Islam August 1984

O Believers, be Allah's Helpers!

Halil Necatioglu

Our Lord (SWT) says in Qur'an:

"O you who believe! be helpers (in the cause) of Allah, as Jesus son of Mary said to (his) disciples: 'Who are my helpers in the cause of Allah?' The disciples said: 'We are helpers (in the cause) of Allah.' So a party of the children of Israel believed and another party disbelieved; then We aided those who believed against their enemy, and they became uppermost." (Qur'an 61:14)

That means every believer--without exception-- must serve Islam just like the disciples of Jesus (pbuh). Every believer must exalt the word of God, proclaim the true religion to unbelievers, spread the truth, convey and defend the message of Islam, ordain the good and forbid the evil, strive physically and spiritually against the rivals and enemies of Islam, spend his money for charity, help Muslims by all means, share their problems and sorrows.

Do Muslims have this consciousness? Unfortunately, They do not.

Some of the Muslims are poor economically; they are after their livelihood full time and negligent of their Islamic duties. They run after their sustenance that Allah has guaranteed for them, yet they neglect the services expected of them. The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Whoever works for the hereafter, Allah (SWT) puts his life in order and bestows richness in his heart, and his sustenance follow and finds him. Whoever works for this world, Allah (SWT) puts his his life in disorder and brings poverty before his eyes, and his sustenance is given to as much as it was apportioned in the beginning not a hair more."

There is a group of Muslims who are rich, live in affluence, turn towards show-off, and after their comfort. They are negligent of their duties and responsibilities as well as the judgement in the hereafter. They do not remember Allah unless they are in a trouble or ill. They do not spend their wealth in the way of Allah; they are insensitive to the suffering of fellow Muslims. They do not heed the death; they cannot withstand the good advice. They run away from the pious Muslims and scholars. Allah (SWT) has a stern warning for them: "For those who pile up gold and silver and do not spend in the Way of Allah there is a severe torment in hell."

Another group of Muslims claim that they strive in the way of Allah (SWT), yet they forget the enemy and fight with Muslims. While a Muslim's life, blood, property, chastity and honor are untouchable by a Muslim and while it is unlawful for a Muslim not talk to another Muslim more than three days, this group of Muslims do not hesitate killing a Muslim and shedding his blood and destroying his home. Furthermore, they find a religious point of support to justify their actions.

There is another group with the mentality of those mentioned above yet not as bad. They, too, strive but in the wrong direction. They want to do good works, but their knowledge is superficial and shallow. They have no good assessment, love, tolerance, and mercy for other Muslims. They often criticize Muslims and accuse them with disbelief. They do not respect the scholars and the righteous servants of Allah (SWT); they attempt to change the basic principles of Islam, bring new interpretations and reforms with their superficial knowledge. They create confusion and disturbance in minds. They think that only they are on the right path and that the rest of the Muslims are wrong.

When will these brothers realize that we all are brothers? When will they respect the rights of other Muslims? When will they stop attacking and torturing fellow Muslims who already have plenty of problems?

Dear Muslims, please do not forget your principal duties. Be the true helpers in the cause of Allah (SWT). The poverty, comfort, rush and troubles of this world should not prevent you from good servitude, righteous deeds, and charitable work. Examine yourselves often to make sure that your efforts comply with the Book of Allah (SWT) and the tradition of the Prophet (pbuh). Do not fight with your Muslim brethren; do not hurt them for they already have enough trouble.

Our Lord! Let us see the truth as "truth" and follow it. Let us see the falsehood as "falsehood" and avoid it. Do not leave us to the hands of our evil selves (an-nafs al-ammarah) even for a moment.