By Sheikh Saleh Ibn Abdullah Ibn Ḥumaid – 02 Thul Hijjah 1435

His Eminence Sheikh Saleh Ibn Abdullah Ibn Ḥumaid ‒ may Allah protect him ‒ delivered this Friday’s khutbah titled “Manifestations of the Ummah’s Triumph” in which he spoke about the meanings of triumph in Allah’s Book and the Sunnah of the Prophet (May Allah’s Salat and Peace be upon him) and the necessity of contemplating and adopting them. He explained the manifestations which, if followed, may bring about the Ummah’s triumph; he also described our present signs of weakness and despicable state as well as the causes of the triumph delay.

Praise be to Allah “and He it is Who originates the creation, then will repeat it (after it has been perished)” [Al-Rūm: 27]. His benevolence and generosity have overwhelmed all His creatures. May He be extolled and glorified. The command is His; the judgement is His, and all creatures are His servants. I praise Him (May He be extolled); I thank Him and commend Him the way He should be commended. Fulfilment of His promise is expected and His threat is abhorred. I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah alone with no associate, a testimony that bespeaks tawheed (monotheism). I also bear witness that our Master and Prophet Muhammad is Allah’s Servant and Messenger. The Ummah owes him all the reverence, honour, support and assistance it could possibly offer. These are decreed by Allah Almighty and His Covenant. May Allah send His profuse Salat (Graces, Honours, Mercy), Peace and Blessing upon him, his kind and immaculate family, his righteous Companions who were the warriors and the lions of battlefields, and the tabi’in (contemporaries of the Companions of the Prophet [May Allah’s Salat and Peace be upon him] after his death) and those who follow in their footsteps.

Now then,

I exhort you, O People, as well as myself to observe taqwa (fear of disobeying Allah). Observe taqwa, may Allah have mercy on you! Go wherever you please and your final destination will take you to Your Lord. Do whatever you please and your deeds will be calculated. Today your work, no matter how negligible is accepted. Tomorrow, however, it will not be accepted, even if it is worth the volume of our galaxy pure gold.

He who holds himself to account is winner. He who foresees the consequences is saved. He who follows his whims goes astray. He who heeds fear stays safe, and he who observes patience comes out triumphant.

If you sinned, O you servant of Allah, go back to the Straight Path; if you regret something, quit doing it.

“On the Day when Allah will resurrect them all together (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) and inform them of what they did. Allah has kept account of it, while they have forgotten it. And Allah is Witness over all things” [Al-Mujadilah: 6]

O Pilgrims to the House of Allah!

You are most welcome here! Congratulations on making it to the pure and holy masha’ir (sites) and may Allah Almighty accept your Hajj and ours!

O Muslim … O pilgrims to the House of Allah!

It is no secret that in many places the Muslim Ummah is living a myriad of trials and plights leaving a trail of dead and displaced people, and tempting the enemies of Islam to encroach upon Muslim territory. This talk is meant neither to vent out grievances nor to preach despair. Addressing His favoured Messenger Muhammad (May Allah’s Salat and Peace be upon him) and all the Muslims with him, Allah Almighty said:

“Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, “When (will come) the Help of Allah?” Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!” [Al-Baqarah:214]

Asked by his then-oppressed Companions to supplicate Allah Almighty to grant them victory, the Prophet (May Allah’s Salat and Peace be upon him) told them, “The nations before you would throw the believer in a hole they dug in the ground and use a saw to cut him in two halves; yet he would not give up his religion. They would use iron combs to tear his flesh off his bones and nerves; yet he would not give up his religion.” [Narrated by Bukhari]

O Muslims!

There is no place for despair and hopelessness in times of vulnerability. There is no place for surrender in the absence of empowerment. Rather, this is about the victory and prevalence of Islam, the glory and the rise of the Muslim Ummah. Allah Almighty says:

“Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) in this world’s life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth, (i.e. Day of Resurrection).” [Ghafir: 51]

He (Sublime be He) also says:

“And, verily, Our Word has gone forth of old for Our slaves, the Messengers, That they verily would be made triumphant. And that Our hosts, they verily would be the victors.” [Al-Ṣaffat: 171-173]

He, the Almighty, also says:

“And (as for) the believers it was incumbent upon Us to help (them).” [Al-Rūm: 47] and “O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm.” [Muhammad: 7] and “Verily, Allah will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty.” [Al-Hajj: 40]

O Muslims!

