05—
BIO
BELIEVE
I believe
Become Islamic Brands of istiqaamah
The state of the ummah is at its lowest. And we have no one to blame but ourselves. Allah Azza wa’ Jall says: “Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by (reason of) what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of (the consequence of) what they have done that perhaps they will return (to righteousness).”[1]
The sooner we realize that we’ve erred, the closer we are to change; hence, the closer we will draw to success. In the words of Imam Malik (rahimahullah), “and the last part of this ummah cannot be rectified, except by that which rectified its first part.”[2] This change requires tarbiyah (constant improvement of ourselves), which in turn, will be the basis of reformation that will transcend the ummah; one step at a time (with true constancy). If we do so, Allah Azza wa’ Jall reassures the ummah of victory: “Verily, those who say: “Our Lord is (only) Allah,” and thereafter stand firm (on the Islamic Faith of Monotheism), on them shall be no fear; nor shall they grieve. Such shall be the dwellers of Paradise, abiding therein (forever): a reward for what they used to do.”[3]
This change doesn’t happen overnight (as is witnessed in the seerah of the Salaf); rather it is a step by step process that requires discipline, sincerity, willingness, constancy, commitment and perseverance. We have to get in there and get our hands dirty. The fundamentals of Islam (i.e Tawheed and correct creed) deserve priority throughout this tarbiyah. It should be comprehended and internalized, followed by the actions of our limbs for verily the Salaf looked at a man’s actions, not his words. This is the essence of reformation as Allah Azza wa’ Jall says: “Verily! Allah will not change the good (or bad condition) of a people as long as they don’t change their state of goodness (or sins and wrongdoings, etc.) themselves.”[4] Imam Ibn ‘ul Qayyim (rahimahullah), commented on this verse: “Ponder upon the hikmah (wisdom) of Allah Azza wa’ Jall, where He has made people’s kings, leaders—and those of authority over them—of the same kind as their own deeds. It is as if the people’s deeds appeared in the forms of their kings and leaders.”[5] This is further clarified in an (excerpt) of a lengthy hadeeth where the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa’ sallam) said: “...If people should break their covenant with Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa’ sallam), you should realise that this has never happened without Allah sending an enemy against them to take some of their possessions by force. If the leaders do not rule according to the book of Allah, you should realise that this has never happened without Allah making them into groups and making them fight one another.”[6]
If the ummah is honest with themselves, we need to own up and realize that the state of the ummah (as we witness it today), is a direct result of (and in accordance with) our own deeds; and therefore there are no shortcuts of transformation except through the very same ways the Salaf-us-saliheen went through.
As Allah Azza wa’ Jall says: “Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe” and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful; and He will surely make evident the liars.”[7]
Furthermore, concerted efforts and constancy need to be exerted; as well as ensuring that our sources of income are halaal. As Allah Azza wa’ Jall says: “Help you one another in al-Birr and at-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment.”[8]
This is your life, your destiny; leave a legacy bi’ithnillah.
And all along the way, I want to be part of this heroic journey, providing a platform to help, facilitate, orient and synergize your branding goals for dunya and akhirah—the halaal way. And glad tidings! The Prophet (sallallaahu’ alayhi wa’ sallam) said, “There will not cease to be a group from my Ummah, obedient to Allah’s orders. They will not be harmed by those who desert them—nor those who oppose them—until Allah's order comes about; and they have ascendancy over the people.”[9]
This ummah will be victorious; as it has been, throughout the ages. But it needs real men: men that will step up and take the mantle of the legendary heroes of yesteryear. Their names became a brand because their actions were in accordance with their stance, in a turbulent environment. Today is no different: the ummah is waiting, the pulse of honour vibrating; the conditions, conducive. Any day now. The tarbiyah is in motion and Allah Azza wa’ Jall has already made the call: “So stand (ask Allah to make) you [Muhammad (sallallaahu’ alayhi wa’ sallam)] firm and straight (on the religion of Islamic Monotheism), as you are commanded…”[10] And know O’ men—our heroes of today—that the rewards of your striving (on istiqaamah) will be greater than you can envision; as the Prophet (sallallahu’ alaihi’ wa’ sallam) said: “After you there will come days during which being patient will be like holding onto a hot coal. The one who strives during those days will have a reward like that of fifty men who strive as you do. It was said: “O’ Messenger of Allah (sallallahu’ alaihi’ wa’ sallam), the reward of fifty men like them or like us?” He said: “No, the reward of fifty men like you.””[11] So here’s your chance to come close to the salaf in rewards: an opportunity many dream of yet how many achieve it?
Shaykh ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said: “The greatest of miracles is adhering to istiqaamah.”[12] So you too adhere to istiqaamah and—rise!
The rewards are waiting.
FOOTNOTES:
01. [Qur’an 30:41]
02. [‘Iyaadh in ash-Shifaa’]
03. [Qur’an, 46:13-14]
04. [Qur’an, 13:11]
05. [Muftaah Daarus-Sa’aadah]
06. [Ibn Majah/Abu Nu’aym in Hilyatul-Awliya]
07. [Qur’an, 29:2-3]
08. [Qur’an, 5:2]
09. [Hadith, Bukhari/Muslim]
10. [Qur’an, 11:112]
11. [Hadith, at-Tirmidhi]
12. [‘Madarij as-Saalikeen’]