The 9 Means for warding off the punishments

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Pondering over the meaning of the Qur’aan for the purpose of practicing its teachings, is the one of the greatest Wisdom for its revelation. While studying the Qur’aan, from the things that one should ponder over and follow is what Allaah تعالى mentioned in it about the punishments which afflicted the previous nations because of their deviating away from the path of Allaah. One would find that there were very many different types of punishments and Allaah تعالى commanded us to take a lesson and admonition from these incidents, as Allaah تعالى says:

﴿قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ سُنَنٌ فَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ﴾

{Many similar ways (and mishaps of life) were faced by nations that have passed away before you, so travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who disbelieved (in the Oneness of Allaah, and disobeyed Him and His Messengers)} [Surah aal-`Imraan (3): 137]

[Note: Aayaat with similar meaning has been repeated 13 times in the Qur’aan: Surah al-An`aam (6): 11; Surah Yusuf (12): 109; Surah al-Nahl (16): 36; Surah al-Hajj (22): 46; Surah al-Naml (27): 69; Surah al-`Ankaboot (29): 20; Surah al-Room (30): 9 & 42; Surah Faatir (35): 44; Surah Ghaafir (40): 21 & 82; Surah Muhammad (47): 10]

Allaah تعالى commanded us to take a lesson and admonition so that we do not commit the same mistakes which they had committed, and that we are not afflicted with the same punishments the way they were afflicted. Moreover, Allaah تعالى mentioned the means, which if the individuals or groups or nations were to follow, will be able to raise and ward off the punishment.

The Ummah has reached the times in which the afflictions and punishments have increased abundantly! We are living in turmoil. It is frightful to see the condition of the Ummah which is being battered by punishments and tribulations one after the other. The only way out of these trials and turmoil is by following the teachings of the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم, in which there is light and guidance for us. The following are the nine most important means of warding off the punishments as mentioned in the Book of Allaah:

1) The First means for warding off punishment: Having Imaan in Allaah and in His promise.

Allaah تعالى has promised that whichever nation believes in Allaah, with true and sincere Faith, and are not lax in their belief – which is the secret behind their strength and their victory over their enemies – Allaah تعالى has promised them with success and deliverance from the crises. Allaah تعالى says:

﴿ثُمَّ نُنَجِّي رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نُنجِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ﴾

{Then (in the end) We save Our Messengers and those who believe! Thus it is incumbent upon Us to save the believers} [Surah Yunus (10): 103]

Allaah تعالى also says:

﴿وَلَا تَهِنُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَنتُمُ الْأَعْلَوْنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ﴾

{So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers} [Surah aal-`Imraan (3): 139]

Allaah تعالى also says:

﴿ وَعَدَ اللَّـهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَىٰ لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّن بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا ۚ يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ﴾

{Allaah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practice their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islaam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (the believers) worship Me (alone) and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allaah)} [Surah al-Noor (24): 55]

2) The Second means: Reformation and calling towards Allaah.

The second mean is by working for the betterment of the society, calling towards Allaah and fighting corruption (evil, sins disobedience of Allaah), as Allaah تعالى says:

﴿فَلَوْلَا كَانَ مِنَ الْقُرُونِ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ أُولُو بَقِيَّةٍ يَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْفَسَادِ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّمَّنْ أَنجَيْنَا مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَاتَّبَعَ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مَا أُتْرِفُوا فِيهِ وَكَانُوا مُجْرِمِينَ * وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ لِيُهْلِكَ الْقُرَىٰ بِظُلْمٍ وَأَهْلُهَا مُصْلِحُونَ﴾

{If only there had been among the generations before you, persons having wisdom, prohibiting (others) from Al-Fasaad (disbelief, polytheism, and all kinds of crimes and sins) in the earth, except a few of those whom We saved from among them. Those who did wrong pursued the enjoyment of luxuries of (this worldly) life, and were Mujrimoon (criminals, disbelievers in Allaah, polytheists, sinners, etc.). And your Lord would never destroy the towns unjustly, while their people were reformers.} [Surah Hood (11): 116-117]

Contemplate on the word that Allaah تعالى said: مصلحون (reformers) and He تعالى did not say: صالحون (righteous).

The difference between them is that a righteous person works for his own good alone, whereas the reformer works for himself and for the betterment of the society as well - enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil.

So what is required from us is righteousness and reformation. Self-righteousness, without reformation (of others), is not sufficient for warding off the punishments. So it is obligatory upon us that we should strive in self-rectification (by seeking knowledge and implementing it) and in rectification of others by calling them towards it.

