Ilm Fruits » people of the ditch

Tafseer Surah Burjooj: Fitnah

Ilm Seeker — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:38:05 +0000

This is post #27 in our series on Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma (click the link to see all posts in this series).

Allah says, in Surah Al-Burooj:

وَالسَّمَاءِ ذَاتِ الْبُرُوجِ
وَالْيَوْمِ الْمَوْعُودِ
وَشَاهِدٍ وَمَشْهُودٍ
قُتِلَ أَصْحَابُ الْأُخْدُودِ

Translation: By the sky containing great stars. And [by] the promised Day. And [by] the witness and what is witnessed. Cursed were the companions of the trench. [Surah Al-Buruj, verses 1-4]

The story of Ashaab-ul-Burooj, the People of the Ditch, is pretty well-known; in fact, we have an entire 15-part series on this surah. Check it out insha’Allah.

Allah opens this surahs with testifications. Then he testifies: qutila ashaabul-’uqdood. ‘uqdood is another word for ditch. Qutila, literally, means “they were killed.” But Ibn Abbaas (radiallahu anhu) said, whenever you read qutila in the Qur’an, it means lu’ina–cursed.

Allah cursed the People of the Ditch. And Allah is not in need of cursing–He can do anything, to anybody, anytime, anywhere. Lu’ina means, they were destroyed.

And they aredestroyed.

So what great sin did they perpetrate in order to deserve this immense reward–not only being cursed and destroyed, but being documented in the Qur’an, to be recited until the end of time?

Let’s see.

Allah continues:

إِذْ هُمْ عَلَيْهَا قُعُودٌ
وَهُمْ عَلَى مَا يَفْعَلُونَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ شُهُودٌ

Translation: When they were sitting near it. And they, to what they were doing against the believers, were witnesses. And they resented them not except because they believed in Allah , Al-Aziz, Al-Hamid [Surah Burooj, verses 6-8]

They were burning the believers with fire. Burning with fire is bad enough. Burning believers is worse. And not only that, they were sitting around, watching this happen. Witnessing what was happening.

Imagine that. It’s like Mecca–you see someone say “Laa ilaaha illa Allah” today, and tomorrow, you see them cooking in the sun with a pile of rocks on top of them–like Bilal radiallahu ‘anhu. Or you see them cut to pieces, like Sumaya radiallahu ‘anhaa.

Or, as with the people of the ditch–you see them thrown into a big bonfire and burned alive. While everybody else sits around watching with a bag of popcorn.

How would that make you feel? Would you publicly declare your Islam, knowing your flaming, torturous death was only around the corner?

And this intensified the punishment–that the believers saw this happening, saw it would happen to them, but couldn’t do a single thing about it. Subhanallah.

And so they were destroyed.

And then, a couple verses later, Allah says:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ فَتَنُوا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَتُوبُوا فَلَهُمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابُ الْحَرِيقِ

Translation: Indeed, those who have tortured the believing men and believing women and then have not repented will have the punishment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the Burning Fire. [Surah Burooj, verse 10]

The word fatanuw, translated here as tortured, means … fitnah! You can see that it’s the root word of fitnah. Fitnah, meaning to trial someone, to test them. You can also translate it as “Indeed, those who put to trial the believing men and believing women and then have not repented will have the punishment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the Burning Fire.”

And this is a lesson for all of us. Don’t put believers on trial. Don’t test them. Why? Because Allah connects this to Hellfire.

Sometimes, we see people who start learning, doing this. They ask people, “what’s your opinion on this?” or “what’s your opinion on that?” Why? Not out of seeking knowledge; but to slap a label on them and put them under a fitnah.

Don’t do it. It’s very, very dangerous.

And Allah issues another warning two verses later:

إِنَّ بَطْشَ رَبِّكَ لَشَدِيدٌ

Translation: Indeed, the vengeance (batsh) of your Lord is severe. [Surah Burooj, verse 12]

Batsh means, an extremely harsh yanking or pulling. There’s a story Muhammad Alshareef related, of a man in Egypt, who used to torture Muslims.

This man used to say, “bring your Lord, and I’ll punish Him, too.” One day, he was driving on the highway, behind a semi-truck/pickup-truck. The truck slammed on the brakes; this guy was too slow on the reflexes, and his car slammed into the back of the semi. It was totaled.

