Prophet SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam said:

“A small group of pious people in a large group of evil people. Those who disobey them are more than those who obey them.”
(Ahmad and Ibn Hibbaan and others. Hasan, see "The Friday Prayer" by Jamalud-Deen Zarabozo)

2. The majority of the people can be on the straight path at a time, as well as become deviated from the straight path at another point in time. As is the case with the Prophet SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam at the end of his life, followed by the four righteous Khulafa`. The adherents to Ahlus-Sunnah back then were in the majority. However, by the time of Imaam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, the majority under the influence of the government became astray by being the adherents of the Mu’tazili philosophy, and those who held on to the Sunnah became few.

Similarly, we know that Sufyaan ath-Thawree said to Yoosuf al-Asbaat:

“O Yoosuf! If you hear of a person from the east that he is a person of Sunnah, then send him Salaam. And if you hear of another from the west who is a person of Sunnah, then send him Salaam, for Ahlus-Sunnah have become few!”
(Talbees Iblees by Ibnul-Jawzi p.17 Daarul-Kitaab al-‘Arabi)

3. Another criterion of being form the saved group is, as the Prophet SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam said:

“They are those who are upon what I am upon today and my companions”
(The Hadeeth is Hasan due to many witness, see A’laam as-Sunnah al-Manshoorah by Ta’leeq of ash-Shalabi p.195)

Therefore the “Jamaa’ah” is, what is in accordance with the Qur`aan and the Sunnah, and not necessarily the trend of some community at some point in time. This is why Ibn Mas’ood said:

“al-Jamaa’ah (the group) is what is in accordance with the truth, even if you were alone!”
(See A’lam as-Sunnah al-Manshoorah p.195)

at-Taa`ifatul-Mansoorah:

In many other narrations, he SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam described them as “at-Taa`ifatul-Mansoorah”, meaning – The Victorious Group, as in the Hadeeth of the Prophet SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam:

“There will never cease to exist a group from my Ummah being apparent on the truth, those who forsake them will not be able to harm them.”
(Muslim).

“There will never cease to exist a group from my Ummah being apparent (and over-powering), until the decree of Allah comes to them while they are apparent”
(Bukhaari & Muslim).

In another narration the Prophet SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam describes them as those who establish the order of Allah when he said:

“There will never cease to exist a group from my Ummah, establishing the order of Allah. Those who forsake them or oppose them will not be able to harm them, until the decree of Allah comes and they are apparent (and over powering) upon the people”
(Bukhaari and Muslim).

In a different narration he SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam describes them as those who fight for the truth (i.e. the Mujaahideen):

“This Deen will never depart from being established, so long as there is a band from the Muslims fighting for it, until the hour is established.”
(Muslim).

“There will never cease to exist a group from my Ummah fighting upon the truth, over-powering until the day of resurrection.”
(Muslim).

“There will never cease to exist a band from my Ummah, fighting for the decree of Allah, over-powering their enemy, they will not be harmed by those who oppose them, until the hour approaches them and they are upon it (i.e. fighting for the truth)”
(Muslim).

“There will never cease to exist a group from my Ummah fighting upon the truth, over-powering those hostile to them, until the last of them fights al-Maseeh ad-Dajjaal (the false christ)”
(al-Haakim called it Saheeh (4/450), and adh-Dhahabi agreed).

In one narration the Prophet SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam indicated where this group would be found when he SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam said:

“There will never cease to exist a group from my Ummah upon the Deen, apparent over their enemy and over-powering. They will not be harmed by those who oppose them, except what afflicts them from hardship, until the order of Allah approaches them and they are like that (i.e. steadfast on the truth). They said: O Messenger of Allah! Where are they? He replied: They are at Bait al-Maqdis and on the outskirts of Bait al-Maqdis.”
(Ahmad).

The points to note in all these narrations are the following:

• There will not be a time when this Ummah will live a day without this group. As the Prophet SAW said in all the narrations mentioned above:

“There will never cease to exist a group from my Ummah...”

