Auspices From The Glorious Qur’an

 

The Glorious Qur’ân heralds the first of these auspices: the Promise Allah, Blessed and Exalted be He, made to his believing servants; His Promise to grant victory to Islam and perfect its light however deeply hostile the disbelievers are to it, and cause it to prevail over all other religions however deeply hostile the infidels are to it.

 

In the context of discussing the enemies of Islam from the infidels and the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) who have distorted their religion and have taken their rabbis and their monks to be their lords in derogation of Allah, and those who devour people’s wealth wrongfully (bribery, etc.) and those who debar men from the Path of Allah, we recite from Surat At-Tawbah, the noble Qur’anic verse in which The Most Exalted says:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

يُرِيدُونَ أَن يُطْفِؤُواْ نُورَ اللّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَيَأْبَى اللّهُ إِلاَّ أَن يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ {32} هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَى وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ {33} (التوبة: 32، 33)

 

 

The noble Qur’anic verses say what means:

 

“They (the disbelievers, the Jews and the Christians) want to extinguish Allah’s Light (with which Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, has been sent - Islamic Monotheism) with their mouths, but Allah will not allow except that His Light should be perfected even though the Kâfirûn (disbelievers) hate (it). It is He Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam), to make it superior over all religions even though the Mushrikûn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) hate (it).” (At-Tawbah, 9: 32-33)

 

Regarding the interpretation of these two noble Qur’anic verses, the Muslim legal scholar Ibn Kathîr said:

 

(Almighty Allah says what means that those disbelievers from amongst the infidels and the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) want to {Extinguish Allah’s Light} (At-Tawbah, 9:32). The Light is the guidance and the religion of truth (Islam) with which the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has been sent. Certainly, what the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has been sent with should be perfected and made superior. Therefore, in opposition to what the disbelievers crave and desire, Allah, The Most Exalted, says (what means): {But Allah will not allow except that His Light should be perfected even though the Kâfirûn (disbelievers) hate (it)} (At-Tawbah, 9: 32). And a disbeliever is he who veils and bedims a thing. Then Almighty Allah says (what means): {It is He Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam)} (At-Tawbah, 9: 33). The guidance: is the truthful message, the genuine faith and the useful knowledge Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has been sent with, whereas the religion of truth: is the righteous good and beneficial deeds in the life of this world and the Hereafter. {To make it superior over all religions} (At-Tawbah, 9: 33), means to make it prevail over all other religions, as established in As-Sahîh (The Authenticated Reference of Imam Al-Bukhâry) that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Verily, Allah has folded the earth (i.e. has drawn together the ends of the entire earth) for me, its eastern and western parts, and the dominion of my nation will reach as far as what has been folded to me from it.”1

 

Furthermore, Imam Ahmad recorded in his Musnad the hadith reported by Mas‘ûd bin Qabîsah, or Qabîsah bin Mas‘ûd, who said, “That district of Muhârib offered the Subah (Morning) Prayer, so after performing it a youth amongst them said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) saying: Verily, the eastern and western parts of the earth will be conquered to you, and indeed their collectors of alms will be cast in Hellfire except for the one who fears Allah and fulfills the trust.”2 Imam Ahmad also recorded that Tamîm Ad-Dârmy (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I have noticed it among the members of my household; those who embraced Islam were blessed with goodness, honor and superiority and those who were disbelievers amongst them suffered disgrace, inferiority and (paying) Jîzyah (head tax imposed by Islam on all non-Muslims living under the protection of an Islamic government).”3

 

It is also recorded in the Musand that ‘Ady bin Hâtim (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I entered unto the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) whereupon he said, ‘O ‘Ady! Embrace Islam to be safe (from the Punishment of Allah).’ So I said, ‘I profess a religion.’ He (the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace) replied, ‘I know your religion more than you do.’ Then he (the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘I know what keeps you from (embracing) Islam. You say: No doubt, those who followed him are the weak and the helpless, and the Arabs have already rejected them. Do you know the Hîrah (a kingdom on the outskirts of Iraq)?’ I said, ‘I have not seen it but I have heard about it.’ He (the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, Allah will perfect this matter until a traveling woman will set out from the Hîrah (kingdom) to circumambulate the House (the Ka‘bah) without the protection of anyone and the treasures of khosrau shall be conquered.’ I said, ‘khosrau?’ He (the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace) replied, ‘Yes, khosrau, and money will be liberally given until none will accept it.’” ‘Ady said, “(And it did happen), for here is the traveling woman sets out from the Hîrah (kingdom) and circumambulates the House (the Ka‘bah) without the protection of anyone, and I was among those who conquered the treasures of khosrau. By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, the third shall be fulfilled because the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has uttered it.” 4

