When we buy something expensive, such as a car, a computer or an electric appliance, we always look at the guaranty that comes with it. We want to be sure that it will function well for a minimum period of time. Such a guaranty satisfies a natural feeling that when you part with a substantial sum of money, you want to be sure that you are getting what that sum is worth. You would also be pleased to know what added values will your newly acquired product or service will accord you.
It was the 13th year of prophethood. The Quraysh were still adamant in their hostility. Time passed in a mixed state of hope and fear for the prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Earlier, he had sent a missionary, Mus’ab ibn Umayr, to madeenah to preach Islaam but he heard little information about him and about the progress of his mission.
However, unknown to him, Islam had been spreading among the tribes and clans of Madeenah. Thus, one hand, Mus’ab bin Umayr (RA) was achieving successes, one after another: and the tortures of Quraysh were crossing all limits on the other.
In Dhu-Hijjah of that year, Mus'ab bin Umayr (RA)set out to Makkah with a caravan of 72 men and 2 women of Madeenah. They were sent with the twin purpose of seeing the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) and to invite him to come to Madeenah.
When the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) was informed of the arrival of this caravan, he came out in the night, took his uncle Abbas bin Abdul-Muttalib with him and reached the mountain pass of Aqabah. The caravan of believers from Madeenah was waiting for him. The caravan also had comprised some disbelievers with it as well.
The meeting was short but impressive. As'ad bn Zaraarah, one of the delegates of the people of Madeenah, rose and said: "What does your Lord want from us and what do you and your companions want?"
The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"I ask you, on behalf of my Lord that you should worship Him and not to associate any partner with Him whatsoever. I also ask you on behalf of myself and my Companions that you should accommodate us, and prevent from us (of evil) what you would prevent from yourselves."
At this, Abdullah bin Rawahah, another delegate, said, "0 . Prophet of Allaah! What shall we get in return i.e. what guaranty is Allaah giving us?" The Prophet replied,
"Paradise and the Pleasure of Allaah!" Abdullah said, “now, bargain is settled. There will be no going back on both sides." (Ibn Sa'd)
Allaah has invited us to faith and righteousness and al-hamdulillah we have accepted and submitted our whole being to Him. We have settled our bargain with Allaah and there is no going back insha Allaah. However, it will be nice to know what guaranty Allaah offers for our faith in Him and what promises He has for our righteous actions.
Normally, a guaranty given by a dealer or a manufacturer is only reliable so long as the status of the party issuing it remains sound. But if we were to compare such a guaranty with one given by Allaah, then the difference is great indeed.
There are many statements in the Qur'an and in the Hadeeth which include guaranty and promises given by Allaah. Every such promise is certain to be fulfilled because Allaah's promises always come true.
Paradise –Jannah
Allaah says:
And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous good deeds, that for them will be Gardens under which. rivers flow (Paradise). Every time they will be provided with a fruit there from, they will say: "This is what we were provided with before," and they will be given things in resemblance (i.e. in the same form but different in taste) and they shall have therein Azwajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives), (having no menses, stools, urine, etc.) and they will abide therein forever." (Q2[BaqarahJ:25)
This promise of Allaah is sufficient. One does not even need to think of the other promises, as this promise of Paradise is sufficient and is in fact more than what we deserve.
In Jannah are things eyes haven't seen, ears haven't heard, minds cannot imagine and even tongues and language cannot express. Sahlb. Sa'd as-Sa'idi (RA) reported: I was in the company of Allaah's Messenger (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) that he gave a description of Paradise. Then Allaah's Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) concluded with these words:
"There would be bounties which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard and no human heart has ever perceived them. He then recited this verse: "They forsake (their) beds, catting upon their Lord in fear and in hope, and spend out of what We have given them. So no soul knows what refreshment of the eyes is hidden for them: a reward for what they did" (Muslim)
However one has to earn this, as the product of Allaah, i.e. Paradise, is not cheap ..
