Censuring the Hypocrites

"You see many of them taking the disbelievers as their Auliya' (protectors and helpers). Evil indeed is that which their ownselves have sent forward before them, for that (reason) Allah's Wrath fell upon them and in torment they will abide.
And had they believed in Allah, and in the Prophet (Muhammad ) and in what has been revealed to him, never would they have taken them (the disbelievers) as Auliya' (protectors and helpers), but many of them are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah)." ( Qur'an 5 : 80-81)

(You see many of them taking the disbelievers as their friends.) Mujahid said that this Ayah refers to the hypocrites. Allah's statement,

(Evil indeed is that which they have sent forward before themselves;) by giving their loyalty and support to the disbelievers, instead of the believers. This evil act caused them to have hypocrisy in their hearts and brought them the anger of Allah, that will remain with them until the Day of Return. Allah said;

(for that (reason) Allah is wrath with them) because of what they did. Allah next said that,

(in torment they will abide) on the Day of Resurrection. Allah's statement,

(And had they believed in Allah, and in the Prophet and in what has been revealed to him, never would they have taken them as friends.) meaning, had they sincerely believed in Allah, His Messenger and the Qur'an, they would not have committed the evil act of supporting the disbelievers in secret and being enemies with those who believe in Allah, the Prophet and what was revealed to him,

(but many of them are rebellious). disobedient to Allah and His Messenger and defiant of the Ayat of His revelation that He sent down.

It seems natural that those who believe in Allah and the Prophets and the Scriptures, compared with the polytheists, would naturally be more sympathetic to those who at least share with them belief in Allah, in prophethood and in .revelation (whatever their disagreements on other religious issues). It was ironic, therefore, that the Jews should openly support the polytheists in the struggle between polytheism and monotheism, and that their sympathies in the conflict between those who rejected prophethood and those who believed in it should lie expressly with the former. Despite all this, they brazenly claimed to be true believers in God, in the Prophets and in the Scriptures.

The Hypocrites Pretend to be Believers but Hide their Kufr

"When they come to you, they say: "We believe." But in fact they enter with (an intention of) disbelief and they go out with the same. And Allah knows all what they were hiding." (Qur'an 5 : 61)

(When they come to you, they say, "We believe.'' But in fact they enter with (an intention of) disbelief and they go out with the same.) This is the description of the hypocrites, for they pretend to be believers while their hearts hide Kufr. So Allah said;

(But in fact they enter) on you, O Muhammad,

(with disbelief) in their hearts and they depart with Kufr, and this is why they do not benefit from the knowledge they hear from you, nor does the advice and reminder move them. So,

(and they go out with the same) meaning, they alone,

(and Allah knows all that they were hiding.) Allah knows their secrets and what their hearts conceal, even if they pretend otherwise with His creatures, thus pretending to be what they are not. Allah, Who has perfect knowledge of the seen and unseen, has more knowledge about the hypocrites than any of His creatures do and He will recompense them accordingly. Allah's statement,

(And you see many of them (Jews) hurrying for sin and transgression, and eating illegal things.) They hurry to devour prohibited and illegal things, all the while transgressing against people, unjustly consuming their property through bribes and Riba,

(Evil indeed is that which they have been doing.) Indeed, horrible is that which they used to do and the transgression that they committed.

The Prohibition of Taking the Jews, Christians and Enemies of Islam as Friends. Pt. 3

"And those who believe will say: "Are these the men (hypocrites) who swore their strongest oaths by Allah that they were with you (Muslims)?" All that they did has been in vain (because of their hypocrisy), and they have become the losers." (Qur'an 5 : 53)

These Muslims however much they might profess to follow Islam - by performing Prayers, by observing Fasts, by paying Zakah, by taking part in Jihad in the cause of Allah - all was reduced to naught because they had not devoted themselves to the service of the One True God Almighty. In pursuit of their worldly ambitions they had split their souls into two, distributing half to Allah and half to those in rebellion against Him.