3) The Third means: Distancing oneself from negligence and heedlessness.

The third means is by distancing oneself from negligence and heedlessness; and not feeling secured from Allaah’s plan; and not chasing ones desires or loitering aimlessly. This is only possible by being firm upon obedience to Allaah, as Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ الْقُرَىٰ آمَنُوا وَاتَّقَوْا لَفَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَرَكَاتٍ مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَـٰكِن كَذَّبُوا فَأَخَذْنَاهُم بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ * أَفَأَمِنَ أَهْلُ الْقُرَىٰ أَن يَأْتِيَهُم بَأْسُنَا بَيَاتًا وَهُمْ نَائِمُونَ * أَوَأَمِنَ أَهْلُ الْقُرَىٰ أَن يَأْتِيَهُم بَأْسُنَا ضُحًى وَهُمْ يَلْعَبُونَ * أَفَأَمِنُوا مَكْرَ اللَّـهِ ۚ فَلَا يَأْمَنُ مَكْرَ اللَّـهِ إِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ﴾

{And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwa (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes, etc.). Did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our Punishment by night while they are asleep? Or, did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our Punishment in the forenoon while they play? Did they then feel secure against the Plan of Allaah? None feels secure from the Plan of Allaah except the people who are the losers.} [Surah al-A`raaf (7): 96-99]

Allaah تعالى clearly explains that negligence about religious duties and forgetting the warnings are from the means which bring Allaah’s punishment.

﴿فَلَمَّا نَسُوا مَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهِ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَبْوَابَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا فَرِحُوا بِمَا أُوتُوا أَخَذْنَاهُم بَغْتَةً فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْلِسُونَ﴾

{So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they had been reminded, We opened to them the gates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them to punishment, and lo! They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows.} [Surah al-An`aam (6): 44]

Qataadah رحمه الله said: “(Suddenly) means, the command of Allaah will catch the people unaware while they are engaged in Allaah’s disobedience. Allaah never seizes a people except when they are intoxicated with pride, enjoying a life of luxury, and they think that the punishment will never come upon them, but Allaah does not punish anyone except the evildoers.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]

4) The Fourth means: Tawbah and Istighfaar.

The fourth means for warding off the punishments is by constantly making Tawbah and seeking Allaah’s forgiveness for the sins committed – by individuals as well as by societies; and caution from every type of action which causes the wrath of Allaah to descend. Indeed the increase in sins and disobedience to Allaah are shameful signs for the whole Ummah.  Allaah تعالى says:

﴿وَمَا كَانَ اللَّـهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَأَنتَ فِيهِمْ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّـهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ﴾

{And Allaah would not punish them while you (Muhammad) are amongst them, nor will He punish them while they seek (Allaah's) Forgiveness.} [Surah al-Anfaal (8): 33]

Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما commented: “They (the people) had two safety shelters: the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, and their seeking (Allaah’s) forgiveness. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم passed away and now only seeking forgiveness remains.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]

Zainab bint Jahsh رضي الله عنها said: O Messenger of Allaah! Shall we be destroyed though there will be RIGHTEOUS people amongst us? The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Yes! When al-Khubth (evil) would be predominant.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3346, 3598, 7059, 7135) and Saheeh Muslim (6881, 6883)]

Al-Khubth is every type of action which incurs the wrath of Allaah, His Curse and which distances one from His obedience.

5) The Fifth means: Du`aa (supplication).

And from the means of warding off evil is through supplications, humility, and seeking His aid. Indeed, Allaah تعالى responds to the call of the one who invokes Him and beseeches Him.

﴿أَمَّن يُجِيبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكْشِفُ السُّوءَ﴾

{Is not He (Allaah better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil…?} [Surah al-Naml (27): 62]

Allaah تعالى also says:

﴿ قُلْ مَا يَعْبَأُ بِكُمْ رَبِّي لَوْلَا دُعَاؤُكُمْ﴾

{Say (O Muhammad to the disbelievers): “My Lord pays attention to you only because of your invocation to Him...”} [Surah al-Furqaan (25): 77]

Allaah تعالى also says:

﴿قَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ﴾

{And your Lord said: "Invoke Me, (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation).} [Surah Ghaafir (40): 60]

Allaah تعالى has mentioned that the downfall of some of the previous nations were because they had abandoned humility (and became arrogant), nor did they seek Allaah’s protection or help during the crises and their hour of need, as Allaah تعالى says:

﴿فَلَوْلَا إِذْ جَاءَهُم بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُوا وَلَـٰكِن قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ﴾

{Then why, when Our punishment came to them, did they not humble themselves? But their hearts became hardened, and Shaitaan made attractive to them that which they were doing.} [Surah al-An`aam (6): 43]

6) The Sixth means: Enjoining good and forbidding evil.

