“Cursed were the people of the ditch (the story of the Boy and the King). … They had nothing against them, except that they believed in Allâh, the Almighty, Worthy of all Praise! … Verily, those who put into trial the believing men and believing women (by torturing them and burning them), and then do not turn in repentance, (to Allâh), will have the torment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the burning Fire.”
Al Quran :: Surah Al Burooj :: Verses 4, 8, and 10
A lot of scholars assert the fact that the pitiable condition of Muslims world over that we witness today is due to the fact that Muslims are being PUNISHED for their misdeeds. We all at times, gullibly agree to the same. Perhaps it is not so…
Our Apartment has been blessed with one endowment that we have a splendid Dars-e-Quran session every Saturday after Isha. The last one saw a description of Surah Al Burooj, where the Mufti sb emphasized on this aspect of people propagating and believing that the Community’s bad times are punishments from the Almighty. Mufti sb emphasized on various logical reasons to outstandingly defy and nullify this perception, which actually appealed to me so much that I am penning down this brief discourse. Mufti sb emphasized on the following aspects:
1. This Surah was revealed at a time when few Muslims were faced with a lot of torture and torment from the disbelievers. These verses were a respite to the Muslims, who were acquainted with the fact that through the ages, believers have been put to trial, something that will continue for the remaining days of the world. The believers faced the trial and torment because “They had nothing against them, except that they believed in Allâh, the Almighty, Worthy of all Praise!” Deductively, this implies that the believers have been faced with torment and trial through the ages, but they had no fault except for believing in Allah… So, how can they be punished for believing in Allah?
2. The Holy Quran uses the word “trial”, and not punishment, to describe these torments by the disbelievers. Quran is Divine Word; therefore, selects the most appropriate words to describe something. The choice of trial makes it evidently clear that what we perceive as punishment is not actually punishment. It is TRIAL…
3. Allah has promised the punishment of hellfire for people involved in tormenting the believers. So, how logical is it to say that the people who punish the wrongdoers [if we perceive the believers as being punished for their wrongdoings] are destined for the hellfire abound? If we perceive the torments to be punishments, it is similar to perceiving an executioner being punished for carrying out the executions ordained by the Court of Law!! Definitely, the Devine logic will never curse and punish someone who punishes wrongdoers and prohibits wrongdoing; but what the tormenters are doing is definitely not the same.
4. If Allah is so forgiving and merciful that He promises to pardon these tormenters if they repent [even after tormenting the believers for ages], how can He, the Almighty, be so cruel to the believers to punish them with such torments at the hands of the disbelievers? Isn’t it contradictory to believe that on the one hand, Allah offers to pardon the tormenters if they repent, but ordains punishments for the believers? A believer is always higher, as per Allah, as compared to a disbeliever.
To conclude, Allah has mentioned at numerous places in the Glorious Quran that the believers will be put to trial; will be surely put to trial. Trials could come in any form; monetary, health, unwanted situations, untoward incidents… We, as believers, need to ensure that our belief [eemaan] does not give way to these trials under any circumstances, Insha Allah. We must continue to believe that with each trial, we grow as more strong and believing Muslims. We must continue to believe that Allah offers leniency to the disbelievers in their ordeals in this World; simply to enlarge their Heavenly Torment. Mufti sb observed that we should not fall prey to the perception that the situations we face today are due to our wrongdoings; rather we should strive to struggle in the way of the Truth! We must also believe that we, who face trials, are fortunate to the extent that Allah puts His best creations to varying degrees of trials at all times! “Verily, those who believe and do righteous good deeds, for them will be Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise). That is the great success.” [Al Quran :: Surah Al Burooj :: Verse 11]
I have tried my best to put into writing the explanations offered by Mufti sb; any errors that might have crept in would be my personal onus. May Allah guide us to the Right Path always, Ameen!
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