 

Muslim recorded with the same chain of transmission that ‘Â’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) saying, ‘Night and day will not go away before ِAl-Lât and Al-‘Uzzâ (two idols of the pagan Arabs) are worshipped (once again). So I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! I thought that when Allah, The Exalted and Ever-Majestic, revealed (the noble Qur’anic verse saying what means): {It is He Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam)} (At-Tawbah, 9: 33), that this was over. He said, ‘Indeed, of this will occur what Allah, The Exalted and Ever-Majestic, has willed, then Allah will send a pleasant wind and every one having the weight of a mustard seed of faith in his heart will die, and there will only survive those in whom there is no goodness, so they will revert to the religion of their forefathers.’” 5)

 

This meaning recurred in Surat Al-Saff wherein The Most Exalted says:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِؤُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَاللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ {8} هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَى وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ {9} (الصف: 8، 9)

The noble Qur’anic verses say what means:

 

“They intend to put out the Light of Allah (i.e. the religion of Islam, this Qur’ân, and Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace) with their mouths. But Allah will complete His Light even though the disbelievers hate (it). He it is Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islamic Monotheism) to make it victorious over all (other) religions even though the Mushrikûn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace) hate (it).” (As-Saff, 61: 8-9).

 

Also in Surat Al-Fath, the Qur’anic verse in which The Most Exalted says:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَى وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَكَفَى بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدًا {28} (الفتح: 28)

The noble Qur’anic verse says what means:

 

“He it is Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam), that He may make it (Islam) superior over all religions. And All-Sufficient is Allah as a Witness.” (Al-Fath, 48: 28)

 

Among the Qur’anic auspices is the noble verse in which The Most Exalted says:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُم فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَى لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّن بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ {55} (النور: 55)

The noble Qur’anic verse says what means:

 

“Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practice their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fâsiqûn (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).” (An-Nûr, 24: 55)

 

Ibn Kathîr said, “This is the Promise made by Allah, The Most Exalted, to His Messenger, may the Blessings and Peace of Allah be ever bestowed upon him, that He will make his nation the successors on earth; in other words, the Imams of people and their rulers. Through them countries will prosper and the servants of Allah will obey them. Allah will surely convert their fear to safety and grant them authority, and indeed The Most Blessed and Exalted has fulfilled the promise, and to Him is owed all praises and thanks. For the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) did not die before Allah granted him victory and he conquered Mecca, Khaibar, Al-Bahrain and the rest of the Arabian Peninsula, as well as the entire Yemeni land. He also collected Jîzyah [head tax imposed by Islam on all non-Muslims living under the protection of an Islamic government] from the magus of Hajar [an ancient territory of contemporary Bahrain or Yemen] and from some parts of Shâm [The countries of the Levant, they include: Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan]. He was offered gifts by Heraclius, the king of the Romans; Al-Muqawqis, the governor of Egypt and Alexandria; the kings of Oman; Negus, the king of Abyssinians, who acceded to the throne after Ashamah, may Allah be merciful and generous to him.

 

After the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) died and Allah chose for him the endless honor and glory He possesses, his successor, Abu Bakr As-Sadîq [surnamed the trustful], may Allah be pleased with him, shouldered the responsibility. He pieced together matters rendered frail after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and he mastered the Arabian Peninsula, the cradle of Islam. He dispatched the armies of Islam, under the leadership of Khâlid bin Al-Walîd (may Allah be pleased with him), to Persia and they conquered part of it. He dispatched another army under the leadership of Abu ‘Ubaidah (may Allah be pleased with him) and the chiefs who accompanied him to the territory of Shâm [The countries of the Levant, they include: Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan], and a third army under the leadership of ‘Amr bin Al-‘Âs (may Allah be pleased with him) to the homeland of Egypt. During his lifetime, Allah granted victory to the army dispatched to Shâm and it conquered Busrâ, Damascus and their provinces in Hawrân, and the countries adherent to them.