Enjoining good and forbidding evil is also a means for avoiding punishment as Allaah تعالى says:

﴿فَلَمَّا نَسُوا مَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهِ أَنجَيْنَا الَّذِينَ يَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ السُّوءِ وَأَخَذْنَا الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا بِعَذَابٍ بَئِيسٍ بِمَا كَانُوا يَفْسُقُونَ﴾

{So when they forgot the remindings that had been given to them, We rescued those who forbade evil, but We seized those who did wrong with a severe torment because they used to rebel (disobey Allaah).} [Surah al-A`raaf (7): 165]

Shaikh `Abdul Rahmaan Ibn Naaser al-Sa`dee رحمه الله said: “The Sunnah (the Way) of Allaah in dealing with His slaves has been that when the punishment descends on a people, He تعالى rescues those among them who used to enjoin good and forbid evil.” [Tafseer al-Sa`dee, Surah al-A`raaf (7): 165]

Narrated Hudhaifah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “By Him in Whose hand my soul is, you must enjoin what is reputable and forbid what is disreputable, or Allaah will certainly soon send punishment from Himself to you. Then you will make supplication and not receive an answer.” [Tirmidhee (2169) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Narrated Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq رضي الله عنه: You people recite this verse: {You who believe! Care for yourselves; he who goes astray cannot harm you when you are rightly guided.} [Surah al-Maaidah (5): 105] I heard Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم say: “When people see something objectionable and do not change it, Allaah will soon include them all in His punishment.” [Sunan Abu Dawood (4338), and Sunan Ibn Maajah (4005) and Tirmidhee (3057) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Narrated An-Nu`maan bin Basheer رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The example of the person abiding by Allaah's orders and limits (or the one who abides by the limits and regulations prescribed by Allaah) in comparison to the ones who do wrong and violate Allaah's limits and orders is like the example of people drawing lots for seats in a boat. Some of them got seats in the upper part while the others in the lower part; those in the lower part have to pass by those in the upper one to get water, and that troubled the latter. One of them (i.e. the people in the lower part) took an ax and started making a hole in the bottom of the boat. The people of the upper part came and asked him, (saying), 'What is wrong with you?' He replied, "You have been troubled much by my (coming up to you), and I have to get water.' Now if they prevent him from doing that they will save him and themselves, but if they leave him (to do what he wants), they will destroy him and themselves.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2493, 2686)]

We have to understand that part of our success lies in enjoining good and forbidding evil, so that we are all successful as a group, and as an Ummah. We should implement it in our homes, at our work, in the markets, rather we should make it part of our lives. We should all gather together and stand in one row against those who want to sink the boat. We have to stand against those who lie about Allaah and His religion; and who attribute lies to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم; and who interpret the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger according to their desires; and who innovate in the religion.

7) The Seventh means: fighting oppression.

Fighting oppression, standing for justice and giving the rightful owners their due rights is also the means of warding off the punishment. It has been reported in the Saheehain:

Narrated Abu Musa رضي الله عنه: Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Allaah gives respite to the oppressor, but when He seizes him, He does not let him go.” Then he صلى الله عليه وسلم recited: {Such is the seizure of your Lord when He seizes (population of) towns in the midst of their wrong: Painful indeed, and severe is His seizure.} [Surah Hood (11): 102] [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (4686) and Saheeh Muslim (6253)]

The previous nations were all engaged in some sort of oppression or the other, and the worst and most dangerous of them is Shirk (associating partners with Allaah in worship); so Allaah destroyed them because of their oppression. Allaah تعالى says:

﴿وَتِلْكَ الْقُرَىٰ أَهْلَكْنَاهُمْ لَمَّا ظَلَمُوا وَجَعَلْنَا لِمَهْلِكِهِم مَّوْعِدًا﴾

{And these towns (population, 'Ad, Thamud, etc.), We destroyed when they did wrong. And We appointed a fixed time for their destruction.} [Surah al-Kahf (18): 59]

8) The Eighth means: Uniting upon the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger.

