Alphabetical Index to the Holy Quran

Alphabetical Index to the Holy Quran12%

Alphabetical Index to the Holy Quran Author:
Publisher: www.al-islam.org
Category: Quran Text

Alphabetical Index to the Holy Quran
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Alphabetical Index to the Holy Quran

Alphabetical Index to the Holy Quran

Author:
Publisher: www.al-islam.org
English

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Prophets Musa and Haroun

[2:53] And when We gave Musa the Book and the distinction that you might walk aright.

[2:54] And when Musa said to his people: O my people! You have surely been unjust to yourselves by taking the calf (for a god), therefore turn to your Creator (penitently), so kill your people, that is best for you with your Creator: so He turned to you (mercifully), for surely He is the Oft-returning (to mercy), the Merciful.

[2:55] And when you said: O Musa! We will not believe in you until we see Allah manifestly, so the punishment overtook you while you looked on.

[2:60] And when Musa prayed for drink for his people, We said: Strike the rock with your staff So there gushed from it twelve springs; each tribe knew its drinking place: Eat and drink of the provisions of Allah and do not act corruptly in the land, making mischief.

[3:11] Like the striving of the people of Firon and those before them; they rejected Our communications, so Allah destroyed them on account of their faults; and Allah is severe in requiting (evil).

[5:20] And when Musa said to his people: O my people! Remember the favor of Allah upon you when He raised prophets among you and made you kings and gave you what He had not given to any other among the nations.

[5:21] O my people! Enter the holy land which Allah has prescribed for you and turn not on your backs for then you will turn back losers.

[5:22] They said: O Musa! Surely there is a strong race in it, and we will on no account enter it until they go out from it, so if they go out from it, then surely we will enter.

[5:23] Two men of those who feared, upon both of whom Allah had bestowed a favor, said: Enter upon them by the gate, for when you have entered it you shall surely be victorious, and on Allah should you rely if you are believers.

[5:24] They said: O Musa! We shall never enter it so long as they are in it; go therefore you and your Lord, then fight you both surely we will here sit down.

[5:25] He said: My Lord! Surely I have no control (upon any) but my own self and my brother; therefore make a separation between us and the nation of transgressors.

[5:26] He said: So it shall surely be forbidden to them for forty years, they shall wander about in the land, therefore do not grieve for the nation of transgressors.

[6:154] Again, We gave the Book to Musa to complete (Our blessings) on him who would do good (to others), and making plain all things and a guidance and a mercy, so that they should believe in the meeting of their Lord.

[7:103] Then we raised after them Musa with Our communications to Firon and his chiefs, but they disbelieved in them; consider then what was the end of the mischief makers.

[7:104] And Musa said: O Firon! Surely I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds:

[7:105] (I am) worthy of not saying anything about Allah except the truth: I have come to you indeed with clear proof from your Lord, therefore send with me the children of Israel

[7:106] He said: If you have come with a sign, then bring it, if you are of the truthful ones.

[7:107] So he threw his rod, then lo! It was a clear serpent.

[7:108] And he drew forth his hand, and lo! It was white to the beholders.

[7:109] The chiefs of Firon's people said: most surely this is an enchanter possessed of knowledge:

[7:110] He intends to turn you out of your land. What counsel do you then give?

[7:111] They said: Put him off and his brother, and send collectors into the cities:

[7:112] That they may bring to you every enchanter possessed of knowledge.

[7:113] And the enchanters came to Firon (and) said: We must surely have a reward if we are the prevailing ones.

[7:114] He said: Yes, and you shall certainly be of those who are near (to me).

[7:115] They said: O Musa! Will you cast, or shall we be the first to cast?

[7:116] He said: Cast. So when they cast, they deceived the people's eyes and frightened them, and they produced a mighty enchantment.

[7:117] And We revealed to Musa, saying: Cast your rod; then lo! It devoured the lies they told.

[7:118] So the truth was established, and what they did became null.

[7:119] Thus they were vanquished there, and they went back abased.

[7:120] And the enchanters were thrown down, prostrating

(themselves).

[7:121] They said: We believe in the Lord of the worlds,

[7:122] The Lord of Musa and Haroun.

[7:123] Firon said: Do you believe in Him before I have given you per- mission? Surely this is a plot which you have secretly devised in this city, that you may turn out of it its people, but you shall know:

[7:124] I will certainly cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, then will I crucify you all together.

[7:125] They said: Surely to our Lord shall we go back:

[7:126] And you do not take revenge on us except because we have believed in the communications of our Lord when they came to us! Our Lord: Pour out upon us patience and cause us to die in submission.

[7:127] And the chiefs of Firon's people said: Do you leave Musa and his people to make mischief in the land and to forsake you and your gods? He said: We will slay their sons and spare their women, and surely we are masters over them.

[7:128] Musa said to his people: Ask help from Allah and be patient; surely the land is Allah's; He causes such of His servants to inherit it as He pleases, and the end is for those who guard (against evil).

[7:129] They said: We have been persecuted before you came to us and since you have come to us. He said: It may be that your Lord will destroy your enemy and make you rulers in the land, then He will see how you act.

[7:130] And certainly We overtook Firon's people with droughts and diminution of fruits that they may be mindful.

[7:131] But when good befell them they said: This is due to us; and when evil afflicted them, they attributed it to the ill-luck of Musa and

those with him; surely their evil fortune is only from Allah but most of them do not know.

[7:132] And they said: Whatever sign you may bring to us to charm us with it, we will not believe in you.

[7:133] Therefore We sent upon them widespread death, and the locusts and the lice and the frog and the blood, clear signs; but they behaved haughtily and they were a guilty people.

[7:134] And when the plague fell upon them, they said: O Musa! Pray for us to your Lord as He has promised with you, if you remove the plague from us, we will certainly believe in you and we will certainly send away with you the children of Israel.

[7:135] But when We removed the plague from them till a term which they should attain lo! They broke (the promise).

[7:136] Therefore We inflicted retribution on them and drowned them in the sea because they rejected Our signs and were heedless of them.

[7:137] And We made the people who were deemed weak to inherit the eastern lands and the western ones which We had blessed; and the good word of your Lord was fulfilled in the children of Israel because they bore up (sufferings) patiently; and We utterly destroyed what Firon and his people had wrought and what they built.

[7:138] And We made the children of Israel to pass the sea; then they came upon a people who kept to the worship of their idols They said: O Musa! Make for us a god as they have (their) gods He said: Surely you are a people acting ignorantly:

[7:139] (As to) these, surely that about which they are shall be brought to naught and that which they do is vain.

[7:140] He said: What! Shall I seek for you a god other than Allah while He has made you excel (all) created things?

[7:141] And when We delivered you from Firon's people who subjected you to severe torment, killing your sons and sparing your women, and in this there was a great trial from your Lord.

[7:142] And We appointed with Musa a time of thirty nights and completed them with ten (more), so the appointed time of his Lord was complete forty nights, and Musa said to his brother Haroun: Take my place among my people, and act well and do not follow the way of the mischief-makers.

[7:143] And when Musa came at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said: My Lord! Show me (Thyself), so that I may look upon Thee. He said: You cannot (bear to) see Me but look at the mountain, if it remains firm in its place, then will you see Me; but when his

Lord manifested His glory to the mountain He made it crumble and Musa fell down in a swoon; then when he recovered, he said: Glory be to Thee, I turn to Thee, and I am the first of the believers.

[7:144] He said: O Musa! Surely I have chosen you above the people with My messages and with My words, therefore take hold of what I give to you and be of the grateful ones.

[7:145] And We ordained for him in the tablets admonition of every kind and clear explanation of all things; so take hold of them with firmness and enjoin your people to take hold of what is best thereof; I will show you the abode of the transgressors.

[7:146] I will turn away from My communications those who are unjustly proud in the earth; and if they see every sign they will not believe in It; and if they see the way of rectitude they do not take It for a way, and if they see the way of error. they take it for a way; this is because they rejected Our communications and were heedless of them.

[7:147] And (as to) those who reject Our communications and the meeting of the hereafter, their deeds are null. Shall they be rewarded except for what they have done?

[7:148] And Musa's people made of their ornaments a calf after him, a (mere) body, which gave a mooing sound. What! Could they not see that it did not speak to them nor guide them m the way? They took it (for worship) and they were unjust.

[7:149] And when they repented and saw that they had gone astray, they said: If our Lord show not mercy to us and forgive us we shall certainly be of the losers.

[7:150] And when Musa returned to his people, wrathful (and) in violent grief, he said: Evil is it that you have done after me; did you turn away from the bidding of your Lord?

And he threw down the tablets and seized his brother by the head, dragging him towards him. He said: Son of my mother! Surely the people reckoned me weak and had well-nigh slain me, therefore make not the enemies to rejoice over me and count me not among the unjust people.

[7:151] He said: My Lord! Forgive me and my brother and cause us to enter into Thy mercy, and Thou art the most Merciful of the merciful ones.

[7:152] (As for) those who took the calf (for a god), surely wrath from their Lord and disgrace in this world's life shall overtake them, and thus do We recompense the devisers of lies.

[7:154] And when Musa's anger calmed down he took up the tablets, and in the writing thereof was guidance and mercy for those who fear for the sake of their Lord.

[7:155] And Musa chose out of his people seventy men for Our appointment; so when the earthquake overtook them, he said: My Lord! If Thou hadst pleased, Thou hadst destroyed them before and myself (too); wilt Thou destroy us for what the fools among us have done? It is naught but Thy trial, Thou makest err with it whom Thou pleasest and guidest whom Thou pleasest: Thou art our Guardian, therefore for- give us and have mercy on us, and Thou art the best of the forgivers.

[7:156] And ordain for us good in this world's life and m the hereafter, for surely we turn to Thee. He said: (As for) My chastisement, I will afflict with it whom I please, and My mercy encompasses all things; so I will ordain it (specially) for those who guard (against evil) and pay the poor-rate, and those who believe in Our communications.

[7:159] And of Musa's people was a party who guided (people) with the truth, and thereby did they do justice.

[7:160] And We divided them into twelve tribes, as nations; and We revealed to Musa when his people asked him for water: Strike the rock with your staff, so outnowed from it twelve springs; each tribe knew its drinking place; and We made the clouds to give shade over them and We sent to them manna and quails: Eat of the good things We have given you. And they did not do Us any harm, but they did injustice to their own souls.

[7:161] And when it was said to them: Reside in this town and eat from it wherever you wish, and say, Put down from us our heavy burdens: and enter the gate making obeisance, We will forgive you your wrongs: We will give more to those who do good (to others).

[7:162] But those who were unjust among them changed it for a saying other than that which had been spoken to them; so We sent upon them a pestilence from heaven because they were unjust.

[7:175] And recite to them the narrative of him (Balam, who prayed for Musa’s arrest) to whom We give Our communications, but he withdraws himself from them, so the Shaitan overtakes him, so he is of those who go astray.

[7:176] And if We had pleased, We would certainly have exalted him thereby; but he clung to the earth and followed his low desire, so his par- able is as the parable of the dog; if you attack him he lolls out his tongue;

and if you leave him alone he lolls out his tongue; this is the parable of the people who reject Our communications; therefore relate the narrative that they may reflect.

[8:52] In the manner of the people of Firon and those before them; they disbelieved in Allah's communications, therefore Allah destroyed them on account of their faults; surely Allah is strong, severe in requiting (evil).

[8:54] In the manner of the people of Firon and those before them; they rejected the communications of their Lord, therefore We destroyed them on account of their faults and We drowned Firon's people, and they were all unjust.

[10:75] Then did We send up after them Musa and Haroun to Firon and his chiefs with Our signs, but they showed pride and they were a guilty people.

[10:76] So when the truth came to them from Us they said: This is most surely clear enchantment!

[10:77] Musa said: Do you say (this) of the truth when it has come to you? Is it magic? And the magicians are not successful.

[10:78] They said: Have you come to us to turn us away from what we found our fathers upon, and (that) greatness in the land should be for you two? And we are not going to believe in you.

[10:79] And Firon said: Bring to me every skillful magician.

[10:80] And when the magicians came, Musa said to them: Cast down what you have to cast.

[10:81] So when they cast down, Musa said to them: What you have brought is deception; surely Allah will make it naught; surely Allah does not make the work of mischief-makers to thrive.

[10:82] And Allah will show the truth to be the truth by His words, though the guilty may be averse (to it).

[10:83] But none believed in Musa except the offspring of his people, on account of the fear of Firon and their chiefs, lest he should persecute them; and most surely Firon was lofty in the land; and most surely he was of the extravagant.

[10:84] And Musa said: O my people! If you believe in Allah, then rely on Him (alone) if you submit (to Allah).

[10:85] So they said: On Allah we rely: O our Lord! Make us not subject to the persecution of the unjust people:

[10:86] And do Thou deliver us by Thy mercy from the unbelieving people.

[10:87] And We revealed to Musa and his brother, saying: Take for your people houses to abide in Egypt and make your houses places of worship and keep up prayer and give good news to the believers.