But not just that; the truck had in it long poles of steel. When the guy hit it, they flew into the car and ripped him to pieces. The police said, “we had to take him out piece by piece,”–cut a piece off, take it out; cut a piece off, take it out …

Again, whoever puts believers on trial is risking Hellfire. So don’t let that be you.

Wallahu ta’ala ‘alam.

References:

Touched by an Angel: Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma. By Muhammad Alshareef. 2009.

The People of the Ditch (15): Tests and Purification

Ilm Seeker — Sun, 12 Feb 2006 04:08:08 +0000

The people came to the king and said “Don’t you see, by Allah, your fear brought about the very thing you were afraid of.”

The king didn’t know what to do. So he had ditches dug at all the roads out of the city. People try to escape, BOOM into a ditch. He had people brought to the ditches and said “disbelieve and live or believe and in you go.” They believed, so he threw them in.

A woman arrived at the fire with her infant child, and hesitated (our of fear for its safety). But the child spoke, and said “O mother, have patience, for you are on the truth.” Allah blessed her child with speech, and it said “be patient if you are on the truth.”

There are two recitations of this. One is “fire full of fuel” and the other is “fire that stretches like a fountainhead”–birds fly over, and from the intense heat, die.

Why did the king do this? He had nothing against them, except that they believed in Allah, the mighty, the one worthy of all praise, whose dominion is the heavens and the Earth, the witness over all things.

Verily, tests to believers are like fire to gold–when you bring gold out of the ground, it’s full of impurities. When you bring fire, the impurities seperate.

So when a believer gets tests, he or she gets purified from pride, arrogance, etc. and becomes like the one the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) mentioned when he said “a muslim has tests until he leaves the world without any faults in him”.

May Allah protect us from such tests as the people before us endured, ameen.

And that concludes our series on the People of the Ditch!

References

Ibrahim Hindy. “People of the Ditch.” UTM MSA. University of Toronto At Mississauga, Mississauga.

The People of the Ditch (14): Belief

Ilm Seeker — Sun, 12 Feb 2006 03:53:44 +0000

The boy said “You will never be able to kill me until you do what I say.”

The king said “Ok, what do I do?” Notice the reversal of roles–who’s in control now?

So the boy said “gather the people, cruficy me on a tree trunk, put your arrow in the middle of the bow, say ‘in the name of Allah, Lord of the worlds’ and fire.” And the king did just that, so obsessed to kill the boy he didn’t realize what the effect would be. He plotted, and Allah planned, and Allah is the best of planners.

He shot the boy. The boy died. The people said “We believe in the Lord of the boy.” The whole city became Muslim.

But didn’t they believe in the boy before?

They believe in the one who is able. When they saw the king unable to kill the boy, powerless, then able to kill the boy in the name of Allah, they believed. The irony is that if the king left the boy alone, and Allah knows best, he would not have achieved such an effect so quickly on the people as his death caused.

References

Ibrahim Hindy. “People of the Ditch.” UTM MSA. University of Toronto At Mississauga, Mississauga.

The People of the Ditch (13): Your Purpose on Earth

Ilm Seeker — Sun, 12 Feb 2006 03:24:49 +0000

The king asked the boy to renounce his religion, to which the boy refused. The king said “take him to the highest mountain and if he doesn’t renounce by the time you reach the top, throw him off.”

Why not saw him in half? Because the boy’s useful. He has influence among the poeple. People love him, and if he joins the king, many will follow his example.

So they took him up, and the boy said “O Allah, suffice me against them in whatever way You please”. So the mountain rumbled, and everyone fell off and died. Except the boy.

Sincere dua, immediate response. The boy had yaqeen.

He walked back to the king.

The king said “What happened to your companions?” and the boy said “Allah sufficed them”.

Now, the king’s at a cross-roads: he can realize this boy is special, and follow him, or refuse. And out of arrogance, he refused. His arrogance led to more crime. He ordered another set of soldiers to take the boy to the middle of the sea, and if he didn’t renounce by that time, drown him.

Same thing happened, same du’a, they all drowned except the boy.

He walked back to the king.

Why did he go back? Why not just run away, or go to another land? Because he realized his purpose–to give da’wah to the people, no matter what.

So ask yourself: How can I best serve Allah? Find your purpose on Earth, and stick to it. Don’t run from it.

The boy knew it, and he did exactly that.

References

Ibrahim Hindy. “People of the Ditch.” UTM MSA. University of Toronto At Mississauga, Mississauga.

