WHEN WILL THE HELP OF ALLAH COME?

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL   With the increased violence against the Muslims in Palestine and now Lebanon, everyone must be wondering when will Allah Help His Ummah? In the Qur’an we see many characters who has received Allah’s Tests:

1. Prophet Yusuf (AS)
2. Prophet Ayyub (AS)
3. Hajjah and Ismail – left in the desert and was looking desperately for water.
4. Prophet Nuh (AS) when he was mocked and abused by his people when he was building the ark.
5. Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in Ta’if, battle of the Trench, before Hijrah
6. Maryam when she was pregnant with Isa (AS)

All of us need Allah’s Help in every single aspect of our lives:

1. To increase our knowledge
2. To increase our obedience
3. To sustain us on our daily lives
4. When we face difficulties in our life – family matters, work, studies
5. Against our enemies
6. When we are ill

In fact Allah Reminded us in Qur’an surah 12 verse 21: وَاللَّهُ غالِبٌ عَلىٰ أَمرِهِ وَلٰكِنَّ أَكثَرَ النّاسِ لا يَعلَمونَ “… And Allah has full power and control over His Affairs, but most of men know not.” So, we complete are relying on Allah for our daily needs. We must know what to do in order for Allah to Help us in our daily affairs inshaAllah. Allah Reminded us in Qur’an surah 2 verse 214: أَم حَسِبتُم أَن تَدخُلُوا الجَنَّةَ وَلَمّا يَأتِكُم مَثَلُ الَّذينَ خَلَوا مِن قَبلِكُم ۖ مَسَّتهُمُ البَأساءُ وَالضَّرّاءُ وَزُلزِلوا حَتّىٰ يَقولَ الرَّسولُ وَالَّذينَ آمَنوا مَعَهُ مَتىٰ نَصرُ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلا إِنَّ نَصرَ اللَّهِ قَريبٌ “Or think you 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 come) the Help of Allah?” Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!” WHEN WILL WE GET THE HELP OF ALLAH?

1. If we believe and do good righteous deeds

The help of Allah that is near is not for everyone who claims to believe or claims to be a Muslim; rather it is only for those who truly believe in their hearts and carry out their duties as enjoined by Islam.   Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):   وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذينَ آمَنوا مِنكُم وَعَمِلُوا الصّالِحاتِ لَيَستَخلِفَنَّهُم فِي الأَرضِ كَمَا استَخلَفَ الَّذينَ مِن قَبلِهِم وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُم دينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارتَضىٰ لَهُم وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِن بَعدِ خَوفِهِم أَمنًا ۚ يَعبُدونَني لا يُشرِكونَ بي شَيئًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعدَ ذٰلِكَ فَأُولٰئِكَ هُمُ الفاسِقونَ وَأَقيمُوا الصَّلاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكاةَ وَأَطيعُوا الرَّسولَ لَعَلَّكُم تُرحَمونَ “Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). And perform As-Salat (Iqamat as-Salat), and give Zakat and obey the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) that you may receive mercy (from Allah)” [an-Noor 24:55, 56].   Al-Haafiz Ibn Katheer (may Allah have mercy on him) said: This is a promise from Allah to His Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) that He will cause his ummah to gain authority in the land, i.e., become leaders of people and rulers over them, and by means of them the people’s affairs will be put right and the people will submit to their rule, and after having being afraid of the people, they will enjoy security and will rule over them. And He, may He be glorified and exalted, did indeed do that, may He be praised. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did not pass away until Allah enabled him to conquer Makkah, Khaybar, Bahrain, the entire Arabian Peninsula and all of the land of Yemen; he took the jizyah from the Magians of Hajar and from some of the border regions of greater Syria. Heraclius, the ruler of Byzantium, exchanged gifts with him, as did the ruler of Egypt and Alexandria, al-Muqawqis, the kings of Oman, and the Negus, the ruler of Abyssinia, who came to the throne after Ashamah, may Allah have mercy on him and honour him.   Then when the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) passed away, and Allah chose for him that which is with Him of honour, Abu Bakr as-Siddeeq became the ruler (caliph) of the Muslims. End quote.    