 

Then Allah, The Exalted and Ever-Majestic, made his soul rest in peace and He chose for him the endless honor and glory He possesses. But Allah blessed the Muslims by inspiring As-Sidîq (the trustful) to appoint ‘Umar, Al-Fârûq [the one who distinguishes truth from falsehood], may Allah be pleased with him, who shouldered the responsibility perfectly. Indeed, aside from the Prophets, the heavens have not bestowed his peer in the powerfulness of his biography and the uprightness of his justice. During his lifetime the conquest of the entire countries of Shâm was completed, as well as the homeland of Egypt to its furthest parts and the majority of the Persian territory. He defeated Khosrau and bitterly disgraced him and he was forced to retreat to the furthest of his kingdom. He also defeated Caesar and dethroned him from the dominion of Shâm. Then, he (‘Umar) descended to Constantinople and spent their riches in the Cause of Allah as foretold and promised by the Messenger of Allah, may his Lord bestow His Perfect Peace and highest Blessings upon him.

 

By time of the Ottoman Empire – the state of ‘Uthmân bin ‘Affân (may Allah be pleased with him) – the Islamic kingdoms spread to the furthest of the eastern and western parts of the earth. Thus, from Maghreb to the furthest reaches of China was conquered, khosrau was killed and his kingship was totally effaced. Moreover, Iraq, Khurasan and Ahwaz were conquered and tribute was levied from the eastern and western parts to be presented before the Emir of the believers, ‘Uthmân bin ‘Affân (may Allah be pleased with him). All these blessings were bestowed by virtue of his reciting and studying the noble Qur’an and gathering the nation to compile it. Therefore, the promise was fulfilled as foretells the hadith recorded in As-Sahîh [the Authenticated Reference of Imam Al-Bukhrây], in which the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Verily, Allah has folded the earth (i.e. has drawn together the ends of the entire earth) for me, and I saw its eastern and western parts, and the dominion of my nation will reach as far as what has been folded to me from it.” And here we are living the Promise of Almighty Allah and His Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). Verily, Allah and His Messenger have uttered the truth. We beg Allah to inspire in us utmost belief in Him and His Messenger and help us celebrate His praises in the way that makes Him pleased with us.”

 

Such a Divine Promise to the believers is everlasting and eternal, and the victory and empowerment that were achieved during the lifetime of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs (Al-Khulafâ-ur-Râshidûn), can be fulfilled to their successors, because the Word of Allah is steadfast. Allah, The Most Exalted, says:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

وَكَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّي حَقًّا {98} (الكهف: 98)

 

The noble Qur’anic verse says what means:

 

“And the Promise of my Lord is ever true.” (Al-Kahf, 18: 98) 

 

But the Promise of Allah is conditioned by faith, the performance of righteous good deeds and the worship of Allah Alone, without associating any partners with Him. Allah, The Most Exalted, says:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا (النور: 55)

 

The noble Qur’anic verse says what means:

 

“(Provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me.” (An-Nûr, 24: 55)

 

 

Stories of the Prophets: the Blessed End of the Believers and the Bleak End of the Liars

 

Among the Qur’anic auspices are the stories the Noble Qur’an narrates to us about the Prophets and believers against their infidel opponents. How they all ended blessedly in favor of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and those who believed with him, whereas those who mutinied against Allah and belied the Messengers were destined for perdition and destruction.

 

Amongst them is the story of Mûsâ (Moses, peace be upon him) and his people versus Fir‘awn (Pharaoh) and his chiefs, which illustrates how Allah, through Mûsâ, wrought a complete change in the condition of the Children of Israel and drowned Fir‘awn and his hosts. Thus, Allah fulfilled His Will of empowering the weak and destroying the empire of the despotic tyrants.