[10:88] And Musa said: Our Lord! Surely Thou hast given to Firon and his chiefs finery and riches in this world's life, to this end, our Lord, that they lead (people) astray from Thy way: Our Lord! Destroy their riches and harden their hearts so that they believe not until they see the painful punishment.

[10:89] He said: The prayer of you both has indeed been accepted, therefore continue in the right way and do not follow the path of those who do not know.

[10:90] And We made the children of Israel to pass through the sea, then Firon and his hosts followed them for oppression and tyranny; until when drowning overtook him, he said: I believe that there is no god but He in Whom the children of Israel believe and I am of those who submit.

[10:91] What! Now! and indeed you disobeyed before and you were of the mischief-makers.

[10:92] But We will this day deliver you with your body that you may be a sign to those after you, and most surely the majority of the people are heedless to Our communications.

[11:96] And certainly We sent Musa with Our communications and a clear authority,

[11:97] To Firon and his chiefs, but they followed the bidding of Firon, and Firon's bidding was not right-directing.

[11:98] He shall lead his people on the resurrection day, and bring them down to the fire; and evil the place to which they are brought.

[11:99] And they are overtaken by curse in this (world), and on the resurrection day, evil the gift which shall be given.

[11:110] And certainly We gave the book to Musa, but it was gone against; and had not a word gone forth from your Lord, the matter would surely have been decided between them; and surely they are in a disquieting doubt about it.

[11:111] And your Lord will most surely pay back to all their deeds in full; surely He is aware of what they do.

[14:5] And certainly We sent Musa with Our communications, saying: Bring forth your people from utter darkness into light and remind them of the days of Allah; most surely there are signs in this for every patient, grateful one.

[14:6] And when Musa said to his people: Call to mind Allah's favor to you when He delivered you from Firon's people, who subjected you to severe torment, and slew your sons and spared your women; and in this there was a great trial from your Lord.

[14:7] And when your Lord made it known: If you are grateful, I would certainly give to you more, and if you are ungrateful, My chastisement is truly severe.

[14:8] And Musa said: If you are ungrateful, you and those on earth all together, most surely Allah is Self-sufficient, Praised;

[17:2] And We gave Musa the Book and made it a guidance to the children of Israel, saying: Do not take a protector besides Me (Allah);

[17:101] And certainly We gave Musa nine clear signs; so ask the children of Israel. When he came to them, Firon said to him: Most surely I deem you, O Musa, to be a man deprived of reason.

[17:102] He said: Truly you know that none but the Lord of the heavens and the earth has sent down these as clear proof and most surely I believe you, O Firon, to be given over to perdition.

[17:103] So he desired to destroy them out of the earth, but We drowned him and those with him all together;

[17:104] And We said to the Israelites after him: Dwell in the land: and when the promise of the next life shall come to pass, we will bring you both together in judgment.

[19:51] And mention Musa in the Book; surely he was one purified, and he was a messenger, a prophet.

[19:52] And We called to him from the blessed side of the mountain, and We made him draw nigh, holding communion (with Us).

[19:53] And We gave to him out of Our mercy his brother Haroun a prophet.

[20:9] And has the story of Musa come to you?

[20:10] When he saw fire, he said to his family: Stop, for surely I see a fire, haply I may bring to you therefrom a live coal or find a guidance at the fire.

[20:11] So when he came to it, a voice was uttered: O Musa:

[20:12] Surely I am your Lord, therefore put off your shoes; surely you are in the sacred valley, Tuwa,

[20:13] And I have chosen you, so listen to what is revealed:

[20:14] Surely I am Allah, there is no god but I, therefore serve Me and keep up prayer for My remembrance:

[20:15] Surely the hour is coming, I am about to make it manifest, so that every soul may be rewarded as it strives:

[20:16] Therefore let not him who believes not in it and follows his low desires turn you away from it so that you should perish;

[20:17] And what is this in your right hand, O Musa!

[20:18] He said: This is my staff: I recline on it and I beat the leaves with it to make them fall upon my sheep, and I have other uses for it.

[20:19] He said: Cast it down, O Musa!

[20:20] So he cast it down; and lo! It was a serpent running.

[20:21] He said: Take hold of it and fear not; We will restore it to its former state:

[20:22] And press your hand to your side, it shall come out white without evil: another sign:

[20:23] That We may show you of Our greater signs:

[20:24] Go to Firon, surely he has exceeded all limits.

[20:25] He said: O my Lord! Expand my breast for me,

[20:26] And make my affair easy to me,

[20:27] And loose the knot from my tongue,

[20:28] (That) they may understand my word;

[20:29] And give to me an aider from my family:

[20:30] Haroun, my brother,

[20:31] Strengthen my back by him,

[20:32] And associate him (with me) in my affair,

[20:33] So that we should glorify Thee much,

[20:34] And remember Thee oft.

[20:35] Surely, Thou art seeing us.

[20:36] He said: You are indeed granted your petition, O Musa

[20:37] And certainly We bestowed on you a favor at another time;

[20:38] When We revealed to your mother what was revealed;

[20:39] Saying: Put him into a chest, then cast it down into the river, then the river shall throw him on the shore; there shall take him up one who is an enemy to Me and enemy to him, and I cast down upon you love from Me, and that you might be brought up before My eyes;

[20:40] When your sister went and said: Shall I direct you to one who will take charge of him? So We brought you back to your mother, that her eye might be cooled and she should not grieve and you killed a man, then We delivered you from the grief, and We tried you with (a severe) trying. Then you stayed for years among the people of Madyan; then you came hither as ordained, O Musa.

[20:41] And I have chosen you for Myself:

[20:42] Go you and your brother with My communications and be not remiss in remembering Me;

[20:43] Go both to Firon, surely he has become inordinate;

[20:44] Then speak to him a gentle word haply he may mind or fear.

[20:45] Both said: O our Lord! Surely we fear that he may hasten to do evil to us or that he may become inordinate.

[20:46] He said: Fear not, surely I am with you both: I do hear and see.

[20:47] So go you both to him and say: Surely we are two messengers of your Lord; therefore send the children of Israel with us and do not torment them! Indeed we have brought to you a communication from your Lord, and peace is on him who follows the guidance;

[20:48] Surely it has been revealed to us that the chastisement will surely come upon him who rejects and turns back.

[20:49] (Firon) said: And who is your Lord, O Musa?

[20:50] He said: Our Lord is He Who gave to everything its creation, then guided it (to its goal).

[20:51] He said: Then what is the state of the former generations?

[20:52] He said: The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a book, my Lord errs not, nor does He forget;

[20:56] And truly We showed him Our signs, all of them, but he (Firon) rejected and refused.

[20:57] Said he: Have you come to us that you should turn us out of our land by your magic, O Musa?

[20:58] So we too will produce before you magic like it, therefore make between us and you an appointment, which we should not break, (neither) we nor you, (in) a central place.

[20:59] (Musa) said: Your appointment is the day of the Festival and let the people be gathered together in the early forenoon.

[20:60] So Firon turned his back and settled his plan, then came.

[20:61] Musa said to them: Woe to you! Do not forge a lie against Allah, lest He destroy you by a punishment, and he who forges (a lie) indeed fails to attain (his desire).

[20:62] So they disputed with one another about their affair and kept the discourse secret.

[20:63] They said: These are most surely two magicians who wish to turn you out from your land by their magic and to take away your best traditions.

[20:64] Therefore settle your plan, then come standing in ranks and he will prosper indeed this day who overcomes.

[20:65] They said: O Musa! Will you cast, or shall we be the first who cast down?

[20:66] He said: Nay! Cast down. then lo! Their cords and their rods, it was imaged to him on account of their magic as if they were running.

[20:67] So Musa conceived in his mind a fear.

[20:68] We said: Fear not, surely you shall be the uppermost,

[20:69] And cast down what is in your right hand; it shall devour what they have wrought; they have wrought only the plan of a magician, and the magician shall not be successful wheresoever he may come from.

[20:70] And the magicians were cast down making obeisance; they said: We believe in the Lord of Haroun and Musa.

[20:71] (Firon) said: You believe in him before I give you leave; most surely he is the chief of you who taught you enchantment, therefore I will certainly cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will certainly crucify you on the trunks of the palm trees, and certainly you will come to know which of us is the more severe and the more abiding in chastising.

[20:72] They said: We do not prefer you to what has come to us of clear arguments and to He Who made us, therefore decide what you are going to decide; you can only decide about this world's life.

[20:73] Surely we believe in our Lord that He may forgive us our sins and the magic to which you compelled us; and Allah is better and more abiding.

[20:77] And certainly We revealed to Musa, saying: Travel by night with My servants, then make for them a dry path in the sea, not fearing to be overtaken, nor being afraid.

[20:78] And Firon followed them with his armies, so there came upon them of the sea that which came upon them.

[20:79] And Firon led astray his people and he did not guide (them) aright.

[20:80] O children of Israel! Indeed We delivered you from your enemy, and We made a covenant with you on the blessed side of the mountain, and We sent to you the manna and the quails.

[20:81] Eat of the good things We have given you for sustenance, and be not inordinate with respect to them, lest My wrath should be due to you, and to whomsoever My wrath is due be shall perish indeed.

[20:83] And what caused you to hasten from your people, O Musa?

[20:84] He said: They are here on my track and I hastened on to Thee, my Lord, that Thou mightest be pleased.

[20:85] He said: So surely We have tried your people after you, and the Samiri has led them astray.

[20:86] So Musa returned to his people wrathful, sorrowing. Said he: O my people! Did not your Lord promise you a goodly promise: did then the time seem long to you, or did you wish that displeasure from your Lord should be due to you, so that you broke (your) promise to me?

[20:87] They said: We did not break (our) promise to you of our own accord, but we were made to bear the burdens of the ornaments of the people, then we made a casting of them, and thus did the Samiri suggest.

[20:88] So he brought forth for them a calf, a (mere) body, which had a mooing sound, so they said: This is your god and the god of Musa, but he forgot.

[20:89] What! Could they not see that it did not return to them a reply, and (that) it did not control any harm or benefit for them?

[20:90] And certainly Haroun had said to them before: O my people! You are only tried by it, and surely your Lord is the Beneficent Allah, therefore follow me and obey my order.

[20:91] They said: We will by no means cease to keep to its worship until Musa returns to us.

[20:92] (Musa) said: O Haroun! What prevented you, when you saw them going astray,

[20:93] So that you did not follow me? Did you then disobey my order?

[20:94] He said: O son of my mother! Seize me not by my beard nor by my head; surely I was afraid lest you should say: You have caused a division among the children of Israel and not waited for my word.

[20:95] He said: What was then your object, O Samiri?

[20:96] He said: I saw (Jibreel) what they did not see, so I took a handful (of the dust) from the footsteps of the messenger, then I threw it in the casting; thus did my soul commend to me

[20:97] He (Musa) said: Begone then, surely for you (Samiri) it will be in this life to say, Touch (me) not; and surely there is a threat for you, which shall not be made to fail to you, and look at your god to whose worship you kept (so long); we will certainly burn it, then we will certainly scatter it a (wide) scattering in the sea.

[21:48] And certainly We gave to Musa and Haroun the Furqan and a light and a reminder for those who would guard (against evil).

[21:49] (For) those who fear their Lord in secret and they are fearful of the hour.

[21:50] And this is a blessed Reminder which We have revealed; will you then deny it?

[23:45] Then We sent Musa and his brother Haroun, with Our communications and a clear authority,

[23:46] To Firon and his chiefs, but they behaved haughtily and they were an insolent people.

[23:47] And they said: What! Shall we believe in two mortals like ourselves while their people serve us?

[23:48] So they rejected them and became of those who were destroyed.

[23:49] And certainly We gave Musa the Book that they may follow a right direction.

[25:35] And certainly We gave Musa the Book and We appointed with him his brother Haroun an aider.

[25:36] Then We said: Go you both to the people who rejected Our communications; so We destroyed them with utter destruction.

[26:10] And when your Lord called out to Musa, saying: Go to the un- just people,

[26:11] The people of Firon: Will they not guard (against evil)?

[26:12] He said: O my Lord! Surely I fear that they will reject me;

[26:13] And by breast straitens, and my tongue is not eloquent, therefore send Thou to Haroun (to help me);

[26:14] And they have a crime against me, therefore I fear that they may slay me.

[26:15] He said: By no means, so go you both with Our signs; surely We are with you, hearing;

[26:16] Then come to Firon and say: Surely we are the messengers of the Lord of the worlds:

[26:17] Then send with us the children of Israel.

[26:18] (Firon) said: Did we not bring you up as a child among us, and you tarried among us for (many) years of your life?

[26:19] And you did (that) deed of yours which you did, and you are one of the ungrateful.

[26:20] He said: I did it then while I was of those unable to see the right course;

[26:21] So I fled from you when I feared you, then my Lord granted me wisdom and made me of the messengers;

[26:22] And is it a favor of which you remind me that you have enslaved the children of Israel?

