ALLAAH GUIDES WHOM HE WISHES
By
Ibn Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم tried hard to assist some of his close relatives towards guidance, but by Allaah's qadar, they did not get it. Have you ever reflected on the fact that Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم will not be able to do anything to save the likes of Abu Lahab, Abu Jahl and Abu Taalib from Allaah's punishment.
In an authentic hadith, it was reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم invited different clans within the Qurayshiy tribe to Islaam and he told them to save themselves from the punishments of Allaah, yet many of them didn't respond. He صلى الله عليه وسلم also warned his relatives one by one, mentioning their names, including his daughter, Faatimah رضي الله عنها to save themselves from hell-fire by following him in his Sunnah. He told them he wouldn't be able to save them from Allaah's punishment they derail. This points to the fact that Allaah will not hesitate to punish anyone who deserves His punishment no matter who he is and how highly placed.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم wished all his relatives well, and he wanted them to be Muslims. But by Allaah's decree, it wasn't all of them who answered his call. This matter calls for serious reflection if we must be truthful to ourselves. Is it not scary that parents of some of the salaf (righteous predecessors) رضي الله عنهم were not Muslims? Some of them didn't meet the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, they died upon disbelief. Some of them met the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, they were called, but they didn't answer. When the names of those companions are mentioned, we wouldn't say "رضي الله عنهما". Yet, these were people whose standard and status we can never meet till the end of time.
Do you ever wonder why the parents of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم are not added in the blessings we send to him? The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in an authentic hadith, reported by Anas رضي الله عنه confirmed that his father died upon disbelieve (Saheeh Muslim, 203). In another hadith, reported by Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه, he صلى الله عليه وسلم sought to pray for his own mother, Allaah didn't grant him permission. He was only permitted to visit her grave (Saheeh Muslim, 976). Yet, this is the man He سبحانه وتعالى love most. No wonder, he صلى الله عليه وسلم said in a hadith that if we know what he knew, we would laugh a little and cry most of the time.
It is important to note that this (status of the prophet's parent) is not a matter we are glad to mention. But when it is necessary to mention it, we must mention it because it is a matter of 'aqeedah and we should learn from it. It buttresses the fact that Allaah will not hesitate to punish anyone who disbelives or who did not get forgiveness over his sins, no matter who he is. It baffles the mind to see that some so called "Shehus" (prominent among the sufis) do tell their followers to do anything they like, that they would take them to Paradise. Even Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام will not be able to help his own father, and Prophet Nuh and Lut عليهما السلام would not be able to save their wives (Q66:10). Family or close relationship will be meaningless on the Day of Judgment (80:34-37). The only thing that can save us on that Day is strict adherence to the Qur'an and Sunnah as practised by the best generations of Muslim (Q9:100).
Do you ever wonder why the parents of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم are not added in the blessings we send to him? The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in an authentic hadith, reported by Anas رضي الله عنه confirmed that his father died upon disbelieve (Saheeh Muslim, 203). In another hadith, reported by Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه, he صلى الله عليه وسلم sought to pray for his own mother, Allaah didn't grant him permission. He was only permitted to visit her grave (Saheeh Muslim, 976). Yet, this is the man He سبحانه وتعالى love most. No wonder, he صلى الله عليه وسلم said in a hadith that if we know what he knew, we would laugh a little and cry most of the time.
It is important to note that this (status of the prophet's parent) is not a matter we are glad to mention. But when it is necessary to mention it, we must mention it because it is a matter of 'aqeedah and we should learn from it. It buttresses the fact that Allaah will not hesitate to punish anyone who disbelives or who did not get forgiveness over his sins, no matter who he is. It baffles the mind to see that some so called "Shehus" (prominent among the sufis) do tell their followers to do anything they like, that they would take them to Paradise. Even Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام will not be able to help his own father, and Prophet Nuh and Lut عليهما السلام would not be able to save their wives (Q66:10). Family or close relationship will be meaningless on the Day of Judgment (80:34-37). The only thing that can save us on that Day is strict adherence to the Qur'an and Sunnah as practised by the best generations of Muslim (Q9:100).
Today, many of us are not related to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, but Allaah سبحانه وتعالى gave us Islaam free of charge. Unfortunately, a lot of people are leaving that Islaam gradually, through the back door by abandoning the Sunnah, and treading paths of deviation that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم strongly warn us against.
What comes to mind while reflecting on this trial is the fact that guidance is with Allaah alone. There is nothing anyone can do to guide people without the help of Allaah. How do you feel when you try to explain Islaam to your non-Muslim relatives and they fail to accept your explanations? How do you feel when your close relatives make jest of you while you are trying to teach them the real Islaam devoid of bid'ah and imitation of the Kuffaar? The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم , the Companions رضي الله عنهم and past scholars faced similar trials. They were booed and humiliated just because they were preaching the Sunnah.
This is a matter that leads to tears anytime it visits the mind. You will preach to people who are not related to you, and they will accept almost immediately. But when you face your own close relatives, they do not only reject the truth, they mock and joke with it. A husband would preach to his wife, she wouldn't change. A wife would preach to her husband, he will be arrogant. A child would preach to his parents, they will ignore. A friend woud preach to his friend, he wouldn't listen. A person would preach to his siblings, they wouldn't take it. Allaah's aid is sought. Regarding those whom Allaah had destined to taste His punishments, He says in Suratul Yasin:
(وَسَوَاءٌ عَلَيْهِمْ أَأَنْذَرْتَهُمْ أَمْ لَمْ تُنْذِرْهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ)
And it is all the same for them whether you warn them or do not warn them - they will not believe. (Q36:10)
This verse is scary. May Allaah not make us to be among those who reject admonitions. May He include us among those who accept the truth and abide by it always.
No comments