 

 

Recite the following noble Qur’anic verses from Surat Al-Qasas:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهْلَهَا شِيَعًا يَسْتَضْعِفُ طَائِفَةً مِّنْهُمْ يُذَبِّحُ أَبْنَاءهُمْ وَيَسْتَحْيِي نِسَاءهُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ مِنَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ {4} وَنُرِيدُ أَن نَّمُنَّ عَلَى الَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوافِي الْأَرْضِ وَنَجْعَلَهُمْ أَئِمَّةً وَنَجْعَلَهُمُ الْوَارِثِينَ {5} وَنُمَكِّنَ لَهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَنُرِي فِرْعَوْنَ وَهَامَانَ وَجُنُودَهُمَا مِنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا يَحْذَرُونَ{6}(القصص: 4-6)

 

The noble Qur’anic verses say what means:

 

“Verily, Fir'awn (Pharaoh) exalted himself in the land and made its people sects, weakening (oppressing) a group (i.e. Children of Israel) among them, killing their sons, and letting their females live. Verily, he was of the Mufsidûn (i.e. those who commit great sins and crimes, oppressors, tyrants, etc.). And We wished to do a favour to those who were weak (and oppressed) in the land, and to make them rulers and to make them the inheritors. And to establish them in the land, and We let Fir'awn (Pharaoh) and Hâmân and their hosts receive from them that which they feared.” (Al-Qasas, 28: 4-6)

 

Thus, the Supreme Ordainer derided Fir‘awn (Pharaoh), as well as his chiefs and his hosts. As Fir‘awn used to kill the sons of Banu Israel so that none of them would emerge and doom his sovereignty to perish. But behold! The destined child entered the palace of Fir‘awn by Fir‘awn’s own will, and grew up and blossomed therein within his earshot and eyeshot, while he knew it not. The Most Exalted says:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

فَالْتَقَطَهُ آلُ فِرْعَوْنَ لِيَكُونَ لَهُمْ عَدُوًّا وَحَزَنًا إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ وَهَامَانَ وَجُنُودَهُمَا كَانُوا خَاطِئِينَ {8} (القصص: 8)

 

The noble Qur’anic verse says what means:

 

“Then the household of Fir'awn (Pharaoh) picked him up, that he might become for them an enemy and a (cause of) grief. Verily! Fir'awn (Pharaoh), Hâmân and their hosts were sinners.” (Al-Qasas, 28: 8)

 

The Noble Qur’an narrates the story of Mûsâ and Fir‘awn in detail. Allah sent Mûsâ, accompanied with his brother Hârûn (Aaron, peace be upon him), as a Messenger to Fir‘awn and his people. It was both a meeting and a challenge that ended in the defeat of Fir‘awn at the hands of his own magicians, who fell down prostrating themselves, uttering (the following noble Qur’anic verses that mean):

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

قَالُواْ آمَنَّا بِرِبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ {121} رَبِّ مُوسَى وَهَارُونَ {122} (الأعراف: 121-122)

 

“They said: ‘We believe in the Lord of the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). The Lord of Mûsâ (Moses) and Hârûn (Aaron).’” (Al-A'râf, 7: 121-122)

 

Fir‘awn was driven wildly mad, threatening and menacing, and aflame with rage. So, Allah inspired Mûsâ, saying (the Qur’anic verses that mean):

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَى مُوسَى أَنْ أَسْرِ بِعِبَادِي إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ {52} فَأَرْسَلَ فِرْعَوْنُ فِي الْمَدَائِنِ حَاشِرِينَ {53} إِنَّ هَؤُلَاء لَشِرْذِمَةٌ قَلِيلُونَ {54} وَإِنَّهُمْ لَنَا لَغَائِظُونَ {55} وَإِنَّا لَجَمِيعٌ حَاذِرُونَ{56} فَأَخْرَجْنَاهُم مِّن جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ {57} وَكُنُوزٍ وَمَقَامٍ كَرِيمٍ {58} كَذَلِكَ وَأَوْرَثْنَاهَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ {59} (الشعراء: 52-59)

 

‘”Take away My slaves by night, verily, you will be pursued.’ Then Fir'awn (Pharaoh) sent callers to (all) the cities. (Saying): ‘Verily! These indeed are but a small band. And verily, they have done what has enraged us; but we are host all assembled, amply fore-warned.’ So, We expelled them from gardens and springs, treasures, and every kind of honourable place. Thus [We turned them (Pharaoh's people) out] and We caused the Children of Israel to inherit them.” (Ash-Shu'arâ', 26: 52-59)

 

 

The Promise of Allah to Grant Victory to the Believers and to Save and Defend Them

 

Also among the Qur’anic auspices is the Promise of Allah to always grant the believers victory, safety, protection, guardianship and companionship.

