Important Words By Shaikh ‘Uthaimeen On Dealing With The Hardships Which Afflict This Ummah

الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على أشرف الأنبياء والمرسلين نبينا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه ومن تبعهم بإحسان إلى يوم الدين. وبعد؛

Shaikh Muhammad bin Saalih Al-‘Uthaimeen (rahimahullaah) said during his discussion of the hadeeth reported by Al-Bukhaaree (no.3612) in which there occurs from Khabbaab bin Al-Arat (radhiyallaahu ‘anhu) who said:

We complained to the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) whilst he was reclining against a cloak covering of his in the shade of the Ka’bah,[1] so we said: “will you not seek aid for us, will you not call upon Allaah for us?” so he said:

((There was amongst those that came before you a man who was seized, a pit was dug for him in the ground and he was placed in it. Then a saw was brought and placed upon his head and he was sawed in two halves. And with an iron comb his flesh was combed and removed from his bones; and that did not obstruct him from his religion. By Allaah; Allaah will complete this affair – until a rider will be able to proceed from San’aa to Hadramout and will not fear any one except Allaah or the wolf over his sheep. However; you are hasty.))

In his discussion of this hadeeth the Shaikh (rahimahullaah) said:

“Therefore it is obligatory upon the person that he encounters that which occurs from the disbelievers by way of harms with patience and anticipation (of reward) and awaiting the release from suffering; and he should not assume that the affair will draw to a close quickly and so easily come to an end.

Allaah, The Mighty and Majestic indeed tested the believers with the disbelievers who would harm them and maybe kill them just as they killed the Prophets. The Jews from the Bani Israeel killed Prophets who were greater than the callers and greater than the Muslims. So one should be patient and await the release from suffering and should not become impatient and exasperated – rather he should remain firmly anchored like a rock – and the outcome is for the believers; and Allaah The Most High is with those who are patient.[2]

Therefore if he is patient and perseveres and seeks to undertake the paths which lead to what is intended – without chaos and without inciting aversions and without evoking agitation – in a manner which is organized. This is because the enemies of the Muslims from amongst the hypocrites and the disbelievers traverse along a steady and organized track – and so attain their intents.

As for the superficial (depthless) ones who are driven by emotions in such a way that they aggravate and incite aversions; they consequently lose out on a great deal. Likewise an error may occur from them which then corrupts all that they had built – if they had indeed built anything.

However the believer remains patient and relaxed and acts in an unhurried manner and accustoms himself (upon that) and so he marks well organized outlines with which he quells (the threat) of the enemies of Allaah from the hypocrites and the disbelievers; and so forestalls their opportunities. This is because they await turns of misfortunes to befall the people of good; they intend to provoke them in such a way that should anything then occur from any of them – it is then that they ascend over them and say: ‘this is what we want.’ And so due to that a great evil occurs.”

(Taken from: Sharh Riyaadhus Saaliheen vol 1 p.251-253)

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[1] In another narration there occurs: “And he was reclining against a cloak covering and we had been met by great severity by the polytheists…”

[2] This does not mean that Ahlus-Sunnah remain silent with regard to evils as some from amongst the misguided groups claim, rather Shaikh ‘Uthaimeen himself later states regarding this: “So you O individual – do not be silent with regards to evil, however act in an orderly manner with clear outlines and with upright demeanor and await from Allaah the relief from suffering…”