The Prohibition of Taking the Jews, Christians and Enemies of Islam as Friends. Pt. 2

"And you see those in whose hearts there is a disease (of hypocrisy), they hurry to their friendship, saying: "We fear lest some misfortune of a disaster may befall us." Perhaps Allah may bring a victory or a decision according to His Will. Then they will become regretful for what they have been keeping as a secret in themselves."
(Qur'an 5 : 52)

The outcome of the conflict in Arabia between Islam and unbelief (kufr) had not crystallized. Although Islam had become a formidable force owing to the daring, courage and sacrifices of its followers, the forces opposed to it were also tremendously powerful. To an objective observer it must have seemed that either party had an equal chance of success, and so the hypocrites, apparently an integral part of the Muslim body politic, sought to maintain good relations with the Jews and the. Christians as well. They expected refuge and protection from the Jews in case Islam was defeated. Moreover, the Jews and Christians held the greatest economic power in Arabia insofar as the banking system and the greenest and most fertile regions of Arabia were in their possession. For these reasons the hypocrites were keen to maintain good relations with them: they thought that to regard the conflict between Islam and unbelief as crucially important, and to sever their relations with all those currently in conflict with Islam, would be too great a risk both politically and economically.

Tell me if we don't see this happening amongst our Muslims today! Right here in Trinidad and Tobago. .. So sad. ..

"We affirm that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"

The Prohibition of Taking the Jews, Christians and Enemies of Islam as Friends

"O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Auliya' (friends, protectors, helpers, etc.), they are but Auliya' to one another. And if any amongst you takes them as Auliya', then surely he is one of them. Verily, Allah guides not those people who are the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers and unjust)." (Qur'an 5 : 51)

Allah forbids His believing servants from having Jews and Christians as friends, because they are the enemies of Islam and its people, may Allah curse them. Allah then states that they are friends of each other and He gives a warning threat to those who do this,

(And if any among you befriends them, then surely he is one of them.) Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Umar ordered Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari to send him on one sheet of balance the count of what he took in and what he spent. Abu Musa then had a Christian scribe, and he was able to comply with `Umar's demand. `Umar liked what he saw and exclaimed, "This scribe is proficient. Would you read in the Masjid a letter that came to us from Ash-Sham'' Abu Musa said, `He cannot.'' `Umar said, "Is he not pure'' Abu Musa said, "No, but he is Christian.'' Abu Musa said, "So `Umar admonished me and poked my thigh (with his finger), saying, `Drive him out (from Al-Madinah).' He then recited,

(O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as friends...)'' Then he reported that `Abdullah bin `Utbah said, "Let one of you beware that he might be a Jew or a Christian, while unaware.'' The narrator of this statement said, "We thought that he was referring to the Ayah,

(O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as friends, )'' Allah said,

(And you see those in whose hearts there is a disease...) A disease of doubt, hesitation and hypocrisy.

(they hurry to their friendship,) meaning, they rush to offer them their friendship and allegiances in secret and in public,

(saying: "We fear lest some misfortune of a disaster may befall us.") They thus offer this excuse for their friendship and allegiances to the disbelievers, saying that they fear that the disbelievers might defeat the Muslims, so they want to be in favor with the Jews and Christians, to use this favor for their benefit in that eventuality! Allah replied,

(Perhaps Allah may bring a victory...) referring to the conquering of Makkah, according to As-Suddi.

(or a decision according to His will) requiring the Jews and Christians to pay the Jizyah, as As-Suddi stated,

(Then they will become) meaning, the hypocrites who gave their friendship to the Jews and Christians, will become,

(for what they have been keeping as a secret in themselves) of allegiances,

(regretful,) for their friendship with the Jews and Christians which did not benefit them or protect them from any harm. Rather, it was nothing but harm, as Allah exposed their true reality to His faithful servants in this life, although they tried to conceal it. When the signs that exposed their hypocrisy were compiled against them, their matter became clear to Allah's faithful servants. So the believers were amazed at these hypocrites who pretended to be believers, swearing to their faithfulness, yet their claims were all lies and deceit. This is why Allah said,

(And those who believe will say, "Are these the men who swore their strongest oaths by Allah that they were with you'' All that they did has been in vain, and they have become the losers.)

Do Not Feel Sad Because of the Behavior of the Jews and Hypocrites. The Jews Alter and Change the Law.

