بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
DAWAH TO THE PAGANS (IDOL WORSHIPPERS)
Introduction:
The Pagan is the one who worships idols or any deity besides Allaah; whether it be an image, statue, grave, dome, tree, or stone. Anyone who calls a Prophet, a Wali, an Angel, or Demon, or directs any act of worship to them is considered a Mushrik who has associated another god with Allaah and committed Major Shirk, which Allaah says about in Surat an-Nisa [4:48]:
"Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin."
The Pagans are called to Allah using the following means:
#1 - Intellectual Evidences which affirm the Divinity of Allah
Allah says in Surat Al-Anbiya’ [21:21-23]:
"Or have they taken (for worship) aliha (gods) from the earth who raise the dead?"
"Had there been therein (in the heavens and the earth) gods besides Allah, then verily both would have been ruined. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, (High is He) above what they attribute to Him!"
"He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned."
Allah rejected those who have taken Gods beside Him, whether they are stones, wood, or so forth of idols that are worshipped other than Allaah. Do they give life to the dead and resurrect them? The answer is no; they are not able to do anything. If there was another god in the heavens and earth who deserved to be worshipped besides Allah, both the heavens and earth would be ruined, because many gods entails dispute and differences which would accordingly cause destruction. This is because of the impossibility of fulfilling the requests of both gods at the same time. And if the request of one god is fulfilled while the other gods request is not, it means that the latter is incapable, and this contradicts his Ruboobiyah (lordship).
The One who compels and whose subdual prevails is the One whose command is fulfilled without opposition. He is the One without associates. He is Allah the Creator, the only true God who deserves to be worshipped. Allaah mentioned the evidence for that in His statement in Surat Al-Mu’minoon [23:91-92]:
"No son (or offspring or children) did Allah beget, nor is there any ilah (god) along with Him; (if there had been many gods), behold, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified be Allah above all that they attribute to Him!"
"All-Knower of the unseen and the seen! Exalted be He over all that they associate as partners to Him!"
The perfection of the upper world and the lower world and their being organized in a perfect system indicate that they are controlled and disposed with wisdom and for the benefit of the creation. It also indicates that there is only One who disposes its affairs; one God without associates or creators besides Him.
#2 - The Weakness of all Gods that are worshipped besides Allah in all aspects.
1. The false god can neither bring good to itself nor avert an evil from itself.
2. It neither possess harm nor benefit.
3. It does not possess the power of causing death, nor of giving life, nor of raising the dead.
4. It does not have the attributes of a true God.
How then is it worshipped other than Allaah?
How can one have hope in or fear someone that has such deficient attributes? How one ask who does not hear nor see nor know anything?
Allaah showed the weakness and the incapacity of every false deity that is worshipped desides Him in Surat Al-Ma’idah [5:76]:
"Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "How do you worship besides Allah something which has no power either to harm or to benefit you? But it is Allah Who is the All-Hearer, All-Knower."
And in Surat Al-Araaf [7:191-198]:
"Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created?"
"No help can they give them, nor can they help themselves."
"And if you call them to guidance, they follow you not. It is the same for you whether you call them or you keep silent."
"Verily, those whom you call upon besides Allah are slaves like you. So call upon them and let them answer you if you are truthful."
"Have they feet wherewith they walk? Or have they hands wherewith they hold? Or have they eyes wherewith they see? Or have they ears wherewith they hear? Say (O Muhammad): "Call your (so-called) partners (of Allah) and then plot against me, and give me no respite!"
"Verily, my Wali (Protector, Supporter, and Helper, etc.) is Allah Who has revealed the Book (the Quran), and He protects (supports and helps) the righteous."
"And those whom you call upon besides Him (Allah) cannot help you nor can they help themselves."
"And if you call them to guidance, they hear not and you will see them looking at you, yet they see not."
What the Mushrikeen (polytheists) worship besides Allah of prophets, righteous people, angels, or muslim jinn are all occupied in worshipping Allah with humility, performing good deeds, and seeking nearness to their Lord, hoping for His mercy and fearing His punishment. If this is their state, how can they be worshipped?
Allah says about them in Surat Al- Isra [17:57]:
"Those whom they call upon [like 'Iesa (Jesus) - son of Maryam (Mary), 'Uzair (Ezra), angel, etc.] desire (for themselves) means of access to their Lord (Allah), as to which of them should be the nearest and they ['Iesa (Jesus), 'Uzair (Ezra), angels, etc.] hope for His Mercy and fear His Torment. Verily, the Torment of your Lord is something to be afraid of!"