 

Recite the noble Qur’anic verses in which Almighty Allah says (what means):

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

 

وَكَانَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نَصْرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ {47} (الروم: 47)

 

“To help believers is incumbent upon Us.” (Ar­-Rûm, 30: 47)

 

 

ثُمَّ نُنَجِّي رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كَذَلِكَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نُنجِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ {103} (يونس: 103)

 

“Then (in the end) We save Our Messengers and those who believe! Thus it is incumbent upon Us to save the believers.” (Yûnus, 10: 103)

 

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُدَافِعُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا(الحج: 38)

 

“Truly, Allah defends those who believe.” (Al-Hajj, 22: 38)

 

اللّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ يُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّوُرِ (البقرة: 257)

 

"Allah is the Walî (Protector or Guardian) of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into light." (Al-Baqarah, 2: 257)

 

وَلَن تُغْنِيَ عَنكُمْ فِئَتُكُمْ شَيْئًا وَلَوْ كَثُرَتْ وَأَنَّ اللّهَ مَعَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ {19} (الأنفال: 19)

 

“And your forces will be of no avail to you, however numerous it be, and verily, Allah is with the believers.” (Al-Anfâl, 8: 19)

 

Divine Patronage is definite when hardships and calamities befall the believers; when they suffer shortage in money, bodily sickness and agitation of souls. At that time victory for the believers is nigh at hand.

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُواْ الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْاْ مِن قَبْلِكُم مَّسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاء وَالضَّرَّاء وَزُلْزِلُواْ حَتَّى يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ مَعَهُ مَتَى نَصْرُ اللّهِ

أَلا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللّهِ قَرِيبٌ {214} (البقرة: 214)

 

Almighty Allah says in His Noble Book what means:

 

“Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, ‘When (will come) the Help of Allah?’ Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!” (Al-Baqarah, 2: 214)

 

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and the believers wondered when the Victory of Allah would come. Impatient for victory and man is ever hasty. Thereupon, Allah assured them with this conclusive Statement by which He ended verse 214 of Surah Al-Baqarah (saying what means), ‘Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!” Indeed, Allah is never to be hastened by our impatience. Verily, everything with Him is in due proportion and has an appointed time that can neither be delayed nor advanced.

 

Allah, The Most Exalted, says in the Qur’anic verse before the last from Surat Yûsuf:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

حَتَّى إِذَا اسْتَيْأَسَ الرُّسُلُ وَظَنُّواْ أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ كُذِبُواْ جَاءهُمْ نَصْرُنَا فَنُجِّيَ مَن نَّشَاء وَلاَ يُرَدُّ بَأْسُنَا عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْمُجْرِمِينَ {110} (يوسف: 110)

 

The noble Qur’anic verse says what means:

 

“(They were reprieved) until, when the Messengers gave up hope (of their people) and (their people) thought that they (the Messengers) lied, then came to them Our Help, and whomsoever We willed were delivered. And Our Punishment cannot be warded off from the people who are Mujrimûn (criminals, disobedients to Allah, sinners, disbelievers, polytheists).” (Yûsuf, 12: 110)

 

Contemplate the following wording and its indications: ‘When the Messengers gave up hope (of their people)’ (Yûsuf, 12: 110), because of waiting a long time for their people to believe in Allah and have faith in their prophethood. So, help did not come when they desired it. On the other hand their people thought that the Messengers lied to them.

 

The surprise came when all hope was given up and the messengers were mistrusted ‘Then came to them Our Help, and whomsoever We willed were delivered.’ (Yûsuf, 12: 110)

 

Victory comes when people are in dire need of it, and the utmost desirous they can be for its achievement. The part of the noble Qur’anic verse saying (what means) ‘And Our Punishment cannot be warded off from the people who are Mujrimûn (criminals, disobedients to Allah, sinners, disbelievers, polytheists).’ (Yûsuf, 12: 110) reveals a firmly established Law of Allah in dealing with the evildoers, who are to be chased with Divine Retribution in order to chastise them, make them perceive how worthless they are and subdue their prejudice.