"O Messenger (Muhammad )! Let not those who hurry to fall into disbelief grieve you, of such who say: "We believe" with their mouths but their hearts have no faith. And of the Jews are men who listen much and eagerly to lies - listen to others who have not come to you. They change the words from their places; they say, "If you are given this, take it, but if you are not given this, then beware!" And whomsoever Allah wants to put in Al-Fitnah [error, because of his rejecting the Faith], you can do nothing for him against Allah. Those are the ones whose hearts Allah does not want to purify (from disbelief and hypocrisy); for them there is a disgrace in this world, and in the Hereafter a great torment." (Qur'an 5 : 41)

This verse refers to those who devoted all their capacities and efforts to ensure that the status quo ante of Jahiliyah remained intact, and that the reformative mission of Islam should fail to set right the corruption that had come down to them from the past. Disregarding all moral scruples, these people used the vilest methods against the Prophet (peace be on him). They deliberately suppressed the truth and resorted to lying, deceit, treachery and low cunning in order to frustrate the mission of the Prophet (peace be on him) who was engaged in a tireless struggle actuated by absolute selflessness and benevolence, and who sought the welfare of all human beings, including that of his opponents. All this naturally hurt the Prophet (peace be on him). A sincere person must feel heartbroken when he sees men of low moral character, driven by ignorance, blind selfishness and bigotry, resort to vile methods in opposition to his mission, which is actuated by charity and goodwill towards all men. Hence the purpose of Allah's directive here is not to ask the Prophet (peace be on him) to abstain from this natural feeling of grief but rather that he should not allow such feelings to undermine his morale and that he should persevere in his task. As for the opponents of the Prophet (peace be on him), in view of their low morals, their mean conduct was not at all contrary to expectations.

( ..."We believe" with their mouths but their hearts have no faith...) This has two meanings. First, that since such people are slaves to their desires they cannot have the least interest in the Truth, falsehood alone gratifies them. It is with falsehood alone that they like to fill their ears, for nothing else quenches the thirst of their souls. Second, it is the same love of falsehood which motivates them when they come and spend some time in the company of the Prophet (peace be on him) and the Muslims. They want to distort whatever they see or hear, to taint the facts with their fabrications, and then circulate them among those who have had no contact with the Prophet (peace be on him) and the Muslims in order to scandalize them.

( ...And of the Jews are men who listen much and eagerly to lies - listen to others who have not come to you...) This also has two meanings. First, that they socialized with the Prophet (peace be on him) and the Muslims in order to pry into their affairs and communicate them to the enemy. Second, that they went about collecting information to try to slander them. Their objective was to create misgivings about the Prophet (peace be on him) and the Muslims among those who were unacquainted with them.

They deliberately tamper with those injunctions of the Torah that do not accord with their desires, and by altering the meanings of the words occurring in the text they deduce laws that suit their interests.

This refers to the Jews who went about telling the ignorant masses that they should follow the teachings of the Prophet (peace be on him) only if they conformed to the teachings of the Jews.

