Skip to main content

Author: Abdullah Jallow

An Important Moral Conduct During Adversity – [Returning to The People of Sound Judgement, Experience And Insight – (The Senior Scholars of The Sunnah)]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَإِذَا جَاءَهُمْ أَمْرٌ مِّنَ الْأَمْنِ أَوِ الْخَوْفِ أَذَاعُوا بِهِ ۖ وَلَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ وَإِلَىٰ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَنبِطُونَهُ مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ لَاتَّبَعْتُمُ الشَّيْطَانَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

When there comes to them some matter touching (public) safety or fear, they make it known (among the people), if only they had referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have understood it from them (directly). Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allaah upon you, you would have followed Shaitaan (Satan), save a few of you.'[4:83]

Imaam Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) said: ”In this ayah (there) is a rebuke against the one who rushes towards affairs and then gives news about it before verifying it – circulates and spreads it -and perhaps there is no credibility in it.”

Therefore, this ayah obligates verification and clarification when (news) is heard, as Ibn katheer (rahimahullaah) mentioned. It rebukes the one who hastens in transmitting and spreading (news) before verifying its credibility.

This ayah (also) guides to another affair and that is (important news touching public safety and fear) is to be relayed to those in authority from amongst the Scholars and the Rulers and not to the common people, for there is no benefit in transmitting it to the common people; rather what is of benefit is that it is transmitted to the people in authority because they are those with a sound understanding of the affairs and the benefits that are extracted from them. They are the ones with the ability to avert the harmful affairs.

Ibn Katheer then mentioned a number of narrations about being careful about hastiness and lack of verifying news- and from them is a narration by Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) that the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘’It is enough for a man to prove himself a liar when he goes on narrating whatever he hears’’.

And Mugheerah bin Shubah (radiyallaahu-anhu) said, ‘’The Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) forbade Qeel Wal Qaal (i.e. so and so said)’’.  Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) said, ‘’It is the one who narrates a great deal of that which the people say without verification, contemplation and clarification’’.

Then Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) stated:

The hadith of Umar (radiyallaahu-anhu) collected by Bukhaari and Muslim should be mentioned here; when Umar was told that the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) divorced his wives, he left his house and entered the mosque, where he found the people talking about it; so he could not endure waiting and ask for the permission of the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) to speak to him; then Umar asked the Prophet, saying, ‘‘Have you divorced your women?’’ The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said, ‘No’.  So Umar said, I said ‘Allaahu Akbar……’

And in the narration collected by Imaam Muslim, Umar said, I asked, ‘Have you divorced them?’ The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said, ‘No’.  So I stood by the door of the mosque and shouted with a loud voice, saying, ‘The Messenger of Allaah did not divorce his wives’.  Then the ayah (i.e. Ayah 83, Surah Nisaa) was revealed.  Umar said, ‘I investigated this affair properly’ (i.e. whether the Prophet did divorce his wives).

Imaam As-Sadi [rahimahullaah] said about this Aayaah [i.e. An-Nisaa 83]: This is a moral conduct [commanded by Allaah] to His slaves – that they do not do this [i.e. hasten to spread news]. And it is obligated on them that when there comes to them an affair from the important affairs – matters related to a universal benefit for the people, public safety and those affairs on which depends the sorrow or happiness of the believers, or an affair of public fear which may bring about calamity upon them- that they should verify the [news of that affair] and not to be hasty in spreading it; rather they should refer it back to the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and to those in authority- the people of sound opinions, the people of knowledge; those who can give sound advice, the people of intelligence and those who approach affairs with calmness, and they are those who know what is of overriding benefit and that which is in opposition to it [i.e. the scholars].  So, if they see that disseminating such news will bring about an overriding benefit for the Muslims, strengthen them, bring about happiness and make them vigilant over their enemies, then they would disseminate such news; but if they see that there is no overriding benefit in disseminating such news, or that there is benefit in it, but there is more harm in doing so; then they would not circulate such news.  That is why Allaah stated:

وَلَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ وَإِلَىٰ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَنبِطُونَهُ مِنْهُمْ

‘’If only they had referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have understood it from them (directly)’’- Meaning: They would have derived from it [the proper cause of action] through contemplation and through their correct opinions and rightly guided sciences.

