The Hypocrites of Today

These are some timely narrations collected by Muhammad Musa Nasr in his book ‘al-Munafiqun’ (p. 95-98). They are all authentic.

1 – Jubayr bin Nufayr said:

“I went to visit Abu ad-Darda’ at his home in Homs, and I found him praying at his mosque. When he sat for the tashahhud, he began seeking refuge with Allah from hypocrisy. When he finished, I went to him and asked: “May Allah Forgive you, Aba ad-Darda’! What do you have to do with hypocrisy?”

He replied: “O Allah, Your Forgiveness! (he said this three times) Nobody who feels safe from tribulation will be safe from it! By Allah, a man can be tested for a single hour and turn back on his religion.”"

2 – ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr said:

“There will come a time when people will gather in their mosques, and there won’t be a single believer in them.”

3 – al-Hasan said:

“The Hour will not come until each people will be overwhelmed by their hypocrites.”

4 – Hudhayfah said:

“The hypocrites among you today are worse than the hypocrites who lived at the time of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم)!” 

He was asked: “O Aba ‘Abdillah, how is this so?”

He replied: “They used to hide their hypocrisy. As for the ones today, they display it openly.”

Beware of evil scholars who go to the gates of the leaders

Abu Dhar said, “I was with the Prophet (SAW) one day and I heard him saing: “There is something I fear for my Ummah than the Dajjal.” It was then that I became afraid, so I said: ” Oh Rasool Allah! Which thing is that?” He (SAW) said; ”Misguided and astray scholars.”

Recorded in Musnad Imam Ahmad (no.21,334 and no.21,335). Sheikh Shu’ayb al Arna’ut graded it sahih li ghayri (authentic due to corroborating narrations) in his tahqiq of the Musnad (1999 ed., 35:21,296-97).

Al Tirmidhi (no.2229) and others record the following hadith:

إنما أخاف على أمتي الأئمة المضلين

And Allah knows best.

Abu Hurairah (radhi Allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhe wa salam) said: “Whoever lives in the dessert becomes rough; whoso follows the game becomes careless; and whoso comes to the doors of the rulers falls into fitnah (trouble); and a slave does not come nearer to the ruler, except that he becomes further from Allah.”

(Musnad Ahmad, Shiekh Ahmad Shakir said its chain of narration is Saheeh)

Ibn Abbas (radhi Allahu anhu) reported that the prophet (sallallahu alayhe wa salam) said: “Whoever lives in the desert, becomes rough; whoso follows the game, becomes careless; and whoso comes to the ruler falls into fitnah.”

(Nisaee, Tirmidhi, and Abu Dawood – See Saheeh al-Jam’i: 6296)

Abi al-’Awar as-Silmi (radhi Allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhe wa salam) said: “Beware of the doors of the ruler for they have indeed become a source of trouble and humiliation.”

(Saheeh ad-Dailamee, Ibn Mundah, Ibn-’Asaaki – See as-Saheehah: 1253)

In explaining the saying of (sallallahu alayhe wa salam): “…and whoso comes to the doors of the rulers falls into fitnah”, The writer of Tuhfat ul-Ahwadhi said, with reference to the Qaadhi (judge): “…i.e. to come to him without any necessity or need, he falls into fitnah. So if he complies with what he wants, and he leaves him (i.e. the ruler leaves the judge), then he has placed his deen in danger. And if he disagree with him, then he has put his dunya (life of this world) in danger.”

(Tuhfat ul-Ahwadhee: 6/533)

The scholars of the salaf were very cautious from going to the rulers for fear of fitnah, and they have spoken much about this issue. Imaam Ibn Rajab (rahimahullah) said: “Many of the salaf used to forbid from going to the kings even for the one who wished to order them to do good and prohibit them from doing evil. Amongst those who forbade this were ‘Umar bin ‘Abdul-Azeez, Ibn Mubaarak, ath-Thawri, and others from amonst the Imaams. Ibn Mubaarak said: “In our opinion, it is not enjoining good and prohibiting evil for one to go to them and order and prohibit them, rather enjoining good and prohibiting evil is related to avoiding them.” The reason for this is what is feared in regards to the fitnah by going to them, for when he is far from them, the soul suggests to the man that he should order and prohibit them, and be stern with him; when he is near to them, the soul inclines to them since the love of nobility is hidden in the soul, and therefore he flatters them, is friendly towards them, he may even be biased towards them and love them – especially if they act friendly towards him and are generous to him and he accepts that from them.”

(Jaami’ Bayaan al-’Ilm wa Fadhlah: 1/178 – 179)

Hudhaifah (Ra ) said: “Beware of the places of fitna.” It was said: ‘What are the places of fitna O Abu Abdullaah ?’ He said: “The doors of the princes- one of you enters upon the prince, and he attests to him with lies, and says about him, what is not true.”