Therefore this necessitates that no matter what state the Muslims might be in, whether they are strong or weak, elevated above all other nations, or in a state of humiliation, at-Taa`ifa al-Mansoorah will not cease to exist and its non-existence only signifies the Day of Judgement.

• This Taa`ifah (party) will be:

1. Apparent upon the truth.
2. Apparent upon the people with evidences and proofs.
3. Establishing the order of Allah.
4. Over-powering their enemies and those hostile to them.
5. Fighting for the truth.

• There will be many people condemning them (and not necessarily them condemning everyone else), speaking ill of them, backbiting and slandering them, and manufacturing propogandas and lies against them. But none of this will be able to harm them, hinder them from the path, nor shake their determination in the least. They will continue to be apparent on the truth, apparent over the people with un-refutable evidences and proofs, as well as the sword, establishing the order of Allah and making Jihad in His path regardless of whatever blames are thrown at them.
  
• Lastly, the Prophet SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam confirms the continuity of this group “until the hour is established”. Meaning when these people disappear, Tawheed will disappear. When Tawheed of Allah disappears from this earth, indeed that is the moment when every soul will be brought to its account.

Therefore, the Prophet SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam described this faction from amongst the Ummah with different qualities and names, such as ‘Ghurabaa`’, or ‘al-Firqatun-Naajiyah’ or ‘at-Taa`ifatul-Mansoorah’. However, all these names refer to one and the same group. Indeed, this is the one group, that will be saved on the Day of Judgement, out of 73 sects of the Muslim Ummah, as foretold in authentic narrations.

What further consolidates this is what Sheikhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyah says in al-Aqeedatul-Waasitiyah by saying: ‘As for what follows: This is the belief of al-Firqatin-Naajiyatil-Mansoorah (The saved and the victorious sect)...’, without differentiating between the 'Saved Sect' and the 'Victorious Group'. Likewise we find al-‘Allaama Haafidh bin Ahmad al-Hakamee authoring a book under the title: ‘A’laam as-Sunnatil-Manshoorah li I’tiqaadit-Taafi`fatin-Naajiyatil-Mansoorah’.

There is another opinion, supported by some of the scholars that the Victorious Group is a sub-group within the Saved Sect. Hence, according to this opinion, every member of the Victorious Group is a member of the Saved Sect, but not vice versa.

However, the former opinion seems to be closer to the truth and well supported by majority of the scholars from the past and present, although, the latter opinion is also a result of a valid Ijtihad.

So who are the Ghurabaa`?

This question is raised when one looks at the various factions of the Ummah, each one of them claiming to be the saved and the victorious group. Nowadays, particularly when the Muslims have been divided even more by groupism and partisanship, we find people pointing at particular groups or parties and claiming them to be the saved and the victorious group.

One should understand that claiming a particular individual or a party to be the saved and the victorious group means testifying for them Paradise and nullifying from them the Hellfire. This goes against one of the principles of Ahlus-Sunnah, which states that we do not testify Paradise or Hellfire for anyone. Therefore it is incorrect to say that a particular individual is from Saved and the Victorious Group or a particular group of people with certain name for that matter. However, it could be said that such and such people, or a group is more deserving to be from the Saved and the Victorious Group, just as it is possible to attribute a very general group of people to the Saved Sect or the Victorious Group.

Such as the statement of Imam al-Bukhari in his “Saheeh” concerning the saved sect that, “They are the people of knowledge”.

Or the statement of Ahmad ibn Hanbal, when he said, “If they are not Ahlul-Hadeeth, then I do not know who they are”. This statement was further clarified by al-Qaadhi ‘Ayaadh when he said “Ahmad meant Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah and those who believe in the madhhab of Ahlul-Hadeeth”.

Similarly it has been reported from Ahmad Ibn Hanbal that when he was asked about this group he replied: “They are the people of west (Syria). For verily they are the ones who are fighting against the Romans. Anyone who fights against the Mushrikeen is upon the truth.”

