Opposing the ways of the Unbelievers

First Sermon:

 

All praise is due and belongs to Allâh . We praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness and repent to Him. We seek refuge with Allâh  from the evils of ourselves and from the wickedness of our own deeds. Whomever that Allâh  guides, none can mislead him, and whomever He sends astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allâh  alone with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

 

( يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اتَّقُواْ اللّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلاَ تَمُوتُنَّ إِلاَّ وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ )

(O You who believe, fear Allâh  as he should be feared and die not unless you are Muslims) [Al-Imran: 102]

 

( يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُواْ رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالاً كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاء وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءلُونَ بِهِ وَالأَرْحَامَ إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا )

(O people fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul. From it, He created its spouse, and from both of them scattered many men and women. Fear Allâh , by whom you ask one another, and (fear) the wombs (lest you sever its relationship). Allâh  is ever watching over you.) [An-Nisa: 1].

 

(يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا * يُصْلِحْ لَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَمَن يُطِعْ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا)

 (O you, who believe, fear Allâh  and say sound statements. He will mend your deeds for you and forgive your sins. Whosoever obeys Allâh  and His Messenger shall win a great victory) [Al-Ahzab: 70-71].

 

A Muslim is privileged by his Islam. He places himself above disdainful things. He is proud of himself and the guidance he bears. Therefore, you find that a Muslim wears an independent personality and he never imitates non-Muslims, because such attitude will strip him of his identity and isolate him away from the source of his pride.

 

But the sad and sobbing thing is what we observe in the case of some Muslims, who rush in to the unbelievers and get fascinated by them. Thus, they track their footsteps in every nook and cranny! This is something that was predicted by the Prophet (May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him), when he said, " You will follow the ways of those nations who were before you, span by span and cubit by cubit (i.e., inch by inch) so much so that if they should go into the hole of a lizard, you too will go there." We said, "O Allâh 's Messenger (May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him)! Do you mean the Jews and the Christians?" He replied, "Whom else?" (Meaning, of course, the Jews and the Christians.)," (Agreed upon).

 

One wonders how a Muslim imitates a non-Muslim when they are never equal; this rests at the top of virtues while the other dwells in the most vicious vices. Allâh  the Almighty has ruled that they can never be equal when He said,

( أَفَنَجۡعَلُ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ كَٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ (٣٥) مَا لَكُمۡ كَيۡفَ تَحۡكُمُونَ )

Shall We then treat the Muslims (believers of Islamic Monotheism, doers of righteous deeds) like the Mujrimûn (criminals, polytheists and disbelievers)? (35) What is the matter with you? How do you judge? [Al-Qalam: 35-36];

 

 (أَمۡ نَجۡعَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ كَٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَمۡ نَجۡعَلُ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ كَٱلۡفُجَّار)

 Shall We treat those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, as Mufsidûn (those who associate partners in worship with Allâh and commit crimes) on earth? Or shall We treat the Muttaqûn (pious), as the Fujjâr (criminals, disbelievers, the wicked)? [Saad: 28]

 

The former do righteous deeds while the latter perpetrate crimes. How come can they be equal?

 

A Muslim will dwell forever in Paradise and the unbeliever will be immortalized in the hellfire:

( مَا كَانَ لِلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ أَن يَعۡمُرُواْ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ شَـٰهِدِينَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِم بِٱلۡكُفۡرِ‌ۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ حَبِطَتۡ أَعۡمَـٰلُهُمۡ وَفِى ٱلنَّارِ هُمۡ خَـٰلِدُونَ )

 It is not for the polytheists to maintain the Mosques of Allâh, while they witness against their own selves of disbelief. The works of such are in vain and in Fire shall they abide [At-Taubah: 17].