Sifat-us-Safwah (1/614)

Sufyan Ath-Thawree said in a letter to ‘ Ibad bin ‘Ibad, “Beware of princes that you not become close to them or mix with them in matters, and beware that you are not deceived for you may be asked to mediate, and you find that you turn away from the oppressed one, or seek injustice; that is indeed the deception of Iblees which has been taken by the reciters of evil as a means to progress”

Jami’ Bayan Al-’Ilm (1/179) and Seer A’ laam An-Nubalaa (12/586) .

And he also said: “Whoever prepares an inkpot or sharpens a pen for them then he has taken part with them in every blood spilt in the east and west.”

Addressing ‘ Ataa Al-Khurasaanee, Wahb bin Munabbah said : “The scholars before you sufficed with their knowledge doing without the world besides them, they used not to pay attention to the people of the dunya nor with what was in their hands; the people of the dunya used to offer them their worldly possessions desiring their knowledge; today the people of knowledge have come to offer their knowledge to the people of dunya, desiring their dunya, and the people of the dunya have come to renounce their knowledge when they saw the evil sources from where it was coming. So beware O ‘Ataa of the doors of the rulers, for their within their doors is fitna like that of the camel pen; you will not affect their dunya in anything except that your deen will be affected similarly”

Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah (9/295)

Ayyub as-Sakhtiyani said: “Abu Qulaabah said to me: ‘O Abu Ayyub, take three characteristics from me: Beware of the doors of the rulers, beware of the gatherings of the people of desires, and stick with the market for affluence comes from well-being.”

(Jaami’ Bayaan al-’Ilm wa Fadhlah: 1/164)

Abu Haazim, one of the foremost tabi’een (people who saw the companions but not the prophet) said that the scholars used to flee from the ruler whilst he sought after them, and today they come to the doors of the ruler, whilst the ruler flees from them.

(Jaami’ Bayaan al-’Ilm wa Fadhlah: 1/164)

May Allah have mercy upon the scholars of the salaf, every oppression was effaced through them, and every truthful one followed their way. Then there was the ruler who used to warn them from coming close to him, he used to hold fast to the Shariah, implement it, and rule with it in the lives of the people. Then what if they were to see the rulers of our times, those who have transgressed in the lands, created much mischief therein, exchanged the deen of the Lord of the worshippers with their limited minds, dirtied their beliefs with trivialities, and have brought the laws of the Europeans and the Romans with which to govern the Muslims in this day and age?

And what if the scholars of the Salaf saw our scholars of today (except those upon whom Allah has shown Mercy) – who have inclined to these tyrants, beautified their actions to them, made fair their murders of the Muslims, the muwahideen (upholders of tawheed), weakening their honor by issuing fataawa (legal verdicts) after fataawa to make their thrones firm, and safeguard their kingdoms, by labelling everyone opposed to them as a rebel or khaariji (one of the extreme deviant sect of the khawaarij)? And labelling the ruler of Saudi Arabia as Ameer ul-Mu’mineen (chief believer). They covered the deen for the people until they turned a blind eye to the tyrants; the exchangers of Allah’s law, those who govern the slaves of Allah with that which Allah did not reveal – what if the scholars of the salaf saw this group which has sold its deen for worldly gains which will disappear, makes fair seeming for them what they do, and permit the torture and murder of every truthful Muslim?

How beautiful are the words of Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) in Al-Faou’ad when he said:

“The scholars of evil sit at the doors of al-Jannah (paradise) calling the people to it with their speech, but calling to the fire with their actions; every time they speak their words to the people they rush forward whilst their actions suggest not to listen to them – for if what they had been calling to was true, they would have been the first to respond. Thus they are seemingly guides, but are in fact highway robbers.”

The Quran and Exposure of the Enemies

Islam has paid due attention to the independence of the Muslim Ummah, and for this very reason it has suggested certain measures to prevent any kind, of alien interference in the internal affairs of an Islamic State on the part of the non‑Muslims. The Quranic imperatives are categorical in this regard. In some of the Quranic verses the evil designs and targets of the plotting unbelievers are fully exposed, so that Muslims should not he deceived by their hypocritical attitude. They also suggest how this challenge should be met. A few relevant verses are quoted here:

The unbelievers of the People of the Book (the Jews and the Christians) and the idolaters do not like that any good should be sent down to you from your Lord, and God chooses especially whom He pleases for His mercy, and God is of bounty abounding. (2:105)

If you are visited with good fortune it vexes them, and if an evil afflicts you, they rejoice at it. Yet if you are patient and God‑fearing, their evil designs will not harm you in any way; God encompasses the things they do. (3:120)

