Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven
Al-Risala (English), May 1986, p. 23
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is named as the default author of the periodical; a piece that carries another writer’s byline is credited to that writer.
Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven
1986 5 May 23 Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven (261) There is nowhere in the world today where Muslims are not being persecuted by their own brethren. Persecutors, who would cringe before the mighty, find it easy to be brave and fearless when dealing with the weak and defenceless for it is seldom that the latter have a large circle of friends and supporters. But they are wrong when they think of the weak as having no support, for they have the best support of all –God’s support. He is always by their side.
Whatever happens in this world happens because people are being tested. God wants to put them to the test in order to know which of them are God-fearing and which are not. How are they to be tested if they are confronted with the strong who, because of their wealth and power, inspire awe and reverence? People hesitate to lay their hands on the high and mighty because they fear them, and not God.
But there are those who do not possess any of those worldly props which are so awe-inspiring. If people show kindness to such weaker members of society, it is not for any material gain, but because God has commanded them to do so. It is through them that God puts the stronger people to the test; fearing the weak means that they fear God, and the reward for such people is paradise. Those who do not fear the consequences of being unjust to such people do not truly fear God. Individuals such as those will be consigned to eternal hell fire and damnation.
Those who do not control their tongues are evil
1986 5 May 23 Those who do not control their tongues are evil (45) The Prophet asked his companions if he should tell them who was worst amongst them. The companions asked him to do so. “Those who seek to slander others and create discord among friends; those who lay false accusations upon innocent people,” the Prophet said. (Ahmad)