 

A Muslim will have his good deeds preserved for him in the hereafter, but the unbeliever will have them hastened for him in this world; so as not to have anything preserved for him at the sight of Allâh . The Messenger of Allâh  (May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him) said, "Verily, Allâh  does not treat a believer unjustly in regard to his virtues. He would confer upon him (His blessing) in this world and would give him reward in the Hereafter. And as regards a non-believer, he would be made to taste the reward (of virtue in this world) what he has done for himself so much that when it would be the Hereafter, he would find no virtue for which he should be rewarded" (Muslim).

 

A'isha, may Allâh  be pleased with her, reported:I said, Messenger of Allâh , the son of Jud'an established ties of relationship, and fed the poor during the era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah). Would that be of any avail to him? He said: It would be of no avail to him, as he did not ever say: O my Lord, pardon my sins on the Day of Resurrection [Muslim].

 

Their deeds are but mere ashes and mirage as Allâh  the Most High, has said,

( وَٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُوٓاْ أَعۡمَـٰلُهُمۡ كَسَرَابِۭ بِقِيعَةٍ۬ يَحۡسَبُهُ ٱلظَّمۡـَٔانُ مَآءً حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَهُ ۥ لَمۡ يَجِدۡهُ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا )

 As for those who disbelieve, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one thinks it to be water, until he comes up to it, he finds it to be nothing [An-Nur: 39]

 

( مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِرَبِّهِمۡ ‌ۖ أَعۡمَـٰلُهُمۡ كَرَمَادٍ ٱشۡتَدَّتۡ بِهِ ٱلرِّيحُ فِى يَوۡمٍ عَاصِفٍ۬ )

The parable of those who disbelieve in their Lord is that their works are as ashes, on which the wind blows furiously on a stormy day [Ibrahim: 18].

 

The deceased Muslims get the reward of the charity given out by their children, but the unbelievers are deprived from even this.  In the era of ignorance, Al-Aas bin Wael had vowed to slaughter a hundred camels, and Hisham bin al-Aas slaughtered his own portion of fifty camels. So Amr  asked the Prophet (May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him) about it, but he said, "As for your father, if he had acknowledged tauhid (Islamic monotheism), and then you fast and give out charity on his behalf, that would have profited him." (Ahmad), but he had not.

 

A Muslim remains guided and lives upon guidance in this world, but the unbeliever wallows in misguidance:

 ( أَوَمَن كَانَ مَيۡتً۬ا فَأَحۡيَيۡنَـٰهُ وَجَعَلۡنَا لَهُ ۥ نُورً۬ا يَمۡشِى بِهِۦ فِى ٱلنَّاسِ كَمَن مَّثَلُهُ ۥ فِى ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ لَيۡسَ بِخَارِجٍ۬ مِّنۡہَا‌)

Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and Faith) and set for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men— like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out? [Al-An'am: 122]

 

How vast is the gap between the two ends!

( إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدۡخِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِہَا ٱلۡأَنۡہَـٰرُ‌ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ يَتَمَتَّعُونَ وَيَأۡكُلُونَ كَمَا تَأۡكُلُ ٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمُ وَٱلنَّارُ مَثۡوً۬ى لَّهُمۡ )

Certainly! Allâh will admit those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh -Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, to Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), while those who disbelieve enjoy themselves and eat as cattle eat, and the Fire will be their abode. [Muhammad: 12].

 

Even just to pray and ask Allâh  for forgiveness for them has been forbidden:

( مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِىِّ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَن يَسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ لِلۡمُشۡرِڪِينَ وَلَوۡ ڪَانُوٓاْ أُوْلِى قُرۡبَىٰ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمۡ أَنَّہُمۡ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ )

It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allâh's Forgiveness for the Mushrikûn (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh) even though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the Fire (because they died in a state of disbelief). [At-Tuabah: 113]

 

( وَلَا تُصَلِّ عَلَىٰٓ أَحَدٍ۬ مِّنۡہُم مَّاتَ أَبَدً۬ا وَلَا تَقُمۡ عَلَىٰ قَبۡرِهِۦۤ‌ۖ  )

And never (O Muhammad) pray (funeral prayer) for any of them (hypocrites) who dies, nor stand at his grave [At-Tuabah: 84]

They are two opposites that cannot be equal and incompatible things that cannot mix.