In such circumstances, it is advisable to contemplate the meaning of prevalence in Allah’s Book and to think about the real meaning of victory in Allah’s religion. Deficient knowledge in this respect may result in hastiness or rather in compromise; even worse, it may result in despair, hopelessness and isolation.

First of all –may Allah protect you– we should differentiate between, on the one hand, the triumph achieved by da’ῑs (callers to Islam) and reformers and, on the other, the spread and victory of Islam. Rather, it must be said with confidence and pride that there should be no correlation between the current weakness and vulnerability of the Muslim Ummah with the spread and victory of Islam.

Victory is a favour from Allah; it is not contingent on the big number and power of Muslims. Allah Almighty bequeaths guidance as a favour on whomever He wishes, and favours whomever He chooses to be in His service and the service of His religion:

“Nay, but Allah has conferred a favour upon you, that He has guided you to the Faith, if you indeed are true” [Al-Ḥujurat: 17], “And if you turn away (from Islam and the obedience of Allah), He will exchange you for some other people, and they will not be your likes” [Muhammad: 38], “Thus [you are ordered by Allah to continue in carrying out Jihad against the disbelievers till they embrace Islam (i.e. are saved from the punishment in the Hell-fire) or at least come under your protection], but if it had been Allah’s Will, He Himself could certainly have punished them (without you). But (He lets you fight), in order to test you, some with others.” [Muhammad: 4]

Explaining the sublimity of Muslims by virtue of their faith and the purpose of putting them to trial, Allah (May He be extolled) says:

“So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers. If a wound (and killing) has touched you, be sure a similar wound (and killing) has touched the others. And so are the days (good and not so good), We give to men by turns, that Allah may test those who believe, and that He may take martyrs from among you. And Allah likes not the Zalimûn (polytheists and wrong¬doers). And that Allah may test (or purify) the believers (from sins) and destroy the disbelievers” [Ᾱl Imran: 139-141]

Muslim circumstances being so, you should know –O servants of Allah– that triumph does not have one particular form or one single manifestation as predicted in Allah’s Book and the Sunnah of the Prophet (May Allah’s Salat and Peace be upon him). Here is a survey of some forms of victory and some manifestations of triumph so that the Muslim may shoulder his responsibility, serve his religion, protect his Ummah and be enlightened vis-à-vis his future:

– The first type and manifestation of victory is the conventional triumph that is believed by common people to be the only type of triumph. It is the one associated with the (military) victory, the defeat of the enemy and the prevalence of the people of Truth. This is probably the only type of triumph that people anticipate, value, and use to measure their success in life and the degree of their trial. It is the type of triumph that is so endeared to people:

“And also (He will give you) another (blessing) which you love, help from Allah (against your enemies) and a near victory. And give glad tidings (O Muhammad SAW) to the believers.” [Al-Ṣaff: 13]

However, Almighty Allah has decreed that this is not always the case for all believers, and in all times or places.

– Another type and manifestation of triumph ‒beloved Muslims‒ is realized by the demise of disbelievers and salvation of messengers and believers. This happened to Noah –peace be upon him– who spent 950 years calling his people to Allah:

“And none believed with him, except a few.”” [Hūd: 40]. “Then he invoked his Lord (saying): “I have been overcome, so help (me)!”” [Al-Qamar: 10]. His Lord answered him, “So We opened the gates of heaven with water pouring forth. And We caused the earth to gush forth with springs. So the waters (of the heaven and the earth) met for a matter predestined. And We carried him on a (ship) made of planks and nails, Floating under Our Eyes, a reward for him who had been rejected!” [Al-Qamar: 11-14]

So Allah Almighty sank all those who disbelieved and saved Noah’s progeny.