Allaah mentioned clearly that those that are worshipped other than Him are incapable to respond to the invocation of those who invoke them. They do not possess even a weight of an atom in the heavens and earth neither independently nor in partnership. Allaah has no support or helper in His Dominion and in disposing its affairs, and no intercession is accepted without His permission. [See Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Allah says in Surat Saba [34:22-23]:
"Say: (O Muhammad SAW to those polytheists, pagans, etc.) "Call upon those whom you assert (to be associate gods) besides Allah, they possess not even the weight of an atom (or a small ant), either in the heavens or on the earth, nor have they any share in either, nor there is for Him any supporter from among them."
"Intercession with Him profits not, except for him whom He permits. Until when fear is banished from their (angels') hearts, they (angels) say: "What is it that your Lord has said?" They say: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great."
#3 - Setting forth Parables
Setting forth parables is one of the strongest means of explanation in showing sensible facts in the form of tangible matters. It is one of the greatest means used in refuting the belief of the pagans and nullifying their beliefs.There are many examples for this in the Quran:
For example; Allaah says in Surat Al-Hajj [22:73-74]:
"O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily! Those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatched away a thing from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought."
"They have not estimated Allah His Rightful Estimate; Verily, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty."
The false gods and idols are unable to create a single fly, and moreover, they are unable to prevent or take revenge against it if it were to take anything from the food on which it lands. They would not be able to recover it even though the fly is the weakest and most insignificant of Allaah’s creatures. Then how can a mindful person see worshipping them besides Allaah as fair-seeming?
In Surat Al- Ankabut [29:41-43]:
"The likeness of those who take Auliya' (protectors and helpers) other than Allah is as the likeness of a spider, who builds (for itself) a house, but verily, the frailest (weakest) of houses is the spider's house; if they but knew."
"Verily, Allah knows what things they invoke instead of Him. He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."
"And these similitudes We put forward for mankind, but none will understand them except those who have knowledge (of Allah and His Signs, etc.)."
This is a parable which Allaah set for those who are worshipped besides Him with the intention of getting support and benefit. Allaah described the idolators in their reverence of gods besides Him, hoping that they would help them and provide for them and turning to them in times of difficulties. In this regards, they are like the house of a spider, which is so weak and frail, because clinging to these gods is like a person who holds onto a spider’s web; he does not gain any benefit from that. If they knew that, they would not take any protectors besides Allaah.
The protection that they take besides Allah is weak and will increase them in weakness.
Another example: The parable that Allah set forth in Surat Az-Zumar [39:29] shows how the polytheist is distracted and confused in his affairs:
"Allah puts forth a similitude: a (slave) man belonging to many partners (like those who worship others along with Allah) disputing with one another, and a (slave) man belonging entirely to one master, (like those who worship Allah Alone). Are those two equal in comparison? All the praises and thanks be to Allah! But most of them know not."
This parable is set forth for the polytheist and the monotheist. When the Mushrik worships different gods, his state is like a slave who is owned by many masters who are disputing with each other. This slave can never satisfy or please them. He is in torment, while the monotheist who worships Allah Alone without partners, is like a slave owned by one man. He submits to him, knows his goals, knows how to please him. He is at rest, and his master is merciful and good to him. Are these two slaves equal? The answer is no; they are never equal. [See Tafseer Ibn Katheer, Al Baghawi, and Tafseer As-Sa’dee]
#4 - Absolute Perfection belongs to the True God who deserves to be worshipped alone
The false deities neither possess no benefit or harm for themselves nor for others, therefore they do not deserve to be worshipped. Rather, the One who deserves to be worshipped is the one who possesses power over everything, who encompasses everything, to whom belongs complete and perfect authority, power, support, and dominance.
He knows everthing, owns this life and the Hereafter, owns benefit and harm. In His Hands are the provision and prevention. He who possesses these Attributes deserves to be remembered and not forgetten, to be thanked and not denied, to be obeyed and not disobeyed, and to be worshipped without associates.
Of Allaah’s absolute perfect attributes:
1) He is singled out with Divinity (Uloohiyyah)
No one deserves Uloohiyyah except Allaah Alone. He is the Ever-Living who never dies, the Qayyum who is Self-Sufficient, in no need of His creation, while all of creation stand in need of Him. Of His perfect life and Qayyoomiyyah is that neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. All what is in the heavens and earth are His slaves and under His subdual and power. Allah says in Surat Maryam [19:93-94]:
"There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Beneficent (Allah) as a slave."
"Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting."
