The People of Bliss
Imaam ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah
From the book Ar-Risaalat ut-Tabukiyyah
Contrary to the miserable people discussed in the last chapter, our discussion will now focus on the people of happiness and bliss. These can be divided into two classes.
The First Class of Happy People
The first class consists of those who possess the quality of intellectual independence; they are described by Allah (Ta’ala – the Most High) as follows:
“The first and foremost [to embrace Islam] of the Muhaajireen [1] and the Ansaar [2], and also those who follow them in the best way; Allah is well-pleased with them, and they are with Him.” [Qur'an - Soorah at-Tawbah 9:100]
These are the happy ones for whom Allah’s acceptance is confirmed. They are the Companions of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam (May Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him)) and those who follow them in the best way until the Day of Resurrection.
The conventional expression ‘Taabi’oon’ applies to the companions’ followers who have met with them in person. However, the description here is not restricted to them, but includes anyone who righteously follows their way; and any such person is of those with whom Allah (Ta’ala) is pleased and who are also pleased with Him.
FOLLOWING WITH IHSAAN
The manner of following the Sahaabah (in this aayah) is not ambiguous. It is restricted by Allah (Ta’ala) to being in the ‘best way’. It cannot be fulfilled merely by wishes, or by adhering to them in some matters while rejecting them in others. It should always be done with Ihsaan (with righteousness and in the best way); this is a condition to deserve Allah’s (Ta’ala) acceptance and His Gardens. He (Ta’ala) said:
“He it is Who has sent among the unlettered a messenger [Muhammad] from among themselves, to convey unto them His messages, to sanctify them, and to instruct them in the Book and the Wisdom, although they had been before in manifest error. And He has sent him also to other people who have not quite reached them (the Sahaabah); He is All-Mighty, All-Wise. That is the bounty of Allah which He bestows on whom He wills. Allah is the One of great bounty.” [Qur'an - Soorah Al-Jumu'ah 62:2-4]
The first group of people mentioned here are those who met the Messenger (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and accompanied him. The latter are those who did not meet the first group; this applies to anyone who comes after them and adheres to their way, until the Day of Resurrection. This group falls behind the first group (the Sahaabah) both in era and in stature, even though both groups are of the happy ones.
THREE KINDS OF HEARTS
A third group of people would be those who reject the Guidance that Allah (Ta’ala) sent with His Messenger (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), or who do not benefit from it. Those are described by Allah (Ta’ala) in the following:
“The likeness of those who were entrusted with the responsibility of the Torah, but who subsequently failed in that, is as the likeness of a donkey which carries a huge burden of books [but understands nothing of them]…” [Qur'an - Soorah Al-Jumu'ah 62:5]
The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also classified people into three groups based on their response to his Message and Guidance. He said:
“An example of the guidance and knowledge with which Allah (Ta’ala) has sent me is that of a rain that falls on different kinds of land:
1) One land is good; it accepts water and produces vegetation and grass in plenty.
2) Another land is dry with a solid bed that reserves water so that people can drink and irrigate with it.
3) The third kind is a porous land that can neither retain water nor produce vegetation.
This is an example of those who acquire the knowledge of the Deen and benefit from that with which Allah (Ta’ala) sent me, and of those who do not take heed and who insist on rejecting Allah’s (Ta’ala) Guidance.” [3]
The Messenger (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) likens the knowledge (with which he came) to rain, because both are causes of life. Rain is the cause of life for the body, while knowledge is the cause of life for the heart. He (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also likens different hearts to different valleys, as Allah (Ta’ala) said:
“He sends down water from the sky, making different valleys flow according to their different natures…” [Qur'an - Soorah Ar-Rad 13:17]
Thus, just as there are three kinds of land, there are three kinds of hearts:
1) The first is a good land which accepts water and is ready to produce vegetation. When rain falls on it, it absorbs the water eagerly, giving rise to all sorts of pleasant vegetation.
This is an example of one with a healthy, pure, and intelligent heart, which embraces knowledge, and is guided by its true intelligent nature, blossoming by that wisdom and true faith. Therefore, it is eager to take the knowledge, and ready to bear fruits because of its good nature.
It is also like a rich business man who has experience in different trades and investments, which enables him to invest his wealth in that which brings the best profit.
2) The second kind is a hard, solid land prepared to preserve and keep water: It benefits people who visit it to drink or irrigate.
This is an example of one whose heart preserves knowledge and safeguards it so as to convey it just as he hears it, without changing it or deriving conclusions from it. This is also described in another hadeeth (saying, action or silent approval of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam):
“There is often one who conveys knowledge to one who is more knowledgeable than himself; and there is often one who carries knowledge when he himself is not knowledgeable.” [4]
It is also like a rich man who does not possess the knowledge or experience to invest his wealth, but who knows very well how to preserve it.