[26:23] Firon said: And what is the Lord of the worlds?

[26:24] He said: The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, if you would be sure.

[26:25] (Firon) said to those around him: Do you not hear?

[26:26] He said: Your Lord and the Lord of your fathers of old.

[26:27] Said he: Most surely your Messenger who is sent to you is mad.

[26:28] He said: The Lord of the east and the west and what is between them, if you understand.

[26:29] Said he: If you will take a god besides me, I will most certainly make you one of the imprisoned.

[26:30] He said: What! Even if I bring to you something manifest?

[26:31] Said he: Bring it then, if you are of the truthful ones.

[26:32] So he cast down his rod, and lo! It was an obvious serpent,

[26:33] And he drew forth his hand, and lo! It appeared white to the onlookers.

[26:34] (Firon) said to the chiefs around him: Most surely this is a skillful magician,

[26:35] Who desires to turn you out of your land with his magic; what is it then that you advise?

[26:36] They said: Give him and his brother respite and send heralds into the cities

[26:37] That they should bring to you every skillful magician.

[26:38] So the magicians were gathered together at the appointed time on the fixed day,

[26:39] And it was said to the people: Will you gather together?

[26:40] Haply we may follow the magicians, if they are the vanquishers.

[26:41] And when the magicians came, they said to Firon: Shall we get a reward if we are the vanquishers?

[26:42] He said: Yes, and surely you will then be of those who are made near.

[26:43] Musa said to them: Cast what you are going to cast.

[26:44] So they cast down their cords and their rods and said: By Firon's power, we shall most surely be victorious.

[26:45] Then Musa cast down his staff and lo! It swallowed up the lies they told.

[26:46] And the magicians were thrown down prostrate;

[26:47] They said: We believe in the Lord of the worlds:

[26:48] The Lord of Musa and Haroun.

[26:49] Said he: You believe in him before I give you permission; most surely he is the chief of you who taught you the magic, so you shall know: certainly I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and certainly I will crucify you all.

[26:50] They said: No harm; surely to our Lord we go back;

[26:51] Surely we hope that our Lord will forgive us our wrongs because we are the first of the believers.

[26:52] And We revealed to Musa, saying: Go away with My servants travelling by night, surely you will be pursued.

[26:53] So Firon sent heralds into the cities;

[26:54] Most surely these are a small company;

[26:55] And most surely they have enraged us;

[26:56] And most surely we are a vigilant multitude.

[26:57] So We turned them out of gardens and springs,

[26:58] And treasures and goodly dwellings,

[26:59] Even so. And We gave them as a heritage to the children of Israel.

[26:60] Then they pursued them at sunrise.

[26:61] So when the two hosts saw each other, the companions of Musa cried out: Most surely we are being overtaken.

[26:62] He said: By no means; surely my Lord is with me: He will show me a way out.

[26:63] Then We revealed to Musa: Strike the sea with your staff. So it had cloven asunder, and each part was like a huge mound.

[26:64] And We brought near, there, the others.

[26:65] And We saved Musa and those with him, all of them.

[26:66] Then We drowned the others.

[26:67] Most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe.

[27:7] When Musa said to his family: Surely I see fire; I will bring to you from it some news, or I will bring to you there from a burning firebrand so that you may warm yourselves.

[27:8] So when he came to it a voice was uttered saying: Blessed is Whoever is in the fire and whatever is about it; and glory be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds;

[27:9] O Musa! surely I am Allah, the Mighty, the Wise;

[27:10] And cast down your staff. So when he saw it in motion as if it were a serpent, he turned back retreating and did not return: O Musa! fear not; surely the messengers shall not fear in My presence;

[27:11] Neither he who has been unjust, then he does good instead after evil, for surely I am the Forgiving, the Merciful:

[27:12] And enter your hand into the opening of your bosom, it shall come forth white without evil; among nine signs to Firon and his people, surely they are a transgressing people.

[27:13] So when Our clear signs came to them, they said: This is clear enchantment.

[27:14] And they denied them unjustly and proudly while their soul had been convinced of them; consider, then how was the end of the mischief-makers.

[28:3] We recite to you from the account of Musa and Firon with truth for people who believe.

[28:4] Surely Firon exalted himself in the land and made its people into parties, weakening one party from among them; he slaughtered their sons and let their women live; surely he was one of the mischief-makers.

[28:5] And We desired to bestow a favor upon those who were deemed weak in the land, and to make them the Imams, and to make them the heirs,

[28:6] And to grant them power in the land, and to make Firon and Haman and their hosts see from them what they feared.

[28:7] And We revealed to Musa's mothers, saying: Give him suck, then when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear nor grieve; surely We will bring him back to you and make him one of the messengers.

[28:8] And Firon's family took him up that he might be an enemy and a grief for them; surely Firon and Haman and their hosts were wrongdoers.

[28:9] And Firon's wife said: A refreshment of the eye to me and to you; do not slay him; maybe he will be useful to us, or we may take him for a son; and they did not perceive.

[28:10] And the heart of Musa's mother was free (from anxiety) she would have almost disclosed it had We not strengthened her heart so that she might be of the believers.

[28:11] And she said to his sister: Follow him up. So she watched him from a distance while they did not perceive,

[28:12] And We ordained that he refused to suck any foster mother be- fore, so she said: Shall I point out to you the people of a house who will take care of him for you, and they will be benevolent to him?

[28:13] So We gave him back to his mother that her eye might be refreshed, and that she might not grieve, and that she might know that the promise of Allah is true, but most of them do not know.

[28:14] And when he attained his maturity and became full grown, We granted him wisdom and knowledge; and thus do We reward those who do good (to others).

[28:15] And he went into the city at a time of unvigilance on the part of its people, so he found therein two men fighting, one being of his party and the other of his foes, and he who was of his party cried out to him for help against him who was of his enemies, so Musa struck him with his fist and killed him. He said: This is on account of the Shaitan's doing; surely he is an enemy, openly leading astray.

[28:16] He said: My Lord! Surely I have done harm to myself, so do Thou protect me. So He protected him; surely He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

[28:17] He said: My Lord! Because Thou hast bestowed a favor on me, I shall never be a backer of the guilty.

[28:18] And he was in the city, fearing, awaiting, when lo! He who had asked his assistance the day before was crying out to him for aid. Musa said to him: You are most surely one erring manifestly.

[28:19] So when he desired to seize him who was an enemy to them both, he said: O Musa! Do you intend to kill me as you killed a person yesterday? You desire nothing but that you should be a tyrant in the land, and you do not desire to be of those who act aright.

[28:20] And a man came running from the remotest part of the city. He said: O Musa! Surely the chiefs are consulting together to slay you, there- fore depart (at once); surely I am of those who wish well to you.

[28:21] So he went forth therefrom, fearing, awaiting, (and) he said: My Lord! Deliver me from the unjust people.

[28:22] And when he turned his face towards Madyan, he said: Maybe my Lord will guide me in the right path.

[28:23] And when he came to the water of Madyan, he found on it a group of men watering, and he found besides them two women keeping back (their flocks). He said: What is the matter with you? They said: We cannot water until the shepherds take away (their sheep) from the water, and our father is a very old man.

[28:24] So he watered (their sheep) for them, then went back to the shade and said: My Lord! Surely I stand in need of whatever good Thou mayest send down to me.

[28:25] Then one of the two women came to him walking bashfully. She said: My father invites you that he may give you the reward of your having watered for us. So when he came to him and gave to him the account, he said: Fear not, you are secure from the unjust people.

[28:26] Said one of them: O my father! Employ him, surely the best of those that you can employ is the strong man, the faithful one.

[28:27] He said: I desire to marry one of these two daughters of mine to you on condition that you should serve me for eight years; but if you complete ten, it will be of your own free will, and I do not wish to be hard to you; if Allah please, you will find me one of the good.

[28:28] He said: This shall be (an agreement) between me and you; whichever of the two terms I fulfill, there shall be no wrongdoing to me; and Allah is a witness of what we say.

[28:29] So when Musa had fulfilled the term, and he journeyed with his family, he perceived on this side of the mountain a fire. He said to his family: Wait, I have seen a fire, maybe I will bring to you from it some news or a brand of fire, so that you may warm yourselves.

[28:30] And when he came to it, a voice was uttered from the right side of the valley in the blessed spot of the bush, saying: O Musa! Surely I am Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

[28:31] And saying: Cast down you staff. So when he saw it in motion as if it were a serpent, he turned back retreating, and did not return. O Musa! Come forward and fear not; surely you are of those who are secure;

[28:32] Enter your hand into the opening of your bosom, it will come forth white without evil, and draw your hand to yourself to ward off fear: so these two shall be two arguments from your Lord to Firon and his chiefs, surely they are a transgressing people.

[28:33] He said: My Lord! Surely I killed one of them, so I fear lest they should slay me;

[28:34] And my brother, Haroun, he is more eloquent of tongue than I, therefore send him with me as an aider, verifying me: surely I fear that they would reject me.

[28:35] He said: We will strengthen your arm with your brother, and We will give you both an authority, so that they shall not reach you; (go) with Our signs; you two and those who follow you shall be uppermost.

[28:36] So when Musa came to them with Our clear signs, they said: This is nothing but forged enchantment, and we never heard of it amongst our fathers of old.

[28:37] And Musa said: My Lord knows best who comes with guidance from Him, and whose shall be the good end of the abode; surely the unjust shall not be successful.

[28:38] And Firon said: O chiefs! I do not know of any god for you besides myself; therefore kindle a fire for me, O Haman, for brick, then prepare for me a lofty building so that I may obtain knowledge of Musa's god, and most surely I think him to be one of the liars.

[28:39] And he was unjustly proud in the land, he and his hosts, and they deemed that they would not be brought back to Us.

[28:40] So We caught hold of him and his hosts, then We cast them into the sea, and see how was the end of the unjust.

[28:41] And We made them Imams who call to the fire, and on the day of resurrection they shall not be assisted.

[28:42] And We caused a curse to follow them in this world, and on the day of resurrection they shall be of those made to appear hideous.

[28:43] And certainly We gave Musa the Book after We had destroyed the former generations, clear arguments for men and a guidance and a mercy, that they may be mindful.

[28:76] Surely Qaroun was of the people of Musa, but he rebelled against them, and We had given him of the treasures, so much so that his hoards of wealth would certainly weigh down a company of men possessed of great strength. When his people said to him: Do not exult, surely Allah does not love the exultant;

[28:78] He (Qaroun) said: I have been given this only on account of the knowledge I have. Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of the generations those who were mightier in strength than he and greater in assemblage? And the guilty shall not be asked about their faults.

[28:79] So he went forth to his people in his finery. Those who desire this world's life said: O would that we had the like of what Qaroun is given; most surely he is possessed of mighty good fortune.

[28:80] And those who were given the knowledge said: Woe to you! Allah's reward is better for him who believes and does good, and none is made to receive this except the patient.

[28:81] Thus We made the earth to swallow up him and his abode; so he had no body of helpers to assist him against Allah nor was he of those who can defend themselves.

[28:82] And those who yearned for his place only the day before began to say: Ah! (Know) that Allah amplifies and straitens the means of subsistence for whom He pleases of His servants; had not Allah been gracious to us, He would most surely have abased us; ah! (know) that the ungrateful are never successful.

[29:39] And (We destroyed) Qaroun and Firon and Haman; and certainly Musa came to them with clear arguments, but they behaved haughtily in the land; yet they could not outstrip (Us).

[29:40] So each We punished for his sin; of them was he on whom We sent down a violent storm, and of them was he whom the rumbling overtook, and of them was he whom We made to be swallowed up by the earth, and of them was he whom We drowned; and it did not beseem Allah that He should be unjust to them, but they were unjust to their own souls.

[32:23] And certainly We gave the Book to Musa, so be not in doubt concerning the receiving of it, and We made it a guide for the children of Israel.

[32:24] And We made of them Imams to guide by Our command when they were patient, and they were certain of Our communications.

[32:25] Surely your Lord will judge between them on the day of resurrection concerning that wherein they differ.

[33:69] O you who believe! Be not like those who spoke evil things of Musa, but Allah cleared him of what they said, and he was worthy of regard with Allah.

[37:114] And certainly We conferred a favor on Musa and Haroun.

[37:115] And We delivered them both and their people from the mighty distress.

[37:116] And We helped them, so they were the vanquishers.

[37:117] And We gave them both the Book that made (things) clear.

[37:118] And We guided them both on the right way.

[37:119] And We perpetuated (praise) to them among the later generations.

[37:120] Peace be on Musa and Haroun.

[37:121] Even thus do We reward the doers of good.

[37:122] Surely they were both of Our believing servants.

[40:23] And certainly We sent Musa with Our communications and clear authority,

[40:24] To Firon and Haman and Qaroun, but they said: A lying magician.

[40:25] So when he brought to them the truth from Us, they said: Slay the sons of those who believe with him and keep their women alive; and the struggle of the unbelievers will only come to a state of perdition.