Of His Perfect Kingdom, Grandeur and Majesty is that no one intercedes with Him except with His Permission. Of His Greatness is that His Kursiyy extends over the heavens and the earth. He preserves the heavens and the earth and no fatigue touches Him in guarding and preserving them. Allaah says in Surat Al-Baqarah [2:255]:
"Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter . And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. [This Verse 2:255 is called Ayat-ul-Kursi.]"
2. He is the God to whose Sovereighty (dominion) everything has submitted.
3. He is the God in Whose Hand is the benefit and harm. If the whole creation gathered together to benefit a creature, they would not be able to do so except with what Allaah has written for him. And if they all gathered to cause harm to a creature, they would not be able to do so except by the will of Allaah. Allah says in Surat Yunus [10:107]:
"And if Allah touches you with hurt, there is none who can remove it but He; and if He intends any good for you, there is none who can repel His Favour which He causes it to reach whomsoever of His slaves He will. And He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
4. He is Able to do everything and nothing can cause Him to fail. Allaah says in Surat Ya- Seen [36:82]:
"Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, "Be!" and it is!"
5. His knowledge encompasses everything. His knowledge encompasses all the unseen; He knows what happened, what will happen, what is happening, and what will not happen, how it would be if it happened. [See Tafseer Ibn- Katheer 1/344, 2/13]
6. Allaah says in Surat Yunus [10:61]:
"Whatever you (O Muhammad SAW) may be doing, and whatever portion you may be reciting from the Quran, - and whatever deed you (mankind) may be doing (good or evil), We are Witness thereof, when you are doing it. And nothing is hidden from your Lord (so much as) the weight of an atom (or small ant) on the earth or in the heaven. Not what is less than that or what is greater than that but is (written) in a Clear Record. (Tafsir At-Tabari. Vol.11, Page 129)."
He says in Surat Al -An’aam [6:59]:
"And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in (or on) the earth and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record."
Undoubtedly, whoever knows these Attributes will worship Allaah Alone, because He is the true God who deserves to be worshipped.
#5 - Tawheed was the call of all the Messengers
The Messengers of Allaah called their people to worship Allaah Alone without associates, and the plea was set against all the nations. There is no nation but Allaah sent to it a messenger. Allah said in Surah An-Nahl [16:36]:
"And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities, etc. i.e. do not worship Taghut besides Allah)." Then of them were some whom Allah guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied (the truth)."
Allah also says in Surat al-Anbiya [21:25]:
"And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad SAW) but We inspired him (saying): La ilaha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allah)], so worship Me (Alone and none else)."
Allah generally mentioned in those verses that all the Messengers called to “La ilaha illa Allah” and rejected all the deities besides Allah. In other verses, He explained the Da'wah of each Messenger in detail, as He says in Surat al-Araf [7:59]:
"Indeed, We sent Nuh (Noah) to his people and he said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. (La ilaha ill-Allah: none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Certainly, I fear for you the torment of a Great Day!"
And in Surat al-Araf [7:65], He says:
"And to 'Ad (people, We sent) their brother Hud. He said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. (La ilaha ill-Allah: none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Will you not fear (Allah)?"
In Surat al-Araf [7:73], He says:
"And to Thamud (people, We sent) their brother Salih (Saleh). He said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. (La ilaha ill-Allah: none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Indeed there has come to you a clear sign (the miracle of the coming out of a huge she-camel from the midst of a rock) from your Lord. This she-camel of Allah is a sign unto you; so you leave her to graze in Allah's earth, and touch her not with harm, lest a painful torment should seize you."
In Surat al-Araaf [7:85], He says:
"And to (the people of) Madyan (Midian), (We sent) their brother Shu'aib. He said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. [La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)]." Verily, a clear proof (sign) from your Lord has come unto you; so give full measure and full weight and wrong not men in their things, and do not mischief on the earth after it has been set in order, that will be better for you, if you are believers."
In Surat al-Maidah [5:72], Allah says about Isa عليه السلام:
"Surely, they have disbelieved who say: "Allah is the Messiah ['Iesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary)." But the Messiah ['Iesa (Jesus)] said: "O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no helpers."