Many of the People of the Book wish that they might restore you as unbelievers, after you have believed, in the jealousy of their souls after the truth has become manifest to them; yet do you pardon and forgive, till God brings His command; truly God is powerful over everything. (2:109)

O believers, if you obey a sect of those who have been given the Book, they will turn you after you have believed, into unbelievers. (3:100)

O believers, if you obey the unbelievers they will turn you upon your heels, so that you turn back losers. No; but God is your Protector and He is the best of helpers. (3:149‑150)

So for their breaking their covenant We cursed them and made their hearts hard; they pervert words from their meanings; and they have forgotten a portion of what they were reminded of; and you shall always discover treachery in them excepting a few of them. Yet pardon them, and forgive; surely Allah loves the good‑doers. (5:13)

Never will the Jews be pleased with you, neither the Christians, not till you follow their religion. Say: "Surely God's guidance is the [only] true guidance." And if you follow their caprices after the knowledge that has come to you, you shall have against God neither protector nor helper. (2:120)

How can it be? If they get the better of you, they will not observe towards you any bond or treaty, giving you satisfaction with their mouths while their hearts do not consent; and most of them are transgressors. They have sold the signs o f God for a small price, and have barred from His way; surely evil is that they have been doing, observing neither bond nor treaty towards a believer; they are the transgressors. (9:8‑10)

Ha, there you are; you love them while they love you not; you believe in the Book, all of it, and when they meet you they say, `We believe,' and when they go privily, they bite at you their fingers. Say: Die in your rage;' surely God knows what is in the hearts. (3:119)

As for the unbelievers, they are friends one of another. Unless you do this, there will be persecution an the earth and great corruption. (8:73)

These verses disclose the evil motives, secret designs, and the essential characteristics of the unbelievers, some of which are given below:

1. If any good fortune comes to you, the unbelievers and polytheists are unhappy, for they do not like to see you benefited from anything. They are happy if some misfortune befalls you.

2. The unbelievers nurture jealousy for you and wish to turn you back from your faith.

3. If you obey the unbelievers they would make you give up your faith.

4. The unbelievers are dishonest in dealings with you, and you ought to be always aware of their evil intentions.

5. The Jews and the Christians shall never accept you unless you embrace their faith.

6. Their pacts and covenants are unreliable. If they find means of subordinating you, they will violate all the treaties and compacts that they earlier signed with you.

7. The unbelievers shall never be friendly with you, even though you treat them as friends.

8. The unbelievers are united in friendship against you and shall cooperate with one another to inflict losses on you.

God, the Almighty, has warned Muslims of the malice, enmity, dishonesty, and subversive nature of the unbelievers so that Muslims may be conscious of the fact that they can never be trusted as friends and well‑wishers. It is imperative to keep them at a distance and to strengthen your defences.

God places great emphasis on the defence of the freedom and independence of Islam against the dangers posed by the evil plots of its enemies. After enumerating some of the characteristics of the unbelievers and their evil objectives, God warns Muslims of the dangers of being friendly with them, placing reliance on them, and against surrendering their resources and powers to them. He warns them against following the unbelievers and thus directly or indirectly helping them in realizing their objectives. The Islamic State should not form friendly alliances with the unbelievers, nor are their covenants to be fully trusted. Some Quranic verses in this context may be referred to:

O believers, take not for your intimates outside yourselves; such men spare nothing to ruin you; they yearn for you to suffer. Hatred has already shown itself of their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is yet greater. Indeed, We have made Our signs clear to you, if you understand them. (3:118)

O believers, do not take the Jews and Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, he is one of them. Surely God does notguide the evildoers. (5:51)

O believers, do not take for guardians those who take your religion for a mockery and a joke, from among those who were given the Book before you and the unbelievers; and fear God, if you are believers. (5:57)

O believers, do not take My enemy and your enemy for friends; would you offer them love while they deny what has come to you of the Truth, expelling the Apostle and yourselves because you believe in God, your Lord? If you go forth to struggle in My path and seek My good pleasure, would you show love for them in secret? And I know what you conceal and what you manifest, and whoever of you does this, he indeed has gone astray from the straight path. (60:1)

O believers, do not take the unbelievers for friends rather than the believers, do you desire that you should give to Allah a manifest proof against yourselves? (4:144)

O believers, do not make friends with a people with whom God is wroth; indeed they despair of the Hereafter as the unbelievers despair of those in graves. (60:13)

Let not the believers take the unbelievers for friends rather than believers; for whoso does that belongs not to God in anything, unless you have a fear of them. God warns you that you beware of Him, and unto God is the eventual coming. (3:28)

In addition to the traits of the unbelievers enumerated earlier the following can also be inferred from the verses quoted above:

1. The unbelievers nurture malice towards the believers and do not spare anything for harming them in any possible way.

2. Their enmity of Muslims finds expression in what they say, but the intensity of their unexpressed enmity, hidden in their hearts, is far greater.

