Haaroon Ar-Rasheed  once stood looking at the sky when he saw a cloud passing by. He addressed it saying, “Rain wherever you wish, for your fruit will certainly come to me anyway.” This means that the cloud would have rained either on an Islamic land or on a non-Islamic one. In the first case, Muslims would have benefitted from this rainwater in agriculture and in drinking; in the second case, Muslims would have also benefitted from this rainwater in the form of Jizyah (a tax) that would be paid to them by non-Muslims. This example shows the state of glory, which the Muslims reached in the past when they applied their religion and worked for it. Nowadays, Muslims are certainly required to pursue the means of glory.

Glory here refers to power, victory, high standing and invincibility. It is a word which denotes that a person cannot be overcome or humiliated. Ibn Al-Jawzi  said,

Some of the scholars of Tafseer (Quranic exegesis) said, “In the Quran, glory is used in three different senses.


It is used to signify might, as in the verse (which means):


• {“By the might of Pharaoh, indeed it is we who are predominant.”} [Quran 26:44]


• {By Your might, I will surely mislead them all} [Quran 38:82]


It is also used to signify honor, as in the verse (which means): {Do they seek with them honor [through power]? But indeed, honor belongs to Allah entirely.} [Quran 4:139]


Finally, it is used to signify dispraised pride as in the verse (which means):


• {And when it is said to him, “Fear Allah ,” pride in the sin takes hold of him.} [Quran 2:206]


• {But those who disbelieve are in pride and dissension.} [Quran 38:2]

From the above, it is noticed that there is praised glory and dispraised glory. Praised glory is that which pertains to Allah The Almighty, to His Messenger  and to the believers. This is real and permanent glory since it is from and with the support of Allah The Almighty who cannot be defeated or resisted. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And to Allah belongs [all] Honor and to His Messenger, and to the believers, but the hypocrites do not know.} [Quran 63:8].


On the other hand, the glory of the disbelievers is, in fact, humiliation and disgrace. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And they have taken besides Allah [false] deities that they would be for them [a source of] honor. No! Those "gods" will deny their worship of them and will be against them opponents [on the Day of Judgment].} [Quran 19:81-82].

Many people pursued the wrong way to glory, victory and enablement. Some of them pursued it through money and forgot that money is only a Fitnah (trial) and a loss if one does not give the right that Allah The Almighty has to it. Moreover, this money might be a means of humiliation. Al-Hasan  said, “By Allah, Allah The Almighty humiliates whoever glorifies money.” Indeed, we have seen a many examples of that in life.

Other people seek glory through their positions and prestige. This may enable them to achieve temporary glory. However, if this is not established on justice and good reputation, then it certainly will not last. Indeed, many a leader and president were enjoying glory and then became captives in prisons, and their glory turned into humiliation.

What is even more dangerous is when a person seeks glory through the disbelievers, i.e. by allying himself with them, even if this is against the Muslims’ interests. This is no more than an illusion. In fact, it is an instant humiliation, and the first people to turn against such people would be his ‘allies’ from the disbelievers. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Give tidings to the hypocrites that there is for them a painful punishment - Those who take disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do they seek with them honor [through power]? But indeed, honor belongs to Allah entirely.} [Quran 4:138-139] Consequently, throwing one’s self in the arms of the disbelievers is the shortest way to dishonor and humiliation because these disbelievers would not accept from us anything less than disbelief. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their religion.} [Quran 2:120].

Other people still seek glory through their ancestors and tribes, even if they were misguided. In a Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Rayhaanah, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet  said: “If a person attributes himself to nine of his disbelieving forefathers, seeking through them glory and pride, he will be their tenth in Hell.”

Hence, the unquestionable truth is that a person who seeks glory must demand it from Allah The Almighty through obeying Him and avoiding disobedience. ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, summarized this wonderful meaning in a few words; He said, “We were the most humiliated people, but Allah The Almighty has honored us with Islam. If we demand honor through any means other than Islam, Allah The Almighty will humiliate us.”

Ibraaheem ibn Shaybaan  said, “Honor lies in modesty, glory lies in piety, and freedom lies in contentment.” When a Muslim lives in obedience to Allah The Almighty, he lives in honor and dignity. He may be afflicted, but nevertheless he has a strong sense of honor. This appeared clearly in the life of the righteous predecessors, may Allah be pleased with them, even in the darkest moments and in the severest and hardest situations.

Situations Which Indicate the Glory of the Righteous Predecessors

When Bilaal, may Allah be pleased with him, was tortured in Makkah in its hot desert and a great heavy boulder was put on his chest, not to make him abandon his faith but only to stop blaspheming his peoples false gods or to keep silent, the honor of faith showed in his words when he repeated, “Allah The One, Allah The One.” This remained as an eternal anthem which the generations have chanted throughout history. In addition, the words of Bilaal, may Allah be pleased with him, poured despair into the souls of those who tortured him. So, who was honorable in this scene? Was it this weak, tortured slave or the arrogant disbelievers?

