. J (cont.)

A very negative result of this approach is that when such a person accomplishes something, he believes that he has accomplished it on his own without realizing that he has only been able to accomplish it due to Allah's help. The correct approach is the approach of the first category of people. One should be mindful of Allah to the best of one's ability and ask Allah for further assistance in being guided to the Straight Path and worshipping Allah. "Know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you . . . " After telling ibn Abbaas to ask of Allah and seek help in Him, the Prophet (peace be upon him) told him, "Know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you with anything except with that which Allah has already recorded for you. And if they gather to harm you by something, they would not be able to harm you by 1 This is one of the evidences that demonstrate that Allah may answer a prayer but His answer is not a sign that the person is blessed or a devoted servant of Allah. The answer to the prayer may, in fact, only lead to the person's own destruction. The only test of whether a person is a pious person or devoted servant of Allah is whether or not he is obeying the Quran and sunnah. (Even this sign is only an outward sign and cannot determine what is in the person's heart.) Ifa person is not acting in accord with the Quran and sunnah, then he is definitely not a pious person or a devoted servant, no matter how many of his prayers may be answered. 2 Deism is defined as "belief in a God who created the world but has since remained indifferent to his creation." See Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language (New York: Portland House, 1 989), p. 381. Hadith #19: "Young man, I shall teach you some words ... " anything except that which Allah has already recorded against you." This statement of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is directly related to his previous advice to ibn Abbaas. If no one can harm or benefit another except by what Allah has decreed for a person, why should anyone ask or seek help from anyone other than Allah. Everything is in Allah's hand and under His control. If He has decreed something beneficial for somebody, it will come about. Otherwise, if He has not decreed it, it will never come about, even if all of mankind tries to bring it about. So He is the only one to ask for something and in Him alone should one seek help. The understanding of this concept is part of the reality of faith. In a hadith recorded by Ahmad, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: "Everything has a reality to it. The servant does not reach the reality of faith until he knows that what reached him was not going to miss him and what missed him was not going to reach him."1 This also means that there is no reason to fear anyone other than Allah. One's provisions in life are not determined by any employer or ruler. It is also not determined by any government or international organization. It is only determined by Allah. Correct belief in this part of the hadith should lead to tranquillity and happiness in the soul of the person. If a person turns to Allah and puts his trust in Him-- with full conviction-- he no longer cares about what people might plot against him or how they may try to harm him. He knows that all good or evil is according to Allah's decree. Humans do not have any real power to help or harm him. This person turns to Allah and puts his trust in Allah, as He is the only source of benefit or harm. Allah has said in the Quran, .... '- :;J .... .... ,,.. J ,,. ,., ,,. . .... J ..... " -: \., .... ., ,.. I,.. ,,. J ''I ࢛ t • • ' ::.. .... . ':. ƅ • J ƅ I \"' ,,.. ., .... ,,.. ࢔ F: I.!.. • • °""":! uJ .Y" :i )'1...1 ज़\.:::::=> Jƀ _ra.: - I.!.. .. .. .. 1 0IJ ,,. / ,,.. ,,,. / ,f' .... ,,.. ,,.. }' ,.. ., ,., ., ,., Ò .... ,,,., ,., J ,,,. 5\ > !(':_ 11 ¨j u ࢚ ; ; ; "And if Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it but He. And if He touches you with good, then He is able to do all things. He is the Irresistible, above His slaves, and He is the All-Wise, Well-Acquainted with all things" (al­ Anaam 17-18). This passage should also give the believer courage and strength. He knows that nothing will occur to him save what Allah has already recorded for 1 Recorded by Ahmad, ibn Abu Aasim in al-Sunnah and al-Tabaraani.