#6 - Exaggerated praise of righteous is the reason behind mankind's Shirk, disbelief, and rejection of their Religion
One of the greatest matters that one should call those whose hearts are attached to other then Allah is to clarify to them that exaggerated praise and excessiveness regarding the righteous people is the reason behind associating partners with Allah). The people were on the religion of Islam since the descent of Adam عليه السلاتم to the earth. Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما said: “Between Adam and Nuh were ten countries, they were all on Islam”. [Al-Haakim in mustadruk – Fat'h al-Baari]
After that, the people attached their hearts to the righteous people and Shirk began on earth. Thereupon, Allah sent Nuh عليه السلام to call his people to worship Allah Alone and no one else; but his people replied to him denial saying, as mentioned in Surah Nuh [71:23]:
"And they have said: 'You shall not leave your gods, nor shall you leave Wadd, nor Suwa', nor Yaghuth, nor Ya'uq, nor Nasr (names of the idols);"
These were names of righteous men from people of Nuh عليه السلام. When they died, the Shaytan suggested to their people to make images of them in their assemblies and name them with their names. But they were not worshipped until after the death of that generation and the knowledge was forgotten .
The Shaytan has steps with regards excessiveness of praise of the righteous:
1- He casts in the heart of the people that building over graves and staying at them is a kind of love for them and that supplication at their graves is accepted.
2- He makes them invoke them and swear by them, ask them for intercession, and take their graves as idols that are worshipped; making tawaf around them, kissing them, and slaughtering animals at them.
3- He makes them call others to worship these graves
4- He makes them think that whoever prevents them from worshipping the graves will make the dead angry with them.
Therefore, Allah warned against excessiveness in Religion and excessiveness in glorification by statements, or actions, or belief. Allah also warned against elevating a creature above the status which Allah has granted him. He says in Surat an-Nisa [4:171]:
"O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allah aught but the truth. The Messiah 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), was (no more than) a Messenger of Allah and His Word, ("Be!" - and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam (Mary) and a spirit (Ruh) created by Him; so believe in Allah and His Messengers. Say not: "Three (trinity)!" Cease! (it is) better for you. For Allah is (the only) One Ilah (God), Glory be to Him (Far Exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is All-Sufficient as a Disposer of affairs."
-> Therefore, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ warned against excessive praising saying: "Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Maryam (Mary) [they praised him till they took him a bod besides Allah], for I am only a slave, So call me the slave of Allah and His Messenger”. [Al-Bukhari]
He ﷺ also said: “Beware of exaggerated praise, for it was only this which led those before you to destruction.” [An-Nasa’i]
-> He ﷺ warned against constructing Masaajid over graves because worshipping Allah at the graves of the righteous people is one of the means to worshipping them besides Allah.
Therefore, it is reported by al-Bukhaari that Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها told the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about a church she had seen in Abyssinia in which there were pictures. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Those people, when a righteous and a pious slave (of Allah) among them dies, they build a masjid over his grave and make images therein by so doing, they combine two evils; The evil of the graves and the evil of the images”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
-> The Prophet ﷺ was so keen to warn his Ummah before his death against taking the graves as places of worship, saying: “May Allah curse the Jews and Christians who took the graves of there Prophets as places of worship.” Aishah رضي الله عنها said: “Warning against what they did.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In other narration, he ﷺ said: “Beware of those who preceded you and used to take the graves of their righteous men as places of worship, but you must not take graves as mosques; I forbid you to do that.” [Al-Bukhari]
Imam Maalik reported in his Al-Muwatta that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said : “O Allah, Do not let my grave become an idol that is worshipped: Allah’s Wrath is immense against those people who turned the graves of their Prophets into Mosques.”
-> He ﷺ cursed those women who visit the graves and those who take them as places of worship and hang lights around them. [Narrated by Ibn Majah, Abu Dawoud and at-Tirmidhi]
-> He ﷺ never left a gate of shirk or leads to shirk but closed it. He ﷺ said: “Do not sit on graves or pray towards it.” [Muslim]
-> The Prophet ﷺ clarified that the graves are not places of worship and that the Salat of whoever sends it upon him will reach him whether or the person is close or far from the grave of the Prophet ﷺ. He ﷺ said: “Do not make your homes into graves, nor make my grave into a place of celebration (Eid). Send your prayers and blessings upon me, for they will be conveyed to me wherever you may be.” [Narrated by Abu Dawoud].
If the grave of the Prophet ﷺ is the best grave on the surface of the earth and he ﷺ forbade his Ummah to take it as an Eid, then the graves of those besides him are more deserving of the prohibitions of visiting and taking them as a place for Eid (Celebration).
