JAWED ANWAR

THE word “Protection” may lead oneself to Ayat ul Krsi, or any supplication (recitation) or tawiz protection (written text) from the Quran or Sunnah.

Yes! There are very powerful words in the Quran and Hadith that help in protecting oneself from evils and enemies. It is Allah’s order to ask Him to protect us and He promises to fulfill it. No one can deny its importance. It is a Muslim’s daily routine and habit by means of faith.

But, the fulfillment of these protection supplications is not unconditional. It is helpful in certain conditions with the fulfilment of several responsibilities.

If you don’t ask supplication from Allah that means you do not believe in Allah;

And your Lord says: "Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer): but those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell - in humiliation!" [Quran, Surah Al Mumin (Ghafir) 40:60)

The person who is not asking and praying to Allah is an arrogant one.

But this prayer (asking) and promise to listen and fulfill is not unconditional.

Allah, the supreme Lord took a guarantee of protection of those who not only accept Him, the Lord, one only, but obey Him without condition, and fulfill certain tasks.

In Quran Surah Al-Imran (3) Ayah 104, Allah says;

“Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity.”

If there will not be a band (group) to do this task, Allah warns them in the next Ayah;

“Be not like those who are divided amongst themselves and fall into disputations after receiving Clear Signs: For them is a dreadful penalty”(Quran 3:105)

In the same Surah after few Ayah (Quran 3:110) Allah declares and assigns the Muslim Ummah (community) to do this task; Amr Bil Maroof and Nahi Unal Munkar (enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong);

“You are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah.”

If you go to Madinah and enter into Riadhul Jannah (a dedicated space from the home of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to the Musallah (the place of prayer) and Mimbar (the pulpit) at the time of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ), the above mentioned Ayah (verse) is written on the Mihrab (arch) of Prophet’s Musallah.

It means, it was the motto of Prophet Muhammad ï·º. It was the objective, vision and mission statement of Prophet Muhammad ï·º.

Muslims as an Ummah, as a community lost this mission a long time ago. In this respect our Muslim community is a “Late” Muslim Ummah (deceased).

However, there was always a group, no matter how small a group it was who was doing this task; fulfilling the responsibility as mentioned in Ayah 3:104 “There must be a group of people” to do this task.

In the case of an non-existent group Allah’s protection umbrella is removes from our head and from the sky. Instead of protection, Allah warns “For them is a dreadful penalty”( Quran 3:105).

Since I arrived in this part of the world, I am in extensive search of a group that qualifies at the category of Quran Ayah 3:104 but failed.

I know of some groups who are doing just the opposite; Amr Bil Munkar and Nahi Unal Maroof (enjoining what is wrong, and forbidding what is right).

I know some groups who believe that since we are living in the world of so called “human rights”, this Quranic responsibility is abandoned (Several “Shyukhs" are promoting this idea).

I know of some of the groups who are not aware about it and don’t even know the meaning of it.

I know some groups who use these terminologies without understanding its meaning.

I know some groups who use these terminologies as a tabarruk (benediction) but don’t try to understand how it will be implemented in this Dunya, in this era, and in this society in which we are living.

I know some groups who knowingly abandoned this imperative task and responsibility.

I know some groups who postponed this task on their Maslahah (expedience) based on their understanding (of Duniya not Deen) of “Islam.”

But, I don’t know any group who is doing it or having a strong desire to do it.

Wherever, Allah mentioned “Amr Bil Maroof” it comes with Nahi Unal Munkar. The two words are unanimous not separate.

Now we come to the most prominent Munkar of our time in this part of the world.

The Mushrikeen of Aamericas do not worship idols. They worship their desire and their lust.

In 2005, Canada Federal Parliament passed the bill for same sex marriage. In 2012 Ontario Legislative Assembly passed the bill (Bill 13) to approve “New Accepting” Education Act. The purpose of this law was to fix and change the attitude and mindset of children of sexuality, gender, and sex orientation from Kindergarten. In 2015, they implemented new sex education with visual descriptions and teaching sexual disorientation. They completed rejected, religious, family, and God given (assigned) Gender and institution of marriage.

Since the last 15 years, the government, media (TV, Social, Magazines, Books, Internet, Films), Human Rights Organizations are promoting LGBT cultural here fiercely. There is no hindrance in it. Hundreds of thousands of people participate celebrating this culture; referring to it as “pride day.”