– Other examples include the type of triumph that Allah Almighty granted to his messengers: Hūd, Saleh, Lot, and Shuaib –peace be upon them:

“So We punished each (of them) for his sins, of them were some on whom We sent Hasiban (a violent wind with shower of stones) [as the people of Lout (Lot)], and of them were some who were overtaken by As¬Saihah [torment ¬ awful cry, etc. (as Thamûd or Shu’aib’s people)], and of them were some whom We caused the earth to swallow [as Qarûn (Korah)], and of them were some whom We drowned [as the people of Nûh (Noah), or Fir’aun (Pharaoh) and his people]. It was not Allah Who wronged them, but they wronged themselves” [Al-Ankabūt: 40]

– Another manifestation of triumph, O servants of Allah, is carried out through Allah’s vengeance on disbelievers and enemies after the demise of prophets, reformers and da’ῑs. In his interpretation of the verse:

“Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) in this world’s life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth, (i.e. Day of Resurrection)” [Ghafir: 51], Imam Al-Ṭabari, may Allah have mercy on his soul, says “Either by elevating them in rank above those who disbelieved us, or our vengeance in the herein on those who disbelieved their call after the demise of our messenger. Examples include what we did to the murderers of Yahya (John), peace be upon him, when we sent Bukhtanassir to take revenge on them, or the story of the boy and the people of the moat.”

– Triumph ‒may the Almighty protect you‒ may come by logical argument and cogent evidence. In his interpretation of the verse:

“And, verily, Our Word has gone forth of old for Our slaves, the Messengers.” [Al-Ṣaffat: 171], Imam Ibn Jarir, may Allah have mercy on his soul, says, “That means they can gain victory by argument and cogency.” This is explained in Allah’s words to Ibrahim, peace be upon him:

“And that was Our Proof which We gave Ibrahim (Abraham) against his people. We raise whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All¬Wise, All¬Knowing.” [Al-An’am: 83] where ‘raise’ means victory; and the verse: “So the disbeliever was utterly defeated.” [Al-Baqarah: 258]. Al-bahatu (n) in Arabic means defeat. The misbeliever is defeated, and Prophet Ibrahim came victorious over his opponent by strong argument.

– One unusual and rather odd form and manifestation of triumph is attained by emigration and forbearance of killing and torture. Many prophets and reformers were killed, expelled or ousted from home. Some were followed by no one, or by a man or two:

“Say: “Do you wait for us (anything) except one of the two best things (martyrdom or victory); while we await for you either that Allah will afflict you with a punishment from Himself or at our hands. So wait, we too are waiting with you.”” [Al-Tawbah: 52]; “”Never will I allow to be lost the work of any of you, be he male or female. You are (members) one of another, so those who emigrated and were driven out from their homes, and suffered harm in My Cause, and who fought, and were killed (in My Cause), verily, I will remit from them their evil deeds and admit them into Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise); a reward from Allah, and with Allah is the best of rewards.”” [Ᾱl Imran: 195]; “He who emigrates (from his home) in the Cause of Allah, will find on earth many dwelling places and plenty to live by. And whosoever leaves his home as an emigrant unto Allah and His Messenger, and death overtakes him, his reward is then surely incumbent upon Allah. And Allah is ever Oft -Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Al-Nisa’: 100]

Such form of triumph is achieved through emigration, torture or expulsion: either martyrdom or the prevalence of religion. Emigration, imprisonment, torture and all sorts of trials, are all manifestations of rising power, increase in the number of followers, and the enemy’s defeat: “but the hypocrites know not.” [Al-Munafiqūn: 8]

One must not forget the rancour and psychological agony that befall the enemy. Allah (May He be extolled) says:

“And when they meet you, they say, “We believe”. But when they are alone, they bite the tips of their fingers at you in rage. Say: “Perish in your rage” [Ᾱl Imran: 119]; “And Allah drove back those who disbelieved in their rage, they gained no advantage (booty, etc.). Allah sufficed for the believers in the fighting (by sending against the disbelievers a severe wind and troops of angels). And Allah is Ever All ¬Strong, Almighty” [Al-Aḥzab: 25] and “He who emigrates (from his home) in the Cause of Allah, will find on earth many dwelling places and plenty to live by” [Al-Nisa’: 100]

One of the most eloquent descriptions in this respect is what Allah (May He be extolled) says about the emigration of Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s Salat and Peace be upon him):

“If you help him (Muhammad) not (it does not matter), for Allah did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of two, when they (Muhammad and Abu Bakr) were in the cave, and he (SAW) said to his companion (Abu Bakr) “Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allah is with us.” Then Allah sent down His Sakînah (calmness, tranquillity, peace, etc.) upon him, and strengthened him with forces (angels) which you saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while it was the Word of Allah that became the uppermost, and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise” [Al-Tawbah: 40]

Ibrahim –peace be upon him– openly declared:

“He [Ibrahim (Abraham)] said: “I will emigrate for the sake of my Lord. Verily, He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise”” [Al-Ankabūt: 26]

The Sheikh of Islam Ibn Taymiyah ‒may Allah have mercy on his soul– says: “What can my enemy do to me? My paradise and garden are in my chest; killing me is granting me martyrdom, banishing me is tourism, and imprisoning me is granting me retreat (with my Lord)!”

