Part 11

We did accept a solemn pledge from all the Prophets - from you [O Muhammad] as well as from Nooh, and Ibraaheem, and 'Eesaa the son of Maryam - for we accepted a most weight, solemn pledge from [all of] them, so that [at the end of time] He might ask those men of truth as to [what response] their truthfulness [had received on earth]. And grievous suffering He has readied for all who deny the truth." (33:7-8) We ask Him to direct the peace and blessings towards the Seal of Messengers, their speaker when they return to their Lord and their Imaam when they meet. He is the interceder of the creation on the Day of Reckoning, the Prophet of mercy and courage who embodies all of the splendours of previous prophets. He was the one that 'Eesaa, the servant of Allaah 26, His Spirit and Word that He bestowed upon the truthful, pure and virginal Maryam, daughter of 'Imraan, gave glad tidings of. This was the Messiah of guidance, 'Eesa ibn Maryam, of great honour in this life and the next, characterised by grace and mercy due to what he relieved Banee Israa'eel (those descendents from the household of Prophet Ya'qoob) of Moosa's message, characterised by the magnificence and firmness. Allaah had then sent the final and concluding Messenger (saw) characterised by firmness on the disbelievers and mercy of the believers, whose sharee'ah contained the beauty of all the previous ones. May Allaah bless them all, and bless those that follow them until the Day of Judgement. Indeed, Allaah created the creations with His Supreme Ability, and shown in them a sign of His Wisdom and Mercy. All this was done so that His Command is obeyed through His worship. The origin of such worship is the higher spiritual wisdom and knowledge of Allaah and love for Him. 26 "Dhimmah" refers to the system that applies to all non-Muslims under Islaamic rule So whom Allaah guides to His straight path is thereby given knowledge of His noble Names and exalted Attributes. The person is then awarded repentance and fear of him, so that he longs for Allaah like the eagles long for their high nests, and to be immersed in His Love the same way a baby loves his mother. Thus is worship: love, fear and hope, and thus is sincerity to Who owns the heavens and earth, the Lord of the firsts and the lasts. It is Allaah, the Creator of the Seen and that which is beyond human perception, and His servants do not ascribe partners unto Him to be revered in the same way, nor do they take (instead of Allaah) a protector, a king, a prophet or a priest. Allaah's worshippers recognise that everyone in the heavens and earth, are mere servants. Allaah knows them all and they will return to Him one by one on the Day of Judgement. Such are the people chosen, guided and strengthened to the truth by Allaah the Most Graceful, for He guides whom He pleases to the Straight Path. Mankind after the time of Aadam and before that of Nooh, 'alayhis salaam, were on the tawhid and sincerity that their father Nooh was upon. At a later date, humankind invented shirk and the worship of idols. This innovation was self-made and had no origin in a book of Allaah, or through a prophet of His. Rather, they were doubts that the Shaytaan had instilled in their imagination, relying on corrupt analogies, and deviant conceptions. Some of them thought idols as the talismans of stars and great spirits. Some sculptured them in the likenesses of their previous prophets and pious people. And some made their idols the lowly spirits of jinns and devils. As most were ignorant followers of their leaders, turning away from the path of guidance, Allaah sent unto them his Prophet Nooh, 'alayhis salaam. Nooh called them to the worship of Allaah alone, rebuking them for the worship of other beings even though they claimed that the idols were worshipped for purposes of intercession only. Nine hundred and fifty years was the length of time that Nooh proclaimed the call until Allaah informed him that none will reach islaam save those already Muslim. Then, Nooh 'alayhis salaam, prayed to Almighty Allaah to drown the disbelievers, and he was answered. Then came the prophets after him, one after the other until the earth was engulfed by the beliefs of the disbeliever in the Oneness and Uniqueness of Allaah, when the tyrants and pharoahs were the chiefs throughout the world. During these terrible times the Imaam of all believers, and the originator of the pure creed and everlasting word Ibraaheem, 'alayhis salaam was sent. Ibraaheem called people to the declaration of God's perfection and denounced their planet and idol worship, saying: "Unto Him who brought into being the heavens and the earth have I turned my face, having turned away from all that is false; and I am certainly not of those who associate others with Allaah in His divinity". (6:79) He also said to his people, "Have you, then, ever considered what is that you have been worshipping, you and those ancient forefathers of yours?