3) The third is a barren land which is incapable of holding water or producing vegetation: no matter how much rain falls, it does not profit by it.
This is an example of one whose heart does not accept any knowledge or wisdom. It is also like a poor man who neither possesses wealth nor knows how to preserve it.
The first of the above three examples applies to a learned man who teaches knowledge, and who calls people to Allah (Ta’ala) with clear guidance; such are the inheritors of the Prophets.
The second applies to one who preserves the knowledge, and who transmits what he hears precisely; he carries to other people precious goods that they can use for trade and investment.
The third applies to one who neither accepts Allah’s Guidance nor benefits from it.
Thus this hadeeth covers the different types of people and their different attitudes toward the Prophet’s (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) Da’wah, which makes them either happy or miserable.
The Second Class of Happy People
The second class of Happy People consists of the believers’ followers from their offspring who die before reaching the status of takleef [5]. They will be with their parents [in the Hereafter], as Allah (Ta’ala) said:
“As for those who believe and whose offspring follow them in faith, We shall unite them with their offspring, and We shall not let any of their deeds go to waste; every person is responsible for that which he has earned.” [Qur'an - Soorah At-Tur 52:21]
Allah (Ta’ala) tells that He unites the offspring with the parents in the Jannah [6], just as He united them in faith (Eemaan). And because the offspring did not do deeds that would make them deserve this high honour, Allah (Ta’ala) informs that this union does not waste any of the deeds of the parents. They receive their full reward for what they did, plus the bonus of uniting them with their offspring.
Also, because this reunion in rewards and ranks is a bounty from Allah (Ta’ala), one might imagine that it would be in violation of the rules of justice. To clarify this, the ayah indicates that if the children committed sins, they alone would be liable for punishment, and that every person is responsible for what he does without involving others with him in punishment. Thus this union takes place in terms of rewards and bounties, but not in terms of justice and penalty.
This is indeed one of the keys and treasures of Qur’aan, the knowledge of which Allah (Ta’ala) gives only to those whom He wills.
Thus this ayah covers all people: the miserable and the happy – those who are followed, and those who follow them.
Consequently, let a prudent person who cares about his well-being see to which class he belongs. Let him not be influenced by habits or ruled by laziness. If he finds that he belongs to a happy class, let him strive to move to a higher rank, seeking Allah’s help and facilitation. And if he finds that he belongs to the miserable class, let him move out of it into a happy class while it is still possible, and before he would have to say:
“Oh! Would that I had followed the path shown to me by the Messenger.” [Qur'an - Soorah Al Furqan 25:27]
FOOTNOTES:
1. Muhaajir: A migrator – one who undertakes hijrah. Plural: muhaajiroon or muhaajireen. Reference here is specifically to those who migrated from Makkah to al-Madeenah in obedience to Allah [^Back]
2. Ansaar: Those who give help and aid. It usually refers to the citizens of al-Madeenah who gave aid to the Muhaajireen when they migrated to their town [^Back]
3. Al-Bukharee and Muslim [^Back]
4. Narrated by Zayd bin Thaabit, Anas bin Maalik and others; recorded by Aboo Daawood, at-Tirmithee, Ahmad, and others; authenticated by al-Albaanee (as-Saheehah no.404) [^Back]
5. Takleef: Responsibility for one’s deeds [^Back]
6. Jannah: Literally: garden. It usually refers to the Gardens of Paradise.
Bismillah,ir-Rahman,ir-Rahim. Ashahadu An Laa illaaha illal llahu
Wa Ash Hadu Anna Muhammadan Abdu Hu Wa Rasooluhu
”I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah
who is without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) is the Rasool.”
“O Allah, Shower Your Peace come upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have brought peace to Ibrahim and his famil
y. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, Shower your blessing upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have blessed Ibrahim and his family. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious”. Iam Satisfied with Allâh as My Rabb and Cherisher,Iam Satisfied With Islam as My Din(religion) and Iam satisfied with Muhammad as a Rasulallah (Messenger)sallallahu alaihi was salam . (This is the Statement of ALLAH in the Quran) ” Surah 60 – Al Mumtahinah – Ayat – 001 O ye who believe! Take not my enemies and yours as friends (or protectors),- offering them (your) love, even though they have rejected the Truth that has come to you, and have (on the contrary) driven out the Prophet and yourselves (from your homes), (simply) because ye believe in God your Lord! If ye have come out to strive in My Way and to seek My Good Pleasure, (take them not as friends), holding secret converse of love (and friendship) with them: for I know full well all that ye conceal and all that ye reveal. And any of you that does this has strayed from the Straight Path.
