Who is a Believer

Being a Muslim can be an identification in this world like that race and caste system, but who is a believer in the sight of Allah, is determined by the amount of belief in one’s heart, which a person is having towards his Lord. And to which extent one believes in Allah, determines the extent of his success. There are many Muslims around us who call themselves Muslims, but their focus in life is their own selves. Being a believer is the exact opposite of this focus. A believer is the one who submits himself to Allah’s will. And instead of himself, only Allah is the center of his attention in life. One should have such faith in Allah that nothing good or bad in the world can make him sad or afraid.

Past Summary:

Our questions in the last two articles was:

Who are those people who, despite having both knowledge and intellect, deny the truth and lie about Allah?

In answer to this, all those who deny the truth and commit falsehood against Allah were identified with the fundamental point “Fasaq“. That is, all those people who deny the truth, are basically “unjust” who do not do justice even though they recognize all the verbal and visual arguments of the truth. Among all these unjust people, two types of primary groups have been identified who were the first to commit this injustice in the society:

• Prosperous people of the society like kings and chiefs.
• And those weak people who follow them.

A reason for doing this with these two groups came to us which was:

• There was a desire for power or worldly domination.

Others and their reasons:

These are the two groups of people who first started this injustice and cruelty in the society but we know that these are not the only groups in the society. Many more unjust people deny the facts. We need to know the reasons for their injustice so that we can fully understand that every human being is responsible for his own decisions and actions.

Why do they do this?

Let us turn to the Qur’an to know this.

And We certainly sent a Messenger to every nation [saying], worship Allah and avoid Taghut. Then among them were those whom ALLAH guided, and some were led [deservedly] astray. So travel through the earth, and observe how was the end of the deniers.
(Al-Nakhal-36)

Message of the verse:

Allah SWT has given a complete answer to our question in this one verse. All we need is to ponder upon the verse to get to know the truth. In this verse, Allah SWT has explained the following things openly for us.

1. The purpose of being here in this world.
2. Clarification of two paths for man by dividing the universe into two parts.
3. Sending prophets and messengers to guide these two paths.
4. Warned of the doom of the deniers.
5. An appeal to travel the world to observe the disastrous end of the deniers.

The purpose of human beings in this world:

In this verse, Allah Tabarak Wa Ta’ala has clearly stated the purpose of human life in this world. Allah did not send a man into this world to have fun and wander around. He created man, gave him heart and mind, and has not left us astray, so humans do not know what to do here. Rather, He has guided us and sent His messengers who clearly tell the people the purpose of this worldly life.

“And We certainly sent a Messenger to every nation [saying], worship Allah”

A’abudu means “Worship or ibadah” is that purpose of life for which, man has been created in his best form and sent to this world. The word “a’abudu” is derived from “abad” which means “servant or slave”. From which the word servitude is also derived. This one word “Ibadah”, carries the meaning of the whole verse and also answers many of our questions.

Apart from this one relationship that is “between the creator and his creation”, no other relationship can define the word “ibadah”. Any person who exists on this earth should only be a servant or a slave of his Master who created him. There is only one God who is worthy of worship or ibadah. Servanthood is possible only when a person is mindful of his creator and knows Him in a true sense. This recognition by heart is the only purpose of human life on this planet.

The universe is divided into two parts:

In this verse, Allah SWT has divided the entire universe into two parts for man in this way.

“Worship Allah and avoid Taghut.”

In these two parts, on one side it’s Allah SWT Himself, and on the other side, there is an entire universe created by Allah SWT and anything in this universe that can be ever desired or loved by a man.

The literal meaning of Taghut:

Taghut is derived from the Arabic word “tugha” which means “to overflow” or “to exceed”. The Urdu word “tughyaani” is also derived from the same word “tugha” which means “flooding”. Anything that is in excess, goes from being useful to being dangerous. This meaning is the base of the word Taghut.

Definition of Taghut:

The meaning of “taghut” in the Holy Quran is very vast.

Anything like a tree, person, any affair or desire such as name, fame, idol, or even prophets, and messengers will be included in the meaning of taghut when the love or position of any of these things goes above the love of ALLAH in a person’s heart.

Everything that can be desired in this entire universe is included in the meaning of Taghut when a human being is involved in the slavery of that thing in such a way that should be done only for its Lord. If he/she has given anything that higher place in his heart. It will become a Taghut. Even though in reality that object or person is not a Taghut.

When does something become Taghut?

There is nothing bad in having worldly desires. There is no prohibition in fulfilling these desires and struggling for them. All these desires of the human self have been placed by Allah SWT within the human being and the constructive ways to achieve and live with them have also been clearly explained for us. Any kind of desire becomes taghut for a person when it exceeds the limit. So here comes the question:

How do you know when any desired thing has exceeded its limit in the human heart?

What is the definition of exceeded limit?:

Let us see how the Qur’an describes exceeded limits:

Those who are humbly submissive in their prayers. And those who turn away from ill speech. And those who pay Zakat. And those who guard their private parts. Except for their wives or those (female slaves) their right hands possess, for indeed, there is no blame on them (regarding those slaves). Then whoever seeks (the way) other than that, such people are the ones who cross their limits.
(Al-Mu'minun 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

According to this explanation of the Qur’an Limits exceed when:

A person ignores ALLAH’s commands, Crosses the boundaries defined by Allah SWT for His servant, becomes fearless of Allah, and does whatever he wants to do to achieve his desire. He does not obey ALLAH. Then any path other than obedience to Allah will be disobedience.