Likewise Sheikhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyah opined that the Mujaahideen are the most deserving of people to be including in the victorious group when he said: "As for the group in Syria and Egypt and their likes, then they are in this time fighting for the Deen of Islam. So they are the most deserving of the people to enter the victorious group, which was mentioned by the Prophet SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam with his statement in the beneficial authentic Ahadeeth: ‘There will never cease to exist a group in my Ummah, apparent upon the truth. They will not be harmed by those who oppose them, nor those who forsake them, until the hour is established’, and in the narration of Muslim, ‘The people of the west (Syria) will never cease...’"
(Majmoo’ al-Fataawa v.28 p.531)

Therefore, it should be concluded that those belonging to the path of Ahlus-Sunnah in statements and actions, inwardly and outwardly, as well as those who are engaged in Jihad in our time, are indeed from the saved and the victorious group, be they from different groups and parties, from different geographical places at different times. From this we know that this group is not necessarily an organised group of people operating in a certain part of the world, rather they are individuals spread out across the globe. Amongst them are the ‘Ulamaa`, the Mujaahideen, the Du’aat (callers to Islaam), those who command the good and forbid the evil, wherever they may be.

This is why Imam an-Nawawi said in his Explanation of Saheeh Muslim v.13 p.67: "It is possible that this group is composed of different categories of the believers. So from amongst them are the brave men that are fighting. From amongst them are the Fuqahaa` (Islamic Jurists). From amongst them are the Muhaddithoon (specialists in Hadeeth). From amongst them are the Zuhhad (those who abstain from extravagance in life), and those who command the good and forbid the evil, and from them are people belonging to other categories from good. And it is not necessary that they should be all together, rather they can be separated over different regions of the earth".

Source

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:
"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:
Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,
Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."
[Ahmad]"

Article: Al-Ghurabaa` - The Strangers

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Al-Ghurabaa` - The Strangers Abuz-Zubair
Abuz-Zubair

All praise be to Allah, and the Salaah of Allah and His Salaam be upon His noble Messenger, Muhammad.

The concept of Ghurbah - Strangeness:

The Arabic word “Ghurabaa`”, is the plural of the word “Ghareeb” which is a derivative of the word “Gharaba” – which means, “to go away, depart, absent o.s., withdraw (from), leave (s.o., s.th.)”. The word “Ghareeb” means, “strange, foreign, alien, extraneous” (see Hans Wehr Dictionary).

It has been reported from the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam, which has been authenticated by al-‘Allaamah al-Muhaddith al-Albaani in his Sahih al-Jami’ as-Sagheer – that he SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam said:

“Indeed Islaam began as something strange. And it will return as something strange the way it began. So give glad tidings to the strangers”.

Indeed this is the promise of the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam who...

“... does not speak from his desire. It is only a Revelation revealed...” (Q. 53:3-4).

This Hadeeth from the blessed tongue of Muhammad SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam shows us the true nature of the Islamic revival. The Islamic revival that took place over 1400 years from now in the Arabian Peninsula, had this nature of “strangeness”, and indeed, the revival we are witnessing in our time also has the very same nature. This is so because the history is the proof that the people who rejected faith in Allah and disobeyed Him usually outnumbered those who were loyal to Allah and His Messenger SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam. Those who confirmed to the oneness of Allah were always in the minority and thus became the “Strangers” in the community for going against the current of the society they inhabited.

Sheikh Jamaalud-Deen Zarabozo outlines this in “The Friday Prayer Part III” p.62:

“Allah says in the Quran,

‘And most of the mankind would not believe even if you desire it eagerly’ (Yusuf 103).

Allah also says,

‘But most of Mankind refuses [the truth and accepts nothing] but disbelief’ (al-Isra 89)

In yet another verse, Allah states,

‘Indeed we have brought the truth to you but most of them have a hatred for the truth’ (al-Zukhruf 78).

In these verses and, in fact, in numerous other places in the Quran, Allah has told us that the majority of mankind refuses to follow the truth. Indeed, a hadith in Sahih Muslim describes that all of mankind, nine hundred and ninety nine out of every one thousand will be in the Hellfire.

