By Sheikh Ali ibn Abdur-Rahman al-Huthaifi – 02 Thul Qa’dah 1437

His Eminence Sheikh Ali ibn Abdur-Rahman al-Huthaifi, may Allah preserve him, delivered the Friday khutbah entitled, “The Blessing of Security and the Means of Attaining It,” in which he talked about security, stating that it is a great blessing from Allah. He also pointed out some virtues of security as well as its importance in the life of Muslim individuals and communities, citing evidence for this from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him. He also referred to some of the means of establishing security, noting that Muslims should make use of such means.

Praise be to Allah. Praise be to Allah, the Owner of Glory, Generosity, Greatness, and Majesty. He is the Bestower of all favours, Who is Worthy of all praise in prosperity and adversity. I praise my Lord and thank Him. I turn to Him in repentance and ask Him for forgiveness. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, Who has no partners, the Lord of the earth and the heavens, and I bear witness that our Prophet and Master, Muhammad, is His servant and messenger, who was sent with Islam, the tolerant, upright religion. O Allah! Bestow Your prayers, peace, and blessings upon Your servant and messenger Muhammad and upon his family and his righteous, pious Companions.

Now then, Fear Allah by showing obedience to Him, for fear of Allah is the best of all provisions; whoever adheres to it will obtain all the good of this world and will be successful on the Day of Judgement. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “… and whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will expiate from him all his sins, and will enlarge his reward.” (At-Talaq: 5)

O People!

Remember the blessings and favours that Allah has lavished on you and the numerous punishments that He has averted from you. How Munificent Allah, Glorified be He, is! How great His generosity is! How vast His mercy is! And how judicious His Law is!

Part of Allah’s mercy is that He has prescribed for His servants that which is bound to benefit them, grant them happiness, and make them lead a good, secure life. He has prescribed for His servants all the means that lead to security, peace, tranquillity, and honourable life. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “O you who believe! Answer Allah (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he (peace and blessings be upon him) calls you to that which will give you life…” (Al-Anfal: 24)

Security is the fortress of Islam, and Muslims are its inhabitants. The fortress of security protects Muslims against the enemies of Islam, and it is Muslims that protect this fortress from destruction at the hands of mischief-makers. Security is the safety wall of Islam which Muslims barricade themselves behind and which protects them against the attacks of corrupters and aggressors. Muslims guard this safety wall against the tools of destruction and against cracking and collapsing, for Allah, Exalted be He, has made its existence a means of safeguarding religion, life, honour, and property. He has also made it a source of exchanging benefits, securing free movement in all aspects of life, and guarding the ways through which people go to different countries to fulfil their personal needs and interests and to seek provision. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “… Have We not established for them a secure sanctuary (Makkah), to which are brought fruits of all kinds, a provision from Ourselves, but most of them know not. (Al-Qasas: 57)

‘Ubaidullah ibn Mihsan, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever among you wakes up in the morning free from physical illness, secure in his household, and having enough food for his day, is as if he possessed the whole world” (Reported by at-Tirmidhi, who said, “It is a good (hasan) Hadith”).

Security goes hand in hand with faith and is an integral part of Islam. Talhah ibn ‘Ubaidullah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that whenever the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, sighted the new moon, he said, “O Allah! Let this moon come to us with security and faith and with safety and Islam. [O moon!] Your Lord and my Lord is Allah. May Allah bring forth with you good and guidance” (Reported by at-Tirmidhi, who said, “It is a good (hasan) Hadith”).

Security is freedom from fear for one’s religion, life, honour, money, property, sacred things, and anything that one possesses. It also means freedom from fear for material and moral rights, which Islam recognises and commands us not to neglect or disparage.

Security is part and parcel of Islam, and the Islamic Law guarantees security for Muslims during their life and after their death, so that they may lead a good, secure life. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “Whoever works righteousness – whether male or female – while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter).” (An-Nahl: 97)

Declaring the Oneness of the Lord of the Worlds (tawhid – true monotheism) is the first duty that a Muslim has to fulfil. Allah will reward anyone who establishes tawhid with security and guidance and will save him from the punishments for associating partners with Allah (Shirk) in this life and from disgrace and fear in the hereafter. Allah, Exalted be He, says in the course of relating the story of our father Ibrahim (Prophet Abraham), peace and blessings be upon him: “… He said: “Do you dispute with me concerning Allah while He has guided me, and I fear not those whom you associate with Him (Allah) in worship. (Nothing can happen to me) except when my Lord (Allah) wills something. My Lord comprehends in His Knowledge all things. Will you not then remember? And how should I fear those whom you associate in worship with Allah (though they can neither benefit nor harm), while you fear not that you have joined in worship with Allah things for which He has not sent down to you any authority. So which of the two parties has more right to be in security? If you but know.” It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong, i.e. by worshipping others besides Allah), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided.” (Al-An‘am: 80-82)