The story of ‘Abdullaah ibn Huthaafah As-Sahmi , may Allah be pleased with him, when he was taken captive by the Romans is another example. The king of the Romans tried to entice ‘Abdullaah to abandon his religion, but he refused. The king offered him half of his money but he refused. Then, he imprisoned him, tortured him and did not give him any food or water except some pig meat and wine. After three days, they brought him out and found that he had eaten nothing of it. When he was asked why had he not eaten any of it, he replied, “By Allah, Allah The Exalted made it lawful for me because I was under duress, but I would never let you gloat over Islam.” Then, the king asked him to kiss his head in return for releasing him but Ibn Huthaafah, may Allah be pleased with him, said that he would only do so if all the Muslim captives were released. The king accepted and Ibn Huthaafah, may Allah be pleased with him, kissed his head.

He then returned to the Commander of the Believers ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, with all the Muslim captives. ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, stood up and kissed the head of ‘Abdullaah ibn Huthaafah, and said, “It is a duty upon every Muslim to kiss the head of Ibn Huthaafah.”

Also, Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah  was prosecuted and imprisoned. When he was thrown in prison, he recited the words of Allah The Almighty (which mean): {And a wall will be placed between them with a door, its interior containing mercy, but on the outside of it is torment.} [Quran 57:13]. This is the glory of faith and the pride of Islam which make a person the most honorable one through the obedience of Allah The Almighty. Even if all people on earth stood against such a person, he would still derive his honor and glory from Allah The Almighty who can never be defeated. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Whoever desires honor [through power] - then to Allah belongs all honor.} [Quran 35:10].

The state of humiliation which prevails in many aspects of our lives nowadays is the result of religious innovations, sins and remoteness from the Sharee'ah of Allah The Almighty. This is supported by the Hadeeth of the Prophet  where he said: “Humiliation and disgrace are the fate of whoever disobeys my order.” A major reason behind this humiliation is the state of disagreement and disunity that the Muslims experience. Our enemies take advantage of us one by one; they strike one of us today and another tomorrow while Muslims take no action, as if what happens to our brothers does not concern us. History testifies that we were never like this in the past. When a Muslim woman, who was taken as a captive by the Romans in ‘Amooriyyah, screamed for help uttering her famous scream, “Wa Islamaah” (Oh My Islam!), Al- Mu‘tasim  answered her call with full concern, “Labbayki [at your disposal]” and prepared an army which heavily defeated ‘Amooriyyah and rescued the Muslim woman from the hands of the disbelievers. We should ask ourselves here: what tie was there between Al-Mu‘tasim and that woman except the tie of faith?

Loving our Lord is mandatory upon each of His slaves since the Prophet  informed us that it is a characteristic of belief and a sign of enjoying the sweetness of faith. Anas ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet  said: “One who attains the following three things will taste the sweetness of faith: To make Allah and His Messenger more beloved to himself than anything else; to love a person for no other reason except for the sake of Allah; and to hate to return to disbelief just as much as he would hate to be thrown into fire.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The question arises: If the love of Allah The Almighty is obligatory and if it is one of the qualities of belief, where do we stand with respect to this love? Are we amongst those who truly love Allah The Almighty? Are we amongst those whom Allah The Almighty loves?


Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {"O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islam), Allah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the way of Allah, and never fearing the blame of the blamers. That is the Grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower."} [Quran 3: 54]. 


This verse mentions four of their qualities:


First: Humble towards the believers; merciful and compassionate with them, just as the Prophet  was in his leniency, mercy and compassion with the believers.


 Second: Stern towards the disbelievers.


Third: Fighting in the way of Allah The Almighty with their souls, tongues and wealth, and therefore fulfilling this claim of love.


Fourth: Not fearing blame for the sake of Allah The Almighty, which is an indication of their sincere love.


 Generally speaking, one can gain the love of Allah The Almighty through following His commands and refraining from disobeying Him, as well as favouring obedience to Him over anything else and seeking His pleasure.


If you wish to be amongst those whom Allah loves, you must have their qualities which are mentioned in the Qur'aan:


To do good: {"And do good. Truly, Allah loves the good-doers."} [Quran, 2: 195]


To repent and purify themselves: {"Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves"} [Quran, 2: 222].


To be are pious: {"Yes, whoever fulfils his pledge and fears Allah much; verily, then Allah loves those who are the pious"} [Quran, 3: 76].


To be patient: {"But they never lost heart for that which did befall them in Allah's way, nor did they weaken nor degrade themselves. And Allah loves the patient"} [Quran, 3: 146]


To rely on Allah: {"Then when you have taken a decision, rely on Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who rely on Him."} [Quran 3: 159]


To be just: {"And if you judge, judge with justice between them. Verily, Allah loves those who act justly."} [Quran, 3: 42].