[40:26] And Firon said: Let me alone that I may slay Musa and let him call upon his Lord; surely I fear that he will change your religion or that he will make mischief to appear in the land.

[40:27] And Musa said: Surely I take refuge with my Lord and, your Lord from every proud one who does not believe in the day of reckoning.

[40:28] And a believing man of Firon's people who hid his faith said: What! Will you slay a man because he says: My Lord is Allah, and indeed he has brought to you clear arguments from your Lord? And if he be a liar, on him will be his lie, and if he be truthful, there will befall you some of that which he threatens you (with); surely Allah does not guide him who is extravagant, a liar:

[40:29] O my people! Yours is the kingdom this day, being masters in the land, but who will help us against the punishment of Allah if it come to us? Firon said: I do not show you aught but that which I see (myself), and I do not make you follow any but the right way.

[40:30] And he who believed said: O my people! Surely I fear for you the like of what befell the parties:

[40:31] The like of what befell the people of Nuh and Ad and Samood and those after them, and Allah does not desire injustice for (His) servants;

[40:32] And, O my people! I fear for you the day of calling out,

[40:33] The day on which you will turn back retreating; there shall be no savior for you from Allah, and whomsoever Allah causes to err, there is no guide for him:

[40:36] And Firon said: O Haman! Build for me a tower that I may attain the means of access,

[40:37] The means of access to the heavens, then reach the god of Musa, and I surely think him to be a liar. And thus the evil of his deed was made fair-seeming to Firon, and he was turned away from the way; and the struggle of Firon was not (to end) in aught but destruction.

[40:38] And he (mumin ali Firawn) who believed said: O my people! Follow me, I will guide you to the right course;

[40:44] So you shall remember what I (mumin ali Firawn) say to you, and I entrust my affair to Allah, Surely Allah sees the servants.

[40:45] So Allah protected him from the evil (consequences) of what they planned, and the most evil punishment overtook Firon's people:

[40:46] The fire; they shall be brought before it (every) morning and evening and on the day when the hour shall come to pass: Make Firon's people enter the severest chastisement.

[40:53] And certainly We gave Musa the guidance, and We made the children of Israel inherit the Book,

[40:54] A guidance and a reminder to the men of understanding.

[41:45] And certainly We gave the Book to Musa, but it has been differed about, and had not a word already gone forth from your Lord, judgment would certainly have been given between them; and most surely they are in a disquieting doubt about it.

[43:45] And ask those of Our messengers whom We sent before you: Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Beneficent Allah?

[43:46] And certainly We sent Musa with Our communications to Firon and his chiefs, so he said: Surely I am the messenger of the Lord of the worlds.

[43:47] But when he came to them with Our signs, lo! They laughed at them.

[43:48] And We did not show them a sign but it was greater than its like, and We overtook them with chastisement that they may turn.

[43:49] And they said: O magician! Call on your Lord for our sake, as He has made the covenant with you; we shall surely be the followers of the right way.

[43:50] But when We removed from them the chastisement, lo! They broke the pledge.

[43:51] And Firon proclaimed amongst his people: O my people! Is not the kingdom of Egypt mine? And these rivers flow beneath me; do you not then see?

[43:52] Nay! I am better than this fellow, who is contemptible, and who can hardly speak distinctly:

[43:53] But why have not bracelets of gold been put upon him, or why have there not come with him angels as companions?

[43:54] So he incited his people to levity and they obeyed him: surely they were a transgressing people.

[43:55] Then when they displeased Us, We inflicted a retribution on them, so We drowned them all together,

[43:56] And We made them a precedent and example to the later generations.

[44:17] And certainly We tried before them the people of Firon, and there came to them a noble messenger,

[44:18] Saying: Deliver to me the servants of Allah, surely I am a faithful messenger to you,

[44:19] And that do not exalt yourselves against Allah, surely I will bring to you a clear authority:

[44:20] And surely I take refuge with my Lord and your Lord that you should stone me to death:

[44:21] And if you do not believe in me, then leave me alone.

[44:22] Then he (Musa) called upon his Lord: These are a guilty people.

[44:23] So go forth with My servants by night; surely you will be pursued:

[44:24] And leave the sea intervening; surely they are a host that shall be drowned.

[44:25] How many of the gardens and fountains have they left!

[44:26] And cornfields and noble places!

[44:27] And goodly things wherein they rejoiced;

[44:28] Thus (it was), and We gave them as a heritage to another people.

[44:29] So the heaven and the earth did not weep for them, nor were they respited.

[44:30] And certainly We delivered the children of Israel from the abasing chastisement,

[44:31] From Firon; surely he was haughty, (and) one of the extravagant.

[51:38] And in Musa: When We sent him to Firon with clear authority.

[51:39] But he turned away with his forces and said: A magician or a mad man.

[51:40] So We seized him and his hosts and hurled them into the sea and he was blamable.

[54:41] And certainly the warning came to Firon's people.

[54:42] They rejected all Our communications, so We overtook them after the manner of a Mighty, Powerful One.

[54:43] Are the unbelievers of yours better than these, or is there an exemption for you in the scriptures?

[61:5] And when Musa said to his people: O my people! Why do you give me trouble? And you know indeed that I am Allah's messenger to you; but when they turned aside, Allah made their hearts turn aside, and Allah does not guide the transgressing people.

[66:11] And Allah sets forth an example to those who believe the wife of Firon when she said: My Lord! Build for me a house with Thee in the garden and deliver me from Firon and his doing, and deliver me from the unjust people

[69:9] And Firon and those before him and the overthrown cities continuously committed sins.

[69:10] And they disobeyed the Messenger of their Lord, so He punished them with a vehement punishment.

[73:15] Surely We have sent to you a Messenger, a witness against you, as We sent a messenger to Firon.

[73:16] But Firon disobeyed the messenger, so We laid on him a violent hold.

[79:15] Has not there come to you the story of Musa?

[79:16] When his Lord called upon him in the holy valley, twice,

[79:17] Go to Firon, surely he has become inordinate.

[79:18] Then say: Have you (a desire) to purify yourself:

[79:19] And I will guide you to your Lord so that you should fear.

[79:20] So he showed him the mighty sign.

[79:21] But he rejected (the truth) and disobeyed.

[79:22] Then he (Firon) went back hastily.

[79:23] Then he gathered (men) and called out.

[79:24] Then he said: I am your lord, the most high.

[79:25] So Allah seized him with the punishment of the hereafter and the former life.

[79:26] Most surely there is in this a lesson to him who fears.

Disbelief

Disbelief, in the literary meaning is ‘to hide’ or ‘to conceal’ and in terminology it is the opposite of Islam. Every non-Muslim is considered as a disbeliever. As we mentioned, there are three conditions in fulfillment of Islam: (1) Testimony to the oneness of God, (2) Belief in resurrection and life after death and (3) Testifying to the messengership of Prophet Muhammad (s). But if one denies any or all of these principles, he is a disbeliever and the conditions of Islam will not be applicable to him.

Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran:

وَمَن لَّمْ يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ فَإِنَّآ أَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَافِرِينَ سَعِيراً

“And whoever does not believe in Allah and His Apostle, then surely We have prepared burning fire for the unbelievers.” (48:13)

And in another chapter, He says:

يَأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ءَامِنُواْ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَالْكِتَبِ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ وَالْكِتَبِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِاللَّهِ وَ مَلئِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ ورُسُلِهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْأَخِرِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَلاً بَعِيداً

“O you who believe! believe in Allah and His Apostle and the Book, which He has revealed to His Apostle and the Book, which He revealed before; and whoever disbelieves in Allah and His angels and His apostles and the last day, he indeed strays off into a remote error.” (4:136)

And He says:

وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَسْتَ مُرْسَلًا قُلْ كَفَى‏ بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدَا بَيْنِى وَ بَيْنَكُمْ وَمَنْ عِنْدَهُ عِلْمُ الْكِتَبِ‏

“And those who disbelieve say: You are not a messenger. Say: Allah is sufficient as a witness between me and you and whoever has knowledge of the Book.” (13:43)

In another verse, He says:

وَمَن يَدْعُ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَهاً ءَاخَرَ لَا بُرْهَنَ لَهُ بِهِ فَإِنَّمَا حِسَابُهُ عِندَ رَبِّهِ إِنَّهُ لَا يُفْلِحُ الْكَفِرُونَ

“And whoever invokes with Allah another god - he has no proof of this - his reckoning is only with his Lord; surely the unbelievers shall not be successful.” (23:117)

On the basis of this, one who is a denier of God or prophethood of the Prophet of Islam or resurrection and life after death is a disbeliever. In the same way, if one has doubt in any or all of these principles, he is a disbeliever.

The Holy Quran says:

وَلَا يَزَالُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّنْهُ حَتَّى‏ تَأْتِيَهُمُ السَّاعَةُ بَغْتَةً أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمٍ عَقِيمٍ

“And those who disbelieve shall not cease to be in doubt concerning it until the hour overtakes them suddenly, or there comes on them the chastisement of a destructive day.” (22:55)

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) said: One who doubts in the existence of God or His Messenger, is a disbeliever.[77]

Amirul Momineen (a) said: Do not fall into uncertainty, lest you fall into doubt and do not fall into doubt, lest you become a disbeliever.[78]

It is can be concluded for above verses and traditions that doubt in one of the principles of religion makes one liable to disbelief even though it might not be accompanied by verbal denial. But it can be concluded from some traditions that doubt that appears to a person in solitude does not make him a disbeliever; on the contrary, it is verbal denial, which makes him a disbeliever.

Muhammad bin Muslim says: I was seated to the left of Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) and Zurarah was to his right. At that moment Abu Basir entered and asked: O Aba Abdullah, what is your view about one who has doubt in the existence of God? He replied: He is a disbeliever. He further asked: What if he has doubt in the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (s)? He replied: He is a disbeliever. At that moment he turned to Zurarah and said: He becomes a disbeliever in case he denies.[79]

Zurarah has narrated from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) that he said: If people reserve their judgment about something they have no knowledge of without denying, they don’t become disbelievers.[80]

On the basis of this, if one has doubts in the existence of God or prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (s) or resurrection, but he does not deny in words and his aim is to investigate and not to deny; such a person will not be considered a disbeliever.

Confirmed denier: One of the causes of denial is negation of the fundamental principles of religion. It is said that if one denies one of the necessary principles of religion like the obligation of prayer or paying of Zakat etc., while he knows that the mentioned order is among the necessary commands of religion, he is a disbeliever, because through this act, he denies the oneness of God or the messengership of the Prophet of Islam. Therefore the criterion of denial is negation of one of the principles of faith and one who negates one of the fundamentals of faith is a disbeliever and the rules of disbelief would apply on him. But one, who accepts all these fundamentals and testifies to their correctness, is a Muslim and the rules of Islam are applicable on him.

On the basis of this, Shia and the four schools of Ahle Sunnat (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafei and Hanbali) are Muslims, since they have faith in the principles of religion.

Religious Rulings Apperatined to disbelief

Disbeliever is having special rules in Islam and some of them are as follows:

1. Muslim men and women cannot marry disbeliever men and women in a permanent marriage;

2. A disbeliever does not inherit from a Muslim.

3. A disbeliever is ritually impure (Najis).

Hypocrisy

In the terminology of Quran, a hypocrite is one who is apparently a Muslim and who testifies to the fundamentals of religion, but in fact he is a disbeliever and he does not have faith in what he claims. Such a person is a Muslim and the rules of Islam would be applicable to him. However, such faith is of no use to his success in the hereafter and on Judgment Day he would be punished like the disbelievers; on the contrary more severely than them. The Holy Quran says:

إِذَا جَآءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ قَالُواْ نَشْهَدُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُهُ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَكَاذِبُونَ‏ * إتَّخَذُواْ أَيْمَانَهُمْ جُنَّةً فَصَدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُمْ سَآءَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ * ذَ لِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ آمَنُواْ ثُمَّ كَفَرُواْ فَطُبِعَ عَلَى‏ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ‏

“When the hypocrites come to you, they say: We bear witness that you are most surely Allah’s Apostle; and Allah knows that you are most surely His Apostle, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are surely liars. They make their oaths a shelter, and thus turn away from Allah’s way; surely evil is that which they do. That is because they believe, then disbelieve, so a seal is set upon their hearts, so that they do not understand.” (63:1-3)

Appearance of hypocrites

The accurate history of the origin of hypocrites is not known, but it is definite that they were present before as well as after the Hijrat (migration to Medina). Since they had not accepted Islam with certainty, but due to different objectives they claimed to be Muslims and in this way they entered the ranks of Muslims. They consist of the following groups:

First group: Those, who with the aim of getting position and status and to take advantage of supposed power of Islam, admitted themselves in the group of Muslims. Such people existed in Mecca as well as in Medina when Muslims gained power, because in the beginning of the call also, it was not remote that Islam will become popular one day and the Prophet and his companions will emerge victorious on the enemies and gain a formidable power. However, this possibility became stronger in Medina; that is why the number of hypocrites increased.

