In the expedition of Sariyya al-Nakhla, in Rajab of 2 AH, a group of Companions committed an error by attacking the pagans in the Sacred Months, meaning: at a time when they should not have done so. This resulted in the Quraysh accusing the Muslims of having committed the gravest offense imaginable: that of fighting in the Sacred Months. It was a very difficult and awkward moment for the Prophet (SAW), since the Quraysh technically had a valid point. At this, Allah revealed 2:217, which firmly ascribes a sin to the Muslims who committed a mistake, but then turns around and accuses the accusers of having committed an even greater sin: that of expelling the Muslims and preventing them from worshipping Allah. Who exactly do they think they are to accuse believers in Allah of crimes, when they themselves have not submitted to Allah properly and have committed far, far greater crimes? In this beautiful passage, we truly see the Infinite Justice of Allah. A genuine mistake from one who submits to Allah and has a good track record is indeed a mistake. Yet, for someone with evil intentions to take advantage of that mistake for his or her own perverted agendas is an even *greater* mistake. Allah tells us as Muslims that in such circumstances we will not tolerate either mistake, and both need to be criticized. But we are also told not to be naive, and see which mistake was a genuine, unprompted one from a believer, and which mistake was a malicious and intended one, and the agenda of the critics. May Allah grant us wisdom, purify our hearts, and unite us upon the truth. Ameen!
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 17:29:35 +0000
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