Light – Noor
Allaah says:
"On the Day you shall see the believing men and the believing women their light running forward before them and by their right hands. Glad tidings for you this Day! Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever! Truly this is the great success!" (Q57 [Hadid): 12)
On the Day of Judgment it will be dark and we will be asked to cross over a bridge that is thinner than hair and sharper than a razor blade, and there will be no light, so it will be impossible unless we're given light by Allaah. This light that Allaah will give us, the power of the light, will depend on how much light was in our heart in the Dunya.
Allaah's Messenger (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"every person, whether a hypocrite or a believer, would be endowed with a light, and there would be spikes and hooks on the bridge of the Hell, which would catch hold of those whom Allah willed. Then the light of the hypocrites would be extinguished, and the believers would secure salvation. "(Muslim)
So this light which is in the heart, which is not a physical light, but a spiritual one, will come on the Day of Judgment in a physical form. Depending on how much Iman (faith and belief) was in the heart. Iman will come on the Day of Judgment in the form of light. Some people will have so much light that they run over the bridge so fast like a breeze. While some run. Some walk, some will take a step then stop until they get their light back again. Some will start but will not reach the end because of insufficient light.
Allaah will be with you
Allaah says
“.. for verily Allaah is with those who believe." (Q8[Anfal}:19)
When Allaah says that 'AlIaah is with the believers", it means that the believers don't need anyone else. Rasullulah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) has said
"Be mindful of Allaah, and Allaah will protect you. Be mindful of Allaah, and you will find Him before you."
Allaah will be with us and will give us according to what we are doing, i.e. our actions and our deeds.
The grace and kindness of Allaah – Fadl
Allaah says,
"..,for Allaah is full of grace to those who believe." (Q3 [Aal-Imraan1: 152)
The grace of Allaah is vast. Allaah is more graceful to us than we deserve. At times we want something from Allaah, yet Allaah gives us more. This is the grace and kindness of Allaah upon the believers. Allaah says:
"In the Bounty of Allaah, and in His Mercy; - therein let them rejoice. That is better than what (the wealth) they amass." (Q I0[Yunus}:58)
The protection and friendship of Allaah
Allaah says:
"Verily, among mankind who have the best claim to Ibrahim (Abraham) are those who followed him, and this Prophet (Muhammad SAW) and those who have believed (Muslims). And Allaah is the Wali (Protector and Helper) of the believers." (Q3 [Aal- Imraan}:68)
Wali means a friend, a protector. So Allaah is saying that He is the Wali of the believers. So a believer doesn't need anyone else besides Allaah, because if Allaah is your Wali, then who else do you need. Allaahu Akbar!!!
Victory
Allaah says:
"Verily We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah) in this world's life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth, (i.e. Day of Resurrection), "(Q40[Ghaafir]:5')
And Allaah also says,
"..and (as for) the believers it was incumbent upon Us to help (them)."
When we get our belief right, then Allaah will grant us victory. He will grant us victory over our personal challenges and over our common trials. However we should .be patient, as the believers will go through many tests before victory is granted. You might have gone through so many things. Perhaps you are still going through some. Allaah gives you an assurance, you will win in the end if truly you believe in Him.
Allaah will erase the evil
Allaah says:
"Those who believe [in the Oneness of Allaah (Monotheism) and in Messenger Muhammad SAW, and do not apostate because of the harm they receive], and do righteous good deeds, surely, We shall remit from them their evil deeds and shall reward them according to the best of that which they used to do." (Q29[Ankabut]:7)
AI-Jannah is pure, it does not go together with impurity, so it can only admit someone who is pure. There is no one who is free from sin. Every one of us is so contaminated how can we wash away these sins. Allaah promises that with the believers, He shall wash away their sins. This is done through the following ways: Taubah (Repentance), Istigfaar (seeking forgiveness), illness hardship, trials and tribulations etc. that wipes away sins if borne patiently,
There must be a cleaning process. There are some people that Allaah loves so much and He showers His favours on them. So Allaah makes some of their sins in this world hidden and will make the same sins hidden in the hereafter.