In such circumstances, there was possibility that hostile persons and opportunists would take advantage and cooperate with minority, although they did not have sincere belief in those principles.

Second group: Those who did not accept Islam with sincerity, but they did so for fear of death and danger to their interests they apparently recited the dual formula of faith verbally. These hypocrites were in Medina as well as after the conquest of Mecca they apparently accepted Islam and entered the Islamic community.

Third group: Those who had really accepted Islam, but later on they apostasied, because of doubts; but in order to survive they concealed their disbelief.

On the basis of this, hypocrites existed among the Muslims throughout the lifetime of the Prophet of Islam (s) and after his passing away some of them remained in the same way in the Muslim society.

Conspiracies of hypocrites

They had concealed their inward disbelief and lived among the Muslims and many a times through their hypocritical actions they posed themselves to be true Muslims and well wishers of Islam and Muslims. In this way they attracted the confidence of Muslims, but inwardly they conspired against them and tried to create mischief for them. Therefore, numerous problems appeared for Muslims, which were not lesser than the plots of infidels and polytheists. Below we mention some of the instances:

A group of hypocrites formed a secret party, who in their secret gatherings ridiculed the Prophet of Islam (s) and criticized the verses of Quran. Sometimes they also mentioned all this in the presence of new converts to Islam. In addition to this, they spread doubts and misgivings in order to weaken the faith of Muslims. On different pretexts, they kept away from taking part in normal Muslim rituals of Friday Prayer, congregations and Jihad and by exaggerating the power of enemies discouraged the Muslims from taking part in fighting. Sometimes they also resorted to flight from the battlefield and at the same time instigated the brave ones to also flee. They extended secret cooperation with the enemies of Islam and conveyed official and confidential information to them.

A group of hypocrites constructed a Masjid near the Quba Masjid and invited the Prophet to establish congregational prayer in it. The Messenger of Allah (s) asked: What is your aim in constructing this Masjid? They said: We have made it for rainy nights and for the ailing persons who cannot attend congregational prayer in your Masjid, and there is no other aim in it.

While the fact was that they had some other aim in it. They had made the Masjid with intention to create dissension, harm Islam and spread disunity among the Muslims. In the same way, they used it as a center to spread conspiracies and plots against Muslims and to support disbelief and polytheism. However Quran exposed their conspiracy and mentioned their true aim; and that is why it labeled it as Masjid Zirar (Masjid of harms).

The Holy Quran says:

وَالَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُواْ مَسْجِداً ضِرَاراً وَكُفْراً وَتَفْرِيقَا بَيْنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ إِرْصَاداً لِّمَنْ حَارَبَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَيَحْلِفُنَّ إِنْ أَرَدْنَآ إِلَّا الْحُسْنَى‏ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَذِبُونَ‏ * لَا تَقُمْ فِيهِ أَبَداً لَّمَسْجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوَى‏ مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِ فِيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُواْ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِّرِينَ‏

“And those who built a Masjid to cause harm and for unbelief and to cause disunion among the believers and an ambush to him who made war against Allah and His Apostle before; and they will certainly swear: We did not desire aught but good; and Allah bears witness that they are most surely liars. Never stand in it; certainly a Masjid founded on piety from the very first day is more deserving that you should stand in it; in it are men who love that they should be purified; and Allah loves those who purify themselves.” (9:107-108)

When the Messenger of Allah (s) was informed about the aim of hypocrites, he did not accept their invitation to lead prayers in their Masjid and ordered some of his companions to burn down Masjid Zirar and to raze it to the ground.[81]

One of the breaches of trust of hypocrites, which is also mentioned in the Holy Quran, took place after the battle against Bani Mustaliq; that is when information reached the Prophet of Islam (s) that the Bani Mustaliq tribe has prepared itself to attack the Muslims. The Holy Prophet (s) declared Jihad among the Muslims. Muslim stalwarts prepared themselves and marched towards the land of enemies with the Messenger of Allah (s). They landed at the Marisi well and the battle took place at the same spot. After a brief battle, soldiers of Islam gained domination over enemies from Bani Mustaliq. They slew some of them and took some as captives. After this victory a dispute developed between Muhajireen and Ansar with regard to the water of the Marisi well and it almost developed into a civil war.

Abdullah bin Ubayy, one of the hypocrites of Medina, who nursed extraordinary grudge against Islam and participated in the battles only to share the war booty, expressed his enmity and hypocrisy and spoke thus to those who had gathered around him: “All this is the result of our own doing. We provided quarters to the Muhajireen of Mecca in our land and protected them from their enemies. Our condition conforms to the well-known saying: “Nourish your dog and it will bite you. By Allah, when we return to Medina it will be necessary that the strong and dignified people (of Medina) should turn out the weak ones (i.e. the Muhajireen),”

The speech of Abdullah before the people, in whose minds the Arabian party-spirit and the ideas of the Age of Ignorance still lurked, had a very unwholesome effect on them and it was possible that their unity might have been jeopardized.

Fortunately, however, a zealous Muslim, named Zaid bin Arqam, who was also present there, replied to his satanic words with full force and said: “By Allah, you are the person, who is mean and humble. You are the person, who doesn’t enjoy the least position amongst his kinsmen. On the contrary, Prophet Muhammad (s) is respectable amongst the Muslims and their hearts are filled with love for him.”

Then he departed from there and came to the Prophet and informed him of the seditious speech of Abdullah. To keep up appearance, the Prophet rejected the words of Zaid thrice and said: “Maybe you are mistaken. Probably anger actuated you to say this. It is possible that he considered you to be low and foolish and meant nothing else.” However, Zaid replied in the negative with regard to all these possibilities and said: “No, his intention was to create differences and to fan dissensions.”

Abdullah learned about Zaid bin Arqam’s conversation with the Prophet. He came before the Prophet immediately and said: “I never said any such words.” Some well-wishers of his also supported him and said that Zaid had erred in quoting him. The Holy Prophet (s) wanted to do something, which might make the parties concerned forget the matter completely. To achieve this end he ordered the people to move, although otherwise it was not the time of departure.

Orders for departure were given and the soldiers of Islam continued their march for more than twenty-four hours and did not halt except for prayers.[82]

Almighty Allah says with regard to this:

هُمُ الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ لَا تُنفِقُواْ عَلَى‏ مَنْ عِندَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ حَتَّى‏ يَنفَضُّواْ وَ لِلَّهِ خَزَآئِنُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ * يَقُولُونَ لَئِن رَّجَعْنَآ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الْأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا الْأَذَلَّ وَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

“They it is who say: Do not spend upon those who are with the Apostle of Allah until they break up. And Allah’s are the treasures of the heavens and the earth, but the hypocrites do not understand. They say: If we return to Medina, the mighty will surely drive out the meaner therefrom; and to Allah belongs the might and to His Apostle and to the believers, but the hypocrites do not know.” (63:7-8)

Dishonesty and audacity of the hypocrites reached to such a level that they even hatched a plot to eliminate the Prophet of Islam (s). One of its examples occurred during return of the Prophet from the Battle of Tabuk, which was fortunately thwarted. After the conclusion of this battle, some leaders of hypocrites hatched a plot to assassinate the Holy Prophet (s) secretly. They planned to frighten his camel when he negotiated a perilous mountain cliff, so that it would rear up and stumble into the deep ravine.

The Holy Prophet (s) and his companions were on way to Medina. When they reached the top of the cliff, the conspirators decided to execute their nefarious plot. At this moment, Jibraeel came down and informed the Holy Prophet (s) about this conspiracy. The Messenger of Allah (s) ordered his soldiers: None of you must cross the cliff before me. Then he gave the rope of the camel to Ammar to lead the camel and also ordered Huzaifah to drive it from the rear and to control it properly. They set out after midnight till they reached the cliff. In a crucial passage, he saw a few riders who had concealed their faces and hid themselves in ambush. He said to Huzaifah: Hit the snouts of their mounts with your staff. Huzaifah attacked the enemies with his staff and dispersed their horses. Meanwhile, a hypocrite who was hiding on the mountain top threw a can filled with stones to startle the camel of the Prophet. But it missed the Prophet’s beast and fell down the ravine. During these circumstances, Huzaifah and Ammar were controlling the camel of the Messenger of Allah (s) and they crossed the defile as soon as possible and were clear of danger. During these moments, the Prophet informed Huzaifah about the identities of the hypocrites.[83]

Even though hypocrites were considered Muslims, regretfully due to the effect of their internal disbelief they always had pacts of friendship and cooperation with disbelievers. In special gatherings, they supported the disbelievers and urged them to be firm in disbelief, to be determined in front of Muslims and to bear difficulties. They promised help and support to them, as the Holy Quran has said about the Jews of Bani Nuzayr:

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ نَافَقُواْ يَقُولُونَ لِإِخْوَ انِهِمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لَئِنْ أُخْرِجْتُمْ لَنَخْرُجَنَّ مَعَكُمْ وَلَا نُطِيعُ فِيكُمْ أَحَداً أَبَداً وَ إِن قُوتِلْتُمْ لَنَنصُرَنَّكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ‏ * لَئِنْ أُخْرِجُواْ لَا يَخْرُجُونَ مَعَهُمْ وَلَئِن قُوتِلُواْ لَا يَنصُرُونَهُمْ وَ لَئِن نَّصَرُوهُمْ لَيُوَلُنَّ الْأَدْبَارَ ثُمَّ لَا يُنصَرُونَ‏

“O you who believe! let not (one) people laugh at (another) people perchance they may be better than they, nor let women (laugh) at (other) women, perchance they may be better than they; and do not find fault with your own people nor call one another by nicknames; evil is a bad name after faith, and whoever does not turn, these it is that are the unjust. O you who believe! avoid most of suspicion, for surely suspicion in some cases is a sin, and do not spy nor let some of you backbite others. Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? But you abhor it; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, surely Allah is Oft-returning (to mercy), Merciful.” (59:11-12)

Hypocrites were friendly to the Jews of Bani Nuzayr in a number of ways. They lent their support to them and urged them to remain determined against the Muslims and said: Be steadfast in your stance and do not fear the Muslims. We will support you and if they expel you from this area, we will also accompany you. And if they fight you, we would hasten for your help and assistance. But as the Holy Quran mentioned, the hypocrites did not fulfill their promise. When the Holy Prophet (s) signed a truce with Jews of Bani Nuzayr, under the terms of which, the Jews agreed to leave the Arabian Peninsula, the hypocrites did not keep their word and did not leave in their company.[84]

Hypocrites were dangerous persons as they created very serious difficulties and calamities for Islam. They exceeded the polytheists in their dishonesty and harms. That is why the Holy Quran paid special attention to expose their dishonesty. In many verses, Quran hints at their betrayals, falsehoods, mischiefs and conspiracies and warned the Muslims. Sometimes it has also threatened the hypocrites and said:

لَئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ الْمُنَافِقُونَ وَالَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ وَ الْمُرْجِفُونَ فِى الْمَدِينَةِ لَنُغْرِيَنَّكَ بِهِمْ ثُمَّ لَا يُجَاوِرُونَكَ فِيهَآ إِلَّا قَلِيلاً * مَلْعُونِينَ أَيْنَمَا ثُقِفُواْ أُخِذُواْ وَقُتِّلُواْ تَقْتِيلاً

“If the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease and the agitators in the city do not desist, We shall most certainly set you over them, then they shall not be your neighbors in it, but for a little while; cursed: wherever they are found they shall be seized and murdered, a (horrible) murdering.” (33:60-61)

It also says:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَامِعُ الْمُنَفِقِينَ وَالْكَفِرينَ فِى جَهَنَّمَ جَمِيعاً

“…surely Allah will gather together the hypocrites and the unbelievers all in hell.” (4:140)

In the same way, it says:

إِنَّ الْمُنَفِقِينَ فِى الدَّرْكِ الْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَلَنْ تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيراً

“Surely the hypocrites are in the lowest stage of the fire and you shall not find a helper for them.” (4:145)

Again it says:

يَأَيُّهَا النَّبِىُّ جَهِدِ الْكُفَّارَ وَالْمُنَفِقِينَ وَاغْلُظْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَمَأْوَيهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ

“O Prophet! Strive hard against the unbelievers and the hypocrites and be unyielding to them; and their abode is hell, and evil is the destination.” (9:73)

Presence of hypocrites and their deception was one of the difficulties of the Prophet of Islam (s) and the Muslims. Some of these same hypocrites were alive after the passing away of the Prophet and continued their betrayals and created a lot of difficulties in the spread of Islam. Even today they are involved in subversive activities against the spread and greatness of Islam and to destroy Islamic laws, rules of Quran and Islamic jurisprudence. Therefore, it is necessary on Muslims to recognize the hypocrites and to confront hypocrisy and hypocrites.

