The Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace, said: “Aid your brother, whether he is the oppressor or the oppressed.” The companions asked, “How can we aid him and he is the oppressor?” The Prophet responded, “Take him by the hand and prevent him from oppression.” (Sahih al-Bukhari) The majority of you know these words of the Prophet. However, I request you to focus on a word that we often hear when we read this hadith but seldom reflect upon. What is the second word in the hadith? It is ‘your brother’ (akhaka). O messenger of God, is it possible that I view the oppressor as my brother?! Yes. Because if you do not look at him from this perspective you will not be able to prevent him from oppression. Uprooting the tree of oppression from the souls is indeed a cumbersome task and more difficult than uprooting oppression from the face of the earth. The removal of oppression will not occur, at all, except upon the hands of people whose hearts are replete with mercy. This meaning is connected to the reality of mercy. If this reality is unfounded in the heart then God’s mercy will not descend. The voices of hatred, malice and incitement have been raised in these times. Each side is severe against the other, and not just in the spilling of each other’s blood and violence, but in daily exchanges which occur between them. I am talking about the state of each of us when each side believes it is giving victory to the truth. The truth is not given victory except by hearts that have given victory to God over themselves. When they seek to give victory to the truth, they follow the guidance of the Prophet in how to do so. To stand on this stage and mention the names of certain people in a manner which detracts from their rank and status is not giving victory to the truth. This is not how counsel (nasiha) nor the supporting of the truth is given. Let us disperse from this conference seeking the soundness of our hearts, for God has said, “…When the only one who will be saved is the one who comes before God with a heart devoted to Him.” (26:89) - Habib Ali Jifri
Posted on: Wed, 15 Jan 2014 17:14:13 +0000
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