3. They can never accept your religion and they make fun of it.

4. They are enemies of Muslims and of God, and do not accept the Quranic teachings.

God, after warning us of the characteristics of the unbelievers, makes it explicit that they are not well‑wishing friends of the believers and the believers should not consider them as their friends, guardians, and defenders, and should not reveal their secrets to them. They are un­trustworthy and so are their pacts and promises. The Muslims should not allow them to plan on their behalf and to decide for them. They should not let the unbelievers take charge of their institutions and decide their policies and execute their programmes, and they should not let themselves be deceived by their apparently well‑wishing but inwardly injurious suggestions. This point is repeatedly stressed, and finally it is declared that a Muslim who males any pact of friendship and alliance with the unbelievers ceases to be one of the Islamic Ummah and the Party of God.

Friendship with unbelievers is considered even as a sign of disbelief

And had they believed in God and the Prophet (S) and what was revealed to him, they would not have taken them (the unbelievers) for friends, but most of them are transgressors. (5:81)

You shall not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day be­friending those who act in opposition to Allah and His Apostle, even though they were their [own] fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kinsfolk. (58:22)

In these Quranic verses the basic guide‑lines of an Islamic govern­ment's external policy in relation to the countries having no faith in God is clearly and explicitly laid down. Muslims are categorically commanded to guard and defend their independence and freedom, and not let the unbelievers to infiltrate and interfere in their internal affairs. Muslims are asked to be on guard against them. All relations and pacts which would ultimately lead to the increasing influence and domination of unbelievers over the affairs of Muslims are illegitimate and must be abstained from. The Quranic injunction in this regard is not only clear but also categorical:

... And Allah will by no means give the unbelievers a way against the believer‑s [to dominate them]. (4:141)

“…Which group should I join?”

“…You ask about which group you should join.

I advise you to aid the truth and Tawhid (pure monotheism) and its adherents, and to search for those who best fulfill this description and be patient alongside them, as Allah Said to His Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم): {“And be patient alongside those who call upon their Lord in the morning and afternoon, seeking His Face…”} [al-Kahf; 28]

You have to first know and learn the truth and Tawhid in order to know its adherents, because people are recognized in light of the truth. So, if you come to know the closest people to the call to Tawhid, hold tightly to their friendship and help them as much as you can.

Beware of blind allegiance to personalities, as this will block you off from much good.

The people of the truth that I advise you to stick with must combine these important characteristics:

• they adhere to the belief of Ahl as-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah
• they follow the Prophetic method in calling to Tawhid and disassociating themselves from shirk
• they do this openly, just as Prophet Ibrahim and his followers did
• they do not have blind allegiance except to textual evidence
• they do their part in aiding and giving victory to the Religion
• they are not hurt by those who oppose them or betray them, as in the description of the Ta’ifah al-Mansurah (the Victorious Group – may Allah make us from it)…”

Advice on Dealing with Family

“…And I want to remind you of the saying of the Prophet  (صلى الله عليه و سلم): “The believer who mixes with the people and is patient with the harm they inflict is better than the believer who doesn’t mix with the people and isn’t patient with the harm they inflict,” as reported by Ahmad and others from Ibn ‘Umar.

Based on this, what I advise you to do is to be patient with your family and to withstand their harm and to strive to give them da’wah and try to save them from the Fire, as in the verse: {“O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is men and stones. It has stern, severe Angels watching over it who don’t disobey Allah in what He orders them with, and they do all that they are ordered.”} [at-Tahrim; 6]

And I hope you don’t think of leaving the house and abandoning them. Exhaust all means of da’wah with them, especially if staying with them will have some effect on even a few of them.

Beware of starting off in a harsh and extreme way that will turn them off. Rather, talk to them according to what they understand with wisdom and kindness, as Allah Said: {“Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and kind way of speaking, and discuss with them in the best way.”} [an-Nahl; 125]

And remember the saying of the Prophet  (صلى الله عليه و سلم): “Give glad tidings, and do not turn people away,” and: “Indeed, gentleness isn’t found in something except that it beautifies it, and it isn’t removed from something except that it ruins it.”

And start with the most important issues, and go in order. Don’t get into arguments with them over secondary matters while their principles are messed up. Instead, begin by addressing the principles, and if you happen to come across problems in secondary issues, tie it to the main principles and don’t make your enmity with them except when it comes to the basic principle of the Religion, Tawhid, its nullifiers, and what breaks its firm handhold…”