This fearlessness and disobedience to ALLAH are the signs of exceeded limits.

Indication of Taghut:

“Taghut is, when the love of anything, comes to a point in the heart of a person that, a person does not hesitate to disobey the commands of Allah for its sake.”

If a person opposes the order of Allah and His Messenger either because of his own desires or because someone else asks him to do this, Taghut is indicated by the fact that when something goes against the Qur’an and Sunnah.

How to avoid Taghut?

If a person before doing anything and taking any step thinks about what is the command of ALLAH about it and he is afraid of doing any act against Allah, then this fear of Allah is actually protecting him from going to Taghut. And this fear indicates that the place of Allah in his heart is above everything. Allah SWT has described this in these words in the Qur’an.

"You only warn those people who fear their Lord unseen, and they establish prayer. And whoever purifies himself, he becomes pure for himself, and (all) will return to Allah."
(Fatir - part verse 18)

Only those purified who protect themselves from every evil act against Allah’s will. This self-protection and avoidance of sins is called the adoption of purification. And to adopt this fear is called “Taqwa”. This is the quality of those people who fear their Lord. And disobeying Him in any matter is not bearable for them. These are the people who know their limits, do not exceed them, and their hearts are bent towards their Master instead of the Taghut.

Clarification of two paths for man:

At this point, either Fear Allah or not, is the actual turning point for a person. Where two paths become very clear. At this moment, a person has to decide whether he should be taken with ALLAH, who is the creator and owner of this entire universe, or he should turn towards the love of this world and disobey ALLAH by neglecting Allah’s will.

Who is a believer?

To Allah, being a believer or being a Muslim is not an entitlement written on an identity card or a passport. But to Allah, it is a state of hearts. What a person does in his heart decides whether he is a Muslim or not, and this state of heart is known only by the creator of the heart. How much he is afraid of Allah and how much he believes in Him. This balance decides how much he is avoiding taghut.

Internal factors affecting the decision:

There may be different reasons for each person to decide between Allah and Taghut. As for the kings and chiefs, the internal matter was their arrogance, due to which they committed this injustice and cruelty. And for the people who were weak and subordinate to these kings, was their mutual fellowship with their elders and status people. Because of this, they went astray.

Everyone has their own internal factors which can be different from others. For example, their ungratefulness, impatience, disappointment with the mercy of Allah, and doubt in religion are some internal factors mentioned in the Quran. None can know these internal matters and the secrets of the chests except Allah SWT. Indeed, only He knows the secrets of hearts and we have already discussed this in detail in Article 4. Allah SWT has mentioned this in the Qur’an in different words:

Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who strayed from His path and He is most knowing who is [rightly] guided.
                                                                 (Al-Nakhal - Part Ayah 125)                                                              

 No one except Allah SWT knows why a person is choosing a path.

In this verse too, Allah SWT is mentioning the same thing to His Prophet Muhammad (saw).

And (O Prophet) be patient, and your patience is also by the grace of Allah, and do not grieve over them (infidels) and do not distress over their deception.
(Al-Nakhal-Ayah 127)

In this verse, these “deceptions” are those internal factors that are causing them to do injustice even though all the arguments of truth are recognized. Knowing the truth of this deception is only in the power of Allah SWT.

External factors influencing the decision:

Internal factors can be many and different for each person. But the external factors that can influence a person’s judgment of “truth” are only two.

1. Other Humans
2. Satan

1 – Other Humans:

We have also confirmed in the previous article that kings and chiefs influence the decisions of weak people. But apart from these chiefs and subordinates, there are many other groups of people in the society who also mislead each other and entice them to make wrong decisions. This is mentioned in the Quran in these words:

And they prevent others from it (guidance) and they themselves stay away from it, and they are destroying themselves, but they do not perceive it.
(Al-Inam 26)

Those who prevent others from guidance will bear the burden of their misguidance along with their own burdens. Because they have done it themselves and this is their own act. This is mentioned in the Qur’an:

So that on the Day of Resurrection, they will bear their full burdens and some of the burdens of those whom they have misled without knowledge. Know! Bad is the burden they carry.
(Al-Nakhal-25)

But they are not responsible for the decision of that person who has made an unjust and wrong decision by listening to them. People who make a wrong decision by following the words of others are undoubtedly responsible for their own decisions.

Because Allah SWT knows the internal factors of their hearts as well. Arguments and logics were also clear to them. Now, no matter if they decide injustice on the persuasion of someone, but this decision to leave the truth and prefer falsehood is their own. And they will be fully responsible for it. This is mentioned in the Qur’an as:

That no burden bearer shall bear the burden of another. And that there is not for man except what he strives for. And no doubt his effort is going to be seen soon. Then he will be fully rewarded for it [efforts].
(Al-Najam - 38, 39, 40, 41)

It should be remembered that some supported Musa (A.S.) even though they were few in number and also those magicians who endorsed the signs of the truth and prostrated. That was the mental and physical struggle or effort that they did for themselves and they will be fully rewarded for it.

Result:

By the end of this article, it is very clear to us:

Why do these “unjust people” do this?

They do this because of “Taghut”. 

End:

Till now, we have studied one of the two external factors that influences the decision of a human being which is “Other human beings” in detail. The other external factor that influences the decision of man is satan.

2 – Satan:

We will fully discuss the details of this engagement between man and Satan in the next articles so that it becomes clear to us that man is fully responsible for his own decisions and actions. In sha Allah!