Tafseer: Calling towards Truth and Sabr go hand in hand.

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

From the Tafseer of Shaikh al-Islaam on Surah al-Asr:

The following is an example from the Tafseer of Surah al-Asr by Shaikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, to show to the dear readers how the author of this book has gathered the statements of Ibn Taymiyyah - regarding a particular topic  or Aayah or Surah - from different books in one place.

Shaikh al-Islaam, Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:

وَالْعَصْرِ ﴿١﴾ إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ ﴿٢﴾ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ ﴿٣﴾

{By Al-`Asr (the time). Verily! Man is in loss, Except those who believe, and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth,  and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allaah’s Cause during preaching His religion of Islaamic Monotheism or Jihad, etc.).} [Surah al-Asr (103): 1-3]

It has been reported from (Imaam) al-Shaafi`ee رحمه الله that he said: “If all the people were to ponder over the meaning of Surah al-Asr, it would have sufficed them.” And it is as he has said, for Allaah تعالى has indeed informed us that all the mankind is in loss except for the one who is, in regards to himself, a Believer and a good-doer; and with others, is the one who advices (and calls) others towards Haqq (Truth) and Sabr (Patience).

And the greater the ordeal, the more the reason that a righteous Believer will have his status elevated (in the Jannah) and (will be receiving) enormous reward, as (has been mentioned in the Hadeeth):

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked: Which of the people are tried most severely? He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The Prophets, then those nearest to them, then those nearest to them. A man is tried according to his religion (i.e. his level of Imaan); if he is firm in his religion, then his trials are more severe, and if he is frail in his religion, then he is tried according to the strength of his religion. The servant shall continue to be tried until he is left walking upon the earth without any sins.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2398) and Sunan Ibn Maajah (4023) and graded as “Hasan Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

The amount of Sabr required at this time is more than anything else. And Sabr is the means for attaining the leadership in the Deen, as Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا ۖ وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ﴾

{And We appointed, from among them (Children of Israa’eel), leaders, giving guidance under Our command, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our Aayaat.} [Surah al-Sajdah (32): 24]

[Majmoo` al-Fataawa (28/152-152)]

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In another place, he رحمه الله said:

And the saying of Allaah تعالى:

{By Al-`Asr (the time). Verily! Man is in loss, Except those who believe, and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth,  and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allaah’s Cause during preaching His religion of Islaamic Monotheism or Jihad, etc.).} [Surah al-Asr (103): 1-3]

And it is a must that we should enjoin upon one another Truth and Patience, as the falsehood of the people given to corruption and wrongdoing is not removed except through Patience. The Believers enjoin upon one another the Truth and Patience whereas they (the corrupt people) enjoin upon one another to be patient upon their falsehood, as Allaah تعالى mentioned:

﴿وَانطَلَقَ الْمَلَأُ مِنْهُمْ أَنِ امْشُوا وَاصْبِرُوا عَلَىٰ آلِهَتِكُمْ ۖ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَشَيْءٌ يُرَادُ﴾

{And the leaders among them went about (saying): “Continue, and be patient over (the defense of) your (False) gods. Verily, this is a thing designed (against you)!} [Surah al-Saad (38): 6]

Enjoining only Truth without enjoining Patience is like the action of those who say:

﴿آمَنَّا بِاللَّـهِ فَإِذَا أُوذِيَ فِي اللَّـهِ جَعَلَ فِتْنَةَ النَّاسِ كَعَذَابِ اللَّـهِ﴾

{"We believe in Allaah,” but if they are made to suffer for the sake of Allaah, they consider the trial of mankind as Allaah’s punishment} [Surah al-`Ankaboot (29): 10]

And also like the one:

﴿وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَعْبُدُ اللَّـهَ عَلَىٰ حَرْفٍ ۖ فَإِنْ أَصَابَهُ خَيْرٌ اطْمَأَنَّ بِهِ ۖ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ فِتْنَةٌ انقَلَبَ عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِ خَسِرَ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةَ﴾

{And among mankind is he who worships Allaah as it were upon the very edge (i.e. in doubt); if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him, he turns back on his face (i.e. reverts back to disbelief after embracing Islaam). He loses both this world and the Hereafter.} [Surah al-Hajj (22): 11]

And enjoining only Patience while excluding the Truth is like the call of those who said: “Continue, and be patient over (the defense of) your (False) gods”. Both these groups (i.e. those who only enjoin Truth and those who only enjoin Patience) are heading towards the (inevitable) loss (in this world and the hereafter).

The ones who are saved from this manifest loss are only those who Believe, do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy. And this is only found in the people who are far removed from the people given to false desires, and those (who are overwhelmed with) doubts (about their religion) – the corrupt people and the innovators (in religious matters).

[Jaami` al-Rasaail (2/394)]