Surah 60 – Al Mumtahinah – Ayat – 002 If they were to get the better of you, they would behave to you as enemies, and stretch forth their hands and their tongues against you for evil: and they desire that ye should reject the Truth. I declare that ALLAH’s Enemies as His Enemies, and I donot take His Enemies as Friends or protectors. (The Dajjal and his followers are the Enemies of ALLAH). And I also Declare that the Believers are the Friends of ALLAH, and I donot take them as enemies.
Belief in Qadr (Divine Decree) is the sixth Islamic article of faith, which means that Allah (SWT) has decreed everything that happens in the universe according to His Will and plan and His prior knowledge. The issue of Qadar comes from the unity in the matter of the Lordship of Allah (SWT) (Tawhid ar-Rububiyah), which means to believe that all creation, sovereignty and planning belong to Allah alone (SWT)!. When Allah (SWT) created everything He (SWT) determined when each thing would come into existence and when it would perish. He (SWT) also determined everything’s qualities and their nature. Therefore, nothing happens or exists without His permission and outside of His will. To understand this better, it is the will of Allah (SWT) that He (SWT) decided to create us, humans, and everything around us and permitted us to make free choices. In other words, when we plan to do something, it is the will of Allah (SWT) that He (SWT) gave us the freedom of making Intelligence or unintelligence choices and but we are the ones who are deciding what we should do or choose, (But It’s ALLAH who Grants Wisdom.) This is the reason why we are held accountable for our actions. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an 002.286 On no soul doth God place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray): “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.” [2:286].
. In Islam, people are not held accountable for things which were out of their control i.e. forgetfulness and forced to do. We must Belief in the Decree of ALLAH, the Good and Bad, these World events are what ALLAH has permitted the Good and bad many of These events are Great Deceives Tricks, that has been planed and manufactured by The U.S, Israel, the British and the France these are Governments that will benfit the most. in order to stabilize the Dajjal support system,and to make sure its well in place,a DAJJAL- system, that is up and running, that shall await his arrival. This DAJJAL-system, will be the most evil and most corrupt satanic, kaafir force in history. This Dajjal system can only be established through the trick of nocking down every Industrial Giants in the World and to destabilizion of the Arab Governments in the Middle east and North Africa.and Eventually the rest of the world will fall, that’s their Planed, the Planed of Satan. but they Pland and ALLAH to Pland and ALLAH is the Best of Planner. There is only one thing Standing between the Dajjal and total world domination and that is ISLAM! In these unstabil Governments the people are calling for Democracy! And In every situation there are irreligious people Atheists, Secularist,Christians,Jews,the Munafiqeen who are in the forefront, Leading the way Calling with the Voices of satan. In the Present state of the Ummah of Rasulallah (sallallahu alaihi was salam) capitalist democracy has emerged as the dominant influenced and it is to this that the Dajjal wants allegiance of the people of this world. And this allegiance it has been obtained even from the people of the faith known as Muslims , whose foundation lies in the sovereignty of the One ALLAH, One True ALLAH. The fact that there is no Islam without Tawheed, the Sharia has been broadly overlooked and in its place now stands the will of the people- capitalist democracy in all Muslims regions. The Sharia, the Laws of ALLAH, Islamic Laws are Better for the Muslims, The people who are in the forefront calling for Democracy are against Islam! these people are agents of the Dajjal. with Tricks of Deception to make the Muslims people belief and accept the irreligious ideas of the Dajjal through democracy! And because of these irreligious people who are trying to turn the muslims people away from ALLAH, .from the Laws of ALLAH, this is the Time to accept the Laws of ALLAH!; and this is the Time just before the Emergence of the Dajjal. The entire secular world (Jews/Freemasons, Atheist, Christians, Hindus Etc.) shall unite under the banner of the Dajjal (Anti-Christ) against Islam. Islam will be the only force standing between him and the total world domination.
Decisions of Allaah and His Messenger
Allah ta’ala said:
“It is not befitting for a believing man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allaah and His Messenger, to have any option about their decision.” [al-Ahzaab 33:36] (ALLAH! has decided and given us Islam as our Din, The Holy Quran as our guidance,Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi was salam)as our example and the Sharia as our Law.) This ayah indicates that when it is confirmed that Allah ta’ala or His Rasulallah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) have made a decision or have informed about a particular matter, then no believer, male or female, may choose differently. Any opposing choice would contradict Iman.
Ash-Shafi’ee (r) reported a consensus among the scholars of the Sahaabah, the Tabi’een, and their followers, that:
“If a sunnah of Allah’s Rasulallah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) becomes manifest to a person, he does not have any choice but to follow it, regardless of what other people say.”
No Muslim scholar disputes or doubts the truth of this statement. The only evidence that people are required to follow [besides Allah's Book] is the words of the Infallible Rasulallah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) “who does not say anything out of (his own) desire” [an-Najm 53:3)]
ALLAH has decided that the Sharia is the Muslims Law.Other people’s talks could, at best, be acceptable to follow. But in no way may they oppose or outweigh the Texts (of the Quraan and Sunnah of Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi was salam) and the Sharia). We ask Allah ta’ala to protect us from the failure [incurred on those who do not abide by this].