Therefore, in this there is proof regarding a principle related to a moral conduct, that when an [important affair] from the [important affairs] suddenly appears, it is obligatory to refer it to those who are competent in the affair and one should not put himself forward before them, for that is closer to correctness and [safer] in preventing mistakes. And in this, there is a prohibition against being hasty in circulating news [that is related important affairs of public safety or fear] and a command to contemplate before speaking- to look into the affair, as to whether it is an affair of overriding benefit to be dealt with, or whether it should be avoided if it does not carry an [overriding benefit].

[وَلَوۡلَا فَضۡلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ وَرَحۡمَتُهُ – Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allah upon you]- Meaning: by way granting you the ability to act upon righteousness, instructed you with moral conducts and taught you that which you never knew, then [لَٱتَّبَعۡتُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنَ إِلَّا قَلِيلاً۬  – you would have followed Shaitan (Satan), save a few of you].

Source: Al-Fitnah Wa Mawqiful Muslim Minhaa’ 78-83 by Shaikh Muhammad Aqeel [may Allaah preserve him]

Abridged and slightly paraphrased

How to Recant One’s Mistake (s)- By Shaikh Muhammad Bin Haadi [may Allaah preserve him]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

He [i.e. the person] recants from the mistake by way of speech just as he did when he uttered the mistake. He says: ”I committed a mistake.” If the mistake is made in the presence of a gathering of people, he informs them in the same gathering that he made a mistake. If the mistake was made in writing, he writes and corrects the mistakes just as he did when he committed the mistake. If the mistake was transmitted through recorded speech in the form of audio, he corrects the mistake in a like manner. This will not harm the person who committed the mistake.

By Allaah this will make the people have more trust in you because you have not feared them; rather you fear Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic). That is because if you leave the people to carry your mistakes, they will be misguided due to you and you will carry your sins. We ask Allaah for pardon and forgiveness.

You know how, when and where you made the mistake; therefore rectify it in a like manner. If the mistake was committed in a gathering similar to this one, then come tomorrow and say: ”I made a mistake in such and such;” If it was in a lesson, you say: ”I made a mistake in such and such.” If the mistake was recorded by way audio, then rectify it in a like manner. If the mistake was publicized, then rectify it in a like manner.

This will absolve you from blame and the people will recognize your truthfulness. In-Shaa-Allaah this will raise your status in the presence of Allaah, and then Allaah will raise your status in the sight of the people. We ask Allaah to grant us this.

Abridged and Paraphrased from a statement of Shaikh Muhammad Bin Haadi (may Allaah preserve him) –see transcript and audio in this link: http://www.sahab.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=142219

Reflection: The Evil End of Those Ancients Who Became Haughty In The Earth and Utilised the Blessings of Allaah In Sin, Transgression, Oppression, Falsehood etc

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Allaah [The Most High] said:

أَلَمۡ تَرَ كَيۡفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِعَادٍ

إِرَمَ ذَاتِ ٱلۡعِمَادِ

ٱلَّتِى لَمۡ يُخۡلَقۡ مِثۡلُهَا فِى ٱلۡبِلَـٰدِ

Did you (O Muhammad) not see (thought) how your Lord dealt with ‘Ad (people)? Who were very tall like lofty pillars, the like of which were not created in the land?

وَثَمُودَ ٱلَّذِينَ جَابُواْ ٱلصَّخۡرَ بِٱلۡوَادِ

And (with) Thamud (people), who cut (hewed) out rocks in the valley (to make dwellings)?

وَفِرۡعَوۡنَ ذِى ٱلۡأَوۡتَادِ

And (with) Fir’aun (Pharaoh), who had [armies to firmly establish his kingdom[Ref 1]?

ٱلَّذِينَ طَغَوۡاْ فِى ٱلۡبِلَـٰدِ

فَأَكۡثَرُواْ فِيہَا ٱلۡفَسَادَ

Who did transgress beyond bounds in the lands. And made therein much mischief. Meaning- Aad, Thamud and Fir’awn committed acts of disobedience to Allaah and were haughty towards Allaah’s Prophets, and committed corruption by way of killing. [Ref 2]

فَصَبَّ عَلَيۡهِمۡ رَبُّكَ سَوۡطَ عَذَابٍ

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَبِٱلۡمِرۡصَادِ

So, your Lord poured on them different kinds of severe torment. Verily, your Lord is Ever Watchful (over them).

