We all know the story of the young boy, the priest, the sorcerer and the king. The boy was given the power to heal people from their sicknesses and ailments and when the king found out he summoned him. The king ordered him to denounce his religion but he refused to do so. The king tried a number of times to kill him by having him thrown off a mountain or drowned in the sea, but Allaah saved him each time. The boy eventually told the king how he would be able to kill him, with an arrow and by saying: In the name of the Lord of the young boy. The king followed the boys orders and was killed. But as a result the rest of the people said: We believe in the Lord of the young boy. The king ordered them too to denounce their religion but they refused and so a ditch was dug and and a fire was kindled in it. They were all asked to jump in or were thrown in until there was a mother with her child in her arms. She hesitated in jumping and ,the little boy said to her: O mother be firm and have patience as indeed you are upon the truth. This story is also mentioned in the Quran: Cursed were the people of the ditch. Fire supplied abundantly with fuel. When they sat by it. And they witnessed what they were doing against the believers (the burning). They had nothing against them except that they believed in Allaah, the Almighty, Worthy of all Praise! Listen also to the story of the sorcerers of Pharaoh who declared their belief in Allaah after having witnessed their own falsehood and the truthfulness of Moosaa (as) and Allaahs signs: So the magicians fell down prostrate and said: We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses. Pharaoh said: Believe you in him (Moses) before I give you permission? Verily, he is your chief who has taught you magic. So I will surely cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you on the trunks of palm trees and you shall surely know which of us (i.e. Pharaoh or the Lord of Moses) can give the severe and lasting torment. They said: We prefer you not over the clear signs that have come to us, and to Him (Allaah) who created us. So decree whatever you desire to decree, for you can only decree (regarding) the life of this world. The purpose of mentioning these stories is to illustrate how the believers in Allaah, the state in which they died. We have hundreds of examples also from the companions and the pious believers of this ummah. One may die naturally, due to illness, due to an accident, or one can be martyred or simply murdered and tortured, like in the examples given above and in many other examples in Muslim history and even in the present times , for no other reason except holding belief in Allaah. The question arising is that if we were to die like this, that is by being murdered, slaughtered by the enemies of Allaah, which is a possibility, even in this country where we are comfortable and satisfied [and who feels secure from the plan of Allaah except one who is destroyed?] upon what state will we die? Like the people of the young boy? Like the sorcerers of Pharaoh? OR Bankrupt without any good deeds? Having been neglectful of our duty to Allaah? Satisfied with the life of this world? Having imitated and become exactly like the kuffar? In doubt, disbelief? Heedlessness, ignorance of Allaah, His Deen, the resurrection?
Posted on: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 06:30:11 +0000