 

Henceforth, it was implanted in the minds and hearts of Muslims that the aggravation of calamities heralds deliverance. Indeed, the darkest hours of the night are those that precede dawn. In this regard the poet said:

 

O calamity! Darkens to be dispelled      

For your nighttime foreshadows dawn!

 

Another said:

 

Many an adversity overburdens the lad   

And Allah surely has the way out!

 

It straitened and only when its rings got fast tightened it loosened

And I believed that it would never be unloosed!

 

The Promise of Allah to Frustrate the Plots of the Disbelievers

 

The Promise of Allah to grant victory to the believers is perfected: His Promise, glory be to Him, to frustrate the plots of the disbelievers, their intrigues against Islam and Muslims, and their tenacious efforts to extinguish its light; His Promise that He will make their plots recoil upon them and aim back their poisoned arrows at their own hearts. Indeed, Allah, Whose Majesty reigns supreme, never breaks His Promise.

 

In this regard, Allah, The Most Exalted, says:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

إِنَّهُمْ يَكِيدُونَ كَيْدًا {15} وَأَكِيدُ كَيْدًا {16} فَمَهِّلِ الْكَافِرِينَ أَمْهِلْهُمْ رُوَيْدًا {17}

(الطارق: 15، 17)

 

The noble Qur’anic verses say what means:

 

“Verily, they are but plotting a scheme (against you O Muhammad). And I (too) am planning a scheme (against them). So give a respite to the disbelievers. Deal you gently with them for a while.” (At-Târiq, 86: 15-17)

 

And the Qur’anic verse in which Allah, Whose Divine Names are graciously blessed, says:

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

وَيَمْكُرُونَ وَيَمْكُرُ اللّهُ وَاللّهُ خَيْرُ الْمَاكِرِينَ {30} (الأنفال: 30)

 

The noble Qur’anic verse says what means:

 

“They were plotting and Allah too was planning, and Allah is the Best of the planners.” (Al-Anfâl, 8: 30)

 

And the noble Qur’anic verse saying (what means):

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

قَالَ مُوسَى مَا جِئْتُم بِهِ السِّحْرُ إِنَّ اللّهَ سَيُبْطِلُهُ إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُصْلِحُ عَمَلَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ {81} وَيُحِقُّ اللّهُ الْحَقَّ بِكَلِمَاتِهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُجْرِمُونَ {82} (يونس: 81-82)

 

 

“Mûsa (Moses) said: ‘What you have brought is sorcery, Allah will surely make it of no effect. Verily, Allah does not set right the work of Al-Mufsidûn (the evil-doers, corrupts, etc.). And Allah will establish and make apparent the truth by His Words, however much the Mujrimûn (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) may hate it.’” (Yûnus, 10: 81-82)

 

Unfolding the bleak end awaiting the disbelievers who liberally spend their wealth to debar men from the Path of Allah and strive hard to hinder Islam, The Most Exalted says:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ لِيَصُدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِ اللّهِ فَسَيُنفِقُونَهَا ثُمَّ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسْرَةً ثُمَّ يُغْلَبُونَ (الأنفال: 36)

 

The noble Qur’anic verse says what means:

 

“Verily, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, and so will they continue to spend it; but in the end it will become an anguish for them. Then they will be overcome.” (Al-Anfâl, 8: 36)

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

قُل لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ سَتُغْلَبُونَ وَتُحْشَرُونَ إِلَى جَهَنَّمَ وَبِئْسَ الْمِهَادُ {12} قَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ آيَةٌ فِي فِئَتَيْنِ الْتَقَتَا فِئَةٌ تُقَاتِلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ وَأُخْرَى كَافِرَةٌ يَرَوْنَهُم مِّثْلَيْهِمْ رَأْيَ الْعَيْنِ وَاللّهُ يُؤَيِّدُ بِنَصْرِهِ مَن يَشَاء إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لَّأُوْلِي الأَبْصَارِ {13} (آل عمران: 12-13)

 

Almighty Allah says in His Noble Book what means:

 