 

( فَرِيقٌ۬ فِى ٱلۡجَنَّةِ وَفَرِيقٌ۬ فِى ٱلسَّعِيرِ )

When a party will be in Paradise (those who believed in Allâh and followed what Allâh's Messenger brought them) and a party in the blazing Fire (Hell) [Ash-Shura: 7].

 

This is all the more reason you find that a true believer hates disbelief as he would hate to be thrown into the fire.

O believers! Frank, clear and conclusive commandment has come for us to oppose the ways of the unbelievers. We have been forbidden to imitate them. In the beginning, the messenger of Allâh  (May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him) said, setting a warning note: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them." (Abu Dawud), and perhaps it is the same with the Quranic expression:

( وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمۡ فَإِنَّهُ ۥ مِنۡہُمۡ )‌ۗ

And if any amongst you takes them (as Auliyâ’) patrons, then surely he is one of them. [Al-Maedah: 51].

 

Would you be cheered to be among them?!

The Messenger of Allâh , (May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him) used to place some requirements before anyone wishing to embrace Islam right from the onset. These requirements include " To worship Allâh , establish regular prayer, pay the Zakah (obligatory poor dues), to be sincere towards the Muslims, and to disassociate from the polytheists ". (An-Nasaei), and woe to those who refused to do that. "Anyone who associates with a polytheist and lives with him is like him "(Abu Dawud).

In another narration, he said, "I am not responsible for any Muslim who stays among polytheists".

 

In every act of worship the Prophet (May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him), has ordered us to be different from them. In the call to prayer, Anas reports saying, "The people mentioned the fire and the bell (as means proposed for announcing the time of prayer) and by such a suggestion they referred to the Jews and the Christians whom this was their practice. But, Bilal was ordered, "Pronounce the words of the Adhan (i.e. call for the prayer) twice and the Iqama once only." (Agreed upon). This is because the Jews blow the trumpet, the Christians hit the bell, while the Magi kindle the fire to the call to worship. "

 

In some narration, they said, What about if we use a bell? Thereupon, the Messenger of Allâh , (May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him) said, "That is for the Christians!" They said, what about if we use the trumpet? But he said: "That is for the Jews!" Then they said, what about if we raise the fire! He said: "That is for the Magi!"

 

Regarding Prayer (Salah), here are some commands to oppose them. "Act differently from the Jews, for they do not pray in their sandals or their shoes" (Abu Dawud).

 

"When the imam prays sitting, pray sitting; and when the imam prays standing, pray standing, and do not act as the people of Persia used to act with their chiefs (i.e. the people stood and they were sitting). "(Abu Dawud).

"If any of you prays in a single garment he should fasten it to his waist. Do not wrap it over yourselves as the Jews do" (Al-Baihaqi in As-Sunan).

 

As regards fasting, ponder over the following points of opposition:

"The difference between our observance of Saum (fasting) and that of the people of the Scriptures is Suhur (predawn meal in Ramadan)" (Muslim).

"Religion will continue to prevail as long as people hasten to break the fast, because the Jews and the Christians delay doing so" (Abu Dawud).

 

When the Messenger of Allâh , (May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him) fasted the day of Ashura and ordered the Muslims to fast it, they said: O Messenger of Allâh ! It is a day that the Jews and Christians hold in high esteem. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allâh  (May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him) said: When the next year comes, Allâh  willing, we would observe fast on the 9th" (Muslim).

 

In fact, taking the resemblance of unbelievers in just ordinary styles and appearance is forbidden. The Messenger of Allâh , (May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him) said, "Indeed, the Jews and Christians do not dye their hair, so act differently from them" (Agreed upon).

He further said, "Do the opposite of what the pagans do. Keep the beards and cut the moustaches short". (Agreed upon).