To be sincere in Jihaad: {"Verily Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in rows (ranks) as if they were a solid structure."} [Quran, 61: 4]. 


Ibn Al-Qayyim  mentioned some actions that inspire the love of Allah The Almighty:


Reciting the Quran with attentiveness and pondering over its meanings.


Performing optional acts of worship after fulfilling the obligatory ones.


Always remembering Allah The Almighty in the heart, by the tongue and deeds, because one will benefit proportional to the amount that he remembers Allah.


Favoring His love over any other love, particularly when your desires become strong. 


Striving hard to reach that which He loves.


Learning and pondering over His qualities and attributes, because the one who learns and ponders over the qualities and attributes of Allah will certainly love Him due to this.


Thinking about His apparent and concealed favors and kindness.


Supplicating and appealing to Him during the last third of every night, reciting His Book, standing with full servitude before Him and begging for His forgiveness.


Being around righteous people who sincerely love Allah and learning the best of what they say.on Allah is one of the greatest forms of worship. Allah Says (what means): “…And upon Allah rely, if you should be believers.” [Quran 5: 23]  Allah Almighty made relying upon Him a condition for faith. Allah said to His Prophet  (what means): “…Rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].” [Quran 3: 159]


Allah also Says (what means): “…And whoever relies upon Allah — then He is sufficient for him.” [Quran 65: 3] 


 


Furthermore, Allah has linked this reliance to worship, as occurs in His statement (which means): “…So worship Him and rely upon Him.” [Quran 11: 123] 


The meaning of reliance on Allah 


Reliance on Allah means entrusting one’s affairs to Allah and relying on Him in all matters. Entrusting one’s affairs to Allah entails not turning to something or someone else for support. 


So reliance on Allah can be with regard to matters of creed, such that the servant’s heart does not turn to anyone else besides Allah. Therefore, he is always putting his reliance in Allah, entrusting all of his affairs to Him. 


The pagans did not fall into polytheism and disbelief except due to the fact that they put their reliance in other than Allah, entrusted their affairs to other than Him, and believed in their hearts that someone besides Allah was able to grant their requests, alleviate their worries and repel harms from them. So they relied on statues, idols, trees, stones, graves, shrines and the deceased. They put their trust in created beings to grant them things that only Allah could do. So they began to ask them for help, offer sacrifices to them, make oaths to them, and direct various forms of worship to them. 


This is since they relied on them apart from Allah, thinking that they have the power to benefit them, harm them or grant their requests. Due to this, when they put their reliance in other than Allah and directed their beliefs and worship to other than Him, they disbelieved in Him. 


Relying upon Allah is from the actions of the heart so it is an act of worship of the heart. Therefore, putting one’s trust in Allah is not to be done with one’s limbs and body parts. Rather, it is found in the heart, just like fear, awe, longing, dreading and dutifulness of Allah all of these are acts of worship of the heart. 


The position of reliance on Allah: 


The position of reliance on Allah is as some of the scholars have stated: “The position of reliance upon Allah in the religion is like that of the head on a body.” 


So a person who does not have reliance upon Allah does not have religion, just like a body that has no head. If the religion lacks reliance upon Allah, it lacks correctness meaning that one will not have a correct religion. 


Relying on Allah has a great standing amongst the stations of servitude to Allah. Allah distinguishes by it His believing servants from everyone else. Whoever doesn’t put his trust in Allah at all is a disbeliever. And whoever puts his trust in Allah and also on others besides Allah is a polytheist. And as for the one who puts his trust in Allah alone he is a monotheistic believer whom Allah loves and whose actions and statements He is pleased with. This is since he has established his actions and statements upon a correct foundation. 


The foundation of Shirk (polytheism) is: entrusting one’s affairs and putting one’s reliance on other than Allah. This is why Allah Says (what means): “…And upon Allah rely, if you should be believers.” [Quran 5: 23] 


Allah has made reliance on Allah here a sign of one’s Faith in Him and proof of one’s monotheism. 


As for the one who claims to be a believer and an adherent of monotheism, but yet then goes on to put his trust in other than Allah, such as stones, trees, statues, graves, the deceased, and so on, then this person’s claim is false. And he is not a believer because he has entrusted his affairs to someone besides Allah. 


Relying upon Allah can be in religious matters as well as worldly matters. Thus you should rely on Allah in your creed and your monotheism as well as for fulfilling your worldly needs, such as seeking provision, clothing and accomplishing some set goals. Put your reliance and trust in Allah for all matters. 


When it comes to fulfilling any goal, do not rely on anyone besides Allah. This is since all of the affairs are in the Hand of Allah. The keys of the Heavens and the Earth are in His Hand, so we must put our trust and reliance in Him.