(21) The care and support of Allah (SWT) is the weapon of the Muslim. Part (2)
There are two points to discuss in this regard:
C- The support of Allah (SWT) in the lives of the prophets and messengers.
D- The Importance of this consciousness in achieving victory and empowerment.
C- The support of Allah (SWT) in the lives of the prophets and messengers.
There are many lessons that can be learned from the story of Musa and Fira’on about the consciousness of the care and support of Allah (SWT).
Musa (PBUH) confronted Fira’on even though Fira’on was a powerful tyrant. Musa (PBUH) demanded that Fira’on free the children of Israel from slavery and from the oppression they were subjected to.
He wanted for his people to worship Allah (SWT) instead of being slaves to Fira’on. Fira’on rejected Musa’s demands and instead he gathered a great army to kill Musa and his followers. Fira’on followed Musa and his people until they reached the sea. At that moment, the children of Israel realized, without any doubt, that they were going to be Fira’on’s victims.
They said as mentioned by Allah (SWT) in the Quran: “And when the two hosts saw each other, the companions of Musa said: ‘We are sure to be overtaken.’” (As-Shu’ara, 61).
Musa’s response was mentioned in the Quran: “He said: ‘Nay, verily, with me is my Lord. He will guide me.” (As-Shu’ara, 62).
Unlike his people, Musa (PBUH) was sure of the support of Allah (SWT) and for that reason he was saved along with his people. Allah’s response was immediate: “Then We revealed to Musa (saying), ‘Strike the sea with your stick.’ And it parted, and each separate part (of that sea water) became like a huge mountain. And We saved Musa and all those with him. Then We drowned the others.”
As for the seal of prophets Mohammad (PBUH) he was a recipient of the care of Allah (SWT) throughout his life; before prophethood and after it. He was the most knowledgeable person about Allah (SWT). He was also the most pious of all human beings.
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was the most conscious of Allah’s care and support. As a manifestation of this, he (PBUH) said in a hadith: “Ihsan is to worship Allah (SWT) as if you see him, for He sees you although you do not see him.” (Al-Bukhari, 4777).
The consciousness of the care and support of Allah (SWT) was a very important aspect in the life of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
Allah (SWT) says: “So wait (O Mohammad PBUH) for the decision of you Lord, for verily, you are under Our eyes.” (At-Tur, 48).
It was very clear during the emigration of the Prophet (PBUH) that he was provided with the care and support of Allah (SWT). Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) did all that he could in order to make his journey a successful one.
And when the pagans reached the cave in which the prophet (PBUH) and Abu Bakr were hiding, Abu Bakr was able to hear their footsteps and said to the Prophet (PBUH): “O messenger of Allah, if anyone of them looks under his feet he will be able to see us.” And the Prophet (PBUH) said: “O Abu Bakr, do not be sad. Allah (SWT) is with us.” (Al-Bukhari, 4663).
D-The importance of the protections of Allah (SWT) in achieving victory.
Very often in this life, the Muslim is faced with difficulties- trials and tribulations. The Muslim, when he finds himself in a situation of hardship, starts to look for a way out. Or he just waits patiently hoping that things will get better with time.
Sometimes the Muslim fails to realize that by turning to Allah (SWT) all his hardships can be resolved.
There are many benefits that come with piety and being conscious of the care and support of Allah (SWT).
Three of which I will share with you:
- a) Tranquility: the fruit of being conscious of the care and support of Allah (SWT) is to attain inner peace and tranquility. Allah (SWT) says: “Those who believe, and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah: verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Ar-Ra’d, 28).
We can learn from this ayah that the one who remembers Allah (SWT) frequently, Allah (SWT) will provide him with the elements of life.
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “The difference between the one who remembers Allah (SWT) and the one who does not, is like the difference between the living and the dead.” (Al-Bukhari, 6407).
- b) Another benefit that can be gained from the consciousness of Allah’s care and support is that Allah (SWT) provides the Muslim with mercy and kindness.
The human being lives a miserable life when he distances himself from Allah (SWT) and by rejecting iman. Allah (SWT) says in a hadith Qudsi: “I am with my slave as long as he remembers me.” (Al-Bukhari, 7405).
- c) The third benefit is achieving extraordinary victory. It is not strange for a victory to be achieved when all the elements and requirements for that victory have been met. However, when the elements and requirements for victory are not available, and victory is achieved then it is an extraordinary one.
This can only be done by depending on Allah (SWT) and having trust in Him, and it is a manifestation of being conscious of the care and support of Allah (SWT).
We ask Allah (SWT) to give us his care and protection.
Written by: Dr. Ahmed Shaheen
Professor in Al-Azhar University
And Islamic American University
Translated by: Abdullah Zettili