-> He ﷺ used to purify the earth from all the means of shirk. He ﷺ used to send some of his companions to destroy the domes and elevated graves and effacing the images. Abu Hayyaj al-Azad رضي الله عنه said: Ali رضي الله عنه said to him: Should I not send you on the same mission as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ send me? Do not leave any statue without obliterating it or a high grave without leveling it. [Muslim]
-> The Prophet ﷺ forbade traveling for the purpose of visiting a grave. He ﷺ said: “Do not travel (for visiting) except three mosques: Masjid al-Haram (in Makkah) my mosque (in al-Madinah), and Masjid Al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem).”[Al-Bukhari].
Therefore, Sheikh ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said: The Imaams are in consensus that whoever vows to travel to visit his grave (in Medina) or any other grave of a righteous person, he should not fulfill his vow. Rather he should be forbidden from that.” [Fatawa Ibn Taymiyyah].
Visiting graves is divided into two types:
1- Legal visiting with intention of saluting them and invoking for them.
2- Shirk and Innovated visiting, and these are further divided into three types:
a-To ask the dead ones need, this is grave worshipping.
b- To ask Allah through the dead (such as to say "I beseech you by your Prophet or so-and-so." This is Bid’ah, not Major Shirk.
c-To think that Du’a at the gravesite is accepted and better than Du’a in the Masjid. This is considered munkar by the consensus of the Scholars.
#7 - Intercession
One should explain to people that intercession belongs to Allah alone, as Allah says in Surat az-Zumar [39:44]:
"Say: "To Allah belongs all intercession. His is the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, then to Him you shall be brought back."
How to refute the one who seeks intercession from other than Allah:
FIRST: The Creature is not like the Creator
Whoever says that the Prophets, the righteous, Angels or others have a great status with Allah, and they intercede for us with Allah, has forged a big lie against Allah, because he has resembled the king of the Kings (Allah) with the Kings of this world who are themselves in need to ministers, soldiers etc. to support them and complete their authority. The meditators between people and their kings are one of three:
1-To tell the Kings about the state of the people which the king does not know.
2-The King is incapable to dispose the affairs of his people, so he needs helpers and supporters.
3- The King does not want to benefit his nation and do good to them and only when one talks them and advises them will they will be encouraged and motivated.
Allah ﷺ is not like the creation who are weak. He knows every detail about his creation. Nothing is hidden from Him, He is rich in all aspects, and.He is more merciful to His servants than the mother to her baby.
Intercessors with the kings of the world may have an independent kingdom or may be a partner or helper to them. The kings accept their intercession for three reasons:
a-Because they need them
b-or they are afraid of them
c-or because of their good and benevolence to them.
And Allah neither hopes nor fears nor needs anyone. Therefore, Allah cut off all kinds of attachments with other then Him.
He says in Surat Saba [34:22-23]:
"Say: (O Muhammad SAW to those polytheists, pagans, etc.) "Call upon those whom you assert (to be associate gods) besides Allah, they possess not even the weight of an atom (or a small ant), either in the heavens or on the earth, nor have they any share in either, nor there is for Him any supporter from among them."
"Intercession with Him profits not, except for him whom He permits. Until when fear is banished from their (angels') hearts, they (angels) say: "What is it that your Lord has said?" They say: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great."
SECOND: Intercession is of two types:
A- Affirmed intercession which is asked from Allah and it has two conditions:
1-The permission of Allah for the intercessor and the one interceded for. In Surat al-Baqarah [2:255]:
"Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission?"
2-Allah is pleased with the intercessor and the one intended for. In Surat Ta-Ha [20:109]:
"On that day no intercession shall avail, except the one for whom the Most Beneficent (Allah) has given permission and whose word is acceptable to Him."
B- Negated intercession which is asked (sought) from other than Allah in matters which non-can except Allah. Also, which is taken without His permission or pleasure. Also, the intercession for the disbelievers is not accepted. As Allah says in Surat Al-Muddathir [74:48]:
"So no intercession of intercessors will be of any use to them."
THIRD: There is no evidence from the Quran and Sunnah nor the consensus of the Ummah that the Prophet ﷺ and the Prophets before legislated the people to call the angels, prophets, or righteous, or seek intercsssion from then. None of the Companions did that, nor did the Tabi'een (followers) after them. [Fatawa Ibn Taymiyyah]
#8 - Allah's blessings upon His slaves
The true God subjected all what is in the universe for His worshippers. One should draw the attention and hearts of the polytheists to the great blessings of Allah; the open and the hidden blessings,the religious and wordly blessings. He bestowed all the blessings on His servants, as He says in Surat An-Nahl [16:53]:
"And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah. Then, when harm touches you, unto Him you cry aloud for help."
