Does God need defenders?

Does God need defenders?

God does not need defenders

Ronald Benjamin May 5, 2019 10:41 AM

The political scene of late has seen rallying cries by self-appointed guardians of religion.

Terms like Islamic sovereignty are used and it has been integrated with the royal institution that is supposed to safeguard Islam.

The question that comes to mind is, does religion need protection in an adversarial form? Does exclusivity protect religion? If God is regarded as all powerful, why is there a need for religious warriors? It is sad that philosophical questions of these sorts are seldom put forth in mainstream debates in a country obsessed with race and religion.

Religions such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism survived for centuries, not because of zealots who protected them.

They survived due to their in-depth wisdom about human life, action and rationality that does not separate faith and reason. In Malaysia, ethnoreligious politics have replaced faith and reason with fear and insecurity, magnified by emotions of hate and division with an overriding purpose for political power.

It is not about defending religion so much as it is about politicians trying to make a quick comeback via the gullible masses who dare not question the superficiality of these leaders since they seem to be defending religion.

This brings into question the role of religion in a society which has become a tool for political power and influence.

It is puzzling to note that in Malaysia, making use of religion for political power is not construed as an insult to religion neither is using corrupt means to enrich oneself regarded as an insult to religion too.

It is sad that such logic is given a chance to thrive in this country where Muslim politicians from both sides of the political divide are afraid to confront it.

Till today, I have yet to see Muslim intellectuals in Malaysia, who speak a lot about Western hegemony or injustice towards Islam, having the courage to categorically criticise the mixing of religion and politics that basically insults religion and puts it in an unfavourable light and a source of confrontation with the West.

It is worthwhile noting that centuries ago, during the Reformation period in Europe and European renaissance that followed later, the abuse of power by Christian hierarchy and its norms that was used for politics was challenged by reformist Christian leaders and secular ones.

Subsequently, Christian leaders over a period of time began to take a hard look at how religion has been propagated and practised. Such a challenge by religious and secular elites did not demean Christianity, but rather faith was seen and discovered from a new light of reason by going back to its core.

In spite of much upheaval that challenged Christianity as a way of life, it has survived to this day because its leaders realise that religion has to separate itself from politics of power for the sake of its credibility and the integrity of the faith.

Faith and reason were the basis for renewal where partisan politics and using religion as a tool that sparked wars over centuries were rejected.

Therefore, it’s time that religion is liberated from self-serving politicians.

It’s time the slogan of defending religion, which is a flawed means to come into power and injustice to the integrity of religion, is done away with for the common good of the country.

Malaysia has great diversity and it will fail as a nation if an overriding exclusive Islamic ethnoreligious ideology takes control of the destiny of the nation.

God does not need humans as protectors. The deceptive ideological flaw of defending religion in Malaysia should be exposed.

Ronald Benjamin is the executive secretary for the Association for Community and Dialogue.

“Help Allah and He will Help You…”

Posted on January 2, 2015

by DAR AL-NICOSIA / دار نيـقـوسـيــا

“Helping Allah…”

***

Allah says in surat al-Hajj, verse 40: “Indeed Allah will help those who help Him. Indeed Allah is Exalted in Might, All-Powerful”.

Allah also says
in sura Muhammad verse 7: “O you who believe! If you support Allah, He will support you and make your foothold firm.”

Supporting Allah means:[1]

[1] Supporting His Religion through

(i) following it,
(ii) spreading it through da`wa and (iii) learning it. This is broader in its meaning.[2]

[2] Supporting His Prophet through

(i) following his sunna,
(ii) obeying him and
(iii) protecting his honour and example.

[3] Supporting the Shariah through

(i) following it,
(ii) implementing it and
(iii) defending it.[3]

The phrase {and make your foothold firm} “is an expression denoting victory [s: granted to the Muslims]…”[4]

Victory or help from Allah thus has conditions. Helping Allah’s cause or supporting His religion with whatever the situation demands is the condition for Allah to honour the believers with victory.

In reality, Allah is not in need of any help; the actions are for our benefit and requirement for our success in both this world and the hereafter.

s.z.c.

______________

[1] al-Shinqiti, Adwa’ al-Bayan, 5:703-704.

[2] al-Mawardi, al-Nukat wa’l-`Uyun, 5:295:

وله عز وجل: { يَأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ إِن تَنصُرواْ اللَّهَ يَنْصُرْكُمْ } فيه وجهان: أحدهما: إن تنصروا دين الله ينصركم الله. الثاني: إن تنصروا نبي الله ينصركم الله، قاله قطرب

Ibn al-Jawzi, Zad al-Masir, 7:397:

قوله تعالى: { إِن تنصُروا اللهَ } أي: تنصُروا دينه ورسوله { ينصُرْكم } على عدوِّكم { ويثبِّتْ أقدامكم } عند القتال

`Izz ibn `Abd al-Salam, Tafsir, p.534:

تَنصُرُواْ اللَّهَ } دينه، أو نبيه { وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ } بالنصر، أو قلوبكم بالأمن}

[3] Ibn al-Jawzi, op. cit., 5:437:

قوله تعالى: { وَلَيَنْصُرَنَّ اللهُ مَنْ يَنْصُرُه } أي: من ينصر دينه وشرعه.

[4] al-Shawkani, Fath al-Qadir from Ibn `Atiyya, al-Muharrar al-Wajiz, 2:507:

وتثبيت الأقدام عبارة عن النصر

Those people who help establish Islam have been called Allah’s helpers.