The Rasul (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said -
"a man will be brought on the day of judgment and his knees will be shaking, his book of deeds will be brought before him, he knew what he did and he will go through the book and will see a lot of sins, but he will see that some big sins have been left out. So he will say '0 Allaah there are some sins I don't see here ', Allaah will say '0 my servant, I concealed them for you in the World. So I conceal them for you today. '" (Bukhari)
Allaah will make a sitr (covering and veil over sins) on the believer as long as the believer makes sitr on himself. So if you have committed a mistake or sin, then seek repentance from Allaah, make istighfaar and move on. As long as it is done with sincerity Allaah is willing to erase any sin.
Love for You
Allaah says:
"Verily. those who believe [in the Oneness of Allaah and in His Messenger (Muhammad SAW)] and work deeds of righteousness, the Most Beneficent (Allaah) will bestow love for them (in the hearts of the believers)." (Q19[Mayram]:96)
The commentators of the Qur'an say that, if you draw your heart closer to Allaah, then Allaah will draw the hearts of the believers closer to you.
This is what we should want, for the hearts of the believers to love us. So love Allaah and Allaah will make the servants of Allaah love you. This love is only from the sincere believers, but such love is not to be expected from the disbelievers and from the insincere believers.
No effort will be wasted
Allaah says:
"Verily! As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, certainly, we shall not suffer to be lost the reward of anyone who does his (righteous) deeds in the most perfect manner .." (Q18[KahfJ]30)
Sometimes you might feel that you are wasting your time. For instance you are giving Dawah (calling towards Islam), but nobody is listening, or you can't see a change in the people. You should know that your reward is with Allaah and none of your effort will be wasted, as success is not about numbers.
Rasullullah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) narrated from his ascension (mi'raj) to the heavens -
"I saw a prophet with 10 followers, a prophet with 5 followers, a prophet with 2 followers, some with I follower and some with no followers." (Bukhari)
However these Prophets did not fail, rather it was the people who refused to believe. In fact Allaah will pay you back with more than what you did.
Protection from Shaytaan
Allaah says,
"Verily! He (Shaytan) has no power over those who believe and put their trust only in their Lord (Allaah)." (Q 16[NahI]:99)
Put your trust in Allaah and Allaah will protect you from Shaytaan. Iblis (Shaytaan) is very experienced. He is stronger than us, we can't defeat him except with the help of Allaah. Allaah has given us many weapons to defeat the Shaytaan.
A believer uses these weapons that Allaah has given him. For instance Ayat-ul-Kursiy which is recited before going to sleep and on other occasions, the ta'wwudh (words of seeking protection from Shaytaan), the daily adhkaar (Prayers and invocations) for morning and evening from the ahadeeth, the prayer before entering the lavatory etc ... are all weapons that Allaah has given to the believers as a protection against the Shayateen (army of devils), both from amongst the Jinn and from amongst Mankind.
Guidance – Hidayah
Allaah says:
"Those who believe and work righteousness, their Lord will guide them because of their faith beneath them will flow rivers in gardens of bliss," (Q 10 [Yunus] :9)
And this is what we need most Just because we are believers, it doesn't mean that we don't need guidance. We need guidance in every moment of our lives. The most frequent du 'a that one makes is in Surah Al-fatihah -
"O Allaah guide us to the straight path.". (QI [Faatihah1:5)
So Allaah will guide them because of their iman. We cannot live without the guidance and tawfiq (ability to do good) of Allaah.