He, (May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him), again said, "He is not one of us who resembles other than us, nor who resembles the Jews nor the Christians. For indeed greeting of the Jews is pointing the finger, and the greeting of the Christians is waving with the hand" (At-Tirmidhi).

 

The order even exceeds opposing unbelievers in the borders of this world to the life after death; we have heard the Prophet, (May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him), say, "The niche -grave is for us and the ditch-grave is for others" (At-Tirmidhi).

The situation in the grave and what comes afterwards is much more different.

 

Slaves of Allâh ! Anyone that refuses but to follow the ways of the unbelievers and imitate them, then he should await the bad omen and penalties of his action, which include the following:

First: Allâh  will abandon him, even if he were a prophet. Allâh  the Almighty said to the seal of messengers (May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him),

( وَلَٮِٕنِ ٱتَّبَعۡتَ أَهۡوَآءَهُم بَعۡدَ ٱلَّذِى جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ‌ۙ مَا لَكَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَلِىٍّ۬ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ )

And if you should follow their desires after the knowledge which has come unto you, then you wouldn't have from Allâh  any protecting friend nor helper [Al-Baqarah: 120]

 

( وَلَٮِٕنِ ٱتَّبَعۡتَ أَهۡوَآءَهُم بَعۡدَمَا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ مَا لَكَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَلِىٍّ۬ وَلَا وَاقٍ۬ )

Were you (O Muhammad) to follow their (vain) desires after the knowledge which has come to you, then you will not have any Walî (protector) or Waq (defender) against Allâh [Ar-Ra'd: 37].

 

Second: He will be in the category of the wrong doers.

( وَلَٮِٕنِ ٱتَّبَعۡتَ أَهۡوَآءَهُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ‌ۙ إِنَّكَ إِذً۬ا لَّمِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ )

Verily, if you follow their desires after that which you have received of knowledge (from Allâh), then indeed, you will be one of the Zâlimûn (polytheists, wrongdoers [Al-Baqarah: 145].

 

Third: The Muslims will not be responsible for him, but rather, he would join the unbelievers. We earlier stated the saying of the Prophet (May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him), "He is not one of us who resembles other than us" as well as his saying: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them."

 

Fourth: Allâh  will hate him; because the Messenger of Allâh  (May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him) said, "The most hated persons to Allâh  are three. Then he counted among them "A person who seeks that the traditions of the Pre-lslamic Period of Ignorance, should remain in Islam" (Al-Bukhari).

Fifth: The torment of Hell.

( وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَيَتَّبِعۡ غَيۡرَ سَبِيلِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِۦ مَا تَوَلَّىٰ وَنُصۡلِهِۦ جَهَنَّمَ‌ۖ وَسَآءَتۡ مَصِيرًا )

 And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way. We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination [An-Nisaa: 115].

 

The panic is only over one who has directed his face towards the West and the East; taking from them, following their model, imitating their lifestyle and defending them; seeing that the right is that which agrees with them and the wrong is that which contradicts them. They have forgotten or are pretending to have forgotten the saying of Allâh , the Most Purified,

( لَّقَدۡ كَانَ لَكُمۡ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ۬ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرۡجُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلۡيَوۡمَ ٱلۡأَخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرً۬ا )

Indeed in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allâh and the Last Day and remembers Allâh much [Al-Ahzab: 21].

Second Sermon:

 

All praise is due and belongs to Allâh  alone. May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon the last Prophet.

 

Dear Muslims! Here are two questions:

The first:  In what shall we oppose the unbelievers? This is because some may understand that opposing the unbelievers should be in outward appearance only or in the religious ceremonies only ... The truth is that to oppose them is obligatory in everything even if it were a small trivial thing, as long as it leads to being accustomed to them and emulating them. Hence, we should oppose them in every affair and situation; in concepts and perceptions, in rituals and legislation, and in dreams and wishes ... Perhaps this is what our Prophet (May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him) meant when he said, "Lo! Everything pertaining to the pre Islamic period has been put under my feet "(Agreed upon).