Unity of Islamic Ummah

Almighty Allah considers all Muslims to be a single community and He says:

إِنَّ هَذِهِ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَ حِدَةً وَأَنَاْ رَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُونِ

“Surely this Islam is your religion, one religion (only), and I am your Lord, therefore serve Me.” (21:92)

The literary meaning of Ummah is a group of human beings who have a single aim in life and they cooperate with each other to reach their common aim.

Since Islam is concerned with reform and perfection of individuals, it is also attentive to society and its well being and success. The most important and necessary factor in formation of a permanent and strong society is unity in aim and cooperation in achieving it. If among the people of a society, unity and perfect cooperation is maintained, they can protect their social identity and independence and live in the world with confidence and self respect. But if they are disunited and dispersed, they would become humiliated, weak and wretched.

The Holy Prophet (s) said: A believer in relations to another believer is like a structure, whose different parts strengthen each other.[85]

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) said: By Allah, a believer is not a true believer, except that he is like the organ of the same body to another believer brother, in such a way that if one of the nerves is in pain all the other nerves also raise their cries.[86]

The Messenger of Allah (s) said: The example of believer in love and kindness with each other is like the example of a body; whenever one of its organs is in pain, all the other organs support it through sleeplessness and fever.[87]

The Messenger of Allah (s) was so concerned with the unity of Muslims that just after migration to Medina he established brotherhood between Muhajireen and Ansar and drew a memorandum of understanding beginning with the following:

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. This is a memorandum of understanding from Muhammad (s) between the believers and Muslims of Quraish and Medina and those who may follow them and perform Jihad; all of them are one entity before other people.[88]

He did not rest content with this alliance and in order to strengthen unity between them he established brotherhood between every two persons. Ibne Hisham writes:

The Prophet of Islam (s) established brotherhood between the Muhajireen and Ansar. In this way, every two Muslims became brothers of each other. Then he held the hand of Ali (a) and said: Ali is my brother. In this manner, brotherhood was formed between all companions, which helped in the unity of Ummah. More importantly he declared that all Muslims, in every time and place are brothers.[89]

The Holy Quran says:

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُواْ بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ وَاتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ‏

“The believers are but brethren, therefore make peace between your brethren and be careful of (your duty to) Allah that mercy may be had on you.” (49:10)

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) said: A Muslim is brother of another Muslim. He is his guardian and guide. He is not dishonest with him and does not oppress him. He does not lie to him and does not backbite him.[90]

Commands and laws of Islam have been framed in such a way that they should assist and strengthen unity of the Ummah. For example, it emphasizes presence of Muslims in congregation prayer and Friday Prayer so that they may come together a number of times everyday and each of them becomes aware of the circumstances of others.

Imam Muhammad Baqir (a) said: One who leaves the congregation prayer without any legal excuse, in such a way that he has become aloof from congregation prayer and congregation of Muslims, his prayer will not be accepted.[91]

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) said: If one separates from the congregation of Muslims to the extent of even a span, he has forsaken the relationship of faith.[92]

Once in a year, Muslims of different Islamic countries of the world participate in the great and universal rituals of Hajj, so that they may become aware of the circumstances and conditions of the Islamic countries and that they may find solution for their difficulties.

A great part of moral problems are arranged in a way that the spirit of cooperation and relationship between the Muslims is strengthened.

It is concluded from these lessons that Muslims are a single nation (Ummah) and individual Muslims are parts of that nation. Therefore, racial, lingual, communal, occupational, national and even religious differences are harmful to this unity.

That which makes the individual Muslims related to the great Islamic Ummah is follows: Faith in oneness of God, belief in resurrection and life after death, faith in the Prophet of Islam (s) and Quran. One who testifies to these points is a Muslim and is considered as a part of the great Ummah of Islam.

Muslims have same belief in many aspects of Islam. On the basis of this, if they have differences in some problems, it should not be a cause of discord and dissension between them.

The Quran says:

وَاعْتَصِمُواْ بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعاً وَلَا تَفَرَّقُواْ وَاذْكُرُواْ نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدَآءًفَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَ ناً وَكُنْتُمْ عَلَى‏ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ الْنَّارِ فَأَنْقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ‏

“And hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together and be not disunited, and remember the favor of Allah on you when you were enemies, then He united your hearts, so by His favor you became brethren; and you were on the brink of a pit of fire, then He saved you from it, thus does Allah make clear to you His communications that you may follow the right way.” (3:103)

All the power and glory that came into the fortune of Muslims in the early period of Islam was as a result of unity of word and single leadership.

Decadence and decline of Islamic Ummah started when they became disunited and got divided in different ways. Discord and opposition is one of the great calamities of nations. In form of a single nation, it can reach its possible perfection and achieve its aims as there is unity in it. On the contrary their power will be wasted and the community would not achieve its objectives.

The Holy Quran says:

وَأَطِيعُواْ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلَا تَنَزَعُواْ فَتَفْشَلُواْ وَتَذْهَبَ رِيحُكُمْ وَ اصْبِرُواْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّبِرِينَ‏

“And obey Allah and His Apostle and do not quarrel for then you will be weak in hearts and your power will depart, and be patient; surely Allah is with the patient.” (8:46)

The greatest problem and calamity, which still afflicts the great and powerful Ummah is discord and opposition. These difficulties have come into being due to the appearance of different Islamic schools of thought and sects. Self defeat and absence of independence of Islamic countries and domination of the enemies of Islam is only because of these differences. The great Muslim nation can escape these regretful circumstances only if it sidelines all differences and all Muslims unite into a single independent and powerful entity, which can solve its own political, economic, administrative and cultural problems.

Reformers and well wishers also should know that solving the general problems of the Muslim world is not possible, except through creating solidarity. Therefore, they must confront with factors of discord and should focus their views on one aim.

But unity of Ummah does not imply that followers of Islamic schools of thought and sects should give up their theological beliefs and jurisprudence and become followers of a single sect, because even though this is expected from them, it is not possible in the present circumstances, but its aim is that they should be true Muslims, observe common problems and overlook secondary differences. The following instances can be taken to be as common aims:

1. Promoting and propagating Islamic culture.

2. Propagating monotheism and confronting polytheism.

3. Defense of Islam, Quran and Islamic sanctities in front of the attack of international tyranny to weaken Islam.

4. Confronting the invasion of western culture, like the culture of materialism, sensuality and moral corruptions, absence of Hijab, unrestrained sexual freedom, profligacy and dishonesty.

5. Defending the usurped Islamic territories.

6. Confronting hegemony and domination of enemies of Islam in Islamic territories.

7. Defending the independence of Islamic countries.

8. Efforts to achieve economic, academic, technological, administrative, cultural and artistic self-reliance of the great Islamic Ummah.

9. Making effort to regain the greatness and power, which Muslim Ummah has lost.

The aim of the unity of Muslims and closeness between Islamic sects should create cooperation, concern for achieving common objectives and survival of the Islamic world. Muslim scholars are duty bound to guide the Muslims. It is through such unity that difficulties of the world of Islam would be solved and the greatness and independence of Islamic Ummah would be secured.

Mutual duties and rights of Muslims

In view of Islam, all Muslims of the world form a single community, which should have its own heritage and distinctive quality. The great Islamic society is a single living human body. Although each organ and limb of man is having a particular responsibility, there also exists among them a kind of connection and cooperation in such a way that it bestows a special unity and is having its own special effects.

The great Islamic society is also one and Muslim individuals are in fact organs and limbs of this society. Every member of the Muslim community should assure that his well being and Islamic success is related to the well being and success of Muslim community. Therefore, independence and greatness of Islamic Ummah is not possible without support and fulfillment of mutual responsibilities of Muslim individuals.

That is why the holy law maker of Islam (Almighty God) framed mutual duties and rights for all Muslims, which are hinted in Quran and Islamic traditions. Below we present some examples from traditions:

1. Organizing the affairs of Muslims

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) has narrated from the Prophet of Islam (s): One who begins his day without having concern for the affairs of Muslims, is not a Muslim. And one who hears the plea of an individual, who says: O Muslims, and he does not harken to his call, is not a Muslim.[93]

2. Brotherhood

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) said: A Muslim is brother of another Muslim. He is his guardian and guide. He is not dishonest with him and does not oppress him. He does not lie to him and does not backbite him.[94]

3. Mutual rights of believers

Mualla bin Khunais says: I asked Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a): What right does a Muslim has on another?

He replied: Five rights are obligatory on him and if he omits some of them, he would go out of the pale of Wilayat and obedience of God and God has no share in him.[95]

4. Love and Kindness

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) said: It is obligatory on Muslims to be cooperative, kind, supportive and affectionate among themselves. Since Allah has ordered it and said: They should be kind among themselves and aggrieved at the troubles of their brothers like the Helpers (Ansar) were during the time of the Messenger of Allah (s).[96]

5. Pleasing the believer

The Messenger of Allah (s) said: One, who makes a believer happy, has in fact pleased me and one who pleases me, has pleased Almighty Allah.[97]

6. Fulfilling the needs of believer

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) said: No one fulfills the needs of a Muslim, except that Almighty Allah tells him: Your reward is upon Me and in this regard, I am not content with anything less than Paradise for you.[98]

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) has narrated from Allah, the Mighty and Sublime that He said:

People are a family. The best of them is one who most kind to others and most concerned in solving their problems.[99]

7. Giving Advice

The Messenger of Allah (s) said: Muslims should advise their brothers like they are concerned for their own well being.[100]

In the same way, he said:

One who tries to fulfill a need of his Muslim brother, but he does not dispense good advice to him or is not concerned for his well being, has in fact betrayed the trust of Almighty Allah and His Messenger.[101]

On the basis of this the lawmaker of the holy religion of Islam has paid special care for mutual relationships between Muslims and unity of the Islamic Ummah. He has advised those actions, which strengthen unity and has prohibited from factors which cause discord.

Disbelief

Disbelief, in the literary meaning is ‘to hide’ or ‘to conceal’ and in terminology it is the opposite of Islam. Every non-Muslim is considered as a disbeliever. As we mentioned, there are three conditions in fulfillment of Islam: (1) Testimony to the oneness of God, (2) Belief in resurrection and life after death and (3) Testifying to the messengership of Prophet Muhammad (s). But if one denies any or all of these principles, he is a disbeliever and the conditions of Islam will not be applicable to him.

Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran:

وَمَن لَّمْ يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ فَإِنَّآ أَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَافِرِينَ سَعِيراً

“And whoever does not believe in Allah and His Apostle, then surely We have prepared burning fire for the unbelievers.” (48:13)

And in another chapter, He says:

يَأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ءَامِنُواْ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَالْكِتَبِ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ وَالْكِتَبِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِاللَّهِ وَ مَلئِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ ورُسُلِهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْأَخِرِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَلاً بَعِيداً

“O you who believe! believe in Allah and His Apostle and the Book, which He has revealed to His Apostle and the Book, which He revealed before; and whoever disbelieves in Allah and His angels and His apostles and the last day, he indeed strays off into a remote error.” (4:136)

And He says:

وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَسْتَ مُرْسَلًا قُلْ كَفَى‏ بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدَا بَيْنِى وَ بَيْنَكُمْ وَمَنْ عِنْدَهُ عِلْمُ الْكِتَبِ‏

“And those who disbelieve say: You are not a messenger. Say: Allah is sufficient as a witness between me and you and whoever has knowledge of the Book.” (13:43)

In another verse, He says:

وَمَن يَدْعُ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَهاً ءَاخَرَ لَا بُرْهَنَ لَهُ بِهِ فَإِنَّمَا حِسَابُهُ عِندَ رَبِّهِ إِنَّهُ لَا يُفْلِحُ الْكَفِرُونَ

“And whoever invokes with Allah another god - he has no proof of this - his reckoning is only with his Lord; surely the unbelievers shall not be successful.” (23:117)

On the basis of this, one who is a denier of God or prophethood of the Prophet of Islam or resurrection and life after death is a disbeliever. In the same way, if one has doubt in any or all of these principles, he is a disbeliever.

The Holy Quran says:

وَلَا يَزَالُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّنْهُ حَتَّى‏ تَأْتِيَهُمُ السَّاعَةُ بَغْتَةً أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمٍ عَقِيمٍ

“And those who disbelieve shall not cease to be in doubt concerning it until the hour overtakes them suddenly, or there comes on them the chastisement of a destructive day.” (22:55)

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) said: One who doubts in the existence of God or His Messenger, is a disbeliever.[77]

Amirul Momineen (a) said: Do not fall into uncertainty, lest you fall into doubt and do not fall into doubt, lest you become a disbeliever.[78]

It is can be concluded for above verses and traditions that doubt in one of the principles of religion makes one liable to disbelief even though it might not be accompanied by verbal denial. But it can be concluded from some traditions that doubt that appears to a person in solitude does not make him a disbeliever; on the contrary, it is verbal denial, which makes him a disbeliever.

Muhammad bin Muslim says: I was seated to the left of Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) and Zurarah was to his right. At that moment Abu Basir entered and asked: O Aba Abdullah, what is your view about one who has doubt in the existence of God? He replied: He is a disbeliever. He further asked: What if he has doubt in the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (s)? He replied: He is a disbeliever. At that moment he turned to Zurarah and said: He becomes a disbeliever in case he denies.[79]

Zurarah has narrated from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) that he said: If people reserve their judgment about something they have no knowledge of without denying, they don’t become disbelievers.[80]

On the basis of this, if one has doubts in the existence of God or prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (s) or resurrection, but he does not deny in words and his aim is to investigate and not to deny; such a person will not be considered a disbeliever.

Confirmed denier: One of the causes of denial is negation of the fundamental principles of religion. It is said that if one denies one of the necessary principles of religion like the obligation of prayer or paying of Zakat etc., while he knows that the mentioned order is among the necessary commands of religion, he is a disbeliever, because through this act, he denies the oneness of God or the messengership of the Prophet of Islam. Therefore the criterion of denial is negation of one of the principles of faith and one who negates one of the fundamentals of faith is a disbeliever and the rules of disbelief would apply on him. But one, who accepts all these fundamentals and testifies to their correctness, is a Muslim and the rules of Islam are applicable on him.

On the basis of this, Shia and the four schools of Ahle Sunnat (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafei and Hanbali) are Muslims, since they have faith in the principles of religion.

Religious Rulings Apperatined to disbelief

Disbeliever is having special rules in Islam and some of them are as follows:

1. Muslim men and women cannot marry disbeliever men and women in a permanent marriage;

2. A disbeliever does not inherit from a Muslim.

3. A disbeliever is ritually impure (Najis).

Hypocrisy

In the terminology of Quran, a hypocrite is one who is apparently a Muslim and who testifies to the fundamentals of religion, but in fact he is a disbeliever and he does not have faith in what he claims. Such a person is a Muslim and the rules of Islam would be applicable to him. However, such faith is of no use to his success in the hereafter and on Judgment Day he would be punished like the disbelievers; on the contrary more severely than them. The Holy Quran says:

إِذَا جَآءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ قَالُواْ نَشْهَدُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُهُ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَكَاذِبُونَ‏ * إتَّخَذُواْ أَيْمَانَهُمْ جُنَّةً فَصَدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُمْ سَآءَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ * ذَ لِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ آمَنُواْ ثُمَّ كَفَرُواْ فَطُبِعَ عَلَى‏ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ‏

“When the hypocrites come to you, they say: We bear witness that you are most surely Allah’s Apostle; and Allah knows that you are most surely His Apostle, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are surely liars. They make their oaths a shelter, and thus turn away from Allah’s way; surely evil is that which they do. That is because they believe, then disbelieve, so a seal is set upon their hearts, so that they do not understand.” (63:1-3)

Appearance of hypocrites

The accurate history of the origin of hypocrites is not known, but it is definite that they were present before as well as after the Hijrat (migration to Medina). Since they had not accepted Islam with certainty, but due to different objectives they claimed to be Muslims and in this way they entered the ranks of Muslims. They consist of the following groups:

First group: Those, who with the aim of getting position and status and to take advantage of supposed power of Islam, admitted themselves in the group of Muslims. Such people existed in Mecca as well as in Medina when Muslims gained power, because in the beginning of the call also, it was not remote that Islam will become popular one day and the Prophet and his companions will emerge victorious on the enemies and gain a formidable power. However, this possibility became stronger in Medina; that is why the number of hypocrites increased.

In such circumstances, there was possibility that hostile persons and opportunists would take advantage and cooperate with minority, although they did not have sincere belief in those principles.

Second group: Those who did not accept Islam with sincerity, but they did so for fear of death and danger to their interests they apparently recited the dual formula of faith verbally. These hypocrites were in Medina as well as after the conquest of Mecca they apparently accepted Islam and entered the Islamic community.

Third group: Those who had really accepted Islam, but later on they apostasied, because of doubts; but in order to survive they concealed their disbelief.

On the basis of this, hypocrites existed among the Muslims throughout the lifetime of the Prophet of Islam (s) and after his passing away some of them remained in the same way in the Muslim society.

Conspiracies of hypocrites

They had concealed their inward disbelief and lived among the Muslims and many a times through their hypocritical actions they posed themselves to be true Muslims and well wishers of Islam and Muslims. In this way they attracted the confidence of Muslims, but inwardly they conspired against them and tried to create mischief for them. Therefore, numerous problems appeared for Muslims, which were not lesser than the plots of infidels and polytheists. Below we mention some of the instances:

A group of hypocrites formed a secret party, who in their secret gatherings ridiculed the Prophet of Islam (s) and criticized the verses of Quran. Sometimes they also mentioned all this in the presence of new converts to Islam. In addition to this, they spread doubts and misgivings in order to weaken the faith of Muslims. On different pretexts, they kept away from taking part in normal Muslim rituals of Friday Prayer, congregations and Jihad and by exaggerating the power of enemies discouraged the Muslims from taking part in fighting. Sometimes they also resorted to flight from the battlefield and at the same time instigated the brave ones to also flee. They extended secret cooperation with the enemies of Islam and conveyed official and confidential information to them.

A group of hypocrites constructed a Masjid near the Quba Masjid and invited the Prophet to establish congregational prayer in it. The Messenger of Allah (s) asked: What is your aim in constructing this Masjid? They said: We have made it for rainy nights and for the ailing persons who cannot attend congregational prayer in your Masjid, and there is no other aim in it.

While the fact was that they had some other aim in it. They had made the Masjid with intention to create dissension, harm Islam and spread disunity among the Muslims. In the same way, they used it as a center to spread conspiracies and plots against Muslims and to support disbelief and polytheism. However Quran exposed their conspiracy and mentioned their true aim; and that is why it labeled it as Masjid Zirar (Masjid of harms).

The Holy Quran says:

وَالَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُواْ مَسْجِداً ضِرَاراً وَكُفْراً وَتَفْرِيقَا بَيْنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ إِرْصَاداً لِّمَنْ حَارَبَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَيَحْلِفُنَّ إِنْ أَرَدْنَآ إِلَّا الْحُسْنَى‏ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَذِبُونَ‏ * لَا تَقُمْ فِيهِ أَبَداً لَّمَسْجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوَى‏ مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِ فِيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُواْ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِّرِينَ‏

“And those who built a Masjid to cause harm and for unbelief and to cause disunion among the believers and an ambush to him who made war against Allah and His Apostle before; and they will certainly swear: We did not desire aught but good; and Allah bears witness that they are most surely liars. Never stand in it; certainly a Masjid founded on piety from the very first day is more deserving that you should stand in it; in it are men who love that they should be purified; and Allah loves those who purify themselves.” (9:107-108)

When the Messenger of Allah (s) was informed about the aim of hypocrites, he did not accept their invitation to lead prayers in their Masjid and ordered some of his companions to burn down Masjid Zirar and to raze it to the ground.[81]

One of the breaches of trust of hypocrites, which is also mentioned in the Holy Quran, took place after the battle against Bani Mustaliq; that is when information reached the Prophet of Islam (s) that the Bani Mustaliq tribe has prepared itself to attack the Muslims. The Holy Prophet (s) declared Jihad among the Muslims. Muslim stalwarts prepared themselves and marched towards the land of enemies with the Messenger of Allah (s). They landed at the Marisi well and the battle took place at the same spot. After a brief battle, soldiers of Islam gained domination over enemies from Bani Mustaliq. They slew some of them and took some as captives. After this victory a dispute developed between Muhajireen and Ansar with regard to the water of the Marisi well and it almost developed into a civil war.

Abdullah bin Ubayy, one of the hypocrites of Medina, who nursed extraordinary grudge against Islam and participated in the battles only to share the war booty, expressed his enmity and hypocrisy and spoke thus to those who had gathered around him: “All this is the result of our own doing. We provided quarters to the Muhajireen of Mecca in our land and protected them from their enemies. Our condition conforms to the well-known saying: “Nourish your dog and it will bite you. By Allah, when we return to Medina it will be necessary that the strong and dignified people (of Medina) should turn out the weak ones (i.e. the Muhajireen),”

The speech of Abdullah before the people, in whose minds the Arabian party-spirit and the ideas of the Age of Ignorance still lurked, had a very unwholesome effect on them and it was possible that their unity might have been jeopardized.

Fortunately, however, a zealous Muslim, named Zaid bin Arqam, who was also present there, replied to his satanic words with full force and said: “By Allah, you are the person, who is mean and humble. You are the person, who doesn’t enjoy the least position amongst his kinsmen. On the contrary, Prophet Muhammad (s) is respectable amongst the Muslims and their hearts are filled with love for him.”

Then he departed from there and came to the Prophet and informed him of the seditious speech of Abdullah. To keep up appearance, the Prophet rejected the words of Zaid thrice and said: “Maybe you are mistaken. Probably anger actuated you to say this. It is possible that he considered you to be low and foolish and meant nothing else.” However, Zaid replied in the negative with regard to all these possibilities and said: “No, his intention was to create differences and to fan dissensions.”

Abdullah learned about Zaid bin Arqam’s conversation with the Prophet. He came before the Prophet immediately and said: “I never said any such words.” Some well-wishers of his also supported him and said that Zaid had erred in quoting him. The Holy Prophet (s) wanted to do something, which might make the parties concerned forget the matter completely. To achieve this end he ordered the people to move, although otherwise it was not the time of departure.

Orders for departure were given and the soldiers of Islam continued their march for more than twenty-four hours and did not halt except for prayers.[82]

Almighty Allah says with regard to this:

هُمُ الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ لَا تُنفِقُواْ عَلَى‏ مَنْ عِندَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ حَتَّى‏ يَنفَضُّواْ وَ لِلَّهِ خَزَآئِنُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ * يَقُولُونَ لَئِن رَّجَعْنَآ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الْأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا الْأَذَلَّ وَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

“They it is who say: Do not spend upon those who are with the Apostle of Allah until they break up. And Allah’s are the treasures of the heavens and the earth, but the hypocrites do not understand. They say: If we return to Medina, the mighty will surely drive out the meaner therefrom; and to Allah belongs the might and to His Apostle and to the believers, but the hypocrites do not know.” (63:7-8)

Dishonesty and audacity of the hypocrites reached to such a level that they even hatched a plot to eliminate the Prophet of Islam (s). One of its examples occurred during return of the Prophet from the Battle of Tabuk, which was fortunately thwarted. After the conclusion of this battle, some leaders of hypocrites hatched a plot to assassinate the Holy Prophet (s) secretly. They planned to frighten his camel when he negotiated a perilous mountain cliff, so that it would rear up and stumble into the deep ravine.

The Holy Prophet (s) and his companions were on way to Medina. When they reached the top of the cliff, the conspirators decided to execute their nefarious plot. At this moment, Jibraeel came down and informed the Holy Prophet (s) about this conspiracy. The Messenger of Allah (s) ordered his soldiers: None of you must cross the cliff before me. Then he gave the rope of the camel to Ammar to lead the camel and also ordered Huzaifah to drive it from the rear and to control it properly. They set out after midnight till they reached the cliff. In a crucial passage, he saw a few riders who had concealed their faces and hid themselves in ambush. He said to Huzaifah: Hit the snouts of their mounts with your staff. Huzaifah attacked the enemies with his staff and dispersed their horses. Meanwhile, a hypocrite who was hiding on the mountain top threw a can filled with stones to startle the camel of the Prophet. But it missed the Prophet’s beast and fell down the ravine. During these circumstances, Huzaifah and Ammar were controlling the camel of the Messenger of Allah (s) and they crossed the defile as soon as possible and were clear of danger. During these moments, the Prophet informed Huzaifah about the identities of the hypocrites.[83]

Even though hypocrites were considered Muslims, regretfully due to the effect of their internal disbelief they always had pacts of friendship and cooperation with disbelievers. In special gatherings, they supported the disbelievers and urged them to be firm in disbelief, to be determined in front of Muslims and to bear difficulties. They promised help and support to them, as the Holy Quran has said about the Jews of Bani Nuzayr:

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ نَافَقُواْ يَقُولُونَ لِإِخْوَ انِهِمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لَئِنْ أُخْرِجْتُمْ لَنَخْرُجَنَّ مَعَكُمْ وَلَا نُطِيعُ فِيكُمْ أَحَداً أَبَداً وَ إِن قُوتِلْتُمْ لَنَنصُرَنَّكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ‏ * لَئِنْ أُخْرِجُواْ لَا يَخْرُجُونَ مَعَهُمْ وَلَئِن قُوتِلُواْ لَا يَنصُرُونَهُمْ وَ لَئِن نَّصَرُوهُمْ لَيُوَلُنَّ الْأَدْبَارَ ثُمَّ لَا يُنصَرُونَ‏

