Why are we Intimidated?

Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “A man should not let intimidation by people prevent him from speaking the truth if he sees or witnesses a situation where he should do so. Speaking the truth or mentioning something important will not shorten his life or delay his provision.”

Today we as Muslims have become a nation who is easily intimated. We are intimidated by Western society, by our rulers, by our friends, by our husband or wife, by our own culture. There is a constant pressure to keep reforming our Islamic views to conform to today’s idea of liberalization & freedom.

When it comes to standing up and speaking the truth to our corrupt rulers or politicians. OR speaking out about the un-islamic system being implemented in our Muslim lands OR our resources being funnelled out to big corporations while the people are going hungry OR inadequate education system OR lack of healthcare (the list goes on)…... our biggest fear is that of death or if some thing were to happen to me who will support my family.

This concept is not with true teaching of Islam. Because as the Hadeeth mentions, the Prophet is promising us that these matters are in Allah’s hands and no one can take away our sustenance or of our families' from what Allah has appointed nor can death touch us except at the appointed time.

Prophet (PBUH) mentions:

"Young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice] : Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah. Know that if the Nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with anything, they would harm you only with something Allah had already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried."

Although these days we as Muslims have no shortage of excuses to stay quite and let the injustices continue it does come at a price. The Prophet mentions:

“If the people witness an oppressor and they do not take him by his hands (to prevent him) then it is near that Allah will cover them all with punishment.”

Isn’t this our reality? Our inaction has become our own demise. We think that by staying silent and ignoring the torment of the Muslims we are protecting our selves and close ones. But the reality is that day by day we are loosing our own identity, our kids, peace of mind, and our dignity. We think by just making supplication our situation will change, but on the contrary Allah says:

“Truly, God does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Quran 13:11)

But even the biggest mystery these days is that we are staying quite on matters that don’t even concern our lively hood or is a matter of life or death. We are intimidated by our friends, relatives or spouses.

• We are intimidated and choose to stay quite at the wedding ceremonies. We ignore the fact that men and women are mixing together. We choose to turn a blind eye when our women adorn in a un-islamic way drawing attention from other men. What would generally be described an atmosphere in the western clubs with every one dancing and loud music is happily accommodated and tolerated

• Similarly mix gatherings are becoming a norm for men and women in colleges, with the common thought being that it is innocent friendship and if commingling is accepted by our society then so is the case in our religion

• We are intimated to buy new car or a house on interest payments because our friends are doing so or we are expected to do so after graduation or marriage, even though it is beyond our means

• Our Muslim women are intimidated to dress other than the Islamic attire or some version of western clothing with the illusion of Islamic dress code. In countries a jilbab and khimar is even looked upon as being extremist or back ward.

• We continue to sit in the company where back biting is common or the atmosphere is un-islamic. Although we know this is a sin, yet we are intimidate to go along with this idol gossip

Every one of us can come up with plenty more examples. But how long will we stay quiet and choose to ignore the fact that our return is to Allah and will be questioned about the time given to us up here. How long will we stay defiantly disobedient?

You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah. If only the People of the Scripture had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, but most of them are defiantly disobedient. (Quran 3:110)

Fear and intimidation are tools of Shaitan. Ibn al-Qayyim said in his book ‘Ighathat al-Lahfan’:

“From the plots of the enemy of Allah (i.e. Satan) is that he makes the believers afraid of his soldiers and allies. So, they do not strive against them; they do not enjoin what is good, and do not forbid what is bad. This is from his greatest plots for the believers, as Allah has informed us:

“It is only Satan that suggests to you the fear of his allies. So, do not fear them, and fear Me if you are believers.” (Quran 2:175).”

The meaning according to the scholars of Tafsir is that Satan makes you afraid of his allies. Qatadah explained this by saying: “He makes them great and powerful in your heart.” This is why Allah (swt) said: “…So, do not fear them, and fear Me if you are believers.” So, the stronger your faith becomes, the weaker the fear in your heart will be of Satan’s allies, and the weaker your faith becomes, the stronger the fear in your heart will be of them.”

When the fear of Allah fills the person’s heart, there will be no room left in the heart for fear of anyone else. If the person realizes the greatness of Allah and that He possesses Great Power, Overwhelming, Mighty, Dominating, Supreme, is the One who controls everyone and that person realizes His presence, then everything else will appear insignificant and all of the powers on Earth will be of no significance to him. So, if all of the powers on Earth do end up gathering against him, this will not push him off the path he has chosen or cause him to turn away from his correct belief. This will only increase him in faith and submission:

“…Those who convey the message of Allah and fear Him, and fear none except Allah, Allah is sufficient as a Reckoner.” (Quran 33: 39)

“Those to whom the people said: “Verily, the people have gathered against you a great army. So, fear them.” But it only increased them in faith, and they said: “Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.” So, they returned with grace and bounty from Allah. No harm touched them, and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah, and Allah has great bounty. It is only Satan that suggests to you the fear of his allies. So, do not fear them, and fear Me if you are believers.” (TMQ 2: 173-175).

“That is because Allah is the Protector of those who believe, but those who reject Allah have no protector.” (TMQ 47:11)