FIRST: Allah generally mentioned His Beneficence. He says in Surat Al- Baqarah [2:29]:
"He it is Who created for you all that is on earth. Then He Istawa (rose over) towards the heaven and made them seven heavens and He is the All-Knower of everything."
And In Surat Luqman [31:20]:
"See you not (O men) that Allah has subjected for you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and has completed and perfected His Graces upon you, (both) apparent (i.e Islamic Monotheism, and the lawful pleasures of this world, including health, good looks, etc.) and hidden [i.e. One's Faith in Allah (of Islamic Monotheism) knowledge, wisdom, guidance for doing righteous deeds, and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise, etc.]? Yet of mankind is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge or guidance or a Book giving light!"
This favor includes all the favours; the apparent and unapparent, the sensible and the insensible.
All what is in the heavens and earth have been subjected for man. This includes the heavens and the earth and what Allah has placed therein of the sun,moon, planets, mountains, seas, rivers, all kind of animals ,various kinds of trees, fruits and so forth for the benefit and enjoyment of the sons of Adam and for them to be taken as a lesson..
All these indicate that Allaah Alone deserves to be worshipped with love and humility and no one else.
Allaah says in Surat Al- Hajj [22:62]:
"That is because Allah He is the Truth (the only True God of all that exists, Who has no partners or rivals with Him), and what they (the polytheists) invoke besides Him, it is Batil (falsehood) And verily, Allah He is the Most High, the Most Great."
SECOND: Allah mentioned the blessings in detail
Allah says in Surat Ibraheem [14:32-34]:
"Allah is He Who has created the heavens and the earth and sends down water (rain) from the sky, and thereby brought forth fruits as provision for you; and He has made the ships to be of service to you, that they may sail through the sea by His Command; and He has made rivers (also) to be of service to you."
"And He has made the sun and the moon, both constantly pursuing their courses, to be of service to you; and He has made the night and the day, to be of service to you."
"And He gave you of all that you asked for, and if you count the Blessings of Allah, never will you be able to count them. Verily! Man is indeed an extreme wrong-doer, - a disbeliever (an extreme ingrate, denies Allah's Blessings by disbelief, and by worshipping others besides Allah, and by disobeying Allah and His Prophet Muhammad SAW)."
After Allah enumerated many blessings, He said in Surat An-Nahl [16:17-18]:
"Is then He, Who creates as one who creates not? Will you not then remember?"
"And if you would count the graces of Allah, never could you be able to count them. Truly! Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
No one is able to enumerate what Allah has bestowed upon him. Therefore, the mindful person has no way except to worship Allah alone who bestowed all these favor upon His servants, without associating; because he is the one deserves to be worshiped Alone and no one else.
#9 - Resurrection after death
The Mushrikoon (Polytheists) and Atheists deny the raising of the dead after their death, after the bodies decompose and become dust. The following are ways to make Da'wah to them:
First way: Using Intellectual evidences
Second way: Using Tangible evidences
Third way: Using Legal evidences
FIRST WAY: Using intellectual evidences
a) The wisdom of Allah entails Resurrection and Recompense. Allah willed to make this worldly life an abode of test, trial, and action. Thus, He sent Messengers and revealed Books, and He commanded to worship Him Alone without associates. And He made another abode to reward the good doer for his good deeds and to recompense the evil-door for his evil deeds; and this is out of his Kingship, wisdom and justice.
He did not create the creation in vain without a purpose, nor did He neglect them. Allah says in Surat al-Mulk [67:1-2]:
"Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion, and He is Able to do all things."
"Who has created death and life, that He may test you which of you is best in deed. And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving;"
He also says in Surat al-Mu'minoon [23:115]:
"Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?"
In Surat Yunus [9:4], He says:
"Except those of the Mushrikun with whom you have a treaty, and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor have supported anyone against you. So fulfill their treaty to them to the end of their term. Surely Allah loves Al- Mattaqun"
He does not equalize good and evil, nor the good doer with evil doer, nor the disbeliever with believer. He says in Surat al-Jathiya [45:21]:
"Or do those who earn evil deeds think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, in their present life and after their death? Worst is the judgement that they make."
In Surat al-Qalam [68:35-36] He says:
"Shall We then treat the (submitting) Muslims like the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists and disbelievers, etc.)?"
"What is the matter with you? How judge you?"
b) The One who is able to bring the creation into the existence is able to recreate them again and that is even easier for Him. Creating something for the first time and causing it to perish is much more difficult than recreating something that already existed and perished previously.
In Surat Maryam [19:66-67], Allah says:
And man (the disbeliever) says: "When I am dead, shall I then be raised up alive?"