This means that the true believers will always be in minority. As they look around themselves they will see the majority of mankind turning their backs on the teachings and guidance of Allah. They prefer disbelief and disobedience to faith and obedience to Allah.

The believer will look like a stranger in their midst. His beliefs, actions and way of life will be completely different from theirs. The disbelievers may even do their best to make him feel like a stranger, someone who does not belong, someone with strange ideas and practices. They may be ridiculed. Psychological pressures may be put upon them. The media may attack them and so forth.”

"Indeed Islaam began as something Strange..."

This strangeness is not something new with this Ummah in particular, rather it existed amongst all the others Prophets and Messengers before Muhammad SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam. From amongst them was the great messenger, Nooh, who gave Da’wah to his people for 950 years and they rejected and mocked him. Lut gave da’wah to his people but the Kuffaar in response mocked him and tried to exile him and attacked his honour. Ibrahim called his people to Allah by which he went against the norm of his community, and consequently, stepped on people’s toes, for which he was persecuted, and thrown into the fire. Moosa also called the Fir’awn and his people to worship Allah alone, where the former rejected his call from the first day and was destroyed, and the latter ones, in the absence of Moosa began to worship a calf besides Allah. ‘Isa ibnu Maryam called the people to worship Allah alone and he had to pay the price just like his predecessors, by being persecuted and mocked by his own people, so Allah raised him up and he is alive until this day of ours, and will return before the Day of Judgment.

Then how may one forget the most noble of the sons of Adam – Muhammad ibn ‘Abdillah – may Allah’s Salaah and Salaam be upon him. His entire biography from the beginning till the end shows us how he stood up with the call of Tawheed on the methodology of the Prophets before him. How his own people turned against him and mocked him and how this “truthful” and “trustworthy” person was overnight labeled as a magician, a poet, a mad man, ‘the one after authority’ and so on. So the Muslims in the early stages were in a state of “Ghurbah” – Strangeness, as the Messenger of Allah SAW said,

"Indeed Islaam began as something strange...".

"... and it will return as something strange the way it began..."

This indicates that the return of Islaam is a fact and that it must take the same route and methodology, and must go through the same phases of difficulties and hardship that the early Muslims went through. This is why Imam Malik – May Allah have mercy upon him – said that the latter part of this Ummah will not be corrected except by what corrected its earliest part. Therefore it is inevitable that this path of Islamic revival must consist of firm faith in all that Allah has sent down. Likewise it is inevitable that the Muslims will have to go through hardship, endless struggle, persecution, exile and all that the first part of this Ummah went through due to their correct faith.

Hence, we noticed the decline of Islam by passing of time until the Muslims were left without Khilafah. Kufr and Shirk began to creep into the Muslim ranks in its various forms, from grave worshipping to secularism, and the Islamic Law in nearly all Muslim countries was replaced by man-made laws left by the colonialists. The people of innovations, desires and even apostacy, were at last set free to spread their poisonous ideas throughout Muslim lands. Not to mention the aggressive Kuffaar, who invaded Muslim lands and enforced their ideology on Muslim populous, which resulted in various Muslim nations being cultivated for around 40 years on ideas of atheism. All of this caused Islam to nearly fade away from the lives of the Muslims globally.

In the midst of these calamities, Allah raised amongst this Ummah various personalities amongst the scholars, the du’aat (those who call to Islaam), intellectuals, thinkers, authors and the Mujaahideen in order to help and aid His religion. This is not something new to this century, rather this has been the way of Allah through out the history of Mankind. It is the promise of Allah, by the tongue of His Messenger SAW, that there will always be a party amongst this Ummah, which will hold the flag of Tawheed high up, as the Prophet SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam said:

“There will never seize to exist a group from my Ummah being apparent on the truth, those who forsake them will not be able to harm them.”
(Muslim).