The People of the Ditch (12): Sincerity of Du’a

Ilm Seeker — Sun, 12 Feb 2006 02:52:05 +0000

We often make empty du’as–they lack in sincerity, but hey, we don’t expect them to be answered. But why do it? Are you just testing Allah?

Think with certiny that Allah will answer your du’a. Make the most sincere, heart-felt du’a of your existance. And have hope that Allah will answer it.

Before Islam, there was a man named Jurayj, a worshipper of Allah. The people around him had intense jealousy of him for this.

This prostitute in the town, she said “I will seduce him if you like.” She didn’t. Then a year later, she bore a son, brought him out, and said “This is the son of Jurayj.”

Bear in mind she admited to commiting one of the greatest sins, at a time where they kill people for stuff like this. Not like today, where nobody raises an eyebrow.

And what did the people do? They hammered on his door and demanded to see him.

So he said “bring the boy to me”. They did. And he made a du’a–I forget which one. Totally sincere du’a. And Allah answered it immediately. Subhanallah.

So make sincere du’a and have hope in Allah. May Allah protect us from the du’a that is not answered.

A hadith quds exists to the effect of: The Prophet, peace be upon him, said that Allah said “I am with the one who thinks of me”.

References

Ibrahim Hindy. “People of the Ditch.” UTM MSA. University of Toronto At Mississauga, Mississauga.

The People of the Ditch (11): Torture and Flattery

Ilm Seeker — Sun, 12 Feb 2006 02:43:33 +0000

The king’s companion pointed out the boy.

Why didn’t he remain silent? For that matter, why does the boy point out the monk later?

Resolve. Ibn Tamiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said “much of your resolve disappears when tortured”. Your determination and strength of will plummets. So the man pointing out the boy, well, his determination couldn’t withstand the torture.

So the king’s soldiers brought the boy to the king, who said “O my boy, your magic heals the blind and cures the lepers …” Then he used flattery. “O my boy, you’re soooooooooooo cool.” And when you flatter someone with pride in their heart, they become deluded. Pride makes you succeptible to delusion.

But the boy had too much eman. He said “I don’t heal, Allah heals”. Sound familiar?

Eventually, the king realized he wasn’t getting anywhere, and tortured the boy. The boy’s willpower failed, and he pointed out the scholar.

The king said to the monk/scholar “renounce your religion”. The scholar refused. So they brought a large saw and sawed him vertically in half.

Why, you ask, didn’t the king try flattery? Because the scholar is a person of knowledge, and therefore, protected from false tricks and flattery. People of knowledge see right through that. People of knowledge cannot be confused by misinformation.

Similarly, when Abu Dhar, may Allah be pleased with him, proclaimed shahada, the Meccans beat him with intention to kill. But Al-Abbas stepped in and said “By Allah, if you kil him, none of your caravans will be safe.” This incident is narrated in Bukhari 4/56/724. Read about the first beating.

References

“Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 56: irtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions.” USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts. USC-MSA. 25 Apr. 2006 <http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/056.sbt.html#004.056.724 >.

Ibrahim Hindy. “People of the Ditch.” UTM MSA. University of Toronto At Mississauga, Mississauga.

The People of the Ditch (9): Honouring vs. Prophetic Miracles

Ilm Seeker — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 23:38:48 +0000

The boy healed the blind and the lepers–the same miracles given to the prophet ‘Isa (Jesus), on whom be peace.

Was he a prophet?

No, he was not.

The difference is: Allah gave the boy karamah, a less intense form of mu’jizah. In a way, karamah mimics mu’jizah, but to a less intense level.

The boy’s powers mimiced the miracles of ‘Isa (alayhi salaam), to a lesser level. And while ‘Isa (alayhi salaam) could resurrect the dead, the boy could not.

A similar incident occurred to a sahaba. When a king apostated, the sahaba gave him da’wah. In return, the king threw him into a fire. But like the miracle of Ibrahim (alayhi salaam), the fire did not burn the sahaba.

When you follow the path of the Prophets, and give da’wah, Allah tests you as he tested them (peace be upon them all). But inshaAllah you get karamah too.

Wallahu ‘alim.

References

Ibrahim Hindy. “People of the Ditch.” UTM MSA. University of Toronto At Mississauga, Mississauga.

The People of the Ditch (7): The People Most Tested

Ilm Seeker — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 03:55:42 +0000

Some companions asked the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) “Who are the people most tested?” The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said “The rightly guided people.”

Allah tests people according to the strength of their faith. As you increase in iman, your tests become tougher and tougher.

