IslamWorld

ALLAAH'S SUPPORT FOR HIS BELIEVING SERVANT

By Noor al-Deen Mukhtaar al-Khaadimi
Al-Daw’ah Magazine, issue. No. 1774, p. 74

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Allaah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep o­n worshipping Allaah Alone and none else), and in the Hereafter. And Allaah will cause to go astray those who are Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers), and Allaah does what He wills”
[Ibraaheem 14:27]

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said, concerning the aayah “Allaah will keep firm those who believe…”, this word is “Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah.” Al-Nasaa’i narrated that al-Baraa’ said: “[The aayah] ‘Allaah will keep firm those who believe…’ was revealed concerning the torment of the grave, when it is said, ‘My Lord is Allaah and my religion is the religion of Muhammad.’ That is what Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning), ‘Allaah will keep firm those who believe…’”

The general meaning of the aayah:

The general meaning of the aayah has to do with the support which Allaah gives to His believing slaves and keeps them firm in this world and in the Hereafter, helping them to adhere to the Straight Path and to belief in Tawheed. The meaning also has to do with the fact that this support is denied to the wrongdoers and kaafirs, because of their wrongdoing and kufr, and because they are far away from the truth and they follow the desires of their own selves and the whispers of the Shaytaan, they prevent others from following the straight path and they express enmity towards those who do follow the straight path.

How Allaah supports His believing slaves and keeps them firm in this world:
His support in this world means two things:

(1) – He keeps them firm in the grave when they are questioned by the angels. Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated that al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘When the believer is made to sit up in his grave, someone comes to him, then he bears witness that there is no god but Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah. That is what Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Allaah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world, and in the Hereafter” [Ibraaheem 14:27].’” Al-Qaffaal and his group said, “in this world” means in the grave, because the dead are still in this world until they are resurrected. Al-Maawardi also narrated this from al-Baraa’, who said, “What is meant by ‘this world’ is the questioning in the grave,’ and what is meant by ‘the Hereafter’ is the questioning o­n the [Day of] Resurrection. (al-Jaami’ li Ahkaam il-Qur’aan by al-Qurtubi, 9/238)

(2) – This keeping firm also has to do with keeping them steadfast in faith, Islam, taqwa, righteousness and doing good deeds. It also has to do with the help and support of Allaah for His righteous slaves, and his granting them victory and giving them the strength to adhere to the word that stands firm in this world, to strong faith, to certain belief and to absolute submission to the rulings, commands and prohibitions of Allaah. Al-Qurtubi said in his book al-Jaami’ li Ahkaam il-Qur’aan that the phrase “Allaah will keep firm” means that Allaah will cause them to persist in saying the word that stands firm. [The poet] ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Rawaahah said:
“Allaah will cause you to stand firm in doing good, as He supported Moosa and gave him victory”
This meaning is supported by other texts of the Qur’aan, for example, Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings):
“Truly, Allaah is with those who fear Him (keep their duty unto Him), and those who are Muhsinoon (good doers)” [al-Nahl 16:128]
“and (as for) the believers, it was incumbent upon Us to help (them).” [al-Room 30:47]
“Allaah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge” [al-Mujaadilah 58:11]
“Those who believed (in the o­neness of Allaah — Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allaah verily, in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find rest [al-Ra’d 13:28]