Uniting upon one Word and not dividing into group and factions is also a means of warding off the punishment. Rather, division in the Ummah in itself is a punishment. We should stand together in one row like a solid structure and implement the Commandment of Allaah تعالى:

﴿وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّـهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا﴾

{And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (i.e. this Quran), and be not divided among yourselves…} [Surah aal-`Imraan (3): 103]

And Allaah تعالى forbade us from dividing into groups and factions, and made it clear for us that getting divided is the way of the misguided nations before us. And He تعالى also made it clear that division in the Ummah is one of the major reason for its weakening and for its enemies to overpower it. Allaah تعالى says:

﴿وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّـهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلَا تَنَازَعُوا فَتَفْشَلُوا وَتَذْهَبَ رِيحُكُمْ﴾

{And obey Allaah and His Messenger, and do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength depart…} [Surah al-Anfaal (8): 46]

Disobedience to Allaah and His Messenger, innovation in the religion, misinterpretation of the Texts are the chief causes for the division in the Ummah. The only way to unite the Ummah in the matters of dispute is by referring it back to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم, as Allaah تعالى said:

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّـهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّـهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّـهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا﴾

{O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger, and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allaah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4): 59]

9) The Ninth means: Not having pride or arrogance.

Avoiding arrogance, self-amazement, pride, self-importance are also a means of avoiding Allaah’s punishment. Even the best people after the Prophets - the Companions - were not spared from the punishment, when some of them were overtaken by pride on the Day (of the battle) of Hunain due to their large numbers, as Allaah تعالى said:

﴿لَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ اللَّـهُ فِي مَوَاطِنَ كَثِيرَةٍ ۙ وَيَوْمَ حُنَيْنٍ ۙ إِذْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ كَثْرَتُكُمْ فَلَمْ تُغْنِ عَنكُمْ شَيْئًا وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ ثُمَّ وَلَّيْتُم مُّدْبِرِينَ﴾

{Truly Allaah has given you victory on many battle fields, and on the Day of Hunain (battle) when you rejoiced at your great number but it availed you naught; and the earth, vast as it is, was confining for you, then you turned back, fleeing} [Surah al-Tawbah (9): 25]

And this is Qaaroon whom Allaah destroyed while he was at the peak of his glory:

﴿إِنَّ قَارُونَ كَانَ مِن قَوْمِ مُوسَىٰ فَبَغَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ وَآتَيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْكُنُوزِ مَا إِنَّ مَفَاتِحَهُ لَتَنُوءُ بِالْعُصْبَةِ أُولِي الْقُوَّةِ إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ قَوْمُهُ لَا تَفْرَحْ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْفَرِحِينَ﴾ الى أن قال سبحانه ﴿فَخَسَفْنَا بِهِ وَبِدَارِهِ الْأَرْضَ فَمَا كَانَ لَهُ مِن فِئَةٍ يَنصُرُونَهُ مِن دُونِ اللَّـهِ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُنتَصِرِينَ﴾

{Verily, Qaaroon was of Moosaa’s (Moses) people, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. And We gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. When his people said to him: “Do not be glad (with ungratefulness to Allaah's Favors). Verily! Allaah likes not those who are glad (with ungratefulness to Allah's Favors)} till the saying of Allaah تعالى: {And We caused the earth to swallow him and his home. And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allaah, nor was he of those who [could] defend themselves.} [Surah al-Qasas (28): 76-81]

And Allaah تعالى send down his punishment on the people of `Aad because they became arrogant and were filled with pride and boasted about their strength and they forgot about that the One who created them and gave them the strength:

﴿فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً ۖ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّـهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً ۖ وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ﴾

{As for `Aad, they were arrogant in the land without right, and they said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?” See they not that Allaah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them? And they used to deny Our Aayat} [Surah Fussilat (41): 15]

By Allaah! When we see and hear about the atrocities which the enemies of Allaah - the Jews and the Christians - commit, and when we see their arrogance and their pride, we say that indeed it is a sign of the downfall of their nation and glory.

اللهم أعز الإسلام والمسلمين ،

اللهم قنا شر الفتن ،

اللهم وفقنا وأهلينا ومجتمعاتنا وبلاد المسلمين لطاعتك ، وجنبنا معاصيك ، واحفظنا بحفظك .

اللهم عافنا ؛ وتجاوز عنا ، ولا تؤاخذنا بسوء أعمالنا ولا بما فعله السفهاء منا .

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