(they say, "If you are given this, take it, but if you are not given this, then beware!") It was reported that this part of the Ayah was revealed about some Jews who committed murder and who said to each other, "Let us ask Muhammad to judge between us, and if he decides that we pay the Diyah, accept his judgement. If he decides on capital punishment, do not accept his judgement.'' The correct opinion is that this Ayah was revealed about the two Jews who committed adultery. The Jews changed the law they had in their Book from Allah on the matter of punishment for adultery, from stoning to death, to a hundred flogs and making the offenders ride a donkey facing the back of the donkey. When this incident of adultery occurred after the Hijrah, they said to each other, "Let us go to Muhammad and seek his judgement. If he gives a ruling of flogging, then implement his decision and make it a proof for you with Allah. This way, one of Allah's Prophets will have upheld this ruling amongst you. But if he decides that the punishment should be stoning to death, then do not accept his decision.'' There are several Hadiths mentioning this story. Malik reported that Nafi` said that `Abdullah bin `Umar said, "The Jews came to Allah's Messenger and mentioned that a man and a woman from them committed adultery. Allah's Messenger said to them, What do find of the ruling about stoning in the Tawrah) They said, `We only find that they should be exposed and flogged.' `Abdullah bin Salam said, `You lie. The Tawrah mentions stoning, so bring the Tawrah.' They brought the Tawrah and opened it but one of them hid the verse about stoning with his hand and recited what is before and after that verse. `Abdullah bin Salam said to him, `Remove your hand,' and he removed it, thus uncovering the verse about stoning. So they said, He (`Abdullah bin Salam) has said the truth, O Muhammad! It is the verse about stoning.' The Messenger of Allah decided that the adulterers be stoned to death and his command was carried out. I saw that man shading the woman from the stones with his body.'' Al-Bukhari and Muslim also collected this Hadith and this is the wording collected by Al-Bukhari. In another narration by Al-Bukhari, the Prophet said to the Jews, (What would you do in this case) They said, "We would humiliate and expose them.'' The Prophet recited, (Bring here the Tawrah and recite it, if you are truthful.) So they brought a man who was blind in one eye and who was respected among them and said to him, "Read (from the Tawrah).'' So he read until he reached a certain verse and then covered it with his hand. He was told, "Remove your hand,'' and it was the verse about stoning. So that man said, "O Muhammad! This is the verse about stoning, and we had hid its knowledge among us.'' So the Messenger ordered that the two adulterers be stoned, and they were stoned. Muslim recorded that a Jewish man and a Jewish woman were brought before Allah's Messenger because they committed adultery. The Messenger of Allah went to the Jews and asked them, (What is the ruling that you find in the Tawrah for adultery) they said, "We expose them, carry them (on donkeys) backwards and parade them in public.'' The Prophet recited; (Bring here the Tawrah and recite it, if you are truthful.) So they brought the Tawrah and read from it until the reader reached the verse about stoning. Then he placed his hand on that verse and read what was before and after it. `Abdullah bin Salam, who was with the Messenger of Allah , said, "Order him to remove his hand,'' and he removed his hand and under it was the verse about stoning. So the Messenger of Allah commanded that the adulterers be stoned, and they were stoned. `Abdullah bin `Umar said, "I was among those who stoned them and I saw the man shading the woman from the stones with his body.''

Allah's will to put someone to the test means that Allah confronts one in whom He sees the growth of evil with the opportunities of doing just that, so that he experiences the struggle between good and evil. If the person is not yet fully inclined towards evil, his moral health improves and his latent potentialities for resisting evil are revived. But if he has become excessively inclined towards evil, and goodness has been totally crushed from within his being, then every such test is bound to entangle him still more tightly in evil. The well-wisher is now powerless to rescue him. It might be added that not only individuals but also nations are put to this kind of test.

Allah did not will that their hearts be purified for they themselves did not want them to be purified. It is not Allah's way to deprive of purity those who love it and strive for it; but Allah does not wish to purify those who do not seek their own purification.

Hypocrites...Be Careful You May be One of Them...

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

“And of mankind, there are some (hypocrites) who say: "We believe in Allâh and the Last Day" while in fact they believe not.

They (think to) deceive Allâh and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not! In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allâh has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies. And when it is said to them: "Make not mischief on the earth," they say: "We are only peacemakers."

Verily! They are the ones who make mischief, but they perceive not. And when it is said to them (hypocrites): "Believe as the people (followers of Muhammad Peace be upon him , Al-Ansâr and Al-Muhajirûn) have believed," they say: "Shall we believe as the fools have believed?" Verily, they are the fools, but they know not. And when they meet those who believe, they say: "We believe," but when they are alone with their Shayâtin (devils - polytheists, hypocrites, etc.), they say: "Truly, we are with you; verily, we were but mocking." Allâh mocks at them and gives them increase in their wrong-doings to wander blindly.

These are they who have purchased error for guidance, so their commerce was profitless. And they were not guided.

Their likeness is as the likeness of one who kindled a fire; then, when it lighted all around him, Allâh took away their light and left them in darkness. (So) they could not see.

They are deaf, dumb, and blind, so they return not (to the Right Path).

