COME!
SAID THE SPIDER TO THE FLY

Sister Shariffa Carlo

Recently, I made a visit to some of my relatives in the deep South of USA. 

While I wish and pray that Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) would guide them, I must admit that this visit has been an eye-opener for me. There is a certain blessing in having people who are close enough to you to not fear telling you how they really feel. Living in the West, we see all kinds of smiling faces. Most people fear the label of bigotry or harassment, so they won’t show their true colors. But, with family, all veils are lifted. Family, especially parents, have no problem telling you how it is, straight to your face, and when you are Muslim, they know all about that “honor your parents” clause that keeps you from going off when you hear it.

Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) says:

“O you who believe! do not take for intimate friends from among others than your own people; they do not fall short of inflicting loss upon you; they love what distresses you; vehement hatred has already appeared from out of their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater still; indeed, We have made the communications clear to you, if you will understand.” (3:118)

My family is not an untypical household. They are worldly educated, socially and politically active members of this society. My father, even worse, was in a position of command in the Army. So he had the power to act upon his convictions.

With me, my family is at ease, able to tell me how Muslims should be watched more carefully because, to some people, we are a dangerous group. Most of “those people”, according to them, come from outside countries where they have no freedom. They have the nerve to take assistance from this government and ungratefully speak against us and bite the hand that feeds them. It seems that the constitution does not apply to them, even if they are citizens. No matter what the government does to them, they can not complain because where they come from is worse.

When we discussed the number of Muslims targeted inequitably by the Secret evidences act (The act’s sponsors say more than 20 of the 25 individuals held based on secret evidence are Muslims and / or Arabs). They said that if our government has arrested them, there must be a valid reason. (I forgot, America is the land of freedom; those things don’t happen here like they do in Russia or someplace like that). They seem to feel that if our great government arrested these Muslims, there must be a valid reason. As they told me, I have to be reasonable. Look at all the hate these Muslims spout during their sermons. They are always criticizing the government. They are always complaining. They blew up that building in New York, didn’t they? Even they need to be kept track of the minute they start speaking against the US. The FBI has to be aware.

Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) protect us from what they hide, if this is what they say!!!

Opening the front page of the newspaper to show them that all Americans complain about the government, or pointing out to them that they proudly display a picture hanging in the kitchen of Clinton taken at the moment he denied being a “bad boy” and another of Nixon saying “I am not a crook” was useless. But of course, that is different. They are Americans. Muslims aren’t (except me of course, but only marginally, and they are just waiting for the other shoe {or bomb} to drop.)

This is just one of the many beautiful conversations I had this vacation. My eyes are wide open. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) gave me another opportunity to remember His words. I had missed my family so badly that I couldn’t wait until I came here for my little vacation. I forgot that while they are my family, there is a veil between us, Islam, which has to guide my attitudes and even my emotions, no matter how difficult or painful.

Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) says:

“You wilt not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, loving those who resist Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their fathers or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred. For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with a spirit from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow, to dwell therein (for ever). Allah will be well pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of Allah. Truly it is the Party of Allah that will achieve Felicity. (58:22)

One of the Sahaabah (Companions) took this principle so much to heart that after the conquest of Makkah al Mukarramah, when his father had become Muslim, he had a conversation with him. His father said that he had been seeking out his son in battle because they had been on opposing sides, and he did not want to have to meet him in battle. The son said that he had been seeking out his father to kill him. And he was not alone among the companions.

Sounds harsh? Sounds terroristic? Sounds like a horrible Oedipal patricidal scenario? Only if we forget the words of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa). Only if we love anyone or anything more than we love Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and then His Messenger (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam), or if we allow the attitudes of the unbeliever paint our perceptions. I love my parents. I love them to want to guide them. But I will not accept from them to belittle Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) or His Messenger (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam). I will argue (with respect) with them when they verbally abuse the Muslims. And if worse comes to worse, and I pray Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) never tests me with this, I will contest them till my last breath to defend my Muslim brothers and sisters. This is Islam. I am here not to please them, but to please Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa), and the word of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) must reign supreme, even if it means I have to suppress every loving familial feeling I have, because Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) commanded me and you: “Say: If your fathers, and your sons, and your brethren, and your wives, and your tribe, and the wealth you have acquired, and merchandise for which you fear that there will no sale, and dwellings you desire are dearer to you than Allah and His messenger and striving in His way: then wait till Allah bringeth His command to pass. Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.” (9:24)

Remember how Prophet Noah turned his back to his own son when Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) told him:

“And Noah called upon his Lord, and said: “O my Lord! Surely my son is of my family! And Thy promise is true, and You art the Justest of judges!” He said: O Noah! Lo! he is not of your household; Loa! he is of evil conduct, So ask not of Me that whereof your have no knowledge. I admonish you lest you be among the ignorant.” (11:45-46)

Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) has commanded this of us in regards to our families. The Sahaabah of Prophet Mohammad (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) understood this, as did Prophet Moosa, and all this was against blood relatives. What then should we say about the stranger? How many of us have heard or (Allah-forbid) said, “I prefer to be with the non-Muslims because they treat me better than some Muslims.” Or on a lesser note, “I prefer to do business with the non-Muslims because the Muslims overcharge or cheat.” This may be true. Not all Muslims are perfect, but even the worst Muslim is better and will get you Jannah (Paradise) quicker than the best non-Muslim. Big smiles are nice, but do we not believe Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) who tells us:

“Ah! you are those who love them, but they love you not,- though you believe in the whole of the Book. When they meet you, they say, “We believe”: But when they are alone, they bite off the very tips of their fingers at you in their rage. Say: “Perish in you rage; Allah knoweth well all the secrets of the heart. If any good befalls you, it is evil unto them, and if disaster strikes you they rejoice in it. But if you persevere and keep from evil their guile will never harm you. Lo! Allah is Surrounding what they do. (3:119-120)

Or do we disbelieve Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) when He warns:

“O you who believe! If you obey a party of those who have received the Scripture they will make you disbelievers after your belief.” (3:100)

Have we placed our trusts in the smiling faces and distrusted Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) Who knows the hearts of man? Are our senses more believable than Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)? They seem so nice... They sound like they care about us... They act like they are our friends... But are they?

Do we not believe the words of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa). Do we not trust Him when He says:

“Quite a number of the People of the Book wish they could Turn you (people) back to infidelity after you have believed, from selfish envy, after the Truth have become Manifest unto them: But forgive and overlook, Till Allah accomplish His purpose; for Allah Have power over all things.” (2:109)

Do we not even believe Him when He warns us:

“And the Jews will not be pleased with you, nor the Christians until you follow their religion. Say: Surely Allah’s guidance, that is the (true) guidance. And if you follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you shall have no guardian from Allah, nor any helper. (2:120)

We need to trust Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa). We need to Fear the punishment of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) if we fail to place our trust in Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa), and we need to remember the warnings and commands of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa), not letting those who seek to misguide us do so with their sweet words and smiling faces. Let’s place our trust in Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa), and distrust our senses and instincts. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) says:
“Say: “Sufficient is Allah for me! In Him trust those who put their trust.” (39:38)

If we rationalize away the words of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa), what is left?

Finally remember the command of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa):

“O you who believe! Turn not (for friendship) to people on whom is the Wrath of Allah, of the Hereafter they are already in despair, just as the Unbelievers are in despair about those (buried) in graves. (6:13)

O Allah! Make us your faithful slaves! O Allah! Make us trust you above ourselves. O Allah! Forgive us. Aameen!

Back