Ibn Taimiyah, may Allah have mercy on his soul, said, “Whoever is free from the three types of wrong (zulm), namely, associating partners with Allah (Shirk), oppressing Allah’s servants, and wronging oneself by committing sins falling below the category of Shirk, will be granted total security and guidance; and whoever is not free from wronging himself will be granted security and guidance relative to the wrong he has done.” This means that he will be granted security commensurate with the sins he has committed as long as these sins do not amount to major Shirk. Allah, Exalted be He, also says: “The greatest terror (on the Day of Resurrection) will not grieve them, and the angels will meet them, (with the greeting): “This is your Day which you were promised.” (Al-Anbiya’: 103)

Security can be established through Muslims’ implementation of the Islamic Law, which guarantees the rights of Allah, Exalted be He, and the rights of His servants, and serves to deter people from committing sins, aggression, injustice, and oppression. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “… and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat). Verily, As-Salat (the prayer) prevents from Al-Fahsha’ (i.e. great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse) and Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of wicked deed), and the remembering (praising) of (you by) Allah (in front of the angels) is greater indeed [than your remembering (praising) of Allah in prayers]” (Al-‘Ankabut: 45)

Allah, Exalted be He, also says: “Verily, Allah enjoins Al-‘Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allah Alone – Islamic Monotheism) and Al-Ihsan [i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allah, totally for Allah’s sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in a perfect manner], and giving (help) to kith and kin (i.e. all that Allah has ordered you to give them, e.g., wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any other kind of help): and forbids Al-Fahsha’ (i.e. all evil deeds, e.g. illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right), and Al-Munkar (i.e. all that is prohibited by Islamic law: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil deeds), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression), He admonishes you, that you may take heed. (An-Nahl: 90)

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Do not be envious of one another; do not inflate prices by overbidding against one another; do not hate one another; do not turn away from one another; and do not enter into a commercial transaction when others have entered into it. But be servants of Allah and brothers. A Muslim is the brother of his fellow Muslim; he should not wrong him, fail him, or despise him. Piety is here (and he pointed to his chest three times). It is enough evil for a Muslim to hold his Muslim brother in contempt. The whole of a Muslim is inviolable for another Muslim: his blood, his property, and his honour.” (Reported by Muslim)

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, also said, “Do not do wrong to the Dhimmis (non-Muslims living under the protection of a Muslim state).”

Allah has made the performance of some acts of worship and the application of some of the rulings of Islam conditional upon the establishment of security. Allah, Exalted be He, says regarding the performance of prayer with all its conditions in times other than the times of fear: “When you have finished As-Salat (the congregational prayer), remember Allah standing, sitting down, and (lying down) on your sides, but when you are free from danger, perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat). Verily, As-Salat (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours.” (An-Nisa’: 103)

Zakat (obligatory charity) on apparent wealth (i.e. wealth which cannot be hidden, such as livestock, fruit, and grains) is not collected unless security is established. In addition, Allah, Exalted be He, says regarding Hajj: “… Then if you are in safety and whosoever performs the ‘Umrah in the months of Hajj, before (performing) the Hajj, (i.e. Hajj-at-Tamattu’ and Al-Qiran), he must slaughter a Hady such as he can afford…” (Al-Baqarah: 196)

Acts of worship are performed more often in times of security than they are in times of fear. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “Allah has promised those among you who believe and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieves after this, they are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).” (An-Nur: 55)

Security can be attained by protecting society against mischief-makers, saboteurs, criminals, and aggressors through enjoining good and forbidding evil. Indeed, enjoining good and forbidding evil spread virtue and goodness in society and clean it from all forms of wickedness and vice. Security is also achieved by engaging in guidance, counselling, and instruction, and warning of innovations in religion and forbidden acts and of rebellion against the main body of Muslims or against the legitimate Muslim ruler. It can also be attained by informing the authorities about people with deviant ideas who are accustomed to causing mischief and committing criminal acts, as long as they insist on their evil. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma‘ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful.” (Al ‘Imran: 104)

Abu-Sa‘id al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If anyone of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart; and that is the weakest of faith” (Reported by Muslim).