In order to understand its significance, it should be kept in view that Allah has taken upon Himself to persuade human beings to adopt Islam of their free will, for He does not force His will on man in those spheres of his life in which He has granted him freedom of action but likes to convince him by reason and admonition. As it is the work of Allah to bring the people to the right way by admonition and advice, He calls those people who exert their utmost to establish Islam “His helpers and companions:” This is indeed the highest position that a servant of Allah can aspire to achieve. For man’s position is merely that of a servant when he is engaged in praying, fasting and other kinds of worship, but he is elevated to the high and unique position of God’s companion and assistant when he is exerting for the establishment of the way of Allah. And this is indeed the loftiest position of spiritual attainment, to which a man can aspire in this world.

Enjoining good and forbidding evil

Publish date:12/02/2017

Allah, the Exalted, Says in the Quran (what means):

“Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma`roof (i.e., Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful.” [Quran 3:104]

“You (true believers in Islamic Monotheism) are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma`roof (i.e., Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden)”.[Quran 3:110]

“Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e., don’t punish them).”[Quran 7:199]

“Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Daawood (David) and `Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). That was because they disobeyed (Allah and the Messengers) and were ever transgressing beyond bounds. They used not to forbid one another from the Munkar (wrong, evildoing, sins, polytheism, disbelief) which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do”.[Quran 5:78, 79]

“…We (i.e. Allah Almighty) rescued those who forbade evil, and with a severe torment We seized those who did wrong because they used to rebel against Allah’s Command (disobey Allah).”[Quran 7:165]

Abu Sa`eed Al-Khudrireported: The Messenger of Allahsaid, “Whoever amongst you sees an evil, he must change it with his hand; if he is unable to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is yet unable to do so, then with his heart; and that is the weakest form of Faith”.[Muslim]

This Hadeeth (narration) contains a very important prescription to prevent the Muslim society from all things which are forbidden in Islam. So long as Muslims adhered to it and ceaselessly and fearlessly performed their obligation of enjoining the right and forbidding the wrong, their society was largely safe from many evils and sins.

Nu`aman Ibn Basheer, May Allah be pleased with him, reported: The Prophet

said: “The likeness of the man who observes the limits prescribed by Allah and that of the man who transgresses them is like a group of people who get on board a ship after casting lots. Some of them are in its lower deck and some of them in its upper (deck). Those who are in its lower (deck), when they require water, go to the occupants of the upper deck, and say to them: `If we make a hole in the bottom of the ship, we shall not harm you.’ If they (the occupants of the upper deck) leave them to carry out their design they all will be drowned. But if they do not let them go ahead (with their plan), all of them will remain safe”. [Al-Bukhari]

We learn from this Hadeeth that the consequences of committing acts which are forbidden in Islam are not confined only to those persons who commit them, but the whole society has to suffer the consequences. It is, therefore, essential that the people who are in the habit of committing sinful acts and violate Divine injunctions, should be checked to save the whole society from destruction. If this is not done, the entire society will have to face the Divine punishment.

The Prophetsaid, “Beware of sitting on roads (paths).’‘ The audience said: “We have them as sitting places.” The Messengersaid, “If you have to sit there, then observe the rights of the way”.They asked, “What are the rights of the way?” Hesaid, “To lower your gaze (on seeing what is illegal to look at), removal of harmful objects from the way, returning greetings, and enjoining good and forbidding wrong”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

This Hadeeth tells us that it is improper to sit on roadsides and passages in such a way, which causes inconvenience to the people who pass by. It is really very unfortunate that now we do not care about such things at all. If sitting on the roadside is indispensable, then it is essential to observe the requirements mentioned in the Hadeeth.

Some Islamic etiquette mentioned in this Hadeeth have also been stated in other Hadeeth. For instance, politeness of speech, sharing of someone’s burden, helping the oppressed and the troubled, guiding the wayward person to the right path, answering (in the prescribed manner) one who sneezes, etc.

`Abdullah Ibn `Abbasreported: The Messenger of Allahsaw a man wearing a gold ring. So the Prophet

pulled it off and threw it away, saying, “One of you takes a live coal, and puts it on his hand?!” It was said to the man after the Messengerhad left: “Take your ring (of gold) and utilize it,” whereupon he said: “No, by Allah, I would never take it after the Messenger of Allah

has thrown it away”. [Muslim]

We learn from this Hadeeth that wearing gold rings (and other golden ornaments) is prohibited for men. Unfortunately, nowadays it has become a fashion among some men wear gold rings to signify their marriage, which is a very dangerous custom that must be shunned.

`Aa’idh Ibn `Amrvisited `Ubaidillaah Ibn Ziyaad (the ruler) and said to him: “Son, I heard the Messenger of Allah

saying, ‘The worst shepherds (rulers) are those who deal harshly in respect of supervision. Beware, don’t be one of them!”’

Ibn Ziyaad said to him, “Sit down, you are but a husk from among the Companions of the Prophet” `Aa’idh Ibn `Amr

retorted: “Was there any husk among them? Surely, husk came after them and among others than them”. [Muslim]

This Hadeeth presents a model of courage and boldness of speaking the truth before a tyrant. It was displayed by `Aa’idh in the court of ‘Ubaidillaah Ibn Ziyaad, governor of Basrah. The latter humiliated `Aa’idhthe righteous preacher, for his straight forwardness and truth but he repeated his statement about the eminence of the Companions of the Prophetand said none of them could be called husk.

Huthaifahreported: he Prophet

said, “By Him in Whose Hand my life is, you either enjoin good and forbid evil, or Allah will certainly soon send His punishment to you. Then you will make supplication and it will not be accepted”. [At-Tirmithi]

To abandon the practice of enjoining virtue and forbidding vice is likely to incur the displeasure of Allah and the rejection of prayers and supplications.