Or like a rainstorm from the sky, wherein is darkness, thunder, and lightning. They thrust their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunderclap for fear of death. But Allâh ever encompasses the disbelievers (i.e. Allâh will gather them all together). The lightning almost snatches away their sight, whenever it flashes for them, they walk therein, and when darkness covers them, they stand still. And if Allâh willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight. Certainly, Allâh has power over all things.”  (Al-Baqarah 8-20)

The first parable depicts those hypocrites who in their inmost hearts did not believe in Islam at all, but had become ‘Muslims’ for the sake of self-interest or expediency. The second parable gives a description of those hypocrites who were suffering from doubt, suspicion and lack of faith. Though they were not wholly unbelievers, they practised Islam only to the extent which might not involve them in trouble.  In this parable rainfall stands for Islam which came as a blessings to humanity; pitch darkness, thunder and lightning stand for the impending obstacles, the threatening dangers and the glaring difficulties which were being experienced on account of the strong resistance from the opponents of Islam. When the situation eased a little, they began to move onward on the path of Islam but when the clods of difficulties began to appear or when they were given such commands as were against their self-interest or their superstitious beliefs and prejudices, they again stood still in sheer perplexity.

To all you Muslims who voted in the last Democratic Elections and 'Muslim Parliamentarians' alike... Beware YOU are being WARNED!...

CHARACTERISTICS OF A HYPOCRITE (MUNAFIQ)

Assalaamu ‘Alaiykum Wa Rahamtullah Wa Barakathu;


Hypocrisy is a state of the heart, which is expressed by double-faced actions:


1. They have a discrepancy in what they have in their heart & what is on their lips
2. Munafiq means “double faced”
3. They hide the truth
4. They are untruthful to others (Mumins) and to themselves
5. They create fasaad, by saying one thing to one person and another to another person, neither of them being the truth
6. When they are questioned about their actions that are causing fasaad they say we are just reforming society/people, we are doing this for the good of society.
7. When they are asked to believe, have imaan, they say, “Do I look stupid”?
8. In front of the mumin they say they are with them, but when they are with the Shaiyateen (with people like themselves or their leaders), they say we were just joking privately, we are not really with the Mumins.
9. Their words and actions do not match
10. They are without wisdom and without understanding of reality and truth (Shaoor)
11. Hypocrites are present in all times
12. Though hypocrites say verbally that they believe in God, Allah disqualifies their imaan as they are only saying it only with their tongue, and not with their hearts they do this only to fool others.
13. In their privacy they make fun of the Mumin
14. They prefer to keep their eyes closed rather than see the truth and see the right path.
15. Allah has given them rope to do what they want and they choose to stray further and further away from the right path.
16. They are restless and without peace even in this world and try to entertain themselves with worldly things
17. They live in a world of self-deception
18. Due to their actions they create fasaad in the world and do not have the understanding that their words and actions are the cause of the fasaad.
19. When they are asked to have imaan they say are we stupid that we become stupid like the mumin who lose everything (worldly) because of their imaan.


SUMMARY OF CHARACTERISTICS OF A MUNAFIQ:


1. DOUBLE FACED
2. IN TWO BOATS
3. THEIR ACTIONS DO NOT CONFIRM WHAT THEY SAY
4. THEY FOOL PEOPLE
5. THEY PRACTICE SELF DECEEPTION
6. THEY LIE
7. LACK UNDERSTANDING OF THE TRUTH
8. CREATE FASSAAD BEHIND REFORM
9. THEY DO NOT HAVE A CONSCIENCE
10. THEY ARE STUPID
11. THEY ARE IGNORANT
12. DOUBLE STANDARD
13. CHANGE WITH WHOEVER THEY ARE WITH
14. TRY TO PLEASE EVERYONE
15. THEY MAKE FUN OF MUMINS (PRIVATELY)
16. BAY ASOOL (WITHOUT STANDARDS OF HONESTY & MORALS)
17. THEY DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE TIME ALLAH SWT HAS GIVEN THEM AND ARE MISUSING IT
18. BEY BASEERAT/THEY WANT TO LIVE IN IGNORANCE
19. THEY CHOOSE GUMRAHI (BEING LOST) INSTEAD OF GUIDANCE
20. THEY DELIBERATELY REMAIN AWAY FROM GUIDANCE


One word summary: They lie!