The power of the Muslim ruler also provides one of the greatest means of establishing security, for a powerful ruler takes criminals to task and deters mischief-makers in accordance with the teachings of the merciful Islamic Law. Under a powerful ruler, the oppressors’ evil is put to an end as they are prevented from causing oppression and aggression, even if they are Muslims. As for the non-Muslims from the People of the Scripture (i.e. Christians and Jews), they are granted freedom of worship, since their evil and disbelief will affect none but themselves as long as they do not commit an act of aggression or oppression against anyone. A ruler is responsible for all those under his rule. Uthman ibn ‘Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Allah deters by the power of the Muslim ruler those who are not deterred by the Qur’an.”

The Muslim Ummah will be at its best if its members have strong religious commitment and the Muslim ruler is powerful. Its affairs under such circumstances are at their best regarding its religion and worldly matters. Second to this is the state where the Muslim ruler is powerful but some members of the Ummah lack strong religious commitment. In this case, the Muslim ruler can set right their condition by taking mischief-makers and criminals to task, in which case the Ummah is considered to be on the road to safety.

If we carefully consider the provisions of Islamic law and the way they have been applied in Muslims’ life, we will clearly see that such provisions have always prevented the great majority of Muslims from doing wrong to others regarding their lives, their honour, their property, or any other right. This is because they abide by the rules of Islam and give people their due rights, and therefore have enjoyed security, faith, and good life. There will be no ground of complaint against whoever abides by the Islamic Law in his life. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, rightly said, “A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hands the Muslims are safe.”

In Islamic Shari‘ah, security is protected with care, attention, and power, for Allah, Blessed and Exalted be He, has made security essential for people’s worldly and religious benefits. Therefore, if a person transgresses the limits of security by committing adultery, fornication, or sodomy, and there is conclusive evidence against him or he confesses his crime, the ruler will inflict upon him the prescribed legal penalty (hadd) to preserve honour and dignity, and to prevent confusion in matters of parentage. Similarly, if someone violates security through theft, the prescribed penalty will be inflicted upon him to preserve people’s property. In addition, anyone who drinks an intoxicant or takes or deals in drugs is considered to have transgressed the security of society, and therefore the prescribed penalty is inflicted upon him by way of preserving intellect. If someone deliberately takes the life of another, the ruler will punish him by legal retaliation (qasās – the Law of Equality) to prevent bloodshed and protect people’s lives. If a gang of criminals engages in shedding innocent blood, stealing money, or destroying property, the ruler will inflict on them the punishment prescribed for such crimes, as stated in the Qur’anic verses in which Allah says: “The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off from opposite sides, or be exiled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world, and a great torment is theirs in the Hereafter. Except for those who (having fled away and then) came back (as Muslims) with repentance before they fall into your power; in that case, know that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Al-Ma’idah: 33-34)

He whom Allah and His Messenger wage war against will definitely be defeated and will never attain success. Any penalty is mainly intended to protect society from the evil of aggressors who wish to undermine the Ummah’s security, as well as to expiate for people’s sins. If anyone turns to Allah in repentance, Allah will forgive him. If anyone has his sin concealed by Allah and has not done harm to anyone, then his account is with his Lord. If Allah blesses a certain community with security, it will have easy livelihood and will lead a prosperous life. Its members will have money in abundance, all its affairs will flourish, and its people will have a good life, in which their lives, property, and honour will be protected. Conversely, if security is compromised, life will become intolerably bitter. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “And Allah puts forward the example of a township (Makkah), that dwelt secure and well-content: its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the Favours of Allah (with ungratefulness). So Allah made it taste the extreme of hunger (famine) and fear, because of that (evil, i.e. denying Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) which they (its people) used to do.” (An-Nahl: 112)

Security is an integral part of the religion and is one of the great objectives of the Shari‘ah. Khabbab ibn al-Aratt, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “We complained to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him (regarding the persecution inflicted upon us by the disbelievers), while he was lying in the shade of the Ka‘bah, having made a pillow of his cloak. We said to him, “Will you not supplicate for victory? Will you not pray to Allah for us?” He replied, “Among those people before you, a man would be seized and held in a pit dug for him in the ground and he would be sawed into two halves from his head, and his flesh would be torn away from his bones with iron combs, and in spite of this, he would not wean away from his faith. By Allah, Allah will bring this matter to its consummation until a rider will travel from Sana’a to Hadramaut fearing none except Allah, and except the wolf for his sheep, but you are in too much of a hurry.” (Reported by al-Bukhari)

What the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, told us about has now come true.

Allah, Exalted be He, says: “Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying), I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless Favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me.” (Al-Baqarah: 152)

May Allah bless you and me with the Great Qur’an and make us benefit from its verses and wise words and benefit from the guidance and right sayings of the Imam of all Messengers. I have said what you have heard and I ask forgiveness of Allah for myself, for you, and for all Muslims.