Allah tests everyone, even non-believers. So if you’re going to be tested, be tested for fleeing to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) and the truth.

The scholar said: “when you are tested [o my boy], do not reveal me.” He did not wish to be tested.

The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) once said: “O people! Do not wish to meet the enemy, and ask Allah for safety, but when you face the enemy, be patient, and remember that Paradise is under the shades of swords.”¹

Jihad (fighting) in the path of Allah is the highest peak–the most reward for personal actions after the five pillars. Khalid bin Walid, may Allah be pleased with him, once said “Not a day made me more happy, not my marriage to a virgin nor my news of a son, but that cold, bitter day on the battlefield.”

So why did the Prophet, peace be upon him, say that? Because nobody knows the state in which they will be when the trials hit–will you be steadfast, or will you run? Will you succeed, or will you fail? Will you rise, or will you fall? In battle, specifically–on the battlefield, people dying to the right and left, blood and heat and severed body parts, fear–that’s the test. If you turn your back, it’s one of the greatest sins. So the Prophet says: don’t wish to be tested, because you may fail.

And seek Allah’s protection. When He tests you, that’s when you need it.

When fitna (trials) of little benefit knock on your door, leave them. You don’t want to be tested. And safeguarding yourself is more important then this project or that organization.

May Allah protect us from the trials of the dunya, the trial of the Dajjal and the trials of the grave.

References

(1) “Chapter 52: Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihad).” Sahih Bukhari. USC-MSA Hadith Database. 22 Jan. 2006 <http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/052.sbt.html#004.052.266>.

(2) Ibrahim Hindy. “People of the Ditch.” UTM MSA. University of Toronto At Mississauga, Mississauga.

The People of the Ditch (6): Allah Tests Truth-Bearers

Ilm Seeker — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 03:35:48 +0000

The scholar/monk said to the boy, after he defeated the beast: verily, you will be tested.

The sunnah of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) is to test those who come with the truth –place tests in their path.

When the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) first received revelation and visited Waraqa, he said: I wish I had the life/strength to live until the time when your people kick you out.

The Prophet said: Are they going to kick me out?” As in, “how do you know?”

Waraqa said: There is no man who comes with something similar, except that the people hurt him.

Similarly, when Prophet Luqman (AS) gave advice to his son, he said: Establish salaah … and have patience over what will afflict you.

So when you propogate the truth, be forewarned: they’re coming for you.

Allah tests even non-Muslims. Compared to our tests, they suffer through relatively easy tests–and flunk because of their lack of iman in Allah (سبحانه وتعالى).

May Allah make us all bearers of the truth and followers of the Prophet Muhammad (صلي الله عليه وسلم).

References

Ibrahim Hindy. “People of the Ditch.” UTM MSA. University of Toronto At Mississauga, Mississauga.

The People of the Ditch (5): Humility with Arrogance

Ilm Seeker — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 03:27:39 +0000

After the boy killed the lion, news spread fast–news arrives like an ant and leaves like an elephant. Sensationalism.

The boy meets the scholar and informs him of what occurred. The scholar replied with: “O my boy, today you are better then me. You will be tested, so when it happens, do not reveal me (don’t rat me out).”

How was the boy better? He gained knowledge and implemented it, and increased in humility.

Of the types of humility, one is humility with arrogance. What is humility with arrogance? When you intentionally act humble so people will take you as a humble person and, because of that, follow you–to say the words of humility with the intention to get the same end-result that arrogance brings.

The scholars say “perhaps an act of obediance to Allah can bring pride an arrogance”. It happens all the time with Hajjis (those who survived Hajj). They presume themselves to be paradise-bound, and the next thing you know, they’re laughing it up in the club–DJ Hajji.

They act as if good deeds are a favour to Allah, and that Allah owes them something, wa iyyadubillah.

In the time of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), bedouins took the same attitudes. They performed good deeds, then asked the Prophet, peace be upon him, for wealth and such. They argued, “didn’t we accept Islam for you?” and Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) replies in the Qur’an: “Tell them: do not consider your Islam as a favour to me, but Allah gave you a favour when he guided you to faith.”

Indeed, the more you increase in piety, the more you should increase in thankfulness.

After all, if not for the mercy and guidance of Allah, where would you be?

May Allah guide us all to the truth and allow us to live and die on Islam.

References

Ibrahim Hindy. “People of the Ditch.” UTM MSA. University of Toronto At Mississauga, Mississauga.