Not a single Muslim organization/group stood up to say that it is wrong; that it contradicts the faith, the religious and family values, it is harmful for humanity, it calls upon the wrath of God and we all will be vulnerable. Most importantly that it must be stopped otherwise Allah’s protection of the nation will be removed.

No one stood up. No one dared to speak. No one gathered courage to release even a statement of condemnation. No one said that they were wrong.

Fortunately, there was not a group (or individual) exist at the time of Prophet Muhammad (s.aw.). So you will not find anything regarding this matter in Seerah and Sunnah.

But think for a moment, if the prophet Lut (A.S.) were here how he would deal with this situation. What would be his role? How would he address the nation? How he would dealt with this overwhelmingly expanding LGBT culture. What would be his “Maslahah” (Deen not Dunya) based on an understanding of Islam.

“And (remember) Lut, A.S.: behold, he said to his people (nation): "Ye do commit lewdness, such as no people in Creation (ever) committed before you.” (Quran 29:28)

“(We also sent) Lut (as a messenger): behold, He said to his people, "Do ye do what is shameful though ye see (its iniquity)?” (Quran 27:54)

Lut, A.S. said "For ye practice your lusts on men in preference to women: ye are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds." (Quran 7:81)

“What! do you indeed approach men lustfully rather than women? Nay, you are a people who act ignorantly.” (Quran 27:55).

“He (Lut) said: "I do detest your doings."( Quran 26:168)”

Lut (A.S.) [ Bible’s Lot) spoke out loud and clear. He used the term; “lewdness”, “shameful”, “transgressor,” “ignorant”, “detest” for homosexual community.

Was Lut (A.S.) not obviously homophobe from the eyes of today's transgender?

He didn’t show any “respect” for the gay life style.

Will Lut (A.S.) come again? Answer is “NO.”

Is there any Prophet after Muhammad (s.a.w)? Answer is “No”

Who has been given this task of prophecy after the Last Prophet (S.A.W.)? The answer is “The Muslim Ummah.”

Are we, the Muslim Ummah or any of its group fulfilling this responsibility?

If the answer is no, and obviously it is no then re read again Ayah 3:105.

The main issue is that what will be our response on the Day of Judgment when words of Allah will prevail and non-confirming (with the words of Allah) of false Awliyas (from scholars, Sufis, preachers, shuyukhs, muftis, Phds, Imams and Amirs) will vanish and will not be accepted. On that day no one will have courage to support and speak up.

“(It will be) the Day when no soul shall have power (to do) aught for another: For the command that Day, will be (wholly) with Allah.” (Quran Surah Al-Inifitar 82:19).

Protections of Muslims depend on themselves and on their role.

The nation of Lut said to Lut A.S. (who was migrant, nephew of Prophet Abraham, A. S. from Iraq, living in this nation *1 ):

“They said, "Indeed in case you do not refrain, O Lut (A.S.), indeed you will definitely be of the driven out." (Quran 26:167)

“But his people gave no other answer but this: they said, "Drive out the followers of Lut. A.S. from your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!" (Quran 27:56)

I receive similar comments from my Canadian fellows on my articles against homosexuality; Go back to your country, leave Canada, etc. Surprisingly it is the same response as was given by the nation of Lut (A.S.).

Lut (A.S.) said: "Would that I had power to suppress you or that I could betake myself to some powerful support."(Quran 11:80)

Lut (A.S.) said: "O my Lord! help Thou me against people who do mischief (Mufsideen)!" (Quran 29:30)

What was the ultimate result?

What happened to Lut A.S, the new immigrant, not having worldly resource and power?

“But we saved him and his family, except his wife: she was of those who legged behind. (Quran 7:83)

What happened to his (Lut A.S.) nation?

“When Our Decree issued, We turned (the cities) upside down, and rained down on them brimstones hard as baked clay, spread, layer on layer.” (Quran 11:82)

Behold, in that are Signs indeed for those who reflect (Quran 45:13 part)

*1 The land inhabited by the people of Lot, which lies between Iraq and Palestine, is known as Trans-Jordan. According to the Bible, its capital town was Sodom, which is situated either somewhere near the Dead Sea, or presently lies submerged under it.. Apart from Sodom, according to the Talmud, there were four other major cities, and the land lying between these cities was dotted with such greenery and orchards that the whole area looked like one big garden enchanting any onlooker. However, the whole nation was destroyed and today we can find no trace of it. So much so that it is difficult to even locate the main cities which they inhabited. If anything remains as a reminder of this nation it is the Dead Sea which is also called the Sea of Lot.

Jawed Anwar can be reached at Jawed@SeerahWest.com