The Guidance Is in Obeying the Messenger
Also, Allah ta’ala said:
“Say: Obey Allah and obey the Messenger: but if you turn away then he (the Messenger) is only responsible for the duty placed on him, and you for that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on right guidance. The Messenger’s duty is only clear deliverance [of the Message]” [an-Nur 24:54]
Here Allah ta’ala makes obeying the Rasulallah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) a condition for guidance; guidance cannot be acquired without this obedience. The duty of the Rasulallah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is to deliver the Message; and people’s duty is to follow, obey, and submit to him. Al-Bukhari (r) reported that Az-Zuhri 1 said:
“From Allah [comes] the knowledge; from the Rasulallah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) [comes] the deliverance [of the knowledge]; and from us [comes] the submission [to the Message].” This is the Time just before the Emergence of the Dajjal. Time has gone by and The Islam known and practiced today all over the muslims world has become Strange again through the centuries by various elements,and satan deceived mankind again,with Colonialism,Socialism,Communism,marxism,Capitalism and now with Democracy! and Eventually people took up the ways of their ForeFathers,who had accepted Islam and who were once muslims,whom eventually abandoned Islam,They went back in to the darkness with Colonialism and then with Socialism,Communism until Finally, Islam became Strange again, just like it had started and just like Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi was salam)had foretold. Now what is known as Islam is devoid of its very soul and life and But the Nur (Light) of Islam has not gone out It’s still burns very Bright, But That Nur(Light)has to be burning in the Hearts of the believers,through knowledge and Faith. there are Muslims people all of us who Belive in ALLAH and the Last day, who love ALLAH and His Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi was salam) with all our hearts and We Hate the Dajjal! Our desire is to see the Word of ALLAH established in this world, to see the True Faith of ALLAH implemented in the Hearts and lives of the people of this earth. There cannot be any Islam without Tawheed (the oneness of Allah). Islam is based on Tawheed. This Tawheed itself is totally absent in the collective life of the population which are calling for Democracy. And yet among these people there is Muslim people who have love for ALLAH, for Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi was salam) and for the Din ul Islam ,then Where is help from Allah?; and there will be no help untill the Muslims people all of us go back to the Words of ALLAH and the Sunnah of the Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi was salam) the Guidance given to him by ALLAH. Obeying Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi was salam) will bring the help from Allah, hence success is in Obedience to Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi was salam)and the Message followed and executed strictly,that He left for his followers to adapt. So if the true Believer whom ALLAH has Blessed with Wisdom and Knowledge wants to tread upon this Path, the Path of ALLAH,then let him be prepared to resign himself to the life of a Stranger among his people,just like his predecessors who accepted Islam were treated by the people as Strangers. For indeed,the true Believer in ALLAH, he will be a stranger in his Beliefs, because his people have corrupted their beliefs, by following the Dajjal. the true Believer in ALLAH, he will be a stranger in his religion,due to what the people have done to it, the Dajjal will attacks all the sacred issues of Faith, DAJJAL will have the power to cause Famine, Earth quakes and destruction on a mass scale. Many Muslims will join the ranks of DAJJAL on being afraid of his power. Only those with very strong faith will be able to resist. Remember that once you have joined the Anti-Christ, your soul will be doomed forever in the fire of hell. The True Believer in ALLAH,he will be a stranger in his manner of Praying, because the people are ignorant of the Prayer of Rasulallah(sallallhu alaihi was salam).the true Believer in ALLAH, he will be a stranger in his ordering of Good and prohibiting evil, for the people have taken what is evil as good and they have abandoned what is good as evil. in short, then the true Believer in ALLAH, he will be a stranger in all his matters of this world and the Hereafter,calling to the Path of ALLAH and withstanding the Harm of the Dajjal and all those who follow him. these Praiseworthy Believers are called strangers since they are a small minority among mankind. Thus, Muslims are strangers among mankind; the true Believers are strangers among Muslims; and the Scholars are strangers among the True Believers. and the Followers of the Sunnah, those that clear themselves from all peoples of innovation, are like wise Strangers.
Narrated Abu Hurayrah: “The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: There is no prophet between me and him, that is, Jesus (peace_be_upon_him). He will descent (to the earth). When you see him, recognise him: a man of medium height, reddish fair, wearing two light yellow garments, looking as if drops were falling down from his head though it will not be wet. He will fight the people for the cause of Islaam. He will break the cross, kill swine, and abolish jizyah. Allaah will perish all religions except Islaam. He will destroy the Antichrist (Dajjal) and will live on the earth for forty years and then he will die. The Muslims will pray over him. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 37, Battles (Kitab Al-Malahim), Number 4310)”
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