Tawassul: Appealing, resorting and invocation II

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Another form of seeking Tawassul to Allah SWT is by preferring others to ourselves, donating for the sake of Allah SWT, and confronting illogical financial desires. The Qur’an (about a group of people, who are successful in this type of jihad) says,

“They love those who migrate toward them, and do not find in their breasts any need for that which is given to them, but prefer the Immigrants to themselves, though poverty be their own lot. And those who are saved from their own greed it is they who are the felicitous.” (Qur’an- 59:9)

“Those who have believed and migrated, and waged jihad in the way of Allah with their possessions and persons have a greater rank near God, and it is they who are the triumphant and winner.” (Qur’an- 9:20)

On the other hand, the Qur’an gives the example of Qaaroun, “Qaaroon was from among Moses’ people, but he betrayed them. Allah gave him such treasures that the keys thereof were almost too heavy for the strongest person. His people said to him, “Do not become too happy, for Allah does not like such kind of joy. Seek with the provisions bestowed upon you by Allah and the abode of the Hereafter, and do not forget your share in this world, and do good as Allah has done good to you. Do not seek corruption in the land. Allah does not like the corruptors.” He replied, “I have attained all this only because of my own knowledge.” … Then he came out among his people draped in his ornaments. Those who preferred this worldly life said, “Oh, if only we were given similar to what Qaaroon has been given. Indeed, he is very fortunate.” Those who were blessed with knowledge said, “Woe to you! The reward from Allah is far better for those who believe and do good works. And none attains this except the steadfast.” Allah then caused the earth to swallow him and his mansion. He had no group that could protect him against God; nor would he be victorious. Then those who wished they were in his place the day before said, “Indeed it is Allah Who provides or restricts for whomever He chooses from among His servants. Had it not been for Allah’s Grace towards us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us as well. We now realize that the rejecters never succeed.’” (Qur’an- 28: 76-82)

Then the Qur’an says, “This will be the abode of the Hereafter; We reserve it for those who do not seek prestige on earth, nor corruption. And the end belongs to the righteous.” (Qur’an- 28:83)

Moreso, Allah SWT encourages Muslims to enjoin what is right, and forbid what Is wrong, this in return will earn them huge rewards from their creator.

The Qur’an says,             

“There should be from among you a group who call mankind to virtue and enjoin what is good and forbid what is wrong; and they are those who shall receive salvation.” (Qur’an- 3:104)

Enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong are two important Islamic requisites from the Qur’an. Indeed, from one point of view, these principles can be seen as the most important Islamic principles; for, if these principles are practised correctly in the society, then, as a result, all other teachings of religion will also be practised, while if these principles are ignored, then the rest of religion will also gradually come to be ignored.

According to the Qur’an, and contrary to what is generally held that commanding of what is right and forbidding of what is wrong is to be done only or primarily by government officials, it is a collective and individual responsibility of all believers and should not be limited only to a special group. Every believer is to do his duty according to his or her capacity and should be patient through hardship that may befall them. The Qur’an says,

“The believers, men, and women are supporters and helpers of one another; they bid what is right and forbid what is wrong and maintain the prayer.” (Qur’an- 9:71)

READ ALSO: Tawassul: Appealing, resorting and invocation

“Maintain the prayer and bid what is right and forbid what is wrong, and be patient through whatever may visit you. That is indeed the steadiest of courses.” (Qur’an- 31:17)

Based on the teachings of the Qur’an the best nations are those who enjoin to goodness and forbid from evildoing,

“You are the best nation [ever] brought forth for mankind: you bid what is right and forbid what is wrong, and have faith in Allah.” (Qur’an- 3:110)

No matter how righteous a person may be, he still needs sincere advice, guidance, and reminders in the light of the Qur’an. Therefore, we must all enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil, so that we may attain the pleasure of Allah SWT and His paradise. The Prophet (SAW) said, “To prevent a believer from doing an unlawful action is equivalent with Allah to the performance of seventy accepted Hajj.”

It should be noted that enjoining good and forbidding wrong must be done in all situations. Of course, there are some stages. The Prophet (SAW) said, “The one who sees a wrong action done should prohibit it by his deed, if he is capable, of course; and if he cannot do that, he should prohibit it by his tongue, but if he is not able to do even that, he may forbid it by his heart.”

Commanding the good and forbidding the wrong should be done in a proper way, because a wrong method (of commanding and forbidding) will itself become one of those improper things that should be changed by hand, tongue, or heart. If a believer commands to do something, he himself should be the quickest of people to do it, and if he forbids doing something, he must be the one who keeps furthest away from it. Almighty Allah has issued a warning to those who go against that, as He says,

“O you who believe! Why do you say what you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say what you do not do.” (Qur’an- 61: 2-3)

Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil is an important mission, hence those who undertake this mission must call people with wisdom and fair preaching and deal with them in a kind and gentle manner so that Allah SWT may guide those whom He wills at their hands. Allah  SWT says in the Qur’an,

“Invite (mankind) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.” (Qur’an- 16:125)

The Qur’an relates that when Allah sent Moses and Aaron (AS) to Pharaoh, He instructed them to speak to him mildly, “Speak to him in a soft manner; maybe he will take admonition or fear.” (Qur’an- 20:44)

Moreover, one should have sure knowledge that a certain thing is right or wrong before commanding or forbidding it. This, however, does not mean that one should be a scholar. In many matters, every believer, indeed every human being, knows right from wrong and in such matters, he should command right and forbid wrong. In other matters, he can support and cooperate with a religious scholar in whom he has trust.

Failure to perform any religious duty may result in divine punishment in this world or the Hereafter or both, and bidding the good and forbidding the wrong is no exception. The Qur’an mentions the case of the children of Israel who were cursed and punished for, among other things, not forbidding wrong,

“The faithless among the Children of Israel were cursed on the tongue of Dawud and Isa son of Maryam. That because they would disobey and they used to commit transgression. They would not forbid one another from the wrongs that they committed. Surely, evil is what they had been doing.” (Qur’an- 5: 78-79)

“When they ignored the warnings given to them, We rescued those who used to forbid wrong and visited the wrongdoers with a grievous penalty for the sins they used to commit.” (Qur’an- 7:165)

May Allah SWT continue to guide, guard and protect us in all our endeavours, aamin.