The most remarkable in this ayat to me in this subject, its really fascinating, its really if you think about it, its fascinating. Allah says “have a world inside them.” Allah says then for that reason - invite. What the Prophets job at the end of the day? Inviting people. That his job. Allah says “I have listed before you 3 major major major problems, with this audience you have infront of you.” Enough for everybody else to say ‘theres no point to invite them. There no point theres no purpose’. Allah says “actually because of this problems are so major, that is why you have to invite them, that is why I chose you(s.a.w), this is not just any man’s job, this is your job, if the problem was small it wouldnt need the greatest messenger of all humanity. It is because the problems are so big you’re need it.” the motivation given to him(s.a.w) is ‘this is the toughest crowd you’ll ever have - nobody’s ever had. And you’ll deal with them directly.’
previous prophets, think about it, previous prophets, 1 dealt 1 kind of problem, Jesus(Isa A.S) dealt with the people with the book, Zakharia dealt with the people with the book, but this prophet(Muhammad s.a.w) has to dealt with everybody.
And what this telling you and myself, and this coming back to us now, when muslims get together for dinner, eat, parties, etc, what are we discuss? Problems. We loveee discussing problems. “man, this is going on and that is going on and they’re doing this and this one doing that.” Omg we lovee problems. And you know some of you masyaallah her season problem disscussion experts. She spent her entire life, thats her sunnah established. And you know what Allah says yes there are huge problems but you and I will be alive in 2012 around of these problems that He knows is qualified to solves those problems. Because of those problems you and I exist. Because those problems have to solved that you and I given air to breath. Thats why we’re here. And stand firm dont buckle coz you see problems. Stand firm as you commanded.
— Nouman Ali Khan.
“The more we reacting this way, the more we’re encouraging others to assume more hateful speech. We need to learn to respond in mature, silver, and higher discourse the way Qur’an and the Sunnah of our Messenger legacy our Prophet expects from us.” -Nouman Ali Khan.
“Now listen to this.. Allah in this surah.. Allah mention something very very heavy. and i want to share to this ayat with you on the same surah.. Allah says “you are all, for sure, no doubt about it, going to be tested.” tested in what? in your moneys, and in your own selves. your money will be in danger, and yourselves will be in danger. you’ll feel frightened. you’ll feel lost of people. you’ll feel this trial financially, and socially. then what else He says? “you will no doubt about it definitely i swear to it you will definitely hear from them a lot of painful words.” you’ll get to hear a lot of painful things from them. is that happening today? are we hear painful things from that community..
And we have to here this things, but now Allah says “now that you’ll get to hear what should be your reaction?” what should be your reaction and this where we have to be harsh on ourselves. we have to tough on ourselves. Muslims nowadays are nothing but an emotional puppets. they don’t act calm, collected manner, which is the way of Allah and the Messenger (SAW)’s.
What should you do? Allah Himselves says, “and if you’re be able to be patience, ..” patience means controlling your anger. we are suppose to be patience, we are all suppose to continue to be takwa to Allah..
This is not new.. Allah did this too to the Messenger (S.A.W). so don’t blame the population, that is syaitan doing his job, we just have to do a better job, that’s all. we have to do our job. we have to clarify this deen.”
-Nouman Ali Khan. (click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd09Ox5K-rA)
“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patience.” -Quran 2:155
“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, truly it is extremely heavy and hard except for humbly submissive [to Allah]” -Quran 2:45.
“And Allah loves As-Sabirun (the patience ones)” -Quran 3:146.
“The real patience is at the first stroke of a calamity.” -(Bukhari)
“No calamity occurs, but by the permission of Allah, and whosover believes in Allah, He guides his heart. And Allah is the All-Knower of everything.” -Quran 64:11.
“When according to Islam, we should be 1st, Controlling our anger and 2nd, Learning how to react which is Islamic, afterall we are trying to defend Islam. There have been people who have had great hatered for Islam and the Prophet (s.a.w.) yet they became the best of Muslims. So before you start saying “Death to you!”, “May they burn in Hell!” and “Kill them all!” - Think, is this what a Muslim is supposed to do?” -Owner of this video.
![“Islam began as something strange, and it shall return to being something strange, so give glad tidings to the strangers.”The Meaning of “Strangeness”Many times in many situations the people that follow the religion of Allah feel a sense of not belonging, of being out of place, of not fitting in, and, in other words, of being strange. This feeling could occur in a gathering of non-Muslims, but, unfortunately, this feeling sometimes also occurs when one is with his fellow Muslims.A person sees his brothers and sisters doing acts that are contrary to Islam, or taking part in innovations that sometimes even border on kufr (apostasy), yet he feels that he does not have enough power or courage to stop them in these acts. Some brothers and sisters, especially if they do not have enough taqwa or Islamic knowledge, sometimes buckle under the pressure of their peers and join in these acts, knowing that this is not what Allah wants them to do. However, feeling helpless, since it seems that they are alone in their ideas and without any support to help them do what is right, they succumb to such pressures.These brothers and sisters, may Allah have mercy on them, should take consolation in the verses of the Qur’an and the many statements of the Prophet (saws) describing this very situation of strangeness that they feel.Why Have They Been Called “Strangers”?Allah says in the Qur’an,“If only there had been, in the generations preceding you, people having wisdom, prohibiting others from evil in the earth; except a few of those whom we have saved from among them.” (Qur’an Hud 116).This verse speaks of the few people on earth, the “strangers”, who prohibit mankind from evil. These are the same people the Prophet (saws) spoke about when he said, “Islam began as something strange, and it shall return to being something strange, so give glad tidings to the strangers.” It was asked, “Who are those strangers, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “Those that correct the people when they become corrupt.” [Reported by Abu Amr al-Dani, from the hadith of ibn Masoud. It is authentic according to al-Albani. Another narration says, “Those that correct my Sunnah which has been corrupted by the people after me.”] In another narration he said in response to the same question, “They are a small group of people among a large evil population. Those who oppose them are more than those who follow them.” [Reported by ibn Asaakir. It is authentic according to al-Albani.]These praiseworthy people are called strangers since they are a small minority among mankind. Thus, Muslims are strangers among mankind; the true believers are strangers among Muslims; and the scholars are strangers among the true believers. And the followers of the Sunnah, those that clear themselves from all peoples of innovation, are likewise strangers.In reality, however, their strangeness is only because they are the minority and it is not because their actions and beliefs are strange. This is what Allah says in surah al-Anaam,“And if you obey most of the people on Earth, they will lead you astray” (Qur’an al-Anaam 116).Allah also says,“And most of mankind will not believe, even if you (O Muhammad) desire it eagerly” (Qur’an Yusuf 103);“And truly, most of mankind are rebellious and disobedient (to Allah).” (Qur’an al-Maidah 49)“But nay, most of mankind are ungrateful” (Qur’an Yusuf 38).Therefore, Allah, the All-Knowing Creator, knows the most of mankind will not follow the truth. Instead, only a small group of people will be set apart that truly and correctly believe in Him, the strangers from among mankind.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m73xs6rdyQ1qcqlk0o1_400.jpg)
“Islam began as something strange, and it shall return to being something strange, so give glad tidings to the strangers.”
The Meaning of “Strangeness”
Many times in many situations the people that follow the religion of Allah feel a sense of not belonging, of being out of place, of not fitting in, and, in other words, of being strange. This feeling could occur in a gathering of non-Muslims, but, unfortunately, this feeling sometimes also occurs when one is with his fellow Muslims.
A person sees his brothers and sisters doing acts that are contrary to Islam, or taking part in innovations that sometimes even border on kufr (apostasy), yet he feels that he does not have enough power or courage to stop them in these acts. Some brothers and sisters, especially if they do not have enough taqwa or Islamic knowledge, sometimes buckle under the pressure of their peers and join in these acts, knowing that this is not what Allah wants them to do. However, feeling helpless, since it seems that they are alone in their ideas and without any support to help them do what is right, they succumb to such pressures.
These brothers and sisters, may Allah have mercy on them, should take consolation in the verses of the Qur’an and the many statements of the Prophet (saws) describing this very situation of strangeness that they feel.
Why Have They Been Called “Strangers”?
Allah says in the Qur’an,
“If only there had been, in the generations preceding you, people having wisdom, prohibiting others from evil in the earth; except a few of those whom we have saved from among them.” (Qur’an Hud 116).
This verse speaks of the few people on earth, the “strangers”, who prohibit mankind from evil. These are the same people the Prophet (saws) spoke about when he said, “Islam began as something strange, and it shall return to being something strange, so give glad tidings to the strangers.” It was asked, “Who are those strangers, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “Those that correct the people when they become corrupt.” [Reported by Abu Amr al-Dani, from the hadith of ibn Masoud. It is authentic according to al-Albani. Another narration says, “Those that correct my Sunnah which has been corrupted by the people after me.”] In another narration he said in response to the same question, “They are a small group of people among a large evil population. Those who oppose them are more than those who follow them.” [Reported by ibn Asaakir. It is authentic according to al-Albani.]
These praiseworthy people are called strangers since they are a small minority among mankind. Thus, Muslims are strangers among mankind; the true believers are strangers among Muslims; and the scholars are strangers among the true believers. And the followers of the Sunnah, those that clear themselves from all peoples of innovation, are likewise strangers.
