AlJumuah MagazineContinues to benefit people after his death, beneficial knowledge, and a pious child who supplicates to Allah for him.” [Muslim]
The Prophet (ﷺ) also said
“Whoever calls people to a guidance (good act) he will receive rewards equal to the rewards of those who do that act, while their rewards is not lessened. Whoever calls people to a misguidance (evil act), he receives sin equal to the sins of those who do that act, while their sins are not lessened. [Muslim]
This is one of the reasons why a Muslim tries his best to reform and rectify the wrongs of his society, by doing good deeds, promoting righteousness, and fighting evil and warning people from it.
[17] Islam is a religion which respects one’s intellect and thought, and has called man to use them appropriately. Allah (SWT) says:Verily, in the heavens and the earth are signs for the believers. And in your creation, and what He scattered (through the earth) of moving (living) creatures are signs for people who have Faith with certainty. And in the alternation of night and day, and the provision (rain) that Allah sends down from the sky, and revives therewith the earth after its death, and in the turning about of the winds, are signs for a people who understand. [45:3-5]
Many verses in the Qur’an address the intellect and encourage the person to think. Many times, Allah says in the Qur’an: (Do they not understand?), (Do they not reflect?), (Do they not think and ponder?) Although this importance has been given to the intellect, Islam limits the circumstances in which it should be used. One should only use it to comprehend physical, tangible things, not matters pertaining to the unseen world, for this is futile and a waste of energy.
One of the apparent ways that Islam respects unadulterated intellect is that it reprimands those who blindly follow others without knowledge, or guidance. Allah (SWT) says:
When it is said to them: Follow what Allah has sent down .They say: Nay! we shall follow what we found our fathers following .Even though their fathers did not understand anything nor were they guided?)[2:170] [18] The Religion of Islam conforms to fitrah: the natural disposition of man with which Allah created him. Therefore, Islam does not contradict the man’s nature Allah (SWT) says:
(…Allah’s Fitrah (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in the [religion of Allah] that is the straight Religion but most men know not.) [30:30]
This fitrah can sometimes be tainted by external factors, thus causing it to deviate from its correct path. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“No newborn is born except on the true fitrah but his parents make him a Christian, a Jew, or a Zoroastrian.” [al-Bukhari]
It is the religion which leads to the Straight Path. Allah (SWT) says:
Say [O Muhammad (ﷺ)]: Truly, my Lord has guided me to a Straight Path, a right Religion, the Religion of Abraham, who turned away from all false religions, and he was not among those who associated partners with Allah. [6:161]
Nothing in Islam contradicts one’s unadulterated intellect; rather, sound intellect attests to the truth, suitability, and benefit of the teachings of Islam. All its commandments and prohibitions are just. Islam does not command anything except for an absolute or relative benefit. Likewise, it has forbidden things due to the fact they are evil, or because its evil outweighs its good. This fact becomes clear when one ponders the Qur’an and hadeeths of the Messenger (ﷺ).
[19] Islam liberated humans from worshipping creatures to the exclusion of Allah or along with Allah, whether those objects of worship are Prophets, Angels, or anything else, to worshipping Allah alone. This is achieved by establishing the fact that no one can extend benefit, ward harm, or provide sustenance except Allah. Allah (SWT) says:Yet they have taken besides Him other deities that created nothing but rather are themselves created, and do not possess the ability to neither harm nor benefit for themselves, and possess no power (of causing) death, nor (of giving) life, nor of raising the dead. [25:3]
All matters are in the Hands of Allah. Allah (SWT) says: And if Allah touches you with harm, there is none who can remove it but He; and if He intends any good for you, there is none who can repel His Favor which He grants to whomsoever of His slaves He wills. [10:107]
This applies to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as well, irrespective of his status with Allah. If it applies to him, then it necessarily applies to others as well. Allah (SWT) says:
Say [0 Muhammad (ﷺ)]: I possess no power of benefit or harm to myself except as Allah wills. If I had the knowledge of the Unseen, I would have secured for myself an abundance of wealth, and no evil would have touched me. I am but a warner and a bringer of glad tidings unto people who believe. [7:188]
Islam has liberated and relieved man from stress, fear and confusion by resolving its causes; for example:
Allah has relieved humans from the fear of death by stating that it is in inevitable fact in His Hands. Allah (SWT) says: (And no person can ever die except by Allah’s Leave and at an appointed term.) [3:145]
However much man tries to flee from death… it will overcome him. Allah (SWT) says:
Say (to them): Verily, the death from which you flee will surely meet you. [62:8]
Allah (SWT) has freed humans from the fear of poverty and destitution. He says:
And no (moving) living creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah. And He knows its dwelling place and its deposit (in the uterus, grave, etc.). All is in a Clear Book.) [11:6]
As for the fear disease and other afflictions, Allah (SWT) says:
No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees, before we bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah. In order that you may not be sad over matters that you fail to obtain, nor rejoice because of that which has been given to you. And Allah likes not prideful boasters. [57:22]
About harm from anything of the creation, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Safeguard yourselves from transgressing the limits of Allah, and Allah will safeguard you. Safeguard yourselves from transgressing the limits of Allah, and Allah will guide you and safeguard you from the hardships of this world and the Hereafter. Be mindful of Allah in times of ease, and He will remember you in times of (your) hardship. If you ask, ask Allah, and if you seek help, seek help from Allah. All that will take place has been recorded. If people try to extend you any benefit which Allah has not ordained for you, they will never be able to. And if people try to harm you with something which Allah has not ordained for you, they will never be able to. If you are capable of bearing patiently with certainty, then do so. If you cannot, bear patiently, for doing so over things you dislike leads to much good. Know that victory is achieved through patience, and that after anguish comes relief, and with hardship comes ease.” [al-Haakim]
