The Power of Faith

by Shaykh Ahmed Abdul Mujeeb Qasmi Nadvi (translated by Muhammad Owais Jafrey)

Firm faith in Allah (SWT), in all His attributes and the conviction in His Oneness is the very foundation of Prophet (SAW)’s teachings. Some pre-Islamic religions had similar teachings, but the concept of Allah’s total supremacy, power and unity was ambiguous. It was not as clearly defined and explained as it has been in the teachings of our beloved Prophet (SAW). Criterion of virtue earns recognition only if it springs forth from the belief in One and the Only Creator, Master and Sustainer. The last and final Message, i.e., the Holy Qur’an emphasizes belief in the Unity of Allah (SWT). Aayah 2 of Surah Al-Anfaal says:

“…True believers are those whose hearts tremble with awe when Allah is mentioned, whose faith increases when His revelations are recited to them, who put their trust in their Lord…”

Prophet (SAW) had trained his companions to be happy in their total and complete surrender to Allah (SWT)’s will. Be it war or peace, hardship or ease, their attitude found contentment and pleasure in total servitude to the command of Allah (SWT), and His Messenger (SAW). Aayah 22 of Surah Al-Ahzaab says:

“When the believers saw the coalition forces [of the enemies at the battle of Ahzaab], they said, ‘this is what Allah and His Messenger promised us. The promise of Allah and His Messenger is true’, and this only served to increase their faith and submission to Allah.”

It is the basic faith of a Muslim that this universe and everything in it belongs to none but Allah (SWT) and is governed by Him. His authority is supreme and His control over all that was, is and will ever be is absolute and eternal and nothing happens without His will. Aayah 26-29 of Surah Al-Takweer says:

“So where are you [people] going? This is the message for all people; for those who wish to take the straight path. But you will only wish to do so by the will of Allah, the Lord of all people.”

It is He, Who regulates the universe, the destinies of all that is in there are subject to His will. He (SWT) amends our wrongs, pardons our mistakes, forgives our sin, guides us to righteousness, comes to our rescue, fulfills our needs, and provides us with sustenance. All is within His power. The oft repeated Surah Al-Faatiha teaches us:

“[Allah (SWT)], It is You we worship; it is You we ask for help.”

The Holy Qur’an reminds us time and again that the ignorant and the polytheists depend on deities other than Allah. They are dead wrong as the deities they have carved out of their imagination have no power whatsoever. Aayahs 56-57 of Surah Bani-Isra’il say:

“Say, ‘Call upon those you claim to be deities beside Allah: they have no power to remove or avert any harm from you.”

Islam teaches us to have such an unflinching faith in Allah (SWT)’s sovereignty that all that is non-Allah becomes meaningless. Remember that even a minor flaw in our belief in Tawheed, i.e. in the Oneness of Allah spoils our deeds, however good they may be. There is this tradition quoted in Sahih Bukhari:

“Ibn Abbas (RA) reported: Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “I was shown the past nations. I saw a Prophet who had a very small group [less than ten] with him, another Prophet who was accompanied by only one or two men and some did not have even one. Suddenly I was shown a huge crowd and I thought that were my Ummah, but I was told: This is Musa and his people, but I looked towards the other side.’ I looked and beheld a great assemblage. I was told: ‘These are your people and amongst them there are seventy thousand who shall enter Paradise without being taken to account or torment.” Then the Prophet (SAW) stood up and went into his apartment, and the Companions began to guess who may be those people who would enter Paradise without any accountability or torment. Some said: “Probably, they are the ones who kept company with the Messenger of Allah (SAW). Others said: “Probably, they are the ones who have been born as Muslims and have never associated anyone with Allah in worship.” Then the Messenger of Allah returned and said: “They are those who do not blow over themselves after reciting the Qur’an, or some prayers and supplications the Prophet (SAW) used to say, nor seek it, nor perceive omens [they are not pessimistic], but keep trust in Allah.”

Let me add here that although the practice of blowing over someone after reciting the Qur’an or supplications of the Prophet (SAW) for cure from ailments is permissible but they who avoid them because of their extreme trust in Allah (SWT) and save themselves from bad omens and superstitions enjoy a distinguished position. The key point is extreme trust in Allah (SWT).

It is very sad that due to lack of knowledge, our society is a victim of superstitions and whims, and instead of seeking Allah (SWT)’s help refer our problems to those for solutions, who themselves have no power.  This results in many moral ills like jealousy, disunity, envy, break up in relationships, and hurting one another. Let us hold each of us accountable and make a self scrutiny of our trust in Allah (SWT). Please help yourself and others in purifying and strengthening the belief in Allah (SWT). Help those, whom you may find in a state of confusion, or who may have lost direction, or who are indulging in acts indicative of a sick mind or a weak faith. The only solution to our difficulties and problems is submitting to Allah (SWT) in all humility and sincerity and in

seeking His help. Solution lies in making earnest repentance. Allah’s help will come and is bound to come. Aayahs 53-55 of Surah Al-Zumar declare:

“Say, [Allah says]. My servants, who have harmed yourselves by your own excess, do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Allah forgives all sins. He is truly the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful. Turn to your Lord. Submit to Him before the punishment overtakes you and you can no longer be helped. Follow the best teaching sent down to you from your Lord before the punishment suddenly takes you unaware…”

And see how Aayahs 57-61 of Surah Al-Momin clearly declare:

“Those who stand in awe of their Lord, who believe in His messages, who do not ascribe partners to Him, who always gives with hearts that tremble at the thought that they must return to Him, are the ones who race toward good things, and they will be the first to get them.”

I conclude today’s Khutbah on a tradition of our beloved Prophet (SAW):

“Ibn Abbas (RA) said: One day I was riding behind Prophet (SAW) and he gave me these instructions:

 “Be watchful of Allah’s Commandments, He will preserve you. Safeguard His Rights; He will be ever with you. If you beg, beg of Him Alone; and if you need assistance, supplicate to Allah Alone for help. And remember that if all the people gather to benefit you except that which Allah had foreordained [for you]; and if all of them gather to do harm to you, they will not be able to afflict you with anything other than that which Allah had predestined against you. The pens had been lifted and the ink had dried up.” [At-Tirmidhi]

Another narration is: Messenger (SAW) of Allah said, “Safeguard the Commandments of Allah, you will find Him before you. Remember Him in prosperity and He will remember you in adversity. Be sure that which you miss, was not to hit you; and what hits you, was never to miss you. Remember that the Help of Allah is obtained with patience, and relief emerges after distress, prosperity follows adversity, and hardship is followed by ease.”

May Allah (SWT) bless us with total trust in Him and His Messenger for the good of both the worlds! Aameen!

May Allah enable us to realize the importance of the gift of life and the countless blessings we have been bestowed with and utilize our time prudently and wisely and the way it pleases Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (SAW). Aameen!

Note: 

SWT =  Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala

SAW =  Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam

AS   =   AlehisSalam
RA =     Radhiyallaho anhu

RAnha= Radhiyallaho anha

The Friday Khutbahs are published to enhance your knowledge of Islam.  The references of Quran and Hadith are the approximate translation of the Arabic text.   The editors have not verified the accuracy of the the English translation.  The scholarly reader is encouraged to refer to the original Arabic script if there is any doubt.  Kindly notify us if the translation can be enhanced.