 

What Was the End of That Haughty Tyrant, Wicked Criminal, Blame Shifter, Compulsive Liar, Transgressor and Oppressor Who Played the Victim Card for Many Years and Deceived Many People?

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Deviated Callers & Individuals, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Allaah  [The Most High] said: [وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ – Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said] with haughtiness and tyranny, whilst deluding his foolish people; [ذَرُونِي أَقْتُلْ مُوسَىٰ وَلْيَدْعُ رَبَّهُ  – Leave me to kill Musa (Moses), and let him call his Lord (to stop me from killing him)!] [Soorah Ghafir: Ayah 26]

This was his [false] claim- that had it not been the consideration he gives to the wishes of his people, he would have killed Musa and Musa’s supplication to his Lord [i.e. Allaah] would not have stopped him from that. Then he [Fir’aun] mentioned why he wanted to kill Musa – that he is a sincere adviser to his people and desires to remove mischief from the land. Allaah [The Most High] stated that Fir’awn said:

[إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ يُبَدِّلَ دِينَكُمْ أَوْ أَنْ يُظْهِرَ فِي الْأَرْضِ الْفَسَادَ – I fear that he (Musa) may change your religion, or that he may cause mischief to appear in the land!” [Soorah Ghaafir: Ayah 26]

This is the most amazing the affair can be! The most evil one among the creation gives advice to the people against the best among the creation. This is [nothing else] but disguised falsehood and propaganda, which cannot seize except the intellects of those [people] about whom Allaah stated:

[فَاسْتَخَفَّ قَوْمَهُ فَأَطَاعُوهُ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَوْمًا فَاسِقِينَ – Thus he Fir’aun (Pharaoh)] befooled and misled his people, and they obeyed him. Verily, they were ever a people who were Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).] [Soorah Az-Zukhruf: Ayah 54] [Re 1]

 

What was the end of Fir’aun and his evil blind followers

Allaah [The Most High] said:

كَمۡ تَرَكُواْ مِن جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ وَعُيُونٍ۬

How many of gardens and springs do they [Fir’aun’s (Pharaoh) people] left.

وَزُرُوعٍ۬ وَمَقَامٍ۬ كَرِيمٍ۬

And green crops (fields etc.) and goodly places,

وَنَعۡمَةٍ۬ كَانُواْ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهِينَ

And comforts of life wherein they used to take delight!

كَذَٲلِكَ‌ۖ وَأَوۡرَثۡنَـٰهَا قَوۡمًا ءَاخَرِينَ

Thus (it was)! And We made other people inherit them (i.e. We made the Children of Israel to inherit the kingdom of Egypt).

فَمَا بَكَتۡ عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ وَمَا كَانُواْ مُنظَرِينَ

And the heavens and the earth wept not for them , nor were they given a respite.

وَلَقَدۡ نَجَّيۡنَا بَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ مِنَ ٱلۡعَذَابِ ٱلۡمُهِينِ

And indeed We saved the Children of Israel from the humiliating torment,

مِن فِرۡعَوۡنَ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ كَانَ عَالِيً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلۡمُسۡرِفِينَ

From Fir’aun (Pharaoh); Verily! He was arrogant and was of the Musrifun (those who transgress beyond bound in spending and other things and commit great sins).

[Surah Ad-Dukhaan’ Aayaat 25-31]

Ref 1: Source: Excerpt From ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan of Imaam’.  Abridged and slightly paraphrased

 

Who Is the Most Disobedient Person and The Worst with Regards to Giving Precedence to Himself [or Herself] Over the Messenger?

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Allaah [The Most High] also said in Surah Al-Hujuraat Aayaat 1 & 2:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَرْفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ النَّبِيِّ

O you who believe! Do not put (yourselves) forward before Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah. Verily! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. O you who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet.

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:

When it is the case that Allaah forbade [us] from giving precedence to [ourselves] over the Messenger, then which type of giving precedence to oneself over the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] can be more severe than giving precedence to one’s intellect over the revelation he was sent with? Many of the Salaf stated [that this ayah means]: ‘’Do not say anything [about the religion] until the Messenger speaks and do not act until he commands you.’’

