Islam – from darkness to light

Islam came in the midst of the wilderness the Arabs were trapped in, the wild life that was being lived by humans, where the graveyards had to bear the helpless screams of daughters being buried alive, where generations felt pride in keeping a battle ongoing initiated by their forefathers, whether was no value for human life, looting and robbery had become an entertainment, a fathers life was take for the crime of his don and vice versa, stones were carved into idols and man would prostrate in front of his own creation, gambling was a hobby and drinking alcohol and wine had become a leisure and all this was labelled as what we call today ‘freedom’.

In these crucial conditions, it was necessary that such guidance be sent down that would solve all these problems and reform mankind into the best living creation on planet earth. Allah the all mighty says:

﴿ وَلَقَدۡ كَرَّمۡنَا بَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ وَحَمَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ وَرَزَقۡنَـٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ وَفَضَّلۡنَـٰهُمۡ عَلَىٰ ڪَثِيرٍ۬ مِّمَّنۡ خَلَقۡنَا تَفۡضِيلاً۬ ﴾

70. And indeed We have honored the Children of Adam, and We have carried them on land and sea, and have provided them with Pure provisions, and have preferred them above many of those whom We have created with a marked preferment. (Surah Isra)

﴿ لَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ فِىٓ أَحۡسَنِ تَقۡوِيمٍ۬ ﴾

4. Verily, We created man in the best form. (Surah At-Teen)

To save humanity from corruption in this world and everlasting punishment in the after life, Allah sent down a manual and guide which is called the Quran. It was revealed upon prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) In a span of 23 years. The messenger of Allah brought people out of the darkness towards the light with this very Quran and as a result, a revolution came into place. He entered them into such a light which will never distinguish and will always shine upon that person who holds firm on to it.

﴿ هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُنَزِّلُ عَلَىٰ عَبۡدِهِۦۤ ءَايَـٰتِۭ بَيِّنَـٰتٍ۬ لِّيُخۡرِجَكُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِۚ ﴾

57. It is He Who sends down manifest Ayat to His servant that He may bring you out from darkness into light. (At Taubah)

This whole process of emitting mischief from the land and bringing about peace and harmony is called Islam.

The Quran revealed upon the Arabs, it is worthwhile studying their lifestyle to understand Islam’s message entirely with its context and background. However, this thought should not cross a persons mind that Islam is outdated and cannot be implemented in the 21st century, because although the Quran was revealed under certain circumstances, or after the occurrence of a specific event, the remedy offered by Islam has such vastness, that in any period or era it will give out the same result. Even today, if the laws of Islam are implemented and enforced within our governments, societies, homes, businesses and in every affair of our life, we will witness the tranquility and peace the Quran promises.

Islam is a way of life, from morning to evening, dusk to dawn and cradle to grave, there is not a single portion in our life in which Islam hasn’t guided us in regards to it. This is not to bind us to a certain set of rules and take away our freedom, but rather it is to take us out of the slavery of other humans and free us from the leadership of our vain desires. Islam has kept full consideration of natural human feelings and instincts and has fulfilled ever persons rights and needs, The creator of mankind knows their nature the best.

﴿أَلَا يَعۡلَمُ مَنۡ خَلَقَ وَهُوَ ٱللَّطِيفُ ٱلۡخَبِيرُ﴾

14. Should not He, Who has created, know And He is the Most Kind and Courteous, All-Aware. (Surah Mulk).

Lastly I would like to conclude with the story of a great companion by the name of Rabi Ibn Aamir (RadiAllahu Anhu). He uttered few sentences explaining what Islam is in a nutshell and as his voice echoes through the Persian court, he leaves a deep mark in the heart of its listeners. The story is as followers:

During the blessed reign of the just Khalifah Umar Ibn Al Khattab (RadiAllahu Anhu), one of the many battles that ensued was the wars against the Persian Empire.

One of the great military commanders and heroes of the Muslim armies, Saad Ibn Abi Waqqas (RadiAllahu Anhu), sent one of his messengers to meet with Roostum, the leader of the Persian army. That man, was Rabi Ibn Aamir (RadiAllahu Anhu).

Rabi Ibn Aamir (RadiAllahu Anhu) was a very poor man, who came riding to see Roostum on a short legged, hairy horse. His sword, was wrapped in an old piece of cloth, as he could not even afford a proper sheath for it. His spear – the blade of it, was tied to the wooden shaft with a piece of cloth. His whole assortment of weapons was shabby to say the least. Add to this the fact that his attire was very modest, humble and inexpensive.

The Persians, having received word that a representative of the Muslim general was coming to meet them, prepared for this meeting as they would according to their custom. Rich and luxurious carpets were laid out. Heavily embellished cushions and rugs were spread, rich brocades and robes. Royal guards stood to attention in the court of Roostum, along with his advisors and delegates. It was indeed the proper preparation for such a high level meeting. It was customary for the Romans and the Persians.

What they envisioned from the representative of the Muslims was that he would come, accompanied by an entourage of guards, dressed in fine clothes on a fine stallion, dismount from his steed, enter the hall in a formal way and sit under the throne of Roostum and wait to be allowed to speak. What actually happened, was not what the Persians expected.

Rabi Ibn Aamir (RadiAllahu Anhu) comes straight into the hall, without permission, onto the rugs and carpets, without permission, still mounted on his horse! The delegates cry out to try and stop him, but he ignores them. He carries on. He tears apart two pillows and dismounts, with his weapons at which point the Persian guards try to stop him. They told him he is not to enter with his weapons. So he replies to them:

“Well, you are the ones who invited me. So you either let me in, with my arms, or I am going to leave.”

The guards are told by Roostum to allow him to enter, so Rabi Ibn Aamir (RadiAllahu Anhu) strides forward with confidence, with his weapon blades poking holes into the rugs as he walks over them, leaving gashes and marks upon them.

Roostum asked, “Why have you (The Muslims) come here (Persia)?”

There was a marked contrast, between how Rabi Ibn Aamir (RadiAllahu Anhu) appeared outwardly to people, to how he addressed the leader of the Persian empire. Rabi Ibn Aamir (RadiAllahu Anhu), this crude, poor Bedouin Muslim replied with the following, timeless and enthralling words:

إن الله ابتعثنا لنخرج من شاء من عبادة العباد إلى عبادة الله، ومن ضِيق الدنيا إلى سعَتَها، ومن جَوْر الأديان إلى عدل الإِسلام.

“Allah the Most Glorious the Most High has sent us, to deliver you, from worshipping the creation, to worshipping the Creator of the creation; and deliver you from the constriction of this world, to the vastness of this world and the Afterlife; and from the oppression of religions to the justice of Islam.”

The effect of his words, on the laymen people surrounding Roostum, was deep and profound.

Rabi Ibn Aamir (RadiAllahu Anhu) was saying that we (The Muslims) have come to remove your people from being the slaves of each other to being the slaves of the Lord of the Universe and all Creation. To remove you from servitude of this human king (you are all sitting on the floor and he is sitting on a throne), to serving one whose Throne extends across the Heavens and the Earth. The Muslims were not there for worldly, power-hungry, material reasons. This is the revolution Islam brought about. May Allah make our Belief as strong and powerful as these great heroes of Islam and allow us to spread the message to the four corners of the world.