Here, people of Truth, nay people of reason, realize who is victor and who is vanquished!

O Muslim … pilgrims to the House of Allah!

– Among the manifestations and forms of victory are: steadfastness, patience with those holding different religious views, expecting reward from Allah, and withstanding the severity of the infliction (i. e. trial). Indeed, is there a greater victory or a better success than that granted by Allah to His servant, thus allowing him to overcome his desires and cross the obstacles bravely and steadfastly?! Certainly, it is the inner victory (i.e. that of the soul) that would soon be followed by the outward one. Allah Almighty said to His Prophet (May Allah’s Salat and Peace be upon him):

“And had We not made you stand firm, you would nearly have inclined to them a little.” [Al-Isra’: 74]

How often did the Prophet (May Allah’s Salat and Peace be upon him) stand unwavering against the tempting offers of Quraish (his tribe) including supreme authority, money, and prestigious ranks! Consider also the steadfastness of Abu Bakr, the veracious (May Allah be pleased with him) on the day of the Prophet’s death, the day of apostasy, and when he fought those who refused to pay the Zakat . Take the example of Imam Ahmad’s steadfastness, may Allah bless his soul, during his trial and Miḥnah and the ensuing victory and renown hereafter.

O Pilgrims to the House of Allah! O Muslims!

If we reflect on those manifestations and kinds of victory we will certainly realise how Allah is so generous and wise. Such kinds of victory may be found in some of Allah’s servants as they were found in our Prophet (May Allah’s Salat and Peace be upon him). He came out victorious by helping achieve success and perfection for religion (Islam) and by the perishing of the disbelievers. He was victorious in his migration to Madinah, in providing proof and evidence (of his Prophethood). Moreover, Allah protected him against his enemies. The same was true for Mūsa (Moses), peace be upon him.

As for prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, he was victorious by proof, evidence, and emigration. Nūḥ (Noah), Hūd, Saleh, Lūṭ (Lot), and Shuaib (peace be upon them) all came victorious through patience, steadfastness, and the perishing of their enemies. Thus, they and their followers were saved though the number of the believers with them was small.

O Muslims!

It is the responsibility of every Muslim to make sure that he is following the right path, the path of the Chosen One, Muhammad, may Allah’s Salat and Peace be upon him, as indicated in what he said: “Those who followed what I and my Companions did.”; and in his ‒may Allah’s Salat and Peace be upon him‒ following words: “You must keep to my Sunnah and to that of the rightly-guided Caliphs after me; cling to them stubbornly (literally: clench your teeth to them). Beware of newly invented matters.”

Now then, may Allah protect you:

All matters belong to Allah Almighty first and foremost. We are but His servants seeking to get close to Him by worshipping and serving Him, while believing that everything belongs to Him and is under His control. He brings down and lifts up (His servants); He gives and may take back what He has given. He gives glory to whomever He wills, humiliates whomever He wills, and grants victory to whomever He wills; He brings things forward and takes things backward. Indeed, there is no deity worthy of worship except Him.

Upon realising this, a Muslim will not succumb to the pressure of the oppressors and their bargains; neither will he give in to the rashness of his followers and their lack of patience in an attempt to secure some benefits, which are in truth nothing but “painkillers”. Otherwise, he might be afflicted with the obligation of making concessions.

I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan:

“They (the disbelievers, the Jews and the Christians) want to extinguish Allah’s Light (with which Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam has been sent -Islamic Monotheism) with their mouths, but Allah will not allow except that His Light should be perfected even though the Kafirûn (disbelievers) hate (it). It is He Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad SAW) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam), to make it superior over all religions even though the Mushrikûn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) hate (it).” [Al-Tawbah: 32-33]

May Allah benefit me and you from the Great Qur’an and the Guidance of Muhammad (May Allah’s Salat and Peace be upon him). This being said, I ask Allah to forgive my sins, yours, and those of all the Muslims, so ask Him to forgive you, for He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful!