In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Al-Istiqaamah

Issue No.6

"Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic - said:

"Indeed, Allaah will help those who help His cause. Indeed Allaah is all-Powerful, all-Mighty." [Soorah al-Hajj 22:40].

Imaam ash-Shanqeetee (d. 1 393H)- rahimahullaah - said:
"Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic - explains in this noble Verse that He has promised to help and give victory to those who help Him. And it is known that the help and victory of Allaah comes by following what He has prescribed, obeying His command, avoiding His prohibitions, helping His Messengers and their followers, aiding His Religion and fighting against His enemies and overpowering them; until the word of Allaah is made uppermost and the word of His enemies is debased. Then Allaah - the Most High - explains the characteristics of those whom He has promised would receive His help and victory, distinguishing them from others. So Allaah said about those to whom He promised He would aid and grant victory to - for indeed He is the One to aid and grant victory:

"Those who, if We establish them in the earth, establish the Prayer, give the zakaah, enjoin the good and forbid the evil." [Soorah al-Hajj 22:41].

So this noble Verse points to the fact that whoever helps Allaah, then Allaah will help and aid them. This is clearly explained in Allaah - the Most High's - sayings:

"O you who Believe. If you help Allaah, Allaah will help you; and establish your feet firmly. But those who disbelieve, for them is destruction and Allaah will make their deeds vain." [Soorah Muhammad 47:7].

"Indeed, Our Word has gone forth of old for Our slaves, the Messengers, that they will certainly be victorious; and that Our forces will certainly be triumphant." [Soorah as-Saaffaat 37:171-173]

"Allaah has Decreed: It is I and My Messenger who will prevail." [Soorah al-Mujaadalah 58:21].

"Allaah has promised to those amongst you who have eemaan (certainty of belief) and do righteous actions, that He will grant you the khilaafah (succession) in the land." [Soorah an-Noor 24:55].

So in Allaah - the Most High's - saying: "Those who, if We establish them in the earth, establish the Prayer, give the Zakaah, enjoin the good and forbid the evil." [Soorah al-Hajj 22:41], in this is a proof that there is no promise from Allaah of His help, except by establishing the Salaah (Prayer), paying the Zakaah, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil. So it is these whom Allaah will establish upon the earth, and through whom He will strengthen His Word. However, those who do not establish the Salaah (Prayer), nor pay the Zakaah, nor enjoin the good. nor forbid the evil, then there is no promise from Allaah that He will aid and grant them victory. Such people are not from His party, nor are they His friends; those who have the promise of His help and victory. Rather, such people are from the party of Shaytaan and his friends. So if they were to expect the help of Allaah and the fulfillment of His promise upon them, then their example would be like that of a hired worker who refuses to do the job that he was hired for, yet he expects to be rewarded. So whosoever is like this, then he has no intellect!"1

So the help that we so desperately await, and the victory that we so strongly desire will only come about by: "The Muslims returning and repenting to their Lord, correcting their 'aqeedoh (beliefs) and cultivating themselves and their families upon the pure and correct Islaam; putting into effect Allaah - the Most High's - saying:

"Never will Allaah change the condition of a people, until they change themselves." [Soorah ar-Ra'd 13:11]."2

1. Adwaa' ul-Bayaan (5/703-704) of 'Allaamah ash-Shanqeetee.
2. Al-'Aqeedatut-Tahaawiyyah Sharh wat-Ta'leeq (p.47) of Shaykh al-Albaanee.