 

In fact, ignorance is totally reprehensible in all its fundamental pillars, details, dimensions and conditions…

 

We must know that imitating the unbelievers is of various kinds. There are some that remove its doer from the fold of Islam, such as emulating them in their false beliefs and doctrines, for instance, venerating their idols, and obeying their scholars in the legalization or prohibition that violates our religion. There are yet some, which are acts of innovation and misguidance, such as building mosques over graves...

 

The second question is when will the unbelievers be pleased with us? Let us leave the answer to Al-Alim Al-Khabir, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, May He be Glorified and Exalted, to tell us that it will never happen except in one case:

( وَلَن تَرۡضَىٰ عَنكَ ٱلۡيَہُودُ وَلَا ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَہُمۡ‌ۗ  )

Never will the Jews nor the Christians be pleased with you (O Muhammad Peace be upon him) until you follow their religion [Al-Baqarah: 120].

Then let us listen to the Qur'an while it explains what the unbelievers wish us and what they conceal towards us in their hearts. It says thus:

( وَدَّ ڪَثِيرٌ۬ مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَوۡ يَرُدُّونَكُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ إِيمَـٰنِكُمۡ كُفَّارًا حَسَدً۬ا مِّنۡ عِندِ أَنفُسِهِم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ‌ۖ )

Many of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) wish that if they could turn you away as disbelievers after you have believed, out of envy from their own selves, even after the truth (that Muhammad Peace be upon him is Allâh's Messenger) has become manifest unto them [Al-Baqarah: 109].

 

 This is further confirmed in the following verse:

 ( وَدُّواْ لَوۡ تَكۡفُرُونَ كَمَا كَفَرُواْ فَتَكُونُونَ سَوَآءً۬‌ۖ )

They wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected (Faith), and thus that you all become equal (like one another) [An-Nisaa: 89].

Again, it is repeated in another verse:

( وَدُّواْ مَا عَنِتُّمۡ قَدۡ بَدَتِ ٱلۡبَغۡضَآءُ مِنۡ أَفۡوَٲهِهِمۡ وَمَا تُخۡفِى صُدُورُهُمۡ أَكۡبَرُ‌ۚ)

They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse [Al-Imran: 118].

 It is further stated inclusively in brief, as the following verse confirms:

( مَّا يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَلَا ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ أَن يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيۡڪُم مِّنۡ خَيۡرٍ۬ مِّن رَّبِّڪُمۡ‌ۗ)

Neither those who disbelieve among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) nor Al-Mushrikûn (the  idolaters, polytheists, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh, pagans, etc.) like that there should be sent down unto you any good from your Lord [Al-Baqarah: 105].

 

My Dear smart Muslim! If this is what they wish for you, and what they want to befall you, how do we obey them?! Or how do we follow them?! Or how do we emulate them?! ... Hence, oppose your enemies, for no sane person obeys his enemy, and beware of them lest they strike you with sedition and ruin you... Let your motto be:

  ( قُلۡ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرُونَ (١) لَآ أَعۡبُدُ مَا تَعۡبُدُونَ (٢) وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ عَـٰبِدُونَ مَآ أَعۡبُدُ (٣) وَلَآ أَنَا۟ عَابِدٌ۬ مَّا عَبَدتُّمۡ (٤) وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ عَـٰبِدُونَ مَآ أَعۡبُدُ (٥) لَكُمۡ دِينُكُمۡ وَلِىَ دِينِ )

Say (O Muhammad, May the blessings and peace of Allâh  be upon him, to these Mushrikûn and Kâfirûn): "O Al-Kâfirûn (disbelievers) (1) "I worship not that, which you worship, (2) "Nor will you worship that which I worship. (3) "And I shall not worship that which you are worshipping. (4) "Nor will you worship that which I worship. (5) "To you be your religion, and to me my religion (Islâmic Monotheism)." (6) [Al-Kafiroun: 1-6].

 

O Allâh , send your blessings upon Muhammad.