4.1, Firm Belief and Perfect Reliance

I begin in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Who informs us in the Qur’an, “Those (believers) unto whom the people (the hypocrites) said, ‘Verily, the people (the pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them.’ But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said: ‘Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)’. So they returned with grace and bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of great bounty.” (3: 173, 174)

In another place, Allah, the Most Glorified and Exalted, says, “And put your trust (O Muhammad (SAW)) in the Ever Living One Who dies not.” (25: 58)

Further, Allah says, “And whoever puts his trust in Allah, then He (Allah) will suffice him.” (65: 3)

And the pages of the Qur’an are filled with many verses besides these; commanding us to have firm belief and perfect reliance on Allah. Those who posses these qualities are in grades clearly distinct from those who waver and who are shaky.

We find shining examples of this faith and trust when looking into the lives of the prophets. When Prophet Ibraaheem (AS) was thrown into the fire, he said, “Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and, He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” So did the Messenger of Allah Muhammad (SAW) when he was told: “A great army of the pagans has gathered against you, so fear them.” But this (warning) only increased him and the Muslims in Faith and they said, “Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).”

What we see in these two examples is that even in the worst of circumstances and the most testing of times we should have strong faith and trust in Allah. Another point to note is that we will only meet the likes of these tough examinations and trials with such perfect responses if we maintain and develop this attitude in our day to day lives, when we find ourselves in relative ease.

As another example from the life of the Messenger (SAW), when he was returning from an expedition with some of his companions they stopped for sleep. It was mid-day and they were in a valley full of prickly shrubs. The Messenger and the Companions that were with him scattered around seeking shade under the trees. He hung his sword on the branch of a tree and took rest. Then, one of the polytheists came, took down the Messenger’s sword, drew it and said: “Are you afraid of me?” The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “No”. The man then said, “Who will then protect you from me?” The Messenger of Allah (SAW) replied, “Allah”. As soon as he said this, the sword fell down from the man’s hand and the Messenger of Allah (SAW) catching the sword, asked him, “Who will protect you from me?” The man pleaded, “Please forgive me.” The story continues and in it is an example of the Prophet’s habit of pardoning, and his gracious attitude. Aside from this, this incident demonstrates the Prophet’s utmost trust in Allah. It tells that one who has trust in Allah is helped by Him.

One who fears Allah and has trust in Allah is helped by Him. I would like to think that we all know this, but certain questions arise when we do a little self-inspection and listen to ourselves: “If I keep taking breaks for prayer, how will I get my coursework done on time?” Or, the men amongst us, “If I have facial hair and look like a Muslim, who will give me a job?” Or, the women amongst us, “If I wear a scarf on my head, my non-Muslim colleagues will make fun of me.” Or, something that applies to us all, “If I become an active member of the local Muslim community, I will be blacklisted.” As silly as they are, are these not the kinds of things that we think and say? Do we think that shying away into corners of the library, refusing to debate our beliefs and hiding behind fake appearances will do us good? If anything, this fearful, secretive, edgy behaviour is what raises suspicion and causes media attacks to intensify, and, besides, where is the firm belief and perfect reliance on Allah?

As a final example, on the eve of Emigration, when the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq (RA) set out from Mecca for Al-Madinah the disbelievers had announced a huge reward for their arrest. Thus people were searching for them wildly. In the course of their search, some of them reached the mouth of the cave of Thaur where the Prophet (SAW) and Abu Bakr (RA) had stopped for refuge and rest. Abu Bakr said:

“When the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and I were in the cave of Thaur and I saw the feet of the polytheists who were above us at the mouth of the cave, I submitted, ‘O Messenger of Allah! If one of them were to look down below his feet, he would see us.’ The Prophet (SAW) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! What do you think of two whose third is Allah?’” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

This Hadith and the previous examples describe the valour, fearlessness and unlimited confidence of the Prophet (SAW) in Allah; it also indicates how Allah helps His favourites. We ask Allah that He honour us with such firm belief and perfect reliance.