Qualities of the People of Taqwa

“When Allah created His creation, He did so while He was completely independent of their obedience towards Him and of their disobedience towards Him. No disobedience can hurt Him and no obedience can benefit Him. Then He distributed amongst them (the creation) their means of sustenance and placed them on earth. The people of Taqwa on earth are those of virtue: their speech is correct (true); their garments are of moderate nature and their walk is one of humility. They lower their gaze when they see something that Allah has forbidden them to see and they give ear to beneficial knowledge. They maintain their integrity in both adversity and prosperity.

 

Had it not been for the appointed time that Allah has written for them (death), their souls would not remain an extra second in their bodies out of yearning for reward and fear of punishment. The Creator ranks Supreme in their eyes, so everything else becomes immaterial to them. They are with Paradise as if they had already witnessed it and enjoyed its presence. They are with Hell as if they have already seen it and tasted its torment. Their hearts grieve and their evil (if any) is non-contagious. Their bodies are lean, their needs are few and their souls are chaste.

They observe patience for a few days and experience everlasting comfort. This is a profitable exchange that their Lord has made pleasant for them. The world tempts them, but they do not succumb. It imprisons them, but they ransomed themselves in exchange.

During the nights they stand in rows and read portions of the Quran. They recite with proper recitation which grieves their hearts and drink it (the Quran) like medicine. If a verse of yearning comes along, they reach for it and believe it is their destination. If an intimidating verse comes along, they pour their hearts towards it and believe that Hell and its screams are in their ears. They sleep on their foreheads and elbows (i.e. they engage in prayers so much that it is as if they sleep in those postures) and implore Allah to deliver them.

In the day, they are tolerant and learned, kind and God-fearing. Fear has chipped away at their bodies as if they were arrows. Anyone looking at them would think that they were sick. But they are not sick. Some will say that they are confused. A great fear has made them look like that. They are never content to do only a few actions (during the day), nor do they ask for a great deal. They condemn themselves and are apprehensive about their deeds.

If one of them is called “pious”, he fears what will be said of him and says: “I know myself better than you do. My Lord knows me better than I do. O Allah! Do not take me to task for what they are saying about me and (O Lord) make me better than they think. Forgive my sins which they do not know about.”

Their signs are that they are strong in Islam, resolute in their softness; firm in their belief. They crave for knowledge and are knowledgeable with tolerance; moderate in richness; pleasant in hunger; forbearing in distress; seeking Halal; active in (pursuing) guidance and they abhor greed.

They perform good deeds in fear (of rejection). They spend the evening in gratitude and the morning in remembrance. They sleep in alarm and they awake in joy. If their carnal selves make it difficult for them to fulfil that which they dislike the deprive them (their selves) of that which they like. The apple of their eyes is in what does not perish and their abstemiousness in what disappears. They combine knowledge with tolerance and speech with action.

You will find their hopes are realistic, their mistakes few; their hearts humble, their selves content; their diet meagre, their matters simple, their Deen safe-guarded, their desires killed and their anger subdued. Goodness is expected from them and evil is shielded against them. If they are among those who are oblivious, they are counted amongst those who remember (Allah). If they are among those who remember, they are not written among the oblivious. They pardon those who wrong them; they provide for those who deprive them, and meet those who severe ties with them. They are never profane and always lenient. Their wrong doings are almost non-existent and their good deeds are always present. They are resolute when the earth quakes, steadfast in calamities and grateful in prosperity.

They are no prejudiced against those they dislike nor do they favour those they love. They acknowledge the truth before it appears and do not lose anything they are entrusted with. They do not call anyone names nor do they hurt their neighbours. They do not curse at the time of difficulties nor do they venture into falsehood.

Silence does not bother them and if they laugh, they do not raise their voices. If they are treated with injustice they remain patient until Allah vindicates them.

Their own selves live in toil while others are comfortable around them.

Their abstinence from those who stay away from them is their exoneration (from malice). Their proximity to those who are close to them, is a means of mercy (for those who are close to them). Their remaining aloof is not out of pride and arrogance and their being close is neither a ploy nor a scheme.”

The Promise of Divine Help and Victory

Allah (swt) says:-
“Verily, We shall indeed help/give victory to  Our Messengers and those who believe, [both] in this world’s life and on the Day when all the witnesses shall stand up.” (Ghaafir 40:51)

“When the Help of Allah comes and the conquest and you see the people enter the deen of Allah in large numbers” (an Nasr :1-2)

“Truly Allah defends those who believe. Verily Allah likes not any treacherous ingrate. Permission to fight is given to those who are fighting them, because they have been oppressed and surely, Allah is able to give them victory. Those who have been expelled from their homes unjustly only because they said ‘Our Lord is Allah’ For had it not been that Allah checks one set of people by means of another monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques wherein the name of Allah is mentioned much would surely have been pulled down. Verily, Allah will help those who help His (cause). Truly Allah is Qawiun A’zeez.”(al-Hajj 22:38-40)

“O you who believe! Be you helpers (ansaar) of Allah as said I’sa ibn Maryam, to the huwaariyoon: ‘Who are my helpers (in the cause) of Allah?’ The huwaariyoon said ‘We are Allah’s helpers’ Then a group of the children of Israeel believed and a group disbelieved. So we gave power to those who believed against their enemies, and they became the uppermost.” (as Saff 61:14)

“Or do you think 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 be) the Help of Allah?’ But verily the Help of Allah is near.”(al Baqarah 2:214)

Ubay bin Abi Ka’b reported that Nabi (saw) said “Bring glad tidings to this ummah that it will have the power, the pride, the deen, the victory on the earth. So he who worked to reap the rewards in this life rather than the hereafter he woul have no reward in the hereafter.” (AHMAD [5/114])

In the Musral hadeeth from Hasan it is reported that Rasool Allah (saw) said “Whoever meets death while is search of knowledge to revive Islam, there will be only one degree in Paradise between him and the prophets.” (DAARIMI, Mishkaat [vol.1 p.256])

The Ultimate Dominance of the Deen is a Fact!