“Say (O Muhammad) to those who disbelieve: ‘You will be defeated and gathered together to Hell, and worst indeed is that place to rest.’ There has already been a sign for you (O Jews) in the two armies that met (in combat i.e. the battle of Badr): One was fighting in the Cause of Allah, and the other (they) were disbelievers. They (the believers) saw them (the disbelievers) with their own eyes twice their number (although they were thrice their number). And Allah supports with His Victory whom He pleases. Verily, in this is a lesson for those who have eyes to see.” (Âl-'Imrân, 3: 12-13)

 

The two armies in the above-mentioned verses were: the army of the believers against the army of the infidels in the Battle of Badr. Almighty Allah granted victory to the believers over the infidels although they (the Muslims) were less in number, weaker in military equipment and preparations. Victory was granted by virtue of the faith and steadfastness that Allah bestowed upon them, the forces (angels) He strengthened them with, the horror He cast into the hearts of their enemies, and the miracles that the Supreme Power of Destiny worked in their favor which surpassed usual capabilities, as states The Most Exalted in His Noble Qur’an:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

فَلَمْ تَقْتُلُوهُمْ وَلَـكِنَّ اللّهَ قَتَلَهُمْ وَمَا رَمَيْتَ إِذْ رَمَيْتَ وَلَـكِنَّ اللّهَ رَمَى وَلِيُبْلِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْهُ بَلاء حَسَناً (الأنفال: 17)

 

The noble Qur’anic verse says what means:

 

“You killed them not, but Allah killed them. And you (Muhammad) threw not when you did throw but Allah threw, that He might test the believers by a fair trial from Him.” (Al-Anfâl, 8: 17)

 

Regarding the exile of the Jews of the tribe of Banu An-Nadîr, The Most Exalted, says:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

هُوَ الَّذِي أَخْرَجَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ مِن دِيَارِهِمْ لِأَوَّلِ الْحَشْرِ مَا ظَنَنتُمْ أَن يَخْرُجُوا وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُم مَّانِعَتُهُمْ حُصُونُهُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ فَأَتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَمْ يَحْتَسِبُوا وَقَذَفَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمُ الرُّعْبَ يُخْرِبُونَ بُيُوتَهُم بِأَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَيْدِي الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَاعْتَبِرُوا يَا أُولِي الْأَبْصَارِ {2} (الحشر: 2)

 

The noble Qur’anic verse says what means:

 

“He it is Who drove out the disbelievers among the people of the Scripture (i.e. the Jews of the tribe of Banî An-Nadîr) from their homes at the first gathering. You did not think that they would get out. And they thought that their fortresses would defend them from Allah! But Allah’s (Torment) reached them from a place whereof they expected it not, and He cast terror into their hearts, so that they destroyed their own dwellings with their own hands and the hands of the believers. Then take admonition, O you with eyes (to see).” (Al-Hashr, 59: 2)

 

It is the Upper Hand of Allah that works with or without causes, and will forever and ever support the believers until they triumph and through them the Word of Allah reigns supreme.

 

Surely, Allah Will Bring People Whom He Loves

 

Surat Al-Mâ’idah conveys another Qur’anic auspice, through the verse in which Almighty Allah solemnly warns the apostates, who deserted Islam, that they will not hurt the Religion of Allah (Islam) in the least, that Islam will not be subdued by their apostasy, because The Most Exalted has secured for its sake a generation of strong believers, who will resist apostasy and impiety and firmly establish religion. They (the true strong believers) will cherish feelings of a solid relation – even an affectionate one – between them and their Lord, and a relation of compassion and mercy towards the devotees, and a relation of superiority and might against the disbelievers and the tyrants, and a relation of earnest strife against the evildoers and the sinners. This is their main depiction as emphasized by the noble Qur’an while giving glad tidings to the believers and solemn warnings to the apostates. Allah, The Most Exalted, says:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ مَن يَرْتَدَّ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِي اللّهُ بِقَوْمٍ يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُ أَذِلَّةٍ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَعِزَّةٍ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ يُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ وَلاَ يَخَافُونَ لَوْمَةَ لآئِمٍ ذَلِكَ فَضْلُ اللّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَاء وَاللّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ {54} (المائدة: 54)

The noble Qur’anic verse says what means:

 

