Do not side with falsehood – Tarawih reflections 25
Hypocrites who side with the disbelievers
بَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُنَـٰفِقِینَ بِأَنَّ لَهُمۡ عَذَابًا أَلِیمًا
ٱلَّذِینَ یَتَّخِذُونَ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِینَ أَوۡلِیَاۤءَ مِن دُونِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَۚ أَیَبۡتَغُونَ عِندَهُمُ ٱلۡعِزَّةَ فَإِنَّ ٱلۡعِزَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِیعࣰا
‘Give the hypocrites the ‘good’ news that for them there is a painful punishment – those who take the disbelievers for allies instead of the believers. Are they seeking honour in their company? But, indeed, all honour belongs to Allah.’ [4:138-139]
The beauty of the Quran is that it is timeless. Even though it was revealed 1400 years ago, in today’s world this ayah is talking directly to us. Allah is talking about people taking non-believers for allies. This happened during the lives of all the prophets and messengers, ever since Shaytan promised to misguide the children of Adam
وَلَأُضِلَّنَّهُمۡ وَلَأُمَنِّیَنَّهُمۡ
I will lead them astray, induce in their hearts prolonged, worldly desires. (4:19)
We can see this happening today with regard to the atrocities being perpetrated against Gaza. Look how many so-called Muslims are siding with non-believers over believers, and siding with falsehood rather than the truth.
Honour only comes from Allah
In this ayah, Allah is describing this exact situation. Driven by greed, such people are seeking power, prestige and funding. They fail to recognise that as Allah states, ‘Indeed, all honour belongs to Allah.’
Allah’s beautiful name Al-‘Aziz means the Most Powerful, the Invincible. Yet these people are not seeking power from Allah, but from their allies and their weapons. Allah is responding to them, saying that true veneration and honour belongs to Allah. Whoever seeks honour from anyone other than Allah will be humiliated.
If you want to side with the oppressors, read the terms and conditions
In an earlier ayah in Surat an-Nisa, Allah says,
وَمَن یُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا تَبَیَّنَ لَهُ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَیَتَّبِعۡ غَیۡرَ سَبِیلِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ نُوَلِّهِۦ مَا تَوَلَّىٰ وَنُصۡلِهِۦ جَهَنَّمَۖ وَسَاۤءَتۡ مَصِیرًا ١٥
‘Whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has been made clear to them, and follows a path other than that of the believers, We shall let them have what they chose, until We burn them in Hell, which is an evil place to end up.’ [4:115]
This means that evildoers may get what they want, but they have to bear the consequences of their choices. They are given freedom of choice to do what they want, but they should read the terms and conditions.
Allah is saying – not in small print, but in bold letters – if you want to side with falsehood, be clear about what you are choosing. It’s entirely your choice, but your punishment will be severe in the Hereafter.
We have seen many of our so-called leaders decide to side with the oppressors over the oppressed. They should be cognisant of the repercussions of this in the akhirah, and also in the dunya. We will vote against them if they do not care about the oppressed and ignore their cries. We will vote for humanity and safety and peace.
May Allah grant relief to those oppressed everywhere. Ameen.
Based on the reflections of Shaykh Haytham Tamim
Transcribed by Hana Khan
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Shaykh Haytham Tamim
Transcribed by Hana Khan
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