2. If we help/support Allah

يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنوا إِن تَنصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنصُركُم وَيُثَبِّت أَقدامَكُم “O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm.” 47: 7 وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزيزٌ “…Verily, Allah will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty.” 22: 40   Who are these people? Allah Explained in the next verse the characteristics of these people: الَّذينَ إِن مَكَّنّاهُم فِي الأَرضِ أَقامُوا الصَّلاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكاةَ وَأَمَروا بِالمَعروفِ وَنَهَوا عَنِ المُنكَرِ ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عاقِبَةُ الأُمورِ “Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) order for Iqamat-as-Salat. [i.e. to perform the five compulsory congregational Salat (prayers) (the males in mosques)], to pay the Zakat and they enjoin Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism and all that Islam has forbidden) [i.e. they make the Qur’an as the law of their country in all the spheres of life]. And with Allah rests the end of (all) matters (of creatures).” 22: 41

• Establish salah
• Give zakat
• Enjoin goodness
• Forbid evil

  Supporting/help Allah means:[al-Shinqiti, Adwa’ al-Bayan, 5:703-704] [1] Supporting His Religion through (i) following it, (ii) spreading it through da`wa and (iii) learning it. This is broader in its meaning.[al-Mawardi, al-Nukat wa’l-`Uyun, 5:295, Ibn al-Jawzi, Zad al-Masir, 7:397, `Izz ibn `Abd al-Salam, Tafsir, p.534]   [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.[Ibn al-Jawzi, op. cit., 5:437]  

• The phrase {and make your foothold firm} “is an expression denoting victory [s: granted to the Muslims]…”[al-Shawkani, Fath al-Qadirfrom Ibn `Atiyya, al-Muharrar al-Wajiz, 2:507]
• 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.

   

3. Praying Qiyam al Layl in the last third of the night

  Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Our Lord Almighty descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of every night, saying: Who is calling upon Me that I may answer him? Who is asking from Me that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness that I may forgive him?”   مَنْ يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ مَنْ يَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيَهُ مَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُنِي فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ   Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1145, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 758 Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, “Every night there is a special time during which whatever a Muslim asks Allah of any good relating to this life or the Hereafter, it will be granted to him; and this moment comes every night.”                                                                                              [Muslim] Abu Umama al-Bahili (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) said, “Hold fast to night prayer, for it was the way of the righteous before you, a way of drawing closer to your Lord, an expiation for wrong deeds, and a shield from sin.” [Tirmidhi, and others] In some narrations, there is an addition, “And it repels sickness from the body.” Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu): “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The best prayer after those prescribed is (the prayer performed) in the depth of night.” [Saheeh Muslim and Musnad Ahmad] He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) also said: “The most beloved prayer to Allah was of Dawud (alaihi as-salaam). He slept one half of the night, got up (and prayed) for one third, and then slept (the remaining) one sixth.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]  

4. Changing your own conditions before you expect Allah Help you

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ   “…Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves…” [Quran, 13:11] Everyone is blaming others, blaming America, Israel for the things that are happening in Palestine, for example… but do the Palestinians specifically and the Muslim ummah actually look at themselves to see if they have been submitting to Allah completely? Many people choose which commands of Allah they wish to obey and deliberately disobey Allah on other commands. So, while they pray, they also are indulging in bribery, cheating, lying, riba, etc. Islam is a way of life – not restricted only to salah, fasting in Ramadan, zakat, etc. The Qur’an has been sent to us in order to show us how to lead our lives. It is not an option for us to choose which verses we obey and which we ignore.   يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنوا أَطيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطيعُوا الرَّسولَ وَأُولِي الأَمرِ مِنكُم ۖ فَإِن تَنازَعتُم في شَيءٍ فَرُدّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسولِ إِن كُنتُم تُؤمِنونَ بِاللَّهِ وَاليَومِ الآخِرِ ۚ ذٰلِكَ خَيرٌ وَأَحسَنُ تَأويلًاg “O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad, Peace be upon him), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger (Peace be upon him), if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.” 4: 59   أَفَتُؤمِنونَ بِبَعضِ الكِتابِ وَتَكفُرونَ بِبَعضٍ ۚ فَما جَزاءُ مَن يَفعَلُ ذٰلِكَ مِنكُم إِلّا خِزيٌ فِي الحَياةِ الدُّنيا ۖ وَيَومَ القِيامَةِ يُرَدّونَ إِلىٰ أَشَدِّ العَذابِ ۗ وَمَا اللَّهُ بِغافِلٍ عَمّا تَعمَلونَ “…Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.” 2: 85   وَما كانَ لِمُؤمِنٍ وَلا مُؤمِنَةٍ إِذا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسولُهُ أَمرًا أَن يَكونَ لَهُمُ الخِيَرَةُ مِن أَمرِهِم ۗ وَمَن يَعصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسولَهُ فَقَد ضَلَّ ضَلالًا مُبينًا  “It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.” 33: 36   وَعَسىٰ أَن تَكرَهوا شَيئًا وَهُوَ خَيرٌ لَكُم ۖ وَعَسىٰ أَن تُحِبّوا شَيئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَكُم ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعلَمُ وَأَنتُم لا تَعلَمونَ “…and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.” 2: 216  