PUNISHMENT FROM ALLAH FOR MUNAFIQS:


1. Allah will make fun of them
2. Blindness of the heart: Allah has given them rope, (leave) and they are taking advantage of it and their hearts are blinded and they are straying further in their wrong path, and Allah is watching them.
3. Allah will deny them guidance (al Hudda) they have exchanged the right path for the wrong path, this will be a huge disadvantageous for them. They are unable to get guidance as they are not asking for it, nor wanting it.
4. There are seven levels of Hellfire and they will be in the bottom most part of the hellfire. why? Because they base their life on lies.
5. Those who have the characteristics of hypocrisy Allah will not give them guidance.


Hadith Sahih Bukhari


How to recognize a hypocrite; four characteristics:


1. When given a trust he betrays it.
2. When he speaks he lies.
3. When he promises he breaks it.
4. When he argues he is unjust
5. Irrespective of whether he prays, fasts and claims that he is a Muslim then he or she is a pure munafiq.


Steps To get out of Hypocrisy (surah Nisa) and join the mumins:


Make Taubah.
Conduct Self-correction.
Establish a Strong connection with Allah.
Make ones deen khalis (do the good works for Allah and not to show people).
Be thankful of every Naimah with kasarat.
Decrease complaints of what we did not get in this world.

HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR HEART OR LOOK AT YOUR RIGHT INDEX FINGER LATELY?

THE GREAREST JIHAD!

A Facebook friend at the start of Ramadaan 2009 made the following comment and I quote:

“The Prophet Muhammad (uwbp) said that the greatest of jihad is that for the conquest of self and this must be one of the guiding principles of fasting.”

On seeing this I immediately commented on his statement by indicating the following:

The meaning of jihad in Arabic is the exertion of one’s effort and capability. In Islam, the meaning of jihad is the exerting of one's total effort and strength in repelling the enemies of Islam and fighting them directly or by aiding those who fight them directly with wealth or other means. This is the meaning of jihad and fiy sabeel Allah when used in the Qur'an and the hadith. This is the direct meaning although there are a few instances where it is used allegorically to apply to other things.

Jihad against the self (jihad an-nafs):

The struggle against the "self" - i.e., the self which calls to evil (an-nafs al-ammaaratun bi as-suu') by denying it anything which it desires which Allah has forbidden, taking on aspects of good character and leaving the ways of foolishness and perservering in obedience to Allah even if it is difficult. This is NOT the greatest jihad and the popular hadith which says so is not authentic. It is nonetheless a vital aspect of every Muslim's practice.

Allah said: {And as for the one who fears the standing before his Lord and forbids his self its desires * Surely, paradise is his shelter} An-Naazi'aat: 40-41
But, this overcoming of the lower desires is not accomplished by our efforts, but only by the grace and mercy of Allah. When we turn to Allah in belief and obedience, He blesses us with a shield or a protection against the evil inclinations within.

Allah said: {Those who prepared the abode and the faith before them love those who migrated to them and find no need in their hearts for what they have been given and the put others before themselves even if they are in need. And whoever is protected from the avarice of his own self is surely among the successful.} Al-Hashr: 9


Further to this I expanded a bit more on the subject and sent him a message (See full text of message below).

We cannot afford to allow individuals to make statements such as these as this could have a devastating effect on how we live and practice Islam.
Never should we allow this!
We are all part of what we can say is an extension of an ideology left behind by a man [Prophet Muhammad (s)] who was the greatest to have ever walked the earth. This ideology was the light that guided the world out of the abyss of the dark ages. This ideology will reshape this country and eventually the world. This ideology carries with it the blue print that will once more break loose the shackles around us and raise the flags of true freedom. This ideology will announce the birth of a new era of leadership and governance in this twin island state of ours.
Anything we say or do can affect this either in a positive way or a negative way. Let us prayer it is never the latter…


Following is the full text of message sent:

Jihad (Struggle)

The meaning of jihad in Arabic is the exertion of one’s effort and capability. In Islam, the meaning of jihad is the exerting of one's total effort and strength in repelling the enemies of Islam and fighting them directly or by aiding those who fight them directly with wealth or other means. This is the meaning of jihad and fiy sabeel Allah when used in the Qur'an and the hadith. This is the direct meaning although there are a few instances where it is used allegorically to apply to other things.