They will cure this Ummah of the diseases and corruption, and they will act as a shield against all foreign beliefs, ideologies and innovations that steal away the beauty of Islam and corrput its foundations. These people are indeed, very few in number, and therefore, consequently they will become the victims of strangeness. As the Prophet SAW said about them that they are...

“Those who are righteous when the people have become corrupt.”
(Ahmad and Ibn Hibbaan and others. Sahih by supporting evidences, see "The Friday Prayer" by Jamalud-Deen Zarabozo)

Or, as reported in another narration:

“A small group of pious people in a large group of evil people. Those who disobey them are more than those who obey them.”
(Ahmad and Ibn Hibbaan and others. Hasan, see "The Friday Prayer" by Jamalud-Deen Zarabozo)

Today by the grace of Allah we can see the return of Islaam in front of our very eyes, by the youth returning to Islam and Jihad. Many of us who started practicing this religion most probably went through the early stages of strangeness. When a person merely begins to take interest in Islam, the materialistic society around him or her begins to view this person as a stranger. When this interest leads a person to increase his knowledge of Islam, this person becomes more strange in the eyes of the society. They wonder why a good looking healthy youth, would spend time reading so-called ‘religious’ books, where he could be spending his time reading some fiction-novel, watching movies or listening to music. Then this individual puts the knowledge to practice by making Wudoo and establishing Salaah five times a day, giving Zakaah, fasting in Ramadhaan and making Hajj. If this person is a brother then he grows a beard and if this is a sister, then she wears the Islamic Hijab. This surely makes this person even more of a stranger in his/her own household, where (in many cases) parents begin to worry about their practising children, the way they should have worried about them, when they were on drugs?!

Then this person takes on the duty of spreading the Message of the Messengers on his/her shoulders, by either speaking to the lost sheep of this Ummah on one-to-one basis, writing articles or giving lectures. By now, this person has become a stranger, even amongst those practicing Muslims who practice the basics of Islam but do not take the responsibility of spreading it to others. This ever increasing strangeness, however, does not hinder him from his path, so he goes a step further and devotes his life, either seeking knowledge of Islam to benefit the community with, or living his entire life on a mountain in some trench writing the history of Islam with his blood. If you think this is the limit of strangeness, then think of this person when he excels in seeking knowledge, and brightens up his career with Jihad. This person will feel strange amongst the scholars, because they look at him as a Mujahid, as he will feel strange amongst the Mujahideen, because they look at him as a scholar. However, the sweetness lies in the fact, that the more he becomes an stranger to the people, the more he becomes known and recognised by Allah.

These are the strangers (of various levels of strangeness) who are the torchbearers of Tawheed, those who restore the honour of this Ummah and bring back to her the peace and security she once enjoyed.

These are the strangers who were given the glad tidings of the Paradise, as in the last part of the Hadeeth the Prophet SAW said:

“So Toobah for the Ghurabaa`”.

“...So Tooba for the Ghurabaa`”

The word “Tooba” is the name of a tree in Paradise that is promised to the strangers in this world. Regarding the word “Tooba”, Sheikh Jamaalud-Deen Zarabozo said the following in his work, “The Friday Prayer Part III” p. 66.

“The Prophet SallAllahu 'Alai wa Sallam has given the glad tidings of a tree in Paradise for those who have to live as strangers because the people are deviating from the teachings of the Quran and sunnah. What is the characteristic of this tree in Paradise? The Prophet SAW explained that also when he said,

“Tuba is a tree in Paradise. The time it takes to transverse it is one hundred years. The clothing of the inhabitants of Paradise are taken from its sheaths.”
[Sh. Al-Albaani called it Hasan in Silsila al-Ahadeeth as-Sahihah, v. 4 p. 639]

This glad tiding of the tree of Tuba for the strangers should make us all wish, strive and aspire to be from among the strangers in this time in which Islam has truly become strange again.”

May Allah make us from the strangers in this world and the inheritors of Tooba in the Hereafter – Ameen.

Source

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:
"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:
Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,
Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."
[Ahmad]"