Steadfastness and firmness - Thabaat
Allaah says:
"Allaah will keep firm those who believe with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allaah Alone and none else). and in the Hereafter. And Allaah ...wiII cause to go astray those who are Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers. etc.], and Allaah does what He wills.." (Q 14[lbrahim]:27)
Allaah will give you steadfastness, because you will need this for what is coming. You wouldn't be able to cope with the trials that await you if you are believers. you will need thabaat (steadfastness and firmness). It's very easy to remain on the straight path at this moment. But will we have the consistency to stay on it for years, without diverting. The Rasul (salallahu alayhi wa salam) would often make the following dua
"O the one who overturns the hearts make our hearts steadfast upon your religion"
The hearts can easily flip and turn, even the word for heart in Arabic, Qalb, comes from the word taqallab which means overturning, flipping. May Allaah make all of our hearts steadfast upon His religion ameen.
Allaah will save you
"Then (in the end) We save Our Messengers and those who believe! Thus it is incumbent upon Us to save the believers." (Q10[Yunus]:103)
Prophet Yunus (alayhi salaam) was in the stomach of the fish in three layers of darkness, the darkness of the stomach of the fish, the darkness of the night, and the darkness of the sea/ocean. Yet when he called out to Allaah saying:
"(O Allaah) Glorified (and Exalted) are You [above all that (evil) they associate with You. Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers." (Q21 [Anbiya]:87)
Allaah heard his plea in the depth of three layers of darkness. Allaah says,
"So We answered his call. and delivered him from the distress. And thus We do deliver the believers •• (Q21 [Anbiyaa]:88)
Blessings – Barakah
Allaah says:
"If the people of the towns had but believed and feared Allaah. We should indeed have opened out to them (all kinds of) blessings from heaven and earth, but they rejected (the truth). And We brought them to book for their misdeeds." (Q7 [A'raf] :96)
We should not believe in Allaah and His Messenger (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) in order to seek the blessings of this world, rather we should believe because we seek the blessings of the Hereafter. However at times Allaah will bless this Ummah. Some of that time has already passed, and some is still to come.
Sins also have an effect on blessings. An individual who sins can be deprived of many blessings in his life. Collectively in this world, if the earth has sins, i.e. the sins of the inhabitants, then it takes away the barakah. However when there is iman and righteousness then there is barakah.
Peace and security
Allaah says:
"It is those who believe and confuse not their beliefs with wrong that are (truly) in security, for they are on (right) guidance . " (Q6[An'am]:82)
Only Allaah can give peace. People claim to have the solution to bringing peace to the heart, but only Allaah has the solution. This security can be in different forms. For instance in the battle of Badr at the time of Rasullulah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam), where the Muslim army was 300 men and they were facing an army of 1000 strong.
So at such a moment when you are out numbered there is room for anxiety, but Allaah at that time brought down upon the Muslims sakeenah (serenity), and sent rain to cool them and to make the ground firm under their feet. Then a strange thing happened, when suddenly they all fell asleep,
"When He encompassed you all with slumber as a source of Peace from Him." (Qur'an).
So the companions of Rasullulah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) were facing death before them, yet they fell asleep. Imagine and Look at the tranquility that came to them from Allaah, this is something that can only come from A1laah.No worldly preparation, no training, nothing can prepare one for that. This is from Allaah.
Forgiveness – Maghfirah
Allaah says, "To those who believe and do deeds of 'righteousness has Atlaah promised forgiveness and a great reward" (Q5[Maidah]:9)
Every single person is in need of the forgiveness of Allaah. One of Allaah's attributes is that he is the Most Forgiving. So Allaah will forgive the believers as long as they repent to Allaah and seek His forgiveness.
As Allaah also says:
"O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls. Despair not of the Mercy of Allaah. for Allaah forgives all sins, for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Q39[Zumar]:53)
No fear and no grief
Allaah says:
"Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and establish regular prayers and regular charity, will have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." (Q2 [Baqarah]:277)
As a believer you could go through situations where you have fear; because fear is a natural human instinct, however when iman sinks into the heart it eliminates fear. So you might go through that natural feeling of fear, but you will overcome it thorough your iman.