The most disobedient person amongst the people and the worst with regards to giving precedence to himself [or herself] over the Messenger is that one who gives precedence to his [or her] intellect or the intellect of another person over the revelation the Messenger was sent with. And when it is the case that Allaah has indeed forbidden them from raising their voices above the voice of the Messenger, then how about raising their intellects above the statements of the Messenger and the revelation he came with?

Al-Waabil as-Sayyib’ page: 21. Abridged & slightly paraphrased

False Interpretation, Transgression, Oppression and Blameworthy Envy Leads to Splitting And Blameworthy Differing

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَا بَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلۡحُكۡمَ وَٱلنُّبُوَّةَ وَرَزَقۡنَـٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ وَفَضَّلۡنَـٰهُمۡ عَلَى ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

وَءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُم بَيِّنَـٰتٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَمۡرِ‌ۖ فَمَا ٱخۡتَلَفُوٓاْ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡعِلۡمُ بَغۡيَۢا بَيۡنَهُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَقۡضِى بَيۡنَہُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُواْ فِيهِ يَخۡتَلِفُونَ

 And indeed We gave the Children of Israel the Scripture, and the understanding of the Scripture and its laws, and the Prophethood; and provided them with good things, and preferred them above the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns) (of their time, during that period); And gave them clear proofs in matters [by revealing to them the Taurat (Torah)]. And they differed not until after the knowledge came to them, through envy among themselves. Verily, Your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection about that wherein they used to differ.

Surah al-Jaathiyah’ Aayaat 16-17

Few reminders from the above Aayaat

Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] informed us that those who differed with each other – based on false interpretation – did not differ due to an absence of the knowledge that was conveyed to them by the Messengers, rather they differed after knowledge came to them and this has been [mentioned] a lot in the Qur’aan. [Ref 1] They did not differ due to an absence of knowledge, rather [the cause of the differing was due to] the transgression and oppression [perpetrated by] some of them against others. [Ref 2]

Ref 1. Source: Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim. Vol 2. Page 446. Abridged and slightly paraphrased

Ref 2: Source: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan. Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

Tale Carrying: [An Excerpt From Shaikh Fawzaan Regarding the Destructive Consequences of Tale Carrying and a Brief Clarification by Shaikh Bin Baaz Regarding the Hadeeth ‘The Tale Carrier will Not Enter Paradise’]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said: Tale carrying is to transmit speech between the people with the intent of destroying their relationships.  Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَلَا تُطِعۡ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ۬ مَّهِينٍ

هَمَّازٍ۬ مَّشَّآءِۭ بِنَمِيمٍ۬

And obey not everyone who swears much, and is considered worthless, a slanderer, going about with calumnies.  [Surah Al-Qalam; Ayah:10-11]

And the worst is that one who hastens to destroy the relationship between the students of knowledge and the callers to Islaam, split the Jamaa’ah of the Muslims and incite hatred between them.  The one who does this is a nammaam [a tale carrier].

Indeed, Allaah [The Most High] forbade [us] from following and believing such a person even if he swears by Allaah, as Allaah said:

وَلَا تُطِعۡ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ۬ مَّهِينٍ

هَمَّازٍ۬ مَّشَّآءِۭ بِنَمِيمٍ۬

And obey not everyone who swears much, and is considered worthless, a slanderer, going about with calumnies. [Surah Al-Qalam’ Ayah:10-11]

The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: ‘The tale carrier will not enter paradise.” Shaikh Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah] said: This is a threat against the tale carrier. If he is a person upon Tawheed, it is hoped that he will enter paradise, but it is feared that this sin [i.e. tale carrying] will prevent him from entry into paradise for some time and enters him into the hell fire for some time, just as it is case with all other sinners. The sinners [i.e. those who die whilst committing sins lesser than shirk] are under the will of Allaah- if Allaah wishes, He will either punish them or forgive them straight away, or He enters them into hell for some time and paradise thereafter, just as Allaah said:

 إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغۡفِرُ أَن يُشۡرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغۡفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٲلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ‌ۚ

Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases. [Surah An-Nisaa’ Aayah 48] [Ref A]

Wars may occur due to the Tale Carrier, the Muslims may split and show enmity to one another due to the Tale Carrier, neighbours may boycott one another and one’s household may show enmity to one another and split due to a Tale Carrier.

Therefore, we must fear Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] and be mindful of the Tale Carrier.