Types of Jihad:
Jihad against the self (jihad an-nafs)
The struggle against the "self" - i.e., the self which calls to evil (an-nafs al-ammaaratun bi as-suu') by denying it anything which it desires which Allah has forbidden, taking on aspects of good character and leaving the ways of foolishness and perservering in obedience to Allah even if it is difficult. This is NOT the greatest jihad and the popular hadith which says so is not authentic. It is nonetheless a vital aspect of every Muslim's practice.

Allah said: {And as for the one who fears the standing before his Lord and forbids his self its desires * Surely, paradise is his shelter} An-Naazi'aat: 40-41
But, this overcoming of the lower desires is not accomplished by our efforts, but only by the grace and mercy of Allah. When we turn to Allah in belief and obedience, He blesses us with a shield or a protection against the evil inclinations within.

Allah said: {Those who prepared the abode and the faith before them love those who migrated to them and find no need in their hearts for what they have been given and the put others before themselves even if they are in need. And whoever is protected from the avarice of his own self is surely among the successful.} Al-Hashr: 9

Jihad against Shaitaan (jihad ash-shaitaan)
By opposing and repelling both the desires and the intellectual confusion with which Shaitaan tempts Allah's slaves. This jihad is even more difficult than the jihad against the kuffar since at least we can see them and assess their strengths and weaknesses. Shaitan can see us while we cannot see him and his experience at leading astray goes back thousands of years to the creation of Adam.

Allah said: {O you who believe, do not follow the steps of Shaitaan. Whoever follows the steps of Shaitaan [will find that] he commands obscenity and sin. If it were not for the grace of Allah upon you and His mercy none of you could ever have kept clean. But Allah purifies who He wishes and Allah is the Hearer, the Knower.} An-Nur: 21

Jihad against the disbelievers (jihad al-kuffar)
This is to be physically fighting them under a righteous Muslim Khalifa either by direct participation in combat or by donations of wealth or other methods of supporting the struggle - including idealogical struggle. This is the greatest jihad. The Prophet (sas) said: "Fight the polytheists with your property, your lives and your tongues." Allah mentions the greatness of fighting in the path of Allah in very many places in the Qur'an. Generally, these are all references to this type of Jihad.

Jihad against the hypocrites (jihad al-munafiqeen)
This is by establishing the proofs against them and calling the Muslims to adhering to the daleel - proofs from the Qur'an and the Sunnah, educating the Muslims to protect them against such fitan and opposing their mischief in every way. It should be noted that only Allah knows the identity of the hypocrites - we only have signs. Nonetheless, we must oppose distortions of Islam by all the means mentioned.

Allah said: {O Prophet fight the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh to them. There abode is hell-fire and what an evil abode.} At-Tahreem: 9

Jihad against corrupt Muslims (jihad al-faasiqeen)
This jihad is by physical means (the "hand"), the tongue and the heart. The Prophet (sas) said: "Whoever among you witnesses wrongdoing, let him correct it with his hand. If he is unable, then with his tongue. If he is unable, then with his heart and that is the weakest of faith."

Allah said: {And fight in the path of Allah [against] those who fight you and do not transgress, surely, Allah does not love the transgressors.} Al-Baqarah: 190
{Prepare against them all forms of strength of which you are capable and ranks of horses with which you strike fear [in the hearts of] Allah's enemy, your enemy and others besides those. You do not know them, but Allah knows them. And whatever you spend in the path of Allah will be fully repaid to you and you will not be oppressed [in the least].} Al-Anfaal: 60
"Others besides those" in this verse is a reference to the internal enemy of this nation - i.e., the hypocrites, those who appear to be Muslim and practicing Islam externally but in whose hearts there is kufr and in whose actions there is mischief and destructiveness. The Muslim Ummah must be a strong and cohesive entity capable of meeting any military or other threat. This strength and unity based on the sound foundation of the Qur'an and Sunnah reflects inwardly and outwardly. It holds both the external and the internal enemy at bay and puts fear in their hearts. Without this strength, unity and means, we will continue to be afflicted by both the external enemy and the internal enemy.

YOU HANE BEEN INFORMED...