"Does not man remember that We created him before, while he was nothing?"
c) The Creator of great things is undoubtedly able to create small things
It is known that the creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the creation of the sons of Adam. Allah’s creation of these great creatures and His Ability in doing that is one of the great proofs of his Ability in resurrecting the people after their death. This is because there is no doubt in the perfect ability of the One who is able to create great things in creating that which is weak and minute. Allah says in Surat Al-Ahqaf [46:33]:
"Do they not see that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and was not wearied by their creation, is Able to give life to the dead? Yes, He surely is Able to do all things."
d) Awakening after Sleep
Sleep is considered minor death, and awakening from sleep is also a minor life. The complete death and life for both humans and animals happen in the same way that sleep and awakening from sleep happen.[Adwa’ Al- Bayan]
Allaah says in Surat Al-An'am [6:60]:
"It is He, Who takes your souls by night (when you are asleep), and has knowledge of all that you have done by day, then he raises (wakes) you up again that a term appointed (your life period) be fulfilled, then in the end unto Him will be your return. Then He will inform you what you used to do."
One of Allah’s great signs that indicate His ability in resurrecting the bodies and souls is what happened to the People of the Cave by making them sleep for 300 years in addition to 9 (for lunar years). Then Allah awakened them from their long sleep as He says in Surat Al-Kahn [18:21]:
"And thus We made their case known to the people, that they might know that the Promise of Allah is true, and that there can be no doubt about the Hour. (Remember) when they (the people of the city) disputed among themselves about their case, they said: "Construct a building over them, their Lord knows best about them," (then) those who won their point said (most probably the disbelievers): "We verily shall build a place of worship over them."
e) Bring forth fire from the green tree.
One of the evidences of the ability of Allaah to resurrect is His Ability to bring forth dry burning fire from the green tree which is moist, despite the fact that they contradict. The One who is Able to produce fire out of the green tree is Able to bring forth a living human from dust as He created him the first time. Allah says in Surat Ya-Seen [36:80]:
"He, Who produces for you fire out of the green tree, when behold! You kindle therewith."
SECOND WAY: Using tangible evidences
1) Giving life to the dead in this worldy life
One of the greatest proof which indicate the Resurrection is Allaah giving life to some dead in this world. Whoever is able to give life to one soul is able to give life to all souls. Allah says in Surat Luqman [31:28]:
"The creation of you all and the resurrection of you all are only as (the creation and resurrection of) a single person. Verily, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Seer."
Evidences of this:
a- The People of Musa عليه السلام said that they would not believe until they saw Allah openly. Therefore, Allah caused them to die, then raised them up (again), as He said in Surat Al- Baqarah [2:55-56]:
"And (remember) when you said: "O Musa (Moses)! We shall never believe in you till we see Allah plainly." But you were seized with a thunderbolt (lightning) while you were looking."
"Then We raised you up after your death, so that you might be grateful."
b- The story of the killed man whom Bani Israel disputed concerning. Allaah commanded them to slaughter a cow, and when they did that, Allaah raised the dead man up (to life) and he mentioned who had killed him. Allaah said in Surat Al- Baqarah [2:72-73]:
"And (remember) when you killed a man and fell into dispute among yourselves as to the crime. But Allah brought forth that which you were hiding."
"So We said: "Strike him (the dead man) with a piece of it (the cow)." Thus Allah brings the dead to life and shows you His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) so that you may understand."
c-The story of those who went forth from their homes in thousands, fearing death. Allah caused them to die, then He restored them to life. Allah says in Surat Al- Baqarah [2:243]:
"Did you (O Muhammad SAW) not think of those who went forth from their homes in thousands, fearing death? Allah said to them, "Die". And then He restored them to life. Truly, Allah is full of Bounty to mankind, but most men thank not."
d-The story of the man who passed by a town all in after ruins. He considered it impossible for Allah to bring it to life after its death. So Allah caused him to die for a hundred years, then raised him up (again). Allah says in [2:259]:
"Or like the one who passed by a town and it had tumbled over its roofs. He said: "Oh! How will Allah ever bring it to life after its death?" So Allah caused him to die for a hundred years, then raised him up (again). He said: "How long did you remain (dead)?" He (the man) said: "(Perhaps) I remained (dead) a day or part of a day". He said: "Nay, you have remained (dead) for a hundred years, look at your food and your drink, they show no change; and look at your donkey! And thus We have made of you a sign for the people. Look at the bones, how We bring them together and clothe them with flesh". When this was clearly shown to him, he said, "I know (now) that Allah is Able to do all things."