5. Be patient, and pray

  يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنُوا استَعينوا بِالصَّبرِ وَالصَّلاةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصّابِرينَ “O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer). Truly! Allah is with As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.).” 2: 153   We must understand how life in filled with Allah’s Tests, especially for the believers:   وَلَنَبلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيءٍ مِنَ الخَوفِ وَالجوعِ وَنَقصٍ مِنَ الأَموالِ وَالأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَراتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصّابِرينَ “And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.).” 2: 155   Many stories in the Qur’an are given by Allah in order to teach us that the pious people before us were tested severely – and through their patience and steadfastness of the Deen Allah Help them:  

1. Prophet Ayyoub (AS)
2. Prophet Ibrahim (AS)
3. Prophet Yusuf (AS)
4. Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)
5. People of the cave
6. Maryam, mother of prophet Isa (AS)
7. Asiyah, wife of the pharaoh.

   

6. Repenting to Allah

  Prophet Yunus (AS) was in the belly of the whale. He made an important du’a to Allah and asked for His Forgiveness:   لا إِلٰهَ إِلّا أَنتَ سُبحانَكَ إِنّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظّالِمينَ  “La ilaha illa Anta [none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah)], Glorified (and Exalted) are You [above all that (evil) they associate with You]. Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers.”   And Allah Answered his du’a and Prophet Yunus (AS) was free from the belly of the whale. His nation was also making du’a to Allah seeking His Forgiveness:   “Was there any town (community) that believed (after seeing the punishment), and its Faith (at that moment) saved it (from the punishment)? (The answer is none,) – except the people of Yunus (Jonah); when they believed, We removed from them the torment of disgrace in the life of the (present) world, and permitted them to enjoy for a while.” 10: 98   Prophet Nuh (AS) advised his people:   فَقُلتُ استَغفِروا رَبَّكُم إِنَّهُ كانَ غَفّارًا يُرسِلِ السَّماءَ عَلَيكُم مِدرارًا وَيُمدِدكُم بِأَموالٍ وَبَنينَ وَيَجعَل لَكُم جَنّاتٍ وَيَجعَل لَكُم أَنهارًا “I said (to them): ‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving; ‘He will send rain to you in abundance; ‘And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.’ “ (71: 10-12)   Also,  Prophet Hud (AS) said to his people in Qur’an surah 11 verse 52   وَيا قَومِ استَغفِروا رَبَّكُم ثُمَّ توبوا إِلَيهِ يُرسِلِ السَّماءَ عَلَيكُم مِدرارًا وَيَزِدكُم قُوَّةً إِلىٰ قُوَّتِكُم وَلا تَتَوَلَّوا مُجرِمينَ  “And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah).”  

7. Ensure that your provisions (food, drinks, wealth) are halal

  On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (ra): The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Allah the Almighty is Good and accepts only that which is good. And verily Allah has commanded the believers to do that which He has commanded the Messengers. So the Almighty has said:   يا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلوا مِنَ الطَّيِّباتِ وَاعمَلوا صالِحًا ۖ إِنّي بِما تَعمَلونَ عَليمٌ “O (you) Messengers! Eat of the tayyibat [all kinds of halal (legal) foods], and perform righteous deeds.” [23:51] and the Almighty has said:   يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنوا كُلوا مِن طَيِّباتِ ما رَزَقناكُم “O you who believe! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you.” [2:172]” Then he (ﷺ) mentioned [the case] of a man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty, and who spreads out his hands to the sky saying “O Lord! O Lord!,” while his food is haram (unlawful), his drink is haram, his clothing is haram, and he has been nourished with haram, so how can [his supplication] be answered? [Muslim]   On drinking alcohol: Narrated by Ibn Maajah (3377) from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever drinks alcohol and gets drunk, his prayer will not be accepted for forty days and if he dies he will go to Hell. But if he repents, Allaah will accept his repentance. If he again drinks alcohol and gets drunk, his prayer will not be accepted for forty days and if he dies he will go to Hell. But if he repents, Allaah will accept his repentance. If he again drinks alcohol and gets drunk, his prayer will not be accepted for forty days and if he dies he will go to Hell. But if he repents, Allaah will accept his repentance. If he commits (this sin) again, then Allaah pledges to make him drink the mud of khabaal on the Day of Resurrection.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allaah, what is the mud of khabaal?” He said, “The juices of the people of Hell.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah. Therefore we have to inshaAllah implement all the above in order to get the Help and Support from Allah which we all need at all times. May Allah Guide us all in the straight path and Grant us with the ability to submit ourselves completely to His Commands and Grant us Jannatul Firdaus for our efforts.