Allah (swt) says:-
“So do not become weak nor grieve and you will be uppermost [aa’aloon] if you are believers.” (aali I’mraan 3:139)

“It is He who sent his messenger with the Truth and Guidance so that it may prevail over all the ways of life even if the mushrikoon detest it.” (at Tawbah 9:33 & as Saff 61:9)

“It is He who sent his messenger with the Truth and Guidance so that it may prevail over all the ways of life and all sufficient is Allah for a Witness.” (al Fath 48:28)

“[For] Allah has thus ordained: ‘I shall most certainly prevail, I and My Messengers!’ Verily, Allah is Qaweeun, A’zeez!” (al Mujaadilah 58:21)

“And many a prophet fought and along with him large bands ribbiyyoon (religious learned men).  But they never lost heart for that which did befall them in the Way of Allah nor did they weaken nor degrade themselves. And Allah loves the patient. And they said nothing but ‘Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and our transgressions establish our feet firmly and give us victory over the disbelieving people.’ So Allah gave them the reward of this world and the excellent reward of the hereafter. And Allah loves the muhsineen.”  (aali I’mraan 3:146-148)

“Whoever desires i’zzah (honour, power) then all i’zzah belongs to Allah. To Him ascend the goodly words and the righteous actions exalt it but those who plot evil [yamkuroona sayyiaa’t], theirs will be the severe torment. And the plotting [makru] of such will perish.” (Faatir 35:10)

The Plots of the Disbelievers against Islam and Muslims will Backfire

Allah (swt) says,
“Those who reject our ayaat, We shall gradually seize them with punishment in ways they percieve not. And I respite them certainly my scheme [kaydi] is strong” (al A’raaf 7:182)

“So if you (mushrikoon) repent it is better for you, but if you turn away, then know that you can not escape Allah. And give tidings of a painful torment for those who disbelieve.” (at Tawbah 9:3)

“And let not their wealth or their children dazzle you in reality Allah’s desire is to punish them with these things in the life of this world, and that their souls shall depart while they are disbelievers.”  (at Tawbah 9:85)
“Verily, This (Quran) is the Word that separates. And it is not a thing for amusement. Verily they are but plotting (yakeedoona) a plot [kaydan]. And I am too planning a plan[wakeedu kaydan]. So give respite to the disbelievers. Deal you gently with them for a while.” (at Taariq 86:13-17)

 “Like those before you, they were mightier than you in power and more abundant in wealth and children. They had enjoyed their portion awhile, so enjoy your portion a while and you indulged in play and pastime as they indulged in play and pastime. Such are they whose actions are in vain in this world and in the hereafter. Such are they who are the losers. Has not the story reached them of those before them? The people of Nuh, A’d and Thamood, the people of Ibraheem, the dwellers of Madyan and the cities overthrown (such as he people of Loot[a.s.]), to them came their messengers with clear proofs. So it was not Allah Who wronged them, but they used to wrong themselves.” (at Tawbah 9:69-70)

“Do then those who devise evil plots [makaroo sayyi’ati] feel secure that Allah will not sink them into the earth or that the torment will not seize them from directions they pecieve not? Or that He may catch them in the midst of their going to and fro so that there be no escape for them? Or that He may catch them with gradual wasting. Truly! Your Lord is Ra’oofun Raheem. Have they not observed things that Allah has created, their shadows incline to the right and to the left, making prostration to Allah and they are lowly? And to Allah prostrates all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, of the live moving creatures and the angels and they are not proud. They fear their Lord above them and they do what they are commanded.”  (an Nahl 16:45-50)

“Then leave Me alone with such as belie this Quran. We shall punish them gradually from directions they percieve not. And I will grant them a respite. Verily My scheme [kaydi] is strong.” (al Qalam 68:44-45)

“This (is the fact) and surely, Allah weakens the plots [kaydi] of the disbelievers” (al Anfaal 8:18)

“To Fira’wn, Haman and Qaaroon but they called (him): ‘A sorcerer a liar’ Then when he brought them the Truth from Us, they said: ‘Kill the sons of those who believe with him and let their women live’ but the plots [kayd] of disbelievers are nothing but errors!’” (Ghaafir 40:24-25)

“Or do they intend a plot [kaydan] [against you O Muhammad]? But those who disbelieve are themselves in a plot [makeedoon]” (at Toor 52:42)

“And thus We have set up in every town great ones of its wicked people to plot [liyamkuroo] therein. But they plot [yamkuroona] not except against their ownselves and they percieve it not.” (al Ana’m 6:123)

“Did they then feel secure gainst the Plan of Allah [makrallaahi]? None feels secure from the Plan of Allah [makrallaahi] except the people who are lost. Is it not clear to those who inherit the earth in succession from its possessors that had We willed, We would have punished them for their sins. And We seal up their hearts so that they hear not? Those were the towns whose story We relate unto you.And there came indeed to them their Messengers with clear proofs but they were not such as to believe in that which they had rejected before. Thus Allah does seal up the hearts of the disbelievers.” (al A’raaf 7:99-101)

“Their arrogance in the land and their plotting of evil [makras sayyi’i]. But the evil plot [al makrus sayyu’] encompasses  only him who makes it. Then, can they expect anything (else) but the Sunnah of the Peoples of old? So no change will you find in Allah’s Sunnah and no turning off will you find in Allah’s Sunnah.” (Faatir 35:43)