In reality, however, their strangeness is only because they are the minority and it is not because their actions and beliefs are strange. This is what Allah says in surah al-Anaam,
“And if you obey most of the people on Earth, they will lead you astray” (Qur’an al-Anaam 116).
Allah also says,
“And most of mankind will not believe, even if you (O Muhammad) desire it eagerly” (Qur’an Yusuf 103);
“And truly, most of mankind are rebellious and disobedient (to Allah).” (Qur’an al-Maidah 49)
“But nay, most of mankind are ungrateful” (Qur’an Yusuf 38).
Therefore, Allah, the All-Knowing Creator, knows the most of mankind will not follow the truth. Instead, only a small group of people will be set apart that truly and correctly believe in Him, the strangers from among mankind.
![“Islam began as a stranger and shall return as a stranger as it began. So give glad tidings to the strangers”.The meaning of this hadeeth is that Islam began as something strange, when the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) called people to Islam, but no one responded except a few here and there. At that time it was something strange because its people were like strangers amongst others and they were few in number and weak, in contrast to the great numbers and strength of their enemies who persecuted the Muslims. Then some of them migrated to Abyssinia, fleeing for the sake of their religion from tribulation and to save themselves from persecution and oppression, and the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) migrated at Allaah’s command to Madeenah, after suffering intense persecution and in the hope that Allaah would give him people to support him in his call and support Islam. Then Allaah fulfilled his hopes, granted victory to his troops and supported His slave. The Islamic state was established and Islam spread, with the help of Allaah, throughout the land; Allaah made the word of kufr lowest and the word of Allaah is (always) uppermost, for Allaah is Almighty, All-Wise, and honour, power and glory belong to Allaah, and to His Messenger, and to the believers [cf al-Munaafiqoon 63:8]. This continued for a long time, then division and dissent spread among the Muslims and weakness and failure increased gradually, until Islam once again became something strange as it was in the beginning. But this is not because of their small numbers, because at that time they will be many, rather it is because they do not adhere to their religion or cling to the Book of their Lord and the teachings of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), apart from those whom Allaah wills. So they become distracted and turn to competing in worldly matters, like those who came before them, and they fight amongst themselves for leadership. So the enemies of Islam found a way in and they colonized their lands, humiliated their people and treated them badly. This is the way in which Islam returned to being strange as it was in the beginning. A number of scholars – including Shaykh Muhammad Rasheed Rida – thought that this hadeeth gives ‘glad tidings’ of a second victory of Islam after it becomes something strange again. They base this on the metaphor used by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when he said, “… will revert to being strange as it began.” So just as following the initial strangeness and alienation the Muslims were victorious and Islam spread, this will happen again after the second period of strangeness and alienation.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m73xfd4tZS1qcqlk0o1_500.jpg)
“Islam began as a stranger and shall return as a stranger as it began. So give glad tidings to the strangers”.
The meaning of this hadeeth is that Islam began as something strange, when the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) called people to Islam, but no one responded except a few here and there. At that time it was something strange because its people were like strangers amongst others and they were few in number and weak, in contrast to the great numbers and strength of their enemies who persecuted the Muslims.
Then some of them migrated to Abyssinia, fleeing for the sake of their religion from tribulation and to save themselves from persecution and oppression, and the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) migrated at Allaah’s command to Madeenah, after suffering intense persecution and in the hope that Allaah would give him people to support him in his call and support Islam.
Then Allaah fulfilled his hopes, granted victory to his troops and supported His slave. The Islamic state was established and Islam spread, with the help of Allaah, throughout the land; Allaah made the word of kufr lowest and the word of Allaah is (always) uppermost, for Allaah is Almighty, All-Wise, and honour, power and glory belong to Allaah, and to His Messenger, and to the believers [cf al-Munaafiqoon 63:8].
This continued for a long time, then division and dissent spread among the Muslims and weakness and failure increased gradually, until Islam once again became something strange as it was in the beginning. But this is not because of their small numbers, because at that time they will be many, rather it is because they do not adhere to their religion or cling to the Book of their Lord and the teachings of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), apart from those whom Allaah wills.
So they become distracted and turn to competing in worldly matters, like those who came before them, and they fight amongst themselves for leadership. So the enemies of Islam found a way in and they colonized their lands, humiliated their people and treated them badly. This is the way in which Islam returned to being strange as it was in the beginning.
A number of scholars – including Shaykh Muhammad Rasheed Rida – thought that this hadeeth gives ‘glad tidings’ of a second victory of Islam after it becomes something strange again. They base this on the metaphor used by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when he said, “… will revert to being strange as it began.” So just as following the initial strangeness and alienation the Muslims were victorious and Islam spread, this will happen again after the second period of strangeness and alienation.