e- The story of Ibraheem عليه السلام when he asked Allaah to show him how He give life to the dead. Allaah commanded him to take four birds, slaughter them, cut them into pieces, then put a portion of them on every hill, and call them - they would come to him in haste. Allah says in Surat Al-Baqarah [2:260]:
"And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said, "My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead." He (Allah) said: "Do you not believe?" He [Ibrahim (Abraham)] said: "Yes (I believe), but to be stronger in Faith." He said: "Take four birds, then cause them to incline towards you (then slaughter them, cut them into pieces), and then put a portion of them on every hill, and call them, they will come to you in haste. And know that Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise."
f- Allah mentioned to us that 'Esa (Jesus) عليه السلام used to give life to the dead by the permission of Allah in Surat Al- Imran [3:49]:
"And will make him ['Iesa (Jesus)] a Messenger to the Children of Israel (saying): "I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah's Leave; and I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allah's Leave. And I inform you of what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely, therein is a sign for you, if you believe."
And in Surat Al-Ma’idah [5:110], Allah says:
"(Remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection). "O 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Remember My Favour to you and to your mother when I supported you with Ruh-ul-Qudus [Jibrael (Gabriel)] so that you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and when I taught you writing, Al-Hikmah (the power of understanding), the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel); and when you made out of the clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My Permission, and you breathed into it, and it became a bird by My Permission, and you healed those born blind, and the lepers by My Permission, and when you brought forth the dead by My Permission; and when I restrained the Children of Israel from you (when they resolved to kill you) since you came unto them with clear proofs, and the disbelievers among them said: 'This is nothing but evident magic.' "
These are evidences of true occurrences. They prove that the One who had caused them to die and restore them to life is Able to resurrect them on the Day of Resurrection, and nothing is impossible for Him.
2) Giving life to the dead land
This is one of the great evidences, which show Allah’s Ability in renewing life.This is because the One who brings forth plants and every lovely kind of growth and makes the earth alive therewith after its death is Able to resurrect the people and restore people to life after their death. [Adwa’ Al-Bayann].
Allah says in Surat Ar- Room [30:19]:
"He brings out the living from the dead, and brings out the dead from the living. And He revives the earth after its death. And thus shall you be brought out (resurrected)."
Also, in Verse 50, Allah says:
"Look then at the effects (results) of Allah's Mercy, how He revives the earth after its death. Verily! That (Allah) Who revived the earth after its death shall indeed raise the dead (on the Day of Resurrection), and He is Able to do all things."
THIRD WAY: Using Legal Evidences
Allah refuted the doubt of those who denied the Resurrection in many verses in the Qu’ran. He says in Surat As-Sajdah [32:10-11]:
"And they say: "When we are (dead and become) lost in the earth, shall we indeed be recreated anew?" Nay, but they deny the Meeting with their Lord!"
"Say: "The angel of death, who is set over you, will take your souls, then you shall be brought to your Lord."
In Surat Qaaf [50:1-4], Allah says:
"Qaf. [These letters (Qaf, etc.) are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. By the Glorious Quran."
"Nay, they wonder that there has come to them a warner (Muhammad SAW) from among themselves. So the disbelievers say: "This is a strange thing!"
"When we are dead and have become dust (shall we be resurrected?) That is a far return."
"We know that which the earth takes of them (their dead bodies), and with Us is a Book preserved (i.e. the Book of Decrees)."
Allah mentioned that He knows what the earth consumes of their flesh, skin, bones, and hair. Nothing is hidden from Him - neither where nor how the bodies disintegrated, what they turned into and how they have become - none of this is absent from Allah’s knowledge. It is all in a book preserved. [See Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Allah commanded His Messenger ﷺ to swear by his Lord for the establishment of resurrection and its existence, and that nothing is hidden from Allah, so much as the weight of an atom (or a small ant) on the earth or in the heaven, nor what is less than that or greater than that [See Tafseer Ibn Katheer for (10:61)].
Allah says in Surat Yunus [10:53]:
"And they ask you (O Muhammad SAW) to inform them (saying): "Is it true (i.e. the torment and the establishment of the Hour; - the Day of Resurrection)?" Say: "Yes! By my Lord! It is the very truth! and you cannot escape from it!"
Also in Surat At-Taghabun [64:7], Allah says:
"The disbelievers pretend that they will never be resurrected (for the Account). Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Yes! By my Lord, you will certainly be resurrected, then you will be informed of (and recompensed for) what you did, and that is easy for Allah."
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