“O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islam), Allah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allah, and never afraid of the blame of the blamers. That is the Grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allah is All­-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All­-Knower.” (Al-Mâ'idah, 5: 54)

 

In interpretation of this noble Qur’anic verse, Al-Hâfizh bin Kathîr said, “Revealing His Supreme Power, The Most Exalted, says (what means) that whoever turns away from supporting his religion (Islam) and establishing His Laws, Allah will substitute him by the one who is better for it than he is; who is more powerful and more upright on the path of truth. Allah, the Most Exalted, says:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

وَإِن تَتَوَلَّوْا يَسْتَبْدِلْ قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَكُونُوا أَمْثَالَكُمْ {38} (محمد: 38)

 

The noble Qur’anic verse says what means:

 

“And if you turn away (from Islam and the obedience of Allah), He will exchange you for some other people, and they will not be your likes.” (Muhammad, 47: 38)

 

The Most Exalted also says:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

إِن يَشَأْ يُذْهِبْكُمْ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ وَيَأْتِ بِآخَرِينَ (النساء: 133)

 

 

The noble Qur’anic verse says what means:

 

“If He wills, He can take you away, O people, and bring others.” (An-Nisâ', 4: 133)

 

The Most Exalted also says:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللّهَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ بِالْحقِّ إِن يَشَأْ يُذْهِبْكُمْ وَيَأْتِ بِخَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ {19} وَمَا ذَلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ بِعَزِيزٍ {20}  (إبراهيم: 19، 20)

 

The noble Qur’anic verse says what means:

 

“Do you not see that Allah has created the heavens and the earth with truth? If He will, He can remove you and bring (in your place) a new creation! And for Allah that is not hard or difficult (i.e. very easy for Allah).” (Ibrâhîm, 14: 19-20)

 

In interpretation of the Qur’anic verse in which Allah, The Most Exalted, says (what means), “Fighting in the Way of Allah, and never afraid of the blame of the blamers.” (Al-Mâ'idah, 5: 54), Ibn Kathîr said, “That is to say, nothing keeps them back from the Obedience of Allah they are adhering to, as well as executing the prescribed penalties, fighting against the enemies, enjoining righteousness and forbidding evil-doing. No contender whatsoever can drive them away from that, nor an opponent can hinder them, nor are they affected by the censure of the blamers or the denouncers.” Then Ibn Kathîr mentioned in this regard the hadith of Abu Dhar (may Allah be pleased with him) – reported by Imam Ahmad – in which he said, “My dear companion (the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace) enjoined me to do seven (things)…and from amongst them he mentioned: and he commanded me to speak the truth even it was bitter, and commanded me never to fear in (defending or fulfilling the rights decreed by) Allah a censure of a censurer.”6

 

We Will Show Them Our Signs

 

Among the Qur’anic auspices is the noble verse in which The Most Exalted says:

 

يقول الله تعالى في كتابه العزيز:

 

سَنُرِيهِمْ آيَاتِنَا فِي الْآفَاقِ وَفِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ (فصلت: 53)

 

The noble Qur’anic verse says what means:

 

“We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their ownselves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Qur'ân) is the truth.” (Fussilat, 41: 53)

 

That is a Promise pledged by Allah, The Most Exalted, whose fulfillment is witnessed in each age through signs clearly seen, heard and felt.  

 

Among these signs are the studies conducted by physicists and mathematicians to uncover new horizons of the scientific miraculousness of the Noble Qur’an. Several non-Muslims have admitted that many of these studies give exact profound perspectives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Reported by Muslim in the book of Al-Fitan wa Ashrât As-Sâ'ah (Turmoil And The Portents of The Last Hour), hadith no. 19; also Abu Dâwûd (4252).

2 Reported by Imam Ahmad in Al-Musnad (5/366) and we have omitted the chain of transmission for brevity.

3 Al-Musnad: (4/103).

4 Reported by Imam Ahmad in Al-Musnad (4257).

5 Reported by Muslim in the book of Al-Fitan wa Ashrât As-Sâ'ah (Turmoil and the Portents of the Last Hour), hadith no. (72).

6 See: Tafsîr Ibn Kathîr (Interpretation of Ibn Kathîr): vol. 2, pp. 69, 70 – ed. by Îsâ Al-Halaby.