Deliverance from darkness into light
Allaah says:
'Allaah is the Protector of those who have faith; from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith the patrons are the evil ones, from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. They will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein (For ever)." (Q2 [Baqarah]:257)
Allaah will deliver the believers from the darkness of disbelief, doubt and hesitation into the light of Islam, which is the plain, clear and unequivocal truth. When a person is granted the light of Islam, Allaah enables such a person to differentiate between good and evil, truth and falsehood, right and wrong. Such a person lives his life according to the Will and command of Allaah, because Allaah has enabled them to realise the true purpose and reality of this life.
So such a person gives preference to the hereafter, which is everlasting, over this world, which is transitory and temporary and will soon perish. Those whose hearts are veiled in darkness do not realise this, and so spend their lives in disbelief and disobedience.
Supremacy over your enemies
Allaah says:
"And never will Allaah grant to the unbelievers a way (to triumph) over the believers" (Q4[Nisaa]:141)
If we don't see this happening, and we see the disbelievers having an upper hand over the believers, then we shouldn't question the promise of A1laah, but rather we should question ourselves and our man (faith). Are we behaving like true believers, or is the opposite true.
A good life – Hayaatan tayyibah
Allaah says:
"Whoever works righteousness man or woman and has faith. Verily, to him will we give a new life, a life that is good and pure and we will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions'" (Q 16[Nahl]:97)
The believers have a very good life, don't be fooled by what you see. For sometimes what you see is not what you get. Sometimes you can see a wealthy disbeliever who has the world in his hands, but you can't see what is going on in the inside, and he doesn't know what the believers are feeling because he has never felt it. He feels happy with what he has and doesn't know that there is something much better than that.
Ibn Taymiyah (RAH) said "If the kings knew the happiness and pleasure that we feel in our hearts, they would come and try to take it away from us with the tips of their swords."
Allaah says: "
But whosoever turns away from My Message. verily for him is a very distressful life (Q20[TaHa]:124)
Be assured anyone not on the true path is having a life of misery even if you think otherwise. Whilst the believers who are apparently going through suffering, Allaah is giving them a feeling in their heart that could not be bought with the wealth of this dunya. Again, if you are not feeling this, then there is something wrong with the iman (faith).
Establishment on Earth - Tamkeen
Allaah says:
'Allaah has promised to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds that He will, of a surety grant them in the land, inheritance (of power), as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their religion, the one which He has chosen for them and that He will change (their state) after the fear in which they (lived) to one of security and peace: They will worship Me (alone) and not associate any partner with Me. If any do reject Faith after this. They are rebellious and wicked." (Q24[Nur]:55)
Rasullulah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said in a hadith that "Allaah has shown me the entire Earth and told me the kingdom of my nation will reach all of it" So the question is not if Islam will be victorious or not. That has been promised and will happen. But rather the question is whether we are going to playa role in that or not.
The people who bring Islam back will be the ones who resemble the companions the most. Rasullulah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said in another hadith that,
"I wish that I could meet my brothers, so the Sahaabah said aren't we your brothers, so Rasul said no, you are my Companions, but my brothers are going to be people who will come at the would wish that they could see me, even if it would cost them their wealth and their families.” (Muslim)
Meaning a glimpse of Rasulullah (salalldhu alayhi wa sallam) for them would be worth more than anything in the world. So such will be the people who will bring Islam back, that Rasullullah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) referred to them as brothers. This honour will be for them because of their intense love for Allaah, their love for the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam), and for Islam, and their total obedience to the commands of Allaah and their following the sunnah.
A good Ending
Allaah says
"Those who believe and work righteousness. Tuba (it means all kinds of happiness or name of a tree in Paradise) is for them and a beautiful place of (final) return." (Q 13[Rad]:29)
Allaah also mentions what Musa (alayhi salaam) said to his people.
For the earth belongs to Allaah and He will give it to whomever He wills and the end belongs to the AIMuttaqeen (righteous)." (Q7[A'raf}:128)
Allaah promises a good ending for the believers. Don't worry about all the difficulties that are being experienced now, as the happy end is for the believers.