“O you who believe! let not (one) people laugh at (another) people perchance they may be better than they, nor let women (laugh) at (other) women, perchance they may be better than they; and do not find fault with your own people nor call one another by nicknames; evil is a bad name after faith, and whoever does not turn, these it is that are the unjust. O you who believe! avoid most of suspicion, for surely suspicion in some cases is a sin, and do not spy nor let some of you backbite others. Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? But you abhor it; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, surely Allah is Oft-returning (to mercy), Merciful.” (59:11-12)

Hypocrites were friendly to the Jews of Bani Nuzayr in a number of ways. They lent their support to them and urged them to remain determined against the Muslims and said: Be steadfast in your stance and do not fear the Muslims. We will support you and if they expel you from this area, we will also accompany you. And if they fight you, we would hasten for your help and assistance. But as the Holy Quran mentioned, the hypocrites did not fulfill their promise. When the Holy Prophet (s) signed a truce with Jews of Bani Nuzayr, under the terms of which, the Jews agreed to leave the Arabian Peninsula, the hypocrites did not keep their word and did not leave in their company.[84]

Hypocrites were dangerous persons as they created very serious difficulties and calamities for Islam. They exceeded the polytheists in their dishonesty and harms. That is why the Holy Quran paid special attention to expose their dishonesty. In many verses, Quran hints at their betrayals, falsehoods, mischiefs and conspiracies and warned the Muslims. Sometimes it has also threatened the hypocrites and said:

لَئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ الْمُنَافِقُونَ وَالَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ وَ الْمُرْجِفُونَ فِى الْمَدِينَةِ لَنُغْرِيَنَّكَ بِهِمْ ثُمَّ لَا يُجَاوِرُونَكَ فِيهَآ إِلَّا قَلِيلاً * مَلْعُونِينَ أَيْنَمَا ثُقِفُواْ أُخِذُواْ وَقُتِّلُواْ تَقْتِيلاً

“If the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease and the agitators in the city do not desist, We shall most certainly set you over them, then they shall not be your neighbors in it, but for a little while; cursed: wherever they are found they shall be seized and murdered, a (horrible) murdering.” (33:60-61)

It also says:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَامِعُ الْمُنَفِقِينَ وَالْكَفِرينَ فِى جَهَنَّمَ جَمِيعاً

“…surely Allah will gather together the hypocrites and the unbelievers all in hell.” (4:140)

In the same way, it says:

إِنَّ الْمُنَفِقِينَ فِى الدَّرْكِ الْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَلَنْ تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيراً

“Surely the hypocrites are in the lowest stage of the fire and you shall not find a helper for them.” (4:145)

Again it says:

يَأَيُّهَا النَّبِىُّ جَهِدِ الْكُفَّارَ وَالْمُنَفِقِينَ وَاغْلُظْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَمَأْوَيهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ

“O Prophet! Strive hard against the unbelievers and the hypocrites and be unyielding to them; and their abode is hell, and evil is the destination.” (9:73)

Presence of hypocrites and their deception was one of the difficulties of the Prophet of Islam (s) and the Muslims. Some of these same hypocrites were alive after the passing away of the Prophet and continued their betrayals and created a lot of difficulties in the spread of Islam. Even today they are involved in subversive activities against the spread and greatness of Islam and to destroy Islamic laws, rules of Quran and Islamic jurisprudence. Therefore, it is necessary on Muslims to recognize the hypocrites and to confront hypocrisy and hypocrites.

Unity of Islamic Ummah

Almighty Allah considers all Muslims to be a single community and He says:

إِنَّ هَذِهِ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَ حِدَةً وَأَنَاْ رَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُونِ

“Surely this Islam is your religion, one religion (only), and I am your Lord, therefore serve Me.” (21:92)

The literary meaning of Ummah is a group of human beings who have a single aim in life and they cooperate with each other to reach their common aim.

Since Islam is concerned with reform and perfection of individuals, it is also attentive to society and its well being and success. The most important and necessary factor in formation of a permanent and strong society is unity in aim and cooperation in achieving it. If among the people of a society, unity and perfect cooperation is maintained, they can protect their social identity and independence and live in the world with confidence and self respect. But if they are disunited and dispersed, they would become humiliated, weak and wretched.

The Holy Prophet (s) said: A believer in relations to another believer is like a structure, whose different parts strengthen each other.[85]

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) said: By Allah, a believer is not a true believer, except that he is like the organ of the same body to another believer brother, in such a way that if one of the nerves is in pain all the other nerves also raise their cries.[86]

The Messenger of Allah (s) said: The example of believer in love and kindness with each other is like the example of a body; whenever one of its organs is in pain, all the other organs support it through sleeplessness and fever.[87]

The Messenger of Allah (s) was so concerned with the unity of Muslims that just after migration to Medina he established brotherhood between Muhajireen and Ansar and drew a memorandum of understanding beginning with the following:

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. This is a memorandum of understanding from Muhammad (s) between the believers and Muslims of Quraish and Medina and those who may follow them and perform Jihad; all of them are one entity before other people.[88]

He did not rest content with this alliance and in order to strengthen unity between them he established brotherhood between every two persons. Ibne Hisham writes:

The Prophet of Islam (s) established brotherhood between the Muhajireen and Ansar. In this way, every two Muslims became brothers of each other. Then he held the hand of Ali (a) and said: Ali is my brother. In this manner, brotherhood was formed between all companions, which helped in the unity of Ummah. More importantly he declared that all Muslims, in every time and place are brothers.[89]

The Holy Quran says:

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُواْ بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ وَاتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ‏

“The believers are but brethren, therefore make peace between your brethren and be careful of (your duty to) Allah that mercy may be had on you.” (49:10)

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) said: A Muslim is brother of another Muslim. He is his guardian and guide. He is not dishonest with him and does not oppress him. He does not lie to him and does not backbite him.[90]

Commands and laws of Islam have been framed in such a way that they should assist and strengthen unity of the Ummah. For example, it emphasizes presence of Muslims in congregation prayer and Friday Prayer so that they may come together a number of times everyday and each of them becomes aware of the circumstances of others.

Imam Muhammad Baqir (a) said: One who leaves the congregation prayer without any legal excuse, in such a way that he has become aloof from congregation prayer and congregation of Muslims, his prayer will not be accepted.[91]

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) said: If one separates from the congregation of Muslims to the extent of even a span, he has forsaken the relationship of faith.[92]

Once in a year, Muslims of different Islamic countries of the world participate in the great and universal rituals of Hajj, so that they may become aware of the circumstances and conditions of the Islamic countries and that they may find solution for their difficulties.

A great part of moral problems are arranged in a way that the spirit of cooperation and relationship between the Muslims is strengthened.

It is concluded from these lessons that Muslims are a single nation (Ummah) and individual Muslims are parts of that nation. Therefore, racial, lingual, communal, occupational, national and even religious differences are harmful to this unity.

That which makes the individual Muslims related to the great Islamic Ummah is follows: Faith in oneness of God, belief in resurrection and life after death, faith in the Prophet of Islam (s) and Quran. One who testifies to these points is a Muslim and is considered as a part of the great Ummah of Islam.

Muslims have same belief in many aspects of Islam. On the basis of this, if they have differences in some problems, it should not be a cause of discord and dissension between them.

The Quran says:

وَاعْتَصِمُواْ بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعاً وَلَا تَفَرَّقُواْ وَاذْكُرُواْ نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدَآءًفَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَ ناً وَكُنْتُمْ عَلَى‏ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ الْنَّارِ فَأَنْقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ‏

“And hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together and be not disunited, and remember the favor of Allah on you when you were enemies, then He united your hearts, so by His favor you became brethren; and you were on the brink of a pit of fire, then He saved you from it, thus does Allah make clear to you His communications that you may follow the right way.” (3:103)

All the power and glory that came into the fortune of Muslims in the early period of Islam was as a result of unity of word and single leadership.

Decadence and decline of Islamic Ummah started when they became disunited and got divided in different ways. Discord and opposition is one of the great calamities of nations. In form of a single nation, it can reach its possible perfection and achieve its aims as there is unity in it. On the contrary their power will be wasted and the community would not achieve its objectives.

The Holy Quran says:

وَأَطِيعُواْ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلَا تَنَزَعُواْ فَتَفْشَلُواْ وَتَذْهَبَ رِيحُكُمْ وَ اصْبِرُواْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّبِرِينَ‏

“And obey Allah and His Apostle and do not quarrel for then you will be weak in hearts and your power will depart, and be patient; surely Allah is with the patient.” (8:46)

The greatest problem and calamity, which still afflicts the great and powerful Ummah is discord and opposition. These difficulties have come into being due to the appearance of different Islamic schools of thought and sects. Self defeat and absence of independence of Islamic countries and domination of the enemies of Islam is only because of these differences. The great Muslim nation can escape these regretful circumstances only if it sidelines all differences and all Muslims unite into a single independent and powerful entity, which can solve its own political, economic, administrative and cultural problems.

Reformers and well wishers also should know that solving the general problems of the Muslim world is not possible, except through creating solidarity. Therefore, they must confront with factors of discord and should focus their views on one aim.

But unity of Ummah does not imply that followers of Islamic schools of thought and sects should give up their theological beliefs and jurisprudence and become followers of a single sect, because even though this is expected from them, it is not possible in the present circumstances, but its aim is that they should be true Muslims, observe common problems and overlook secondary differences. The following instances can be taken to be as common aims:

1. Promoting and propagating Islamic culture.

2. Propagating monotheism and confronting polytheism.

3. Defense of Islam, Quran and Islamic sanctities in front of the attack of international tyranny to weaken Islam.

4. Confronting the invasion of western culture, like the culture of materialism, sensuality and moral corruptions, absence of Hijab, unrestrained sexual freedom, profligacy and dishonesty.

5. Defending the usurped Islamic territories.

6. Confronting hegemony and domination of enemies of Islam in Islamic territories.

7. Defending the independence of Islamic countries.

8. Efforts to achieve economic, academic, technological, administrative, cultural and artistic self-reliance of the great Islamic Ummah.

9. Making effort to regain the greatness and power, which Muslim Ummah has lost.

The aim of the unity of Muslims and closeness between Islamic sects should create cooperation, concern for achieving common objectives and survival of the Islamic world. Muslim scholars are duty bound to guide the Muslims. It is through such unity that difficulties of the world of Islam would be solved and the greatness and independence of Islamic Ummah would be secured.

Mutual duties and rights of Muslims

In view of Islam, all Muslims of the world form a single community, which should have its own heritage and distinctive quality. The great Islamic society is a single living human body. Although each organ and limb of man is having a particular responsibility, there also exists among them a kind of connection and cooperation in such a way that it bestows a special unity and is having its own special effects.

The great Islamic society is also one and Muslim individuals are in fact organs and limbs of this society. Every member of the Muslim community should assure that his well being and Islamic success is related to the well being and success of Muslim community. Therefore, independence and greatness of Islamic Ummah is not possible without support and fulfillment of mutual responsibilities of Muslim individuals.

That is why the holy law maker of Islam (Almighty God) framed mutual duties and rights for all Muslims, which are hinted in Quran and Islamic traditions. Below we present some examples from traditions:

1. Organizing the affairs of Muslims

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) has narrated from the Prophet of Islam (s): One who begins his day without having concern for the affairs of Muslims, is not a Muslim. And one who hears the plea of an individual, who says: O Muslims, and he does not harken to his call, is not a Muslim.[93]

2. Brotherhood

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) said: A Muslim is brother of another Muslim. He is his guardian and guide. He is not dishonest with him and does not oppress him. He does not lie to him and does not backbite him.[94]

3. Mutual rights of believers

Mualla bin Khunais says: I asked Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a): What right does a Muslim has on another?

He replied: Five rights are obligatory on him and if he omits some of them, he would go out of the pale of Wilayat and obedience of God and God has no share in him.[95]

4. Love and Kindness

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) said: It is obligatory on Muslims to be cooperative, kind, supportive and affectionate among themselves. Since Allah has ordered it and said: They should be kind among themselves and aggrieved at the troubles of their brothers like the Helpers (Ansar) were during the time of the Messenger of Allah (s).[96]

5. Pleasing the believer

The Messenger of Allah (s) said: One, who makes a believer happy, has in fact pleased me and one who pleases me, has pleased Almighty Allah.[97]

6. Fulfilling the needs of believer

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) said: No one fulfills the needs of a Muslim, except that Almighty Allah tells him: Your reward is upon Me and in this regard, I am not content with anything less than Paradise for you.[98]

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) has narrated from Allah, the Mighty and Sublime that He said:

People are a family. The best of them is one who most kind to others and most concerned in solving their problems.[99]

7. Giving Advice

The Messenger of Allah (s) said: Muslims should advise their brothers like they are concerned for their own well being.[100]

In the same way, he said:

One who tries to fulfill a need of his Muslim brother, but he does not dispense good advice to him or is not concerned for his well being, has in fact betrayed the trust of Almighty Allah and His Messenger.[101]

On the basis of this the lawmaker of the holy religion of Islam has paid special care for mutual relationships between Muslims and unity of the Islamic Ummah. He has advised those actions, which strengthen unity and has prohibited from factors which cause discord.


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