Source: An Excerpt from ‘Atta-thab-but Fil-Akhbaar’ pages 34-36. abridged and slightly paraphrased

Ref A: Abridged and paraphrased. See link: https://www.binbaz.org.sa/noor/2527

 

Severity of The Sickness and Corruption In The Heart Determines Its Inclination Towards Forbidden And Doubtful Matters

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Staying within the boundaries of Halaal and Haraam, and not coming close to the doubtful matters depends on the righteousness or corruption of a person’s heart. If the heart has [ الورع – apprehensive fear (Ref1)] and Taqwah (piety), it will distance itself from haraam and that which will lead to Haraam. However, if the heart is corrupt, it will not be bothered about falling into (error).

If the sickness in the heart is not severe, the heart gets involved in the doubtful matters; and if the sickness increases, the heart gets involved in Haraam.

If the corruption is very severe, the heart will not be safeguarded against what is forbidden, and if the corruption is not severe, the heart will not be safeguarded against the doubtful matters. This shows the importance of rectification of the heart. [Ref 2]

Ref 1: The word [ الورع – translated as ‘Apprehensive Fear’ was taken from one of Ustaadh Amjad Rafiq’s (may Allaah preserve him) articles]

Ref 2: Source: Sharh Al-Arba’een’ Audio number’ by Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr (may Allaah preserve him). Paraphrased & abridged]

Consolation – Behave Well and Patiently Bear The Insults, Lies, Misrepresentations etc

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Allaah [The Most High] said:

لَتُبۡلَوُنَّ فِىٓ أَمۡوَٲلِڪُمۡ وَأَنفُسِڪُمۡ وَلَتَسۡمَعُنَّ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبۡلِڪُمۡ وَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشۡرَكُوٓاْ أَذً۬ى كَثِيرً۬ا‌ۚ وَإِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَإِنَّ ذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عَزۡمِ ٱلۡأُمُورِ

You shall certainly be tried and tested in your wealth and properties and in your personal selves, and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Scripture before you and from those who ascribe partners to Allah, but if you persevere patiently, and become Al-Muttaqun (the pious) then verily, that will be a determining factor in all affairs, and that is from the great matters, [which you must hold on with all your efforts]. [3:186]

[وَإِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَإِنَّ ذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عَزۡمِ ٱلۡأُمُورِ  – but if you persevere patiently, and become Al-Muttaqun (the pious) then verily, that will be a determining factor in all affairs, and that is from the great matters, [which you must hold on with all your efforts]- Meaning: This is among those determining factors in all affairs and that which the believers compete [to excel] one another. And none is granted this except those people with a strong [upright] determination and lofty ambition, just as Allaah [The Most High] said in another Ayah:

وَمَا يُلَقَّٮٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ وَمَا يُلَقَّٮٰهَآ إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ۬

But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient, and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of the happiness in the Hereafter i.e. Paradise and in this world of a high moral character). [41:34]

Source: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan

[Excerpt (abridged and slightly paraphrased)]

The Obligations On Muslims Living In The West:

 http://www.islamagainstextremism.com/articles/mbowy-shaikh-al-uthaimeen-how-muslims-should-behave-in-non-muslim-societies.cfm

 

Sensible People Do Not Go With The Flow Because It Led Many Nations of The Past to Destruction

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz –rahimahullaah- said: So let every Muslim be careful of being deceived by the great numbers [of people upon such and such idea, view, belief, way of life etc], whilst saying: ‘’Indeed, the people have become such and such and have become accustomed to such and such, so I am with them’’. This is a great calamity, for indeed many people of the past were destroyed due to this [i.e. blindly following the majority]. Therefore, O sensible one! It is obligated on you to examine yourself; take account of yourself and adhere to the truth, even if the people abandon it. Beware of what Allaah has forbidden, even if the people do it, for indeed the truth is more worthy of being followed, just as Allaah [The Most High] says: [وَإِنْ تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّه ِ -And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah’s Path. [Surah Al An-aam Ayah 116]

And Allaah [The Most High] says: [ وَمَآ أَڪۡثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَوۡ حَرَصۡتَ بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ-And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly] [Surah Yusuf Ayah 103]

[Source: Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 12/ 412-416. Abridged & slightly paraphrased]